duce—in a system like this, fearing failure comes almost naturally. How many times have you opened a problem set just to close it immediately because you’re “not good at math?” Even with genuine interest in the topic, we can feel paralyzed by anxiety, which translates into what seems like indolence.
But even people with no interest in perfection can look “lazy.” Maybe it’s less about fear and more about our internal state—exhaustion, burnout, or just being stretched “too thin”.
Dr. Ferrara’s blog post explains the difference between burnout and laziness, highlighting that merely avoiding productivity is not the same thing as being chronically exposed to stress. It’s practically an initiation into the University of Toronto— or university in general—to be overloaded with work.
Midterm season rolls around, and suddenly you’re growing grey hairs from your head, reminding yourself to take breaks. But you can’t afford that— it’s always go, go, go. Next thing you know, your history paper is due on the same day as your math test and you can’t bring yourself to write or study.
But can you think of a time when you weren’t tired and didn’t fear performance, and you still couldn’t finish that last minute assignment, even with all your plans right in front of you? Sometimes it’s not nerves or exhaustion, but the sheer weight of too many choices.
We’ve all been victims of overthinking, of indecision, of self-criticism. Sometimes this whirlwind of
choices and ideas can turn into T.V. static, or analsis paralysis.
When you’ve looked at the question from every which way, it’s hard, almost impossible, to decide how to go about it, to decide which way is the right way. Being bombarded by all of those ideas at once can overwhelm you, and render you unable to choose at all. This can look like quitting, or giving up, or “being lazy,” but it can feel impossible to even try when you’re in such a demanding headspace.
Maybe it’s not anxiety or fatigue or overwhelm—or maybe it’s all those things at the same time. But the bottom line is, laziness is a very catch-all term for
what is a very nuanced experience. It’s easy to just see something stationary and deem it unwilling to move, without considering whether or not it’s trying to, or what factors are intercepting its path.
So, maybe you’ll find yourself back at your desk, mug in hand, laptop open and empty. Maybe your mom will walk in and snap at you to study, or maybe that midnight due date will dance in front of your eyes, or maybe your own conscience will berate you for your paralysis. Maybe an observer would consider you lazy—but they don’t see the mental load, the fear, the indecision, or the exhaustion that has brought you here. And most of all, they don’t see the array of colourful aspirations and big ideas in your head.
STEM arrogance: Is it a justified stance?
Edwin Zhang Contributer
STEM majors are going to school to be doctors, engineers, and physicists—people who are making a lasting impact on society. So, isn’t it a good thing to be arrogant?
— The Bates Student, 2019.
There is a commonly perpetuated narrative that postgraduate humanities students often find themselves working low-wage, service industry positions that they are well overqualified for. This societal perception is dangerous, as it can serve to diminish the value of these degrees in the public eye and reinforces a supposed superiority of STEM paths, where it is assumed that graduating with a degree in those fields guarantees a high-paying role.
The opening quote reflects the justification that STEM arrogance is not only excusable but even beneficial, as these fields are seen as “real” contributions to society in contrast to humanities students. Obviously, as a humanities student myself, it is natural to say that this arrogance is unfounded. While it is hard to deny that doctors and scientists shape the infrastructure and tangible development in various health and wellness spheres, saving and improving the lives of many people worldwide, it sidelines the importance of establishing ethical frameworks and communicating these ideas well, so that these developments can be utilized to their greatest effectiveness, helping as many affected individuals as possible.
I grew up primarily around other East Asian students, where STEM is the field that most parents—who are the main deciding factor for a lot of people’s major decisions— push their children to get into. I found myself in a very different position from my peers, where my parents told me to study “what I liked” and work hard from there. There were plenty of friends of mine who showed interest in things like programming and electronics from an early age, but there were those who seemed to only be going into STEM for the sake of their parents’ or perhaps their own financial interests.
my peers, where my parents told me to study “what I liked” and work hard from there. There were plenty of friends of mine who showed interest in things like programming and electronics from an early age, but there were those who seemed to only be going into STEM for the sake of their parents’ or perhaps their own financial interests.
32% of students go into a major other than their desired one, often as a result of familial pressures. Those peers, and other students like them, reduce education to something akin to a transaction, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with this line of approach, it is undeniable that having a genuine interest in something will take you much farther in pursuing it than someone who is doing it with ulterior motives.
