Growing up, I remember my mother saying that if you want someone to do something for you, it is better to use honey rather than
vinegar. As students of higher education, it is important for us to practice civility in our interactions. Whether we are working with other students to complete a group project, collaborating with other organizations on campus to meet goals and objectives, or requesting assignment and grade criteria from our professors, a level of civility is required in order to achieve positive results. How someone interacts with others not only determines the outcomes of those interactions, but also gives insight on an individual’s integrity and character.
Ordinarily, this column is used to communicate important events and issues happening on our campus. In this issue, however, the Student Senate wishes to focus on something that is more important on our campus – the students. It can be difficult juggling the work and responsibility that comes with being a college student, but we must remember that we are the represent ourselves, our families, our institutions, and even higher education in general. When you come across a situation (or a person) that tests your capacity for patience, remember to remain calm, and to show tact, because a loss of control will surely lead to disaster and the tainting of your image.
As the end of the semester looms near, group research projects, group presentations, and study groups are beginning to flourish on campus. This will be practice for the real world, because many accomplishments cannot be fulfilled without a group effort. Student Senators and Student Life would like to remind you that the sooner you learn how to deal with stress and work with a variety of people with different backgrounds and personalities, the easier you will be able to handle future exchanges in your life and your career.
Practice makes perfect, and personally, I’ve learned that taking my mother’s advice couldn’t hurt either.