UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 04, 2025

Month: January 2022

Opinion | Being American is more than being white

by Rainey FacerPosted on

I am an American. You are an American. It is time to have a blunt conversation about what it means to be an American in the United States.

Newsflash it’s more than being white. Even when politicians fail to acknowledge that African American voters are American. Like Republican senator, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky did on Jan. 19 during a press conference.

During the press conference there was concerns voiced about voting rights and how that may change if Senate Democrats could not pass “The Freedom to Vote Act” due to the fact that this key piece of legislation was being blocked by Senate Republicans. This act had the the potential to set a new national standards for early voting, mail-in-ballots and universal rule for voter identification.

During the same press briefing, McConnell defended why he is trying to block the “The Freedom to Vote Act.” He said, “The concern is misplaced because if you look at the statistics, African American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as Americans.”

This “error” has caused a backlash on social media with people of color posting a picture of themselves with the hashtag #IAMAmerican.

Personally being a political science nerd, I believe McConnell omitted this word due to the fact that he doesn’t really care about people of color and their struggle. If you look back on his voting record he historically votes down bills that would otherwise empower people of color. I choose to follow the facts and the fact is McConnell failed to call African American voters American and only went on the record to correct it when it became clear he struck a nerve with his constituents.

Being American isn’t just your skin color. Being American is understanding your heritage and what you bring to the table. It is bringing your culture to melt with other cultures and exploring what you can learn in the unknown and accept it.

Just like the seal of the United States, “E Pluribus Unum – From many, one,” the United States is a conglomeration of cultures, ethnicities, religions and nationalities.

This is why you see The Multicultural and Inclusion Center put on events such as service projects, events that inspire inclusion like the ASL Talent Show, Drag Queen Show and Black History month music kickoff event. These events are for students to get together, support and celebrate each other’s different backgrounds.

In the spirit of educating myself on students from a different background I went to the MIC and spoke with students from the Black Student Union and MIC Student Association (MISA). During my visit we talked about their experience as a Dixie State University student living in St. George. It was both educational and eye opening.

I believe we as a society fail to understand or even educate ourselves about what students of color go through: they are expected to tone down their “blackness” to make other people comfortable, they are looked at differently in grocery stores, they have endured generational trauma, and have had their heritage and cultures whitewashed in history books.

The students I talked to said they felt like they couldn’t relate to their own cultures because they aren’t like the people that they are descendant from. Nor do they feel like they fit in with the culture here. They feel like they aren’t “Jamaican enough”, “Black enough” or even “American enough.” So the students have created a space where they can have their own identity and be their authentic self with other people who are going through the same thing.

As students we need to do better about educating ourselves on the rich, complex history and culture that comes from students of a diverse background. Just because we celebrate Martin Luther King Day doesn’t mean we have taken the effort to learn about their heritage and culture.

We are all American and it is time to do better and realize that being American isn’t just being white. It’s about realizing our history and having honest conversations about it, it’s about being accepting of other cultures and ethnicities. Finally, it’s about acknowledging that being American means different things to different people and that is OK.

#IAMAMERICAN

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OPINION | General education is what every college student needs

by Emma BrownPosted on

The credits you rush to “get out of the way” actually bring you innumerable benefits.

The questions I’ve asked myself include but aren’t limited to: Why am I taking courses like English, sociology and humanities when I am a pre-medical radiography major? Wasn’t high school enough general education? How does my Intro to Dance course benefit my career aspirations?

Haven’t you thought the same thing? I came into this opinion piece fully ready to tear down the general education system but instead found meaning in it.

Straight from the Dixie State University website it states, “Ideally, general education empowers individuals, liberates the mind from ignorance, and cultivates social responsibility.”

The fancy words can make this information seem more like a marketing ploy which, with a certain mindset, that is exactly what it will be. My first semester at DSU was rough because I viewed general education as a repeat of high school.

The mindset component is crucial, or else the benefits will be hidden behind the closed doors of your mind. It is one way to view the general education requirements as a waste of time but it is the mindset of a lifelong learner to view them as a crucial tool.

