Why Rewatching Shows Are Better Than Starting New Ones by Aaliyah Sharma

 

Wed, Sep 16, 10:23 AM (1 day ago)

Why Rewatching Shows Are Better Than Starting New Ones by Aaliyah Sharma

        There is an unspoken pressure in modern culture to constantly consume the next big thing. Streaming platforms drop entire seasons of new shows overnight, social media explodes with endless commentary, and you are immediately expected to keep up or risk falling out of the loop. Yet, after a long day of navigating high school, homework, and social obligations, the most appealing option is rarely whatever is trending at the top of a recommended list. Instead, it is clicking on a show you have already finished three times before. While critics might call this a waste of time, revisiting familiar stories offers a distinct psychological comfort that constantly chasing new content simply cannot match.

        The core appeal of rewatching a favorite show lies in the total absence of cognitive stress. When you start a brand-new series, your brain is forced to do heavy lifting: learning complex character names, tracking intricate plotlines, and anticipating sudden narrative twists. It requires active focus and emotional investment. A rewatch, by contrast, asks nothing of you. You already know who survives, which jokes are coming, and exactly how the season finishes. In a world where so much of daily life feels unpredictable and demanding, stepping into a story where the outcome is entirely guaranteed provides a rare, low-stakes environment to actually unwind.

         Beyond convenience, there is a deep sense of nostalgia woven into familiar television. Shows often become time capsules of specific periods in our lives. Putting on an episode you loved during middle school or early high school instantly bridges the gap to who you were back then, bringing back comfortable, easy memories. The characters feel less like fictional entities on a screen and more like old friends whose personalities and dynamics you have completely memorized. Returning to their world feels less like seeking entertainment and more like coming home after a long trip.

        Ironically, rewatching a series can actually deepen your appreciation for it in ways a first view never allows. On your initial run through a story, you are so focused on finding out what happens next that you inevitably miss the subtle details. Knowing the ending frees you up to pay attention to background acting, subtle foreshadowing, pacing, and dialogue framing. You notice small character moments and thematic patterns that were invisible when you were just waiting for the next major plot twist.

        Ultimately, while exploring new media has its place, there is no shame in sticking to a proven routine. Consuming art isn't an efficiency race, and you don't owe your free time to whatever algorithm is currently pushing the newest release. Choosing a familiar comfort show is an intentional act of resetting your brain. In an environment that constantly demands our full attention and adaptability, leaning into the predictable charm of a story you already love is the ultimate form of low-key relaxation.

Aaliyah Sharma

The Terrifying First Time Driving by Aaliyah Sharma

 The Terrifying First Time Driving by Aaliyah Sharma

        There is a specific moment when growing up suddenly stops feeling theoretical and becomes very real. For me, it didn’t happen at midnight on my birthday; it happened the first time I sat in the driver’s seat, adjusted the rearview mirror, and realized I was now in charge of a two-ton vehicle. Up until that afternoon, riding in a car was totally passive. I’d listen to music, look out the window, or check my phone while someone else handled the road. The second I swapped seats, that comfortable bubble completely popped.
        We started on a quiet side street, but to my brain, it might as well have been a six-lane highway. My instructor sat in the passenger seat with an unnervingly calm attitude, telling me to start the engine and slowly shift into drive. As soon as I took my foot off the brake, my heart rate spiked. Steering, which always looked so effortless when my parents did it, suddenly felt like a high-stakes balancing act. Keeping the car straight in the middle of the lane took way more focus than I ever expected.
        The hardest part was definitely getting a feel for the pedals. The brake, in particular, was completely unforgiving. The first time I tried to stop at a sign, I tapped it just a little too hard, causing the car to lurch forward and nearly giving us both whiplash. After a quick, awkward apology, I spent the rest of the hour trying to figure out the exact millimeter of pressure needed to stop smoothly. Even keeping a steady speed felt like a chore, as the needle kept drifting five miles over or under the limit every time I looked down at the dashboard.

        What made the whole experience so stressful was the sudden weight of responsibility. Being a passenger means trusting that everyone else knows what they’re doing. Being the driver forces you to realize that every car passing you is just another person hoping everyone follows the rules. You have to watch your blind spots, check your mirrors, scan for pedestrians, and predict what the car in front of you is going to do all at once. The margin for error felt incredibly thin.
        By the time I finally put the car back in park, my hands were literally stiff from holding the steering wheel so tight. I hadn't hit a curb or caused any damage, but I felt like I had just finished a full mental workout. Learning to drive is definitely a major milestone, but it’s also a reality check. It gives you a lot of freedom, but it also gives you a whole new respect for the road and a lot more appreciation for whoever has been driving you around your entire life.

Aaliyah Sharma

Focus by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Focus by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

In today's world, it can be difficult to stay focused. Phones, video games, social media,

notifications, and even our own thoughts can easily distract us. However, focus is an important

skill that can help us succeed in school, sports, hobbies, and everyday life. Being able to

concentrate on one task allows us to do our best work and make better decisions.

Focus means giving your attention to something without allowing distractions to take over. For

example, when a student focuses while studying, they are more likely to understand and

remember what they learn. In sports, focus can help an athlete pay attention to their technique,

react quickly, and stay calm during an important moment. Even simple activities, such as

reading a book or having a conversation, require focus.

One of the biggest benefits of focus is that it helps us accomplish goals. Large goals can

sometimes seem difficult, but focusing on one small step at a time can make them easier.

Instead of thinking about everything that needs to be done, a person can concentrate on what

they need to do right now. This can make challenging tasks feel more manageable.

Focus also takes practice. It is normal for our attention to wander, especially when something is

difficult or boring. One way to improve focus is to remove distractions. Putting away a phone,

finding a quiet place, and organizing your workspace can make it easier to concentrate. Taking

short breaks can also help your brain recharge before returning to a task.

Another important part of focus is learning how to control your thoughts. Sometimes, worrying

about the future or thinking about something that already happened can make it hard to

concentrate. When this happens, taking a moment to breathe and bring your attention back to

the task can help. The more often you practice doing this, the easier it can become.

Focus does not mean working nonstop. Rest, sleep, exercise, and time spent doing things you

enjoy are also important. A tired or overwhelmed mind can have a harder time concentrating.

Finding a healthy balance between work and rest can help you stay focused for longer periods

of time.

Ultimately, focus is a skill that anyone can improve. It helps us learn, solve problems, reach our

goals, and perform at our best. Distractions will always exist, but we can choose where to put

our attention. By practicing focus one step at a time, we can become more productive,

confident, and prepared to handle challenges.

