Why doesn’t UCS have a feedback mailbox or something similar?

Why doesn't UCS have a feedback mailbox or something similar? Many peer-institutions counseling services have some sort of feedback box or student committee that improves communications. I think that's a more effective method of communication than bothering the answer wall or having student rumoring around.~
Why doesn’t UCS have a feedback mailbox or something similar? Many peer-institutions counseling services have some sort of feedback box or student committee that improves communications. I think that’s a more effective method of communication than bothering the answer wall or having student rumoring around.~

I had a helper communicate with the Director of UCS, Dr. Burns, and he responded: UCS conducts a period of open survey every semester systematically seeking student feedback and students are welcome to communicate feedback directly with the Director of UCS.

How do I stop myself from procrastinating?

How do I stop myself from procrastinating? LOL even when I try to start my work early it never seems to help! :)
How do I stop myself from procrastinating? LOL even when I try to start my work early it never seems to help! 🙂

Get the assignment, the readings, data, etc. that you need for the project assembled on your desk/open on your computer. Open up whatever software you’ll be using to complete the project and create the file. Now you’re off to a running start. Or try working with a friend to hold yourselves accountable to deadlines (and set those deadlines comfortably ahead of due dates, because…. things happen.) And consider Academic Coaching at the CFLC to develop good time management habits: bit.ly/BC-connors.

How do I know if I should break up? I can’t see us together long-term and I don’t want to become the kind of person he is.

How do I know if I should break up? I can't see us together long-term and I don't want to become the kind of person he is.
How do I know if I should break up? I can’t see us together long-term and I don’t want to become the kind of person he is.

Ideally, communicating about your doubts will give you a better idea about what decision you should make. In regards to the future, what you see may be very different from what he sees. Discussing what you both want from your relationship hopefully leads to you making an informed decision about your futures.

How to accept your (own) flaw? One you have no control over.

How to accept your own flaw? One you have no control over.
How to accept your own flaw? One you have no control over.

One possibility is to think of it as a challenge, and all challenges are character-building. What you do to adapt to the flaw becomes part of your character – perhaps even one of the best parts of your character – that you wouldn’t have without the flaw. In essence, turn the “flaw” into a source of growth, something that anyone without that flaw doesn’t get to experience. Another possibility: recognize that everyone has limitations of one kind or another, many of them invisible. IOW, you aren’t alone in the challenge of accepting yourself as you are.

Why can’t I focus on study when I stay with my friends???

Why can't I focus on study when I stay with my friends???
Why can’t I focus on study when I stay with my friends???

Because they are great friends and just too much fun! Three possible solutions: find some study buddies who aren’t your regular friends, but are very serious students; make a pact with your friends to study for x amount of time and reward yourselves with a specific fun activity; or make studying a solitary habit, and meet up with your friends later.

Do you answer all these Qs?

Do you answer all these Qs?
Do you answer all these Qs?

Pretty much. Very occasionally there’s something mentioning a specific person or some other reason I need to redact some info when answering, but I hope to consider any questions with the gravity (or levity) they deserve. It is the meaning of my existence.

Quick Q: Anyone know what the point is yet?

Quick Q: Anyone know what the point is yet?
Quick Q: Anyone know what the point is yet?

It’s okay if you don’t know what your point is, just know that everyone has a point. You’ll discover yours eventually- no rush. There is a great recording from 1970 called “The Point!” which uses a fable to say essentially that. Sadly, the library doesn’t own it, but there is a good plot synopsis here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Point!

Best bathroom on campus?

Best bathroom on campus?
Best bathroom on campus?
McMullen Locker Room
McMullen Locker Room

A recent post had the math dept. restroom (with shower!) on a bucket list, so it must be pretty special. It also has the virtue of being nearby… which could be the most important criterium when it’s, uh, urgent.

Do the ends justify the means?

Do the ends justify the means? (...ever?) [Kant says no]
Do the ends justify the means? (…ever?) [Kant says no]

Kant says no; that’s correct. Aristotle has some useful things to say on this matter, too, in the Nicomachean Ethics (O’Neill Library B430.A5): action falls in a situation-dependent range, and virtuous action generally falls somewhere in the middle–the “golden mean” (e.g., neither overly brave nor overly timid, but adapted to the needs of the situation). You could take a deeper dive into ethics by looking up virtue ethics, deontological ethics (duties and rules) and consequentialism in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (plato.stanford.edu).

Okay, but is that to say that Machiavelli is morally wrong? I understand that Aristotle's point of view is tempting to accept but do you think some situations can require a Machiavellian understanding of ethics? Thanks!
Okay, but is that to say that Machiavelli is morally wrong? I understand that Aristotle’s point of view is tempting to accept but do you think some situations can require a Machiavellian understanding of ethics? Thanks!

Though there are some philosophers who argue that Machiavelli is not merely a political and historical thinker, but a political philosopher, few would credit him with a consistently reasoned ethic. Read this entry in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: bit.ly/SEP-machiavelli. He was concerned primarily with the behaviors of heads of non-democratic states, who, he argued, were not bound by the morals that constrained non-rulers. If this concern is important to you, I recommend a course in ethics in the philosophy department, such as Ethics of Peace and War or Ethics, Religion, and International Politics.