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You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns

Burnout has become the new normal

November 6, 2025 by Fermin Moreno Leave a Comment

Academic pressure and overloaded schedules are major factors leading to student burnout. Many students, including myself, have a lot going on outside of school. Each semester, I take a heavy course load, and it can be exhausting. I keep going because my goal is to graduate and have a good job that allows me to do what I have always dreamed ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Friendships lost, lessons learned

November 6, 2025 by Hayden DeLand Leave a Comment

Two years ago, when I arrived on campus on move-in day at the beginning of Wildcat Week, I only really knew a handful of people at ACU, my high school girlfriend at the time and a couple of people who had gone to high school with us. On move-in day, I walked into “old” Mabee Hall, where I was given the keys to room 343. After I moved all my ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Women’s sports are different than men’s sports

November 4, 2025 by Lindsey Blasingame Leave a Comment

I have often heard the argument that women’s sports are not as entertaining as men’s, but there should not be an automatic comparison between the two, as they are entirely different. While the specific sports follow the same rules, men and women have different schemes and play styles due to athletic differences, inconsistent speeds of game play ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

December 20, 2024 by Joseph Chapa

Before the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, Generation Z was described as “woke,” “overly progressive” or "just a bunch of snowflakes.” The election results proved the opposite. Donald Trump’s second presidential victory could not have been possible without the help of 18-30-year-old voters. An NBC News exit poll found that the 47th President ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

December 13, 2024 by Joseph Chapa

Immediately after the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and President-elect Donald Trump, American icon and pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Harris on all of Swift's social media platforms. This was considered to be a big win for the Harris campaign as it rallied the Democratic base and hoped to sway women to vote for the vice ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

More than just four years

December 10, 2024 by Joseph Chapa

Abilene Christian University accomplished its mission with me. And I accomplished my mission at ACU. As I prepare for Saturday’s undergraduate graduation ceremony to take on the world, I am grateful for this university and its people. The relationships and memories I have formed at 1600 Campus Court have not just defined my past four years, but ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Prediction: ACU vs. Texas Tech

August 29, 2024 by Roman Raffaeli

Football will kick off its season against Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock. This game will mark the first of two to be played against the Red Raiders, the latter coming in September of 2026. This weekend’s matchup has been highly anticipated among the ACU fanbase as it marks Head Coach Keith Patterson’s return to Lubbock, where he was formerly ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Sports

Burnout: The Real ACU Athletics Difference

December 15, 2023 by Connor Mullins

The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. What is Christian service and leadership, though? Is the department of athletics doing Christian service and being Christian leaders? I believe students and alumni have bountiful opportunities to do so, but the department of athletics ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion Tagged With: ACU Athletics Burnout, ACU Department of Athletics, ACU Sports, Higher Education, Zach Carlyle, Zack Lassiter

Domestic violence, let’s actually talk about it

October 27, 2023 by Mariah Williams

Title IX is more than a joke. It is a conversation. Across colleges in America, a Title IX office is present to support students through any sexual and/or dating violence experiences.  Campus apps like Yik Yak and Fizz flow with jokes about reporting someone for Title IX, but the office's work is a conversation far beyond the laugh.  Title ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Skipping class is a drug

December 6, 2022 by Nathaniel Chisholm

Skipping class is arguably one of the easiest things that we can do as college students. Not only is it free, it frees up time and allows you to sleep longer than you were going to originally or work on homework you might have missed. However much like a drug, it only takes one skip to become hooked. While I too suffer from this all too common ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
10 Nov

NEWS: Students can officially opt out of Wildcat Access program for the spring 2026 semester. The opt out period will run from today through Nov. 23.

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
1 Nov

BREAKING NEWS: The winners of the 2025 Homecoming Parade are: Sanctify in the student organization division, Ko Jo Kai in the sorority division and Gamma Sigma Phi in the fraternity division.

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2 months ago

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Andrew North was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 3 months old; he’s never known life without it. Now, in his late 20s and married, North has cultivated a fulfilling life despite facing adversity from the perceived limitations of his chronic disease. North is an ACU graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family services.To read more, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link below. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #feature acuoptimist.com/2025/11/grad-student-with-cystic-fibrosis-wins-scholarship-strives-to-make-an-imp...📝: Callie Leverett ... See MoreSee Less

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2 months ago

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The Indian Culture Association hosted their annual Golden Gala last Saturday at Hillcrest Church. Students, faculty, and members of ICA gathered together to celebrate the beauty of Indian Culture. To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link below. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #photography acuoptimist.com/2025/11/gallery-ica-hosts-the-annual-golden-gala/📸: Callie Brimberry ... See MoreSee Less

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