Ask Emily: A lesson to be learned
By Casey Gillis on Oct. 09, 2008
Dear Emily: I attend a community college and my psychology professor is extremely narrow-minded and we don’t agree on anything. She doesn’t give any quizzes or tests, so your grade is based on your participation. I know for a fact that she doesn’t like me, because she puts her head down every time I make a comment. Do you think I should continue giving my opinions in class even though I may be offending my professor with my liberal views, or should I drop the class?
- Want to be heard
Dear Want to be heard: If you are not required to take this class, drop it. I say this for three reasons. First, if the teacher truly doesn’t like you and is noticeably unfair, getting a decent grade in this class seems unlikely. Second, there is a time and a place to take a stand and let your voice be heard - but this isn’t one of them. The chances that this professor is going to start listening to what you have to say with an open mind, and respect your opinion enough to possibly change her own, is slim to none. Finally, and most importantly, the purpose of taking a class is to learn something. Other than this lesson that life is unfair, what could you possibly learn from such a close-minded individual?
Dear Emily: My parents would never let me have a dog when I was growing up, and I just adore animals. Now that I am on my own I really want to buy a puppy. However, I travel one or two weekends a month for work, and I’m not sure if boarding a dog that often is really a good idea. What do you think?
- Traveling Trouble
Dear Traveling Trouble: It’s tough to be a dog-lover with no dog of your very own to care for, but you really need to consider if this is the right time for you to get a furry friend. Puppies need constant care when they are young, including socialization. This means introducing them to people, other animals, and experiences. This, however, doesn’t include boarding them at a kennel where they’d most likely be confined to a small area, alone. Not to mention that a dog should be at least four months old before staying at a kennel. There are other options you could consider besides boarding a dog. Having the dog stay with friends and family, who would give your puppy all the attention he needs and deserves, would be an acceptable idea. But again, you need to ask yourself, shouldn’t you be the one giving the dog attention?
Dear Emily: My best friend is a really funny, sweet and caring individual. What she isn’t, is smart. “Mary” did well enough in school, but when it comes to common sense, or “street smarts,” she has none. She just told me she wants to go to France, Spain, and other parts of Europe for a few months, get some work along the way, and “just see the world.” But I’m worried about her going by herself, and I certainly can’t afford to quit my job and go with her. Should I try to convince her that her plan isn’t really a great one? I mean, she is a very trusting and naïve individual, and traveling alone just seems like a recipe for disaster.
- Dangers Await
Dear Dangers Await: It’s not as if your friend wants to stroll along the beaches of Kenya or explore the museums in Georgia - she wants to go to Europe. Granted, any kind of travel can be dangerous if you don’t take certain safety precautions, but if she follows a few simple guidelines, she should be OK. Besides, wouldn’t this kind of experience be exactly what your friend needed to acquire some street smarts? Be supportive and by her a good book about travel safety.
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