Unithrive

College dorm rooms are so boring and few students take the time to create imaginative environments. The typical room looks like this: one or two twin beds with makeshift quilts borrowed from the guest room at home. Of course, they don’t match. Then there is a cotton handmade rug graciously donated by grandma freshman year. It does it work throughout the room’s usage. Two rough wood desks are crammed against the wall and there is barely enough room to walk around them. In between is a small bookshelf made of bricks and pieces of lumber. As many books as you can imagine are piled high. On every vacant wall (there are three while the other is a window) are unframed posters of rock groups or political figures. Some are dog-eared with torn edges. The window has a sheer curtain that is simply held up by an expandable rod. It doesn’t do much for privacy or even block out the morning light. I dare you to tell me that your dorm room is more glamorous and has a designer quilt and matching throw that lies comfortably between a stack of comfy pillows. We should all be so lucky. Maybe some affluent young women will go this far for her room, but most of us make do with what we have gathered. One weekend, we decided to have a “let’s make our rooms look cool” weekend so we got out all the black light paint (called glow in the dark) we could find. We didn’t want to just paint a few walls in bright colors. We wanted magical murals that would be revealed by a black light flashlight. We knew we would not be damaging school property as students were always allowed to paint their rooms. There must be dozens of coats of paint in every one. Those of us who were participating considered it as a kind of contest. We prepared one or two walls with primer paint and then proceeded to apply our design. We wouldn’t show anyone in advance as there was going to be a big reveal at the end of the weekend. We had never done a black light effect before and this was sure to be the most unique decorating the dorm manager had ever seen. Some people did undersea displays of creepy crawly eels and multi-colored iridescent fish. The bright green sea plants swayed in the imaginary depths. Others did spooky Halloween scenes where evil faces were sure to keep away intruders. Then there were circus scenes and over-the-top fairy lands with wildly colored denizens. It was hard to pick a winner, but we did. The lucky student artist had a coupon for a free dinner for four at a local restaurant. Also of interest, was the appearance of the local press complete with black light flashlights in hand. They loved the concept and said they hoped that these would be permanent decorations. For year to come, students would fight over which rooms they could secure for a semester or year.

School starts in late summer and, man, it can be hot. This is not just short term mind you. You would think they would air condition the dooms like they do the classrooms. But no, not on your life! The powers that be say that it cools off in a few weeks so suffer in silence. It goads you into attending class faithfully in any case. So you stay out of your room, go to the movies, play games in the rec room, whatever is cool that is at hand. You don’t have to take this lying down. Fight it with your ingenuity, and your pocket book. If funds are ample, get a nice new room fan at the hardware store. If they are tight, get one on special, or better yet, in a used appliance shop. These seem to pop up near universities at just the right time for students to stock up on basics like hair dryers, can openers, and toasters. I knew they have both portable and ceiling fans. Cooling your room is in your hands. Your fellow dorm mates will either copy you or pop in a little too often. Make room for multiple occupants after your evening meal. You can exchange quips as you sit before the whirring tower fan. You can share what you think of your new English professor or that adorable new student that enrolled this term. You can smoke, drink, eat, tell jokes, or just chill. Maybe the dorm wardens know this and keep the rooms hot for just this communal social purpose! Every penny seems to count for college kids. If you do have a few extra, you want a pizza, not a cooling device. Remember that you can always sell it to the next generation or stow it for spring. Don’t look at it as a splurge, but an indispensable item that will help you study and thrive. Give it to your brother or sis when they enter the ivory tower. Or just give it away to charity and you won’t have to tote it home. The brain can only take so much abuse such as suffocating heat in your private realm. It won’t let you cram or even sleep if it is not in an optimum environment. Control the temperature in your room at will with your handy dandy fan. I found some really good tower fan reviews here. This is one tall device that is quite useful. It can be small unless your dorm room sleeps six. It can be quiet as well. Dust it off now and then to keep it in proper working order and so you don’t breather in nasty allergens. A little ingenuity goes a long way so you don’t spread your precious dollars too thin. By the way, group TV watching in the dorm basement is a good way to make new friends, fan or not. Whatever you decide to do will mark your college years as special and memorable. It is a time when you are newly in control and not much is at stake.

