8/31

This summer I took classes here at Penn State. I was in the leap program and took Philosophy and Media Ethics. It was two classes, worth three credits each, and had twenty-four people in the class. The first class was a speech class, which I’m not very good at because I hate public speaking, but I wanted to get it out of the way. During the six week period for that class I had to write one paper and give five speeches (not on a topic of my choice). The second class was a philosophy and media ethics class. We had a lot of reading every night and had to analyze two journalistic reports. We also had to write three papers through out the course. Because it was the leap program, and I had classes with the same people, the teachers worked together to try to relate their lessons to each other. Because it was only six weeks, we had a lot of work crammed into a short time period, and it wasn’t easy, but it was a great transition into college because it definitely prepared me for the workload in the fall. I was also able to learn my way around campus a little better, and met a lot of people. I felt as though it was a combination of high school and college. In the leap program, it is the same twenty-four kids in both classes. Of those twenty-four people, eight of them were from Lower Merion High School, myself included. That was intimidating to the other sixteen students, but by the end of the first week everyone in the class became friends. I liked the leap program because although it wasn’t high school, it had the comforting aspects to it, like knowing everyone around you. We had a mentor who was going to be a sophomore here at Penn State, who had taken leap last summer. She was there for whatever helped we needed whether it was for revising a paper or homework questions. She met us outside of a dorm for the first day of class so we wouldn’t get lost going to the building. She also planned group activities once a week such as baseball games, volleyball games, and pizza parties, to help everyone get to know each other a little better. Penn State summer session was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

 

9/1

My name is Allison LoPreto. This year I am living in Bigler in East Halls. During the summer I lived in Pollock Halls, and I was in Beaver. I liked it a lot better there. The room set up gave me more storage, the bathrooms were better, and although the commons here are okay, it’s not what I’m used to. I signed up for Penn State thinking I wanted to major in education, but I’ve already switched out before I arrived to school and I’m now in the school of Health and Human development, hoping to major in psychology. I am from Lower Merion, which is right outside of Philadelphia. I went to Lower Merion High School, and I came to Penn State along with about 40 other students from there. My closest group of girl friends from home all ended up at Penn State coincidentally. I didn’t love that idea at first because I was afraid we wouldn’t branch out, but we have and it’s also good to know a familiar face. I have wanted to go to Penn State ever since I was little. I love the big school, far from home, but easy to get to, and has a lot of spirit. I am very excited for the football game on Saturday. I’ve only been to one Penn State game, and it was a long time ago, so I wasn’t able to appreciate it. I used to go to my high school football games, but we weren’t very good. I also went to a lot of the soccer, baseball, and basketball games because during my senior year those three sports teams were amazing. I am very excited for my first year at Penn State.

 

9/2

When I picked my schedule in May during FTCAP for the fall semester, I thought it was a good one. Now that actually is the fall semester, and I don’t like it very much. Monday’s Wednesday’s and Friday’s are my hardest days. I have four classes that day. It starts at 9:05 with English. English has never been my strongest subject. The next class I am taking is Math 110. I have a big class on those three days, and then on Tuesday I have math, in a smaller group of 24. After that I am taking Econ 002. I think it will be a hard class, in which I’ll have to pay close attention to, but an interesting one. My last class for my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule is Psychology 002. I am taking this class because I am hoping to major in psychology, and this will be the first step to see if I’m in the right place. Besides the fact that those three days I have the most classes, I also have my hardest ones those days. They start at 9 and I’m done my day at 4:30. They are all an hour apart, which I thought would be good at first so I wouldn’t have to rush from class to class, but it turns out that I could have made it in 15 minutes, and with an hour, I don’t have much time to do anything because the classes are all relatively close to each other, so I can’t go back to the dorm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays my days are a lot better. Except for my one small math class on Tuesday, I am also taking Human Development and Family Studies, which is on Thursday also. It’s another class that will see if psychology is really a major that holds my interests. Every class except for English and my one math class are big classes. I like that a lot better, because I am the type of person who doesn’t like to stand out and I can still learn that way.

 

9/5

AlliSonNarrative

 

9/6

I really enjoyed my first Penn State football experience. It started on Friday night with football eve. Lower Merion High School, although we were always spirited, never had a good football team. In my four years of high school, our team probably only won about five games. The pep rally on Friday night was a great start. Seeing the football players, the cheerleaders, the band, and of course Joe Paterno, really got me excited for the game. Since the pep rally really got my friends and me in the spirit, we woke up early on Saturday morning and went downtown to get stuff for the game. Downtown was insane. There were so many people there all dressed up and ready to go. Signs everywhere, people walking the streets trying to buy tickets, and cheerleaders giving away blue and white balloons. We went to three stores, and each ended up buying a jersey and blue and white necklaces to get decked out. After getting ready for the game we left around 1:30 because we heard the gates hadn’t opened till around 2 o’clock, but when we got there, there were already thousands of people. I was surprised to see all the tailgating that was going on. Trailers lined up on the lawn having barbecues before the game. Even though there were a lot of students already there when my friends and I arrived, I thought we got pretty good seats. We were in row 29. The videos playing on the screen for the hour and a half before the game, were all the same videos that were played the night before at the pep rally, but I still enjoyed them. Finally it was 3:30 and the game had started. Listening to the fans around me, and seeing everyone’s spirit with blue and white taking over my section, was a great feeling. In 9th grade I was part of the pep band for my school. Although I don’t regret quitting, I still enjoy listening to the band, so I enjoyed the half time show, and loved the baton twirler, I don’t know how they are able to do it. Overall it was a great game. I really like watching football, especially when Penn State wins. Although it was a long time of standing, it was a great day for it.

