Time's Up!

photo courtesy of www.sctechsystem.com/tctc/Math110/Test%20T3.gif

"Okay guys, bags and books away. I don't want to see anything on your desk other than a pen and pencil."

Since I studied throughout the week and spent all day Sunday with my nose in my books, I wasn't too nervous about my Philosophy test (worth 30% of my mark, may I add!). Instead, I casually flipped over the test and took a look at the questions.

"This isn't too bad," I thought. "I remember studying all this."

However, what I didn't realize was how fast time flies when you're concentrating. As it turns out, I spent too much time focusing on the short answer questions and struggled to finish the essay questions on time. Although my teacher pre-warned us to "spend only a couple minutes" on each short answer question, I didn't feel I could do just that. Instead, I felt I had to throughly explain each of my answers and, for me, doing so meant writing a paragraph for each question. I failed to consider that the short answer questions were only worth 2 marks each and the essay questions were worth 10. Luckily, I finished in the knick of time. However, I felt I could have managed my time a lot better. So afterwards, I came up with strategies on how to prevent situations like this:

1) Read over the entire test before you begin. This will help you understand what types of questions you will be answering and which ones you should spend the most time on. Also, since you've taken a look at the questions, ideas/answers may pop into mind as you write the test.

2) Make notes on the side of each question. Not only will it help you remember what you want to say, it will also help you to organize your thoughts and come up with more ideas.

3) Move on. If you don't understand a question or just don't know the answer, skip it. Come back to it later when you have time, for the time you waste looking at a question you don't know the answer to could be time spent answering a question you do know.

If you'd like to read more about test-taking strategies, you can refer to the following Douglas College online handout: http://www.douglas.bc.ca/services/learning-centre/pdf/rs/RS7_31_Essay_Exam_Taking_Strategy.pdf

What test-taking strategies do you use?

Think Before You Drink

(photo courtesy of http://www.ballwin.mo.us/police_info.html)

Just yesterday I found out someone I knew got into a serious, life threatening accident. He wasn't a good friend of mine, but we went to the same parties and knew the same people, so I saw him around often. He was only 17 years old and went out to celebrate the last day of 11th grade with his friends at Barnet Beach late Tuesday night. It was raining that night and he had been drinking. On top of that, he was riding his motorcycle on the Barnet highway to get back home.

Somehow, he lost control of his motorcycle and sped off the highway, crashing to ground. The police later found him unconscious in a nearby bush. Soon after he was put on life support in the intensive-care unit at Royal Columbian Hospital and was to have numerous surgeries. Unfortunately, he passed away this afternoon.

For the full story please go to: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=090eb19d-ef5c-4f99-aa90-245d6ab0d53a .

My question is, how many more accidents will it take for people to stop drinking and driving?

For some reason, some have the mindset that they are 'invincible' and 'good drivers' when they're drunk. Some even claim they drink and drive because they "don't want to pay for a cab." I don't know about you, but I'd pay any amount to save a life.

Statistics show that vehicle accidents are the No. 1 killer of youth aged 13 to 21. If we know this, why don't we stop it? Do we really want to be a part of this statistic?

A few months ago, another two of my friends got into a car accident while intoxicated. Afterwards, they were in debt by $30,000 and managed to walk away from the accident with only a broken arm and some cuts. If you saw the pictures of the accident, the fact that they survived would have seemed like a miracle.

Luckily, they learned from this horrific experience. Now, they are both extremely cautious drivers and make sure they have a safe ride home if they're drinking. However, it shouldn't take a car accident for people to realize the dangers of drinking and driving. We should be carefully planning out our trips and organizing safe rides home or sleeping over if we aren't completely sober.

And contrary to the popular belief, this could happen to you if you're not careful. So please, be a responsible driver and consider your own safety and the safety of others on the road.



-Rest in Peace Elliott Harty-

What a Wonder-ful World

Ever wonder which countries get the most visitors each year? According to statistics, France is the most popular destination in the world, raking in a whopping 76.7 million visitors a year! Several other countries follow close behind:

2) Spain - 51.7 million visitors
3) U.S. - 41.9 million visitors
4) Italy - 39.8 million visitors
5) China - 36.8 million visitors

(statistics derived from http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Most-Popular-Travel-Destinations-In-The-World&id=140398)

(picture courtesy of http://www.visitingdc.com/images/eiffel-tower-picture.jpg)

Now, I'm sure those places are nice and everything -and believe me, I'd love to see them- but right now, I've got my eyes set on good 'ole "Ελλάδα," better known as "Greece."

A few days ago, I came across a program that allows you to study AND live in Greece for an entire semester. Can you imagine going to Athens and Olympia, and visiting Aristotle's birthplace in Stageira, then going to the beautiful beaches and eating Souvlaki and -okay, I think you get the picture.

Ever since I started my Philosophy course (Values & Contemporary Issues), I've been practically obsessed with the subject -yeah, I know, I'm a philosophy nerd. I just love how it relates to aspects that affect your everyday life: decision-making, morals and values. It really makes you think, too. My teacher always gives our class scenarios that make me wonder "Hmm... What would I do in that situation?" Pretty soon, I wouldn't be surprised if I found myself thinking "What would Aristotle do?" As embarassing as it is, I think I could actually see it happening!

But anyhow, back to the studying abroad program....

Apparently, there are three courses we would be required to attend while in Greece:

• History 306-4: Reading Byzantium: Elements of History in Text
• Humanities 385-4: The Presence of the Past: Greek Literature & Culture
• History 307-4 ST: The World of Homer: Tradition & History

Sounds pretty interesting, doesn't it?

Have you ever studied abroad? If not, where would you like to go?