A bright group of individuals dedicating three quarters to the United Nations class here at Bellevue College are soon to embark on a journey taking them out of the country and putting their hard work to use. Leaving on Jan. 29 and returning on Feb. 7, a select number of students will have the opportunity to travel to France and participate in this international organization known as Model United Nations (MUN).

The conference in France will have a total of 500 delegates from schools all over the world. The eligibility of a school’s attendance depends on the school’s performance in past conferences. Bellevue College was one of the few schools invited to this exclusive event. A total of six students will be representing Bellevue College in France.

At each conference, a school is assigned a country. For example, Bellevue College will be representing Cuba. Students represent foreign diplomats and take part in this simulated United Nations assembly. In the end, all schools must tackle world issues and draft solutions based on their assigned country’s views. To come to a general consensus, collaboration is key. A paper must be written by the end, mapping out solutions to problems. Some of the global concerns may include peacekeeping, human rights, women and children, economical and social development, and the environment.

France will not be the only conference where the Bellevue College MUN team will travel. In April, New York will be the destination of this intense conference, hosting about 5,000 delegates and having 20 of our own students attending.

 

Unfortunately, some students were unable to register for this ten-credit class at the beginning of the school year and will not be able to travel out of state for conferences due to lack of funding. However, James Gan has developed an alternative.

Founder of the Bellevue College Model United Nations Club, Gan became extremely interested in politics following a lengthy nine hour day, five days a week, three week long political science course at a camp in the summer of 2010. He enrolled in the United Nations class this past year and created the club shortly after.

“The primary goal of the Model United Nations Club is to do our best to supply students with the resources to be exceptional delegates while representing Bellevue College,” Gan explained. Even if one is not enrolled in the United Nations course, they are still eligible to attend local conferences. “The club focuses on being a resource to students in the class, as well as raising awareness of the program and current events.”

It is astonishing how much interaction the students are involved in. They build positive relationships with other students in order to persuade them to share similar views. “We also try to see local sights at each conference, and in New York we even meet with staff of the embassy of the country we’re representing. This year, we will be Cuba in France and NY, so we will instead go to the Cuban Interests Section (part of the Swiss Embassy),” James shares.

What participants take home from this enriching organization range from the understanding of how to be a better global citizen to effectively collaborating to resolve conflict.

Any interested student who would like to become involved is encouraged to contact James Gan at jamesgan@student.bellevuecollege.edu.

It’s that time again. That dreaded period which comes every year where all that is on your mind is filling out the annoyingly long FAFSA, college applications, and worrying about your future. Not to mention you still have to stay focused on your current classes in the meantime.

I know, this whole process can be unbelievably stressful and overwhelming. So let’s clear up a couple things about transferring to ease your mind at least just a little bit.

Myth: 

Your GPA and major are the only factors colleges look at for admissions.

Reality/Advice:

Although academics are important and having a major may make organizing your classes easier, when it comes to transferring these are not the only thing scolleges look at. Applications definitely consist of more than just two questions asking your GPA and your major. Schools not only want to know your academic side but also your personal side—who you are. According to the Ohlone College Transfer center, having an elaborate major won’t get you into a college alone. Your major shouldn’t be “a strategy for gaining entry, but a reflection of your academic interest.” It is students who express “a sense of purpose, passion, identity, and /or make  contributions outside of the classroom” that have an advantage and are looked at as excellent students AND individuals.

So when filling out applications, focus a little less on your academic success and try to show schools what makes you unique and a great person (which you are!).

Myth: 

Few credits transfer when switching from a community college to a university.

Reality/Advice:

This is true, if you’re taking a ton of random classes and aren’t planning everything out right. This is why it is important to go to the B-building to advising and talk to an advisor about what your interests are and what you are thinking about majoring in. After talking to them, get an “unofficial degree completion form,” whether it is for arts and sciences or business, and look at all the courses you can take and see which ones transfer and which don’t.

Choosing the right classes before you transfer is probably one of the most important pieces of advice you can receive while going to a community college. Doing so will help you get organized and on the right track towards your degree, and if you transfer, you already have an idea of which credits will transfer as well.

Hopefully this eases some nerves and you can go into transfer week a more calm and confident you.

