I mean think about it. How much easier would your life be if you had superpowers?  I know, I know – Peter Parker’s grandpa told us “With great power comes great responsibility” and how it’s not all fun and games for these cape crusaders. But just for a moment, let’s pretend it is. Let’s pretend that college students had superpowers…

1. The power of persuasion
You know, sort of like that power the vampires have. Some call it compulsion, some call it dazzling. For the purpose of this article I’m going with persuasion. You can’t turn in your paper on time? Persuade your professor to give you an extension. Or better yet, to excuse you from that paper all together. A girl is going after the guy you like? Persuade her to go after someone else. Really want an internship? Persuade the interviewer to make sure it goes your way.

2. Superspeed
This one would completely eliminate that whole myth about girls taking too long to get ready before they go out. I mean we’d be able to try on our entire wardrobe, pick an outfit, and clean our room before our guys would even be able to walk across campus. And could you imagine the damage we’d be able to do in a shopping mall?

3. Teleportation
Talk about cutting down on costs. Who needs to buy a car when you can be anywhere you want in the blink of an eye? Need to make a trip home? No need to book a flight; just blink. In the mood for some croissants? Have lunch in Paris. Writing a paper on the coliseums? Check them out up close and grab a few pictures for extra credit. This one would make studying abroad so much easier. And cheaper. Which means more money to drop at the Prada outlet in Florence. Weeee!

4. Mind Reading
You’d never have to wonder if anyone was lying to you ever again. No more games. With friends. Boyfriends. Family members, or with those annoying sales ladies in stores who tell you absolutely everything you try on looks “OMG Amazing!” You’d always know the truth. And you know what they say, honesty is the best policy.

5. Hot Guy Radar
Stay with me here. I guess I’m sort of thinking of something along the lines of what the robot superheroes always have. You know, they lock in on a target, scan their retina, and suddenly the robot has all the information one could ever hope for on a guy. Everything from his dating history to his taste in music, to whether he wears boxers or briefs. If only. (For now our hot guys list will have to suffice.)

What about you? Got any special super powers in mind that would make you life easier?

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[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site.  We love a strong woman, so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like the romper!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

We all grew up wanting to be supergirls – maybe not with all of the superpowers – but to be strong, smart, independent chicks who could handle themselves and still wear rockin’ heels. But the world of the superhero has always been a boys club (Wonder Woman famously started out as the Justice League’s secretary). Next week one of the most famous comics in history will have a female hero for the first time; and not just your run-of-the-mill, butt-kicking woman; but a hot, rich, Jewish, lesbian, butt-kicking woman.

But is this kind of character a blow for women’s rights, or are comics really just holding back the female image?

One of the concerns over women in comics has always been that they are hyper-sexualized, which some say gives many of the people (especially men) who read them, the wrong idea about women’s bodies and their functions in the world. And it’s definitely true that the world of superheros seems to be populated by a race of  supermodels with Barbie-doll proportions and a propensity for leather. Catwoman is practically the poster girl for fetish garb, and even the great Wonder Woman can’t get rid of the freaking bustier (no matter how hard her writers try)! I mean, have you ever seen Powergirl? Apparently her “powers” are housed in her cleavage.

Ok, so from the looks of girls in comic books, guys are definitely getting the wrong idea about women and their bodies. But, on the other hand, it’s hardly just the ladies who get oversexualized in comics; any real guy with Superman’s physique would probably crumple under the weight of his own torso, so it’s hard to say it’s a one-sided problem.

And while the outfits may leave something to be desired in the coverage department, you can’t say that the women of superhero-land aren’t powerful. Supergirl could take on her Kryptonian cousin any day of the week and the girls of the Marvel Universe – well the X-Men alone have three ladies who could bend the planet to their will, all by themselves. Heck, even Lois Lane, without any powers at all, will jump right into the fray to get her story.

