Shaden “Pull Through” Aly Shaaranki “TTC” Kulenthirarasa
Vihaan “1 a.m.” Bhatnagar
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Mohammed “Parliament” Mohyedin
Adriana “Master-Of-All” Fallico
Brady “Woj 2.0” Locke
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Danielle “Eyelumna <3” Reid
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Trump’s tariffs and annexation plans ignite debates within TMU community
By Jerry Zhang
United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump has sparked controversy with plans to impose a new 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports and his suggestion that Canada join the U.S. as its 51st state. These proposals have triggered widespread debate in the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) community, raising questions about its feasibility and potential impact.
On Nov. 25 2024, Trump announced on social media platform Truth Social his plans to implement the tariffs on all imports from Canada. A month later on Dec. 18, 2024, he claimed many Canadians would support the annexation of Canada, calling it “a great idea.”
Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., acknowledged that the proposal is technically feasible under U.S. law but pointed out its improbability due to political and logistical challenges.
“The U.S. has expanded through the purchase of territory several times. So in terms of U.S. law, it is feasible,” Sands said, referencing historical acquisitions such as Louisiana and Alaska.
Sands pointed out significant differences in Canada’s case, noting, “Canada doesn’t belong to anybody else except Canadians…although Canada’s population density is small compared to the U.S., it still has a substantial population of 40 million so you would have a serious…negotiating challenge.”
Assistant professor in the Ted Rogers School of Management’s global management department
Mark Viminitz assessed that these potential tariffs are unlikely to cause significant damage to the Canadian economy.
“It is a balance of trade issue. Canada has a trade surplus with the U.S., meaning that we export more of our goods and services than we buy from the U.S.,” Viminitz said.
He explained that the U.S.’ heavy reliance on Canadian resources make it difficult for tariffs to have the intended impact of strengthening domestic U.S. industries.
“Companies are still going to buy our steel and aluminum and our softwood lumber and our agricultural products [and] base minerals that we have in abundance up here…because they don’t have full capacity to be able to protect any domestic industry,” he said.
Viminitz suggested that the new tariffs serve more as a strategic bargaining tool than as a serious policy. “It is the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)
potential renegotiation,” he said. “It means that the U.S. is going to squeeze Canada to get a better deal.”
He also highlighted how such tariffs could harm the U.S. itself as they would increase raw material costs for industries dependent on Canadian resources, ultimately raising prices for finished goods.
“The consumer, at the end of the day, will be funding this tariff,” Viminitz said.
“They’re already expensive, so a 25 per cent hike would drive that through the roof””
Claire Stang, a master’s student in public policy and administration at TMU, believes that tariffs on construction materials could reduce housing availability, driving up prices and rent in Canada.
“Less homes being built means that the prices of existing homes— like homes being sold but also rent—will likely go up because there will be more of a demand,” she noted, adding that this would create long-term affordability challenges for students.
Jordan Le Roux, a fourth-year TMU history student, expressed concerns that trade wars could lead to higher grocery prices.
“I just recently moved out downtown for the first time, and I’m really noticing groceries…even with the tax break we just got is very difficult,” said Le Roux. “Imported products from the U.S., they’re already expensive, so a 25 per cent hike would drive that through the roof.”
Viminitz pointed out that a price hike will only occur if Canada imposes counter-tariffs in response to the 25 per cent U.S. tariffs on American imports. “If we react and put duties on American goods, it’s going to cost more,” he explained. “Anything we import from the U.S.…depending on the categories
KHADIJAH GHAURI/THE EYEOPENER
the Canadian government selects… will negatively impact us.”
If these tariffs were to be implemented, any companies requiring products from the U.S. could exploit the situation to justify significant price hikes—ultimately impacting Canadian consumers, including students, said Viminitz.
“Are companies going to use the issues around tariffs to try to go profit hunting? That is, I got a 25 per cent tariff, but could I charge 45 per cent for my new product and blame it on the tariffs? And I could get away with it,” he said.
Viminitz predicts that tariffs are unlikely to impose significantly impact inflation in Canada unless they affect products imported from outside the country.
“Inflation is 1.9 per cent to 2 per cent. It’s well within the established target,” he said, adding that price increases could affect any imports from countries outside Canada, including the U.S. or even China.
Le Roux also raised concerns about rising tuition costs, citing existing financial pressures on universities. She highlighted that the freezing of government funding for universities is limiting institutions’ financial flexibility. “There’s also been a cap on international students, which is also contributing to raising tuition,” she said, adding that tariffs could intensify these cost increases.
Additionally, Sands warned that the annexation of Canada could disrupt the affordability of Canadian universities tuition for domestic students. “A lot of students from the U.S. would come north because [Canadian] universities are such a bargain, even at international student rates,” he said.
Sands added that this could force Canadian universities to either offer discounts—flooding classrooms— or raise tuition, leaving Canadian students to face higher costs.
However, Sands also acknowledged the potential for increased opportunities, which could open doors to more cross-border internship programs and new career pathways with new accreditation systems.
Stang fears tuition would likely skyrocket under U.S. policies as Canadian government subsidies that help keep tuition costs low would no longer apply. She added that the shift could also reduce publicly funded scholarships, further limiting accessibility for students.
Le Roux expressed personal reservations about the societal implications of the annexation. “The prospect of actually living in a country where there’s loose gun laws and privatized health care and all these certain things that make the U.S., even though it’s so developed, a hard place to live, is something that I would really hate,” she expressed.
Stang emphasized the challenges of merging two countries with vastly different systems, citing that “it’s a physical border, but there’s also a cultural, political, sort of governmental border. There’s a clear distinction between the countries.”
TMU President Mohamed Lachemi addressed concerns about potential tariffs, stating, “We are monitoring the developing situation around possible economic impacts of any possible tariffs.” He emphasized the institution’s proactive efforts, noting that while no immediate action has been taken, the university is engaging with sector partners and will keep the community informed of any changes.
Stang firmly rejected the idea of U.S. annexation, stating that many of her peers share strong opposition to the notion of Canada bowing to U.S. demands.
“We’re not going to roll over… Canada is a country that deserves some respect…it’s going to make everything worse for everyone.”
