by Kaelynd Brouillette ’29 on February 5, 2026

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Opinion - Campus

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“College will be the best time of your life!” was a phrase I heard all too often prior to moving into Providence College. Hearing so many stories from my friends who were already in college, my parents, and others engraved the expectation that college would, in fact, be the best time of my life. There was a sense of glorification, like I would have the most fun every moment of every day, which put the pressure on for this sense to come to fruition. College can be fun, exciting, and meaningful, but is it always that way? Absolutely not. The expectation to always be having fun quietly brews pressure under the surface, and when you’re not constantly happy or social, it feels like you’re doing college wrong. PC is not a big campus, meaning that this problem is more visible in our community than others, and comparison becomes unavoidable. 

You see the same people everywhere you go, like at Ray Dining Hall, the Phillips Memorial Library, or out on the weekends. That is just the nature of PC. You always know when something is happening, where it is happening, and who is going to be there, making comparison to others ever so present. The small, tight-knit environment of PC turns this idea of “fun” into a measurement, with a feeling of guilt that comes from deciding to stay in and get work done, not having an established group of friends, or feeling like everyone but you has it together. The pressure of the idea that you should always be happy and having fun isn’t always explicit, but it is constant, and you run into it everywhere you go.

No one talks about how mandatory “fun” starts to feel either, like it is some sort of assignment you must complete in order to get an A in social success, metaphorically speaking. There is an overarching assumption that staying in is a waste of a valuable weekend evening, making some parts of college social life feel almost performative. Going out even when you are exhausted or uninterested becomes a habit, with the idea behind it being to do things to say you did them, rather than enjoying your time. All this to say, are you really having the “best time of your life,” or has the going-out and fear-of-missing-out culture victimized you into thinking that fun and joy are something you need to prove, rather than feel? 

What often gets lost in the pressure to enjoy every single moment, is how much of college exists in the in-between. Most days are not packed with parties or major milestones, but with quiet routines: walking to class alone, sitting in the library longer than planned, or going to bed at a time that seems like it is earlier than everyone else. These moments don’t match the version of college we think we should be having, leading to that overwhelming resentment that we’re not living up to the pressure that has been artificially set on us by expectations. Nonetheless, these moments are not signs of failure, per se. There are parts of college that don’t appear on everyone’s social media, such as the feeds that are perfectly tailored to give the perception of a perfect life; yet, they make up the majority of the experience. Learning to sit with these moments and appreciate them, rather than resenting them, is arguably where growth actually happens. Maybe, the pressure to have the best time of your life can ruin the time you are actually in.

by Olivia Gleason '26 on December 11, 2025

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Opinion

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Hi Cowl readers! It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only two weeks away and that we have reached our final issue of the semester. The past three months were full of exciting learning experiences with The Cowl as Sarah and I navigated coming into this role together, and how quickly they flew by has gotten me into a very reflective mood. 

To me, reflecting on your life feels especially natural in the wintertime, particularly in December as the calendar year comes to a close. This is probably why, ever since I downloaded the Spotify music app, I have always enjoyed the arrival of Spotify Wrapped in December, and it’s almost too perfect timing. For those who have not heard of this before, Spotify Wrapped is a marketing tool used by the music app that provides each user with a summary of their top artists, albums, and songs throughout the calendar year. Every year, as the days get shorter, the campus quiets down, and we prepare ourselves for the new year, Spotify users (and Apple Music users, I suppose) receive this little present on our phones, serving as a miniature time capsule of who we were and who we have become throughout the year. 

The music we gravitate to is more often than not a reflection of our emotions, wants, and needs at any given moment. We reach for specific songs, genres, and artists for a plethora of reasons—comfort, motivation, nostalgia, or simple joy, to name a few. Maybe this comfort is found in a Beatles song your dad used to play in the car growing up, or the soundtrack to your favorite Broadway show. Maybe you queue an artist you’ve never listened to when you’re feeling like your life needs a change. Whatever the reason may be, it becomes clear that the music we gravitate towards, and the playlists we build in our Spotify apps, serve as emotional time capsules of ourselves. 