On average, STEM requires higher grades in university or college applications, and sometimes, even to continue in STEM studies, one needs to maintain a certain grade score. Thus, there is more of an effort required to maintain a high GPA, and while obviously a high GPA in humanities is still desirable, the requirement for such is less important.
STEM roles also often pay higher, so there is more demand and competition, especially if we remove those who are studying their major out of passion, and so we would find that people who pursue their program for future financial stability would lean towards STEM roles. I do not believe that this culture is very healthy.
The GPA thresholds and competition within STEM programs can also create a system of stress and elitism, where you are almost discouraged from sharing information with your peers. This negative environment can lead to feelings of loneliness and potentially further burnout. While this happens to a certain extent in humanities programs, there is less of a focus on competition and GPA scores, and so the environment is oftentimes friendlier.
STEM students who express this arrogance also fail to address the different skillsets required for humanities students. I’ve attended friends’ Engineering lectures and found myself completely lost from the very moment that the professor opened his mouth. Likewise, STEM friends have come into my lectures and didn’t seem very engaged with the material. It certainly makes sense to me that STEM students and humanities students are not engaged with each other’s material. They are very different in nature, and it is their different natures that require knowledge of them both in many different big governing decisions. Even the work we do is very different. I’m often reading dozens of papers for a single research paper, and they’re committing difficult mathematical concepts to memory.
Each discipline has its unique understandings and difficult aspects. Arrogance is formed when one group believes their skillset or work is more valuable, rather than
Illustrated by April Roy
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acknowledging that society functions on a variety of different expertise, both technical and non-technical. However, in my personal experience and in the experience of some of my
Style, scam, or scheme?
Zainab Hassan Contributer
A critical analysis on the rise of minimalism as an aesthetic
Trends and aesthetics seem to rise and fall as frequently and as unpredictably as Ontario weather, but one that keeps persevering is minimalism.
The clean girl aesthetic: the no makeup makeup look, the way most new apartments are all sleek and white and colourless, Garage’s total rebrand, my inability to find a single maxi skirt with patterns and frills. Everywhere I look, I see monochrome and the death of individuality.
Now, PSA: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with following trends. They’re fun, they can be interesting, and experimentation is never a bad thing. But for God’s sake, six people wearing the exact same black leggings, white shirt, and slick back bun, pushes it.
And it’s not just visual aesthetic that minimalism is invading. Our recipes too—you now have your three ingredients, low carb, low gluten, low everything. You have your “Come Declutter With Me” videos, your “Underconsumption Core”, and the new rise of “Cringe Culture.”
You also have the it’s not “that” deep movement. But Zainab, that’s not minimalism! Sure it is.
Today’s definition of minimalism has taken on the mean ing of
friends, it is clear that neither expertise is “easy.” No matter what, an effort is required to succeed in undergraduate and graduate institutions, and those who fail to recognize this are truly misled and failing to see the bigger picture.
Arrogance in STEM often stems from disillusioned beliefs that their roles in society will be more impactful, and certainly, their contributions can often be more tangible. However, this dismisses the intellectual contributions that humanities studies can bring, which, in combination with practical application, can combine to create balanced frameworks to better society as a whole.
At the end of the day, we are all students who strive to do good work for society, and there should be no resentment or arrogance between peers studying different things but working towards similar goals.
malism as “a style […] that is characterised by extreme spareness and simplicity”. And it has infiltrated everything.
We say “it’s not that deep” to remove the deep, complicated meaning behind media, reducing it to surface level simplicity. Why dig deep for meaning when we can just accept the simple surface? Why prescribe meaning? Why think? Minimalist aesthetic embraces minimal thinking.
Minimalism has reduced everything about ourselves: our thoughts, our foods, our interests, our curiosity, our experimentation, our sentimentality. And the reason it has become so insidious is because it packages itself so reasonably.
Minimalism styles itself as the “correct” way—clean, refined, and encouraging a healthy, affordable lifestyle. Of course, we should be hygienic, we shouldn’t hoard or clutter, we should eat healthy. Of course, we should reduce overconsumption habits. Anyone would agree to this; I do!
