Photo of Warde Academic Center entrance The Xavierite
Let’s face it Cougars, last semester was not the best academics-wise. All around campus something seemed off, and we on campus were more quiet and secluded than anything.
Although it may currently be bone-chilling outside, that does not mean that Saint Xavier is an unbearable place. After interviews with the editorial board as well as professors, here are three of the biggest encouragements we could come up with for the spring semester.
3. Enjoy the social life, not the social media life
“The amount of times that I have seen students sitting in their cars on their phones is crazy,” a member of the Xavierite editorial board stated. With that being said, participation has been a problem throughout the campus.
Students, more-so commuters, rarely participate in activities held by student organizations. Although we have preached for years on end about this issue, we will continue to do so.
Instead, students can be found all across campus using their laptops and other devices to access social media pages. “Spending less time on phones can ensure students perform more successfully academically, as well as have more meaningful moments with their friends instead of having their faces buried,” stated a second member of the editorial board.
We at the Xavierite have found that spending time away from social media brings out more laughter than a video on TikTok. More importantly, social on campus allows students to not only build up their network but also feel a sense of belonging on campus.
2. Forget AI, study instead
Artificial intelligence seemed to be a big issue last semester. “In one of my classes,” a member of the editorial board stated, “someone had ChatGPT write their entire midterm paper and was caught.” This kind of behavior is unacceptable.
ChatGPT was even reported by numerous users around the world to be down throughout finals weeks, thus proving how big of an issue AI in education is. Students should be able to turn in work that holds their own writing style, especially if it’s an assignment that requires them to give their opinions.
“Don’t use it,” Brad Mello, Ph.D. stated. “It makes your brain lazy and you don’t learn how to think critically.”
The only course that AI is allowed to be used in is COMM-220: Digital Audio Production. In that case, it is used to remove unnecessary background noise rather than generate content.
1. Communicate
A lack of communication occurred throughout the fall semester.
We as a whole have noticed that week by week, students either stopped coming to class completely or showed up late. Not only is it unethical for the students themselves to be committing this, but it also makes us question why they are even going to college if they will just refuse to show up to class.
However, there are some students who do not show up to class due to personal reasons. Quite frankly, this is okay. In the event that this occurs, just make sure to speak to your professors via email or in person to let them know what is happening. “If students don’t communicate with professors correctly then they won’t get the help they need,” another member of the editorial board stated.
Professors aren’t just instructors, they’re listeners. If you are in need of assistance, they are there to help however they can.
Additionally, if one is in need of counseling services, SXU is here to help. It is always okay to communicate with others, not just friends. Over the course of this school year SXU has added multiple counselors to its staff.
We hope that students read these words, and make the best of the semester. As the temperature outside begins to rise, let our hearts reach further within Saint Xavier. As each day passes, remember this: We are SXU!