The Current March 2024

GEN Z IN FOCUS: THE NEW AGE OF DIGITAL, DISPOSABLE AND FILM CAMERAS VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS, VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH AND CREATIVITY

F E B RU A RY & M ARCH 2024 TheCurrentMSU.com

PLUS! CURRENT TRENDS, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND MORE 1

Editor’s note

PUBLISHER Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz MANAGING EDITOR Mary Gajda mary@m3group.biz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Nicole Schuiling nicole@m3group.biz

While striving to have a strong and imaginative year, we must also look back on a few things we wish to change.

To our dedicated readers, As we step into 2024, many of us are navigating the challenges of staying true to New Year’s resolutions, and staying present among the cold. Michigan, though wonderous under the blanket of snow, can have us struggling to venture far from the comfort of our homes, physically and mentally.

CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Shelley Davis Boyd SENIOR CREATIVE VISIONARY Kathryn Aspin kathryn@m3group.biz LEAD EDITOR Rose Butler CONTRIBUTORS Kate Farho Olivia Hans Noel Harrison Ilya LeVangie Molly Melnick Emily Paterson Sydney Savage Abby Wisniewski GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sophia Straub

In this issue, we explore what we can do in 2024 to focus more on loving ourselves and loving the environment around us. While striving to have a strong and imaginative year, we must also look back on a few things we wish to change. Within this edition, we touch on a wide range of topics from grocery inflation to the impacts of drug shortages. As a motivated group of writers, we work to focus on subjects that will help our readers understand what is happening in the world around us. From the resurgence of film cameras and how they influence the media to the challenges of job searching, this issue highlights some of the highs and lows of student life. Real life.

PHOTOGRAPHERS Emily O’Deven Kyle Dowling Anna Lehr Nick Lennex Emma Losey Abby McGinnis Emily Paterson Kate Romaine Rachel Weiss Matthew Williams

While centering on the various ways to prioritize self care this year, remember to forgive yourself in the midst of a busy and chilly time. In this season, nothing is still; everything is in flux. If you can, break out the crayons.

M3 GROUP 221 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48933 P 517-203-3333

Sometimes even a warm cup of soup and a coloring book can go a long way.

Best, Rose Butler

SUBSCRIPTION The Current is owned by MSU Federal Credit Union and is written by and for the students of MSU. The Current, Volume 4, Issue 1, February & March 2024.

The Current (USPS#020-807) is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan.

EDITORIAL OFFICE

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CURRENT Contents

On page 10

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A Year of Adderall Shortage Ready for a Food Fight!?

Trends Gen Z in Focus The New Age of Digital, Disposable and Film Cameras

Creating Community with Words Mental Health and Creativity Support in Stigma The Peer Body Project Encourages More Body Positivity Among Students

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What ASMSU Can Do for You Accessible Art Relieving Stress in A New Way Cooking With Grocery Inflation What Consumers Need to Know

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Virtual Interviews, Virtually Impossible Calendar Campus Events Wrap Up

CURRENT Affairs

A YEAR OF

Adderall Shortage

by Ilya LeVangie As of writing this article, millions of people all over America have struggled to fill their Adderall prescriptions for over a year. On Oct. 12, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration announced that Adderall, including its generic forms, is in shortage; and despite much reporting and discussion, there still hasn’t been a resolution. Currently over 100 prescription medications are in shortage, including epinephrine injections and semaglutide injections (the main ingredient for Ozempic).

But what is a drug shortage?

The FDA states that a drug shortage is “a period of time when the demand or projected demand for the drug within the United States exceeds the supply of the drug.”

Essentially, when manufacturers have not produced enough supply, or are no longer able to produce at demand, the FDA declares a shortage. After a shortage is confirmed, the

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FDA will then do various things to mitigate the lack of supply. Shortages can mean different things for different drugs based on how long the shortage is projected to last and whether there are alternative forms of supply.

One alternative form of supply is the use of compounding pharmacies. Compounding pharmacies typically make custom versions of medication, such as children’s pill-form medication being made into a liquid form.

Bulk compounders do the same work, but during shortages are also allowed to make copies of specific drugs to increase supply.

Another way the FDA will bolster supply is through extended use dates, in which they use data on unused stock to determine which lots can be used beyond their previous, lessgenerous expiration dates.

While the FDA has various mitigation measures in place, many patients will still be put in scary positions caused by reduced

access to their prescriptions. While statistics vary, roughly half of all adults in the United States take at least one prescription medication a day. The FDA reports, “The average drug shortage affects at least a half a million consumers; more than two-thirds of those impacted were consumers ages 65 to 85 (32%), 55 to 64 (24%) and 45 to 54 (17%).”

The financial impact of drug shortages is frequently overlooked. Limited supply can cause prices to rise. According to the FDA, “In some cases, the increase in the price of substitute drugs was at least three times higher than the price increase of the drug in shortage.” Increased prices due to a lack of supply can cause undue stress on consumers’ finances, especially those without health insurance, or those forced to pay out of pocket due to a lack of coverage for brand names. The longer a shortage extends, the more the cost will add up.

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CURRENT Affairs

A YEAR OF

Adderall

Shortage Then, of course, there is the health impact on consumers when they are unable to fill their prescriptions. Drugs such as insulin or chemotherapy medications are necessary to live for some disabilities and illnesses. In the case of Adderall, a stimulant drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, not taking it can cause a severe drop in quality of life; unmedicated ADHD can cause an inability to focus on tasks and take care of one’s needs.

