The Optimist
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The opposite of loneliness

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I stole this title from the brilliant Marina Keegan, a 2012 graduate from Yale. She planned to work at The New Yorker when she left school. Then, she died in a car accident five days after her graduation ceremony. In part, my words are written to honor her, to say thank you for the best description of the opposite of loneliness: "It's not quite ... [Read More…]

Stepping off the stage and into the job market

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As a graduating senior, I've heard the dreaded question "what are you going to do after graduation?" about 100 times. As an English major, people always assume I want to teach. But, what I really want to do is write. While graduate school is forefront in my mind, the professional world isn't far behind. As an English major who doesn't want to ... [Read More…]

Reality arrives with newfound adulthood

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Buying a house is one of the most adult-like things I could possibly do on my list (It's just underneath getting married and doing my taxes properly). Just a few days ago, my friends and I finally signed the lease for our house. What exciting times! Well"¦ poop. Now I have real responsibilities. My days of being a reckless, carefree college ... [Read More…]

Learning to learn: What you can’t get from Buzzfeed

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Confession time: I'm a serial clicker. I have about 12 tabs open on my screen as I type right now, all of them stories, Buzzfeed lists and recipes I'll eventually look at. The bottom line is, I love to learn. And before you roll your eyes, think about it. Think about it- you want to make a good recipe, you log into Pinterest. Want to educate ... [Read More…]

Two claps and a woo! for intramural soccer

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It seems like it was only a few short weeks ago the Larry "Satch" Sanders Intramural Fields were first trod upon by eager flag football players, ready to take on another school year and another run at intramural glory. Now, nearly two semesters later, with the soccer season entering playoffs, the intramural fields and gyms will soon be nothing ... [Read More…]

Is our right to free speech getting weaker?

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Famous designers Domenico Dolce and Steffano Gabbana made headlines last week when they made a public statement saying they opposed child adoptions by gay couples. The statement confused many because both men are gay. "We oppose gay adoptions," the designers said in Italian magazine Panorama. "The only family is the traditional one. No chemical ... [Read More…]

Sprint-ing to the Verizon store

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It was the first Saturday of spring break and I was looking forward to heading back home for a relaxing weekend on the coast. I load my car, fill the tank and begin my drive. The drive to Corpus Christi takes about six and a half hours to complete. I pass through a few podunk towns, and then I reach the stretch of the drive that is two hours of ... [Read More…]

Choose your own adventure: Summer edition

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The air is getting warmer. Mosquitoes are surfacing in swarms. Summer is near. You have roughly eight weeks to figure what you're doing this summer, so you: A. Decide you have so much time, you'll figure it out later. But wait, 20 of the 22 students in your 10 a.m. have an internship already. What are you doing with your life? B. ... [Read More…]

Choose your own adventure: Job interview edition

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It's the day of the big interview. You have an hour before you need to leave, so you: A. Take a nap. You don't need to set an alarm. You'll wake up in time, but NOW YOU'RE AN HOUR LATE. B. Trim your bangs just a little to make yourself look more professional. But then you end up with a bowl cut that makes you look like member of The Beatles. ... [Read More…]

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