Category: Personal Life

When considering attending college, there are many questions to be asked. For some it may be as simple as, where should I go? For others, there are a multitude of questions. Can I afford college? Am I too young? What do I want to major in? It is not an easy choice, and the decision will affect your life for years, in some cases decades to come. Many students are not decided on majors or even the idea of college, but are pressured into it by peers, parents, and older siblings.

This decision is not only about furthering your education, but an investment in your future. A common inquiry is if a college education is worth going into debt. While college does on average make return on your investment, the key word is average, it does not guarantee success. Success is different for everyone, for some it may be getting a degree and providing for a family. For others it could be joining the military and serving their country, or possibly attending a vocational school and mastering a trade. There are so many different options and we do not all share the same skills. The most important question when considering if college is the best decision would be, what is success to you?

For many success is not gauged based on financial gain, or passports stamps. A lot of people who graduate with a degree do not even work in their field. Attending a university is a unique experience that only so many get to share. It is a chance to learn about other cultures and experience them firsthand. It is a chance to mature and form new ways of thinking. It is a chance to build friendships and connect with peers. It is a chance to build a professional resume. It is a time of self-discovery and for many is the turning point that puts a life’s purpose into perspective.

According to Stuart Mills, from a piece by Charles Murray, “Surely a mass democracy should encourage as many people as possible to become “capable and cultivated human beings” in Mill’s sense. We should not restrict the availability of a liberal education to a rarefied intellectual elite. More people should be going to college, not fewer.” (Birkenstein 344) While education should not be as expensive and restricted as it is, there is a demand for skilled workers and knowledge has become privatized. It should be the collective goal of all people to empower all members of society, but unless unemployment rates reach 0% this is simply unrealistic.

College also builds character; it helps build self-esteem by learning to overcome fears and insecurities. After spending years of your life working towards a goal and achieving it would relieve so much anxiety and fear of failing. Knowing that you actual had what it took to do what so many could not. Among this benefit of improved mental health, college degree holders are more likely to get better health insurance. It offers job security, and financial stability.

College is becoming more common, and more important as time goes on. It is a requirement for many jobs and necessary to provide for large families. While it can be overwhelming and stressful at times, the idea of relaxing when you reach sixty-five to retire because of all your hard work is comforting. Job searching, and career development is much harder without a degree, college can be worth the expense if effort is given.

A big factor when deciding on if college is a good fit for you, is considering the dropout rates of other students. According to CollegeAtlas.org, thirty percent of college freshmen drop out after their first year at university, and fifty-six percent of college students who begin at a four-year college drop out by year 6 of their college career. These numbers are not too discouraging, but if you are still unsure on what field you want to go in it is without a doubt something to put into consideration before deciding. Being unable to balance school, jobs, and family is cited to be a common reason for dropping out of college.

One risky problem about the college education is passing and failing rates. Students who do not preform to university standards academically will be put on probation and can even be suspended or expelled from attending classes and participating in sports or clubs. To be successful in college in takes a level of will power and determination to not be overwhelmed by the newfound independence and stay focused on your personal goals and classwork. Without this drive many become a statistic, trapped in debt with no degree. Trying to overcome student loans while working at an entry-level position, likely for minimum wage is not a recipe for success.

Despite the importance of finding your purpose, most people do not have the option to pick and choose which college to attend. Not everyone shares the privilege that many students have of essentially free college, whether it be from scholarships or family wealth. A large number of college students take out student loans and go into debt in hopes to get an education that will foster a successful career in a field of choice. “Upcoming and recent grads reported having an average student loan debt of $22,919,” according to a 2019 report from Cengage. (Cengage 2) Student loans make a college education obtainable to almost anyone.

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree makes you more likely to find gainful employment. “In December 2010, a month marked by high overall unemployment, high school graduates had an unemployment rate of 9.8 percent, while those with a bachelor’s degree had an unemployment rate of just 4.6 percent.” (5) There are so many benefits from obtaining your degree, but how will it affect your finances?

According to an article from Brookings.edu, “the share of students graduating with more than $50,000 in student debt has more than tripled since 2000, increasing from 5 percent of borrowers in 2000 to 17 percent of student borrowers in 2014.”(Looney) While student debt can seem insurmountable, there are options to pay it off. It has shown that people who graduate with a bachelor’s degree earn significantly more than those without one. People who take out student loans can afford to pay them back. Exemplified by Mark Kantrowitz, “Student loan debt is affordable if the borrower can afford to repay their student loans in a reasonable amount of time (10 years or less), with loan payments that are less than 10 percent of gross income.”(Kantrowitz) Despite the mountain of debt a student may inquire through graduation, a degree helps your odds at obtaining employment, while guaranteeing a higher salary.

