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10 Real Creatures that Inspired Famous Mythical Monsters

Daniella
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0
10 Real Creatures that Inspired Famous Mythical Monsters

Thrilling monster legends didn’t just appear out of nowhere; people often created them to explain the weird, the unexplainable, the supernatural moments of history. Before science stepped in, a strange shadow in the ocean or a skull with the wrong hole was enough to launch an entire legend. 

What’s wild is how many mythical creatures actually started as real animals, misunderstood through fear, distance, or terrible medieval eyesight. Here are 10 legendary monsters whose origins are much less paranormal than they appear.

 

1. The Kraken – The Giant Squid

Before deep-sea cameras existed, all sailors had fleeting, terrifying moments: a tentacle slapping the surface, a shadow larger than their ship drifting below, or a dear squid washing ashore with eyes the size of dinner plates. Put yourself on a wooden ship in the 13th century, you’d swear the ocean was hiding a monster, too.

 

2. Cyclops – Mammoth Skulls

In Greece, early diggers kept finding huge skulls with a massive hole right in the center. They didn’t know it was for a trunk; to them, it looked like a single, enormous eye socket. Combine that with legends of ancient giants, and the Cyclops practically wrote itself. Mythology wasn’t necessarily lying, just interpreting paleontology through pure guesswork.

 

3. Mermaids – Manatees

Months at sea warp perception. So when sailors spotted manatees rising from the waves: smooth bodies, forward-facing eyes, humanlike posture, their minds automatically filled in the rest. The distance did the beautifying; the loneliness did the storytelling. Mermaids were less ‘seductive sea women’ and more ‘confused sea cow sightings’.

 

4. Basilisks – Cobras

Medieval writers claim the basilisk could kill with a single glance. But real cobras, especially spitting cobras, can blind you from meters away by aiming venom straight into your eyes. Stand too close, lose your vision, and you’d swear the creature’s stare cursed you. The myth grew because the apology was already dramatic.

 

5. Griffins – Desert Trades and Dinosaur Bones

Travellers crossing the Gobi Desert stumbled across fossils of Protoceratops, a dinosaur with a hooked beak and a lionlike body shape. To people who didn’t know dinosaurs existed, it looked like a half-lion, half-eagle creature guarding the sand. Merchants spun stories, and the griffin became a guardian of gold along the Silk Road.

 

6. Dragons – Giant Reptiles and Dinosaur Bones (again)

Different cultures invented dragons independently, which seems suspicious until you consider what they all saw:

  • Massive fossilized bones in cliffs
  • Crocodiles longer than people
  • Monitor lizards rearing up like monsters

People combined the evidence into a single creature, a prehistoric mash-up with fire added for that extra dramatic effect.

 

7. Werewolves – Rabies and Hypertrichosis

Before ‘werewolf’ meant iconic (or disturbing) Hollywood transformation scenes, it described people whose behaviour became suddenly violent, erratic, and animalistic. Rabies explained everything from biting to fear of water to a rapid change in personality. Add rare cases of hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth), and villages believed an infection could physically turn someone half-wolf.

 

8. Vampires – Diseases

Many vampire legends began with symptoms from conditions like porphyria, which makes skin extremely sensitive to light and can discolour the teeth or gums. Combine that with common tuberculosis outbreaks, pale figures coughing blood at night, and it’s no wonder towns believed something undead was walking among them. 

 

9. Sea Serpents – The Oarfish

Oarfish grow up to 50 feet long, move like ribbons, and shimmer silver under the water. When one washes up, it looks like a serpent dragged out of a myth. Ancient sailors saw glimpses of these deep-sea giants and filled in the rest: coils, fangs, and tempests that followed in their wake.

 

10. The Yeti or Bigfoot – Bears (in terrible lighting)

Many ‘yeti’ footprints match the tracks of Himalayan brown bears distorted by melting snow. Likewise, North American ‘bigfoot’ sightings spiked during times when black bears stood upright to sniff the air. From a distance, especially at dusk, that looming silhouette becomes something far more legendary.

 

Next time you scroll past those ‘real supernatural creature’ photos, remember: most of them are just shadows, imagination, and the same animals that inspired centuries of myths. Or…maybe some are real, and somewhere, mermaids glide through the oceans while dragons soar across the skies.

 

Sources:

The Let Them Theory

Spencer
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0
The Let Them Theory

Have you ever felt unwanted or unseen but still insisted on trying to make others care about you? 

Do you try to force relationships, and cannot let people go? 

If so, my friend, let me introduce you to the “let them” theory and outlook on life. 

The let them theory is a way of thinking that isn’t new, just more popularized in part due to the best-selling book by Mel Robbins. 

The core of this mindset revolves around personal growth and harnessing your own energy. As humans, we often struggle for control and do everything in our power to influence the outcomes of certain events. However, in actuality, this perceived control only makes us feel less secure and satisfied with our lives. 

The belief prides itself on self-focus and personal responsibility. For instance, if your friends hang out without you, let them. If your crush ignores you, let them. 

Embracing the fact that there are limits to your control, and letting things unfold naturally actually the greatest action of self-love you can enact.  When we try to shape others’ behaviors or persuade people to act in the way we would like, we disappoint ourselves. 

This theory is based on psychological research and cognitive studies that judge relationship health and personal satisfaction. This theory can help people feel less anxious due to the acceptance they feel towards things they cannot control. 