Student groups respond to Middle East ceasefire deal
As the conflict between Hamas and the State of Israel comes to a ceasefire, student advocacy groups watch in anticipation
By Daniel Opasinis, Jasmine Makar and Jerry Zhang
As the ceasefire deal between Hamas and the State of Israel reaches implementation, student groups at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) who have been advocating for communities affected by the war are watching closely.
On Jan. 15, Qatar and Hamas officials announced in a public statement that a peace deal was in the final stages of negotiation between Hamas and the State of Israel. Shortly after, former United States vice-president Kamala Harris verified this ceasefire deal in an official statement.
The official Qatari statement outlines a three-stage plan for the withdrawal of Israeli Defence Force troops from Gaza, with 33 Israeli hostages being returned home in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
TMU is home to many student
groups that represent communities impacted by this conflict.
Among them is Hillel TMU, a student group whose mission is “Enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world,” according to their website.
In an interview with The Eyeopener, third-year business management student and president of Hillel TMU Coby Sadeh expressed his sentiments regarding the recent news coming out of the Middle East.
“We’re happy with any solution that brings the hostages home and puts an end to the war. And so if the ceasefire deal achieves that, then we’re happy to see the hostages come home,” said Sadeh.
Additionally, he expressed the impacts that the past 15 months have had on the Jewish community. “Lots of Jews have been seeing a horrible rise in anti-semitism due to the entire crisis in its entirety. It’s just been very disheartening
and it’s brought a lot of unity to the community,” he said.
According to their website, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) “Seeks to empower, unify, and support the Student Movement for Palestinian liberation.”
In an interview with The Eye, SJP TMU spokespersons shared their views on the recent ceasefire deal.
TMU students who are a part of SJP shared their group’s hopeful outlook on the possibility of a ceasefire. “We are very excited for what could happen…but we are also very wary of what this actually means,” they said.
Members of SJP* explained how a ceasefire deal won’t bring an end to their work on campus. “These student demands have existed prior to 2023 because of the ongoing violent dispossession of Palestinian land…we oppose everything that happened, even prior to the current episode of the Nakba**.”
As of Jan. 20, three Israeli hos-
A
By Elliott Meijer
Students at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) are chiming in on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
Trudeau stood outside his Rideau Cottage residence in Ottawa on Jan. 6 to announce his stepping down, an act that sparked debate and uncertainty among Canadians.
Trudeau’s announcement came just two weeks after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned
from her position in an open letter to the prime minister, posted to social media on Dec. 16, 2024.
In the letter, Freeland claimed that Trudeau and her had found themselves “at odds about the best path forward for Canada,” whilst warning of potential economic threats posed by the incoming Trump administration in the United States.
“[Trudeau] should’ve stepped down about a year ago,” said Diego Rivera, a second-year history student at TMU. “The [most] important figure of his cabinet re-
signing is a very telling figure as to how weak of a leader he’s become,” Rivera added.
Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced his resignation, a day prior to Freeland, on Dec. 15, 2024, stating that he would not run in the next federal election.
With two major cabinet ministers stepping down within a span of 24 hours, feelings towards Trudeau within the Liberal Party rapidly soured—worsened by record-low approval ratings and a soaring opposition, according to the Angus Ried Institute.
tages and 90 Palestinian prisoners have been returned home via the Red Cross and the ceasefire deal has gone into effect, according to Al Jazeera.
TMU President Mohamed Lachemi said in an interview with The Eye, “TMU stands with voices around the world calling for peace. The ongoing violence has been profoundly distressing for many members of our commu-
nity.” Lachemi said he hopes that affected students will make use of campus resources like the Student Care team.
*These are members of SJP who wished to remain anonymous due to personal safety concerns. The Eye has verified this source.
**“Nakba” is the Arabic word for “Catastrophe” according to the United Nations
Trudeau resigns: the current state of Canadian politics
brief summary of events within—and feelings towards—Canadian politics, at Toronto Metropolitan
Along with his resignation, the prime minister announced the decision to prorogue Parliament until Mar. 24, granted by Governor General Mary Simon. As a result, no committee will be able to sit for over 60 days—until the next session is summoned.
Any bills put forward prior to prorogation which had not yet received Royal Assent—the adoption by both houses of parliament—are “entirely terminated,” according to the House of Commons.
When that next session is summoned, there will be a new face of the Liberal Party of Canada, who may have to deal with a prompt vote of non-confidence from the country’s five oppositional parties.
Robert Goodman, assistant professor of politics and professional administration at TMU, feels this prorogation comes at an unfortunate time, with Canada “coming under tremendous stress” from United States President Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs.
“We’re entering this time with a lot less clarity and ability to respond than we ought to have…I don’t thi,nk this is a great time for Parliament not to be sitting,” he said, who believes the Liberal Party’s “best hope” would be to “provide some sort of distance” from the Trudeau Government moving forward. “We are in an
University
anti-incumbent, sort of anti-establishment moment, and to the extent that the Liberal Party can accommodate itself to that, that’s probably the best strategic move it can make in this situation,” Goodman added.
First-year performance production student Rose Djamshiat shares a similar perspective, saying, “I’ve heard a lot of different opinions [from] people wanting to still continue voting for the Liberal Party that were originally not going to, purely because it was Trudeau.”
Despite the decision for a new Liberal leader being widely accepted as a step forward for the party, Goodman warns that “unless there’s a radical shift in polling, the Liberal Party is going into opposition, and it needs to take that time to think about what it really stands for and what sets it apart from the opposition.”
According to Abacus Polls, the current front runners to succeed Trudeau are former Governor of the Bank of Canada Mark Carney and the aforementioned Freeland, who announced their leadership runs on Jan. 16, and Jan. 17, respectively.
Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative Party of Canada currently holds a sizable lead in all federal polling and has for the better part of the last 18 months.
SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER
KHADIJAH GHAURI/THE EYEOPENER
LUCAS BUSTINSKI/THE EYEOPENER
5 musicians from TMU you need to add to your playlists
By Rienne Mendoza
Every great musician starts somewhere and at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), the next generation of music icons are already making their moves. These five unique artists are more than just talented, they’re creating fresh sounds, redefining genres and are on their way to turning local buzz into something bigger. Whether they’re dominating the stages on campus or around the city, these TMU stars are proving that the future of music is happening here.
