Matthew Steinbach opinions@theotherpress.ca Ranting, Raving, and Relating Weekend cell phone etiquette The answer to this perplexing question is multi- faceted. Each and every person who has ever texted or dialled while intoxicated knows the regret associated with waking up the next morning and begrudgingly scrolling through the list of sent messages in their cell phone’s outbox. And each person has a different reason for doing so. Who am I to judge? My suggestion to you is simple—if you wouldn’t communicate with someone on a regular day (say, before 8 p.m.) then delete their number from your phone. You probably shouldn’t be talking with them anyway. This will save you a tonne of embarrassment—and potential heartbreak. In the age of technology, it is easy to forget our manners, propriety, and etiquette. However, the rules are essentially the same. Don’t treat someone in a way you wouldn’t want to be treated. Everyone needs a good night’s sleep now and then. That includes you. Crystal Auffray “ranting, raving and relating” a ‘hie other day my friend jokingly proposed that cell phones should come equipped with breathalysers. “Why?” I asked. “Well, that way, people wouldn’t end up drunk- dialling or texting when they really have no business even picking up the phone.” This seemed a reasonable enough argument to me. How may times have we received messages professing someone’s undying love or attention that just won’t wane (especially at 3:30 a.m.)? But I suppose the bigger question is: what drives someone to get out their phone and communicate with a person they know deep down they shouldn’t actually be talking to once a martini (or three) has wreaked havoc on their nervous system, behaviour, tenes: —their social life? oe Stress does not equal SUCCESS }, ii. viii. I need a nap. Or maybe less homework. No, definitely more naps. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am stressed. With finals looming and Christmas around the corner, life is uncomfortably busy. But I don’t think it has to be this way, and I am certainly not alone. Stress, in my opinion, does not equal F success. é Nick Caumanns, Surrey school board candidate, wants to cut the amount of homework schools give out. The legendary _ Douglas College psychology professor, Dr. Cera, promotes the idea of napping. Less homework and naps should be mandatory, right? Is it just me, or does it seem like stress and exhaustion are “the norm?” As a first- year college student, why does it seem that I have another three-plus years of debt, stress and exhaustion to look forward to? Because I’ve graduated into the “real- world?” My so-called “real-world” involves full-time work, full-time school and full- time extra-curricular activities. Not to f mention a pathetically weak social life. My | hectic schedule leaves me little time for sleep, let alone relaxation or fun! In fact, my chaotic lifestyle does not seem at all like a “step-up” from my more | “irresponsible days;” instead, it feels more like a cold, hard slap in the face. If this is the real world, I am not sure I want it. Give me more naps, less homework, and more fun! I know that school is invaluable for future success. But is all this stress really necessary? Stress and success are not synonymous, and although I may be idealistic, there really should be more naps, less tests and more time for actual learning at academic intuitions. I am not talking about the learning I did the night before my psychology midterm, but life learning. Students here at Douglas seem dedicated, committed, and for the most part, enthusiastic learners. But how are we supposed to utilize what we learn in lecture if we have to spend the majority of our time focusing on earning money to pay for tuition, or running from class to class and completing assignment after meaningless assignment in order to try to get ahead? It’s no wonder that at times I feel like succumbing to apathy. Sometimes at the end of my day I am too tired to give a fuck about anything except sleep. What I think is that more naps, and more time is required in our normally regulated lives. Wanting less homework may be wishful thinking on my part, but wanting more time and more space to learn, grow and sleep is not. There is only so much each of us can do in a day. Cramming as many activities as possible into one day does not guarantee success. Instead, it leaves me tired, unfulfilled, and unhappy. In our culture it seems that we need to remind ourselves to slow down; success is created by cultivating skills and interests, not by cramming in courses and credits.