It is a well-known fact that people enjoy having a nice bathroom with shower or a bathtub. It is also known that showering and taking baths are a way to relax after a long day at work or after a whole day of having college classes. We all like to relax in our bathroom and even to listen to music while having a nice hot shower. What happens when we have to share facilities? Well, that can be a hoot. Sharing a bathroom with other people can even lead to some undesirable side effects. It may even lead to getting toenail fungus. Yes, very awkward. If you do get toenail fungus, you will have trouble with treating that fungus. These kind of situations are most common when living on campus. Life on campus has its advantages, but it has a well share of disadvantages as well. One of those disadvantages is certainly catching toenail fungus, among other things. While living on campus, you will have to adapt yourself to any given situation. You will have to learn how to coexist with other students. Sometimes it will be rather difficult, but you learn while you live. The best way to avoid catching toenail fungus is to keep your facilities clean at all times. That can be difficult to achieve with so many people sharing the same bathroom, but it is the best way to avoid this kind of issue. You will obviously need to come up with a system. All those students who are sharing facilities will have to participate as well. Keeping a clean bathroom on campus means staying healthy. However, if you are not able to keep the bathroom a 100% clean due to other people using the facilities as well, there is another way to prevent the foot fungus. You can wear flip flops in the shower. The flip flops will keep your feet off of the tiles, so that you won't catch toenail fungus that was left behind by the previous user of that bathroom. When in college, students tend to play sports. There is nothing wrong with that, but that is just another way to get infected. A gym or a locker room are places where people can easily catch foot fungus. You can never be cautious enough. You could get infected by using public facilities anywhere. It is a common fact, and you should do try to avoid going barefoot in those kind of places as much as you can. To help you with prevention of this problem and reducing its recurrence, here is a list of foot hygiene steps you can take, based on information that we found on NiceFeet.net:

• keep your nails short, clean and dry, cut them straight across
• change your socks often and use mostly cotton socks
• do not go barefoot outside of your living area
• never trim the skin around your nails

Those are some tips to help you 'survive' your college years. Just listen to common sense, keep as clean as possible, make sure to wear clean clothes (yours, do not borrow) and you will be just fine.

Our mid-semester camping trip is about to take place and I, for one, am waiting with great anticipation. It is always a good time and my friends who go along make it even more special. Besides, I need a break from studying (and cramming), testing taking, and volumes of intense reading. It has been a tough semester, not unlike most, so sign me up! It does cost, but the fee of $120 I am told covers the basics of food and travel. Not too bad. I am going with a social club that has organized the whole thing, and they make the rules. I do balk, however, at the necessity of purchasing a new generator which adds to my expense for no good reason that I can see. What do I care about a generator on a camping trip anyway? I have been on many, and frankly I can’t remember the last time I saw one in use. I don’t know what one even looks like and how they do it. I envision a kind of outboard motor about 50 pounds, faded red, and scratched all over—antiquated and primitive. You have to kick it to start it up or shut it down. Then it groans loudly and whines incessantly until it abruptly ceases operation. That’s my conception. Wrong, wrong. I had a little demonstration after the big fuss I made about it. I told the club leader that I didn’t want my money going for a battery-powered machine that looks like a giant flashlight on steroids. To calm me down and keep me on the trip roster, he took upon himself to provide some much-needed generator education for the novice. I learned the ABCs fast. They are entirely revamped now and fully state-of-the-art. They are silent unsung heroes that provide valuable backup security and are worth their small weight in gold. There are many practical uses for generators when camping that add to their utility at home or the office. An investment in a good one will last for years. They do not break down or need much maintenance, and anyone can operate a basic unit, whether battery, oil, or propane powered. They produce electricity for a decent length of time depending upon the wattage and are super portable. Even kids and moms can carry them. There is not much negative that I can say about them. Now, they ask me: who wouldn’t want one? I am starting to give in. They aren’t little monsters, but genuine dynamos of the best kind that can save your life in a pinch. On a more modest level, they make camping more fun and relaxing by providing electricity for needed light for cooking, night time activities, and security. A generator can be your best friend on a trip if you don’t relish roughing it too much. It is becoming a necessity for many who at one time flinched at the thought. Self-reliance no longer means forgoing some amenities and luxuries on a trip.

