Opinion

As a new semester dawns and incoming freshman open their textbooks, many might be surprised to discover a new language. While their textbooks may be in English, the language before them is riddled with strange, unnatural phrases that baffle the mind. Instead of clear and concise descriptions, these textbooks and readings are filled with jargon and complicated phrases.

As we tiptoe into the realm of artificial intelligence, we must tread cautiously, mindful of the potential pitfalls.

On May 30, 2023, The Daily Universe published an opinion piece that highlights the unsettling trend of distrusting science and expert opinions. The piece addresses concerns over the validity of FDA drug approval and advocates that individuals should “be doing our own research.”

Since the beginning of existence, mankind has taken extraordinary qualities and assigned them to diverse groups of men and women in writing and imagination. They serve as saviors, inspirational figures and relatable life lessons.

I am an avid VSCO girl. I love the low-key nature of being able to unload my camera roll favorites without a care of who might see. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with others and share bits of my life through social media apps like Instagram. What I have come to find through my high school and university years, is that as much as social media can be a fun and creative space, it can also be a place of comparison and negativity.

Being a college student is not easy. It requires time management skills, perseverance and dedication. On top of that, we all have lives outside of school, like jobs, friends and family.

I still remember my first lockdown drill. I was in Mrs. Ibarra’s classroom in the blue wing of my elementary school. The blue on most days was a happy, comforting color, but that day in the dark it felt more sinister and scary. My classmates and I huddled silently in the corner as Mrs. Ibarra piled a mound of desks in front of the door. Earlier that day, she told us that in the event of a real shooting, we were to do everything we could to protect ourselves. She pointed out the window at the undeveloped plot of land behind our school — a wavy wheat field typical of Kansas summers.

What would happen if what we were always told is best for us, actually wasn’t? The voices with the biggest influence in medicine repeatedly feed us the idea that medication in tiny capsules is the cure to every problem. We never question it because we trust that they have our best interest in mind. However, like most things in life, it's more about the paycheck at the end of the day than anything else. We should be doing our own research and discovering what’s best for our bodies if we really have our own best interests in mind.

There’s a glow coming from the Cougareat and your feet advance toward the haze with the crowd, as if you have no choice to withdraw. The closer you get, the array of neon signs glow brighter and the smell of something delicious hits your sense of smell with more force than ever before. A corner turned and an alley of delicious fast food restaurants are presented at your feet, planted right here on your school campus.

As a youth camp counselor this summer I had a tender experience. Toward the end of the week, the directors, a married couple, shared with the youth that prior to the summer, their son had died tragically. After they told this story, a few teenage boys in my cohort approached them and, with tears in their eyes, thanked them for sharing. I was impressed with the empathy and sincerity that these teenage boys showed. Like Christ, they had mourned with those that mourned and comforted those that stood in need of comfort. Later, one of the boys, we’ll call him Mark, asked to speak with me. Mark was about 16 years old. He was athletic and large — the epitome of a high school football star. As we spoke, Mark told me that he wanted to experience more compassion in his life. He worried, however, because his family and friends adopt the mentality that men don’t empathize and 'the boys' don’t discuss feelings.

Picture this: It's been a long day of classes. You begrudgingly start your trek across campus in the sweltering heat to go home. The sun is beating down and beads of sweat drip down your face as you turn the corner nearing your dorm. Lines are blurring, sound is going in and out and all you can think about is a cold can in your hand to cool you off. You frantically run to the vending machines just to find that the drink you were desperately craving is gone. Not just gone, but never was.

Audrey Hanks is an unsung hero of BYU. It is important to recognize those behind the scenes that help students grow. (Photo courtesy of BYU Undergraduate Education)

It is Friday night. I finish curling my hair and put my shoes on, ready for the date. I’ve been looking forward to it all week, and I do not even know what he looks like.

This summer will mark two years since my family and I got sent to “Covid camps” in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was two and a half weeks of forced empty space — the emptiest time I’ve ever experienced.

When I started at BYU I was eager to make friends and to find “my people.” I went to Ballard Center lectures, joined student groups, and attended sporting events to try to find people that were like me. I met kind people and made a few friends, but into my first semester, I still hadn’t found the kind of people that I was looking for. Instead, I felt alone and tired.

To quote the director of the local Provo Bicycle Collective, Kira Johnson, who has been cycling to work year-round since 2016, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”