Alicia Allen
Assistant Editor

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

In that case, President George W. Bush measures up quite well in regards to how he has dealt with the tragic events our country has faced in the last few weeks.

Say what you will about President Bush, but no one can deny that he has handled the recent tragedies in this country with the grace and dignity becoming of a great leader.

From the moment news of the attacks broke and Mr. Bush calmly addressed the nation, he has given the impression of control and composure.

He could have simply stayed in Omaha that fateful day of Setptember 11 and hid out, but instead he nobly flew back to Washington and confidently strode to the White House, clearly knowing his mission.

Most impressive, though, was the speech he gave to the special session of Congress Thursay, September 13.

Partisanship was lost for the moment as the room stood and applauded after every wise and confident point he made.

Hilary Clinton can roll her eyes all she wants, but it was truly a good speech that reassured the nation in its time of tribulation.

I must admit I have never been a big fan of George W.

Even after shaking his hand a few years ago when he visited NIACC while on the campaign trail, I wasn't struck with any overwhelming feelings of awe over having met him.

But today, I can now take pride in the fact that I met our fearless leader.

Bush's approval rating has also been the highest of any president in our history, over 90 percent, according to several polls.

Consider the other great presidents who have led our nation through the worst of times George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt; all these men persevered and courageously got our nation though trying times.

History will forever now remember George W. as well.

President Bush has shown that he is up to any challenge that our nation may face.

No matter what happens in the future, we can at least remember that he handled the events of September 11 like a true and noble leader.

The next time you criticize him, ask yourself how you would do in his shoes. Would you panic or persevere?

He did the latter, which is why, no matter what the future may bring; President Bush has already earned a piece of greatness.

Like him or not, give Bush a break, he deserves it.

Callie Weigel
Feature Editor

What causes sleeplessness, nausea, and heart palpitations in an adult? Returning to college last year after a 15-year absence induced such symptoms in me.

Not only did my classmates appear younger and brighter than I did, but they also possessed the self-assured air of recent test-taking practice and well-honed study habits. I discovered however, that age has its benefits too.

One such benefit is the hindsight to realize that the same survival skills learned through experiences in the working world, community involvement, marriage, and parenting can also guide one toward becoming a successful student. Of these skills, the three that I find most valuable, and most widely used in my non-college life as well, are l) organization, 2) commitment, and 3) a positive attitude.

I am fortunate to have been genetically pre-disposed to the skill of organization. The deliberate orderliness I recall from childhood memories of home, (which at the time I thought of as obsessive and overly strict), I now find myself following in my own home.

These inbred organizational skills likewise allow me to prioritize and balance the needs of spouse, family, community, and work with college life. Course selections are scrutinized for relevance to my major, and for the dates and times offered so that I might choose a schedule least disruptive to my family, and most fuel-friendly to my minivan. I've enacted a "strategic study plan" by mentally categorizing assignments and readings into that which can be done with interruption, and that which requires undivided attention.

Housework is likewise classified by necessity; the laundry must be done, but relaxing standards for vacuuming and dusting is acceptable. I've yet to read of a case where a family member died from inhaling accumulated dust, besides, dust makes an instant writing surface for homework assignments.

A second skill that aids in becoming a successful student is commitment. Simply put-finish what one sets out to do. Who among us wouldn't like to throw in the towel when the going gets tough?

I gradually realized that working through one's problems and ultimately conquering them lends more satisfaction than giving up does. With commitment however, one must also follow a motto popularized by AA, "to change the things that one can, to accept the things that one cannot change, and the wisdom to know the difference."

A positive attitude is the third, and most important, age-acquired skill leading me toward success as a student. With all the challenges that define college life, (namely homework, studying, and not enough time for either), one could easily cave in to negativity.

Possessing a sense of humor is essential to a positive attitude. Laughter at one's own mistakes won't erase them, but humor may put the perceived error into its proper perspective. Humor is not exclusive to age, gender, race, or other measures of diversity; it can be found in everyday life or situations. My favorite comedians are those that dish out the "reality" humor of ordinary, mundane occurrences.

If one looks hard enough, the same humor can be applied to college life. My favorite instructors are those who can laugh at themselves and uncontrollable situations around them. An example of this is the instructors who taught in the west-end of McAllister Hall this past spring, who found their lectures being drowned out by the annoying sounds of progress on the Pappajohn Center.

One such instructor, after trying unsuccessfully to talk above the racket, laughed and then timed her lecture to coincide with the momentary lulls of the drilling and pounding. Seeing the humor in a situation, and facing it with a positive attitude, makes the challenges of life more bearable.

As I reflect upon my delayed attempt at academics and these three skills that I've learned along the way, I am confident that I and my more youthful classmates both have what it takes to become successful students in college and in life.

Amy Berhow
News Editor

"It's a fast-paced world full of fast-paced people."

I first heard those exact words in a movie I saw when I was younger, but I never believed any truth existed in that statement until recently. While growing up in a small town, I had never really witnessed anything fast-paced, or even medium-paced for that matter. But lately, it seems that almost everyone is in a much bigger hurry.

Every time I turn around, it seems as if people are looking for the quickest way out. Vehicles travel at unsafe speeds just to reach a certain destination.

Students with their books in hand and eyes glued to the clock, anxiously wait for classes to be dismissed.

Accidents and fatalities occur in our nation every day all because so many people are in a race to beat the clock.

Could plans be so important that it's worth putting lives at risk? Even supermarket lines are filled with people on the go.

Sometimes I can't help but sit back and watch these people, and I often find myself wondering, "Where are they all going?" What can possibly be so important that it creates a world of such chaos?

Everywhere you look you can find people whose lives are consumed by maintaining minute-to-minute schedules, meetings, and appointments. It seems that the more orderly a person tries to be, the more disorderly their lives become.

Even advancements in modern technology are trying to aid the stress of a world constantly on the move. Internet, faxes, drive-thru windows and express lanes are only a few of the many things designed to make a person's life easier and run much more smoothly.

To me, a life on the run doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Many people tell me that it's just the way things are, but who says they have to be? There are some things in life worth slowing down for, and so many things that are much more important in the long run.

I believe the answer to the problem of time management is balance. Time is what you make of it, so take a little and enjoy the many splendid things life has to offer.