BURST Magazine Spring 2019

BURST MAGAZINE

BURST

SPRING 2019 ISSUE 2

CHANGE

CHANGE

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TABLE OF

Editor’s Letter By Alexseñia Ralat 2

Walking Into College By Nephertiti Valle 12–13 Changing How You See Change By Kaytlin Jacoby 14–15

Blow Off Class 101 By Breanna Beck 3–4

Self-Care: A Hidden Superpower By Erica Mooney 5–7

Here’s a Thought for the Single People By Kathryn Coffey 8–9 A Self-Love Odyssey By Rebekah Icenesse 10–11

From Cringe to College By Rory Arnold 16–19

Stamps for Social Change 20–21

How Can We Be Better Feminists By Alexseñia Ralat and Kathryn Coffey 22–27 A Warning Against the Unwelcome Eye By Matt Nalefski 28–29 Sorry Not Sorry By Ashley Brown 30–32 Loose Change By Chelsi Jones 33–35 Shifting the System By Athena Pajer 36–37 How Climate Change Will Change You By Nicole Scott 38–41 Find a Way or Make One By Dannika Beedle 42–44

Editor-in-Chief: Alexseñia Ralat Associate Editor: Kaytlin Jacoby Assistant Editor: Erica Mooney Copyeditors: Kathryn Coffey, Matt Nalefski,Tressa Rudolph Writers: Rory Arnold, Breanna Beck, Dannika Beedle, Ashley Brown, Kathryn Coffey, Rebekah Icenesse, Kaytlin Jacoby, Chelsi Jones, Erica Mooney, Matt Nalefski, Athena Pajer, Alexseñia Ralat, Nicole Scott, Nephertiti Valle Designers: Allison Brannon, Ian Davison, Caitlyn Galloway, Stephen Gardner, Delphine Iragena, Jacob Lakin, Adam Macke, JustinTaylor, Carrie Thompson Faculty Editorial Advisor: Dr. Julie Bates Faculty Design Advisor: Professor Jessa Wilcoxen 1

Change is something that we as students experience almost constantly. It comes in many forms whether that be from joining a new club, changing your major, or making new friends. Change is a constant.

We are currently going through a portion of our lives in which we will be experiencing the most change.

We’re putting ourselves out into the world for the first time, we’re starting to enter the workforce. We’re figuring out what we want to do for the rest of our lives, and believe me when I say that we are probably not going to get it right the first time. Now is the time to learn about yourself and who you want to be.

That’s why this issue of BURST focuses on change in its many forms. Those forms could be changing the way you love yourself, how you save money, or how to be a better feminist.

Check out the great Millikin student writing in this issue, which challenges you to look back on where you’ve come from, maybe cringe a little at who you were in middle and high school, and reflect on where you find yourself now. Are you where you wanted to be a year ago? Many of us are not, but that’s not a bad thing. Unimaginable factors have played a role in our lives and steered us into places we couldn’t have predicted we would be. These places might be better than what we planned. Or these places might just be different. A year ago I was an editor for The Decaturian, before that I was Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper.

Now I’m the Editor-in-Chief for a brand new student-run magazine, which is something I never could have imagined for myself. Life is full of nice surprises like that.

It’s important to realize that nothing, and I do mean absolutely nothing, lasts forever. Who and what you are today will not be the same a year from now. What’s important to remember is that we’re young, we’re going to make mistakes, and none of them will be the end of everything. We’re just figuring things out as we go and learning our places in the world. Change is going to happen. We can’t avoid it. All we can do is prepare ourselves for the things that it brings with it.

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MILLIBITS

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Changing your mindset to make the most of your “BLOW OFF” class

BY BREANNA BECK

After five long years of college, I am finally graduating. I have been on the rollercoaster of working hard and hardly working this entire journey. As I wrap up my bachelor’s degree, I only have one requirement left to meet: credit hours.

While complaining to my peers about trying to decide what courses I needed for my last semester, I was offered the same, simple solution.

Take a “blow off” class.

They recommended taking freshman-level classes in art, writing, or science.

As college students, most of us have taken a few of the classes that would fall into the category of freshmanlevel classes. If you’re on the hardly working part of the journey, it always comes as a shock at the end of the semester when you’re awarded a D in your easy-A class.

What went wrong? Not taking the class seriously.

Now the class that was supposed to be a GPA booster has brought your GPA way down.

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What can be done to get back on the right track and earn that A you now desperately yearn for?

Barry Long, an adjunct professor at Richland Community College, says, “[One way] to help students is to look at the big picture instead of maybe the one class that you don’t feel like that you want to take. They don’t understand why humanities, or the social sciences or communication classes are important. So, I try to paint a picture of all of the classes and how they all tie in together.” I agree that the further along you go, the more the pieces of your education all fit together. I personally have noticed that I can find a way to incorporate something from my major in each one of these “blowoff” classes.

Now that you can see the bigger picture, what else can you do?

Think ahead. Dr. Melissa Scircle, a

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psychology professor at Millikin University, says, “Some classes will be easier than others no matter what—they probably aren’t the same classes for all students. I think taking classes that interest you and seem applicable to what you want to do after college is the most important thing, even if it’s going to challenge or change you. Maybe especially if it’s going to challenge or change you.

Try to find the angle in the material that will help you after the class is over.” Although sometimes it doesn’t feel possible, there is always a way to make your class relatable to life outside of the classroom and outside of the university. If you think ahead when planning what courses to take in upcoming semesters, you will have an easier time relating it to what you have learned and are currently learning, which in turn will influence what you will continue to learn.

There can also be life lessons learned in these classes. If it wasn’t for a 100-level art class, I still would probably be failing as a business student and going to school for something I didn’t like. I realized if I couldn’t be passionate about my major like I was about a class that only counted for gen eds, then I must be doing something wrong.

Applying yourself, taking in as much information as possible, and being open-minded about the importance of the class are what will help most when going for that easy A.

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BY ERICA MOONEY

SELF-CARE: A HIDDEN SUPERPOWER In college, self-care might not make your priority list. But your mental state isn’t the only thing that benefits from setting aside time for yourself.

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ive major assignments are all due tomorrow, but it’s Mother’s Day, and you have plans tonight.You have two organizational meetings and a few hours of work to tackle before you can relax.You’re shocked and horrified when you look in the mirror—your hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in five days, your skin is riddled with pimples, and the bags drooping under your eyes are highly indicative of the three hours of sleep you received last night. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re stressed and weighed down by the pressures of your daily life. But Millikin junior Alexis Reed and many experts can tell you that making time for yourself is essential to productivity and happiness.

Reed is a typical Millikin University student who has come to understand the value of time management and self-care. She juggles eighteen credit hours and two jobs while also

participating in Millikin University’s cheerleading squad. Considering the intense demands of all her responsibilities, it comes as no surprise that self-care provides her some relief.

As an athletic training major and a wellness coach at the Decatur YMCA, Reed feels a passion for taking care of her mind, body, and soul.

For Reed, the gym is her primary outlet of choice for selfcare. “After doing a hard workout, I feel more focused and ready to do my schoolwork,” she says. In her case, the act of exercising helps her academically because it minimizes her stress and clears her mind so that she is able to better concentrate. Research from Harvard Medical School supports her point of view, claiming that exercise can lead to higher brain functioning. The May 2013 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch states that exercise is

“an excellent way to protect and enhance brain health.” Reed is only one of many people who will endorse this statement.

While exercise sounds like an ideal form of self-care, you might struggle to fit it into your hectic schedule. “The key is getting yourself into a steady routine,” Reed shares.

“I recommend picking a set time to go in every day and sticking to it as much as possible.” Reed emphasizes that it may be difficult in the beginning, but once you make a conscious effort to maintain your routine, surviving it becomes a lot easier. And if you don’t have much time to spare in your busy day, she recommends High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), which allows you to make the most of a short workout.

Ultimately, the rewards of regular exercise are immeasurable, but other methods of self-care are available to you as well. It’s simply a 5

matter of personal preference, and you should find the form that works best for you. Whether you like to unwind with a face mask, music, reading, or a hot bath, it’s important to take time for you.

