Communication Through Texting and Social Media – Help or Hindrance? (By Chris Hwang)

          As a teenager growing up in a world filled with screen-based technology such as laptops, tablets, and smart phones, I often feel empowered by my ability to quickly access a wealth of information. Such access to the magical world of instant information is always just a simple keystroke or swipe away. I can research information at least six times faster than our previous generations could just twenty years ago and share that information equally as fast. Through the use of the internet, texting, and social media, information can be disseminated and propagated to millions of people across oceanic barriers in a matter of seconds. Further, social media provides us with 24-7 entertainment and an outlet to relay our messages in real time. But are we really better communicators or has the digital world created artificial boundaries by hindering our ability to effectively interact verbally with those around us?

Sure, scientists will continue to debate the controversies surrounding the impact of social media on social and academic development. However, I offer my own non-scientific perspective on a particular skill that is quickly disintegrating; and that is our ability to engage in meaningful conversation. Although the digital highway has made it easier and faster to share information, I feel as though I’m missing out on valuable opportunity to learn and practice critical social skills.

Technology has adversely impacted our ability to engage in simple conversation, which is an essential for life.  In fact, one can even argue that it has made us (the world) anti-social. These technological advances have changed the face of the earth, and sadly, acronyms, abbreviations, and emoji’s have become our new vernacular.

            Over the past several years, texting has become the preferred method of communication for teenagers due to the fact that it is both quick and easy. With the advent of texting, the once eloquent spoken sentence has been replaced by informal, terse texts that offer no true insight into my actual thoughts. Gone are the facial expressions, body language, and subtle vocal reactions that make verbal dialogue so beautiful. Above all, we’re rapidly unlearning how to keep the conversation going. I would venture to say that this is just one of the many flaws and consequences of texting and social media.

          My parents often remind me that when they were teenagers, they’d pick up the phone or hang out at the mall. They didn’t have cell phones and tablets. What they did have is the opportunity to experiment and develop their social interaction skills through lots of real-time face-to-face interaction with their peers. My parents are adept at engaging in long, meaningful, deep discussions with other people. They can take a simple topic and build it into an intimate discussion. They can seamlessly transition from one topic to the next. They can truly feel what each other is saying. Since most of my communication is performed while looking at a screen (and not at a face), I fear that I may be limiting my development of the vital social skills required to succeed in life. In the upcoming weeks, I’d like to take a few days to “disconnect” and log-off iMessage, Snapchat, and Instagram. Only then will I realize the art of “picking up the phone to talk” and/or the beauty of someone “saying it to my face.”

World Thinking Day... And A Rock by Juleanna Green

World Thinking Day is a Girl-Scout-wide celebrated holiday. As a worldwide organization with bases in over 92 countries, Girl Scouts consists of many people of different cultures, races, religions, etc. That is why we have World Thinking Day, which is basically just what it sounds like; a day where the entirety of Girl Scouts from around the world think about a common theme. This year, the theme was “grow.”

Like many ideas, the term “grow” can mean different things based on where you live and how you were raised. To some, it could be literal; growing/planting living things to liven up a park, or help those in need of food. To others, it could be internal; growing as a person and expanding your views. To us, it meant making a ridiculous story that “grew” off of a word.

Basically, what happened, was that Catherine, Brianna, Alli, and I wrote four or five words on individual slips of paper; the words had to be ones that we associated with “sisterhood.” We put them all into a bucket, and each had to pick one out and add a sentence to the story, including that word. While it was insanely fun, the story itself isn’t all that great. But it was more about us working together and having a good time, “growing” as a group, than it was about us making a comprehensive story. I have typed it below (the underlined words are the word from the slip of paper):

This is a story of friendship. It tells of girls’ unity. And the powerful things they can create. Where every girl is safe with each other. Where everybody loves each other.

