Twas the Night Before Finals

By Hope Steffensen, 

Peer Advisor, EPPS Blogger and Poet

Twas the night before finals, when all through the hall

Not a student was slacking, no shirking at all

The books were spread on the desks with great care

In hopes that Winter Break soon would be there

The students then nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of good grades danced in their heads

The on-call phone was silent, the PA did clap

And then settled down for a long winter’s nap

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter

The PA sprung up to see what was the matter

Away to the window she flew like a saint

Prepared to document a noise complaint

The moon on the breast of dry barren grass

Gave the luster of whiteboard from a government class

When, what to her wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver, so lively and quick

The PA soon knew, it must be St. Nick

More rapid than electrons his coursers they came

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now Prancer and Vixen!

On COMET (My favorite!!!), The rest of you and Blitzen!”

“To the top of the door! To the top of the hall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

As college students to free food quickly swarm,

Even if they don’t know what Org. the food’s from!”

Quickly to the dorm-top the coursers they flew

With a sleigh full of gadgets, and St. Nicholas too

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And the PA laughed when she saw him, in spite of herself!

A wink of his eye and feint of his hand
Soon let her know, no noise complaints were at hand
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
Put gifts in the suite rooms, then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a motion
And away they all flew like test inspiration
But the PA heard him say, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Finals to all, and to all a good night!"

Cardboard Boat Regatta Captures Comet Spirit

By Hope Steffensen

The atmosphere was electric. The music was blasting. The bass was bumping. People were cheering their hearts out. No, this was not the homecoming basketball game, although the event was in the Activity Center on campus. This crazy event, filled with technique and perseverance, was the annual Homecoming Cardboard Boat Regatta.

For this event, various student organizations build boats out of nothing but cardboard and duct tape, and then race them across the Activity Center Pool. Some designs are elaborate, obviously contending for creativity and spirit awards, complete with colored duct tape hulls and paddles. Others were obviously built for speed—minimalist in nature, resembling a raft more than a boat.

The warmth of the pool deck, along with the excitement of the student organizations, really contributed to the heat of the moment at the Regatta. Shouts and cheers echoed across the water. Finally the winners emerged from the pool, drenched, but with huge smiles of victory decorating their faces. However, the epic moment of the night was not necessarily the winning boat; it was a team who made the crowd laugh.

The CV Honors Program decided to create a twist to the race—while paddling their boat across the pool, the team paused, and made a small hole in the bottom of their boat halfway across the pool. The two competitors then stood at salute in their cardboard boat and went “down with the ship” as a friend in the audience whipped out a trumpet and played Taps. The CV Team may not have won the race, but they won the favor of the crowd.

All in all, the spirit of the Cardboard Boat Regatta was a great representation of what it means to be a Comet. Comets are smart, technical and determined. However, we still find ways to enjoy ourselves in the midst of studying and pursuing success at this fantastic university. It’s great to be a Comet! Whoosh!

The Transition from High School to UT Dallas

By Vernicia Griffie

Throughout high school, my classmates and I were told horror stories about the stark contrast between high school and college. We were told that our professors would be hateful and unapproachable, our classes would be so large and rigid that we wouldn’t be able to ask questions, and there would be so many other people on campus that we would simply blend into the crowd. While this may be the case for other college campuses, I have been fortunate enough to have a much different experience here at UT Dallas.

            

Of course there are some obvious differences between my high school career and my experience here at UT Dallas. Arguably, the biggest difference is that I pay to go here. For most of us, the high tuition rate makes us more accountable for our studies. This means that the “class clowns” and other distractions that were common throughout high school are pretty much nonexistent here. 

Another big difference is the lack of homework assignments. In high school we were given loads of homework along with multiple quizzes and tests so that we would have multiple opportunities to raise our grades. College is the complete opposite of that. In most of my classes, I’m only given two tests that combined are worth nearly half of my grade. This means that as college students, we are expected to study independently and be thoroughly prepared for each of our assignments.

Although there are many differences between the high school and college experiences, in many ways, the two are similar. From the experiences I’ve had so far, I’ve been able to conclude that most of the professors here at UT Dallas are extremely kind and approachable. Those that I’ve had over this first semester have reminded me of my high school teachers in that they are really eager to help their students. 

Also, with the small class sizes, we have the opportunity to be active participants in lectures. We are also able to communicate with both our classmates and our professors on a level in which we probably wouldn’t be able to if we were in a huge class of hundreds of students. This being the case, we aren’t forced to just blend into the crowd.