Aden Worton
Adding alternative and indie into the mix, third-year musician and producer Aden Worton from TMU’s undergraduate professional communication program is known for his emotive sound blending folk, alternative rock and acoustic elements. Worton’s music features melodic guitar harmonies, expansive vocals and dynamic production capturing vulnerability and personal introspection. Resonance, his latest EP, was released on Jan. 15, which dives into themes of love, struggle and existential reflection—offering listeners a deeply emotional and relatable musical experience.
Tae Hauk
Third-year professional music singer and producer from Kelowna, B.C. Tae Hauk is making his way into the Canadian music scene swiftly through his standout talent. He addresses personal experiences and societal issues through his music. His discography includes singles like “THE PROBLEM,” “ROAD TO HELL,” and “Pet Names,” along with his album BREAK THE CYCLE. Tae Hauk’s unique sound of rap and hip-hop combines reflective lyrics with compelling beats on his growth as an artist. With each release, he continues to establish himself as a powerful voice in the industry.
DAPHNE
Here comes another uplifting indie pop musician in fourth-year professional music—Sydney Yack, known by her stage name DAPHNE. She is quickly gaining recognition for her vibrant melodies and expressive lyrics that resonate with her listeners. She debuted with her single “Consequences” in 2023 which was received by the 2024 SOCAN Foundation x SiriusXM Young Songwriters Awards. Her music has also been featured on BBC’s teen drama Boarders and has electrified venues like TD Stage at Massey Hall and The Drake Underground. With a growing fanbase, DAPHNE’s unique sound is one to watch in the indie pop scene.
TMU-led film Parrot explores the use of AI
The short thriller sells out at its first screening at Nabulu Coffee
By Avari Nwaesei
The student-led short film Parrot explores the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) that is used to harvest the identities of real people to be used for artificial humans. The company in the film advertised their services as a way for people to still be a presence in their loved ones’ lives after death. The movie rises in conflict as they refrain from sharing information outside of what the contributor intended.
The film premiered at Nabulu Coffee in Toronto on Jan. 18, selling out the first screening.
The AI-themed thriller was directed by Marcus Chen, a Toronto Metropolitan University film studies graduate. With their original film working as a proof of concept, the crew was fully funded by the Society of The Creative School (SCS) for this screening.
The original film only had 48 hours to be produced for a competition. However, the crew shot an extended version of the film which was shot from April to December of 2024 at Nabulu Coffee, which provided ample time for plot development.
In Parrot, characters who signed up to get an artificial version of themselves had to answer a series of questions about their lives in order to get information to properly set up the AI. However, the AI lacks raw human emotion as the artificial humans then regurgitate any information that was gathered by insurance companies.
Chen said he wanted to make a film that urged people to “stay aware and interested” when dealing with AI. He educated himself on this idea in books published in the ‘60s and ‘70s on the topic of technology in preparation for the shoot.
“This is kind of what we really envisioned for the film”
“I went through these books on AI and how it’s going to affect everyday life and I couldn’t finish because I was too freaked out,” said Chen.
He highlighted the significance of the “extreme capabilities” AI possesses and its potential to produce “good horror” and “thriller themes,” which is what the original version of Parrot capitalized on to create suspense for the viewer in a short period of time.
On the day of Parrot’s premiere, the cafe was filled with students present to support their friends, professors thrilled to see their students’ hard work and actors who were a part of the array of films shown. Teresa Van, a second-year RTA student and line producer for Parrot, revealed that the lead-up to the event was stressful due to high anticipation.
“Our friends and family and students in our faculty are showing up, I find it so cool to have events at a cafe,” said Van.
Similar to Chen’s recognition of AI’s ability to create a compelling thriller, Quentin Chen, a second-year RTA media production student and the film’s director of photography, referred to the original film as the “skeletonized version” that prioritized spectacle in order to get the audience excited. “This is kind of what we really envision for the film,” said Chen.
Bekah Kiiffner, a second-year RTA media production student and assistant director of the film, held her ideations for the film. Prior to working on Parrot, she gathered the idea that each generation faced an advancement that was developed during that time period in which individuals believed could mark the “end of the world.”
“I think it’s interesting to explore (AI) and have a film where people can look at it and think, this is how people perceived it at the time,” said Kiiffner.
When it comes to the notion in the film that AI can one day become a tool that will eventually become intertwined with various fields of work, Julia Abou-Akl, a second-year RTA media production student and casting director, couldn’t have disagreed more.
“They can try to attempt to recreate it but
in the end, it’s nothing like taking from people’s real-life stories and their real-life experiences,” said Abou-Akl.
Sara Sadrolhefazi, one of the owners of Nabulu Coffee, not only let her space be used for the screening but also let the crew use it as a film location. She said she found the film to be a reflection of the pros and cons of AI that is now a part of everyone’s lives.
“Besides the production aspect of acting, production, cinematography and everything that was really well done, the story about AI was really thought-provoking,” said Sadrolhefazi.
The event gave Nabulu Coffee the opportunity to do its job as a creative studio. Sadrolhefazi said she was proud to have supported Parrot through the creative space they supplied them, since it’s part of how their complex operates.
“We’re glad that we’re becoming known as a staple community space for students and artists alike in downtown Toronto,” she said. Both crews of Parrot and Nabulu’s hard work to make this screening as extravagant as possible was well received by those in attendance.
“I think it’s interesting to explore that (AI) and then have a film where people can look at it”
RTA media production program director Karen Sebesta was there to offer her support to the student filmmakers. “We have so many student events, but I do try to go out to several a year just to keep in touch with what the students are doing,” she said.
Sebesta also had nothing but positive things to say about the event. “Kudos to their organization,” she said. “It’s fabulous that they are truly pursuing their dream of working in creative spaces by doing things outside of school work.”
Mature students showcase determination
TMU’s mature students bring diverse experiences in their non-linear paths at school
By Mohammed Mohyedin
Taking on the extra responsibility of postsecondary education alongside a steady career or family responsibilities is never an easy decision. At Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), mature students showcase a wide array of reasons that they choose to attend post-secondary, each with a unique story to tell.
