Volume 52 Issue 12 (Final Draft)

Eagles crowned champions for second straight outdoor season

UTM defeats UTSG Red in the men’s soccer final, making them the first back-to-back champions in school history

>> read the full coverage by Tyler Medeiros on page 11

Employers seek out students in reverse career fair

Madhav Ajayamohan Contributor

Students sit at booths while employers line up to sell themselves in the first-ever reverse career fair at UTM.

O

n November 18 at 6 p.m., the Kaneff Centre was the stage for an unusual career fair—employers queued at booths to talk to students, rather than the other way around. This was the scene at the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM)’s first-ever “reverse” career fair, held for the 53 students who just completed the 12-week UTM CC100: Career and Work Readiness Program.

In the fair’s opening ceremony, Career Centre Employment Strategist Ron Wener described CC100 as a course that gives “students a period of time to explore careers, what they want to do, and job-related skills.”

Sasha Thornhill, employment strategist at the Career Centre and an organizer of the fair, explained that they wanted the reverse career fair to be “a culmination of the students’ progress in the course where they could apply everything they learned to connect with employers.”

After a five-minute opening ceremony, employers had one hour to visit students at their booths. The career fair showcased students from many different programs, such as Geospatial Data Science, Computer Science, Chemistry, Finance, History and Language Teaching and Learning.

OPINION We need younger politicians

Zainab Hassan Contributor

Ashift in age is a shift in values—and people are scared!

It’s nearing December now and as we crawl our way to the end of the first quarter of the 21stcentury, one thing remains starkly apparent: the world is going to shit, and we’re enabling it.

We can, of course, go on in circles about what we, as individuals, are doing to help, and that’s important. But, when we exist in a system designed to make our lives harder, individual efforts can only go so far when not paired with collective move-

ment. And the people in government responsible for spearheading these collective movements— the politicians we vote in with high hopes—seem instead perfectly content to lay about and do the bare minimum.

How many times must we pick the best of the worst only for them to do nothing for us? How many times must we be grateful for it? Have we been gaslit to think that if we change the way we vote, things will only get worse?

How long will this go on for? Well, apparently, not as long as I’d expected, because New York City—of all places—threw at us a curveball.

>> POLITICIANS continue on page 11

Large Corporations Capitalizing Off of St. Nick

Emma Catarino Staff Writer

Many companies produce special Christmas advertisements to promote their brands during the

hristmas will arrive in just six weeks, much to the delight of our university students who see

the holiday as a “light at the end of the tunnel” after surviving exams. This jolly season is exciting for large corporate brands, as many like to produce Christmas-specific ads as a way to capitalize off of the holiday by appealing to the festive spirit of the audience.

Photo Credits: UTM Recreation, Athletics & Wellness, Flickr

NEWS

New undergrads get academic and career insights at The Blind Duck

Camille Dornellas Contributor

UTMSU and the Centre for Student Engagement put together an event for Black-identifying students to learn from and network with alumni.

On November 13, the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU), the Centre for Student Engagement, and Alumni Relations hosted A Different World: Transitioning into University, a networking and workshop event at The Blind Duck Pub. The event was to support Black-identifying students as they navigate university and career life.

Starting at 6 p.m., freshmen and a handful of upperyear students gathered at The Blind Duck to have dinner and hear the presentation. The night began with an explanation of the event’s theme, “A Different World,” which was a reference to a 1987 American sitcom of the same name that portrayed the life and struggles of stu-

dents in historically Black colleges and universities.

In the introduction speech, the organizers spoke about how students are entering a new chapter of challenges, opportunities, and discovery, and how, although the transition to university might seem like entering a different world, they are not alone.

Next, presenters took a moment to recognize the student groups which helped organize the event and which continuously work to create a safe community for Black-identifying students at U of T. These groups included Caribbean Connections, the Black Students’ Association, the African Students’ Association, the U of T Black Alumni Association, Black @ UTM, Black Literature, the Arts Club, and Black Future Lawyers.

The gathering featured four alumni panellists: Tobi Mohammed, Mohamed Sidibé, Hassan Manjang, and Chris Tompson. Each panellist took turns answering questions about how UTM prepared them for their career, how to manage time, how they decided on their academic and career paths, what they would have done differently, extracurricular activities, and how they faced racism in their university life.

Each panellist stressed the importance of being open to trying new things during your university life. According to them, getting involved with different clubs and being open to talking to new people opened doors for their journey after university.

Following the event, Manjang explained in an interview with The Medium that one of the biggest challenges for Black students when they start their post-secondary journey is how they feel like they should justify pursuing higher education. “Sometimes you might be the only Black student in the science class or the math-

ematics class,” he said. “I think the biggest thing that Black students need to know is that they are unapologetically allowed to be intellectual.”

Manjang asserted that Black students should never feel like they have to conform to situations. “If you know what your points of view and perspectives are, people will respect them.”

Recent graduate Giselle Nannan described to The Medium how the event was an opportunity to hear from alumni about their experience in undergrad, postgrads, and beyond. “It’s great to hear from Black alumni, especially with the changing culture of UTM,” she said.

UTMSU Vice President Equity Miatah McCallum explained to The Medium how there are many different opportunities for Black students at UTM and how events such as “A Different World” serve to make them more aware of that. However, she also defended how some students often feel misrepresented when they arrive on campus. “The school does not have culturally diverse food, and if they do, it’s not made to the best abilities,” she said, arguing that students sometimes feel like they are “losing their culture” due to this issue.

McCallum also outlined how important it was that the panellists talked about their struggles during university and how they were able to overcome those barriers. “Having events like this raises awareness for those resources students can reach out to,” she concluded.

The night ended with a game of trivia about Black culture for the attendees to have some fun and relax, but also with the hope that students went back home knowing that they are not alone, and that there exists a broad and supportive community they can depend on.

U of T students represent Canada at model WHO summit in Geneva

that they faced along the way.

Members of the tri-campus Global Affairs Student Association joined teams from across the world for simulated discussions about healthcare issues at the WHO headquarters.

From October 28 to 31, a delegation of University of Toronto (U of T) students from the Global Affairs Student Association (GASA) travelled to Geneva, Switzerland for the 2025 Global Model World Health Organization (GMWHO) conference. The team comprised students from all three U of T campuses and was the only Canadian delegation in attendance.

At the conference, teams of students from across the globe critically and collaboratively addressed key healthcare issues through meticulous and highly analytical discussions and debates.

This conference was historic for the U of T community, having been the GASA’s inaugural year along with the team notably representing national excellence as the only Canadian delegation present. This year’s team serves as an inspiration for future delegations, not only for their foundational efforts, but for their perseverance and dedication to making an impact despite the many obstacles

In addition to building their club from the ground up, UTM GASA Co-Presidents Abdul Basheer Arifi and Omid Mashkoor also needed to grapple with the logistical challenges that come with an international trip. For several months, the organization sent thousands of sponsor emails and garnered student interest, receiving hundreds of delegate applications in their campaign.

The organization tirelessly sent thousands of sponsor emails and garnered deep student interest, having received hundreds of delegate applications. Club executives narrowed the application pool to around 17 students through an intensive vetting process. However, given unforeseen funding changes and visa complications, only seven of these delegates were able to represent U of T at the GMWHO.

This delegation included two students from UTM, Keya Patel and Senad Sadik, who shared their experiences in an interview with The Medium.

Patel, an intern at the NATO Association of Canada who has a longstanding passion for health economics, described how “surreal” it was being there, from being in the executive board room “where all of the biggest moments in global health” occurred to learning from experts in the field. Both Sadik and Patel expressed how the event tested their leadership and communication skills, reflecting on

how delegates needed to reach a consensus as a committee.

