101 Things to Do...

So, I've had a good idea for my next few postings. On the MyGW website, my.gwu.edu, there is a list of 101 Things to Do at GW. As you check of the things you've done, the website will generate a rank for you. I've completed 55 things, and it asks me "Are you Big George?". Basically, I've done a lot of things but there are still 46 to go! Some of them I can't do, like running for Student Association President or studying abroad at GW Paris, but some things I definitely need to do, like eat a Menuch hot dog. I've decided that for my next few postings, I'll tell some of the stories behind my completed things from the 101 Things to Do List. I'll also keep everyone updated on any newly completed things from the list.

With that said, let's start with something random, #40: Finish a GW Hatchet crossword puzzle or sodoku while taking lecture notes.  The Hatchet, GW's student run newspaper, is the second oldest newspaper in the District behind the Washington Post. It's published bi-weekly, each Monday and Thursday. Besides providing coverage of events on campus, sports, and even national news, the Hatchet always publishes a New York Times crossword and sodoku. The puzzles, like those in the New York Times, are easier on Monday and harder on Thursday. Even though I live off campus now, the Hatchet is available in so many locations on campus that I can grab a copy on my way into work or class. I do love to read the articles to find out about issues on campus and what's happening in the GW community. But there is nothing more satisfying than completing a Hatchet crossword puzzle, especially on a Thursday. To finish one in just a single class period is especially challenging and a task I have yet to complete. Of course, I have finished one in two or three class periods, or during a slow afternoon at work, but never in just one period. It gets hard to do the puzzle during small classes like those that I'm in now. Large lectures-- maybe one in Duques, Funger Hall, or E Street-- are prime for crossword puzzling.

Critics may wonder how a person can concentrate on taking notes or listening to the professor when trying to finish a crossword puzzle in class. While I do agree that it is not appropriate to do a crossword in every class and concentrate solely on it's clues as opposed to your professor, I must admit that I would have fallen asleep in class many, many more times than I have if it weren't for those Hatchet crosswords. If the classroom allows, a student can make the act of puzzling seem like the student has genuine interest in the professor's lecture. My suggestion is to keep the puzzle under a notebook and go back and fourth between it and taking notes. This way you will not be bored to death and you can still be some what up to speed with the class material. If crossword puzzles aren't your thing, there's always sodoku. Another favorite section of mine is the crime log (there are always interesting reports about things like "lewd acts"). And if all else fails, you can give in to your heavy eye lids and take a little afternoon nap during your 2:20 p.m. polysci lecture.

That's all for now, stay tuned for more of the 101 Things to Do!

--Abby