aE Things sometimes Ny CF Mil Opinions Editor elcome to all the Douglas College newbies, welcome back to all the returning Ity old dogs. With an obligatory “you should come out and write for The Other ess,’ and a “Hey, how ya doin’, see ya at pub night,” here we go. First up on this week’s agenda: books, or, more precisely, textbooks and their trageous costs. Memo to instructors: if you’re teaching in the arts (including the cial sciences), and the textbook costs upwards of $200, figure out another way to b. The recent loss of the BC Grant for second-year students, coupled with rising ition costs, are creating more starving students daily. When irresponsible instruc- rs ask us to tack on additional $200-plus dollars for a text we'll use twice in the mester, it’s like getting mugged. I understand that some texts (biology, kinesiolo- , etc.) are expensive. Constant developments in some fields require new texts, anted. All'l’m saying is, “There is this invention; it’s called the photocopier.” Why bn’t those instructors teaching courses that haven’t seen significant changes to the rriculum in a decade or two mix in a photocopied course pack every once in a ile. Copyright laws can often be dealt with by purchasing the right to reproduce brtions of a text from the legal owner. Course packs are a cheap alternative to the erpriced textbooks that so often remain closed. Next up: exes with the same name. Three of my last four girlfriends have had e same name. A good friend has had similar experiences. Is anyone else out there ffering from this problem? Are my friend and I simply two peas in a pod that erely happened to meet and talk exes? By the way, if your name is Krista, and you e Sonic Youth, do yoga, have a voice so cute that it sounds like you’ve been neck- pb with a helium balloon, and youre all cool and cuddly—piss off! I’ve had it with fu little vixens. Okay, okay, come up and say hi, maybe [ll buy you a coffee, or how about a Chai Tea Latte, a martini, maybe? What’s that? You want Absinthe and O’Keefe’s Extra Old Stock? I think I’m in love. You don’t make your own t-shirts that say things like “Axis of Eve” and dance to every song all night, by any chance, do you? On new beginnings: occasionally, we have to tie up the past and consciously move on. There is no need to dwell on what has already occurred. Trust me on this one; life will throw you curve balls that you can’t hit. So, it is our duty to ensure that we don’t go around bitching about how hard things are all the time when things are actually pretty good. If you’re read- ing this, chances are you’re spending your time in a post-secondary educa- tional institute in Canada, one of the world’s wealthiest nations. I know, we all have bad days and get depressed, but if you’re going to go around pissing and moaning, get away from me. I’ve got shit to do, and I’m an arrow point- ing right into the future. There is no time like the start of a new semester to let go of your past, and move forward with some pizzazz. Okay, maybe the first day of spring is a better time, but hell, that’s still a full six months away. Oh God, winter is coming, isn’t ite Man, I’m suddenly depressed. Where’s my Zoloft? Seriously, though, I’ve got an idea, and I think it’s worth sharing, It’ll work for you whether you’re new to college, or a 12th semester pro- fessional college student. Sit down after the second week of classes and write out a list of what it is you wish to learn this semester. Then, compare lists with all your friends, take the common denominators from two or more lists, and approach your instructors with requests to meet these wishes. Next, call the Tooth Fairy and tell her that Santa wants to meet her for a drink on Sunday at Mugs and Jugs. Then sober the hell up and get on with it. We’re two weeks into a new semester, people. Congratulations, you’re probably not behind...yet. Good luck. ld Rosemary: The Smell of Success phanna Lynn, OP Contributor e firsthand proof that aromatherapy can be used improve memory, learning, and retention, came pm psychologist Frank Schaub at Yale University. gave 72 students a list of 40 adjectives and asked lem to write down their opposites. The students hew that the next day they would be asked to ember them. At various stages of the experiment me students were given the aroma of chocolate d some were not. The results showed that those o had no scent influence recalled 17 percent, ile those given the aroma remembered 21 percent. slight improvement, yet not as impressive when a ferent aroma was used. More recently, Dr. Alan Hirsch conducted a dy at Lincoln High School in Portland, Oregon. e purpose of the study was to increase the speed learning by using the essential oil of rosemary th a few other floral oils blended together. This bma increased learning and retention in students up to 54 percent. If these findings can be dupli- ed, the implications for education are staggering. 2 co FR B. Fh PER Be £8 ER trmigcgcng The crucial factor is using the same scent in each session during the learning, memorizing, and recalling, It is not too a hard to imagine a future in which our chil- dren are exposed to aroma in the classroom, but where will those scents be derived from—natural or chemical bases? We are already exposed to pollutants in the water and air. And then there are pesti- cides, hormones, and chemical air fresheners, cleaners, and toiletries to consider. At some point we must say “too >, “ > > 2 J r ch chemical influence.” Todav’s classr today’s classroom, you can enhance your natural ability to truly do your best with this school year. For more information on Wild Rosemary and other things that smell nice and are on sale, visit . requires therapeutic aromatherapy to enhance mem- ory, attention spans and learning. In the case of aroma-psychology, we are stand- ing on the edge of new concepts for health care, education, and emotional well-being, where there is reason to suggest we take the natural route. By adding something that can be found in nature to Ret Merreee ltl