VOL 1 ISSUE 7
JANUARY, 2011
FIRAT EDUCATIONAL JOURNAL The New Educational Journal of Houston Sponsored by Firat Educational Solutions
How to find the right roommate?
Image courtesy of http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2008/09/19/audrina-patridge-leaves-lcs-house-was-it-a-choice-or-was-she-pushed-off-the-hill/
By Ingrid Furtado You just had a midterm, started walking into your room and all you smell is trash in your kitchen, living room and bathroom. To make the matters worse, your bills are due and your roommate, who is also responsible for paying, says that he is short money. Your frustration seems it is getting worse as the semester
goes on. Living in a dormitory far from home can be a nightmare or a dream for a student. Therefore, making the correct decisions is crucial in order to find a good roommate for you. This assessment can make a huge difference in your campus life. The Interim Executive Director of Residential Life & Housing at University of Houston Javier J. Hidalgo has vast experience
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JANUARY, 2011
VOL 1 ISSUE 7
in dealing with rooming and advises
Greater Houston area. However, there are
that not preparing in advance is one of
residents from farther Texas cities and other states. International resident students correspond to 12% of the total population. “One of “The key (to find a good
roommate) is to anticipate and get answers” Interim Executive Director of Residential Life & Housing at University of Houston Javier J. Hidalgo
the most common conflicts comes from residents who want to room with their friends and later find out
that they did not have much in common. There may be boundary issues or simple incompatibility. While living with a roommate presents a series of advantages and Image by Javier Hidalgo
opportunities for personal growth and devel-
the main mistakes a student can make.
opment, these roommates will be spending a
“While rooming with another indi-
lot of time together so opportunity for conflict
vidual presents opportunities, roommates need to understand that they
can always arise”, the director says. Hidalgo also says that for the most part
are responsible for their space and
“we try to make it easier on our residents in
what happens in that space. Under-
terms of bills by billing them individually; how-
standing each other needs and ex-
ever, there may be charges that need to be
pectation has to be part of that prepa-
charge to the room and residents need to
ration”, Hidalgo says, on behalf of
deal with that”.
housing 6,400 students in eight residen-
He believes that is important that the
tial communities at University of Hou-
institution also provides approaches to assist
ston.
the resident selection. “Self-selection meanHidalgo explains that the resident
students come primarily from the
ing that a resident request a roommate and through a selection criteria. In the applica-
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VOL 1 ISSUE 7
JANUARY, 2011
tion process we try to match students
housing offer furnished units and
that have certain preferences. For in-
rooms. Nevertheless, the student still
stance, we will not match a smoker early-
needs to bring certain items that are not
riser with a
image by Jessica Gonzales
provided
non-smoker
like bed
late-riser.
liners, co-
We certainly
vers, and
think that
pillows.
with proper
“Try to
preparation
engage
should not
with your
be so hard
room-
to find a
mate in
good room-
advance
mate. In
so that if
fact, we
your
think it is an
room is a
opportunity
Jessica Gonzales prefers to live with a roommate than be by herself
small
to learn certain skills that you may not
one, you do not end up with two refrig-
have unless exposed to living with a
erators or microwaves. You could have
roommate”, he points out.
problems with circuits breaking due to
The secret to locate a potential
current overload. Look for a campus
roommate is also on the internet. Hidalgo
housing option that fits your needs
says that social media is getting big in this
(money, privacy, cooking, etc.) The key
area. “Furthermore, we also try to provide
again is to anticipate and get answers”,
opportunities like mixers that could lend a
the director says.
hand in finding roommates. Before mov-
The 22-year-old senior at St. Ed-
ing out, try to ask as many questions in
ward’s University (Austin, TX) Jessica Ma-
advance”.
rie Gonzales knows well how important
Hidalgo explains that most campus
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VOL 1 ISSUE 7
JANUARY, 2011
is in finding a good person to divide an apartment in college. She was 18 years old when decided to leave Houston. Right now, she is enrolled in her last five classes. “I had my doubts about moving away from home, but the positives definitely outweighed the negative. This was a way for me to become independent and live on my own. There were times when I thought I couldn’t do it or that I would fall behind in my school work and the courses, but I thought I should give it try”. Four years later, she has had two same sex roommates and interesting experience to talk about. Jessica says that the main conflict she has had is cleaning the apartment. “I am the main one who cleans the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. I am a clean freak when it comes to my apartment because I hate the idea of little bugs crawling around in my room or my apartment. We had a little ant
only clean my dishes and she cleans her dishes”, she says. Even a simple air conditioner can also become a problem. “My roommate loves it cold in the apartment even when it’s freezing inside. I would turn it off or raise the temperature, and she would get mad because she was too hot even with the fan on in her room. Even though we made a compromise about the situation, I still feel like it’s still unresolved because she gets upset when I touch the temperature gage”, Jessica says. But overall, she believes that living with a roommate has its perks. “I would rather live with someone than live on my own because I get scared easily. It is nice to have someone there at night especially when the apartment complex is in the way back. It’s also nice to have someone to talk to and go out with”, added Jessica.
