Among the academic world today, the concept of introverted and extroverted personalities in the classroom and in the work force is common. They were first introduced by psychologist Carl G. Jung in 1920. In simple terms, being an introvert suggests that one’s internal energy batteries (emotional and mental ones) are best recharged in quiet surroundings, whereas extroverts are stimulated by social interactions and tend to be more outgoing. People often assume that extroverts are naturally better workers for the labor force. However, with their ability to analyze social situations (even if they do not want to be a part of them) and to think quickly, introverts also have an important role to play in today’s world.

BY NAEIKA RAJ ’19

The year 2017 saw a cataclysmic shift in the American music industry. K-Pop sales across the nation have multiplied and the genre’s popularity was made apparent during this year’s award season. 

BY NAIEKA RAJ ’19

November is the time of year when upperclassmen at Mount Holyoke are no longer safe from the crushing pressures of “the real world.” Even as a junior, I’ve begun to feel it. Some of us are too comfortable in a protective bubble of convenient meal swipes and daily routines. Finding the time to submit resumes is challenging enough, but once you start reflecting on the likelihood of getting your dream job, the worries seem endless. While all college students face some version of this struggle, to what extent does Mount Holyoke successfully guide juniors and seniors through this process? 

BY NAIEKA RAJ ’19

Gun violence tragedies have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians over the years, deaths that could have been easily prevented with some basic legislation. According to the Brady Campaign, around 17,012 American children and teens are shot in murders, assaults, suicides, unintentional shootings or by police intervention every year. Every new tragedy stirs the pot but soon we move past the issue and continue with our daily lives, isolating the subject until another, seemingly inevitable, attack takes place. The Gun Violence Archive updates its records on daily mass shootings, projecting the bleak social condition of this country. 

BY NAIEKA RAJ ’19

If you have ever come across a vapid, face-palm-worthy, pseudo-inspirational article on Facebook shared by one of your insufferable relatives, then you should know that, as millennials, we are incapable of meeting the exceptional standards set by our predecessors — especially when it comes to maintaining successful relationships. 

BY NAIEKA RAJ ’19

As the body-positivity movement advances through the Mount Holyoke College community, more and more questions surrounding the authenticity of these words are raised each day. With a large number of Lena Dunham-type “free-spirited” students roaming the campus and dominating the social scene, one would expect attitudes of self-love and appreciation to prevail just as confidently. Sadly, this is not the case and feelings of self-hate and struggles to meet conventional beauty standards continue to plague our daily existence. Although self care and body-positivity can be helpful, its language can be convoluted and not accessible to all. 

BY NAIEKA RAJ ’19

Mount Holyoke College students have recently been hit by President Trump’s withdrawal from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. First issued in the summer of 2012 by President Obama, this program was able to provide some level of relief for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children by allowing youths to defer their immigration case for a period of two years. This meant young people were able to further their educational and professional goals and become accomplished community members. According to state records, the program has been a successful exception to an otherwise broken immigration system. Today, thousands of “Dreamers” face the prospect of losing the only home they’ve ever known, as the country’s attitude towards immigrants and ethnic minorities grows increasingly hostile each day.