[millennialornah-blog]

We are Vaping in a Millennial World

This final project was personally the most educational put of all the assignments I have completed this semester. Until recently I knew very little about vaping and e-cigarettes aside from the fact that they are alternatives to traditional tobacco products. Brian was the group member who initially suggested covering the topic and I thought it related well to the overarching theme of this class: millennials. From the research we’ve gathered its seems that more and more Millennials are choosing vape over tobacco cigarettes. According to the truth.com, “…only 8% of teens smoke. That's down from 23% in 2000 and from 9% last year.” In our project, we investigated whether vaping was truly a healthier alternative to smoking. We also researched its effectiveness in helping smokers overcome addiction.

A primary source of information was a New Brunswick vape shop, “R U Vaping?”. The shop is small and unassuming building located on Easton Ave. The interior is sleek and modern boasting clear displays of a variety of vaporizers in all shapes, sizes and colors. On the wall behind the counter are shelves with rows upon rows of e-juices in almost any flavor you could imagine from strawberry to bourbon and anything in between. Lauren interviewed one of the employees, Monique Daniels, using a list of questions the three of use previously complied. Their stance was that vaping was a healthier choice than regular cigarettes and therefore did not sell any tobacco products at their store.

Brian, who regularly uses vape and is a former smoker, gave a first person account of his vaping experience as a millennial. Meanwhile, Lauren interview her two brothers who either know individuals that vape or have used vape themselves. I thought it was interesting that while Brian has successfully quit smoking through vaping, Lauren's brother Kevin said vaping did not help end his smoking habits.

For my portion of the the project I put together a six question survey. Most of the participants where 18 to 24 and within the millennial age frame. In my opinion, the two most interesting results were to the questions: Do you know anyone who vapes? and Do you think vaping is a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes?. A small percentage of those used vape actually vaped recreationally. This means they are not using vape to help quit smoking and probably use little to nicotine in their vapor. I wonder as vaping becomes more normalized if this number will rise or if vaping will one day replace smoking completely. For the other question, there were very mixed results. Over half of the participants were unsure or did not think vaping is healthier than smoking. Since vaping has only recently become mainstream there is very little research on the possible long term effects. However, I was able to find a recently published British national public health report that suggested e-cigarettes are 95% safer than tobacco cigarettes. Hopefully our video will help others better understand vaping and develop an informed opinion on any possible health risks or benefits.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with a drug addiction here are some places to get help:

The Alcohol & Drug Addiction Resource Center: 800-390-4056

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Helpline and Treatment: 800-234-0420

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline: 800-662-HELP (4357)

Rutgers Alcohol and Drug Counseling [phone]

                                                  Works Cited

Editorial: FDA Finally Takes on Vaping.  N.p., 26 Apr. 2014. Web. 2015. <http://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/04/26/fda-e-cigarettes-vaping-tobacco-teens/8241349/>.

Ganim, Sara & Zamost, Scott. Vaping: The Latest Scourge in Drug Abuse. N.p., 5 Sept. 2015. Web. 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/04/us/vaping-abuse/>.

Lendon, Brad. Reports: Miami “Zombie” Attecker May Have Been Using “Bath Salts”. N.p., 29 May 2012. Web. 2015. <http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/29/reports-miami-zombie-attacker-may-have-been-using-bath-salts/>.

McNeill, A., Brose, L.S., Calder, R., & Hitchman S.C. E-cigarettes: an evidence update - A report commissioned by Public Health England. August 2015. Web. 2015. <https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/457102/Ecigarettes_an_evidence_update_A_report_commissioned_by_Public_Health_England_FINAL.pdf>.

Schoenburn, Charlotte & Gindi, Renee. Electronic Cigarette Use Among Adults: United States, 2014. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, October 2015. Web. 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db217.pdf/>.

Serrano, Ken. 5 Frightening Facts About the Heroin Epidemic. N.p., 9 July 2015. Web. 2015. <http://www.app.com/story/news/investigations/heroin-jersey-shore/2015/07/08/five-frightening-facts-heroin-epidemic/29868447/>.

Synthetic Cannabinoids (K2/Spice). National Institute on Drug Abuse, Apr. 2015. Web. 2015. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/synthetic-cannabinoids-k2spice>.

[xforgetandnotslowdownx-deactiva]

I’m doing a project for my multimedia class about vaping. Please help me out by filling out this quick 6 question survey!

