It’s not uncommon to see students sporting UCLA Bruinwear on campus. But does that mean we have school spirit? And how does our school spirit compare to that of students in other countries?
This past week was I Heart UCLA Week, an event put on by the Student Alumni Association that the group intends to amp up “Bruin pride” on and off campus. Mojo asked international students what they thought of the week and the concept of school spirit overall. Check out the video above to see their responses.
What do you think of UCLA’s school spirit? Comment below or tweet us @dbmojo.
Chances are, most of you have probably run on a treadmill. Which also means you’ve probably experienced the feeling that you’ve been running for a century, only to look down and stare incredulously at the little red numbers telling you that you’ve only run 0.3 miles. I’ve logged my share of miles on the treadmill (also commonly known as the dreadmill), but let’s face it: Running in one place with nothing to do but people-watch can get a bit boring after approximately two minutes a while.
I interviewed a variety of students sweating it out at the John Wooden Center, and discovered just a few of the different ways that students stay in shape (and without feeling like a hamster trapped on a hamster wheel).
Bhangra Bollywood Workout (pictured above)
This class is offered through the group exercise program at Wooden (which costs $25 a quarter for access to a variety of different classes). It combines Eastern Indian dance forms with other dance styles influenced by Bollywood. The music is upbeat and the instructor goes over the choreography a lot, so the class is fairly easy to follow. Third-year art history student Emily Niemann said that the class keeps her moving, yet isn’t as hardcore as some other workouts. She said she keeps coming back because she really likes the instructor, and she has a lot of fun at each class.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is an easy-to-learn self-defense system that involves hand-to-hand combat. It was developed by the Israeli military, and in addition to having practical use, the class provides a good cardiovascular workout. Julia Wu, a fourth-year history student, said that she likes how the class is taught because it simulates being attacked on the street. When asked to compare the workout to running on a treadmill, she said that it works out a lot more of the upper body and requires more thinking. Students in the class practice in pairs and learn a variety of punches, kicks and blocks, as well as how to get out of different choke holds. First-year chemical engineering student Jett Appel had never tried a martial art before signing up for Krav Maga, and he said that he liked that the class isn’t about competition, just self defense. Krav Maga is offered each quarter for $35 and meets once a week for 8 weeks.
Rock Wall Climbing
If you’re like me, you’ve probably walked by the indoor rock wall countless times at the John Wooden Center without a second thought. But you probably didn’t know that after taking one $15 beginner rock wall orientation class, you can come back and climb whenever you want for free. Patrick Nguyen, a fourth-year English student, climbs often, even though he’s afraid of heights. He said rock climbing allows him to use his fitness to overcome that fear. He really likes the social aspect of climbing, too. And if you’re wondering if only the pros go and climb (because they all pretty much look like Spiderman when they’re jumping from hold to hold), Nguyen says that rock climbing is for everyone. “The only way you can get better at rock climbing is by rock climbing,” he added.
Hula Hoop Workout
Remember those days back in second grade when everyone was good at hula hooping? Well, you can take a trip down memory lane and take this hula hooping class (offered through the group exercise program) that also provides you with a good core workout. Yifang Nie, a third-year biochemistry student, said that she comes back to the class because it’s a great ab workout. She said she likes to run, but that running can get boring. “(Hula hooping) is a more exciting way to work out than running or lifting weights all day,” she said. The class is fairly easy to pick up because the choreography isn’t too complicated. And don’t worry, you don’t need to bring your own hula hoop!
Musical Theater Jazz
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be in a Broadway show, this is the class to take. The class, which is new this quarter, begins with stretches and warm-ups, then some tutorials on basic dance moves, such as chasses, chaines and pirouettes (in English, that’s steps, turns and spins). The bulk of the class is spent learning a dance from a popular musical. Kellie Selmser, a third-year political science student, said she loves jazz, but the musical theater aspect spices up the class even more. “Musical theater jazz is different because it’s big, cheesy, fun and lyrical,” she said. Although the choreography can be tough for beginners, the class is open to people of all skill levels.
What’s an interesting way that you stay in shape? Comment below or tweet us @dbmojo and let us know!
Sometimes studying can drive us a little crazy. We start doing unusual things. Perhaps we get distracted or stressed. I used to have a habit where I would wear tap shoes and tap to songs. I stopped doing this because people were annoyed with me … for obvious reasons.
