Author Archives: Dixita

You’ve Got a Friend in Me- It’s Just a Toy Story

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I think I can safely assume that we all hate exams; the days leading up to the exam is filled with of cramming, frustration, some tears and nights spent staring at your textbook with utter confusion, cursing yourself for slacking off in class. The past two weeks were an endless assault of work coupled with exams and lenthly papers in every class. I saw the sun rise multiple times…and not in a good way. But at the end of the week, I realized the amount of support I found here at Rice and the fact that your friends are there to help you in any way they can (there was a copious amount of chocolate consumed.)

The night of my Organic Chemistry final was one of the worst that I’ve ever experienced; I’ve spent a week studying fervently for the exam and I was stressed out beyond belief. It was my last horrendous exam until next week and I was cracking under the pressure of it all. The day went pretty standard.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013- 6AM

My roommate and I wake each other up. Groggily, we brush our teeth, wonder how we did this in high school, and head to the commons to review (read: franticaly shout) equations for our physics exam that morning.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013- 7:45AM

I take my physics exam. It was worse than I expected but I walked out unscathed. I head to organic chemistry class. Intense studying beckons at Fondren.

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Time Wounds All Heels: Rice Runs a Marathon

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The word Marathon stems from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the world would in fact not end the Persians had lost the Battle of Marathon. Legend states that he ran the entire distance, roughly 25 miles, without stopping and burst into the assembly exclaiming “We won” before collapsing and dying.

On January 13, 2013, Houston had their own marathon and Rice students trained and ran the entire length for fun. Two of my friends, Vivas Kumar and Alex Schmidt have always loved running for fun  (Personally I don’t know why. I can’t do it without music motivating me) and competed this January in their first marathon. We are all very proud of them and support them!

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All you need is (Facebook) love

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On a cold, rainy day in September, in Kingston, Ontario, four college students were sitting around the kitchen table, depressed about their homework and class loads at Canada’s prestigious Queen’s University. To cheer themselves up, they decided to create a Facebook account intended to spread joy throughout the campus.

During Finals Period, Rice joined the bandwagon; an anonymous student created the Rice University Compliments Facebook Page where students can anonymously submit compliments about members of the campus community. This page is the opposite of vicious rumors that may spread; it is intended to help the Rice community grow into a nurturing community. It served as a continnual motivation throughout finals, spreading joy whenever you read your own name or someone that you cared about being complimented on the page.

Effusive posts range have called students “truly selfless” and described a kind stranger as “If she were a dessert, she would be warm baklava”

Some kind stranger even complimented Rice's Culture of Care as a whole!

 

 

South Asian Society Presents Dhamaka

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Literally meaning explosion, the South Asian Society’s annual fall show “Dhamaka” exploded with fantastic dance performances, heartwarming a cappella renditions and bright Indian garb. Students from across Rice were invited and encourage to perform choreographed dance routines to Bollywood hits. The event sold out the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall when students lined up to watch their friends on stage. Afterwards, free Indian food was distributed to all. Rather than attempt to describe the night, I’ve attached some video clips and photos of the event and pictures highlighting the night. Continue reading →

Esperanza: Night of the Century

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Esperanza, in Spanish, means hope. Here at Rice, Esperanza means a night of classy dresses, handsome suits and dancing the night away in Houston, TX.

Esperanza is Rice’s annual homecoming dance. It is a semi-formal occasion traditionally held off campus during Homecoming Weekend. This year, it was held in the Centennial Tent on Founder’s Court, during Centennial Weekend.

Many students choose to attend the event with a date, and it is Esperanza tradition for girls to ask boys. Having never asked someone else out on a date before, it took courage and guts to stick my head out there and do the deed. I commend men who ask us out every day without knowing the definitive answer beforehand. I took my friend to Esperanza with me and had a blast!

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(Beginnings

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It was March 23 and I came home from an emergency newspaper meeting. I was tired and hungry and frankly just had a woe-is-me attitude. My phone beeped at 5PM and I sighed; yet another problem with this issue of the paper? I looked down and whooped with joy, forgetting everything about my woes. After all, why would I have any problems when I got into the college of my dreams. Rice had let me into their hedges and I was determined to make the best of it.

Since then, I always get asked the question “Why Texas? Why would you leave your home and travel thousands of miles to go to a school comparable to one thirty minutes from your home?” To all you Texans out there, I’m an out of state student. I’m from the Northeast, one of the first people to apply to Rice from my hometown. My guidance counselor didn’t even know of the university before I applied. Just an FYI before I get spammed with emails telling me to stop hating on Texas.

In a nutshell, my answer is why not? Rice offers the same (read: better) education as many top schools in the world. Rice has excellent professors who are experts in their field; professors are not locked up, only to be seen during class and the occasional office hours. Rather, they are open to you and truly want you to do well in the course. Right now, in my fall semester of my freshman year, I take General Chemistry (CHEM 121) taught by the Dean of Undergraduates (Dean Hutch!) and love every minute of it.  I could mention its quirky culture, the residential college system, the endless problem sets,the southern hospitality. Let it be known that as a naive prospie I was excited for my psets. Trust me, the novelty wears off quickly.

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