The experiences I’ve had over these first few months as a college student have proven that the horror stories about college aren’t all so true. At UT Dallas, I have the unique experience of both being regarded as an adult and expected to be responsible, all while being instructed by nurturing faculty that help us easily make the transition from high school to college.

From Newbie Freshman to "Wise" Sophomore

By Hope Steffensen

My friend once said that a sophomore means “wise fool.” Whether he is correct or not doesn’t really concern me right now, but I find it floating in my brain as I begin my sophomore year as a Political Science student here at UT Dallas.

I suppose I am wiser now. I no longer need to ask where to go for free blue books (Student Government Room in the Student Union Building). However, I still have much to learn, like learning how to use Chicago-Style Citations for my Public Policy paper this semester.

The greatest change to my life from freshman year to this year though has been becoming a Peer Advisor in the Social Science Living Learning Community (LLC). I’m in a brand new building, with a brand new LLC. And now, instead of being the student looking for answers, I am the student giving them.

One thing I love about this position is helping people as they try to get plugged in as Comets. I am in a position to help students get involved with the Pre-Law Society, Model United Nations and various other programs that suit their interests. But the best part of my position isn’t being an information source; it’s organizing a community.

I organized a program a few weeks ago where a bunch of residents and I hung out in one of the Residence Hall West Classrooms, played games, had root beer floats and got to ask questions of the UT Dallas Student Body President, Brooke Knudtson. The blending of academic interest, fun and community interaction was a fantastic experience. I am really looking forward to putting together another program for my residents in October.

Being a Peer Advisor is definitely a new experience. It’s interesting being the one giving more answers than I ask, but there is one thing that has stayed true from my freshman year to my sophomore year: it’s great to be a UTD Comet! Whoosh!

How to Survive Your Freshman Year

By Colton Hattersley

I can’t believe that it has been a year.

This time, last year, I was walking around campus freaking out. I came to UT Dallas from a small town in South Texas, so the “college experience” was major culture shock. 

I remember thinking that UT Dallas was not for me. I looked at the feasibility of transferring back to a college closer to home. Now that I’m sitting here, writing this, I’m glad I stuck it out and gave UT Dallas a chance. It might seem scary at first, but this University works hard to make its students feel included, involved, and important.

Here are some tips on how to let UT Dallas help YOU, so that you can survive your Freshman Year:

• GET INVOLVED. You have probably heard this many times, and will probably continue to hear this many times throughout the next four years. One of the coolest things about UT Dallas is the opportunity presented through extracurricular activities and student organizations. No matter what your interests are, there is probably a club out there for you. If not, you can always create one! The more involved you are during the next four years, the better your college experience will be overall.
• ACCEPT THAT CHANGE WILL HAPPEN. One of the biggest worries that I had last year involved my thoughts about changing majors. I came to UT Dallas as a Political Science major, Pre-Law, and thought that I couldn’t change. I knew it was possible to change, but I wasn’t going to allow myself to fluctuate from, what I thought was the perfect plan. The moment that I did change my major, to Sociology, the world became a little brighter. Everything WILL be okay if you decide to change your major, change your friends, change your hair, or change what you eat for breakfast
• DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP. The great thing about UT Dallas is that, in being a smaller University, there are many people willing to help you out. Want to learn more about a subject? Most professors, in my experiences, have been more than willing to meet with me to discuss various topics. Feeling alone in your dorm? Knock on your neighbors’ doors – many times they’ll end up becoming some of your closest friends. There are multiple avenues for help, from faculty and students, covering a variety of topics and needs. Ask, and you shall receive.

Summer in Oman Leads to Knowledge and Adventure

Addison Larson, a junior International Political Economy major, was awarded a Critical Language Scholarship by the U.S. State Department for the summer of 2014. In this blog post, she recounts her experience in  Ibri, Oman, where she was immersed in Arabic language studies

This April, on my daily DART commute from downtown, I received a huge surprise in my email. I was one of twenty students to receive the Critical Language Scholarship to study Arabic in Ibri, Oman. I'm sure I got a lot of confused stares as I laughed uncontrollably in the packed stairwell of the train.

Less than two months later, I was on an airplane to Oman. My exposure to Arabic was minimal, and I had never been anywhere outside of North America or Europe. I had no idea what to expect, and I was afraid! But I shouldn't have been, because my summer in Oman was an amazing experience.

