Why is Rain Calming? By Mridula Murugan

 Why is Rain Calming?

By Mridula Murugan

According to an article from The Mind Company, the sound of rain makes everything feel calmer, even having benefits, such as helping you fall asleep easier. There is science behind this supposed power, changing the way that your brain reacts to the sound of rain. These rain sounds are often very repetitive and come at a lower pitch, making your nervous system feel like the sounds are familiar to you. It can act like a sort of natural white noise to help you feel calm and at ease. It might even bring back comforting memories that give you a calm and relaxed feeling. 

The article also explains that it can affect the way you rest, because of the other effects of rain. Since rainy weather also comes with low sunlight and lower air pressure, it makes your body feel sleepier and ready to take a nap. When replicating this with rain sounds, you might still find it easier to fall asleep. Another reason that rain is calming is because of the emotional connection to it, especially with what it represents. Since rainy weather allows for a day spent inside, resting away from the cold weather, it feels like a sign to let go of the stress and stay calm.

To me, the rain is calming because it feels like everything slows down in those moments. It relaxes my brain and makes everything else feel quieter, allowing for a peaceful and focused mood. While the rainy weather might be the best time to rest, I believe it’s a great time to settle in for a comforting book or show to keep you company. In these moments, it’s easy to understand why rain is the best natural source of calm.

Works Cited

Wormsley, Colleen. “Why Is Rain so Calming? The Science behind Sleeping to Nature’s Soothing Sounds.” The Mind Company, 19 Sept. 2025, themindcompany.com/blog/why-is-rain-so-calming.

How to Remember What You Read By Mridula Murugan

 How to Remember What You Read

By Mridula Murugan

It’s important to know that remembering what you read is not just about having a good memory. It revolves around having a purpose and actually doing something with those ideas afterward. In the article, James Clear explains that people should focus on books that are worthwhile, choose how to apply them to real life, and avoid treating it like a race. One strategy is to take notes in a way that you can actually return to them later, effectively understanding what you read. This means creating notes that are searchable, highlighting key passages, and writing important notes that are concise but independent of what you remember.

Always remember that you can always quit a book, especially if the quality of the ideas does not stick out to you. The article emphasizes that the opportunity cost is too high to be wasting your time on average books and average ideas. The books that you should pick are the ones that provide wisdom that are actually able to be used immediately. At the end of each book, write a short summary so you can maintain the main ideas and be able to review all your notes and ideas quickly. 

For me, I always notice that I remember reading better when I actually think about what I’m reading as I do. If I simply read a book for a certain time spent reading or to reach the end of the chapter, I won’t truly process what I’m reading. Instead, if I think about how that novel or article applies to something in my life, they continue to stand out to me long after I put it down. In the end, make sure to put in effort continuously to retain all the knowledge that you interact with. 

Works Cited

Clear, James. “Reading Comprehension: How to Retain More of Every Book You Read.” James Clear, 3 Sept. 2018, jamesclear.com/reading-comprehension-strategies.

Margins By Mridula Murugan

 Margins

By Mridula Murugan

Margins wait

beside the page,

quiet places

blank and pale.

They are not

the center line,

not the sentence

meant to shine.

Still they hold

the smaller things—

question marks,

half-finished thoughts,

tiny stars,

crooked arrows,

words written fast

before they’re lost.

They make room

for extra doubt,

for a change of mind.

What does not fit

in a perfect line

simply settles

at the side.

Clock By Mridula Murugan

 Clock

By Mridula Murugan

On the wall,

it waits without resting,

hands moving

whether anyone looks or not.

A clock is patient

with no hurry,

yet it never stops.

It simply keeps going,

minute after minute,

carrying mornings into afternoons,

afternoons into night.

Sometimes it feels gentle,

like in a quiet classroom

when the light falls across the desks

and the second hand circles

as if nothing in the world

could break the calm.

Other times it feels louder,

a sharper pressure,

when someone is waiting

for an answer,

a decision,

a door to open,

a moment to end.

