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Student LifeJan 02, 2017
Pros And Cons Of Working Over Winter Break
You can probably guess what the biggest pro is.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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Entertainment
Going Back to IUP after Winter Break as told by Drake
It's Been a Long Winter Break
7h
426
Hypetrak
1. Nails done hair done everything did / Oh you fancy huh
Strut GIFfrom Drake GIFs
You're pretty much feeling yourself. New haircut, clothes, shoes, everything. New year, new you, right? You're ready for this semester to kick off.
2. They just spent like two or three weeks out the country /Them boys up to something they just not just bluffing
Forget two or three weeks, it feels like you've been gone forever and you're ready to get into some trouble with your crew.
3. I know way too many people here right now that I didn't know last year / Who the f*ck are y'all?
You've been so isolated at home that you forgot you actually have a lot of friends at IUP. Yet when you go out you still manage to see a million people you've never seen. How this is possible after so many semesters at IUP I’ll never know.
4. No new friends
Your squad is solid.
5. I got the drink in me goin' back to back
SYLLABUS WEEK!
6. If I ain't the greatest then I'm headed for it
Drake GIFfrom Drake GIFs
Syllabus week dies and once the semester starts to kick in you slowly realize how much work you have to do, but you’re ready to go and put the work in. You feel like after you’ve had a break full of rest you can put your full effort in. This is about to be your best semester yet, you hope.
7. Everything's adding up, you've been through hell and back
You know it’s going to be a rough semester trying to accomplish all of your goals.
8. Drinking every night because we drink to my accomplishments
That’s not to say some good won’t come out of your hard work this semester and you plan to celebrate your successes. Every. Last. One.
9. I was runnin' through the 6 with my woes
And through the ups and the downs you’re glad to be back with your woes to make it through it all.
10. So just hold on we're going home
We’ll be back soon enough.
11. Man what a time to be alive
I love you, IUP.
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Politics and Activism
7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive
Making the world safer through language.
7h
2675
With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.
1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.
One of the most common, and often cluttered, phrases I hear when people try to talk about a person whose gender is unknown is he/she, him/her, (s)he. This is not only clunky and annoying to say, but ignores the fact that not everyone uses those pronouns or identifies as a man or a woman. When you say he/she you're really forgetting part of the population and making a lot of assumptions about people you don't know. This also goes for assuming a stranger's gender -- how someone presents isn't an indication of the gender they are or the pronouns they use. By assuming, you're misgendering someone before you even know them, when it is totally easy to use them, where you are assuming nothing. Singular they has been in use for hundreds of years. Using it will declutter language and create an environment in the world that allows for transgender and non-binary people to not be misgendered.
Source: genderqueerid.com
2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".
Not only is this language erasing of transgender people outside the binary, but it is also erasing intersex people. The idea of the opposite of gender or sex, first of all, makes no sense. There is no opposite when it comes to biology, and since there are more than two sexes and more than two genders, there can be no opposite and no both (both implies two). Replace this language with all sexes or all genders and just get rid of the idea of opposite gender or sex from your mind and vocabulary entirely.
3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.
In order to help create a safer environment for trans and non-binary people, asking for pronouns and educating others on why you're asking is an important step. This allows the person to give you the pronouns they want you to use and stops you from assuming their gender, misgendering them and making them uncomfortable and hurt. This is something that is good to normalize is every conversation, not just in LGBTQIA+ spaces or in spaces that you suspect trans and non-binary people might be. Trans and non-binary people are everywhere and the more common asking about pronouns becomes, the less people will be misgendered.
4. Use the word cisgender.
The word cisgender means that you identify with the gender you are assigned at birth. Basically, not transgender or non-binary. Using the word cisgender helps stop the idea that being trans or non-binary is 'abnormal' and that cisgender is the norm. It is a term that has existed for a long time. Using the term cisgender also, as the picture above says, helps to maintain that all gender experiences are valid, and all right rather than abnormal.
5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.