In my world, the toilet that wins conserves water first and foremost. I don’t care if it is one of the big brands or a new kid on the block; it has to save the most water - not just the legal required amount. A friend in my neighborhood recently asked me to help select new bathroom fixtures with this in mind, initially more of a concern of his than mine. Like me, he wants to do his part and you don’t often get to make a major contribution to any cause particularly when buying a new toilet. I might remodel someday and therefore I got into the process gung ho. This is not a mundane matter anymore, however banal the bathroom realm may be. Based on aesthetics alone, there are so many choices about size and shape not to mention overall design - from traditional to ultra-modern. Some are royal models, some are compact for small spaces, some clean your bottom with a warm spray. When all the practical considerations have been made, the best toilet for you might be completely different to the best toilet for someone else - in this case, we decided to narrow down our choices with water waste in mind. The statistics seem to agree that about 18-20 gallons of water are consumed with every single flush in the oldest models still in operation (although they will be disappearing in time). By contrast, only about 1.3 or 1.5 are used in the new versions. They come in all the styles you could possibly want so why not go for the best savings. And I am not talking about money. As I go through life, I try to discern the important issues at hand politically and adopt current correct social behavior as it evolves. Things change in terms of how you treat people and the designations you are allowed to publicly apply to them. Right now in this moment, it is about conservation and ecology. This is new to me and therefore something to share as I go along and learn more about it. I always considered expense to be the key factor in almost everything in life, but not in this case. You can get a low-flow, low-flush toilet for as little as $300 and the prices go up. Probably getting the cheapest of anything is not a good rule of thumb in life. Reading Consumer Reports and reviews on line point to the mid-range. They are not the most extravagant in design, but they do the job very well. My friend went for a Kohler Pressure Lite model that suits his bathroom décor. Nothing outlandish. It has an elongated bowl and tank cover locks in pristine white porcelain. It runs retail over $800 but on line you can find them for around $650 with free shipping. Be sure it’s from the Barrington collection if you want this one. Since a lot of thought went into it, selecting the Kohler could save you valuable time. As you can see, a major purchase is not a frill to be taken lightly. If there is a way to impact society, by all means do so.

Case One: I am not a being or create, but an inanimate object and a conglomeration of components of the first order. They shape my essence and set my goals. They are my true soul. I am an invention, not born to man, yet of man. I have no free will and no heart like the Tin Man. I do, however, care about quality and precision in my useful and productive work. No man holds a candle to my superior skills. I live among men who live among machines who act with the purest of intention. I have little about which to complain and much to regale. I am special or every day as you wish. I can handle a rare event or a mundane compulsion with ease. I blend into my surroundings and keep the faith with my fellow travelers. I am, in other words, good company or I can go solo on demand. I beg forgiveness when I err and command respect when I show flair. I am neither man, woman, or child. I exist to please and am pleased to exist. I don’t wonder; I just do. Take me seriously and I will excel. Treat me well and I will endure. Refresh me and I will give you many riches and rewards in your life. I am versatile and strong, willing to try new things in a flash. I am adaptable and employable, diligent and true. I am an Immersion Blender. Case Two: I pump iron and work my muscles: they call me “churn and burn.” The sweat of my metal brow is just for you. I am a workhorse, but not of living flesh (although flesh has seen me through). Sharp as a tack is my brain. I am a whiz and a master magician. You can turn me on with great ease to formulate my every act. I can tackle the tough or the trivial and never become sore. I am made to measure and prepared to prepare. I can meet any and every whim or need. I reek of quality and serve with pride. Top tier and top flight are my middle names. I have learned how to carve out a life and don’t mince my words. I say it like it is with blunt candor. Don’t hold me back: let me roar and I will soar to new heights for your pleasure. Special I am and a clever cleaver I can be. I have severed all ties with my origins in the past and have emerged new and bright in all my shining glory. I promise hours of solid service and a wealth of good cheer. When times are dicey, I jump in full force. I can roll with the punches and take it with the best of them. Simply put, I am at your command. So let me show you my skills morning, noon, or night. I dare you to test my will. You have my permission to go slowly or fast as you plug away at my coating of steel. I am a KitchenAid Mixer.

