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As the school year begins, it is normal to experience a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. This is a time of new opportunities and challenges. Whether you are a first-year student beginning your college career or returning to Loras with several pervious semesters already behind you, a new academic year offers a chance for a fresh start. 

One of the best ways to prepare for the new school year is by getting organized. Develop a system that works well for you. Start by reviewing your course syllabi, noting important deadlines, and setting up a planner or digital calendar to keep track of assignments and exams. Also add your work schedule, practices or rehearsals, and other regular commitments. Don’t forget to include time for studying in your planner. Think too about a study place that is best for you. The Library offers a wide variety – whether you like a view, a study room, study carrels, comfy furniture, or group study space with screens and whiteboards, there is a place for everyone.

As you make your schedule, prioritize your well-being along with your responsibilities. Leave room in your schedule so you can make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and finding time for physical activity. An essential part of well-being is also connecting with others. Take advantage of orientation events, club fairs, and social gatherings to meet new people and get involved in campus life. Remember, though, the key is balance. Set boundaries and establish a routine that includes time for both work and fun. 

Finally, remember that there is lots of support available. Just in MARC you can meet with a librarian for research assistance, get help with your papers at the Writing Center, get help from the math faculty at the Math Lab, get connected with tutors or SI sessions through our new Academic Success Coordinator, Molly Menster, find assistance with internships, study abroad, and career planning in the Center for Experiential Learning, and find support at the Lynch Disability Resource and Cultural Center. By taking care of yourself and reaching out for support when needed, you’ll be better prepared to handle the challenges and enjoy the rewards of the new school year.

Water is essential to all forms of life, and maintaining its quality is crucial for health, ecological balance, agriculture productivity, recreational use, industrial processes, and environmental sustainability. However, if you have been hiking or biking around Dubuque recently, you probably have noticed that much of our water has been overtaken by algae blooms, plant overgrowth, and other pollutants. Dubuque is not alone. Water quality is an issue throughout Iowa, the rest of the country, and the world.  

One of the primary goals of National Water Quality Month, observed every August, is to raise awareness about the sources and impacts of water pollution. Water pollution has two categories, point-source and nonpoint-source pollution. Point-source pollution originates from a single, direct source, such as a factory or wastewater treatment plant. Nonpoint-source pollution occurs when precipitation or irrigation water runs over land and picks up pollutants, depositing them into streams, lakes, or groundwater. This latter type, especially runoff of soil, fertilizer, and manure from agricultural land, is the most common in Iowa and is largely unregulated. This pollution reduces water clarity, fills lakes, and carries nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, causing harmful algae blooms that threaten drinking water, wildlife habitats, and outdoor recreation. It also includes chemicals or nitrates that leach into waterways and groundwater.

There are no quick fixes to this widespread issue. Prevention is key, focusing on keeping excess sediment, nutrients, bacteria, and other pollutants out of water. In agricultural areas, conservation practices like wetlands, ponds, terraces, and buffers are essential to reduce pollutants. Urban areas can contribute by managing lawn fertilizers, preventing pollutants from entering storm drains, and controlling soil runoff from construction sites. These efforts require not just changes in individual practices but a collective effort that addresses issues of regulation, policy, and funding.

National Water Quality Month is an ideal time to advocate for these solutions, raise awareness about the importance of water quality, and encourage practices that protect our water resources. To learn more about water quality, please visit our book display on the main floor of the Library.

The first International Lefthanders Day was in 1976, initiated by Dean Campbell, founder of Lefthanders International, Inc. The goal was to celebrate the uniqueness of being lefthanded and to raise awareness about the everyday issues lefthanders encounter. Over the decades, this day has grown in popularity, fostering a sense of community and understanding among lefthanders globally.

Roughly 10% of the population is lefthanded. The exact reason why some people are lefthanded has long been the subject of research. There may be at least twenty genes that contribute to handedness. In addition, epigenetic marks, which regulate the expression of DNA, could influence this trait.  

Because they are a small minority, lefthanders face numerous challenges in the righthand world. Many everyday items – scissors, knives, computer mice, notebooks, desks, cameras, musical instruments, etc. – are designed with righthanders in mind. This design bias can lead to discomfort and inefficiency for lefthanders. Historically, lefthanders have also faced even more serious discrimination. In the Middle Ages, for example, being lefthanded could lead to accusations of witchcraft. In fact, the Latin word for left is sinestra from which the English word sinister is derived.

Because of the stigma, many lefthanded children have been forced to be righthanded. While this has been much less the case in the US since the 1970s, this practice still continues in some cultures where using one’s lefthand for some activities like eating is considered rude or where being lefthanded is considered unlucky. Yet, forced right-handedness can have developmental consequences. Studies have associated it with learning disorders, dyslexia, stuttering, and other speech disorders.

Despite these challenges, there are also benefits to being lefthanded. Left-handedness is often associated with creativity. This creativity may be a natural consequence of living in a righthanded world which requires lefthanders to develop problem-solving skills and adaptability. Lefthanded athletes can often excel as their left-handedness results in a unique and unexpected approach to their sport from the perspective of righthanders. Some studies indicate that lefthanded people may also be more verbal and have better language skills.

International Lefthanders Day is more than just a celebration of a trait; it is a day to promote understanding, inclusivity, and appreciation for the diverse ways in which people interact with the world. To learn more about hand dominance and left-handedness, check out these resources from the Library.