According to TMU’s website, mature students are defined as those who enter the school at 21-years-old by Dec. 31 and out of formal education for two or more years. For many in this community, it’s taken longer than two years to return, with some putting their careers on hold and balancing their families alongside class work.
29-year-old Nadia Malek left her career as a horticulturist and assistant grower at an Ontario greenhouse. She had a diploma in horticulturist industries from Algonquin College three years before she decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in social work at TMU in 2024.
She found the workforce can be limiting without a degree and leaves scarce opportunities to climb the corporate ladder. By combining her experience as a horticulturist with her studies in social work, Malek aspires to actualize her entrepreneurial ambitions by opening up a mental health practice that heavily incorporates green spaces.
“If I go to school to get my masters and become a licensed therapist, it would be achievable and not a pipedream,” she said.
The journeys mature students undergo oftentimes are equipped with resilience in order to overcome obstacles and challenges, whether it be personal, professional or systemic barriers to their goals.
Growing up, Angie Nga Wun Lam faced several forms of trauma including familial trouble, isolation and violence outside her family. Now, at 34, she is a fourth-year criminology student double minoring in philosophy and psychology, determined to build a career in criminal justice and advocate for systemic change, fairness and equity in the justice system.
As the only child of two parents working to make ends meet, Lam and her family were challenged with the hustle and bustle of life in Scarborough, Ont. and Markham, Ont. Having to wrestle with supporting her mother over playing with her friends made Lam feel she had to grow up really fast.
She described the importance of these early days as formative for the women she’s becoming today and how amazing her life has become as the result of her resilience.
Today, Lam has a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 4.18 and remains financially independent as best as she can thanks to the many jobs she’s had since leaving home. Currently, she is employed by TMU to aid first-year students as a supported learning group leader in the first-year course SSH 105: Critical Thinking.
Lam advises students to be intentional with how they choose their path in education rather than succumbing to societal
pressures and expectations.
“I don’t want to dedicate my whole life to [doing what my parents want]. I love my parents but I don’t need to live my entire life for them.”
Lam added, “So be intentional in your thoughts. If you’re going to veer off the path and do it in a linear way, be intentional. If you’re gonna do it in a non-linear way, be intentional, but do it with meaning.”
Monica Amenya, a fourth-year social work student originally from Ghana, came to Canada in 2002 on a family sponsorship program. That same year, she worked in a factory but found it wasn’t for her. In 2003, she attended George Brown College to pursue studies in a community worker program. Afterwards, she landed a position in a local shelter system.
Similar to Lam, Amenya knows very well what it means to be intentional, especially as she faced her journey immigrating to Canada. Following this experience Amenya emphasizes the importance of education as a transformative tool.
“For any newcomer, the classroom is your go-to,” she said. “I would encourage everyone who migrates or comes to [Canada] or as a mature student later in your life, that the classroom is the best place to start.”
While Lam advocates for intentionally choosing your program and courses without letting others dictate your path, Amenya highlights the broader importance of education in shaping one’s future towards creating opportunities, especially for those navigating life in a new country.
She adds that education can be useful for more than just earning income as it can expose one to diverse surroundings in “the shortest possible time.”
Maryam Ahmad Jawid, a second-year biomedical science student, came to Canada in 2016 from Afghanistan and had two kids by the time she enrolled at TMU.
Jawid always believed in the value of education. Ever since she was five years old, she dreamed of pursuing medicine—a goal that has remained despite the challenges life has thrown her way.
“All these struggles just for medical school,” she said, reflecting on her journey and the sacrifices she has made to keep her dreams alive.
“So
when life gets hard, step back, reflect, and move forward. Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger”
She learned that a degree from her home country would not carry the same weight as earning it in Canada would, so she made it her mission to obtain education here.
Given her full-time job as a parent to two young children, aged six and seven, and balancing her studies, Jawid questioned if medical school is a feasible option to consider.
“Maybe [medical schools are] looking for students who are very smart, who have full time to study, and who have good GPAs,”
she wondered.
TMU’s new medical school had sparked controversy for its unique application process, which removed traditional requirements such as the Medical College Admission Test as previously reported by The Eyeopener. The university’s website states that its goal is to produce “doctors from our communities who will work with our communities to improve health and wellbeing” and to “advance our shared vision to build a healthier, more equitable world.”
As previously reported by The Eye, the school initially planned to reserve 75 per cent of its admission spots for equitydeserving pathways. However, this quota had been removed following criticism and discussions with Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office. While the school no longer advertises a specific quota, application streams for equity-deserving students remain available, and TMU continues to position itself as addressing systemic barriers in medical education.
After learning of its unconventional application process, Jawid shared what it could mean for others.
“[The process is] very helpful to all those women and everybody who after many years of leaving school, come back and continue with their educational aspirations,” she said.
For many students like Jawid, access to inclusive programs is only part of the journey. Support systems have been a recurring idea on the mind of many mature students at TMU. One particular student has advocated for a new program potentially coming to campus by the Winter 2025 semester.
36-year-old Alex Gameiro is a fourthyear social work student and mother to four—her eldest child is 14.
Gameiro is a first-generation Portuguese-Canadian. Her father attended school back in Portugal but had to settle in the construction industry in Canada, while her mother became a house cleaner after arriving in the country.
She described her family’s wishes of her pursuing education as a priority. However,
after graduating high school, challenges in qualifying for the Ontario Student Assistance Program, made education a secondary priority with her full attention on supporting her household.
Gameiro recently put together an initiative for Single Parent Support (SPS), designed to address the unique needs of single parents who balance academic pursuits with familial responsibilities. Drawing from her own experiences as a single parent, Gameiro highlighted the fear and stigma that often prevents parents from seeking help when they need it most.
“As a single mother, there’s nothing more terrifying than telling a professional that I don’t feel like I’m managing well,” she said. “Do [professionals] think I’m not managing well as a mom?”
“For any newcomer, the classroom is your go-to”
The initiative seeks to provide peer-based mental health support groups, workshops providing essential skills and family-friendly socials. Additionally, it aims to enhance accessibility to daycare services and reimagined note-sharing strategies.
Mature students show that education is not confined to one path or a timeline. Rather, its non-linear path can bring about an enriching experience. The decision to return to school—whether to climb the corporate ladder, start up a new venture, or simply set an example for future generations—is and will always be an act of courage and purpose.
