the place to go

Shane Dougherty

College Composition I

Ms. Bateman

3/1/11

The Place to Go

Want to get something to eat and tired of eating at the Student Center at Rowan, then check out PB’s Diner right off of route 47 on 500 Delsea Drive North, across from Burger King. It has everything for everyone and can meet all of your needs. For me, it’s an easy choice because when my Aunt and Uncle lived in Glassboro, my family and would go there often. Not only was the food always good but it also was a place where you share memories with your family. Now that I am attending Rowan University my family has come back to PB’s Diner, and it still has the true values that make it a diner.

Having lived in Audubon, NJ which is only twenty minutes away from Glassboro, my sister, mom and I would often visit my Aunt and Uncle. During our visits, the place we went to eat the most was PB’s because it was close and the food was good. PB’s also offered the quality of a diner, that was it offered a setting in which you were able to make memories. Unlike a fancy restaurant, where everything is businesslike, a diner like PB’s invites you to be who you are. My Aunt, a former Glassboro State, now Rowan University, student Kathy Lizzio said, “It was perfect. We took the kids there a lot. I have lots of good memories from that place.” Now a resident of Pennsylvania my aunt still remembers the fun times she had with her family at PB’s diner. Not only with us but also with just her husband and kids.

The idea that makes diners such a great place to go is they have both good food and welcoming settings, which reach out to everyone. According to Deena Yellin, staff writer for The Record from Hackensack, NJ the term “diner” refers to a diner for its, “hip look, homemade food, friendly atmosphere and 24/7 service.” These ideas are what set diners apart from regular restaurants. These qualities are what make diners unique. Yellin continues in her article “Diners Freshen Menu to Serve New Generation” published in 2005, that there are 2200 diners left in the United Sates, 500 of which reside in NJ, known as the diner capital in America. She goes on to say that even in NJ, the diner capital of America, they have lost “nearly ten percent of its diners the past decade.” So with all of these diners closing down due to changes in society PB’s diner continues to run. Some people question how a place like PB’s can continue to thrive while up against all these new fast food chains and places like such. The answer is simple; they must adapt like society is adapting. For example, Yellin believes in changing the menu to suit newer customers. So she says, “out went the meatloaf, and in came the salads, seafood, and steak.” However, it’s not just changing the menu it’s also changing the overall look of the restaurant. You have to make it more appealing to your younger customers while keeping it a diner. Currently PB’s is under renovations on half of its side in order to attract more customers, but to also keep the qualities that make it a diner.

Along with qualities of a diner one of the most important ones is having versatility while maintaining quality. Versatility, not only with the menu, but also with the occasions in which you can go there. Zach Grady, a senior at Rowan University believes, “PBs offers a friendly atmosphere; the perfect place to go on a first date.” One wouldn’t immediately think of PB”s as a place to go on a date but it can be if you need it to and that is what makes PB’s diner one of the best. However, versatility is nothing without quality. According to tripadvisor.com PB’s diner ranks fourth out of fourteen restaurants in Glassboro. So whatever your needs are PB’s diner is an excellent choice because of the qualities it has.

Regardless of what you want to eat or why you are going to PB’s diner is a great fit for all your needs and that is what makes it such a great place to go. Along with it being affordable and only five minutes away from Rowan University it’s the perfect place to go to get away from Rowan. All Rowan University students should take advantage of such a place being so close by, especially if they are getting tired of eating the same food everyday at the Student Center. PB’s can accommodate anyone and it has kept the qualities that make it a true diner, which is why it’s the perfect place to go.

Works Cited

“Diners Freshen Menu to Serve New Generation.” The Record Hackensack, NJ. Deena Yellin. Dec. 5, 2005. Feb. 25, 2011. www.northjersey.com. Newsbank access worldwide.

Feb. 21, 2011. “Trip Advisor”. www.tripadvisor.com.

