In his 24th year as head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country (XC) teams and his 20th year as head coach for the women’s track and field team, Alan Drosky has spent a lifetime running. His coaching career, not to mention his three years as a standout Tech runner, has offered him a unique perspective on student-athlete XC runners. The Technique sat down with Drosky to discuss his tenure in Atlanta.

Technique: How did you first get involved with cross country?

Drosky: I had always played basketball in high school, so I knew I had good running ability just by the way I moved up and down the basketball court. I decided I would go out for cross country my senior year. I ended up being pretty good. I went from running three miles a day when I started to running 6–8 miles a day later in that fall.

Technique: Can you shed light on some of the unforeseen complexities and challenges that come with cross country running at the collegiate level?

Drosky: One saying I’ve seen on the back of high school cross country teams’ T-shirts is “Our sport is your sport’s punishment.” So in other sports, if you get in trouble, the punishment is to meet at 6 a.m. and run …. Well, we do that intentionally to train. In some aspects, it is just running, but in order to become successful at the collegiate level, it’s a lot more than that.

Technique: You’ve been coaching for a while now. How do you try to find ways to make improvements to your coaching strategy and how do you adapt to the changing styles of what produces cross country success?

Drosky: You start with the foundation of what you believe works. For us, [there is] a long term focus on aerobic development, … on increasing endurance, and … there are training methods that we know work to do this.

But every year, we are trying to figure out what works well and what doesn’t. Every year we’re trying to figure out how to get the new teammates acclimated and how each different person best receives training. It all starts with the core foundation
of what works.

Technique: What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Drosky: I think the most challenging is trying to get young people to buy into the things that are important for them to achieve success that aren’t
readily apparent.

I mean things like focusing on getting enough sleep, focusing on nutrition. College kids tend to feel like they’re bulletproof … the idea that you’re going to get nine hours of sleep each night kind of makes them laugh.

And I know that that’s a challenge, but I’m pushing them to do better — or at least start to do better — on those fronts, particularly with sleep and diets.

Technique: Are there any particular meets this season are you especially looking forward to?

Drosky: Well, we always look forward to the end because that’s what really matters: the ACC Championship and the NCAA South Regional. So those are the ones that you’re always looking forward to at the end.

During the regular season, … we are traveling to Minneapolis, Minn., for the Roy Griak Invitational. It’s a huge meet that we’ve been to years ago but haven’t been back [to] in a long time.

In the middle of October, we go to the Crimson Classic, which is over in Alabama on a course we [have] run …. The region meet this year is down in Tallahassee, but every other year it’s in Tuscaloosa, and so we always like to be on that course, so we’re looking forward to that.

Technique: Who are Tech XC’s primary rivals?

Drosky: Well, I think that Georgia is the natural rival, and we’ve had some good battles with them pretty much every year.

And then I think … we have a rivalry with the other ACC teams and maybe some of the SEC teams just because of location to them — teams like Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Auburn.

Technique: How much do sleep, mental health and nutrition affect running?

Drosky: I think those things are paramount and very important. I would say sleep, nutrition and the mental side of it are of 50/50 importance with the actual training itself.

If you’re working hard, you’re going to make progress, but if you’re doing the sleep and nutrition side right, then you’ll make huge progress. (end of interview)

Coming off of a 2015 campaign that saw the men’s team finish No. 10 in the conference and No. 8 in the region while the women’s team finished No. 15 in the conference and No. 17 in the region, Drosky knows his team has a lot of room to improve.

In last weekend’s UGA Invitational, the team’s first race of the year, both teams placed a satisfactory second place.

After a solid start, the team will look to continue their training to improve upon last season’s results thanks to better nutrition and the benefit of more experience in cross country.

The Jackets’ next meet is the Roy Griak Invitational on Sep. 24 in Minneapolis, hosted by the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers team.

In 2013, Vad Lee was the Jackets’ starting quarterback, Justin Thomas rode the bench, Zach Laskey shredded defenders and Jeremiah Attaochu notched an impressive 12.5-sack season.

Meanwhile, in Macon, Ga., Mercer University went about rekindling a football team that had been dormant for over a century.