“Life happens, and it rarely follows a straight line. In my language we say, ‘When someone knocks your head, they’re not trying to break it–they’re helping you stiffen your neck,’” said Amenya.
“Challenges are life’s way of helping you grow. If you don’t learn from one, you’ll repeat it.”
“So when life gets hard, step back, reflect, and move forward. Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger.”
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Visuals by Vanessa Kauk Words by Joshua Chang
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Words by Adriana Fallico
School has always acted as a safety net for Breanna Badree.
“All I know is school, school, school and I didn’t have to think about all the other things an adult would have to think about because I’m always in school,” says Badree.
Fresh out of graduating from Seneca Polytechnic with an undergraduate degree in mental health and addiction in April 2024, she had a vision for the next two years of her life.
She had submitted an application to York University’s master of social work program on Dec. 20., 2023 and was still awaiting a response at the time of her undergraduate graduation.
When she finally received the school’s response, anxiety pumped through her veins. But in an instant, she read the infamous “we regret to inform you” line.
ertheless, the journey that students go on when completing their applications isn’t always an easy one.
Chris Donovan knew that a career in freelancing would not last forever.
He did not start his educational journey in a traditional manner. Donovan completed two years at Mount Allison University studying fine arts and another two years at Loyalist College in their photojournalism program.
stuff, I do not know if it would have worked,” he says. Kumaradas is aware of how challenging the application process can be for students.
“I felt like I was going to die and then I thought ‘what am I going to do now?’” she remembers.
This is the harsh reality that many undergraduate students fear while applying for their master’s— that their aspirations and hopes will be crushed by a simple rejection letter.
The work behind applying for a master’s program can be a whirlwind of emotions for students who are hoping to advance their education.
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)’s earliest deadline to apply to its fall master’s programs is Jan. 20, 2025, a time of year that can loom over students—especially because this date falls on the second week of the winter semester. There are three intake cycles throughout the year but Dr. Carl Kumaradas, vice-provost and dean of the Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at TMU, says the fall intake is the busiest time of year.
The number of individuals seeking out a graduate degree has increased over the past 21 years. According to Statista, 231,930 students enrolled into a master’s or an equivalent degree program in Canada in 2022. This is the highest number of enrolled students in 21 years, almost twice as many as the 119,331 students who enrolled in 2001.
Many students have no choice but to apply to graduate programs after completing their undergraduate degree in order to be qualified to work or teach in their field. Nev-
After finishing his final year at Loyalist College, he moved to Toronto to pursue a career as a freelance journalist. After a few years, he began working part-time at the University of Guelph-Humber as a teaching assistant. Initially, he rejected the idea of teaching as a long-term career—he had come from a family of teachers and wanted to work directly in the photography industry.
“It can be a lot for some people. I would imagine that if [students] follow the typical road of graduating with a bachelor’s degree and are looking towards what is next, I would imagine some students are having a hard time choosing either to enter the workforce or don’t know what they want to do and would like to get more specialized learning,” says Kumaradas.
Donovan was a little more at ease with his application since he was already holding a secure job.
“I was always kind of like ‘if I get it, that’s fine, if I do not, it’s fine,’” he says.
Although he was not teaching students, he found himself in a classroom setting quite often and grew to enjoy the environment.
Donovan was accepted into the program in 2019 but his master’s classes were mostly conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a situation he actually loved.
“You can become jaded in the field pretty
quickly and the excitement that students had, it helped to feel excited about the medium,” says Donovan.
He decided to
pursue a master’s degree in hopes of teaching photography, so he applied to TMU for the master’s of fine arts in documentary media. He was granted special permission from TMU as he did not hold an undergraduate degree—Donovan says this is a “rare” exception.
Donovan’s prior years of schooling were considered enough by the admission’s committee to meet the application qualifications. He is currently in his third year of TMU’s PhD program in media and design innovation.
“I did not enter the program for connections with people, I just wanted to get the papers, so being able to do it online
was great,” says Donovan.
Looking back, he believes the reason he did not undergo graduate school earlier was that he always found himself engulfed in freelance work.
“I think you have to fit graduate school into your life,” says Donovan. “It is hard as an adult to just drop everything and become a student again.”
For some like Donovan, completing a master’s degree is not always necessary given their chosen career path. Kumaradas believes that all stu-
“I had a fair bit of work experience and some kind of recognition in the photojournalism field, I think that was kind of the main thing. Had it not been for that
dents should keep an open mind.
“I think a master’s program is a good option because it tends to be one to two years of duration, and it’s not a large time commitment in that stage of most people’s lives.
Visuals by Nageen Riaz
It could be a good way to get more experience, learn more about a specific area and then see what they would like to do,” he says.
Donovan wants students to remember that graduate school is what students make of the experience.
“[Graduate] school guarantees literally nothing,” he says. “The one thing it does guarantee is that you learn something, but it’s not going to make you richer, it is probably going to make you poorer. If you love learning and that is your priority, then it’s a great thing to do if you want to.”
For others, the desire to undergo a master’s degree might sprout from a change in their original plans. Gavin Ball, an animation generalist and graduate of the digital media program at TMU, knew he did not want to work full-time in the animation industry for the rest of his career.
Ball did know that he wanted to teach animation at a post-secondary level, so he taught at multiple colleges between 2016 to 2017 while doing freelance animation work. He eventually landed a job as an art director with Arc Productions, an animation and post-production company based in Toronto. He hoped it would land him more stability and an opportunity to freelance and develop his own projects.
Unfortunately, Arc Productions announced on Aug. 2, 2016 that it would be filing for bankruptcy and going out of business, leaving Ball without a job after only being with the company for a few weeks.
He ended up getting a full-time teaching position with Ontario Tech University, but in order to continue with the job and pursue a career in academia, he knew he needed a master’s degree.
“When I applied, I was not so sure on what was going to happen,” says Ball. “But based on my portfolio and academic history, they were able to grant me a spot into the program.”
maternity leave at the time.
He attended Industry Day - Master of Digital Media in 2018, a TMU-hosted event that showcased student’s work and offered networking opportunities with those connected to the program. From there, he reached out to the program’s coordinators and explained his situation, testing his chances of how likely he was to get into the program.