Everything about Oman seemed new and different. Goats wandered the city streets like stray dogs, and I saw a number of families transporting baby camels in their truck beds. At sunset, the sound of the call to prayer rose up from the mosques and echoed off the mountains. Cups of tea at local cafés cost only 13 cents, and dates and coffee were a daily ritual. Most rooms were cloudy with the perfumed smoke of burning frankincense. Every day afforded new traditions and surprises.

Our group of American students planned a number of adventures throughout the country. We camped under the stars in the Wahiba Sands, watching the sun set in the distance over mountains of rich red-orange sand. We hiked to the beach at Ras Al Jinz in pitch darkness to see giant turtles laying their eggs. Later, we tumbled around in the pristine turquoise waves of the Indian Ocean and played soccer on the beach with the local youth. At Wadi Shab, we waded through a series of mountain lakes, climbing higher and higher until we reached a waterfall at the top. I spent my afternoon cliff diving. To top off my Omani experience, a goat proceeded to take my lunch from me while I was drinking my mango juice.

This is not to say that my experience in Oman was all gain and no pain. Our town of Ibri was near the Rub al Khali desert, which separates Oman from Saudi Arabia. The temperature reached 120 degrees each day, and I fainted in the oppressive heat the first day I was in Ibri. Compounding the problem, the local area’s conservative culture required that women wear the hijab and abaya (a full-length, full-sleeve black gown) over their clothing. Over time, I became accustomed to the sensation of being entirely soaked in sweat.

The temporary discomfort was a small sacrifice compared to the gains I made in linguistic knowledge and cultural understanding. Before the program, I had a phone interview in which I forgot how to say “I don’t know.” At the end of the program, I conversed in Arabic with my tester about ISIS and the impact of technology on children’s education. In sum, I am so grateful that my time in Oman put my language learning on the fast track. Oman often felt like a different world, but it’s a world that I would gladly return to.

Freshman DJ Takes Radio UTD for a Spin

By Yusof Nazari

When entering college, we all look for freedom from the cliques and niche groups that we clung on to in high school. Funny enough, we usually fall back into this same pattern, joining a frat, sorority, or a club that we spend all our time on. 

For a music lover like me, I found Radio UTD,"the student-run radio station streaming live from the Student Union at the University of Texas at Dallas". Or at least that's how the disclaimer goes. 

When I was finally picked to be a DJ this semester for Track Genius, I had already dabbled with the people of Radio UTD ---music aficionados, aspiring writers, and concert rats that knew the live sets of all of my favorite artists. It was a whirlwind of fun, and not to mention I got to get creative and make themes and pick all the songs I would play on my show. 

That isn't to say it's all fun and games. The pure focus and creative input that goes into each and every show is equally exciting as it is exhausting. But for EPPS students, who love to speak publicly and broaden their experiences while learning about the world, there's not many better places on campus to do it than Radio UTD. 

Whether you participate or just listen, you'll always take something away from it. It's one of the most close-knit and knowledgeable communities on campus, and I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything else.

To Whoosh, or Not to Whoosh? That is the Question

By Colton Hattersley, EPPS Blogger

If you spent even part of your high school career in Texas, you know that our schools take great pride in one thing – the football team. From August to December, nothing else seems to matter as the entire school comes together in support of the team. School spirit becomes a requirement of sorts, allowing for fun during a school week.

If you haven’t noticed yet, UT Dallas does not have a football team. Our big sports are soccer and basketball, and our pride and joy is the UT Dallas Chess Team. If you look around campus though, there is a general lack of school spirit that is tragic when you look to other universities. 

“Hook ‘Em Horns” and “Gig ‘Em” are battle cries and mottos of two of the most well known Texas universities in the nation, but they serve a much larger purpose. These phrases, as well as other forms of school spirit, unify both current students and alumni into a family of sorts. People say that an Aggie will go out of their way to help any person who wears their Aggie class ring. This important bonding begs the question of why UT Dallas doesn’t exhibit a similar level of spirit.

Our trademark celebratory gesture isn’t a thumbs-up or a Longhorn hand sign, it is so much better. The WHOOSH is by far superior to any sort of gesture that other universities have, so why don’t we use it more? 

In my first semester here at UT Dallas, I found myself WHOOSH-ing to everything – getting an A+ on my Rhetoric Essay, Chicken Fried Steak day at the Dining Hall, and, most importantly, celebrating the successes of my friends and classmates. 

I quickly found that, at least among my friends, WHOOSH-ing was almost taboo. Nobody could understand or fathom why I enjoyed it, and would groan in protest any time I WHOOSH-ed outside of the confines of our dorm.