Another option for making a college education more affordable is attending community college. It is an often-overlooked option that many older academics use today to earn a degree and qualify for better paying jobs. Earning an associate degree from a local community college, and possibly transferring credits to a university is often a far less expensive route. It allows many the time for trial and error when choosing a major. For those not accepted come fall, taking a placement test and getting started on a degree locally can build hope for building a professional career. It may not be the same as attending lectures at a university but building college experience and earning credits for a fraction of the cost is well worth it.

Along the same lines, many high schools offer programs for students in good standing to dual-enroll and earn college credit before getting their diploma. Along with this head starts many school districts pay for their student’s college courses, making it completely free to take classes at their local community college. This is an opportunity to save thousands of dollars and get ahead of earning your degree. For anyone who hopes to one day graduate from university, this is a blessing that should not be overlooked.

Besides obtaining a degree in traditional colleges, there are many alternative ways to achieve personal success. There is no end all be all path to success, as the word itself varies in meaning from person to person. An example of a good alternative would be vocational schools. Vocational schools are a streamlined approach in comparison to a college education, focusing on cultivating a specific skill instead. Learning a trade is a much cheaper option in terms of debt and student loans. Similar to dual enrollment, many high schools offer programs with career institutes so that students can begin their schooling before graduation.

Although college in the long run could help you earn more money, there are several other options when striving to achieve personal success. Vocational schools are a great option for high school graduates who want to dive right into the workforce. It is a shame that it has such a stigma behind it, because for many with low test scores or limited financial options to pay for an education, learning a trade is the best option. Young adults with bills to pay, do not always have the time and resources to go get a liberal education. People who choose vocational schools can enter the workforce sooner, thus earning a salary while others are in debt living in dorms. Many schools offer apprenticeships where students get paid to work while learning. As an illustration, “You would graduate with one to three fewer years of debt. In 2014, the average mechanic’s wage was a little over $37,000 a year, which beats out most liberal arts degrees.”(Bondar 1) For those who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty attending a trade school could be the best option.

In the same way as vocational schooling, a military career could be the best option for a young high school graduate. Depending on their skills and discipline, many service men and women go on to have successful business careers after their service. In particular, the military provides numerous benefits for you and your family such as the GI bill, health-care coverage, and “competitive pay” according to America’s Navy. (Navy) You begin paid training after signing, while at the same time being housed and fed by the government. The military also provides opportunities to travel and spend time abroad. For people who dream of seeing the world, the United States has bases across the globe. This option is not for everyone, and those who enjoy their freedoms of being a citizen of the United States of America may not wish to risk their life for their country. Even though you are signing away some of your civilian rights, if you have the ambition to serve your nation and would like to earn a living straight out of high school, a career in the military could be your best option.

Everyone has an idea of what success looks like, but that does not translate from person to person. People have different skills, dreams, ambitions, and beliefs. One person’s perfect life could be unbearable to another. College is on average the highest earning path for those seeking a bachelor’s degree in fields with high paying jobs. For those who have different ideas of success those years may be better spent earning a salary, getting a head start on their life without acclimating loads of debt to be paid off. Others may be interested in travel and want to see the world. Some strive to be part of something bigger than themselves and end up serving their country.

Nobody wants to consider themselves a failure. Everyone wants to achieve their own personal goals. If you have the drive to achieve those goals, the most important thing is figuring out what path is right for you. There are so many questions to be asked when considering what to do with your life. In a world of endless possibilities, there may never be an absolute answer to the question “is college the best option?”. The more important question would be, what do you consider success?

Look at the mirror and describe the person you see. The outcome of that description is what we call self-esteem. The choice of words you use, the respect you give to yourself, and the value you see in your worth are the elements that shape your self-esteem. So in fact, what is self-esteem? According to many experts and psychologists, and throughout decades of studies, self –esteem has been referred to as one’s attitude toward oneself1. (Morris Rosenberg-1965).

Iyanla Vanzant favorite’s quote about self-esteem: “Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth.”2 Whether you like it or not, self-esteem is the very essential of your well-being; it is the basic element of a healthy personality. What you see in that mirror controls your life. Loving and respecting yourself is what brings you closer to happiness while constantly criticizing yourself will stand in the way of your success. Every time you love yourself a bit more, you boost your self-confidence, you believe more in your abilities and consequently you become more efficient in every area of your life. You become able to make right decisions, aiming higher and dreaming big, exploring further potential in yourself, and feeling unstoppable by unpleasant life’s experiences.

How Self-Esteem is built?

Though self-esteem is not fixed or stable, and it can be greatly improved through self-awareness. Similar to the belief system, childhood has the utmost effect on self-esteem. The very first years of childhood are responsible of building a healthy self-system. If a child is lucky enough to be raised by a family who believes in them, who constantly encourages them to be the best version of themselves, who always praises every tiny effort and recognizes every little achievement, and who always uses positive language while communicating, then he is more likely to build a proper and a healthy self-esteem. Parent/child relationship has a significant influence on what level of self-esteem a child develops.