Handling Pressure by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Handling Pressure by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Pressure is a normal part of life. Everyone experiences it at some point, whether it comes from

school, sports, friendships, family, or personal goals. Students may feel pressure to get good

grades, perform well in a game, make their parents proud, or fit in with their friends. A little

pressure can sometimes motivate us to work harder, but too much pressure can make us feel

stressed, worried, or overwhelmed. Learning how to handle pressure can help us stay calm,

focused, and confident when things become difficult.

One of the most important ways to handle pressure is to focus on what you can control. There

are many things in life that are outside of our control. For example, during a test, you cannot

control which questions will appear. During a sports competition, you cannot control how well

your opponent performs. Instead of worrying about things you cannot change, focus on your

preparation, effort, attitude, and decisions. Asking yourself, “What can I do right now?” can help

turn worry into action.

Another useful strategy is to break large problems into smaller steps. When you have several

assignments due, an important test coming up, or a big competition, thinking about everything at

once can make the pressure feel much greater. Instead, make a simple plan. Start with the most

important task and work on it for a certain amount of time. Once you finish, move on to the next

step. Completing smaller tasks can make a difficult situation feel more manageable and can

give you a sense of progress.

Preparation is also one of the best ways to reduce pressure. When you know that something

important is coming, preparing ahead of time can help you feel more confident. Studying a little

each day is usually less stressful than trying to learn everything the night before. In sports,

practicing skills repeatedly can make you feel more comfortable during a real competition.

Preparation does not guarantee that everything will go perfectly, but it helps you know that you

have done what you can.

It is also important to take care of yourself when you are under pressure. When people become

busy or stressed, they sometimes forget about basic things like getting enough sleep, eating

regular meals, drinking water, and taking breaks. These things can have a big effect on how

well you think and perform. Even a short break can give your mind time to reset. Taking a few

slow breaths, stretching, walking around, or simply stepping away from your work for a few

minutes can help you return with a clearer mind.

Your mindset can also change the way you experience pressure. Instead of telling yourself, “I

am going to mess this up,” try replacing that thought with something more helpful, such as, “I

have prepared for this, and I will do my best.” This does not mean pretending that everything will

be perfect. It means reminding yourself that one mistake or bad result does not define you.

Everyone makes mistakes, and mistakes can teach you what to improve next time.

Talking to someone you trust can also make pressure easier to handle. If you are feeling

overwhelmed, you can talk to a parent, teacher, coach, friend, or another trusted person. They

may be able to give you advice, help you make a plan, or simply listen. Sometimes we make our

problems feel bigger because we keep them to ourselves. Sharing what you are dealing with

can help you see the situation from a different perspective.

Pressure can be especially challenging when we compare ourselves to other people. You might

see someone getting a better grade, running a faster time, winning more games, or

accomplishing something before you do. It is easy to think that you need to match them

immediately. However, everyone develops at a different pace. Instead of constantly comparing

yourself with others, compare yourself with who you were yesterday. Ask yourself, “What have I

improved?” and “What can I work on next?” Progress is more important than being perfect.

It is also helpful to remember that being nervous does not mean you are unprepared. Before an

important test, presentation, or competition, you may feel your heart beating faster or your

thoughts racing. These feelings are normal. Rather than seeing nervousness as a sign that

something will go wrong, think of it as your body preparing you to focus. Take a breath, slow

down, and concentrate on the first thing you need to do.

Most importantly, remember that pressure does not determine your worth. A single test grade,

game, competition, or mistake does not decide how successful or talented you are. What

matters is how you respond to challenges and what you learn from them. Sometimes things will

not go the way you hoped, even when you prepare and work hard. When that happens, give

yourself a chance to learn, improve, and try again.

Handling pressure is a skill that gets stronger with practice. The next time you feel

overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe, focus on what you can control, break the problem into

smaller steps, and remind yourself that you do not have to be perfect. Pressure may always be

a part of life, but it does not have to control you. By staying prepared, keeping a positive

mindset, and asking for help when you need it, you can face challenging situations with greater

confidence and calmness.

Defects of Pampering by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Defects of Pampering by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Parents naturally want to shield their children from discomfort, but over-

pampering ultimately weakens a child’s ability to thrive in the real world. While

showing love and affection is foundational for healthy emotional development,

modern child psychologists increasingly warn against indulgent or permissive

parenting because constantly rescuing children from minor struggles, catering to

every whim, and eliminating everyday chores inadvertently delays the

development of essential life skills. When parental affection crosses the line into

over-indulgence, children miss out on the vital psychological training required for

adulthood, a pattern that severely stunts their independence and leaves them

paralyzed later in life by simple tasks like organizing time, managing personal

responsibilities, and making basic decisions. Furthermore, extensive pediatric

research indicates that permissive parenting often fosters a deep entitlement

mentality, giving children an unrealistic "me first" perspective where they grow up

expecting special treatment and automatic rewards from society without putting

in any actual effort or experiencing the value of hard work. This artificial

cushioning also erodes fragile emotional resilience; because life is fundamentally

full of inevitable rejection, criticism, and failure, a child whose every cry or

frustration is immediately bought off with material gifts, digital distractions, or

superficial comfort never builds the emotional muscles needed to handle

disappointment, leading to skyrocketing anxiety levels during their teenage and

college years. Paradoxically, this level of pampering lowers genuine self-worth,

because true confidence is earned by overcoming obstacles, and when parents

routinely step in to complete every difficult task, rewrite every essay, or fight

every battle, they send a silent, damaging message that the child is simply not

capable or competent enough to handle life on their own. Experts emphasize that

there is a strict, critical distinction between supporting a child and enabling them,

meaning that while healthy, authoritative parenting allows natural consequences

to serve as teaching moments, enabling behavior actively protects children from

reality by doing things like rushing to school to drop off forgotten homework,

micro-managing their schedules, or stepping in to resolve every minor peer

disagreement instead of teaching them conflict resolution. Ultimately, clinical data

proves that setting firm boundaries and learning to say "no" without guilt helps

children feel more secure, guiding them to develop significantly higher levels of

empathy, emotional self-regulation, and frustration tolerance that will serve them

well in future careers and relationships. Instead of curating a completely

frictionless world that leaves children highly spoiled, anxious, and unprepared for

adulthood, parents who assign age-appropriate chores, enforce household rules,

and allow children to navigate their own minor setbacks give them a gift far more

valuable than temporary comfort: character, resilience, and genuine lifelong

independence.

