Watch out Traditional Media

Throughout this Feature Writing course, I have learned that there are many challenges that personal publishing creates for traditional media. The fact that anyone can be a writer creates a challenge for traditional media. In the days before personal publishing, there were restrictions as to who could be a writer. It depended on who had the tools to become a writer. Personal publishing allowed the opportunity for anyone who wanted to become a writer, without the need of a printing press. The web became writeable, not just readable.
This breakthrough led straight into another challenge presented for traditional media. Anyone could be a writer, therefore tons of web blogs popped up across the nation. Normal people had taken the tools that the internet and personal publishing had given them. Before, they were just the audience, now they were active users of the news. They were no longer just using the news. This puts the people in a great deal of control, because they can control their own news in many ways.
The third challenge that personal publishing created for traditional media was that it allowed for a different kind of feedback system. Personal publishing allows for almost instant feedback by many people at one time. Personal publishing allows anyone, anywhere over the world to access information, ideas and opinions over the Internet. They can if they choose, instantly add there own input about what they believe and feel. Normal, everyday, “regular” people can add their opinions, therefore making the cycle of writers even stronger. As one of those people, I am thankful for this breakthrough that personal publishing has allowed. I no longer have to wait 4 weeks to hear back from an editor about my disagreements to a story. Personal publishing has provided us all with power. That power is a serious threat to traditional media.

Lacrosse Team faces their biggest loss ever

"If they're acquitted, (in the mind of the public) they were not innocent ... (Either way this goes), they're losers. They will never be able to get back to where they were."
CBS News legal analyst Mickey Sherman

After doing some more research on the Duke Lacrosse team, I stumbled across this quote from Sherman. It sums up what I feel about this case. I think it is very unfortunate that the team will always be known for these allegations. It’s too bad that they will never have the same reputation or prestige that they had before this case. I’m going to keep updating my blog about this case as soon as information is available.

A response about the charges against Duke's Lacrosse players

Personally, I feel like the chain of events that has led up to the charges against two of the Duke Lacrosse players have been ridiculous. As soon as allegations were made, the ENTIRE team had their season canceled. I feel that this was a bad decision on the school’s part, because it automatically made the team members seem guilty. It seemed as though the school was trying to make a point to say that they were already punishing the players. But for what? Innocent until proven guilty is USUALLY how it works, right? I interviewed Andrew Wassel, a lacrosse player for the University of Louisville. He feels very strongly that the team has been treated unfairly.
Wassel responded to questions of fairness about the team, “No...I don’t think they were treated anything closely related to fair. Their season was cut off at word of what was still an assumption about a gang rape. The athletics directors did nothing to protect the rights of the players, and after hearing the accusations made irrational decisions. Decisions that proved to ruin a potentially good season for Duke's players. Each gave a DNA sample and none of them matched.”
How do you feel about this case? Do you feel that the players were treated unfairly? Write a comment, or send me an email and let me know how you feel.

Duke's Lacrosse Team

My entire idea for this blog was to write things college students would want to read. I try to make sure that topics appeal to college aged students. I couldn’t decide whether or not to write about the charges being filed against the Duke Lacrosse Team players. However, when I thought about it, I decided that it was a good idea. I feel very strongly about this Duke Lacrosse case. Similarly, I discovered that many other college students have opinions about it also. So here are the latest developments in the case.
Details about Duke’s lacrosse team can be found everywhere you look. If you Google “Duke Lacrosse Rape” it, more than 4,750,000 sites containing information will show up. I was shocked when I first heard about the allegations being made against the team. Since the break of the story, the team has faced public ridicule. Their team has also had their season canceled. According to Cnn.com, two players are now being charged with rape and kidnapping. A 27 year old stripper alleges that three men raped and physically attacked her on March 13 at a party thrown by Duke Lacrosse players. The woman was hired along with one other woman to be dancers at the off campus party. The two players, Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty have been charged with first-degree forcible rape, first-degree sexual offense and kidnapping, even though none of the DNA samples for any of the players matched what the investigators have found. Both of the accused players posted $400,000 bail. Their next court day is scheduled for mid May.

Everything's up for review

I've decided to review my progress on this blog so far. I wish I had more time to put into it. I really wish that I didn't have to work. Then again, that's what this blog is about. The basis is the fact that being a college student is not that easy. For me, struggling to do this blog between work, school, and life in general shows that hardship. It's true that there are many spoiled college students out there who do not have to work. I'm not one of those fortunate students. Instead, I represent the hard working students who wake up each day wondering if this is what real life is going to be like. I think real life is also going to be about deadlines, projects, and tests of character. The life I live now is just one part of my journey. Hopefully this blog will help someone, anyone realize that life as a college student is not that easy. Just think, most of you were like me at some point in your life.