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VF3HBPN

[millennialornah-blog]

Final Project Proposal

For the final project, I’m working with Lauren and Brian again. Our topic is on the pros and cons of vaping. You might have seen students vaping on campus or scrolled passed videos of smoke tricks online. However, if you aren’t familiar with it, vaping can be defined as the ac of inhaling vapor from e-liquid through a personal vaper. The e-liquid also known as e-juice is a water-based liquid infuse with nicotine. There are a variety of flavors available to smoke. In the last few years, vaping has become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional smoking especially among the millennial generation. 

Vaping is also different than e-cigarettes which are most commonly distributed by big tobacco companies. However, vape shops are often privately owned an operated. They are come in a larger variety of flavors than e-cigs do.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, vapes contain no tobacco and are odorless. The ingredients of e-liquid are also clearly stated unlike the long list of mysterious chemicals used in regular cigarettes. Although vaping dramatically decreases the chances of developing cancer, is truly harmless to the smoker? And are there other hidden side effects? We will address these questions in our video through an interview with a local vape shop as well as online research. 

[millennialornah-blog]

Video Reviews

The first video I watched was “College Kid Meals”. I thought the concept of the video was great as a lot of college students want to take a break from the monotony of dining hall food or save a few bucks by cooking at home. The recipes you all showcased were easy to make but looked tasty all the same. The editing was done very well and there were no awkward transitions. I liked how well lit every shot was so the viewer could clearly see what was happening. The only recommendation I have is that you three talked a little more and added more reactions to the food.

I think this video addresses a big part of millennial culture. Social media has given us platforms to talk the talk when it comes to social activism and allyship but do we truly understand what it means to be an ally? You guys did an excellent job explaining what it means to be an ally and activist. I liked the different types of video set-ups you used from the white board, to the green screen and the more traditional “talking head” shots. It was also cool that you including an outside speaker. I would recommend that you begin the video by introducing everyone a part of the project and a brief summary of the video’s content. I think that by including an introduction it would have made the video a little more cohesive.

[maggiewang0424-blog]

Come when Called: The FASTEST Way to Teach YOUR DOG to COME WHEN CALLED …

The first video i watched is about how to train your corgi to come when called anywhere. I got a cute corgi puppy 4 months ago but i did not seriously teach him to do specific training. Sometimes i call him he will come but will run away very soon or run into other direction. In this video, the puppy Cheeto is really smart and the trainer, Zak explains in details about the reason why sometimes they may not come. It reminds me that not only the big reward is very important, but also you need to consider some objective factors such as the distance or external environment. If the environment is too noisy, the puppy may be distracted and would not listen to you. 

The other informational video is quite interesting, which is going to teach you how to have thousands of followers on Instagram. The young man named Curtiswj has more than 35 thousands of followers, and his method is to search a hashtag such as “girl” and likes every pic or give comment, and then follow a lot of people such as Justin Bieber’s followers, which makes you a random person to be seen and followed. I have never tried this kind of thing but i feel like it is unrealistic to have thousands of followers through this way, because i think not everyone will follows a stranger who likes his photo or just follow him. However, i think it is interesting to find so many similar videos on youtube about how to get unlimited followers. It seem that the followers and likes somehow means a person’s popularity online and can even increase a person’s confidence in real life. Nowadays many people become famous on Instagram and some can even make a living through this. But i do not think it is necessary to care much about the amount of followers and likes. For me, It is more important to manage personal relationships well in the reality. 

[millennialornah-blog]

First, let me say I am so jealous that you have a Corgi puppy! I have a dog too but she’s Pit bull mix. She only comes when she feels like it so maybe this video will help me with training her when I go back for winter break. The second video is truly a product of our generation and could have not been made in any other era. I did not know there were “strategies” to getting followers on social media but the idea seems like a waste of time to me personally.

[collectiveadventurer-blog]

Video 2: Bernie Sanders “Enough is Enough”

The second video I wanted to focus on for this week’s topic was regarding the first time I ever heard Bernie Sanders, one of the demarcates running for President of the United States speak for the first time. The first I really heard him speak deliberately about his plans for further the future of America was at the Democratic Debate. One of the things that really stood out to me in comparison to other candidates was his voice. Out of all the candidates his voice and passion to resolve the current issues in our nation was very impressive. When I heard about him, I honestly said here’s another White man coming into the debate to discuss issues just like any other democrat. However, there was something distant and unique about him, and it was his drive to ameliorate America by focusing on the working class and straying away from giving billionaire’s power in America. The Billionarie’s here in this country represent 1% of the American population, yet they contain the majority of the country’s wealth. Inequality at its finest I say!

It’s just crazy to see those who run are country are those billionaire’s that contain the majority of the country’s wealth. What Bernie does distinctly, is that he doesn’t use “I” in his speeches, but mentions that “the people of America” and “the working class”, are top priorities in his campaign running for presidency. He definitely is a top contender when it comes to voting. If anyone wants to learn more about his plans and campaign watch this cool vid and other one’s on YouTube.