A pirate’s guide to parenting styles. (2023, May 17). Cleveland Clinic.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/parenting-styles

ContentKeeper content filtering. (2025). Cnbc.Com.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/02/ive-studied-over-200-kids-signs-youve-raised-a-

highly-spoiled-one-and-how-parents-can-undo-it.html

All Because of A Eckels and a Butterfly: A Turn of Events by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 All Because of A Eckels and a Butterfly: A Turn of Events by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Internal distress in a function that can influence the action of a person. In the 1952

dystopian short story by Ray Bradbury, hunter and time-traveler Eckels along with the Time

Safari Company venture into the past for big-shot dinosaur hunting. However, the seemingly

small careless action of smooshing a butterfly 60 million years ago exponentially increases over

time and causes catastrophic and deviating changes to important political events in the future.

The consequences to this action is expressed through Bradbury’s utilization of crafting

techniques like foreshadowing, along with the symbolic development of thunder to simulate the

theme of the dangers of human interference with the limits of nature.

In the short story “A Sound of Thunder,” the author’s craft focus is foreshadowing that

the future has changed. This is evident when Eckels accidentally steps off the track in the future

and smooshes a brightly colored butterfly. Killing this butterfly means all its future generation

will be destroyed, resulting in the alteration of major future events. This event is also known as

the Butterfly Effect, a proven theory that explains how a seemingly insignificant change can

cause unpredictable changes in a complex system. This is shown when the narrator states,

“Outside this room, away from this man seated at this desk which are both not quite the same

desk.” This indicates that Eckels’s deviating actions with nature have caused a big change in the

events of future human generations and family trees. To make matters worse, Eckels and the

group have exceeded nature’s limit through artificial humanoid interactions. This unplanned

occurrence has changed the future and Bradbury’s words “...quite not the same” exemplify a way

of foreshadowing this event.

In a similar occurrence of consequences due to time travel, the consequences

exponentially increase over time and end up altering another major event. The alphabet. This is

evident in the story when an office sign on the wall has drastically changed with words never

seen before. Bradbury masterfully uses the craft of foreshadowing to indicate this in the short

story when he explains, “But the immediate thing was the sign painted on the office wall, the

same sign he had read earlier today on first entering. Somehow, the sign had changed.” This

example makes clear that though Eckels only killed a butterfly and its future generations

thousands of years ago, gradually over time the affected generations exponentially increase and

cause huge differences in major events of time. This part is clearly demonstrated with

Bradbury’s foreshadowing of the sign with different alphabets. Because of the author's usage of

such strong foreshadowing, the text is able to clearly reveal that a small mistake due to human

interference with nature’s limit alters the future drastically. To fully put into context, even a clear

staple in time, the alphabet has changed because of a chain reaction triggered by Eckel’s

carelessness and false interference. Ultimately, this is proof of how the author's strong use of

foreshadowing can fully illuminate how the future in the dystopian story has changed because of

a chain reaction triggered by carelessness and false interactions with a higher power.

Similarly, in “A Sound of Thunder,” thunder is symbolized as a higher power that is

specifically used to indicate the consequence of the act of exceeding nature’s limit through time

travel. This is beautifully illustrated through the author's symbolism for the “sound of thunder”

when Travis gets annoyed at Eckel’s future disrupting actions and lifts his rifle to brutally

murder him when “a sound of thunder” roars through the atmosphere(Bradbury 1). This

significantly important moment occurs when in the present of the short story it explains, “He

heard Travis breathe loudly. He heard Travis lift his rifle, click the safety catch , and raise the

weapon, there was a sound of thunder” (Bradbury 8). This makes clear that thunder is

metaphorically shown to perceive that it is a higher power that has been shown as punishing

Eckels for exceeding nature’s limit through time travel and for his deviating careless actions of

smooshing the butterfly. This act of symbolism from the author carefully reveals that Eckels’s

mistake of accidentally altering the future has caused him to trigger the thunder, a godly higher

power that is punishing him for testing nature’s limit. Overall, the author's use of symbolism

towards the thunder brightly illuminates the light bulb of the consequences due to Eckels’s

careless actions of altering the future due to killing a small butterfly that metaphorically holds

the safe to major future events like the alphabet. Furthermore, the symbolism of the thunder is

the key to understanding the consequences of Eckels’s actions.

In light of this analysis, the theme of the dangers of human interference with nature's

limit is clearly evident in “A Sound of Thunder,” which is thoughtfully crafted through the

author's use of foreshadowing and the symbolism of the higher force of thunder. The reader

witnesses these literary devices driving the theme when Eckels, a big-shot hunter, time travels

through the Time Safari Company and accidentally alters the future in a sequence of dependent

domino-effects by smooshing a butterfly that metaphorically held the safe to important future

events. This is known today as the butterfly effect. The story reveals that accidental and artificial

changes in nature can trigger a series of deviating and destructive events. The dystopian story

urges the message that humanity must approach power and technology with caution because

even the most trivial human choices carry unforeseen and catastrophic consequences.

Works Cited

Bradbury, Ray. “A Sound of Thunder.” Ploughshares, vol. 46, no. 3, 28 June 1952, pp.

243–254, https://doi.org/10.1353/plo.2020.0131.

Rauch, Allison. “Butterfly Effect | Mechanics.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Sept. 2024,

www.britannica.com/science/butterfly-effect.

What Makes Someone Talented? By: Nandita Kamalakannan

 What Makes Someone Talented? By: Nandita Kamalakannan

When we see someone who is really good at something, we often call them “talented.”

A great violinist? Talented.

An amazing artist? Talented.

A fast runner? Talented.

Someone who can write complicated computer programs? Talented.

But what does being talented actually mean?

Are talented people simply born with abilities that the rest of us don't have? Or is talent

something we can develop?

I think it is a little of both.

Some people may naturally find certain things easier. Someone might have a good sense of

rhythm and pick up music quickly. Another person might be naturally athletic. Someone else

might understand numbers or computers without much explanation.

But natural ability is only the beginning.

Imagine two people who are both naturally good at playing violin. One practices regularly, learns

from mistakes, and keeps challenging herself. The other rarely practices because she assumes

talent is enough.

A year later, who will be better?

Probably the person who kept practicing.

The same thing happens in running. You might have natural speed, but if you never train, you

probably won't reach your potential. An artist may have a great imagination, but still needs to

practice drawing. A programmer may understand computers quickly, but still has to spend hours

debugging when something doesn't work.

Maybe talent gets you started, but effort determines how far you go.

There is another side to talent that we don't talk about enough: being willing to be bad at

something first.

When we try something new, we usually aren't very good at it.

That can be uncomfortable.

We might compare ourselves to someone who has been doing it for years and think, “I'll never be

that good.”

But everyone starts somewhere.

The person who plays a beautiful violin solo once had trouble playing the notes correctly.

The fast runner once struggled to finish a mile.

