After my freshman year at TCU, I wanted to transfer to a different school.I felt like an outsider - like I didn't fit in. I hated college, and I thought it was the university's fault.

I could not have been more wrong.

My parents tried to talk me out of transferring.

"You can't come to college expecting things to happen for you, Al," they said. "You have to make them happen."

So, I decided to try TCU for one more semester to make my parents happy.

As the curtain closes on the fall semester and on the college years of winter graduates, the next step in life - a career - begins to unfold for the fresh alumni.Some December graduates are still looking to find a place in the job market after walking across the stage.

Winny Wiszneauckas, a senior marketing/entrepreneurial management major, said she is still in the process of finding a job. Even though she graduates soon, she still isn't sure what the future holds for her.

Musicians have always influenced culture; the way we dress, speak, even the way we think and act. They are role models placed on a pedestal to be admired and, in some cases, practically worshipped by the masses. Musicians must realize their impact on listeners. In particular, young, impressionable minds - their core audience.

In the past, youngsters looked to rock stars for an example in bad behavior. Now, rap outshines rock, and the power of influence has shifted.

Rappers should be held responsible for many of the problematic trends they've started.

Thirteen is the number this holiday season. It's the name of the show produced and choreographed by 13 seniors, set to graduate in either May or December. The School for Classical and Contemporary Dance at TCU will present a senior showcase concert Dec. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. The show, called "13.0," will be presented at the Studio B Theatre inside the TCU Ballet and Modern Dance Building.

The show consists of modern and ballet dances created by the students, said Susan Roberts, associate professor of modern dance.

Five studio art majors are displaying their artwork before a TCU audience for the last time before their December graduations. The Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio Art Senior Exhibition ends today after a week of showcasing a variety of projects.

Jennifer Dawson, a senior studio art major, said she was surprised by how many people came to the show.

"It was really exciting," Dawson said. "We didn't know how many people were going to show up."

Read more:Morgan Blunk's column from Image magazine Morgan Blunk: Image column intended to be satire, not serious commentaryb> Image magazine editorial staff: Magazine contains more than opinion columns...

Returning from a wonderful time of family gathering and football watching during the Thanksgiving break, I found myself questioning the function of America's holiday traditions. When boiled down to the basics, some behavior deemed normal during our most celebrated days seems downright unusual.

Let's start with Halloween.

You get decked out as a pirate, a ghost or Superman to beat on the doors of strangers, demanding candy and threatening a trick if said goodies are not handed over promptly.

The Student Government Association resolution to bring jazz programming back to KTCU FM 88.7 "The Choice" was vetoed Wednesday by the SGA president. Jace Thompson, SGA president, said he vetoed the resolution because it did not represent the interests of the entire student body.

Thompson said he talked to Russell Scott, KTCU station manager, and another student who informed him that no one had consulted them before building the resolution. Thompson said the resolution's author should have researched KTCU's perspective to validate the resolutions' necessity.

Eight hundred students at Middlebury College formed a group to protest the change of the school's seal.A Facebook group.

Students no longer need posters and signs to picket and rally against injustices. In fact, they don't even have to leave their desk chairs.

With one click of the mouse, they can join other students in the latest protest on campus, in the region, state or even the world.

All because of the wonders of a little Web site called Facebook.

Hundreds of students' financial aid was delayed this semester because of a new computer system. Michael Scott, director of scholarships and student financial aid, said the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board had problems when it installed a new computer system at its offices, delaying disbursement of financial aid all over Texas.

The College Access Loan is the only state loan that was delayed this year, Scott said. Upperclassmen were the main recipients of this loan because they were granted priority over freshmen by the Coordinating Board, he said.

Next fall, residential services will make Foster Hall the first dormitory to host a program that aims to build relationships and increase retention among freshman.The hall will be home to freshman Living...