Jennifer Bell
on
CW: Suicide When I was twelve years old, I walked onto my middle school campus for what seemed like an ordinary morning. The air was cold, and the skies were unusually gray for spring––a Friday the thirteenth on a chilly May day. As I went through the motions of my usual routine, walking to my […]
Natalia
on
CW: Death, substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidality Three weeks ago, I lost my grandfather to a battle against acute leukemia. While I’ve lost friends and faced other forms of grief in my life, this particular loss brought a sadness I had never felt before. In the past, I often judged myself for how often I […]
Ashley B
on
I’ve been working in the service industry since 2020, and let me tell you, it takes commitment. I certainly haven’t been perfect over the past four years, but I’ve learned that many people treat us like robots, expecting us to cater to their every whim. It’s striking how a segment of the population, regardless of […]
Ayaan
on
A while back, my mom’s cousin died by suicide. She shared with me that after they attended the funeral, her uncle told her that her cousin had committed the greatest sin. While many faiths discourage suicide, they rarely know how to actually talk about this issue in a healthy and productive way. My parents were […]
Mackenzie H.
on
CW: Mentions of depression and panic attacks. When I tell people that I suffer from depression, the response usually looks like this: a head tilt followed by, “Really? I would have never guessed.” I have a full-time job, I regularly communicate with my family and friends, I attend social gatherings, and have several responsibilities that […]
Aimee
on
When I arrived at college, I was very scared. Anxious thoughts circled my mind: What if people don’t like me? What if I can’t make any friends? What if I was going to be totally alone? Freshman orientation did little to ease my fears. While others seemed to easily find friends and form friend groups, […]
Brynne
on
It’s no secret that the process is a stressful one. I’ve watched many close friends and family write essay after essay, make edit after edit, and wait nervously for a decision. Society places the expectation on 17 and 18-year-olds to have their lives together and have a defined plan for the next four years of […]
Ayaan
on
Young people are fortunate to grow up with the most advanced technology ever known…or are we? While technological advancements offer undeniable advantages, they also expose young people to complex platforms like social media. Personally, I have mixed feelings about social media. While I acknowledge its benefits, I believe much more needs to be done in […]
Katherine
on
CW: Mentions of disordered eating, anorexia, and competitiveness. Competitiveness in eating disorders runs deep due to the extreme comparison of bodies, behaviors, and physical issues between oneself and another. While someone may think that they are not “anorexic enough” because another person displays more extreme behaviors, that latter person might think the same about the […]
Ashley B
on
Three years ago, my family helped me move into my freshman dorm. We often hear the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun” and “the next four years of your life will fly by.” Early on in college, it’s hard to believe these statements. But now, as a senior, I can confirm their truth. So, […]