+
opinion
How to essay: Write sentence, check word count, repeat.
KANSAN.COM | THURSDAY, OCT. 13, 2016
Can't wait for 2016:
The Movie
For those who are taking any kind of stats midterm this semester, may God bless your soul.
At least KU consistently blows leads against TCU
Remember when we used to respect the presidency? I don't either.
People seriously need to stop taking things so seriously
Daily reminder that my cats are cuter than you.
Saying goodbye to your dogs is so much harder than saying goodbye to your parents tbh
I was one hour into my drive back to LFK when I got a picture from my mom of the unwashed bowl I used this morning for cereal. No caption. Just one very passive-aggressive picture.
Athleisure: what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
Once again I feel vindicated for storming the field against Rhode Island.
When the temperature drops 25 degrees and suddenly none of your joints work anymore
Everytime I try carpooling I realize what a horrible idea carpooling is
<<<
If I buy all the tassels does that mean I can go to all the graduations?
Never underestimate the emotionally healing power of windexing all your electronics.
Volleyball wins again!
We're in for a rough four years, whatever happens
It's rare to experience the overwhelming smell of asparagus.
When you run out of social media sites to scroll through in class
READ MORE AT KANSAN.COM
@KANSANNEWS
/THEKANSAN
KANSAN.NEWS
Illustration by Roxy Townsend
@UNIVERSITY
DAILYKANSAN
Adamson: Midterm blues affect everyone
▶ LAUREN ADAMSON
@LeAdamson
it's that time of year, when you would be excited for fall if it weren't for the overwhelming anxiety of taking three exams in one week. That time when your seasonal allergies have turned into a cold, which seems like it's becoming a sinus infection. That time when you must finally accept that syllabus week is actually over and we are
indeed halfway through the semester, because your teachers just slammed you with more work than there are hours in the day.
Of course, there are things I know I have to do. There is the looming possibility of not getting them done on time, which would lead to missed points and bombing tests and potentially failing the class.
During this stressful period, it's easy to give up instead of forging through. Personally, I turn to memes and Netflix as a welcome break from my overbearing work load. I often feel no motivation to return from the deep hole of mindless snacking and refreshing of my Instagram feed.
But, somehow, this anxiety only makes me want
to do my work less. After all, the thought of failing after trying is much more scary than the relative comfort of being able to shrug and say, "Well, I didn't reach my potential on purpose. I didn't do well. Not because I couldn't, but because I didn't try."
So far, my work has always gotten done. I've managed to keep my head above water during the stressful weeks leading up to fall break. But have I done my best work? Can I say I am proud of how I have used the incredible privilege I have to be able to pursue a university degree?
No. Frankly, I cannot.
While I know that this message will not resonate with many of my focused friends and classmates, I
know there are many others facing the same problem I am.
this anxiety only makes me want to do my work less."
The fear of never living up to your own standards, the debilitating anxiety around the idea that giving your best will not be enough and the self-loathing that comes from feeling unprepared for situations that you were perfectly capable of preparing for.
Just know that if you are
feeling this way, you are not alone. I am with you, and according to the American Psychological Association, about one-third of college students feel this way too.
So, if you have a serious case of the midterm blues like I do, my advice is to live by all the clichés. Exercise more, sleep more, drink more water. Talk to someone if you need to. Prioritize yourself and your mental health. Know that, like all things, this too shall pass.
Lauren Adamson is a senior from Leawood studying political science and economics.
Edited by Cody Schmitz
Sanchez: Chancellor search needs student input
▶ SANDRA SANCHEZ
@sssanchez26
Through my job at the Honors Program, I frequently share my own college experiences with eager high-schoolers and their parents. Over the last few years, I have become quite adept at balancing my answers with levity and stressing the importance of time management. While describing the various concerns over coursework, student life and everything in between, I try to provide a realistic yet encouraging perspective on college life. There are issues, however, that I find pressing and yet do not know how to explain to high-schoolers.
On Sept. 22, the chancellor announced she would be stepping down, and my mind immediately turned to the question of her replacement. Within a university as large as ours, administration holds a key place in determining the experiences of students, and are thus a constant source of interest and concern for me. However, it seems the further I become involved, the deeper the layers seem and the more confused I become. While I find it important to stress to high-schoolers to be aware of the nature of institutions, I am at a loss to explain how.
I have found myself aware of some administrative matters. Last year, I was on the University's Tuition Advisory Committee, I was the voter outreach chair for the elections commission and this year I am part of the Dean's Advisory Board for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. But if you were not in my position or weren't similarly involved, how would
Amid all the other student concerns, caring about the mysterious business in Strong Hall does not appear to be the most pressing for students. Voter turnout for the last Student Senate election was higher than in the past two years at a measly 19.25 percent of student population. If students are not even interested in the most direct form of governance, why would they care about a more indirect position such as the chancellor's?
you even know to be aware or question the complexities of University administration?
even know to be aware or question the complexities of University administration? "
Perhaps it is not for lack of trying. Earlier in the week,
communications director for the Board of Regents, Breeze Richardson, justified statements on the likely closed search for the next chancellor by saying, "It's really about finding the best candidate, and there is a potential for a different [type] of candidate pool if the search is conducted publicly."
It is my belief that universities are first and foremost established for students. But when those ruling the University are inaccessible, by the nature of bureaucracy or otherwise, how can they truly understand and represent student concerns?
But is the chancellor's position not representative of the University public and thus not subject to the scrutiny and input from the public?
It is also alarming how little encouragement is given to students to understand the University's system of government. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has added a flow chart to their
website, but there is no description of duties, initiatives or even title definitions specific to each assistant dean, associate dean, administrative associate, executive associate, administrative associate, and on and on.
It is worrisome that the future search for the head of the University will likely be shut down to students. This should be the time where, instead of reflecting the current state of University bureaucracy, administration should take the step toward true representation of student voices and strive for inclusion. After all, inclusion is one of the "Four Priorities that will shape our Year" advertised on the provost's homepage.
Sandra Sanchez is a junior studying history, Chinese, and global and international studies.
- Edited by Chandler Boese
+
+