The talented artist once drew pictures that didn't look the way they wanted.

The programmer once stared at an error message with absolutely no idea what it meant.

The difference is that they kept going.

I also think talent isn't always about being the best.

Sometimes talent is curiosity.

Sometimes it is creativity.

Sometimes it is the ability to see a problem differently from everyone else.

And sometimes the most important talent is simply the willingness to keep learning.

We live in a world where people often show their best moments. On social media, we see

amazing artwork, impressive performances, athletic achievements, and incredible projects.

What we don't see are the thousands of attempts that came before them.

So the next time you see someone who seems incredibly talented, don't just think, “They are

lucky. They were born with it.”

Think about everything you can't see.

The practice.

The mistakes.

The frustration.

The time they spent learning.

Talent may give someone a head start, but it doesn't guarantee the finish.

In the end, maybe the most talented person isn't the one who starts out the best.

Maybe it's the person who is willing to keep getting better.

Chess: A Game of Choices by Nandan Kamalakannan

 Chess: A Game of Choices by Nandan Kamalakannan 

At first, chess looks like a simple game. There is a board, 32 pieces, and two players sitting

across from each other.

But after you start playing, you realize something: chess is really a game of choices.

Every turn gives you several possibilities. You can move a piece forward, attack your opponent,

defend one of your pieces, or sometimes do nothing at all.

The difficult part isn't knowing how the pieces move. The difficult part is deciding which move

is the right one.

And there usually isn't just one obvious answer.

You might see a move that looks perfect, only to discover a few turns later that you made a

mistake. Maybe you were so focused on attacking that you forgot to protect your own king.

Chess teaches you to think ahead.

Before making a move, you have to ask yourself, “What will happen next?”

Then you have to ask, “What will my opponent do?”

And sometimes you have to think even further.

That is one of the things I like about chess. It reminds me that our choices can have

consequences that we don't see immediately.

This happens outside chess too.

You might decide to procrastinate on homework because you would rather play games or watch

videos. It feels like a good decision at that moment.

Then suddenly it's 10:30 at night and you still have homework to finish.

One small choice created a much bigger problem later.

Chess also teaches you that you can't always choose the easiest move.

Sometimes you have to make a difficult decision now because it will help you later. You might

sacrifice a piece to gain an advantage. You might give up something that seems valuable because

you have a better plan.

Life can be like that too.

Not every good decision feels good immediately.

Another thing chess teaches is that you will make mistakes.

Everyone does.

Even great chess players sometimes make terrible moves. The important thing is what happens

afterward. You can stare at the board and wish you had made a different move, but you can't go

backward.

You have to look at what happened, learn from it, and make your next move.

I think that is one of the biggest lessons chess can teach us.

We don't get to restart every decision we make. We can't undo every mistake. But we can always

make another choice.

Maybe that's why chess is more than just a board game.

It teaches patience. It teaches us to think ahead. It teaches us to accept mistakes. Most

importantly, it teaches us that every move matters, but no single move has to define the entire

game.

The next time you sit down at a chessboard, don't just think about winning.

Think about your choices.

Because whether you're playing chess or making decisions in real life, sometimes the most

important question isn't:

“What can I do?”

It's:

“What should I do next?”

Yesterday's Treasures by Sarvessh Kannan

Yesterday's Treasures by Sarvessh Kannan

 The Magic of Old Technology

There was a time when a family evening meant gathering around the

television with a stack of DVDs or, for some of us, even earlier—cassette tapes.

These weren’t just objects; they were part of our daily rhythm. Sliding a DVD into

the player, or flipping a cassette to the other side, carried its own little sense of

ceremony. It slowed life down just enough for us to savor the moment. A DVD

collection on the shelf was like a library of personal treasures. We remembered

where each movie came from, who gave it to us, or which store we hunted

through to find it. The same was true of cassettes: each tape carried songs that

often marked seasons of our lives—music for long car rides, quiet evenings, or

celebrations with friends.

These technologies may not have been “perfect.” Discs could get

scratched. Cassettes sometimes needed a pencil to wind them back in. But in

those small imperfections, there was a kind of magic. They made us slow down,

pay attention, and treat our entertainment with care.

Today, with the world at our fingertips—streaming movies in an instant,

music on demand—it’s easy, convenient, and remarkable in its own way. Yet,

many of us still feel that those older days had something more personal,

something more real. They remind us of a simpler time, when joy could be found

in a single cassette or a family movie night.

The magic of old technology isn’t really gone. It lives on in our memories, and

every time we come across an old tape or disc, it feels like meeting an old friend again.

The Net That Caught the World

Just when families were still cheering the marvel of the television—gathering in living

rooms to watch programs on a glowing screen—a new and even greater wonder quietly

began to take shape. By the late 1900s, the world was introduced to something called

the Internet, and life would never be quite the same again.

With the click of a button, shelves once lined with heavy dictionaries, encyclopedias,

and thick phone books began to gather dust. What once required hours of searching in

a library or flipping through page after page could suddenly be found in seconds on a

glowing monitor. The world’s knowledge seemed to leap from paper into a vast invisible

web, available to anyone with a connection.

It wasn’t just about information, though. The Internet changed how people spoke to one

another. Letters that once took days or weeks to arrive were replaced with instant

messages and emails. Phone calls, once carefully timed to avoid long-distance charges,

gave way to video chats where you could see a loved one’s face across the ocean. For

the first time, the world truly felt small—neighbors across continents, connected by

invisible threads.

Of course, the old ways had their charm: the weight of a dictionary in your lap, the smell

of newsprint, the anticipation of hearing the mailman’s footsteps. But the Internet swept

across the globe with such speed and usefulness that it was impossible not to marvel at

it. Immediately it became one of the greatest inventions to ever revolutionize the way we

went about our lives.It became the net that caught the world—drawing us all closer,

changing how we live, learn, and remember.

Thompson, C. (2023, October 30). The empowering style of cassette tapes. Medium.

https://clivethompson.medium.com/the-empowering-style-of-cassette-tapes-

e3a620590d42

Marshall Jon Fisher, & A. Michael Noll. (2016). Television. In Encyclopædia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/technology/television-technology

Summer Break By: Sujal Mirchandani

 Summer Break

By: Sujal Mirchandani

# Summer Doesn't Feel Like It Used To

Summer was my favourite time of year. Back when I was younger, it seemed as though summer went on forever. I used to wake up late, spend my time playing outside, playing games and watching television, and yet the day still seemed very long.

Summer now seems a lot shorter.

I can't say whether it's due to my age or simply because I'm busier, but it seems as if summer is vanishing. You're still celebrating the end of term one moment and the next you're coming across back-to-school advertisements everywhere.

