Opinion | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The need (and struggle) to make time for yourself

Nov. 5, 2017

A quick note before we begin: I am by no means a professional in self-help practices nor do I consider myself an expert in mindfulness. Heck, I’m writing this column during my “me time” in between doing my laundry, mentally organizing tomorrow’s agenda and trying to remember the date of my next exam. That aside, I’m going to write this as a message to myself — and anyone else who might need this reminder — about the importance of carving out space and time for oneself each week.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Creating a better world starts with a culture of caring

Nov. 5, 2017

When was the last time you asked someone how they were doing and really meant it?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Circumstance and decision: We can only change the future

Nov. 5, 2017

Our lives are based around two things: circumstance and decisions. Circumstance is everything you can’t control. This is your privilege or your lack thereof. This is the stuff that just happens to you. Were you in the right place at the right time? Circumstance. Then, the rest of your life is made up of decisions. This is everything you actively do. Did you work really hard or not hard enough? Did you take that risk or let it slip through your fingers? These are both decisions.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Your purpose in life will constantly change, summarizing it isn't easy

Nov. 2, 2017

I am supposed to write about my purpose. That is an odd task, at least in my opinion, to reduce my purpose to one or two single-spaced pages. This implies a multitude of things: one, that I do have a purpose and, two, my purpose is applicable to the exact program and exact situation so I could sum it all up in one or two single-spaced pages.

OPINION | COLUMNS

UF to Greek women: Don’t get assaulted

Nov. 2, 2017

"In that situation, I did everything right.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Journalism is struggling, it’s time to help

Oct. 31, 2017

I see you clearing your cookies on your computer to get 10 more free articles for the Sun Sentinel or The Washington Post without having to pay their monthly subscription, and for a while I was like you. I get it, you don’t have the money to pay $5 a month for news, so you cheat the system. It makes sense, but you’re hurting the very institution that you count on for reliable news, and it’s time we started supporting newspapers. They need us.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s time to take a stand against the statue vandals

Oct. 31, 2017

Over the past several months, Americans across the country have taken it upon themselves to destroy, deface and rewrite American history with the removal of historical statues and monuments. Virtually unchallenged, this small segment of the public has attempted to bully fair-minded citizens into accepting a new American reality: one without our Founding Fathers.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Mental health needs to be a top priority for colleges

Oct. 31, 2017

Counseling and mental health services are a top priority at UF and need to be part of continued conversations nationally within higher education and beyond.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We have power across generations

Oct. 29, 2017

Over the past few days, I have seen multiple articles detailing the lives of middle school students who chose to end their lives by killing themselves. Suicide is always tragic. Suicide should always draw our attention and ignite a desire for action and change. When those who choose to end their lives are not even teenagers yet, it can capture our attention in a particularly intense way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Speak out against unjust organizations

Oct. 29, 2017

“If you see something, say something.” This slogan can apply to suspicious activity monitored by the Department of Homeland Security, but it should also apply to our everyday interactions.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Keep it local and support Gainesville businesses

Oct. 29, 2017

Last week, I went to a show at High Dive featuring two Florida-native bands: The Hails and Surfer Blood. This was not my first High Dive show, nor will it be my last. Not only is it a blast to hear great live music, but it’s also awesome to give your love and support to local businesses, especially the art and culture hubs around Gainesville.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Can we please stop hanging out in the library for fun?

Oct. 26, 2017

Earlier this week, I was studying. I was in the library, where most people are when they study, and I found a perfect little table in the basement of Marston Science Library. It was nearing hour three of my study venture, and I was making decent progress. I brought snacks to tide me over and filled my water bottle. I had an arsenal of colored pens, my notebook, my hard copy of the textbook at my disposal. Last but not least, I had the most important part of any study session — my ear buds.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Sexual assault education at UF falls short when needed the most

Oct. 26, 2017

Jane Doe (Jane Doe is not the actual name of the victim, but is used in place of it to ensure her safety) draws her third cigarette from the box of Marlboro cigarettes on the table between us. The box looks light.

OPINION | COLUMNS

You don’t always need to know your next move

Oct. 26, 2017

This sign I have had ever since I was a child. The sign is a voice which comes to me and always forbids me to do something which I am going to do, but never commands me to do anything.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Why should we pay for people’s abortions?

Oct. 24, 2017

I read an article the other day on several interesting cases that could make their way to the Supreme Court in the coming months. One in particular caught my eye: Garza v. Hargan. This case involves a 17-year-old illegal immigrant, referred to as Jane Doe in court documents, who is currently detained in Texas. She arrived in the U.S. pregnant, and has since demanded an abortion.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We all deserve a break sometimes

Oct. 24, 2017

This semester I’ve found myself running. Running, not in the “late for class” kind of way, but more so running through this semester and through these next two months to graduation. Some of you, regardless of whether you’re graduating or not, might also feel this way.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Cuffing season is not for everyone, especially me

Oct. 24, 2017

It’s like clockwork. Every year around this time, the pumpkin spice lattes come out, Hallmark movies start to play on television and the temperature in this majestic city drops into the high-sixties. And just as I start to put on my light jacket to protect me from the less-than-sweltering temperatures, my phone starts vibrating uncontrollably. I roll my eyes as I see text after text from guy after guy professing their love for me. They all want to be exclusive. Don’t get me wrong — it’s flattering. But more so, it’s exhausting.

OPINION | COLUMNS

We need to keep a close eye on the EPA under President Donald Trump

Oct. 22, 2017

Here’s a quick hypothetical for you. You’ve been tasked with appointing the new leader of the National Fire Prevention Association (this is not real, so just go with it). Your options range from veteran firefighters to expert industrial engineers to dedicated safety officials and everyone in between. With all of these choices in mind, would you pick an arsonist?

OPINION | COLUMNS

Help each other and make your voices heard

Oct. 22, 2017

Mental health is not merely a personal struggle. It is not something a person should be left to deal with alone. It is not something that can be swept aside. Mental health issues come from within. They stem from the mind — what makes a person who they are. In the past few decades, there have been major strides in mental health advocacy, and the negative stigma associated with mental health struggles have certainly decreased. However, we are far from finished.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Shutting down Spencer’s movement

Oct. 19, 2017

As I write this at nearly 11 p.m. Thursday, it’s been only a few hours since racist Richard Spencer spoke on UF’s campus and failed miserably to divide our community.