Three years later, the two meet for the first time, and much has changed. Thomas is no longer the studious apprentice; he is the face of the Tech offense and striving to make the most of his final season. Laskey and Attaochu have carved out roles in the NFL, Lee in the Canadian Football League.

As for those young Mercer Bears? They are quickly — and quite impressively — maturing. Nevertheless, the odds dictate that they will fall well short of victory in The Flats.

The game looks to be Tech’s only lightweight matchup in a rather difficult schedule. The Division I FCS team restarted its program in 2013 after not having a team since the 1942 season. The Jackets will be the first FBS opponent Mercer faces in team history.

The Bears are coming off of a disappointing 5-6 season and a narrow 24-23 loss last weekend to highly regarded The Citadel on the road in South Carolina.

Despite the final score, the Bears did show certain flashes of brilliance. They showed resilience in overcoming a 21-3 deficit to return the game to 23-21 in their favor and making a number of key stops in the second half.

If the Bears hope to pose a threat on Saturday, they will have rally behind veteran leaders on both sides of the ball. According to mercerbears.com, their quarterback, senior John Russ, will be making his 37th consecutive start this Saturday.

He has taken the field for Mercer in every game since the team’s revival, the rare steady face in a program that has experienced typical growing pains.

Russ is very similar to the Jackets’ own quarterback, redshirt senior Justin Thomas, in that he is quick on his feet and not afraid to run the ball. Listed generously at 6-foot-1, his diminutive stature allows him to slip past defenders.

He should pose some challenge for a defense that initially struggled last week to contain Boston College’s Patrick Towles, a big-bodied scrambler.

On the defensive side, the Bears will look to senior linebacker Tyler Ward to lead the team to another strong showing. Mercer has a few things going for them coming into this game: they are the underdog, they have the motivation that comes with playing their first FBS opponent, and they are coming off of a game against another triple option offense, good preparation for this week.

Head Coach Paul Johnson addressed this on Tuesday in his weekly press conference.

“They also have the advantage of coming off playing a team that is very similar to us in style,” Johnson said. “There probably isn’t a lot [we’re] going to do that will surprise them.”

As for the Jackets, while they did squeak out a win against the Eagles, they will need to improve if they hope to beat Mercer the way they are expected to.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Tech currently has a 98.1 percent chance to win the game, meaning that anything short of a blowout will be seen as a significant failure.

For the offense, that means more energy on the offensive line, a better performance out of the A-backs as a whole and an overall increase in physicality.

Last week was tough going against one of the best defenses in the nation in Boston College, but that is no excuse for their poor performance. They struggled to open holes in the run game and protect Justin Thomas.

Mercer appears to be a good rebound with a defensive line that is smaller than most teams’. However, that means that this year’s more athletic line will have to prove it against quick opponents.

Besides sophomore B-back Marcus Marshall and freshman B-back Dedrick Mills, the run game was lackluster. While part of the blame falls on the offensive line and the stingy defense they faced, they were culpable as well.

At times in last week’s game, it looked as though the backs did not know where to go before the play even started and were failing to perform up to the standard that coach Johnson has set for them.

Mercer’s defense is significantly weaker than Boston College’s, but Tech will be shorthanded, with Mills suspended for a game after violating team rules. Marshall, redshirt sophomore A-back Qua Searcy and the rest of the backs will have to step up in his temporary absence.

Tech’s passing game produced a much more significant volume than it historically has in the Johnson era. With the game on the line and so many third- or fourth-and-long conversions, that is not unexpected.

It is likely that Tech will return to its bread and butter on the ground moving forward, but last Saturday’s win offered evidence that Tech’s receiving options will be better than they were twelve months ago.

The biggest standout in terms of receivers was Searcy, who led the team with 60 yards through the air. Redshirt junior receiver Ricky Jeune was surprisingly quiet, something that will have to change as the season progresses to build a versatile attack.

Tech’s defense held a struggling Boston College offense to 14 points last weekend and forced three turnovers in the process. While it was a good start, they still have plenty of room to improve, especially in terms of the pass rush on third downs.

With standout defensive tackle Adam Gotsis gone to the NFL, the line is without a go-to rusher who can get a big sack when it matters most. They will need to set up pocket pressure while keeping the mobile Mercer quarterback contained if they hope to bottle the Bears.