[millennialornah-blog]

I think what you can draw from this clip is how important language is when designing a video. What you say and how you say will determine how viewers perceive and connect with you. Sanders does a wonderful job with portraying himself as common, relatable yet still inspiring!

[nicolee425-blog]

Why is the sky blue?

i chose to look at a completely random video that answered that question all little kids ask: “Why is the sky blue?” In the video by The Curious Engineer titled “Why is the Sky Blue and not Violet?”, this question along with other questions like why the sun is yellow or why clouds are white, are answered. The format of the video was a voice over while the imagery was a cartoon depiction of the information being relayed by The Curious Engineer. It was much more entertaining and catered to visual learners than a video of a person staring at a camera spitting the information at you would be. This informational video did well to answer a question we all wonder about at one point and made it interesting to watch as well. Video essays don’t have to be just boring recitations of information with a qualified person on screen, but can and I think should be made more fun so people actually want to watch it.

Another video I came across was about cake. Yes, I was watching food and baking videos and then found this one that was more informational than just watching someone cook/bake. But this video really proves how sciencey baking is. With fat ratios, to flavors, to acidic reactions and combining all these ingredients to create the perfect chemical reaction that is a delicious chocolate cake, Thomas Joseph shows the viewer how important a little more butter and chocolate can change the entirety of the cake. I actually LOVED this video because i love food and baking especially. Usually I will just watch videos of people baking without any explanation as to why they put in the ingredients they use. Being able to see the chemistry behind it using ingredients we wouldn’t normally relate to anything having to do with chemistry was very intriguing. I definitely found a new YouTube channel to subscribe to!

[millennialornah-blog]

I agree that video essays don’t have to be boring to watch if you edit it right. Also the cooking the video you watched seems interesting! It sounds a lot like an old Food Network Channel show called “Good Eats”.

[millennialornah-blog]

Informational Video Assignment

The first video I watched is titled “The Weeknd - Before They Were Famous”. This 3 minute video is just one of an ongoing series by YouTuber Michael McCrudden. These mini documentaries tell the life events of various musical artists and celebrity personalities. The first aspect I noticed about the video is the upbeat and engaging background music. McCrudden’s voice is also lively and easy to listen to. He occasionally makes light hearted commentary but otherwise sticks to the facts. He begins with a quick introduction and the ends with the typical YouTuber spiel “Hope you enjoyed the video. Comment what you what to see next, etc.” The script flows very well and provides a lot of information within a short timespan. On some parts of the video he narrates while related pictures of the subject flash across the screen. In other clips, McCrudden is seen talking in front of a green screen that is reminiscent of a TV news studio. I think the variation in shots breaks the monotony and keeps the video interesting. 

The second video I watched was a recipe instructional video by the YouTube channel, “Little Lights of Mine”. It is a lifestyle channel ran by Ayesha Curry, wife of famous Warriors’ basketball player Steph Curry. In this video, “Little Recipe of Mine: Delicious Lamb Chops”, Ayesha shows viewers her recipe for lamb chops. In this video, the background music is a lot more subtle but just loud enough to prevent the video from sounding “empty”. The overall mood of the video is very casual and laid back as she infuses her instructions with little anecdotes about her life. There is even a moment where the video cuts to a dance break! The video angle switches distances occasionally to shots of the food and her hands up close. Interestingly the camera never zooms out further than the top half of her body. This gives the feeling as if you are standing in the kitchen with her and makes it seem more personal. Some of the cooking time is edited out to achieve the videos short but sweet length of 5 minutes.

There are few things that I took from both videos to help me in the future creation of my own video. Open, direct yet relaxed body language and eye contact is good to have when recording. Both McCrudden and Ayesha stood with both shoulders facing the camera and kept eye contact with camera. It puts the viewer at ease and makes the video enjoyable to watch. Having good lighting and background are also really important if you want the video to look put together and polished. In McCrudden’s case he used a digitized background. Even though Ayesha’s was simply set in her kitchen, the room was bright, clean and uncluttered which makes a big difference to filming somewhere that is dark/noisy/messy. Finally, sound effects/music if used correctly can improve the quality your video. 