problem in our bathroom and I freaked out! I am also the kind of person that when I see dishes in the sink I clean them whether I used them or not. However, my roommate only washes her dishes even if I have a knife in there. So I
PIVOTAL CHANGES ~ LIFE AND BUSINESS
COACHING WHEN THE STATUS QUO IS NOT AN OPTION
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Hints of Math Orders of Operation
you read the equation like a book from left to right and do the operation that comes first either multiplication or division. The same goes for addition and
By Edward Garcia Jr.*
subtraction. Many students still get the order of operations wrong. In a problem they want to jump into the equation and try to work it the wrong way because they for get the order to do it in. The best way to remember the order of operations is by this simple little phrase: “Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally!” Now let me explain what this means.
Examples: 100 / 5² + 4 x (5 x (4+2)) = ? Parentheses: 100 / 5² + 4 x (5 x (4+2)) Do inside Parentheses first!!!! 100 / 5² + 4 x (5 x 6) 100 / 5² + 4 x 30
Parentheses: ( ) This is the first thing you look for. Exponents: 3² for.
Second thing you look Image courtesy of http://education-portal.com/articles/Where_to_Find_Free_Math_Courses_Online.html
Multiplication: 1 x 4 Third thing you look for. Division: 6 / 2 for.
Fourth thing you look
Addition: 6 + 6
Fifth thing you look for.
Subtraction: 0 – 0 Last thing you look for. Hint: Multiplication and Division are interchangeable. Once you get this far Continues on next page
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Exponents: Parentheses: 100 / 5² + 4 x 30 100 / 25 + 4 x 30
(3² / 3 + 3) Go through the orders again! Exponents:
Multiplication or Division: Do operations from left to right!
(3² / 3 + 3) (9 / 3 + 3)
100 / 25 + 4 x 30 Multiplication or Division:
4 + 4 x 30
(9 / 3 + 3) 4 + 120
(3 + 3)
Addition or Subtraction: Do operations from left to right!!!!!
Addition or Subtraction:
4 + 120 = 124 and you are done!!!!!!
(3 + 3) = 6 and you are done!
Another hint:
When you have operations within parentheses you go through the order the same way you would if you did not have them.
*Edward Garcia Jr. is a graduate from the University of Houston- Downtown with Bachelor’s in Science for Applied Mathematics and a Minor in Statistics. He enjoys
Example: (3² / 3 + 3)
the objectivity of Math
and is also one of the FES tutors.
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JANUARY, 2011
Make Your Glass a Half-Full One
control or resort to impulsive acts. They can work through their own anxieties
By Roberto Noce*
"Great
leaders
and ambivalence. Healthy leaders are are
capable,
visionary, and inspiring. That does not mean they're rational. I happen to believe that those who accept the madness in themselves may be the healthiest leaders of all." - Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, Director of INSEAD's Global Leadership Center. I wish to share with you excerpts from a very interesting article written by Professor de Vries. It emphasizes the importance of honoring who we are in our work. Healthy* leaders are able to live intensely. They're passionate about what they do. That's because they are able to experience the full range of their feelings - without any color blindness to any particular emotion. At the same time, healthy leaders strongly believe in their ability to control (or at least affect) the events that impact their lives. They are able to take personal responsibilities; they are not always scapegoating or blaming other people for what goes wrong. Healthy leaders don't easily lose
very talented in self-observation and self -analysis. Healthy leaders have the ability to deal with and work through the disappointments of life. Very importantly, they have the capacity to establish and maintain relationships. They are creative and inventive and have the capacity to be non-conformist. Creativity is at the heart of Prof. de Vries' speech, and this is what I invite all of us to do: create our own lives, filled with love, passion, and fulfilling work that develops not only our talents and skills, but our character. Whether
your
glass
has
Prosecco, beer, or super sweet Texas iced tea, I invite you to conclude this exciting
and
challenging
year
looking at the glass half full. Start
by now
on creating a prosperous 2011. *Roberto Noce is recognized as an accomplished and respected executive with nearly two decades of marketing and management experience. He is a professional engineer registered in the state of Texas and an active member of numerous professional organizations. Roberto is the owner and founder of Pivotal Changes. He is a professional who chose coaching as a means to share his insight and expertise and help others live their passions. roberto.noce@pivotalchanges.com (713-505-5576
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Educational Headlines
VOL 1 ISSUE 7
The following are headlines found in international, national, and local newspapers and magazines concerning education in today’s world. 60 First graders, 4 Teachers, One Loud New Way to Learn by The New York Times
UStudy Finds Family Connections Give Big Advantage in College Admission by The New York Times A Researcher Finds Easy Solution for Test Anxiety by Education Week
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