by The Cowl Editor on October 24, 2021
Opinion
by Joe Kulesza ’22
Of all the geographic regions in the United States, New England is typically the scapegoat for various reasons. Whether it be the sports teams that frequently win titles, the sometimes reckless driving in the cities, or even the touchy personality of some locals, there is always something with which people take issue about New England.
An additional point of contention regarding New England is also the weather. Famous for its long winters and wet and dreary springs, the weather patterns that New Englanders are subject to are often held against this region of the country.
And while it may be true that the perpetually sunny state of California is enticing during the throes of February, New England has one weather attribute that virtually no other state or region can boast about.
The ephemeral period of time wedged between the jubilant days of summer and the long nights of New England winters is autumn, and it is this season that makes up for the deficiencies of every other.
During this time of year, the diminishing levels of chlorophyll in deciduous trees give way to an array of colors, which are entirely absent throughout the preceding seasons.
The arrival of fall also means the advent of better food. The cliché summer foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs give way to apple cider donuts and pumpkin pie.
And lastly, if not for fall, there would be no such thing as the widely enjoyed pumpkin spice latte. It is because of this very reason that every region, not just New England, owes its gratitude to the season of fall.
by Jezel Tracey ’24
Being a college student is not an easy thing. It is not just about getting good grades, but is a combination of maintaining a good GPA, having a social life, and simply just existing. Unfortunately, midterms add on to the pressures of being a “good college student.”
While it is said that test scores do not define a person, the pathways to a successful life seem to go against that idea. When it comes to getting into one’s top choice of graduate, law, or medical school, grades do matter.
Exam scores should not be misunderstood as a measurement of what someone is and is not capable of. The scores of assessments are based on what one is able to remember within the given time of the test, not how much a student comprehends a concept.
It is when individuals do not understand or accept this reality about test grades that they begin to subconsciously think less of themselves, creating more stress in their efforts to become, as mentioned above, the epitome of a “good college student.”
During this overwhelming time, it is important to remain grounded and focus on the things that can be controlled.
When students concentrate on the things out of their control rather than those within it, they fall victim to the workings of the mind, causing unnecessary anxieties when, in reality, it is possible to control those thoughts.