Research and individual testimonies support this fact, and they have proven time and again that self-care decreases stress levels and contributes to improved work and school performance. If you move studying for that big anatomy test to the backburner briefly, your peace of mind will thank you for it. Mental health should always come first, and nurturing your body and brain can even ensure that you earn a higher score on your test than if you hadn’t practiced self-care. So next time you feel the stress looming over your head like a black cloud, press the pause button and separate yourself from the obligations for a little while.

HIIT: What Is It?

THREE ROUNDS of HIIT:

Do twenty seconds of work and ten seconds of rest for each round.

1. JUMPING JACKS

2. BURPEES 3. DEEP SQUATS

4. PUSH-UPS

High intensity interval training is a form of exercise that usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Most of the workouts do not require any equipment, and you can do them in the comfort of your own home. The exercises are usually extreme, though, and you will definitely feel the burn shortly after beginning. Fortunately, these programs allow you a brief resting period in between the spurts of highly demanding activity.

At right is one example of a typical HIIT workout that you might try to get started.

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BURST TA K E A H I N T A N D D O H I I T

I

Say hello to HIIT, a kind of exercise that is quickly gaining popularity—and for good reason.

magine a form of exercise that you can do anywhere (seriously!) and that only lasts ten minutes. It may seem too good to be true, but the reality is that High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is rapidly changing the way Americans exercise. Whether you have a brief window of time before you need to leave your home in the morning or you’re relaxing during a short break at work, HIIT can offer you the same benefits—or more—than a longer workout. As people learn about the rewards of HIIT, they are leaving their old habits in the dust in exchange for a substantially more practical option.

Hannah Buenting, a personal trainer in Decatur, Illinois, is no stranger to HIIT and all of its advantages. HIIT exercises comprise a large portion of her personal workouts, and they appear frequently during her personal training sessions. “The great thing about HIIT,” Buenting shares, “is that it’s quick. A lot of people find it hard to maintain an exercise routine because they simply don’t have the time or the motivation. But with HIIT, you can be done in ten minutes as opposed to an hour.”

The brevity of HIIT is certainly appealing, but the payoffs don’t end there. As Buenting explains, HIIT works perfectly if you want to lose weight but not muscle. Due to the 7

design of HIIT exercises, you’ll burn more body fat and calories than you would from running at a steady pace, and you won’t have to worry about losing muscle mass in the process.

Besides these factors, HIIT does wonders for your cardiovascular health, increasing your heart’s stamina and endurance. Buenting reveals that it also aids in muscle stabilization and core strength. “It depends on your target areas, but HIIT definitely engages the core and contributes to a healthier heart, and you can easily make modifications when you want to strengthen another specific part of the body.” If this isn’t enough to convince you to add HIIT to your exercise regimen, recent research conducted at the University of South Carolina states that HIIT can prevent serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Considering HIIT’s status as a superior means of exercising, it comes as no surprise that it has become increasingly popular. Don’t assume it isn’t hard work, though— what HIIT lacks in duration, it compensates for in intensity. “You may feel skeptical at first, but once you actually do it, you’ll realize it is difficult,” Buenting says. “You’re going to feel the burn, but the workout itself doesn’t take long, and you’ll see results.” So next time you have 10 or 15 minutes to spare, consider completing a quick HIIT workout and ditching your typical after-work

trip to the gym.Your schedule is already hectic enough, and HIIT provides a simpler, effective method for taking care of your body.

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MILLITHOUGHTS

Here’s a Thought for the Single People

By Kathryn Coffey

Ah, dating apps, they’re here to make your sex life a little more interesting, or they can introduce you to fresh new faces. Either way, you’re in for quite an adventure.

In the wake of evolving technology, apps such as Bumble and Tinder were created to find the ‘perfect partner.’ You create a profile, and in Tinder’s case, you swipe left or right on profiles to choose which people you would like to talk to. Sex isn’t the only reason people use it. After all, it could be a chance to talk to people you’ve never met before, and hey, you could enjoy their company enough to go on a date.

Even ignoring that, online chat rooms or websites could help you find the perfect person. My dad once told me a couple met through his web service ND Nation and eventually got married. However, the couple told their 8

friends that no one could tell their in-laws they met through the Internet. I think it had something to do with the couple’s upbringing. They were taught there’s a certain way to find someone special, and any other way would spell disaster in the long run or make them the subject of gossip.

I guess no matter what color you paint over it, the stigma associated with using the Internet or any technology to find love won’t go away soon, at least if the older generations have anything to say about it. However, life goes on in college, and young people can only follow advice from older generations so much. Sometimes, the best teacher is trial and error.

I’m a busy person in college, but I do think of seeking love every now and again. When that happens,

BURST it makes the single life a little more difficult to live. Perusing happycouple Instagram posts, my biological clock ticks loudly, and it does feel tempting to try my hand at a dating app. Then I remember in the technical world, there’s still the truth that people are not what they seem. It’s a sketchy platform that I’m not sure if I want to get too invested in, and so my courage and my wits are all I have going for me when it comes to expressing my feelings toward my crushes.

Even then, my courage and wits are constantly plagued by my own anxious thoughts. It’s never really stopped me from trying, though, even if every time I’m rejected and left still single, it makes me feel a little discouraged. There is something I keep in mind as I live my life: there is so much I can do on my own and still be happy. I can cook my own meals and make puppy chow. I can drive anywhere I’d like and can give people rides to where they need to go. There are all sorts of things I can do, and people around me can see that, and for the most part, they appreciate it.

In job applications, my parents always said it’s better to showcase what you have rather than what you lack. With friendship and romantic relationships, it could work in the same way.You can say what you don’t have until the cows come home, but the real question is, what do you have to make life a little bit

better? What are you good at? What are things you like to do? If you focus on those questions instead of questions like “What can I do to make him like me?” it could set you on the right track to being satisfied with being yourself.

So, you’re single. So what? You can still have fun anyway. Call up some friends to hang out. Go to a campus event or a concert.

Buy yourself some chocolates.

You don’t need others to go out and explore the world. Better still, find something that you like to do and share it with the people around you. I find that if I do that, it could surprise people and make them feel happy.

If you want to spice up your life but feel dating apps might be a little much, go for gaming apps, especially the ones you haven’t tried before.

I decided instead of investing in a dating app, I would invest in Pokémon Go. One of my high school friends had it and texted me that we should be friends on that app.

I hadn’t played the other Pokémon games, but I figured why not try it out and got the app anyway. (It’s important to note that it’s better to get the app when it

So, you’re single. So what? You can still have fun anyway.

isn’t cold and brisk outside.) Anyway, it just goes to show you can make life exciting without worrying about finding a significant other.

Having a romantic partner shouldn’t be treated as everything.

Finding happiness should be everything. As for me, having a career, my own living space, and a dog, all these goals would suit me just fine. Quite frankly, there are better things to do than dive into a sketchy partner-finding market.

We as humans live a lonely existence, but could finding the perfect partner on a dating app be the answer?

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A Self-Love Odyssey

By Rebekah Icenesse

My mother always told me I was beautiful. Throughout my childhood, she would tell me I should have no insecurities. For a long time, I believed her because I did not have any reason to be insecure. It wasn’t until college when my confidence fell and my insecurities started to make a home in my mind.

I grew up with red acne marks covering my adolescent face, crooked teeth, and glasses.

Even though I had my moments every now and again when I wished I looked different and the flaws would go away, I never dwelled too long on them because I was happy with who I was. I liked the way I looked, even if it was different than everybody else.

I didn’t allow for negative thoughts to come into my head because I believed that, no matter what, I was beautiful.

didn’t talk to a lot of people or speak up in class. I was surrounded by hundreds of people every day, but I still felt alone. It didn’t help my self-esteem when there were so many beautiful girls who have blemish-free faces and outgoing personalities around me in the dorm.

College is the time to find yourself, and, while I was journeying through trying to piece together my life, I was slowly losing my positive thoughts I had about myself. I was a 4.3-GPA student in high school, but in college I was not one of the smartest in the class anymore.

There were students who had more talents and abilities than

How I found myself after getting lost in my negativity-filled mind ...

