Heard any "scary" talk lately?

You know the kind I mean: conversations about racism, gun violence, abortion, immigration, sexual assault, LGBT issues, terrorism--topics likely to provoke discussion and debate and maybe make people squirm a little.

Those conversations are happening pretty much everywhere these days, in newspapers, on television, on the Internet, in college classrooms, even on the Presidential campaign trail.  And why not?  The issues are more important than ever, way too critical to ignore.

Yet many students seem to be trying their best to do just that.  In the food court the other day I overheard two students complaining about a discussion in their English class about white privilege. One student said the topic made her nervous and she didn't "want to think about it." The other said she couldn't understand why people kept "bringing it up," for talking about it wouldn't change anything.

It wasn't the first time I'd seen students resist discussions of "hot" topics, especially when hearing views and ideas that challenged their own beliefs.  Rather than jumping into the conversation and explaining their own take on the issue at hand, they too often fall silent, refusing to speak up and--worst of all--usually tuning out the other side's point of view.

College isn't supposed to be like this.  In fact, at its best, college invites you to browse the marketplace of ideas, to see what others have to say, to examine or re-examine your own beliefs, and in the end to make up your own mind.  It's an important part of your college experience and good preparation for the rest of life, where you're going to hear views that may seem pretty out there at times but that may also contain something important to think about. Being part of these conversations in college is a valuable lesson in thinking and reasoning.

A recent column in The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/opinion/sunday/judith-shulevitz-hiding-from-scary-ideas.html?_r=0 was critical of students who not only avoid conversations about topics they find upsetting but try to persuade their schools to not even talk about them. The columnist, Judith Shulevitz, wrote, "...while keeping college-level discussions 'safe' may feel good to the hypersensitive, it's bad for them and everyone else. People ought to go to college to sharpen their wits and broaden their field of vision."

I'll second that. You obviously don't have to agree with everything you read or hear in college. But listening with an open mind won't hurt.  Nor will taking part in exchanges of ideas (after all, nobody ever died from being exposed to one!).  If anything, such moments will make you more equipped for the conversations to follow, better informed about those issues practically everyone around you is talking about.

So listen, think, and speak up.  No need to be scared or silent......

Be Not Invisible

So how many of you reading this are still hanging out only with friends from high school, still eating lunch alone in your car, and still heading straight for the parking lot the minute your classes end each day?

How many of you have yet to take part in a class discussion, talk to a professor, meet with an advisor, check out a campus service, go to something fun on campus, or even chat with a classmate?

Not many, I hope.

But if by some chance you recognize yourself here, time to ask yourself why.

Time to ask why you're doing your best to be invisible at NCC, why you're not having more fun in college--and why you're shortchanging your education by failing to make connections with your campus.

I know, I know: Nassau's big and sprawling and maybe overwhelming and confusing at times. All of that traffic, people coming and going in every direction, a sea of unfamiliar faces, can make NCC seem very different from high school, where life was pretty predictable.

But new situations aren't automatically to be feared and avoided.  And life, including college after all, is often about adjusting to new circumstances. For students willing to make those adjustments--to speak up in class, to visit a professor during office hours, to see an advisor if they've questions, to go to a club meeting, to get to know people in their classes--Nassau is anything but scary or anonymous. It can be pretty warm and friendly, in fact.  Nurturing too: a network of professors, classmates, and others can make students feel right at home.

We all know that successful college students make school a priority, go to class regularly, keep up with assignments, prepare in advance for exams, and--in short--take their education seriously.  Along the way, they also make connections--academic, social, and personal--with people in their midst. They get to know professors, advisors, and classmates. They join clubs and go to campus events. They work with a tutor if they need extra help in a class. They see a counselor if they need information or advice or even just a sympathetic ear.

Invisible they're not.

Don't you be either.

Feeling Stressed these Days?

If so, you're not exactly alone.  For tons of college students (as well as almost everybody else roaming this planet), stress is an all-too-familiar part of life.

School, friends, family, jobs, money, holidays, boyfriends/girlfriends, future plans, the world--all can make you feel anxious and weighed down.  A student told me recently that he had so many things to stress about in his life that he often didn't know what to worry about first.  While his reaction was probably a little extreme, he may have been simply verbalizing what a lot of other people are feeling.

What can you do to reduce the stresses in your life--those killer tests coming up, that difficult family situation, that pain-in-the-butt boss, that relationship that may or may not work out, etc. etc.?

