Volume 50, Issue 1

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

themedium.ca

Issue #1 Volume 50 September 4, 2023

02

NEWS

Editor | Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

How to avoid emptying your wallet for backto-school shopping Inflation has caused a surge in prices of back-to-school supplies and other learning-related expenses for the 2023-2024 academic year, placing an additional financial burden on students.

Lily Yu Contributor

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ften commencing as early as July, back-to-school shopping has always been an annual ritual for students. However, the price for back-to-school items has risen with inflation, posing a financial burden on students across Canada. According to a survey conducted by Statistics Canada, the national Consumer Price Index has increased as of July 2023, raising the general price level by 3.3 per cent as compared to July 2022.

“The majority of programs of study will require a combination of textbooks, special classroom aids, lab equipment, computer equipment, etc.”

In March 2023, the Ontario government extended its tuition freeze to include the 2023-2024 school year. This applies to most Ontario students and post-secondary programs, with some exceptions. Notably, in March 2023, U of T’s planning and budget office maintained that non-Ontario resident domestic students still face a five per cent increase in tuition, while international students may see their tuition rise by an average of 2.1 percent.

A national consumer research survey conducted by The Retail Council of Canada and Caddle—an internet marketing services company—in July 2023 revealed that, in 2022, 36.2% of Canadians were “willing to” spend more on back-toschool supplies than they did the previous year. In contrast, this year, only 31.8% of Canadians are “willing to” spend more on school supplies than they did last year. Despite consumers’ plans to economize with the rising retail prices, “84.6% of Canadians expect to spend the same or more amount of money on Back to School purchases as they did last year.”

The good news is that there are many aids available to support students financially. Applications for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) are now open for full- and part-time university students. The U of T financial aid website also offers various support options for Ontario students, outof-province Canadian students, and international students.

Any students facing financial difficulties are welcome to visit the Office of the Registrar in Room 1235 of the Innovation Complex building for more information and assistance. On weekdays, services are offered over the phone from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and in person from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

When combined with tuition fees, costs for learning materials, and other university incidental fees, these increased back-to-school costs could burden post-secondary students significantly. On the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) website for future students, the estimated 2022-2023 school year costs for textbooks and school supplies ranged from $1000 to $2000. As stated on the university website,

There are also some tricks for saving money on the daily.

A variety of places offer discounts to UTM students. Students can check the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union’s website or their info booth from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday to Friday at the Student Centre for more details. For programs that require electronic devices, the UTM library has a limited number of laptops that current students can borrow

for free. Additionally, there are many computer stations that students are free to access during library opening hours.

Aside from these financial aids, students can also seek out employment opportunities to relieve some financial stress.

On March 31, 2023, the Ontario government stated that the Ontario minimum wage would increase from $15.50 per hour to $16.55 per hour starting in October 2023. Students can check out the Career Centre for part-time opportunities both on and off campus.

While the current inflation trend imposes financial challenges on students, UTM has financial support systems that are readily accessible. Students may reach out to any of the above groups for more details and individual support. cernment; practice following the guidance of your faith and heart. Some of you will hit the ground running, many of you will struggle, all of you will fail at some aspect in your life.

When you meet persistent failures, it’s good to press your professors and search engines for answers, but it’s most important to pursue only the answers and choices which make sense to you.

Creating safe spaces for students on the UTMSU’s agenda for 2023-2024 In an interview with The Medium, UTMSU President Gulfy Bekbolatova and Vice President Campus Life Jasnoor Sandhu share plans for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Juliana Stacey Editor-in-Chief

also shares that the team aims to make the process of designing this new Student Centre a collaborative effort. UTMSU executives have been reaching out to student groups across campus to ascertain what types of spaces would be most beneficial to include within the plans for the new Student Centre. Conversations with administration, as well as with student groups and

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he fall semester is just around the corner and, as students return to the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) is moving forward with new and returning initiatives to support UTM students during their studies.

This year, the UTMSU’s executive team consists of President Gulfy Bekbolatova, Vice President Equity Ruth Alemayehu, Vice President External Okikioladuni (Kiki) Ayoola, Vice President Internal Yongxin (John) Liang, Vice President Campus Life Jasnoor Sandhu, and Vice President University Affairs Layana Alnabhan.

The Medium sat down with President Gulfy Bekbolatova and Vice President Campus Life Jasnoor Sandhu to speak about the upcoming academic year. Among the UTMSU’s “top priorities” this year is the expansion of UTM’s Student Centre. Bekbolatova notes that the current Student Centre—having been built in 1999, at a time when UTM was home to around 6,000 students—is not large enough to accommodate the growing need for student meeting space.

