Spring Break
Problem? Just freakin' solve it
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: Forum
When did we forget to grow up?
Having mom or dad yell at someone for you back in high school was one thing; however, we're all in college.
It's time to be a little more responsible by maturely approaching a problem and solving it. No drama necessary.
It's okay to ask your parents or other important adult figures for advice on how to approach a situation or word your complaint against someone. It's not okay to have them do the dirty work for you - calling and yelling at a boss or roommate for you falls under the "dirty work" category.
Freaking out at someone via Facebook isn't a good way to approach a problem either.
Nothing beats a face-to-face conversation to get problems solved.
Sure, confrontation isn't fun. But all those tips you heard when you were younger, like using "I" statements in a discussion (such as saying, "I feel like there is a problem," rather than "You are a jerk.") will help the conversation go better, keeping people from feeling blamed.
Sometimes, "problems" can be avoided altogether. Talking crap, gossiping, acting passive-aggressive - whatever you want to call it - is all pretty middle school. It doesn't make sense to complain to the person across the hall about how your roommate doesn't pick his dirty socks up off the floor, when everyone is paying about $8,000 per year to live in the residence hall.
We all need to vent - it helps us organize our thoughts and bounce ideas off another person. But venting needs to be constructive, and when a problem arises, the best solution is to confront it right away.
If it's an unfair grade, approach the professor or department. If it's a problem with a roommate, approach them in a reasonable way. If it's a boss, approach them professionally.
Basically, you need to approach a problem in order to solve it. A great example of this is Gripe Fest tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the MU Lounge. The event is hosted by ASOSU, who will put together all the students' complaints and send them on to the appropriate administrators.
So, grow up. Instead of retaliating against a roommate for eating your Cup O' Noodles from WinCo by eating the Easy Mac originally bought by the noodle-thief roommate, approach them and let them know that you would appreciate them not eating food you bought. Instead of text messaging your coworkers (while at work) about how annoying your boss is, talk to your boss about what is frustrating you.
We all can't have a large open mic public forum, like Gripe Fest, when dealing with friends, roommates and coworkers. But we're technically adults, and we need to speak up when there is a problem.
Editorials serve as a platform for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale and diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board majority. Disagree? E-mail a letter to the editor or guest column to editor@dailybarometer.com.
Having mom or dad yell at someone for you back in high school was one thing; however, we're all in college.
It's time to be a little more responsible by maturely approaching a problem and solving it. No drama necessary.
It's okay to ask your parents or other important adult figures for advice on how to approach a situation or word your complaint against someone. It's not okay to have them do the dirty work for you - calling and yelling at a boss or roommate for you falls under the "dirty work" category.
Freaking out at someone via Facebook isn't a good way to approach a problem either.
Nothing beats a face-to-face conversation to get problems solved.
Sure, confrontation isn't fun. But all those tips you heard when you were younger, like using "I" statements in a discussion (such as saying, "I feel like there is a problem," rather than "You are a jerk.") will help the conversation go better, keeping people from feeling blamed.
Sometimes, "problems" can be avoided altogether. Talking crap, gossiping, acting passive-aggressive - whatever you want to call it - is all pretty middle school. It doesn't make sense to complain to the person across the hall about how your roommate doesn't pick his dirty socks up off the floor, when everyone is paying about $8,000 per year to live in the residence hall.
We all need to vent - it helps us organize our thoughts and bounce ideas off another person. But venting needs to be constructive, and when a problem arises, the best solution is to confront it right away.
If it's an unfair grade, approach the professor or department. If it's a problem with a roommate, approach them in a reasonable way. If it's a boss, approach them professionally.
Basically, you need to approach a problem in order to solve it. A great example of this is Gripe Fest tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the MU Lounge. The event is hosted by ASOSU, who will put together all the students' complaints and send them on to the appropriate administrators.
So, grow up. Instead of retaliating against a roommate for eating your Cup O' Noodles from WinCo by eating the Easy Mac originally bought by the noodle-thief roommate, approach them and let them know that you would appreciate them not eating food you bought. Instead of text messaging your coworkers (while at work) about how annoying your boss is, talk to your boss about what is frustrating you.
We all can't have a large open mic public forum, like Gripe Fest, when dealing with friends, roommates and coworkers. But we're technically adults, and we need to speak up when there is a problem.
Editorials serve as a platform for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale and diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board majority. Disagree? E-mail a letter to the editor or guest column to editor@dailybarometer.com.
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