The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 10

October 13, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 4 Features Let’s get organized 2020 has introduced a new normal for society with the COVID-19 pandemic, stay- at-home orders and social distancing. College students are experiencing a shift to online learning and quiet classrooms and campuses. With classes being remote, it can be difficult to stay focused and organized. Looking for ways to stay organized and focused? Keep reading for some helpful tips and tricks. Folders for your courses Agreatway tokeeporganizedwhile being online is to put each class in a different folder. It may be helpful to color coordinate and label the folders as well. In the folder, you can put your syllabus, the textbook and any downloaded assignments for that specific course. Color coding can be appealing to the eye and also help motivation. Creating folders will make materials easily accessible whenever they are needed. Time management Time managing is something that a lot of college students struggle with due to the immense amount of coursework on top of having a personal life. It is imperative to familiarize yourself with the syllabi and class assignments. Creating a virtual and physical calendar is helpful when it comes to organization. Some people prefer keeping notes on their phones while others prefer writing them by hand. Both are great, and it may be useful to have both a digital and hardcopy of a calendar just in case the hard copy is not available at that point in time. By: Daniella Rudolph Contributing Writer From cosmonauts to artists: Cuba’s influential figures Ninety miles off the coast of Florida is Cuba, the largest single island of the archipelago and one of the more influential states of the Caribbean region, according to Britannica. From Cuba, many influential figures have emerged that have not only inspired other Cubans to follow their dreams, but have also made waves in other countries, such as the United States and even Russia. As we end Hispanic Heritage Month, here are some brilliant Cuban figures to remember. Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez (1941-Present) Born in Baracoa, Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez became the first Cuban citizen, the first Latin American, the first person of African heritage and the first individual from a country in the Western Hemisphere other than the U.S. to travel to space. Born in 1941, Méndez spent most of his early years in Cuba, where he joined the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces. Following his dream of being a fighter pilot, from 1961 to 1962, he completed a course in aerial combat in Russia’s Soviet Union and became a certified combat pilot at the young age of 19. In 1978, at the age of 38, Méndez was selected to be a part of the Soviet Union’s seventh Intercosmos program and had the opportunity to go into space, making history. As a cosmonaut, Méndez also “Helped with experiments involving a brain- stimulating helmet, as well as those designed to measure stress levels, blood circulation, immune system cell health and cellular of division yeast,” according to Business Insider. José Martí (1853-1895) Born in Havana in 1853, José Martí was a Cuban poet who played a large role in the movement for Cuba’s independence from Spain. Askilledwriter fromhis youth and a revolutionary spirit, Martí’s poetry, which included poems about politics and Cuba’s independence, was published in local newspapers in the late 1860s. When the TenYears’War for Cuba’s independence began in 1868, Martí was accused of treason and arrested, exiled to Spain. From Spain, he went to NewYork City in 1881, where he continued writing poetry and worked as a foreign correspondent for a number of newspapers. It is from his time in New York that his poetry collection is considered his best work. Martí spent a lot of his life supporting the Cuban revolution, asking Cuban exiles for support, too. According to Brown University Library’s Modern Latin America, “Martí, for his role in the independence movement and for his patriotic writing, became one of the most important figures in the Cuban historical pantheon.” Recommended Read: La Edad De Oro Celia Cruz (1929–2003) Known as “The Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz was born in Havana in 1929 and began singing as a teenager, changing Latin music forever. Cruz rose to fame in Cuba in the 1950s, where she earned herself the nickname “La Guarachera Staying organized Creating bookmarks when it comes to research can be helpful to avoid hunting down websites whenever they are needed. There are plenty of helpful study websites, but the most common one is Quizlet. Quizlet is a free website that can be used to create flashcards and games that can help with studying. Quizlet also has archives of other people’s study materials just in case there is not enough time to create your own. Being online can be a distraction, but there are sites to helpmonitor and createmotivation to stay on track. Adopting a routine When a routine is created, there is more of a chance that there will be motivation to stay on top of tasks and get them done in a timely manner. Once all the syllabi have been read, creating a study schedule may be of good use. There are many platforms where a study schedule can be created such asGoogle Sheets,Microsoft Excel or you can go old school and use a whiteboard or a planner. Being as detailed as possible with this schedule is imperative to be sure that there is no deviating and the main tasks are completed. There are many ways to stay organized while being online this year. This is an adjustment period for all of us, but at least there aremany resources for us to use and keep us on track with our academics. PRINTED WITH PERMISSION BY F. MIRELES José Martí’s “La Edad De Oro” is a collection of poetry and short stories for all ages, just like Celia Cruz’s rhythmic music. By: Flor Ana Mireles Copy Editor de Cuba” after the guaracha, musical rhythm she was performing. After the Cuban Revolution, in 1960, Cruz left Cuba and went on tour in Mexico, moving to the U.S. a year later. Once settled in the U.S., the singer-songwriter revolutionized what Latin music meant by introducing Cuban music influenced by African rhythms to the states. According to the National Museum of American History, “Cruz’s art and sense of style combined with the power and mystery of her voice to create thunder on stage. Her bigger-than-life presence and individual sense of style and aesthetics made her very popular and unforgettable.” In her lifetime, Cruz went on to win numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards. To this day, her signature catchphrase, “Azucar!” is still recognized worldwide. Recommended Songs: La vida es un carnaval, Rie y Llora, Quimbara, La Negra Tiene Tumbao Gill Out: Untoasted $$ 3121WHallandale Beach Blvd Ste 101 Hallandale Beach, FL33009 Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m.-4 a p.m. Untoasted is a sweet little cafe about 15 minutes from campus. When I first went to Untoasted, my first impression was that the outside appearance of the cafe was quite bland. However, once inside, my feelings about this cafe changed. Untoasted has a brunch style menu, so I decidedtogetstrawberryandbananafrenchtoast. I loved how customizable all the meal options were. For example, the french toast had so many topping options, like fruits, berry compote and chocolate chips, that you could choose from so that everybody’s different taste buds are satisfied. I was not disappointed at all by the food because it was so delicious and filling. On top of that, the service was quick and we received our food pretty fast. This cafe is also known for having crazy sweet beverages such as the nutella latte that my friend chose to get. They come served in adorable little mason jars, and the sweetness will definitely fill you up. There are so many other options to choose from. If you aren’t interested in a breakfast style meal, they also have plenty of sandwiches and salads that may be of your liking. The cafe was not busy at all when my friend and I went, even for it being a Friday. When we pulled up to the restaurant, it was again very plain and quiet, but the second we stepped out of the car, a woman who works at Untoasted opened the door and gave us the warmest welcome. I can definitely say that, on top of the delicious brunch-style food, the staff at Untoasted are some of the kindest restaurant staff I have ever met. Not only is this tiny cafe adorable, but the staff just add By: Bella Ameiorsano Contributing Writer to the welcoming atmosphere. I noticed they all work together so nicely and are truly customer- oriented. Our waiter was super sweet and was always checking on us tomake sure we were 100% satisfied and nothing less. Everybody there had the best attitude, whether it was towards the customers or towards their fellow employees. Whether you are looking to pick up some of their delectable food or sit down and enjoy the aura of the cafe, Untoasted is an amazing place to satisfy your taste buds without having to venture too far away from campus. PRINTED WITH PERMISSION BY F. MIRELES Untoasted’s chicken and waffles benedict is a must-have on the menu.