Dear Chattanooga State Community,
Pop Quiz: What do Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have in common in relationship to fashion? If you’ve seen images of either person, you will see them in pretty much the same outfit every time. Steve Jobs famously wore a black mock turtleneck, blue jeans, and New Balance sneakers. Mark Zuckerberg wears a gray t-shirt, jeans, and a hoodie or sweatshirt. Both Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg wore the same outfit nearly every day so that they had one less decision to make, taxing their willpower muscle a little less.
You may have never heard the term ego depletion or decision fatigue, the idea that self-control or willpower can become depleted after use, but both Jobs and Zuckerberg were aware of the phenomenon and put habits in place to overcome it.
Whether you're a new student balancing coursework with the freedom of college life, or a returning student juggling education with a career and family, the principle remains the same. Our willpower is limited. After making many decisions, or exerting a lot of self-control, our willpower is drained — making it harder to focus, make good choices, or stay on task.
In the same way that a long day of physical labor leaves your muscles in need of rest; your willpower muscle becomes exhausted and needs rest. It's crucial to recognize that this isn't a personal failing; rather, it's a human condition, and by acknowledging it, we can manage it more effectively.
Understanding ego depletion has profound implications for how we structure our lives as students. It suggests the need for strategic breaks, balanced nutrition, adequate rest, and perhaps most importantly, the need to set priorities. When we're aware that our willpower decreases the more we use it, we can better plan tasks that require the most self-control for times when we're most rested and less likely to be depleted.
To tackle ego depletion, it's also essential to identify the activities that may not seem immediately strenuous but can sap our self-control. For instance, scrolling through social media or even shopping can involve making many small decisions that cumulatively wear down our willpower. Recognizing and reducing such activities can help preserve our mental energy for when it's most needed — like during an important lecture or while completing a challenging project.
This week, I encourage you to pay attention to the moments that require you to make decisions and use your limited willpower throughout the day. In the coming weeks, we will continue to explore this topic and provide you with tools and strategies to bolster your willpower in the face of decision fatigue. Remember, the goal is to empower you to become not just better students but lifelong learners and achievers.
Master Planning Survey Open Now through This Friday, November 10
ChattState is embarking on a year-long process to create a Campus Master Plan. This exciting effort will provide a roadmap for physical improvements on our main campus over the next decade. The plan will explore how to modernize the college to fulfill our purpose of supporting and empowering everyone to learn without limits. But we can’t make a plan without your input! This 10-minute survey asks what you imagine for the campus of the future. Your input helps the planning team create a plan that reflects YOUR needs and values. All responses are completely anonymous. Three lucky student winners who complete the survey will be randomly chosen to win a $50 Amazon gift card! The survey is only open through midnight on Friday, November 10 so don’t miss your chance to share your thoughts!
2024–2025 Scholarship Application Is Now Open
The 2024-2025 Scholarship Application is now open for Fall 2024 scholarship awards! ChattState and the Chattanooga State Foundation will award over $1 million in scholarships next year, but students must apply to be considered. The priority deadline for scholarship awards is March 1, 2024.
The 2024-2025 Scholarship Application will only be reviewed for scholarship awards beginning with the Fall 2024 semester.
Upcoming Events
- November 7, 7:00 p.m., Gym
Men’s Basketball (JV) vs. Trevecca
- November 7, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., TCAT 1
Careers on the Move
- November 8
First Generation College Day
- November 9, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., IMC
Careers on the Move
- November 9, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Faculty/Staff Dining Hall
Food for Thought Lunch-n-Learn: TN Promise & Scholarship Info Session
- November 9, 7:30 p.m., Gym
Men’s Basketball (JV) vs TN Wesleyan
- November 14, 9.00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., OMN 124
Grad Finale
- November 15, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Student Center
Friendsgiving
- November 15, 5:30 p.m., Gym
Women’s Basketball vs Cleveland State
- November 15, 7:30 p.m., Gym
Men’s Basketball vs Cleveland State
- November 17, 7:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre
The Importance of Being Earnest
- November 18, 7:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre
The Importance of Being Earnest
- November 19, 2:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre
The Importance of Being Earnest
Sincerely,
Rebecca Ashford, Ed.D.
President