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I don’t know exactly when the turning point was, but, as I got older and made the transition to college, I went back to the shy and quiet girl who

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I did, and it made me sad to feel like I was incompetent compared to them. I couldn’t do everything they could, and that frustrated me. I wanted to be like them and fit in with everyone else. I wanted people to like me, and I would have done anything to get their approval.

But, in the start of 2019, I decided to make a change. I was unhappy with how much time I wasted vying for others’ approval and attention. I wasn’t completely like myself, and I acted on things that did nothing but bring me down. It takes more than saying you’ll make a change for it to actually happen. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and trying to turn negative self-thoughts and insecurities around requires more than just saying that I’ll change.

Acceptance was the biggest step for me. I had to accept that

I am different from others, and I had to accept that there were things about myself that I couldn’t change, like my appearance and my personality. Acceptance takes time, but looking in the mirror, smiling more, and pushing the negative thoughts out of my head helped me become more accustomed to accepting myself.

I spent a lot of time alone, which I used to hate, but not associating myself with toxic energy allowed me to figure out and look deep within myself. I did a lot of thinking and reflecting on the past year and realized how much toxicity I had allowed to come into my life. I started to delete people’s numbers and snapchats and only kept the people who brought positivity in my life. I took some breaks from social media and allowed myself to breathe without the constant reminders of beauty standards from social media. I started to put myself first and be selfish, which was difficult because I always

cared more for people than I did myself. My health and happiness were now more important, and I stopped feeling guilty for focusing on myself.

I stopped apologizing and told people no. I stopped feeling sorry for how lonely and left out I felt. I knew in my heart that I didn’t need others’ approval on how I should be living my life. I liked how I looked, blemishes, glasses, and all, and I learned that the more time I spend by myself, the less I feel like I needed to be around others for validation.

I am beautiful, I am smart, and I am a strong woman who is capable of being whatever she wants to be. There are still days where I do not feel as beautiful, but I do not allow myself to think negatively and compare myself to other women. I know I am unique in my own way, and I am not meant to be like someone else. I am a human who has flaws, and that’s okay.

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Walking Into

Let’s Talk About It

College:

By Nephertiti Valle

So you have decided you want to go to college. Great. This is the moment in which you can finally experience the freedom of making your own decisions. The even greater part is that you are the first in your family to go to college, so the excitement and eagerness builds up. But, before you can get a grasp of this incredible transition, you feel slumped. Frustration, confusion, paperwork beyond paperwork.

Suddenly, the wondrous and liberating idea of pursuing a higher 12

education has become a nightmare.

Not only do you feel like you are walking blindly, but the thought of entering college is now not as exciting as you had initially thought.

This may sound extreme, but going to college is intimidating. I am a first-generation student and, while I would like to say the entire experience of entering college was easy, I have finally decided to comfortably and openly admit that, well, it really wasn’t. The important part in being a first-gen student, however, is that there are many of us, and we are not alone. So let’s talk about walking into college as a first generation student­— because it’s tough in its own way.

There are many aspects to touch on when it comes to being a first-generation student, and it’s a matter of situations that range from your family to finances and even to the point of reconsidering the decision to attend the university in the first place. The moment I decided I wanted to attend a university, I had zero clue as to how to go about it. It felt like I became a literal mess running from one source to another, asking countless questions and feeling like I was annoying people with the extent of my confusion and ignorance. Needless to say, it was hard. It was hard because starting this chapter in our college lives is already an immense change in itself, but, in the same token, to have no guidance in the process was the most discouraging idea to get through, too.

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I felt a lot of discouragement in my first semester of college, and it was in part because I did not have a close support system when it came to finding help that related to my experience. With both of my parents not having had a higher education, their input and opinions were quite limited whenever I asked them for advice. Personally, I grew up seeing the majority of my family members working as factory laborers, so to decide to receive a higher education was a no brainer. But, as classes started, and as I considered the burdens of student loans, I began to think to myself: Is this all worth it? Is it necessary to be here? Many people work every day without an education, so I surely do not have to continue school if my family seems to live fine without it. I spent most of my first semester not only stressing over finances, but also feeling under pressure.

As a first generation student, it was up to me to attend a university and make the most out

of my time. I had to continuously remind myself of the reason why I wanted to make it Millikin. From a young age, I decided to receive a higher education because I felt it was necessary to prove to myself that a person can succeed and do more without having to work just to get by. Now that I am finally in those footsteps, there is a pressure that I not only want to prove it to myself, but I want to prove it to my parents as well. Carrying a standard becomes exhausting, but as I meet other people who went through the same or similar experiences, I am not so upset over my situation anymore. In fact, I feel pretty alright.

Allison Manning, a freshman psychology major, articulates her thoughts in the same way. Born and raised in Chicago, IL, she also felt lost in the process of moving into the campus life. “I was asking so many questions,” she says, “and it was hard for me to see my parents because they were frustrated too. I know they wanted to help me, they didn’t have the knowledge to do that, so I was definitely left to do it all by myself.” Allison continues, “I didn’t even know what to bring to my dorm! I spent nights googling what I should bring and not bring.”

She also shared her desire to receive an education in order to improve

herself. “I’m not here for anyone. I chose to come here and decided to take it as a fresh start. Regardless if my parents could help me or not, that’s in the past. I’m here to push myself and receive an education because I’m doing what is best for me.” Manning concludes by sharing that her goals and aspirations, in the end, are the things that will keep her going in her time here at Millikin.

“You know, the nicest thing about a place like this is that there are people here for you. They want you to succeed.”

There is no doubt the initial process in coming to college was confusing and scary. The important part to highlight in this journey, as cliche as it sounds, is that everything is going to be alright. Walking into college as a first-generation student is an experience of its own, but the transition from high school to college is a great change for any student. Eventually, after you are all done with the big first steps, the hardest part is over. Now, I take time to appreciate the position I am in, and I encourage all firstgeneration students to not feel alone. Ask questions­­—lots of them.

For me, that was the key to getting answers and help. Surround yourself with friends, old and new, and just talk about it. Once you voice concern, there is bound to be help somewhere, and that’s a pretty sweet thing.

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CHANGING HOW YOU SEE CHANGE

By Kaytlin Jacoby 14

BURST I’m notoriously bad at accepting change. I’ve been a planner for as long as I can remember, and this trait has served me particularly well in most scenarios, making me the person to turn to for help. I’m a problem solver, and I think quickly on my feet. Small changes I can handle. I’m quite adaptable, provided I can easily spot a clear path to get to where I want to be. My obstinate insistence that everything will work out fine is particularly useful in situations where improvisation is needed to get through a tricky spot.

I simply refuse to quit until I’ve found a workable answer. But life changes where I can’t see the finish line are the ones that derail me entirely.

For me, change demands a certain reliance on other people that I’m utterly uncomfortable with.

As a quick learner with an ambitious

desire to conquer everything that I attempt, situations in which I’m not the expert are trying. Self-reliance is a beautiful thing, but when it comes to trusting other people in times where you aren’t the authority, it can be impossibly difficult. For me, change isn’t so much of a problem because it’s change, it’s a problem because it throws me into situations in which I am no longer experienced enough to speak with authority. In such situations, I feel like I know very little, and I might have to ask for help.

So much of my abhorrence for change is really attributable to my personal sense of pride. I want everyone to think I have it 100 percent together, 100 percent of the time. But the reality is that nobody is this prepared. For me, learning to handle change really has been an exercise in trust. In my search for

the right graduate program and an apartment, I’ve learned to put my pride aside and trust that there are people who want to help me. While I may not have all the answers, I’m slowly learning to ask others to help me put together the puzzle that is life.

I’m bad at change. But recently, I’ve found that it’s a great growing opportunity. Instead of fearing change, I’m trying to embrace the necessity of asking for help to calm the seas that lead to where I’m headed next.

As for managing it day-to-day, I like to remember a quote from the late Mac Miller, “When life around you changes, try to keep your sameness.” Rest assured:You may not be able to control the situation, but you can choose to maintain the best of yourself despite how scary new things can be. Control the things you can control—change becomes a little easier that way.

