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Valentine’s or Galentine’s?

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Emily Rizzo discusses whether it’s more fun to spend Valentine’s Day with your friends!

FEBRUARY 14th, the dreaded doomsday haunting the post-Christmas period, is on the horizon, and the squirming sensation filling everyone’s chest as the day creeps closer is palpable in the air. As both singles and couples struggle against what this day could mean to them and their love life, maybe a wiser way of tackling the fast-approaching deadline is to rethink its value entirely.

To take the cynic’s path, why should we buy into this capitalistic money-grabbing scheme? The sea of pink and red, the heartshaped paraphernalia and all the rosy-cheeked cherubs feed on our insecurities, leaving a feeling of urgency which can only remind us of the savage mating impulses our animal counterparts are subject to. We may like to think that our mating rituals are a little more sophisticated, but at least the beast kingdom isn’t fooled into sentimental desperation by plastic trickery and sugary treats. Regardless of the traditions targeting your wallet, Valentine’s Day can also put pressure on people to find, maintain or terminate relationships. If your new-found love has the misfortune to blossom in the months leading up to V-day, you may have to face the make-or-break moment at the mid-February mark, and the consequences can determine if you spend the rest of the month in the arms of a lover, or under the slightly more persuasive influence of a certain frozen dairy product.

Why should we buy into this capitalist moneygrabbing scheme?

Of course, for a while after this polarising event, the world will be split in two: rose-tinged skies await the world’s fresh new couples, while the rest of us are offered up to the sharks of the dating realm who circle at the smell of heart-sickness.

Varsity — a

must-have

But maybe the outlook isn’t as bleak as all that, and maybe St. Valentine doesn’t deserve such monumental importance. After all, if the idea is to dedicate a day to the celebration of love, then who says this should be confined to couples? Love comes in more than just one form, and surely there can be no hierarchy that qualifies some types of love as superior to others — friendship is arguably just as strong a bond, and often outlives many a romance.

Love comes in more than one form, and surely there can be no hierarchy

Excusing the cliché, every day should be a celebration of your friends, but having an excuse to treat them to a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates can’t be a bad thing. Galentine’s can seem like a sad alternative to traditional Valentine’s ideas, but setting aside a day to acknowledge those who

uni experience?

constantly support you and to just have that little bit of extra fun that may even make the lovebirds jealous. So, whether you want to shun the shackles of monogamy or simply remind your friends how much they mean to you, take advantage of the designated day of love, gather your pals around you and unleash your affection in every which way. Flying the flag for platonic matches.

Carissa Batasar gives her take on how important attending these big sports events really is

AGOAL is scored and the crowd roars. There are only a few minutes left on the clock that will make or break the result. Everyone has different expectations for their university experience... Some want a quieter, more wholesome time while some opt for a rowdier time. Both may well be exciting, but are very different. So when the question of whether or not big sports events make or break the uni experience is asked, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

If you were to ask me and many of my peers this question, I think we would collectively answer with a resounding yes. Big sporting events can be a significant part of the university experience for some students, as they can bring a sense of school spirit and community. They can also provide opportunities for students to attend or participate in the events, which can be memorable experiences. However, they are not essential to the university experience and can also be a distraction or inconvenience for some students. Sporting events bring an overwhelming sense of camaraderie and community, and if not for community, what is university about? The feeling of making your way down to Sandy Park to watch rugby varsity or walking up to the pitch to see your favourite hockey players go head to head with a rival university is unmatched. The shared love for a game and the collective want for a good result can be so powerful and there is something so unique and special about that.

Sporting events can bring an overwhelming sense of camaraderie and community

While these big sporting events do not “make or break” the university experience, they heavily contribute to the memory making that makes looking back on your uni days enjoyable. Another reason why many would tend to agree that these large sporting events make or break the uni experience is because sport is such a huge part of many peoples’ lives. Whether you play a sport yourself or simply enjoy watching others play, sport is part of many people’s day to day lives. With this said, when big sporting events are organised, many are eager to purchase a ticket, grab a pint and cheer their team on. This is clearly evident with Autumn 2022’s rugby varsity selling out within the first few weeks of ticket release. At the end of the day, one thing remains true... People love being a part of something. Deep down, everyone wants to be included and as many would say, “get involved”, and big sporting events provide an opportunity for just that. Lastly, big sporting events like football’s ‘Spotlight’ tournament are simply just fun social events to attend. So, with all of this said, your university experience will not be vastly different if you don’t attend a sporting event in comparison to if you do, but, if you do find that you have the opportunity to attend a varsity game at some point in your three-odd years at uni, then definitely give it a go... chances are you won’t regret it.