One of my favorite parts about the Spotify Wrapped release is getting to share and compare results with friends. In many conversations I’ve had with them, we’ve discussed our frustration with how we might not exactly relate to the results now. For example, one of my listed top five artists is someone I barely listen to now, but was playing nonstop at the beginning of this calendar year. The more I thought about this, though, the more I realized that this disconnect is actually something to embrace and hold close. Something as simple as Spotify Wrapped, by capturing these previous versions of ourselves, can remind us that we are constantly evolving, and that is an exciting thing. I don’t remember exactly when I stopped listening to this particular artist and started gravitating toward others, but this shift is a subtle reminder that I have grown over the course of the year; I have coped, celebrated, learned, and let go through a variety of different songs. 

All of this is to say, I think it is worth taking the time to reflect on your life and experiences in 2025 as it comes to a close, and your Spotify Wrapped is the perfect place to start.

by Grace Pappadellis ’29 on December 11, 2025

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Opinion

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While putting away laundry, one of my closest girlfriends asked me a “would you rather” question that left me stumped. She carefully placed her shirt on a hanger in a much neater fashion than I ever do, and said, “Would you rather have no say in your style whatsoever and have someone choose your wardrobe for the rest of your life, or only own the same items forever and never shop for new clothes again?” I was flummoxed and disturbed to hear this question, and suddenly it felt like I had to answer as if my life depended on it. 

I absolutely love clothes, fashion, and creating my own sense of style—not just because my mother was a fashion merchandising major in college—but because when I pair my clothes together, when the colors meld and mix and match, when my skirts flow and sweaters rest on my shoulders and my shoes have me skipping down the street, I feel like myself. Clothes are everything! They are direct manifestations of our self-expression. Regardless of the clothes that are available to us, however we place the pieces that we do have together, we are able to display our own sense of style. 

Therefore, my answer to the question was suddenly unobstructed, and it all made sense. I could never allow someone to dictate my wardrobe, even if it meant wearing the same outfit every single day. Maybe I am particular with my clothing, or I have an avid interest in fashion, but the thought of having no jurisdiction over my outfits is terrifying to even suggest. Sure, I appreciate variety. I have the privilege of wearing different outfits based on my mood, based on what makes me most comfortable, and I am also able to shop around within reason. In fact, shopping for new clothes is a special thing—especially finding items that I know I’ll wear forever, and they’re unlike anything else. 

However, I stay particular when it comes to picking out clothes. The idea of somebody creating my wardrobe not only violates my autonomy, but it also builds a wave of anxiety when imagining walking out of the house in a state of discomfort, helplessly dressed in clothes I hate the color of, or detest the fit of, or simply don’t feel like me. Maybe I’m being a little dramatic, or irrational, but I cannot emphasize enough the power I feel when everything just fits, when the clothing arrangement is effortless and complete. To be frank, there is no better feeling than slipping on the same pair of jeans, weathered, stretched, flawlessly forming to your body, without any hesitation or second thought. This goes for t-shirts with just the right amount of gap for your arms in the sleeves, tank tops with soft straps, denim shorts with slight discoloration, and sweaters that slouch and hang like lush leaves on a strong, sturdy tree. 

To adorn outfits with accessories is a beautiful thing—accessories that mean something to you, represent something, reminding you of special parts of life. When my childhood best friend moved away for a spell of time, she gave me her old jewelry box, cherry wood, just the right size, and filled with jewelry that had once meant a lot to her, but she didn’t wear much anymore. I cherished every piece, heedlessly pairing them with all of my outfits at the end of middle school and early high school. 

Sometimes I can’t help but wince when I look at old photos of what I once called “my style,” and what I deemed to be the most chic and effortless. Regardless of the quality of the outfit in my eyes today, at the time, the outfit felt great, felt like me, and I can never blame myself for wearing something that once made me feel so comfortable and fashionable. 

