The Confluence | The "Damon Is Leaving" Edition | October 3rd

Confluence

YOUR OFFICIAL COLLEGE MAGAZINE

October 3rd 2019

The

6 A LIFE BY X

04

First Day

“Boxman” by Agyapal Singh

It’s the Chief - Editorial

Hello everyone,

There is some bittersweet news in the office today. On the bright side, I have been promoted to the role of the Communications Officer! On the more sombre side, I have to give up my position as the editor-in-chief. This is not something I am doing lightly, but I am very excited at the prospects of the role I am going into.

I am not leaving the Confluence altogether, however. As the Communications Officer, I am overseeing the development of the magazine for the foreseeable future.

On an exciting note, we are now doing our search for the new Editor-in-Chief of The Confluence! If you have any questions about the position or wish to apply, you can swing by the students union. Any applicants must provide a resume, and a portfolio if they have one. Applicants must be proficient with computers and be willing to learn the programs that we use to develop the magazine.

Cheers!

Damon Robinson Interim Editor-in-Chief

Until we find a new Editor-in-Chief, I will remain as the Interim Editor-in-Chief and Raegan will oversee submissions.

I am fully confident that we will find a suitable replacement, and I am fully expecting them to take the magazine to places that they have never been to before!

ABOUT THE COVER

02 THECONFLUENCE

Agyapal Singh is a first year Business Management student who has been featured on the cover a total of three times.

Talented at both graphic design and photography, Agyapal is absolutely someone to look out for on the scene.

I am very happy to have had Agyapal submit his cover for the magazine, and look forward to seeing more from him!

- Damon

Agyapal Singh Cover Artist

Hey Dudes- Editorial

With orientations and the first month of school wrapping up, I hope we’ve all settled in to our new classes, and for some, a new school. Though I am here to provide you with words of encouragement, I won’t lie to you— it is going to be stressful. There will be tears, there will be sweat, there may even be blood. Hopefully not blood though? You might be doing something wrong if there is blood. All that being said, I’m freakin’ excited. Call me a nerd, but school can be so much fun.

My article this week is all about how to survive this semester, so give it a read if you already find yourself drowning in bills, reading assignments, work, and all the other lovely overwhelming things that come with life. Though I am no professional, I am experienced with the struggles of first year. I send all of the luck and strength to you guys.

News Editor

Leila Depenau Executive Director

Ian Petrie Trades Rep.

Amy Barry Organizer

Shaun Edwards Health and Science Rep.

Rebecca Clark-Gray Office & Services Coordinator

Navjot Singh Brar Business & Technology Rep.

Carman Hill Quesnel Office & Services Coordinator

Brandan Jack Indigenous Rep.

Damon Robinson Communications Officer

Brittany Idiens Quesnel Rep.

03 THECONFLUENCE

Raegan Cote

Confluence The

FIR S T DAy

04 THECONFLUENCE

Raegan Cote, News Editor

The first day of classes has arrived.

The diversity among students can be spotted a mile away. Some return with a fresh mindset, crisp new notebooks, and deleted social media accounts.

Some return appearing dishevelled, dragging their feet across the hallways, patiently awaiting the caffeine to kick in.

And some, frazzled, yet innocent, with nervous excitement pumping through their veins; they are the first years. I can already see the poor newbies, struggling to locate their classes. Those who are less fortunate and never showed on orientation, and now don’t understand class numbers beginning with a two, do rest on the second floor. Though I was once, not long ago, in the same boat, I believe that I now have a certain degree of wisdom to share. The knowledge I carry comes from my many attempts and fails that came with the first year.

I fall somewhere in between feeling eager to begin the school year, and complete dread about the amount of stress I am about to experience, which means I have a bit of advice for everyone.

I could begin by telling you to

try never to fall behind because things get overwhelming fast in college. I could also ask you to READ THE SYLLABUS inside and out because most of your questions can be answered in one little piece of paper. I could even tell you that the grades you are given is the grade you receive, and fighting it is next to pointless. The problem with all of those is that you will be told that by nearly every instructor at CNC. I am here to offer you some advice coming from my personal experiences. The inside scoop, if you will. As much as I want to see everyone learn it for themselves as I did, I ultimately believe this is the right thing to do. The following are not just my trial and error stories; they are my survival tips. Take them with a grain of salt, or take the whole salt-shaker. It is entirely up to you.

The first piece of advice: eat your freakin’ breakfast. There cannot be a situation much worse than sitting through a three-hour lab and starving.

My mind indeed focuses on hunger before learning evolution. Humans are simple creatures, and we need the

basics before we go on to become nurses, teachers, or neuroscientists.

Doctors don’t go into surgery on an empty stomach, athletes don’t run a marathon without their fuel, and you, a student, cannot retain any information without a morning bagel. Treat your body with respect for Pete’s sakes.