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MILLIPEOPLE

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interrupts me with an immediate, “Yes,” before Imagine a young continuing, “emphasis on the yes. I would go back boy who’s slightly and smack myself right across the face and say, ‘dude, overweight, doesn’t chill out.’” know how to talk to Charli Cunningham, a junior Criminal Justice girls, claims the only major, replies to this same “real” music is question, saying, “Absolutely.” classic rock, and Cunningham, an individual plans on moving to who also has to deal with the California to achieve his memories of her own middle eight-month dream of school madness, remembers becoming a professional her pre-formative years as skateboarder. While he’s awkward, unrelenting, and got big plans (and even not reflective of the person bigger cargo pants), one she is today. thing he doesn’t have “I was very shy,” says is a reality check. This Cunningham, “I always had awkward, young boy a book to read and I was was me. While I eventually grew out of my stage of always drawing . . . I was always music gatekeeping and camo-cargo pants, I cannot too nervous.” Cunningham, escape the memories of that once cringe-fueled like many others, didn’t character from junior high. discover herself until middle Being young is a challenge that we all have to school was long past. overcome, even if it means dressing, acting, or Josh Belcher “Through high school I out-bursting in the most obscene ways, and almost remained quiet,” she states, “I nobody gets out of middle school without a few lacked confidence in myself. cringe-worthy moments or severe awkwardness.

When I came to college, I Josh Belcher, a senior Sports Management suddenly realized what I am major, reflects on his own youth, commenting on capable of and haven’t looked how he once acted: “I got in trouble a lot. I was always back since. It really just starts in class being goofy, not taking things seriously, I guess. by understanding your worth I thought I was trying a lot.” to be funny . . . I wasn’t Another individual, awkward as in shy, but senior Communication major awkward as in I’d be Dominique Smith, has a laugh joking in serious when sharing a story about conversation. It was her middle school self: “I was funny to me but it a peer mediator. My job was definitely wasn’t funny.” to mediate conflicts between This type of behavior is students. I was dealing with common among young a conflict. The student began teens who don’t to run away from me. I must acquire the ability to have thought I was Eddie Murphy from Beverly Hills gather social cues.

Cop because I chased after him. I did not notice the Asking Belcher mud covering the playground yard. I slipped and fell if he cringes at the face first. I was covered in mud. Even my sweet Adidas thought of his jacket was ruined. I was so embarrassed, but I was middle school self, he Charli Cunningham more upset.”

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Like this story, most of us have awkward tales from the past that we try to forget, and in sophomore Communication major Jordan Diver’s case, she either eliminated them entirely, or chooses not to share them: “I bet that there are hundreds of stories, but I cannot think of any. Hopefully they are all blocked from my memory,” states Diver.

Within this attempt to blot out her awkward memories, Diver recalls an identity crisis she once encountered, stating, “I tried really hard to get into the emo-screamo music because all my friends liked it, but I could not stand it . . . there was a period of time where I would try to wear dark colors all the time. On the other hand, I would wear these weird, patterned jeans my mom would buy me, usually they were blue or pink.”

Although most of us look back on our adolescent selves and cringe, the reality is that nobody has life figured out in middle school. We were young, vulnerable, and dumb. While it may seem like a portion of life that doesn’t matter, I think that deep down we’re all still wearing our camo-cargo pants, sporting dark eyeliner, and skateboarding down the sidewalk.

Dominique Smith

Jordan Diver

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Stamps for Social Change This issue of BURST is about change, and one of the most important types of change that can be made is social change. To illustrate some of the forms social change advocacy takes, this gallery showcases works done by artists in the AR 201 Computer Art and Design Orientation class at Millikin University. Each stamp calls for social change to be made in a different way.

These works are about issues like police violence, body dysphoria, gay rights, and Islamophobia.

We live in a time where social change is happening constantly around us, and it’s important to take a stand for what’s right.

Artist: Laura Wusterbarth

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Artist: Chris Mayo

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Artist: Elsa Rotramel

Artist: Chris Mayo

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F E AT U R E S

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Two BURST contributors share their different views on what it means to be a good feminist, based on their own backgrounds and identities.

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We live in a society in which it is crucial to know what steps we can take to be ‘good’ feminists and include everyone in our feminism.

By Alexseñia Ralat In today’s world, we often find ourselves watching every decision we make with a critical lens. Social media has given people the power to call attention to issues that weren’t necessarily addressed before, which is great, to an extent.Yet from this power has arisen a toxic call-out culture, and people have become wary of expressing themselves for fear of offending others. This kind of call-out culture and the fear that comes with it is especially prevalent in modern feminism. So, how do we check our feminism to make sure that it is all-inclusive? How do we make sure that everyone’s voices are being heard?

An important step on the road to being a good feminist is to understand what feminism means.

This is confusing for some because the definition of feminism has changed over the years. Feminism has evolved from meaning just equality for women to meaning 24

equality for all. This new definition is thanks to what scholars are calling the fourth wave of feminism. In the first wave, feminists fought for the right to vote, in the second they often focused on domestic violence issues, and in the third feminists emphasized reproductive rights and intersectionality. We are in the fourth wave of feminism and have been since 2012. This wave has been defined by increasing diversity, the rise of social media, and the push for equality for all. In other words, feminism isn’t just about women’s rights anymore.

It’s not an easy task to remain all-inclusive. That’s where intersectional feminism comes in.

Intersectional feminism understands that there are aspects of all different kinds of social issues that affect certain types of women in different ways. For example, an intersectional feminist can see that women experience oppression, but

they can also see that the way a Black or Hispanic woman experiences that oppression is drastically different from what a white woman experiences. An intersectional feminist can see how racial issues “intersect” with women’s issues and address them accordingly. The same goes for how queer and trans women are treated versus what straight and cisgendered women experience. Intersectional feminism isn’t meant to be simple, but it is meant to address all of the issues that affect modern women.

Although feminism is centered around women, it has evolved to include everyone. Everyone is affected by toxic masculinity, everyone is affected by the consequences of a patriarchal society. Everyone can benefit from equality, and feminism is all about equality. It doesn’t matter how you identify, feminism is meant to help you. True feminism includes everyone, and

BURST anyone who ostracizes a certain group of people who don’t identify as their definition of a woman is not a true feminist. Because, as I said before, feminism isn’t just for women.

Okay, so we understand that intersectionality is the way to go, now how do we make sure that everyone’s voices are heard?

The first step is to avoid “white feminism,” which is a type of feminism that only benefits privileged, cisgender white women and ignores queer women and women of color or anyone else who doesn’t fit their definitions of who counts as a “woman.” White feminists were foundational in getting feminism going and played a key role in the first, second, and third waves.Yet “white feminism” has a negative history, and the problems with this approach to feminism continue today in the fourth wave, as popularized by famous white feminists.

It has even been argued that “white feminism” is a form of white supremacy, because both put white individuals above everyone else.

White feminists often hide behind masks of intersectionality, but when they are called on to support a woman of color who has been wronged, they get defensive and instead call up instances in which they helped women of color before.

An example of this can be found in the reaction to the murder of Nia Wilson, a Black woman who was stabbed to death on a transit station platform in September 2018.

Bazaar writer Rachel Elizabeth Cargle took to Instagram and tried to call attention to the murder by asking commenters to ask the white

women who identified themselves as intersectional feminists to use their platforms to educate people. Instead of doing so, they got defensive and felt that the questions went against their own feminist ideals. Of course, there were many white feminists who responded and used their platforms to speak against Wilson’s murder. There’s a difference between white feminists and “white feminists.” Not all white feminists are “white feminists,” and it's important not to stereotype them as such.

The next step is to understand when you need to take a step back and let someone else talk. For example, don’t be the leading voice for queer women if you yourself aren’t a queer woman. Let others have the chance to explain themselves and their experiences.

Don’t tell them how to share their experiences, or how to speak up.

Support them, but don’t speak over them. If they ask for your help, give it willingly. But remember that it’s not your place to speak for them.You are speaking with them.

Another step to take in order to be a good feminist is to realize that women all make different choices for different reasons. Some women want to be housewives or stay-at-homemoms or are not interested in pursuing full-time careers. It’s not feminism’s goal to take that away from them. It is feminism’s goal to give them options and make sure that they aren’t being taken advantage of and to keep them safe.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting that lifestyle. Feminism isn’t here to force anyone to be someone that they are not.