There’s always that awkward moment when you arrive at your prospective institution and find it completely deserted. What happened to the colossal student life advertised in all of the college pamphlets mailed to you? It’s not much of a college visit when all there is to see are a bunch of empty rooms, tables, and a seemingly endless amount of artistic structures.

It’s essential to know if this college is where you want to expend thousands of dollars into your education. Planning a college visit must be taken seriously.

First off, visit the website of the school you plan to visit and search for what tours are offered. There may be tours that are general to the whole college, while there may be more specific tours that cover more individual areas, such as residence halls. Consider your priorities. If you fancy living on campus, then plan to participate in the residence tour.

After selecting which tour you would like to be a part of, schedule it. What some may
do is visit their future college over a break, which only results in viewing a desolate
campus. You need to schedule a visit while school is in session to gain a sense of what
the atmosphere is like. Another advantage of visiting while school is in session is that you
are welcome to sit in on a class that interests you.

Do not attend a tour alone. Bring your parents, friends, boyfriend or girlfriend, or any
classmates who are interested in that school. The more the merrier. Plus, when you are
around people you know, you will feel more comfortable.

Though tours may be hokey and boring, they serve as an extremely useful resource.
Tour guides that are highly knowledgeable of the campus can be available to answer any
questions you may have. Take advantage of having a human being guide you, rather than
simply relying on the school website. Before your visit, consider questions you would
want answered. Ask about sports, clubs, housing, student work, food, studying abroad,
and anything else you are interested in. Tour guides would much rather lead a group with
questions than a crowd of quiet people who are just along for the ride.

Consider your transportation options. Find out if there is a bus system that runs through
the college, the costs (if any), and compare its convenience to that of having a car. Find
out parking availability, rates, and the practicality of having your car at your new school.

When the tour is complete, do some self-exploration. It helps to visit a school in which
you know someone who already attends there. Ask your friend to show you around the
campus. Maybe there are some secrets about the school the tour guides don’t share with
you. Also, if you want to live on campus, hang out with them in their dorm.

Living on campus is not for everyone. If the Greek system or dormitories are not for you,

but you want to move, look for nearby apartments or homes. Maybe you want to rent a
room or share a house with friends. Figure out the logistics of your living situation ahead
of time to be prepared when it is time to settle on a place.

While it is nice to get a basis for what the campus looks like and where everything
is, also schedule a meeting beforehand with someone from the Office of Admissions,
Financial Aid, or your specific department. Even look into talking to a club president or
a sports coach. Bring numerous questions for them so you can become familiar with the
procedures.

The college you are planning on attending may be in a city you are unfamiliar with. After
roaming the campus, take some time to explore the city. Get to know what food options
are available, what the nightlife is like, and where stores are to purchase groceries,
clothes, supplies, etc.

Enjoy your campus visit and allow your experience to aid you in the decision of the fate
of your education.

With all this crazy weather, I am really getting confused. There’s no snow, then there’s a three-hour storm, then it’s all gone by the next day. It’s sunny, it rains, then that night it snows so much that no one can go anywhere. Don’t get me wrong; I love the snow (I mean, who doesn’t want a day off from school?), but I’m still annoyed at all this bipolar activity around me.

With that being said, I wanted to find some snow myths, but came across some other interesting myths and facts about the weather in general (since we can never predict it anyway).

Myth: Animals can sense a storm first.

Reality: According to www.care2.com, although some animals are more “sensitive to changes in pressure,” they can’t sense weather changes significantly more than humans can. They may be able to sense earthquakes or tsunamis more, but only by a few seconds.

So stop staring at your dog and asking him to bark twice if snow is about to come; you look dumb and are wasting your time. Stick to the weather man. He may be wrong but he probably knows more than your guinea pig.

Fact: You can listen to crickets to check the temperature.

Reason: Turns out if you’re trying to calculate the current temperature in Fahrenheit and you’re around some crickets, all you have to do is count how many chirps they do in 14 seconds, then add 14. Although this won’t be exact, it will actually be pretty close.

Care2.com explains the reason being is because a “cricket’s metabolism varies based on the weather,” which affects how often they chirp. So if you’re ever curious about how hot or cold it is outside but can’t find a thermometer, try finding a cricket instead.

