CSUSB's transition to the semester system in the midst of a pandemic has brought upon mixed feelings. As the fall semester comes to an end, a professor and a few students share how they endured the transitions. Brandon Johns, a full-time lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, sees semesters as something he will have to get used to. Johns says, “I like quarters because I like the quicker pace of a 10-week term.” Because of the added five weeks, Professor Johns has found himself having to assign more homework, causing him to be swamped with grading. Along with the added weeks, the transition to online has been a challenge for him to keep students engaged and interested in the course … [Read more...] about Opinion: Looking back on CSUSB’s transition to semesters
Advice: Six tips and tricks for finals week
We are nearing finals week, Yotes! Here are some tips and tricks to help you survive the coming week. Know your finals' schedule Take an extra look at your syllabus and make sure you have the correct dates and times for your finals. Something this simple can help ease the stress and help keep you organized. Study time Set time aside so you can review any test material at your own pace. Create a study schedule and decide on a time and day to take your finals. Study for your first test first and set priorities. Allow yourself some breaks but don’t get too carried away. According to Neurosciencenews.com, “In a study of healthy volunteers, National Institutes of Health researchers … [Read more...] about Advice: Six tips and tricks for finals week
Vox pop: How has social distancing affected your friendships?
Students at CSUSB were asked to reflect on how the pandemic has affected their friendships. Alex Hernandez, Biology major, Junior “So for me personally, I definitely 'ghosted' or lacked in communicating with friends mainly because of all the mental stress I went through trying to handle work, school, and other obstacles all during a pandemic. I don’t really think people understand the idea that keeping up with your friends during all of this honestly takes a lot of work and, I guess in a sense, drains you a bit. It’s not that your friends personally drain you, but more of the fact that it’s mentally draining having to juggle so many responsibilities on top of trying to handle your … [Read more...] about Vox pop: How has social distancing affected your friendships?
Opinion: Positive vaccine updates don’t mean we are out of the woods yet
While Pfizer Inc. states the COVID-19 vaccine is said to be 90% effective, pharmaceutical company Moderna also published preliminary results claiming 94.5% efficacy of their vaccine against COVID-19. Moderna's vaccine does not require minus 70-degree Celsius for storage, thus, it can be stored and moved in a more affordable way. With this news definitely being worth celebrating, it is not the time to take COVID lightly, but time to buckle down and wait for the vaccine. The virus has already killed over 1.3 million people globally, and cases are still continuing to rise. While the feeling of living alongside COVID is still there, we must also get through flu season and winter without … [Read more...] about Opinion: Positive vaccine updates don’t mean we are out of the woods yet
Mental health resources available for student athletes amid game cancellations
As college athletics around the world have been affected by COVID-19, CSUSB faculty look for ways to help their athletes with their mental health. To most, the cancellation of sports last spring and this fall came at a surprise and disbelief. On August 5, the California Collegiate Athletic Association released this statement regarding fall sports: “Yesterday, the NCAA Division II Presidents Council announced the cancellation of 2020 fall championship events after it was determined to be untenable from an administrative and financial perspective, due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this news, the conference is still looking ahead to the potential of all sports having the … [Read more...] about Mental health resources available for student athletes amid game cancellations
Touchdown on this jalapeño popper dip
As the 2020-2021 NFL season begins and the pandemic continues, tailgate parties are considered unsafe to take part in. Even if it's not encouraged to host a lot of people, that doesn't mean you can't have fun in the kitchen. Have fun with this football season with this jalapeño popper dip recipe! First you'll need these ingredients which I have listed below: 10 slices bacon 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened 1/3 c. mayonnaise 1/3 c. sour cream 1 tsp. garlic powder 2 jalapeños, minced 1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar 1 1/2 c. shredded Monterey Jack Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper This recipe can feed four to six people and preparation time is only 30 … [Read more...] about Touchdown on this jalapeño popper dip
Continuation of virtual learning amid the shift to the semester system
Students faced two challenges before the Fall 2020 semester began: virtual classes and conversion to semesters from quarters. Online classes were an option pre-COVID, but have now become mandatory for many classes. Students have missed the ability to physically socialize with past and new classmates. Brenda Salas Melgoza, a junior and transfer student, says, “I’ve had online classes before so I’m used to it but it is way different with the pandemic since I can’t socialize much.” Even though Melgoza previously took online classes, she feels as if this time around she can't have that much of a life outside of school. On the other hand, some don’t mind the conversion. Melissa Loera, who … [Read more...] about Continuation of virtual learning amid the shift to the semester system