 

9/7

I can’t believe that I’ve been here for about two weeks already. Although I miss my family and friends, it really doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. Maybe because of those two weeks, only one of them has been with classes. I moved up here on August 26th, while some schools didn’t have people come until early September. I’ve been talking to some of my friends who are going to other schools, and some of them just moved in last weekend, and are having their first day of classes today (Wednesday), while were already a week into it. Although it would have been nice to start late, I have an advantage to starting a week earlier. I now have my routine down and know where I’m going for my classes. Some friends I’ve known longer than others, but we’ve at least gone to school together for the last four years, and I would see them every day. Now we talk a couple times a week and it’s hard to imagine not going to school with them and seeing them every day. Pretty soon we will no longer be friends, but refer to each other as “friends from home.” It’s weird to me that I’m officially in college, but what’s also weird to me is that my brother Michael is now a junior in high school. It seems like just yesterday I was in his position taking the SAT’s and ACT’s and going to visit colleges on the weekends.

 

9/8

Do I want to be part of a sorority? I really can’t decide if the Greek Life is for me. Before my senior year in high school, it really didn’t hold my interest. My cousin, who is a senior here this year, loves Penn State and is in a sorority. Last year, when I really wanted to come here, but before I knew if I was accepted or not, I came to visit her. She brought me to her dorm, which was a sorority floor, and I met some of her friends. I didn’t know the details of rushing and pledging, but the after part seems fun. I know it’s only our second week here so I have time to meet plenty of people, but because she is in a sorority, she has a set group of friends, ones she always hangs out with, and I think with rushing and pledging it will make that process easier. I will be able to meet so many new people that I probably wouldn’t meet on my own. There are a few negatives of course. Even if you don’t end up pledging, rushing alone takes up a lot of time and effort. The rules for the rush week are very strict. You can only wear certain outfits each day, you can’t ask girls what sorority they belong to, and you cannot discuss your opinions of the sorority to try and persuade others. I still have a couple days to decide if I am going to rush, but I don’t know if it’s the right decision for me.

 

9/9

AlliSonFinalNarrative

 

9/12

StepK13Nar Remix

 

I was always a stubborn child. When I made up my mind it was set in stone. Whenever I didn’t know enough about something, I stubbornly determined that it was no good for me. My parents forced me to try new things, and believed “it was for the best”. One example is with a musical instrument. I started playing the saxophone. My neighbors who were a year older than me played it, and I thought it was cool, but I never wanted to take it up. Of course, my parents forced me. From fourth grade to eighth grade, I had wanted to quit every year. My parents would never allow me too. When high school started, I really didn’t want to play. They forced me to yet again, but this time I was glad I listened. From band and the pep band, although I didn’t love the instrument, I enjoyed the sporting events and the people that were in the band with me.

The next example is with sports. As a kid, they signed me up for all sorts of teams, many of which I ended up enjoying. I played soccer for five years, basketball for four, and softball for seven. Softball had been my favorite of the three, and I chose to stick with it for a long time. I never wanted to play at first, but since my parents forced me and my dad was the coach, I didn’t have much choice. My first year, I was horrible. I couldn’t hit the ball for my life, and I barely got any playing time in the field. That didn’t leave such a great impression for the next year, but my dad was the coach again, so I was on the team again. This time I got much more playing time, and I started to love the sport. I started playing softball for a township league, then for my middle school, then for a traveling team, and then high school.

If my parents never forced me to play a musical instrument or play sports, I never would have made half the friends I have today, and played on many of the teams I played on. I guess my parents were right when “they knew what was best for me.” I have so many memories from softball, and I love playing the sport. Through softball I have learned that I am a strong person, and although it is tough for me to start something, I become very dedicated once I do. I am grateful for how my parents have pushed me along the way. If it wasn’t for them, I would have missed out on so much.

 

9/13

I can’t believe Hurricane Katrina happened. Watching the news, reading magazines, and seeing the pictures are all so upsetting. I don’t have any family and friends down there that experienced it, but I feel horrible for all those victims. Hundreds of people left with no homes and lost all their personal belongings. It’s like a story you hear about, but never expect it to actually happen. I have friends that were going to school at Tulane, moved in, and then had to be evacuated that same day. They were told they would return on Friday, so many left a lot of their stuff there. After the hurricane hit, they weren’t able to return, lost all of their stuff, and had to find another school, because Tulane wouldn’t be up in time. One of my friends, who were going to go there, has now ended up here at Penn State. Luckily she wasn’t there when it hit and she is okay although she lost all her stuff. I couldn’t imagine what I would be like if I had witnessed the hurricane, survived it, and new people who did not. My dad is a psychologist and is thinking of going down to Louisiana to help the hurricane victims. They need psychologists to do trauma therapy. I think it would be awesome if he went down if he had the time, because they need help in any way possible.

 

9/14

Since Monday I haven’t been feeling that great. My roommate is sick, so I knew it was bound to happen. I haven’t been getting a lot of rest and I am sleep deprived, like many other students I’m sure. Yesterday I started to get a sore throat, a headache, and felt very weak. Those are the signs of when I’m getting sick. When I was younger I used to get sick maybe once a year. But since May, I have already been sick three times. I got sick right before prom, during summer session at Penn State, and now, right when classes are finally starting up with all the work. I guess I don’t exactly have the best timing. During my class of 600 students on Tuesday there was someone coughing every second…I’m obviously not the only one sick. It’s hard living with so many people, because it spreads so fast. I hope I’m not sick for long because I can’t miss too much work, it’ll be hard to catch up. Whenever I get sick, that’s when I want to go home the most. The thought of my own bed and privacy…being sick is the worst feeling in the world.