Myth: You can get sick from going out in the cold with wet hair.

Reality: Despite what you’ve been told since you were little, this isn’t true. Www.beaumontenterprise.com explains how there are really only three things that make people sick around this time. One is the exposure to the people around us, especially if you are near people that have children or little siblings because children carry a lot of viruses and spread them easily.

Another thing is that during this season, “there usually is no fresh air circulating through the house” and since many people stay inside to keep warm more than in warmer seasons, “they are unknowingly exchanging germs.” Lastly, the “lack of humidity in the house makes a person’s mucus membrane dry” which leads to a more virus prone immune system.

I hope you found these little facts entertaining and have a great day at school or at home, whichever one the weather permits.

Although the transferring process can make you want to claw your eyes out at any moment, there are some definite perks once the process is over and you know where you’re going to be. Not only is a weight lifted off your shoulders but it is also an excellent excuse to go shopping for some new college gear!

It used to be that the only clothing you find to sport your school were baggy T-shirts and sweats specifically meant for guys, but now there are so many more options that make representing your school look very cute.

For guys, finding college clothes or team gear is pretty easy. Look online or walk into pretty much any store like JCPenny, Finish Line, Champs, or any place that sells casual clothes for guys and you are bound to find something to wear on campus.

For the ladies, besides going to the campus bookstore or clothing store, when first thinking of where to go to buy clothes to represent your new school, definitely check out the Victoria’s Secret Pink College Collection. They have everything to show your school spirit in a flirty way, from yoga pants to boy shorts and panties.

They also sell hoodies, tanks, T-shirts, and the comfiest sweat pants to make any intense college look girly and fun. Even places like Forever 21 are starting to provide winter accessories like gloves, hats, and scarfs with school logos on them.

If you’re attending a school locally, The Seattle Team Shop is also another place you must attend before football season rolls around so you can be decked out along with the other thousands of students screaming next to you.

Also, online stores like collegegear.com and collegefootballstore.com offer tons of college clothes for you and your family. Parents love to brag about their kids, so getting them some clothes to wear on Casual Fridays is a great gift.

They also have accessories like mugs, foam fingers and hats to add a little something more to your outfit to make you the ultimate fan.

But just like any fashion rule, there are also a couple things to keep in mind with college clothing. When trying to show some spirit, being decked out from head to toe is appropriate, but on a regular day where you’re just hanging out or going to the gym, keep it simple.

Only wear one item with your college on it at the same time. For example, when going to the gym, it always looks cute when you’re working out and showing off your school colors.

This still shows that you have pride in your school but it subtly tells others where you go rather than screaming it at them.

There are a multitude of things that make transferring to a university fun, and getting to buy some spirit clothes is definitely one of them.

Though transferring can be time consuming and stressful, the rewards you get in the end make it all worth it. So go on to the next chapter in your life in style!

School and work dominate my life. Between these two, I have very little time for family,friends, or even myself. I think I’m at the point in which I say to myself, “I don’t have time for school.”

Homework, tests, projects and studying have built up, and working every night doesn’t
leave me the enough time to accomplish these tasks. I need a steady income in order to
support myself, but I also value my education so that I don’t have to rely on a minimum
wage job for the rest of my life.

Like me, you are probably experiencing some levels of stress. Applying for FASFA,
looking for a job, and completing those lengthy reading assignments can all be stressors.
Bottling your stress up inside you can be extremely unhealthy, so it is essential to take the
initiative to reduce your own stress to live a healthier lifestyle.

College freshman have a record high level of stress. With the current economy, The New
York Times asserts that students are facing financial pressure from their parents as well
as from college debt and lacking job opportunities.

With one of the top New Year resolutions being to lose weight/ get in shape, visit the
gym. Let your stress be released in the form of exercise. Strive for a better mile time,
attempt a few extra reps, and truly push yourself. Working out will get your mind off of
all of the work you need to complete and will help you calm down. While your life may
be overwhelming, just taking a step back and looking at what you need to accomplish
without feeling rushed can help you to realize that everything you need to do is not too
much and is manageable.