Through his connections with former colleagues and supervisors, he was able to formulate an application that got him accepted to the program.
He says he is unsure what his path forward would have looked like if he hadn’t been accepted to the program since “the program’s format was more project-based and in line with my goals, and the fact that it was a shorter period of time worked out for me.”
A moment in Ball’s master’s studies that stands out to him is when Canadian animator Charlie Bonifacio attended a lecture to give a presentation. Filled with excitement and anxiety, Ball showed Bonifacio some of the artwork he was working on at the time, which he felt “wasn’t even close to what [Bonifacio] could do.”
Ball says Bonifacio recognized his drive and work, and gave hime a piece of advice that has stuck with him to this day.
“Just keep going. I didn’t know if I was going to get better, but I did, and I kept getting better. So I tell and teach young people, and I see them transform themselves through their efforts and their belief, so now I say that: just keep going.”
she was rejected, asking to know why she was not selected. “I couldn’t let it slide,” she recalls. “I had to figure out why.”
She knew at the time that the chances of her getting a personalized reason would be unlikely, given the volume of applicants and small number of students admitted. York University’s master of social work program only admits 25 students a year.
In Badree’s situation, she says that in order to get a high-paying job in her field, it is required that people seek out a master’s degree. That is what convinced her to apply.
“With a bachelor’s degree, you can only get so far. I hope to one day open up my own practice, so you need your master’s degree for that,” she says.
As Badree worked on her application, she was confident that she would be accepted, not really thinking about what she would do if she was declined.
Badree was told on the call that she could not be given a direct explanation as to why she was rejected but was offered some suggestions as to what she could do to improve, the main being her amount of volunteer
work.
For Ball, the financial aspect of returning back to school was his largest barrier.
“I had the additional cost of commuting to the city, and tuition and everything else that goes with that,” he says.
“You can’t recoup that as quickly as you’d like to.”
Despite the hurdles many students jump through to pave their way financially, Ball was determined to get as much as he could out of his education.
“I think there’s certain things in life that are worth paying for and this is something that will pay you back,” says Ball. When he was first laid off, he still had his own freelance commitments and teaching responsibilities to fall back on. He also had a young family and his wife was on
“I knew this program was competitive, I already had that in the back of my head,” says Badree.
“I explained to them that there are reasons why I couldn’t give all my time to volunteering, because I also had work, I had papers due,” she says. She was actually able to have someone in the admissions office reread her statement of interest, and she was told that this statement, her grades and letter of recommendation from her professors were actually “great.”
“They made me seem like I’m the superstar,” she says.
maradas believes that a lot
On the other hand, Kumaradas believes that a lot of students are facing apprehension over applying because they are unsure of whether graduate school is the right path for them.
“I would imagine there is a lot of uncertainty or doubt whether graduate studies are the right thing to do or not, but still wanting to apply because that’s one of the options [students] have,” says Kumaradas. “Be open to rejection, because you just never know,” he says. “Put aside the self-doubt and put in the application and see what happens.”
Badree does not regret taking this chance. She believes that the fear of rejection is why most students do not go forward with an application, and encourages everyone to take a chance.
“Don’t be afraid to apply. Everyone is going to be afraid to apply because there is a chance that they won’t get in, but what’s the worst that’s going to happen? You miss it 100 per cent if you don’t apply, but there is a fifty-fifty chance when you do apply,” she says.
At the time of Badree’s rejection, she had yet to learn this lesson. She called York University’s admissions office after
She was again told that her amount of volunteer work could have played a significant role in why she was not accepted.
“Because many people read the applications, someone could be really hard on volunteer work and some people could be really hard on grades. So it was just my luck at the time,” Badree says.
She came to the realization that maybe her rejection was an opportunity to continue improving her resume.
Following this revelation, she began volunteering at Compass Community Services, a counselling organization in Guelph, Ont. She was tasked with creating intervention plans and providing a variety of resources for those struggling.
During that time, she found that the work she was doing was a great way to put into practice what she had learned at school—she found herself going back and re-reading what she was taught in her undergraduate degree.
“I have never had to actually apply all of this knowledge and real world concepts. I had to take a second to really learn how to do all of that,” she says.
Badree acknowledges that the initial rejection was “discouraging” and left her feeling “hopeless.” She has now come to the realization that what happened to her was probably for the best. She sent in her application to the same social work program in December 2024 and is awaiting the results. Despite the extended timeline, she is grateful that it happened.
“I realized that everything happens for a reason,” Badree says. “Honestly, maybe all of this experience now is helping me see it in a better way.”
NCAA changes put pressure on U Sports
New opportunites for CHL players alter the Canadian hockey landscape
By Mitchell Fox
Matthew Kinash hasn’t followed the most traditional path as a high-level Canadian hockey player, but he’s followed one that has best suited him.
After playing minor hockey in Edmonton and three years in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), Kinash moved on to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, playing for the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks and the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The now Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold forward has continuously pursued his hockey dream, even if he’s not always at the top of the prospects lists.
Kinash, who is currently pursuing his master’s in business administration (MBA) at TMU, said when he was growing up, there was an understanding that players who went to the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)— composed of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and the Western Hockey League (WHL)—would go from there to the pros, while “late bloomers” like himself would go through Junior A leagues to the NCAA. Now, players in leagues like the AJHL are losing that advantage.
“A lot of Junior A players won’t have the same opportunity as I did,” said Kinash. “I don’t think I would have got the opportunity to play in the NCAA if they were taking WHL and OHL kids.”
Kinash’s unique path has allowed him to see the benefits of both NCAA Division 1 (D1) and U Sports hockey, which he says are similar. However, an anticipated shift in the Canadian hockey landscape means U Sports will have to find its place with a new array of unconventional pipelines.
On Nov. 7, 2024, the NCAA announced a change to the league’s rules surrounding the ineligibility of former CHL players. Previously, the NCAA did not allow players from the CHL to enter under the basis that a stipend they earned made them professionals.
As players began filing lawsuits against the NCAA for barring them from entry, the league strode towards changing the rules. The result: starting Aug. 1 of this year, CHL players will be able to play in the NCAA, reaping the benefits of high-level hockey and NHL speculation from an earlier age.
