Is your hometown or residence a smallville, with all the excitement of a patch of dirt? I come from “The Bubble” consisting of cows, single-family housing and grass. I’m hardly inclined to return there during breaks in the school year because there seems to be simply nothing to do. I’d much rather spend my time traveling. Los Angeles on the other hand is an Eden of adventure, with more opportunities, subcultures, parties, events and ideas than I even have time… Read more
Drug users are often stereotyped as party goers or addicts, but what might be surprising is that some students, like one CSUN senior – who chose to remain anonymous – actually use drugs to help them buckle down and get through their school work.The journalism major student first used marijuana recreationally when he went to school in Long Beach. He would smoke during some free time and was reading a book. After noticing how deeply he got into the book,… Read more
Scientology and Jim Jones may be visualized by those presented with the world “cult.” There are many more cults out there, although the definition of the word is vague. It is important to consider the warning signs of a cult before paying to be a member of any group that offers enlightenment. I was presented with this issue last semester when a friend of mine told me about a great group she had been participating in called Mastery in Transformational… Read more
We take a lot of classes at the University that we have to take, either for our major or for the General Education requirement. Students might wonder why an engineering major has to take a class in U.S. History or government. Some will leave you snoring, and some classes surprise us with their usefulness. Maybe a workout class taught you how to work hard, or you still think about the quandaries presented in your philosophy class. Which class are you… Read more
As the world grows, there are less resources for each person. The costs of education are still rising, and the future is looking bleak for jobs and resources. In reality, when students graduate they aren’t guaranteed good jobs and enough disposable income to support a child. How have these diminishing resources affected your family planning? Are you being more careful about using contraceptives? Are you deciding to wait longer before having kids? Do you want to adopt instead? Will you… Read more
“Delusion” blends together the storyline of a play and the heart-pumping thrill of a haunted house. The audience is guided through an old mansion (made out to be a mental hospital) where patients with supernatural powers watch, seethe, threaten and even touch you. The story begins as audience members arrive at an old foreboding house where an insane psychiatrist and his patients live. The doctor has tried new experimental methods of therapies that instead give the patients paranormal powers… Read more
Study abroad programs and vacation companies often venerate the idea of travel because it will change your perpsective. Seeing people in different countries and situations and meeting groups with different cultures is supposed to open your mind and change the way you think. Have you had an experience that helped you change your mind? Was it a whole trip or just one interaction? How did it change you?
I get into cars with strangers. Sometimes I organize these rides online, sometimes I’m offered rides when waiting at the bus stop. I also stay on strangers’ couches and beds when I’m traveling. I’ve probably done all those things 25 times, and I am still alive. Strangers are a lot nicer than you’d think. You’re a stranger to almost everyone, and every single person you’ve ever met was a stranger. You’ll probably walk past dozens of strangers… Read more
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is a dark mixture of lines and festive mazes, with clowns and masked ghouls jumping out wherever you are in the park. As many other theme parks, such as Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain, are doing fun Halloween-themed events until the end of October, Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is a great way to celebrate Halloween. Located less than 20 miles away from CSUN, it is worth venturing down to… Read more