Diversity

Our world is full of diverse people. We are all different from one another in the way we look, dress, talk, and think. We can relate to one another based off of a certain interest or a certain physical characteristic, but that does not make us the same in all other areas. When we hear diversity we often think of a diverse group of people based on race, ethnicity, age or gender. But what if we had a group of people that were all Caucasian, descended from Germany, were all 46 years of age and female. We may look at this group as being the same. We would classify them as all being white, German, middle-aged women. But when we take a closer look we can see the differences. One may have blonde hair and two others are brunettes. Five may have blue eyes while only three have hazel. Two may be mothers while the rest are childless. Some may be Christians while the others are not defined. All of these differences define who they are as individuals. Not only does the physical aspect of a human portray who they are, but beliefs, events and circumstances all shape our diverse communities.
When we are young we live in a controlled environment. The house we live in is chosen by our parents. The school we go to is chosen by our parents or the boundaries of the school district. The classes we take are limited to required courses with a few electives. College offers diverse surroundings and opportunities for anyone who attends. We meet people who, like ourselves, have branched away from the comforts of childhood and ventured off into the real world full of diversity. At ASU there are students from all 50 states and from 141 different countries around the world. There is such a diverse group of students in each classroom. Because of this we are able to learn and grow and be subjected to different cultures. Our eyes are opened to different ideas and beliefs and give us a better understanding of the world. In a research done by Ernest T. Pascarella , Marcia Edison , Amaury Nora , Linda Serra Hagedorn , Patrick T. Terenzini, the percentages of different cultural populations is ever-increasing. They state… “…it is likely that future college graduates will be challenged by a society that is increasingly diverse in terms of race, culture, and values. It seems reasonable, therefore, to be concerned with identifying the ways in which American postsecondary institutions engender in students a greater openness to racial, cultural, and value diversity.”

Green Living: Sustainability

Probably one of the most important things that people in today’s world need to focus on is the world itself. We are over-using so many resources that we are sure to permanently damage the earth. The world faces so many challenges that could be solved by “going green.” Climate changes, water and food, population growth, and exhaustion of natural resources are just a few of the issues the world faces today.

We are the problem when it comes to climate change. With the use of so many deadly fuels and other chemicals, we have really damaged the earth. Because of the climate change, we are also experiencing loss of animals and their natural habitats. The climate has affected our food supply as well as other natural resources we are dependent on.

Food and water is another issue that the world faces. We are short on water and short on natural food. We have damaged the earth so much that much of our ability to grow many crops has failed. Water is scarcer than ever in many dry regions. There is also an issue with the use of water bottles. We use so much plastic and don’t recycle our water bottles enough, which damages the planet.

The population growth has increased immensely in the past 50 years. The population in the U.S. as of April 1st, 200 was 281,421,906 according to the U.S. Census of 2000. Today the population of the U.S. is already at 305,234,309. That is an incredible increase of people and is definitely not healthy for our earth.

The exhaustion of natural resources is probably the number one issue of the world. The use of oil and water are always growing and the supply cannot keep up with the demand of the world. If everyone were to cut back on their oil-use, there would be that much more for tomorrow.

Success at ASU

Many of us have invested a lot of money and time into our college career. We've worked over-time at our jobs, pinched pennies during the summer, and turned down movie nights with our friends just to save that little extra for college. We've applied for scholarships, grants and student loans in hopes of keeping a little money in our pockets. We've stayed up all hours of the night, missed family dinners and missed a few parties to stay home and study. All of these sacrifices have been made in the name of education. With all that we as students invest in college it seems to me that it would be a waste to not end your college career as successful as it could be. There are so many valuable tools and resources for us to use in order to ensure success at ASU West. With free tutoring programs, student study groups and countless electronic and paper resources it is almost impossible not to succeed. Everyone at ASU West is provided with the same tools that can help guide them to success; it's up to the students to use them.

Along with these different resources offered to ASU West students, there are also skills that a student must exercise on their own. Managing your time is an essential part of being successful in any setting. As stated by Myron H. Dembo in his book Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Students: A Self-Management Approach, "One of the most important factors influencing the attainment of goals is the efficient use of time." Having an agenda for the day, week or month is a great way to make sure tasks get done on time. Without knowing what needs to be worked on and when it is due is a sure way to perform poorly in your college courses. 

Another skill that can be extremely helpful to a college student is the ability to make priorities. Prioritizing what is important can relieve stress on a student. When there is a class project due that is weighted higher than other assignments, make sure you give yourself enough time to complete each step in the assignment and not rush through it. Having priorities will ensure that you get done what is important, thus relieving yourself of the heavy burden of a weighty project. Many times we forget to focus on the big project and then stress ourselves at the last minute. Having a clear conscience and a mind at ease is an emotionally healthy choice for college students. 

Using the resources ASU has to offer, managing your time and prioritizing are keys to success as a college student. But at the root of all of these tools is your commitment to your education. Without the initial interest and motivation behind your education, nothing can be accomplished. Showing up to class, asking questions and being involved in class activities is a whole different type of college success tool. A truly dedicated student has the drive and stimulation to do great things with their education.

Possessing the interest, the knowledge of resources, time management skills and the ability to prioritize your tasks is a sure step in the direction of success at ASU West.

Beginnings

For the first post I'll do what everyone else will do and introduce myself. My name is Lindsay and I'm a freshman at ASU in the school for Global Business and Financial Leadership.