Even if you are set on your decided major, keeping an open mind while completing general education may shine a light on pursuing a different path, or it may prove to you that you are headed in the right direction. Either way, it is better to be sure before committing to the degree that costs time and money.

Dr. Matthew Sanders spoke regarding general education at Utah State University. Sanders related general education to weight-lifting, stretching and running in order to succeed in athletics. After asking student athletes why they do conditioning that doesn’t directly translate into their sport, students said it prepares them to be ready for the unexpected. The students recognize that conditioning can be hard and usually isn’t as fun as the sport itself but they knew why it related to specific in-game abilities and skills.

Sanders then related general education to conditioning. It isn’t as fun or, interesting as the major you choose, and it will feel harder but it will prepare you to be ready for the unexpected. It will also turn you into a lifelong learner, which is important in our world which advances in techniques and technology so quickly.

This increased strength will bring you confidence academically. Knowing that you are a well-rounded person who has spent time learning about the worlds diversity through your general education will bring you confidence.

I have personally found this confidence in my past few semesters here at DSU. I have been able to help roommates who are taking similar classes as well as grow my own abilities academically. I feel more confident in my test taking abilities, writing papers and interviewing skills.

So, why am I taking courses like English, sociology and humanities when I am a pre-medical radiography major? Taking these courses strengthen my foundation, so when I apply to the medical radiography program, I can be a confident student, ready to build on that foundation with the specific knowledge of my field.

Wasn’t high school enough general education? This is where I humble myself and realize that while high school taught me so much, there is benefit to learning this information from a university with greater diversity.

In an article by Imed Bouchrika he says, “As corporations seek graduates who can lead, communicate, analyze problems, and propose solutions, students need to be immersed in fields that would widen and deepen their perspectives; and such is what is general education for.”

As I am ending my sophomore year as well as my general education I am so grateful for the general education courses that I have taken. Taking these courses have helped me know where to start and where to go. I have also been able to be a part of hands-on learning and scholarship opportunities such as being a writer for the Sun News as I have explored classes that I wouldn’t have taken at first.

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Opinion|Why Utah should be declared in a state of emergency

by Madisyn DwigginsPosted on

Utah COVID-19 cases are at an all time high. The intensive care units are full. The schools are going remote. It’s time to declare Utah in a state of emergency.

A state of emergency can be declared upon the state of Utah. But, only if Governor Cox finds a disaster has occurred, if a threat is amongst any area of the state, or if the damage is severe enough that response and recovery assistance is required from state or government officials.

This is exactly what is happening in Utah right now. However, Utah state officials have still not declared a state of emergency.

According to The New York Times, in Dec. 2020, the daily average for positive COVID-19 cases in Utah was 2,306. As of Jan. 2022, the daily average for positive COVID-19 cases is 10,808. The COVID-19 case numbers have skyrocketed and instead of a mask mandate to help cases die down, Utah did the exact opposite.

On Jan. 21, during the 2022 legislative session, the bill S.J.R. 3 was passed. This bill terminated the 30-day mask mandate in Salt Lake County as well as any mask mandate anywhere in Utah. In addition, this signed bill terminates Utah schools from requiring a face covering, and it ties the hands of health officials who are doing everything they can to keep Utahns safe from COVID-19 without breaking any state laws.

I believe since Utah got rid of any mask enforcement the only solution is to call a statewide 5-day quarantine. If schools and universities did this for the first two weeks of school to minimize cases, why would it not be effective for the whole state?

The Utah state officials are ignoring the rise in cases and COVID-19 in general. They are more focused on passing bills that in no way help the COVID-19 battle.

COVID-19 testing sites have shut down, testing sites have run out of tests, and the lines to get tested are hours long. The governor told Utahns with COVID-19 symptoms to stay home for five days instead of getting tested because the demand was so high. It is clear that to the Utah state officials, this is not cause for a state of emergency.

