Wit and Wisdom of Students at CSUSB-CVC

Each one of us has our own unique take on college life and our education here at CSUSB-CVC. Most of us are returning college students, dealing with the challenges of balancing work, being a parent, and overcoming test anxiety and finals. Each of us has our own agenda of what we want to contribute to and take away from our education. Here are our thoughts on college life at CSUSB-CVC, in our own, unplagiarized words:

Yvonne:

My name is Yvonne McLoud and I am a continuing student at CSUSB, and I have been for the past 10 years off and on. I am currently enrolled in the INFO 378 course that is taught at the CVC campus in Palm Desert. I'm working towards a B.A. in Bus. Admin. in the Info Systems Management program. The INFO 378 class is a core class, which is required by Cal State, that teaches problem solving. Creating this web page is the class' final exam. Hopefully, some of the wisdom found on this page will help future students be successful in the INFO 378 class taught by Dr. Tapie Rohm, and not to be a successful lifelong student. I am not a very witty person, but I am going to share my wisdom on how I successfully mastered the Reversi game which was an assignment I did in lieu of writing an article. By successfully mastering Reversi I earned 100 points. The strategy I used was to actually have the computer show me each move. In the pull-down menu under Game is the option Hint. You want to get a Hint for the first move and then pick the opposite spot the computer shows you. Continue from that point to use the Hint option and choose that spot every time and Voila!!! You will be able to master the Reversi game. Because computers are based on artificial intelligence, I was able to use my creative problem solving skills to learn the algorithm pattern the computer showed me to win the game. I hope this is helpful information to master the Reversi game on the first day of class instead of the eighth class like myself. Good Luck and Happy Game Playing. You can download the Reversi game used in INFO 378 at Blackboard

Robert:

One of the wisest actions a student can take is to apply for scholarships and grants. This is one of the most reasonable ways in which to finance one's schooling. Successful and intelligent students will have a schedule for filling out a set number of applications per week. One more way to use your wit and wisdom is to have everyone you know to fill out a letter of recommendation for you, so when the need arises you are prepared. Strategically surf the Internet to locate and document available grants, and then when the period of acceptance of applications opens, you are ready to take advantage of the opportunity. Computerizing the application process is using cutting edge technology to proliferate your success. Prioritizing the applications is also a smart move. Fill out the grants that most fit your personal situation first then others that are not related to your field of interests - this may make you the best and most enlightened candidate for many successful endeavors. Good luck and may the wisdom of the Ancients be with you!

Melissa:

After graduating from high school in 1994, I transferred to our local community college, College of the Desert, to take my lower division requirements before transferring to a major university. That was over six years ago. Things always happen, that's life. But the one thing I've learned, which I would like to pass on to any future students is : NEVER PROCRASTINATE!!! That was my first mistake, but it has become my major strategy in surviving Cal-State. Although I do believe that even with taking only a class or two, a person should do whatever they can to stay in school, I also believe students should just jump right in. Everyone has excuses. But in order to get what you want, you have to work for it. The harder you work, the more pride you have in it. This is my first quarter at CSUSB, in pursuit of a degree in information management. It has been a challenge. I took the counselor's advice at the CSUSB-CVC campus and started with 3 classes (a total of 12 credits). In each of my classes I made sure to sign up to be first in submitting all class projects and assignments, and not procrastinating like usual and putting it off until last. It was such a help! I may have had to work harder at first, but my projects were done in the first month of the quarter, which has given me ample time to relax a little, and to prepare for finals without the feeling of being rushed. Take my advice, try it once, and you'll see it's worth it. It paid off for me, and now I'm on to my next challenge: 4 classes next quarter, 1 lab (a total of 16 credits), and an hour commute to and from class! Will I make it? I'll keep you posted. (For my information, visit my website, The Brandt Family Home Page- I made it for this final- hope you like!).

Duane:

The success of any student relies not only on intelligence, but also creative thinking. Part of using the creative thinking process, is using your wit and wisdom. As a student of the Information 378 class at CSUSB-CVC, using my creative problem solving abilities has been enhanced. This only makes sense, as it is a class in creative thinking. In our everyday lives we use problem solving all the time. The challenge for the student is the ability to join problem solving, intelligence, and creative thinking with wit and wisdom. To do this will lead to much success in the business arena and in daily life. One of the first ways to do this is with strategic planning. Decide what elements in the obstacle need to be resolved. Challenges are good, but do not overwhelm yourself. By dissecting the big problem into smaller sizes, your ability to discern the problem and attack what needs to resolved is much easier. I work at Robinsons-May department store. Retail presents itself with many challenges (read problems). Some of these have to do with the rapid pace in which technology is changing. Other technology problems are because of the lack of investment by corporations in the newer technologies that are available. I will examine an impediment to customer service that I am faced with. A customer may come into the store and select merchandise. We may have a particular style, but not the size needed. Our registers have the ability to list, on register tape, which nearby stores have the merchandise-but not the size!!! The sales associate or manager must call the listed stores to see if they have the size the customer requests. Now let us look at the elements of this problem:
1. I do not have all the needed information-which is the size.
2. I do not have all the stores that may have the merchandise, only nearby stores.
3. I must call those stores. This process wastes time and energy; furthermore, it decreases customer service. Most customers are not willing to wait while I make phone calls to half a dozen stores. Sometimes the person on the other end may not have time to check immediately, therefore causing more of a delay.

Using our wit and wisdom, our creative thinking, intelligence, and problem solving abilities, there are ways to solve these obstacles to customer service. The important element here is the larger problem, which may have been overwhelming, is now broken into smaller, more manageable parts. Duane Rayford brings these words of wisdom to you.

Jean:

I don't consider myself a returning student as much as I do a career student. I have been reaching for my degree ever since I graduated from high school, 28 years ago! It gets embarrassing going to my high school reunions and telling everyone that I'm still studying, learning, taking tests, and wondering what career I want to have when I grow up. Something always seemed to take me away from my "textbook education" ~marriage, kids, mortgages~ those things I call life's education. Now, I have but two goals: to graduate before my two teenage children, and to graduate before I start collecting social security. I like to remind myself that the joy and reward of obtaining my degree has been in the learning process itself. Mine started again, in earnest, at College of the Desert, before transferring to CSUSB. I have thoroughly enjoyed the wit and wisdom of all of my instructors-those that made me laugh, those that really challenged me, and even those that made me work into the wee hours of the night. This final project in INFO 378, the posting of a web site so that a search engine lists it in the top 5 results; and trying to keep Prof. Rohm from blocking it using a filter, has been most interesting. As I graduate this June, 2001, I will have wonderful memories of interesting classes, new friendships, and a great sense of personal accomplishment. When I walk across the stage and am handed my diploma, I will be thinking, "What a long, strange trip it's been." Thank you to all!

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