[millennialornah-blog]

Podcast Responses

Multimedia Podcast Project by Edressa and Nicole

I loved your intro! You guys picked a fun topic to talk about. I have never really thought much about the relationship between fashion and music. I agree with you both in that the current millennials do not express themselves as much through fashion anymore. Or maybe its harder to spot the fashion trends because we are living and seeing it everyday? The story about Nicole’s mom being able to recycle her clothes from the 70s and 80s was interesting. Then you connected it to music’s ability to recycle itself which was a great point. All the 90s fashion you guys were reminiscing about made me feel super nostalgic! The bit about the bandanas and how it relates to LGBTQ community was surprising and interesting. I am a Janelle Monae fan to so I’m glad she was brought into the discussion. Overall, the flow of the podcast was very pleasant and natural to listen to. The only suggestion I have is be careful the way you are moving while recording. I could hear every time you guys would bang or tap on the table. Great job!

Generation Hire Me! by Rachel, Toni & Tahnyl

Right away the flow of conversation between you three girls was natural and easy to listen to. In fact I think some of the sound affects took away from the conversation. The only affect I liked were the song clips (shoutout to whoever put in the Relient K song, I love them!), everything else were a bit jarring to the ears. Despite this, there were so many great points made in this podcast! I think you captured the frustration felt by so many in this generation when it comes to entering the job market. It was surprising to here that only 20% of us will go into a career related to our major. I almost clapped allowed when one of you girls (I’m not sure which) said, “… we’re building ourselves up from thousands of dollars of debt,” as opposed to other generations who boast about building themselves “up from nothing”. All of your experiences and stories about your majors and parent’s career we’re enlightening to here about. There was a really good balance between the facts and personal anecdotes. Thanks for sharing, girls!

The Impact of Social Media  by Raule, Julie and Dimitri

I think your choice of topic was very interesting. The idea of fame based on social media is hard for me to wrap my head around at times. I think its even harder for other generations to understand that people can build a brand around nothing other than their personality. The reality is that it takes a lot of creativity, dedication and hard work to market yourselves in such a way. I think this is the type of career that only could have been created by our generation. Overall, there are some interesting points you all make about social media fame like about the hate these personalities they recieve. You guys did a pretty good job incorporating the interview clips or Tyler Oakley, Jerome Jarre and Lilly Singh. The only critique I have is that the intro song was a little distracting and that the transitions around the interview sections were a little awkward sometimes. I enjoyed listening!

[bloggingdeadpool]

On a chilly, fall night, Podcast 219 came into existence on the second floor of Scott Hall on the College Avenue campus of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.  Composed of Asia, Lauren, and myself, we recorded “Netflix and Chill…or nah?: Dating in the Millennial Generation” in our namesake room, 219. 

This podcast focuses on the subject of online dating and the language that shapes the dynamic of our relationships in cyberspace and beyond.  As Millennials, we live in a truly remarkable time where we are afforded the ability to explore an entirely different dating pool than generations before us never could have been able to experience.   In this podcast, we touch on how we are able to connect with people around the globe although many of our encounters occur with those within relatively close geographical distance.  Even with this, many people take to utilizing the affordances of altering who they truly are before meeting others in person in a concept called “catfishing”.   We will also cover how Millennials have also developed certain terms, phrases, and other forms of language that has shaped the way in which we interact with each other.  

So join us on a comical exploration of the way the advancement of technology in our society has changed the dating scene, and let us know your thoughts and opinions!

                                                 Works Cited 

“Hey, Bae, It’s Time to DTR. Dating Lingo, Interpreted.” <i>Washington Post</i>. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.         

 "Online Dating: Advantages According to U.S. Singles 2013 | Statistic.“ <i>Statista</i>. N.p., Sept. 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.    

Toma, C. L., J. T. Hancock, and N. B. Ellison. “Separating Fact From Fiction: An Examination of  Deceptive Self-Presentation in Online Dating Profiles.” <i>Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin</i> 34.8 (2008): 1023-036. Web.

“U.S. Adults Who Met Their Spouse or Partner Online 2013, by Age | Statistic.” <i>Statista</i>. N.p., May 2013. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.    

“U.S. Dating Websites Ranked by Visits 2015.” <i>Statista</i>. N.p., June-July 2015. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.

“What percentage of  people are in committed relationships with people the met online?”.“5 Facts about Online Dating.” <i>Pew Research Center RSS</i>. N.p., 20 Apr. 2015. Web. 03 Oct. 2015.

(via https://soundcloud.com/asia-dockery/netflix-chill-or-nah-dating-in-the-millennial-generation?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=tumblr)

[laurenimc-blog]

Millennial Dating

Online dating has become increasingly more popular over the years. In 2005, 44%, said they think online dating is a good way to meet people. In 2013 that number rose to 59%.  With these statistics its safe to say we all do it, and some of us even have a profile on more than one site or app at the same time. As of June of this year Match.com has over 35 million significant users, and Plenty of Fish doesn’t fall too far behind at 23 million users. OkCupid another site used by many Millennials has 10.15 million users and, to my surprise, eHarmony only had 7.1 million users.  