So if we assume that comics really are trying to tell the world what women are supposed to be like, can we really be mad that one of the major facets of these women is that they’re incredibly strong and self-sufficient? Isn’t that something we’ve all been fighting for the world - particularly men- to see about us for a long time? Which would mean that these “BAM! POW!” ladies could actually be helping our cause.

So what do you think?

Are all of these “super” girls just sad, over-sexed reflections of what men want to see? Are they holding us back? Or could characters like Batwoman be the heroes of the future – smart women who can take care of themselves and their cities, while still looking sexy?

The first time I’d ever heard of Watchmen was when I went to see The Dark Knight. There was a trailer with an amazing Smashing Pumpkins song, and it looked pretty cool. The trailer mentioned something about being based off of a graphic novel, so when I got home I called the bf since he worked at a comic book store in high school. (Nerdcore, I love it.) He told me that it was really good, and since I’d never read a graphic novel before, it’d be a good one to start off with. So I went and bought a copy.

I FRIGGIN LOVED IT. Here’s why I’m stoked about anything Watchmen; book or movie:

1) Incredibly well written: The entire time, I couldn’t put it down. Without giving anything away, it’s about a group of masked vigilantes who are considered superheroes, but only one of them has an actual power. The world is going down the crapper and they have to save it. But there’s just so much more to it than that. It’s written amazingly and you get everyone’s background history. You really get involved. Plus it’s won a Hugo award and is the only graphic novel on Time magazine’s “Best 100 English Language Novels,” which means it’s not just me who’s thinks it’s amazing.

2) Silk Spectre is badass: For once there’s a woman in a graphic novel who isn’t a total cheeseball. No offense to Wonder Woman or Catwoman, but the Silk Spectre would kick their butts, and look amazing doing it. You go girl.

3) In the film, Jeffery Dean Morgan plays the Comedian: Ever since Denny Duquette, this man has had my heart. I will gladly pay money to see him in anything. I can’t wait.

4) The underlying theme that anyone can be a hero: Like I said, only one of the “super heroes” has any real power. The rest are just normal everyday humans. They take it upon themselves to rescue humanity, whether the general population likes it or not. Yeah, vigilantism can be pretty stupid, but there’s just something about people stepping up for what is right that will always be inspiring, fiction or non-fiction.

5) It’s a graphic novel that men AND WOMEN can enjoy: Trust me, this one isn’t just for the boys. This is the first and only graphic novel that I’ve read, so it’s not like this is coming from one of those kids. Seriously, it reads like a novel, and it has a story that anyone can enjoy. Women can even appreciate the fact that there’s a well written love triangle in the story; it’s almost like watching a soap. It’s not like the horrid love story of Anakin and Padme from Star Wars. “Anni, you’re breaking my heart!” Really George Lucas? REALLY?

So I encourage you: go out and pick up a copy. Hell, put it on your wish list. You won’t regret it.

Sure, it seems overwhelming; sure, sometimes you want to break down and cry; but at the end of the day, you love what you do, and you’re proud of the fact that you can accomplish an exponential amount more than most mortals. And you know that everything you do will benefit you in the long run.

I love to feel useful, so it’s always been hard for me to say “no” to picking up an extra shift, or doing an extra project. When I was in high school, I worked part time, was active in drama club, cheerleading, amnesty international, gay/straight alliance, dance classes, and, senior year, I edited the yearbook. And I did it all while making honor roll each semester. In college, I wasn’t so active in extra-curriculars, but I held down two restaurant jobs, took a full course load, and partied my face off, while making Dean’s List. You can call me a nerd; I just think I have a severe case of ADHD that’s never been officially diagnosed.

That said, Wonder Woman, I know the meaning of stress, and I know the importance of staying organized. Here are some of my own personal life-saving tips.

1. Write everything down.

In fact, write everything down multiple times. I feel relaxed just by rifling through my brain and coming up with a list of what needs to get done, and when. Carry a planner, so you don’t have to rack your brain if someone asks what you’re doing Saturday, November 15 at 3:30 p.m. Tape a list of upcoming homework assignments next to your bed, and cross off each completed task when you’re finished. Instead of doodling during a boring lecture, write the list over again, and come to grips with what projects are the most urgent (eg. you need to start them NOW).

