Some students fantasize instead of study.

Scott adds dashes of rosemary, salt and red pepper flakes to his marinating chicken pieces for lunch. He stirs the ingredients in a pan on the hot electric coils of his stove, tossing some pasta into the mix.

The chef returns to his kitchen hours later, standing in front of the stove once again. His townhouse now filled with nine other men, they expect the best out of him as they all stare at their laptop screens.

The stove coils slowly heat up though never reaching a temperature hot enough to cook. However, the competitive fire in the room warms the area.

The timer counts down on the computers… 3, 2, 1.

This timer does not indicate a cooked meal, though. Instead, a voice echoes from the laptops. “Are you ready to get started? 2011 NFL draft is officially open.”

With his laptop roaring and battery continuing to warm his stovetop desk, Scott Wozer the chef becomes the manager of Laces Out.

The fantasy football draft begins.

Use active verbs.

Active verbs are not soccer players. Active verbs dribble the ball down the field, smack the dripping sweat away from his eyes, feel the rush of the approaching defender and sweep the ball backwards to his teammate.

Active verbs are not girls. Active verbs untwist the mascara brush, lean her stomach over the bathroom counter, close one eye and gently shake the brush in a horizontal fashion while moving towards the tips of her eyelashes.

Active verbs make a noun do something, according to Feature Writing: The Pursuit of Excellence by Friedlander and Lee.

My journalism class exercises my brain and legs. Does yours?

Freshman year, sophomore year, junior year. For three years, I have sat in Room 104’s rolling, spinning chairs—whizzing back and forth between the table and computer—frantically writing timed stories, researching writing topics, sneaking in Facebook before class.

Slumping over to withstand the textbook weight in my backpack, I head in once again hoping no one has claimed my normal seat.

Earlier in the day, I walked into a classroom and sat. Notebook and assignment pad in front of me, I took notes from a PowerPoint. Welcome to memorizing biology.

However, this rote process does not happen now—not in this class. As journalists, students, distracters, we walk.