But minimalism takes it so very far, and you have to wonder why. My theory: it is a mass social manipulation. Let me explain.
First, our economy—arguably, the world’s economy—isn’t doing great. And what better way to encourage people to not only adjust to this, but actively ignore it, than to encourage the aesthetic of simplicity and “under-consumption?” If we think that we’re purposefully centering our lives around “essentials only” and “under-consumption,” we won’t realise there’s nothing to consume because companies aren’t providing us with what we need. And when you stop realising, you stop caring.
Furthermore, it’s easier for companies to make “minimalist” clothing and items, for cheaper and sell them for higher prices. And you go along with it because you think “that’s just what’s in style!” I think that they’re practically scamming you. Anyone would agree to this; I do!
But minimalism takes it so very far, and you have to wonder why. My theory: it is a mass social manipulation. Let me ex-
First, our economy—arguably, the world’s economy—isn’t doing great. And what better way to encourage people to not only adjust to this, but actively ignore it, than to encourage the aesthetic of simplicity and “under-consumption?” If we think that we’re purposefully centering our lives around “essentials only” and “under-consumption,” we won’t realise there’s nothing to consume because companies aren’t providing us with what we need. And when you stop realising, you stop caring.
Furthermore, it’s easier for companies to make “minimalist” clothing and items, for cheaper and sell them for higher prices. And you go along with it because you think “that’s just what’s in style!” I think that they’re practically scamming
And the more you conform, the easier it is to pick up on whoever doesn’t and target them. Which, arguably, is what we’ve
Illustrated by Fabiha Ruthmila
Illustrated by Sehaj Wander
Illustrated by Fabiha Ruthmila
already been doing. Hello Cringe Culture, the decimation of fandom spaces, and the raging increase in all types of bigotry. And of course, the act of minimalism can also be an attack on other cultures, to shame them into assimilating to a Western artistic movement, to make them look desirable.
Look, I’m not saying the idea of minimalism is inherently bad or even started out with bad intentions. Nor am I claiming that maximalism and other aesthetics are dead:
Features
they’re alive and can be found in many alternative communities and global cultures.
But, there is a very obvious campaign happening that is pushing us towards both the assimilation and acceptance of a world that is becoming less accommodating for us to live in, let alone thrive in, and to do so without complaint. And it’s working.
Every day, the list of things that lead to dangerous pipelines grows longer and longer. Perhaps, we should start considering if minimalism needs to be added to the list.
Building sustainable communities beyond and on campus
April Roy Contributor
Chances are, you’ve seen the pop-ups from Regenesis UTM around campus. But do you know who they are, and what they do?
At the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), just a couple of steps away from the Student Centre, you’ll find yourself at Regenesis UTM—a student-focused environmental organization, behind the produce food markets and free thrift store pop-ups you might have spotted around campus.
In an interview with The Medium, Christina Casciaro, director of Regenesis UTM, explains how these events and the organization extend far beyond their face value. Goals and purpose
When asked about the purpose of Regenesis UTM, Casciaro shared that the “main goal is to empower students as initiators of change. And we also focus on real, comprehensive and practical initiatives to make our campus and community a more suitable place.”
The core values and objectives of Regenesis UTM are reflected in their events and organizational design. Casciaro stated, “Regenesis aims to address equity, accessibility, city and community well-being.” These values are shown through the bilingual feature of the organization’s website.
“Since we are a Canadian organization, and we want to continue to expand, there’s that accessibility piece,” said Casciaro. “We also believe that environmental awareness shouldn’t be limited to one language. So, by making this [the website] bilingual, we can make sure that more people can engage with us and understand our content.”
Behind the scenes of Regenesis UTM events
Regenesis’s food markets and thrift stores work to make necessities accessible to students at fair prices. The club credits the success of these events in gaining traction for the club with other parties as well.
For example, products for the Regenesis food market are ordered through FoodShare, which sources from the Ontario Food Terminal. These platforms have enabled Regensis UTM to buy good-quality products in bulk without sacrificing its commitment to sell at affordable prices.
On the other hand, all items from Regenesis UTM’s pop-up thrift store are donated, mostly from students. Those who donate are allowed to take up to five items, while those who don’t can take up to three items. This pop-up encourages students to play an active role in practical sustainability opportunities.