At what point will the governor realize Utah is in a state of emergency even if it has not been officially declared. Stop letting your personal beliefs of masks not working affect the entire state of Utah, you don’t know what is best for everyone.

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Women experiencing sexual harassment, objectification

by Frankie MedinaPosted on

Imagine a world where there are remarks being made about your day. Constantly getting asked about your sex life. Getting made fun of about your gender or sexual orientation. This is the sexual harassment and objectification that Utah women are experiencing.

A study done with women between the ages of 18-70 at Utah State University explains the objectification and sexual harassment women face.

Women experience objectification in the workplace, at school, and in public places. This can often start with only a word or phrase said, or develop into something as substantial as sexual harassment.

Robbyn Scribner, research fellow at the Utah Women and Leadership Project, said women have been looked at as “more important to be seen than to be heard.” She goes on to say women’s bodies are seen as “the most important thing about them and the most notable thing.” 

Objectifying women can mean a lot of different things. It can be as little as a comment or gesture towards a woman that makes them feel uncomfortable with their appearance, their actions and them as people.

Alijah Caskinette, a junior history and social science education major from West Valley City, said people can stay away from comments such as “beauty standards and commenting on peoples’ appearances… if it’s something that cannot be changed immediately then you shouldn’t comment on it.”

She said commenting on something as little as saying an article of clothing doesn’t look good on someone can be identified as objectification because it is belittling their appearance. It can be known as harassment behavior if is it a constant occurrence.

“Men have been noted for what they do and women are noted for how they look,” Scribner said. Therefore, we need to stray away from comments that focus on women’s bodies such as, accusing a women, “of using sex to get gain.”

Harassment and assault does not only consist of commenting on clothes, it can consist of making inappropriate accusations and comments about women that are false allegations like:

  • Unwanted comments and flirting 
  • Them having sexual advances 
  • Anything in response to physical appearances (i.e. gender, weight, and age)
  • Unwanted sexual jokes

False accusations toward women like them allegedly using their looks to get ahead in the workplace or in life, and not including them in a project or event because of their sex can have a negative effect on them. This is why women, especially students, should know their sources and who they can talk to if they ever find themselves in a sexual assault or harassing situation.

Hazel Sainsbury, director of equity compliance and title IX coordinator, said that the title IX is in charge of any matters associated with “sex-based treatments.” Sainsbury stated, “Whether you’re a woman or someone in the LGBTQ+ community, and you are receiving conduct that is unwelcome … you have the opportunity to report it to our office and we will work with you in figuring out what a remedy could be.” 

There’s this idea that objectifying or harassing a woman is about making inappropriate comments or gestures toward them. If a woman feels they have been mistreated or belittled in any way, they have been objectified. 

“Unwelcomeness is determined by the recipient of the conduct,” Sainsbury said. “It doesn’t matter what the other person intended.” 

With interacting with others, comes great responsibility. It is better to think before you say something that might be presented negatively. 

Sainsbury said, “Just being on the lookout to ensure that everyone’s invited…to make sure that we are not unintentionally uninviting people from participating in [university] programs and activities.” 

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COVID-19 impact on the women’s basketball team

by Zoe HansenPosted on

After the chaos COVID-19 wreaked on the Dixie State University women’s basketball team in the 2020-2021 season, the Trailblazers are moving forward with renewed energy.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team only had the opportunity to play a few games, then the season was officially cancelled.

JD Gustin, head coach of DSU women’s basketball team, said the team is recovering after the struggle of the previous season. The team has been able to start fresh.

Gustin said not being able to have a season last year made the team appreciate the opportunity they have this season and how special it is to play college basketball.

Since COVID-19 has not taken a toll on DSU women’s basketball team this season, players are able to continue to better themselves and their overall game play.

Sophomore forward Emily Isaacson, a general studies major from Perry, said, “I love the challenge of being the best I can be and continually bettering myself, and finding things to work on and improve.”

To keep COVID-19 from affecting the season negatively, the team is taking all precautions and is following specific guidelines given by the NCAA Division 1 organization.