 

9/15

OnlineConvo

 

I created my license awhile ago, and completely forgot about it. I also just learned how to put it up. Its a little late, but here it is... my license

 

9/16

I wish my schedule every day was a Thursday schedule. On Thursdays I only have one class. It starts at 9:45, so I am done my day by 11. That gives me the rest of the day to do whatever I want. Yesterday was very productive. After class, I went back to my room and took a nap for a little. I then did some laundry, and while I waited for it, I got a lot of work done. After that I went in town with a few of my friends and bought some things that I needed. I came back after and did a little more homework, and was done just in time for my favorite show, The OC. I never watched the first season because I knew I would get addicted, and I didn’t want to. My friends made me watch one of the first episodes of the second season, and of course, since then I couldn’t stop. Last year I had to catch up and borrowed my friends DVD of the first season. I finished all those hour long episodes in about 3 days. I was addicted. There is always drama on the show, but it’s so good. I’m very excited to find out what will happen on this season.

 

9/19

AlliSonDefArg

 

9/21

I am a very good procrastinator, and it’s not a good thing. When I am given an assignment a week in advance, I usually wait last minute. The easy assignments I always get out of the way first, which shouldn’t be the case, because the hard ones I put off and end up struggling with. Like many of the essays I write, I will always say I have to do them, and put them in that days schedule of work I have to get done, but at the end of the day, I always think…well there’s always tomorrow. Tomorrow comes before you know it, and pretty soon it’s due the next day, and I have to write three pages in one night. I was like that in high school too, and I told myself that I wouldn’t let it happen to me in college and I would improve my work habits when it came to the papers I had to write. I am now my fourth week into the fall semester of college and had six weeks of summer session, and not much as changed. Every paper I have written has been put off till the last day or two. I always end up getting my work done by the deadline, but sometimes I get too close. I’m going to have to change my study habits.

 

9/22

I had my first test in college the other day. It was my human development family studies class, which has over 600 students. I was here in the summer, but I didn’t have any tests in my two classes except one final on the last day. Even then it was different because it was a class of 24, so it was like high school. With 600 kids in one room, it’s a lot harder to take a test. We are in a huge lecture hall and I sit in the middle, so it take a good amount of time to get the actual test. There are a couple of TA’s as well as the teacher passing out pencils, tests, and scantron sheets to all the students. It was all multiple choice, which I rarely get, because normally there are a couple short answers or an essay, but with 600 students, its not easy to be able to read everyone responses. Although I like multiple choice at times, its hard because I tend to second guess myself with the answer. I didn’t like taking the test in the big classroom setting. Since everyone is getting sick there was always someone coughing or blowing their nose or moving around, so it was a big distraction. Since I also got the test 10 minutes later than the people up front, a lot of people were done before me, and they started moving around. I got distracted and felt the need to rush, because since everyone else was finishing, I should be done too. Hopefully I did okay on it, but I don’t think it was too bad, seeing as I didn’t know what to expect for my first college test.

 

9/23

I’m so glad it’s finally Friday. Although this week wasn’t too bad, I am definitely ready for the weekend. Hopefully I won’t have too much work to do, or I can at least get it out of the way today. Kanye tickets go on sale today too. I don’t know if I want to go, but its my friends birthday, so she wants me to, and I figure everyone else is, so I wouldn’t have much to do that night anyway. First weekend without a football game, but I like the break. Hopefully we can keep up the wins with our first away game. This weekend is parent’s weekend and I am really happy about that. My dad is in Chicago right now for business, so they are coming up on Saturday, and spending the day here, and leaving on Sunday. I am very excited to see them tomorrow, although I wish my brother was coming. My cousin is up here as well, so were all going to go out to breakfast together on Sunday, which should be fun. I don’t know if a lot of peoples parents are coming up, but I am sure it will be very crowded this weekend. Its going to be very hectic with rush and parents coming up.

 

9/26

AlliSonFinalDefinition

 

9/27

It was really good to see my parents. I’ve never been away from my parents this long, because I never went to overnight camp, and even during this summer at summer session, I went home twice. My dad was in Chicago on Thursday and Friday for business, so my parents came up on Saturday. They arrived at around 12 and came right to my dorm. I had them bring up some things that I had left at home, but after they dropped that off, we went downtown and went shopping. It wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be down there. We were downtown for about two hours, and then we went to Wal-Mart, because I had to get more containers for storage space. After Wal-Mart, we got ready for dinner. We ate at some restaurant off campus, because we figured everything around here would be very crowded with long lines. Our reservation was at 7, so we were done dinner pretty early. After dinner we went back to my dorm and put in the storage containers and reorganized my room. Of course after that my mom wanted the creamery. She loves it, and has to get it every time. So after about an hour of reorganizing we went to the creamery with a few of my friends. We sat and ate there, but by then my parents were ready to go back to the hotel, and I hung out in my dorm. On Sunday, my parents took my cousin and me out to breakfast at The Waffle Shop, which surprisingly, wasn’t that long of a wait. My cousin is a senior here at Penn State. They left at around 12, but it was great seeing them. I’m going home in about 2 weeks, so I will be seeing them again soon.

 

9/28

AlliSonHowTo

 

9/29

Today is my friend Jordan’s birthday, and is turning 19. He has the earliest birthday of all of my friends, which was pretty cool when he was the first to have his license, first to have his senior license, and was able to vote in last years election. He’s one of my closest friends that didn’t end up at Penn State. He goes to Hofstra, and it’s weird not being with him on his birthday, like I have been the last couple of years. All I could do this year was send him a card and call him. My friend Ilana and I were going to go to Hofstra to surprise him this weekend, but after looking into it, we realized that it is their schools parents’ weekend, so it wouldn’t have been good timing anyway. I’m sure he would have loved the surprise, but we will see him in two weeks anyway, so we can have a late celebration then.