When attempting to force relationships, it only makes them feel further away. This breeds frustration and contempt. By simply letting certain things go and accepting the fact that you can only control yourself, you become “free.” 

This theory, in short, enables individuals to feel at ease in their own lives and let go of things that do not serve them. 

How Brooks v. Safeway Changed the Meaning of Discrimination

Areej C
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How Brooks v. Safeway Changed the Meaning of Discrimination

What is Brooks v. Safeway? 

The Brooks v. Safeway, a landmark case, delves into the often blatant sexism within workplaces and employment standards set by companies. Occurring at a Manitoba Safeway in 1989, three pregnant women named Susan Brooks, Patricia Allen, and Patricia Dixon, were meant to be covered under the company’s insurance plan, but were met with resistance due to the cause of their leave, which was pregnancy. The plan spoke to providing benefits after the loss of pay due to illness or an accident, but did not give full benefits for the period of 17 weeks to a pregnant woman.

On the Basis of Sex?

Why would women bring this case to court for a company policy? By explicitly stating and not providing full benefits to pregnant women during their inability to work, is a form of discrimination against both their sex and their family status. Safeway spoke to the reason this was that pregnancy was a voluntary condition in contrast to an illness which remains involuntary.

This statement, also used within their defence, removes from the both the importance of women within society as well as the importance as mothers.  By failing to recognize what women (if they chose to have children) provide to society as a whole, is reflection of policies such as these. Pregnancy is unique to only women, meaning discrimination against pregnancy also known as maternity discrimination is on the basis of an individual’s sex. 

Legal Issues

All three of the women filed a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission.In defence, the cooperation, as mentioned before, argued on pregnancies role as a voluntary condition, that could almost happen to anyone. Stating that no one received pregnancy benefits male or women, which within itself is a huge error. This was attempted to be molded in favour of the defence.

The MHRC ruled in favour of the women, finding the policy discriminatory on the basis of sex. Safeway, unhappy with this appesalec this to the Manitoba Court of The Queen’s Bench, who once again sided with the women, upholding the prior verdict. Remaining unhappy, the appealed once more to the Manitoba Court Of Appeal, and were met with success ruling in favour stating the policy applied to all employees equally, men and women. The women then further proceeded to the Supreme Court. 

The Supreme Court

After the initial case, and two appeals by Safeway, the women had returned to the Supreme Court. With all nine justices, and the same arguments, the case’s fundamental remained the same.

All nine justices voted in favour of the complainants, including the first woman justice, Bertha Wilson, who stated the need for “substantive equality” within the workplace. The court sided with the women’s argument of the discrimination of sexes due to the nature of pregnancy being specific to only women, taking away and rejecting Safeway’s claim of the ‘gender-neutral’ policy. 

Impact Felt Today

As a landmark case, the Brooks v. Safeway case provides us a glimpse of the harsh realities faced by women who work while pregnant. 12% of mothers have faced maternity discrimination, and therefore creates unfair and stereotypical assumptions about pregnant employees, taking away from their importance in the workplace that somehow vanishes when they decide to have a child.

Instead of being met with respect and care mothers deserve as the literal backbone of our society, they are met with unfair working conditions, and unreasonable plans such as the one faced by Susan Brooks, Patricia Allen, and Patricia Dixon.

This case set legal precedent and created awareness for the issues faced by pregnant women in the workforce. The Supreme Court deemed and stated that pregnancy discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, reaffirming the principal of substantive equality instead of regular equality. By recognizing the issues faced by specific groups of people, it creates policies applicable to all groups of people while catering to individual needs. Also ensuring employers to be more aware about their pregnancy standards and ensuring they meet human right standards and do not discriminate on the basis of sex. 

Sources:

1, 2, 3, 4

Bondi Beach: A Community In Mourning

Krupa P
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Bondi Beach: A Community In Mourning

A few days ago, Bondi Beach had been faced with a mass shooting during a Hannukah celebration. As the situation got worse, 15 people were killed and 40 were injured.

In honor of those dead and injured, surfers, pregnant women, and children gathered and swam or paddled to mourn over the lives that had been lost.

It was a silent circle of peace and as soon as the whistle blew people had cheered and clapped. Walkers and visitors who came to honor the victims had stood on the short to support the memorial.

They honor one of their victims, also their youngest one, a 10 year old. The community had crossed the footbridge where the shooters had first fired.  As well as singing Waltzing Matilda, in honor of the victim who was named after their very own national anthem.

As Bondi Beach still mourns over the loss of this tragedy, many have stepped in to support and help out those who are in need of coping with the trauma they had faced.

 

 

December 13, 2025 Brown University Shooting

Jianna H
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December 13, 2025 Brown University Shooting

On December 13, 2025, a gunman opened fire at the private Ivy League; Brown University. Amidst the chaos, 2 students were killed and 9 were injured. The attacker is still currently at large as Rhode Island Authorities continue their investigation.

The deceased identities have been confirmed as Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, both students at the university.

Mukhammad was a freshman student who wanted to become a neurosurgeon to help others after struggling with a condition himself. He was known by his family, friends and peers as a kind soul, filled with light and joy.

Ella was also a student, and Vice President of College Republicans on the Brown University campus. She was known for her involvement on campus, from being a cherished member of her Sorority, and volunteer at her local church.