This also means that when you see women who strive to be intersectional feminists make mistakes, don’t immediately throw them out on the street. Feminism isn’t something that anyone is perfect at, and every feminist is learning what it means to them.

The learning process is different for everyone. For instance, if you see someone’s past comments on social media, it’s important to realize that people are allowed to change their minds and learn for the better. Some take longer than others and that’s okay. (You can always help them figure it out!)

It takes a lot to be a “good” feminist, and no one gets it right on the first try. While it is important to be critical of others it is also important to be patient and understanding. Just remember what the fourth wave of feminism is all about—make sure you aren’t speaking over someone who is actually experiencing the issues you are talking about and you’ll be fine.

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How feminists can unite to defeat the negative stereotype.

By Kathryn Coffey

Okay, take a good look here.

Think it over. Most of you might say: hang on, do we really need to talk about feminism? Well, that’s a good question. We have seen our ups and downs when it comes to pushing for equality, especially between the genders. It’s time to look at a bigger picture, but it helps to start with the basics.

For a start, feminism is an ideology that focuses on a desire for equality for anyone and everyone.

The term’s original focus was to bring equal rights and opportunities for women, but it has since grown to include equality for people of different races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, etc.

Sounds simple, right? Maybe not.

According to junior Theatre and English major Tressa Rudolph, views about feminism depend on who you talk to. For instance, if you’re talking 26

to a younger person, they might be adamant toward the cause, and for good reason. “They see what their parents or friends are going through, and celebrities talk about this sort of thing,” Rudolph says. “And because of the internet, people can learn things a little faster.”

However, if you talk to an older person, such as a person who grew up in the baby-boom era, it may be a different story. Living in a progressive era, it can be easy to forget that for a long time, feminism didn’t exist. Sure, there was the Women’s Suffrage movement or when women worked in factories during World War II, but most people equate feminism with the movement that came about in the 1960s. Feminism comes in waves, and each wave brings a new era that stands for a slightly different sort of equality. All the same, the

term might not be used for the right reasons.

As we’ve seen time and again, some people use the word feminism in a derogatory manner. Some people deny being a feminist because of that negative vibe surrounding the term. We still have a long way to go when it comes to understanding what being a feminist is all about.

Some women have even said they aren’t a feminist because they don’t want to be better than their husbands, which comes from the misunderstanding that feminism means women should be superior to men.

There’s a division among people, including among other feminists, because of this misunderstanding. Jason Messina, a junior Communications major here at Millikin, says not only are feminists not treating each other well, but

he also notices that other feminists accuse others of not being “real enough.” He says, “Granted, some groups are getting along well, but I think they’re so used to holding up a shield against everybody [who disagrees with them] that they start to use that shield toward everyone within this [feminist community].”

So, with all that in mind, what needs to change?

Part of what can be done to improve things is keeping people informed about what’s going on.

On a college campus, it’s easy to ignore things happening off campus.

Being informed about current issues, working toward general decency to one another, avoiding gate-keeping, and not judging anyone based on their lifestyles are important first steps toward solving a complex issue. Furthermore, one way that people can start improving how we’re informed is looking at media representation.

Media representation about women and feminism is a rabbit hole. On top of having feminism used in a derogatory manner, there’s also the issue of how women can be made to look promiscuous. Even with all the progressive TV shows and movies we have had over the years, sexualization is still an issue. If you bring awareness to a problem, it’s a good first step to getting that problem fixed; however, there’s more to be done than that.

A crucial part of the media’s representation of women that needs to be considered, according to Millikin instructor Danielle Patricio, is how these empowering ideas are planted. How that can be done starts with our storytellers. She says,

“They shouldn’t be pandering, but they should tell the stories in a way that is representative of the world now.”

That includes having more teamwork between female characters. Among other things, Patricio recommends the Disney cartoon Sofia the First. Not only does it feature a young princess talking to other Disney princesses to solve a problem, but she also works together with the people around her, girls and boys alike. It’s shows like these that can inspire kids, especially younger girls, to think they can turn to their peers whenever they need help.

But how people can treat others better also starts closer to home than even a television set.

Messina suggests that people look at the women around them and how they’re treated. If you examine how your actions and words affect others, it could give you some much needed understanding of other people. “When it all comes down to it, I think we need to teach people common decency,” he says.

Following the golden rule is a concept as old as time itself, but it’s always important for other feminists to consider how important it is to stick together. According to Rudolph, discrimination among other feminists, especially among the races, happens more often than it should.

“You should support black feminists, but you shouldn’t tell them how to deal with their problems,” she says.

Perhaps remembering that all feminists believe in a common ideal can help in working out some differences, but it’s also important to respect other people’s lifestyle

choices, period. Communication professor Dr. Nancy Curtin believes that feminism is based on respect as well as on choice. When you choose something, it implies you have privileges. “Some people don’t have a privilege and don’t have a choice,” Curtin says. “So even if it’s their choice to stay and work at home, then I don’t think we as a people should say, ‘no, that’s wrong,’ if that’s their personal choice.”

If feminists start respecting each other’s life choices and try to understand where the opposition from within is coming from, only then things might get better.

However, only time will tell, as history often proves. We’ll never know until we actually try.

A Warning Against th The Key to Avoiding Academic Scrutiny Academic writing today finds itself at an impasse.

Certain factions within the academy—which is itself an abstract, seemingly monolithic body, the purpose of which is almost solely to act as the bastion of cogitation and the incubator of human advancement— have launched a campaign against its literature, which they contend is plagued with exceedingly unreadable and complex prose that conveys the conclusions and routes to progress, which it births, in a mire of indecipherability.

The conclusion that follows is that overboard, unnatural formality and lofty, incomprehensible writing will not be the savior of academia. Moreover, their efforts imply that such writing will not bring about the dissemination of knowledge—the foundation and foremost purpose of the profession; instead, haughty prose will only stifle it. Or, at least, this is the dernier cri of reform-minded scholars, and, as a result, many have resorted to the simplification of their prose to ensure that their works reach the widest possible audience.

Those individuals advocating for the simplification of academic writing suggest that, while it should be academic, members of the academy should not write in ways that leave the average person befuddled and disinterested. What is often sacrificed is grammatical correctness for the sake of readability. If a work is even remotely to be considered “academic” or “scholarly,” ought not it contain grammatically correct sentences?

That its prose should not be jargon-laden, meaninglessly referring to highly technical, profession-specific terms for the sake of using big words, is indisputable. But academicians should not split infinitives or end 28

sentences on prepositions. Such notions are repulsive, yet reformers produce works defying these rules, which have been etched into the tablets bearing the commandments of accepted English seemingly stretching back to the days of Moses, ad nauseam. All that will result from these “archaic” standards, they posit, is that individuals outside the academic community will remain ostracized and in the dark, turned away before having the opportunity to expand their minds. I reply that this opinion is but a beau geste. I do not see how this is a problem that will undermine the bulwark that is the profession dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge.

Now, I admit and accept that one purpose of academia, generally, is to share new discoveries with others. However, I dispute whether those “others” constitute the general public in addition to their colleagues. Surely, these reformers do not mean to suggest that scholars intensively immersed in their disciplines should modify their verbiage to achieve a greater audience. Such a proposition is infra dignitatem. They seem to live by an attitude of “autre temps, autres mœurs”—an attitude that inherently believes it is the sole bearer of progress. Scholars do not require the approbation of the hoi polloi; their ideas and conclusions need only be judged by their intellectual peers. As I always say, aquila non capit muscas. Academics are not the vox populi.

This debate over the extent to which scholarly œuvres exclude the attention of non-intellectuals recalls the debate among German sociologists during the fin de siècle, who theorized whether the better form in which a

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the Unwelcome Eye

By Matthew Nalefski

society should take its shape would be a Gemeinschaft or a Gesellschaft.

Does the responsibility fall to the intelligentsia of our society to mince their words into bite-sized bits for the masses to digest? The raison d’être of academia is not to create a Gemütlichkeit ipso facto but, rather, to contrive the tools by which such a pleasant environment may be built.

