Dating is a Game and We’re All Players

Cause you know I love the players, and you love the game,” Taylor Swift cheers in her hit song, “Blank Space”. She’s satirizing the media’s perception of her, but us non-celebrities sing along with non-sarcastic gusto. Because after we’ve been broken up with for the third time, discovered the cute boy in our Am. Lit. class has a girlfriend, and swiped to the end of … Continue reading Dating is a Game and We’re All Players

Boxes Don’t Define a Person

Dictionary.com defines a stereotype as “a widely held and fixed idea about certain characteristics of people. A box used to group a specific set without a second thought.” Merriam Webster claims it’s “a preconceived idea of the individual.” Urban dictionary says, “If a person looks like another, they must be the same, and must be categorized as a certain way.” This is what society has … Continue reading Boxes Don’t Define a Person

Greek Life is Evolving and Changing

Bidding for Greek life has just come to a close here on campus and the fraternities and sororities are beginning to sort through their bids. As this comes to a close, many first-years are also starting to consider the benefits of bidding for Greek life next year. Fraternities and sororities have been present in the United States since 1776 with the foundation of the first … Continue reading Greek Life is Evolving and Changing

Staying in Shape and Gender Equality

Gustavus is a very welcoming and safe community. We are inclusive no matter the race, gender, religion, or beliefs. So last spring when the weight room reserved a spot designed only for women, there were some issues. When this first began many women were excited and raved about how fantastic this is. Many said that finally women have a chance to feel good about themselves … Continue reading Staying in Shape and Gender Equality

Your Vote and Money Don’t Matter

Your vote doesn’t really matter. If that thought has ever passed through your mind then you’ve experienced voter apathy, and I don’t blame you. It can be hard to feel like your one vote matters, especially when your candidate loses. You may have been told that in all reality your vote actually does not matter in comparison to your money, but is that really the … Continue reading Your Vote and Money Don’t Matter

Quit Major-Shaming Me

You want to major in that?” “But what can you actually do with that?” “You know you’re gonna be poor, right?” If you’ve heard any of the following phrases from family, friends, extended relatives, or little old church ladies, you are victim of major-shaming. No, not major shaming (though it can feel that way after three hours of smiling and gritting your teeth through a … Continue reading Quit Major-Shaming Me

Reading-in-Common and the Value of Book Clubs

Every year at Gustavus, as most of the people reading this probably already know, a “Reading-in-Common” book is selected and assigned as summer reading to every incoming first-year student. There are a number of things I love about this tradition. I love the way it gives everyone a very obvious conversation-starter, at least if you’re a huge nerd like me. I love the way it … Continue reading Reading-in-Common and the Value of Book Clubs