Brown is still in mourning, with all exams and finals cancelled as many students cope with the trauma from the event. As of Wednesday, December 17th the shooter is still not in custody, and footage is gradually being released as the search continues.

On December 15th hundreds of students, alumni, and other mourners gathered in the Brown University church to honour Mukhammad and Ella.

Sources:

1,2

Spotify Wrapped: Why We All Care So Much About a Year in Music

Elizabeth A
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Spotify Wrapped: Why We All Care So Much About a Year in Music

Every December, something predictable but still exciting happens. Spotify Wrapped drops, and suddenly everyone becomes a music critic, data analyst, and main character all at once. Instagram stories fill up with pastel slides. Group chats buzz with reactions. People feel called out, validated, or personally attacked by their own listening habits.

At first glance, Spotify Wrapped seems simple. It’s just data. Songs you played the most, artists you kept coming back to, minutes you spent listening. But Wrapped has become way more than a recap. It’s a cultural moment, a personal reflection, and a surprisingly powerful marketing move all rolled into one.

So why does Spotify Wrapped matter so much? And why do we look forward to it every year like a holiday?

What Is Spotify Wrapped (and Why Is It Everywhere)?

Spotify Wrapped is an annual feature that summarizes your listening habits over the past year. It shows your top songs, artists, genres, and how much time you spent listening. Spotify packages this data into a colorful, shareable slideshow designed to be posted online.

But the key word here is shareable.

Wrapped isn’t just about you seeing your stats. It’s built to be seen by others. Spotify knows exactly what it’s doing by making Wrapped easy to screenshot, post, and compare.

That’s why it explodes across social media every December. Wrapped turns private listening habits into public identity statements.

Music as Identity: Why Wrapped Feels So Personal

Music has always been personal, but Spotify Wrapped makes that personal connection visible. It takes something emotional and turns it into numbers and rankings. Suddenly, your taste feels official.

A man sitting on a ledge looking at his cell phone photo - Music Image on Unsplash
Image by
Natalia Blauth on Unsplash

When you see your top artist or most-played song, it can feel like a summary of your year. That song you played on repeat during exams. The artist you discovered after a breakup. The playlist you listened to on late-night drives.

Wrapped works because it doesn’t just show what you listened to. It reminds you when and why you listened.

For many people, it becomes a timeline of emotions, not just a chart.

Why We Love Sharing Spotify Wrapped

Spotify Wrapped thrives on social comparison, but in a fun, low-stakes way. Sharing your Wrapped says something about who you are without you having to explain it.

It lets people say:

  • This is my vibe

    Excited young Asian woman sitting on sofa wearing white headphone on the head and playing games on smartphone...
    Image by
    Getty Images on Unsplash

  • This was my year

  • This is what I sound like

There’s also a sense of performance. People joke about hiding certain artists. Others proudly flex their obscure genres or high listening minutes. Wrapped becomes a way to participate in a collective moment while still showing individuality.

The Genius Behind Spotify Wrapped (From an SEO and Marketing Perspective)

From a marketing standpoint, Spotify Wrapped is one of the smartest campaigns of the decade. It’s not just user engagement. It’s organic advertising on a massive scale.

Here’s why it works so well:

  • User-generated content: Millions of people share Wrapped without being asked

  • Seasonal timing: Drops during a quiet media period in early December

  • Emotional connection: Taps into nostalgia, identity, and self-reflection

  • Platform-specific design: Built perfectly for Instagram, TikTok, and X

  • Brand reinforcement: Spotify becomes part of users’ yearly routines

From an SEO angle, Spotify Wrapped dominates search trends every December. People search for:

  • “Spotify Wrapped release date”

  • “How Spotify Wrapped works”

  • “Why didn’t I get Spotify Wrapped?”

  • “How to see old Spotify Wrapped”

Spotify benefits from massive spikes in branded searches, backlinks, and social mentions, all without paying for traditional ads.

Why Spotify Wrapped Keeps Getting Better

Spotify updates Wrapped every year to keep it fresh. New formats, new features, and playful language help prevent it from feeling repetitive.

Some of the most popular additions over the years include:

  • Listening “personalities”

  • Genre breakdowns with creative names

  • Seasonal listening summaries

  • Shareable artist thank-you messages

By changing the presentation while keeping the core idea the same, Spotify avoids fatigue. Wrapped feels familiar but not stale.

The Emotional Side of Data

One reason Spotify Wrapped stands out from other data summaries is how human it feels. The language is casual. The tone is playful. It doesn’t sound like a spreadsheet. It sounds like a friend who knows you a little too well.

Wrapped doesn’t judge. It doesn’t tell you what’s “good” or “bad” taste. It just reflects your habits back to you and lets you decide how you feel about them.

That emotional neutrality is key. It makes people comfortable engaging with their results, even when they’re a little embarrassing.

Criticism and Limitations of Spotify Wrapped

As loved as Wrapped is, it’s not perfect. Some users point out that it doesn’t always feel accurate. Others notice that certain songs or artists seem overrepresented.

Common criticisms include:

  • Overemphasis on early-year listening

  • Ignoring shared or offline listening

  • Songs getting boosted due to short loops

  • Limited transparency about how data is weighted

Still, most users accept these flaws because Wrapped isn’t meant to be a scientific report. It’s meant to be fun.