Withdrawal, a potentially life-threatening result for many prescriptions, can occur when stopping a drug, even temporarily.

Shortages of one drug can also cause shortages of another in response. Many people with ADHD switched medications from Adderall, both name brand and generic, to Vyvanse. In August, 2023 the FDA approved generic Vyvanse. Now, both the generic form and brand-name Vyvanse are low in supply. This cycle continues as patients and healthcare providers around the country adjust prescriptions to fit what is available.

Since the uptick in shortages, the FDA has been working with manufacturers to increase production, along with alternative methods to mitigate the pressing need. Patients are feeling the stress of these shortages, whether they were forced to change medications or unable to obtain their current one. The supply shortages in multiple industries are hitting consumers hard, and the health care industry has been under intense scrutiny and pressure since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current system doesn’t seem able to handle this level of instability.

Reflecting on this year of shortage emphasizes the need for more industry safeguards put in place to prevent a shortage before it starts, rather than simply waiting until it’s too late.

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Patients are feeling the stress of these shortages, whether they were forced to change medications or unable to obtain their current one.

Ilya LeVangie

English and Professional and Public Writing

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CURRENT Climate

READY FOR A FOOD FIGHT!?

by Emily Paterson

According to the USDA, around 133 billion pounds of food goes to waste in a single year in America. This casualty of a nationwide food fight equates to almost one-third of our food supply, indicating a much larger problem that lies at the heart of U.S. consumption habits.

As Americans, we’re stuffed with the comfort of a single-use, aesthetic-based culture that ensures our mouths are always fed first.

There’s an inherent distance between what we eat and how it is raised, grown, slaughtered, processed, and then delivered to our front doors.

As Spartans, we occupy the nation’s first and foremost agricultural college, upholding centuries-long traditions complicit in the prosperity and severity of our current food landscape. As a result, MSU doubles as a battleground of new ideas, a public discourse surrounding deep-rooted practices of food production and consumption.

What better way to hash this out than a campus-wide food fight?

Opening this January until the end of June, the MSU Museum’s newest exhibition “Food

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Fight!” seeks to deepen and disrupt current relationships with food. Consisting of seven featured works created by artists, scientists, and students from around the world, “Food Fight!” explores the social, environmental, political, and economic relationships we have with what we eat.

“Within those seven exhibitors, we have people representing the United Kingdom, Spain, as well as a collective representing the Native American community right here in Michigan,” said the MSU Museum Director Devon Akmon during the opening reception of “Food Fight!.” “That’s not to mention the works from the Netherlands, Austria, and students here at MSU.” Central to the functionality of “Food Fight!” MSU students serve as both exhibitors and CoLaborators, or gallery guides dedicated to fostering dialogue between the art and visitors.

“Their job isn’t to be a traditional docent; their job is to have conversations,” Akmon said.

To have any sort of impact on the unshakeable climate crisis, “Food Fight!”

encourages people to jump headfirst into those scary, yet crucial conversations about personal behaviors. When one-third of all humancaused greenhouse gas emissions are linked to food consumption, it would be detrimental to continue perpetuating the same consumption habits that consume the planet.

For anyone tired of being fed the same unappetizing lines by consumer culture, consider expanding your palate by attending “Food Fight!” and/or one of the thirty foodrelated programming events organized by the MSU Museum over the course of the Spring semester.

In this potluck of ideas, be sure to bring a hearty perspective to the dinner table.

Emily Paterson

Professional and Public Writing and Experience Arhcitecture

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CURRENT Trends

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CURRENT Trends

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SUN, SURF, AND SECURED : Your Guide to Traveling with Financial Peace of Mind

By Betsy Young, MSU Federal Credit Union Vice President of Marketing & Communications Planning on hitting the road for an epic adventure, or taking your studies abroad this summer? Traveling during your college years is full of adventure; it’s like a crash course in life outside the lecture hall. But while you’re out in the world soaking up new experiences, don’t let the excitement blindside you to the importance of keeping your money safe.

Check out these must-know travel tips to keep your funds secure, so you can focus on the fun stuff like making memories.

1. Lock It Up: Activate Card Lock Features.

Got a debit or credit card? Make sure your financial institution offers a card lock feature to add an extra layer of security. MSUFCU makes it easy to temporarily lock or unlock your debit and credit cards right inside their mobile app to immediately stop any unauthorized access or transactions if your card goes missing. Be sure to call your bank or

credit union right away so they can place a permanent block on the missing card and issue you a new one.

2. Let Your Financial Institution Know: Set Up Travel Notes.

Before you go, notify your financial institution about your travel plans.

Most banks and credit unions, including MSUFCU, let you set up travel notes online or through your app. Tell them where you’re headed and when to reduce the risk of your transactions being flagged as suspicious, ensuring seamless access to your funds while you’re away.

3. Outsmart the Bad Guys: Prevent Fraud Before It Happens.

Keep your accounts secure by creating strong, unique passwords and avoid using the same one across multiple sites. Plus, MSUFCU offers CVVkey™, which sends new and unique CVV2 codes for your

VISA Credit Card to use while shopping online or over the phone. If your card number is stolen, future purchases will be denied without your unique code.

Ready to own your college adventure without the financial stress? With these simple tips, you can enjoy your college adventures with the confidence that your financial information is safe. Remember, financial smarts are just as crucial as navigating new destinations. So, go on, explore the world with the peace of mind that your money game is strong.

Visit msufcu.org to learn more.

