LIU Post Student Magazine Bottom ine the September 26, 2012 NICKI MINAJ LYRICS IN MERCY STARTS PROBLEMS Foreign Student Spotlight Tina Kasin talks about her transition into LIU Post Top 3 #LIUPOST instagram of the month Photo Credit: fanpop.com NOTE TAKING OF THE FUTURE! New App called “Notability” might in fact be replacing notebooks in our future Flags 10 Red in a Relationship TIPS FOR SUCCESS 10 Tips for Seniors during their transitions from college into the real world 2 To Our Readers... A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers, It’s that time of year again, back to school time! “Welcome back!” to all returning students and a very special welcome to our new students. Yes, I agree, the summer did in fact; “fly by,” but I would probably say the same thing about life in general. We all might as well face reality and realize that summer is G-O-N-E. But, if you don’t want to face reality, I’m sure the fact that it is freezing out, will help you. One of the pivotal milestones in a student’s life, whether it’s kindergarten or college, is the mixed anticipation of embarking on a new school year. It is a marked sense of moving forward and a chance to begin again with new teachers, books, and classes. Yes, new beginnings are scary at times, but isn’t the best part of life; Not knowing what the future holds? We should all be attempting to get back on track at this point. Before we know it, its going to be mid semester and we are going crazy over midterms and then Christmas break is right around the corner. Time always seems to fly by much quicker when you are working hard, but don’t lose track of time, because you cant never get it back! In other words, don’t waste time by procrastination and pure laziness! Strive for greatness this semester, because it all pays off in the long run. Time does really does move at the speed of light; don’t you all remember those bittersweet days of shopping for school supplies with your parents? Now we dread the simple task of looking up how much our textbooks are. The future of this school year is unknown, yet there are so many possibilities, so work hard, because our best introduction in life is our work. This year, The LIU Post Student Magazine, The Bottom Line, will come out monthly, with a total of 3 issues each semester. The magazine will talk about current events in the world, new trends, student opinions on the election, student spotlight, relationship advice, and ideas for the Fall and Winter holidays. Anyways, the bottom line is that I wish everyone the best for this semester and hope your enjoy the first issue of the newly designed Bottom Line. CONT RIBU TORS CHANEL TIFFANY BACCHAS ANDREW MORALES ASHLEY LILLY KHADIJA GREENIDGE TINA KASIN COPY EDITOR: CHANEL TIFFANY BACCHAS LAYOUT EDITORS: KIARA BRAITHWAITE JACKIE ZUCH Sincerely, Christina “Chrissy” Morgera Editor-in-Chief The Bottom Line “One single factor that controls our life all the time is attitude.” -M.S. Soni- Copyright © 2012 The Bottom Line, All Rights Reserved. All materials in The Bottom Line are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published, or broadcast without prior written permission of The Bottom Line. 3 Tips for a Successful Senior Year “S BY: CHANEL TIFFANY BACCHAS enioritis” is the senior’s unwarranted fatigue. Whether you have received your acceptance letter for graduate school or employment is “secure,” nothing is set in stone until your undergraduate career comes to an end. As a freshly minted graduate student, I have traversed through the jungles of admissions and financial aid. Applied and interviewed for jobs post- college. Corresponded with undergraduate professors. Attended numerous networking events. Upon reflection, I recommend the following as an outline for collegiate success and assimilation into the “real world.” It is complemented by advice from Bonnie Kerrigan Snyder, author of The New College Reality and the writers of Getting the Best out of college. The outline is divided into three sections, Pre-Graduation, Preparation for Graduate School or Employment, and PostCollege Assimilation. In the Pre-Graduation phase, it is your job to finish college with a career aligning profile. This means it is imperative that the restraints of the renowned “senioritis” are broken. Even if you have been granted admission, matriculation is contingent upon your final GPA. Snyder points out that “Today’s young adults are facing one of the most overheated college markets ever, while simultaneously confronting some of the worst employment prospects in American history” (p.14). Therefore, it is more important than ever to increase your chances. Create a hefty resume in relation to your professional prospects to become more marketable. This can be done by participating in activities, doing community service, and studying abroad. After researching graduate programs and scholarships, contact admission counselors. Utilize personal, academic, and