“It’s
not a knock on U Sports on any level saying that. It’s just the reality”
For CHL players not heading straight to the pros, U Sports has offered a great alternative after a strong junior career. Now, teams like the Bold are ready to feel the blow of opportunities opening elsewhere.
“Ultimately, it makes the job a little bit tougher because now you’re not only competing with the U Sports teams that want the same players as you,” said Bold assistant coach Michael Fine. “Now, you’ve got D1 programs in the mix who can offer a lot and provide things that maybe U Sports can’t at certain levels.”
As many OHL and WHL players go South,
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: KHADIJAH
Fine says the men’s hockey program—led by Director of Recruitment Doug Hollinsky—will use their connections and access to programs such as InStat to look at players in Europe, a greater variety of Junior A teams and beyond while still trying to land top CHL prospects.
“In terms of recruiting moving forward, [we’ve] just got to get creative and find that next gem of a player from maybe a league that most people don’t look at for talent,” he said.
For those familiar with being at the top of the U Sports level, there is an understanding that the NCAA rule changes will come with repercussions, but Canadian schools will find their way.
“A lot of Junior A players won’t have the same opportunity”
Gardiner MacDougall is the former head coach of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Reds, who have won five of the last seven U Cup championships, including a historic undefeated season last year. Now coaching in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats, MacDougall sees the NCAA rule changes presenting “a big, big change” in options for young players.
“It’s going to open up a lot more players to come to the CHL which is outstanding. In regards to U Sports, it’s probably going to limit the number of, or the option of, some players,” he said. “You’re seeing it already.”
The players who most often make the move from the CHL to U Sports are overage players—20-year-olds—who are past their NHL draft eligibility. Many CHL overage players have already made NCAA commitments for next year, including the Erie Otters’ Pano Fimis, Barrie Colts’ Owen Van Steensel and the Wildcats’ Markus Vidicek.
MacDougall said UNB predominantly recruited players from the CHL over the last few years, though there were a few successful Junior A players to go through their ranks. Now, more of those players will likely find opportunities at the U Sports level.
“U Sports is still going to find their players, just maybe initially not the pedigree that they normally would have,” he said.
MacDougall said it is going to take a few years for things to settle across the hockey
Bold winter signings
Imisi Motunde commits to men’s basketball landscape. He says the NCAA is currently the much-desired “magic potion” for junior players but different programs across U Sports and the NCAA have their own approaches and appeals.
“There’s lots of U Sports schools that would be better than some of the NCAA schools…whether it’s the total hockey experience or a combination of hockey and academics,” he said.
Unlike Kinash, UNB alumnus Jason Willms followed the traditional CHL-to-U Sports path, moving on from an illustrious OHL career with the Barrie Colts and London Knights to the Reds, where he won two U Cups as part of MacDougall’s team.
He is also an example of a U Sports player turning pro. After short stints in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and the International Central European (ICE) Hockey League in Europe, Willms currently plays for the Herlev Eagles in the Metal Ligaen, Denmark’s top hockey league.
After last year’s U Cup victory, Willms posted on X that the undefeated Reds should play against the NCAA champion, something he still stands by now. Nevertheless, Willms said that while he had “the best years” of his life at UNB, he likely would have tried to pursue the NCAA route if that opportunity had been available at the end of his OHL career.
“I definitely understand all the new players now who are at least taking their time to field and see what the interest is from NCAA schools,” he added. “It’s not a knock on U Sports on any level saying that. It’s just the reality that it’s pretty tough to compete with [that opportunity].”
To Willms, U Sports and everything he achieved there offers a “springboard to professional hockey,” as at 20 years old, he probably wasn’t ready to be a professional player. Now, he is glad to represent U Sports as an alumnus and show people that the league does present pro opportunities.
“I remember when I turned pro, feeling a special sense of pride and wanting to showcase our league,” he said. “I think there is, amongst players in U Sports, a tremendous amount of pride to go play in it. And I don’t think that stops even once we graduate.”
Read more at theeyeopener.com
By Brady Locke
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s basketball team announced on Nov. 6, 2024 the commitment of forward Imisi Motunde for the 2025-26 season.
“I have high expectations,” said Motunde. “Not just for the team but for myself as well. [Bringing] the energy like I normally do. Being a role model for people back home.” Motunde is averaging 27.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game with the A.B. Lucas Vikings, leading them to an impressive season in the Thames Valley Regional League.
Read the whole story at theeyeopener.com
Men’s volleyball recruit four players for 2025-26
By Hannah Sabaratnam
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s volleyball team announced three new commitments to their squad, signing Ross Buchanan, Aidan Suttie and William Gimbert for the 2025-26 season.
A glance at the Bold’s roster shows 10 of 18 players set to graduate at the end of this academic year. Rather than wait, the team has gotten an early start to their recruitment process.
Read the whole story at theeyeopener.com
GHAURI, SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER SUPPLIED
GST break: A taxing situation for students
By Dylan Marks
With the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) break, students say the financial relief wasn’t enough, despite the government’s attempt to save Canadians more money.
Starting on Dec. 14, 2024, the federal government implemented a tax break on items such as prepared foods, snacks, beverages, children’s products, toys, entertainment and seasonal items.
According to a press release from the Canadian federal government, “This tax break will make a meaningful difference for Canadians by making essentially all food GST/HST free, providing real relief at the cash register.” The program is set to end on Feb. 14, when GST and HST will be reinstated on all goods and services.
However, some students are finding that daily necessities not included in the tax break are still heavily impacting their budgets. Second-year global management studies student Evan Haverluck said although the tax break helps him “get more out of [his] money” on certain items, he still believes that the tax break isn’t enough to impact regular expenses.
“If they lowered the price of [taxes on] gas and stuff that I spend money on every week, I definitely would [save] more,” said Haverluck.
Byron Lew, professor and chair of economics at Trent University, believes there are other ways for governments to help people on lower-income budgets outside of a tax break.
“You can provide them with better tax breaks on their income tax,” he said. This would raise the minimum income level required to start paying taxes, allowing for a more effective financial relief on those who could benefit the most.
