Stressed Much?

This week at Long Beach State University, students are facing the crunch time of the Spring semester. In these final last weeks of school, it seems as if all the professors decided to make their assignments due at the same time. From first-year freshman to fifth-year seniors, the final projects and exams are filling up the student’s free time, if any is left. Not only is everyone skipping out on sleep and hyped up on coffee, but the pressure of making the final grade has added up to immense stress.

“This semester I have so much more homework and class projects to complete in the final weeks of class,” Christina Ramos, a fourth-year student and Business Major said, “I have been getting my shifts covered at work just to give me more free time to work on my homework.”

To find a solution to their academic woes, students have resorted to their traditional espresso beverages and later bedtimes to get all their studies done. During this time in the semester, the local coffee shops notice a peak in customers studying in their lobbies and using the available wifi internet.

Coffe Filled Medical Bag
Photo Credit: Elijah McKenzie, blogger

Justine Desy, a former manager at It’s A Grind Coffee House in Lakewood, California, knew to always expect a wave of students occupying the seating during the months of April and May.

“The entire atmosphere in the store changed when students came in to study. The morning business would involve a lot of conversation between the baristas and customers, and in the evening when more students would come; the store was much more quiet and decaf orders were minimal,” Desy continues, “it is almost a funny parallel to see.”

Typically, businesses such as the on-campus Starbucks and the off-campus coffee shops will cater to the students willing to buy product in exchange for internet. By offering the free wifi and refills, students are happy to have a place separate from their living room to study.

“I almsot always drive to some coffee place around my apartment to study. It is too distracting to be home and try to stay on track,” Ramos said, “plus, I can have my mocha to keep me going.”

In the end, the dedication put into the endless hours of typing and memorizing will pay off. CSULB students will be starting finals the week of May 16, 2011 and will be ready to enjoy their summer vacation.

“I really debated on whether to take a summer class or not,” Ramos said, “but once I start feeling all the stress of finals, all I want is a long break and a few months to refresh myself for the Fall semester."

chug, chug, chug!

The good old college days are often reminisced by alumni as years where priorities were often all about the social life. As it is commonly understood, the typical college night scene involves a lot of friends, a lot of alcohol, and maybe a new outfit. Most importantly, the nights that many students don’t remember are the ones where we should have known better. The latest fad added to the party lifestyle incorporates drinking a lot, and drinking fast. What many students are not acknowledging, is the fatal impact that results from such irresponsibility.

The addictiveness of constant drinking plays a role on a person’s body within a short period of time. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This tends to happen when men consume 5 drinks or more, and when women consume 4 drinks or more, in about 2 hours.

In a recent research study, Professor Susan Tapert of the University of California at San Diego, used an imaging machine called an MRI to scan the brains of teenagers who binge drink. Dr. Tapert found that the “white matter” in their brains, the part that transmits signals, was abnormal when compared with the white matter of teens who don’t binge drink. The toll taken on the brain of a binge drinker impacts their learning, thinking, and memory.

Smirnoff Vodka Flavors
Photo Credit: Unknown.

“Wow, I would have never guessed that someone who binge drinks would get an impact like that on their health,” Chelsea Conner, a third year Art Education student said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was more evident on an alcoholic, but not someone my age.”

Fortunately, colleges around the nation have taken notice to the problem on their campuses. As stated on CSULB’s homepage, “47% of binge drinkers in college experienced, over the past year, 5 or more problems such as poor classroom performance, arguments and fights, unplanned sexual activity or overdoses requiring medical help.”

“I don’t go out and party as much now as I did in my first 2 years of college," Conner continues, “but I do recall that the binge drinking was how we would pre-game. If you wanted to sip your drink and take it slow than you’d have a quiet night with the girls or something else. But I remember in my freshman year during our SOAR workshops; we were shown a video on the dangers of binge drinking... i’d say the school has always been pretty active about sending the message."

GTL. but less gym, more tan, and little laundry

What is one thing that prom season, spring break, and Snooki all have in common? Tanning. Millions of teenagers and adults across the nation are taking note of their wintery white skin and wanting to darken things up a bit. The majority of these people are only thinking in a very narrowed direction of wanting to be tan, and these days a tanning bed is their answer. The problem? Well, the extremely harmful effects of laying in a tanning bed are being ignored.

The World Health Organization reports that the “use of sunbeds before the age of 35 is associated with a 75% increase in the risk of melanoma. Skin cancer is caused primarily by exposure to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation – either from the sun or from artificial sources such as sunbeds.”

The concern of the harmful effects primarily belongs to the younger generation who is distracted with body image and less aware of reality.

“I used to go to the tanning salon at least once a week in high school,” Emily Bridges, a third year psychology major said, “but now I will just go when I have a big event or something to go to. I know it isn’t exactly healthy for my skin but I don’t go often.”

The US is considering a ban on tanning bed usage for teens,

enforcing it with a fine.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The information of unsafe tanning is available and known, however, students seem to be holding onto an idea that “it won’t happen to me.” Laying in tanning beds, whether for 5 minutes or 20 minutes, exposes the skin to dangerous UV radiation which often leads to skin cancer.

“Skin Cancer does not run in my family,” Bridges continues, “even my mom was a tan-aholic at my age and she is skin cancer free. I’m not oblivious to the dangers of tanning, so I try to minimize my exposure to it.”

The Huffington Post reports, "12 states in the U.S. have bills pending that propose age restrictions for using commercial tanning salons, (ABC News). Among them: California, Illinois and New York. In fact, Texas, always on the cutting edge, banned sun beds for anyone under 16-and-a-half years old.” Clearly, the proposal to place a ban on tanning beds signifies the dangers that are involved with using one.

