Greetings, fellow earthlings!

With midterm season over, some of you may now be taking a deep breath, whilst drinking a calming cup of tea and relaxing with a good book. But not me (and I am sure I am not alone in this). For most of the previous week, I could have been seen stalking the halls in-between classes, running around departments, chasing down the information needed to register for the Winter and Spring semesters.

Each year, each term I spend several hours of my young life trying to plan my future. And each time, I come no closer to decoding and memorizing the numerous courses I need to take in order to graduate and have a career. Not only that but due to the limited courses posted every semester and due to the limit on the maximum amount of credits a student is allowed to take –  not only do I have to first remember my previous list/plan, I also have to completely reorganize said list, enroll in classes, and then create a new list in hopes that this one will never change and remain in my mind until the day I no longer need it, fully realizing how, in the end, utterly futile the endeavor actually is.

In short, each term I have to create a detailed detective’s suspect/crazy wall/board, stare at it until I stop understanding why I decided to go to college, then suddenly decide that everything isn’t so bad, and finally,  about 3-4 hours in – tear the whole thing down hysterically cackling all the way when I realize I had made a mistake.

If you are in a similar boat, I just want to say – I know how you feel and I can only reassure you (fully knowing I am stating the obvious) by promising you that it will soon be over (if only for a time).

For those of you, who are either utterly oblivious (I envy you) or are unnaturally calm in the face of a storm (I definitely envy you), below are the registration start dates for course enrollment:

• Winter enrollment is now open.
• Spring enrollment begins November 12^th

Moving on…

This week (as usual) is packed with various events, discussions, and opportunities. Please, take your time to scroll through this rather lengthy list, as there are a lot of interesting activities that might pique your interest. (I’ll meet you at the end)

Numerous Announcements (mostly unrelated to course planning):

! If any of you out there or maybe somebody you know is interested in law school, you may be excited to hear/read that CUNY Law School will be running the Pipeline to Justice Program again on the Brooklyn College campus during Winter Intersession from January 22 – January 25.

• The program is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about the legal field and receive an introduction to law school. The program is free and will run from 9am to 3pm each day.
• Deadline to complete, submit and email the application to pipeline.admin@law.cuny.edu  is December 10th. (Please note that enrollment is limited to 25 students).

Tuesday, November 13^th – Study Abroad 1.0 – Information Session: 1212 Boylan Hall @1:00-2:00 pm.

Tuesday, November 13^th – So You Want to be a Writer? Maroon Room, 6^th Floor – Student Center @12:30-2:00 pm. To RSVP, please email: msarrao@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Tuesday, November 13th – Open Kitchen: A Celebration of Food Diversity – Food Lab: 111 Roosevelt Hall, Brooklyn College @12:00-2:00 pm. Please RSVP, if you will be attending. Food is served on a first come, first serve basis, so get ’em while they’re hot (or cold, who knows)!

Tuesday, November 13th – Indigenous Studies and Decolonizing the Curriculum: SUBO’s Gold Room @11:00 am – 12:15 pm. Then, from 12:15 pm – 2:15 pm, refreshments/lunch will be served for students further interested in speaking with Dr. Fenelon.

• Students and faculty are invited to discuss the need for Indigenous Studies and methods of decolonizing the curriculum with the first guest speaker for the Native and Indigenous Studies Working Group, Dr. James Fenelon – a professor of sociology and Director of Center for Indigenous Peoples Studies at California State University, San Bernardino. He is Lakota / Dakota of Standing Rock, and has taught internationally, and worked with urban groups and indigenous peoples globally.

Wednesday, November 14^th – Antisemitism and Hate in America: A Teach-in with NYU Faculty: King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center – 1^st Floor Screening Room @3:00-4:30 pm.

Every Thursday – the Writer’s Circle, run by the simply wonderful Nicole, meets at 2307 Boylan @12:30-2:00 pm!

Thursday, November 15^th– How to Write a Book that Grows Your Business (Before You Begin to Write): Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL), Conference Room 018 @6:00-7:30 pm.

• Ever thought of writing a book? Come and listen to author, strategic book and business development coach Robin Colucci, as she discusses key benefits of writing a book.

Thursday, November 15^th– Social Justice for the Children Lecture Series IV: Social Justice + Mathematics = an Equation for Youth-Well Being: Occidental Lounge, 5^th Floor of the Student Center @5:00-7:00 pm.

Thursday, November 15^th– The Muslim Women’s Professional Showcase: The Women’s Center, Ingersoll 227, Brooklyn College @12:30-2:15 pm.

Monday, November 19^th – Harry Potter (Book Trivia): The Blacksmith Bar and Kitchen @8:00-9:30 pm. Please, RSVP by following the link to the website.

Monday, November 19^th – Game of Thrones Trivia: Slattery’s Midtown Pub @8:00-9:30 pm. Please, RSVP by following the link to the website.

Wednesday, November 21^st – Harry Potter (Book Trivia): The Woodstock @8:00-9:30 pm. Please, RSVP by following the link to the website.

Wednesday, November 21st – Deadline to submit your writing, art, and photography to Stuck in the Library here.

Miscellaneous: 

Check out some Magner Career Center Workshops:

Resume 101: 1207 James Hall @12:30-1:00 pm

Tuesday, November 13^th; Thursday, November 15^th; Tuesday, November 20^th;

Recruiter’s Tips on How to Land a Job: 1309 James Hall @6:30–8:00 pm

Thursday, November 29^th;

Come and see a BC Theater Production:

• Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov

November 9^th – 17^th;

• Lear by Young Jean Lee

December 7^th – 12^th;

For timings and locations, check out the theater department website here. Tickets are $18 ($15 for seniors and $12 for students with a CUNY ID).

Check out this link to see a comprehensive listing of institutions with free or suggested admission prices for CUNY ID holders.

Students can enjoy free tapings of live shows filmed all over the city by simply going to the websites of their favorite shows and checking out ticket availability and age restrictions for the taping. Shows include The Daily Show with Trevor Noah & The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

(If you have skipped down here in hopes of more exciting content, you were wrong to do so – please, go back and read – I promise it is worth your while)

Hopefully, you have found the list to be as informative, as I did when writing it.

I wish you luck with surviving till Thanksgiving recess. Check out the recipes from our current and older Currently Eating sections for some ideas for your feast/normal dinner! And remember to relax and enjoy your time with family and friends!

Though, keep in mind the term/short/research papers/assignments due post-break or in December. I suggest starting on them early on, and this is coming from a chronic procrastinator, currently panicking despite having plenty of time (for now).

Cheers, guys! And, no, it is not too early for Christmas music!

-L.L.L.