BETSY YOUNG VP of Marketing & Communications, MSUFCU betsy.young@msufcu.org | 517-333-2424 Headquarters: 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823

CURRENT Feature

S U C O F N I GEN Z

, L A T I G I D F O E G A W E N E TH M L I F D N A E D I S P O SA B L C A M E R AS

by Molly Melnick

TheCurrentMSU.com

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CURRENT Feature

Photo submitted by Kate Romain

In the age of unlimited access, instant gratification and ubiquitous connection, it can feel as though the art of patience — and sometimes art itself — is getting lost in translation. Something as intricate as a photograph, a modern miracle comprised of light rays and color, is as simple as a tap on a screen and twice as quick. Access to photos is so immediate that recent research reports that more photos were taken in the last two years than in the entire history of photography before that.

The notion of physical photography produced in a darkroom was a niche, if not

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nearly an obsolete, practice, before a blooming resurgence in the interest of digital, film and disposable cameras. For Gen Z, a generation obsessed with Y2K fashion, ‘90s music, thrifting and early 2000s rom-coms, digital and film cameras are the next fad in a long line of nostalgic lifestyle trends.

It started with disposable cameras coming back around 2019, when influencers such as Gigi Hadid, David Dobrik and Tana Mongeau started sporting Kodaks on their social media platforms, even creating entirely separate accounts specifically to showcase film photography. Other users soon followed

suit, and film photos were soon all over social media.

In early 2023, digital cameras reminiscent of the early 2000s took the limelight in place of film and have since flooded social media. Many users now post their photos shot on digital cameras on new accounts called digital diaries, containing photos characterized by their flashy overexposure and nostalgic graininess.

So why this obsession? In today’s age, the quality and ability of smartphone cameras far surpasses that of many digital or disposable film cameras, and it’s far more accessible; yet, film camera companies are seeing 900% increases in

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CURRENT Feature sales from 2015-2023.

Sarah Romain, a Michigan State University digital storytelling major with a concentration in film, thinks it’s exactly this element of complication that makes this style of photography appealing to her generation.

“I think with film it’s so interesting because it’s a different process than with other kinds of photography. I think film is almost like a ritual. It’s a whole experience. You get the roll, you have to load it in yourself, and you have to be picky and choosy about what you photograph, so you get to think about it a bit more as opposed to just shooting on a phone,” she said.

“And then, after shooting, you get to experience that excitement of picking up the developed photos and going through and getting to say, ‘OK, this came out the way I wanted,’ or ‘This didn’t come out as well as I wanted it to.’ And that’s just something I love so much about film photography,” said Romain.

Delayed gratification is hard to come by in 2024, and film or digital photography allow photographers to experience an element of surprise once they get to develop or download their roll, which is part of what makes this process so attractive as a hobby. Not to mention, the appeal of getting to take photos without the attachment to a smartphone is

somewhat freeing for a generation that has never really gotten to experience life without the conveniences and burdens of 24/7 internet access.

Getting started in film or digital photography can feel daunting, considering the vast array of options. Ebay is always a good place to start for sustainable, secondhand cameras for online shoppers. For those looking to select their future camera in-person, The Camera Shop in Lansing has a wide array of cameras with a wide range of prices.

The three most-reliable camera brands on the market are Nikon, Canon and Sony, all packed with different features to suit certain needs. Nikon offers the widest range of lenses, Canon has the widest variety of entry-level cameras and Sony is known to build small cameras that pack numerous features.

For entry-level film cameras, Romain recommended a Sears KS2 camera, a Kodak M35, or simply finding a simple point and shoot on Ebay or at a secondhand store.

Film development options can be hard to come by, but pharmacies such as CVS or Walgreens always offer development options outsourced to a lab with a two-to four-week waiting period for development but the most cost-effective pricing. Finding a lab in your local vicinity is the quickest way to get

development, but often on the pricier side.

In East Lansing, The Camera Shop offers film development, and the Kresge Art Center on campus offers a digital photo lab with darkroom facilities for those more advanced photographers looking to develop their own work.

However, the best piece of advice when it comes to getting started with digital or film photography is simply that: to just get started.

To all those looking to break into the new world of vintage photography, Romain said, “Just buy your first roll. Don’t be discouraged by how the first roll comes out, because it’s not going to be perfect; and when you have a gut feeling about taking a picture, just take it. Don’t overthink how much film you have left to use or how much you want to save, because you’ll limit your opportunities for beautiful photography and miss out on the learning experience.”

Molly Melnick

English and Professional and Public Writing

Delayed gratification is hard to come by in 2024, and film or digital photography allows photographers to experience an element of surprise once they get to develop or download their roll, which is part of what makes this process so attractive as a hobby.

TheCurrentMSU.com

Photo submitted by Kate Romain

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g n i t a Cre y t i n Commu ds r o W h wit

Grace Carney, student of the month

Meet our Current Student of the Month

As a teenager, Grace Carney was dealing with depression and anxiety and struggling with her life. Now, she runs a nonprofit that helps people around the world with their mental health.

During Carney’s high school years, she ended up finding herself in a dark mental health spiral. “I woke up every day and it was a struggle to stay alive,” she said. She talked to her parents about going to therapy, but it took them a while to agree. However, once she attempted suicide, they knew she needed help. “I started going to therapy, and I got significantly better.”

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CURRENT Student of the Month

Grace Carney, student of the month

But she still had low self-esteem, so she started writing a book. Now a senior studying English and creative writing, her experience writing this book inspired her to start Life Letters, a nonprofit organization for mental health. “[The book] was meant to help other people, and I found it ended up being more healing to me than anyone else. And that’s kind of the idea behind Life Letters,” Carney said.