Massages are probably one of the top relaxers for me. Like most students, I have tight
muscles in my neck and shoulders by carrying around a backpack full of textbooks and
being slouched in front of a computer all day. Figure out how much your insurance will
cover for a massage, because a $70 massage can be reduced to a $15 one. If money is
tight, then find a friend. You two can alternate giving each other massages. Better yet,
befriend a student studying massage. They can “practice” on you (AKA: get a massage
from someone who knows what they are doing for free)!

When a headache is absolutely killing me, it can be too difficult to focus on being
productive. Rather than trying to read a chapter about a particularly boring subject for an
hour, it is best to take a nap. Relaxing your eyes and letting yourself sleep for a few hours
will help you to feel refreshed and ready to read.

Focusing on your work can be a good thing, but by taking a break, you allow yourself to
become refreshed. If you do not have time to take a nap, consider snacking on something.
As much as some Flamin’ Hot Cheetos sounds good, try to eat foods that are built with
proteins or fibers. Almonds, walnuts, turkey, apples, and bananas make great snacks.

If this level of stress is continuous, maybe you aren’t doing the best job at managing your
time. It’s much easier said than done, but try as hard as you can to avoid procrastinating.
Map out your work over the week so that you don’t end up staying up all night working
on your English paper the night before it’s due.

Sometimes when one task is complete, another one comes in its place, giving you little to
no time to spend with friends. Take some time out of your busy schedule to hang out with
your friends, go out to lunch, enjoy Seattle nightlife, or just play videogames. Developing
a reward system will help you step away from your stress and lead you back into your
assignments with a more positive attitude.

Lastly, if work is something that is taking over your life, consider working fewer hours.
Remember, you are in school to become educated and obtain a degree to help you to find
an actual career. Let school be your priority and reduce your work hours if work becomes
too overwhelming to handle.

Don’t let stress be the death of you. Fight it, relax, and enjoy your time at Bellevue
College.

We kiss, toast, party, and shoot fireworks into the sky in celebration of the New
Year. However, another tradition is to create a New Year’s resolution.

I’m sure you’ve been there before. You find yourself procrastinating on your
resolution or just completely disregarding it. Resolutions are so much easier to make than
to keep, but why make one if you are just going to blow it off?

New Year’s resolutions can help you enhance your life, so before selecting your
resolution, think carefully. Make sure it is a goal that is reasonably achievable and is
specific. Do not make a resolution to simply lose weight. Instead, choose how much
weight you plan to lose.

If you lack a resolution but are interested in creating one, consider what interests
you and what you would like to achieve. Perhaps craft it around a bad habit you have,
like biting your nails or skipping class, and aim to completely get rid of it by the end of
the year.

According to usa.gov, the most popular New Year resolutions are to drink less
alcohol, get a better education, find a better job, get fit, lose weight, manage debt,
manage stress, quit smoking, reduce, reduce, and recycle, save money, take a trip, and
volunteer to help others. These may not apply to you, but if you are stuck, take them into
consideration.

It may seem like common sense, but pick a resolution that is realistic. “I am not
going to eat any junk food,” could work for a few weeks. When you end up going to your
friend’s birthday party and there’s a bowl of your favorite chips crying your name, you
won’t be able to resist.

After selecting your resolution, map out the steps it will take to get you to that
point. One of the common misconceptions about New Year resolutions is that it is
something that can be achieved within a short period of time. Whether it is to learn a new
language or to make enough money to buy something expensive, these things cannot
happen overnight.

To prevent yourself from forgetting about your resolution, handwrite it
somewhere in a place you will see on a regular basis. You could tape it to your mirror,
put it on your computer, or even put it on your steering wheel of your car (do not get
distracted while driving). That little reminder will help you out. If something is in the
same place every day for a period of time, you will become used to it and will forget to
look at it, though. Move it every month to keep it fresh in your mind.

Another way to remember your resolution is to share it with a friend. If they share
their resolution with you, you can remind and support each other so that you can both
achieve your goals.

Set checkpoints for your resolution. When you get to your checkpoint, see how
far you have gotten and whether or not you need to catch up or not. Keep thinking about
your resolution and the positive outcomes of it. It may help to handwrite your
improvements in a journal. Record the date of your achievement and set a new
checkpoint based on your rate of progress.

