TV Trends

It started back in the day with the Real World and Survivor. Then it moved to Flavor Flav and I Love New York. Now it's Tila Tequila and Rock of Love. Reality television shows have taken over our televisions, and I think they're here to stay.

Although these delightfully tacky shows have been around for a few years, it wasn't until the writers' strike this past year that these shows became so popular, and now they have completely taken over MTV and VH1.

Each night of the week is already planned out, and viewers know that come 8 p.m. reality TV stars are the main source of entertainment.

From fighting to lovemaking, everything imaginable happens on these addicting shows, and viewers can't wait to see next week's episode.

The final episodes of each series usually control pretty darn close to half the United States' population's mind, as we all sit zombie-like in front of the TV waiting to see who he picks to be the next love of his life.

What most viewers find so entertaining about these shows is the fact that even though the star of the show says he or she found the love of his or her life, we can always expect to see another set of episodes next season.

Applied Trends

After becoming a university, Missouri Western decided to raise the bar for academics and increase the amount of applied learning the students would be doing. Although most wouldn't consider that a cool or interesting trend, the fact is that at most college campuses are doing it too. 

Students are leaving college with an increased knowledge and practice in their field of study, which is what employers are looking for. More applied learning means an increase in internships, an increase in practical knowledge and unfortunately an increase in homework.

Because of the university's drive to become better academically, students' workloads have increased greatly, which can kind of be a damper on social lives.

With the competitive nursing department ranked high in the state, nursing majors have been busy making an impact on their academic lives instead of their night lives. Each student is required to do a avery large amount of clinical hours, as well as lots of studying to pass the hard tests and practicals.

With the new convergence journalism major on it's way to Western, all journalism majors have felt a heavy load as well. The projects have increased and the hours spent working on them have too.

Aside from the amount of stress we as students go through, the truth is the new academics have given students something to appreciate. By the time we graduate, we will have way more experience and knowledge than we came here with.

Get Involved!

Aside from Missouri Western’s increase in academic performance, the university is well known for its student involvement on campus. As soon as freshman step foot on campus, they become bombarded with different organizations competing for their involvement. So as a new member to the college community, which organization should one devote to?

The answer is all of them. Of course students don’t want to over-exert themselves and burn out in the first year of their academic careers. But the fact is that students involved in some type of organization have higher GPAs, better time management skills and better social skills, all of which are important post-college.

With so many organizations to choose from, where would a new student start? Go Greek! The Greek organizations on campus have proven to make up a majority of the attendance of other organizations, whether that’s Griffon Edge/Orientation, any departmental organization, Student Government Association, and many more.

There are three branches of the student government to become involved with, and all three bring great benefits to campus. Senate, Residence Council and Western Activities Council provide entertainment, programming and student development to all students on campus.

Just about every department has a professional organization to become involved on campus, which is a way to get to know other students with similar majors.

With over 77 student organizations on campus, it isn’t hard to find a niche somewhere at Western. Freshmen and seniors alike have made becoming active on campus a trend for incoming freshmen to look forward to.

'Going Green' a Growing Trend

It’s hard to go a day without seeing a commercial about bettering the environment or a product in the supermarket that is eco-friendly. With all the talk of global warming and world pollution, it has become clear that ‘going green’ is a rising trend, which is good news for future generations.

One thing television watchers can appreciate is CWTV, a television station that’s main mission, aside from airing our favorite shows, is to promote environmental health. Between programs commercials for recycling can be seen, along with ways to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide emission from transportation.

Grocery stores have started selling reusable bags for shopping as an alternative to the everyday, plastic Wal-Mart sack. Florescent light bulbs are put on display in the middle of aisles so customers can easily see them and their benefits to the environment. And on a more local note, Missouri Western has started ‘going green’ too.

Western recently implemented a new recycling program to help cut back on the amount of paper waste. Blue bins have been placed in every department where people can recycle most types of paper rather than just throw it away.

‘Going green’ is a great trend that people can actually be proud of. And for once, our future has something to look forward to: a cleaner earth.

Trendy Technology

Technology is the new tumor. It's hard to not find someone without a cell phone in hand or headphones coming out of the top of a shirt running straight into the ears. Text messaging and iPods have become everyone's must-haves, and they're becoming one with the students. 

Aside from the ever-popular Facebook, texting has become one of the main means of communication among college students. Whether it's sitting in class to avoid boredom or shooting a quick message without going through the hassle of dialing the phone, students have been racking up the messages.

As of December 2006, 18.5 billion texts are sent every month, and that number has grown by 250 percent every year for the last two years. With the cost of each text averaging around 10 cents per message, it has become imperative for most students to have unlimited plans that allow for 2,000 texts or more a month.

Along with the ever-growing text messages are iPods that have become another essential students can't live without. Some use them to work out; others hook them up in their cars, but most people just like tunes to bop their heads to while walking to and from class. Ranging from one gigabyte to 160 gigabytes and with six stylish new colors, the new iPods have made a great impression with the younger demographics. 

Whether it's a phone in hand or music blaring the eardrums, one thing is for sure - teachers aren't crazy about the new technology that has made a huge impact at Missouri Western. Most professors have policies against both devices because they find them disruptive in class. But then again, they probably have a point. After all, it's kind of hard to pay attention in class while listening t your favorite jams and texting your BFF. L8R!

Trend in a Cup

Maybe it’s because of the increase in student workloads, the decreasing amount of sleep or perhaps it’s just the delicious taste. Either way, however, students all over campus can be seen carrying that ever-popular white cup slipped inside of a cardboard sleeve with a big green circle stamped on the front. That’s right… Starbucks!

As one of the fastest growing coffee chains in the United States, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the oh-so delicious beverage has made it’s way to Missouri Western. Starbucks coffees have definitely defined themselves as an increasing trend at Western, even if the price seems a bit posh.

On average, a coffee drinker would spend about $3.40 per coffee beverage, which some would consider comparable to a gallon of milk. But to coffee-lovers, all that matters is the quick caffeine fix and the addictive taste.

Gone away are the days of the 500-calorie cup. Starbucks recently went Skinny by adding sugar-free syrups that reduce the calories and fat, but not the taste. Also, coffee-goers now have the option to skip the whip, which can save up to 110 calories and 11 grams of fat. So why not indulge a little?

As long as there are ways around destroying your girlish figure and as long as the addiction is worth the price, I say drink that Chai Tea Latté and guzzle down that Mocha Frappuccino. Because everyone else is!

Trends here, trends there, trends everywhere

Walking across Missouri Western’s campus on any given day, I see an increasing number of people holding a cup of coffee in their hands. I hear an ungodly amount of people walking with that ever-so annoying roller backpack. And I see oodles of girls sporting Western football hoodies with $300 purses over their shoulders.

Whether they make sense or not, they’re trends, and they’re sweeping Missouri Western by storm.

Trends aren’t just about what you wear or what’s in your hand at all times (my cell phone). They’re also about what you do and how it impacts your life. For example… An increasing number of people are becoming active in the campus community. Greek life, student life, professional life. Whatever it is, students are getting involved, i.e. TREND.

Another trend I’ve noticed is the unfailing ability for English professors to assign homework. It must be a conspiracy plotted against all English majors. However, regardless of the fact that it makes me want to change my major, it’s a trend.

All these new trends, whether I am making fun of them walk through the food court or cursing them for ruining my social life, make Missouri Western what it is. We are thirstily/noisily/fashionably/actively/academically trendy, and we're giving other trendsetting universities a little competition.