professional resources for job shadowing opportunities. The Division of Student Success on the second floor of Kumble Hall will assist you in career counseling. Remember to complete the exit interview for your loan(s) in April. If you have a source of income, then set up a payment plan with creditors. This will figure positively for your credit score. Preparation for Graduate School or Employment involves academic, professional, and social strategies. “The real value in thinking ahead is not in developing some detailed and rigid blueprint that actually charts your course. Rather, it is that in developing that plan (or plans!) you go through a series of steps – self-inventory, self-discovery, exploration – that stand you in good stead whatever happens” (p. 258). Getting the Best Out of College Prior to resuming your education, one must develop an academic strategy. The admission procedure for graduate school is similar to undergraduate, except the stakes are higher. During your “free time,” assemble a portfolio filled with your best work, academic and professional resumes, and sealed envelopes enclosing transcripts and references. Begin studying for the entrance exams relative to your program of interest. FYI, most programs require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). For your professional strategy, you should set up professional profiles on websites like Linkedin and Monster. Use those avenues to advertise yourself. Scout for mentors at networking events or through internships. “When you apply…for a job, you are the product that you must convince other people to select...You must demonstrate that you have something compelling to offer that the other options do not (p.54).” The New College Reality Develop a leisure strategy, but keep it short and sweet. Your time is expensive. Apply to jobs and study even during your time of relaxation. Your graduation is a momentous accomplishment, so I highly recommend that you celebrate your intellectual cultivation. Post- College Assimilation includes adjusting to professional life, graduate school, living at home or independently, and fulfilling financial responsibilities. Work and class schedules differ. Work requires professional attire and normal waking hours such as up at 7am and down at 10pm, while campus life asks that you are at least clothed and allow you to operate like a zombie. An advanced degree is an excellent idea, if you are passionate and disciplined. The course work demands set and ample studying, research, and analysis. Stay ahead of the class schedule and readings to become eligible for graduate assistantships and scholarships. Every day of class is similar to a networking event because your professors and peers will become your colleagues. Take advantage of this opportunity to dissect knowledge from your department faculty. Also, start thinking about that thesis. “Graduate school would be… a strategic investment. Well-chosen and well timed, it has huge payoffs. Poorly chosen or poorly timed, it’s a waste of money and, even more precious, time.” Getting the Best Out of College. Whether you will live at your parent’s house or independently, it will be an adjustment. Snyder sheds light on the emerging class of young adult graduates retreating to the nest. The “lost generation” is an American term for recent graduates living at home. England refers to them as “KIPPERS,” “Kids in Parents’ Pockets Eroding Retirement Savings.” It would behoove you to handle your financial responsibilities as soon as possible. Contact a financial adviser to aid you in creating a budget. Decisions must be made; either you get a job and begin loan repayment or attend graduate school and defer it. Life is comprised of experiences that form a fundamental imprint on you. Your actions and attitude determine or undermine future advancement. Seniors, you are young intellectuals surpassing perceived limits with the same determination it took to survive college. After college, will you be a well acclimated “KIPPER” or an employable brand? Notability, another excellent note taker for the iPad BY: ANDREW MORALES When I first got my iPad, I wanted to be able to use it for everything. I wanted to use it for movies, music, online surfing, and productivity. But how can you be productive on a device that offers so much entertainment? All you need is an external keyboard and a note taking app called Notability. Notability, by Ginger Labs Inc., gives you the ability to take organized notes on your iPad. It is the #1 app for taking notes and one of the 10 apps in the app store for over a month. Currently, it is on sale for $1.00 and 80% off for a limited time, so I suggest you hop to it. With Notability, you can take notes, add figures, graphs, draw, add links, highlight, and even record lectures. The app also includes spell check, undo- redo and an eraser. It allows you to personalize your notes in so many ways. You can