Student Life Archives

Summer break is almost here. Many of you will be faced with a serious question-do you attempt to sustain a long-distance relationship with the person you’ve been dating here, or do you break things off for the summer?

Many people in their late teens and early twenties have a hard and fast rule against long-distance relationships. They decide that no matter how good the relationship is, no matter how much fun they are having with the other person, the distance is insurmountable.

Still, young or old, a hard and fast rule against is an inadvisable outlook-for the same reasons that you ought to avoid almost any hard and fast rule about relationships.

It is perfectly valid to have a preference…to prefer not to be in a long-distance relationship, for example. It is valid to take such preferences seriously. But, you owe it to yourself, as well as your partner, to evaluate your rules and preferences with a thoughtful eye. To end a relationship for no other reason than having decided at some point in the past that you have an inflexible rule against long-distance relationships-without giving specific consideration to the circumstances of your relationship and your lover- gives the relationship you are in right now inadequate consideration and, ultimately, short shrift.

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, a long-distance relationship can be one of the most frustrating experiences in life. Instead of being able to see your significant other every day or two, you may be lucky to see them for a weekend or two per month. Things like instant messages, cellular phones and internet voice and video chat make it a little easier to stay in touch frequently on a student budget, but none of those things are a particularly good substitute for real, physical contact.

On the other hand, that real physical contact could be all the more fun when it has been awhile since you and your significant other have seen each other. It becomes impossible to take the fun and the pleasure you share with each other for granted if you only see each other infrequently over the summer. If you and your on-campus lover share a strong connection before the summer begins, that connection may very likely thrive on the excitement and anticipation of being reunited later in the summer, after that long absence.

Of course, the sparks may also fizzle if you are separated from your significant other, since it becomes impossible to act on your desire with any real immediacy. You could move to a new locale for the summer, or stay here without your significant other, and find that you are attracted to someone else you see far more frequently.

With summer vacation comes a tough deadline for any of you who are currently in a relationship. How do you know if your spark will survive a few months of long-distance love or if it’s a better idea to break things off before the summer begins?

Consider your own relationship history-how have you dealt with long periods of separation in the past? If previous long-distance relationships you have had have stayed good after periods of separation, that may weigh in favor of trying it again.

If you have been tempted to stray when separated from previous lovers, you may prefer to break things off. Consider your significant other’s history as well-ask them questions! Find out if they have been in a long-distance relationship before, or how they have dealt with periods of separation in the past. If you talk candidly about your experiences with long-distance relationships, and your expectations for this summer, it will be far easier to come to a decision that both of you will understand and agree to.

Relationships are inherently fluid and uncertain; you can never perfectly predict how the summer will go. Still, you will have to decide whether it is best to proceed long-distance for the summer, go on hiatus or break up for good-and you will have to base this on the best information you have about yourself, your significant other and your relationship goals.

Just make sure to do both yourself and your lover a favor and don’t base the decision entirely on preconceived notions and boilerplate rules that have nothing to do with the intricacies of your relationship and your significant other. Your relationship is unique and deserves to be evaluated as such.

When the members of Ryan Stowe’s freshman floor graduate on May 18, many of them might not be ready to say goodbye to Wash. U. Stowe, however, won’t even have to do so.

Stowe might be a senior, but that doesn’t mean his college experience is over. He is one of a growing number of students who have chosen to enroll in one of the University’s 3-2 programs. After five years at Wash. U., students in the 3-2 programs exit with both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

When Stowe graduates, his degrees will be a Master’s in Business and a MS in biomedical engineering. The program has allowed him to build upon his undergraduate education and look towards the future.

“I heard that BME and business were pretty big complements, and a lot of BME majors end up in business or running their own businesses,” said Stowe. “So I thought they’d do well together.”

Fifth-year BSMBA candidate Moshe Barach is also pursuing an undergraduate degree in the engineering school and a master’s in the business school. Barach saw the 3-2 program as a way to pursue additional academic interests.