It is at this very early age and based on the failures and successes that we encounter while we are growing up, and on the reactions of those around us that we learn how to feel about ourselves and the world around us.

What are the factors that influence self-esteem?

Different factors influence self-esteem which we hereunder name few:

1. Childhood which is the main contributor; the way one is raised is the way one sees and validates themselves.
2. Society and the pressure it has on us behaving in a certain way, usually different from who we are, erasing at all-time our true self to meet certain expectations; eventually resulting in developing very low self-esteem.
3. Schools and their educational and grading system; grades are to measure one’s knowledge and not one’s self-worth.
4. Media in its different forms which is the main reason why we compare ourselves to others. We end up being confused between who we are and whom we are expected to look like, especially youth.
5. Old beliefs which we grow up blindly believing, and unless we are aware of, they become our resistance to change and consequently, tremendously affecting our self-esteem.
6. Self-concept; the ideas we hold about ourselves like too old, too young, too fat, too tall, too strong, too weak, too smart, etc… directly diminish our will to learn and develop.
7. Family and friends; people we spend more time with affect the most our self-esteem. They can either help us have a better image of ourselves or bring us down.
8. Work environment; feeling appreciated at work and being in a place where you can effortlessly poll your views can contribute to healthy self-esteem. Whereas, when you are most of the time stressed and feeling unworthy, your self-esteem will drop to its lowest.
9. Health; being healthy (mind, body, and soul) can strengthen self-esteem.

Along with many other factors, which have both a direct and an indirect impact on self-esteem. The way one leads their life has the major power over their level of self-esteem.

How does Self-Esteem impact us and how it can be improved?

The most important thing about having healthy self-esteem is that it has an essential role in your motivation and success. It helps you conquer life with positivity, it helps you accept and learn from failure and it makes you brave and fearless. Having a healthy dose of self-esteem means we are open to change and criticism. It is the key to top performance and great achievements.

Low self-esteem holds you back from moving forward, it creates fear and prevents you from making proper decisions which sometimes can be life-changing. It affects capabilities and makes you doubt about your potential. It can as well affect the self-confidence, the quality of life (less meaningful and worthwhile life) while making you less happy, with self-destructive tendencies, leaving you more stressed and anxious.

But guess what? There are hundreds of ways and exercises to overcome low self-esteem. Louise Hay wrote: “The past has no power over me”3. Letting go of what was to make space for what will be is the key.

So, how can we improve our self-esteem?

Since self-esteem is not genetic or disease, nor a permanent part of who we are, our role as coaches is to help clients increase their level of self-esteem by working on their mental health.

Here are a few ways:

• Be willing to change; admit that something needs to be changed and decide to.
• Change the attitude toward the past; the past is gone and cannot be changed yet our thoughts can be changed. The most important part here to release the past is to forgive everyone including ourselves.
• Self-approval and self-talk; if we believe we can, then we will. Just improve your thinking about yourself, and you will see that this inner voice will start telling you beautiful truths about yourself.
• Self-love; believe that you are a unique and resourceful creature. Stop self-sabotage and increase your self-worth. This will indirectly increase self-confidence and self-respect.
• Know your values; once you are aware of what’s important to you and you align it with your life, it will become impossible for you to compromise those values at any price.
• Set clear goals and objectives; knowing what you want in life and make them congruent with your values makes you achieve better results and makes you feel better about yourself.
• Strive to learn something new every day; knowledge increases self-esteem and will boost your willingness to improve and better yourself every day a little bit more.

We can go writing hundreds of pages about how to increase self-esteem but, the most important thing to mention is that self-esteem can be altered and improved by controlling the mind and the thoughts, and by accepting that perfectionism lives only in the head of those who are afraid of change.

How does self-esteem affect productivity?

How often we have seen at the workplace, people performing less than what they are capable of? Why? Because they don’t believe in their potential, and they don’t believe they deserve success. While having high self-esteem makes you see yourself as a competent and confident person to achieve career goals, low self-esteem affects your performance, sets you back and hinders your progress and may be the cause of several problems between colleagues.

Robin Sharma wrote: “the grade of work you offer to the world reflects the strength of the respect you have for yourself”. People with a healthy dose of self-esteem are never immobilized or discouraged by failures. They always feel motivated to try new challenges and undertake new tasks. Consequently, they end up in better leadership positions with better pay.

The most important quality of a great leader is the high level of self-esteem; which without, a leader won’t be able to lead by example, embrace adversity and defend their subordinates before defending himself. They believe in their competencies and their worth and consequently believe in their teams. Success becomes a given. People with low self-esteem perform their job way below expectations and most of the time not in line with their skills and knowledge. Feeling unworthy of success makes them indirectly work less than they could so they don’t stand out and be remarked.