 

9/30

There is an analogy in the movie Forest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates, because you never know what you’re going to get.” The assumption in this quote is that life is unpredictable. In a box of chocolate there are various combinations of flavors you can get from one single choice. Life is similar to this assumption because you may never know what is going to happen. However life is much more complex. A box of chocolates is a simplified analogy for the unpredictable moments, which make up our daily actions.

 

10/3

This weekend was really busy but fun. I didn’t get to go out that much because I had so much work to do. I stayed in on Friday night so that I could go out Saturday. Friday I spent the night doing work. I learned how to do some math for my quiz on Tuesday, and then studied a little for my first psych test that I have today, and then I tried to work on the English paper. I went out on Saturday, because a few of my friends were here, and it was good to see them. I saw my friend Mike, who goes to Indiana. It was good to see him, because I didn’t get to say bye to him before he left for school, and I hadn’t seen him since graduation. One of my good friends Dan was supposed to come from Lehigh, but last minute he couldn’t, because he found out he had a hockey game, because he plays for the school. I was pretty upset about that, but at least Ill see him next weekend hopefully. My friend Kevin was here too. He comes up for most of the football games. The football game was so much fun. I can’t believe were 5-0. My high school team wasn’t even that good in the four years that I was there, combined. It was a really exciting game and got to see with all my friends from high school. I cant wait for next weekend and the big game.

 

10/4

AlliSonAnalogy

 

10/5

After today, I’m hoping the rest of my week won’t be so bad. I had a lot of work this weekend to prepare for this week, but it was mostly just for my Monday and Tuesday classes. On Monday I had my first psych test which I had to really study for. Hopefully I did okay; since I am interested in that being my major, but I really don’t know how well I did. On Tuesday I had the English paper due and a math quiz as well. I have a math quiz every Tuesday, so I knew to expect it, but this time I had to study because I was so lost on the material. Now, since I have taken at least one test in every class, I’m hoping I won’t have too much work for the rest of the week, especially for the weekend. I am so excited for the Ohio State game. It’s going to be so crazy and so much fun. One night I plan to go down to the stadium, and hang out with some of the people who are camping out down there, I think that would be pretty cool.

 

10/6

I get addicted to shows way too easily, which is why I normally try not to start with them. I never started to watch the OC, but last year my friend made me watch one episode, and of course I couldn’t stop after that. I got the first season and watched it all, watched the second, and now its on its third season, and I watch it every Thursday. It also happened this summer. My friends favorite show is 24, and I never thought I would like it, so I never watched it. She had every season on DVD except the first, so she found it, and bought it, and made me watch it with her. We finished the whole first season in about 2 weeks. Now I have a new obsession. When my friends parents came up last week they brought her season one of desperate housewives. My mom always used to watch that show, but like 24, I didn’t think it would hold my interest. My friend and I were in her room and decided to put it on, and ended up watching about 3 that day. We couldn’t stop. We now watch about 1 or 2 a day, because they are so good and addicting. They always end in suspense or something huge, so you want to continue watching to see what is going to happen next. It’s a really bad habit to get in to. Catching up on the OC I did during spring break, 24 was during the summer, but now desperate housewives and school work is hard to manage. I know I should do my work, but the show is just so good, its really bringing me behind.

 

 

10/7

AlliSonFinalAnalogy

 

10/10

Cambodian Genocide In this article it explains about Cambodian Genocide. It lasted 4 years and started in 1975. About a million people died during this time from malnutrition and illnesses. A communistic state of mind took over and it was let by the Pol Pot regime. This regime created a secret prison called the S-21 which held about 14,000 people over its time. The people held in this prison were tortured until the admitted to their crime, and had their pictures were taken. The prison is now a museum today with the saved pictures of the prisoners. I think Cambodian Genocide is very upsetting. I don’t know who could ever kill thousands or even millions of people for no reason. You would think that people would learn from their mistakes, but there have been too much genocide in this world.

 

10/11

AIDS In Africa There are currently 260,000 people in Africa living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS is such a problem in Africa for several reasons. With large families and little money; it is hard for them to support their families. They are unable to provide them with their daily needs such as food, water, and proper health. Because the people in Africa are so malnourished, it is causing more people to catch HIV/AIDS. “This information clearly demonstrates that AIDS in Africa is more likely to be caused by starvation than by HIV. The functions of the immune system, especially the cellular immunity, are impaired in malnutrition cases.” Because families are so malnourished, people go out in search for money. The money will provide their family with clothing, food, water, and medicine; so the people are willing to go to great means to get money. One way to earn money is to sell your body to others, which could be another cause of AIDS. Since so many people are already infected with HIV/AIDS in Africa, many people sell themselves to those who have it. By having sexual intercourse with another, you get paid. You are paid more money however, if you have sexual intercourse without a condom. With no protection, many people catch AIDS that way, but only do it for the money so they are able to support their family. It is a never ending cycle. Although it does not affect our society personally, I think it is very disturbing. We can help by supporting the people in Africa and making donations so they don’t have to sell their bodies as the only means of making money. People don’t choose to get AIDS in Africa, but are forced to, only because they are trying to support their family. They have no money so they are unable to get the proper materials to nourish them. Because they are malnourished, they have a weak immune system, leading them to receive AIDS.