“After my second year of [undergrad] I knew I didn’t want to be an engineer,” said Barach. “I liked the coursework [but] I knew I wanted to go into business.”

BSMBA students take the same courses as normal graduate students and spread them out over the same time period of two years. All BSMBA candidates must spend fall of their senior year taking MBA-specific courses. They then mix and match classes over their remaining three semesters to fulfill the requirements of both degrees. Despite the blending of classes, however, 3-2 students are given definitive titles.

“In terms of administration, you’re a fourth year and still considered undergrad and then you’re a fifth year and a grad [student],” said Barach.

Though Barach has heard stories about younger graduate students facing difficulties from older students, he has never personally experienced any sort of age discrimination. In fact, Barach has served as vice president of his MBA class as well as a member of the graduate business school’s ethics and honor board.

“I think it says something that [older students] would have enough respect in someone who is so much younger than them,” said Barach. “Maybe I just won two votes to one vote, but I’ve never run into a situation here [where] people say, ‘how can you do this [when] you’re so young and inexperienced?'”

There are only a handful of 3-2 students graduating this year. Next year’s class is larger though, and it is probable that the number of participants will continue to increase as the business school strengthens its focus on program.

“The program is being expanded really quickly,” said Barach. “They’ve made a big push in the last two years in hiring big name professors, and administrators and [are] really trying to push the advantages of having a business school connected to undergraduate program. I think that’s a [main] reason why they are putting emphasis on [the 3-2 program].”

Wash. U. has students completing 3-2 programs in a variety of ways. One of Stowe’s roommates, for example, is simultaneously pursuing an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in engineering. There are some students, however, who design their own plans for an extended stay at Washington University.

Junior Somalee Banerjee decided to create a course plan that would allow her to earn two undergraduate degrees in five years. Banerjee’s majors, painting and biology, require enough classes to make an extra year worthwhile. Unlike BSMBA students, however, Banerjee is not in a specific Wash. U. dual-degree program.

“I’m planning for five years, but I’m trying to do four and a half. The extra time makes it more feasible,” she said.

Banerjee is managing by taking 20 to 21 credits per semester. “I know other people who did [dual-degree programs] in four years, but I didn’t want to spend my summers in school.”

The planned extra semesters here have actually provided time that otherwise wouldn’t exist to devote to other activities. Banerjee finds time to do research at the medical school, intern for a painting professor, teach children at the Botanical Gardens, volunteer at the Children’s Hospital and serve as president of Art School Council.

Simply put, she said, “I decided to do five years to not miss out.”

Unlike Stowe and Barach, however, Banerjee has found that her academic interests do not often overlap. Indeed, contrary to the complementary nature of most 3-2 programs, Banerjee does not wish to combine the two studies.

“Crossover between my majors almost never happens,” she said. “I’ve always decided [it] was just going to be the two at the same time.”

The lack of overlap has in fact created a slight conflict in past years, due especially to the time-consuming nature of biology and chemistry labs and of painting studios. Banerjee sometimes found she had to prioritize her time and choose to do the work for one degree over the other.

“I had to sacrifice [spending time on] art to study for tests and other times I would spend more of my time painting,” she said.

Despite this problem, Banerjee has found an appreciation for focusing on two widely different subjects, and Wash. U. made that experience possible.

“Before I came to Wash. U., I didn’t know if I wanted to be an artist.coming here I realized this is feasible-I can do art and biology part time,” she said. “Wash. U. allows me to do both.”

In Banerjee’s case, the opportunity to double-major drew her to Wash. U. For many other students, the University’s programs for continued study right after graduation are especially appealing. The business school also attracts students who wish to pursue their MBA immediately after completing four years of undergraduate study rather than taking a couple of years off for a job.