At Life Letters, they ask the public to write letters talking about their mental health and submit them. They then publish them on the site for other people to read. “[I thought] maybe by getting other people to write to us about their struggles, they’ll think, ‘I’m actually helping other people,’ and they’ll do it in that mindset, but what they’ll also end up doing is help themselves,” Grace explained.

They encourage anybody to write in and talk about their struggles, whether it is test anxiety or OCD. Letters do not have to be written by anybody with writing experience.

In fact, according to Carney, “it’s better when people who aren’t writers write to [Life Letters]. A lot of people look for vulnerability in those stories.” These seemingly simple stories that people would not usually share are what Carney sees as the strength of the organization.

Life Letters has been running for a year under Carney, with around 30 volunteers at any given time. Initially, there were few letters, so they added a short story section

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for writers on the staff to submit works about mental health struggles, which allowed the organization to generate interest. Over the past year, they have published 39 letters and 14 short stories.

For Carney, running Life Letters has been meaningful in many ways. “I actually went into it very interested in clinical work in psychology; and ever since I’ve run it, I’ve focused more on community. I didn’t realize how much had gone wrong because America is so individualized. I think when people are individualized, they aren’t able to make meaningful connections with other people.”

She has also found community with her volunteers. “It’s a really special experience to work with them and connect with them. They give me so much hope. [Just] knowing that you have a group of people that are actively trying to make the world a better place,” she said.

Being able to work toward making the world a better place has been incredibly important to Carney. “Just knowing that I’m making a difference [has been rewarding].

As someone who has dealt with anxiety, depression and just being a woman, I feel like for so long I was put down. Then, once I found the knowledge to bring myself back up, it just made me want to do that for everyone, and I’m privileged enough that I have the resources to do that, but a lot of people don’t.”

While they have not been running for long, they have expanded over time as interest

grows. They added projects such as the Connecting Communities program, a forum for people to discuss oppression and their experiences of being marginalized.

After the mass shooting at MSU in February 2023, Carney noticed, “People that just didn’t want to think about it anymore, partially because it’s draining to think about.”

In response, a project aimed at getting letters specifically about experiences with school shootings was created. She hopes this project will allow people to reflect and engage more with the subject to help themselves and others.

For Carney, mental health advocacy is vital in all of her work, writing included. Her first book was about depression, and she is currently writing a memoir discussing her experience with anxiety and addiction. She hopes this book will resonate with people in her generation and that they will be able to see themselves in it, similarly to her goals with Life Letters.

“That’s our goal, just to foster a lot of empathy in our readers and other people in general.”

... Maybe by getting other people to write to us about their struggles, they’ll think, ‘I’m actually helping other people,’ and they’ll do it in that mindset, but what they’ll also end up doing is help themselves.

Ilya LeVangie

English and Professional and Public Writing

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CURRENT Health & Wellness

MENTAL HEALTH AND CREATIVITY Taking Care of the Young You

There are two key factors in producing any creative work: inspiration and motivation.

Inspiration is an artist’s bread and butter — it is the production of new ideas, the turning of creative gears, the application of imagination.

Without inspiration, there exists no reason for the work in the first place. Meanwhile, motivation is what propels writers to begin to work on their projects, and it is an artist’s passion for their aforementioned ideas and their drive to see them brought to life.

However, it’s not uncommon to ask creatives why they haven’t done any work on their recent projects and hear back that they’re currently lacking one of these two things. There are plenty of factors that can disrupt an artist’s habits — whether that be professional or social obligations, family or health issues, or a myriad of other reasons.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, many creatives found it difficult to stir up the motivation they needed to develop their projects.

When complications arise, it’s easy for artists to get down on themselves and feel as though they aren’t committed enough to their craft. In reality, creative habits aren’t something that a person puts into place and adheres to for the rest of their life. Rather, they are the tent poles they carry with them everywhere they go and they set up when life permits. It takes patience, but artists always find the time and space necessary to express themselves.

But what happens when the opposite problem emerges, and an artist is short of inspiration?

Creative burnout is an unfortunate obstacle that every artist has experienced at some point or another. For many, inspiration is a transient thing. At times, artists try desperately to take hold of it, sitting down before blank canvases and struggling to channel that imaginative spark they knew had once gleamed inside them. They may push through an absence of inspiration with sheer

force of will, only to find themselves with a canvas filled with rot and rubbish.

Inspiration has been described by many as something that comes in waves.

People aren’t always expecting it, but it seeps into them all the same. It can be mentally taxing for artists when they find their ideas haven’t flowed naturally for some time. long, However,but the solution to stagnation is to take advantage of the imagination when something incites it. Inspiration truly can come from the most unlikely places.

The next time you speak to a writer who’s having trouble finding just the right way to end their chapter or an artist whose characters aren’t posed quite the way they want, you aren’t looking at someone washed up or devoid of originality. You’re looking at someone on the path toward their next creative breakthrough.

Noel Harrison English

CURRENT Rotation

SUPPORT IN STIGMA The Peer Body Project encourages more body posititivy among students

by Sydney Savage College campuses are one of the biggest hot spots for body dissatisfaction. It’s easy to compare yourself to your peers, especially with the prevalence of unrealistic body standards across social media. Nowadays, editing apps allow users to alter their body image, which makes it easier than ever to project an ideal that others will strive to obtain.