I can't stress how annoying and upsetting this phrasing is and I hear it all the time by people who claim to be allies and people who are completely ignorant. No one is 'born' anything. Your gender and sex assignment are things that are given to you when you are born. This also is essentially outing trans and non-binary people to people who they don't know, misgenders them, and continues to hold up cis-sexist and transphobic ideas that one is born a gender and that their gender is innate and unchanging. It provides people with unnecessary and personal information about someone's genitals (since that is really what someone is saying when saying born a boy/girl). If someone is saying this, they are telling you the make up of someone's genitals, which is completely unnecessary and invasive. You don't need to mention what someone was assigned at birth.
Source: flavorwire.com
6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.
While the term is better than not asking at all, it still really isn't a good term. The word preferred implies that these pronouns are wanted, but optional when that is not the case. My pronouns and other transgender people and non-binary people's pronouns are not optional; they are absolutely required. If you want to ask for someone's pronouns just ask 'what pronouns do you use?'. The word preferred isn't needed because it isn't preferred, it's required.
Source: nytimes.com
7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.
The term dead name means someone's name before they changed it (if they changed it). You have no right to use or know that name. It isn't a name the person uses anymore and to use it is disrespectful and violent. Saying things like 'Before Doug was Doug he went by ____" is not okay. Not only does it out someone as transgender or non-binary, it gives someone very personal and unnecessary information. Having a dead name used is hurtful and makes me instantly not trust someone. Do not ask for someone's dead name: there is no need for you to know it; it is not their name. Before you say something like the above example, think about why you're saying it. Is that really relevant to the conversation? Why do you feel the need to share this incredibly personal information that you have no right to share? Plain and simple: don't use someone's dead name. It's disrespectful and cruel.
While this list is only a basic introduction to improving language and making spaces safer, there are plenty more ways and articles that can provide more information and education. Learning and unlearning is a process that is incredibly important to making spaces safer for trans and non-binary people.
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Entertainment
20 Feelings Anyone Who Loves To Sing Has
Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have
18h
822
Cambio
Singing is something I do all day, every day. It doesn't matter where I am or who's around. If I feel like singing, I'm going to. It's probably annoying sometimes, but I don't care -- I love to sing! If I'm not singing, I'm probably humming, sometimes without even realizing it. So as someone who loves to sing, these are some of the feelings and thoughts I have probably almost every day.
1. Wow. My voice sounds amazing with this song.
2. Okay, if you can't sing, don't do it.
3. But wait, I don't think I can be friends with someone who isn't going to jam out in the car with me.
4. Dance part in the car! Even when I'm alone. Because every song is my favorite.
5. Stop light. Act calm. Be cool.
6. Yes! Green light! Back at it!
7. I don't know this song, but I'm going to sing along anyway.
8. Why am I not famous yet?
9. Being next to someone who can't sing so you feel good about yourself because you rock!
10. OK, I'm so good. I need to sing louder so I can help these people out.
11. My voice doesn't reach some of those notes, maybe I should sit this one out.
Who am I kidding? I'll just switch octaves and harmonize randomly throughout the song.
12. Randomly bursting out in song and getting weird looks because of it.
13. God, thank you so much for giving me a good voice.
14. Man, I feel bad for people who can't sing.
15. Was I just humming? Did they hear me?
16. Having dance moves to go along with most songs.
17. Not being able to stop yourself at correcting people when they mess up.
18. Maybe I should post myself singing.
19. Nah, can't do it. Dumb idea.
20. Having my own personal concert in the shower. Every single time.
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madison miller
Spending five, 10 or even more weeks in the outdoors leading elementary to high school aged kids for a week at a time is unique, to say the least. You see things in yourself you didn't think were there and experience emotions you can not explain. What you learn is valuable for more than just camp, but extends to life after the summer.
1. How to shower in less than 10 minutes.
No longer do I require 30 minutes to shower, but now I have learned to accomplish this feat with minutes left before lights out.