First, recognize the sources of stress (whatever they may be) and do your best to avoid or minimize them. While sidestepping stressful situations isn't always possible, of course, it can sometimes help. If a person or behavior or situation routinely pushes your buttons, for example, think about what you can do to keep from being agitated.  If dodging a source of stress makes you feel better, why not do so? Removing yourself may be just what's needed. 

Some other common sense behaviors can also help.  Being rested almost always makes life's challenges seem less formidable.  So does being organized, which will help you stay on top of those endless deadlines and demands (and feel less at the mercy of life's whims in the process).  And let's not forget the power of exercise and fun, whether it be working out, jogging, listening to music, making your favorite meal, or simply setting aside time for that interest or activity that brings you joy.     

On its web page, NCC's Psychological Counseling Center offers some good strategies for dealing with stress and handling life's hurdles. The list is definitely worth a look--you'll come away with useful advice for keeping the walls from closing in.  Pay attention to two pieces in particular: 1) the importance of adjusting your perception of things--viewing potentially stressful situations as opportunities to find creative solutions to challenges; and 2) the importance of reassuring yourself (through positive self-talk) that you can handle whatever school or life throws at you. 
http://www.ncc.edu/campusservices/psychological_counseling/relieve_stress.shtml. 

I'd add one more strategy: Take setbacks in stride. Remember that nobody's life is perfect and that everybody deals with disappointments now and then. At those times when things don't work out exactly as you'd like, don't stress--and don't get down on yourself. Instead, learn from what's happened and tell yourself that next time things will be different.  

Chances are they will be.  

Getting into Good Trouble

For the 600+ people who heard John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell speak at NCC last week, it was clearly an experience to remember.

Invited to talk about March: Book One, NCC's common reading, the three explained the evolution of their book, a graphic novel recalling both the the early years of the American civil rights movement and John Lewis's emergence as a human rights activist. 

Their presentation was interesting not only to those who remember the days of sit-ins and marches but to people, mostly young, who are fans of the graphic novel and who view it as a serious art form.

The day offered something for everyone.

For me--and countless others, I'm sure--the highlight was John Lewis's account of his own life. Remembering his childhood on a farm in rural Alabama, Lewis talked about his early experiences with discrimination and racism, including being forced to sit in the "Colored Only" section of a local movie theater, being turned down by a college that did not admit African Americans, and even being constantly warned by his parents to learn to live with injustice and stay out of trouble.

Lewis did anything but avoid trouble, of course.  Inspired by the words and ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr., he openly challenged segregation laws and practices through lunch counter sit-ins, freedom rides, voter registration marches and other activities. In his early twenties he helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), a group of young people intent on doing battle--through nonviolent protests--with any and all institutions that denied African Americans their rights.

Challenging segregation practices in the South was dangerous back then.  Lewis described being frequently harassed, beaten, and arrested for his actions.  Maybe his most frightening moment, he recalled, was being severely beaten by police during "Bloody Sunday," the now famous march from Selma, Alabama, to Mongomery undertaken to secure voting rights for African Americans. 

"I thought I was going to die," he told his NCC audience.

Given all that John Lewis has been through, you might think he'd be an angry, cynical man today--especially in light of recent acts of violence against African Americans and efforts by some in Congress to weaken voting rights legislation. 

But he's not at all bitter. He told his audience to stay positive, to not get discouraged, and to continue to have faith in their beliefs. He encouraged students to be courageous and to stand up for their ideals and to make their voices heard. The man who's made a career out of getting into "good trouble"--in pursuit of equal rights for all--called upon students to do the same. His message was optimistic and inspirational, right down to his closing remarks: 

"We are going to redeem the soul of America.  We are going to save this planet for generations yet unborn."

In a world whose inhabitants routinely harass, torture, and even kill each other, we could all do well to hear a voice of peace and nonviolence.  And we could also use a healthy dose of John Lewis's optimism, energy, strength, integrity--and grit. 

Thanks, Congressman.

Why John Lewis Matters

Imagine being a young Black man in the American South in 1960.  Imagine moving in a world that freely practiced racial segregation, openly celebrated White supremacy, and routinely responded to the mere presence of African Americans with beatings and lynchings.

Terrifying?  Intimidating?  Absolutely.  And hardly surprising, perhaps, that so many people--African Americans and others--felt forced to be as invisible as possible during that time.

But not John Lewis.

The son of Alabama sharecroppers, Lewis was inspired, as a teenager, by the words of another young man: Martin Luther King, Jr.  King's belief in nonviolent protest as a means of challenging injustice resonated with Lewis, who was already seeking ways to respond to the poison of prejudice.