Most events hosted by the club take place at UTM’s Student Centre. By situating itself in this hot spot on campus, the club has been able to encourage more students to partake in environmentally friendly actions. Through this process, the UTM Students’ Union (UTMSU) has supported Regenesis UTM in various ways, such as allowing the club to book spaces without restrictions on what initiatives can occur.
Beyond the environmental field
Many might have the misconception that Regenesis operates only within the environmental realm. However, Casciaro explained, “It is not just about protecting nature, but more so about creating systems where students can be engaged with supporting the planet.”
One way Regenesis supports students is by providing access to experiential education opportunities in fields such as accounting and communications. These initiatives are designed to bring together diverse skill sets and areas of expertise to help build an environmentally friendly community. In addition, Regenesis addresses both social and environmental concerns, recognizing that everyday issues—such as food affordability—carry important social as well as environmental implications.
Striving to expand, with the dream of creating a bigger impact Regenesis not only works to transcend barriers on campus, but between campuses as
well. Aside from being a tri-campus organization in all three University of Toronto campuses, Regenesis also has chapters in other universities, such as York University and the Toronto Metropolitan University.
Casciaro shared, “Each campus location operates separately with its own way of running things in terms of an executive team and staffing.” However, she explained that all chapters are supported by the overarching Regenesis Canada. The expansion of Regenesis across several university communities has served to create a wider reach. While the organization is currently focused on Ontario, Quebec and the West Coast, Regenesis hopes to expand beyond Canada and eventually to the U.S. In terms of the potential and power that the UTM chapter holds, Casciaro said, “Being at UTM means that we can tap into many different student communities and be able to expand our member base.”
While Regenesis UTM does not often directly interact with other chapters, it collaborates with many UTM organizations for events and activities. For example, it is currently partnering with the UTM Sustainability Office for BikeShare—a program designed to create affordable and sustainable access to transportation.
Upcoming events
Driven by their passion for the environment, Regenesis has planned many events for the upcoming months. Students can look forward to events like the Repair Cafe, Indigenous hike, natural paint-making workshop, and beauty workshop.
The repair cafe will be a Halloween-themed event. What’s exciting is that it will potentially be partnered with UTM Fashion for participants to make homemade costumes. The Indigenous hike may also be hosted with the Student Association of Geography and Environment, while the beauty workshop, which provides the opportunity to create beauty products with homemade and sustainable, eco-friendly packaging, is funded through an Ocean Wise government grant.
Not to forget, their free thrift store pop-ups will continue every month, with the Regenesis food market running every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Limitless opportunities
Beyond the on-campus initiatives it offers for students, Regenesis UTM also has special opportunities for its executive and general members. An example is their Eco Leaders program. Through its requirement of 120 volunteering hours, the program provides the space and time for members to foster leadership skills and develop experience in project management. The biweekly training sessions for the program cover grant writing, outreach, communications, and more. Beyond that, executives also have an opportunity to earn their spot in a free retreat, which works to build workplace and leadership skills.
If you’re still not persuaded by the benefits of joining the organization, Casciaro’s personal story might just convince you. Having joined Regenesis UTM in her third year of university, Casciaro has found her experience fulfilling and empowering, where seeing Regenesis UTM’s development felt like a personal success to her.
Editor | Gisele Tang features@themedium.ca
Photo Credits: Melody Zhou
The Entertainment Value of Therapy Dogs With Dino
Yusuf Larizza-Ali Arts & Entertainment Editor
Paws and Picnic, a summer UTM event showed a combination of picnic and dog games to create an entertaining experience.
Studentlife can be stressful with hecticly balancing studies, work and squeezing in leisure activities. Therapy may not initially come to mind as a leisure activity but there is an event at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) that takes therapy and turns it into a fun activity with the help of the campus’s own licensed therapy dog, Dino. Dino has been around the campus offering services such as one-on-one dog therapy appointments, attending events, and has his own Instagram page.
However this past summer Dino started a new event called “Paws and Picnic” (or previously “Paws and Unwind”). The event is run by April Forbes, a Career Outreach Consultant at the UTM Career Centre and Dino’s owner. When asked about why she started the event, April mentioned both she and Dino wanted to spend time in the warm weather during the spring and summer terms. She also wanted to create an informal setting for students and faculty to connect. April spoke further on the inspiration saying that she met a student who had her own therapy dog and saw its appeal as students gathered around to pet him.