Guide to the Boro - Best Pizza at Rowan

Colleen Nauss
Professor Bateman
CC1
3 March 2011
Best Pizza at Rowan University

At a very young age, almost all American children are introduced to pizza. It is easy to make, easy to eat, easy to clean up, and something about it appeals to people nationwide. One of the reasons this item is sold nationwide is because it can be made in so many different ways; from a fast food chain to a gourmet restaurant. Any topping can be put on pizza in order for it to fit specific taste buds. The “easy” factor behind pizza is why it is such a big food at colleges. College students are on their own for the first time and resorting to eating frozen/microwaved meals and also eating out. Ordering pizza is fast, easy, and fits right into a college student’s budget. At Rowan University, there are over twenty pizza places in the area, but Nick’s Pizzeria seems to be the overall favorite.
Food is typically a main topic on a college student’s mind. Since pizza is a food eaten campus-wide, finding a favorite pizza place may be on the top of a freshman’s to-do-list. There are many factors that come into play when choosing a favorite pizza place: taste, price, acceptance of BoroBucks, delivery, location, and closing times. Clearly these preferences change from person to person, but there is still a general consensus of what is most people’s favorite. I polled fifty students at Rowan in order to see what this consensus was. The students polled varied in age, gender, and living situations. Of the fifty students, thirty-four said Nick’s Pizzeria, eight said Cicontes, four said Papa John’s, and four said Dominos. Clearly, Nick’s Pizzeria was the overwhelming winner.
When Nick’s was the answer of about seventy percent of the team, it was clear that Nick’s had something that the surrounding pizzerias did not. I don’t think it was just because of the good taste, because any fresh cooked pizza will taste amazing compared to Ramen, EZ Mac, and the cafeteria. I think one of the main reasons that this polled so high is because they take BoroBucks. When choosing how to spend money in college, a student must be economical. Mainly, BoroBucks are put on a student’s Rowan card at the beginning of the semester along with the meal plan, so they are prepaid. For many, this is paid for by our parents, making it that much better to pay with it rather that our own cash. Nick’s Pizzeria is one of the only pizzeria’s nearby that accepts BoroBucks; Cicontes, Papa John’s, and Dominos do not. This may be a reason that Nick’s trumped any other pizzeria in the poll. For the people who do not have or run out of boro bucks and have to pay cash, Nick’s is still cheaper. It is simply $10 for a large pizza at Nick’s, while it is $12 at Cicontes. It is clear that cheaper pizza will win over “poor” college students as a whole, so Nick’s knows how to please.
Location also has a lot to do with picking a pizza place if you do not want to pay a tip and choose to pick up your pizza. Nick’s is located in a plaza on Delsea Drive, which is a three minute drive from anywhere on campus but you cannot walk there. Cicontes, on the other hand, is located on Rt 322 right next to Campus Crossings, Triad, and Beau. The students who live in these buildings have the option to walk here and save gas and tip money. The option of delivery is not a factor for any of the four pizza places that were given because they all deliver. This may have been why these three were chosen over some of the other ones nearby, but most of the pizzerias deliver because they know they need the college students’ business. Although location may not be a factor for all students, it is still important for some.
Closing time may also affect the favoritism of certain pizza places. College students are known to stay up all hours of the night, and during these hours they might be compelled to order pizza. This is when Dominos knew how to attract customers and keep them coming; they are open until 3am every night. Nick’s, Cicontes, and Papa John’s all close at 10pm, making it only available for dinner, not a midnight snack. This may be why four people chose Domino’s as they’re favorite pizzeria. Not for taste, price, or location, but simply because that’s the only place open when they order. If Nick’s is the overall favorite even when closing early, imagine how their business would skyrocket if they stayed open until 3am.
It is apparent that the sample size of fifty that I chose seems to be relatively comparable to the Rowan University campus body as a whole. I believe this because I chose to ask both Nick’s Pizzeria and Cicontes about how many pizzas do they average on a daily basis. I thought that this could show how others would clearly agree with the choice of the sample size that I polled. When asked this question, Nick’s manager estimated that they average 150 pizzas each day while Cicontes manager estimated only 100. Nick’s triumphed Cicontes in votes 4:1 and pizzas 3:2. By analyzing these statistics, one may come to the conclusion that the best pizza place on campus is Nick’s Pizzeria.
It is clear that pizza is a large part of college students’ diet, and the choice of what pizza depends on many variables. A pizza place that wants to have the best business must accept BoroBucks, deliver, be open late, be cheap, and last but not least taste good. According to fifty students from Rowan University, Nick’s Pizzeria is the best place to get pizza around campus. It fulfills everything the average students may desire in a pizza place. It is also apparent that such a diet is not only common to college students. Onion Skin Press calculated that there are 3 billion pizzas sold each year in the US; 350 slices eaten each second.





















References

N/A. "Pizza Trivia & Statistics." Your Guide To Pizza. Onion Skin Press, 2010. Web. 07 Feb.
2011. .
Manager at Nick's Pizzeria. "Pizza Statistics." Telephone interview. 7 Feb. 2011.
Manager at Cicontes. "Pizza Statistics." Telephone interview. 7 Feb. 2011.

What’s to do at Rowan?

Aliese Kurzawski
03 March, 2011
Assignment #01.