In the years that followed, Lewis would routinely challenge the racist laws and ways of the South. Whether it was sitting in at lunch counters that served only White customers; riding buses in direct violation of laws forbidding Whites and Blacks from sitting together on public transportation; founding a student movement--the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)--dedicated to achieving racial justice; calling for equal rights in an inspired speech at the 1963 March on Washington; or taking part in a voting rights march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery in 1965, Lewis frequently put his safety, even his life, on the line in the pursuit of racial justice.

Often he paid a heavy price for his activism.  On more than a few occasions he was insulted, ridiculed, threatened, harassed, beaten, and arrested for his actions.  As a freedom rider in the early sixties, he was attacked by a mob of White supremacists intent on silencing him and others who had challenged segregation practices.  And during his participation in the march to Montgomery--now known as "Bloody Sunday"--he was beaten so badly by Alabama police that he required hospitalization.

Still, Lewis persevered.  Committed to the philosophy of nonviolence, he and other civil rights activists refused to back down, calling America's (and the world's) attention to racial injustice and imploring the nation's leaders to take action. The civil rights legislation that followed in the sixties and beyond was the direct result of the idealism, commitment--and guts--of Lewis and others who were willing to risk everything for what was right.

In a sense, John Lewis, who'll speak at NCC this Monday (2 p.m., College Center), is fortunate. Having survived the tumultuous sixties, he's become a civil rights icon, a voice for equality for all, an author or co-author of several books (including MARCH, NCC's common reading for this year), and a respected member of the United States Congress, where he's served since the mid 1980's.  Many of his fellow activists were not so fortunate, victims of the mindless hatred and violence that were part of the American South during that chaotic time.

Not everyone can be John Lewis, of course.  Not everyone possesses the passion to devote one's life to righting wrongs and to risking everything for justice.  So when we cross paths with someone who's repeatedly taken that brave stance, we need to stop and listen.

That's why, come this Monday, we ALL need to listen to John Lewis.  It's not everyday we get the chance to meet somebody who's made history and who's changed the fabric of America.  He may be older now, but his spirit and message remain as young and vital and inspirational as they were all those years ago.

Campus Life 101

Whether you're an athlete, an artist, a musician, an actor, a poet, a photographer, a hiker, a sports writer, a breaker, a gamer, or a fashionista, there's a place for your interests, talents, and dreams at NCC.

Whether you like to ski, play soccer, go to museums, stage concerts, make videos, read manga, sing karaoke, mess around with computers, or figure out ways to save the world, you can do it all (and more) here.

100+ clubs, twenty sports teams, a cool art gallery, a great theater program, a 24/7 radio station, parties, concerts, speakers, trips--campus life rocks at NCC.  And you owe it to yourself to be part of it.

Here's how to get started.

1.  Get to know the Student Activities Office (College Center, Rm. 150).  The Student Activities Office is the center of campus life at NCC and the place to go to begin making contacts.  Drop by and pick up a copy of its Directory of Student Clubs and Organizations, a neat publication with descriptions of all active clubs on campus.  If you're interested in a specific club, ask someone in the office when and where it meets and take yourself to a meeting (no invitation required!). Or leave a note in a club mailbox--every club has one in the Activities Office--requesting a call or text about upcoming meetings. And if you have a special interest, ask how you can start your own club.

2.  Get into the Game.  If watching and/or playing sports is your thing, the Phys Ed Complex--aka the Gym--is the place to be.  You can pick up team schedules (no charge for admission to games) and find out about NCC's ever popular Intramurals program, which gives you a chance to play everything from flag football and co-ed volleyball to dodgeball and three-on-three b-ball. You don't have to be a super athlete to take part in Intramural activities--just somebody who likes competing and who doesn't mind working up a sweat. And speaking of sweat, you can lift, swim, work out, shoot hoops, and keep in shape during the Gym's open rec period, times when facilities are open to all students.

3.  Get on "Stage."  Want to be in the NCC choir or a campus theatre production? Head on over to the Music Department (Building H) or the Theatre Department (nearby) and ask about audition dates.  Want to have your own radio show?  Drop by the radio station (Building H) and see what's available. Interested in writing for the campus newspaper? Visit the Vignette office (College Center, Rm. 347) and introduce yourself. NCC is always on the lookout for students willing to display their talents, be it in the literary magazine, the campus art gallery, the annual student fashion show, or someplace else. No shortage of opportunities for those wanting to make their presence known. . .