Sadik described how participating in the GMWHO helped him realize the complexity of decision-making processes on the global stage. In playing the role of a representa-

Photo Credits: Melody Zhou

Photo Credits: Melody Zhou

Rameen Hashmi Contributor

Illustration by Melody Zhou

Photo Credits: UTM GASA

tive for Fiji, he realized how a collaborative approach to international relations could be applied to real-world conflicts and issues. More specifically, he described how an increase in collaboration between nations can allow for each individual nation to be more supported and often have a greater say on the global stage.

Similarly, Patel was engaged on the committee discussing the interface of digital health and artificial intelligence. She explained how industry expert Sameer Pujari briefed

her during the conference, allowing her to gain insight into its diverse applications and how to bridge current gaps in digital health infrastructure.

Overall, the conference was an invaluable and deeply meaningful experience for the delegates and they encouraged UTM students to look into getting involved. Sadik touched on how students, regardless of their field, can benefit from the conference and the skills, lessons, and real-world learning it provides. The resilience and perse-

verance along the journey were especially inspiring and meaningful to him.

The GASA is currently preparing for its next conference, which will take place in New York in the spring of 2026. Delegate applications have since closed, but the club representatives encourage students to follow along with the upcoming endeavours of the team on the team’s Instagram, @utm_gasa.

Employers seek out students in reverse career fair

(contd. from page 01)

Madhav Ajayamohan Contributor

UTMSU and the Centre for Student Engagement put together an event for Blackidentifying students to learn from and network with alumni.

Each student was well-prepared for the event. Every conversation, rather than being a rehearsed presentation, was natural. Students had time to reveal their unique features and stories, and it drew me in.

The responsibility of initiating conversations and asking questions shifted the dynamic of each interview, allowing students to leave a stronger impression. For example, during a conversation with Muhammad Hassan, a third-year student majoring in geospatial data science and physical geography, an initial mention of his degree led—after follow-up questions — to an in-depth explanation of the research he has conducted. His detailed responses highlighted a clear passion for marine science.

The reverse career fair also allowed students to show demos of their projects, including Hassan Eissa—a fifth-year geospatial data science major—who displayed an image shader that can detect vegetation in an area, and Muhammed Ibrahim—a third-year accounting specialist—who provided a detailed stock analysis of Loblaws.

The next hour of the event was an open networking session, where students and employers were free to move around and talk to each other. The first hour allowed students to identify who was interested in them. In the second hour, students continued conversations with companies or people they were interested in. The event concluded with some employers sharing the open positions they had, and with students and employers filling out feedback forms about the event.

In interviews with The Medium, attendees generally expressed that they enjoyed the event and even preferred it over traditional career fairs.

Jamie Kunkel, a career counsellor from the team, shared that students found it “nice to be in control” of the conversation around them. The new format evened the power balance between students and employers, which allowed for more natural conversations.

Zainab Al-Zadjali, a second-year economics and chemistry major, said she benefited from the new structure, especially following negative experiences with normal career fairs.

“I would have to line up behind an employer’s booth before I get to talk to them,” Al-Zadjali recounted. “Then, when I finally reached an employer, I could only talk to them for a minute because there were still people behind me.” The reverse format empowered Al-Zadjali to have a conversation with the employer and connect with them on a deeper level.

However, not all students found the reverse career fair beneficial. Max Weerasinghe, a third-year accounting specialist and economics major, argued that the event “did not have a lot of accounting or finance industry representation.” He observed that many of the employers who attended were actually from U of T themselves, so they could not offer him any concrete positions. “I enjoyed many of the conversations and got a lot of good advice, but I didn’t get any solid work opportunities.”

Weerasinghe reasoned that this was probably because this was the first reverse career fair, and the industry representation would gradually improve in future iterations. He also shared that the person in the booth next to him was offered a position on the spot.

Many of the employers seemed to enjoy the event as well. Engineering Supervisor Hussein Hassanali of Martinrea International commented that the reverse format “was a great change of pace from just standing at a booth.”

UTM introduced CC100 in the fall 2025 semester with three different modalities: a 12-week in-person course, a 12-week virtual course and an intensive three-day course during reading week. Thornhill shared that they plan to host another reverse career fair for CC100’s winter cohort.

The registration for the 12-week winter cohort ends on January 6, 2026, and the registration for the three-day intensive Winter cohort ends on February 8, 2026.

The Bangladeshi Students’ Association was founded to create a welcoming, vibrant space for the Bangladeshi diaspora at UTM; a home away from home where students can celebrate Bengali culture and share it with the wider campus through vibrant events and engaging collaborations. This semester, we’re hosting two events: the Asian Airlines event on November 21st, in partnership with CASS and other clubs, and ‘Cinemar Raat’ on November 24th — a movie night and the first independent BSA event of the term, showcasing the award-winning Bangladeshi film ‘Utshob’. We look forward to building a strong cultural community on campus. See you there!

Photo Credits: UTM Career Centre

04 OPINION

Independence isn’t what I thought it would be

Nguyen Bao Han Tran Contributor

It’s not always pretty, but it’s real

Moving out for university feels exciting, until the homesickness and quiet nights hit. Here’s what living alone taught me about true independence.

The Fantasy of Freedom

It all sounds thrilling at first: the idea of moving away, starting fresh, and finally being independent. Maybe it’s because of all the movies we watched, showing people finding themselves in big cities? Or maybe it’s the dream of proving to yourself that you can make it on your own?

But, when I actually moved away from my hometown to start university, I quickly realized that independence isn’t just about freedom: it’s about learning how to deal with loneliness, build self-discipline, and keeping yourself afloat when no one is there to remind you. This is the reality no one tells you about when you chase the dream of freedom.

The Hardest Part of Living Away From Home

I’ll never forget the day I found out I got into my dream university. The reaction from my parents wasn’t what I expected: they were proud, but quiet. I still remember the drive from Montreal to Toronto in our small family car, where my dad and boyfriend took turns behind the wheel. Watching my dad’s hair turn grey has made my heart feel heavy. I kept telling myself: I have to work really hard to make my parents proud. But little did I know that this mindset would quietly turn into pressure and a constant fear that if I didn’t succeed, I’d disappoint them, despite everything they’d sacrificed for me.

Nights hit harder when you eat dinner alone without the familiar faces of your loved ones. I went from hearing my mom calling me for our family meal to now only being able to send photos of my food, hoping she’ll compliment my cooking through the phone. That’s when I realized how much I miss having food with my family and friends.

In a new city, with new routines and new faces, you are forced to start from square one. But sometimes you just sit there, blankly staring at the wall, wondering if all of this is really worth it. I try to keep myself busy so that I don’t have time to think about it, but the harder I try, the more the pressure builds up.

Learning to Live Alone in University

As a girl living alone, I noticed how much I’d depended on my dad for small things. Heavy boxes, stuck jars, broken furniture; those were always his jobs. Now it’s just me, in a quiet apartment with four white walls staring back at me. Days pass slowly, but nights stretch even longer, and that’s when the silence starts to sink in. Making new friends hasn’t been easy. I know it takes time to adjust, but I can’t help missing my old friends when I see other girls laughing together on campus.

Here, my routine feels lifeless: study, work, meal prep for the week, and repeat. When life gets hard or the workload piles up, there’s no one for me to lean on. I simply cry into my pillow at night, and wake up the next morning to put on a smile like everything’s fine.

Even through the loneliness, I’m grateful for the people who remind me I’m not truly alone. My boyfriend has been one of them—always checking in, listening, and grounding me when things feel overwhelming. But long-distance isn’t easy, and that’s a story I’ll save for another day. Over time, I realized that living away from home isn’t just about

surviving, it’s about slowly building a version of comfort that belongs to you.

Building a Home Away From Home

Small things have started seeping into a routine that I created for myself: calling my parents every weekend, treating myself by finding new places to visit after long lectures, and learning how to celebrate the little wins, even if no one else sees them. These moments have become my quiet reminders that I was growing.