Main guidelines

For unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, close contact with COVID-19 requires, “Quarantine at home for five days. After that, continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for five additional days.”

For fully vaccinated, close contact with COVID-19 requires, “No quarantine. Wear a well-fitting mask socially when not actively training/competing for 10 days. Test on day five, if possible, and test symptomatic individuals.”

For all, a positive COVID-19 test requires, “Isolate for five days. If no symptoms or symptoms are resolving after five days, isolation may end. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for five additional days. If there is a fever, continue to isolate until fever resolves.”

Guard Shanaijah Davison, a senior communication studies major from Woodland, California, said the virus has affected her basketball season in a positive way.

Davison said unlike many others, COVID-19 has had a great impact on her college basketball experience, which influenced her to leave the previous university she attended, Long Beach State University.

When COVID-19 hit, Davison had the time to go home and reflect on how she wanted her college basketball career to continue. DSU provided the game play that fit her style of play best, and as a result she decided to play her last season at DSU.

As a Trailblazer, Davison was eligible to play her first game this season on Jan. 13 against Seattle University. The team won the game against Seattle, and Davison was player of the game with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.

As the Trailblazers have led a COVID-19 free season so far, they will attempt to finish the remainder of the 2021-2022 season strong.

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Athlete of the Month award: demonstrates leadership skills

by Zoe HansenPosted on

Sophomore forward, No. 22, Emily Isaacson, was awarded Athlete of the Month for her demonstration of great leadership skills and athletic abilities.

“I am very honored to be selected as Athlete of the Month, it means a lot to me that my efforts to work hard and improve myself are showing both on and off the court which is all that I could ask for,” said Emily Isaacson, a sophomore general studies major from Perry.

Isaacson had the opportunity to play eight games her first year before missing the rest of her season due to injury. She ended her short season with an average of 4.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Isaacson recovered from her previous injuries her first year, and was able to come back and begin playing her second year on Dixie State University’s Women’s Basketball Team.

Live, love, basketball

Isaacson’s passion for basketball started when she was young. She said basketball has always been part of her life.

Isaacson said, “My dad played collegiate basketball and has a huge love for the game, so he would take me out in the backyard and shoot hoops.”

This was the start of her passion. She developed her skills at a young age and continuously played the sport as she grew older.

Although she played and participated in many other sports growing up, basketball was the sport she gravitated towards and ended up loving the most.

Isaacson carried her passion throughout her years at Box Elder High School and is still improving her game currently at DSU. One of her biggest motivating factors with being successful in basketball starts with her love for the sport.

“I have a lot of fun playing the sport, and I enjoy all the aspects and challenges that it presents,” Isaacson said. “I love the challenge of being the best I can be and continually bettering myself.”

Breaunna Gillen, a junior biology major from West Jordan has played with Isaacson on the DSU Women’s Basketball team for two years. Gillen has noticed the leadership mentality that Isaacson continues to bring to the team.

“Isaacson leads by example, not instruction,” Gillen said. “She never tells anyone to do something, unless she has already done it herself.”

DSU Women’s Basketball Head Coach, JD Gustin, respects the way Isaacson takes her passion for the sport seriously. Isaacson is a loyal player the coaches and other teammates can count on.

“She deserves the award for the way she represents our department, institution and community,” Gustin said. “She goes above and beyond in her overall work ethic, dedication to her goals and ability to treat others respectfully.”

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Jason Boothe steps down as DSU athletic director

by Drew MartinPosted on

Another era in the DSU sporting world has come and gone.

After 12 years of serving as Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Jason Boothe has stepped down in pursuit of other opportunities.

In his press release, Boothe said his family has really enjoyed their time in St. George, but looks forward to other opportunities that lie ahead.

Under Boothe’s stewardship, DSU Athletics flourished, winning a total of 24 regular and postseason conference championships as members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic and Pacific West conferences, and had a total 57 postseason NCAA Division II appearances. In January 2019, Boothe played a crucial role in DSU’s move to NCAA Division I Athletics and competing in the Western Athletic Conference.