Despite this being an issue on campuses all over, it’s rarely talked about and can lead students to feel isolated. The MSU Peer Body Project, run by Health Promotion Coordinators Karen Giles-Smith and Anne Buffington, offers students a solution: a circle of support with their peers who feel similarly to them. After participating in the Peer Body Project, it’s been shown that not only do undergraduate females feel better about their own body image, but better about others’ bodies as well.

The Peer Body Project is a collaborative, research-based program designed to help women resist and challenge cultural pressures surrounding female beauty standards, and it is gaining traction across college campuses

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nationwide. Students meet in groups of six to eight with two peer leaders to engage in discussion, role-playing and various other activities. Giles-Smith proposed the plan of bringing the Peer Body Project to MSU, and the program has been thriving and helping people ever since.

The support offered by the Peer Body Project has made a powerful impact on many students. Rachael Stohlin, a former dietitian student at MSU, described the benefits of having students act as peer leaders. “The peer leaders and participants come from similar backgrounds,” she said. “It’s not as intimidating as if a professor was leading these groups. These discussions are also held in private environments, and time and effort is put into connecting with group members so that there is trust in having these often personal conversations.”

The Peer Body Project gives people the chance to receive mental health support from those who understand them best, without fear of judgment. Giles-Smith said, “Sharing thoughts and feelings with others who also

struggle with negative body image can be validating, healing and empowering.” Stohlin also reminisced on the transformation of a girl that was in her peer group. She noted that the girl was initially quiet and hesitant to share, but after the first few weeks, “Her personality became lighter, and she became one of our most active discussion participants.”

The MSU Peer Body Project will be returning in fall 2024. Giles-Smith informed me that an update is currently being implemented to reflect “the current research, clinical knowledge and diverse experiences regarding body image and inclusion.” For more information, reach out to Giles-Smith at gilessmi@msu.edu.

Sydney Savage

Psychology and English

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WHAT ASMSU CAN DO FOR YOU

by Kate Farho Winter’s icy grip has tightened, ushering in a fresh set of stressors for the new semester.

Whether it’s the looming pressure of grad school applications or the doubt of being able to cover textbook costs, these stressors can leave you thinking, “How am I going to navigate this?”

If any of those scenarios are relatable, ASMSU — our student government — offers a range of services to assist you in challenging times. However, these services often go unused when you need them the most. Let’s talk about some services ASMSU offers so that you can use them in times of need this winter:

Loans Program: A Financial Safety Net

For the first six weeks of the semester, you may be eligible to receive short-term, interest-free loans of up to $300. There are no questions asked about the reason for the loan, which is designed to help alleviate immediate financial burdens such as paying for books or an online learning platform. This helps you focus on your studies without sacrificing basic needs. Fill out the ASMSU loan program application.

iClicker and Calculator Rentals: Saving on Class Materials

With the arrival of the new semester comes new syllabi and course materials. If you need an iClicker, graphing calculator or just a regular calculator, ASMSU offers free rentals.

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This not only eases the financial load but ensures that you have the materials to succeed in your classes. To check availability contact the ASMSU Engagement Center at info@ asmsu.msu.edu or (517)355-8266.

Princeton Review Test Prep Services: Preparing for Graduate and Professional Testing

Preparing for graduate and professional school tests can be scary. Luckily, ASMSU has partnered with the Princeton Review to provide discounted prep services to students.

From practice tests to online courses and tutoring services, this resource will help you prepare for exam season with less stress! You can claim your courses on the Princeton Review website.

Free Blue Books: A Helping Hand in Exam Season

Blue book exams are used at many post-secondary institutions, including MSU. To ease the stress around test time, ASMSU has got your back with free blue books.

Additionally, if you are an on-campus resident, you can have them shipped right to your dorm. Fill out a blue book order form on the ASMSU services page!

Safe Ride: Navigating Cold Winter Nights

After a late-night study session at the

library, a walk home in the dark can seem especially daunting. However, ASMSU’s Safe Ride service is a safe and free alternative to walking alone after dark. It operates every day of the week, 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. You can be picked up from any on-campus building, off-campus residence or from your job in the East Lansing area. Drop-off is only to your on-campus or off-campus residence. To learn more, check the Safe Ride website.

Winter may bring numerous challenges, but with ASMSU’s helpful services, you can face the season with resilience and determination. Other ASMSU services that can help you include free legal services, complimentary printing, a readership program and dedicated student rights advocates. The full list can be found on the ASMSU website.

These resources alleviate financial burdens and stress and contribute to a supportive and thriving student community. Remember: You’re not alone, and the Spartan community is here to help you whenever you need it. Stay warm, Spartans!

Kate Farho

Experience Architecture

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CURRENT Arts & Culture

Accessible

Art

RELIEVING STRESS IN A NEW WAY

by Olivia Hans Art, in its many mediums, has been seen as an acute stressreliever for all ages. It’s not just your childhood’s activity anymore – using coloring books, sketchbooks and journals are a wholesome, fun and nostalgic way to keep stress levels down to a minimum, even within a busy season.

Remember Etch A Sketch? Disney Princess coloring books? The smell of crayons?

It doesn’t just have to be in the past: Art, in its many forms, can be a huge stress reliever amid the packed and anxiety-inducing seasons.

Get your markers, pens and Crayola packs out of storage — they’re more helpful than you think.

Psychologist Michele Goldman discusses the many opportunities for stress-relief with art, especially adult coloring, on Healthline. com: “Coloring taps into your creativity and organizational abilities, along with your focus, attention, decision-making, and problemsolving skills,” she explained. “That means when you color, the right and left hemispheres of your brain work together to complete the task.”