Back in my youth, summer seemed to be a big adventure; I still enjoy it nowadays, but I have more things on my mind such as college, work, studying, sports, and just trying to work out what I'm doing with my life.

It's kind of annoying.

One reason why summer seems different is that I know it won't last forever. When you're a child you don't really consider time at all; you just enjoy the day you're having.

I am always thinking about the speed at which time is moving.

At times I wish that I could return to the stage when I was a small child for a whole summer; not since things were perfect, but because I didn't worry about many things and my greatest difficulty was simply being bored.

It's almost pleasant to be getting bored.

I think that's just a consequence of growing older; things which once seemed normal now become things you miss.

I'm making an effort not to worry about the summer passing so quickly, and I really want to enjoy it while it's happening.

Before I know it I'll most likely be back in a classroom again, thinking about where the summer has got to go.

To be honest, I'm already going to say that it went far too quickly.

Procrastination By: Sujal Mirchandani

 Procrastination

By: Sujal Mirchandani

If there is one thing almost every high school student has in common, it is procrastination. We have all said, “I’ll do it later,” only to realize that the assignment is due tomorrow and we have barely started. Teachers often describe procrastination as laziness, but I do not completely agree.

Sometimes I procrastinate because I simply do not want to do the assignment. But other times, it is because I feel overwhelmed. When you have homework from several classes, a test to study for, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to know where to start. Putting everything off can almost feel easier than dealing with all of it at once.

I think another reason students procrastinate is because we expect ourselves to do everything perfectly. If I am worried that I will not do an assignment well, starting it can feel intimidating. Instead of risking doing something badly, I might convince myself that I will do it later when I have more time and motivation.

I have learned that procrastination does not necessarily mean someone does not care. Sometimes it means they are struggling to get started. Even knowing that, I still procrastinate sometimes. The difference is that I am trying to recognize when I am doing it and break the assignment into smaller pieces.

I do not think students need another lecture about how procrastination is bad. We already know. What we need is to understand why we are doing it. At the end of the day, procrastination is something I probably will never completely eliminate because I don’t think it's as big of an issue that teachers and adults make it to be. If I know that I am keeping things for the last minute but I am still able to complete them before the due date I don’t have a problem. For me, procrastination is only a problem when I am not able to fulfill a task in time because I was too lazy to start. 

Importance of screen limits by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Importance of screen limits by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Technology has become an important part of everyday life. People use phones, computers,

tablets, televisions, and video game systems for school, entertainment, communication, and

many other activities. Technology can be extremely useful, but spending too much time looking

at screens can make it harder to focus on other important parts of life. This is why having

reasonable screen time limits is important, especially for children and teenagers. Screen time

limits can help people develop healthier habits, get enough sleep, stay active, and spend more

time with family and friends.

One important reason to have screen time limits is that they can help people get enough sleep.

Many people use their phones, watch television, or play games late into the evening. When

someone stays on a screen instead of getting ready for bed, they may end up going to sleep

later than they planned. Not getting enough sleep can make it harder to concentrate, learn, and

have energy during the day. Setting a time to put away electronic devices at night can help

create a better bedtime routine.

Another reason screen time limits are important is that they encourage people to be physically

active. Spending hours sitting and using a device can take time away from activities such as

playing sports, riding a bike, walking, or simply going outside. Physical activity is important for

keeping the body healthy and can also be a fun way to spend time with friends. Having limits on

recreational screen time can encourage people to find other activities that get them moving.

Screen time limits can also help people focus on schoolwork. Phones, games, social media, and

videos can be distracting when someone is trying to study or complete an assignment. A person

might plan to spend only a few minutes checking their phone but end up spending much longer

than expected. Putting devices away while doing homework can make it easier to concentrate

and finish work efficiently. This can leave more free time afterward for entertainment.

In addition, limiting screen time can help people spend more quality time with family and friends.

It is easy for everyone in a household to become focused on their own device. Family members

might be sitting in the same room but not actually talking to one another. By having times when

devices are put away, families can eat meals together, play games, talk, or participate in

activities. Spending time with other people in person helps build stronger relationships.

Screen time limits can also encourage people to explore hobbies and interests outside of

technology. There are many activities that do not require a screen, such as reading books,

drawing, playing an instrument, cooking, building things, or participating in sports. Trying

different activities can help people discover new interests and develop useful skills. If someone

spends nearly all of their free time on a screen, they may miss opportunities to discover

activities they enjoy.

However, screen time is not always bad. Technology can be useful for education,

communication, creativity, and entertainment. Students may need computers or tablets to

complete assignments, research topics, or communicate with classmates. People can also use

technology to learn new skills and stay connected with family and friends. Therefore, the goal

should not necessarily be to avoid screens completely. Instead, people should learn how to

balance screen time with other important activities.

Creating reasonable limits can make this balance easier. For example, someone might decide

to finish homework and chores before playing video games or watching a show. Families might

also choose certain times when everyone puts their devices away, such as during meals or

before bedtime. The exact rules can be different for each person because everyone's

responsibilities and schedules are different. What matters most is making sure screen use does

not take over time that should be spent sleeping, learning, exercising, or connecting with others.

In conclusion, screen time limits are important because they can help people create a healthier

balance between technology and everyday life. Reasonable limits can encourage better sleep,

more physical activity, improved concentration, stronger relationships, and more time for

hobbies. Technology is a valuable tool, but it should be used responsibly. By setting limits and

making time for activities away from screens, people can enjoy the benefits of technology

without allowing it to control their daily lives.

Muppalla, S. K., Vuppalapati, S., Pulliahgaru, A. R., & Sreenivasulu, H. (2023, June 18).

Effects of excessive screen time on child development: An updated review and strategies

for management. Cureus. National Library of Medicine.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10353947/

Money management by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Money management by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Saving money is one of the most useful habits a person can develop. Whether you are saving

for something small, like a new game or a snack, or something much bigger, like a car, college,

or a house, learning how to manage money can make reaching your goals much easier. Saving

is not simply about refusing to spend money. It is about making thoughtful choices with the

money you have and preparing for the future.

One of the first steps to saving money is understanding where your money goes. It can be

surprisingly easy to spend small amounts without noticing. Buying a snack after school, ordering

something online, or spending money on entertainment may not seem like a big deal

individually. However, when these purchases happen repeatedly, they can add up quickly.

Keeping track of your spending can help you recognize patterns and decide which purchases

are actually important.

Another important part of saving is setting a goal. Having a specific reason to save can make it

much easier to stay motivated. Instead of simply saying, “I want to save money,” you could set a

goal such as, “I want to save $100 for something I really want.” A specific goal gives you

something to work toward and allows you to measure your progress. You can even divide a

large goal into smaller milestones so that saving does not feel overwhelming.