Conclusion

Now it’s time to admit that writing this essay was a very challenging task. Studying the self-esteem module made me discover that I have a self-esteem issue. Knowing that strong self-confidence is one of my personality traits, only through working on my self-esteem was I able to write about it.

We as coaches are invited first and foremost to work out our weaknesses and overcome our fear before helping others. Only then can we be genuine to ourselves and consequently to our clients.

Throughout life we are all aware of self-esteem, whether that be from a general understanding of the concept or through further education, however, the question of ‘Is high self-esteem a positive attribute to have?” has been a dividing topic amongst scholars. This essay, therefore, aims to discuss findings from several studies and help to give a better understanding of whether high self-esteem is positive and the impacts that different levels of self-esteem may have on an individual.

To begin self-esteem can be defined as how an individual evaluates themselves which may be in either a positive or negative light, Sutton and Douglas (2013). From this, we can begin discussing the effects of self-esteem on an individual dependant on their score on a self-esteem scale such as that by Rosenberg (1965). If an individual’s scores were exceptionally high on this scale they may begin to show signs of narcissism which is characterised by vanity, power and a sense of being all-important. A study by Bushman and Baumeister (1998) suggests that when self-esteem manifests as narcissism there is a high likelihood that high levels of aggression will appear.

Those with moderately high self-esteem may be prone to higher than average levels of aggressive behaviour in certain circumstances. For example, if an individual has high state self-esteem then they will likely be more aggressive than average. The opposite is true for those with high trait self-esteem, Kernis, Grannemann and Barclay (1989). The reason for this may be due to state self-esteem providing an unstable foundation for high self-esteem that an individual may be experiencing, therefore any threat to this fragile self-esteem may cause an aggressive backlash. Overall evidence from Bushman and Baumeister (1998) suggests the best variety of self-esteem to have on the positive side of the scale is high trait self-esteem as these individuals are best at seeing positives in the face of adversity.

Further, when looking at self-esteem it is important to acknowledge the opposite end of the scale. Moderately low self-esteem is linked to several negative attributes as well, this includes a lack of belief in ability which can have a domino effect on other aspects of an individual’s life. A study by Chan and Wong, (2011) found that those who experience low self-esteem are more likely to isolate themselves due to a fear of social embarrassment, this may occur as a result of low self-worth causing individuals to not believe in their abilities. Further, a study by Haugen and Lund (2002) found that those who experience low self-esteem alongside low academic self-esteem are more likely than others to experience depression which is also caused by a lack in belief in ability. This, therefore, highlights that overall low self-esteem tends to result in negative self-image and therefore less positive life experience.

In conclusion, evidence suggests that the best form of self-esteem to have is moderately high trait self-esteem. This is due to the buffers that individuals may develop that help them to deal with negative life events that the other levels of self-esteem do not seem to show. It is also backed by the mainly negative effects that low self-esteem causes for individuals.

Reference List

1. Bushman, B. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (1998). Threatened egotism, narcissism, self-esteem, and direct and displaced aggression: Does self-love or self-hate lead to violence?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 75(1), 219.
2. Chan, S. M., & Wong, A. K. Y. (2013). Shyness in late childhood: relations with attributional styles and self‐esteem. Child: care, health and development, 39(2), 213-219.
3. Haugen, R., & Lund, T. (2002). Self-concept, attributional style and depression. Educational Psychology, 22(3), 305-315.
4. Kernis, M. H., Grannemann, B. D., & Barclay, L. C. (1989). Stability and level of self-esteem as predictors of anger arousal and hostility. Journal of personality and social psychology, 56(6), 1013.
5. Rosenberg, M. (1965). Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE). Acceptance and commitment therapy. Measures package, 61(52), 18.
6. Sutton, R., & Douglas, K. (2013). Social psychology. Palgrave Macmillan.

In a world where more and more people are working in roles that could be considered as ‘always at work’, how do they achieve and maintain a balance between work and personal life? How do companies and leaders do to promote this way of life? Every day millions of people struggle with these questions. At the same time, leaders fight with solutions. It is difficult to reach an agreement because the answers vary.

As a manager and member of the leadership team of the home improvement network porch.com , helping people find this balance is important to me. It’s something I did not always have. There were times when it represented the behavior of a bad balance . Once I had a sign in my office that said ‘Never leave for tomorrow what you can not do today’. I was the king of emails at 3 am and used my work ethic honor plaque 20 hours a day, seven days a week. Then something very funny happened.

I realized that I could be a better leader, employee, manager, husband and friend when I focused mainly on having a balance. I knew I was living a happier, healthier and more productive life. To help entrepreneurs, managers and employees reach the right balance, here are five secrets ..

• Be open about your needs. I think the first thing that people need to do is identify what really matters to them and communicate it. Do not hide it and do not expect others to guess what makes you feel balanced and satisfied.

