"Not everyone's rich"

President Turner sent an email to all SMU students announcing that there is going to be an increase in the tuition for school. I was a little shocked I have to admit. SMU is already very expensive, and raising the tuition even by a few thousand dollars seems a little crazy to me.  In his email he said that it was mostly to cover the expenses of the new residential commons that are being built for the new "sophomores living on campus" requirement.


The students that will get to pay this increase in tuition probably won't even be here to enjoy the new residential commons, and that is upsetting. Why are we supposed to pay for something that we won't even get to use? I would be less disappointed if the increase would be to give more funds to the Student Senate, or organizations that will actually make a difference in the school.


The truth is, the school already gets a lot of money from the current tuition it charges their students, plus all the donations from alumni. I understand that we are part of a very prestigious school, but prestigious doesn't always mean expensive. I hope that some of these money goes to parts of the school that do need the increase, like the cafeteria, and some of the dorms. Otherwise, I am sure that many students will be complaining.

The Shadow Scholar

As I was writing my final paper for my english class, I kept thinking of one of the sources that I used for it, and how much I wanted to post something about it on my blog. The source was an article published by The Chronicle of Higher Education called 'The Shadow Scholar'.  It is about a man who works for an online company which writes all types of school papers and essays for students. It is written by Ed Dante ( a pseudonym for a the actual writer of the article) a writer for the company. In his article, Dante explains what he does, how much he gets paid (about $66,000 a year) for writing essays for students and how he gets the job done. I believe his audience are teachers as because uses phrases like "You would be amazed by the incompetence of your students' writing". I think he is somehow blaming teachers and grading pressures for why students buy papers online.

 I get the feeling that Dante believes that teachers don't motivate or understand their student's enough. He is right, but that doesn't mean that teachers have the fault of why students rely on cheating to do well on their classes. I agree that sometimes teachers are not understanding enough of students, so students think that their work won't be good enough for their teacher, so they cheat. That is not a valid excuse though for committing an act of academic dishonesty. I think that teachers vary from school to school, and class to class, but they shouldn't be a factor on why a student decides to cheat. You are never going to please every teacher. Some will like your work, others won't. Even though you know that you're work won't be as good as the one of your classmates, or as good as you teacher expects it to be, you tried your best, your work is honest. That is all that you should care about.


 I personally know how frustrating it can get to think that you're not at the same level as everyone else, but I wouldn't use that as an excuse to plagiarize. I wouldn't use that as an excuse to blame my teacher for my grades. I am content knowing that I did my best, and that if my grade wasn't as high as I wanted it to be, it was because I have some language restrictions, not because of lack of effort. 


Grades aren't always that important. We shouldn't be consumed by them. We shouldn't let them be the reason why we are academically dishonest. What is really important is to know that you did your best. After all, grades are only a number, but effort and dedication are a lifestyle that will pay off with time.

"Say what you need to say"

Coming back from home, where I spent the weekend with my family, attending my grandmother’s funeral, I was listening to my ipod with one song on repeat. The song was “Say what you need to say” by John Mayer. This song made me reflect on how much we have to say to our loved ones before they leave us. 

For me, that chance has passed. I lost my grandmother, and all the things I wanted to say she can’t hear anymore. I wanted her to know that she will always be everything to me, that I am who I am today mostly because of her, and that she is and always will be my role model. I wanted to say that she was the light to my gray days; I wanted her to know how grateful I am for having her with me for 18 years, to thank her for always being there for me when I needed her most. Most importantly I wanted to thank her for being my best friend. I took time for granted, and all these words mean nothing now, she's gone. Although I know she's looking after me from heaven now, the pain of not having her physically here is unbearable. I know she knows I love her, I told her and showed her by actions how much I did, but it is never enough. Hearing things like these would have motivated her to keep fighting, to stay with me for longer. It comforts me to know she is in a good place.I know for a fact that heaven just got one hell of an angel.

I urge you to be kind to those around you, and to speak your heart out. Tell those important to you that you love them and that you're always there for them. Doing so will save you lots of pain and regret.  Time flies by, and we often don't realize how we diminish the value on what is really important.