Forever ago there was a little girl named Suzy. Suzy had so much hope for the world and what people could do. She believed the most inspirational thing she could do is start by helping with something small. She knew it would make her character stronger. One day she went on a very intense journey. Helping others and animals. It was quite peaceful as she walked on her very merry way. But she decided she needed a co-captain of her friendship-ship. And her solution was right in front of her. She saw the love radiate from it. With the kindness of her heart she picked up the medium sized rock she had been looking at. She was the most inspirational rock she had ever met, and they decided to be co-captains together. He was strong-willed and had a good sense of direction. And a beautiful heart. The future of their journey is tough, but Suzy and her rock friend will get through it together. They lived together for many a year, and once Suzy went to college they joined a sorority and became as close to their new sisters as they did with each other.

As you can see, while it does not lack in creativity, it actually is probably the most ridiculous story ever told. But, like I said before, it’s not about the story, it’s about what we got from it (side note, the order of who wrote which sentence was me, Catherine, Brianna, then Alli, and it continued to circle in that order until we reached the end).

I think this is an excellent for me to have had to post, too, on International Women's Day. Because empowering young girls is how we pave the future. And that's a major goal of Girl Scouts; to inspire girls to work for what they want in life, and to "grow" into inspiring and kind women.

World Thinking Day is celebrated on 22 February every year.

The Way People Talk by Kamryn Foster

As some of y'all know, moving around isn't my first rodeo. I've lived in Texas, Washington State, and now New Jersey! But, one thing I've learned from moving around so much is that people talk differently - so let's compare! Below are 8 things that people around the U.S. say differently. Which one do you say:
1.) Car-mel or Car-a-mel?
2.) Bubbler, Water fountain, or Drinking fountain?
3.) Tennis shoes or Sneakers?
4.) Hoagie, Sub, or Hero?
5.) Crayfish, Crawfish, or Crawdads?
6.) Roundabout, Rotary, or Traffic circle?
7.) Y'all, You guys, or Youse?
8.) Soda, Pop, or Soft drink?

The Promodoro Technique (Eve Curras)

    I think it's time I come clean.  I have been suffering from a harrowing disease all my life.  It began when I first entered kindergarten, and I have yet to come to terms with exactly why I have had to suffer these long years.  This illness I'm burdened with is time-consuming, exhausting, and downright impractical.  You might be wondering what exactly I suffer from.  I assure you, it is a lot more common than what you might be thinking.  I, like many of my fellow peers, teachers and elders, am a victim of procrastination.

    As I said previously, this all began at the keen age of five.  Even then I enjoyed flirting with the boundaries of time.  All my live I have resented authority and any obligation that does not comply with my wants.  Although you might be scoffing at my referring to procrastination as a disease, there have been times in my life where it has caused me physical pain.  My English teacher once kicked my shins because I incessantly right my papers at the very last minute.  Although she did not actually kick me, I live in constant fear.

    One day when I was putting off, yet another English assignment, I decided that my work-technique was in dire need of change.  Instead of beginning the assignment, I decided to look up videos on how to cure procrastination.  (true story)  After around two hours of "research," I stumbled upon an interesting and simplistic solution for all the time-benders out there.  It's called The Promodoro Technique.  The Promodoro technique tackles basically the biggest issue in the mind of procrastinators, which is simply beginning.  It was developed in the 1980s by a man named Francesco Cirillo.  The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally twenty-five minutes in length, separated by short breaks.  Although extremely simple, this method worked wonders.

    My biggest problem with schoolwork is simply starting the assignments.  I can write for hours upon hours, but the idea or writing an introductory paragraph makes me cringe.  Using the Promodoro technique, which demands twenty-five minutes of your undivided attention, I found that I had no choice but to push through.  The writing-process takes care of the rest.

    My reason in writing this blog post it to help all of my fellow peers who struggle with time-managment.  I know that life is hard and balancing academics, extra-circulars meanwhile trying to get eight hours of sleep is nearly impossible, but there are methods to make your life easier.  Whoever is reading this, go set a timer.  Do whatever work you have been painfully ignoring and go on with life.  And also, don't lie to yourself that you're doing "research" on procrastination.  Face it-- you have a problem.  Get off of YouTube.

