Spring Fever - Being productive while still being able to breathe during Spring Break
0 comments Posted by Laura Saloiye at 9:17 AM
It's finally that time of the semester. The time when Spring Break draws nigh and the idea of a week away from school makes us drool with anticipation. Unfortunately, beforehand (and even afterwards for some), we have exams, quizzes, papers, and all other sorts of homework to finish. Many times Spring Break is given as a chance to work on projects that would be impossible to handle during the daily rush of things. As such, an important question rises to the forefront of our minds.
How do we get homework done during spring break while still being able to relax and enjoy our break from school?
Well, the answer is simple, but not exactly as easy. Here's some steps to help you get started:
1. Make a list of MUST-DO assignments. These assignments are ones that are important and need your attention immediately. If you can't figure out what assignments are 'must-do' ones, then look at the syllabus. Must-do assignments often depend on the due date (is it due soon?) or the grade weight (what percentage of the final grade is the assignment?).
2. Space out some time during break specifically for homework. Now, this is not near as easy as it sounds. But pick a time every day where you will get away from family, friends and Facebook and just work on homework.
3. Use your resources. If you need to work on a paper over Spring Break, be sure to check your book out of the library before you leave! Or, check out the eBooks and Online Databases linked on the library.cairn.edu home page, and find what you need right there on your computer! Searching the online catalog can also bring up books that you can access on your computer while you're at home. Always be aware of the resources you have!
4. Take a break! Depending on the type of student you are, this might be the most important step. Especially at this point in the semester, we are more than capable of running our poor brains into the ground by overstudying. Burnout is very common during this time of midterms and essays, so be sure to step back and take a break! Your brain doesn't work nearly as well when it's worn out as it would if you just took a short break. For my break, I'll watch an episode of Friends. It's only 22 minutes long, and I feel refreshed enough afterwards that I can go back to tackling my homework! Once I get something else accomplished homework-wise, I can take another break and watch another episode. This keeps me from getting overly-stressed, and it keeps my brain from shutting down on me.
These steps are only the beginning, and all require discipline. That's where the hard part comes in. But if you follow these basic steps, then you should be able to be at least somewhat productive and be able to relax at the same time! Just remember not to get TOO burnt out on homework, and to enjoy your family and friends while you're at home! Also, for any of you staying on campus, please remember that we have adjusted hours for spring break! These can be seen in the 'hours' link on the library.cairn.edu homepage. Good luck everyone, and have a wonderful spring break!
~Rachel Krodel
5 Times the Library Is NOT Your Study Buddy
0 comments Posted by The Masland Library Blog at 10:30 AM
Student workers promote the library; but sometimes even we
acknowledge you can have too much of a good thing. Here are some suggested
alternatives.
1. You really need sleep, but you should be studying: You’ve
been up all night, but all night wasn’t enough, and your eyelids weigh a
million pounds, each.
Alternative: stay in your room. Consider sleeping 10-20
minutes. This light sleep cycle is perfect for a mind-clearing power nap, and
your best sleep is bound to happen in your own bed, not at a library table.
2. You’re really hungry, but you should be studying: You’ve
got a craving for potato chips. You know, and I know, that those chips aren’t
supposed to be in here, what with the rustling bag and the oily finger prints.
Alternative: head to the commuter lounge. The noise level is
fairly low, there’s couches, tables, computers - you can even buy your chips in
the vending machines there!
3. You really want to fight with your friend/significant
other, but you should be studying: you can’t seem to stop thinking about how
annoying the world is, when you should be figuring out how to end world hunger.
Alternative: walk through the neighborhood. Grab a friend
who will listen, or if you feel comfortable, go for a run by yourself. The
creepiest people who live in that neighborhood are probably your professors,
and the walking will calm your nerves and clear your head.
4. You’re really getting claustrophobic, but you should be
studying: Your room, the library, the MAC, yourroomthelibrarytheMACyourroomthelibrary--
MAKE IT STOP! You need a car.
Alternative: take the bus to Newtown. From the stop outside
Bottom Dollar, to the stop near Starbucks, the trip is $2.25 each way. The ride
is a little long, but if you want a place to study all day, that Starbucks is
definitely the cutest place to do it.
5. You really want to drop out of school, but you should be
studying: forget campus, forget even Newtown - that’s way too close. You might
see someone you know. You might think about homework. You might have a
flashback to today’s lecture. Help.
Alternative: go home. Sometimes, if at all possible, you
just need your family, your room, and some good food before you venture back to
the familiar face of the library front doors. And that’s okay! Even the most
independent of us need a break from the sterility of library life. Take the
weekend, and come back refreshed.