Cherry Blossoms By Mridula Murugan

 Cherry Blossoms

By Mridula Murugan

Spring arrives

without much noise,

just a softer wind,

a little more light.

Cherry blossoms open

like soft light,

spreading through branches

in shades of pale pink.

The breeze moves through 

with a simple ease,

and petals drift down

slow as quiet thoughts.

The world is gentler,

touched by their color.

They do not stay long,

and their beauty feels deeper

because it will pass.

Still, while they bloom,

they make spring feel visible,

like the season itself

has taken a shape.

Basic Economics Every Teen Should Know By: Sujal Mirchandani

  Basic Economics Every Teen Should Know

By: Sujal Mirchandani

Economics might sound like a boring subject area which only grown ups might be interested in. But, after taking Microeconomics in school, I have realized that some of the concepts in the class apply to all of our lives and it is important that we learn them. Knowing the fundamentals of economics can help us be more educated and make smarter choices with our money. Economics is especially important to teenagers since they are most likely to be wasteful and inconsiderate with money. 

The most important concept in economics is supply and demand. It basically implies that when there is a large number of goods or services, people demand it less and are willing to pay a lower price. But, when there’s only a small number of goods or services, this makes the product more appealing to consumers and forces people to pay a premium price. Basically, whenever the supply is low, the demand is high, and whenever the supply is high, the demand is low. This is important for teenagers because they are inclined towards paying high prices for things such as shoes, video games, clothes, etc. since there is a low supply. Teenagers need to understand how they are being influenced to purchase something just because it is rare. 

Another economics concept is opportunity cost. It deals with the next best thing you could have done with your resources once you have used them. For example, if I spend my time studying for a math test I have tomorrow, my opportunity cost is the time I could have spent playing basketball outside with my friends. There is opportunity cost involved each time you make a decision, which is why you must make smart decisions with your limited resources. Knowing about this concept will make teenagers be less wasteful with their time and money. If they understand different ways they can utilize their resources, they will be more likely to make smarter decisions. 

Lastly, teenagers need to understand the concept of marginal utility, which represents the additional satisfaction a person receives with one additional unit of good. For example, if I am craving donuts, my marginal utility for the first donut would be 500 since it will give me high satisfaction. But, as I consume more donuts, I would start to enjoy it less and less, dropping my marginal utility with each additional donut. Therefore, the smartest choice would be to consume until my marginal utility is proportional to the marginal cost of donuts. Understanding this will help teens be more mindful of what they are purchasing and if it's worth the price they are paying for it. 

I believe that everyone can greatly benefit from learning some economics because it makes us more informed as individuals and consumers. Knowing the basics of economics will make you more mindful of what’s going on in the economy, such as inflation, unemployment, etc, which is important because it affects you as an individual. 

Pressure To Be the Best By: Sujal Mirchandani

 Pressure To Be the Best

By: Sujal Mirchandani

In today’s world, teenagers often feel the pressure to stay productive all the time. They are expected to study hard, play sports, work out, learn new skills, do internships, and more. A lot of these expectations come from seeing what others are doing, both online and in school, which makes teens feel like they always need to do more. Although being productive is a good thing, constantly comparing yourself to others can be harmful.

Seeing what your friends or classmates have achieved can make you feel like you are falling behind. Because of this, many teens try to involve themselves in as many activities as possible just to keep up. However, this often leads to feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, leaving little to no time for themselves. Sometimes, they even take part in activities they are not interested in, just to prove something to others. This creates the idea that they always need to be working to be considered productive, even if it means not giving themselves enough rest. As a result, it becomes difficult to balance everything, and their schoolwork or grades may start to suffer. I believe that teenagers should focus on spending their time on things they genuinely care about instead of doing random activities just to get attention from others.

It is also important for teens to understand that resting is not a bad thing. Getting enough sleep and taking breaks can actually help them feel more energized and focused. They should not feel like they have to sacrifice their rest just to keep working, as this can negatively affect their health. Ultimately, teenagers need to find a balance between staying productive and getting time to rest to be successful in the long run.