Do you need to leave work at 5 pm so you can have dinner with your family? Do you need to leave at 12pm to go to your yoga class? Whatever you need, find it and be transparent about that. Employees should have an open dialogue with their managers and they need to understand what works and what is possible. Different jobs require different approaches, but all can benefit from having an open and honest conversation about what the balance means.

• Respect the limits. You can not achieve your balance if you do not respect the limits. It will be difficult at first, but you need to be attentive to them so that you can develop your routine and lead a predictable lifestyle. There will always be another email to answer or another problem to fix, but you need to respect your own limits personally. If you do not do it, you can not expect others to do it.
• Understand what really matters. Over the years I have seen many people spend some time working on things that really do not matter. Time is the most important comfort in life; It is the only thing that you can not buy any more.

Focus on what really matters. Are you working on the priorities that drive the overall objectives of the company or are you just making noise?

Examine your day and take advantage of every hour, minute and second to do the most important things. For some, this will require a high level of planning and structure.

• Accept that there is a turn off button. Almost every piece of technology has this button, so use it. It is not easy and, for many people, it is the hardest thing to do. To begin, do it in phases. Do not bring your cell phone to the table for dinner. When you are on vacation, do not absent yourself. Do not bring your tablet to the beach, once you have done it several times it is easier to set limits.

When you disconnect and take a step back you will begin to experience one of life’s greatest treasures, perspective. You will be able to solve problems more clearly. You will allow yourself the freedom to be more analytical and less emotional when you go away and think versus just immerse yourself and respond to the moment.

• Take your time. To have a happy, healthy, long and productive life and career you need to understand the value of reassuring yourself. There are times when you need to explode and others when you do not. Self- awareness is crucial. Doing this will help you enjoy the trip as well as the destination.

I’m a proud descendant of Jamicans (Hail mi friends) & Puerto Rican (Que Pasa) So many people first question when they find out my nationality is can you speak Patois, or Spanish. Well yes I can speak Patois very well. Spanish on the other hand no not at all, and i do not want to learn. People may ask me why? My response is always because that’s a language that’s forced on you. My main reason for writing this paper is to show you how current languages are forced on us in school, and we don’t even use them in a the real world.

When you was in grade school, they forced you to take a language like spanish, or even french. For now we going to focus on spanish, so they ride your back in school to learn spanish when 95% of the time you will never use that language again.Gloria Anzaldya stated something I hear a whole lot “If you want to be American, speak American.’ If you don’t like it, go back to Mexico where you belong .” Alot of people say it but the real question is do they know where their real country is cause nobody knows. The catch to the spanish school teach you is that it’s not spanish that Latinos, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, or any other spanish speaking country besides spain speak. They try to teach you Spain spanish, so if you do learn anything in spanish you can’t really use it when you speaking to someone that is spanish or latino. People may ask why, but because those country may have the same word, but a totally different meaning. Now let’s talk about this french we learn in highschool. Now WHY the hell do they got us learning french? “in the U.S., a country where students in high schools and colleges are encouraged to take French classes because French is considered more “cultured” according to Gloria Anzaluda as if we are going to ever use again. They state French is more “cultured” HOW? We may use the spanish again, but speaking french why would we have to speak french to anybody unless we was going to Paris , or even France.

According to Editorial Projects In Education “46% percent of all foreign language classes focusing on Spanish and another 21% of french. German, Latin, and Chinese the count about only 5% of the courses offered to secondary students.” Now come on are school system pay all this money on these 2 main languages just for kids to forget them in the long run. When at one point of time spanish speakers, couldn’t even speak spanish without getting in trouble according to Gloria Anzaldua in her essay “How to Tame a Wild Tongue” on page 200 “I remember being caught speaking spanish at recess–that was good for three licks on the knuckles with a sharp ruler.”, now their forcing it on us.

I wish they would teach my language in school Dis a mi english no matta wah nobody sey an eff wi get to learn spanish wi cya learn mi language to.? (This is my english no matter what nobody say, and if we got to learn spanish then we can learn my language to) I’m a proud Rasta Faren. I feel the same as Gloria Anzaldua “ So, if you want to really hurt me, talk badly about my language.

As we go about our daily lives, statistics quietly weave their way into various aspects, guiding decisions, shaping perceptions, and offering insights into the world around us. From simple observations to complex analysis, statistics play a vital role in understanding patterns, making informed choices, and navigating the uncertainties of life. Let’s embark on a journey that highlights the ubiquitous presence and significance of statistics in our everyday experiences.

Imagine standing in a crowded coffee shop, waiting in line for your morning brew. You glance at the menu board and notice the popularity of different beverages. By observing the choices of others, you instinctively recognize the patterns and preferences of the crowd. Perhaps the majority are ordering lattes or cappuccinos, suggesting a widespread preference for milk-based drinks. This simple observation is an example of statistical inference, where you draw conclusions about a larger population based on a smaller sample.

