Humans have always been interested in story telling. Everyone has a story to tell. Sure, not all stories are page turners or epics that burst with excitement (Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, for example), but they are still stories that need to be told. I find all stories to be worthwhile, even if I can’t finish them. It is still a story. Whether you know it or … Continue reading A writer’s guide to writing
College campuses are notoriously rife with expressions of nudity, and Gustavus is no different. Streaking is common across our campus; whether a public display at Midnight Express or a private run through the Arb, streaking is a tradition at our school, and we should not seek to shame, repress, or condemn it. Nudity encourages confidence, self-love, comfort in one’s own skin, celebration of the body, … Continue reading Comfortable without my clothes on
You just got back from a relaxing Thanksgiving Break, and for the most part, it’s been a decent week back. However, yesterday your professors reminded you that you can count the days until finals on both hands and that two of your final exams will be cumulative. If you were looking for an excuse to freak out, now you have one. Your weekend goes by faster … Continue reading Today, tomorrow, and everything in between
I’m sure everyone has noticed the dueling tablers outside the Caf. It’s the Tobacco Ban versus the Anti-Anti Smoking table. This is yet another admirable example of the Gustie passion for protest and petition-signing. Now, to be fair, I’ve only briefly discussed the issue with the tables, but I think I’ve got the gist of it, which has been dragged up repeatedly throughout Gustavus history. … Continue reading Smokin’ hot debate
Day to day I am faced with the dilemma of how to communicate the necessity and immediacy of the accelerating climate disaster and the ongoing environmental degradation. Do I tell you to take off your shoes, burrow your toes, your fingers, your nose into the dirt, and relish the smell and feel of the earth as you did as an exploring, inquisitive child? Nature’s wonders … Continue reading Thoreau-ly consumed
Dogs and cats ran loose along the sidewalks of Gustavus. Students jumped for joy, running toward animals, and scooped them up by the handfuls like candy. All the worries of finals melted away. All of the anxiety of the night’s homework left. All of the stress from the daily struggles, time management, and lack of sleep ceased to matter. It was a good day for … Continue reading Reigning cats and dogs
It is amazing how low of a priority family can be for many college students. Of course, this must be put into context. Students are physically distant from home and are heavily focused on school throughout the semester. I’m not saying that our families are becoming foreign to us — rather, we assume we know all there is to know about loved ones. After all, … Continue reading Roots and wings
Like many students at Gustavus, I am a devout Lutheran, and it’s a running gag for Lutherans to poke fun at our Catholic friends every now and then. However, it must be understood that we should accept and tolerate others based on their beliefs, whether they be a full-blown theology nut or a staunch atheist. In recent months, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, better known as Pope … Continue reading Do unto others
Most people, if not everyone, have had very positive experiences at the zoo. They are popular tourist attractions because they are exciting for those both young and old. Who doesn’t remember seeing their favorite animal at the zoo as a child? Seeing the lions and the tigers, the wolves and otters, and all the reptiles and birds? But every once in awhile, you will catch … Continue reading Troubled at the zoo
You are in the library, third floor to be exact. You open your textbook, notebook, and laptop. You put on your favorite headphones. You take a deep breath and brace yourself for another long night. Two hours pass. Now three. Now four. You keep telling yourself you can’t stop until every page has been read, every question has been answered, every assignment has been completed, … Continue reading Developing your identity