It’s still not easy. There are days when I miss home so much that even my mom’s scolding feels like a luxury. But, I’ve also learned that independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means learning to rely on yourself while still letting others in. Whether it’s joining a club, talking to a classmate after lecture, or saying “yes” to a spontaneous hangout, these small connections matter more than we think.

What I Wish I Knew Before Moving Away

I wish someone had told me that independence doesn’t begin with big milestones, but it starts with the little things. Like learning how to step out of your comfort zone to network with seniors. Or realizing that it’s totally fine to slowly get out of bed, eat something warm, and let yourself rest without guilt.

I wish I knew that loneliness does not mean that you made the wrong choice. That the feeling of loneliness can mean that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, and that’s supposed to feel uncomfortable at first. I wish I knew that it’s okay to cry when things get hard, and it’s okay to call home more than once a day. Growing up doesn’t mean cutting yourself off: it means learning how to balance love for your family with love for your future self.

Most of all, I wish I knew that building a life on your own isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing up—messy, tired, unsure—and still choosing to keep going anyway. Living away from home has taught me that freedom isn’t glamorous, it’s emotional and deeply personal. But it’s also the space where you grow the most. You begin to understand your limits, your habits, and the person you’re becoming. It’s not always pretty, but it’s real, and that’s what makes it worth it.

Lost in Translation: Holidays

April Roy

Contributor

Camille Dornellas

Contributor

Olivia Maddaloni

Contributor

Rebecca Christopher Contributor

The warmth of holiday celebrations across the globe

As the holiday season approaches, families gather and cherished traditions find refuge in our homes. Here are four stories to warm you up for this year’s holiday season.

April Roy: Elf on the Shelf

My family and I are always late with Christmas preparations—getting gifts and decorations up is something we keep to the very last minute—and it can often make the holiday season feel incredibly short. As a Christmaslover, who can’t get others as excited about the holiday as I am, the Elf on the Shelf has always been a tradition of mine to enjoy. It’s been over ten years since I got my first Elf on the Shelf Cocoa, and almost a decade since I got the Scout Elf Bingo.

Even though it is a tradition that is likely shared by many families across the world, it is particularly close to my heart because it has allowed me to indulge in many of my passions, like writing and photography.

Over the years, I’ve always kept track of the different places my elves have travelled around our home and have taken pictures of their perches every day. I’ve also created a collage of some of my favourite moments of the elves and it has become part of my family’s various house decorations. The tradition has allowed me to sharpen my skills in a low-stake environment that has been both a reward and comfort for me.

Although I have always felt a bit sad when my elves are gone on Christmas morning, over the years I’ve come to see the importance of them only being present during the preparation of Christmas. As the unofficial designated cheer-spreader of my family, this tradition has helped me build up my excitement and joy for the holiday season. My social battery, which is often dull around those I do not see often—like my uncle, who usually visits for Christmas—is always brightened by the holiday spirit.

Olivia Maddaloni: Christmas isn’t a cliché!

Christmas isn’t just about overdone Hallmark movie plotlines and their predictable romances with deckedout holiday backdrops. Nor is it about hearing Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” on every radio station, a month too early, or debating if Die Hard is a Christmas film.

Although you’ve probably heard and seen this year after year, Christmas isn’t a cliché. It’s a holiday celebrated in countless households, in countless cultures, and thus, cherished in countless ways.

The holidays are what we students look forward to after exams. No one argues against a two-week vacation period. For me, this means watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, or queuing up Wham’s “Last Christmas” as my family decorates an evergreen tree and hangs up stockings and poinsettias.

In my Italian household, Christmas means gifting Panettone and Baci chocolates, having a fish feast on Christmas Eve with chestnuts, red wine (vino), and biscotti; setting up the Nativity scene; going to mass; and having a bigger meal on Christmas Day.

Photo Credits: Melody Zhou

It’s my favourite holiday because I get to have movie nights with close friends, and visit family members I don’t see often, like my older cousins, which is never dull.

Christmas is often overshadowed by the consumerist appeal: Hallmark movies, the pressure to get perfect gifts, wrapping presents…you get it. Yet, some aspects of the consumerism-culture embody the aesthetic of the holiday: hot chocolate in hand, glittering snow falling outside, a crackling fireplace, all while you cozy up to Home Alone or It’s A Wonderful Life.

There’s a tranquil, warm spirit to the season. Being in others’ company and spending time with loved ones reflects the true meaning of the holiday.

So yes, catchy tunes and Santa Claus movies may seem relentless, but they invoke joy, love, festivity, and kindness— that can’t be exhausted. It’s really about, as Paul McCartney sang, simply having a wonderful Christmas time.

Camille Dornellas: the warmth of Christmas

On November 11th Toronto saw its first snow fall. The air grew chilly, and as the little snow flakes kept falling, Mariah Carrey knocked on our doors to greet our radios. The bitter cold of the morning snowfall screams Christmas, doesn’t it?

Well, not for me.

To me, holidays have always been followed by 30°C heat, bright sunny days, and family barbeques. In Brazil, we don’t have a white Christmas, Jack Frost doesn’t nip on our noses, and lighting up a fire will result in a heatstroke. Some say the high temperatures melt the Christmas spirit, accompanied by the snow, but I will have to disagree.

In my family, we all gather in my great aunt’s place on the evening of Christmas Eve. While we clearly have become too crowded for the apartment, old habits die hard. So, we cram presents in the living room, a huge mountain forming under the table that supports the small, but charming, plastic pine tree.

At midnight, the all-too loud conversations—that might be drowned by the cups of beer and wine—go quiet. Cousins, who have taken refuge from our aunts in the bedrooms, are summoned by their mothers, and everyone tries to fit into the small living room. We turn the volume of a rock playlist down—because no one would dare to commit the crime of pausing an Elvis Presley song.

My uncle, by means of tradition, puts on a Santa Claus beanie and distributes the Christmas gifts. After everyone gets their presents, we kiss goodbye, and go home to get a few hours of sleep, in preparation for my great uncle’s barbeque the next day.

My typical Christmas might not be white and frosty, nor does it host the warmth of a fireplace. But, it’s filled with laughter and loud conversations. It’s warmed by all my aunts’ affections and my uncles’ jokes over a can of beer.

My Christmas is magical because of the people who I spend it with; that’s why it is my favorite time of year.

Rebecca Christopher: eventful Easter holidays

I would have to say that my favourite holiday custom came about on Easter. During Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the day is typically filled with sunrise church services and great family feasts.

One of my two favourite things about Easter is that the entirety of my family would be home, in India, to celebrate. Easter, celebrated in April, falls during the end of the school year, after the stress of exams and at the start of the summer holidays. So, we gather in a state of relaxation.

Secondly, Easter always brings forth something new. The usual early morning service is sometimes followed by a play or musical on the life of Jesus, broadcasted or hosted by my neighbourhood.

My most memorable Easter tradition was going to a sunrise service that happened at the top of a rocky hill, singing carols and listening to the sermon as the sun rose. It was such a serene atmosphere that felt homely and dreamlike. Once the service was over and the sun was fully up, I scampered uphill with my sisters and a few friends and the hike felt like a fresh start to the summer after the finals.

Since moving from India, Easter definitely hasn’t been as eventful, with most of my family still back home. But, they always share with us the holiday spirit: sharing a wish, a song, a sermon—anything to remind us to rejoice for this day. Something special is always happening during Easter.

Love is not enough

and rose-tinted. I was a naive, hopeless romantic who would pour in 100% of myself into someone who wasn’t even worthy of 2% of it. It’s like I thought love was Gorilla Glue for dysfunctional personalities.

Love lights the match, but fire dies out eventually

When I was younger, I viewed romance as this great thing that could somehow solve all of my problems, like it was the most perfect thing in the world, and that once I had my “one true love,” all the other things in my life would magically fall into place.