She had gotten a rescue dog, Dino, who was 1 years old and very well trained, hoping to get him certified as a therapy dog. She also runs one-on-one therapy dog appointments for students through the Careers Centre and has said, “these drop ins are more than just petting a dog, they are about creating a safe community where career conversations are normalized, encouraged and supported by the
different voices in the room.”
I have first hand experience with “Paws and Picnic” and how it functions as a form of entertainment. I started attending the event daily during the summer after seeing it advertised on Instagram. The event typically occurs outdoors on picnic blankets and involves socializing, treats, petting Dino and playing games such as fetch with him. While Dino is a certified therapy dog, I came to realize he has entertainment value as well.
Apart from fetch, he also brings chew toys and it’s always funny to see his reaction when another dog is in sight. For me personally, since Dino is trained, he is much quieter than most dogs and that gives me an easier time around him. As such, students can feel more connected to him without feeling intimidated and more compelled to play with him. I noticed that occasionally, Dino would eye either my food or the treats brought in, but in both cases there was less worry and even humor to be found in the situation.
The social aspect of these events was also appealing. With Dino as the focus, people reminisced about his charm and compared him to their own pets. Even non-pet people like me can find enjoyment in Dino’s antics or the picnic atmosphere. Whether you’re there for the picnic, socializing or Dino himself, he is the official star of the event and shows the entertainment value of therapy dogs.
The New Collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery
Aqeel Shahid Ullah Contributer
Illustrated by Shanna Wong
Examining the new art pieces donated to the VAG and the history of their artist
The Vancouver Art Gallery was recently gifted a staggering 23 art pieces by Haida artist Guud san glans Robert Davidson. The works were created over a period of three decades by one of the most impactful Canadian artists and were contributed by TELUS CEO Darren Entwistle, who stated that each piece presented insight into what Davidson calls a “contemporary-traditional” aesthetic that has lasted many years. Born in Alaska in 1946, Davidson hailed from a family of renowned artists, including his grandfather Charles Edenshaw, a respected Haida artist whose works were displayed even during a time when Haida culture was discriminated against by the government. As an infant, Davidson and his family relocated to the Haida village of Masset, located on a group of islands known as Haida Gwaii, where he grew up before moving to attend high school in Vancouver in 1965. Just one year later, he became the
apprentice to famed Haida carver Bill Reid and after four years, he created and lifted the first totem pole on Haida Gwaii in almost ninety years.
The style of Davidson’s works incorporates both Western and Haida history, displaying an intersection of artistic views from different cultural backgrounds. While his early works tended to be symmetrically composed, Davidson began moving past this style during the early 2000s, as seen in the works donated to the Vancouver Art Gallery. An example of this artistic evolution is the painting Halibut Halibut Halibut, which was originally created in 2000 and seems to present three halibuts. Davidson describes halibuts as a “mysterious creature,” due to the way they live while hugging the ground, which made Davidson wonder if it was possible to get any closer to the earth. He initially sketched the image to contain a single Halibut but later added an additional two, stating that just one “seemed a bit stingy.”
Davidson’s works during this period display a shift and evolution of his artistic style, which can be observed in the works donated to the gallery. His art in the early 2000s incorporated a more diverse use of form and colour, as seen in the aforementioned Halibut Halibut Halibut and the painted drum Second Variation on Tri Neg Drum, which was created in 2001 and was also among the pieces donated
Later, during the mid-2000s, he gravitated towards a more minimalist and abstract style while still being rooted in the Haida visual language, focusing more on individual shapes, bigger figures and two-tone palettes, as seen in works like Chief of the Underworld (2006) and Sea Anemone (2008). Davidson’s recent pieces indicate an ongoing fascination in thorough and symbolic expression in a smooth and vivid style, as depicted in works like Whimsical and Whirlpool Kwaa K’iilee (both 2018) and most emphasized in Driving Killer Whale (2019), which combines the simplicity of traditional minimalisation with the intricacy of Davidson’s ever-growing style.