change the background paper, font, and color of almost anything. If you like to write your own notes, the stylus will transcribe like a fountain pen. For easier writing, the app has a feature where you write in a zoomed in box at the bottom of the screen. When the text gets to the end of the box, it shifts over to the right like a typewriter so you can write more. Very impressive! The app also features scissors that let you take things that you drew or wrote, and put them anywhere else. The quality of the record feature is quite extraordinary. It even gives you the ability to edit the recording and take notes while recording. Also, you can tap anywhere you took notes, and the recording will jump to the point of time when it was written. I have found this option to be very useful. The app is simple and streamlined. It lets you do what you need to quickly and without limiting your creativity. But how is the organization? It is easier and faster than an actual notebook. There are two organizing options, subjects and categories. The subject is comparable to the actual name of the class, and then you make categories under it labeled homework, classwork, and notes. Once categories are created you just tap them and... continued on Page 6... Screenshot of Notability on IPad App. Photo by: Christina Morgera 4 NICKI CAN’T VOTE “Registration exposed, Rapper Nicki Minaj Can’t Vote for Romney?” Earlier this week Nicki Minaj surprised members of BOTH parties by endorsing Republican Presidential Candidate, Mitt Romney in Lil Wayne’s new song Mercy. “I’m more Republican, voting for Mitt Romney/You lazy b*tches is f*ckin’ up the economy” I BY: KHADIJA GREENIDGE n addition to the internet, television and billboards focusing on the upcoming elections, the music industry has become involved in politics as well. It appears that Young Money rap star, Nicki Minaj, has expressed her political views in “Mercy,” a song on Lil Wayne’s mix tape Dedication 4. In this particular rap piece, Minaj stated “I’m a Republican voting for Mitt Romney, you lazy [expletive] is [expletive] up the economy.” Her choice of words has caught the attention of several newspapers, blogs, and political figures. On Monday September 10, 2012, President Barack Obama made an audio appearance on Orlando, Florida’s Power 95.3 to air his opinion about Minaj’s rap. When asked about the rapper’s controversial statement, Obama said, “I think she had a song on there — a little rap that said that, but she likes to play different characters, so I don’t know what’s going on there.” Immediately after, one of the radio hosts jokingly stated “That was probably Roman who did it.” The two were making reference to Minaj’s alter-ego, the ever popular Roman Zolanski. Through the radio show, it was clear that Obama does not take offense to the statement; he brushed it off as a simple rhyme in a rap. Soon after the radio show, Minaj replied to the President’s response on Twitter saying “Ha! Thank you for understanding my creative humor & sarcasm, Mr. President, the smart ones always do... *sends love & support*.” Quite frankly, Minaj seems to be begging for publicity with this one. Does she support Obama, and rap “sarcastically” about Republicans helping the economy? Or was it Roman? The world will never know. Some people have expressed both their political views and opinions of her music with…extremely expletive-filled messages. Anonymous tweets photographed by allhiphop.com included threats stating, among other things: “Someone please kill Nicki Minaj” and “If Romney wins, I hope you die.” Fellow hip-hop artist Talib Kweli posted, “I doubt Nicki seriously supports Romney. Her lyrics ain’t political. She just wants y’all to talk about her & she winning cuz it’s working!” Oh darn, we fell into her trap! Apparently, none of it matters since the Harajuku Barbie is not registered to vote in the upcoming election under any of her personas; not even her birth name, Onika Tanya Maraj. It is mind boggling that a twentynine year old multimillionaire rapper has not fulfilled this civic duty, especially after living in New York, California, and Georgia. Some even question if she’s an American citizen yet, being that she came to the states from Trinidad on a temporary “vis-ay” (Also stated on the Mercy mix). Seems this song has Ms. Minaj’s hands tied; perhaps now she will register online to vote in the November 2012 election! Photo Credit: fanpop.com 5 Where’s10 the Peace? Red Flags in a Relationship BY: ASHLEY LILLY It happens. You meet someone new who catches your eye, and it is instant fireworks. You get caught up in a bubble of romantic bliss, and everything is perfect. However, sometimes the smoke and mirrors of new love can blind us to the warning signs, “red flags,” that pop up along the way. The red flags will be pulled from theredflagcampaign.org and askmen. com, sites that are geared towards women and men, respectively. The advice may be