I asked other students if they had any strange study habits, and I was surprised and amused by the various responses I’ve received.
Some people get distracted easily while studying something boring, and all of a sudden, everything else becomes interesting. For example, Chris Sword, a first-year undeclared student, said that when he studies, he often “finds pieces of scotch tape to play with.”
Others realize that although studying can be tedious, there are ways to make it fun and lively. “I listen to epic movie soundtracks and pretend that I’m the hero, and I need to study in order to save the world,” said Juan Olivares, a second-year history student. If you think that’s funny, read how Nerris Nassiri, a second-year world arts and cultures student, revises for exams: “When I scream in loud German and British accents, I remember things so much better.”
Lastly, studying can be draining as well, so students attempt to keep their energy up in different ways. Some drink coffee, others take naps before studying. Alexis Contreras, a first-year cognitive science student, likes to spin in circles, pace or skip in his room while studying index cards. Sean Watson, an alumnus who graduated in winter, works off the energy he gains from epiphanies to write down great ideas. “I write in what I call a ‘flash of genius’ style,” he said. “I write in short intense bursts, brought on by instant recognition of fantastic phrasing and ideas.”
Do you have any peculiar study habits? Share them with us on Twitter @dbmojo or comment below.
Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at Mojo! This week, we walked around campus collecting heart-warming Valentine’s Day shout-outs. Our blogger, Casey Bradford, donned a gorilla suit à la our Halloween video. Check out these students’ declarations of love for roommates, significant others, best friends, teams and other loved ones. Whether or not you believe in celebrating this “Hallmark holiday,” we think there’s never a wrong time to tell someone how much you care.
To live (off-campus) or not to live (off-campus)? That is the question many students are asking themselves this time of the year as apartment hunting season begins.
The USAC Internal Vice President’s Office held an off-campus living fair yesterday to help interested students find out more information about making the switch to an apartment. Mojo caught up with some students at the fair and compiled a list of pros and cons to living in an apartment as opposed to the dorms.
Pros
Freedom - This is one of the main reasons students love living in the apartments and not in the dorms. Not only can you pick the apartment you live in, you are not restricted by rules that may dictate how and when you do things (think dining hall hours and dorm inspections). “You definitely feel a lot more grown up when you live in an apartment,” said Jennifer Zheng, a second-year mathematics student who currently lives in an apartment.
Space - Living in an apartment often means having your own room or sharing it with just one other person. And if that’s not enough space, you will have a living and sometimes even dining room. Justin Ondry, a second-year chemistry/material sciences student who attended the fair, said this is one of the things he is most looking forward to when he moves off-campus. “I’m tired of living in a triple,” he said.
Affordability - Generally living off-campus is more affordable than living on campus. This depends on the location, size and number of roommates you have. But living in an apartment means you don’t have to purchase a pricey meal plan.
Privacy - Two words: private bathrooms. Apartments are also generally quieter than the dorms.
Kitchen - You will have the choice to cook or eat out as you please. “Dining hall food isn’t always the healthiest,” Ondry said. “I’d like to have the freedom to decide what I eat.”
Cons
Isolation - Social life and activities go hand in hand with on-campus living. Living in an apartment, however, means that you often have to work harder to maintain a busy social life. There’s not always someone in the hallways to catch up with, and there are no more residence hall meetings or dorm activities. “I do miss the activities in the dorms,” Zheng said. “I feel like I don’t know as many people as I did in the dorms.”
Bills, bills and more bills - Water, electricity, internet, cable… Be ready to keep track and pay for all these utilities on time every month (along with your rent).
Responsibilities – Living in the apartments means you will be largely on your own. You will have your roommates but not housekeeping staff or RAs to help you. You will have to cook and clean for yourself, even when it is finals week. “Sometimes I’m too lazy to cook, and that’s when I really miss dorm food,” Zheng said, laughing. Ondry said he feels the same way. “I’ll definitely miss the convenience,” he said.
Distance from campus - The dorms’ location close to campus means less of a walk to and from classes and activities. This may not be the case with apartments; you may have to wake up earlier to walk, bus or even drive to campus.
Do you live in an apartment or in the dorms? Share your most (and least) favorite living experiences with us below or tweet us @dbmojo.