With the sunny summer months approaching, it is vital that students understand the impact they are creating for themselves later in life just to have a glowing tan for a few weeks.

An Apple a Day Keeps Obesity Away

It is no surprise that the obesity rates in our nation are above average, and the state of California is no different. It is especially an issue with our younger generation who lack the health education at home, and continue to follow the dietary example from their parents. For many college students, the obesity and health issue parallels the instruction we received as children. According to statehealthfacts.com, 60.8% of the United States is considered obese, and 57.7% of Californians are obese as of recently in 2009.

Taking a notice of the larger than normal issue is one thing, and doing something about it is another. People need to be faced with the facts that will make them aware of a situation they may be in denial about.

An Apple bound by Measuring Tape
Photo Credit: witweightloss.com

“Sometimes you don’t even realize obesity is an issue until it’s related to the health issues that become a factor,” Kelly Ploeger, a second year Hospitality major said, “my dad was diagnosed a with heart disease related to his weight problems. Since being diagnosed in January, he has lost 30 pounds and his heart disease is now reversing.”

It is important for students like Ploeger to see for themselves the emotional and physical impacts obesity can have a single person.

“As a college student living away from home, I have made a point to inform myself on nutrition and healthy living. The food options on campus are seriously not impressive, and if food addiction is present in my family than I want to be the one escaping it,” Ploeger said.

This past month, the United States Department of Agriculture has given a $3.75 million grant to use towards taking care of childhood obesity in the Latino community. With the given funding, a focus will be put towards research in obesity prevention and it will aim to increase Latino graduates with degrees in public health and nutrition as well.

"According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, overweight and obesity prevalence in children and adolescents has tripled in the past 30 years, especially in many low-income and minority communities," states the Daily 49er.

In all hopeful perspectives, the action taken will only see positive outcomes in the state and local communities.

“It has made our entire family more health conscious, Ploeger continues, "my sister who was boarder-line obese has encorporated excercise into her daily routine to get her weight down. Even my mom has started cooking more healthy at home. It’s sad that it takes the scare of loosing a life to realize, but it always seems to be that way."

Put It Out

At The University of Long Beach State, the regulations of smoking on campus have been slightly disregarded by the students. Although there are multiple signs posted stating which areas are "no-smoking" zones, the students continue to do as they please, and all the cigarette butts littering the ground lay as proof.

Cigarette Butt on Campus
Photo Credit: Kellie Reince

According to the campus Policy for a Smoke-Free Campus Environment listed at CSULB.edu, a majority of the campus has been listed as a prohibited area of smoking. Such areas include: administrative offices, private offices, laboratories, classrooms, conference rooms, auditoria, lounges, theatres, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, restrooms, libraries, waiting rooms, reception areas, university vehicles, machine shops, elevators and food service areas.

"It is such a giveaway when someone else is smoking around school, they can't really hide the cigarette because the smoke travels in the air," Kimberli Ann, a fourth year Human Development major said, "it's really annoying to breath in the secondhand smoke."

Cigarette Butt on Campus
Photo Credit: Kellie Reince

Not only is smoking a main contributor to lung cancer and other diseases, but it is unhealthy for students to be starting a habit while their are so young and still growing. The earlier students engage in the habit, they longer it may stick with them. According to Quit-Smoking-Stop.com, one in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit, and half of these deaths will occur in middle age.

"I feel like sometimes teens and students will smoke in public for the 'cool factor' as if they need to prove they are an adult or something, " Kimberli continues, "it's worse when they just throw the butts on the ground. Our campus is too pretty for that!"

Long Beach State is definitely recognized for its beautiful and well-kept landscape. The maintenance of our campus is always above standards, and students should respect the property by not littering it with their cigarette butts. Not only will students be ticketed for smoking in a prohibited area, but it is possible to be fined for intentional littering as well.

Work It Out

Last year, Long Beach State University added a new fitness facility to its campus. The Student Recreation and Wellness Center is a a 125,000-square-foot, two-story, state-of-the-art recreation facility located on the east side of the University. The highly anticipated Rec Center encompasses many elements that make working out accessible and available to CSULB students. Not only does this Rec center entail what a typical gym does, but it also includes fun activities such as a Fresh Foods Cafe, fitness programs, personal training, open recreation, aquatics, and various outdoor activities as well.

Recreation and Wellness Center
Photo Credit: csulb.edu/intouch

The Recreation and Wellness Center allows students to explore a variety of classes such as Pilates, kickboxing, self defense, ab burner, butts and guts, hip hop cardio, Zumba, boot camp, pump and sculpt, cardio crunch, spinning and more. All of these classes are enjoyed by the students and are held at scheduled times by certified instructors.

"I like taking dance exercise classes because I have more fun than just running laps. Also, boxing is very fun because it gets my heart pumping and makes me feel so powerful," Nicole Morgan, a third year Art Education Major, said "I try to work out at least twice a week."

Not only has the new fitness facility promoted exercise on campus, but it goes hand in hand with maintaining a healthy body physique and weight. Students finally have the ease of having a place to work out without paying ridiculously high monthly membership fees at other gyms. However, the fee to use the Rec Center has been incorporated into student tuition and fees.

"I really enjoy playing basketball with some buddies on the courts after classes," Cesar Montoya, a third year Political Science major said, "I definitely am at the Rec center at least five times a week."

Montoya believes the benefits of the Recreation Center completely outweighs the forced added fee onto the student tuition. "The Rec Center is everyone's gym, and it's right here on campus where anyone can go to even just lift weights between classes, the fee should never be an issue and everyone seems to support it."