As the year starts to end, many of us begin reflecting on old moments without realizing it. People like to revisit moments from earlier in the year​;, looking through their camera roll, listening to songs that remind them of the start of the year, or just random memories. This emotional feeling of looking back is known as year-end nostalgia. It's a universal feeling everyone goes through every year.  Though nostalgia is present all year, it becomes much more intense in Decemb

Have you ever walked into a room, or been in a situation that you feel you have already experienced? Science calls this sensation Déjà vu, and it might be more common than you think. According to the doctor Drauzio Varella, more than 70% of people have, or will experience Déjà vu at least once in their lives. The term Déjà vu in french means "already seen”, which is science, describes one of the most fascinating mysteries of the human mind, with no one until now knowing exact

You’ve probably heard about the “test-optional” concept. It’s the idea that colleges no longer require SAT or ACT scores for admission. Recently, a vast majority of Ivy League schools and other institutions have officially dropped their test-optional policies, sparking divided opinions about whether this change promotes fairness or not. While some argue that standardized tests give students from different backgrounds, schools, and countries an equal benchmark to compete on, o

The unsettling silence of longing for someone isn't just the sound of their absence, but the weight of yearning for a nonexistent future together while shifting realities to one without them. People don't just leave memories behind; they replay them as storylines that will never happen–sentences that will never be spoken, jokes that will never be told, accomplishments that will never be shared–all while getting used to turning the present into the past tense. The voids left b

Childhood is great, everything seems successful,  All to praise, nothing stressful. No pressure, no doubt,  All friends are with you around.  Then comes adolescence,  Time when no one seems to want your presence. All the nonexistent responsibilities arrive,  And all of a sudden you uncontrollably start to spiral.  Pressure, chores, and bonds,  In adolescence, it all seems to go beyond;  Beyond boundaries that were already set,  With those who you've already met.  Friendships

The halls grow quiet, the lights turn low I pack my dreams and let the rest go My friends move on, our roads divide,  I wave goodbye, but it hurts inside My home still signs the songs I know But now it's time, for me to go The future waits, so strange and wide I take a big step with fear as my guide And though the path is dark and unshown, I will find my way into the unknown

How many times have you gone to an event which you really did not want to attend, just so that you would not miss out on something? We have all done this at least once in our lives, and this is due to one simple term called FOMO, or fear of missing out. FOMO is described as a feeling of anxiety caused by the thought of others living better experiences than you, or without you. This feeling is closely tied and worsened by social media, as it allows people to see what others ar

Throughout the course of a lifetime, people grow, develop maturity, and connect with many types of people. However, in the process of growing up, cycles end, leaving behind memories and people. Unfortunately, this makes the process even harder and often leaves us feeling guilty and lost, since letting go also means saying goodbye to special people . Some argue this is part of the process of growing toward a better life, and in my opinion, they couldn't be more right. Growing

From a young age, many are taught that accepting uncomfortable situations is a way to be polite.  But there's a crucial issue that often goes unnoticed: people are mistaking politeness for people-pleasing. True manners are rooted in respect, both for others and for ourselves. When passivity crosses the line into self-neglect, it opens doors for greater damage. Suppressing true feelings isn't harmless politeness; it's a way to gradually weaken our sense of identity. In some ca

In today's world, people feel like they should go through life flawlessly. Throughout sports, grades, social media and life choices, “good”, “great” or “good enough" are seen as “not enough”. Everyone around us tries to show their best parts, their wins, highlights, and achievements, while the real question that goes through their heads is: “If when everyone tries to stand out, no one stands out, how do I  somehow stand out more than everybody else?” People, especially studen

How many times have you wished you had started preparing for a test sooner?? In fact, I started writing this article the day it was due. Even though I knew the deadline was approaching, I waited until the last minute to start planning my draft. Procrastination is something almost everyone faces, yet no one knows how to deal with it.  Procrastination isn't poor time management, it’s a reflection of your emotions. Your brain tends to direct you toward something simpler or more

To say no is an act of self-respect, not an act of rebellion.  “Yes” is praised as the key word to success. Every opportunity has to be accepted, every conflict avoided, and every “yes” pronounced to be seen as kind and good. But still, while putting all that effort into saying yes all the time, you end up trading your energy for praise just to keep others comfortable, making your identity drained by what feeds them The understanding of the simple sentence “I matter as much a

Time has started to feel less like something we live through and more like something we're always trying to get over with. From Monday to Friday, or from one school break to the next, I keep looking towards the next pause or moment of  rest.  It becomes easy to fall into a pattern of constantly looking ahead. When you’re constantly looking forward, the present becomes something we're just trying to fast-forward through without really noticing it. We are not waiting for the fu

Balancing school, friends, and sports can feel overwhelming. Sometimes it seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day, and people may feel rushed or stressed, constantly. However, with good planning, it is possible to manage everything without feeling completely exhausted. Organizing your day and week ahead of time can help you stay on top of your responsibilities and still enjoy your social life and activities. One of the most important skills for balancing everythi

When speaking about success, people’s first thoughts are usually the step before–failure. We were always taught that “failure is the mother of success”, there’s no escaping it. You can’t reach success without failure; without failing that thing, or even failing yourself.  But have we ever asked ourselves this question: “Is failure really necessary to reach success?” Do we need to fail a thing over and over again until we master it? Well, let’s break this down; “what defines s

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, friendship is “ A state of mutual trust and support between allied nations.”  But in some connections, many people begin to notice a painful truth: not all friendships feel equal. You text first, you make the plans, you listen — but you never feel heard. So why does this happen? Is it about the people we choose, the way we communicate, or the expectations we silently hold onto? You become the scheduler, the supporter, the one who always

For centuries, humans have grappled with the question of what makes a good life. From ancient philosophers to modern thinkers, this pursuit has shaped countless ideas, religions, and cultures. Aristotle believed that eudaimonia , or human flourishing, was the ultimate goal, achieved through virtue and wisdom. The Stoics, like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, argued that a good life came from inner peace, resilience, and accepting what we cannot control. In contrast, existentialist

Samuel Johnson once said “The chains of habits are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” Habits define who we are, acting as building blocks on the path to success. Just like athletes who practice every day to conquer their biggest dream or a simple routine of an entrepreneur that leads them to achieving their goals, every single person should understand that success is not solely found through talent or luck, but from determination and repeat of small

Ever since I was a kid, my parents asked me: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” To this day, I still haven’t figured out what that means, I know my strengths and flaws, but can’t answer the question. Not knowing my passions or possible professions, That would come with future interactions. It’s hard to understand how to find the right path to follow. When I feel like I'm falling into a hollow. But it’s okay not to know, Because no matter where you go, There’s always a

Currently, our world is shaped by an unrealistic lifestyle that is created by ourselves. We all post our best moments on social media, but what about those where we are at our lowest?  Do you actually believe that influencers' lives are as perfect as they seem? Ask yourself, is your life what you post on social media? The answer is no. We are all setting these false expectations that none of us can achieve… Because, how can we achieve something that doesn't exist?  Take influ