Keep reading

[millennialornah-blog]

I like your point about the possibility of anyone, even a serial killer, being on the other side of the screen. Not to be morbid, but I wonder how many assaults/kidnappings/murders occur each year because of online predators the use fake online profiles? 

[rachel-blogs-sometimes-blog]

Generation Hire Me!

Watch out, millennials are entering the job market! We’re graduating from university with degrees under our belts, many of us having advanced degrees, multiple majors, and technical skills. We have our resume lined with achievements of extracurricular and unpaid internships. We spent years thriving within the academic context, most of us doing so while juggling additional jobs to pay for this golden ticket of a college degree. We were told this would be our ticket to success. A ticket many of us made sacrifices to obtain. So with these idolized papers in hand, we enter the job market. A job market that now tells us these papers, while necessities, are not guarantees for the position. We are asked for years of experience for an entry level job and are mocked when we attempt to relate our university experience. A societally required experience that took us out of the job market in the first place where we could have devoted our time to gaining that oh so valuable “entry level” job experience instead of worrying about graduation requirements. Millennials are graduating and ready to enter the job market … or are we really?

Before even submitting our application, us millennials already face the stigma surrounding our generation. We may be educated, we may be qualified, we may hold great potential, yet many employers assume the worst just from a quick glance of our date of birth.

Although the above video can be classified as a parody, many employers group our entire generation to act this way. Maybe we all do act this way because I can’t help but think some of the statements in the video hold legitimacy. Specifically the opening line of “so glad I graduated with honors so I can make copies all day.” Can you blame us millennials for being angered that our thousands of dollars college experience amounted to the oh so glamorous job of copy assistant. A college experience that is even more necessary yet requires exponentially more sacrifice than generations before. Can you really blame us for being mad that we have to suffer 10-15 more years of college loan payments because that’s what was required of us to secure a job that required no more skills than copying and organizing office supplies? Of course you can. We’re just the ungrateful millennials. 

Our generation is the scapegoat older generations just love to exploit. Millennials are mad at the no-win world the baby boomers have created. The video cites destroying the environment, creating the unpaid internship, and destruction of the economy - just to name a few. Older generations don’t understand the technological shift of the work place. Computers and phones are only seen as leisure activities, not as methods of productivity. Failing to understand technology’s contribution, we’re seen as lazy for being on these devices when in reality we’re being efficient. Our hard work is not compensated or even acknowledged simply for existing in modern technological realm. We’re millennials and we’re fighting an uphill seemingly losing battle to acquire work. We’re not lazy, we’re efficient. We’re not entitled, we’re motived. We are not selfish, we are angered yet determined to beat the rules of an unfair game.  

[millennialornah-blog]

You make some really great points about millennials entering the job-market. It seems we are preparing for a dismal job market where we are deemed underqualified and whiny for wanting more. Against all odds, it seems many of my peers are optimistic about finding a career they enjoy in their desired career. Maybe we’re naive but we are willing to fight for it and I think that’s all that matters. 

[theabsoluteartist-blog]

Millennials, Me, and Depression

           Now, I don’t know about how you all feel, but for me, it’s just plum difficult to get out of bed more often than not. And I don’t just mean I’m too tired to get up. This is a kind of exhaustion that goes beyond the physical; it’s left me mentally drained, physically weak, and with a lack of desire to do anything. I’ve barely been eating, my sleep schedule has hit a bare minimum, and my work habits have been drastically slacking. This sort of thing is known as clinical depression, and it isn’t just me who is feeling the effects of this illness.

           While I felt the effects of depression when I was much younger, these more difficult side effects have emerged in my more recent college years. This college emergence of depression is incredibly common, and it’s believed that at least 44 percent of college students have experienced symptoms of depression. The article talks about Millennials as being the products of “being groomed to be academic overachievers, but became, in reality, emotional underachievers.” While it acknowledges the feelings these Millennials have, it seems to focus more on this concept that we need to learn how to cope.

           I agree somewhat- some people don’t have the coping capabilities of others, and those are skills we learn with experience. However, feelings are valid, regardless of how extreme they might seem to an outside party. In my case, my motivation to do anything has drastically declined, and I’m constantly exhausted, both physically and mentally. Sometimes I go through phases where it is easier to encourage myself to get out of bed and be productive with my day. Sometimes one event takes my life by storm and my sadness flares back up in ways unimaginable. Sometimes it’s difficult to do anything when you don’t have the energy to- likewise, when you don’t have the energy to begin with, it is difficult to do even the most minute of things you set out to.