 

10/12

Anorexia and teens “Research suggests that about one percent (1%) of female adolescents have anorexia. That means that about one out of every one hundred young women between ten and twenty are starving themselves, sometimes to death.” Anorexia is caused by a number of factors such as biological (genetic inclination), psychological (life events leading to depression or low self-esteem), and of course, social issues, which is the major aspect. “Some cultures value thinness as a key element of attractiveness, especially for women. Thus, social pressure is a cause of anorexia.” Everyone admires a model; girls want to be them, and boys want to date them. They have the “perfect” body; tall and thin. Even when you look to sports, just like a model, ballet and gymnastics show the same “perfect” figure. When seeing this “perfect figure” teens want to become them and leads to anorexia, which they believe is the fastest way to reach this goal. Another cause of anorexia through social pressures is the media. On the television and in magazines you see that “perfect” body again. People who are on TV and in the ADS tend to be the model type. Most off these ADS, although not promoting anorexia are intended for teens, and that is what they see. With only seeing those models, they believe that that is the norm, and that is the only way to fit in, in today’s society. The audience for causes of anorexia is our generation. Since we are teens, we are the most likely to fall into these social pressure of today’s society.

 

10/13

HeXuM311

article

 

Causal Argument: Not getting enough sleep may cause some older women to gain weight.

 

counter-argument: Older women may gain weight due to lack of exercie or a slower metabolism

 

10/14

I am currently home. I came home on Wednesday afternoon, for a nice long weekend in my own bed with my own room. I am so excited to be home. Although I love school, it’s nice to get away and come see some of my friends. I came home for the Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, on Wednesday night and had a dinner with my family on Thursday. I’ve also seen some of my friends, and plan to see more tomorrow. Not many people are home, but a lot of my school went to Penn State and Delaware, which were a few of the schools that were home. I can’t wait until Thanksgiving to come home when everyone is really here. I’m glad I had such a long weekend home, cause I’m not ready to go back and face all the work I have.

 

 

10/17

stigmergy

Stigmergy is a form of communication among insects; particularly ants. Because they are not able to communicate through words it is their sense of “language”. Although the insects are working alone, in the end it all comes together as one. It is as if the ants are born with this knowledge or ESP, because they all come together in order through stigmergy.

 

10/18

Smoking- Evaluation Argument

Smoking is one of the worst things that a person can do to their body. In the United States cigarette smoking makes up about 400,000 deaths per year. Smoking causes increased risks of many illnesses such as lung disease, cancer (of the mouth, lungs, kidney and stomach) and respiratory problems for children of smokers. Cigarettes include thousands of chemical agents and affect those that smoke, and those around them.

Smoking is very addicting. The reason for this is because “one of the main chemicals is nicotine, which is a stimulant that activates the brain’s reward system. . When nicotine reaches the brain, it induces feelings of pleasure and increases mental alertness.” Although smoking is very harmful and causes many illnesses with little benefit, one counter-argument is that cigarettes cause less stress and anxiety.

 

 

10/19

Television and media- Evaluation Argument

The media is negatively impacting children in today’s society. There are several different reasons for this, mainly being the messages they are receiving from the television. In kids programs, commercials and regular TV, kids are viewing many different messages. One being through violence. In cartoons and movies violence on TV is shown as a way to handle a problem. When they use violence they characters show now remorse and no sense of pain. Another way they send messages through television is by using certain characters. Many young children look for the ‘mother-figure’ type while other teens go for the pretty, young, and skinny characters. A counter-argument for television and children is, although negatively impacting children and their behavior, if you watch television for a certain amount of time it may become beneficial. In my Human Development and Family Studies course we learned that children watching television less than 35 hours a week helps improve the kid’s vocabulary.

 

10/20

What is Plagiarism?

 

Plagiarism is defined as taking ones ideas and passing them off as your own. It is found everywhere such as papers, essays, and movies.

Many times in order to write a paper it is common to get ideas and facts from other sources other than your own knowledge. You may need to look on a website, read a book, or do an interview in order to get information for your paper. When taking these ideas that you have found you must use quotations. Without citing them properly, it is as if you are trying to act as if you created these ideas, which is a form of plagiarism. Words, sentences, thoughts and ideas are all forms of plagiarism, if you do not credit the creator.

One way to write a paper without plagiarism is through paraphrasing. Paraphrasing is taking ones ideas, but rewording them into your own. This way you are able to find the information you need, but create it into your own text.

Academic dishonesty is a word associated with plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as taking ones ideas and passing them off as your own.

 

 

10/21

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10/24

This weekend I did not do much, and the weather was so bad that I didn’t really go out, which means it would have been a good time to catch up on my work, seeing as this week is going to be a busy week. I’m in the middle of my second round of testing for my classes. I have a test this week in econ, a quiz in math, an econ project, and an english paper to work on all at the same time. Not to mention the homework I may get on the side. Hopefully since this week will be so stressful, I will have some time off this weekend to enjoy homecoming, the concert, the football game, and two of my good friends have birthdays, one on Friday and one on Sunday. It should be a nice enjoyable weekend, assuming I can survive the rest of this week with all of the work I have.

 

10/25

I’m really beginning to see the difference between high school and college. After having a test or two in each class, I realize how much harder you have to work in college. Although that seems like the obvious thing, and I knew that, it has suddenly hit me. In high school all of my classes were around 24 people or less. This year, English is my smallest classes with 24 and all the rest have over 200, one even up to 600. With that it means that you are not going to get the individual attention you once had in high school. Your professor won’t know you; it’s harder to ask questions during class, and to get the attention you may need. In college it’s up to you how you do. No one is forcing you to go to class, no one will notice if you don’t go, or holding your hand if your struggling in class. In high school I could get away with studying the day of a test during a free I had before, and I would be able to manage a B grade and with homework, it would eventually bring me up. In college you have to study, not the day of, not the day before, but for a few days or a week to understand the material. Even then you aren’t guaranteed a good grade, because with these tests, you never know what to expect.