Why Spotify Wrapped Has Become a Yearly Tradition

Spotify Wrapped succeeds because it blends data with storytelling. It gives people a reason to pause, look back, and reflect on their year through music.

In a world where everything moves fast, Wrapped offers a moment of reflection that feels earned. You didn’t fill out a survey. You just lived your life and listened to music, and somehow Spotify turned that into a story.

That’s powerful.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Playlist

Spotify Wrapped isn’t just about music. It’s about memory, identity, and connection. It reminds us that what we listen to matters, even when we don’t think about it consciously.

Every year, Wrapped answers a simple question: What did your year sound like?

And judging by how eagerly we wait for it, that’s a question we really care about.

Whether you proudly share every slide or quietly scroll through it alone, Spotify Wrapped has a way of making a year feel complete. And honestly, that’s kind of magical.

From Stones to Sensors: The Fascinating Evolution of the Weighing Scale

Sabarish M
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From Stones to Sensors: The Fascinating Evolution of the Weighing Scale

From measuring your body weight to measuring ingredients used for cooking, weighing scales are essential in modern life. But have you ever wondered how these intricate machines work or the history behind them? Weighing machines are one of the oldest scientific tools that humans have used across history. In this blog post, we will be taking a look at the history of how humans have measured mass, how modern mass scales work, and the difference between mass.

History of Measuring Mass

The act of measuring mass dates back to ancient civilizations, which was primarily used for trade and commerce. Here are some of the notable methods used to measure the mass of objects from across history:

  1. The Balance Scale: This was one of the earliest known methods of measuring mass, which utilizes a lever with two pans attached to it. The object that is being measured is added to one of the pans, and standardized stones of known masses are placed on the other pans until the beam is level. The pan with the heavier side will lower, making the lighter side tilt upwards, and the intention of this scale is to level both sides.
  2. The Steelyard: The steelyard is an instrument used by ancient Romans, which utilizes the principle of levers with unequal arms, for weighing goods. The beam is divided into 2 sides for the load and for the counterweight. Instead of adding multiple heavy counterweights, a single counterweight is moved along the long arm until the beam levels horizontally. The measurement is read from the notches on the beam where the sliding weight is stopped.
  3. Spring Scales: The spring scale is an instrument that measures weight based on the displacement of a spring, and using Hooke’s Law, the force of gravity can be measured. This marks the transition from balancing masses to measuring the gravitational force.

Units: In ancient history, the units of measurement were often seeds. Other units include the grain of wheat, carats, which is still commonly used today for gems.

How Modern Mass Scales work

As technology has rapidly evolved, newer methods of accurately measuring mass have been developed. Modern digital scales convert mechanical pressure into precise digital data using complex mechanisms and electronic sensors. Inside the scale is a component called a load cell, which slightly bends as the mass is being placed on the scale. Tiny electric sensors detect this bend and convert it to an electrical signal, which is then translated into the numbers we see on the screen by microchips. As technology continues to evolve, new methods such as quantum weighing are being constantly developed to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Key difference between Mass and Weight

A common misconception that many people have is that mass and weight are the same. However, it is not the case as mass is a measure, usually in kilograms, of how much matter an item contains and never changes, regardless of where you are. On the other hand, weight is a measure of the force of gravity, usually measured in Newtons, that is being acted on an object and will change depending on the gravitational field. For example, the Moon’s gravity is about 1/6th of the Earth’s, meaning you would weigh significantly less on the Moon compared to Earth, while having the same mass.

On Earth, gravity is constant at about 9.81 m/s², so a scale provides a consistent reading, which we call weight, but is technically mass. However, this difference is crucial in space or on other planets, where gravity varies.

Sources: 1, 2

3 Things You Can Do With Your Loved Ones In Calgary This Holiday Season

Bowen Zheng
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3 Things You Can Do With Your Loved Ones In Calgary This Holiday Season

Intro:

Following the nature of the holidays, it is important to spend time with your loved ones, create good memories, and become embraced in the holiday spirit. Calgary is one of those cities that provide a variety of holiday activities for you to participate in. These activities are perfect for you to hang out with friends, or family outings. Here is a list of three holiday activities that I believe showcase Calgary’s jolly attitude, which you can participate in with your loved ones.

Walk Through The ZooLights at the Calgary Zoo     

Every Winter holiday, the Calgary Zoo transforms themselves into a “Winter Wonderland” with their ZooLights. The ZooLights consist of a display of over two million Christmas lights, creating a mesmerizing experience for anybody who wishes to spend their holiday here. It consists of:

  • Light Displays: Walk through and admire the Christmas lights
  • Holiday Activities: Roast marshmallows at fire pits and warm up
  • Meet Santa: There’s even a Santa for little ones to take photos with

2. Shop and Skate at the Chinook Blast

Chinook Blast is an event in Calgary that combines entertainment from the arts, along with outdoor fun. It consists of:

  • Outdoor Ice skating: People are able to skate through beautifully lit ice rinks
  • Outdoor Vendors: People can discover unique gifts and treats from local vendors, which can also make great Christmas Gifts
  • Live Performances: People are able to enjoy music, and art that can help boost their holly-jolly spirit

3. Visit Spruce Meadows Christmas Lights Display     

Spruce Meadows is a community that is famous in Calgary for its spectacular Christmas lights display. In this event, you typically drive-through with your car. The event consists of:

  • Twinkling light displays: people are able to enjoy the dazzling lights, let alone be in the comfort of their own car
  • Holiday music: With Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit, the event is friendly for all ages

*Note: If you are planning to go to the Spruce Meadows Display, be sure to get their earlier, as the lines can get very long*

Conclusion:

Whether it be checking out the Chinook Blast, or marvelling in the beauty of the Christmas lights at both the ZooLights and the Spruce Meadows Lights Display, Calgary offers many ways for you to spend your time on the holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protecting Our Digital Selves: Why Privacy Matters

Vasundhara Joshi
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0
Protecting Our Digital Selves: Why Privacy Matters

Every day we spend hours online. We use apps, search for information, talk to friends, watch videos, and store personal memories in digital spaces. While the internet makes life easier, it also collects more information about us than we realize. Privacy and data protection have become major concerns, especially for young people who are constantly connected.

Many people do not think about what happens to their information after they click “agree” on a website. Companies track what we search for, what we buy, how long we look at certain posts, and even where we go. This information is collected quietly in the background, and most people never notice.

Studies show that young people are aware of these risks. According to a 2023 report by a privacy education organization, 82 % of youth say they don’t share their personal info online. But at the same time, half of those youth say they do not use privacy settings, and 25 % say they don’t know how to use those settings.

Other research focused on teens’ social media habits reveals that a significant number of teens try to protect themselves by limiting what they share or even giving fake information. In one survey, about 26 % of teen social media users said they post a fake name, age, or location to protect their privacy. 
Still, many teens remain unconcerned about third-party data access. In that same survey, only 9 % said they were “very” concerned that companies or other third parties might access their shared information, even though 40 % said they were “very” or “somewhat” concerned.

There is also a real risk. Among online teens, 17 % reported being contacted by a stranger in a way that made them feel scared or uncomfortable. 
Parents and educators are worried, too. In a recent survey in Canada, many parents (about 42 %) are highly concerned about how much personal data companies collect about their children, and about 45 % worry about the potential risks from misuse of that information.

Our personal data can include location, photos, contacts, browsing habits, voice recordings, and sometimes facial recognition data. When we give apps permission to access our camera or microphone, we rarely question whether they really need it. Over time, this creates a digital record of our lives that is almost impossible to erase.

Privacy matters because it gives us control. It is not about hiding anything. It is about choosing who gets to see our information and how it is used. Without strong protections, companies can influence what we see online. Hackers can steal personal details. Strangers can access photos or track our movements. Young people can be targeted with ads that take advantage of their feelings. A lack of privacy affects our freedom and safety.

Everyone should have the right to move through the online world without feeling watched. Young people deserve to grow and learn without having every click recorded and analyzed.

There are ways to protect ourselves. Reading app permissions before accepting them helps us understand what we share. Turning on privacy settings on social platforms reduces the amount of information collected. Using strong passwords and two-factor authentication helps keep accounts safer. Talking about digital safety with friends, teachers, and family spreads awareness and encourages better habits.

Privacy and data protection are not just technology issues. They are everyday life issues. Technology is a powerful tool, but it should respect the people who use it. When we pay attention to what we are sharing online, we take back control of our digital selves.

If more young people speak up about the importance of privacy, companies and institutions will have to take it seriously. Our voices matter, and protecting personal information is one of the most important challenges of our generation.

How to Survive Full IB? QNA with an Ivy League Graduate

Xinlei L
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0
How to Survive Full IB? QNA with an Ivy League Graduate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is known for its rigorous learning process, loads of schoolwork, and tight deadlines. How is one supposed to handle all the homework, stress, and still have a life all at the same time? 

Katherine Yuan, a finance major who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, is here to answer all your questions! Over a presentation, Yuan gave three tips on how to make your IB life easier, + bonus university application advice! 

IB Tips 

Collaboration

Due to IB’s heavy workload and fast-paced nature, some individuals mistake their classmates for competitors. However, collaboration is the very thing that has a student go from passing to thriving.

Benefits of collaboration include

    • Sharing workload 
    • Have a study partner to help you understand the material better
    • Deepen connection and expand social network 

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Social network 

Did you know?

80% of job opportunities are possible through networking, and only 20% through application.

Networking is crucial to finding people in your “interest circle” who share the same goals and passions as you. With an ulterior motive in mind, a group of people can often create something better together than alone, such as;

  • Non-profits
  • School clubs
  • Volunteering 

Yuan heavily emphasized the importance of growing a strong friendship with your teachers, as they tend to write more personalized and specific recommendation letters when applying to universities. Especially in American universities, schools weigh recommendations around 10-15% depending on the school. The letter is so heavily considered because it reveals character growth and personality that grades cannot.

How do you grow a connection with a teacher?
  • Follow up with the tid-bits about themselves they mentioned in class
  • Go to tutorials, ask questions, converse if it’s natural 

Enjoy your high school years

Many people fall into the rabbit hole of studying a major for years, but discover their distaste for the field of work when they actually get the job. University can be a great time for finding what your passions really are, but the burden of paying tuition and the societal expectation to find and stick to a career will lean over your shoulder. 

That’s what makes high school the prime self-discovery era. So many various interesting clubs, classes and people are available, and it’s a wise decision to savour as much as you can before the ball of responsibility grows heavier. 