Survival tip number two: you do not have to be in this alone. I am a social creature. I need people around me. I need the support, the community, and the comfort of society in that we are suffering together. I strongly encourage you to find a study group, as they will grow to be your go-to support system. Keep the group small, maybe three to four people, because it can quickly turn into a study party, and we all know no one does both at the same time. My study group last year saved my life to be honest. I focused about ten times better with them around me than I did studying alone. The pressure to get assignments done increases when you see others getting assignments done.

Tip number three: you will fail, yet become better because of it. For

Articles

example, my very first APA style pa- of them are reading this, just know we provide. Among this list, there are I appreciated it more than you know.

My fifth, and final tip: postsecondary is the easy part, so enjoy every minute of it. I might sound like a grandpa here, but life only gets harder.

College is about learning, making mistakes, and finding not only who you are, but what you are made to be. Yes, study, study, study—just don’t forget to be you along the way. Make connections, join a club, screw up, laugh about it, be passionate, learn, make something of yourself, and find love in everything you do. Just create your story, folks.

In conclusion, college is hard.

Apart from these survival tips, there are other practical tools the college provides to create smooth sailing for all students. I recommend speaking to an academic advisor throughout your few years spent at CNC, because they will point you in the right direction.

The college provides free counselling, which is a fantastic asset that not many students make use of. Your CNC Student Union is also here for many of your needs, so stop by and see what

many other tools available to help you, you just need to know where to look.

I hope this list helps you out, if not at least gives you a smidge of motivation to kick ass this school year. With all that being said, I wish everyone a successful semester!

05 THECONFLUENCE

per, I got a hot zero on. I accidentally plagiarized, and I was genuinely destroyed from it. Looking back, I realize it was a very common mistake with my citing, and I wish I had taken it as a learning curve, instead of allowing tears to fall over it. The next assignment from that class, I nearly aced. I cried happy tears that time, but let’s be honest, I cry over everything. Anyways, the point I am trying to make is that you can still succeed no matter how bad you tank one or two papers or exams. Do your best to be your own biggest fan, and don’t lose hope.

Number four: make a friend, or at least acquaintance in your classes. This is purely so that you can use them throughout the semester, and who knows, you might have a longtime study buddy from it. This person will become your saving grace and vice versa. If you miss a class, they can send you any notes, tips, and critical information you didn’t receive in person. I have had a couple of those angels in my classes, so if any

Confluence The

A Life by ‘x’

Break Boundaries

Anubhav Sharma, Student Contributer

Askew with the burden of excellence, people suc- Why does the human mind think that one is supcumb to the unrelenting path, sometimes, way posed to marry by 28?

06 THECONFLUENCE

too early.

Again, why does the human mind even gives birth to the fact that you are to have kids by 32?

What they don’t realize is the fact that they are not entitled to a certain level of achievement The numbers may differ, but the facts don’t. It’s not ethically right to impose upon someone the before attaining a certain age. Norms designed by the society are never meant to be fulfilled, at pretentious need to get oneself to live his/her life, in an entirely different way than what is least by the time you don’t want. desired by the person in the first place. And yet, at Why does the human mind think that one is sup- the very moment when you think that your posed to have a job by 22? place in society is rectified, the accusation of not

Articles completing your responsibilities hits you right

age you want. Marry, or if you don’t wanna, don’t.

Simple as that. Someone telling you to pursue

in the face, out of nowhere, and you’re left reeling in the wake of compulsions, that gnaw at your something just because it is worth pursuing for them doesn’t make it any less tenacious. mind, make you want to tear yourself from the inside out and lead you to roads you have Break boundaries. And don’t fret while doing so. despised from the beginning.

You know why?

Your life doesn’t come with a handbook that sum- Because in the end, it’s just you. marises the rules and dictations of how you Just you. want to live. It’s an empty notebook, straight from the press, which you can fill with whatever the

07 THECONFLUENCE

hell you want. Don’t let anyone tell you how to go about with your life. Have a job by whatever

Confluence The

08 THECONFLUENCE

OPEN CALL for your submissions

Poetry-Photography-Articles-REVIEWS-PAINTINGS GRAPHIC DESIGN-CARTOONS-CREATIVE WRITING-ESSAYS Submit now to: EDITOR@CNCSU.CA

Statement on the Climate Strike Blaney, and Greta Thunberg, have raised awareness and created a global movement, with folks from all walks of life demanding climate justice for all.

Millions of people around the world have been taking action during this Strike. We encourage all students in BC to be apart of this important action, and join the Global Climate Strike: hit the streets, join a march or rally, and be loud on social media.

This is the time to show politicians, the media, corporations, and leaders everywhere that we won’t wait any longer for change – it has to happen now!

Find a local climate strike here.