When students are choosing a college, there are many things that may come to their minds. While it is important for students to look at what the school has to offer academically, it is also very important to look into what the school has to offer socially. After long days of classes, it is good for the student to have some time for fun with their friends. Rowan University has a lot to offer its students- not only in an academic perspective, but also in the entertainment perspective, and this is crucial in choosing a university because every student needs a moment to relax and have fun to maintain a positive balance in their lives. Things like clubs, Rowan After Hours (RAH,) and Student University Programmers (SUP,) and our many off campus trips to New York City and Philadelphia are cheap, relaxing, and enjoyable things to do in the student’s free time.
Rowan University has plenty of activities that can spark an interest in the minds of all college students. The students can join a club that involves their major, such as the Sociology Club, Psychology Club, or things such as chorus and the dance team. Students involved in Public Relations may especially enjoy working with the Rowan Television Network. In clubs such as these, students get a chance to share ideas and do activities that enable them to delve more into the fields they want to work in. For instance, the Rowan Television Network has its own channel in the area where kids can make their own videos, edit them, and allow students and neighbors to view their hard work. Have a problem with Rowan? Want to have a say in events and important decisions? Another way of getting involved and stimulating your mind is by joining the Student Government Association (SGA.) In doing this, students go to mandatory meetings, voice complaints, and offer suggestions to the students and advisors on how we can improve.
If the student is one who enjoys helping others and their community, they may enjoy volunteering for a few organizations around the area. For example, the Glassboro Environmental Organization (GEO) works on service projects around the area to keep the campus and local area clean. This makes the environment friendlier for the animals and people. One of the many service projects is to try and limit the number of plastic bags used by making displays around campus. Another very important organization the university is involved with in the Emergency Medical Squad. The students who have emergency medical technician certification are allowed to earn volunteer hours for their graduation by staying on call and working to serve others.
An excellent way to make friends and maintain a positive balance in a college student’s life is by being active. At Rowan, there is a gymnasium where students can go to work out during the day. We have many recreational sports teams as well as competitive ones such as volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, football, and paintball (who would’ve guessed that?) Becoming a member of a sport’s team is a great way to stay in shape, make new friends, and keep yourself occupied and safe while away at a university.
Of the many activities that Rowan has to offer on the weekends, Rowan After Hours (RAH) has to be one of the best associations. Students often will say that they love these events because they are free, close by, and there are many enjoyable things to do their with friends to help build and maintain healthy relationships without drinking and going to the always overcrowded frat parties. In the article on the Rowan website the writer said, “RAH is designed to offer students social, cultural and interactive programs such as: comedy shows, all the latest video games, music and dance, novelties, inflatables, movies, photo activities, food, giveaways and so much more.” In other words- Rowan has plenty to offer its students to occupy themselves and have a good time. The school events last from 9P.M. to 1A.M. in the student center every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Some of the most recent things RAH has worked on to offer the students is a “Girl’s Night,” which includes facials, massages, and decorating your own mirror. They are also working with SUP to promote this year’s Profstock at the school- featuring acts such as Ludacris, Ke$ha, and LMFAO.
There is always something interesting going on at Rowan University. The students have easy access to events, clubs, exercise, and organizations they may not have had back home. They also have a greater variety of persons to communicate with, which makes the experience more interesting because the students are more passionate about what they are involved in. In closing, Rowan University is an excellent place for an active student to go to if they wish to maintain a healthy and well balanced lifestyle.


Works Cited
“Rowan After Hours.” Rowan University. Web. 02 Mar. 2011. .

Richard Wackar: Rowan's Humble Legend (Final Draft)

College Composition 1 Lee Hopkin
Professor Bateman 3/3/11


Richard Wackar: Rowan’s Humble Legend


On October 24th, 2009, Rowan University conducted a ceremony during halftime of the Buffalo State football game to rename its football stadium “Coach Richard Wackar Stadium at John Page Field.” Thirty-one years have passed since former Rowan coach Richard Wackar left his post, yet his legacy still resounds, more than warranting this honor. The irony of the situation is that Coach Wackar is the last person who would ever invite such recognition. For him, his time at Rowan was all about the service of others.
While Coach Wackar is most well known as the university’s seminal football coach, his legend began well before the reintroduction of the program. As described on the Rowan Athletics website, Coach Wackar’s career began at Glassboro State College in 1956 as a professor of health and physical education. During his first year on campus he assumed the duties of men’s head basketball coach. The following year he began an eight-year stint as men’s head cross-country coach. Coach Wackar’s head football coaching tenure did not begin until 1963, when he had to reinstate a program that had been absent since 1950. Incredibly, in 1965 Coach Wackar took on yet another coaching position as men’s head golf coach, going on to become the only man in NJAC history to win a conference championship in four different sports.
As a result of the Korean War and its conscription, Rowan was unable to field a football team beginning with the 1950 season. It was not until 1963, when Coach Wackar approached President Thomas E. Robinson, that Rowan football got its second chance. Unfortunately, Coach Wackar literally had to build the program from nothing. He was given a $5,000 sum to launch the program, but as he would later say in a Rowan football radio documentary, “that wasn’t a whole lot of money.” He was able to procure some equipment from the Manasquan Sharks, a defunct professional team, and rented a tractor for a day, at a cost of $100. He then proceeded to create his field, which he admits was not entirely symmetrical. As Coach Wackar recalls, “The field was three feet higher on one end to the other, but who would know the difference? Only us. And it was not exactly facing in the right direction.”
Aside from literally building the field and resuscitating the program, Wackar established the program over the course of seventeen seasons as head coach. The highlights during this span were five NJAC division titles, with four consecutive titles won from 1974 through 1977. His philosophy was the “Three yards and a cloud of dust” philosophy, meaning that he would run the ball relentlessly. An assistant under Wackar, and former Rowan head coach, Ted Kershner remarked in the same documentary that “We built a tradition of family . . . We also put a tremendous emphasis on the education. We wanted our kids to graduate.” Coach Wackar eventually went on to amass a record of 65-84-4.
As well known as Coach Wackar may have been in his time, and as well regarded as he is in many circles, I have found that his name is not recognized much among the student body. In an informal survey, I asked ten students if they had ever heard of Coach Wackar. Five of the students said they had heard of the name from the football stadium, but when asked to describe who he was, none of them could do so. When asked about the name Joe Paterno, current head football coach for the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions, four of the ten students were able to correctly identify him.
While many students today and in the future will never know Coach Wackar’s contributions to the university, or think of him in the same light as legendary coaches like Joe Paterno, Coach Wackar will never mind this. He is most content with the lives he has touched over the years and the changes he effected. Our current athletic director, Joy Solomen, said in the radio football documentary that “his former players love and support him and always will.” John Bunting, former Rowan coach, said “Richard Wackar is one of the greatest people I’ve ever known in my life. To this day I think of the things that he stands for. The way he coached people. The way he treated people . . . first class all the way.”
A prime example of how Coach Wackar’s humble nature was the ruse necessary to permit the university to name the stadium after him. The Gloucester County Times noted that when the decision was made to name the stadium in honor of Coach Wackar, current coach Jay Acorsi told Coach Wackar that he was going to ask a favor of him later, and for him to just say “yes.” When later came, Jay Acorsi asked Wackar the favor of allowing the stadium to be named after him. Normally Coach Wackar would not want the attention that the naming would bring, but he had promised Coach Acorsi that he would say yes to the favor. When the two men next spoke on the phone, Wackar is said to have called Acorsi a “little rascal.”
During the ceremony itself, Coach Wackar deflected the attention away from himself, preferring to praise those who had helped him succeed. Coach Wackar said “It’s not me. It’s the guys who played on some of the teams I coached. It really is a tribute to them. When I look up there [at his name on the stadium], I see their names, not mine.” Fittingly, Rowan won the game that day against Buffalo State University by the remarkable score of fifty-seven to seven.
Coach still shows himself to be an ordinary man of the people to this day, hosting tailgate parties on the field he constructed, what now serves as Rowan’s practice field. Here he provides friends, alumni, and faculty with coffee and sandwiches all at his own expense. On the exterior and in his own mind, Coach Wackar may be nothing exceptional, but the testimony of those he has touched says otherwise.