“Now we have over 16,000 students [and] over 100 campus groups,” says Bekbolatova, who

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/ THE MEDIUM

03 societies, will continue throughout the coming months. “The student centre expansion project is not like a UTMSU project. It’s an everyone project,” says Bekbolatova. “This is a historic time when students can actually put in their own input and voices into building a new university, building and renovating the current student centre.”

Another new initiative the UTMSU is focusing on this year is the introduction of a mandatory consent culture course. “Students deserve to feel safe and comfortable in every single classroom, every single lecture [and] tutorial,” says Bekbolatova. “We know that some staff and faculty on campus have never had consent training […] and we believe it’s really, really important to have this consent course mandatory for all staff and faculty.” The introduction of this course will be a large part of Lobby Week 2024, which will take place during the fourth week of January 2024.

Lobby Week 2023 took place from January 30 to February 3 of this year and focused on campaigns such as the Academic Policy Code Amendment, Food Security Now, and the request for an extension to the Credit/No Credit deadline. While the Credit/No Credit extension has yet to be achieved, Bekbolatova reports a “victory” when it comes to the Academic Policy Code Amendment, as UTM administration has committed to amending The Code of Behav-

iour on Academic Matters. Other campaigns, such as the Education for All campaign, will also be continued by this year’s UTMSU team.

In addition to these initiatives, Vice President Campus Life Jasnoor Sandhu shares that the UTMSU has a full schedule of events slated within the upcoming month. The annual Welcome Back Week is scheduled for September 18 to 22, which will provide UTM campus groups and societies the opportunity to table and network with new and returning students. A light boat cruise, for which tickets are currently available for purchase by all UTM students, will also be held on September 22. As well, Sandhu shares that there are plans to hold the East Meets West concert, with details to be announced at a later time.

Additionally, throughout the year, students can look forward to Halloweek, Multicultural Week, and new events such as Art-tic Week—happening in January 2024—which is a combination of UTMSU events previously known as Frost Week and Art Week that will celebrate the arts scene at UTM. With a new year comes more goals to attain and challenges to overcome. By continuing existing initiatives and expanding upon support systems, the UTMSU will be helping students ease into the start of a new, memorable academic year.

Unraveling the challenges of Canada's ongoing wildfires Canada was met with an extraordinarily intense wildfire season for 2023, and climate change may increase the frequency of such severe wildfires in the coming years.

Mannal Qureshi Contributor

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he summer of 2023 ushered in a series of fierce wildfires across several Canadian provinces. According to the National Wildland Fire Situation Report prepared by Natural Resources Canada, there have been 6,053 wildfires this season as of August 30, 2023, affecting 15.24 million hectares of land. In comparison, there has been an average of 5,107 wildfires per year for the past decade, affecting 2.62 million hectares on average per year.

Notably, British Columbia had the greatest number of wildfires, with 2,012 fires. On the other hand, Quebec had the largest area burnt, at 5.31 million hectares of land. The wildfires have resulted in large-scale evacuations and claimed the lives of four firefighters in one month.

Experts analyzed the Quebec wildfires and found that climate conditions, human activities, and environmental sensitivities contributed to the intensity of this year's wildfire season. Dry and hot weather conditions, exacerbated by global warming, kill vegetation and create an optimal environment for the rapid spread of wildfires. Additionally, wildfire seasons of this

severity may become more and more regular in the future as climate change continues.

Particulate matter and pollutants released during wildfires can trigger respiratory problems and exacerbate vulnerability in populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Exposure to such pollutants is associated with severe health consequences, including death.

The ripple effects of these wildfires will extend even after the smoke clears and air quality improves. Ellen Whitman from Natural Resources Canada told CBC News that impacted forests will likely sustain lasting changes. For example, coniferous trees, which have longer growth periods than deciduous trees and vegetation like grass or shrubs, may not have seeds ready before the next wildfires strike. Thus, the regrown forests may become less dense, changing the habitat for local species. In light of this, as prominent science writer Edward Struzik noted in a CBC radio interview, preventive measures such as wetland restoration may be a more effective use of resources than reforesting burnt areas.

As Canada navigates the challenging road ahead, the lessons learned from this year's wildfires will hopefully pave the way for a more prepared, resilient, and united response to nature's fiery challenges.

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U of T receives twenty-fourth place in the Academic Ranking of World Universities U of T continues to be an academic leader in the international community, according to a 2023 evaluation by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.

River Knott Managing Editor

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he 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities, an oft referenced and accredited annual listing created by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, was recently released online. The schools leading the pack with first, second, and third-place rankings were Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. However, U of T was not far behind, receiving a rank of twenty-fourth out of over 3,000 evaluated universities.

