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How to break out of a reading slump
Were you the type of 12-year-old who could binge read a whole book series in the span of a few weeks? Did reading slowly become less of a habit as you inevitably became preoccupied with school, jobs and other real-world stressors? Reading books has been scientifically proven to be beneficial for our mental health. A 2009 research study found that 30 minutes of reading lowered the heart rate and blood pressure of the participants. Getting back into reading is definitely feasible, but it can be daunting for those who feel they’re too busy and simply don’t have time for it. However, we could all use a method to destress and…
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The metaverse: a realm of digital possibilities
The technological advancements of the internet, social media, virtual reality and cryptocurrencies have spurred an onslaught of theories and predictions surrounding the metaverse, which has become a topical subject in recent years. Blockbuster films such as 2016’s Ready Player One and 2021’s Free Guy have tackled ideas surrounding the concept. In October 2021, the iconically-named and well known company Facebook was renamed Meta to better reflect the corporation’s ambition to further develop the metaverse. Even with the broad and ever-growing nature of the metaverse, many are still quite unfamiliar with what it is and what it could mean for the future of technology. Into the metaverse The term “metaverse” itself…
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So you’ve chosen the wrong program, now what?
Choosing which major or degree to pursue can be very difficult, especially considering it’s a decision that is typically made in the final years of high school. That being said, it’s common to feel unsure about the program one has chosen to study. Patrícia Dela Cruz, 21, was accepted into Ryerson/X University’s fashion design program during her final year of high school. “I love anything arts-related—and that includes fashion design, so I was beyond ecstatic when I got accepted,” she says. “The program is a difficult one to get into and being one of the students selected felt like such an accomplishment.” However, Dela Cruz says that she had gone…
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Seeing the world on a shoestring budget
It’s inevitable to feel unsure of what to do after graduating post-secondary school. People will sometimes choose to continue their education by pursuing a graduate degree. Others will try and get their foot in the door by finding a full-time job. However, with no mortgage to worry about and no family to take care of just yet, some post-graduates will often choose to travel before settling into their career or furthering their education. While the lack of commitments to anything back home is a decent enough excuse to explore the world, it’s not ideal to blow one’s entire life savings on a single vacation. Although it may sound difficult to…
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Setting sights on bigger dreams
From a quaint dorm room in Oakville, Ont., 21-year-old Varshaa Raguraaman maintains the dream she has had since she was a young artist and visual storyteller in high school: one day getting to work for The Walt Disney Company. “I combined all of my passions and I was like, ‘You know [who] does all of these things really well? Disney,’” she says. “That’s the goal, to work there at some point.” In the meantime, she has been keeping busy in her fourth and final year of studies as a film and television student at Sheridan College. Her schedule hasn’t allowed much time for her to return home, as she says…
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Taboos around tattoos
Sharon Ng was 18 when she got her first tattoo: a small rose on her inner ankle. She has since added two more pieces to her collection—a butterfly on her outer ankle and a Chinese dragon on her back. Unlike her first tattoo, these ones hold close personal significance to her. “The butterfly represents my childhood memories and swimming. Butterfly was my favourite stroke,” she says. “I was born in the year of the dragon and I’m Chinese, so that’s what the dragon stands for.” Ng recognizes the cultural barrier between her Chinese upbringing and getting permanently inked, so she strategically had her tattoos placed where they would be less…
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Expressing eco-conscious messages through art
As the saying goes, “art is subjective.” While this is true, there is something universal about environmental art and the message this artistic practice projects: to protect nature and the planet. According to a blog post by sustainable energy company Iberdrola, environmental art and recycled art is not new. Artistic movements such as pop art utilized recycled materials from comic strips and advertisements. Additionally, Pablo Picasso and George Braque famously created collages out of old newspapers and magazines. For many artists, the need to express environmental concerns is usually born out of a lifelong passion for nature. Flipping the narrative Toronto-based artist John Notten grew up with a penchant for…
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The evolution of diversity in teen movies
There is a timeless appeal to films and television shows that are geared towards teenage audiences. Perhaps the most notable factor about teen movies is how much they can grow with modern audiences. Much has changed since the John Hughes era of the 1980s and despite what some movie buffs would say, it has probably been for the better. Early coming-of-age films tackled subjects often explored during adolescence: relationships, sex, drugs and alcohol. They dealt with issues such as understanding one’s self-identity or dealing with bullying and peer pressure. Films like The Breakfast Club (1985) and Sixteen Candles (1984) have been hailed by audiences for the accurate portrayal of the…
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Can cannabis be used as a sleep aid?