Activities to Ensure A Great Weekend at Rowan University (

Kelsey Woodward

27 February 2011

Composition I

Professor Bateman

Activities to Ensure A Great Weekend at Rowan University

According to the Glassboro Times, Rowan University, a public institution with approximately 12,000 students, is located in a suburban community of Glassboro with 50,000 residents. With such a large campus and surrounding area, Rowan is exploding with things to do. By Friday, I am dying to do something to get my mind off papers and exams. Fortunately, Rowan gives me a lot of intriguing options. Rowan University offers a variety of exciting student activities for every taste. In my opinion, some of the top things that you must check out are Rowan After Hours, bus trips to Philadelphia, activities located at the Rec Center, andStudent University Programming Events.

One of the best things to do on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night is to check out Rowan After Hours, which is located in the pit of the student center. It starts at nine o’clock and ends at one o’clock. This specific activity is designed to offer a mixture of social, cultural and interactive student events. According to a source Events include open mic, comedy show, inflatable’s, movies, game shows, bands, photo activities, food and so much more. “Rowan After Hours is a great way to meet new people and one of the best parts is it’s completely free!” Kelly Weber, freshman at RU, explains. If you are looking for a fun and cheap way to spend your night, this is a great option to check out.

If you are looking for something to do off campus, a great thing to check out is the shuttle bus into Philadelphia. According to the information desk, the shuttle bus leaves every Friday night at nine o’clock right near Rowan Boulevard and drops you off in Philadelphia. From there your options are endless. You can grab something to eat at a near by restaurant or buffet, go shopping at the outlets or even shop on Chestnut Street. If you’re into music, you could check out a concert at World Café live or the Trocodareo. If you are 21 and older, you could grab a drink at the popular McFadden’s. Just make sure to be back at the street you were dropped off at for the return at your choice of ten or midnight. This option is great way to get away from campus yet still be associated with Rowan.

If you’re like me, and during the week you do not have time to get a work out in, The Recreation Center is a great option on the weekends. The student Rec Center offers lots of diverse options. You can play racquetball, swim, join in on a work out class, hop on the treadmill or even play basketball. Also, if you are not ready to make the commitment to join a sport at Rowan, an intramural is a great option. If you check out the Rec Center tab on Rowans website you can see they offer numerous intramural teams to join. In the spring you can join basketball, wiffle ball, bowling, water volleyball, softball, indoor volleyball and finally soccer. If an intramural is still too much commitment you can join in on a tournament. The Rec Center offers various tournaments from dodgeball to basketball. Although some of these events do take place during the week, a majority of the time they take place over the weekend.

Another idea of things to do on the weekend is attend a SUP event. The Student University Programmers are a committee that brings different musicians, lecturers, and novelty acts to campus. There is a complete list of events on the SUP website, located on the Rowan website. Some of the events include trips to Blue Mountain, Phillies games and concert in New York City and Philadelphia. Most SUP events are located on campus, such as movies, which are located in the Ballroom. Others are located off campus, such as a day trip to Philadelphia. However, if the event is located off campus transportation is provided. SUP offers events not only on the weekend but also during the week. All SUP events cost money, however they are all discounted tickets. SUP is great way to attend events out of the normal.

There are so many different activities to get involved with on campus so there is no reason to sit at home on a Friday night. Hopefully some of these options have sparked an interest. Though these are the most common activities located on campus, there are still other options to get involved in. If you have any questions or need more exact times and dates of specific events, check out the information desk located on the main floor of the student center. The desk is open Monday through Thursday nine o’clock am to 7 o’clock pm and Friday 9 o’clock am to five o’clock pm.

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Coffee In The Boro

As I wake up hints of the intoxicating aroma of French Vanilla coffee fill my nostrils. It’s just what I need to get me out of bed. Do you need that caffeine fix to get you through the day? According to the study by The St. Petersburg Times, "two-thirds of Americans identifies themselves as coffee drinkers, and nearly half drinks at least one cup a day." If you're included in that two-thirds the coffee selection on or around campus may be what you are looking for. Here at Rowan, there are a couple different coffee hot spots to indulge your caffeine cravings, on campus and off. The part I look forward to most would have to be the variety of places and the unique drinks I can get to indulge any craving I may have.