The BC Federation of Students stands in solidarity with these young leaders, and with climate activists across the world. Climate justice must include a bold plan to fight the climate crisis, investments into communities struggling with undrinkable water and pollution, self-determination for Indigenous Peoples, and investments into clean energy technologies. Young people For those who aren’t able to atlike Autumn Peltier, Ta’Kaiya tend a climate strike, you can

still take action. We’re in the midst of a federal election – you can use the Canadian Labour Congress’ campaign tool to email party leaders to tell them you want them to commit to bold action on climate justice. Or you can write a letter to the editors of local papers to keep the issue a top priority in your community.

We all have the right to live in a province, country, and world where the physical, social, and mental well-being of the people are valued more than the profits of corporations. Let’s show our governments that BC students are a part of the fight to demand action and climate justice now. Our futures depend on it.

For more articles like this, check out the official BCFS blog at https://www.wearebcstudents.ca/blog

09 THECONFLUENCE

For eight days, citizens from all across the globe have been taking a stand in a Global Climate Strike, demanding dramatic and urgent action to fix the global climate crisis. This movement is being led by young people, who are fighting for their futures and the future of the planet.

10 THECONFLUENCE

E t er na l S u n s h i n e

By DA MO N ROB INSON

I am a bit bias when it comes to writing the journal this time. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is my favourite movie of all time, but I’ll try to stay down the middle and be neutral.

all of a sudden ends up in a entirely different building. Of course, this isn’t acknowledged as it didn’t happen like that but it was illustrated that way for the sake of the viewer. This really paints the picture of memories and how the gracefully flow, because your brain just fills in the gaps.

This film is fantastic. (In my opinion.)

The story starts off as your typical love story, but it quickly devolves into a fever dream reminiscent of my last flu-trip. The gimmick of this story is that there is a small company called “Lacuna”, which accurately means an empty space. See, Lacuna deals with mindwipes. They generally do a good job, which is good when it comes to grief. However, grief is what makes us truly human in my opinion and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Which will now just be called Eternal Sunshine) adds interesting commentary to this thought. How can Joel and Clementine grow as people if they just erase their memories? Answer: They can’t, as they fall right back in love with each other in a fit of terrible dramatic irony.

My favourite part of the film is how it deals with breakups and heartbreak. The storyline really reminds me of the five stages of grief in that aspect, as Joel appears to be going through each stage in each part of the film.

You feel for Joel, as you should any protagonist, as he really is just a typical middle-aged man doing what anybody would do under heartbreak: Make a really stupid, shortsighted decision in the heat of the moment. This becomes apparent when Joel regrets his decision to erase Clementine from his memory in the same way she done to him. So it becomes especially heart wrenching when he finally realizes that he can do nothing except accept the situation and let go.

The beauty this film emanates comes from it’s photography. Each scene transitions beautifully into the next in a way that properly illustrates how memories work. It’s also a good tool for switching scenes, one example is when Joel is walking through a door and

I absolutely adore this film, and it was such a pleasure to watch it again in a theatre setting. I cannot wait for the next upcoming time to watch it again two months from now. I give it 5 Jim Carrey’s out of 5 Mark Ruffalo’s.

By Gab rielle Sand hu

B r e n t’s W e d d in g

Whispered gratitude’s For the ceaseless forgiveness

11 THECONFLUENCE

Raindrops soak That I was too naïve to withhold Into flowers Woven through her hair, as your father Whispered gratitude’s Recites his vows For the strength, for the weight of our worlds Moonshine sipped That ripped apart my shoulders, From glass and copper Because you were nothing of a man.

Sweet to the taste

Of the unknown.

In retrospection, This was the night that you thanked One acoustic guitar me for it all.

Strummed in remembrance This was the night that I fulfilled my Of a young man, grieved for by purpose to you.

A broken people This was the night that you finally let me go.

A dirt road, one tailgate for two The years that followed, Whispered gratitude’s cling to my ears Were irrelevant.

For the circumstances that I did not beg for, But stood by you regardless.

ADVICE YOU CAN COUNT ON!

Student LifeLine is a confidential student resource program providing practical support to help you maintain a healthy balance between school and everyday life.

LIFE

GET THE APP! Take Student LifeLine with you, wherever you go. For anytime access to free, confidential support and resources, download the app for iOS or Android. Simply search for “LifeWorks” on the App Store or Google Play.

Student Life, Legal, Relationships, Disability, Crisis, Traumatic Events HEALTH

Mental Health, Addictions, Fitness, Nutrition, Sleep, Alternative Health FAMIL Y

Couples, Parenting, Separation & Divorce, Older Relatives, Grief & Loss MONEY

Saving, Investing, Managing Debt, Tenant Rights, Major Purchases WORK

12 THECONFLUENCE

Call us, toll-free, 24/7: 1.877.418.1537 TTY: 1.877.371.9978 Online: login.lifeworks.com

User ID cnc Password wellness

Work Relationships, Job Stress, Career Development, Managing People Services include expert advice, counselling, consultations, community referrals, and access to online resources including articles, recordings, eBooks, toolkits, and more.

Powered by Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

This program is delivered by LifeWorks Canada Ltd. © LifeWorks Canada Ltd, 2017.