Allowing your brain to focus on an immersive, lighthearted task may be the key to destressing after a long day, week or month.

Even allowing yourself 10 minutes of coloring a day may reap the same benefits of doing it for a longer period of time.

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Staying inside the lines, however, can be a potential stressor for individuals who tend to become judgemental of themselves and their art. Comparison may hinder one’s benefits through coloring. Mayo Clinic reviews this idea, stating: “Practice being nonjudgemental as you go through the task with no expectations — just being in the moment.

If your mind wanders, which is normal, gently return to what you are experiencing right now.”

Not only does the physical act of coloring amplify concentration, but it also connects to nostalgia: “Adults tend to forget how to play and be free. Coloring can take us back to our childhood and bring back memories,” said Goldman.

If you don’t find traditional coloring to be an exemplary stress-free activity for your life, remind yourself that art comes in many modes. Don’t be afraid to try reverse coloring, photography, journaling or similar activities.

Allowing yourself the opportunity to focus on a task that is simply mindful, creative

and engaging, while also being low-stakes, proves to be an effective way to combat the serious effects of mental stressors in your environment.

Joel Bobby, a licensed independent clinical social worker in psychiatry and psychology, discusses many other ways to incorporate art into stressful times, such as dancing, reading, deep breathing, massaging your earlobes or spending time with animals.

Utilize the resources brought to you — and take what resonates with you most.

So doodle, color, write or dance your heart out. It might just help you bring out your inner child.

Olivia Hans

English and Professional and Public Writing

17

CURRENT Cooking

COOKING WITH GROCERY INFLATION: What Consumers Need to Know

by Abby Wisniewski With grocery prices at an all-time high, it can be difficult to manage grocery bills and other expenses. In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Consumer Price Index reported that food prices were 3.3% higher than last year. While inflation has many impacts on purchases, there are a few ways to save money when grocery shopping.

One of the ways to mitigate the effects of inflation is shopping in stores that are costeffective. According to a survey conducted on 7,000 different households, some of the cheapest grocery stores include Aldi, Market Basket and Walmart. If opting to shop in bulk, consider Costco and Sam’s Club for potential savings. While these stores may require a membership, it may be helpful if you are consistently buying products in bulk.

If you are interested in purchasing groceries online, there are several services that deliver groceries for discounted prices.

Imperfect Foods, Misfits Market and Flashfood are great alternatives to your traditional grocery store. These services offer foods that may not be available in regular

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supermarkets due to cosmetic impurities, odd sizes or general surpluses.

There are also recipes that can save you money. Cook a simple mac and cheese by using any pantry-stored pasta and combining it with cheese. To add spice, try incorporating red pepper flakes, hot sauce or diced jalepeño.

Another cheap and easy meal are tuna melts; tuna is a cost-effective source of protein and rich in Omega 3s. Opting for budget-friendly ingredients can support conserving funds while still creating tasty and nutritious meals.

Still looking for more ways to save?

There’s a handful of other practices to further limit spending. These may include checking to see what groceries you already have before going shopping, making a grocery list, limiting shopping trips and using coupons when possible. It can also help to look into membership rewards programs to access additional savings, such as Target Circle, Meijer mPerks or Kroger Rewards.

Abby Wisniewski

Professional and Public Writing

TheCurrentMSU.com

CURRENT Feature

Virtual Interviews, VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE

by Olivia Hans In a busy season for upper-classmen and underclassmen alike, the idea of jobs, internships and life after school can be overwhelming and a never-ending process.

What’s in style now, however, is preparing for interviews: virtual interviews. Preparing, and preparing well, can be an arduous task if students don’t know where to begin.

Etiquette, both on and off the screen, can improve performance to assure students of their unique position in the workforce as they head to greater things; and, hopefully, can provide a much-needed reliever for stressed-out, confused students.

There are many things on a student’s mind in the spring semester, especially if they’re about to graduate. Things such as: “Will I have a job after graduation?” or “Do I need to get a job right away?” or “Where do I start searching?”

The most prominent of these questions can even be “What happens if I get an interview?”

Virtual interviews have been a constant in our society ever since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation, which left employers with no choice but to hold hiring rounds online. As we reach the stabilizing levels of the pandemic in 2024, the trend of virtual interviews is still here, and they still require prep.

Before you become too stressed about the vague nature of virtual interviews, there are significant pros to the concept. An article

TheCurrentMSU.com

from Livestorm stated that some of the main pros include scheduling flexibility, bigger pools of candidates, cost savings, time-to-hire reductions and more.

Although the article discusses a company-positive outlook, some pros can apply to the applicant. For instance, scheduling flexibility allows for an applicant to be considered equally and fairly without sacrificing a possibly demanding schedule, and time-to-hire reductions can allow the applicant to acquire a job quickly (or, perhaps, quicker than going in person).

Even considering the pros of the situation, there may still be concerns about the physical interview itself. Across the table, there are ways to dissolve fears of being unprepared — tips that can help students channel their strengths and ensure their appointment goes smoothly.

Across the table, there are ways to dissolve fears of being unprepared — tips that can help students channel their strengths and ensure that their appointment goes smoothly.

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CURRENT Feature Check Your Technology

In a virtual interview, it’s important to check whichever device or platform you’re going to use beforehand. An article by the University of Vermont stated, “The minute you agree to a virtual interview, test your technology to ensure you’re set up for success.

Check your internet connectivity. Confirm your camera and microphone are working.”