 

University Application Tips

Scholarships

In grade 12, apply for as many scholarships as possible! They don’t necessarily have to be academic-based, but also

  • Sports
  • Art
  • Music, and many more! 

Some scholarships may provide small portions of money, but the process of applying for as many as possible adds up.

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Interviews

In American schools, university interviews are often given little attention. However, it’s good to come prepared; Some universities offer the list of questions asked at interviews, which you can take to your advantage by predetermining answers. 

Contrary to European schools, interviews are extremely important and can determine your admission even despite a phenomenal university essay.

 

University Essays 

The key to an engaging essay is a good topic. Too complex and it’ll drag out, too simple and you won’t have enough to write. Choose a topic that reflects your personality and what’s important to you. 

If the experience in mind is common and not “unique,” try to focus on how this specific thing impacts you personally. For example, many people debate, but their effects vary person to person. Some may find that debate helped their confidence, which got them more friends; others may say it helped their critical thinking, further helping them academically. 

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TL;DR 

IB is a program meant for collaboration and meeting new like-minded people. 

Finding a teacher you’re comfortable and can talk to as a friend is extremely beneficial, especially when it comes to recommendation letters.

Enjoy your high school years and find your passions. 

Choose a good university essay topic.

 

Sources

  1, 2

 

The Most Chaotic Sitcom Christmas Episodes

Daniella
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The Most Chaotic Sitcom Christmas Episodes

The holidays on sitcoms always start the same: decorations, good intentions, maybe a small, sentimental moment…and then everything catches on fire, everyone panics, people lie, and at least one character ends up in some weird costume. It’s tradition. Here are some Christmas episodes that deliver the best chaos (with honourable mentions/extra episodes) for your holiday watchlist.

 

The Office – “A Benihana Christmas” (S3E10)

This is The Office’s Christmas crown jewel: Michael’s heartbreak turns into a questionable ‘boys outing’, two Benihana waitresses get invited back to Scranton (and Michael can’t tell them apart), and the office splits into competing Christmas parties that gradually turn into war. The energy is messy, unhinged, and very, very festive.

Honourable Mention: “Secret Santa” (S6E13)

One of the most chaotic behind-the-scenes episodes, the cast kept breaking into laughter as Kevin sat on Michael dressed as Santa. Even in the final cut, you can see actors fighting to keep a straight face.

Other episodes:

  • Moroccan Christmas (S7E11-12)
  • Classy Christmas (S2E10)
  • Christmas Wishes (S8E10)
  • Dwight Christmas (S9E9)

 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine – “Yippie Kayak” (S3E10)

Jake’s dream of living out Die Hard becomes painfully real. A simple shopping trip escalates into a hostage scenario, with Boyle hyped to the max, and Gina casually making everything worse. The episode alternates between absurd action, office-style jokes, and chaotic timing that feels like it’s teetering on the edge of disaster the whole time. It’s festive chaos perfected.

Honourable Mention: “Christmas” (S1E11)

As Peralta has to protect Holt from a supposed threat, mixed with the squad’s over-the-top antics, makes this episode unforgettable.

Other episodes:

  • Captain Latvia (S4E10)
  • Game Night (S6E10)

 

Parks and Recreation – “Citizen Knope” (S4E10)

Leslie tries to secretly build a park for Pawnee while everyone else is trying to celebrate Christmas. Volunteers run wild, deadlines loom, and Leslie’s perfectionism hits an all-time high. Between Tom being dramatic, Andy accidentally destroying props, and Ron quietly judging everyone, the episode captures absolute holiday chaos wrapped in Pawnee warmth.

Honourable Mention: “Christmas Scandal” (S2E12)

Leslie gets caught up in a scandal she didn’t commit, and the town reacts like it’s a national crisis. Tom and April’s misadventures add extra layers of chaos, making this one both absurd and hilarious.

Other episodes:

  • Ron and Diane (S5E9)

 

New Girl – “LAXmas” (S4E11)

The gang gets stuck at LAX on Christmas Eve. Nick panics, Winston befriends strangers in bizarre ways, Schmidt freaks out over etiquette, and Jess hides in VIP lounges. Misunderstandings, mishaps, and escalating stress make it a nonstop comedic disaster.

Honourable Mention: “The 23rd” (S1E9)

Jess organizes a holiday event while Schmidt’s office meltdown and Nick’s indecision collide. The episode is less extreme than LAXmas, but still filled with frantic energy, humour, and classic New Girl heart.

Other episodes:

  • Santa (S2E11)
  • Christmas Eve Eve (S6E11)

 

How I Met Your Mother – “How Lily Stole Christmas” (S2E11)

Ted calls Lily a “Grinch,” which sparks a full-scale Christmas feud. Marshall desperately tries to maintain peace, Robin tries to mediate, and the entire group spirals into holiday chaos that combines slapstick, emotional blowups, and heartfelt moments. From stolen decorations to escalating pranks, it’s the perfect example of sitcom Christmas insanity.

Honourable Mention: “Symphony of Illumination” (S7E12)

Robin struggles with her family holiday expectations, and the gang tries to cheer her up. While calmer than How Lily Stole Christmas, it’s filled with awkward humour, emotional tension, and subtle chaos as everyone’s well-meaning attempts backfire in classic HIMYM fashion.