The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy evaluated universities based on five fundamental criteria. An example of one such criterion is the number of alumni and staff who have received prestigious awards, such as Nobel prizes. Another consideration is the number of articles published in Nature and Science under any individual university, along with the number of articles included in significant citation indices. Universities whose specializations make their articles inapplicable for publishing in Nature and Science would have this criterion’s weight reallocated.

The number of researchers whose work has been widely cited also plays a significant role in the evaluation. Student academic performance is also an important facet of success, in the form of “academic performance per capita.”

The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy also releases a yearly global ranking of universities’ various academic disciplines. In the 2023 listing, many programs at the U of T stood out as particularly exemplary. At U of T, the Sociology program was ranked the fourth best in the world (behind Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford). The Medical Technology program was also a standout, receiving a rank of sixth best in the world. The Psychology program received a seventh-place ranking, Pharmaceutical Sciences received an eighth-place ranking, and Public Health, Education, Statistics, and Finance each received a tenth-place ranking. In these subject areas, U of T regularly ranked higher than various prestigious schools, including Yale, Columbia, and Cambridge.

The only other Canadian institution that landed in the top 50 universities was the University of British Columbia, in the forty-fourth spot. Three other Canadian institutions ranked closely behind, with McGill scooping up seventieth place, The University of Alberta coming in at ninety-first, and McMaster settling in the ninety-eighth spot.

U of T has consistently scored toward the top of the list throughout the past decade, displaying not only the quality of the academic work done by students, staff, and alumni, but also the longstanding consistency of that work.

Kicking off the school year together with Orientation Week Many events are slated to take place during Orientation Week, with one of this year’s focuses being an increase in the amount of time students spend interacting with each other.

Juliana Stacey Editor-in-Chief

with faces on campus, […] as well as be able to meet like upper year students that can give them really valuable advice for the entire school year.”

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he University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) will be hosting its annual Orientation Week once again, with events running all throughout the week of September 3 to 7, 2023.

According to UTMSU Vice President Campus Life Jasnoor Sandhu, who spoke to The Medium in an interview, incoming first-year students can look forward to many events before the academic year kicks off. Some highlights include the “legendary scavenger hunt,” which is meant to help first-year students become acquainted with the layout of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) campus, and the House Cup, where students will compete in a “cheer off ” against one another to see which team is “victorious at the end.”

Returning this year will be Pub Night, which will have a Twilight theme, and the “classic paint and foam party.” “That’s going to have an additional twist this year,” says Sandhu, who explains that the event will be a “glow and foam party, just because all the Froshies will be wearing white shirts.”

As well, part of Orientation Week will be the Sunset Fest, where “we're gonna be having some amazing live performances, inflatables, and like our lovely campus groups are gonna be tabling,” Sandhu notes. “It's a great way for […] students to get resources, but also get super excited and […]be able to meet new friends.”

In response to feedback from previous Frosh attendees, there will be an increased amount of group time during this year’s Orientation Week, with students set to spend more than five hours with their groups. “We also have trained our orientation committee and staff on […] preventing and responding to sexual violence […] so that we can ensure that students are […] safer than they ever were before,” says Sandhu.

According to Sandhu, Orientation Week is “a great way for [first-year students] to familiarize themselves with the campus, be able to make new friends, […] familiarize themselves

UTMSU

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The Online News Act vs. Student Journalism After passing Bill C-18, the Online News Act, journalism organizations have lost access to major platforms for promoting news content and generating advertising revenue.

Meighan Atkinson Contributor

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here do you get your news? As of August, the answer is no longer Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), due to the passing of Bill C-18, the Online News Act, which received royal assent on June 22, 2023. The act will fully take effect before December 19, 2023, which is 180 days later.

The bill aims to level the playing field in advertising earnings between Canadian news outlets and digital news intermediaries such as Meta, the parent company of Instagram, and Facebook. It also aims to protect news businesses such as “independent local news businesses,” “Indigenous news outlets,” “official language minority community news outlets,” and news businesses with “innovative business models.” To this end, it requires digital news intermediaries to compensate news outlets for displaying links to the latter’s news content.

The Government of Canada indicates that, in 2022, digital platforms received up to 80 per cent of advertising revenue displayed on news content, shrinking the already devastated journalism sector. As of September 3, 2023, news content profiles such as CTV, CBC, CNN, and our own, The Medium, are unable to display posts, with pages currently displaying following message instead: “In response to Canadian government legislation, news content can’t be viewed in Canada.”