           Depression is often concurrent with levels of stress and anxiety, and Millennials most definitely feel the repercussions of these issues as well. There are higher demands of Millennials in both school and the work force, and that certainly adds to what makes us as a generation anxious and overwhelmed.  While my stress and anxieties aren’t necessarily a result of my hefty workload (I have been overextending myself for years), it does have something to do with the prospect of not feeling adequate in my planned field of study. I ideally would like to go into art therapy, which is a form of psychology. With all of these issues I’m attempting to tackle, sometimes things seem incredibly bleak. I often find myself wondering if I would ever be able to help someone else if I feel like I am incapable of helping myself. Being depressed is often sugar coated as merely “being in a funk,” and that it can be easily overcome. Sometimes it can. Sometimes it takes work: a LOT of work. But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel (and if you’ve managed to get through this entire blog watching me rant a little, bless your little souls).

[millennialornah-blog]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have never battled with depression but reading stories from people who do helps me learn and understand more about it. As you have pointed out, many people in this generation struggle with deoression and I do not want to add to the stigma that depression is not a real illness. I think if this society were more accepting and accommodating of it, more people would have the courage to step out and seek help. Despite this people like you make it easier for others to reach out, which is very admirable!

[millennialornah-blog]

Millennial Studying Habits

Like many other students around campus this week, I spent a good chunk of my time holed up at the library in order to study and finish final drafts. With the semester already one-third complete, exams are being doled out like candy corn and Twix on Halloween. Except unlike Halloween candy, exams are neither sugary, sweet or chocolatey. In fact, exams are more like the box of raisins that manage to sneak into the bottom of your trick-or-treat bag every year. So in the midst of lamenting never ending study schedules with friends, I decided on the topic for this blogpost: millennial college students’ studying habits. Most of the research confirmed what I suspected about this generation, we like to multitask while studying, feel a pressure to perform well and face the challenge of how to prioritize our time.

Walk into any study lounge, library or lecture on this campus and you’re likely to see students with one or more electronics in their laps. According to this study by Hanson, Drumheller, Mallard, McKee and Schlegel, college students spend an average of 21 hours week texting, emailing and using social media which is almost equal to the estimated 23 hours we spend in class and studying. It is common for us to be going over lecture notes while simultaneously texting with a friend and switching between internet tabs to intermittently check Twitter, Facebook etc. Personally it’s a struggle to remain focused while studying so I usually “reward” myself after 30 or 35 min of work with a 5 minute YouTube or Tumblr break. And while it sounds like a good strategy in theory, that break evolves from 5 minutes to 10 to 30. Suddenly I’m watching my sixth cute cat video or scrolling down post with 25 gifs of Harry Style’s man bun. This only supports the additional research I found which states that only 2% of people can successfully multitask without erring or lessening their productivity.

Ineffective studying tactics aside, most of Generation Y’s college students are compelled to perform well in class. In his article, “Millennials Coming to College,” author Robert DeBard states,“… students feel pressured to perform…They have been pushed by their Boomer parents to be the best that they can be in order to help demonstrate how good Baby Boom parenting has been.They have been made to feel that Boomer parents, coaches, and leaders—for the sake of Millennial achievement—have created the many opportunities afforded them…The end result is pressure to perform at least, and excel at best.” I have been blessed in that my parents are supportive of whatever grades I receive as long as I have tried my best but I know for many of my peers that is not the case .Throughout the last couple weeks one of my friends repeatedly stated, in text and in person, “I NEED to pass.” In my head I was just like, “Relax, sis,” but realistically I know it’s easier said than done to shrug of the expectations placed on by yourself and your parents. There is this concept that Millennials have no other option but to succeed unless they are simply lazy and refuse to work-hard.

This academic pressure is part of the reason millennials have difficulty juggling their time. On top of school work, there is the priority for work, sleep, clubs/sports and a social life. 

According to the National Center for Education Statistics as of 1998, more than three out of four college students are currently working an average of thirty-one hours per week while attending college. However as the expectation grew to be involved socially as well as academically, the United States Council of Economic Advising reports that those rates have and continue to steadily drop. As we discussed early it is nearly impossible to multitask efficiently while working and I believe this applies to managing different aspects of our lives as well. We have to pick and choose what to devote our time to. Hanson, Drumheller, Mallard, McKee and Schlege also reported, “As a result, students [in their study] tend to take short cuts and place priority on activities with the highest reward, such as being seen in class or getting paid. Studying became a high priority when the cost of failing a test or project was too high.”

As you can see, life as a millennial college student can be complicated. My advice to my fellow classmates would be to put down your phone every once and a while and remember the privilege is to even be in college. Take each day on at a time and keep your end goal in mind as to not be overwhelmed. Also have fun and make friends but not at the cost of your education. Good luck on your exams!