 

10/26

Well today was a great start to a great day. My alarm didn’t go off this morning because instead of the radio, it was static, but you weren’t able to hear it, so I woke up at 8:53 for a 9:05 class which is across campus. I obviously got there late. After that class, I have three other classes. In one of those classes I have a test, which I really don’t think I am ready for. After my classes are done at 4:30 in the forum, I have to make it downtown by 4:45 for a meeting. I feel like I don’t even have time to breathe today. After my meeting, my friend is meeting me downtown, because it’s our friends birthday on Friday, so we have to find something to get her. After that I have to watch the movie I am going to review for English. I want to get the paper out of the way before the weekend, so I will be able to relax and enjoy it.

 

10/27

Well today should be a better day than yesterday. Much more relaxing at least. Instead of four classes that go from 9:05 till 4:30, I only have one class, so I am done by 11. That means for the rest of the day I am able to relax and catch up on the things I need to do like wash, work, and cleaning my room. And then tomorrow will be very exciting. I shouldn’t have too much work because I just had a test in one class and a paper in another. The Kanye concert is tomorrow, which I am going to, and its also my friends birthday. A lot of my friends from home are also coming up as well. After a very stressful week, this weekend is looking pretty good.

 

10/28

...And the weekend is finally here. I could not be happier about it. Although I have a busy day with classes, my weekend finally starts at 4:30. It is my best friends birthday today. She is from home, but goes here with me. We are going to go out to dinner to celebrate, and then there is the homecoming parade. Since were downtown for dinner early, we are going to stay down there to watch it. After that, I have to come back, because tonight I am going to the Kanye concert with some of my friends. I don't know a lot of Kanye's songs, but enough to have a good time. And then tomorrow of course is the football game. A lot of my friends from home are coming up from the game, which will be exciting. And to top off this great weekend...since I had so much work this week from my teachers, it's all done, and I am finally able to relax this weekend. It's been awhile. And I'm sure next week will just start up new stress.

 

10/31

AlliSonFinalEvaluation

 

11/1

Tonight I had my first meeting for the Youth Offenders Program (YOP). I have to take 16 hours worth of classes, and so it is four classes on Tuesday and Thursday for the next 2 weeks. The class tonight wasn't that bad, except for 4 hours is a long time, and I dont know how I am going to be able to handle it for the next 3 times. I have 2 friends in my class, so that makes it a little bit better, and I got to meet new people tonight, who seemed pretty cool. We all went around, as an introduction class, getting to learn about each other, and some of the reasons why we were here. My friends and I were here for summer session, and during arts fest and the week before, we were cited, so we have to take this class as an option. I think the class is pretty rediculous, becuase it doesn't teach you not to drink, it just teaches you how to drink responsibly. Hopefully the next few classes wont be that bad.

 

11/2

I'm not sure what I want to write my final paper on exactly. There are a couple topics that interest me, but the one that stands out the most at this time is Drinking in the United States. Why the legal age is 21, and whether or not it should be changed to 18, like other countries. The reason I am so interested in this is because this summer and this year, many people at Penn State have been cited by on and off campus police wehther they were sober with possession or drunk and wasted. There are classes being offered now which teach you the facts about under age, and I think it would be very interesting to write a paper on that, going into greater detail. Would changing the drinking age to 18 in the United States cause fewer or greater problems? It works in other countries, so what would be different here.

 

11/3

The story of my friends and I getting cited this summer is what motivated and interests me for my final paper and proposal topic on Drinking and whether the age should be 18 or 21 in the United States. The reason why this sparked an interest was because the reason for many of the ciatations in the class that I am in were very ridiculous, and many people were being responsible while drinking or possession of alcohol. Although it is technically illegal to drink under the age of 21 here, it is not in most other countries. I think that the drinking age in the United States should be changed to 18, after my friends and I had received the citation this summer.

 

11/4

ProposalForFinal

 

11/5

Two Proposals I read over..

K2Boarder

GoodFood

 

11/7

This weekend was so much fun. My friend Jordan came up from Hofstra, and my friend Adam came from Syracuse. Although it was hard, my friend Ilana and I were able to find them both tickets to the football game. I think they really enjoyed it, and got to experience the true spirit of Penn State. They came up Friday night, so we hung out with my friends from high school, since were not all together anymore. On Saturday we all went to my friend Mike's tailgate. His parents were up because it was his birthday that day. After that, we all went to the game together, and got pretty good seats. They loved the game, it was awesome. After the game we got dinner, relaxed, and then got ready for the night. Overall, it was an awesome weekend, and I think Adam and Jordan both enjoyed their time here. Adam has been here before, and I think he is transferring here for the spring semester. Hopefully he'll enjoy it as much here as he did this weekend.

 

11/8

Information for the final paper...

Questioning the drinking age

changing the age

 

11/9

Well this is a stressful week. On Tuesday and Thursday I have YOP from 6-10 at night. That doesn't give me much relaxing time and time to do work. Also this week, I have a test in one of my classes on Thursday, I have a test in YOP to see if I pass the class, and I also have a math quiz. On Monday I have a test in psych and a midterm for math, which I was hoping to study for this week, but I'm not really sure when I'm going to have the time. There is one stress gone though, and that is that I was able to sign up for my classes for next semester last night at midnight, becuase I was able to pick them on November 9th. I didn't waste much time, I was already signed in, and when the clock hit 12, I typed in the numbers of my classes that I had previously picked, and I was done. I'm still not sure of some classes, but I got a lot of the ones I wanted.

 

11/10

I'm going homeeee tomorrow. I know Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, but I am very excited to go home this weekend. A lot of my friends are either going away or going canning, so not many people will be here. It worked out perfectly, because it happens that my cousin from California will be in this weekend to see his dad and his sisters, so I will get a chance to see him. I only get to see him once every year or two if I'm lucky. Were going to my grandparents house on Sunday for dinner. Going home will also give me a chance to catch up on my sleep and catch up on work, seeing as I have two tests on Monday. I know I won't be able to get much work done here, because there is always a distraction. I'm leaving tomorrow after my english and math class, and I can't wait.