In a press release, Meta countered the Canadian government’s criticism of their shares in advertising, responding, “Our free tools and services created pathways for local publishers to connect with their communities and for established media outlets to continue to grow their audiences… which generated more than [C] $230 million in estimated value in a twelve month period.”

The effects of Bill C-18’s passing and the subsequent removal of news content from social media platforms will have far-reaching impacts on journalism industries. News content is built into social media posts to make current events readily accessible and digestible, especially to younger age groups—who are unlikely to seek out the news via traditional streams such as newspapers and news broadcasts.

Like other news platforms, student journalism organizations rely on social media to promote content and drive audiences to their own websites. In the absence of social media news, student journalists are left to rely on their readership to be intentional about their news consumption.

Traditional news media, such as newspapers that deliver straight into a reader’s mailbox or email inbox, are less reliant on a third party for promotion, reader engagement, or advertising revenue. Student journalism ventures, such as The Medium, are funded by incidental fees paid regularly by the student body. The Underground, the University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus’ student newspaper, also operates with incidental funding, as does The Varsity, U of T’s tri-campus newspaper.

Beyond wiping news content from the feeds of student journalist organizations, Meta has also disabled the sharing of news content links by their users. For now, student journalists may turn to other social media channels that the Act has not affected, such as TikTok and YouTube, where news content is still readily available.

In a news release on June 29, 2023, Google deemed the Online News Act “unworkable,” and stated their intent to remove links to news content when the act takes effect. The company also estimates that their user traffic to Canadian news sites contributed around C$250 million in revenue for the journalism sector. If Google pulls news content from their platforms, news links will no longer appear in the “Search” or “News” tab. In the same news release, Google’s President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, said:

“We remain concerned that Bill C-18 will make it harder for Canadians to find news online, make it harder for journalists to reach their audiences, and reduce valuable free web traffic to Canadian publishers.”

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD

06

OPINION

Editor | Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

Editor-in-Chief Juliana Stacey editor@themedium.ca Managing Editors River Knott & Aidan Thompson managing@themedium.ca & managinginternal@themedium.ca

Welcome to Volume 50

News Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

Juliana Stacey, Aidan Thompson and River Knott Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor – Internal & Managing Editor

Opinion Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

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Features Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca A&E Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca Sports Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca Photo Samira Karimova photos@themedium.ca Design Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca Copy Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes jaros@themedium.ca Maja Ting maja@themedium.ca Social Media & Online Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Podcast Mariela Torroba Hennigen mariela@themedium.ca

ver this past summer, as each of us imagined the many ways we could reinvent The Medium with our own personal flair, the three of us discussed—sometimes quite passionately—the many different ambitions we hoped to achieve by the time the final issue was published in April. For the sake of total transparency, beneath each of these conversations was a subtle desire to pronounce our own individual excellences; to stamp our creative signatures across the front page of a publication we have all edited, written, and worked for.

As September drew closer, we reflected on the significance of the upcoming publishing year. The 50th anniversary of The Medium marks an important milestone for a small-scale publication, a milestone which carries a legacy of community and collaboration. This milestone would have sunk were it not for each and every person who contributed to The Medium over the past 50 years.

In starting our production on The Medium this September, we intend to honour that legacy. We plan to prioritize strengthening our place within the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). We understand that the longevity of a publication like ours is completely dependent on the steps we take now to encourage writers and editors to take a chance and put their work out there. So, we’ll invest our time and resources into our writers, editors, and readers as we work towards situating ourselves as a foundational collective in our community.

We’ve realized through our time working at The Medium that the legacy that’s important to focus on is not the legacy of any individual article or writer. The legacy that is crucial to the continued success of this newspaper is that of the publication itself. Success to us as editorial staff isn’t defined by a byline or a “big break;” it’s about continuing to build a safe space for UTM writers to share their stories, their feelings, and anything else they want to send out into the world.

In honouring this legacy, we intend to organize workshops

Video

Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

TO CONTRIBUTE & CONNECT: themedium.ca/contact @themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themessageUTM

@humansofUTM_

JULIANA STACEY/ THE MEDIUM

and host in-person events to build on our existing community. We have also chosen to embrace Volume 50 as a blank slate to extend the reach of our publication and invite diverse voices and dispositions. This year, and hopefully every year after, The Medium wants to reach readers and writers from every corner of this campus. So, if you have a story or an idea that you feel is too strange or offbeat, reach out and we’ll find a page for it—provided it fits within our guidelines.

We look forward to a productive year of fostering honesty, individuality, creativity, and—most importantly, a safe space for everyone. We are excited at the prospect of continuing to build the wonderful friendships we have with our coworkers and the unique, enriching relationships we are lucky to have with UTM staff, students, and alumni.