According to the press release, he brought about tremendous growth opportunities in fundraising, facility growth and raised the department’s budget from $3.9 million to $11.5 million. He helped broker the deal for the naming rights and video boards for Greater Zion Stadium and oversaw the completion of the $4 million of the Sports Medicine Center which is dedicated to taking care of the 400 student athletes on campus. His impact was also seen off the court and field with the GPA of student-athletes rising from 2.91 in 2010 to 3.29 in 2021 and more than 1,000 student-athletes receiving academic all-conference honors. Boothe pushed the Athletics Department to serve their community with students, faculty and staff completing more than 13,000 hours of community service under his direction.

In Boothe’s press release, DSU President Richard “Biff” Williams said: “I am grateful for the dedication of Dr. Boothe and his family to Trailblazer Athletics. The department has seen a tremendous transformation during his tenure, and he will be appreciated for decades to come.”

I am grateful for the dedication of Dr. Boothe and his family to Trailblazer Athletics. The department has seen a tremendous transformation during his tenure, and he will be appreciated for decades to come.

President Richard “Biff” Williams

What does the future look like for DSU Athletics? Steve Johnson, associate athletics director for media relations said: “The future looks bright for Trailblazer Athletics. We are currently in year two of our NCAA Division I transition and all 15 of our intercollegiate athletic programs are competing in the Western Athletic Conference. We will continue our hard work and progression toward becoming a full D1 member ahead of the 2024-25 season.”

In the meantime, the school is still searching for Boothe’s replacement. Johnson said: “A national search for the university’s next director of intercollegiate athletics has already begun, with the hope that the new director will be in place on July 1, 2022.”

For now, Ken Beazer has been appointed as the Interim Athletics Director until Boothe’s replacement is found. According to Beazer’s press release, he will make the transition after serving as the Executive Director of Development in the DSU Advancement Office since 2015. Beazer said he believes Boothe laid out a great foundation for him to build off of and looks forward to the exciting work that lies ahead of the 2022-2023 DSU athletics season.

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Women’s tennis season preview

by Grayce PaynePosted on

The Dixie State University women’s tennis team had a slow start to the season, losing both of its first two matches. 

The team played against the University of Utah on Jan. 15, losing 0-7 during both matches. Last season, the team finished 5-15 with two of its winning matches coming from its conference matches.

Head Coach Eric Pelton said since moving to Division 1 the team was able to finish fifth in the conference last year. He said he hopes the team can keep moving up in the conference this season. 

With a D1 season under the team’s belt, Pelton said they are more aware of what to expect going into this season. The players are figuring out what they need to be doing during practice to be able to overcome the competition during matches.

“We need to be more effective at closing out games and being able to win more of the big points,” Pelton said. “That’s the big thing we’ve been working on in practice is just being able to finish off in the big moments.” 

COVID-19 altered the nature of the team’s performance when the players had their season cut short in 2020 due to the onset of the pandemic. Pelton said the players had their practice time reduced, causing them to produce the same results in less time. This season, however, has been less restrictive, allowing the team more time to practice on the court.

Sabrina Longson, a senior dental hygiene major from Salt Lake City, said it was difficult to keep up with tennis when their season was abruptly canceled. 

“Now that things have calmed down a little bit I feel like it hasn’t changed too much, but definitely figuring out how to practice on your own has been tough,” Longson said. 

Juliana Honczaruk, a senior business administration major from Corrientes, Argentina, said her goal during her final season on the team is to take in every moment of practice and matches. Honczaruk said a major goal for all the players this season is to work on building team chemistry.

Longson said the players also want to concentrate on supporting each other as much as they can during their matches. Along with team connection, the team is focused on improving their doubles.

With conference matches approaching in April, Pelton said the team is currently focused on preparing for the competition that awaits them toward the end of the season. The team will play against New Mexico State University, Grand Canyon University, Seattle University and Chicago State University during the conference.