When he leaves Wash. U. this year, Barach will be moving to Chicago to work in a financial consulting firm. Stowe hopes to combine his undergraduate and graduate experiences and work in the business side of a biotech firm. Stowe and Barach both mentioned that one of the BSMBA program’s most attractive assets is that students can enter business graduate school without spending time in the work force. Such a trait means that students can jump right into their interest in business without having to spend some time away from school. Unfortunately, however, this aspect of the program can make students’ lives a little more difficult after graduation. Even though the MBA program includes a class specifically tailored to helping students plan for the years ahead, BSMBA students read slightly differently as job candidates than typical grad students.

“When I get a job as a MBA, everyone else in my class [will have had] work experience whereas I don’t really have the same kind of work experience,” said Stowe. “I’ve only had summer jobs.”

Indeed, Barach did run into some complications this year as he searched for jobs. He wasn’t able to even apply for some of the jobs he was interested in because he had more schooling experience than an undergrad but didn’t have the same kind of work experience as other MBAs.

“You get caught in a little bit of a trap because a lot of the jobs you apply for don’t even talk to you because they don’t want to pay a MBA salary,” said Barach. “But then a lot of the jobs that are looking for MBAs want to see people with three to five years work experience.The Career Center does a lot for MBAs but they haven’t gotten a handle yet on how to deal with people like us.”

Still, both BSMBA candidates agreed that the advantages of the program make it worthwhile and both recommend 3-2 programs to younger undergraduates. Students apply in their junior year of undergrad, but requirements differ depending on the graduate-level interest the student wishes to pursue. Logistically, the transition from undergraduate to graduate school for 3-2 participants is a little simpler than it is for most other students.

“I don’t have to worry about getting into another grad school or moving,” said Stowe. “It’s just kind of easier to do everything at once.”

Doing everything at once means having a fresher memory of background courses. Yet, it also means spending a year on campus after your freshman floormates and many of your closest friends have continued on to other places and pursuits.

Banerjee knows several other students studying for more than four years in the art and engineering schools. There is still, however, a desire to remain connected with her fellow undergrads.

“I’m taking at least an extra semester, but I’m trying to walk with my graduating class,” she said.

Barach’s two best friends happen to be a year younger, but he has still found the fifth-year experience to be noticeably different from his years as an undergrad.

“You start looking a lot more at Wash. U. as a school and a lot less as a life,” said Barach. “You have your life and then Wash. U. is just your school. You can’t just show up at Whispers and know half the people in there.it becomes more about just going to class.”

Both BSMBA candidates have noticed a distinction between the graduate and undergraduate social scenes. For starters, Barach and Stowe mentioned that graduate students visit more expensive bars. Barach added that, in general, graduate students also seem to visit bars more often than many undergrads.

“I think a lot of undergraduates don’t realize that a lot of business is done over drinks,” said Barach. “It’s kind of that culture that [the MBA students] bring back to school.”

Stowe has found the best of both worlds by hanging out with friends from both of his degree programs. A good number of his undergraduate friends come from the Ultimate Frisbee team, but he has also found close friends in the MBA program. Though he usually goes out with fellow undergrads, from time to time he will head to places like the Central West End with graduate students.

The business school engages students in a comprehensive orientation program and networking events to promote a social atmosphere. As Barach pointed out, saying goodbye to a bunch of undergraduate friends is not abnormal-it’s just that the BSMBA students don’t move anywhere.

“You’re making a decision that will impact the rest of your life,” said Barach. “And odds are if you were to graduate you probably wouldn’t be with the rest of your friends [anyway].”

-Additional reporting by Indu Chandrasekhar

Scott Bressler

Are you going to be spending the summer is St. Louis, enduring the muggy, Midwestern heat? If so, then you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of indoor and outdoor pools in the area that are open to cater to your summer delights.

If you’re staying on campus, the closest and most accessible pool is the Millbrook pool in the courtyard outside of these University apartments. The Millbrook pool is open May 1 through Labor Day which doesn’t leave much time for swimming during the school year, so enjoy it while you can.