As the Class of 2017, I think it should be our mission to WHOOSH more. It doesn’t take much effort, is a great way to congratulate others, and is generally fun to do. 

Since we don’t have pep rallies celebrating our non-existent football team, we must ensure that we don’t lose out on the fantastic opportunities to show school spirit and bond as a community. We are no longer individuals, or classes, or schools of study. We are UT Dallas, and we are one. 

Next time you are unsure, and ask yourself “To WHOOSH or not to WHOOSH?” There is a very clear answer. Always whoosh, because you never know who might appreciate you and who might recognize you ten years from now. Allow the school pride to take over every once in awhile and let our bond as a UT Dallas family grow. 

First Spring Break, Then Spring-a-Palooza!

By Vinni Anandham

Finally Spring Break is next week! But while most students dread going back to school once it's over, our UT Dallas Comets are always excited to come back to campus because the Student Affair department has a tradition of hosting a week of fun called Spring-a-Palooza right after Spring Break 

UT Dallas’ Student Union & Activities Advisory Board or SUAAB leads the week’s events in partnership with the various other departments such as Student Media, Meteor Theater, Student Organization Forum, and many more.

The events will kick off on March 17 with the tradition of having the Epic Cones food truck on campus serving students ice cream made of tortilla dough and cheese…yes, that’s right I said cheese! I’ve personally never had any myself, but I am looking forward to trying it this year.

Then later that night they will have their annual Splatter Dance where students will get covered in paint head to toe!! Last year this was one of the best events of the week. Unfortunately I couldn’t get there till 8 p.m. when all the paint ran out…so this year I plan to be there ahead of time and so should you!

The next day the SU Mall will be transformed and will feature nearly 50 student organizations fundraising at the Spring “Fun” Raiser where SOC will be giving out t-shirts and other fun prizes for those who support our student organizations. This is the event I am looking most forward to because not only is the office I work in helping host it, but there will be live performances of UT Dallas students!!

On Wednesday, March 19,  the 27th annual Casino Night will be held in an “Oceans 11” theme. And just when you didn’t expect it to get any better, the next day SNL’s Kenan Thompson and Dallas comedian Paul Varghese are coming for the Big Bad Comedy Show!!

Unfortunately I will not be on campus Friday for the very famous Comet-CON event but you ALL have to go and take picture because they will be featuring various movie screenings, gaming, and the voice actress who plays the voice of Ash Ketchum in Pokemon, Veronica Taylor here at UT Dallas!!!

By the way, I didn’t even mention all of the events, these are just a few that I highlighted! For the entire Sprinapalooza schedule and details, check out SUAAB’s website or FB page.

And don’t worry about the fun coming to an end after Spring Break, because at UT Dallas, the fun continues even after the break is over!!   

Up Close and Personal with a State Lawmaker

By Hope Steffensen

I recently participated in something new at the UT Dallas. In my Honors State and Local Government, we held the inaugural session of “Meet Your Lawmakers,” a class session completely dedicated to being up close and personal with the people crafting the legislation in the political culture we are studying.

Our guest was Texas State Representative Van Taylor. He has served two terms as a state representative for Plano, and he is currently running unopposed for State Senate Seat 8. UT Dallas is well within District 8, so we had a wonderful opportunity to talk to our future state senator.

I was curious about how the session would go. Rep. Taylor is a Tea Party favorite, and he has a reputation for being difficult and “stand-offish” in congressional sessions. However, I doubted he would come across as disagreeable in a presentation to college students, so I literally had no idea what to expect.

When Rep. Taylor began to talk to us, I was not the only one who was somewhat surprised. As one of my classmates put it later, “Representative Taylor was quite soft-spoken.” He gave us a brief three minute introduction about himself, outlining his overseas service in the Marines, his Harvard Business Degrees, and his legislative success in making it easier for overseas military members to vote. Then, he opened up the floor for the rest of the class for an extended question and answer session.

It was definitely a treat. My professor, Dr. Dow, asserted later that it isn’t often that politicians allow so much freedom of discussion. They don’t want to risk being “caught off guard” by a random question.

I especially appreciated his candor in answering my question. I inquired about the importance of personal interaction between legislators. I was curious how a man with a reputation for not being a “team player” would answer that. How he answered, was interesting and insightful to the entire class, my professor included.

He responded with a theory of governance referred to as the “Independence Mandate Theory of Representation.” In this theory, voters select a person based on their ideology. The political actor acts independently, believing his constituents tacitly support it since they elected him. And if constituents don’t support his legislative action, as Rep. Taylor put it, “Vote me out.” For Rep. Taylor, the most important personal interaction is with the constituents and representing them in the Texas Legislature.