Don't Stress -Emma Bova

        Chances are, if you're stressed in your classes, so is everyone else. You can't let it get to you though, because this kind of stress is unhealthy. People have no idea about the possible side effects of stress on the body, and would find that many of these side effects are caused by being restless and stressed out. In this post, I will enlighten you on how stress can effect you.
        Some common effects of stress on your body would include headaches, fatigue, stomach upset, and sleep problems. Usually if you are stressed out, you're most likely up late doing homework and not getting enough sleep, which messes with your sleep schedule. Try getting your schoolwork done earlier in the day, or scheduling a study hall as well as writing your homework down.
        Stress can affect your mood too. It can make you angry or sad, and it can leave you feeling extremely overwhelmed, which almost everyone has probably experienced before. It can also make you anxious, and you'll find that you are lacking motivation to do anything. These mood changes can result in overeating or under eating, angry outbursts or social withdrawal.
        Many people think that managing their stress means sitting around and watching television or playing video games, but this is not the case. In fact, this can result in worse side effects. To manage stress, try active activities, such as sports, or yoga. Be social and associate with your friends and family, because they are always there for you and will always help you in a time of need. Maintaining a healthy diet is beneficial and drinking a lot of water as well in order to keep a healthy body. Try listening to music and making time for your hobbies, and you will be an overall happier person, and just remember; you are not alone! Everyone is stressed at some point in their life, and everyone goes through what you are going through. And sometimes I like to think, "is this going to matter a month from now?" When the answer is no (it usually is) you will realize that the majority of your stress is unnecessary.
        School stresses everyone out, so there is no need to fret. Some helpful hints would be to try and get your work done as soon as possible, and be sure to get enough sleep, and you will be a happier, more carefree living person for sure!

The Science of Writer's Block- DC

The Science behind "Writer's Block" and how to overcome it

By Derek Campbell

Writer's Block, a phrase feared by many in the english and literary fields. It derails the mind and forces the victim into a pit of despair over not knowing what to write about. The dictionary definition of the phrase according to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary is "a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece". It is something we all have experienced at one point or another (why do you think I writing about his in the first place), and it gives us a sense of trepidation when it occurs. However, understanding what "Writer's Block" is may be the first step to overcoming this phenomenon, so let's take a moment to view this in a more scientific light

Science behind the Madness:

Although the true origins of writer's block in the mind is still unknown, many tests and studies have been conducted to find whats actually going on. One of the brain areas thought to be affected by this is "Broca's Area". Found in the frontal lobe, this was named after Paul Broca who discovered aphasia (the idea that when this area of the brain is damaged, it leads to the person not being able to formulate words). Writer's block has also been attributed to parts of the brain that deal with story creation, making connections between two un-related topics, planning/control, memory, and motor skills related to writing. Practically speaking, Writer's block either deals with the physical inability to write a story, or the idea that you cannot plan or formulate a story to write. Knowing this information, we can now pin-point ways to avoid writer's block

Possible Solutions:

Most websites agree and have a set-list of things a person can do to overcome this debilitating mind game:

• Avoid Distractions and Procrastination (focus on the task at hand) 
• Clear your mind (you could accomplish this with a multitude of activities, just a take a break, and ideas will soon circulate through your mind)
• Read someone else's work (inspiration)
• Don't get so worked up about it (writer's block will eventually pass, just think of ideas)
• And More...

With these activities in mind (as well as many other solutions), tackle your next writer's block and write anyway. Just don't panic, the block will pass and you will eventually get back on track.

She is Scared by Chloe Caldi

She is Scared

Parents fear the day
The day their child comes home
And is no longer a child
She is big
She is strong
She is independent
But she is still scared

She is smart
She is friendly
She is beautiful
But she is still scared

She sings loudly
She dances often
She laughs constantly
But she is still scared

She hides it the best she can
Not many can see
Her insecurity
Her lack of self worth
Because she is still scared

She doesn't know
That I can see this in her
But I do
And I understand
Because I am scared too