[theabsoluteartist-blog]

Pastalavista, Baby

           I must admit, I’m not one to sit down and listen to podcasts. I can talk endlessly about topics that I enjoy, but to listen to someone else drone on about the same thing is a totally different experience. I figured that in order to listen to podcasts, I would want to peruse topics that I actually enjoy. So naturally, for my first podcast choice, I stumbled across SpilledMilk’s podcast on lasagna.

           As someone who is half Italian, I grew up in a house where all I did was eat, whether I wanted to or not. And, as expected of such an upbringing, this is a food that I am quite familiar with, as it was a family staple. Frankly, this would be considered a whole food group in my house, but I digress. Matthew and Molly’s discussion on lasagna was amusing to me with their plentiful Garfield jokes and references, and even more amusing with their ways of mispronouncing little Italian terms (mostly cheese related). They brought up opinions on the Italian staple that are things I happen to agree with, but wouldn’t necessarily stop someone from doing. Like, no offense, but vegetables in my lasagna are not really my favorite. And surprisingly enough, being Italian, I’m not super crazy about ricotta in my lasagna either (I know, how wrong of me). Matthew’s “simple” recipe for lasagna is pretty standard, aside from the use of store brand sauces over homemade, and it is still quite tasty.

           Another podcast that caught my attention was Whitney Thore’s “My Big Fat Fabulous Life Podcast.” A response to her TLC show, “My Big Fat Fabulous Life,” Whitney answers questions people send in as the second season of her show is about to air. What stuck out to me about finding this podcast is the similar struggles that Whitney and I both face. We both have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, where our hormones make it difficult to maintain our weight, makes you prone to gain weight, and could even make it near impossible to get pregnant and have children (among other issues). September happens to be PCOS Awareness Month, so this resonates with me strongly. She talks about how you need to find what you love to do and from there you can find ways to lose weight and be healthy, which I find true. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, you won’t ever strive to make progress.

           She also discusses becoming prediabetic as a result of this condition, another diagnosis that I relate with personally. When you hear anything relating to diabetes, it’s a common misconception to panic. Whitney even acknowledges that she knows it “isn’t a death sentence,” but there are little changes that should be made in order to keep yourself as healthy as possible. Likewise, body acceptance is such an important thing. Whitney talks about how she hears about children (specifically girls) as young as 7-8 years old dieting to fit the status quo. With such an exposure to media, it’s no wonder that children younger and younger are seeing these epitomized figures that are defined as “beautiful,” and strive to be like them, even if it leaves then unhealthy and unhappy.

           Overall, I happened to like “My Big Fat Fabulous Life Podcast” more, maybe because I could connect with it on a more personal level. I know I struggle with my body image, even though I have learned to take care of my health. Even still, I do enjoy my lasagna, and indulging once in a while isn’t such a bad thing (okay, maybe more often than once in a while…).

[millennialornah-blog]

I too don’t like sitting and listening to podcasts so I made similar strategy when selecting podcasts by picking ones I could relate to or had interesting topics. I like how varied your choices are and “My Big Fat Fabulous Life Podcast” sounds interesting empowering. I love that podcast allow people like Whitney Thore to speak out and inspire other individuals facing similar obstacles.

[juliejordan209-blog]

RadioLab’s Brown Box

Podcasts are a great and, in my opinion, underutilized resource of information. In our day and age, information is one instant away. Podcasts offer us a unique way to learn. Listening to experts, or people with unique experience, explain their subject in layman’s terms is incredibly valuable. There is room for interesting conversation, and the best part is that, in our modern time, all of this is enjoyed on your own time.

For class, I listened to RadioLab, a show about curiosity. There are countless podcasts on an array of subjects available on their website. Additionally, it can be listened to on the radio, on NPR stations. The episode I listened to is called “Brown Box.”

I listened to a podcast about the inner workings of an Internet retailer’s warehouse (think conglomerates like Amazon, although the actual retailer is not revealed in the episode.) The podcast features an interview with a “lady reporter,” who has impressive credentials, like working in war zones. The project that brings her on the show, though, is a unique story. 

If you ever ordered something online from a store like Amazon, then this may interest you. How exactly does Amazon manage to ship the exact item you need in a timely manner? Where does Amazon store all of these products? This “lady reporter” describes exactly how online retailers ship out their items through the manpower of old white ladies, or “pickers.”

One might assume that these shipments require minimal human manpower, but this would be incorrect. Although the job is facilitated by technology, the amount of work that relies on pickers is quite strenuous. There is also extreme pressure for the pickers to achieve the goals set by management in an time-exact moment. As the pickers move through the humungous and disorderly warehouse, they are being timed by their facilitator device. 