If we’re being honest, there are loads of times the library
just isn’t your best friend. That’s okay. Before you waste hours staring at the
wall, get your mind and body in the right place. And when you come back, you
might actually be able to get things done.
~Christine
1. Stay hydrated:
This may sound silly, but you can be surprised how far a little water can go. When your water intake is low, you may experience headaches or even exhaustion. Water even can help you with your digestion as well as helping your brain function well.
2. Get plenty of rest:
One of the things that you hear about a lot in college is students who pull all-nighters before a test. This may not be your best option. Cramming all that information in your head tires you out, and then your brain has no time to process it. When you sleep, your body and brain are realigning everything from the day. As a result, the person who attempted the all-nighter will not be able to process the questions well on the test that they studied for - if they can read them at all. Several of my friends have not slept like they should and had trouble functioning the entire day sometimes have nearly passed out. Personally, I cannot function well in class or stay awake unless I have had a minimum of 7 hours, but that may be different for you.
3. Eat well:
This one seems like another duh, but when you become busy as a college student, it is easy to skip meals. I really do not recommend skipping meals from personal experience. I had skipped breakfast a few times, and I always felt so hungry by 10am, or I felt sick. Several of my friends also had bad experiences with this.
4. Know your limits:
One of the mistakes that I made sophomore year was that I jumped into too much at one time. My grades showed it. I didn’t fail, but I didn’t do excellently either. If you know you are someone who stresses out too easily, don’t get too involved. There are going to be times where you have to skip an event to finish a paper. It happens.
5. Plan ahead on your assignments:
This one was a killer for me. I was told by a professor freshman year that I should start papers, especially big assignments, two weeks ahead of time. I wish I had listened to him. It would have saved me a lot of grief. Always have a time to study and a place. This helps a lot. For those who would like to study in the library, I am including the regular library hours in this post.
Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
6. Do not neglect your personal bible study:
This one may seem more like “Why do I have to do this?” I know. I have had that attitude. As a student, we feel saturated with Bible content because every semester we usually have one bible class. At times, I thought it was enough, but it never was. I felt emotionally and spiritually run down faster when I was not reading my bible. There are some things that you cannot get from Bible classes as well. God can speak personally to you through your bible study. There have been so many times this semester already that my bible readings have encouraged me when I was feeling down, or my trust of God was wearing too thin. Your personal time is when God wants to let you know that you can be still and know that He is God.
~Elisabeth (Beth)
As October looms on the
horizon, the whispers and rumors of Homecoming start flying through the campus.
Days of Homecomings past are remembered fondly for most, perhaps not so fondly
for some, but all with a recollection of the excitement and energy that whizzes
through the college. For some of us, this will be one more Homecoming to add to
the several that we've already been to. Some might think, 'why bother going?
Been there, done that!'. But I'm here to give you seven awesome reasons as to
why you should gear up and attend Homecoming 2014 with gusto!
1. The Tenth Avenue North concert.
Tenth Avenue North is a totally
awesome band, and anyone that's into Christian music will most likely agree
with that statement. My personal favorite is 'Hold My Heart', and I've got a
ticket purchased and fingers crossed that they will play the song at the
concert! Tickets are only ten dollars for students, an incredible discount!
Student Life has all the steps you need to get a ticket of your own, as well as
one for any family or friends that you would love to jam out to!
2. Athletics.
For sports fans all through
campus, there's plenty of opportunity to go out and support our fellow
Highlanders all throughout the day! From soccer, to volleyball, to baseball and
more, Cairn has athletic games happening all throughout the day! Grab a buddy,
bring a soda and go cheer on your fellow classmates!
3. The Walkway Fair.
In my opinion, this is one of the
biggest events of Homecoming. The giant and awesome fair that happens on and
around the walkway goes from 11am to 4pm, and has everything from a giant
ferris wheel to a rock wall and more! Delicious goodies and fun games abound
throughout the fair, and it's the best chance to grab your group of friends and
wander around, having a blast and creating memories that will last a lifetime!
4. Discussion Panels.
For those of you who have an intense desire for learning and
really want some enduring questions to struggle with, these discussion panels
are for you. For the first panel, Dr. Jonathan Master will be interviewing
three of our very own professors, Dr. Marti MacCullough, Dr. John Master, and
Dr. Bob Wenger! They'll be questioned about their experiences with Cairn, their
faith, and more! You can even submit your own interview questions by followingthis link!
The second discussion panel
focuses on Cairn's outreach to urban areas and cities. Especially if you're in
a relevant major, this will be a panel you will want to be at. Cairn alumni are
already out and about making a difference in the urban world, and this is your
chance to see how! By following the above link, you can submit questions for
this interview as well!