Many of the on campus coffee spots have the same brand of coffee, Seattle's Best Coffee which really isn‘t a bad brand of coffee. Sodexo's menus provide all of the information about prices and items available. Cafe a la Cart (located in Robinson on the ground floor), Pronto Fresco (located on the first floor of the Education Building), the Market Basket (located on the bottom floor of the Student Center), and inside the Market Place (located at the top of the stairs connected to the Pit) are the areas provided by Rowan's food providers, Sodexo. Each coffee spot has whole milk, half and half, skim milk, and a variety of sweeteners. The coffee is available in two different sizes, 14oz ($1.75), 16oz ($1.95), or a refill ($1.40). You can pick up a fresh pastry or sandwich to go with your coffee, available at each of these locations.

A more exciting place to grab your daily cup of brew is located right in the middle of the Student Center, Jazzman's Cafe & Bakery. It offers its signature blends of coffee and espresso. In addition to its signature drinks, Jazzman's offers Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee. Jazzman's also offer hot chocolate, water, and various cold drinks. The pastries and sweets are delicious and come in a large variety they include, over-sized cookies, muffins, brownies, and much more.

One of the most popular on campus coffee spots is the Barnes & Noble Cafe that offers Starbucks products. They offer all Starbucks products. Their prices may be a bit high. However, they have promotions throughout the year that offer different drinks at reduced prices. You can find info about these promotions through your Rowan e-mail account. The lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos, frappuccinos, mochas, and more are wonderful. You can enjoy them at the tranquil cafe tables located to the left when you first enter the bookstore. It does take a little longer to walk to the bookstore but, the coffee is definitely worth it.

It may be hard to get to different coffee places not on campus if you don't have the means of transportation. However, if you happen to have a friend with a car there are some places that are worth trying out. Crescent Moon is located at 141 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062. They offer many different drinks at this exciting location. There are many signature drinks such as, Truffle hot chocolate, Italian soda, Truffle lattes, and Chai. Their frozen dreams (a 16 oz frozen drink) include Extreme Toffee Coffee, White Decadence, White Chocolate Symphony, and Vanilla Frost, all topped with whipped cream. Of course, there is regular coffees, teas, and smoothies as well. The specialty sandwiches and sweet treats are offered at an even greater variety. Roast Chicken Panini, Tuscan Mozzarella, Cosmic Grilled Cheese, and Asian Chicken Wraps are only a few of the many specialty sandwiches available. Bagels, muffins, scones, brownie bites, and pound cake are all available. You can also enjoy their sweets at the wonderful assorted homemade dessert bar.

Being as this is America, there are always fast food and convenience stores at your beck and call most of which serve coffee. Dunkin Donuts is located four minutes away at 658 Delsea Drive North. Generally their menu includes coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, and bagels; the fixings for an on the go pick-me-up. Of course, this is not the only place to stop. McDonald's is located at 656 Delsea Drive North. It is always there for you on the run and offer coffee, iced mochas, and iced frappes at their McCafe. I can not forget to mention the place I visit the most, Wawa. Although it may not have a drive thru and be as convenient the coffee is always fresh and hot. So no matter the situation you can always stop and grab a cup-of-Joe in no time.

At Casa De Coffee (located at 28 E Holly Ave) there are four types of coffee available: light roasted, dark roasted, flavored, and decaffeinated. Their iced coffees never get watered down. The ice cubes are actually frozen coffee. The frozen hot chocolate is equally as decadent. It is made with hot chocolate mix, chopped ice, and milk. Its coffee is from the Crescent Moon Brewing Company (the same company that supplies to the Crescent Moon Cafe). All cups are biodegradable and their products, vegan friendly.

College Students, in general, deal with pulling all-nighters, staying up late to talk and partying. To these students coffee could be a way to get them up and going. In a study by The St. Petersburg Times they found that “thirty-seven percent of coffee drinkers ages 18-24 drink the caffeine booster [coffee] to help them accomplish tasks, presumably after a late night on the town.” It is apparent that coffee is important to some students. The Coffee shops on and off our campus are always available when you need them most. So don’t hesitate to stop in and grab a drink!

Works Cited

Sodexo. "Locations & Menus." Rowan University Dining Services. Web. 09 Feb. 2011. .

Survey Says. "We'd Give Up A Lot To Keep Our Cups Of Coffee." St. Petersburg Times (FL) 04 Feb. 2007, Money sec.: 1D. Print.