attributed to either gender. Hopefully, they will help you to know what to look out for in your own relationships. First red flag is if the person you are dating “tries to isolate you, and control whom you see or where you go.” If the person you are with tries to keep you from spending time with friends or expresses jealousy toward your affiliations with the opposite sex, then this is a sign that the person is controlling, which is not healthy for any relationship. Second red flag is if the person tries to tell you “how to dress or act.” If a person wants to be with you, then he should not try to change you. You deserve to be with someone who will accept you for who you are. Third red flag is “if you feel afraid to break up with him.” Naturally, relationships involve commitment, and if you are afraid of commitment itself, then that is something Chris Brown and Rihanna showing peace signs yet, they have a hisotry of domestic violence in you need to work through for your own sake. their relationship. to know her, like you have. Still, if many of your close relations However, if you do not want to break up with disapprove, it might be a good idea to hear them out. Don’t let someone simply because you are afraid of their reaction, then it is their opinions rule your choices, but don’t be so blinded by love a sign that you do not want to be in this relationship. that you ignore a different perspective. Fourth red flag is “if the person is physically rough with you.” Third red flag is if the person tells you they are “all you’ll ever It may seem obvious that, if someone abuses you physically, you should end the relationship with them. However, for those who are need.” If the person you are with wants you to put your life and your dreams on hold, so that you can focus only on them, this is in abusive relationships, it is not always so simple. If the person probably not a good sign. This is suggestive of a person who is you are dating lays a hand on you, you need leave him. No matter possessive and controlling, and probably not someone who you how much he begs you or promises you he will change. Go out, will want to be with in the long run. and find someone who will treat you with respect. The fourth red flag is if she is “crazy obsessive.” If your Fifth red flag is if “you find yourself being depressed or girlfriend is constantly texting you to find out where you are, who unhappy.” Trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, trust yourself. Following your heart might just keep it from get- you’re with and what you are doing, then you probably have a very controlling and jealous person on your hands, which is never good. ting broken. Fifth and last red flag is if your girlfriend tries to push her Okay, guys, your turn. Here are five red flags that your relationopinions over on you. For example, if she doesn’t like someone or ship is in danger. something, then it automatically means, in her mind, that you don’t The first red flag is if “she looks over your shoulder while like it either. Relationships aren’t about adopting the other person’s you check your e-mails,” and if she reads your text messages, or opinions; it’s about two sides coming together in harmony. eavesdrops on your conversations. All of these things are a sign Obviously, no one is perfect. If you are dating someone, you are of mistrust and possessiveness. Neither of those things are a good bound to find flaws here and there. Remember this is reciprocal. foundation for any relationship. The important thing is to be able to tell the difference between a Red flag number two is if “all of your friends hate her.” Sometimes, your friends and family will judge the person you are dating normal human imperfection, and a potentially damaging form of behavior. Good luck! simply because of her unique style and unrealistic dreams of being a famous rock star, and maybe they haven’t taken the time to get Photo Credit: take40.com 6 continued from Page 3... hit create new note. Then, you get sent to a blank page with the subject, time and date already put in. So you can easily have all of your courses’ content in one app! Notability also features a search option. You’ll never lose track of the notes you took using this app. But how do you get to your notes once you finish them? Notability has made it especially stress-free to retrieve notes in different formats. You can email them as pdf, paper, and recording formats. I recommend the drop box. It’s like icloud for your notes. Once you take a note, it automatically appears in your drop box folder in seconds. This makes it simple to take notes and transfer them to any computer. So, you can print them or further edit them on Microsoft Word or Pages. The Verdict: Notability deserves the praise it has gotten and is definitely one of the most useful apps out today for college students. + Easy to use + Room for customization and personalization + Strong Organization + Only costs $1 Drawbacks: After using the app to take notes since my first class this fall, I haven’t really encountered any problems or complaints with the app. The only time something bad happened was when I recorded 40 minutes into a lecture and the app crashed, deleting the recording in the process. To prevent this, the app has a stability mode in the settings that limits some features for improved stability. Closing Comments: If I were to add anything to Notability, it would be a special MLA format. It’s so convenient and easy to use that I wrote this very article using Notability. Foreign Student Spotlight Norway to New York BY: TINA KASIN O n a cold morning in February 2011, I found myself seasonally depressed. It was time to do something completely different from the life I was living at that moment. I asked my best friend, Google, if he had any information about studying abroad, preferably in the U.S. He said, “Yes, check out this website.” So, I did. A couple of weeks later, I received an acceptance letter and scholarships. Before I knew it, I was enrolled at Long Island University. After the flight was booked, I made a pit-stop in Las Vegas for a few days. Then, I attended the international student orientation. When I looked around, I saw mostly Asians and Scandinavians. Interesting...They all seem awesome, so I quickly accept it. I’m excited and ready for my American college experience to begin. It started well, and during the first week of school I attended a college frat party. My first thought was what am I supposed to wear? I spotted people wearing sweatpants. My second thought was do we actually drink out of those red cups? Fall 2011 Centeral Park I felt like I was starring in an “American Pie” movie. A flurry of events crowded my appointment book. Homecoming weekend was spent watching a football game, and tailgating. I changed roommates. I joined a couple of clubs. At my first NFL game, I wore an oversized jersey. On Halloween, I dressed up as a Police officer. In Illinois, I celebrated Thanksgiving with an American family. I did my Christmas shopping in the streets of New York City and mingled at various night clubs. I went to an Army-Navy football game. I visited Six Flags. Every single weekend became another adventure. I earned As in every class. I thought to myself, I did a good job this semester. Overall, I met a lot of awesome people. Although, I enjoyed my experiences in New York, a Christmas break in Norway, a familiar surrounding with friends and family, was needed. Photo by: Tina Kasin Now, it’s September. I’m looking out my window and rain is pouring as if running away from the sky. The fall of 2012 is already stalking us, getting closer with each day that passes. Those were my experiences from last year, and nothing has changed, except that I don’t feel like I’m on a honeymoon anymore. In fact, I feel more relaxed and assimilated. I know where my place is…Most of the time, at least. Watching the new arrival of students, I identify with their excitement. You can also tell by their Facebook-pages, which are being frequently updated with statuses and joyful pictures. I wish them all the best. In a couple of months, we’re probably going to see them “Americanized” in flip-flops, hoodies and knee-high socks, which are college fashion statements I observed, a different story I’ll get into another time… Post History 7 Classic Pictures of LIU Post from our Student Newspaper Archive Quotes from our Post Historian, Ken Mensing! LIU Post was purchased in 1947 from Marjorie Merriweather Post, daughter of cereal magnate Charles William Post, in order to accommodate returning WWII veterans. By the fall of 1955, we had 14 faculty members and 219 students and was on the way of becoming a well-respected educational institution. Fun fact: LIU Post is the only Long Island University campus to be named for a person, rather than a location. Some point in the middle 80’s on The Great Lawn, while President Reagan is President. A student holds a sign saying “I’m coming home Mom” while a student on the right wears a Reagan face mask. . ble Hall of Kum was build k c a b e Library ted in th mp was loca artz MemorialLaws, so the ra y r a r b li w t h p s c r m S fi a r is R Ou andicap e B. Dav When th, there was no H980’s. in 1969 build in the 1 was only [Late 1970’s had on cam ] Here are some of o ur pus in one o f the compu first computers we ev er ter labs in th e library. There use to be a bar in Hillwood Commons called Rat” which was made in 1974, along with the rest , “The wood Commons. “The Rat” closed down in the of Hillmid 1990’s after a riot broke loose inside the bar. Phi Beta Sigma, a fraternity that was once offered on campus, in front of our Radio Station, WCWP, located behind Hillwood Commons. 