2. Use every minute of free time.

Have a half-hour break between classes? Email your professor while you scarf that bagel. Do that “busy-work” assignment that’s been in the back of your head – the one that’s so simple you can’t bring yourself to start it. Lunch break at work? Bring your English book and read a chapter instead of gossiping in the smoking lounge (and by smoking lounge, I obviously mean that obscure space outside the back door where everyone huddles around a butt can). You’d be surprised how much you can get done in little intervals… and you might even find that you’ve suddenly got a large interval of time to spare.

3. Condense Your Tools.

When you’re on the go, forgetting one thing can ruin your day and cause a mega-meltdown. Instead of having a folder, a binder, and a notebook for each class, get a five-subject notebook and one of those accordion folders with dividers for handouts. You’ll only need to grab the same two things each day. Plus, instead of having an assignment book, a date book, and all that fancy shmancy stuff, grab a planner that has a section for everything you might need, all in one. Still not efficient enough? Try…

4. Using Technology to Your Advantage.

My favorite tool on my Macbook? The “Stickies” application. I have notes open (in all different colors, of course), for my banking and credit card info, upcoming assignments, important email addresses, etc. As long as you have your computer, you’ll never lose them or accidentally throw them out; they’re easier to manage than rifling through a hundred pages to find one reminder; and they can conveniently disappear behind your Microsoft Word or Firefox windows, OR you can set them as a “floating window” so they’re always visible. Blackberries, iPhones, and other digital instruments can work to your advantage, and send you preset reminders so you never forget.

5. Stay clean.

This is the most difficult for me, a self-proclaimed slob and packrat. But if your papers are all over your desk, you’re not going to find your Spanish notes before the exam. Hell, even if your clothes are scattered on the floor, you might freak out if you can’t find the blouse you just NEED to wear for your business class presentation. Knowing where everything is, and how to locate it will make things a thousand times easier for you, and, in a crunch, you can probably get help from your roommate, friend, or a family member (such as when you’re stuck in bumper to bumper traffic but have to hand in an essay in twenty minutes, and your dear, sweet, darling roommate agrees to find your USB stick, print your essay on her computer, and meet you outside your dorm to pass it off as you spring to your deadline).

6. Plan ahead.

Finished everything for today? It might be easy to crash on the couch and watch SoapNet reruns for hours, just so you don’t have to think. But then you might be stressed again tomorrow. Look at your calendar, and see if there’s anything you can get a jump start on, or anything you can work on now to give yourself time to party like a rockstar on Saturday. Forcing yourself to work when you’re beat might seem like cruel and unusual self-discipline, but as a fellow workaholic, I can affirm: we did this to ourselves.

7. Take Time to Recharge.

Sure, I just said to plan ahead. And you should, if you’re up for it. But if you can barely keep your eyes open, it’s time for a nap; even if you still have one more little thing to do today. Running yourself into the ground will have drastic consequences, including sloppy work and a bitchy attitude. Besides, if you are a stellar multi-tasker, you’ll learn to plan ahead your time to recharge. Look at your calendar- if you know you have back-to-back midterms, a twenty-page paper due, and a monthly meeting, it won’t kill you to take a shift off from work. Or, if you’re on top of your game in class, you can use your free skip day when you know you won’t be missing much, and rest up with little guilt. People as busy as we are can appreciate every minute of free time, so if you treat yourself to an unexpected break, even a half-day can feel like a million years.

These are my own personal tricks to staying collected even when I feel like I’m on the brink of erupting in a volcano of anxiety. On the bright side, the waves of stress come and go, I’m NEVER bored, and at the end of the day, I can sit back and see a variety of products that I made happen. People ask me if I’m on crack, and I’m not. Just a billion milligrams of caffeine. And I wouldn’t change my lifestyle for the world.

How do all the other supergirls of the world deal with their hectic schedules?

[Photo courtesy of www.crystalcreekproducts.com]

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