It was a breath of fresh air in the realm of politics to engage in such candid conversation with a politician. Even though Rep. Taylor has ideals that are largely divergent from the more liberal, traditional college student, the conversation we had with him as a class was marked with both civility and honesty. That’s definitely unique in modern political conversation.

The Do’s and Don’ts of a Successful Freshman Year

By Josh Baltzell, EPPS Freshman

One might ask coming into their first year of college how they are going to manage their time? Incoming freshman might even wonder how to balance classes and extracurricular activates. As a collegiate athlete and a once undeclared major I can offer a few bits of information to the incoming class of freshman.

First off, if you are coming into college as an undeclared major don’t stress about it too much! My best piece of advice is focus on your core classes. Regardless of what major you decide on and what school within UT Dallas you are in, everyone has the same 42 hours of core classes. A freshman in college can NOT go wrong trying to finish these classes first.

Second, if you, like me, are going to participate in extracurricular activities, find out ahead of time when they are going to meet when you are planning your schedule. For example, I have golf workouts in the early mornings; therefore I cannot take 8 a.m. classes. However, since I am already up, it is very easy for me make it to an 8:30 or 9 a.m. class. 

When you are signing up for classes realistically evaluate yourself. Are you really a morning person or do you just wish they you were? If you are bad at time management and tend to procrastinate a lot, don’t take an online class. Make sure to plan your schedule according to your personality.

Lastly, learn a valuable real life skill your freshman year --- good organizational skills. As a golfer for the UT Dallas team, I know that I am going to have extra commitments. Frequently, this semester I found myself having to miss classes because I was away at a golf tournament or was going to need time to practice. Whatever activity you choose to partake in, make sure you keep a list of the things you need to accomplish that week. Have an outline of your assignments, meetings, practices, and tests. You’ll find yourself less stressed because you know what the week has in store. 

Also, in my case, having to travel for golf provided me with a way to get to know my professors outside the classroom setting. For example, I had to talk to my CRIM professor about missing class on multiple occasions because attendance was required. When explaining that it was for golf, he learned my name and was later able to remember me specifically and ask me about the golf team.

College is a completely different experience from high school. As long as you are able to come in with an open mind of what you want to accomplish and are able to set realistic goals for yourself, you should be able to make the most of your next four years at the university

My Life as a UT Dallas Commuter

By Thuy Trinh, Guest Blogger

When I was in high school, I always thought my life in college would be easy and fun. I would live in a dorm with my best friends and easily walk across campus to go to my classes every day. I would have water fights with the students in my dorm building and have the perfect college experience. So you must understand my surprise when I discovered that I had to commute since the school I chose to attend  (UT Dallas obviously) was too close to home to live on campus, and it would save my parents and me a lot of money.

As I commute to UT Dallas this semester, I have learned that along with some benefits there were many challenges that a commuter must face. Parking for one is such a pain! I usually arrive at school around 9:45 a.m. and the best parking that I can get is around the Clark Center, but every time I get to school, it is always taken. Every single slot! So I have to park all the way in the back next to the soccer fields, and the walk to my class is about 15 minutes if I speed walk. I have to arrive before nine just to get  decent parking.

The next challenge is traffic, which is partially my fault. My first class is at 10 a.m., and as we all know the traffic on I-635 is chaotic. It usually takes me 30 minutes to get to school and only 15 to 20 minutes to get home. I now know to choose my class times wisely where there won’t be as much traffic on I-635.

The biggest obstacle I face as a commuter is that I don’t get to participate in as many school events as students who live on campus. I usually don’t feel like driving so far just for an event whereas if I were living on campus, I could just walk across the street. I feel like I am missing out on the college experience.

With all my complaining about the difficulty of being a commuter, you probably think that it is the worst thing in the world, and you’re glad to be living on campus. But there are actually a lot of benefits as well.

I never, and I repeat never, have to cook. I always have a good home-cooked meal. My parents fill my gas for me. I’m not in any college debt. And the best thing about commuting is that I never get home sick. I know that once college is over, I have to venture out into the world and make my own living, so I actually am not in a rush to move out yet.

I appreciate the time I have at home with my parents for I know that many kids are in a rush to move out without knowing that in the future they won’t get the opportunity to spend more time with their family. In my EPPS class, I have learned that a lot of students miss being at home and get taken care of by their parents, which makes me even more appreciative of the time I have with them. 