Other episodes:

  • False Positive (S1E12)
  • The Over-Correction (S3E12)
  • The Final Page (Pt. 2) (S8E12)

 

Sources:

Think Before You Share: How Youth Can Stop the Spread of Misinformation

Anie U
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Think Before You Share: How Youth Can Stop the Spread of Misinformation

In a world where we have grown accustomed to flashy headlines, TikToks, and viral posts that flood our screens every single second, distinguishing fact from fiction has never been more important in the modern age. Misinformation spreads rapidly. It is not just among everyday readers, but even through respected media outlets, as shown by recent examples where satire was mistakenly treated as factual, real news. This makes skills like media literacy and critical thinking essential for the youth of today, allowing us to build and foster a more informed, responsible, and resilient society.

What’s the Problem?

Anyone, truly anyone, can share anything online. A dramatic quote, a shocking headline, or a viral clip can easily trigger emotional reactions, leading people to repost without stopping to check whether or not this information is true. Research and youth advocacy groups, such as The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC), based in the United States, emphasize the fact that young people are often especially vulnerable to misinformation due to their exceedingly rapid consumption of content, content that commonly provokes worked-up responses.

However, age isn’t the real barrier. The real challenge lies in developing the skills to intentionally question information before sharing it.

How Youth Can Stop the Spread of Misinformation

So, here are five practical steps young people can take in building a smarter, more critical approach to online information, based on strategies recommended for helping youth spot misinformation.

1. Ask: Who Is Behind This Information?

Every piece of content has an origin, a source, so before you share, try to pause and think:

  • Who might have written this?

  • Is the source reliable?

  • Does it link to evidence or reputable reporting?

If you can’t confidently answer these questions, it’s best to slow down and investigate further, or keep scrolling!

2. Trust Verification Instead of Numbers

Numbers are never an indicator of truth; therefore, a story that has thousands of likes or shares does not make it legit or truthful. In fact, misinformation typically spreads faster than accurate news, as it is purposefully designed to provoke strong emotions to boost engagement or spread a message. Take a moment to fact-check before sharing.

3. Learn How to Fact-Check Like a Pro

To help you with fact-checking, there are great tools out there, such as the likes of Snopes and PolitiFact, that directly help verify claims and blurbs you see online. Using these tools before reposting can help stop falsehoods from spreading from your own part.

4. Consider Who Benefits from This Message

Ask yourself: Who gains if I believe or share this?
At times, misinformation is deliberately designed to influence opinions, spread fear, or manipulate readers on different scales.

5. Use Your Voice with Intention and Responsibility

Sharing is extremely powerful, at times more so than we think. When you choose to share only verified information, you not only protect yourself from being misled, but you also help set a standard for your peers online.

Why This Matters

Today’s youth are not just online consumers, because now they’re creators, influencers, and community builders. What you choose to share affects the understanding and behavior of others, even if it seems insignificant. This is because accurate information greatly strengthens trust and informed decision-making, while, on the other hand, unchecked misinformation regularly fuels confusion, fear, and division.

Becoming a responsible digital citizen doesn’t mean becoming completely cynical; instead, it means becoming thoughtfully informed, taking the next steps that differentiate you from just any other reader.

Conclusion

Misinformation isn’t going away; if anything, it is on track to amplify. However, we now have the tools and responsibility to slow its spread. Think before you share. Ask where it came from. Verify before you trust. When youth take these steps, they not only protect themselves but also strengthen the online spaces we all share.

Your voice matters. So, make it a voice for truth.

Sources: Question Everything: 6 Ways to Help Young People Spot Misinformation

Zootopia Is Back For The Second Movie!

Khanh Linh
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0
Zootopia Is Back For The Second Movie!

Have you been bored with having nothing interesting for the upcoming weekends? If you’re also a huge fan of Disney’s animated movies, and you’re looking for a new movie from Disney, then Zootopia 2 is for you!

1. Zootopia 2 has arrived!

After a decade of waiting, Zootopia has finally come back with a brand new sequel, and fans can’t be more excited. Disney has confirmed that Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will return for their next adventure in the vibrant and diverse world of Zootopia – a city where all the animals live together, predators and prey, though not always peacefully.

2. A brief introduction of Zootopia 2:

From the available trailers, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will work together as Zootopia’s official police officers as partners. Initially, Hopps and Wilde seem to have some issues while working together and screw up some missions. Then, they’re given a new high-stakes mission to prove their teamwork competency. If they fail, they’ll be split up. The case they receive involves reptiles in Zootopia. To be specific, it is about a mysterious blue snake named Gary De’Snake. The trailers also reveal that the city’s prejudice against reptiles takes center stage, and the duo soon discovers the truth is far more complicated — pushing them to rethink what they believe and work together like never before. They decide to help the reptile residents with their renewed partnership and save Zootopia one more time. [1][2][3][4]

3. Where to watch Zootopia 2?

Tickets are now available at theatres in Calgary at Cineplex and other cinemas!

4. Last message:

Grab your tickets and don’t miss this long-awaited Disney sequel!

How I Deal With Art Block

Tanushri
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How I Deal With Art Block

Have you ever stared at a blank page, waiting for the ideas to come to you and not feeling much at all? No spark of creativity or motivation? You’re not alone. As a self-taught artist, I’ve encountered art block many times, struggling to find a way to replace the emptiness of the page. Because of this, I’ve figured out a few ways to break out of it without feeling forced or demotivated.