Research the Company

Though it may seem straightforward, make sure you grab a paper and pen and jot down notes. What draws you to this company and its mission? Who works there? How does your experience fit in with the program?

Starting to answer these questions can allow for your answers to become cooperative with the company’s motive, putting you ahead.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you’ve begun to formulate your answers to possible questions, practice them with a family member, friend or colleague.

Let them ask the questions in real-time: A virtual interview may still be synchronous, just like an in-person interview. As you’re practicing, envision your best self coming to the interview. The article by the University of Vermont stated: “You can’t firmly shake a hiring manager’s hand or as easily exude enthusiasm via video. But what you can do is monitor your body language.” Practice the answers to your questions, but also practice how you’re going to say them.

Wear Professional Attire

Don’t make the mistake of wearing your pajama pants with your button-down!

Sweatpants may work for eating snacks on the couch, but for this, take a different route.

Dress business casual as if you’re headed to an in-person interview!

Business casual involves a professional yet less formal look. In an article by The Street, it is defined as: “no jeans, no shorts, no short dresses or skirts for women, optional ties for men and a rotation of button-downs or blouses.” Comfortability can still be accessed through quality fabrics such as cotton trousers, silk blouses and even loafers — but don’t be fooled; sometimes, you have to sacrifice ultimate comfortability for the professionalism of the event.

Connect and Follow-up

In the interview, don’t forget that your interviewer is a person, too! “You might be at the end of a long list of people the hiring manager spoke to that day. ... Don’t be afraid to ask how their interviews have been going

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that day or have a short aside about a common interest.”

Obtain the interviewer’s email beforehand, most likely from the hiring manager, and thank them for their time during the process. Connect with them on a human level, not just a work level.

MSU Professor Kate Fedewa gives her two cents on the subject: “Preparation tip: Record yourself using your computer’s camera in advance, answering an interview question, and then watch it. You’re going to be staring at your computer while you’re giving the actual interview, so you can see what someone else is going to see when they’re talking to you. Wear what you’re going to wear, do the whole thing.”

She continued: “During (the interview), look into your camera. We all have a tendency, when we’re thinking, to look up; and when you’re doing something like that in a virtual interview, it’s even more noticeable that you’re not actually engaging with the other person.”

Through all these tips, there is a common

thread: in the process of becoming prepared, one becomes more attuned to oneself and how one responds to certain experiences.

In an interview, it is important to showcase your strengths as a person and applicant: This, in many ways, helps you not only ace an interview but get to know yourself more. In the context of work and unknown circumstances, getting to know yourself in this process is more productive than you may think.

In short, allow yourself to be flexible, practice and get to know yourself. It will help you more than you know. Remind yourself that not only are you human, but your potential interviewer is, too.

Olivia Hans

English and Professional and Public Writing

TheCurrentMSU.com

N OW H I RI NG

BRIGHT MINDS Think you’ve got what it takes to be an M3er?

Do you think about business problems in the shower? Design layouts while on a walk?

Solve programming hiccups in the grocery store? You might just be one of us.

m3group.com/careers

CURRENT Calendar

February March

2024

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FEB. 14 DOUGLASS DAY TRANSCRIBE-A-THON DSL Flex Space, Main Librar y | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Interested in Frederick Douglass and transcription? Join all the students, teachers and community members in transcribing an unprecedented collection of digitized papers left by Frederick Douglass. https://bookings.lib.msu.edu/event/11753835

FEB. 21 & 22 SPARTAN CAREER DAYS MSU Broad Art Museum | 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Discover all the opportunities and benefits that come with an art degree by attending an immersive day at MSU. Explore careers in art and design, and be the first to sign up, as space is limited. https://broadmuseum.msu.edu/events/spartan-career-day-20240221/ https://broadmuseum.msu.edu/events/spartan-career-day-20240222/

MAR. 16 SHAMROCK 5K RUN, WALK, ROLL! International Center | 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.

This annual event presented by MSU Tower Guard and RCPD raises funds for the Resource Center for persons with disabilities serving Spartan students. Register early; there is no day-of registration. runsignup.com/Race/MI/EastLansing/MSUTowerGuardShamrock5k?aflt_ token=lsDDTCWcazIepazYI0FCz9dbRxkCWAcY

TheCurrentMSU.com

CURRENT Calendar

SPORTING EVENTS Women’s Tennis, MSU vs. USC Feb. 16 | 5:00 p.m.

MAR. 21

Wrestling, MSU vs. Central Michigan Feb. 23 | 6:30 p.m.

ASTRONOMICAL HORIZONS LEC TURE SERIES: UNEARTHING MSU’S FIRST OBSERVATORY Abrams Planetarium | 7:30 p.m.

Men’s hockey, MSU vs. Ohio State (senior night) Feb. 24 | 6:00 p.m.

Join the Department of Physics and Astronomy for its monthly lecture series on the latest developments in astronomy. March’s speakers are Stacey Camp and Horace Smith. Admission is free. https://www.abramsplanetarium.org/Horizons/Horizons.html

MAR. 28 YOUNG HYUN CHO Artist Young Hyun Cho is featured on piano as Beethoven’s sonatas No. 8 through 11 are presented. etix.com/ticket/p/6823530/young-hyun-cho-performs-beethovenpart-3-east-lansingcook-recital-hall

TheCurrentMSU.com

Women’s basketball, MSU vs.

Illinois Feb. 29 | 8:00 p.m.

Women’s gymnastics, MSU vs.

New Hampshire Mar. 1 | 7:00 p.m.

