Category Archives: On The Hill

Featured, On The Hill

Oh, Molly…

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The name Molly is seen as unpopular, outdated…some even say it’s ugly. A quick review of internet blogs concerning the popularity of the name Molly shows mixed emotions. Some love the name and some hate it. Some seem to think it means “girl with glasses and braids” when it actually has a rather beautiful meaning behind it. Molly means “star of the sea” or “wished-for-child” but none of these facts makes the name any more favorably viewed. Once a popular girl’s name, now the name Molly ranks 59th for babies named in 2013. We can reasonably conclude that this is an un-popular name.

But don’t worry, Molly. Your name is extremely popular in drug form. Usage of Molly, commonly thought to be the purest form of ecstasy one can get, has skyrocketed over the past decade, considering the emergency room visits that have doubled since 2004 from usage of this drug. This is scary, and it’s right in our own backyards.

Ecstasy is a popular club drug that induces euphoric feeling and mild hallucinations. Made up of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, (did you catch the methamphetamine in that?!) Molly is what drug dealers would like you to think is the “safe form” of ecstasy. It’s not. Molly is more commonly than not a combination of synthetic stimulants and any number of chemicals mixed in a little pill stamped with a winsome picture that people just keep taking. Methamphetamines are made from pure chemicals… so is Molly. Do not be fooled that this drug is in any way safe to take.

After a public safety notice was sent out on October 5th, an attempt was made to get Nichols students to speak out about this drug. Only one came forward, under strict condition she remained unnamed. “When I went to the clubs, we would take ecstasy. It made me grit my teeth and yeah I felt all happy and warm and just wanted to dance and snuggle and hug everyone. But when you come down from the drug your jaw hurts because you’ve been gritting your teeth for hours and you don’t even realize it. And then you are like depressed for days. So yeah it’s fun for a bit but then it just sucks. It’s not worth the way you feel like sh—after. Seriously. I took Molly once and it wasn’t any different. I got higher I guess because I couldn’t see straight but the comedown was all the same. I just laid in my bed for like two days and ate a bunch of food and cried about everything.”

While hoping for more students to come forward, what we can see above gets the point across – it’s not worth it. After four reported deaths this summer (deaths this summer in Eastern cities, as reported by npr.org and abcnews.com) and pop culture artists attempting to make this drug look cool, it is important to educate yourselves and learn what drugs can do. Sure it seems fun, and given a club environment, you might not know you’re overheating and overdosing before it’s too late. When speaking with friends and colleagues about this article, the statement was made, “Whatever happened to just having a few beers and smoking a joint?” While in no way does Nichols College or this reporter condone the use of illegal drugs or promote drinking underage, you do have to wonder – what’s up with all the drugs? Are we so bored? Have we become such a boring culture that we need stimulants to have a good time? Can we not just have a glass of wine and intelligent conversation? When did Molly come to play, and why? Who decided this was a good idea?

It’s not. Don’t do drugs. It’s too much of a chance in what are the most important days of our lives. College is fun enough. Don’t mix it up with chemicals.

Featured, On The Hill, success

All Fare Well At The Academic Fair

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So many of us have heard, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It is a question with an answer that constantly changes as we evolve. I myself have changed my occupational path from a veterinarian at age ten to simply being myself at age thirty (yes, thirty — I am what you may term an ‘adult learner’). It’s hard to know what you want to do — for the rest of your life — at any point in time, never mind while in your late teens and early twenties. Thankfully, Nichols College tries its absolute best to help students answer that timeless question of what to do with one’s life. It is undeniable that Nichols College prepares its students for success. A quick tour of the campus shows plenty of comfortable places to study, to type up a paper, to prepare a coffee or hot tea…but more than that, Nichols gives students the hands on chance to explore that many need. From internships to cultural events and everything in between, Nichols rises admirably to the challenge of helping students decide which major/minor to pursue for their academic career.

The Academic Fair at Daniels Auditorium brought out students in droves; at times the hall was so crowded all you could hear were the words “Excuse me!” as students visited with professors and students at each booth. All majors Nichols College offers to the student body were represented as both a choice for major or minor, including graduate studies and the honors program. Each table was set with a tri-fold board displaying department details and tables offered examples of work or showcased the opportunities to be had in each field.  Proud professors and exemplary students stood sentry to honor and glorify their department.

First-year PDS students were required to attend, an excellent way to ensure students know what opportunities the college offers. As the freshman students toured the hall, they had a questionnaire that was required as homework for each PDS class. This was no simple survey; students needed to list with whom they spoke, what careers and advancement opportunities could be made in each field, and to spend time actually talking to more than one representative of any given major. Another major score for the PDS program here at Nichols, the professors do not allow students to simply walk in and out and be done with the assignment. They must explore — although not one student seemed forced. Questions asked were thoughtful, and follow-up questions by the students were reflective.

It is not too late to explore major or minor options in your academic career! Be sure to visit https://www.nichols.edu/academics/academics/Faculty/ to determine who you should speak with about changing/declaring a major or adding a minor.

 

 

Featured, I'm a Bison, On The Hill

Ten Questions For Reflection

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The time spent between freshman and senior year is a period of great growth. You enter college as one person, and leave as another entirely. Your thoughts change and different paths evolve. College years are among the best years in our lives. In honor of these thoughts, a freshman and a senior have been interviewed and asked the same questions. Some are serious, some are fun. Read on to see how they compare!