Upon “falling in love” (or what I viewed as love at the time), the world seemed to slow down, everything was in soft focus, hazy,

I once spent all my pocket money on buying the latest Percy Jackson book for a boy because he mentioned his parents wouldn’t let him get it. Another time, I snuck a two-page love letter smudged with purple glitter gel pens in his coat pocket. He probably didn’t even read past the second paragraph.

The culprit for my delusional, over-the-top gestures? Media. Be it books, television or music, it was all about love. All that mattered were these two people, and the amazing chemistry they had. No matter how many crazy obstacles were thrown their way, no matter how impossible it seemed, they’d always find a way back to each other. The media relentlessly marketed the idea of the great big love that always prevailed.

But eventually, and thankfully, I grew up, courtesy of being sucker-punched in the face as a result of how careless I was with my heart. I came to realise that love is not enough of a reason to choose someone as a romantic partner.

All alone, love is only good for a summer fling that you forget about by September. Once you’re catapulted into university and forced into adulthood, you’re suddenly aware of how limited your time and energy are. You’re juggling coursework, internships, all-nighters with your friends where you ponder upon the state of the world at 4am, and trying to secure somewhat of a future post-grad plan. You can’t exactly be giving everyone the time of the day and still be a “responsible” and functioning adult. As a result, you start to really think about the kind of people you surround yourself with: your friends,

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Yusuf Larizza-Ali arts@themedium.ca

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Joseph Falzata sports@themedium.ca

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Melody Zhou photos@themedium.ca

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Jia Bawa Podcast Manager

Illustrated by April Roy

Illustrated by Fabiha Ruthmila

acquaintances, hobbies you put your energy into, and what you do with your 24 hours.

Your social circle is arguably one of the most important parts of your life. Because at the end, strip away all your achievements and accolades, when you’re graying and 80, what are people going to remember? That you got a 90 on your Chemistry final in university?

Humans are inherently social people; we need each other to survive. It brings joy and meaning into our otherwise listless existence. Which is why it is so incredibly important to be picky when choosing something as important as a romantic partner. This is someone you share the deepest, most secretive, dark and dingy parts of yourself. What you don’t show to the rest of the world. This is someone you share a bed with. Someone you offer all of yourself to, and trust to cradle your fragile heart, instead of running through it with a steak knife.

This is not to say that I have a laundry list of rigid “re-

quirements” that I need to be checked off before I consider someone as a potential partner (contrary to popular belief). Personally, when I feel that tug in my stomach and first start to experience attraction to someone, I like to test out the waters to see what they are really like. What is most important to me is whether our values align. If we clash on something so fundamental, there’s no way we could sustain a healthy relationship.

I recommend watching out for:

Political views.

Anything to do with children and family. Gender roles and expectations, if that applies. The way they view toxicity. Their friends.

Who they want to be in life.

And I get it, finding out all of this information in the early stages of dating can feel intimidating—likegoing to scare the object of your desires off and have them retreat far, far away from you. But, honestly, if they are serious about

you, they would know how important these conversations are, albeit a tad awkward.

But, love isn’t a switch that you can turn on or off at your whim. Will you be able to stay in a relationship with someone, not knowing who they truly are? Knowing that if you do, you may never get married? That you’d have to compromise on something you feel strongly about? And as a result, you could very much end up resenting them for it, down the line?

Love lights the match, but fire dies out eventually. If all you chose was the heat, you’ll be left with nothing but ashes and excuses. What lasts is not the spark, but who stays to tend to it; who brings effort, alignment, and intention when the thrill dies down.

Make the active choice of choosing your partner, over and over again.

We need younger politicians

Zainab Hassan Contributor

As of November 4th, New York City, the United States, and spectators all over the world celebrate Zohran Mamdani’s win in the mayoral elections. Hopes are high that Mamdani will deliver the many promises for the people that he made during his campaign; a theoretical first for any politician ever.

Mamdani’s popularity among voters has been made incredibly evident through the $8 million dollars worth of funding he managed to collect from approximately 18,000 donors across the city, as well as the fact that voter turnout during the mayoral election has basically doubled since the last. Even Trump’s threats against New York City couldn’t prevent Mamdani’s win by almost 10%. And it should be noted that Mamdani didn’t just win the mayoral election against Cuomo, he won the Democratic primaries against him as well. For twice in a row, the underdog was picked over the “safe” choice.

It seems that, despite Cuomo’s worries about his lacking experience, Mamdani is doing fine so far.

Now let me be clear, I’m not endorsing the man. As excited as I am that he won the election, I am very well aware of the fact that he’s a politician and politicians are known for breaking promises. But he talks a good game and I—like thousands of other people around the world—am hopeful. In this political climate hope is worth a lot.

Emilia Madala Contributor

And with hope comes the urge to incite change. Zohran Mamdani, only 34-years-old, is the youngest US mayor to

be elected this century, stepping into a role we have been told is reserved for age and experience. Most official roles, in fact, have been designated to those of the “appropriate” age and experience, which seems to translate to at least 50-years of age.

But why? What great experience do our aged politicians have that puts them above the hopeful 20-and-30-yearold people wanting to hold a position in office? Is it really about experience? Or is it just the privilege of age?

As of our most recent election in Canada, 3 of the elected MPs in the House of Commons are in their 20s. Yet, the Senate’s youngest member is 51. We have evidence to prove younger candidates can gain public support and be elected for official positions, and yet society looks down on those that try, decrying them for their age. Because a shift in age is a shift in values.

It isn’t about how old someone is, you see, or how experienced they are. It’s about what they signify. Younger officials signal a cry for change. People in their 20s and 30s are sick of the status quo that keeps our current politicians comfortable. New elected officials—those who don’t have a longstanding history with the parties that are so good at disappointing us, those who aren’t entrenched in all the promises they’ve broken—would be dichotomic to the fearmongering that lingers in modern day elections. The idea that you must vote for the lesser of two (or more) evils is inherently oppositional to voting for someone new and hopeful, someone with the capacity to bring about change.

So yes, we should have younger elected officials, because who will speak for us if not ourselves. But more importantly, we should have new blood.

The forsaken G

Lily Wilkins Contributor

Why not expect a bus pass for your 16th birthday?

The holy grail of 16, the thing everyone asks you about leading up to your 16th birthday is: Do you plan on getting your license? Or something along the lines of: I imagine that you can’t wait to get your license and I remember when I first got mine! Just the usual things we all hear leading up to that anticipated day.

But, not everyone is as driven (pun intended!) to get their license the moment they open their eyes on the morning of their 16th birthday. The majority of people, when hearing that you don’t have your license, proceed to ask you why you don’t and follow that up with telling you that you have got to hurry up and get it.

A license is looked at as a necessity for every 16 year-old, and in a car centric world, it may very well be. This ideology seems to stem from people viewing driver’s licenses and cars as a practicality or status item. Status with a license takes different forms: for some people, through

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It should not be age, or partisanship, or race, or religion, that influences us to vote but the change they are capable of bringing about.

their license, get a loud car. For them, having a loud car is what makes them cool. We’ve all heard a young man in his fancy car absolutely rev the engine loudly so it can be heard everywhere.

Then there’s the practicality: having a license and a car grants the ability to get yourself around. This form of luxury—that a driver’s license entails—is highly sought after by most and is placed on a pedestal. It’s seen as the end-all, be-all because it is viewed as the predominant way to possess true “freedom.”

Think about how accessible things will be! A plethora of statements that people have continuously received. These opinions can often cause a sense of shame for those who do not have a driver’s license, especially if not immediately when one turns 16. It is a pressure shared,just as often as that dreaded do you have a partner yet? from that one prying relative.