Studying at Rowan University

Upon my second semester at Rowan University, I discovered the benefits of the Campbell Library. Previously, I would head back to my room to attempt to study and do my homework. However, I often found myself distracted by the modern technology surrounding me. It is a lot more interesting to log onto Facebook or watch the newest MTV reality show than study for an upcoming exam. Even though these minor activities seem harmless, they’re affecting college students everywhere in a negative way. These distractions create poor studying habits that can affect your grades. So instead of going straight to my room after class, I now grab a coffee and head to the library. I find myself being able to concentrate in the library because it’s quiet and free of distractions. I now visit the library at least three times a week, usually for three or four hours.
Study habits like visiting the library are crucial to college success. Many college seniors will say that they regret their freshman year because they were overwhelmed with excitement about their new found freedom. They focused too much on socializing and partying than they did on their academics. Good study habits can prevent this from happening to many incoming college freshmen. During their freshman year, students need to establish effective study habits that they can practice throughout their college career in order to be successful.
Time management is a key skill when attempting to study. College can be hectic, so it’s important for a college student to properly balance his or her time. According to “Learning to Study” by Herald News, the best way to arrange your time is to create a schedule. Students should organize their schedules to include not only studying, but time for extracurricular activities, leisure time, and time for social activities and functions. Schedules can be as detailed or brief as desired, or range from the day’s activities to the entire month. Some students find it easier to follow a schedule once they’ve created it because it helps them stay on task. Students should set up certain times during the day for studying and try to stick to those times. It will be easier to study and concentrate if students are in the routine of studying. “10 Habits of Very Successful College Students” by Fatcampus.com reports that studies have shown that studying two hours for every one hour of class is an adequate and successful duration for studying. However, if students find themselves no longer able to study or concentrate, they should stop. There is no use in studying if students are not retaining the information.
One major factor that helps to contribute to success in studying is to read the textbooks assigned for the class. They can also write in the book and take notes as they read. Some students find it helpful to highlight as they read, so they can go back later to study the key idea highlighted. Kimberly Lebb, a senior at Rowan, said reading the textbook helps her a lot. “After I read, I go back and take notes on the text, because writing things down helps me remember the material. It’s also helpful to have the notes for reference instead of having to search the textbook again.” Notes usually highlight the main points of the chapter. So instead of rereading the whole chapter before a test, notes can serve as a chapter outline or summary. Buying textbooks for class is extremely important and highly recommended by “10 Things College Freshmen Should Avoid in Order to Succeed” by The Times Union. Some students often share textbooks with a classmate or borrow the book from a friend. If students share textbooks, it can become a nuisance to switch back and forth the textbook with the other person. Borrowing textbooks can also become a problem if the person who is lending the student the book has an older edition of the book. The older book could have differences in page numbers and new, updated research and points crucial to the class. If students buy their own books, they have easy access to their book at any time. When students have their textbooks readily available, it is easier to study when it comes time for the test. Some students do not buy their textbooks because they do not use them in class. However, many teachers construct their tests based on both their notes given in class and the textbook.
While studying, it is extremely important to take breaks. As mentioned earlier, there is no use in continuing to try to study if you cannot concentrate. If students try to study all at once, they are more likely to exhaust themselves and are unable to concentrate. It is easier to study in portions than try to cram all at once. Cramming leads to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Rowan freshman Melissa Calabrese said, “I find I’m more prepared for a test when I study in advance, not just the night before. I begin studying each day about five days before the test, so then I know the material.” According to Carrie Fredrick’s “Learning to Study,” the average time span for one task is 20 minutes. It is a good idea to study a portion of text, take a break, and then move onto another portion. Students are encouraged to take breaks even if they are experiencing no trouble concentrating or enjoying their work. Fredrick advises students to reward themselves after studying or even on breaks. When students reward themselves for their hard work, they are reinforcing their behavior. A student is more likely to study and concentrate better if he or she knows there is a reward waiting after they accomplish their task.
A student’s environment is a huge contributing factor to successfully studying. Students should find a quiet, peaceful area to study. A noisy area or an area filled with people can be very distracting. It is hard to concentrate when there are so many things happening. An informal poll given found that most students at Rowan find the Campbell Library the best place to study. Rowan’s library offers four floors available to students, which accommodate every student. The library is open until midnight on school nights and until 5:00 PM on weekends. It is the perfect area to study and for students to do their homework if they cannot concentrate in their room. The library also offers books, magazines, and online databases, which make it easy for students to accurately research topics. Freshmen Bridget Comber and Kimberly Ryan prefer the third floor of the library. They both agree that the cubicles help with studying because students can isolate themselves and avoid distractions. Freshman Melissa Calabrese prefers the second floor. “The second floor of the library is quiet, but you can also speak to others in a small talk group,” says Calabrese. Each floor accommodates each student, and it is a great place to study at Rowan University.
While I find the Campbell Library the best place for me to study, it is important that incoming freshmen find the best place to study that suits their style. This environment should be quiet and free of distractions, such as the Internet, cell phones, and television. After accomplishing tasks, students should reward themselves with the distractions that they eliminated during studying. It is important to develop study skills that freshmen find effective for them in their first year. These study habits help to avoid being overwhelmed or losing sight of what is important in college. Practicing great study skills and methods throughout college not only help your grades for the semester, but they also lead to success in future careers outside of the classroom.


Works Cited
Frederick, Carrie. “Learning to Study.” Herald News. Newsbank. 31 January 1999. Web. 1
February 2011.
“10 Habits of Very Successful College Students.” Fat Campus. Web. 1 February 2011.

Lyon, Lindsay. “10 Things College Freshmen Should Avoid to Succeed.” The Times Union.
Newsbank. 24 September 2006. Web. 1 February 2011.