 

11/11

I was finally able to schedule classes this week for the spring semester. I scheduled on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning at midnight, and I didn't waste any time. I'm not sure if I love my schedule yet, but its much better than my fall one. I learned my lesson this time, that I dont want a class earlier than 10, so my earliest class is at 10:10. I didnt want to go that late in the day, but there wasn't much I could do about that, so some days I am done at 4:30, which is what I have now also, but I dont really mind that as much. Another thing I had learned from my fall schedule that I didnt want next semester was I either wanted my calsses back to back, or I wanted more then a one hour break inbetween. I was able to get some back to back and others i had one in the beginning of the day and the end of the day. Like last time, I'm sure my schedule will change atleast once before the semester actually starts, but as of now, I like it....I am taking HDFS 229, my freshman seminar, theater 100, Stat 100, and Eege 101

 

11/14

And my stress is doneee. Atleast until I get my grades back. I had a test and a midterm today, both in the same room only 2 hours apart. I thought they were both pretty hard, they were in psych and math. Math was the one that was a midterm, and it determines my grade. If I dont do well on that test, I have to late drop the class, which is worth 4 credits. Its really not my first choice, but I dont really want to fail a class either. I'm not sure if it is a required class for my graduation, but hopefully I'll do okay on the test and will be able to keep it and get a decent grade.

 

11/15

After all the stress I've been writing about in the last couple of blogs, like scheduling classes, YOP class, tests, or studying for tests, I could really use some down time. I would love to just have a day off or a night off, where I have no obligations and I am able to just have fun with my friends or watch a movie. Normally people have those times on the weekends, but even then, I have had to spend the last couple of weekends studying for a test, writing a paper, or something along those lines. The last time I've been to a movie was this summer, and there are so many good movies that have come out since then that I haven't been able to see. I would really like to dedicate tonight or tomorrow night to just relaxing, but I'm not sure if thats going to be able to happen if my work load doesnt die down soon.

 

11/16

Tonight I am going to go to the library to get work done. I have too many distractions when I'm in my dorm, and this way I am hoping that I will accomplish a lot. I don't have that much work right now, but I am going in hopes to get ahead, so I will be able to relax thanksgiving break and hang out with my friends, family, and just relax. I am hoping to finish up my final proposal for english and maybe find some more information on my topic so that I am able to get a head start. I also have econ homework and an econ project that I have to work on. I normally go to the library inbetween my math and english class but thats during the day, but I haven't gone recently. Hopefully I won't spend the whole night there and I will be back in time to watch some Tv before bed.

 

11/17

I am taking psychology, and for that class we have to do psych studies out of the class. Each hour is a credit, and we need a minimum of 6 credits in order to get full credit for the class. The easiest psych studies to do are the ones online. I was lucky enough to find a 2 credit psych study online, which didn't take me the full 2 hours, but still got 2 credits for. I've gotten about 4 credits online for my studies, and I've done 2 at night. I always dread going to them, but once I am done, the studies are pretty interesting. Some study your creativity, leadership style, or your opinions on seeking professional help when you have a problem, and how well you deal with your emotional problems. There have also been other studies on your opinion on race and religion, and all of the studies I have done, I have found to be pretty interesting. I am doing my last study today, which is worth 1 credit. This study will give me a total of 7 credits, so I will have an hour worth of extra credit. Hopefully with that it will bring up my psych grade a little.

 

11/18

My friends Chud and Aviva are coming up today!!!!! I'm so excited!! I saw Amanda Chud for the first time last weekend in a really long time, but that was only for a couple of hours. Now she will be experiencing Penn State for a night, and I can't wait. My friend Aviva is coming with her, and she has already started her break for Thanksgiving (I'm very jealous). She goes to Vanderbilt, so she came home last night, and is now coming up to see me. I know I will see them again next week, but having them here will be lots of fun. I don't really know what we'll do, but I'm sure they will love the night life. I tried to get all my work done before they came, so then we can have a fun weekend together, but of course I still have the english proposal. I started it, but it's not done, and there are a lot of revisions I need to make. Im going to work on it now, so that I can have the best weekend with them!

 

11/21

FinalProposal

ProposalBibliography

 

11/22

I'm homeee. I am so glad to be home!! I got home on Monday, and didn't go out that night. I spent that time with my family, and plan to see my friends tonight. I can't wait!!! I can't believe I haven't seen some of them since August. Its also kind of weird having most of my friends at Penn State and not having people to miss at home. Another thing thats great about being home is that I tried to get all my work done before I left so that I was able to relax when I am home. 5 more days left of doing nothing but hanging out with my family and friends and doing nothing. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

11/28

Back to reality today. I loved being home, but the break wasn't long enough. Although most of my friends go to school with me here at Penn State, it was great to see those who didn't. I got home on Monday night, and on Tuesday everyone had gotten together, and it was so much fun, It was like nothing ever changed. When I wasn't spending time with my friends, I was relaxing at home or running errands that I had to get done. It was good to see my family also on Thanksgiving. The best part about being home besdies seeing all my family and friends was the fact that I didn't have to worry about work. Yesterday on my way back up here, I was already stressing becuase with finals coming up, that means a lot of work and a lot of studying. Only 18 more days till I go back home, but those are going to be a very long 18 days, becuase I will have tests, projects, and finals.