2. Being comfortable sweating, like all the time.
My entire existence at camp was composed of me sweating from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep, and that about sums it up.
3. The beauty of not wearing makeup.
I could rub my eyes without fear of messing up my makeup and was able to get ready in less than five minutes. Besides that, I was able to embrace natural beauty and see that natural beauty in those around me.
4. Naps are essential for survival.
Naps GIFfrom Tired GIFs
Five, 10, 15 minutes, all naps are created equal and essential as if I did not already know that.
5. Even extreme extroverts need alone time.
Being around people every minute of every day can be exhausting. Even as an extrovert, I saw the necessity for even just an hour of alone time.
6. How to remember names in a few short hours.
OK, sometimes I would forget their name, but nothing a "hey, girl" couldn't be substituted in for.
7. The freedom in sharing your faults.
For me, this came in the form of admitting to high school girls that I am actually really weird.
8. Showering every day is not necessary.
Hey, nothing some deodorant and body spray couldn't cover up.
9. Fake it til you make it.
No, I did not just learn how to drive a boat a week ago, and no I still have no clue how to drive this thing.
10. Bugs are the enemy.
Outdoors equals bugs which means, invest in some strong bug spray and never look back.
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Student Life
Things You Can Get Away With Now That You're At College
83% of my trends in college would have been shamed in high school.
13 January
2111
Google Images
Transitioning from high school to college can be a stressful experience, especially if you're like me and hate change. Over the past two years I've realized there's many things I couldn't get away with in High School that are typically applauded in college.
1. Eat
In high school, you can sometimes get away with eating snacks in class. In college? Professors don't care what you eat. Soda in your 8 AM? Acceptable. Late night snack in the library? No second thoughts. It doesn't matter where you are, food is always acceptable.
2. Be seen running across campus
Waking up at 7:57 for an 8:00 AM class and realizing it's the one day of the year you shouldn't miss... Yeah, sprinting to the other side of campus is acceptable. Suddenly I realize how my days at the gym have paid off. In high school? You get in trouble for being late, but you also get written up for running in the hall. No winning.
3. Sleep
In high school, I could go from school to sports practice to drama rehearsal. Don't get me wrong, I took a few naps before practice in the hallway... But there was always at least one person who would have a comment to make about it. In college? You can sleep anywhere without any judgement, usually without so much as a double take. It's kind of expected in a college environment.
4. Skip Class
Is skipping classes the brightest decision? Probably not... But you really don't miss anything and most professors don't even take attendance anyway. High school on the other hand... I once got written up for skipping a class when I was dismissed early for a funeral. The freedom on this end makes college life almost bearable.
5. Blurt out
In high school, you were raising hands and taking turns. In college, on the other hand, if you raise your hand, you don't get a chance to talk half of the time.
6. Wear dresses
Trying to get through a day, in high school, in a dress is a nightmare. Between friends, teachers, and people you've never even seen before, the "Why are you dressed up?" question tends to get a little infuriating. In college, wearing a dress is not that out of the ordinary. Instead of the inquisitive responses, compliments are actually given out.
7. Wear Crocs
Even better than dresses being socially acceptable... Crocs. Do I still get the occasional joke made about my Crocs? Yeah, but nothing compared to wearing them in high school. They're definitely making a comeback and the comfort of my feet are eternally grateful.
8.Run on 4 hours of sleep
Getting through the day on 4 hours of sleep becomes the norm, and that's on a good day. In high school, I was once told that I looked like I had been hit by a truck. In college though, it's not out of the ordinary to look that way.
9. Use a Laptop
I honestly don't know how college student use pen and paper for taking notes. Professors change slides before I can get the first bullet point down. The freedom of technology in the classroom honestly saves my GPA.
10. Crying
If you're seen crying in high school, you may as well just take a video to send out - everybody finds out. Crying on campus, on the other hand, totally acceptable. Often encouraged. It doesn't matter why or where, it's always okay to cry in college.
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