It may be of no surprise that college students ask more questions than any other demographic. The amount of answers provided for each question, however, remains to be seen.
This fall, The Clock has decided to create a forum where Plymouth State University community members are given the opportunity to ask questions and to subsequently have them answered by
The Clock newspaper affiliates. Here are this week’s inquiries.
1). How can I eat right when money is tight?
The best way to receive a healthy meal in college is to purchase a meal plan, which is incorporated with student tuition. Nonetheless, I am aware that meal plans are not convenient for every body as they are proven to be quite costly. To save the little money that you may have, keep in mind that you must shop smart. Instead of purchasing fruit snacks, TV dinners and beer, try to go for fresh and less processed foods. Placed in juxtaposition to the prices of junk food – edible items such as fruits, nuts and yogurt are much more affordable. Lastly, the town of Plymouth has three food pantries. If you are getting low on food and haven’t many funds to spare, pantries are an excellent accessible source!
2). I tried out for a sports team and didn’t make the cut. Are there any other options for me?
Initially, it may be a bummer that you did not make roster for your desired sports team, however there are endless opportunities for students, faculty, and staff at Plymouth State University to stay fit while having fun. Plymouth State University offers intramural sports in both the fall and spring semesters, as follows: basketball, broomball, dodge ball, flag football, floor hockey, golf, kickball, trail run 5k, softball, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, weight lifting and futsal. Your ‘turndown’ may be a blessing in disguise. Joining a sports team requires multiple practices during the school week and traveling for away games. While I haven’t any knowledge of your schedule, oftentimes, students find that joining an intramural team puts less strain on their academic agenda as practices and games are less frequent.
If this interests you, please visit https://www.imleagues.com/School to register for your desired sport. Good luck!
3). I come from a traditional European family. I’m dating a guy of a different race and things are getting serious, but I know my family would not approve. What should I do?
This is most certainly a tough one. Nobody likes feeling dishonest, even if it is simply omission. While I have penchant for “telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” I also believe in choosing one’s battles wisely. If you are most certain that your family would not approve, then I believe that your next step should be sharing your difficulty with your beau and devise a plan that will make the both of you happy. Depending on the level of seriousness this relationship is on, it may be best to meet his family first. That way, you will still have that sense of moral support, even if it is not coming from your kin. Meanwhile, you can always try getting your foot in the door with your parents. Make your stance on interracial relationships known and feed off of their feedback. If their responses are not in accord with your beliefs, try to educate them rather being defensive, as that tends to not end well for either party. Last but not least, remember to take things slow. If you and your man think this could truly work, then, you have all of the time in the world to show your family the gem you’ve found, and the treasure that they are missing.
4). I’m getting the vibe that I’m a bad kisser. Any tips?
I would be lying if I said there was no such thing as a bad kisser- however, I am being truthful when I say, there is always room for improvement. If your lover and you seem to not be on the same oral wavelength, simply ask him or her about their technique and then make an effort to emulate it. Keep in mind that a kiss is like a snowflake in that everyone has his or her own individual style. After some practice, you will eventually find yours.
5). I’ve always identified as gay. Recently, I have been curious about girls. How do I make a “smooth” transition?
I say get rid of the silos and be happy. You can identify as gay, straight, lesbian, transgender, queer, bisexual, or nothing at all. The importance is not in defining your sexuality, but rather, exploring it. Your preference is your business and nobody else’s. If you feel uncomfortable with sharing your sexual experiences with a potential female lover, then don’t. Here’s my personal tip – RELAX. Your encounter with a woman may be different than any other sexual endeavor you have ever experienced, but you won’t quench your thirst until you sip the water. The best part of this is, if you don’t like it, there are 7 billion other potentials waiting for you to give them a chance.
Do YOU have a question? Well, Tick Tock and ask The Clock!
Submit your questions to: dnchaplin@mail.plymouth.edu