The Tech secondary looked impressive early, intercepting an early Towles pass. However, they were whistled for pass interference calls and played perhaps too physically at times.

While Tech only incurred three penalties for 28 yards, minimizing those yards will keep the team in favorable situations on both sides of the ball.

Anything but a significant margin of victory will disappoint Tech. Along the way, the two teams will have an opportunity to evaluate their early forms. Whether that involves scouting backs or assessing the defensive front, Coach Johnson is no doubt excited, though he may not show it.

The outcome of the upcoming game is not in much doubt, but the meeting of these two teams is historic, one that could repeat in the years to come.

Conquer Divide is an all-female metal band based in the United States and England. They recently released their first album which is self-titled and makes an excellent mark on the rock world. Kiarely and Janel are vocals ­—clean and screaming respectively — and both hit notes that are completely remarkable. The skill required is astronomical.

Izzy and Kristen on guitar, Ashley on bass and Tamara on drums create a dynamic and intense sound. The girls elect to not include their last names, but they are still not easy to forget. Conquer Divide stands to challenge many of the strong metal bands in the industry, and Technique had the opportunity to talk to the guitarist, Izzy.

Technique: Have you faced any challenges producing music in a male-dominated genre?

Izzy: We have faced some challenges, for example it CAN be hard to get everyone to take you seriously as a woman in the metal industry. That being said, it gives us an edge, makes us stand out and gives us motivation to prove people wrong.

We want to give other girls the confidence to pick up an instrument and express themselves. Music is our passion and we want to share that.

Technique: What originally interested you in music and, specifically, this type of music?

Izzy: I’ve liked heavier music since I was young, there is just such raw energy behind metal music and the passion the fans have for it is like no other genre.

Technique: Where do you pull inspiration from for your songs?

Izzy: In our lyric writing we tend to pull inspiration from a real life experience one of us has had and then we all try pitch in and finish it up.  As we come from such varying backgrounds and cultures each member has a fresh perspective to writing.

Technique: How did you all meet and decide to form Conquer Divide?

Izzy: We all met via the internet. Kristen hit me up a few years ago whilst I was studying in England (where I’m from) and I just instantly knew Conquer Divide was something special. We are based in Michigan but come from all over the US and Europe.

Technique: How does the band develop music when you are separated?

Izzy: We record separately and send ideas to each other back and forth over the internet. Yay for  technology!

Technique: What music do you like to listen to in your spare time?

Izzy: Outside of metal I’ve been listening to a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughan recently. Metal-wise I’ve been listening to the newer Architects release on repeat, great music/lyrical content. Tom Searle’s recent passing is a sad time for the industry. …

Technique: What can we expect from Conquer Divide in the future?

Izzy: We are in the beginning stages of our 2nd album! We also have an exciting new music release coming up super soon!

Raul Pacheco laughed as he recounted to me the last few, bittersweet days with his college-bound son. He had already sent his 19-year-old daughter to the University of California at Santa Cruz and enjoys living vicariously through her, but this goodbye is different. After his excited son leaves for Northeastern, he will be what they call an “empty nester.”

Pacheco is convinced that his children “both know I’m [Pacheco] here. I could be playing in Japan or Australia, and if they need me I’ll jump on a plane. I want them to have that sense of security, but rely on themselves as well as they grow older.” Now, he is left with the question, “What do I do now with my life?”

As an artist, Pacheco has always been on the move. He was gone frequently when his children were young, and he and his wife made sacrifices for the band. To foster a closer connection with his children, he and his band decided to remain in Los Angeles.

Pacheco is overwhelmed with how lucky he is to do what he does. He has met wonderful people around the world and is challenged every day to get better.

Personally, Pacheco grew up in a loving household in Boyle Heights, the same neighborhood that his parents were born in. He learned to “appreciate good songs” because of his family of music
lovers. Anything from classical Mexican music, to Van Morrison, to heavy metal, to his sisters’ kiddie bop craze was constantly played in the house.

All of the Ozomatli band members knew each other previously, some even since junior high, but each started out in different bands. While some of them were working for an organization that went on strike, they were given a building that they planned to use to start a youth arts center.

To raise the money to start the center, a group of friends agreed to make music. They did not even have a drummer, but they needed to put something together to fill up the time. A mix of Mexican folk songs and a funk/reggae beat kept them going, and thus, Ozomatli was born.

