Champagne corks flying across crowded rooms of people singing
“Auld Lang Syne” marked the start of another new year
early last Wednesday.
With the beginning of 2003, students are making their way back
to campus and have their own personal expectations for the year, as
well as fears for the state of the world.
“War will have an effect on our society and our economic
well-being,” said third-year history student Michelle
Aleixo.
Aleixo’s view on the effect war would have on the United
States, as well as her own personal conflict between pro-war and
anti-war sentiment, is not uncommon among students.
“I wish that there wasn’t a need for war but,
realistically, I can understand why we need to protect our
interests,” said Aleixo.
Marisol Felix, a fourth-year English student, took a definite
stance against the United States going to war this year.
“I think there are ridiculous causes to go to war,”
Felix said.
Though opinions on global conflict and terrorism are apparent
across campus, some students do not feel that the conflict will
personally affect their year.
“It hasn’t affected me thus far,” said Navneet
Dhaliwal, a third-year electrical engineering student.
Attitudes toward war often centered on the feeling of detachment
toward the conflict, and a lack of interest in predicting its
unfolding during 2003.
“I can’t go through each day wondering what’s
going to happen,” said second-year economics student Kathleen
Chu.
Hopes for the future in terms of student life are also being
taken into consideration as some students resolve to make 2003 a
better year, while others focus on the present and try not to make
predictions.
“I try to keep my mind free from resolutions.
There’s too much pressure (involved in) resolving to do
something,” said Boris Dralyuk, third-year Russian language
and literature student.
Other students, like Felix, echoed this sentiment, but for
different reasons.
Felix made a point of forgoing resolutions because she believes
there is nothing she needs to improve upon.
Though Felix does not have any resolutions this year, she has
hopes that 2003 will bring career development as she runs for a
city government position, she said.
Other students focus on developing in terms of academics and
study habits, expecting better grades and increased dedication to
their classes.
“Because I’m a procrastinator, I try to pull (my
grades) up at the end of the year,” said third-year history
student Michelle Aleixo.
Aleixo said she follows a pattern common to many students,
noting her study habits improve as the year moves along.
Fifth-year sociology student Long Nguyen also strives to do well
during spring quarter because he knows that he will have a better
summer with the knowledge that, in the end, he accomplished his
goals.
“I try to make up for all of my past wrongs,” Nguyen
said.
Kathleen Chu sees the middle of the year as ideal for academic
success.
“In the beginning, you’re trying to get used to
everything, and in the end you’re just tired,” Chu
reasoned.
Chu is one of many first- and second-year students who are still
testing out the waters in terms of majors, hoping to make a
decision this year. She said her plan is to take a range of
different classes in order to get a better idea of what various
majors offer.
Academics are a major part of student life, but personal goals
also play a part as students look ahead and make plans for the
year.
A common personal goal was for students to make time for
themselves as well as for their friends.
With global conflict, social lives and academics to deal with,
students have enough to think about and anticipate for the year.
One thing they can expect for sure is change.