In aiming to popularize their writing, these scholars hoping to upset the status quo have merely made an argument that is ignoratio elenchi. But is not the conclusion that infinitus est numerus stultorum correct? Where are the cognoscenti, individuals of bel esprit in our society, to whom the saying “homo sum hami a me nihil alienum puto” might be applied? As the Roman saying went, while I breathe, I hope. And I hope that this is but a fad that will pass with the fading of the soonest setting sun. Let us hope that the die has not yet been cast.

I reject the insinuation that, should it continue down the path on which it currently travels, academia is on a journey toward a great accounting. The opposite—that

reform will place the academy on that path—is, however, true. And, if this practice continues, graviora manent. An idée fixe, this reform will bring about disastrous consequences, while lowering the standards by which our society operates. This is not to be taken lightly; it is not to be taken cum grano salis.

I am suspicious of everything.

And, as I see such a radical shift in scholastic behavior, I thus come to question the extent to which a scholar serves as the dissector of information and whether this is a necessary change to make. For should not the foundations have been laid at an earlier stage?

My fear, therefore, is that such changes aim to conceal a larger point of degradation: education in our society.

We are on the precipice of a shift in our society from measured statements, wherein we carefully weigh the consequences of our thoughts and convey them in a courteous manner—a manner by which our words are wrapped with eloquence and beauty. Without

beauty in language, the harsh realities of life are left naked before our eyes. In certain arenas, this might be acceptable. I would not, for example, look to a journalist for complex prose. When people want to read the news, they want to receive it as easily as possible. But, in others, it poses a greater threat than one might expect. A careless individual, disinterested by whatever criticism they might receive, might easily offend and, thereby, render the inaccuracies of their statements under an unexpectedly intense microscope. A scholar’s work is borne from thorough deliberation and consideration. And that work does not need to be subjected to any undue inspection by unwelcome eyes. In simplifying academic writing, the academy thus places itself on a dangerous course, for hic abundant leones, and illos leones bite.

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Y R R O S

Y R OS R

ON T

BY ASHLEY BROWN 30

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Why turning an everyday apology into a sign of appreciation is not only a healthy change but an act of empowerment.

Stop apologizing.You have nothing to be sorry for,” Dr. Amy Delaney, assistant professor of Communication at Millikin and my academic advisor, said to me after I apologized once more for seeing her during office hours. I was taken back at first.

I thought apologies were good. I felt like I was being a bother, so I saw it necessary to excuse myself for being there and taking up some of her time. Looking back now, that sounds silly, but it’s something that I, along with many other people, specifically women, fall into. However, with the help of Delaney, I was able to

change the way I over-apologize by redefining what sorry means and empowering myself through my words.You can, too.

Merriam-Webster defines ‘sorry’ as an intent to express sorrow, regret or penitence for words, actions or events. Typically this apology takes place because those occurrences are your fault. Taking that definition into consideration, it makes my previous apology with Delaney seem odd. Did I feel sorrowful, regretful or mournful for asking her a question? No, and I had no need to.

Then why did I apologize?

“In this context, sorry doesn’t mean ‘I’m sorry for what I’ve done,’ it means ‘I’m sorry for saying how I feel or what I need’,” Delaney says as we sit in her office, the same place where I was first confronted with this issue, discussing the problem of over-apologizing.

“Women are socialized to say sorry to soften the way they assert themselves, want to have their voice heard or to take the edge off what might feel like a confrontation, but it often isn’t one. Over-apologizing makes us feel smaller and less assertive, to take up less space physically and socially.”

Delaney adds that in business meetings, women are more likely to say, “I’m sorry, I just have one point I want to add,” which diminishes their contribution, versus “I have a point I want to add here.” The latter phrase is a more concrete, assertive way to have your voice heard. However, society has brought up women to not be confrontational, assertive or to inject 31

themselves in a conversation. Though this has the potential to hold women back, we don’t need to, and should not, apologize for taking part in conversations.

A consequence of over-apologizing is that it devalues ‘I’m sorry.’ “If you say you’re sorry all the time, it loses its meaning,” Delaney says. “To be sorry means to apologize and to apologize means to feel remorse for something. If I’m constantly saying I’m sorry when I actually do something wrong, my sorry means less.”

For Delaney, it hasn’t always been easy to skip out on the extra apologies. It wasn’t until graduate school that she realized her “sorry” needed some revamping. “I noticed I was saying sorry when I don’t mean it. And if I’m sorry when I don’t mean it, am I saying sorry when I don’t need to? Sometimes I should do a better job of apologizing but also sometimes I have nothing to apologize for.”

Delaney not only saw the overabundance of apologies in herself, but she saw it in other students at her graduate school 32

and here at Millikin. “I have students coming to office hours—when I am literally paid by the university to be here to talk to students— saying, ‘Sorry to bother you,’ and it is no bother! I am here for the sole purpose to talk to you.”

What can you say instead?

Swap out your unneeded “I’m sorry” for “Thank you.” Let’s test it out: Instead of “I’m sorry for taking your time…” say “Thank you for spending some time with me!” The latter is a major improvement.

Instead of presenting an apology for your existence, you should thank the person you are meeting with. This not only adds value to your presence but their time as well. Delaney says, “When you start cutting out those sorrys and just exist without apologizing for it, it is and should be empowering.”

We all deserve to have our voice heard and that is something we shouldn’t be sorry for.

Throughout this year of trading, “I’m sorry” for “Thank you,” I have not only learned to put value back into the apologetic phrase, but I also added value to my voice,

input, and presence. I have learned to feel empowered.

Over-apologizing is an old habit that can be hard to kick, but it is a healthy change that will empower you and those around you. Before you make your quick apology for having your voice heard, taking someone’s time, or for simply existing, ask yourself this: “Do I have anything to be sorry for?”

If not, you now know what to say.

Thank you.

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11 legitimate side jobs that fit seamlessly into your already overwhelming schedule

By Chelsi Jones

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Online Tutor You have probably heard of being a tutor, but have you considered being an online tutor? Websites like tutor.com and chegg.com will hire college students to answer student questions from all across the nation. The hours are extremely flexible, as they offer 24/7 tutoring, and the best part is you get to make your own schedule! Log on when it is convenient for you and choose to take as many questions as you like.

Pay Rate: $15–$20 hourly TV Extra This is a fun one.You and your friends can make money just standing around, talking, doing everyday normal stuff. Now, location does play a role in this one, but don’t be fooled.

Matt Damon actually filmed parts of The Informant (2008) in Decatur! Plus, you might even get your 15 seconds of fame—mean as a blur in the background, but that’s your blur! You own that blur!

Pay Rate: $75–$100 for an 8-hour day Secret Shopper This one is for my fellow shopaholics. I recently learned that you can get paid to spend another person’s money!

Sounds way too good to be true, but this is not a drill.

Companies give a monthly stipend to secret shoppers so they can receive specific feedback regarding the customer experience in their stores. There are even online secret shoppers, so you can work remotely from your dorm, streaming Netflix while eating a pint of Krekel’s ice cream.

Pay Rate: $10–$300 per evaluation* *The amount of money you earn as a mystery shopper depends on the number and type of shops you are willing to perform.

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Social Media Manager The average American spends about 24 hours a week on the internet, according to MIT researchers.You could capitalize on your Instagram images and Twitter tweets by managing the social media account for local companies or organizations. Social media managing entails posting links, videos, images, and/or text to keep social media accounts active and engaging.

Pay Rate: $38K yearly Freelance Writer A freelance writer: The self-employed, make my own hours, BYOB writer. Sounds a bit too glamorous, but the good news is it could be.You can be your own boss and write for local newspapers or magazines, or even ghostwrite resumes or books for prominent people in your city. Full disclosure: Freelance writing does not include “ghostwriting” essays for your fellow students—I said legitimate side-jobs.

Remember?

Pay Rate:Varies Sports Photographer If you are into photography or own an iPhone 8 or later, you could start making money taking pictures for athletes and selling them for a couple of extra bucks. Most athletes want good candid pictures from their games and sometimes even from their practices.You are sure to find a few athletes who will pay you every week to take a couple of live-action shots.

Pay Rate: $15–$50 per session Live Model Most schools offer this as a part of their work-study program, but you are sure to find a couple of gigs in your local art community, too. Live models are just what the title says.

You pose for artists while they draw you in various forms.