At the time, the band did not go by Ozomatli. The band as it is known today came about when all of the members were brainstorming. One man suggested the unique name “Ozomatli,” and many of the members were unsure. They thought they should have an easier name if they wanted to be popular, but when they heard the background behind the name they were intrigued.

Ozomatli was an Aztec monkey who was a “nahual” (servant) of the Aztec god “Xochipilli” (god of music and dance). Known to be a mischievous character and orchestrator of the jungle, Ozomatli is “responsible for party and trouble, but also joy, harvest, and reaping the benefits of what you have sown.”

This peculiar name started the thirst for individuality and positive energy that the band capitalizes on to this day. Each band member contributes a knowledge of various types of music, influenced by their disparate backgrounds. This diversity can be heard in their combinations of different instruments, such as the sultry sound of a Veracruz guitar over a lively breakbeat.

Whether experimenting with the Tres (Cuban guitar) or Som (modern salsa music), the band hones in on their philosophy to capture their sound as individuals and make it all work together. Pacheco’s favorite album cover highlights this unique theme. The cover is a compilation of pictures from an all-day photo session. The photographer visited each band member’s house and depicted them in their element. Then, they took photos where each person was stepping into another’s home, indicating their combined worlds and talents.

As a unit they have decided, “Whatever we do, we gotta rock the crowd.” And rock the crowd they do. Ozomatli has a song for any mood. As a group, they produce songs such as “La Gallina” (The Chicken), which conveys their nonsensical and silly side through a metaphor of control. Listeners find it hard to resist tapping their feet to the playful beat. Pacheco suggested that it is meant to communicate, through a layer of conflict, the sportive message that “someday we are going to change the world, but now we are going to dance” and take a break from the troubled world.

Pacheco commented on how he loves the versatility of Ozomatli — how they can go from creating something more irreverent such as “La Gallina” to something more  deep such as “Cuando Canto” (When I Am Singing). Pacheco stated that the more serious songs develop when the band has the opportunity to use their fame to talk about something “other than themselves.”

Ozomatli hopes to conquer societal topics, like immigration, wealth distribution, race and how young people are not supported, through their music.

When “Cuando Canto” was released, Pacheco was confused, drinking too much and making poor relationship choices that made him tap into a question he continually pondered: “What is really my purpose, our purpose, everybody’s purpose in life?”

“Cuando Canto” is about a choice, a daily commitment to be a better person. Bands like Ozomatli are typically seen as a form of “escapism,” said Pacheco, and are “just supposed to put on a show for you that puts you on a journey.” However, when Ozomatli sings, they want to impart that despite life’s ups and downs, it should be lived with joy, and issues should be talked about along the way. Ozomatli motivates listeners to reevaluate their purpose.

After a nine year hiatus, the Atlanta Biennial returns to showcase Southeastern art. At Atlanta Contemporary through Dec. 18, the exhibition features 32 emerging artists.

The Italian term “biennale” or biennial typically refers to large scale contemporary art exhibitions that are held every other year. Some biennials, like the Venice Biennial which has been happening since 1895, display art from all over the world, while others focus in on a region or single city.

The original Atlanta Biennial began as a response to a snub of Southern artists by the Whitney Biennial, one of the taste-making exhibits in the U.S. In the 1984 iteration, no work from Southern artists was included, so curator Alan Sondheim established the Atlanta Biennial. While the geographic range changed over the years, the exhibition drew attention to Atlantan, Georgian and Southeastern artists until 2007.

Four curators led this year’s revival of the biennial. Two are based in Atlanta: Victoria Camblin, the editor and artistic
director of Art Papers, and Daniel Fuller, the curator of Atlanta Contemporary. Aaron Levi Garvey, the co-founder of the Long Roads Projects and an independent curator based in Jacksonville, Fla., and Gia Hamilton, the director of the Joan Mitchell Center in New Orleans, ensure an experienced, regional perspective.

The curators share the common goal of highlighting new Southeastern voices, featuring individuals and collectives who had never been in the Atlanta Biennial. Artists representing 10 states reopen the dialogue about the South’s place in the art world by exemplifying the variety and quality of contemporary art emerging from the region.