A useful strategy is to save money before spending it. Whenever you receive money, whether

through an allowance, a gift, or a job when you are old enough, consider putting some of it aside

immediately. This is sometimes called “paying yourself first.” For example, if you receive $20,

you could decide to save $5 and use the remaining $15. Over time, these small amounts can

become a surprisingly large savings.

It is also important to learn the difference between needs and wants. Needs are things that are

necessary, such as food, clothing, and a safe place to live. Wants are things that are enjoyable

but not essential, such as expensive games, new gadgets, or certain treats. This does not mean

you should never buy things you want. Instead, thinking about whether something is a need or a

want can help you make better decisions. Before buying something, you can ask yourself, “Do I

really need this, or do I just want it right now?”

Another way to save is to avoid impulse purchases. An impulse purchase happens when

someone buys something without planning to because it looks exciting or appealing in the

moment. Waiting before making a purchase can help you decide whether you truly want it.

Sometimes, after waiting a day or two, you may realize that you would rather keep your money.

This simple habit can prevent many unnecessary purchases.

Comparing prices can also make a difference. The first price you see is not always the best

deal. Different stores may sell similar products at different prices, and sales or discounts can

sometimes reduce the cost. However, a discount does not automatically mean you are saving

money. If you spend $30 on something you did not need simply because it was “50% off,” you

are still spending $30. The best savings come from buying things you actually need or want at a

reasonable price.

Saving money is not only useful for reaching goals; it can also provide security. Unexpected

expenses can happen at any time. Having some money saved can make it easier to deal with

an emergency or an unexpected cost. Adults often try to build an emergency fund for this

reason. Even when someone is young, developing the habit of keeping some money aside can

build good financial skills for the future.

Technology can make saving easier as well. Many banking apps and budgeting tools allow

people to track their spending, set goals, and monitor their savings. However, technology is only

a tool. The most important part of saving is developing good habits and making thoughtful

decisions. A person can have the best budgeting app in the world and still struggle to save if

they constantly spend more than they planned.

One of the biggest lessons about saving money is that small actions matter. Someone does not

need to save hundreds of dollars at once to make progress. Saving a few dollars regularly can

eventually become a significant amount. The earlier a person develops this habit, the more

natural it can become.

Saving money is ultimately about making choices today that can help you tomorrow. It teaches

patience, responsibility, planning, and self-control. While spending money can provide

immediate satisfaction, saving can help people accomplish larger goals and become more

prepared for the future. By tracking spending, setting goals, avoiding unnecessary purchases,

and consistently putting money aside, anyone can begin building better money habits. Saving

may seem difficult at first, but even small steps can lead to big results over time.

Justice Beyond War? by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Justice Beyond War? by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Between 2005 and 2022, more than 105,000 children were verified by the United Nations

as recruited and used by armed groups in terrorist conflicts. The recruitment of child soldiers has

been a recurring conflict in the argument of their amnesty. Many child soldiers are coerced and

forced into terroristic actions. In spite of the fact that there is compelling proof for the guiltiness

of child soldiers, authors like Jeremy Gettleman prove that there is equally convincing evidence

to prove their innocence and need for amnesty because of their impoverished environment,

immature and indoctrinated nature, and physical vulnerability during their time as a terrorist.

Impoverished young people are often taken advantage of by armed groups because of

their indoctrinated nature and natural instinct to trust an older figure. Many law enforcements

believe that a person’s age has an important impact on how liable they are to their consequences

for an illegal action. According to the Relief Web, if a child under the tender age of 15 is deemed

too young to fight, they cannot be held criminally responsible for serious violation of the IHL

during their association with armed forces and armed terrorist groups (“Relief Web”). In light of

this analysis, though kids are recruited by terrorist groups they are merely treated as weapons

instead of humans. Personal accounts from a former child soldier explains that Democratic

Republic groups manipulate underaged and relatively low-armed kids on duty even with the

knowledge that capture, torture and potential death await them (Gettleman). When global data

and second-hand accounts are filtered into their thesis, they reveal that poverty and social

insecurity can make young-people extremely vulnerable to the merciless exploitation of armed

groups. This synthesis embarks on the fact that kids cannot receive full consequences for being a

child soldier due to their impoverished and coercive environment that makes them vulnerable to

the recruitment of armed terrorist groups. As a whole, justice systems and law enforcements are

forced to make a tough call on child soldier amnesty because their age and impoverished

environment play key roles in deciding their innocence and responsibility for their violation of

the law.

The immature and indoctrinated nature of young children are factors that attract them to

the manipulating magnet of armed terrorist groups. A webpage of debated current events, Relief

Web explains the eligibility a child soldier has in order for them to receive legal action for their

violations against the IHL. It states that if a cold soldier under the age of fifteen is deemed too

young to fight, they criminally cannot be held fully responsible for their barbaric actions. In its

pure form, this means that if a child is at an age where their brian is too immature and not fully

developed, they are consequently not fully liable for their violation against the federal law of the

convicting state. The vulnerability of kids because of their indoctrinated nature is similarity

exemplified by Jeremy Gettleman in his article about the first hand account of a former child

soldier when he revealed the harsh truth about the childrens’ so called caretakers. In the article it

explains that Democratic groups put underage and relatively low-armed children on duty even

with knowing hat capture, torture and potential death await them (Gettleman). In analysis of the

harsh reality faced by child soldiers, it is revealed that armed groups exploit them as instruments

of violence rather than recognizing them as children seeking care and protection for their war-

filled country. All things considered, child soldiers are deprived of the right to be a normal

person and are instead used as fifteen and under desensitized weapons for warfare. Because of

these factors that push them into a life of violence and blood-thirst, they rightfully deserve

amnesty for their collateral actions and cannot be wholly liable for their terroristic actions.

Vulnerable child soldiers are poorly treated by their illegal rebel groups leaders, often

forced into committing barbaric and horrendous deeds. A Sierra-Leonian child soldier, Ishmael

Beah explains his resistance to revealing his experience as a child soldier during his high school

years. Beah explains that he fears revealing his background will provoke people into judging

him, making them refuse to accept him into society thinking that he behaves the same way he

was mercilessly treated in the rebel groups camps (Beah 1:08). In analysis, though child soldiers

may look accepted in public, it is because they are hiding a lot of sentimental things that could

negatively impact their face in public. Similarly like Beah, it is in fact true that many people

refuse child-soldiers into society because they are scared of their scary past experiences. In

conclusion, just because the society is fearful of child soldiers, it doesn’t mean that rehabilitated

kids that Beah cannot fit into public. All they need is a change at amnesty and acceptance.