This job will require you to stand, sit, or hold odd poses for a prolonged amount of time, but the pay is usually good. Fifty dollars and all you need me to do is stand still?

Sign me up! (Beware that you should not have a problem with nudity if you are considering this job.)

Pay Rate:Varies based on the gig

BURST Hair Braider A length of hair made up of three or more interlaced strands. The crisscrossing of the hair. The OG of hairstyles. Braids. This side job is a bit time consuming, but you can set your own schedule and prices. If you do not mind being on your feet for a few hours and like handiwork, learning how to perfect the art of interlacing hair is a quick and easy way to earn cash fast.

Pay Rate: $20–$200 per hairstyle Shot Girl/Guy Shots! Shots! Shots! Here is another quick money maker for my 21 and ups. Getting your bartending license is a sure-fire way to make quick cash on the weekends and stay on the scene. In Illinois, an individual can make a minimum of $100 in tips on one night.You can start paying off your student loans with this job and afford a steak with your cup of noodles.

Pay Rate: $4.75–$13.50 hourly (tips not included)

Work Study The beloved work-study program, utilized by plenty, yet still overlooked by many. This is arguably the easiest job on this list. On just about any college campus, you can find a work-study program that hooks students up with light-duty jobs such as answering phones, doing clerical work in the university offices, or collecting money at sports events. Work-study may not pay very much, but most of these jobs are so relaxed that you can usually find some time to get a bit of homework done while on the clock. That’s a win-win situation if you ask me.

Pay Rate: $7.25–$8.00 hourly So, which one of these quick, quirky jobs are you going to make your side hustle this year? *All pay rates are cited from Glassdoor.com and used the lowest pay scale in Illinois.

Hidden Talents This is your chance to shine. This is where you show the world how great you truly are. Maybe you have an amazing voice or you are really good with your hands. Maybe you are a really great event planner or you create amazing artwork.

Maybe you are a stellar makeup artist or excellent with technology. Advertise yourself! Put yourself out there!

Sites like fiverr.com might be a good place to start marketing your talent. In a lot of cases, people are looking for someone to sing, play, draw, or do some kind of small job for them. Don’t sell yourself short. Charge people for your awesomeness.

Pay Rate:Varies (seriously, this is all on you)

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Shifting the System

By Athena Pajer

Not ten years have passed since the iPhone 4 first hit the market.

Since then, the smartphone has taken over the world. It’s so difficult to live in today’s world without these small but powerful gadgets that people dub young adults “Digital Natives,” claiming the internet impacts them more than any other generation—by far.

Apple released the iPhone 4, commonly considered to be the smartphone that set the bar for all smartphones coming after it, on June 7, 2010. Today, Apple is worth more than $1 trillion, and American college students spend 8 to 10 hours a day looking at their smartphone screen, according to a 2018 Baylor University study. It shows how fast technology can rise and change the way we live. In some ways, it’s intimidating. How can we keep up?

“The rate of change is nearly exponential . . . We hit the stone

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age, the bronze age,” Ed Weber, information systems professor at Millikin University, says as he traces the metaphorical “ramp” of human progression in the air in front of us with a pen. Each milestone: fire, the wheel, the industrial revolution, causes the ramp to bump up a little more. “Then, all of a sudden, we hit the industrial revolution and that ramp starts to go up. Then we hit technological revolution and that’s it.

The ramp just goes off-the-chart in the matter of what’s changed over time. It’s just this huge, logarithmictype function.”

The world is changing faster than a single person can keep up with. We are currently living in the middle of the tech revolution.“The idea is, what hasn’t kept pace with that change?” Weber says.

The answer seems to be, in the broad sense of the word, the rest of society. Law, public policy, ethics, and nearly everything that’s not technology is struggling to match the pace.

“But the change keeps going at the same exponential rate,” Weber says, pen still in hand. “So, what’s happening is, in a lot of other realms of these disciplines, we are way behind the eight-ball—but the change still keeps going.”

Changing Our Perception: Social Media Although a leading complaint about Digital Natives is their susceptibility to targeted algorithms, political turmoil has pushed people to be more skeptical of news.

People are beginning to see that the notorious Facebook algorithms have the power to divide entire countries—especially when fake news comes into view.

A growing number of people now wonder what extra precautions they should take when stepping onto their social media platforms. Weber often tries to show his students how to find articles that come from the other side of where they fall on the leftwing/right-wing spectrum. This kind of mindset is a skill crucial in today’s world that was barely a blip on the radar a few years ago—

BURST though some may argue it should have been.

Escaping information bubbles is just one example of how Digital Natives are challenging stigmas.

“Another piece that is kind of critical, and I’m really interested that the students themselves seem to be bringing this to the table, is they’re saying, ‘More and more I’m just thinking about just intentionally leaving some time out,’” Weber says. “‘Just, leave it to the side, just not engage it.’ A lot of students are directly recognizing, ‘Yeah, my interpersonal skills are suffering.

I’m not able to have eye contact and a direct conversation. I find myself, if the conversation isn’t stimulating right away, I find myself almost habitually—like a drug addict—trying to browse, and what have you.”

In the Classroom Marketing, accounting, and finance are just a few of the countless disciplines that struggle to stay current, relevant, and competitive in the tech age. Millikin students studying in these areas take Weber’s information systems survey course. Students may see this class as a change of pace. Though some students often find the shift difficult, many find Weber’s classes liberating in the age of instant information.

“In all my information systems courses—all of them—I have a teaching philosophy and a policy that

says that all my texts and quizzes are open-book, open-notebook, open-computer, open-internet, open absolutely any resource you need because I have a personal philosophy that we live in an age where there is more to know than the human animal is physically capable of knowing,” Weber says. “So, the methodology of just memorizing stuff and calling it education—that ship has sailed.”

Weber designs the course not just with the aim to teach a simple discipline but to learn to understand trends in technology. This also helps students think for themselves. If students are going to learn anything about managing technology— whether it’s their data systems, their communication, or even their gadgets, it’s important not just to know what to do, but how to learn what tomorrow needs.

“This is just what’s today.

What’s the technology of tomorrow? I have no freaking clue—but you’re still going to need to learn it, you’re never done,” Weber says. “Don’t try to memorize something because what you’re going to try to memorize today is going to be obsolete tomorrow. It’s not about that, it’s about ‘what do you need right here, right now?’ It’s a new skill.”

“The rate of change is nearly exponential . . . We hit the stone age, the bronze age . . . Then we hit the technological revolution and that’s it.”

BOOM

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By: Nicole Scott

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Climate change is doing more than just melting the polar ice caps. It’s affecting the entire Midwest.

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January 30, 2019. I could ask you where you were, but I already know the answer.You were home, with the heat cranked on high, hoping that your pipes wouldn’t freeze because you cannot afford to pay for new pipes. New records were set from Chicago to St. Louis and every place in between that day. The Midwest faced a polar vortex—the kind that shuts down not just schools, but entire cities.

Unfortunately, this is just the beginning of how climate change will affect the area. Sure, “climate change” is phrase that comes up often, but do you really know what it means? It’s way more than just a little extra rain in the fall or sunnier days in the spring.Yes, the temperature will change, but so will your diet—and also your health.

CHANGING YOUR WEATHER Climate change is more than a nice sunny day in the winter; it could very well be deadly. The environmental magazine Grist explains that corn and other crops will not grow due to changing temperatures. The heat will be so extreme that crops will simply wither and die. We are already seeing an increase in overall temperatures. Summer is fun, but it’s not all that fun when it is so hot that nothing can grow.

We might love a nice rainstorm to fall asleep to on a summer night, but no one likes flooding. With more storms happening in the spring and fall, there’s a higher chance of floods.

Considering how old some drainage systems are, one has to wonder how much more the Midwest can take.

The Union of Concerned Scientist predicts this excess of water will cause drainage and flooding issues for many Midwestern residents.

Dr. Chris Cunnings, a science education professor at Millikin, states that tornadoes may become more prevalent. This could be problematic, especially for those who live here in the Midwest.

Tornadoes can tear people from their belongings, their homes, and can even be fatal.

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CHANGING YOUR DIET Almost every Midwesterner loves fresh corn-on-the-cob. It’s a familiar sight: from the side of the roads to the side of our plates, corn is always there. Or at least, that’s how it was. Grist, mentions that, “Corn yields are predicted to be down 5–25% by the midcentury.”