8 Monthly Horoscopes Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Courtesy of: www.savannah.com/horoscope-october-2012 Estimate your personal worth, as well as financial, and see if you are able to make things balance. If you are found wanting, do something about becoming solvent once again. You would be well advised to seek medical advice about a serious problem. Office politics are definitely not your game and you should avoid playing such a game. Instead, select the most honest of you companions and back him to the hilt. Pisces (February 19- March 20) Problems of a financial nature are not as insurmountable as they seem. Seek good advice and then weigh it carefully before striking out on your own. Do not allow others to influence your convictions on moral issues, simply because it would make things neater and easier. On any tough question, the thing that is hardest to do is generally the thing you should do. Aries (March 21- April 19) Let someone close to you know exactly how you feel about him or her. This is particularly important if there is an adulation on your part. Maybe things won’t work out — but they certainly won’t as long as you keep quiet. Expect proper conduct out of your subordinates and you will get it. A financial opportunity could wither away if you hesitate too long. Taurus (April 20- May 20) A last-minute trip to far away places could be just what the doctor ordered. Excitement and, very probably, romance could well be the result — but only if you let things move at their own pace. Now might be a good time to begin a serious savings plan. If you wait until all your debts are paid before you begin, you will probably never save anything — and you’ll probably never be out of debt if you don’t. Gemini (May 21- June 20) A serious and quite disturbing love affair could begin for you now if you respond to the stimulus now being waved before you. If you are free and unattached, it might well be worth riding the whirlwind — because that is what it is likely to be. If already committed, make sure that this is what you really want, because it will probably cause a breaking of all old ties. Cancer (June 21- July 23) Getting to the bottom of a mystery may not be as pleasant for you as you think. Sometimes it is best to let sleeping dogs lie. In dealing with fellow workers on an important business deal, don’t allow others to speak for you, especially when the responsibility is yours alone. Keeping commitments may be a chore, but failing to do so could damage your reputation. Leo (July 24- August 22) An upturn in your personal finances is definitely due and could come from a surprising source. Your best bet is to be totally honest and to hide nothing from those who may have a similar interest. If you lose, you won’t have lost your honor — and if you win, you win really big and there will be no carpers. Exercise your right to be heard in matters that are important to you personally. Virgo (August 23- September 22) You could gain an important and influential friend simply by speaking your mind and not allowing others to run roughshod over your or someone close to you. Spend a little time with a youngster or an old person who is close to you, even if it means making some personal sacrifices. Hours, not things, are important to those who love you. Libra (September 23- October 22) Maintaining the status quo may not solve your problems. You may be called upon to exhibit some independent thinking and some very positive action if you are to come out on top. In romantic affairs, keep things light and don’t go overboard with promises on the first date. Be extremely cautious when dealing with complicated machinery and don’t take unnecessary chances. Scorpio (October 23- November 21) Climb down from your high horse and write that letter you have been mentally composing for the last few months. If what you feel is real, you would be quite foolish to stand on ceremony. In office matters, make sure you keep your tongue from flapping concerning affairs that should remain private. A slip of the lip could sink more than a ship It could sink your plans for the future. Sagittarius (November 22- December 21) Romance blossoms in the strangest places, according to the poet, and you could find this out to your utter amazement — and delight. Business problems may seem less if you take time to walk around to the other side so you can gain perspective. The same could be true for a personal matter that has been plaguing you. Capricorn (December 22- January 19) Make sure that an old debt is paid in full before you go to the well once again. You might also do some serious thinking about your real desires and what it is you want to do with your life. If what you are presently doing is not making you happy — or at least contented — then why are you doing it? Take the advice of a friend seriously and give it a chance to work. TOP 3 #LIUPOST I N S TA G R A M S OF THE MONTH Hashtag “LIUPOST” on Instagram when instagraming around campus and you might be apart of The Bottom Line’s “Top 3 #LIUPOST Instagrams of the month” in next issue !