The questions answered below are from Chelsea Rafferty, class of 2014. Chelsea is a double major in English and Secondary Education and currently student teaching. Chelsea is an asset to Nichols College and inspires many with her hard work, determination, sense of humor, and friendship.

1. Describe yourself in 5 words: Outgoing, Loud, Clumsy, Nerdy, Basketball junkie.

2. What was your final decision in choosing Nichols for your college career?

I decided to come to Nichols for quite a few reasons. The first, and most important on my list, is the distance from home. I am only an hour drive away so I can travel back there when need be. Second, I was recruited to play on the Women’s Basketball team. I was excited for an opportunity to play at the collegiate level. The third reason was the size of the school and the student-teacher ratio. I attended a very small Catholic high school and loved a small classroom setting with close interactions with my teachers. I was very successful in that environment and knew I wanted that at the college I would attend.

3. What do you hope to get from a Nichols education?

I hope to have an advantage over other graduates in my field in terms of experience in the classroom and networking.

4.  Tell me the funniest thing that has happened to you so far on campus:

During my sophomore year while I was on duty on the senior One Night Social, a female senior and a close friend flashed me as she was approaching her residence hall. She had absolutely no idea anyone was around and was so embarrassed. It was one of the funnier things I have seen while on duty.

5. Who is your favorite professor and why?

There are so many amazing professors here but I would have to say that Professor Michael Lajoie is by far my favorite. This is my first semester not taking one of his classes since my first semester freshmen year and this deeply saddens me. He is a mentor to all students, whether they are an English major or not, and he genuinely cares about each student’s educational, emotional, physical, and mental well being. He challenges each students thinking and prompts them to truly relate classroom material to the real world. He focuses on the important aspects of education rather than the nit picky, unimportant parts such as the number of paragraphs in one’s paper. He focuses on quality and substance rather than quantity. He is the epitome of an amazing teacher and I hope I am half the teacher he is someday. He has helped me and my peers overcome our personal struggles and he is the most compassionate individual I have ever met in my life. I can never thank him enough for what he has done to help me grow as an English major, future educator, and as a well-rounded individual.

6. What advice would you give your former freshman self?

Don’t go home so often. It may be tempting to go home every weekend because this change is very overwhelming, but the weekends of your freshmen year are the most important when it comes to meeting fellow classmates. Try to be strong and stay a few weekends in a row. Go out with your roommates, teammates, and neighbors. Get to know everyone.

7. Finish this sentence. When I grow up, I am going to be…

A college English Professor.

8. Favorite book, favorite food, favorite song, and favorite type of writing utensil:

To Kill A Mockingbird; Jimmy’s Buffalo Chicken Calzone; Dirty Paws by Of Monsters and Men; BIC Black Ballpoint Pen.

9. If I could change one thing about Lombard Dining Hall, it would be…

A larger gluten free section. It certainly has expanded significantly since I was a freshman but being a person with Celiac disease, it certainly can improve even more.

10. Favorite quote:

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” –To Kill a Mockingbird

 

The next set of questions have been answered by Jessica Frank, a new student to Nichols College. Jessica has entered Nichols College this fall. Her inquisitive and friendly disposition is sure to lead her down a path to success. She is an International Business major, class of 2017.

1. Describe yourself in 5 words: Happy, friendly, outgoing, loud, and smiley.

2. What was your final decision in choosing Nichols for your college career?

The cost of tuition over other equally competitive schools of the same caliber with the same success rates.

3. What do you hope to get from a Nichols education?

Hopefully a job in the field of my major, international business, and a clearer path to a happy and successful life.

4. Tell me the funniest thing that has happened to you so far on campus.

I wore flip flops on a rainy day because my sister told me it was supposed to be 80 degrees and sunny. I ended up walking up the hill from the Athletic Center all the way to Fels barefoot with my shoes in my hand.

5. Who is your favorite professor and why?

My favorite professor would be a tossup between Dr. Halprin and Dr. J. Deys. They are both English teachers and I love English but they teach different subjects for my class so I’m not sure. Halprin is kooky and funny and spacey while Deys is more cool and down to earth. They’re both awesome.

6. What advice would you give your future senior self?

I would tell my senior self that I should be proud to be graduating from college and that just because school is over doesn’t mean the hard stuff has past. I’d definitely tell myself not to sell out on my goals no matter how farfetched and outlandish they may be.

7. Finish this sentence. When I grow up, I am going to be…

When I grow up I am going to be an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher in South Korea.

8. Favorite book, favorite food, favorite song, and favorite type of writing utensil:

[sic] The Princess Bride; Thai spicy stir fry; Letters from the Sky by Civil Twilight (at the moment anyways); Fine tipped colorful pens.

9. If I could change one thing about Lombard Dining Hall, it would be…

I would love to see more culture in the dining hall. Indian food, Chinese food, Thai food, Korean food, and others would be a welcomed mix up. Sushi would make my day.

10. Favorite quote:

“There are three kinds of people in life; The kind that make things happen, the kind that watch things happen, and the kind who ask what happened.” — Mary Kay Ash