Five Things Nobody Told Me about College

As I type this, I am in my university dorm room. A year ago, when I was awaiting to hear the results of my college applications, I often went to websites for some type of insider look on what college would be like. However, there’s only so much that prep books, websites, and older friends can teach. Here are the top 5 things nobody told me about college:

Nobody entering a university knows exactly what they want to study. If they tell you otherwise, they’re lying and will probably change what they want to pursue within the first quarter of attendance. During my first quarter at University of California, Riverside (UCR), I thought that I wanted to study Political Science with its focus on International Affairs, so that’s what I applied for. However, once I worked with statewide and local government, I realized that a better fit for me would be Public Policy, and now I am in the process of changing my area.

In college, there are so many good chances for you to meet your expectations. However, there is a very important difference between wanting to do something and applying for something. In order for you to take full advantage of the conferences, research, internships (实习), and fellowships that your university offers, apply! Step into your academic advisor’s office, introduce yourself, and begin making the valuable connections that are necessary to help during the rest of your college career. Great things happen when you step out of your comfort zone, and you would be surprised on how many chances exist if you just ask.

College is where you meet your bridesmaids, groomsmen, neighbors, and potential bosses. The relationships you develop now will probably be linked to the ones you value later, so be wise about the people who you invest yourself in. You are only one person, and you do not have time to waste on people who would rather cause drama or mess up with your purpose. Surround yourself with uplifting individuals who challenge you to be better while loving you for who you are, and be patient to the people who are the complete opposite of that description.

As a first-year, I was afraid to make any noise towards campus issues that I noticed. It was not until I became involved in student government that I gained the confidence to handle projects that I created with the help of ASUCR Office of the President. During my first quarter, I spoke directly to the Chancellor (校长), asking him for support towards my initiatives (提议), met with the Vice Chancellors, and cooperated with my teaching assistants to begin my undergraduate research protect. Nothing good will happen when you are silent.

At my high school, there were about only four active club and organizations that students could be a part of. Imagine my surprise when I stepped foot onto UCR’s campus, where over 400 organizations exist, ranging from political organizations to karate club. You are not paying all of your tuition (学费) to merely go to class, study, pass tests and graduate. Make something worthy out of your experience. Create stories that you will want to tell your grandchildren one day. It all begins here, by signing up to join an organization.

“Teamworking” is found everywhere within just about every organization. You can’t get away from “teams” that are supposed to be able to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Or so the theory goes.

There must be a clear reason for the team to exist. And all the members should realized the value and significance of what they are going to do. What they are hoping to achieve should be something achievable but at the same time tough and inspiring enough to attract the members and keep their motivation alive. What is more, they should also be well prepared for the possible difficulties they may come across in the process.

Team members must be able to express their opinions freely without fear of being criticized and they must have the feeling that their suggestions will be taken seriously. This is an important point because the team may need to resolve some complex or thorny issues. For example, it may discuss a sensitive topic. Should they keep their conclusion within the team or share it with other employees. This is an issue in itself that all the members should agree on frank discussion is required.

It is easy to think that a junior team member may have less to contribute than more experienced ones. This is not only demoralizing or discouraging, it also makes no sense—people that have nothing to contribute should not have been selected for the team in the first place. Since they have become members of your team, you need to make sure that each of them has an opportunity to add his or her thoughts to discussions.

Disagreements are natural and, in fact debate and discussion should be encouraged. A team made up only of “yes men” can make disastrous decisions that few people honestly agreed with in the first place. Consequently, there should be rules on how lengthy disagreements should be handled. For example, team meetings may not be the most appropriate place for a discussion that involves only two people, so “under-the-table” method may be effective.

Most high-performing teams are well organized. A good organizer should be able to play to individuals' strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses. It should be someone who can act as a promoter and a constant reminder of what the team needs to achieve. He must ,above all, be skilled in sharing responsibility and setting tasks to others coaching them to achieve tasks, and providing constructive feedback on how the tasks went.

Team building isn't as simple as just throwing a few people together. It requires, much more, but motivating people is most essential. Successful team working is not marked by how much progress the team makes toward its goals, but by how confidently each of its members completes his or her assigned tasks with a sense of achievement and pride.

Nowadays. millions of people misuse and even overuse pain medications and other drugs. Research by the American National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, 1999) shows that around 2% of the population over age 12 were using drugs non-medically.

NIDA views medications as a powerful force for good in the contemporary world. They reduce and remove pain for millions of people suffering from illness and disease. They make it possible for doctors to perform complicated surgery to save lives. Many people afflicted by serious medical conditions are able to control their symptoms and become active, contributing citizens. NIDA points out that most individuals who take these drags use them in a responsible.

Nevertheless, overuse of drugs such as opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants does lead to harmful reliance in some people and is therefore becoming a serious public health concern. Although this abuse affects many people worldwide, particular trends of concern to the medical profession in the US appear among older adults, teenagers arid women.

Though it may be a surprise to many, the misuse of medications may be the most common form of drug abuse among the elderly. Dr Kenneth Schrader of Duke University, North Carolina states that although the elderly represent about 13% of the US population, those aged 65 and over account for the consumption of one third of all drugs. People in this age group use medications roughly three times more than the general population and have poorer compliance with instruction for use. In another study of elderly patients admitted to treatment programs, 70% were women who had overused medicines.

Unfortunately, this trend among women does not only affect those aged over. In general, among women and men who are using either an anti-anxiety drug or a sedative, women are twice as likely to become addicted. In addition, statistics compiled for 12-17 year olds show that teenage girls are more likely than teenage boys to begin overusing psychotherapeutic medication such as painkillers, tranquillizers, stimulants and sedatives.