You Think I'm Apathetic? I Don't Care

By Colton Hattersley, EPPS Blogger

Upon going home over winter break, I was faced with several very interesting questions: have you gotten drunk yet? How are the drugs up in Dallas? Why do you even care? It caught me off guard, to be honest – it was as if people back home had forgotten who I was and what I stood for. This presents an interesting and very serious question for us to evaluate. Why do college students have such a poor reputation, and what can we do to change that?

First, let’s look at drinking. The common perception of the college kid includes someone who goes to parties every night and is caught up in underage drinking. At many universities across America, this perception holds a degree of truth to the matter. One of the great things about being at UT Dallas, however, is that this atmosphere of partying and alcohol isn’t as prominent. Because of the degree of academic prowess our student body holds, there is a minimum of underage drinking and partying that is going on.

Second, let’s evaluate the issue of drugs. With the debate on marijuana legalization jumping in and out of the national spotlight, it is hardly surprising that many college students are experimenting both with marijuana and other illegal drugs. Though it is close to a metropolitan area, which by its very nature would be perceived to promote the use of drugs, UT Dallas manages to deflect or at least minimize the impact that drugs can have. With a student body that cares about what they are doing, and who generally don’t want to jeopardize their education, the drug problem that is seen across both the state and nation has not been able to achieve fruition.

Third, and finally, let’s look at apathy. The college student is perceived to be this creature that exemplifies apathy through the way he or she dresses, speaks, and acts. Public opinion would dictate that we all wear pajamas to classes everyday, speak in slow and very simplistic vocabulary, and move sluggishly with everything we do. Apathy is expected to lead us to procrastination, failure, and ultimately this status of dropping out.

As seen with the other two examples, UT Dallas students aren’t like most students. While there is always going to be that one guy who shows up in a dinosaur suit to your government class, people generally care about how they present themselves and therefore make an effort to at dress appropriately.

With classes at UT Dallas being both rigorous and insightful, students are constantly discussing the things covered in lecture to better understand the material. This allows for an intellectual and scholarly discussion that conflicts with the expectation society has placed on college students.

So next time I go back home, and get asked the same questions, I won’t be caught off guard. With public perception of college kids at a dangerously low level, we must work to fight against this label. Being at UT Dallas, we have been provided an environment capable of not only keeping us safe, but also of revolutionizing perceptions and making positive changes in the world. Next time I’m asked about my “lazy college life,” I will have one simple response – Not me, and not at UT Dallas. 

Alaskan Shares Advice for Surviving Next "Arctic Blast"

By Hope Steffensen, EPPS Blogger

Winter is very common where I am from. In Alaska, winter is actually an annual occurrence! However, my understanding as the new kid on the block here at UT Dallas is that winter in north Texas is not quite so common. I guess that explains all the doomsday headlines on the news when the ice storm broke out last month.

Words like “Icepocalypse” and “Frigid Arctic Blast Hits North Texas” were scrawled across the screen. It made me wonder, “If this is an ‘Arctic Blast,’ what does that make winter in Alaska?”
So, in case Jack Frost rears his ugly head and ices us in again, here are some “Winter Tips” from a self-proclaimed winter expert.

Tip # 1—Winter is not the time to make a fashion statement
This one is mostly for the women out there. Ladies, resist the urge to wear those adorable felt-bottomed boots. They may look amazing, but one won’t look amazing slipping and falling because of lack of traction on one’s footwear. Stick with comfortable walking shoes to avoid those embarrassing falls.
Tip # 2—Dress warmly
Now, while this may seem obvious, there seems to always be a slew of people who want to prove how cool they are by not wearing a jacket when it’s thirty degrees outside. Indeed, doing that will make a person so cool he/she will probably catch a cold. Besides, even Alaskans wear jackets in that type of weather. Rest assured, there is no shame in wearing a jacket.
Tip # 3—Avoid couch potato syndrome
It is important to stay active, even if one can’t go outside. Walking up and down stairs in the Residence Halls, doing push-ups in one’s room, or even doing some simple stretches are ways to make sure one doesn’t go dormant like a Kodiak Brown Bear on those chilly days. It will help one not only be healthier physically, but it will refresh one mentally as well.
Tip # 4—Keep doing schoolwork
Just because classes are shut down for a few days does not mean they won’t re-open. Homework and studying will still be due when the weather warms up. Tests do not melt away with the ice. By being diligent and studious with the extra free time one has from not having classes, one will have a lot less stress when regular class schedules resume. Just like any day, studying and being prepared will help ensure success in the days ahead.