The exhibition featured an impressive variety of traditional and new media, often leveraged in unique ways. Fabric reappeared throughout the Biennial, featuring in rug-like works, threaded and painted over, and used to reference African culture. Electronic debris, used saw blades and a painted door contributed to
different works that prove the region pushes the forefront of contemporary art.

One piece to look out for is the Dust-to-Digital’s “Covered Up,” which hides behind the wall near the entrance to the exhibit. In the narrow, long alcove, Atlanta newspapers from 1916 to 1919 are papered up on the wall. Atop a wooden crate and Fulton Cotton Mills bag, a RCA Victor radio plays a sound collage of recordings made between 1915 and 1929.

The exhibition includes works that address contemporary issues, such as police violence, race relations and gender stereotypes.

In Stacy Lynn Waddell’s 2016 piece “BLACK LIVES MATTER (Transformation),” the gold leaf on paper subtly shows the outline of the controversial movement’s name. The block letters  are rearranged in the subsequent two lines, which read “BLEEK MATTR ALIV C” and “CRAK SAVE LITTLE BM.”

Katrina Andry’s “The Cultural Lineage of the Hypersexual Male” also tackles societal problems. In this woodcut on top of a digitally created quilt, a white man drinks a beverage and reaches towards a bouquet of flowers, legs, breasts, and bananas, while a black kid takes notes behind him.

The Biennial kicked off with Art Party on Sep. 27. The annual fundraiser supports free admission every day. Besides the opening of the biennial, the event included open studios, special presentations and the announcement of the 2016 Nexus Award recipient, Larry Walker.

While at Atlanta Contemporary, visit other exhibits, such as “Before We Blast off: The Journey of Divine Forces” through Nov. 6 and Mild Climate’s “breakfast lunch & dinner” through Oct. 30.

To become part of the Contemporary+ program, visit six or more times during six months to receive a free Atlanta Contemporary t-shirt, or visit at least 12 times in a year and receive Friend level benefits, which include exhibition previews with curators, a 10 percent shop discount and discounted tickets to special events.

Once a year, for four days in September, a migration occurs into Atlanta. For four days, tens of thousands of people will flock to Atlanta to attend DragonCon. They come here to see their favorite celebrities, enjoy panels and discussions, game and enjoy in merriment, and  bond and socialize with those who share their love of fantasy worlds.

Originating in 1987, DragonCon began as a project of a local science fiction and fantasy group, Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players (DAGR). The first ever DragonCon had a total attendance of 1,400 people. DragonCon celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

With a crowd of approximately 75,000 people, this year was one of their busiest years ever. Boasting over 3,500 hours of panels, seminars, demonstrations and more, DragonCon is becoming one of America’s biggest conventions.

While DragonCon offers a variety of events, the convention’s grand tradition is the parade. On Saturday, the parade had around 3,000 participants portraying characters for all spectators to enjoy. The parade provided a glimpse of the many costumes that people wear. Ranging from the Avengers, to Harry Potter, to the plethora of “Doctor Who” costumes and a legion of Storm Troopers, celebrating interest in sci-fi and fantasy was made possible in countless ways.

One of the most iconic things about DragonCon is the costumes. The majority of people in attendance wore costumes of their favorite characters, ranging from full scale Power Armor suits from “Fallout” to Disney princesses dancing through the hotels. While some attendees were showing off their first ever costumes, others spent months and hundreds of dollars on their outfits.

Some elderly participants were dressed up as Charlie Brown and pulled Snoopy’s dog house through the halls, while small children dashed around dressed up as their superheroes, having the time of their lives.

No matter their age, stature, or experience, thousands of fans enjoyed putting on their masks, donning their tights and armor, and twirling their capes as they became their favorite characters for a few days.

If an attendee did not want to dress up or just did not have the time to make a costume, DragonCon offered excitement outside of costumes. Panels, discussions, demonstrations and shows about a variety of “geeky” topics abounded throughout the convention.

A seminar revealed how puppets are used in movies and other shows. Attendees who were curious about how martial arts are involved in “The Matrix” had the opportunity to watch professionals perform and learn a little, too. A retired US Navy Captain taught audiences how to create a rail gun and about submarine warfare tactics. There was even a panel about competitive tea-biscuit dunking. With so many panels, no attendee could ever be bored.