“Students probably don’t pay much tax because their income is likely not at the current threshold for tax. So what would benefit students would be just more availability of student funding, bursaries, grants, particularly for students from low-income families,” said Lew.
“If you want to help low-income people, there are better ways”
According to the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA) website, the federal tax break policy does not boost economic growth and the GST/HST cut may encourage consumer behaviour —such as delaying purchases, rebuying items or stockpiling goods— which also won’t benefit business owners.
According to the CPA website, “[The tax break] accomplishes little and it will be costly for businesses and the government—it will increase the federal budget deficit and HST-participating provinces will have to be compensated for their share of the HST that was not collected.”
The CPA website also noted that many of the goods in the tax break are not essentials, making it challenging to justify the added expense to the federal treasury. This echoes the idea that the tax break as a whole could have had a larger benefit if it focused on necessities, which low-income earners would prefer to have breaks for.
Similar to Haverluck’s wishes for a tax break on regular necessities, third-year retail management student Hamza Hasan feels the tax break is pointless as he doesn’t spend enough to fully benefit from it.
“I think it was good for a little bit but it really doesn’t make
much of a difference,” Hasan said. “To incentivize spending more, I need more income, so the tax break does save a little bit of money but it’s not enough to make me spend more.”
Hasan added that unless there is a full GST/HST tax break on everything, it doesn’t make a significant difference on finances and spending habits.
Rob Gillezeau, assistant professor of economic analysis and policy at the University of Toronto, said the tax policy as a whole was the wrong way to go.
“Just as a basic idea, it’s bad tax policy. My advice to the government would be [to] determine your actual objective. If it’s the desire for more dollars to be in people’s pockets, we have all sorts of income tested transfers to get that job done,” said Gillezeau. “If you want to support working low-income folks, you could boost the Canada workers benefit. If you want to focus on families, you could use the Canada child benefit…There are lots of things we could do.”
According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) website, hundreds of business owners have called the CFIB to express concern about implementing the GST/HST break. Many are worried about making a mistake in interpreting the rules, especially given the rushed nature of the change. “This entire initiative has been poorly designed and rushed,” the CFIB website stated.
Due to this hastened nature, Gillezeau feels the tax break was implemented by the government as a politically motivated gesture.
“Probably the biggest unintended consequence [of the tax break] is that it was a political gimmick designed to boost the Prime Minister’s fortunes, and he has now resigned. So I don’t think it was successful in achieving their pri-
mary goal,” said Gillezeau. Elisabeth Gugl, associate professor of economics at the University of Victoria, backed this idea, and said that she doesn’t see the point of the tax break due to its shortterm nature.
“It’s very temporary and it’s weirdly specific about what is and is not exempt, and so it seems very gimmicky,” she said.
Gugl added that during the holiday season, people may have felt rewarded by the tax break with the government making them feel like they were receiving some sort of gift. “We know that currently, the Liberals are not polling well, and there have to be elections fairly soon, and so that seems to be more like a politically motivated policy, rather than something that makes a lot of economic sense in the long
run,” Gugl said.
Fourth-year computer science student Timo Kwok, said although the tax break has made him increase his willingness to spend more on groceries, he also feels the new policy seems to have been created for the purpose of swaying opinions politically with an incentive.
“As a whole, I think that it might be a bit of a ploy. That’s not the right word, but sort of a way to influence opinions about the election and the party’s performance,” said Kwok.
Gugl said, “given the serious issues with things like housing affordability, I think that a policy that would have targeted people who really need to have more financial help would be better than this kind of broad across-theboard break for two months.”
AVA WHELPLY/THE EYEOPENER
Report: Students
with nothing to say saying the most
Motormouths, chatty-Cathys and windbags are wasting a record amount of discussion time
By Edward Lander
Disclaimer: While you may have encountered students like these in your courses, these sources and facts are, in fact, fictional.
Picture this: you’re attending a lecture when a smug classmate begins belting out a statement completely devoid of substance—filled with words like “dichotomy” and “presuppose”— leaving students confused and your professor with nothing to say but “...thank you for that comment?”
Sound familiar? According to a Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) think tank, “So You Think You Can Tank,” you might not be alone.
“I was sick and tired of these kids just talking out the wazoo”
In the think tank report titled “What on Earth Are You Talking About?: Blabbermouths in Canadian Universities,” researchers found that up to 75 per cent of discussions in classrooms are taken up by empty, derivative comments like these.
“What we’ve discovered is that precious class time is being wasted by students who can’t bear to go five minutes without hearing the sound of their own voice,” said head researcher Anita Diaz.
A professor herself, Diaz put the study into motion after experiencing the phenomenon in her own lectures.
“I was sick and tired of these kids
just talking out the wazoo. I just had to get to the bottom of it,” she said.
The report features these types of students, placing them into multiple distinct—and yet equally irritating—categories.
“ Researching these students was very difficult because they kept fighting with us”
The most common is the “Devil’s Advocate,” defined as someone who makes counterpoints for the sake of counterpoints.
Under the guise of a hypothetical disagreement, The Devil’s Advocate will send discussions in circles until their increasingly improbable critiques are satisfied or the class ends.
“Researching these students was very difficult because they kept fighting with us,” added Diaz.
Following up is “The Piggybacker,” a student who simply regurgitates points made by their peers and passes them off as their own.
“Personally, I wanted to call this type ‘The Leech’ but the peer-reviewers said no,” said Diaz.
The last category is relatively
self-explanatory. “The Suck-up,” or “The Kiss-ass,” is a student who makes empty and incessant comments for the sake of impressing their professor.
“Personally, I wanted to call this type ‘The Leech’ but the peerreviewers said no”
“Sometimes it’s for the grade but more often than not they just want the prof to like them,” said Diaz.
The report has received backlash from some outspoken stu-
dents who feel its results promote a non-academic mindset.
“We should be encouraging students to participate, not shun them,” wrote TMU student Ethan Yap in a blog post. “If I have a lot to say in class, maybe it’s because I’m smarter than everyone else.”
Yap’s post then went on for another 9,000 words about why he opposes the study.
Diaz and her team believes that students should focus more on course work and less on sounding “smart.”
“Give it up, the glazing’s gotta stop,” she said.
By Myrtle Manicad
Experiencing “the horrors” but it’s just winter break