There’s so much stigma surrounding not having a license that comes from people with licenses. There is complete disregard for the reasons as to why some people may not have a license, whether it be lack of time, lack of money, or any other roadblock. But in a carcentric society, any reasoning is often dismissed or not

Illustrated by Rojin Hajiabbasali

Illustrated by Rojin Hajiabbasali

even acknowledged. The message that everyone hears is: I don’t have my license and I couldn’t be bothered to get it. They’re not interested in hearing an explanation.

Another downside to our car centric society is that despite car accidents being the third leading cause of death in Canada, we are prone to pushing to get people behind the wheel once they are legally able to do so.

Furthermore, there is a lack of interest in exploring other ways people can travel. Like using public transit! It is more eco-friendly because it serves multiple people

Chasing stages

Avneet Kaur Contributor

at once in comparison to cars, where people do not carpool unless they are family or friends. Biking or walking is also a much cheaper and healthier alternative for people.

The skills honed by using transit are also often overlooked in this narrow scope of driving practicalities. Public transit requires good time management to ensure you reach the bus on time or even arrive early. Anyone who has taken public transit knows the run of shame you see when the bus pulls away because you got there just seconds too late. Taking public transit requires you

to keep track of your bus pass, and having money aside saved for the bus. It creates the environment to foster responsibility in all these ways that nobody seems to realise.

We have become so narrowly focused on having a license, and being able to drive a car to where we want to go. No one advises you to take public transit more often when we turn 16. No one wakes up on the morning of their 16th birthday receiving a bus pass as their gift. Maybe, we should consider that for a change!

kept it. My trophies lived in the living room until they gathered so much dust that they had to be rotated for other things. Looking back at those nostalgic moments, I can see how rare that support is and how much it matters when a child feels watched in a gentle way. My fascination with the stage came from ambition, but it was strengthened by being believed in.

As I matured, my connection with stages followed along. My dancing faded, but the words grew louder. I traded scripts for spoken word poetry, choreographies for commentary and monologues for debate speeches that echoed through packed school auditoriums. That stage became less about performance and more about communication. I was no longer just being seen, I was heard.

That shaped my academic path in ways I did not fully understand until I came to UTM.

People often question why one—deeply involved in poetry, writing and performance— would choose Criminology as a major. For me, the connection feels natural. A courtroom is in its own kind of a stage. It is a setting where voice, presence, and persuasion matter in powerful ways. The same clarity and performance I loved as a child can become a form of advocacy in real legal contexts. From freely writing, then turning them into powerful debates to developing a passion for making an impactful change in today’s world has filled an essence of the warm lights on a stage.

At UTM, I have realized that stages come in unexpected forms. A seminar where your professor asks you to defend an argument. A group project presentation in front of peers who barely know your name. A spoken word open mic with the EDSS, where the room holds the breath at the end of a poem. Even submitting articles to The Medium, something that younger me would have found absolutely petrifying, has become another version of standing under warm lights and speaking to an unseen audience.

Illustrated by Fabiha Ruthmila

Finding my voice on the stage

As children, we have all had our obsessions: dinosaurs, princesses, video games or becoming an astronaut, or something that would crack us up as young adults. Mine wasn’t a materialistic thing. It was not something that could be bought off a shelf or a dream in my head. It was a place: the stage.

I grew up chasing the spotlight the same way other kids pursued playground swings. If a school event required a narrator, I was the first to volunteer. If the yearly function required dancers, I knew the choreography before the dance teacher finished teaching it. Later, in my early teens when I discovered poetry, I treated the stage like a friend. It became a space where my words—although unsteady at first—seemed like they belonged. When debates became a part of school life, the same stage previously accommodated my pirouettes and fairytalesnow witnessed my arguments instead.

It was never the fame that I wanted,not the celebrity kind. I did not dream of interviews and red carpets. What I chased was visibility of the warm kind. I wanted to be known for my words, the work I do, to be recognized for being present, expressive, and alive.

My parents empowered the obsession, attending every school function regardless of how small it was. If a certificate had my name on it, even a simple participation ribbon, they

FEATURES

The fascination never left, it simply evolved.

Today, I am not chasing applause, but chasing impact. I still want my name to be known, but not because I stood under spotlights. I want to be known because I used my voice, whether through writing, performance, or advocacy, to say something that mattered. I want to contribute something meaningful to the spaces I enter. I want someone to feel more comforted after reading or hearing something I created.

If anything, my childhood obsessions engraved a pathway for my future that no academic counselor in this world could have. I used to believe that I love stages because they make me feel visible. Now I understand that I loved them because they allowed communication. They let me speak, shape, question, imagine, and persuade.

As I navigate my degree, my career aspirations, and my place within UTM student life, those early hobbies feel more like a foundation than just a phase. It reminds me that voice, whether spoken or written, carries power. Childhood dreams do not always get lost in the abyss. Sometimes they simply take on a new form.

The stage just looks different now, it is a classroom, a courtroom to be, an editorial page, a poem performed at a campus event. Yet, every time I put a foot into one of these spaces, the same familiar flutter returns. The same curiosity. The same fire.

Some children dream of castles or galaxies. I dreamt of a stage.

And in many ways, I am still standing on one.

Editor |

Gisele Tang

features@themedium.ca

The handbook for combatting winter blues

Audrey Thilloy Contributor

A guide for students to build energy, routine and resilience through the cold season.

For the first time in more than 5o years, the Greater Toronto Area saw its first five-plus centimetres of snow on November 9. The early snowfall may provoke many students to feel their energy levels deplete as the daylight grows scarcer and the temperatures plummet. But winter

doesn’t have to be something we survive through. With intentional practices and campus resources, it can become a meaningful season of restoration and growth.

According to Dr. Robert Levitan from the University of Toronto (U of T), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect many students during the darker months, typically peaking in late January and February. The science behind it is straightforward—reduced sunlight disrupts our circadian rhythms and serotonin levels, leaving us craving carbohydrates, sleeping more, and struggling with motivation.

The good news is that we have the power to overcome SAD. Starting our preparation now to create routines before the shortest days arrive can completely transform our experiences during the winter months.

Being present

Mornings often start with chaos—notifications, emails, and social media doomscrolling that most of us are guilty of. But the way you begin your day sets the tone for everything that follows. So, instead of letting internet noise affect your first thoughts of the day, create space for rituals that ground you.

Play your favourite playlist, light a candle that smells like comfort, or make that soothing cup of tea or coffee. Find your version of comfort and stick to it. Try to delay your first scroll until after breakfast—you would be surprised by how much more relaxing your mornings feel.

Adding movement to your morning can also energize you through the cold. Wake up a little earlier to make your bed and step outside for a short walk. The combination of endorphins, daylight and momentum can strengthen you to thrive through the greyest days.

Every habit counts

To create an energizing winter routine, it is important to focus on actions that build energy instead of draining it. Start by getting dressed in clothes that make you feel good. You don’t need elaborate outfits, just something that makes you feel true to yourself. Motivation often follows action, and feeling put-together can be the first domino that sets a productive day in motion.

As you dress well for motivation, start building the habit of tidying and organizing your living space. Don’t wait before winter fully sets in. Think of winter as the nesting season—why not create a cozy environment, where you would actually enjoy staying when it gets dark before 5 p.m.? When your space feels welcoming, the season feels less suffocating.

Follow the light, literally

When it’s freezing, soaking up daylight routinely is even more crucial. A lunchtime walk around campus, a stroll by the U of T Mississauga (UTM) nature trail, or a walk to a nearby café can dramatically boost your mood. At the very least, try to get out of your home once a day. You might not feel like it, but it will help you feel more refreshed and joyful.

