Hot take: I genuinely enjoy customer service. I love connecting and forming relationships with regulars, and being able to serve up their coffee with a smile. Throughout my years as part of the American workforce, I have worked several different jobs that all required me to provide quality customer service. My very first job was at an old-fashioned Dairy Queen knock-off (the kind where you … Continue reading Be nice to the darn barista

Students (on- and off-campus): I’m sure that many of us remember when we had to pack up some of our things and go home without knowing when, or if, we would be back. Around this time, many states went into complete lockdown and required that only essential travel occurred. Typically, most of working America has to travel, usually by car, to go to work, but … Continue reading Has COVID-19 Helped in Our Fight Against Climate Change?

The Dive has always been a fan-favorite for students at Gustavus. What was once a swimming pool in the basement of Johnson Student Union is now a space for students to host events, work on homework, socialize with friends, and even sleep. Apparently, The Dive is highly rated for taking naps between classes. Because it’s such a beloved space on campus, President Bergman’s email on … Continue reading The Dive says goodbye

Right now, it is okay not to be okay. That’s something that we’ve all heard a lot. I just want to really make sure it sets in. We are living through a very monumental time in history, although I terribly wish we weren’t. I’d give just about anything for one day to feel normal. Some days I find myself picking out outfits that match my … Continue reading Being a Young Adult in 2020

Gusties, I’m here to tell you about an incredibly useful resource here on campus: The Writing Center. As a tutor myself, I can attest to how much we at the Writing Center genuinely care about our clients. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by an assignment, in the middle of a first draft, or simply wanting a second pair of eyes, we’re here to help. Led by … Continue reading The Writing Center Is Here to Help

As Thanksgiving break quickly approaches, all Gusties are now in a “lay-low period.” “Students (on- and off-campus) and employees should stop in-person social activities and move group work and meetings to a virtual format,” the email from President Bergman to the student body said. Citing the fact that there has been little evidence of any transmission of COVID from in-person classes, however, in-person classes are … Continue reading “Laying Low” before the holidays

Gusties are minimizing contact with the outside world, but in the midst of it all, some students continue to work off-campus jobs. While this may first appear as an unnecessary risk, especially when there is work study available on-campus, it is not. In fact, it is a necessary and unavoidable risk and a rather small one at that. Working an off-campus job is necessary for … Continue reading Despite COVID, off-campus jobs must prevail

Gusties in the COVID era are minimizing contact with the outside world, but in the midst of it all, some students continue to work off-campus jobs. While this may first appear as an unnecessary risk, especially when there is work study available on-campus, it is not. In fact, it is a necessary and unavoidable risk and a rather small one at that. As we all … Continue reading COVID-19 cases on campus spike: Are we really surprised, though?

I think it’s fair to say that campus life isn’t what it used to be. Now that this new “Lay Low” period has begun, it’s even stranger. If you didn’t already feel as if your social life was dwindling, you do now that the school has decided to prohibit students from visiting any other person’s dorm room. The reason behind such a drastic measure is … Continue reading Plant Parenthood: Gustie plant enthusiasts

I spent my election night doing the most American thing that I could think of: working an extra hour on a family-run dairy farm. I spent the evening producing real food for real people. This is what the American Dream used to be. Get some land and figure out how to be independent, earn a living and care for a family. So much has changed, … Continue reading Politics divide, love draws together