International Monetary Fund Meeting Disrupts Student Life

Last weekend, the International Monetary Fund held a meeting with the World Bank.

The IMF’s International Monetary and Financial Committee attended the meeting, as well as the IMF and World Bank’s Development Committee. It had implications for the world and came to conclusions that can be found here: http://www.imf.org/external/np/cm/2011/041611a.htm

The IMF is located about 1 block off campus creating part of the “in the middle of it all” atmosphere at GWU, however, it also means the implications of closing down many streets surrounding the building. Some students happen to find this extremely irritating. Most students, especially near Thurston and Potomac, agreed that it made getting around rather difficult. Because of the closed down street, taxies were harder to find. On top of this, some streets were also blocked and one could not walk on them.

These implications can cause difficulties on the specific days of the meetings, however, these difficulties come at a good cause for the world.

Stress Management

Finals are approaching and stress is on every student’s mind. Whether one needs to keep a specific grade or pull their grade up immensely, many students are stressed for finals.

There are many ways to deal with stress and the University is here to help. Tips and events are provided for students to learn to relieve their stress and stay calm.

The University Counseling Center offers academic support services for students seeking to learn how to better utilize certain skill sets as well as learn where they need improvement. The UCC academic support services website can be found at this link: http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/CounselingServices/AcademicSupportServices/

The UCC also offers an academic progress group to teach students how to become better motivated.

For more tips on stress students can also access the academic success center at http://gwired.gwu.edu/counsel/asc/

This website offers advice on everything from stress management to grades and even all the way to how to become better motivated.

A few other stress management tips are:

• Get a good night's rest.

• Eat healthily.

• Listen to your favorite music.

• Exercise.

• Participate in a sport or engage in fun activity.

• Plan out your time and prioritize.

• Talk to a friend about your problems, don't hold it in.

• Get a massage.

• Take a nap.

• Take a warm bath.

• Read a book or watch TV.

Cherry Blossom Boat Cruise: Preview

The Student and Academic Support Services and the City are jointly hosting the Cherry Blossom cruise tour down the Potomac River Thursday, April 7^th at 5:25 P.M. SASS and the City is funded by the Student Activities Center, Mount Vernon Campus Life, GW Housing Programs, Multicultural Student Services Center, and the International Student Office. SASS and the City purchases tickets at a group rate and then assumes an additional piece of the cost to make the price lower for students.

Tickets for the cruise are $10 and can be picked up at the SAC in the Marvin Center room 427 and at Mount Vernon in Academic Building 115. There is a two ticket limit per person and no refunds available.

The cruise will last one hour and begins as well as ends at the Washington Marina in Southeast DC.

Psychological Effects of Valentine's Day

Throughout the country, and especially among teens, Valentine’s Day is a day people feel like they need to share with someone. The day is promoted in ads that litter television commercial breaks, Internet sidebars, and even emails. Campus businesses are even getting in on the holiday spirit: Campusfood.com, for example, is giving $5 off of every order from February 11 until the 14th.

"Ads and market in general is design to create stress, and a way to get rid of that stress it to buy," said Daniel Z. Lieberman, M.D., a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. All of this results in a very hyped up Valentine’s Day, which for many can be psychologically detrimental if they feel the pressures of not sharing the day with someone.

For Rachael Holbreich, Valentine's Day has become all about expectations.

"Do I need to do something for someone, or will someone do something for me?” said Holbreich.

The fact that a person may not know what will occur can add to psychological tension.

"It makes people think they need to have someone to spend it with,” she said. But for Rachael, the holiday is just about telling someone you care about them.

Asked if Valentine's Day is really a day to be treated differently than others, Lieberman said, "I think it is different. If were to compare it to Mother's Day, a classic marketing-driven holiday, it is pretty easy to meet the expectations - buy a card and make a phone call." But Valentine's Day is "fundamentally different," he said.

"Valentine's Day is about feeling loved. If we don’t meet the expectations that are placed upon this holiday, it can make us feel either unloved or, even worse, unworthy of being loved," Lieberman concluded.

Elizabeth Kennedy feels that there is a healthy way to approach Valentine’s Day, even if you are single on the day.

"Instead of focusing on your lack of date or the amount of flowers you have not received, put on a larger smile than you normally would and take advantage of the special holiday which underlines love,” she said.

Valentine’s Day can be a stressful day, but if approached correctly, it can be easy and fun for all.

Room Auction Raises Thousands, but Fairness Questioned

The Residence Hall Association held its annual room auction, Martha's Marathon, on Wednesday Feb. 2. The auction gave students the opportunity to bid on rooms in Munson Hall, JBKO, Guthridge Hall, The West End, The Dakota, South Hall, Amsterdam Hall, and Ivory Tower. Students could also win choice room assignments through a raffle and through a poker and blackjack tournament that served as the theme of the night.

All proceeds of the auction and the raffle go directly to the University Scholarship Fund. This year, a total of about $26,000 was raised. The same event last year raised $23,385.

Martha’s Marathon began 44 years ago as a small auction used to boost school spirit. The original auction winners received lunch with the Speaker of the House, a curfew extension for freshmen, and a football autographed by the entire football team. $2,084 was raised to buy books for the library.

Super Bowl 2011

Sunday February 6, 2011 at 6:30 P.M. will kick off this year’s Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.

At the moment GWU is not hosting any special events for the Super Bowl, however, one can watch in various places on campus.

The Hippodrome, on the 5^th floor of the Marvin Center, may turn out to be a popular spot to watch. WOW Wingery is also on the 5^th floor of the Hippodrome allowing people to eat and watch the game. WOW serves wings, sandwiches, ribs, and much more.

Restaurant Week 2011

Monday, January 17, 2011, began Washington DC’s 2011 restaurant week. Restaurant week will run until Sunday, January 23, 2011.

Over 200 of DC’s restaurants will be offering multi – course lunch and dinner specials. Three course lunches are $20.11 and dinners are $35.11. Tip, tax, and beverages are not included.

The list of restaurants can be viewed at www.washington.org/restaurantwk/. To reserve tables either call the restaurant or use www.opentable.com.