5. Build-A-Boat.
Build-A-Boat is a fantastically
fun event to attend, especially if you don't want to suffer the wet fate of the
riders yourself. All the laughter, all the fun, and none of the mess! Get
together with friends at the pond to watch as racers try to paddle their
home-made boats across the pond to get the golden oar! We've had boats made
from plastic play house doors, plastic tubes, wood planks, and more! You will
laugh, grin and cheer as the racers paddle and flounder in their quest for the
golden oar!
6. Historical Tours of Cairn.
For alumni and current students
alike, the multiple tours and historic memorabilia that are on display are
really intriguing and exciting to see. Especially as we start fresh, having
just passed the blessing of our centennial year, it is amazing to see all that
has passed in one hundred years and gaze at all the work that God has done in
our very own college. For me, I always enjoy seeing were we have come from, and
look forward to where we are heading next.
7. Arts@cairn.
As one of the final events in
the evening, this is a great opportunity to cool down and relax after such a
busy and exciting day. Pre-registration is necessary for the event, but it's
easy, online and free! People will gather in the lower BLC to have an artist
reception with Victor Atkins. It's a wonderful chance to get to meet with the
artist, admire his works and delve into the mind of the one that created such
beautiful art. It's an exciting chance to get to know the 'how and why' of his
creations. There is always a meaning and intention behind a piece of art, and
this is your chance to learn directly from the artist what his intentions were!
As you can see, Homecoming 2014
is going to be a blast. It's a wonderful time to enjoy family and friends, and
it's the chance to really rejoice with the community that God has provided us
with. I wouldn't miss this for the world! I know I'll be going, and I hope you
will be too!
For a full time schedule and
preregistration forms, check out this link! There's so much more that I didn't list,
so take a look and start making your own list of what you want to see and do!
Hope to see you on October 4th!
~Rachel
Should Scotland be an Independent Country?
0 comments Posted by The Masland Library Blog at 11:09 AM
As the vote on the Scottish referendum approaches, the vote
to stay or go has drawn near to a 50/50 split. For decades, many of the
Scottish people wished to be their own country, separated from England and the
Queen. But becoming an independent country is no easy task; there are many
details that must be considered in order for independence to be a wise choice.
Although Scotland already has their own educational system, health care, and
police force run independently of England, questions such as the economy and
currency, energy, oil and gas, pensions and welfare, citizenship and
immigration, military, and the possibility of obtaining EU membership, must be
considered.
Scotts
desire to have more control in what takes place within their own government.
Currently, with the UK’s system of government and parliament there is
devolution (the delegation of power to a lower level) this gives Scotland a
certain amount of control within their country. Many Scots are currently
arguing that they do not have enough power and that the only way to truly make
the best decisions for Scotland they need to have their own government system
in place. Others argue, that a No vote for the referendum is better, for with
it, they are not giving up the possibility of gaining more control, but rather,
from a no vote a greater devolution would take place.
As of this point, the current polls are:
No - 47%
Yes - 46%
Don’t Know- 7%
There
is much or the UK’s system of government that I still yet to fully understand,
there are so many different approaches that countries can set in place to be
run successfully. Although I may not understand all of what is taking place, it
has been fascinating keeping up with this news through the use of The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Wall Street Journal that are both
located within the library, along with the BBC’s website. Having both of these
newspapers and many more at the library are a wonderful resource to expand out
of the “bubble” of college and keep connected with all that is taking place in
the world.
~Leia
Welcome to Cairn! It’s exciting isn’t it? All of the new
people, new places, new sounds, new surroundings can be so exhilarating….. or,
if you are like me when I first arrived, completely overwhelming! You suddenly
feel like you were thrown into a Twilight
Zone setting where you are expected to attend all of your classes, EVERY
chapel, do all of the readings, papers, projects for EVERY class, oh and keep
up a healthy regime of eating right at EVERY meal and exercising in the gym at
the MAC. Not to mention all of the activities that help build community so of
course you are obligated to go EVERY single one because who doesn’t want to be part
of community?!
Stop. Take a deep breath. Count to ten. Let it out.
Before you get too far into the semester, let me offer you
some tips that I have learned (and am still learning!):
Number 1: You don’t have to do it all. Yup I said it.
Obviously homework is a must because without it we wouldn’t learn but don’t
feel like you have to attend every activity this school has to offer. Think of
them as options. If you like music, attend the music events that seem
interesting to you. Or maybe you like to participate in sports, there is always
a sporting event you can attend and cheer on the Highlanders! Intramurals are
also a great way to be involved in sports. You get exercise and community; two
for the price of one!
Number 2: Sometimes you have to use your chapel skips. They
give us nine for a reason! Maybe you had a long night of studying and really
need that 50 minute break in your schedule to recuperate. Take that time by
yourself to refocus on the reason why you are doing all of this. Seek God’s
strength to help you through. Pray, read the passage of Scripture that is most
encouraging to you, and even sing songs that help draw you closer to God.