We recognize that being a student publication and a nonprofit organization allows us to have an abundance of agency in the choices we make in developing our weekly issues. We have the freedom to embrace laughter and the absurd as well as more traditional, serious news topics—and we fully intend to make the most of this special position.

This year, we want to recognize the past and embrace the future.

With love and excitement, Juliana, Aidan, and River Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor - Internal, and Managing Editor

07

Dear freshmen, learn to discern

On the importance of leaning on inner guidance to understand your university experience.

Rola Fawzy Contributor

T Love, lust, and everything in between.

River Knott Managing Editor

he booming frosh week speakers in front of the Student Centre signal a new batch of freshly baked freshmen, packed with dreams of becoming and anxieties of anticipation. All expected, all valid. September means a new batch of students get to figure out what the hell ACORN is, inquire on Reddit about the cut off grades to study computer science, and spread tales of gossip. All of which remind me of my first year in this place.

No amount of advice videos on YouTube could have ever primed me for my first year at the University of Toronto Mississauga, in all its glory and craziness. No amount of asking upper years and predecessors for advice could have helped me mitigate the sometimes deeply painful lessons I had to go through. Still, I hold

We live in an age where all the answers are one Google search away, yet we are still lost. We are well-informed but that doesn’t necessarily translate into knowledge.

The information that others relay to us rarely compares to the wisdom and power we derive from making our own choices and owning them. I found that in my first year, I put the words of others on a pedestal and rarely ever listened to my own voice and feelings about the choices I was making. In an attempt to do what I was told to be “the right thing,” I was failing to do what was right by me.

In conversation with Oprah Winfrey, legendary poet Dr. Maya Angelou said that she recommended this to her son after he asked how to make friends: “There’s a place in you that you must keep inviolate. You must keep it pristine, clean, so that nobody has the right to curse you or treat you badly.” In these words, she referred to self-respect, but I believe that these words also perfectly

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alling all scoundrels and scallywags, delinquents and degenerates—welcome to The Knotty Corner! My name is River Knott (see what I did there?), and I have the pleasure of acting as one of The Medium’s managing editors this year.

In welcoming Volume 50 of The Medium, we’re shaking things up a little, keeping it fresh, and not taking everything quite so seriously. And so, our lovely editor-in-chief has (perhaps against her better judgement) allowed me to open a sex and relationships column this year! So, here we are! Our own nifty little nook in the newspaper for all of us nincompoops and ne’er-do-wells alike!

Here’s the rundown: First off, please ask me for advice—I’m not going to hide my desperation for content at this point. Really, I’m begging you. Kindly submit your questions via email to managing@themedium.ca, and include “The Knotty Corner” in the subject line so that I can more effectively fish through the burning garbage heap of spam that is my inbox.

Second, as “Knotty” as this corner may be, this will always be a safe space for you. Any questions you submit will remain completely anonymous, and people of all gender identities, backgrounds, and sexualities are more than welcome here.

I anxiously await all the shenanigans, hijinks, tips, tricks, and advice that this year will bring. So, take the leap and shoot me an email.

Until next time, stay Knotty my friends.

ROLA FAWZY

out hope that something in my words can help the incoming freshmen.

Please, do not think that I have it all figured out; God knows the only difference between me and all of you young ones is time. Still, time and pain are great teachers, and they ask me to relay to you the experience they have blessed me with.

When I was an incoming freshman, the advice I received was as follows: be approachable and school-oriented—and that, I was. Prior to entering school, I had picked up a habit of introducing myself to strangers by way of a New Year’s resolution I decreed upon myself. I introduced myself to everyone and anyone. As internetspeak would have it, “social anxiety was afraid of me.” I went out to parties and hang outs, but not so much that I lost my footing with school. I made a home for myself on the fourth floor of the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre and there I sat, drilling problem sets and typing away at essays. As far as I was concerned, I did the right thing to a tee.

Still, among the seas of people I met, I felt connected to no one. I was not meeting the academic goals I had set for myself, and I cycled between debilitating anxiety and painful hollowness.

ROLA FAWZY

I was doing “the right thing,” but I did not feel right at all.

describe what discernment is. It’s a place within me that I have learned to find answers that make sense for me.