For many people, this is not just a collection of art pieces, but a living record of growth, narrative and composition from a leading figure in the resurgence of Haida culture and art. Through the Vancouver Art Gallery and other institutions displaying his work, Davidson’s legacy will be immortalised as an important landmark of Haida art history.
Photo Credits: April Forbes
12Sports & Health
Editor | Joseph Falzata sports@themedium.ca
Eagles fall short in season opener, bounce back in second match
(contd. from Page 01)
Tyler Medieros Associate Sports & Health Editor
Rashid also expanded on her side’s pregame strategy and thoughts on the match.“Before the game, the coach emphasized working cohesively, meaning we all had to contribute defensively or offensively as we all had a role in plays regardless of our position. Because it was the first game of the season…the main goal was to learn about our strengths and weaknesses in a game situation. Coach Krista and Mackenzie also mentioned that they would be playing us in a range of different positions.”
A week later, the women were looking for all three points after a hard-fought draw. The Eagles conceded early on in the first half, but did not lose hope. “We kept our heads up, which I am proud of,” said veteran defender Ally Adamo. The women ended up losing the match 2-0, leaving them winless in their first two matches of the season.
Adamo spoke after the game about her team’s performance. “I think that the girls played well. We started out a little rough first half, unable to control the middle, but we changed our formation for the second half, so we had more control.” When asked about
expectations for the rest of the season, Adamo stated that she was “definitely optimistic.”
“We played better than the last game,” she stated. “We have to focus on finding each other on the field. We were playing aimless balls at times. We need to look for feet.”
UTM men crumble in opener, pick up big win in second match Pressure was on for the Eagles as they were determined to continue their undefeated streak into the new season. The men set up in what looked to be a 4-3-3 formation, with the right back and left back looking to make overlapping runs when UTM were in possession.
The Eagles came flying out for the start of the match. They were aggressive in the air, strong in their tackles, and unwilling to lose possession. The fast start coincided with three shots on target within the first three minutes of the match. The UTSG goalkeeper pulled off some fine short-distance saves. Clearly unhappy with the opening few minutes, Blue decided to make two early substitutions to freshen things up. It was only a few minutes after the changes that UTSG were awarded a penalty shot after a handball from UTM. There was a hush in the crowd as UTSG number 10 stepped up to the spot, but UTM’s keeper Sami Mohaisen came up clutch with a big save to his right.
At the 20th minute mark, UTM’s Number 19 looped an effort over the keeper that nestled into the back of the net and left UTSG Blue stunned. This would be the last good news for the Eagles as UTSG made four substitutions within the opening 20 minutes of the second half which changed the game’s momentum. The Blues scored in the 70th minute with a right-footed strike outside the box, and added another 2 goals within six minutes. The UTM players and coaching staff had no idea what had just hit them. They were left with 10 minutes to find two goals to tie the match and three to walk away victorious. Despite a few efforts on goal, the Eagles couldn’t find a way through a resolute UTSG defence. UTM Captain and Number 10, Pietro Arrigoni, was visibly furious with himself and his team in the dying moments of the match. He picked up a yellow card for dissent as he pushed an opposition player with two hands onto the ground. A week later, the men were hoping for all three points against their rivals UTSG Red. Despite an unsuccessful opening match, Head Coach Szabi Bozosky and Assistant Coach Kevin Iyamabo kept their formation the same for Gameweek 2.
UTM’s central attacking midfielder Number 18 created the first big chance of the match. He dribbled past a couple of defenders
Fighting stress with horses and dogs
Sehr-Fatima Aslam Contributor
Understanding the impact of CPTSD on student life and examining how animal-assisted therapy can help
“I can’t handle this.”
“Things will never get better.”
“No one can be trusted.”’
These aren’t just passing thoughts — they’re the daily reality for many living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
For those with Complex PTSD (CPTSD), the pain runs even deeper. Unlike PTSD, which often stems from a single traumatic event, CPTSD develops from ongoing, repeated trauma, often beginning in childhood.
CPTSD: A Breakdown
The impact of CPTSD can linger for decades through feelings of fear, shame, addiction, fractured relationships, and a constant sense of being “behind” in life. For students balancing academic pressure, jobs, and personal challenges, untreated trauma can make university feel overwhelming, even impossible. This is especially true, when symptoms begin creeping up in early adulthood, where many are beginning their academic journey and don’t even know they have this diagnosis and why they are suddenly struggling and cannot keep up with peers.