None of the public pools within the city of St. Louis charge for admission. There are three outdoor pools that will open on June 11 and close on August 19. These are Chambers Pool located in Chambers Park; Fairground Pool, located in Fairground Park; and lastly, Marquette Pool at the Marquette Center. There are five indoor pools in the city that are open year round: Cherokee Pool, Tandy Pool, 12th and Park Pool, West End Pool and the Wohl Pool in the Wohl Center (sorry, not on the South 40) at 1515 North Kingshighway. Wohl Pool also offers water aerobics and adult swims.

If you’re looking for something a little more than just a large pool of water, there are several other locations that offer amenities like lap pools, diving boards and waterslides. The North County Recreation Complex at Veterans Memorial Park boasts an outdoor Olympic-sized pool with a 3-meter high diving board and kiddie pool. On the patio, you will find a concession stand and eating area. Admission for adults is a reasonable $4. The Complex also hosts an indoor ice skating rink, tennis courts and a fishing pond.

The St. Vincent water park has a more extensive “water playground” for the kid in you. Like the pool at North County, this one also has a lap swim area and a large patio deck with a concession stand. If you will be babysitting this summer, the St. Vincent water park may be a desirable place for both you and the kids you are watching.

For an up-scale splash visit the Aquatic Center at the Center of Clayton. This indoor center features no less than a pool, a lap area, a lazy river, two waterslides, a vortex, water-dumping buckets and a hot tub. There are also water walking classes and diving scuba lessons available. The aquatic center is open every weekday.

All of these pools are only a short distance away from campus and some are easily accessible from Metrolink stops. Enjoy your day by the pool and let your cares float away-just don’t forget your sunscreen.

Also, for more fun in the sun, and a little cash in your wallet, some pools are hiring lifeguards. Check out Saint Louis County Parks at (314) 615-8938 for more information.

Staying in St. Louis this summer? Scene has everything you need to keep busy on those hot summer days.

Afternoon delight: Pack a picnic for the park

Grab a basket, a blanket and some buddies (or that special someone) for afternoon dining at the park. Head over to the Arch or spread out in Forest Park, but watch out for ants.

Plain and simple
Pack a basket that harkens back to snack time in kindergarten.
– Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
– Animal crackers
– Apples
– String cheese
– Potato chips
– Carrot sticks
– Lemonade

Fourth of July
Invite everyone out for an American barbeque. Don’t forget the sparklers.
– Watermelon
– Blueberries
– Apple pie
– Hot dogs and burgers
– Corn on the cob
– Cole slaw
– Baked beans
– Beer

Southern lovin’
Take your taste buds down to Dixie with some soul food.
– Fried chicken
– Corn bread
– Peaches
– Pecan pie
– Sweet tea
– Mint juleps

New York deli
Slow down for more than a New York minute to eat with foods fresh from the Big Apple. After all, Forest Park is bigger than Central Park.
– Bagels and lox
– Corned beef on rye
– Matzo ball soup
– Kosher dill pickles
– Cheesecake
– Dr. Brown’s Cream Soda

Mediterranean cruise cuisine
Forest Park is no Agean isle, but enjoy an afternoon of Mediterranean cuisine by packing some of these tasty treats in your picnic basket:
– Pitas and hummus
– Olives
– Bread and olive oil for dipping
– Greek salad (feta cheese)
– Couscous
– Figs and dates
– Roasted lamb (Try the Gyro House just off the Loop.)

High tea
Make it a proper afternoon out on the grass. Pack a croquet set for additional enjoyment.
– Cucumber sandwiches
– Crumpets
– Scones
– Croissants
– Fruit salad
– Hot tea (or iced if you can’t take the heat)

Sweet treats
Why save the best for last? Satisfy your sweet tooth with dessert first.
– Chocolate-dipped strawberries
– Cookies
– Chocolate truffles
– Brownies
– Wine