“Those [pre-conference matches] are more of an opportunity to prepare us to be able to win more of the conference matches and to be able to finish in the top of the conference,” Pelton said.

Longson said she is looking forward to the team’s conference matches in Seattle against New Mexico State University and Grand Canyon University. She has never traveled to Seattle, so she is excited to explore the city.

Honczaruk said she doesn’t have a specific match she is looking forward to playing; instead she just does not want the team to lose 0-19 this season. 

“We lost a lot because of the transition to D1, but I’m going to try my best to win as much as I can while enjoying it,” Honczaruk said. 

The Trailblazers play their next match on Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. against Weber State University in Ogden. The team plays their next home match on Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. against Utah State University at the Trailblazer Tennis Courts.

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New Year’s mental fitness plans

by Rainey FacerPosted on

The next new trend resolution is here to stay. Mental fitness is the best new resolution to make for your 2022 New Year, new you vibe that you will achieve. Think of this type of resolution as focusing on being the main character in your life. The main character needs to be mentally fit to maintain being the center of the story.

New year, new you. That’s how it usually goes during the month of January. We all set up New Year’s resolutions. The most common resolutions are eating healthier, losing weight, joining a gym, or joining a fitness class that your friends have been raving about. Maybe your goal is more nuanced, like going to bed at a decent hour, reading a few pages from that book on your bookshelf that you’ve been trying to find the time to start reading finally, or maybe it’s finding time to honor yourself and muting all the noise around you.

With the stress of the pandemic and the uncertainty we face every day, a new type of resolution has started to become on-trend. Working on your mental health. Of course, mental health has always been important. Still, now more than ever, it has become a subject brought up in casual conversation. We are moving away from the stigma of talking about mental health to openly talking about it on our social media pages. Like the main characters that we all aspire to be, we have found new ways to talk about our mental health; from posting on Tik Tok to posting an awareness post on Instagram, our generation is obsessed with mental health, as we should be.

Which has inspired these top three resolutions that will help all of us become more mentally fit and help us aspire to become the main character that we all deserve to be.

Talk about your mental health

Mental health is vital to talk about. How else can we achieve full-on main character status if we bottle up how we really feel about our mental health and carry on in silence ? That is not what the main character does. No, the main character talks about their mental health, whether with someone you trust, like a friend, a family member, or even your therapist. Get whatever it is that is bothering you and share your truth, and if you don’t have someone to talk to, write it out. Sometimes that is all we need to do to feel better. That is how we stay mentally fit.

A junior criminal justice major from Ogden, Keira Herre, said, “Have somebody willing to listen. Just listen. They don’t have to say anything back. You need somebody to talk to about your feelings no matter how harsh your feelings and thoughts are.” Enlist someone you trust to be that listening ear and lean on them when you need to talk so you can flourish in the new year.

Kelly Kendall, a part-time instructor for The College of Humanities and Social Sciences here on campus, tells all of his students to “drop the mask you are wearing and be authentic and real with those you are communicating with.” Advice like this will help you become the main character in your story. We all know the main characters are authentic with themselves and others. They tell you how it is and don’t hide behind a carefully orchestrated mask. They live authentically and communicate the same way. This is what we want for 2022. Being fake is so 2020.

Be kind to yourself and those around you

Being kind to yourself and showing gratitude toward yourself will help keep your mental health on the right path. It will help with how you feel toward the people you come in contact with. It will also help you develop your new origin story filled with rewarding experiences because you were kind enough to yourself that you became kind to those around you. Sunshine spreads sunshine.

Jamy Dahle, assistant director of the Booth Wellness Center, said, “It is important to practice maintaining good mental health, same as you would with physical health. Implement strategies such as giving back and engaging in service activities, get connected to people and activities, set healthy boundaries.”

Being kind to yourself can look like setting boundaries, connecting with yourself and others, doing service projects, or finding an activity that fosters positive feelings and helps find a path to being kind to yourself and others.

