My experience as an English major at CU Boulder has undoubtedly been a mixed bag. Every week my opinion varies when it comes to college. Some days I rejoice in my existence as a university student, other days I feel as though I am counting down the days until I am finally released from the bonds of school. My journey to attending CU Boulder has been quite the process, as I bounced around between a couple of schools before finally settling upon CU. When I first entered college, I was a psychology major in Kansas City at UMKC (the University of Missouri at Kansas City). I quickly became dissatisfied... Read More

Almost every student at CU Boulder has an opinion about “The Hill,” a very popular section of Boulder with shops and restaurant within walking distance from the university. Many students, including myself, will head over to “The Hill” between classes for a quick bite to eat or to grab a cup of coffee. However, “The Hill” is also infamous for having a wild party scene and being possibly dangerous after dark. Because of this, I cannot responsibly recommend going to ‘The Hill’ at night, especially if you are alone. However, I have been to ‘The Hill’ a number of... 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

Apartment living in Boulder is ridiculously expensive, deterring many from moving to the area. For a student taking classes and likely working a minimum wage job to earn a little extra cash, Boulder housing can be almost impossible to afford. This is why I am blown away by the fact that much of the student off-campus apartment options in Boulder are some of the most upsetting rip-offs imaginable. When I transferred to Boulder from a college in Missouri, it was relatively late in the summer, and housing choices were limited. However, much to my delight, I managed to secure a room at one of the most... Read More

Where to live can be one of the most challenging aspects of student life to figure out; this goes double for living in Boulder, where the housing costs are outrageously high. If a student has the option of living at home with family or moving out and renting a place of their own, it can seem almost impossible to decide which course of action to take. There are benefits and disadvantages to both sides of the issue, and a student should genuinely consider what they want before making this choice. One of the best ways I’ve found of making a decision of this significance is to lay out the options... Read More

It would be nearly impossible to deny the immense size of CU Boulder. The university, which boasts a student population of just over 33,000, can be overwhelming for a new student. It will inevitably take a new student a few days to become truly acquainted with the campus. Yet the daunting nature of CU Boulder is not limited to new students alone. Becoming disorientated with the campus is something that even experienced students can face. As someone who is entering her second year at the campus, there are places and buildings on the campus that even I have not set foot in. For this upcoming fall... Read More

The transition into college can be difficult to negotiate, especially coming from Springfield, Missouri to Boulder, Colorado. It would be difficult to imagine two places so opposite to each other. While Boulder may not seem like a big place to everyone; especially when one considers that my hometown of Springfield contains a larger population than Boulder, it was a significant change of pace. So, why does Boulder seem like a colossus compared to Springfield? Perhaps it is because Springfield is such a quiet place, earning the nickname, “the Queen of the Ozarks,” from many of the locals. There... Read More

Ordinarily, CU Boulder is seen as a liberal leaning, animal friendly campus with daily visits of dogs belonging to students and locals alike. It’s no rare thing to see pups of all ages and sizes out playing fetch or taking a stroll, especially on the campus’ largest open quads, such as Farrand Field or the Norlin Quadrangle. Though with mental illness becoming more frequently reported by students, it’s becoming apparent? that one growing source of self-care is still unfortunately banned by most universities. Mental health issues have been growing on college campuses for years, and as conversations... Read More

Meet Colton! Colton is a senior at CU Boulder studying digital media. He is one of the student athletes with the distinction to call themselves one of Ralphie’s Handlers.   Ralphie, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is the CU Boulder mascot who usually makes appearances running out onto Folsom Field ahead of the CU Boulder football team during home games. The group of student athletes that run with Ralphie and guide her horseshoe-shaped pattern through Folsom field are known as Ralphie Handler’s and Colton has been with the team since his freshman year! Growing up in Colorado, Colton... Read More

  Meet Lia! Lia is a junior as CU Boulder and is studying international business. She has a strong love of traveling and has already been to 41 countries and has lived in Ghana and Indonesia. So ideally, she would like to work somewhere that allows her to continue to explore the world! On top of working to pay for school, Lia still manages to find time to take advantage of Boulder’s adventurous spirit. She is an avid rock climber and loves to explore, camp, and just spend every possible moment outside. When I asked her what her favorite part of adventuring was she said, “Oh... Read More

“I was unsure when people told me that I would like Boulder, but I’ve never been happier.” Originally from Boston, Grace is here at CU Boulder studying Evolutionary Biology and Pre-Vet. She originally wanted to be a surgeon for humans, but after shadowing various surgeries at a vet clinic she decided she wanted to be a veterinarian. “I just like animals more than I like people.”  Read More

Here I am again with so much to say about these under advertised events that I just want to get straight into them.  I will say this, though: This month’s events are a treat for all senses.  Come see what I mean.   Throughout the entire month of March the Boulder Dinner Theater is putting on their performance of Disenchanted.  This comedic parody of classic fairytales turns all the classic tropes about princess we know on their heads.  This musical features all the Disney princesses becoming fed up with how they’re being presented in today’s media and join together to reclaim their... Read More

Matt is an instructor in the Technology, Arts and Media (TAM) Program at CU Boulder. His latest pursuit challenges the idea of a controller in the world of video games. This April, Matt and several of his colleagues will be hosting what he calls the “Alt-cade”, an alternative-control gaming arcade hosted in the Black Box Theater of the ATLAS Institute on CU’s campus. Matt’s alternative-control game is a “location based video game” focusing on “the monotony of the workplace.” In the game, the user will physically carry out tasks and complete objectives with two other players in... Read More

Meet Zach Myers, an uber talented Film Production undergrad from CU Boulder. One time near Pearl Street, when Zach was still new in town, an older guy on a longboard rolled up to him and said, “Yo man, keep shredding on that sunbeam,” and rolled away. When asked what he likes about Boulder, Zach replied, “I like how Boulder sits at the foot of the mountains, so I can walk out my door and ski, hike, or roll down a hill.” This is true Zach, this is true.    Read More

Look who I caught in the middle of a good laugh! This is the lovely Brittany Weeks. She is a CU English and Psychology graduate hailing from Littleton, CO. When asked her favorite thing about Boulder, she replied, “The hot yoga moms and all the dietary needs.” If you’re wondering where you can find Ms. Weeks, her favorite Boulder hangs are Alfalfas, the trails of Mt. Sanitas, and most all of the local bookstores.  Read More

Lifelong collector of comics and lover of inked lines, Preston Cram is a Colorado native and has lived in Boulder for five years. He graduated from CU Boulder with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and is currently earning his Master of Education at Regis University. He can be found getting coffee and donuts anywhere along the front range — in fact, he put down a box of donuts to take this photo.  Read More

“I love Boulder because the people are friendly and there are so many amazing dogs, and all of the dogs are good dogs.” Meet Madeleine Ours! She is a theatre and education student hailing from The University of Colorado at Boulder. Madeleine is a Maryland transplant who has enjoyed the Boulder life for five years. On any given day you can find her at a Core Power Yoga location, most likely in a hot yoga class which she describes as a, “mini tropical vacation.” Thanks Madeleine!    Read More

August in Boulder means hot summer temperatures, students coming back to school, and summer events beginning to wind down. In order to make the most of these last few weeks of August, here are a couple things to keep in mind: School is starting up again. All month, the Hill has been a hotbed of college students moving out of their old places and into their new ones. Mattresses and couches and toaster ovens are left on the side of the roads like some kind of post-apocalyptic disaster has struck. Classes start up again at CU Boulder on Monday, August 22nd, so be warned. The week of August 22nd will... Read More