It seems there is so much more stress in the world today than in years past.

I don’t know why, other than the world is so convoluted with all of our senses being hit from all sides seemingly 24 hours a day. Our brains are on overload.

When personal computers came along, I thought they would make life so much easier. They made the world a much smaller place. Everything imaginable is accessible through the World Wide Web.

One way for me to deal with stress is music. I love to unwind or to take my mind off of things by listening to music.

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I wonder how many people fall asleep to music or some kind of environmental sounds like the ocean waves or rainfall or even by turning on a fan?

Whether one realizes it or not, that’s a form of stress relief.

Stress in schools

Years ago high school sports consisted of football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. It was so simple — if a student didn’t have the ability to play any of those sports, he or she either went out for the team and rode the pines or didn’t go out for sports, period.

Coaches used to hold tryouts and if a student didn’t make the grade, he or she got cut. And guess what? Everyone survived. Nowadays, if someone’s son or daughter doesn’t get to play, the parents are calling a school board director.

Of course, when there are over 300 or 400 students graduating in a class like in the 1970s, coaches had to make cuts. Today, coaches can’t afford to cut anyone, especially since there are approximately 20 sports available to boys and girls in high school. It’s crazy to know that it’s gone from four of five sports just 40 years ago to nearly 20 today.

Students today have advanced their studies to the point were parents have no clue what their child is talking about when they bring home school work for the evening and beg their parents for help. Gone are the days of reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic.

Instead of stress affecting a person’s life once he or she is married with children, a homeowner and handling the pressure of a job, it seems stress is a problem with the kiddos at all levels in school.

It was hard enough to take college SATs that had a total score of 1600 years ago, but someone figured in another section so the test today has a total score of 2400. Why?

Speaking of college — who can really afford college these days? If a student wants to enter a school of higher learning out of the area that would include room and board, he or she is looking at a yearly bill of $50,000, give or take, depending on the school. Without any scholarships or aid, that’s $200,000 for a child after four years of school to graduate into a job of $30,000 a year.

I’m a big advocate for Luzerne County Community College (LCCC). To study at LCCC for a year, the cost with fees is $2,520. You can get an associate’s degree for roughly $5,000. It would be a great two-year start for students if they choose to go on to get a bachelor’s degree.

There are also some really outstanding instructors at the college, and many worked in their field before or during their academic careers.

One more great reason for attending LCCC: Students are usually trying to find themselves during the first two years of colelge, so instead of spending the big bucks doing so, take a load off the wallet and give LCCC a try.

It may sound like I’m a paid spokesperson for LCCC, but I’m not. I’m a product of the college and it’s where I received my A.A.S. in journalism before I headed off to Marywood University for my B.A.

Quote of the week

“Everything beautiful has its moment and then passes away.” – Luis Cernuda, Spanish poet.

Thought of the week

“The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in a person’s determination.” – Tommy Lasorda, American baseball player and coach.

Bumper sticker

“You always pass failure on the way to success.” – Mickey Rooney, American actor.

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My Corner, Your Corner

Tony Callaio

Tony Callaio’s column My Corner, Your Corner runs weekly in the Sunday Dispatch. He can be reached at tonyc150@verizon.net.