#unaallday

Woah, college first semester is finally (almost) over! The big wrap up happening at the forum. I've learned a lot in the past few months about personal values, good study habits, perseverance, and what college is all about.

The Forum has helped prepare me for college life by giving me a connection with other students on campus, and also giving me valuable resources for succeeding in school. The things I've learned in the Forum will help to shape a sculpt the student I will be while at UNA and the professional I will be after UNA.

Jeffery Reynolds headlined at the twelfth (day of Christmas) week of the Honors Forum talking about success in your career and how to maintain that success to the bittersweet end.

He spoke about how a lasting career is better than trying to adapt i.e. job hop along. The world is ever changing and you need to make sure the career you've chosen is a career the world is going to still need in the future.

The way you stay on top of this ever shifting sand of culture is by always learning. Never be satisfied with being wrong. Reynolds encouraged the forum to develop the attitude of a life-long learner never settling for ignorance. "Knowledge is half the battle" is a quote from my long time mentor Benjamin Burrows. I'll never forget that the pursuit of knowledge is the defeat of deception and ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, but knowledge is power.

Before anything else is said, I probably need to take back my statement about being able to become a fashion designer. It's hard.

Katy McNeill spoke to this very thing at the Honors Forum November 11, and upon closer research of the Billy Reid company I have come to the conclusion that Katy McNeill is a phenom.

Katy McNeill is the COO of Billy Reid Inc. and cofounder with William Reid in 1997. Mrs. McNeill talked about the importance of finding something that you enjoy doing as a career over something that will quickly become a burden to you. If you start doing something you love more than likely you will start doing it more, which means you will start improving at it, which means you will become an exclusive valuable to the world, which means people will pay you for your talents, which means you are able to focus on getting better at what you love, which means your purpose in life has become fulfilled, which means you can make an impact on the world that will change all of history!!!

This week was comprised of a panel of students who have gained the knowledge and experience to advise us here at the forum of the dangerous choices one can make in college, how to avoid these choices and how to make some good choices as well.

Most of the information happened to be things I distinctly remember my mother telling me when I was whisked away into college life. "Son, eat vegetables. Don't forget why you're going to college. You have a lot to live for so don't waste the time you've got."- Mom (paraphrased)

If students take the advice of those before them they could probably avoid the Freshman 15, the failed classes, and the lonely dorm days. The simple things like diet, exercise, and sleep help make college easier.

Councilman Smith spoke at the honors forum in what was probably my favorite meeting so far. Councilman Smith has such a great story of success, it's inspiring and convicting. Councilman Smith was determined to do more than his home life told him was in his ability to grasp. With this drive to overcome the personal obstacles in his path Mr. David M. Smith became the first person to graduate from high school in his family. The reason he was able to obtain this goal is as he said because he "never quit, and [kept] going."

Councilman Smith then worked with the Navy in the Vietnam war transporting troops across the South Pacific. The most memorable/dangerous moment being when councilman Smith was transporting troops between Guam and Vietnam in a Typhoon. That is an adventurous spirit!

Clinton Carter- “Live life to the fullest and not necessarily the most successful career path.”

Tonight the forum was graced by the presence of the worst named republican to ever live. Mr. Clinton Carter.

Through high school and college Mr. Carter was a C average student with nothing to really set him apart from anyone else. His drive and courageous spirit helped him in making a life for himself in high finance. Mr. Carter told the Forum to continuously be successful you must continuously be moving. Never settling for the mundane and sub-par, students must exhibit a life of reckless risk to obtain their goals.

The ever talented Dr. Matthew was the headline speaker at the forum this afternoon. Being a licensed teacher and an AmeriCorps leader he was more than qualified to speak about the different choices one would have to conquer in life in order to maintain possession of their dreams and goals.

Dr. Matthew began with an excellent excursion through the life and times of Dr. Robert Cook, stating that studying is a learned skill. Students especially in the Honors program need to perfect the art of studying and internalizing different materials for later application. Dr. Matthew’s advice to the Forum was to take notes, study in time blocks every day, and to not let pride take away from using the resources made available to them.