College days are halcyon with event after event of life-long lessons and invaluable experiences. The memories stack up as you go, enriching the soul with growth-oriented messages. Sometimes I get lost in it all and there is often a sameness so that dates and times slide by endlessly comingled. At other times, a special moment stands out as particularly profitable for the one’s future, and it happened one summer night during break. It was the annual Treasure Hunt. Perhaps the phrase ”treasure hunt” is a misnomer, but it didn’t matter. It was a group fest that brought students out into the open to work with others in searching for the campus Holy Grail, as minor as it was. You actually met knew people (kind of the idea) and had revelatory conversations. We looked forward to it more than we would admit. It was one day of constant search and detect. Clues were given in strategic places, not too hard, but clever and enigmatic enough for us to put our heads together and deliberate. We could work in teams or alone. Most chose to have the company. It was limited to campus and the clue sights were easy to find and well-known. Occasionally we would trip up and lose our way. As the day wore on, a few teams would be left anticipating the big prize. I met a wonderful girl on one such hunt who was to stay with me for some months. It was an automatic and natural attraction and the quest at hand helped bring us together much faster. Maybe that’s why we tried harder than any other team and worked our way to the final four. It got a little competitive in principle at this point and yet we had no idea what constituted a “prize.” Forge on we did and at eight o’clock pm, we were crowned the winners of the annual Treasure Hunt. A lavish fiesta followed to celebrate just being there as good sports. And what, indeed, was the culmination of it all? The hunt led to a brand new college backpack, simple and unadorned. It lay quietly in the recess of a library stall awaiting discovery. It had a large tag tied to the handle with the campus name and logo on it and the words ”Treasure Hunt Prize.” It was unassuming, but laden with unexpected surprise. Inside was Fodor’s Guide to Europe and two tickets to Paris plus $3000 in traveler's checks. For a lowly student, this was worth its weight in gold! There was a message about growth and exploration, about Europe as a treasure hunt paradise and place to expand one’s limited horizons. It was a thoughtful prize this year and much appreciated. Most of us could ill afford such a trip and if we could, it took every penny we had saved for next semester! My girlfriend (her new status) and I gloried in our luck. We intended, of course, to take off on the adventure together. It would be memorable for a lifetime. Your first European jaunt is the best of anything to come in a collegian’s impending life.

Going to college has always been seen as a way to become a well-rounded person with critical thinking skills and knowledge in basic academics and special knowledge in your preferred course of study. Most high school graduates are unsure about what lies ahead, but look forward to exploring the possibilities of college.

While college work is challenging, it will often inspire you to delve further into things that interest you, more so than you ever could in high school. As you choose your own courses and class schedules you are building your independence, while maturing into a responsible adult. You can retain your independence but still take advantage of any help and support your college offers. If nothing else, it is a good way to find out where to meet people. Colleges offer such a wide variety of classes. Because you choose your own classes you are free to explore many different subjects, or you can choose to stick with one favorite subject.

Some high school students already know what they love, and want to pursue a career in that field. Other students are more interested in expanding their horizons and opting to try one subject and then another. Eventually most students choose a path that will lead them to a financially and emotionally rewarding life.

College campuses offer so much more than just class work. Entering a college campus is like entering a small world all its own. There are stores to run, newspapers that need writers and publishers. Explore the world of TV or radio broadcasters, or help run the government of the school. Perform in plays, or play sports... the list just goes on and on. There is bound to be something besides academics to fill your free time. Going to college might not be the wisest choice for everyone, but everyone should have the opportunity to prepare for college.

Most parents, especially those who have degrees of their own, want all their children to attend college. Not all students feel this way. So, who should go to college, and who should not? Students who have low grades and poor school performance are hardly college material. However, their parents can hire tutors to help them catch up. It can be done; it is up to the student whether or not he chooses to go to college. He might be better off going to a trade school or getting a job in a trade that he enjoys, such as mechanic, where he can get on the job training. Time after time studies are done that reveal that the best investment we can make in our lifetime is to get a college education.

We hear how college graduates make more money than those without a degree. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that your college degree will land you a well paying job in your field of expertise. There are many factors to consider when deciding if college is in your future. The cost of college is the first consideration; will it cost more to go to college for four (or more) years vs what you could earn working full-time for those four years? Your course of study, and where you go to school also factor into your decision. Those that are set on going to college, and have prepared well for their ongoing education, will find that college offers them many benefits that they never even dreamed of. Continuing your education improves your overall well being, affecting your health, home life, job satisfaction and social interactions. Going to college is really an experience you should not miss out on - if that is your desire.