DragonCon had their own little bazaar to make sure their fans bought any trinket, shirt or knick-knack they could possibly want. Little booths were scattered around the dealer’s room, ranging from big name companies like WeLoveFine and Chessex, down to a single person selling her fan art of her favorite series.

Replica props abounded. A fan could buy a replica of Sting from “The Hobbit” and his or her own custom lightsaber. Poster collectors could try to acquire an original Star Wars movie poster, even signed ones. The Artist Gallery offered many options for the art connoisseur.

Visitors could buy images of fantasy landscapes or deep space to frame or models and wood carvings to place on their coffee tables. More expensive options included commissioned art pieces from a favorite movie, a custom sculpture or a custom set of Storm Trooper armor.

Beyond the costumes and vendors at the event, attendees could participate in one of many video game tournaments.

Tournaments were held in three categories: PC games, console games and handheld games. In the PC gaming category, big titles such as “Heroes of the Storm,” “League of Legends” and “Overwatch” were all available with cash prizes for the winners.

For consoles, the ever popular “Super Smash Bros.” for the Wii U was the main event. Other titles such as “Mortal Kombat X” and “Street Fighter V” were offered for other fighting game enthusiasts.

For those not interested in either the PCs or the consoles, multiple Pokémon Go competitions and all-day lures were offered. A collectors competition took place every day except Monday, and a Pokémon Go gym tournament was held for those looking for more competition and  prizes.

DragonCon encapsulated the many varied shows, fandoms and interests of its 75,000 fans. Ranging from the new-born baby to the elderly attendee, and from the first time experience to the seasoned veteran, the diverse audience had many options for entertainment. With the celebration of 30 years of conventions, DragonCon continues to grow bigger and more impressive with every year.

The gym is sacred for many people. It is a place to go work out frustrations, have fun and release a lot of endorphins. There are many things at Tech that can get students riled up, and the weight room of the CRC should be a sort of sanctuary where there are no annoyances aside from not hitting the last rep. This means that people at the gym need to know how to use the gym.

If someone has headphones in their ears, then there are only a few things that make it acceptable to interrupt them. If they just started their sets, then it is okay to ask to work in or later ask how much longer they will be using the equipment. Otherwise, there should probably be a fire. On the other hand, if a person chooses to workout with headphones, they should be aware of their surroundings. If someone is obviously waiting, offer to let them work in.

It is also extremely easy to get injured at the gym. This means that having proper form when lifting weights is increasingly important as the weight increases. Breaking form in a deadlift can mean a pulled back muscle which can hinder exercises for at least two weeks. This being said, more weight does not always mean a person looks cooler. If a person cannot lift the weight without breaking form, then they should not be lifting that weight. It makes them look incompetent, not strong.

When lifting heavy things, it is essential to re-rack the weights. Not only does it make it hard for people to find the weights when they aren’t put up properly, but not everyone at the gym can easily lift eight 45-pound plates. Re-racking weights is also a clear sign that you are done with the equipment, and when one is done with the equipment the weights should be put back properly — 45s on the bottom and increasingly smaller weights proceeding toward the top. There is a place for everything. And besides, employees do not want to rearrange everything at the end of the day.

There are also days where cardio will be the name of the game. If the gym is busy then it is every man for himself. But if it is a ghost town, it is a different game. Follow the rules of the urinal: do not use the one directly next to someone and do not stand on a cardio machine  directly behind another person. No one looks or smells good while doing cardio, so stay as far away as possible.

Speaking of sweat, no one wants someone else’s sweat on them unless it is Ariana Grande’s as you are standing in the front row of her concert. The wipes are there for a reason. Use them. If a person knows they are especially sweaty, then they should bring or borrow a towel and put it between them and the benches while paying close attention to where the head goes.

In the end, people need to be respectful of other people’s time and space. A workout might just be the only time when someone can relax, and that should not be ruined by being inconsiderate.