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the lives of billions upside down. With schedules thrown into disarray, one of the simplest parts of many people’s daily routine has been disrupted the most: sleep. Occupational therapist Judith Mendoza says that much of this COVID-19-induced insomnia stems from the loss of regularities in everyday life, such jobs and social interactions. “There’s a lack of rhythm, a lack of regular scheduled activities. All of that has been really disrupted,” she says. “When it comes to our physical systems, as well as our mental health, when we have predictable, regular rhythms that have been in our day-to-day life that it is really helpful.” People who…
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The pandemic pet boom
COVID-19 has brought trials and tribulations upon many. 21-year-old Tracy Dumael found herself facing personal challenges during the pandemic and decided that she needed a big change. The pandemic has forced families and individuals to stay home, with limited opportunities to go to work, school or travel. For some people, it has become the perfect opportunity to integrate a pet into their lives. In May 2021, the Dumael’s welcomed a new member into their family: Riley, a rottweiler mix. “I’ve always wanted a dog,” she says. “Instead of spending another birthday alone during lockdown, I thought it would be the perfect time to ask my family for a puppy—to have…
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Stuck in the past
Whether brief, long-term, casual or serious, past relationships can affect new ones with current or future partners. Although it is never recommended to hold onto the past, it can be unavoidable to think about how much former partners have impacted the way someone views intimacy. An article published in The Everygirl says there are two harmful qualities that pondering past relationships can leave on current ones: restricting joy and preventing growth between a person and their new partner. However, people learn from their mistakes and there can be some benefits to looking back on the past. This can include learning what one enjoys and what to avoid in the future.…
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What comes next?
As the upcoming semester approaches, students who are in their final year of study may be experiencing some confusion about what to do after graduation. It can be understandably anxiety-inducing with the sudden pressure of entering the “real world” after years of being in school. The options for post-graduates are not limited to simply finding a stable job. There are a variety of paths for those leaving college or university, whether it be continuing their education in graduate school, diving into the workforce or even travelling. Phillip Cruz, who studied architectural technology at George Brown College, recalls contemplating his career path in his second semester and being unsure of whether…
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Pulling inspiration from the past
Baggy jeans. Claw hair clips. Clunky sneakers. Floral print. These are only a few of the famous fashion trends from past decades that have seen a sudden resurgence in popularity today. It is not unusual for previous fashion trends to become popular again after years of being deemed outdated. In fact, there is a phenomenon in fashion known as the “20-year rule.” This acknowledges that there is a cyclical nature to fashion and that trends become popular again every 20 to 30 years, usually due to the influence of designers and the curiosity of newer generations. “Fashion trends are repetitive because a lot of designers take inspiration from what was…
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Pursuing passions during the pandemic
For as long as she can remember, Ryerson University student Natalie Watt has enjoyed dressing up and accessorizing her outfits. With that, she dreamt of starting her own jewelry line and now has finally put her dream into fruition. The COVID-19 lockdowns forced many small businesses to shift their stores online, where some struggled to gain the same traffic that their in-person stores had. Other small businesses were born out of the pandemic and have thrived exclusively online, such as Watt’s jewelry shop NTLE.CO. In June 2020, Watt officially launched her online jewelry store, aiming to provide customers with “quality jewelry that won’t tarnish at affordable prices.” NTLE.CO specializes in…
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Fall into fashion
Despite the sadness that inevitably comes at the end of summer, I find myself quite excited about the upcoming autumn. Perhaps it’s a combination of my love for the holidays, my preference for cooler weather and the fact that I was born in November. But I also can’t deny that I’m partial to fall fashion. With the overbearing heat of the summer, the intolerable cold of the winter and the dreariness of spring, fall is really the only time of year you can truly exercise versatility with your wardrobe. You can dress certain pieces up or down, and you are basically guaranteed to look good as well as feel comfortable.…
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From overwhelmed to reinvigorated
As the semester begins, it is easy to become caught up in the hectic mess of essays, quizzes and other assignments. This can especially be the case when juggling other responsibilities such as jobs and personal matters. The term “burnout” was first coined by German psychologist Herbert J. Freudenberger in 1974. He defined burnout as a work-related condition in which individuals experience exhaustion, depression and an overall disinterest in everyday function. Recent University of Toronto graduate J. Wang found himself grappling with these symptoms during his time in school, particularly the loss of motivation. “Not wanting to attend classes, being unable to focus and disassociating from my body,” he says.…
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Travelling in a post-pandemic world
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive dent in the tourism industry. Its sector saw a loss of nearly $4.5 trillion US in 2020, according to a report released by the World Travel and Tourism Council. The report also revealed that approximately 62 million jobs in the travel industry were lost, leaving only 272 million employed globally. However, with vaccination rates rising and pandemic restrictions loosening, it is expected that international travel will be possible again very soon. Linda Hoang, a travel blogger based in Edmonton, hopes that masks and hygienic practices will still be normalized once travelling is more widely available. “If there’s more hand sanitizer, if people…