Revision: Residential Relief Versus Commuter Chaos

Alisha Donelson
Linda Bateman
College Composition I
February 5th, 2011
Revision
Residential Relief versus Commuter Chaos
Freedom, individualism, the hope for new friends, a new beginning-the four best years of your life are the desires of a new resident on campus. Security, frugality, normalcy and content- the thoughts of a commuter. The lives of residents and commuters throughout the ‘Boro are very obscure and different to one another. “How do you drive a half hour every day to class?” “How on this Earth do you deal with your roommate?” The students are separated into two different worlds- the residents versus the commuters.
The worlds of these two groups at Rowan both enrolled in the institution to gain higher knowledge. Commuters are expected to be able to come to class, office hours, and to stay for extra time after their already scheduled courses to finish projects. How do they arrive to classes on time? By leaving early and getting a good night’s rest. Living 45 minutes away, I wake up at six for my eight am classes, leave by 6:45 and arrive to the ‘Boro by 7:30. It’s a hectic schedule but it has to be done. Unlike residents who can go for the “roll-out-of-the-bed” technique fifteen minutes before class, brush their teeth and head out their door, commuters have to be exceptional time-managers. I interviewed my ex-roommate, Jessica, about the times she wakes up for classes. Jessica stated, “I get up about twenty minutes before class starts at 9:25, I brush my hair, my teeth and just wear my pj’s to class when I don’t feel like searching for clothes.” Residential buildings are located within walking distances of every classroom, the library and the eating services, making life a breeze when it comes to waking up on time for classes and meetings. During the fall semester, 2010, I stayed on campus at Rowan University to get a “feel for the college life” and when it came to classes my roommate and I would leave ten minutes before class and still have time to spare. Residential score one, commuters- zero.
Residents may have won that battle, but the fight of arriving to classes is not the war. The expenses of residential life versus that of commuters’ lies between the costs of maintaining a vehicle of transportation and the total cost of the dorms for first year freshmen. Commuters must contemplate the cost of new tires, gasoline, and other “wear-and-tear” on their vehicles. According to Rowan University’s website Financial office, residents must pay semester tuition for their placement in their resident halls, individual meal-plans, and other needs while away from home and their parents. The total cost estimated by Rowan University’s Admission’s financal office for the spring 2011 semester was $5, 079 for your basic fourteen meals per week meal plan, a double occupancy room and two hundred ‘Boro Bucks added onto your Rowan Card. Polling the residents of Mimosa Hall on the fourth floor, many of the candidates reluctantly indicated that if it were not for their homes being over the allotted amount of miles away from the university, they would commute as well to defer the total cost of the institution and hardships placed on themselves or their families, whereas when asked why they didn’t go to a school closer to home, most stated that, “I wanted to go to an accredited university, one that has my major and one that seemed like home for me”. If one were to compare this cost to the average amount of gasoline per semester of a typical commuter at forty-five dollars a week, the total cost reaches approximately seven hundred twenty dollars a semester. However, if you are a commuter, you must purchase an eighty dollar parking permit which brings your ‘ballpark figure’ to around a total of eight hundred dollars (this of course, excludes any emergency situations in both cases). Through this figure, you pay around eight hundred dollars verses well over five thousand to attend Rowan University. Which is more economical? Score, one all.
The two worlds of Rowan University are tied yet again, but this score doesn’t show respect to who is able to become more involved on the Rowan Campus. Getting involved on campus as a commuter maybe very intimidating, overwhelming and hard to fathom. Many clubs and student representative organizations have “hard to schedule times” if you are only on campus during the times that you have for classes- for most this is approximately an hour and fifteen minutes for each class. Those living on campus at any college or university are more apt to participate in school promoted events, clubs and teams. In a Canadian study of new friendships and adjustment among first-year University students, in-depth questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were conducted to review students' new friendships were conducted. Many students gain new friendships, new acceptance of others and are able to develop a sense of networking skills to take with them throughout and even surpassing their college days. The results of the Canadian study reported in the journal of Adolescent Research indicated “a significant positive relation between quality of new friendships and adjustment to university; this association was stronger for students living in residence than for those commuting to a university, Rowan University is no different. Those who are actively able to participate in clubs often have better standing over all. This brings the score to residents, two, commuters one.
Although the score may be two to one, commuters are able to remain relaxed in a home environment unlike the living conditions of “college life.” Rooming situations at home are often tough when it comes to siblings. Sharing a room, sharing closets, sharing the television, keeping the untidiness down to a minimum to avoid lectures from your parents; that’s the life commuters may face. However, when you’re living in on campus housing, the roommate that you’re assigned may not always be compatible with you. Family members are easier to communicate problems with and you’re more eager accept them for who they are, but living in the dorms of Rowan University you are faced with situations beyond your control when you are sharing a room with someone unfamiliar and vague to you; situations tend to be more complicated. Between roommates, suite mates and those sharing your hall, ground rules have to be settled, problems mustn’t go unnoticed, conflicts must be resolved otherwise during you’re entire stay In the ‘Boro will seem like an uncomfortable eternity. Rather by staying at home where you can talk things out without the fear of receiving the “silent treatment,” commuting is your best bet. Two to two sums up the score.
Whether you would like to gain independence, create new friends, start the process of breaking away from your parents and embracing new found freedom, or remain content saving money, dealing with family pressures and having the continuance of time always on your shoulders, there are benefits and downfalls to being both a commuter and a resident in the boro of Glassboro. Which is for you? Well you simply have to weigh out each benefit and downfall, each perk and consequence, no one can really tell YOU which you’d prefer more.