There’s a noticeable tastefulness in finding the clothes that work best for you, and sticking with them. Sure, I rarely follow this rule—in fact, I prefer to alter my style, attempt to acquire multiple, and embrace variety. On the flip side, I love watching others build their style based on the clothes they find most interesting, creating their own personal patterns that are sometimes only perceptible to themselves. It’s an intimate, exclusive practice that I see as a key component for self-expression. 

by Kaelynd Brouillette ’29 on December 11, 2025

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Opinion - Campus

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As my first semester of college comes to an end, I continue to realize that I am not the same person I was when I first stepped foot on campus in August. Senior year of high school feels like a distant memory, replaced by numerous adventures, friendships, and lessons throughout the beginning of my time here. Speaking of lessons, I’ve learned quite a few of those. Nothing can truly prepare you for the transition into college, despite TikToks talking about it, your parents telling you about their experience, or your high school teachers saying, “college is nothing like high school.” There are just certain things you cannot understand until you’re actually living through them yourself. With finals week quickly approaching, I have been reflecting on what I have learned, not just academically, but about surviving and existing in college. Looking back, two lessons in particular stand out as the ones that defined my first semester and taught me what college life is actually like.

The first lesson, which seems obvious, is that it is so incredibly important to actually go to class, despite the struggle it can be. I have Development of Western Civ at 8:30 a.m., and it feels like it is the biggest struggle of my life to get out of bed and attend that lecture. In the mornings, the very thought of having to get out of bed to go will just convince me to skip. I also did not understand how much my sleep schedule would truly change here. In high school, I was up at 6:15 a.m. five days a week without blinking an eye, but in college, 8:30 a.m. is like 6:30 a.m., or at least it feels like it. At night, you end up staying up later because of noise in the hallway, having homework to do, or your roommate having people over late at night. Nothing is more difficult than making it to morning classes, especially if it was a late night or it’s 11 degrees outside, but despite it all, it is essential that you go to class. Anyway, skipping class even just once can lead to a full-on spiral, making it so easy to just keep skipping and skipping. I quickly figured out, after I received a 50 on a seminar quiz, that it is imperative you go to that 8:30 a.m., despite how horrifying the idea seems when your 8 a.m. alarm goes off. Once you start skipping class, it also becomes exponentially more difficult to catch up. Content moves quickly, and even missing one 50-minute class of material can cause you to be very behind. Although this lesson was definitely learned the hard way, it is, by far, one of the most important. Go to class. 

The second lesson, and arguably the most wrenching, is that academically, high school is nothing like college. In high school, I was a very high-achieving student, often getting close to perfect grades without really trying, and being involved in every club I could. College breaks that pattern—fast. My first reality check on this was my first calculus exam, which I did not really feel the need to study for. It goes without saying that not studying did not work out in my favor. From that moment, I had to make adjustments, like learning how to properly study, and scheduling time to go to the library and prepare for important exams. To be honest, it was a terribly uncomfortable sensation of having to apply myself in a way I was not accustomed to doing. The responsibility of it all was quite different, too. Your professors don’t remind you of due dates or hound you about doing the reading. It’s on you, which was new for me. It is so easy to procrastinate when no one is preventing you from doing so, but the importance of staying on top of your work and building routines for yourself cannot be stressed enough. Although it can be overwhelming, it will pay off. 

Speaking of overwhelming, college can be perfectly described as just that, which can take a toll on mental health, as it did for me. Between losing the academic identity you were used to, the weight of imposter syndrome, and the pressure of everyone around you seeming like they have it together, it can be a lot to manage. Having resources is important, whether that be friends and family to talk to, something you do to relieve stress, or visiting the Personal Counseling Center. It is imperative that you have methods to keep your mental health in check. In the end, this lesson taught me that college doesn’t just challenge what you know, it challenges who you are and how you show up for yourself. High school is nothing like college, for the better and for the worse. 