4.  Get to the Activities Fair. If you want to get a quick "feel" for campus life, stop by the Activities Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at club hour (11:30 a.m.) in front of the College Center. The Activities Fair is a kind of club flea market--tables everywhere you look, each staffed by a different student group. You can browse, chat with club reps, ask questions, and make connections with a group (or two--or more) that seems interesting. Going to the Activities Fair--or even signing up to be contacted about meetings--doesn't obligate you to join something. But it's a good way to get started. There are also good snacks at the Activities Fair, along with some cool giveaways!

Notice how all of these suggestions involve doing something: visiting an office, checking out possibilities, showing up at the Activities Fair, etc. etc.?  The key to getting involved in college is taking those first steps: making that phone call, knocking on someone's door, walking into that club meeting and introducing yourself.  If you're not used to doing these things, there's no better time than now to learn. Just about everybody you meet will be glad to meet you.

Hope you have a blast at NCC!
   

Ready for Nassau?

Hope so--cause in a few weeks, it'll be here, with all of the excitement, energy, and (yeah) chaos that the first few weeks of the semester invariably bring!

Nervous?  Don't be. The experience will be memorable--not perfect probably, but definitely more positive than negative.  

Just In case you're wondering, you don’t have to be a genius to succeed in college, but you do have to take school seriously and make smart decisions. Here's some advice on putting your best foot forward at NCC.

1. Go to New Student Orientation.

If you want to make a good start at Nassau, attending Orientation is a must! You'll learn about the College, tour the campus, meet other students, and go home with some good ideas on succeeding in school and enjoying yourself at the same time.  When your invite to Orientation arrives, show up!

2. Get a campus map.

On a fairly large campus, it helps to have a good map to find your way around. If you don’t want to wait until Orientation to get a campus map, you can pick one up in the Information Center (Tower), the Public Safety Office, or the Office of Student Activities (College Center). There’s also a map on the NCC homepage-- http://www.ncc.edu/nassauVT/default.html

3. Be smart about parking.

Leave at least 45 minutes to park and get to class. Also, pay attention to signs in campus parking fields. While most spaces are available for student use, some parking is restricted. If you're traveling to Nassau by NICE bus, pick up a schedule from Public Safety, the Office of Student Activities (College Center), and the Information Center (Tower) and become familiar with campus bus stops. You can also check the NICE schedule  -  http://www.nicebus.com/Maps-Schedules/Bus-Maps-and-Schedules.aspx

4. Use your Daily Planner.

The Daily Planner, distributed at Orientation, is an essential publication. It contains a college calendar (which you can use to keep track of assignments, exams, due dates, and other college business) as well as important campus telephone numbers. Use your planner to stay on top of things.

5. Get your textbooks early.

At the first or second meeting of each class, you will receive a document called a syllabus. The syllabus will list, among other things, the textbooks you will need for that course. Since many professors make assignments from books early on, it makes sense to buy your texts as soon as you know their titles. All can be found in the campus bookstore.

6. Get off to a fast start in your classes.

The first few weeks of the semester are too valuable to let slip by. Use this time to get a jump on assigned readings as well as papers and projects. Quizzes and tests will be upon you before long; there’s no time to waste.

7. Get to know your professors.

Though college faculty have busy lives, most welcome the opportunity to get to know students in their classes. They are especially interested in students’ responses to material being studied in class. Don’t hesitate to speak with your professors, either after class or during their office hours. Developing positive relationships with professors is an important part of your college experience.

8. Use campus services.

Nassau offers a range of academic and support services, everything from help with writing and math skills to career counseling and financial aid assistance. You may not have to know about every service right away, but you should learn about those you think you will need. 

9. Take part in campus life.

By joining clubs, attending events, and being a part of campus life, you'll meet other students and have a fuller and more enjoyable college experience. A good way to get involved in campus life is to attend the fall 2015 Activities Fair, scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29 at club hour (11:30 a.m.) in front of the College Center Building.  Don’t miss out on this important part of college. You can get a good education here and still have a good time!

10. Stay connected to NCC.                                                                                

Read the NCC homepage, check your College email, and keep up with NCC news through Facebook(www.Facebook.com); Twitter (http://www.Twitter.com/fye_nassaucc); and this blog (www.whatsupncc.blogspot.com).  Also, keep up on campus events by text (text Nassau to 313131). And if you have questions, don't be shy about asking! People at Nassau—classroom teachers, counselors, librarians, and others—are more than willing to answer questions, offer advice, or help in other ways.  Got questions?  Ask.  Remember: It’s your education.