In the past 10 weeks I have hopefully managed to convince you not only that hitting life’s snooze button to be a graduate student is pretty awesome, but also that I myself am a reliable source of information about it all. The truth is that my experience is atypical, though in a good way. I have a wonderful advisor, a fascinating project and a handy fellowship that have made my time here run unusually smoothly. That’s good for you! So much of the media about being a grad student is negative, that I think my positive take on things is needed. Therefore, for those of you who are still eager to one day pursue a post-baccalaureate degree, below is my advice on how to get into grad school. Why should you trust what I have to say? Because all the advice here is advice I did not follow, but should have. Disclosure time: I actually made a lot of mistakes when applying to graduate school, and I pretty much did... ...

I graduated from Davis a year ago after finishing my Super-Senior year. I spent my last nine months as a student in ballet class, a comedy course I completed twice before and a couple of musicals. I fell into this slump of laziness where work didn’t matter. Why would I show up for class if it’s over already? Also, I went to about eight-and-a-half classes my last year so I’m surprised I was even given my diploma. Also, I still haven’t picked up my diploma. See? Lazy. I was tripped out by the fear of the next step. The uncertainty of how everything is supposed to turn out makes you cling on to the familiar. A part of me still wants nothing more than to have DC swipes and the ability to bike wherever I please at the drop of a hat. But as cool as we’d like to think Ryan Reynolds was in Van Wilder, we’re poorly mistaken. Appreciate the last couple of weeks, don’t forget the memories and... ...

Following the protests across UC campuses in November, UC President Mark Yudof commissioned a report, called the Robinson-Edley report, to make recommendations to facilitate free speech while maintaining the health and safety of those involved. A draft of the report has been released to allow the UC community to provide comments until June 8 to strengthen the report’s recommendations. Beginning with the Free Speech movement in the ’60s, free speech and civil disobedience have been intertwined with UC history and culture. To ensure the free flow of ideas we must take every step possible to protect our right to free speech. We must not give up this chance; this is a rare opportunity for us to give input on policies that will directly apply to us. We have the means to shape the administration within our reach. With the State’s decreasing financial investment in higher education, protests and civil disobedience will only happen with increasing frequency. Whether you choose to protest or not, the administration’s response affects everyone — we... ...

A “New American Century” is a phrase often heard bandied about by both the Obama and Romney campaigns. What it entails is somewhat vague, but it is not difficult to guess the contours of such an idea. A New American Century would involve global dominance with regards to the economy, military and the standard of living. Such a century would be an affirmation of our highest vanity and deepest ego — to be the biggest, baddest kid on the block, the readily acknowledged king of the global jungle. Well, too bad that is probably not going to happen. I am moving onto shaky ground here theoretically, but I believe that the reason for the coming Great American Decline has to do with a loss of the American ideal of service to others and sacrifice for the collective good. Here, you might sputter rather irritatedly that, well, of course America is going to be number one forever and ever, Amen. To believe otherwise is to be almost heretical in thought. After all,... ...

Last week, a variety of food trucks graced Davis during The Davis Dirt’s Street Food Rodeo. This amalgamation of new food options and local band performances made for quite a popular display. Not only did this event present a marvelous opportunity to take a break from the usual midday meal, but it also served a purpose: to raise money for a well-deserved cause, the Davis School Garden Program. On top of that, the efforts also addressed eco-friendly concerns, ensuring that the participants and vendors both stayed true to Davis’ green ways. After attending the successful event, it is clear that food trucks are desired by students and could be profitable for the University. Fundraisers similar to the recent Street Food Rodeo can be organized to raise money for a specific cause or foundation. For example, ASUCD could bring a food truck event to campus, which would bring in extra money for its services while providing students with alternate lunch options. It is true that food trucks have begun to make... ...

Today is election day. The June ballot in California this year isn’t terribly exciting; rest assured, Barack Obama will be the Democratic nominee for President. But there is Proposition 29. Prop 29 imposes a $1.00 tax on cigarette packs. Thus, financially, it affects only those who smoke, and nobody else. California currently ranks 33rd in the nation in its tobacco tax (at just 87 cents), and hasn’t raised its tax in 13 years. Sometimes arguments crumble under the weight of statistics, but it would do a disservice to everyone not to include a few below. To start, 88 percent of addicted smokers begin before they reach the age of 18. If Prop 29 passes, a projected 228,000 California kids won’t become addicted adult smokers. If Prop 29 passes, 22,000 smoking-affected births will be avoided in California over the next five years. If Prop 29 passes, $735 million will be raised to spend on cancer research and tobacco prevention in the state of California. These funds will be allocated by a... ...