New Year’s resolutions require rewards. Every time you hit your checkpoint and
hit measurable progress, reward yourself. Do something small that you enjoy to give yourself a pat on the back.

It’s already January, so no more procrastinating on making your New Year’s
resolution. Write it down and stick to it as soon as possible. If you keep procrastinating,
you may not reach your goals.

Good luck!

The New Year is, for many people, a time to start over. We all know this as making a New Year’s resolution. Whether it’s to be more organized, healthier, or more studious, everyone usually thinks of something in their lives that they are unsatisfied with and want to change. But along with how many people make resolutions, most of them don’t actually achieve the goal they set for the new year. Some of the time the problem is how motivated they are to work towards their goal, but a lot of the time it is simply because their resolution is the wrong one.

 

Myth: You can achieve any resolution you set for yourself.

Reality/Advice:

This doesn’t mean that no matter what you set for yourself you can’t make it happen. It’s just that most people dream way too big and aren’t real with themselves.

You need to think small and specific. Don’t tell yourself that you’re going to graduate, find your dream job, and become head of the company all in the coming year. Not to be pessimistic, but that won’t happen.

Also, do not make a resolution that has the word “never” or “always” in it, because it will never happen and you will always fail. Instead, make one that is realistic and allows you to slip up every once in a while as long as you are still focused. This will make the end result feel more achievable and the journey less discouraging.

What people need to do before they think of a resolution is question themselves: why it is even necessary to make this resolution in the first place? That is, what has stopped me from already making this happen?

That is how resolutions get achieved, by figuring out the real problem. For example, the resolution to make new friends. You aren’t going to make this happen by going up to random people and starting conversations with them, especially if you were a very introverted person in the first place. Look deeper than that. Think about why you like to be alone. What is it that stops you from conversing with those around you? Maybe you’re scared?  If you figure that out, not only will you learn more about yourself, but you can see where the problem comes from and change that, then the end goal will naturally follow.

It is never a bad idea to make improvements in your life, but if you actually want to make them happen, it not only takes dedication but organization. Just like anything in life, you have to take little steps if you want to be successful in reaching your resolution.

I hope this helps you come up with a better plan on how to make your resolution come true.

Have a great week!

It happens every winter. You try to look cute when you go out, but you end up either freezing your butt off or wearing an unflattering puffy jacket to stay warm.

Usually you just deal with it because, like every girl knows, “beauty is pain.” But not anymore! Something that has become more and more of a trend is layering. Not only can it be cute, but doing so also keeps you warm.

When first buying items to make layering easy and fun, think of the basics. Thick socks, cardigans, leggings/tights, and tank tops are always a necessity to make this work.

Heat mainly escapes from your palms, head and feet, so thick fuzzy socks, as well as cute hats, scarves, and gloves are perfect ways to keep warm.

A tip that I recently discovered is that NBA socks are probably the best to wear during this season. Yes, NBA socks that you can get at Champs, usually used for playing basketball. They are tall and keep their thickness through multiple wears.

Along with layering, wearing hats, scarves, and gloves are a good idea because they really can prevent you from getting sick and catching a cold when walking outside from class to class.

I personally love cardigans, because you can wear them under a jacket that may not be that warm to add an extra layer, and also as a thin layer in class if it is too hot for anything thick.

Leggings or tights also have the same effect. You can wear them under your pants for a extra thickness or just by themselves if you want to wear a skirt but give it that winter look.

Lastly, tank-tops are no longer just for the summer, they can also be worn under T-shirts or as undershirts once the temperature starts to drop.

When layering, keep to neutral colors at first, like black, white, grey, or cream. Theses colors match with almost everything, so you’ll always have one to go with any outfit. After getting these shades, you can expand to other colorful solids to add variety to your wordrobe.

Even layering jackets underneath other jackets can give you a unique look and keep the cold out. For example, placing a denim jacket under a puffy coat provides a cool mix of tectures.

Layering doesn’t just involve mixing up different colors in an outfit; it also can be used to be weather prepared.

There are only so many different types of jackets you can buy and no longer are you forced to wear the same one everyday to stay warm.

Another random tip to stay warm is the underestimated car blanket. You’re able to keep warm while waiting for your car to heat up or defrost.