References
Buote, V. M., Pancer, S., Pratt, M. W., Adams, G., Birnie-Lefcovitch, S., Polivy, J., & Wintre, M. (2007). The Importance of Friends: Friendship and Adjustment Among 1st-Year University Students. Journal of Adolescent Research, 22(6), 665-689. doi:10.1177/0743558407306344
http://www.rowan.edu/adminfinance/bursar/tuitionfeesandrates.html

Starting it Off Right: How To Study in College

Sanjev Rajaram

Bateman

College Comp I

Essay 1

Draft#3

An Okay GPA Plus One Equals Four: How to Study in College

College is the final frontier; it’s going to be an experience unlike any other before. Freshman year is especially exciting with all the new friends to be made and fun to be had. Dr. Zake a coordinator of the Thomas. N Bantivaligo Honors Program at Rowan University states that research has shown the first semester of college has an effect on students that is comparable to culture shock. Indeed many students in their first semester of college get caught up in the partying, freedom and independence that college provides all the while neglecting their academics. It is important to come to terms with what college demands, most students will find themselves studying about forty hours a week which means they spend about three time the amount studying for a course in relation to how many hours that course meets on a day to day basis (for example if my chemistry course was an hour lecture I’d be studying outside of class for about three hours). It’s a fundamental of life that everything must have a strong base in order to stand. Freshman year is the time to develop good study habits. One’s GPA is expected to drop as time goes on due to the rigorous and challenging nature of higher level courses. So it’s best to excel in one’s first year courses to maintain a strong cumulative GPA, a student in the habit of studying will have an easier time with these more difficult courses. In Rowan University there are many resources available to help students create good study skills these include coaching which is available at Robinson Hall, Tutoring available in Savitz Hall, and seeing your professor during their office hours is not a bad idea either.

Balance is the key to success in college. To attain balance one must have good study habits and even better time management skills. According to “Studying 101: Guide to Studying in College” by Education-Portal.com students should plan early by making a study schedule as soon as they get their syllabus from their professors, this study schedule should be realistic and take into account meetings, leisure time and dates when projects or exams are due. Contrary to popular belief cramming or staying up till six in the morning to study does not improve results; as a matter of fact it does the exact opposite. Ever since I was in elementary school my father told me that studying systematically and routinely was the best way to learn because everything builds on one another. This has been proven countless times in my life often through the “hard way”. Research done by UCLA Professor Robert A. Bjork shows that eighty percent of college students never look back on material for a course they have completed. He also states that cramming is useless and the best method is to methodically study each day. From conclusions drawn from his extensive research he explains that the best way to study is by a process he dubs interleaving. Interleaving is the process of studying for a subject then going on to another then coming back to the first subject in order to see what you retained, it stimulates a lot of neurons in your brain meaning your mind won’t just chuck it out as one of the many million thoughts it discards per day.

Distraction is the root of all failure. If you want to retain all the information you are learning and apply it to your academics then you must be fully focused. Needless to say the best place to study is in a quiet well lit environment. In college the best place to do this is in the library. Rowan University’s library has many resources most of which are available online even after the library closes. While maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is crucial to performing well, it may be inevitable that one must stay up late hours to study if that’s the case then there are many lounges on campus and Tech Labs that are available twenty four hours a day. Before you start studying it’s best to make a study plan to minimize distractions and maximize productiveness. Common distractions for college students include parties, friends, cell phones and websites like Facebook or Twitter. You have to realize that it is perfectly okay to have these; they are a heck of a lot more fun than studying. Yet as discussed earlier to come to terms with college you have to realize that you’re here to better yourself, so isn’t it worth it to hold off these pleasures for a couple of hours to improve your future? Breaks in between studying are extremely helping to keep oneself in check. “Breaks that last about fifteen minutes for every hour you study is effective at rekindling your train of thought and refocusing yourself” says Dev Dabbara a sophomore at Drexel University.

To wrap it all up, college is not only about studying harder it’s about studying smarter. To study smarter one must attain the right balance which means a good mixture of studying and doing everything else. It is hard for some students to accept the fact that they are here to work why with all the fun going on who would but it is important to come to terms with what college demands. Only by doing that can you begin to succeed. There needs to be a consistent amount of time and effort put into your college career, at bare minimum at least forty hours a week. Getting into the habit of studying while you’re a freshman truly does serve you in years to come, especially with your GPA. When studying you should fully commit yourself to the task at hand and rid yourself of distractions. There are many creative ways of making the learning process more productive such as reviewing material and quizzing yourself. It is important to know that cramming and staying up late to study is never a good idea, it may be inevitable on the occasion but try and keep it to a minimum. College is the final frontier and your good study habits are what will enable you to trek safely through this mysterious but wonderful place.

References

1. http://www.lib.rowan.edu/

2. An excerpt from an email response that was sent to me by Dr.Zake one of the honors programs coordinators. “…. the first semester in college is a major transition. In fact, research on this phenomenon described as being similar to culture shock, that is, a complex experience of an intense exposure to an unknown cultural environment….”

3. Education portal, Studying 101: Guide to Studying in college, August 15 2007. February 28 2011.

http://education- portal.com/articles/Studying_101:_Guide_to_Studying_in_College.html,

4. ,UCLA Professor breaks myth about study skills, Haelin Cho, The Paly Voice, February 14 2011. February 28 2011 , http://voice.paly.net/node/26325 .