Men’s basketball, MSU vs.

Northwestern Mar. 6 | 7:00 p.m.

Baseball, MSU vs. Purdue Mar. 20 | 4:05 p.m.

Men’s tennis, MSU vs.

Wisconsin Mar. 24 | 12:00 p.m.

All sporting events listed are home games, this list does not include all events.

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CURRENT Campus Life

@nicklennex In hybernation...

Emma Losey Stunning view of the Capitol building on my drive home from campus.

@emilyypatersonn This cutie from the nearby Constellation Cat Cafe decided to take a nap in my lap.

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@anna.lehr

@rachelweiss

In honor of game day #gospartandawgs

Back in the Breslin!

TheCurrentMSU.com

CURRENT Calendar

@spartansupportnetwork Thank you to all of you that stopped by our table at Sparticipation!

@abby.mcginnis Beaumont Tower in the December sun

@emilyodeven Maybe my 8 am classes aren’t so bad.

@dpemsu Spring rush week festivities!

TheCurrentMSU.com

@mikesov101 January moments

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TheCurrentMSU.com

EAST LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY Whether you’re looking for a warm place to study or to peruse their endless selection of books, movies and magazines, the East Lansing Public Library is a great place to hide away from the frigid Michigan winter. Drop by to the library’s Maker Studio to try your hand at 3D printing, or stop by any Thursday at 4:30 p.m. for LEGO Thursday! Also check out the library website for more upcoming events such as book clubs, meetings and other fun activities!

THE CONSTELLATION CAT CAFE Relax with furry friends and your choice of coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more at East Lansing’s Constellation Cat Cafe.

Voted Lansing’s best cafe by Lansing City Pulse in November 2023, Constellation Cat Cafe is on a mission to create a safe environment for people to discover the joy of pet ownership by supporting local animal rescues in finding homes for adoptable cats. Visitors can go to the cafe’s cat room by themselves or rent the room for groups of up to 15 people. The cafe will also assist in the adoption process of any of their resident cats. An hour in the cat room, with a cafe beverage included, is currently $14.

CAMPBELL’S MARKET BASKET

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Enjoy a wide selection of farm-fresh produce and healthy snacks at Campbell’s Market Basket, located on Grand River. If you’re ever feeling chilled by the icy weather during East Lansing’s coldest season, stop by to grab some quality products from locally grown Michigan farmers at affordable prices. From gourmet sandwiches to salads to a soup bar, there’s something to satisfy everyone’s craving!

SAPER GALLERIES Located in downtown East Lansing, Saper Galleries offers a wide variety of art exhibits, both rotating and fixed. Its most recent exhibit highlights its Alvar Lithograph collection, showcasing Spanish artist Sunol Alvar’s original prints depicting mellow images of family, mythology, music and the arts. For any student looking to escape to a warmer landscape for a little while, Saper Galleries is free and open to the public.

YOGA STATE OF MIND, BODY & SOUL LLC. Stop into Yoga State on Grand River to warm up with hot yoga or spinning classes. Enjoy two weeks of unlimited yoga and spinning classes for only $20 your first time! After the first two weeks, the discounted student price for drop-in classes is $13 per session. The full calendar can be seen on the website, with a wide variety of classes and package options. There’s everything from Hot Vinyasa Yoga and Unwind Vinyasa, to Candlelight Yin Yoga, and locked doors promise a session free of distractions! Yoga can provide a deeper sense of focus and tranquility during the busy semester and help cope with stress from a heavy class load.

Places to Escape the Cold This Winter

Staff

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SPARTANS CHOOSE ACTIVATE YOUR SPARTAN STUDENT BUNDLE AND YOU COULD WIN $1,000!

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Welcome to the Green and White family! As you begin your Spartan journey, set yourself up for financial success and activate your MSUFCU Spartan Student Bundle.

Activate your Spartan Student Bundle: • Spartan Saver account

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• The MSUFCU Financial 4.0 app Now until March 31, 2024, when you activate your bundle, you’ll be entered to win $1,000!

Start your Spartan experience today. msufcu.org/students

The Spartan Student Bundle Sweepstakes begins at midnight ET 1/1/24 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET 3/31/24. To enter, you must be a member of MSU Federal Credit Union and a registered student at Michigan State University for the Spring 2024 academic year and open or add to your existing account a Spartan Saver, Sparty Debit Card, and download the Financial 4.0 app. Only one entry per participant will be accepted. Prize is $1,000 deposited into winner’s MSUFCU account.

Chances of winning are based on the number of entries received. Winner will be randomly selected by 4/12/24 by the MSU Federal Credit Union (Credit Union) whose decision is final. Winner’s account must be in good standing. Winner will be notified by email or phone and has 5 business days to respond. Failure to respond within 5 business days will result in the selection of a new winner. Winner must sign a release and consent form to receive prize. The Credit Union provides no warranty relative to prize. Prize may not be substituted or transferred except at the discretion of the Credit Union. Winner is responsible for applicable taxes and costs related to use of prize. Employees, Board members, and Supervisory Committee members of the Credit Union and affiliated CUSOs, and any promotion sponsors, are not eligible. No purchase necessary to enter, nor will a purchase improve chance of winning. You may also enter by sending a 3x5 card with sweepstakes name and your name, address, phone number, and email address to: MSUFCU, ATTN: Marketing Department – Spartan Student Bundle Sweepstakes, 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48826. A winners list will be available at msufcu.org/winners. For full promotion details, visit msufcu.org/specialoffers.

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