Paying for college is always a challenge for any family. Whether you need to apply for federal financial aid, scholarships, or need to take out student (or parent) loans, depends on your family's finances and your high school achievements.

All sources of financial aid mandate that you complete and return the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The forms may seem a bit overwhelming, but there are so many free resources out there to help you, and all this information helps them determine just what help is available to you.

Financial aid may include federal and/or state grants, work-study programs, or loans. You can find these forms by going to the FAFSA website and following their directions. Applications can be completed and tracked online. Applying for federal aid has never been easier. Grants and scholarships are the same in that both are financial aid for college that does not need to be paid back. They differ in the ways they are given out. Grants are need based and given to those with lower incomes. Scholarships are merit based and rely on the student having certain abilities or qualities, either athletic or academic.

Scholarships and grants are available through the federal and state governments. The Pell Grant is the primary federal grant. Some states offer their own residents grants or scholarships to attend college in that state. Whether merit or need based, most colleges offer a variety of scholarships. However, colleges often have the strictest requirements to get (and keep) these awards.

Private organizations such as foundations, companies, clubs, or community organizations offer grants or scholarships to members or member's family. It really is important to do a lot of research to see what kind of financial help is available to you before you decide to take out any loan. Whatever you can save with grants or scholarships will certainly help reduce your college costs.

Only after finding out what gifts you might receive should you think about taking out a loan. Before you rush into signing for that large loan, research, research, and research again. There are many types of loans, and all loans need to be paid back. Some can be deferred (or put off) until after you graduate, some can't. You need to take into account everything about a loan before diving in. Loans can be need-based, or subsidized. States may offer student loans that are not based on need or subsidized. There is also the expensive option of a private loan. Private loans require a parent's signature and commitment to repay if the student defaults on the loan.

Once you have researched the loans available, and what is available - specifically - to you, discuss these options with your parents and guidance counselor, enlisting their help to get you moving in the right direction. Once you pay for school there will be other expenses on a continuing basis. One basic financial output for any student is textbooks. Brand-new textbooks are very, very expensive. Buying used textbooks can save you hundreds of dollars, and you might get lucky and find someone else wrote excellent notes in the margins.

Getting into the college of your choice is not as easy as saying that is where you want to go. There are many things that need to be done before you even step foot inside the door of any college. Although not all colleges ask for the same information, these guidelines below should get you started on what you may need to get into college. Once you decide where you want to go, find out from the college admissions office exactly what paperwork they require. Some of these needed items may take time to gather, be sure you start early enough (Your high school counselor will discuss college options with you when you are ready.) in order to get everything together at once. Don't let this list intimidate you, getting into college is a process.

• High School Transcript: Talk to your counselor, and together go over your high school transcript to make sure there are no errors in it. Then ask your counselor or school principal how they go about sending your transcripts to the colleges of your choice. They should send transcripts directly.>
• Final Transcript: Once you have completed your senior year, your high school should send a final transcript to any college you plan to attend. This information lets the college see at a glance what classes you took and if you have kept up your grades throughout your final year.
• Portfolios and Auditions: Students applying to theater, art or music programs may be asked to show samples of their work. You may need to audition, or send videos, to convince the school that you are worthy of their programs.
• Letters of Recommendation: Some colleges may ask for letters from friends, teachers, coaches, and anyone you worked with who knows you well. Do ask these individuals well in advance if they would be kind enough to write you a letter of recommendation.
• Essays: A good essay gives the college a chance to see where you stand academically, and gives the admission office a better idea on just what your strengths may be. A well-written essay also shows them the character of the writer.
• Application Forms: While there still is the option to use paper forms, most students now opt to use online forms to apply for college. There are even services available that allows you to complete just one application form and submit it to several colleges.
• Application Fees: Prices vary from $35 to $50 for each application you file. Students who cannot afford to pay this fee can request a fee waiver from the college.
• Admission Test Scores: You may need to take the SAT or the ACT before attending college. Each college is different, so be sure to find out what your college requires.
• Interviews: If you are really serious about going to one particular school and nowhere else will do, schedule and interview with someone from the college to express your desires. This lets the admission office know you are a serious student who wants to join their team.