1. I Stopped Forcing “Good Art”

One thing that causes my art block is thinking my art needs to be perfect. Leaving that pressure behind me allows me to put things on paper more expressively and feel more freedom to let myself flow without feeling stuck.

Drawing random scribbles, shapes, or even just adding blobs of colour helps me visualize what I’m feeling and merely creates movement. This, weirdly enough, helps me get started and gets my brain going.

2. Switching to Something Easier or Less Serious

If I can’t bring myself to draw anything serious, it always helps to draw something funny, random, or just easier in general:

  • Planets, stars, and galaxies
  • An eye (my go to since middle school)
  • Some fruit… which could potentially turn into a fruit basket

Making art with less pressure helps get ideas flowing and gets me into a flow state, which I can build up as I continue.

3. Getting Inspiration

Finding inspiration, especially from social media and YouTube, helps me a lot when it comes to fostering creativity, especially when dealing with art block. Seeing how someone else interprets and expresses themself through their art is enough to give me a spark of inventiveness.

4. Taking Breaks

Taking breaks are great beaters of art block, helping me feel refreshed, rather than burnt out.

Going on a walk, reading, watching a show, or even just getting up to clean my room are all ways that help me momentarily forget about art and feel less drained.

Art block shouldn’t dictate how any artist feels about themselves or their art and should instead serve as a reminder to remotivate yourself and reset your brain.

If you’re feeling stuck right now, try these methods out; I can guarantee that at least one will work for you to the same extent that it did for me!

Minimalism in the business world – Why things have gotten more basic

Sina M
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0
Minimalism in the business world – Why things have gotten more basic

As you grow, you start to notice that the world has less colour, is less vibrant, and a lot more dreary than animate. What if it wasn’t only an optical phenomenon, and instead, intentionally designed by the corporate influences of the world? The history of corporate minimalism is fascinating in its intricacy, so let’s get into it.

From the colourful scenes of clothes, items, and even advertisements, the 70s-80s served to attract attention through the flexible world of visuals. Even the future that was imagined already had an aesthetic called Frutiger Aero, which made people more enthusiastic and excited for anything coming into the world. Cereal boxes, shoes, fast food chains like McD’s, and television for the inventions, values, and social culture of the times. The years when influential bands debuted and made songs that incorporated social movements and optimism. People could express themselves through the colour that was finally on television, marking the emotional harmony in the techno world.

Then, when the 90s arrived, fashion changed forever. Flannel shirts, baggy jeans, plaid skirts…still worn by people today. But when the internet emerged, new technologies (such as fibre) for fashion design shifted the art from thrift stores to expensive brands. The spaces people make to express themselves through the wallpaper and furniture in their houses are taken over by the uniform structure of social media. Since corporate giants like Microsoft, Facebook, and YouTube play significant roles in daily life, they could change the layouts of their systems.

If you have ever looked into curated magazines, bolded and comical-like texts were everywhere. The 80s were at least recognizable by the hairstyles, clothes, and songs people listened to, but over time, the exact style of basic avatars and colours took over. Instead of detail and shade, there’s only a colour to stick to and text unbolded/unhighlighted. The most prevalent example is Corporate Memphis/ Algeria art, used in Google and Facebook, that arose in the late 2010s into the 2020s. It has been highly criticized for its simplicity and lack of realism, or otherwise being truly unimpressive and drab. Even the millennials who wore flashy and chic clothing as teenagers in the 90s have stepped into what’s often considered a downgrade in their adult years through their plain white, beige, or grey styles. Others may think its appeal to neutrality and compliance is carefully made, but it truly says nothing. Because it doesn‘t want to. Companies focus on production and mass advertising because it‘s cheaper. However, in an economy boasting inflation and high costs of living, it may lead people to question how they want to consume. 

With the rise of AI models, this continues to be unhelpful for the factor of humanity and creativity when it comes to consumerism. Now we hear about the next thing about living a life dedicated to consuming all types of one thing, versus an insufficient amount. There is no balance or heart when all corporations come after money. What we buy is what we wear, what we eat, and what we think. And with minimalism comes gentrification, causing harmful social impact or even more and more repetitive discussions around stereotypes and trends that affect those with a lifestyle different than that of modern and urban. Why is the only thing I see being developed the same kinds of apartments or fast food restaurants with white or brown paint? The pattern keeps looping people into buying whatever, and to be fine with less personality or authenticity. Think matcha performative guys on TikTok or the girls who wanted to be teenagers in 2015. They just somehow cannot get it “right.” They miss what feels good about life, but products never seem to try to win consumers out of that, only through problem-solving and efficiency. 

But the only way for things to change is to create demand. The issue with these trends to tackle character or life in consumerism is that they fade, and people pretend to look the other way just to buy what everyone else is purchasing. And then the cycle repeats. The current bleak state of the world could use some colour, patterns, or just something refreshing. 

What do you think of these interpretations or conversations about minimalism in product design/business outreach? Do you think the style is fine and that visual appeal is not something to worry about?

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_Memphis

https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-pehttps://promarksolutions.ca/the-impact-of-minimalism-on-modern-logo-design/rspectives/a13175-erasing-heritage-how-minimalist-design-neutralizes-urban-identity/https://promarksolutions.ca/the-impact-of-minimalism-on-modern-logo-design/

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