SNAP SHOTS

Illustrations by Iryna Presley

Last semester, the UFV history department held an informal trivia night, and what transpired is one of the best sales-pitches I can make for pursuing a degree in history. What would have been a pretty standard contest in any other trivia night (even the sociallylubricated pub variety), quickly devolved into a series of lively arguments among the assembled students and profs. Answers were challenged. Questions were challenged. Some turned to Google, while others texted absent faculty for backup. There was no hint of animosity — only rigorous and passionate rebuttals — and refutations of rebuttals. As academic institutions continue to drift from their traditional ethos — adopting a model that views students first and foremost as customers — disciplines that foster thoughtful debate are withering. More often than not, classrooms feel like spaces to agree and build upon common interpretations, rather than challenge them. Campuses should be safe and inclusive spaces for all people, but openly inquisitorial to (if not defiant of) preconceptions, ideology, and orthodox thinking. Good faith disagreement and debate is the grindstone upon which you sharpen and hone your own argument, building confidence and resilience, but also nuance and understanding. It’s a bedrock of liberal, pluralistic societies. Luckily, that spirit is alive and well in the UFV department of history.

Bradley Duncan

Ever since I took a rather terrible tumble down a flight of stairs back in October, I have been particularly careful around steps. I’m a regular opponent in the ring when it comes to stairs, and unfortunately, I’m almost always the loser. Many of my friends have simply grown used to seeing me trip on the stairs, and don’t even bother to ask if I’m okay anymore; my injury is just a common event for them.

As a result, I was so careful for so long that I got just a bit too cocky. Lo and behold, I tripped on a staircase again after months of being free from haphazard bruises. What did I earn from this last fender-bender? One lovely, swollen, colour-changing bruise to my knee and some inexplicable pain in the joint between my hip and right leg. The stairs have yet again put me in my place, but at least this time I only needed an ice pack instead of a visit to the ER. This won’t be our last battle, stairs!

Emmaline Spencer

For the past six months, my partner and I have been talking about introducing a pet to our little family. It’s a big step, but this past weekend, we committed ourselves to 70 years (yes, 70 years) with our new companion: Guillermo the tortoise.

At just two inches long, this sleepy little dude has a promising future ahead of him. A future filled with as many dandelions, foraged flowers, and lettuce varieties as his little heart desires. Although I’ll admit that there is nothing more adorable than seeing this shelled cutie stretch his tiny, scrawny arms after an afternoon nap, or wiggle his bum in his evening bath, my biggest disappointment in the few days since we’ve adopted him has been learning that this breed — Hermann’s Tortoises — in all their mightiness, cannot digest fruit. Despite the trending ASMR TikToks of tortoises munching delightfully on berries, it’s actually incredibly harmful to them. So, gone are my dreams of hand-feeding Guillermo freshly picked strawberries or plump raspberries on a hot summer day — his tummy prefers boring ol’ greens. Nevertheless, despite this fatal fruitless flaw, Guillermo is nothing short of perfect. Welcome to the fam, little dude.

Sydney Marchand

The long sleepless nights are over; no more essay writing, caffeine chugging, or tears. What do I do now? The possibilities seem endless, yet I am bored! I watch countless hours of meaningless sitcoms; I go outside and feel the cool summer air; I eat so many popsicles the inside of my mouth turns red; and I finally have time to read the mountains of books that accumulated over the semester.

Summer is arguably the best season of the year; you have so much time you barely know what to do with it! You can find the time to get in much-needed rest before the new semester starts, allowing you to start off the next academic year right! Spend time with friends, go for a midnight swim, or stare up at the stars! Ironically, the sky's the limit! Being bored sometimes is good! You don’t feel the pressure of other commitments and aren’t constantly trying to complete a to-do list.

My advice this summer — allow yourself to be bored! Let it push you to go outside, be with friends, and make those summer memories you will look back on fondly. Cherish the time you get, without worry over school or other commitments. You deserve it.

Gianna Dinwoodie