DSU junior and English major Angelina Groneman from Las Vegas said, “Figure out what is upsetting you. If it is too damaging and unnecessary like fake friends or nagging family members, take action like distancing yourself or setting boundaries.” Like the main character status you are trying to reach, don’t be afraid to cut off toxic people or people who kill your vibe. We are in 2022, where setting healthy boundaries is as trendy as ’90s nostalgia.

Being kind to yourself can be different. Heather Gifford, a post-doctoral teaching fellow of applied sociology, said, “Constant self check-ins, scheduling time for you and your needs, and putting your personal health first so that you can be the best at the other things you do in life.”
This is one way to be kind to yourself. That way, you know where you are mentally, and you can make changes and re-evaluate what you want out of your resolutions.

This leads me to the third resolution that you need to add to your journey of obtaining mental fitness and main character status.

Set goals

Natylie Smith, a freshman from Mona majoring in sociology, has set some goals this semester and said: “Setting goals is a must. Otherwise, you don’t have any motivation to do anything, leading to episodes of depression. This is why I set goals that will push me for the next eight weeks, six months, and the next year. This way, I have things to look forward to achieving.”
Another good tip that Smith said was to write down your goals for the next week so they don’t get forgotten. This is something we can all work on. We write down our homework and assignments. So why not write down our goals. You can even do a vision board full of goals to track your progress to becoming the main character and reach those goals.

DSU sophomore and American Sign Language major Nyah Richards of Salt Lake City said: “I’m not a big New Year’s goal person, but I’ve been wanting to maintain a goal for myself: giving myself a break. I often beat myself up for feeling depressed, anxious, and stressed. Even at times, I know that those feelings are not my fault. I’m tired of doing this to myself when all I am trying to do is live my best life.”

Setting goals is one way to check in with yourself and have a visible representation of what you have accomplished. That way, when you get burned out or need a reminder of why you are setting resolutions, you can look at the progress you have made towards the goal you have set for yourself.

Remember these three “resolutions” are here to help you become the best you and develop that rocking main character that we all know you can be, especially since you have these “resolutions” to help you become mentally fit and navigate this wild and unpredictable year.

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OPINION | College: A time for discovering how you learn

by Sophie SparksPosted on

Although we learn many different concepts at college, such as professional skills for future occupations, one of the main objectives is to become a learner.

When I first began my college career, I had the set idea that you went to school to attempt to figure out what you wanted to be when you grew up. I didn’t realize the importance of developing skills to learn best. 

There are many different types of learning. Some of them include: visual learners, auditory learners, kinesthetic learners and, reading/writing learners, according to Rasmussen University. Therefore, it is important to identify what type of learner you are for your best chance at success.

There are many different lecture types that I participated in such as Zoom lectures, in person discussions, group work and more. It didn’t take me long to figure out what lecture types worked best for me. I mainly realized that it was hard for me to pay attention during long Zoom calls. I noticed that I learn much better when I am in a classroom actively taking notes.

Dartmouth Academic Skills Center goes into detail about the different types of learning strategies and how to use them to your advantage.

Understanding what type of learner you are will go far beyond the classroom. The skills you learn now will be used for the rest of your life. Rasmussen University also talks about how knowing what type of learning works best for you will be used to your advantage in the future.

When I registered for the spring semester, I was glad I was aware of the types of classes I learn best in. While registering, I looked closely at the course description and the syllabus to make sure they were fit for my learning style.

Identifying how I learn best has helped me succeed and become a better student overall. I would highly recommend taking the time to pick out the learning styles that work best for you and apply them in the classroom. Not only will this help you do better in your classes, but it will help you with future careers and other learning opportunities.

Princeton University gives a few suggestions on how to get to know yourself as a learner and thinker. Some questions you might ask yourself are “when and where are you most productive” and “what tends to get in the way of your learning?” Knowing how you learn most effectively will help you be more productive and successful overall. 

Using your time in college to understand how you learn best will help you throughout the rest of your life. Once you shift your mindset and realize that college is a time for understanding yourself as a learner, the importance of your classes will increase and, you will see the positive outcomes from it.

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