It is hard to believe how much things can change in just a couple of months. These two lessons reflect only a fraction of what I have learned during my time here at Providence College, but they have been the most distinct in shaping who I am today. Both lessons, going to class and adjusting academically, pushed me out of old habits. My personal growth did not come from what was easy, but from what felt uncomfortable, embarrassing, or overwhelming at times. A more general lesson I’ve also learned is that college is not solely about academics and social life, but a big part of it is also a process of learning how to exist as a functioning member of society on your own, with this semester teaching me more about responsibility, resilience, and self-awareness than a single class ever could. Although I still don’t think I have this whole college thing completely down yet, I do know that with the coming years, I will figure it out, one lesson at a time.

by Rachel Barter ’27 on October 2, 2025

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Opinion

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The Importance of Prioritizing Our Mental Health As College Students

Although Mental Health Awareness Month is only one month out of the year, this does not mean we should only monitor or prioritize our mental health during October. Instead, I think of mental health awareness as a yearly reminder for us to reevaluate our mental health and how we could be doing more to improve it. Additionally, it encourages everyone to become aware and educate themselves about mental health conditions, reduce stigma associated with seeking treatment, and highlight the availability of mental health resources and support systems, such as the Personal Counseling Center here at Providence College. Overall, the importance of this designated month is to educate people about mental health, normalize conversations around mental health, and foster a more compassionate society where individuals feel empowered to seek help.

Particularly, I find that as a college student whose main task is to study for our classes and do homework, it is easier to let our mental well-being slide in order to accomplish our academic goals while balancing clubs, jobs, family, and friends. Hence, college seems to be a breeding ground for poor mental health and for neglecting to value our mental health over other priorities. For instance, rigorous studying can cause us to neglect exercise, spending time outside, eating, and having fun with friends, which are all influential factors on our mental health.

It is important to correlate our ability to complete assignments with our ability to successfully retain information. If we let our mental health slip in our list of priorities in order to prioritize academics, we are actually degrading the quality of work we attempt to complete. This is not to say it is easy to take this advice and begin to prioritize our mental well-being over our academics, but even taking baby steps towards this goal, like occasionally making active choices, are great ways to approach this goal in a comfortable way.

One way I accomplished this last week was taking a walk before I started homework that had been stressing me out that I had consequently been pushing off. This simple 30-minute break calmed me down to a point where I could focus on the work at hand and approach the assignment in digestible sections. Another way that I worked on my mental health last week was by saying yes to my friends and roommates when they asked to hang out. Instead of scheduling this around my homework time I had set out, I scheduled my homework around what we wanted to do. This solution is simple, and it helps to take the anxiety away that comes when I feel like I am forced to take time away from my studies. I get to feel like I am truly maximizing my study time when I know my activity schedule first. Lastly, I find that the most important thing I do for my mental health is to set limits on how long I will devote time to academics. It’s important that I know when to stop studying because I have gotten to a point where I will not be very productive and can better utilize this time by taking time for myself.

Similar to how Mental Health Awareness Month is about encouraging improvement rather than forcing you to change your routine or list of priorities, I simply want to offer my opinion as a friendly encouragement to consider what small steps you could take to improve your mental well-being. Lastly, I encourage everyone to seek information on the different types of support you can receive either here at PC or elsewhere, and to understand that it is not necessary to carry our mental health conditions stoically without the help of others.

by The Cowl Editor on April 20, 2023

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Opinion

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NO

Anna Fakhri ’24

The Development of Western Civilization class does not need to update the books required for the course. There is something inherently special about reading ancient literature, whether that be Greek mythology in works like Homer’s Odyssey or theological texts like the Bible. It forces us to consider elements of past histories and cultures. If we refrain from engaging in ancient texts, how will we ever maintain a basic knowledge of the past?

Understanding our world’s past histories and cultures is crucial in the development of our current world. Ensuring we recognize the mistakes of the past in order to provide a more successful future requires us to acknowledge old literature. Reading ancient literature provides us with this knowledge and also helps us to analyze diverse writing styles. After all, ancient literature serves as the primary source of inspiration for all future works and styles of writing. 