Alternatively, if you can’t bring yourself to walk in the cold, both U of T’s Scarborough campus (UTSC) and the

Robarts Library at the St. George campus offer LED light therapy lamps. These aren’t just trendy wellness gadgets—they are evidence-based tools that can help regulate your circadian rhythm and boost serotonin production. Learning to unwind

Winter is nature’s invitation to slow down. Fighting this natural course only creates more stress. Instead, lean into “grandma hobbies,” which are cozy indoor activities like reading, baking, puzzles, crafts, or decorating for the holidays, which may seem trivial, but are surprisingly powerful for mental health maintenance.

On top of that, dimming your lights as evening approaches can mirror natural rhythms and signal to your body to wind down. This small shift can improve sleep quality and directly affect your well-being. Having a good sleep can make or break your academic performance and emotional resilience.

Facing writer’s block

Zainab Khalil Contribut0r

We have all experienced looking at a blank document or piece of paper for hours, not knowing where to begin—but how can we overcome that feeling of being stuck?

Struggling with writer’s block is something most have experienced. Whether you were working on a story, an essay or a research paper, it’s the same feeling—you’re staring at a blank page and frustration bubbles up as you have no idea where to begin.

Writer’s block can appear in various forms. Sometimes your mind goes blank, while other times you have multiple ideas, but you think none of them are good enough to get written down.

Staring at a blank page is arguably the most dreadful experience in writing. In creative writing, it’s often caused by the fear that your ideas are not innovative enough. And before you know it, you have been stuck for hours with nothing to show. I have had the experience of spending hours or even days, staring at one sentence, deleting, rewriting and deleting everything again.

Academic writing comes with its own unique set of struggles. There’s research to organize and rubrics to follow, making it a recipe for feeling overwhelmed. The pressure of meeting assignment requirements often puts students in a spot where they get stuck before even beginning their assignment.

Using your surroundings as inspiration

Finding the magic in the cold

Instead of asking “How do I get through winter?” ask, “What has winter offered?” This isn’t just blind positivity; it’s neuroscience. How we frame experiences shapes how our brains process them.

Winter carries a different energy than summer. There’s no better or worse season—they’re just different. Creating cold-weather traditions, such as weekly movie nights with friends, weekend café exploration, or winter photography walks to capture the beauty of bare trees and fresh snow, are great ways to help us appreciate winter’s beauty.

Practicing “weather gratitude” can also reveal the value and enchantment on even the greyest days. Try and notice how your breath fogs in the cold air, listen to the satisfying crunch of snow underfoot and take deep breaths in the stillness after a snowfall. These mindful moments can ground you in the present. Shifting your focus from complaints of the colder season to gratitude.

Count blessings, not days

To reinforce a good mindset for the winter season, try noting three things you appreciated before bed. It could be something you saw, felt, or experienced. You can also categorize this by listing academic gratitude or body gratitude.

For example, show thankfulness for having access to heated buildings, libraries, and great learning spaces. And thank your body for carrying you through the cold—it deserves kindness, not criticism. These simple acts can put into perspective how privileged we are and encourage us to make the most out of the coldest months.

Winter will arrive whether we’re ready or not, but how we move through it remains entirely within our control. Start building these routines now. When January’s long nights creep in, you’ll have a foundation strong enough—not just to survive, but to genuinely thrive.

Over time, I learned that the only way out is to push through. Staring at a blank page will never help you make progress, and waiting for inspiration to strike just doesn’t work when you have deadlines after deadlines. But writing whatever comes to your mind, regardless of whether it meets your standard of writing, can be a good way to start. Once ideas are on paper, they are ready for you to shape them into something meaningful.

The best inspiration often comes when you least expect it. It could come during a walk, pop up in a conversation, or even strike you on a bus ride when you’re not trying to think about anything in particular. Being present in your environment can also spark thoughts that later turn into insightful ideas.

The best part about writing is that you can always revise it. Unlike a blank page, which just gives you nothing to work with. If you find yourself stuck, changing your environment can also help get ideas flowing. Going to a cafe or sitting in a park can reset your focus.

A switch in your writing method might also help. Writing by hand instead of typing can help organize thoughts better. As the action of handwriting takes more time, it can help structure the cohesiveness of our ideas, which can show us a different perspective on our own writing.

Being kind to yourself

As a writer, the most important thing is to be kind to yourself. Experiencing writer’s block doesn’t mean failure. Most of the time, it means you care a lot about the work that you are producing. So take the first step, don’t be afraid to write down your random thoughts and give yourself a little encouragement, like telling yourself, “Good job, I wrote something!”

One simple idea or a seemingly random line holds the power to unlock your creativity. So just begin, and the path forward will appear. Before you know it, words will start flowing.

Illustrated by Aria Zheng

Illustrated by Sehaj Wander

Restoring the true meaning of Christmas

April Roy Contributor

Shopping, decorating and gift-giving have taken over as Christmas traditions, but what about care and connection?

When the clock strikes midnight on November 1, we all brace for all sorts of marketing schemes marking the start of the holiday season. In western society, we’ve grown accustomed to the flood of Christmas music across streaming platforms, the adornment of Christmas decorations and flashy displays of Christmas products at every store. Naturally, we are tempted to prepare for Christmas early—after all, no one wants to miss out on the Christmas sales.

Harnoor Kang, a second year student from the University of Toronto Mississauga shared her insights regarding this phenomenon. Kang, who is pursuing a Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (CCIT) major and double minor in Education Studies and Environmental Management, shared that her family often begins preparation for Christmas quite early, as she delays Christmas shopping to mid-December.

“To really soak in the festive atmosphere, we actually make a point of putting our decorations up by the last two weeks of November,” Kang said. “[It] just makes the whole house feel cozier. And it means we get to enjoy the lights and festive touches for a longer period.”

The commercialization of Christmas has its benefits. It can encourage people to spread holiday cheer and spark thoughtfulness as consumers put in effort to find the perfect gifts for loved ones. On the other hand, it has commodified these good-hearted intentions, partly through Christmas music.

When the true meaning of Christmas fizzled out

Since its release in 1994, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become a beloved Christmas classic. It speaks about the importance of quality time, rather than the materialism that comes with the holiday season. However, given its popularity and the numerous media content it has inspired, such as the “defrosting” reference, the song’s initial meaning has faded.

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Holiday shopping is also a massive culture in Western society. Stores often put up decorations and gift promotions months before Christmas. Many stores have incentives that encourage shoppers to make purchases early. For example, Shopper Drug Mart’s slogan, “Buy gifts for them, get points for you!” uses Christmas as an agenda to increase profits.

Kang expressed mixed feelings when it comes to Christmas advertising. “Some of the ads can be quite charming and even evoke a bit of that nostalgic Christmas spirit,” she said. “But then there’s the flip slide… sometimes it feels like we’re being bombarded with messages to ‘buy, buy, buy,’ which can take away the genuine meaning of the season, making it more about consumption than connection.”

Through the noise of commercialization, a once-simple yet heartwarming holiday has turned into a major cash grab. The holiday, originally meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and encourage connection, has become a stress inducer for many consumers. It might have also reassigned the value of gift-giving with a price tag.

Homemade gifts, carolling, and connecting with neighbours

Despite this culture being engraved into society, there are ways in which we can turn to more practical ways to express our love and appreciation for those who are close to us.

For Kang, one way to avoid commercialization is to focus on experiences over gifts. “Instead of buying things, maybe plan a social outing with loved ones,” she said. “Creating memories together often lasts longer (impression) than any physical gift.”

For example, although homemade gifts often cost less than store-bought presents, they can demonstrate a different level of love and care. The time and effort it takes to make something more personalized for a loved one is priceless.

“Whether it’s baking cookies, crafting something unique, or even writing a heartfelt letter, these [gifts] often carry more sentiment,” Kang said.

While commercialized Christmas music often feels tied

to shopping and holiday marketing, people can choose to appreciate it as its own musical genre rather than a trigger for consumerism. For example, Catholic celebrants might focus on religious carols that emphasize the holiday’s origins.

