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Show WWW.WSUSIGNPOST.COM THE SIGNPOST FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 OPEN MIC continued from page 4 students to attend open mic events, noting that there is much to be learned from the experience. By reading their work out loud, students begin hearing ways to make their writing better. This also helps students to be brave and share their work with others. Joseph said that GRAPHIC BY : BRETT FERRIN | THE SIGNPOST reading at open mic their own art or their own events gives students poetry, they can’t do that confidence in their writing without a rich reservoir to abilities. draw from,” Garrett said. “I think it teaches them “Coming to events like this about how important comgives students that reservoir munity is, especially a writ. . . As you gain more experi- ing community,” Joseph ence and read more poetry, said. “I have a lot of really or listen to more poetry, you dear friends from my time start to gain an understand- as an undergraduate and ing of how you can create we would do events like poems of your own.“ this . . . When you eventuJoseph said that, as an ally graduate, you need that undergraduate, she and continued support and this her poetic friends would is the kind of place to learn go to all sorts of open mic that.” events. For her, open mic Stott agrees with Joseph. events were opportunities She said going to open mic to share her work and hear nights not only helps stuthe work of her peers. Open dents network and hone mic events helped Joseph their writing craft, but also develop her own style and helps students come up strengthen her writing craft. with new ideas. Joseph encouraged “I tell my students to always carry around a journal and write stuff down, because there’s so much detail and material everywhere we go,” Stott said. Stott said writing poetry is a therapeutic activity and helps her be better balanced and find joy in her life. “When I am not writing poems, I don’t feel like myself,” Stott said. “I love language and I love words. I feel like it’s a way to celebrate life and choose happiness.” Garret highly encouraged all students to attend events like this open mic session. He said that poetry can help students unwind and relax from the stress and anxiety of school. “So often we get caught up in the rush of everything,” Garrett said. “We’re on our cell phones all day, we’re sitting in class, cramming for tests. One beautiful thing about poetry (that is) like music, is it gives the listener the opportunity to relax and go to a new space of thought.” Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com 5 3 MUST-HAVE By JAMII FRESTON photo journalist @2_eyez FALL BOOTS Winter is coming, and the best part about bundling up is rockin’ boots. This season there are three boots you must have in your winter wardrobe. RIDING BOOTS COMBAT BOOTS HIGH HEEL BOOTIE If you only buy one pair this is the one to go for. A riding boot is usually flat or has a small heel, goes to an inch or two below the knee and has buckles and hardware. This boot comes in a wide range of colors, but looks best in a brown shade because it shows off the buckles better. These are simple to pair with your winter wear, and are easy and comfortable. This boot style has been around for a while, and it’s still going strong. Combat boots are usually flat or have a small heel. They go 3 to 4 inches above your ankle, and lace up. These also come in many colors, but a classic black pair, or dark brown, looks best. Combat boots go with many different styles and are a simple solution to make your look more edgy. This is the perfect substitute for heels this season. A high heel bootie, like the name implies, has a heel, but is available in different heights from 3 to 6 inches. They are low cut around your ankle, and come in many colors or prints. Look for a pair that are more formal with nice detailing. These look great with tights and can be your go-to shoe for holiday parties. RWANDA continued from page 4 result,” The United Human Rights Council website states, “Imagine what might have been the result if the entire world had spoken out.” Rwanda’s new goal was to never again have such violence and killing in their country. They reorganized their government and now have a democracy. The final weeks of the students’ trip were spent participating in the peace-building conference. The conference took place in a classroom setting where students from Weber State, other universities in the United States and students from Rwanda came together to discuss and learn about different world issues. Some issues that were explored were reconciliation, transition of justice, sustainable peace and more about how Rwanda grew from the ashes of the genocide. Amnesty International, a human rights activist club on campus, sponsored the trip to Rwanda. Amnesty International’s website states, “Amnesty’s global mission is rooted in a fundamental commitment to the rights, dignity and well-being of every person on Earth.” Venstra said one of the things he learned while he was there was not to take for granted the amazing opportunities and conditions we enjoy here. Simple necessities like running water, food and clothing are few and far between in Rwanda, and not many people get the chance to get an education. The second thing he mentioned was how much he learned about being respectful. “It makes you want to be more conscious about helping those around you and not over-looking anybody,” Venstra said. “It’s good to remember your fellow human beings.” Venstra also learned about celebrating things everyone has in common. The whole genocide started based on the fact that the Hutus and the Tutsis were focusing on their differences. Venstra stressed that it was important not to focus on differences so much that they become conflicts, but instead to allow differences to uplift and diversify the system. When asked what his advice would be to others who wanted to study abroad, Venstra quickly replied, “Do it! Just do it. Don’t think about it. It will change your life in the best way possible.” offer family and marriage counseling to students. This gives those students a place to get their relationship and family problems addressed and worked out,” Jeffrey said. The Counseling & Psychological Services Center also offers three free groups that students can attend. These groups focus on meditation, coping skills and ADHD. Jeffrey spoke about how these groups came to be. “These groups were developed out of a need. We also see very good attendance,” he said. Students wanting to attend these groups shouldn’t feel pressured. The groups are walk-in only, and students can attend for as long as they would like without commitment. For more information on these groups, students can visit weber.edu/counselingcenter/groups. Students who might not want to come into the on-campus office have other options. The website, which is located at weber. edu/CounselingCenter, offers students links to other resources they might find helpful. Dianna K. Abel, the director of the Counseling & Psychological Services Center, spoke about the self-help books that they offer to students. “We have about 50 to 60 self-help books at the Stewart Library, as well as some housed at the Davis campus,” she said. These self-help books are available to students seeking help who may not want to visit directly. This type of therapy is called bibliotherapy, which is defined as, “the use of reading materials for help in solving personal problems.” The top three issues seen by the counseling center are anxiety, depression and relationship problems. “Depression used to be the biggest issue . . . around five years ago Weber State and other counseling centers in the country began to see a change from depression in the first spot to anxiety,” Abel said. Abel and Jeffrey both offered their advice for students who might be embarrassed to seek help. “Some of the healthiest people are those who come to counseling. This is because they recognize an issue and reach out,” Jeffrey said. Abel advised students to view emotional struggles the same way they would approach a physical struggle. “Most people wouldn’t deal with a cough for two weeks and not see a doctor. People should have the same attitude for mental health,” Abel said. “Don’t struggle with depression and its symptoms without seeking help. It is easier to come in when the symptoms first begin rather than waiting five or six weeks.” Students wanting more information about the services offered can visit www.weber.edu/CounselingCenter/or call them at 801-626-6406. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com PSYCH continued from page 4 which will help the counselors determine how best to help them. Once the paperwork has been filled out and turned into the counseling center, the student can then set up an appointment with a counselor. The counseling center offers hours Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aaron Jeffrey is a licensed marriage and family therapist who became a part of the Counseling & Psychological Services team earlier this fall. “Unlike other universities, Weber State is able to Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com I save lives. You can too! Donate blood-plasma. Biomat USA Earn up to $220 every month! 3073 Harrison Blvd, Ogden . (801) 392-2296 www.BiomatUSA.Grifols.com |