The modern literature assigned in the course is of equal importance, however. My colloquium course specifically focused on comparing modern retellings of ancient stories to their originals. This worked effectively to demonstrate the similarities and differences between the two and how literature has developed over centuries. Ultimately, both the modern and ancient texts in the Development of Western Civilization courses can provide crucial cultural and historical information. Thus, the works of literature assigned to students in the course should not be refreshed.

YES

Abby Brockway ’24

Historians, professors of the classics, and college students can agree that higher education relies on sources that derive from or highlight the victor’s experience. Narratives of and from the opposite side have vanished from the agenda—socially eclipsed and even physically destroyed by the victor. We live in far more modern times than the days of imperialism and empires. It is our duty as inclusive and globally aware humans to discover the “other sides” in history, philosophy, and religion, and to fight to have those stories told.

One topic that already experienced a source-material refresh was America’s past with slavery. Two decades ago, students were reading from matter-of-fact textbooks and classical works like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. Classical texts are successful in showcasing a point of view from a particular time, but in this case, students were not reading the most important point of view when it came to slavery; the slave’s perspective is ignored if students only read these novels. Within the past decade, curriculum developers have instead taken the inclusive route and highlighted narratives written by former slaves that showcase exactly what was suppressed for centuries. Works like Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers Project replaced the classical texts written by well-off white men. 

In terms of editing the reading content within the Development of Western Civilization program at Providence College, I encourage DWC professors to reevaluate their syllabi and ask: how will my students benefit in the grand scheme of things after reading these works? Professors need to include perspectives from both sides of global contentions like wars, all perspectives from landmark socio-political events like presidential elections, and question if the material is truly beneficial to the student in the long run. Yes, reading classical texts is important because they give readers a glance at what a time period was like, but really, how much is there to learn from the entirety of Beowulf? DWC is a core part of the Providence College experience. Instead of requiring students to read entire classical texts that are complicated, lengthy, and traditional, professors can consider shortening some requirements so more time is available to feature the “other sides” of history.

by Abby Brockway on March 2, 2023

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Opinion

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I’ve been missing Civ lately. I was always the odd man out because I enjoyed Providence College’s niche course, since I’m a history nerd at heart. Still, I’ve felt that my classes this semester lack something my Civ classes always featured: the potential for audiobooks. I’ve known since high school that I learn best when spoken to. I’ve had teachers who have played audiobooks during class time instead of assigning reading for homework. Ever since that experience, I’ve relied on listening to audiobooks for long readings as I’ve seen what a difference hearing what I’m reading makes for my comprehension and my usually wandering attention. I felt that I understood most of my readings in Civ because the required classical texts usually had some audio recording I could find on Audible or YouTube. When the texts became more obscure, I paid $12/month for a “Speechify” account to create my text-to-speech recordings. This semester, I’ve found myself in a predicament as my classes are so topic-specific that virtually no audiobooks or recordings exist for the 15-18 page scholarly research studies I’ve been assigned to read twice a week. So I considered arguing that PC should offer free or reduced Speechify accounts for students that learn best through listening.  

However, to argue that PC needs to provide differently, I had to determine how they currently provide for students that either have a formal visual processing disorder or know they would benefit as a learner from audio recordings. I am one of the latter group, so I reached out to the Office of Student Success, formally known as OAS, and met with an advisor to discuss if there were any options.    

In my meeting with Molly McKeon, assistant director of Accessibility Service, I was astonished to learn that PC offers a free text-to-speech application that converts word files to MP3 audio files. The application is SensusAccess and is located on the SSC’s homepage under “Accessibility Document Converter.” The application has even more functions, as it can convert text files into braille and e-books. The application can also convert poorly scanned files into files with word recognition, so the file can go back into the processor again to be turned into MP3, braille, or e-book. Molly also showed me other free text-to-speech built-in applications like Natural Reader and Microsoft Lens that allow computer users to highlight particular texts and have them read back to them in AI-formulated voices. 