“Picking” is the process of walking around the warehouse to find the item that needs to be shipped. Items are not organized by type; rather, they are organized to maximize space within bins. Thousands of bins reside in the warehouse, full of diverse and random items. Pickers are given a device that locates the chosen item, and begins timing pickers as they make their way to the spot to get the item. Missing even one day of work - even for as something as the birth of a child - will result in termination.

A very interesting episode to listen to, if you are at all curious about odd jobs, or how online stores operate. 

I listened to another episode of RadioLab, entitled “The Trouble with Everything.” Just the title is enticing. The actual discussion is very interesting. Interviewee Jenny Hollowell reads her short story “The History of Everything: Including You.” 

This podcast is less informative, and more fluid, existential conversation about life. The author that is being interviewed discusses how her frustration with her place in life fueled her work. Some topics that are covered during her interview include religion and philosophy, the Big Bang, multi-universes, mental illness, and things of this nature. 

I recommend this particular episode to people who have interests in existentialism or other types of philosophy, or multi universes. 

[millennialornah-blog]

I don’t think podcasts are necessarily underused as you suggested. When searching through them I noticed almost every media source, from news to music companies to fashion magazines, had their own podcast. I do believe the are under-advertised and only appeal to a certain type of people perhaps that is why many of us in class had not listened to any previously.

[rachel-blogs-sometimes-blog]

Surprisingly, this assignment was the first time I actively searched for podcasts. No, I do not live under a rock. I was quite aware podcasts were a thing, just not so much a thing I had a strong desire to engage with. I’m unsure where my previous hesitancy came from, but am certainly glad this assignment gave me the push I needed into the world of podcasts. As I began my search I was truly amazed by the depth of the selections available. It seemed there was a podcast for everyone and about anything. The less foreign everything became to me; the more I started to genuinely enjoy the seemingly endless material of the podcast realm. For the first time I felt like I finally “got” this whole podcast thing and I was indeed excited to learn even more.

Holding multiple jobs in the restaurant industry, I naturally gravitated to the restaurateur related material. I finally decided on the Restaurant Unstoppable podcast that is described as “an incredible resource for any aspiring “Restaurateur”.  With each episode focused on a different successful name in the restaurant industry, the podcast demonstrates the use personal narrative as an educational resource. 

I decided on listening to episode #17: 7 Takeaways From Rags to Restaurants. The episode centered on Misty Young’s experience growing a restaurant franchise from the ground up. The episode discussed strategic planning and the importance of integrating business systems. Having seemingly dry business concepts framed within Misty’s own experiences added a world of depth to the material making concepts such as cash flows and balance sheets more digestible to the listener. The podcast was structured in a way that was perfect for the material it intended to convey. Straightforward, engaging, and left the listener excited to learn more. I know I definitely look forward to listening to more.

In what seemed like a world of contrast to the business-oriented podcast, I stumbled upon a series entitled Millennial hosted by Megan Tan.  I know, how fitting for this class, right? The series acts as a personal journal, where Megan documents her attempts at navigating her 20s and her new found adulthood. A relatable narrative that all of us can identify with. 

Intrigued by the title, I chose to listen to episode #3, Brunchies. In this episode, Megan fails to find a job within her field after graduating University and proceeds to find work as a restaurant server. The episode certainly does highlight the plight of the millennial stereotype. The majority of the episode is spent discussing Megan’s need to find a job that fulfills her professional aspirations. She dismisses restaurant work as “not real work” and struggles with the fact she is not meeting her true potential. I may not have agreed with her words, in fact at times I found myself completely enraged by them, I can’t argue with the fact that they were presented in a captivating fashion. Megan didn’t just talk about her experiences, she recreated them for the listener. Talking about making tea? She had the sound of the kettle going. Rather than talking about a conversation she had with her friend, she had the conversation itself on the podcast. The auditory bells and whistles she brought to the podcast completely made the experience. Even though I didn’t quite agree with her words - I found the episode to be captivating none the less. I am happy I managed to find two different podcasts. Both podcasts brought out the possibilities available in creating an experience for the listener. I like the freedom the podcaster has in conveying their information to the world. I see podcasts having a larger part in my future. I love the fact that it provides a platform where anyone can have a voice, and millions can listen. I’m excited to be part of that realm. I’m excited to listen, contribute and learn. 

[millennialornah-blog]

I like your choice in podcasts. They are both subject I would not have thought to choose. This was my first time listening to podcasts too though I did not enjoy them as much as you seemed too. However, I do agree it is a great way to have your voice and opinions heard.