Moving beyond the coffee shop, statistics also guide our decisions as consumers. When browsing online, we often encounter customer reviews and ratings. These numerical evaluations help us assess the quality and reliability of products or services. We rely on statistics to inform our choices, opting for items with high ratings or positive feedback. These aggregated opinions provide us with valuable insights, enabling us to make more informed purchasing decisions.

In the realm of health and well-being, statistics become even more critical. Medical research relies on statistical analysis to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of treatments or the prevalence of diseases. Clinical trials, for instance, carefully track and analyze data to determine the safety and efficacy of new drugs. Doctors use statistical data to diagnose diseases, evaluate risk factors, and make informed decisions about patient care. Statistics help us understand the impact of lifestyle choices on health, empowering individuals to make healthier choices based on evidence.

Moreover, statistics contribute to the realm of public policy and governance. Governments collect vast amounts of data to understand societal trends, assess the effectiveness of policies, and make informed decisions. By analyzing demographic data, governments can allocate resources to address specific needs or identify areas requiring intervention. Statistical analysis aids in measuring the success of initiatives, evaluating the impact of public programs, and guiding policy decisions that impact communities.

In the media, statistics often shape public perception and influence discourse. News outlets rely on statistical data to report on social, economic, and political issues. Polls and surveys provide insights into public opinion and help gauge the pulse of the nation. However, it is essential to approach statistics critically and consider factors such as sample size, methodology, and potential bias. Understanding statistical concepts allows us to interpret information accurately and distinguish between reliable data and misleading claims.

Beyond these examples, statistics permeate countless other areas of our lives. From sports and entertainment to finance and economics, statistics provide a framework for understanding and evaluating the world around us. They enable us to measure progress, identify trends, and make predictions about the future.

In conclusion, statistics play a pervasive role in our everyday lives, often operating behind the scenes, shaping our decisions, and informing our perceptions. Whether we realize it or not, we encounter statistical concepts in various contexts, from consumer choices to healthcare decisions, public policy, and media reporting. Understanding the power of statistics allows us to navigate the complexities of the world with greater insight and make more informed choices. So, the next time you observe a graph, encounter survey results, or analyze data, remember the profound impact of statistics on our understanding of the world and our ability to make sense of the information around us.

William Shakespeare once said, “If music be the food of love, play on. “All my life, music has always been an integral part of my development. The piano, guitar, bass, and specifically vocal performance have all contributed to my deep, emotional connection for music. Listening to and playing music has made me a happier, healthier and more productive person. It brings me hope, power, and puts me in more control of my life. It feeds and enhances my soul, filling my life with riches I would never begin to comprehend. Music has defined me by bringing me closer to my Faith, shaping my leadership skills, and helping me navigate through undesirable situations.

Music has made me a more spiritual person. I would not be as involved in my community if it weren’t for my desire to better my own life and contribute to the advancement of humanity through my unwavering love for music. I often find quotes from the writings and attempt to put it into a song to not only have it with me but a part of me at all times. In fact, I am currently in the process of producing my first album based off of the positive influence the holy tablets have had in my short yet fulfilling lifetime. I have made and produced multiple songs from my faith’s holy scriptures and translated them into a sweet, melodious tone for everyone in my community to enjoy, often performing them for fundraisers and holy day performances. Any time I perform on stage, gazing into the crowd with my guitar in hand, His presence immediately empowers me with His mercy, guiding me toward His presence. Making music for my community has allowed me to educate those who have yet to be enlightened through the power of their faith. From teaching children to teenagers, the experience I have gained has been nothing short of incredible, and I am blessed to illumine the light of His glory upon them with His words of wisdom.

Music has unceasingly helped me conquer any hardship that crosses my path while also maintaining my peace of mind. Throughout my years of being musically involved, I expanded my horizons from singing and playing instruments to composing music of my own. My interest in music composition stems back to the eighth grade, where, through extensive motivation and self-teaching, I composed my first aria in a span of four months. In that time, I discovered that there are an infinite array of possibilities when composing any style of music, and randomly plotting notes on a musical staff is meaningless without including the fundamentals. Key signatures, melodies, chords, and most importantly, the story behind the music all tie into turning a musical thought into an everlasting reality. As I began to internalize a portion of these musical understandings, it has directly enabled me to solve most of my literary, mathematical, and conceptual problems in a new light. I am able to move around the situation and turn it into an opportunity to further grow and develop my capacities as a musician.