While PTSD is widely known, CPTSD is less understood. It often develops in people who grew up in unsafe homes, where abuse, neglect, or loss was a daily reality. Researchers measure these experiences through the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) questionnaire. The higher the score, the greater the risk of depression, heart disease, addiction, shortened life expectancy, and even decreased attainment of higher education.
Students with high ACE scores may find themselves struggling not only with mental health but also with trust, focus, and belonging. What looks like procrastination or “burnout” can, in fact, be the body responding to trauma.
At the University of Toronto (UofT), the challenge can be magnified. UofT is known for its intensity: long hours, competitive grading, and an institutional culture that prizes academic achievement above al-
until he was pulled down to the ground by a UTSG defender. The defender received a yellow card for the shirt pull, and UTM were awarded a free kick. UTM struck first with a left-footed shot from number eight. The ball made its way through the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net sending UTM up 1-0 going into the break.
The second half kicked off with a bang after a 15-minute break for both sides. UTSG captain number 21 was elbowed to the ground by number 13 on UTM. The captain got up and said to his opponent, “I’m gonna f*ck you up, number 13.” The referee immediately blew his whistle, jogged over to the captain, and showed him a yellow card. The UTSG captain approached the referee further. “He’s being an idiot ref.” The UTSG coach used the next stoppage of play to substitute his captain out of the match.
With just 20 minutes left in the game, UTSG were desperate for the equalizer. UTM did everything they could to not concede, wasting time putting the ball back into play on multiple occasions. This led to the referee saying, “Don’t give me a reason to give you a yellow for delaying the restart.” Ironically, UTM were awarded a penalty shot just moments later. Number 10 on UTM stood over the ball and made it 2-0 with a strike into the bottom left corner. The referee blew the final whistle a few minutes later giving the UTM tri-campus sports program its first win of the school year.
UTM’s Captain speaks after first win
After their first hard-fought win of the season, UTM’s Captain Pietro Arrigoni commented on his team’s performance.”I thought it was a great game, we had great discipline. We could have finished some more chances and put away the game early, but I can’t complain.” UTM had multiple goal-scoring opportunities denied by the UTSG keeper. Arrigoni was also questioned on the referee’s involvement throughout the match, “He handled the game pretty well. There’s some subjective stuff that, in my view, he could’ve done better on, but I’m not overly concerned with that because we still came away with the win.”
With one win and one loss under his team’s belt, Arrigoni remains confident of his squad’s chances this season.
“We have a tough game against Scarborough next week. They’ve shown that they are a good team with strong performances against us last year. Off the highs of the strong win today, we can carry the momentum into the rest of the season.”
Check out the men’s and women’s schedules and come support your Eagles at home and on the road.
most everything else. For students with CPTSD, that culture can feel especially punishing.
When mental health is treated as secondary to grades and research, students may internalize the belief that their struggles are personal failures, not systemic issues. Instead of being met with compassion, many feel like they are “falling behind” compared to peers. This mindset only deepens the shame and hopelessness already tied to trauma.
The Potential Role of Equine and Dog Therapy
Equine therapy has been studied as an adjunct treatment for PTSD. The PTSD Association of Canada highlights how horses’ powerful electromagnetic field and calm rhythms can regulate human emotions, lowering stress and building trust. One pilot study even showed significant reductions in anxiety and trauma symptoms in first responders after just eight weeks of equine-assisted therapy.
Not every campus can offer horses,but some, like UTM, have introduced weekly dog therapy sessions. Research suggests animal-assisted therapy reduces cortisol, boosts mood, and helps students reconnect socially. For someone with CPTSD, these moments of relief aren’t just comforting; they can be life-saving.
CPTSD isn’t rare. It often hides behind addiction, academic struggles, or “bad attitudes.” It shapes how students show up in classrooms, friendships, and jobs. By expanding access to alternative therapies like equine programs, therapy dogs, or simply more trauma-informed campus care staff, universities like UofT could better balance their academic intensity with real pathways for nurturing talent and potential.