Here at Tech, students have access to some of the most advanced labs, invention studios and resources for education in the country. They have the best professors for their fields, ranking in the top 10 programs nationwide for several majors. Even career fair at Tech is an incredible opportunity, with companies vying for space just to meet the future alumni of the institute. A Tech degree carries weight on a playing field that covers far more territory than just the U.S.; its recipients often find careers abroad. This incredible success comes from a reputation of advanced preparedness and a readiness to jump right into the workforce at full speed, saving employers precious time and resources on training new employees. Yet if employers were to look into any one of a large number of Tech classes, they might be quicker to sing praises of the students themselves and not the Tech program.

Many students at Tech are frustrated by the amount of money that they pay for an education that often seems to be handed to them in a syllabus instead of taught in a lecture hall. Often students are so lost in classes at Tech that they turn to outside tutors, YouTube channels and Yahoo! Answers to learn the material.

The beauty of a college education — what makes it distinguishable from high school ­­— is the professors. Many professors come to Tech with years of experience in their respective fields and valuable contacts in their areas of expertise. Instead of automatons standing in front of a projector screen, they should be dynamic storytellers, telling students of the real-life problems that they have solved and the unconventional methods they that set them apart.

This being said, there are several perks to knowing how to self-teach. For instance, in the work force, no employer is going to hold the hand of a fledgling employee for months on end, helping them to solve the assigned problem. Thus the ability to teach oneself is an invaluable skill that Tech students are forced to pick up here in college. In being pushed to find unconventional methods of learning outside of the classroom, students familiarize themselves with resources that may be valuable later while also learning about independent information-gathering.

So while it is often frustrating to stay up late at night frantically combing wikiHow for how to solve a math problem, or bombarding a fellow student with questions that should have been answered by a professor in class, ultimately this atmosphere of rigorous self-propulsion through college is what makes Tech students so remarkable. So remember when giving the very best elevator pitch at career fair: every Tech student’s most valuable asset is the ability to survive and thrive in environments that seem impossible, because problem-solving and independence are key components of the Tech education.

What was better, GTL or Oxford?”

As someone who studied abroad for two consecutive semesters, I get asked this a lot. And although I’d like to provide my dear advice-seeker with an unbiased appraisal, I don’t have one.

When asked, I usually respond with, “well, GTL (Georgia Tech Lorraine for the uninitiated) was great because we had so much freedom to travel, and I met some of the most ambitious, genuine and mature people, while Oxford was great because I loved learning about music and art history, especially because I could experience it firsthand in Europe with experts in the field of music and art history.” Then I’d go on to eulogize GTL some more.

The reality was that I liked GTL better than Oxford. There wasn’t really anything bad about Oxford; it was just that GTL was incredibly hard to beat.

There’s something special about the first study abroad program and entering a foreign country knowing no one, bonding over the inability to speak the local language, the endless possibility that comes with the overwhelming responsibility and independence, train mishaps, the misfortune of when you eat too much Haribo and late nights at Comedie.

Following GTL, it was hard not to feel babied at Oxford as we were taken through our strict itinerary, monitored constantly by the watchful faculty. Even in the second half of the program, I felt restricted. Maybe it was because two full semester courses were squashed into a five-week time period, or maybe I was weary from travel planning. Regardless, it was stifling.

Along with the fact that I felt restricted during the Oxford Program, I’d also been to many of the same places during my weekend excursions at GTL. I would walk through Budapest on the same streets and places as I did at GTL, reminiscing about past experiences. I once introduced our group as “GTL” to a venue that was receiving us. That was embarrassing.

When we passed through Metz, the city in which GTL is located, I was overflowing with nostalgia, which was exacerbated by the fact that I was there without my GTL friends. I sorely missed them. That made it all the more difficult to create new experiences with new friends.

At GTL, I was fortunate to have met a group of people who I really clicked with soon after the semester started. These were some of the most inspirational and optimistic people I have met in my life — but not just that; the group of friends that I made was so heterogeneous, in a way that everyone brought a unique and eye-opening perspective to the table.

People involved in completely different aspects of campus life, with varying views and backgrounds that you’d never think would mesh came together with the desire to travel, explore and absorb as much European culture as possible — something I found difficult to do in Oxford — save for the part where we studied music and art non-stop for six weeks.

The traveling around Europe, learning about art and music, was without a doubt enriching, and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to have the chance to fill that void in my life. However, traveling with friends and learning to navigate foreign places by trial and error with positive and brilliant friends is an experience that simply could not be matched.