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Goals for the School Year
Submitted by Will Chen The start of a new school year is always refreshing. In many ways, it represents a chance for new beginnings. Personally, I look forward to the fall because it means reuniting with friends on campus. These past 3 years have been amazing at the University of Delaware, and I hope to make this last year the best one yet. Living a life with regrets is one of my biggest fears, so I plan to make the most of the time I have left. With that in mind, here are the goals I wish to accomplish before I graduate. Goal 1: Secure a Full-Time Job As a…
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How Cultural Identity Shapes the College Experience
Submitted by Zoe Pecson There is something very special that we all as humans inherently feel and share: a desire for community. We all strive to find and connect with people who experience and enjoy life in ways that resonate with us. Many communities we find ourselves in can be built upon shared hobbies and passions, family ties, academic or professional endeavors, or past experiences; however, we are often most deeply connected through culture. Entering college often intensifies our craving for community. Faced with a new and unfamiliar world and life experience, we seek out others to share it with, people to witness our lives. Campuses offer many ways to…
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Advice To My Younger Self
Submitted by Steven Pham There are so many things I could talk about, but if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: start earlier, whether that’s calisthenics or anything else you’re passionate about. Looking back, I remember hesitating because I was worried I would be seen as unready, not disciplined enough to commit, or a failure in front of others. Though the truth is, if I had started earlier, I could have made more progress, and I would have developed the discipline, confidence, and resilience that come from putting yourself out there sooner. Challenges, whether learning a new skill, pursuing a passion, or…
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My First Time in a Club
Submitted by Sophia Li First semester of senior year, how exciting! It’s a new beginning because this will be my first year in a club (AAPC). I’ve never been in a club before, mainly because I have no time and I’m busy with classes. Now that I’m in my senior year, I’m in fewer classes and have more time. It’s pretty challenging because I’m not used to this, and I’m still trying to get the hang of it. I am usually behind on things or still getting the hang of it, but with more time, I’m sure I will do better. Joining this club was a good experience to meet…
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How I Met My Best Friend
Submitted by Ruthie Suarez Starting college is supposed to be one of the most exciting times in your life. It’s when you step out into independence, meet new people, and begin shaping the path toward your future. But for me, my freshman year began with something I never expected: bullying. Up until that point, I had never been bullied before in my life. I had gone through middle school and high school without ever experiencing that kind of mistreatment. So when it happened in college – the one place I thought people would finally be mature and grown enough to know better – it was shocking. It didn’t feel real…
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The Glow-Up: Freshman vs. Senior Year Ins & Outs
Submitted by Jodie Li Welcome to a new, or even first, semester! I’ll be diving into my transformation from when I was a clueless freshman to a now (slightly) wiser senior. A lot of things change while in college, including priorities, fears, and even your boba order, while some things stay the same. Whether you are just starting your college journey or about to cross the finish line, here’s a quick list of some ins and outs of college life. The Ins & Outs of Freshman Year: In: Say “yes” to as many events, clubs, and outing invitations that align with your interests.Out: Feeling like you’re missing out (FOMO) if…
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A Guide to APIDA Orgs on Campus
Submitted by Hannah Sazon Joining the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community here on campus has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college years. As an out-of-state student who only knew one person from high school, I wasn’t sure how I was going to make friends on campus. However, joining one club quickly led to another, and before I knew it, I had found a home and a group of people I could truly call family. Below, I’ve put together a brief guide to the APIDA clubs at UD to help you get to know them and find your own place in this welcoming community! Asian…
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The Origin of Manga and Anime
Submitted by Ruthie Suarez Manga and anime are more than just a hobby—they’re art, storytelling, and emotional expression forms that have grown into global cultural powerhouses. Whether you’re laughing through a high school comedy, tearing up during a bittersweet romance, or hanging onto every moment of an intense battle, there’s something in this world for everyone. The roots of manga go way back to 12th-century Japanese scrolls, where artists used sequential drawings to tell stories. In the 18th and 19th centuries, artists like Hokusai helped popularize the word “manga,” meaning “whimsical pictures.” But the real boom came after World War II when Osamu Tezuka, often called the “God of Manga,”…
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The Hidden Language of Red Envelopes
Submitted by Jodie Li Red envelopes (hóngbāo in Mandarin, lai see in Cantonese) are a symbol of Chinese culture and tradition. These vibrant envelopes are usually associated with Lunar New Year, weddings, and other grand celebrations. But these pockets hold deeper meanings beyond their monetary gifts—they carry wishes of luck, protection, and connection across generations. Origins in Legend The tradition of red envelopes traces back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD). The tale goes that villagers would place coins in red paper under children’s pillows to ward off a demon named Sui. The color red symbolizes fire and vitality, which is why it was believed to repel evil spirits. By…
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The Bizarre Journey of Boba
Submitted by Will Chen Boba has turned into a worldwide phenomenon over the last decade. It has grown to be the perfect drink to grab on the go and is beloved by the younger generation. Here at the University of Delaware, we have a handful of boba shops such as Comma Cafe, Kung Fu Tea, TBaar, and Tiger Sugar. With such a large popularity, let’s take a dive into the origin of boba. Where did it all start? The origin of boba is often debated. However, it is widely believed that in the early 1980s, the owner of a tea store in Taiwan wanted to experiment with serving cold…