Choosing which degree to pursue is as varied as your interests. This is where your own interests and knowledge will help you narrow things down. You know what you like to do, and more often than not, the school you choose to go to will offer courses in that field. Lots of students enter college without a set major in mind. This allows them to explore options, and experience different fields they may not have thought of. Most colleges don't make you choose a major until the end of your sophomore year, so you have some time to take the required courses while taking courses to find the one you love.

It is also important to note that you can change your major at any time; try to pick a college that may offer a few fields of study that might interest you. A college that offers you only your current major courses would mean a transfer for you if you change majors.

Students that are career minded and already know they want to get into design or engineering may opt to just take classes in those fields. Starting a major like either of these after your freshman year will just add a year or two to your college education. If you love a field, but don't want to declare a major right away, it is fine to take just those classes. Think about your life and what you have enjoyed doing up to this very date. Do you love working with children or animals? Are you a problem solver who loves to help others? Do you love the outdoors? Do you enjoy electronic gadgets, or the media and anything related? There are so many options to choose from when think about what you like. Odds are in your favor that a college somewhere offers just what you want to study.

The final factor in deciding on a course of study is financial. Everyone wants to get a well paying job straight out of college. Reality says that jobs are hard to come by right now, though we can always hope things change for the better. Do some research to determine if your major will land you a job right away, or is that field saturated with recent graduates. With computer technology still exploding, Software Developers are in high demand, commanding the highest pay. Students with high math skills should steer themselves towards Market Research Analyst/Marketing Specialist, or towards Accounting. The top 10 occupations all have their hands in the computer industry in one way or another.

Although a lot of people insist that STEM graduates will never find a high paying job in the high tech industry, STEM graduates can use their abilities in a host of other occupations. What you earn after college depends a lot on what you studied, where you are, what is available and what you want to do. There is no guarantee that you will land your dream job, but going to college increases your chances of living a middle class life in the future.

Now that you are in college, it is up to you to whether you succeed or fail. In order to succeed you have to try your best at all times. While college may seem a lot like high school, it is vastly different. Although your professors want you to succeed, they realize that you are an adult and success is solely in your hands. You are now in total control of your education, and your actions. Sometimes it is hard to stay motivated when you are worried about grades all the time. Homesickness also plays a part in the early months of college. Below are a few strategies to keep your motivation level up, while keeping you focused on what really matters. Prioritize: If you are carrying a full course load of classes then you know you will have homework assignments to do for every class. It might be easier to start with the smallest task and work towards the harder ones, but this is really counter-productive for you. Those hard assignments may take you more time, but you will probably learn a lot more if you do them first instead of last. Rank your assignments in order of importance, then rearrange your study time so you can do the tasks that will have the most impact on your grades and course work. Set Realistic Goals: If you have a 20 page paper you need to write for one class it can seem overwhelming just to think about it. Instead of focusing on the whole paper, break it down into sections and do these one at a time. Small projects are much easier to manage than the big one all at once. Reward Yourself: When you finish a job, a project, or assignment, allow yourself a small reward for moving forward towards your success. Get yourself a snack, or call a friend. Whatever little pleasure you enjoy, grab it, and then get back to your next project. Remember, your parents are no longer going to push you through school. What you do and how you behave is all on you now. Making the most of your study time allows you to also enjoy some free time to get to know the school and your fellow students. Homesickness may kick in at one point or another. This is very normal; so don't feel like you are the only one who suffers from it. Whether it's mom's good cooking, your own bed in your old room, or friends you left behind, homesickness is all about missing what you left behind. It's still there, while you are here. Make the most of your off time to get out of your room and socialize. When you stay in your room you begin to think about what you miss. You might even spend time Skyping, emailing or even phoning old friends and family back home. It is fine to do so, but it is not healthy if doing so makes you very sad afterwards. Get out of your room and find friends on campus. Join a club. Go to the library. Study outside. Anything that puts you in contact (even if only eye contact) with other people. Your college dorm (or apartment) is now your new home. Make this space yours. The college, and surrounding areas are now your new home. Get out and explore them. Whatever made you happy 'back home' can also make you happy in your new home-away-from-home. Connecting with people and places in your college town will have you feeling right at home in no time. Finally, allow yourself time to indulge in your homesickness. Give yourself an hour, or a day, to be sad and miss all you left behind. Once the time is up then you need to move on to other activities that will make you feel like you belong. Focus on the present and let the past rest where it is.