Christmas is often centred on quality family time. However, extending the Christmas warmth to your community can help further spread the compassion and care that Christmas embodies. Acts like making a call to a distant relative, sharing a gingerbread cookie with the children in your block, or offering to shovel your neighbour’s driveway can restore the Christmas spirit.

Kang further shared ways to make Christmas preparation a meaningful experience on its own, rather than a routine urged by societal pressure. “Be really mindful about how much time you spend shopping, and dedicate that time to non-commercial traditions instead.” She continues, “Baking, watching classic holiday movies, singing carols, or simply having quiet, quality time with family and friends can help shift the focus back to what truly matters—connection, generosity, and peace, rather than just endless spending.”

Stripping away Christmas’ fancy wrapping and price tags can help us see it as a season not to buy love, but to spread love through dedicating sincerity and care into our relationships.

Editor | Yusuf Larizza-Ali

arts@themedium.ca

Large Corporations Capitalizing Off of St. Nick

Emma Catarino

Contribut0r

Many companies produce special Christmas advertisements to promote their brands during the holiday season.

Christmas will arrive in just six weeks, much to the delight of our university students who see the holiday as a “light at the end of the tunnel” after surviving exams. This jolly season is exciting for large corporate brands, as many like to produce Christmas-specific ads as a way to capitalize off of the holiday by appealing to the festive spirit of the audience.

Coca-Cola is infamous for its association with Christmas, with Santa Claus himself returning as a temporary brand mascot every year. The company’s association with Christmas started in the 1920’s, and it was created with the intention that good-ole St. Nick would bring a yearly nostalgic and sentimental vibe to the brand which would entice consumers.

This year, Coca-Cola found a new way to raise their profits even higher: artificial intelligence. On their official YouTube channel, Coca-Cola released their annual ad called “Holidays are Coming” a few weeks back. The video comes with a footnote stating it was “created by Real Magic AI.” Public reception of AI on the whole has been negative ever since ChatGPT became popular a few years ago, and it has only gotten worse as software like Sora 2 continue getting better at creating realistic, deep-fake videos.

It’s understandable that a large corporation like Coca-

Cola would want to use AI to create their advertisements, as creating them manually would take much longer and they’d have to pay the employees who worked on the project. However, looking at the YouTube comments underneath this ad show Coca-Cola using AI in their ads is equivalent to them shooting themselves in the foot.

Many people are disgusted by the brand’s decision, saying that it’s not in the “Christmas spirit” to take jobs away from animators and artists. Others are joking that Pepsi, Coca-Cola’s rival company, is receiving free advertising from the Coca-cola ad as the public doesn’t want to support a company that proudly uses AI in their marketing.

Big name brands trying to sell their products aren’t the only ones using the Christmas holiday to garner attention for themselves. Many charities also take advantage of the spirit-of-giving to bring awareness to their causes. For example, Covenant House is famous for this quote “How young do they have to be before we give a damn?” in their ad portraying both a teenager and a baby sleeping in a bus stop during a cold Toronto snowstorm, before asking for donations. These tactics are effective, as charities (including shelters, food banks, etc) see some of their highest community engagement times around the holiday season. These Christmas ads are really beneficial, as many impoverished families wouldn’t survive the winter without donated food, gloves, scarves, blankets, etc.

Illustrated by April Roy

Illustrated by Aria Zheng

Christmas, Crosswords, and Criminals – Oh my!

Reviewing a new holiday film, A Christmas Murder Mystery (2025) which brings together the crime mystery and festive genres for a holiday packed chilling viewing experience

When browsing your favourite streaming service for the newest holiday hit, you may not be expecting crime fiction to top the list of results—but A Christmas Murder Mystery (2025), recently released on Crave, just might catch your attention. Containing many of your favourite Hallmark-style tropes, from family reunions to the development of an unexpected romance, this film hits familiar notes while bringing a new spin to its genre.

In A Christmas Murder Mystery (2025), Vera Vexley writes crosswords for the puzzle section of the Golden Gate Chronicle newspaper, but her true passion lies in her work as a part-time consulting detective. Invited to the estate of the wealthy Stirling family for the holidays, Vera is among the last people to see the head of the family, Harold Sterling alive at Christmas dinner. The suspects? Harold’s wife, children, and lawyer, each of whom was in the estate at the time of Harold’s death, and each of whom has their reasons for wanting Harold dead.

Using her puzzle-solving skills, Vera will need to interview the various members of Harold Stirling’s inner circle to uncover a motive, gather evidence, and find the killer—but she’ll have to act quick, as other members

of the family are being attacked within the walls of the estate, bringing a greater urgency to her investigation. Joined by Deputy Neal, and Harold’s most enigmatic son, Troy, Vera constructs a case theory that is sure to keep viewers guessing, jumping from suspect to suspect as new information comes to light.

Although, at its centre, the film is a predictably-plotted romp through a series of festive clichés, the odd twist and turn will keep its audience on its toes. Despite their initially one-dimensional appearances, the Stirling family’s members are full of secrets, presenting a challenge to both Vera and the film’s viewers as they struggle to solve the case. Even when they think they have it all figured out, a twist at the climax will send heads spinning.

With standout performances from both Vivica A. Fox, who plays Vera’s editor, and Morgan Bradley, who brings Vera herself to life, A Christmas Murder Mystery (2025) is sure to be a memorable entry in your Christmas movie compendium. Even in its weaker moments, when its dialogue falls flat or a joke doesn’t stick the landing, the soundtrack and atmosphere ooze with charm, bringing just the right amount of holiday cheer needed to keep its story afloat.

So, there’s no need to wait to check out this film which pairs nicely with a fireside game of Clue and a mug of hot chocolate. The holiday film A Christmas Murder Mystery (2025) can be found on Crave, ready to invite you into the Stirling family’s holiday festivities.

Deck the Halls With Bright Lights and Holiday Spirited Fun

Diana Varzideh Contributor

An overview of the Festive decorations that can be witnessed around the University of Toronto Mississauga campus

As the fall semester comes to a close and winter sets in, people around campus are finding ways to decorate their spaces with festive decorations. Several decorated trees have popped up, from the one outside of Maanjiwe Nendaemowinan to the giant tree behind Oscar Peterson Hall, decorated by the UTM Residence Services. If the holiday seasons put you in a giving mood, the library has a small mitten tree where donations of winter accessories such as gloves, scarves, and hats can be placed, as well as nonperishable foods.

There’s also a line of trees draped in lights right outside McLuhan Court, another residence. The residence buildings have a variety of decorations going for the holidays beyond their trees. Coleman Commons has strings of paper light decorations, stickers on walls, and even a make-your-own gingerbread man station on Friday. Over in Erindale, students have taken it upon themselves to decorate their common spaces, from snowflake stickers on doors to bells and mistletoe. Students on the fourth floor spent their Tuesday night hanging up wreaths and reindeer cutouts on the window of their common room. Paul Cocos, one of the decorators, explained that they were using their final community gathering of the year to add some festive spirit to their space. The students agreed that these activities help create a collaborative atmosphere, and it’s enjoyable seeing the unique ways everyone accessorises their areas.

Beyond decorating, there have been many small events held by Resident Services, encouraging students to take a break from exam preparation. One of these events was Cup of Coco at Roy Ivor Hall. The main lobby of the residence building was decorated fittingly, and students could try several festive drinks from around the world, like a dirty soda, cocoa or chai. There were also a number of smaller stands set up around the lobby for bracelet making and other crafts.

These events aren’t limited to residence either: UTM Skates recently hosted its annual indoor skating event, transforming the gym into an ice skating rink. The event was free of charge and had a host of other attractions. This included a hot chocolate stand, a snowglobe-making table, a stand where students could learn to crochet their own snowflakes, a bookmark-making station, and of course, a decorated tree.