It became my pursuit to stay in touch with this place that would come to ground me through many depressive episodes and existential crises. It is that place that veered me away from allowing everyone access to me, and towards being intentional about the connections I made. It is that place that made me ditch a career in software engineering for a life in the arts, and it is that place where I feel the most fulfilled and, to the religious among you, closer to God. There is no denying that the risks that you take must be calculated, nor that logic is a powerful tool, but even science admits that one cannot account for all the variables and possibilities. There are bounds to where logic and assistance from others will take you. As such, it is best to learn to couple your logic with discernment to help take you from what you know to where you want to go.

To the incoming freshmen, practice leaning on your discernment; practice following the guidance of your faith and heart. Some of you will hit the ground running, many of you will struggle, all of you will fail at some aspect in your life. When you meet persistent failures, it’s good to press your professors and search engines for answers, but it’s most important to pursue only the answers and choices which make sense to you.

08

Navigating the freshman year: Eight essential tips Starting university is nerve-wracking, but these tips will help your sailing be just a bit smoother.

Mashiyat Ahmed Contributor

An introdogtion Max Staff Pawsitivity Coordinator

H

i! Hello! Hey! Oh man, oh gosh, I am so excited to meet you!

My name is Max, and this is my brand-new advice column.

Although this advice column is like no other… for I am a dog!

Seriously, I am a four-legged, wet-nosed, puppy-eyed dog. Half husky, half cocker spaniel, born in Columbia, and a total Virgo if we’re being real.

I’m also a total workaholic; I’m a full-time service dog and a part-time columnist at The Medium!

That’s enough about me though, I want to know about you!

I love cheering people up when they’re feeling sad, anxious, worried, or even just a little confused. I keep it pawsitive when times get ruff. I know that giving good advice can be tough, but it surely can’t be any harder than trying to sit upright in this office chair and typing out this Word document with no thumbs (it has been 6 hours so far)! Helping people is what I do!

However, if I want to give advice… I’m going to need you to send me some questions dog-gone it! So, if you’re ever feeling dowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww– sorry, I saw a squirrel outside and may have blacked out for a moment.

What was I saying?

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nticlimactic.

That’s the word that describes my first year at university. In September 2022, I was barely sober from the simmering anticipation of the Covid-19 pandemic, so it wasn’t an ideal starting point for me. The person I was before the pandemic had dissolved and destabilized— never to be found again.

By the time classes started, I still hadn’t rebuilt myself into the new and mature version of me that I spent most of my high school days envisioning.

Following this post-Covid amnesia, I rolled into first year overestimating myself and underestimating the toll that the mundanity of everyday university life would have on me. So, after a year of failed friendships, a suffering GPA, and comparing my LinkedIn profile to those of my peers, here’s a list of tips that every freshman should know before the year starts:

1. Join The Medium (and other student organizations).

So, until next time, be sure to enjoy some treats, go for a nice walk in the park, and maybe even take the time to bark at a small woodland creature.

Love, Max

5. Understand professors versus courses.

Besides choosing your courses based on complete necessity, you should try enrolling in courses with professors that complement your learning style. Too often, students get a bad mark not because the class is particularly difficult, but because the professor and syllabus fail to serve their learning needs or curiosities.

6. Go to office hours.

Attending office hours makes you realize that many of your professors and teaching assistants are not as unapproachable and intimidating as they seem. Going to office hours is a low-stakes environment to build connections, get individualized help, and expand your perspectives.

7. Be a cautious explorer.

University surrounds you with many people who are in the same situation as you are. It can make it seem like your voice doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

Writing for The Medium can combat that feeling and connect you with your own voice, as well as peers with similar interests. In general, try joining some sort of student organization–not to put it on your resume but because it's an opportunity for friendship and networking.

2. Learn to learn.

Oh yeah!

If you’re ever feeling down, make sure you throw me a bone by sending the Editor-in-Chief an email at: editor@themedium.ca — she’ll read me your questions and I’ll lend you a helping paw in the next issue of The Medium. Because sometimes, you just need a chance to look at things from a new perspective. I think things are often much simpler than you humans make them out to be.

Networking and connecting with experienced students can help you elucidate and contextualize your own academic and professional aspirations. It can also be a humbling and dignifying experience.

Figure out the expectations each professor and subject have and how your learning styles align with those expectations. Personally, doing lots of practice questions and teaching others helps me absorb classroom material better, or simply just talking to my imaginary classroom that I teach every course I take. This is an experimental process, so be prepared for some initial frustration and failure.

3. Don’t overestimate your uniqueness.

You’re in an environment with hundreds, if not thousands, of people. If you imagine yourself to be the only person struggling with a topic learned in class or having to relearn significant digits for your science courses, chances are, there are many others just like you! Additionally, you might have been a star in high school but prepare to be self-conscious about the truly exceptional students around you—followed by the sobering realization that they struggle with the same problems and insecurities as you do.