Lastly, music has taught me the importance of leadership and dedication. My high school’s choir program has provided me with the tools necessary to stand out as an example among my peers, giving me the opportunity to further expand upon my musical prowess. From participating in the TMEA all-state competition to receiving numerous awards for my impact on the choir, my involvement in the program has helped shape me into the outspoken leader I am today. Elected as president, I learned that leadership was crucial for a group to succeed, and the precedent set by the leader should not only represent themselves but rather the group as a whole. I learned that it requires diligence, and ensures that success can be reached through great teamwork and cooperation. With the assistance of my peers, our program was able to achieve more than we could ever imagine, receiving extremely high honors such as consistent sweepstakes and first division scores at UIL, having the most students placed in the TMEA all-state choir, and working with world-renowned clinicians from all over the country.

With unrelenting dedication for the art which I have so willingly sacrificed sleep and sanity for, I am beyond blessed to have music as a part of my life, and I can say without hesitation that I can live knowing that music will continuously feed my soul with the food of love.

In 2017, Netflix CEO Reed Hasting said the irksome human necessity to sleep is Netflix’s biggest rival; “think about it, when you watch a show from Netflix and you get addicted to it, you stay up late at night. We’re competing with sleep, it’s a very large pool of time” (Hern, 2017).

On average, adults get six hours of sleep a night. In the 1970s, this was closer to seven hours, and in the early 20th century, nine (ScienceDaily, 2006). The significance of this decrease cannot be overstated: due to technological advancements and global post-industrial capitalism, we are moving away from our natural circadian rhythms into a 24/7, constantly connected existence. Dan Hancox (2019) correctly asks “in a smartphone-enabled, gig economy world, what happens to human beings who never clock off?”. In this essay, I will explore the effects of never clocking off, constant connectivity, and living in an age of “post-fordist plasticity” (Williams, 2010). I will pay particular attention to the blurring of work-life and home-life, multitasking and the impact these have on the personal life, as well as focusing on psychological impacts of constant connectivity.

The capability to understand the dichotomy of public and private as socio-political categories is a key element of modern political thought and considered a distinctive feature of modernity (Giddens, 2010; Haldén, 2013; Wajcman et al., 2008). However, technology, particularly digital technology, has fundamentally altered the relationship between public and private, work and home. Whether the implementation of clockwork into labour management and its subsequent effects on temporal structuring; or the invention of the smartphone, the line between what is deemed work time and what is deemed leisure-time is increasingly blurred (Thompson, 1967). In the 21st century, we live in a constantly connected world. The ubiquity of mobile phones, smart technology and social media has led to the spilling over of work-life into home life. For many, a conventional morning routine consists of turning off their smartphone-produced alarm clock which has been charging next to them while they sleep and proceeding to check their work email, all before breakfast. Sherry Turkle (2017) argues that compact smart devices such as phones and, more recently, smartwatches have replaced Donna Haraway’s (1991) concept of a cyborg future, and the elaborate accoutrements that come with supposed cyborg technology. “We are all cyborgs now”. This is exemplified by the overarching narrative that individuals feel that their phone is an extension of their self, and they would be utterly bereft without it.

There are apparent advantages to being constantly connected. It offers many the flexibility to work remotely, control over their working hours and dissolves the issue of geography affecting work. However, it is unclear whether access to technology creates workplace flexibility or whether the individuals who work flexibly have greater access to this technology in the first place (Chesley, 2006). Whether it is the former or the latter, both options imply a certain socio-economic status has to be reached to allow for flexibility at work. Those in professional occupations have more control over the temporal organisation of their work activities and the subsequent leisure-time surrounding it.

The flipside to being constantly connected is the struggle to unwind, due to the blurring of work and leisure time. Chesley’s (2006) research on work-home spillover highlights that individuals with a preference for communication technology rather than computational technology tend to experience more work-home spillover. As individuals tend to opt for smartphone technology over the passivity of computers, statistically more people have the potential to experience this dissolving of boundaries. However, Wajcman, Bittman and Brown (2008) argue that the control these devices give to the user to ‘switch off’ means that this spillover is less of an issue than originally thought. This is exemplified even further by individual proclivity for texting over calling. Perhaps this preference for texting over calling is a reaction to being ‘constantly connected’. By being only reachable by text, the onus of replying is given to the recipient and is not controlled by conversation conventions that are present on the phone.

Constant connectivity allows for flexibility within the temporal organisation of work time; however, it also allows for versatility in the creation and maintenance of personal relationships. For many, constant connectivity dissolves the issue of geographical location as a strain on relationships. Constant connectivity and social networks allow individuals to expand and maintain their circles to include weak ties and acquaintances but also serves to support strong and meaningful relationships (Baym, 2017). Caroline Haythornthwaite (2002) argues that ‘new media’ encourages the creation of latent ties, meaning that the internet produces the right environment for the formation of new relationships, transcends locality, often centring around individual and collective identity construction. Translating her work to 2019, this is exemplified by the everyday occurrence of communicating on social networks with strangers, often with common interests, and even the increasing popularity of dating apps.

