School is starting up again for CU students. Coming from someone with experience, the transition from a nearly month-long vacation back into the realities of college can be disorienting. Tests, essays, and Chicago-Style papers complete with annotated bibliographies are about to consume the lives of the students at CU Boulder yet again. I find that even my grades suffer from the transition. As such, I believe that the best remedy for this is to get right back into the university lifestyle. In my experience, the first two weeks or so of a new semester bring a kind of calm with them. Getting back... Read More

As a CU Boulder student currently on vacation in New York, I have been considering what it means to be away from Boulder. What do I miss? What am I happy to get a break from? It will not be long before I must return to Boulder, yet my more melodramatic side feels the need to examine the differences between the two cities. Perhaps the best thing about being a student at CU Boulder is the town surrounding it. The ‘hipster’ vibe which has earned Boulder the nickname of the ‘Boulder Bubble’ is something I do not receive in New York. The vibrant green grass of the city, the trees,... Read More

As a student who has just completed the first semester of her junior year at CU Boulder, I have been reflecting on my time at the university and what to make of it. During the school year, life is so turbulent and busy that it is difficult to truly consider the realities of being a student. As an English major at CU Boulder, this semester has been an interesting one. As a campus, I find that CU Boulder does attempt to be an inclusive and bonded one. As a woman and as a member of the LGBTQ+ (LGBTQIA) community, I can honestly say that I have not felt any negative pressure from my peers or my professors.... Read More

Viewing art can be confusing and displeasing for many students. Modern art especially has garnered a reputation for confusing the viewer only for the sake of intellectual elitism. However, what I have come to understand about artforms of just about every sort is that the meaning itself is something abstract, even with art pieces which one might look at and not think to extract any sense whatsoever. Art must inevitably be what a person makes of it. When it comes to looking at art, one can view the evidence in front of them and make a decision based on that. Indeed, if one wishes to see art in a... Read More

We are slowly but surely approaching the autumn break in the semester, and, as we do, many of us will leave the university to go visit home or take a vacation. As this break arrives, and as midterms and schoolwork take command of our lives, it can be easy to forget about all the activities occurring on campus. And, after we return from fall break, we quickly become consumed with the preparation for finals and the end of the semester. During this time, I feel that my fellow students are profoundly stressed, and, because of this, do not always involve themselves in the goings-on of campus life. So,... Read More

CU Boulder is always filled to the brim with things to do and see. I may have my own criticisms about the university, but I can honestly say that there is a plethora of activities to participate in. One of my favorite programs at CU Boulder is IFS, or the International Film Series. However, it also seems to be a hidden gem within the college. As someone who has attended CU Boulder’s IFS multiple times, each time I go, there always seem to be far fewer people than I would have anticipated. And yes, I am fully aware that the types of films offered at IFS are not for everyone, but I would love... Read More

There are many ways in which our world and society could be improved, I doubt that anyone could disagree with that. However, I do feel that one thing has genuinely advanced from days passed; the desire to take mental health far more seriously. Our culture is finally appearing to make mental health a major concern, and, because of this, there is a movement sprouting to take care of our minds in a variety of ways. Professionally, I have been diagnosed with a number of things, although by far the most prominent are a variety of anxiety disorders. Perhaps the most prevalent is what is known as G.A.D.... Read More

Ever since entering the Film Studies program at CU Boulder, I have become privy to how complex and marvelous cinema is. It has also made me realize that film has more to offer than what is commercially popular. There are hundreds upon hundreds of brilliant films which go unrecognized, mostly owing to lack of exposure. However, there are programs which strive to remedy this. One of these is the Unseen Festival, which will take place in Boulder and Denver over a thirty-day period. The Unseen Festival is focused mostly on experimental films, many of which are not shown elsewhere. In attempting to... Read More

I have had a long, complicated love-hate relationship with school bookstores. My experience with school bookstores truly began when I was still in elementary school. There was hardly a time I looked forward to more than the Scholastic Book Fair, which would come around now and then. The book fair gave me almost as much pleasure as did waking up on Christmas morning. Back then, purchasing books was practically a magical affair. My friends and I would discuss what we’d bought and fawn over our newfound treasures. Though, this excitement could have had something to do with the flashiness of... Read More

Coming back to school from a summer off can be profoundly souring, it may feel as though a student will be taking tests and writing essays for the rest of their life. One of the most significant mistakes I’ve found that a student can make is to overly involve themselves in grades and academia while neglecting the other aspects of college life. Now, for my sake, please do not mistake this as me telling you not to try and do well in classes. However, just like everything in life, there must be a balance. There are many ways to create this balance, but a personal favorite of mine is the social... Read More