This implies not only that there will be less corn, but that corn will be more expensive. Along with this, we will struggle to feed animals who consume corn as well.

The Chicago Tribune asserts that the wetter climate will also lead to issues with crops other than corn.

Heavy rain will cause soil erosion that can make it harder for plants to grow. Say goodbye to soy. It won’t do much better than corn in the changing climate, which is extremely problematic for those who enjoy soy milk and tofu.

Further, difficulties in growing soy especially could affect Decatur’s economy and way of life due to the fact that soy is a major export.

Plus Cunnings says that, “Wild coffee is in danger.” Imagine not being able to purchase your daily brew because there’s nothing left to buy or you don’t have enough money to purchase a $20 coffee.

Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike are sure to be concerned about farm animals. These animals will suffer from near constant heat stress. Animals, like humans, are not able to withstand drastic climates such as extreme cold, heat, or wind.

They will either die or farmers will need to pay lofty amounts of money just to keep a few animals around.

Dr. Thomas Duncanson, a communication professor at Millikin, mentions that the consumption of

animals in and of itself is problematic as well, leading to an increase in greenhouse gasses because animals produce methane.

Without plants and animals there’s essentially nothing for us to eat. This hunger will be worse than how you feel in the middle of your two o’clock lecture when you forgot to eat lunch. The world could very likely starve. Food will be expensive, and there will not be enough of it.

Professor Roslyn O’Conner, a biology faculty member at Millikin, agrees with Duncanson that food will run out. She also adds that poor weather conditions will lead to a lack of water. Water is also essential to humans. Without it, we die.

CHANGING YOUR HEALTH Grist mentions that not only will these extreme temperatures damage crops, but they also will be detrimental to human health.

The very young and the very old are most at risk for heatstroke, but anyone who works outdoors or spends time outside is obviously at risk.

Hotter weather will also result in more smog, making it harder for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions to breathe. Smog can make breathing especially difficult, leading to more hospital visits for patients with breathing troubles. Along with this, an increased amount of smog could lead to otherwise healthy people developing breathing problems.

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This sort of pollution, says O’Conner, can also lead to a general increase in illness. The Union of Concerned Scientists states that those with heart disease are also at risk. Increased heat can make it difficult for people with heart conditions to function, which can lead to more heart attacks and heart failure.

O’Conner mentions that higher temperatures lead to an “increase of pests [and] diseases.”

For the Midwest, this could lead to an increase in pesky mosquitos or other flying insects that could bite and bring disease and wipe out crops.

It may seem like the Midwest doesn’t have it all that bad, and

maybe so, but these little changes will only turn into bigger and bigger changes. When will enough be enough? What will it take for you to make a change? Will you start to make changes when you can’t afford corn anymore, or will it be when you suffer from a heat stroke?

“It takes a generation,” says Cunnings. The fate of the world rests in you. Will you be the generation to make a change?

BURST WHAT CAN YOU DO 1. Have an honest conversation!

O’Conner recommends being willing to engage with others about the topic.

“We learn from challenging our own belief system and we need to be open to new ideas,” she says. “When having conversations, don’t just talk about the facts. Discuss the other person’s questions and concerns and address those concerns in a non-judgmental manner.” Talking about climate change can help others join in our efforts to save the Earth.

2. Practice energy conservation.

This decreases power plant emissions, which also helps to reduce and prevent smog in the air. Conserve energy by turning off lights and by unplugging electronics when they are not in use.

3. Eat less meat. Raising animals for consumption produces the same amount of greenhouse gases as driving cars and trucks.

You don’t need to go vegan tomorrow, but aim for a decrease in your consumption of animal products. Duncanson mentions that practicing meatless Mondays is a great place to start.

4. Plant a tree. Trees add oxygen to the air and remove carbon dioxide, which can make it easier for you and others to breathe.

5. Get involved—and vote.

Duncanson urges students to stay involved in politics. Be aware of public policy that affects you.

6. Focus on the goal. “The best thing students can do,” says Duncanson, “is double down on the goal.” We need to stay focused on our goal of saving the planet.

Cunnings agrees, “Knowledge is power.

We have to share the message and be enthusiastic and relentless.” Cunnings adds, “Millikin students strike me as people who will think critically, accept evidence, and work to make the world a better place.”

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Transitioning from college to the professional world can be a challenging experience. In this article, we explore the struggle of this transition and the experiences one Millikin alum faced after college. Meet Britteny Soto, a 2010 Millikin grad with a bachelor of arts degree in Communication. She’s Millikin’s 2018 Young Alumnus of the Year.

Dannika: What was your experience like at Millikin? Which organizations were you involved with on campus?

Britteny: My experience at Millikin was a rollercoaster. I had a wakeup call one semester because I had a really bad G.P.A. This pushed me to do better. As a result, I became more involved. I was an active member of Sigma Lambda Gamma, an editor of The Decaturian newspaper, a member of sister circle, and a member of Multicultural Student Council.

Dannika: What were some steps you took to prepare for graduation?

Britteny: I took advantage of the amazing one-on-one faculty guidance. I utilized the Career Center by going there for assistance. Additionally, I did a lot 42

of Informational Interviews, and I attended a plethora of job fairs.

Dannika: How did performance learning prepare you for graduation?

Britteny: One example was through a budgeting course I’d taken that helped prepare me with my finances. Millikin is great because it focuses on performance learning and provides real-world examples.

Dannika: What are some challenges you faced once you graduated from college? How did you handle those challenges?

Britteny: One of the biggest challenges I faced was figuring out what exactly I wanted to do.

Because the communication major is so broad, there are so many different avenues you can take. I also struggled with knowing my worth,

and, as a result, didn’t negotiate my first job offer. To handle those challenges, I tried to remain as patient and as positive as possible.

Dannika: What is the best advice you can give to a senior graduating student?

Britteny: Be willing to take a chance; don’t be upset if you don’t get exactly what you want. Keep going; don’t get scared but don’t settle either.

Dannika: What is one of the most surprising things you learned in life after graduation that you didn’t learn in school?

Britteny: Don’t mess up your credit, learn about it because it affects almost everything that you do. Whether you want to purchase a home or a car it affects a lot so,

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FIND A WAY or MAKE ONE

By Dannika Beedle

stay on top of it, and don’t let your student loans default. Even if you’re paying $1 towards it pay it!

Dannika: Who would you say was the most influential professor you had as a student at Millikin?

Britteny: Dr. Nancy Curtin was one of my professors. She was very helpful and always pushed me to do the best work.

Dannika: What was a class you took that you felt you’d never need in the real world, and to your surprise, you’ve ended up using?

Britteny: Algebra! I never thought I would have needed it but I’ve ended up using it in multiple situations.

Dannika: What are some skills that you didn’t have and/or polished overtime once you came to Millikin?

Britteny: I’d definitely say time management since I was involved in so many different organizations. I needed to know how to balance out

the commitments I made to each of these organizations as well as making time for work and homework too. Another skill that I polished overtime was asking for help when I needed it and overall prioritization in general.

Dannika: As a Millikin alum and senior recruiter, what was something you’ve noticed that college graduate students do that perhaps is not the most appropriate for the professional world?

Britteny: I would definitely say don’t get too entitled. There’s always room for improvement and you can always get better. Be humble because you can be replaced. There are thousands of young professionals and the job market can be cutthroat when it comes to competition.

Overall, your attitude can make or break you.

Millikin alum Britteny Soto 43

Dannika: What is your favorite quote?

Britteny: “Find a way or make one.”

Along with Britteny there are many other people who struggle with making the transition from college to the professional world.

As a senior in college preparing to graduate I have already started feeling the pressure of moving on.

From internships to applying for career-related opportunities, networking, and more, college is a very different experience from the

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professional world. And though these experiences are to prepare us for life after college, do not be misled. This is and can be a scary experience. Likewise, it can also be a refreshing feel. It simply depends on how you look at the situation.

Either way please know that these are completely normal feelings to have and that you are not alone in feeling this way. Britteny’s story is one of many.

FIND A WAY or MAKE ONE

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