Human

The Most Bike-Friendly Colleges in 2019

Whether it’s to reduce their carbon footprint, for exercise or just plain fun, more and more college students across the United States are opting to bike around campus. So, to accommodate these students, many colleges and universities have recently put a lot of time and resources towards making their campuses more bicycle-friendly. But while some… Read More
Are the ACT Test Changes for the Best?

Earlier this month, the ACT announced changes to its college entrance test, claiming the changes will take some pressure off of students and make it easier for them to improve their scores. The most notable change is that, starting next year, students who’ve already taken the ACT and wish to boost their scores can opt… Read More
Community Work Helps Students Find Meaning in Their Major

Universities are laboratories for a range of pedagogies across disciplines. Faculty experiment with various ways to deliver content, and strive to find the most effective teaching tools to reach their diverse student body. Community outreach is one such teaching method that has recently gained a lot of traction in higher education. Bridging theory with practice,… Read More
These Sleep Habits Will Lead to Better Grades, MIT Study Finds

Most college students are used to hearing that if they get a good night’s sleep before test day, they’ll score higher. But a new MIT study finds that it’s not that simple. According to the study, students need quality, consistent sleep throughout a semester to reach their academic peak. Whether they sleep well or not… Read More
Student Spotlight: UCF Undergrad Helps NASA Unlock Clues to the Origin of Life

For Jennifer Nolau, a University of Central Florida (UCF) physics student and self-described “sci-fi nerd,” working this past summer with NASA was a dream come true. Instead of sleeping in or working a part-time job — as most undergrads do during summer break — Nolau spent her time examining images of boulders and rocks from… Read More
Are You Sure Your Classmate Has a Home?

Many people associate college with fond memories — new friendships, freedom and their first steps into adulthood. Some graduates even longingly look back at it as “the best four years” of their lives. But, for others, that certainly doesn’t hold true. Thirty-six percent of college students experience some kind of homelessness, and 9 percent… Read More
How Universities, Students Can Advance Equity for Women of Color

For every dollar men are paid for working a full-time job, women are paid 80 cents. And it’s worse for young women of color — they experience poverty at nearly twice the rate of young white women. While this may be news to some, it certainly isn’t to minority women. They endure these inequalities first-hand.… Read More
This Trait Could Be Key to a Lasting Romance

Passion and commitment are widely believed to be the foundation of strong romantic relationships. But a relationship is made of two unique individuals, and personality traits these individuals possess or lack can often make a relationship more likely to endure. In a recent study, we found that one trait in particular – humility – is… Read More
When Newspapers Close, Voters Become More Partisan

It seems impossible to ignore national politics today. The stream of stories about the president and Congress is endless. Whether online, in print or on television, it has never been easier to follow the action. National news outlets are adapting well to this environment: The New York Times and Wall Street Journal made big gains… Read More
Why Millennials Listen When Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Speaks

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, is now one of the biggest stars in politics. Her dance moves, along with her proposition of the Green New Deal, have made her viral on the internet and a force to be reckoned with in Washington, D.C. In a short period of time, she has become a millennial archetype. Just over… Read More
Did Academia Kill Jazz?

Jazz seems to be experiencing a bit of a renaissance among movie directors – look no further than documentaries such as “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool,” which just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, biopics such as “Born to Be Blue,” and recent Oscar winners like “Whiplash.” While films about jazz are everywhere, evidence… Read More
Why Do So Many Americans Now Support Legalizing Marijuana?

American views on marijuana have shifted incredibly rapidly. Thirty years ago, marijuana legalization seemed like a lost cause. In 1988, only 24 percent of Americans supported legalization. But steadily, the nation began to liberalize. By 2018, 66 percent of U.S. residents offered their approval, transforming marijuana legalization from a libertarian fantasy into a mainstream cause.… Read More
Why Women Still Earn a Lot Less Than Men

A decade ago, on Jan. 29, 2009, newly inaugurated President Barack Obama signed his first bill into law: the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. It was the latest legislative effort to close the persistently stubborn gap between how much women and men earn. At the time, women made just 77 cents of every… Read More
Universities Are Stepping Up to Fight Campus Hunger, But Where Is the Government?

Food insecurity is a huge concern among college students. And although many colleges and universities have taken strides to make sure all of their students are well-fed, the government has some work to do, a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggests. Today, to earn a high-paying job, a college education is next… Read More
How to Have Productive Disagreements About Politics and Religion

In the current polarized climate, it’s easy to find yourself in the midst of a political disagreement that morphs into a religious argument. People’s religious affiliation predicts their stances on abortion, immigration and other controversial topics, and disagreements about these issues can seem intractable. The seeming futility in arguing about politics and religion may arise… Read More