I am very lucky. I grew up in a house where I was surrounded by books constantly. My mother had a special book that she taught all of her kids to read with, with me coming in 8 years behind the last. I don’t recall the name of this particular book, but I do remember one thing vividly. The entire book was in the form of a comic, beginning with panels of a young boy, speech bubble above his head, teaching me what the G sounds like in dog. The panels slowly but steadily work their way up to more complex sentences throughout the comic book. My mother is a librarian. Partially because she too grew up surrounded by books. I always joke that my love of books is not a choice but simply a part of my DNA. I vaguely remember one particularly boring weekend when I was 7, choosing to read Charlotte’s Web over the span of three days.

I began reading young adult fiction around the age of ten, and was buying Kurt Vonnegut books by age 13. Most of my friends pull out their phones when trying to pass time before class, I pull out a book. I can’t remember the last birthday I’ve had where cake and singing wasn’t preceded by a few hours at a bookstore. I organize my books by how in touch I feel with the characters.

Sherman Alexie had a very good point when he said “I read with joy and desperation. I loved these books, but I also knew that love had only one purpose. I was trying to save my life” In reference to what I said earlier, I don’t truly believe that reading is a part of my DNA. I do believe however that reading is a form of escapism, yet it transforms it from a technique to an art form. Reading is escapism, travel, vacation, rest, adventure…anything you want it to be. A writer’s sense of imagery can place you on top of a cliff or in your grandmother’s kitchen on Christmas day.

I instantly thought of my own journey learning to read when I saw that Alexie had learned to read with a comic book as well (though a different kind of comic book), and his fierce attitude towards books, and reading in general reminded me of my own reasons for loving reading so much.

“Books,” I say to them. “Books,” I say. I throw my weight against their locked doors. The door holds. I am smart. I am arrogant. I am lucky. I am trying to save our lives.” this is another quote by Sherman Alexie, which he says in reference to resistant children, whom he often sees as a visiting teacher. Some kids are so locked up inside of themselves, and they need someone that can show them that there are ways to escape their problems, or to just travel to another world for a while.

So many people, children and adults, choose not to read, because no one ever opened the door for them, and no one ever helped them find what they were looking for, when it could have been found in a book all along.

Sherman Alexie also had some struggles that I could sympathize with, but I couldn’t relate to. He talked about how most people expect Native American children to be stupid, so they choose to act that way. I took an Anthropology class last term, and the negativity towards Native Americans in horrific, especially considering how much exposure there is for many other kinds of prejudice. I hope that in the years since Sherman Alexie was in school this has improved, and I hope it continues to improve.

In today’s world, many strive for success and prosperity. People search for love, wealth, fame, and independence their entire lives; however, one may question why this occurs when the topic of fate is considered. Many believe that fate is predetermined and that peoples’ lives are already set in stone. This belief raises the question of why people try to succeed in gaining love, wealth, fame, or independence. Hope, a search for purpose, and pride are three reasons why people fight the concept of predetermined fate. Hope is the expectation of a positive outcome related to the events in one’s life. This relates directly to the theory of predetermined fate because it is what produces the defiance people have against this concept. Norman Cousins once said, “Hope is independent of the apparatus of logic.” This means that, regardless of the circumstances, one will always have hope.

Examples of this can be seen everywhere and they range from the smallest importance, like hoping to do well on a test that had not been studied for, to the greatest severity, like hoping to overcome cancer when a doctor says it isn’t possible. Hope comes from the saying “anything is possible”. It carries people through difficult situations by giving them something to look forward too. People have hope that they can create a better future for themselves and they hope that they have a say in the outcome of their life. Hope is one of the reasons for the endless search for love, wealth, fame, and independence. Another reason people pursue success, despite fate, is their search for purpose. The search for purpose usually involves trying to make a difference. People want to believe that their decisions matter and based on what they do, their purpose will be fulfilled and they will better the world.

For example, people seek independence from oppression so they can choose their own paths. Independence and freedom go hand in hand when it comes to defying fate and making a difference. Through independence, many people have bettered their lives and the lives of others. For example, when independence was won by the United States, many people around the world traveled here to take advantage of opportunities and better their lives. The search for love, wealth, fame, and independence includes the search for purpose too. People try to go against fate and make their own paths because of pride. They work hard because of the belief that working hard will get you farther in life.

People have pride in their achievements and they want to believe that they earned those things by the choices they made. People work hard for love, wealth, fame, and independence because they fear what would happen if fate did not have that in their life and because they feel pride when they achieve those things. Whether a person believes in predetermined fate or not, they still search for purpose and material things in life. Love, wealth, fame, and independence are reoccurring ideas that are commonly sought after. Fate is something that is supposedly unavoidable and unchanging, but people still seek these ideas of success and affluence. Hope, the search for purpose, and pride are three forces that push people to deny fate and seek love, wealth, fame, and independence.