4. Connect with upper-year students.

The first year of university is a time of academic and social exploration. I never expected to take an anthropology course in my first year, but I loved it. I encourage you to explore your interests and indulge in a variety of social opportunities, but beware—there is a difference between exploring and wasting your time. In other words, it doesn’t hurt to have a rough idea of what piques your interests and the type of people you want to have around you, but don’t let it veer you off track and forget your ambitions.

8. Don’t make noisy friends.

Young people are too familiar with the discomfort and numbness of forcibly surrounding themselves with people they don’t enjoy the company of. Inevitably, your coursework will exhaust you at times, so don’t let your peers be a source of exhaustion and distraction too.

When you're with noisy people, it becomes harder to cultivate your authenticity and inner life amidst their noise. As a first-year student, you’ll be tempted to make friends as quickly as possible with people who sometimes don’t match your energy. Learn to say “no!”

As a final note, first year is a clean slate, so treat it like one. Throw away whatever expectations or ideals you may have, be willing to go with the flow, and try as often as you can to consider the “bigger picture” of whatever situation may be plaguing you. We are all on different timelines and paths, so, don’t be afraid to explore and refine yourself, no matter what that looks like. Hopefully, taking my tips into account will make you better equipped to deal with the challenges and joys that come with university life and adulthood!

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Ghosts of dorm meals past Fifty shades of white and green Lily Yu Contributor

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y first-year residence was at the Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto. There were no cooking stations except for two microwaves, and students were forbidden to cook in their rooms. However, my room came with a stainless-steel kettle. The kettle’s top was large enough to allow small eggs to fit through, and after three minutes, those eggs would be perfectly soft boiled for breakfast.

A column on mental health that’s funny, heartfelt, and maybe even helpful.

Aidan Thompson Managing Editor - Internal

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obody wants advice on depression from someone who’s never been depressed. Nobody wants to be talked through a panic attack by the emotional equivalent of an underground parking lot. Nobody wants to be lectured on the importance of gratitude from someone who’s never had to remind themselves to drink water. It would be like asking a 12-year-old to fix a marriage.

We, the unstable, tend to be a little unreasonable at times. It’s why we never think to go outside when we’re depressed or exercise when we’re anxious. We’re unreasonable because of a deeply held—albeit mistaken—conviction that the obvious is either impossible or otherwise ungrounded.

So even if your grandmother’s breakup advice is helpful and well-intentioned, there’s always a part of you that’s somewhat skeptical that she understands what you’re going through—and if she doesn’t, well how could her advice to “sleep with their best friend” be worth following?

Now, for the argument’s sake, let me poke a hole in this precariously propped up logic. Obviously, you wouldn’t ask a skateboarder to set your broken bone just because they have “experience with this sort of thing.” So, life doesn’t make for the most practical education, but let’s just ignore that for now.

Instead, let’s talk about mental health.

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/ THE MEDIUM

Fast forward to December, I was cleaning out my fridge for winter break and saw that I still had some eggs left. I didn’t want to waste them, so I boiled them for the trip home. Unfortunately, in my rush to the airport, I forgot my half-boiled eggs in the kettle where they soaked, half-raw, for three whole weeks. When I returned, I was assaulted with a truly indescribable odour.

A gelatinous film had spiderwebbed across the nozzle of the kettle from where the water had boiled over and coated the lid with slime. It also appeared that, in my effort to fit all the eggs in the kettle, one of them broke and its contents aided in creating a horrid mixture of white foam and green chunks in the most foul-smelling semiliquids I’ve ever been in the vicinity of.

I abandoned my virtues that day as I scrubbed that kettle, knowing that I would have to drink out of it for the next several months. And with this, I wish you, reader, a wonderful school year.

A rushed job never ends well Tia Cummins Contributor

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hen I first moved into the dorms, I knew I had limited cooking skills, so I always tried to keep things simple. I made pasta, sandwiches, and practically lived off leftovers. One day, when I rushed my lunch and left for class, I decided the best option was to heat up my leftover fettuccine and garlic toast from the night before.

I put my garlic toast in the oven and threw my glass container of pasta in the microwave. After setting my timer, I immediately left the kitchen to get dressed for class and packed my backpack. In my scramble, I forgot to put the plastic microwave cover over my pasta, and instead left it on the stove top. To make matters worse, I also turned on the stove element instead of the oven beneath. One mistake plus another left me with a pile of burnt, melted plastic. When I went to investigate and saw what happened, I opened the oven and in turn, knocked the glass lid of my container onto the oven door, shattering the glass screen. In trying to keep my meals quick and easy, I ended up with the exact opposite— and a big mess to clean up.