Number 3: The Library is here for YOU! Remember all of that
reading and those papers you need to write? The Library is a great place to
accomplish it all! It’s quiet all the time (unlike the dorms) and the Library
staff are here to help you with researching topics and finding books. There are even whole rooms set aside to help
keep you focused on your task. Have a question? The student workers and
Librarians will do their best to answer them! There are no “stupid” questions
and we love to help!
(P.S Did you know we have a movie collection??? Stop in
during the Library’s hours and pick up a movie to unwind from all of the
homework you are working on!)
]Here’s to you Freshmen in having the best first semester of
your college career!
Pray often, Laugh a lot, and hold on tight because college
flies by quickly!
~Jenny
In case
you missed the first part of this blog series, I have set out to show Masland
Library visitors that the library is a valuable resource for social
entertainment. In Part I, I hit on some of the library’s top movies of various
genres. While movies are great entertainment for large groups of people, they
do not necessarily facilitate great social interaction. If there is much
interaction, the movie has probably become background noise and everyone missed
an important movie scene. So now I bring you to music, the perfect element to
set the mood for your social events. Even you are the loner of the party Taylor
Swift once eloquently stated, “People haven’t always been there for me but
music always has.” Therefore, I encourage you to check out some of the
library’s music and let it permeate the atmosphere of your social life.
Music
*The library’s CD collection can be found on the 2nd
floor on your left before entering the computer lab. Although I will not
expound upon them here, the Masland Library has some RECORDS available to
borrow. If you are retro enough to own a record player, ask us more on how to
get your hands on a record.
Romantics Sampler – CD M5 .R663 1995
Let me clarify first by saying this
is not a compilation of songs for a passionate date. The word Romantics refers
to a time period and genre of classical music from the 18th century.
This is music is called romantic because it explored the breadth of emotion in
a way music had not before. Therefore, the modern music listener can find great
refreshment in these pieces.
Scott Joplin Piano Rags – CD M25 .J81 P53 2004
Now these are some true American
originals. Just imagine you and your friends in some small town establishment
out west 100 years back, playing cards and listening to an old man tickling the
ivories with some good old rag time.
Spanish Guitar – CD M126 .S62 2002
This CD is sure to bring that spice
that was missing from your life. Do not forget about this one for all of your
Cinco de Mayo parties.
Quartets – CD M450
– CD M457.4
While great majority of our CD’s
consist of classical music, I wanted to highlight the quartet section of the
collection. In Fall of 2013 the world renown Ying String Quartet came and
played for our school. Some of the greatest classical music was written for
such a group of players on these instruments: two violins, a viola, and a
cello. Only four instruments! This music is not only for the sophisticated.
Jazz, Louis Armstrong – CD M1356 .A736 D445 2000
Jazz, Duke Ellington – CD M1366 .E461 D933 2000
Jazz, Coleman Hawkins – CD M1366 .H395 C654 2000
If you have not been sufficiently
exposed to big band jazz, you are missing out on one of the greatest musical
joys in life. This music may, dare I say it, make you want to dance. To give
you a little more direction within these three artists, Louis Armstrong played
some mean trumpet (and had a great voice!), Duke Ellington worked the piano,
and Coleman Hawkins played some sweet tones on the tenor saxophone.
Star Wars Original Trilogy Soundtrack – CD M1527.2 .W721 S27
2004
It is
Star Wars. Need I say more?
International Music Mix – CD M1627 .I58 1999
A little bit of this. A little bit
of that. Musical flavors from all around the globe. Now you can connect with
all of your multicultural friends!
Simon and Garfunkel – CD M1630.18 .S55 S5 1972
I have always considered these guys
to be the original indie band. They formed a new genre of folk-rock in the
1960’s. That may seem old but their music does not sound it. Simon and
Garfunkel is great for the car or chilling at all times of the day.
Soulful Music by Leontyne Price – CD M1670 .P953 1996
I cannot say I have ever listened
to this lady, but I do know she was famous. The nature of the music of this
album is just as the title suggests.
Manheim Steamroller, Christmas
in the Aire – CD M2065 .M354 C475 1995
If you have ever listened to
Christmas music on the radio, you must have heard Manheim Steamroller. I would
describe them as new age electric orchestra rock going wild on Christmas tunes.
These songs could put you in the holiday mood in July.
Michael Card, The
Hidden Face of God – CD M2198 .C37 2006
Michael Card is an older but well
known Christian artist that came to our school in Fall of 2013. This is only
one of several albums we have of his, but check them all out!
~Wayne Hailstone
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