Walking to stay fit

College students everywhere are trekking across hilly campuses from one class to another. Many arrive to class winded and complaining about all the walking around campus. It’s also common to hear jokes about plans for ski lifts or escalators on campus. However, walking is a great way for students to stay fit. For students the best time to walk may be mid day, because according to prevention.com, strenuous walking at night may interfere with a student’s ability to sleep. What’s the best thing about walking? For students, or anyone, walking is a free way to exercise. No expensive gym membership necessary. It’s also a great way to spend time with your friends. Have a few extra minutes after your classes over? Take walk and stay fit!

Shining some light on an unrecognized club: TaeKwonDo

I’m a pretty unobservant student sometimes. I walk around campus, just to get from one place to another. However, I just recently found out that Bellarmine University has a TaeKwonDo club. I recently posted a blog about stress. This club sounds like a great way to relieve some stress in a healthy way. The TaeKwonDo club currently has 14 members. One of those members is Ashley Medley. Medley, a junior at Bellarmine, showcases a slightly swollen right eye. This weekend she tested to receive her green belt. She received the belt, but only after an intense sparring with an opponent. “I really worked on my form and technique, and I really feel a sense of accomplishment for receiving another belt” says Medley. She’s advanced a lot since when she began TaeKwonDo last May. According to Bellarmine’s website, TaeKwonDo “serves to teach self-defense, respect, and discipline while striving to participate in the community.”
If you have any questions about joining TaeKwonDo at Bellarmine University, you can contact Ashley Medley at Amedley01@bellarmine.edu.
I'm excited to learn about this club, and hopefully we can all support the members as they continue to advance.

What's all the hype?

Let me start by introducing myself. I'm Cassie, a twenty year old college student. I'm in my second year at an incredible university. I've lived in Louisville, Kentucky my entire life. I'm starting this blog as a project for my feature writing class. I'm going to write about life as a college student. I'll include posts about fitness, stress of daily life, and many more interesting topics! Let me know if you have any ideas.

Stress

Stress

We all know that we’ve experienced stress. Most of us experience it every day. It’s okay to be a little stressed out every now then, but we should try to keep it under control. According to campusblues.com, “Excessive stress usually develops over a period of time and often goes unnoticed by the individual until a physical or emotional toll has been exacted. One can learn to manage and maintain stress at relatively healthy levels.”
For college students especially, we need to keep our stress at a healthy level. This is something that is easier said than done. It’s hard because we can’t just stop everything so that we won’t be stressed. (Although if anyone does have that power, let me know) During high school I learned a lot about stress management. As a natural born procrastinator, (you either are born with the disease or you aren’t) I felt overwhelmed and stressed to the point of daily breakdowns. I learned that as students we are always going to fell pressured by school and life. We just have to make time so that everything gets done, and we do some of the things we actually want to do as well. So if you have a huge paper due, try breaking it up in parts. Then maybe you could reward yourself every time you get a part done by watching your favorite TV show. Don’t just take my suggestions, because each of us has their own way to unwind. Just remember that you’ve got to keep it healthy because you don’t want to let stress get the better of you.
From the research I’ve done, most sources say that exercise is also a great stress relief. In my own life, this has done wonders for me. (Plus I have this goal to break the stereotype that college students are lazy) I hit the gym early in the morning occasionally, but my favorite time is at night. I get everything done, and then I go to the gym and just really drive myself hard. It’s a great way for me to relieve stress, burn some calories, and one might even enjoy checking out the bodybuilder guys ;) I also use my time at the gym to plan a little bit for everything else that I have coming up. I don’t think you should dwell on everything you have to do, but at least remind yourself so that you won’t forget.
Campusblues.com lists some great warning signs that you can use to determine if you’re under too much stress:
• Changes in sleep patterns; taking longer to fall asleep; waking up tired and not well rested
• Changes in eating patterns
• More frequent headaches than is normal for you
• Shorter temper than is normal for you
• Recurring colds and minor illness
• Frequent muscle ache and/or tightness
• More disorganized than normal for you
• Increased difficulty in task completion
• A greater sense of persistent time pressure
• Increased generalized frustration and anger
If you have these symptoms, you are being seriously affected by your stress. Usually it helps to talk to someone about everything that’s going on in your life. You can try a friend first, but remember you’ve got some great resources right on your campus. You can always go talk to the people at your university’s counseling center. They’ll be specifically trained to help you with what you’re dealing with.
My last piece of advice is to acknowledge the things that make you feel stressed. Realize that you can say no to doing extra tasks. Knowing your limits and what you can handle will help your stress stay at a healthy level.