Although there is persuading evidence that child soldiers should receive amnesty, there is

an inferior argument to be considered. Despite the fact that the disturbed and desensitized

children are provided psychological support, Frantz explains that their “reintegration is often

fought with stigma (Frantz).” Many girls who return are shunned and segregated by their

communities, especially the ones who come back with a family of their own. This disrupts their

goal of trying to reintegrate into society, proving the point that even if the child soldiers and

reintegrated into public, their past isn’t diminished. Charlotte Frantz, author of a child soldier

article in the United Nations News explains that former child-soldiers go through serious

rehabilitation before being permitted into public life (Frantz). The children receive psychological

support and access to education, giving them a profound new way to reclaim their childhood.

When these children are rehabilitated and let back into society, people are finally able to see

good in them, giving them the justice they deserve. Ultimately, though it may seem that no

rehabilitation to any extent can bring back the good in a barbaric child-solder, the opportunity of

being reintegrated into the old communities will definitely shine the light on their dusty good

side that has been covered by a sheet of violence for so long, illuminating their bright light.

The recurring issue of child soldier amnesty rights still persists to be a highly debated

topic globally. However, in light of all this evidence, vulnerable child soldiers who have been

robbed of their childhood deserve a chance to prove themselves to society. Overall, indoctrinated

children are forced into a life full of violence with negative psychological outcomes because

armed terrorist groups exploit their natural instinct to trust an adult, impoverished environment,

and mercilessly brainwash and desensitize them of murderous actions. Without a decisive verdict

to this dilemma, countless children will continue to lose their childhood, unless the world gives

amnesty one last chance.

Works Cited

Frantz, Charlotte. “Protecting Children in War Is Key to Lasting Peace, Top UN Envoy

Warns.” UN News, 12 Feb. 2026, news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1166948.

Prasow, Andrea. “The Child Soldier on Trial at Guantanamo.” Human Rights Watch, The

Daily Beast, 20 Mar. 2017, www.hrw.org/news/2010/10/27/child-soldier-trial-

guantanamo.

Strombo. “Ishmael Beah -- Child Soldier.” YouTube, 1 May 2007,

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K4yhPSQEzo .

Drive Safe by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Drive Safe by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Driving is an important responsibility that millions of people take on every day. Whether

someone is going to school, work, the store, or on a road trip, safety should always be the

number one priority. Careless driving can put the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and other

drivers at risk. By following basic safety rules, drivers can help prevent accidents and keep

everyone on the road safer.

One of the most important parts of safe driving is staying focused. Drivers should keep their

attention on the road and avoid distractions such as texting, using social media, eating, or

changing music. Even looking away from the road for a few seconds can prevent a driver from

seeing a sudden stop or another hazard. Passengers should also avoid distracting the driver.

Following the speed limit is another important safety rule. Driving too fast gives drivers less time

to react to unexpected situations and can make crashes more serious. Drivers should also slow

down when roads are wet, icy, snowy, or difficult to see because of fog or heavy rain.

Everyone in a vehicle should wear a seat belt on every trip, even when traveling a short

distance. Seat belts help protect passengers during crashes. Younger children should also be

properly secured in the appropriate car seat or booster seat.

Drivers should never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These substances can

affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Drivers should also avoid driving when they

are extremely tired because being sleepy can make it difficult to stay focused and react quickly.

It is also important to be respectful of other drivers. Drivers should use turn signals, check their

blind spots, leave enough space between vehicles, and avoid aggressive behavior such as

speeding, tailgating, or cutting people off. Staying calm can prevent dangerous situations.

Finally, vehicles should be properly maintained. Drivers should regularly check important parts

such as the tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, and windshield wipers. A vehicle that is in good

condition is safer and less likely to experience a dangerous problem while driving.

In conclusion, safe driving is about making responsible choices every time someone gets

behind the wheel. Staying focused, following speed limits, wearing a seat belt, avoiding

impaired or distracted driving, and respecting others can greatly reduce the risk of accidents.

Driving safely is not just about protecting yourself—it is about protecting everyone around you.

Wein, H. (2020, June 3). Safe driving. National Institutes of Health.

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/06/safe-driving

Embracing the "Ugly" Sketchbook by Nandita Kamalakannan

 Embracing the "Ugly" Sketchbook by Nandita Kamalakannan

Have you ever bought a brand-new sketchbook, opened to that crisp, white first page, and

suddenly felt completely paralyzed? Same. There’s this heavy pressure to make every single

page a masterpiece. But lately, I’ve been realizing something important: trying to be perfect is

actually ruining the fun of making art.

If you scroll through TikTok or Instagram, it’s easy to get discouraged. Every artist seems to

have a flawlessly curated sketchbook. Even their "quick doodles" look like they belong in a

museum. But what they don't show you are the hundreds of failed sketches, the weirdly

proportioned hands, or the markers that bled through the page. Social media has a habit of

making us compare our messy behind-the-scenes to everyone else's highlight reel.

That’s why I’ve started a new rule for myself: I keep an "ugly" sketchbook.

An ugly sketchbook is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a completely judgment-free zone where

the only goal is to just put pen to paper. There are no rules and absolutely zero expectations.

Want to draw a neon green dog with six legs? Do it. Want to scribble aggressively with charcoal

because you had a stressful day at school? Go for it. Tape in wrappers, test weird color

combinations, or write down your thoughts.

Art shouldn't just be about creating a pretty final product that gets a bunch of likes online. It’s

supposed to be an outlet. It’s a way to process how we feel, experiment with new ideas, and

sometimes just zone out while listening to music. When we let go of the need for everything to

look aesthetically pleasing, we actually give ourselves the freedom to improve and find our own

unique style.

So, if you’re hoarding a blank sketchbook because you’re afraid to ruin it, I challenge you to

grab a cheap pen and mess up that first page on purpose. Draw a crooked smiley face or spill

some water on it. Break the curse of the perfect blank page. I promise, the art you make after that

will be so much more authentic—and a whole lot more fun to create.

Bears, Pizza, and No Wi-Fi: My Smoky Mountain Reality Check by Nandan Kamalakannan

 Bears, Pizza, and No Wi-Fi: My Smoky Mountain Reality Check by Nandan Kamalakannan

If you’re anything like me, your phone is basically glued to your hand. So, when my family planned a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, my biggest concern wasn't the hiking. It was the Wi-Fi.

We stayed in Gatlinburg for the whole trip, which is really cool, busy town right at the edge of the

mountains. But as soon as we drove into the actual national park, the bars on my phone dropped to zero.