 

11/29

Last Econ test tomorrow before the final! Although I am not looking forward to it, I am glad its the last one. I missed a lot of the classes where we got important information, so hopefully I will be okay, but I am very scared for the test. After this test, I still have an econ project to work on with my group, which is due on Monday. I wish my teacher wouldn't put so much on us before the final. I've been working with my group on the project for a couple of weeks now, so it shouldn't be as stressful as this exam tomorrow, and then after this, its my last big thing to do. That is of course after I finish the english paper. I started, but I really need the weekend to work on it. I don't have time to work on it tonight, so I will have to write most of it tomorrow and Thursday. I neeeeeeeed to study.

 

11/30

Today in psych class we got our last homework assignment. Although it may be time consuming, it shouldn't be boring like the other ones. For this assignment, we have to pick a movie and write a two page paper on it. The movie has to have a character in it, who has one of the disorders we've talked about. I watched a movie in my 10th grade health class called Sybil. At the time, I thought it was interesting, but wasn't able to understand everything. It deals with a girl who has multiple personalities due to a traumatic event that happened in her early childhood. I can't wait to watch it again because it was soo good. The actress is Sally Field, and she does an awesome job playing the roll. The movie is a little creepy at parts, but its so realistic. It should be an interesting assignment.

 

12/1

I can't believe its December already!! I feel like this semester went by so fast. I go home in 2 weeks from today, which means that I will be 3 weeks stress free, and I will be done with all of these classes. It's weird to think about, becuase every other winter break I've always had papers or projects to work on, becuase my classes weren't done by semesters in high school, they went throughout the whole year. Anywayyy, I am done my classes for today, which gives me the rest of the day to do errands I had to do, and also write this english paper!! I'm not sure how hard its going to be, because I have most of the thoughts I want to use, put into paragraphs, but its connecting them that is the hard part. I need to do the transitions, fillers, and also add a few more facts before my paper is done. I guess it sounds easier said then done, because I am struggling with it. Hopefully tomorrow will be helpful with peer editing, because I feel that I am kinda stuck with where to go from here. Hopefully I can have all 10 pages done, so that I wont have to worry about it that much longer, and the more I have written, the more comments I can get back.

 

12/2

AlliSonFinalRoughDraft

 

12/5

homeee in 10! I can't believe that this is our final week of classes. Not that I can imagine having these classes for much longer, but I really feel like the first semester just flew by. I remember looking at the syllabus for english when it still said 15 weeks left, with none of the weeks crossed off, and I didn't know how I was going to make it. Well although it was really hard at some points, and I had struggled studying for tests, and had to drop a class, I am almost done. It's so weird to think that I have officially complete a semester in college, I really never thought the day would come. Only 10 more days left, but these will probably be a long, very stressful 10 days. I am turning in an Econ project today, so atleast that is one thing out of the way, but then I also have a final for that class, a test in my HDFS class, a final for Psych, which I'm very nervous for, its my first one, on Tuesday. And then of course, the English paper!

 

12/6

I can't decide if I should rush or not? In the fall, I decided against it. I told myself and my friends that I would never rush or pledge a sorority, because nothing against them, it just wasn't my thing. I still can't imagine ever doing it, and I have no desire to, but I feel like I should. I know it would be a good way to get to meet a lot more people, and I have friends and a cousin in a sorority here, so I could easily do that one, but I'm not sure if thats what I want. I'm really torn with what to do, because I still feel like it may not be my thing, but I also will never know unless I give it a shot, and I could be missing out on something really fun. I have winter break to decide, where I'll probably talk to my parents and friends about it. I talked to my friend from Pitt who didn't plan on rushing but ended up pledging a sorority and looooves it now. That was what made me start to think it may be a good idea, but the major concern for me is that its just so time consuming.

 

12/7

I'm really not sure how much cold I can take. I know it's only like 20-30 degrees, and it was like that at home, but I also know its going to get a lot worse. Also last year when it was that cold, I didn't have to walk around getting from class to class. Even now with the loop option, you still have to wait for it outside, freezing cold with the wind hurting your face. I'm looking foward to winter break because I'm going away so it won't be cold, but I know its going to be real bad when I come back. I also dont like knowing that its going to snow. Becuase although I like snow, I do not like walking in it, because I'd probably be the first to fall. I dont even like winter jackets that much, its very necessary here, along with like 4 other layers. I get cold very easily.

 

12/8

Today I had my last class of HDFS 129, which is Human Development and Family Studies. Were not having a final in that class during finals week, so I had my last test today. I think I needed to do well on it to get a B, but it was a lot harder than the other tests I've had in that class. After making a 7 page study guide, I thought I would be well prepared, but there were a few notes I missed, and that of course was on it. Other then that, I really enjoyed this class. I thought it was very interesting, I had friends in it, and my teacher obviously loved what she did, so she made the class enjoyable. I liked it so much that I am taking it again next semester. This time I am taking HDFS 229. These are all classes for my major, so hopefully next semesters class will be as good as this one.

 

12/9

Today is my last blog entry!!!!! Although thats a very nice thought, its kinda weird. I've gotten into the routine of writing an entry every single day. It was also a nice way to talk about what was on my mind. Hmmm, not much to say for the last entry except last night it was really snowing, and facing the quad, you pretty much hear all the kids till 4 in the morning, so I didn't go to bed till then, which wasn't so fun. This weekend will be a nice fun filled weekend of studying for tests. I have two finals next week, in a pretty good schedule, except I'm not done till Thursday. I have the whole weekend to study for both, then monday to study for psych, I have psych tuesday, then I have wednesday off so I can finish up studying for Econ, and then I am taking Econ on Thursday and going home!! Overall this semester wasn't toooo bad, but my schedule sucked, and I am looking forward to break and my new classes next semester. No classes earlier then 10. I hope everyone has a nice break!!!!!!

 

12/12

AlliSonFinalPaper

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