At this point, my opinion was beginning to shift. There was no reason to argue for Speechify accounts if the SSC offers a speech-to-text application that can do even more than Speechify can. I wondered if other  students knew of SensusAccess, so I shared what Molly showed me with my roommates, who are a mix of all different academic majors. Like me, my roommates had no idea about SensusAccess and that students who don’t formally qualify for academic accommodations could access speech-to-text assistive applications. My roommates and I concluded that the main issue is that no one, meaning our professors or the administration at PC, told us that these possibilities existed. Therein, my argument took a final turn: professors have a responsibility as educators to learn about and market these assistive technologies not only to students with formal learning disability diagnoses but to all students. Once  students are made aware of these technologies, they can develop a unique method of learning that aligns with their learning preferences.     

I initially believed that this opinion piece would be an argument that the College should offer free or reduced Speechify subscriptions to all students. However, after a conversation with the Office of Student Success, I learned that PC provides an even better free application for all students. SensusAccess and other applications have yet to be discovered by most students at PC. Professors should prioritize learning about and marketing these applications to their students if they want to see them excel in their classes. 

by Samantha Dietel '23 on February 9, 2023
Opinion Staff

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Opinion

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The spring semester has officially begun, and we have all returned to Friartown ready to dive back into work. Or have we? Hopefully, you spent your break recovering from the fall semester, but regardless, you may be struggling with the return to campus. Research studies indicate that taking vacations can help reduce stress and have numerous other benefits. It’s important that you use your break time to get away from the stress of college and recharge before the next semester. You once again have time to enjoy your hobbies, read a book, or binge-watch that show you’ve been dying to see. 

Although many of us are excited to be back on campus and see our friends, it can be a rude awakening to launch back into academics. The work seems to pile up quickly, and all that free time you enjoyed not too long ago instantly vanishes. It’s impossible for that refreshed feeling to stay with you for the whole semester if it goes unnurtured. It’s easy to say you don’t have time for self-care, but it’s just as easy to engage in quick activities that promote positive mental health and help keep you feeling refreshed. There are so many simple things that can be done that will help you both in and out of the classroom.

A relatively new technique to slow down the craziness of college life is referred to as nature bathing. This essentially means taking a walk out in nature. Recent psychological research has found that spending time in and focusing on nature helps both your physical and mental health. The research shows that nature helps reduce stress and anxiety as well as refocus your attention. If you feel yourself starting to get burnt out, take a break from the assignment and take a brief walk through nature and focus only on noticing the things around you. After your walk, you can return to your work feeling refreshed and ready to resume.

If it’s too cold outside or you’re looking for another way to refresh, there are other quick techniques that can save you from burning out. Mindfulness is another way to pause the chaos happening around you. While it’s understandable that not everyone wants—or has the time—to sit down and meditate, there are much simpler (and quicker) ways to go about this. If you truly feel you cannot add anything else into your schedule, add mindfulness to the existing parts of your day. Pay attention to the sounds you hear as you walk from class to class. This is one way to quiet your mind and refocus yourself. Additionally, there are quick mindfulness exercises to listen to while you’re in the shower. No matter what your schedule looks like, you have these in between moments that are perfect for a quick exercise.

If mindfulness really isn’t for you, you need to find what activity you enjoy that always leaves you feeling refreshed. One of the best forms of self-care is simply making time for yourself. Try to find some free time every once in a while to process the events of your day, talk to your friends, read a book, or watch a show. As college students, the days go by so quickly and we often focus on what’s next on our agendas. We need time to reflect on what we’ve done and reflect on the events of the day. If you leave no time to process, reflect, and refocus, this will inevitably lead to burnout. It’s important to set these good techniques now while we’re still in school. For the most part, when we enter the workforce, we don’t get a month off, or any extended breaks at all. It is important for us to learn now how to manage our time while maintaining our mental health and allowing us time for the things we enjoy. This is the time when you get to figure out what works best for you. Don’t waste this opportunity to learn how to help yourself; it goes by far too quickly.