Since I didn't have service, my phone was basically useless. My dad, on the other hand, was making up

for it by taking a million pictures. He kept joking that he needed to photograph every single tree because

he’s getting older and might not ever visit this place again in his lifetime.

Even without my phone to distract me, there was definitely no time to be bored.

One day, we drove through Cades Cove, which is basically a Smoky Mountain safari. We spent hours

staring out the windows looking for some crazy wild animals, but all we ended up watching were a bunch

of deer.

The funny thing is, we found the real wildlife when we weren't even looking for it. We ended up having two

separate bear encounters. One was literally right at the back of our car just outside our hotel compound in

Gatlinburg. The other was high up in a massive tree when we were visiting Anakeesta. Seeing a wild bear

that close definitely makes you forget about checking your Snapchat.

When we weren't running from bears, we were doing the fun tourist stuff. Walking across the SkyBridge

and taking the SkyLift were awesome experiences. We also spent some time in the nearby town of

Pigeon Forge, and hanging out at The Island attraction there was amazing.

Of course, all that exploring makes you hungry. We actually got completely addicted to Mellow Mushroom

pizza while we were there. We ended up eating it for dinner every single night of the trip. No regrets.

But the biggest reality check of the entire vacation was the actual hiking.

I always thought I was in pretty decent shape. But when we tried to hike to the very top of the Smoky

Mountain park, I got humbled real quick. Out of our whole family, only my dad was actually able to make it

to the top. The rest of us? Not a chance.

Even though I didn't conquer the mountain, being forced to unplug for a few days made the whole

experience so much better.

I wasn't distracted by what everyone else was doing back home in New Jersey. I was just there—eating

way too much pizza, surviving bear encounters, and letting my dad take his lifetime supply of photos.

Going to the Smoky Mountains showed me that you don't need to document every single second of your

life for a vacation to be fun. Sometimes, you just need to put the phone away and enjoy the view.

We Don't Appreciate Normal Days Enough By: Sujal Mirchandani

 We Don't Appreciate Normal Days Enough

By: Sujal Mirchandani

I think we spend way too much time waiting for something exciting to happen. We wait for the weekend. Then we wait for summer. Then we wait for vacation. Then we wait for our birthday. Then we wait for graduation. It feels like we're always waiting for the next big thing.

Most days aren't anything special. You wake up, go to school, come home, eat, do homework, go on your phone, and go to sleep. Then you do basically the same thing again the next day.

It sounds boring, but I think those normal days are actually pretty nice.

You don't realize it while it's happening, but some of the most random moments can become good memories. Sitting with your friends at lunch. Laughing about something stupid in class. Going somewhere with your family. Getting food after school. Even just sitting around talking about nothing.

At the time, you don't think, "Wow, this is going to be a memory I'll miss someday."

You just think it's a normal Tuesday.

I think that's the problem. We are always looking for the big moments, so we don't pay attention to the small ones.

When I was younger, I never thought I'd miss simple things. I thought I would only remember big events like vacations or birthdays. But now I can remember random little things that seemed completely unimportant at the time.

Maybe that's what makes them special.

You don't have to be doing something crazy every day to have a good life. Sometimes a normal day where nothing goes wrong is actually a pretty good day.

So I think we should stop waiting for life to become exciting all the time. Enjoy the boring days too.

Because one day, we might look back at those boring days and realize they weren't really boring at all.

People Take Birthdays Too Seriously By: Sujal Mirchandani

 People Take Birthdays Too Seriously

By: Sujal Mirchandani

Some individuals treat birthdays as if they are the most important day in the world. They begin planning months in advance and making an extremely big deal of every tiny thing that occurs. They're willing to wear exactly the right outfit, go to exactly the right restaurant, decorate appropriately, take approx 500 photos for Instagram, etc.

 I don’t fully understand why people do thisI

At the end of the day, it’s simply just another day in your life. You're not a completely different person just because you were born on this specific day years ago.

I also think birthdays can create a lot of pressure. Sometimes people expect their friends to do something huge for them. If you don't post a birthday story, buy them a present, or say happy birthday in a certain way, they might get upset.

I feel like birthdays should be fun instead of stressful.

Personally, I would rather have a simple birthday with people I actually like than have some huge party just because I feel like I'm supposed to. Give me some good food, a cake, and my friends and I'm good.

I also think people forget that you don't need to have an amazing birthday every single year. Sometimes your birthday might be boring. That's okay. It doesn't mean your life is boring.

Birthdays are supposed to be about celebrating that you're getting older and spending time with people you care about. They don't need to be some huge event that everyone remembers forever.

So yeah, birthdays are great, but they don’t need to be an expensive and fully planned out event to show off on Instagram.

Are Phones Good or Bad By: Sujal Mirchandani

 Are Phones Good or Bad

By: Sujal Mirchandani

People are always saying that teenagers in this generation are addicted to technology, and honestly, I can understand why. Most teenagers spend a lot of time on their phones, watching TV, using iPads, playing video games, or scrolling through social media. Sometimes it probably does look like we can’t live without our screens. Because of this, many grown-ups worry about what technology is doing to teenagers and what it could mean for the future. However, in my opinion, I think technology has way more benefits than harms. I don't think technology itself is the problem. I think the real problem is how people use it.

First of all, I think the biggest problem with technology is how people use it. If someone is spending their entire day scrolling through social media and doing nothing else, then obviously that isn't good. But that doesn't mean technology is automatically bad. A phone can be used for school, communication, learning, entertainment, and many other things. It really depends on the person using it. Teenagers need to learn how to avoid distractions and control how much time they spend online. Instead of letting technology control them, they should learn how to use it as a tool that can actually help them.

The second problem, in my opinion, is how grown-ups sometimes look at technology. I feel like some adults automatically assume that if a teenager is on their phone, they must be wasting time. Obviously, that isn't always true. A teenager could be talking to a friend, doing homework, learning something new, or working on something important. I don't think taking away a teenager's phone every time they use it too much actually solves the problem. Instead, grown-ups should teach teenagers how to use technology responsibly and control themselves.

Lastly, I believe technology is only going to become a bigger part of our lives. Whether people like it or not, technology isn't going away. Because of this, I don't think completely banning it is a realistic answer. I think it is much more useful to teach teenagers how to use technology correctly instead of just telling them to stay away from it.

Overall, I don't think technology is the enemy that some people make it out to be. Yes, spending way too much time online can be a problem, but I don't think the answer is to blame technology or take it away completely. In my opinion, we just need to learn how to use it without letting it take over our lives. Technology is just a tool, and how helpful or harmful it is depends on how we choose to use it.