No matter what community interests you, there will always be events to partake in if you’re interested in celebrating the upcoming holidays. However, these decorating sprees or hot chocolate drinking binges aren’t just about the holidays: they’re about bringing the UTM community together through art, entertainment, and crafts. So, grab a paper snowflake or string of lights and some friends, and get ready to enjoy your winter break!

Mia White Contributor

Illustrated by Adanna Scott

Photo Credits: Minghui Zhong, from @uoftmississauga threads

11 SPORTS & HEALTH

Eagles crowned champions for second straight outdoor season

Tyler Medeiros Associate Sports & Health Editor

UTM defeats UTSG Red in the men’s soccer final, making them the first back-to-back champions in school history.

After last weekend’s snowstorm in the GTA forced the men’s soccer finals to be postponed, the Eagles finally faced the University of St. George Red (UTSG) for the second straight year in the rescheduled final at Varsity Field.

The Eagles and UTSG Red split their series during the regular season, with both teams winning their home matches. But all that meant nothing to the two teams, and as the -2 degree Celsius wind whipped around the half-frozen Varsity Field, the Eagles were ready to prey again, but UTSG Red was determined this year they’d fight back.

Eagles fly into a first-half lead

The Eagles were on top of their opponents during the first 20 minutes of the opening half. They completed more passes, had more shots on target, and held possession in UTSG’s defensive third. Despite their domination in the opening exchanges, UTM struggled to break through a deep UTSG backline.

The deadlock was finally broken by the Eagles’ #14 Aiden Gideon, who wrapped his foot around the ball at the edge of the box and fired it past the UTSG keeper. The goal was nearly a perfect replica of his semi-final strike against UTSG Blue, and just like in the previous match, the Eagles flocked to the corner flag in a frenzied celebration.

UTM didn’t sit back with their one-goal lead but continued to attack their opponents. They substituted in their backup striker, Kacper Ambrozewicz, onto the field at the 35-minute mark in search of their second goal. Ambrozewicz was caught offside three times within a few minutes and was met with abuse from the away fans—“Watch your line!” Ambrozewicz coldly stared at the fans in response, and perfectly pinged a crossfield pass into the path of Ethan Swan and nearly gave the Eagles a brace before half. Only minutes later, Krish Chaven would double the Eagles’ lead with a scrappy goal from a corner kick.

Another two in the second

Chaven came up clutch again as he scored his second and UTM’s third goal in the game. The players and coaching staff couldn’t contain their excitement. The Eagles threw away their blankets, flew off the bench, and piled on top of the goalscorer.

The match went from bad to worse for UTSG after the third goal. Number 25 picked up his second yellow card and was removed from the game for unsportsmanlike behaviour after he brought Aidan Gideon to the ground when the ball was out of play. The gap left by #25’s absence led to the fourth goal for UTM. Aiden Gideon ran with the ball from the halfway line all the way to the edge of the box, where he squared a pass to Ethan Swan, who slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The referee had seen enough and blew the final whistle moments after the goal. The Eagles gathered together in celebration, launching their elated Coach Szabi into the air, and began chanting their victory hymns. Between outdoor and indoor seasons, the victory marked their third straight men’s soccer championship—the first three-peat in UTM’s history.

Captain Confidence

Pietro Arrigoni, UTM’s captain, gave his thoughts on what that performance meant to the squad. “The performance really came from our pride. Today, we demonstrated why we deserve to be champions.”

The Eagles were feeling the pressure before the match, but they never doubted their quality. “We found strength in one another as the unity of our group has made us so successful,” Arrigoni added.

Arrigoni was still out of breath from his team’s wild celebration on their third goal, but admitted this was something he’d never forget. “I was exhausted and barely had the energy to run to celebrate, but seeing the bench clear and all the guys hugging and celebrating made me realize just how much I value this team, this project, the opportunity to represent our amazing school in this competition, and the group of guys I have the pleasure to share these moments with.”

Photo Credits: UTM Recreation, Athletics & Wellness, Flickr

Open Court: Introducing the RAWC’s new Drop-in Wheelchair Basketball

Victoria Denis Contributor

The RAWC’s newest drop-in sports program has drawn attention from a diverse group of students, but is still looking to reach its target audience

This semester, the RAWC was proud to announce its newest offering to its Drop-In Sports lineup: Wheelchair Basketball, which would take place beside Sitting Volleyball each Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Gym C.

According to RAWC employee Nejat Mursal Moalin, Drop-in Sitting Volleyball—a version of volleyball played seated on the floor—was a bigger success than anticipated. Following this success, the RAWC decided to invest more to expand their accessible and inclusive programming. Over the summer, the department purchased 12 sport wheelchairs.

Sarah McGinn, the RAWC sport inclusion ambassador who has been facilitating this program, said that the Drop-in Sitting Volleyball, as well as Wheelchair Basketball, are open for students to try at any time. No experience or commitment is required to join.

McGinn said that the average turnout has been around 12-15 people per session. However, up until this point all participants have been people who do not use wheelchairs for their everyday lives.

McGinn noted that the most common misconception about this program is that it is only available to wheelchair users. In reality, McGinn says accessible sports are designed to be played by everyone since they put all players on an “equal, level playing field.”

“This program enables people who are in wheelchairs and people who are not in wheelchairs to play wheelchair basketball with one another. It’s a beautiful thing that brings people together,” said McGinn.

McGinn said she thinks the fact that no wheelchair users have participated yet is due to this program being in the beginning stages of development. Participation has been mainly based on word-of-mouth and spontaneity. Many of the participants who do not use wheelchairs originally joined out of curiosity after walking by the gym during a session, but many of them have been returning.

“Participation has picked up throughout the weeks,” McGinn said. “A lot of people have been coming the past two to three weeks because they enjoyed it. That’s been really fun, and with the turnout we’ve been able to run games, so it’s been more than just shooting around.”

Samm Mohibuddin, a fourth-year student and wheelchair user, said that he would be interested in participating in the wheelchair basketball drop-ins, but was not aware of it prior.

Mohibuddin said he thinks that the lack of participation from wheelchair users is due to the novelty of the program and how accessible sports are not widely marketed in general. He also noted that, from his observations, the demographic of wheelchair users on campus is not large.

According to the University of Toronto’s Fall 2024 Student Equity Census, 1432 UTM students self-identified as a person with a disability. Fifty-two of those people specified that they have a mobility disability, which in some cases may lead to using a wheelchair.

McGinn said that the department is currently working to better advertise their inclusive recreation through media. They have been shooting promotional content and are planning to update the inclusive recreation website.

Furthermore, Mohibuddin said that it is a “good step in the right direction” when nonwheelchair users participate in wheelchair sports because “it subconsciously plays in their mind, and they become more aware of accessibility challenges and barricades.”

“People don’t realize how much effort it actually takes because of the upper body strength needed,” said Mursal Moalin, who does not use a wheelchair but has tried out the activity herself.

Moreover, McGinn said some people have purposefully sought the program out after seeing it on the RAWC website’s schedule.

One student attendee was looking online for drop-in sports, and this was the only one available in this time slot. Since he usually plays volleyball, he said that sitting volleyball sounded interesting, so he decided to participate and ended up staying for wheelchair basketball until the end of the session.

This participant noted that some of the UTM drop-in sport “regulars” can create a “territorial vibe.” However, he said that the Sitting Volleyball & Wheelchair Basketball session was well facilitated, friendly, warm and welcoming for newcomers.

McGinn said that the typical game rules are similar for both sitting and standing sports, with small adjustments for accessibility. For example, in wheelchair basketball the “travelling” rule is that for every two pushes of the wheelchair, you must dribble the ball once.

Mohibuddin ended with a message to the RAWC, suggesting that they utilize the sport wheelchairs to build more opportunities and incorporate new programs in the future, such as wheelchair tennis.

Photo Credits: Sarah McGinn