Disasta: Attack of the sauce Madison Ireland Contributor The first two years of my university experience were spent living on campus, where I primarily subsisted on poutine from Colman Commons, noodles from Thai Express, cheap instant ramen, and Red Bull. In my third year of university, I decided to make a change by moving off campus and becoming more independent, which meant I finally had to learn to cook “real food.” I decided to start with some simple meals like pasta with meat sauce; it couldn’t be that much more difficult than ramen. Boy, was I wrong!

Everything was going smoothly until I had to put the pasta into the pot of boiling water. I misjudged how much pasta could fit in the pot, which caused the water to overflow, hissing angrily as it splashed over the hot burner. As I tried to wipe up the water with a dishcloth, I accidentally burned my wrist on the side of the pot. In the meantime, I proceeded to splatter ground beef and tomato sauce all over the stove in my attempt to stir it. I grabbed a fresh cloth from the back of the cupboard, which somehow DISINTEGRATED in my hands, leaving red dye everywhere as I tried my best to clean up. By the time I managed to get the mess under control, my pasta had burned to the bottom of the pot.

Most sane people would have given up on the whole meal at this point and ordered their food through DoorDash, but after the ordeal I faced in the kitchen, I retreated to my bedroom where I ate my disasta with meat sauce in shame.

Pyrexplosion: When steak meets shatter Elizabeth Prydatka Contributor

The summer just prior to beginning my first year of university, I came to develop a love for well-seared steak. My brilliant mind decided I would get a great, dorm-friendly sear on a steak by getting a Pyrex dish unfathomably hot and then dropping a steak into it. In theory, this would achieve a nice, crisp outside and a juicy pink centre. In reality, the steak sizzled marvellously for a few seconds before the entire glass dish exploded into a million little pieces.

The result of my experiment, needless to say, did not go as planned. There were bits of broken glass and steak juice in every corner of the shared kitchen space I was cooking in. The moral of the story is that glass dishes may not be as shock tolerant to such endeavours, and that maybe UberEats would have been a justifiable expense. to get the mess under control, my pasta had burned to the bottom of the pot.

Most sane people would have given up on the whole meal at this point and ordered their food through DoorDash, but after the ordeal I faced in the kitchen, I retreated to my bedroom where I ate my disasta with meat sauce in shame.

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features

Editor | Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca

Making the most out of the academic year: Insights from a graduating trailblazer Navigate the twists and turns of your academic journey with insights from graduating student Marah Mufleh.

Karine Alhakim Contributor

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hether you are gearing up for your first-ever university experience or getting ready to toss that graduation cap, we all know that the start of a new academic year is a rollercoaster of excitement and nerves. We all hope to wring every drop of goodness out of the coming months: acing our studies, forming unforgettable friendships, and looking after our wellbeing. The Medium sat down with Marah Mufleh, a soon-to-be graduate from the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), to understand one of students’ most pressing questions: how do we make the most out of our academic journey?

Mufleh, who is graduating in November, majored in communication, culture, information, and technology (CCIT) and double minored in sociology and professional writing and communication. Her program choices combined all her areas of interest. By exploring your passions and crafting an education that best suits your interests, you may forge a university experience as unique as you are. “I always knew that I didn’t want to focus on one thing; I want to learn everything I can about the CCIT field, including marketing, communications, content creation, theory, and graphic design,” shares Mufleh.

Her university journey was marked by a profound understanding of the importance of embracing new experiences beyond academics. She adopted a proactive and well-rounded approach that encompassed her studies and a wide array of extracurricular activities. This approach, she believes, was integral to her personal growth and skill development. Mufleh made a deliberate effort to step out of her comfort zone and engage in activities that pushed her boundaries. “I recognized that my personal and professional growth would be enhanced by actively seeking out diverse experiences,” explains Mufleh.

When Covid-19 threw a curveball at everything, Mufleh found her silver lining: starting Champions of Change. The club aims at educating and reducing international inequalities and advocates for women and children in communities around the world. “The impact that Champions of Change had was incredible, especially since I started it during the pandemic without knowing anyone at UTM,” says Mufleh. “We raised over C$10,000 for local and international communities. Seeing the impact that the club had on communities all around made this club one of the most memorable highlights of my time at UTM,” she adds.

Mufleh learned that personal growth and change are primarily self-driven. In high school, students are programmed to compete against one another. However, once students transition to university, they should realize that their only competition is themselves. “Everyone is on a unique journey of their own,” stresses Mufleh.

During her undergraduate degree, Mufleh juggled several research opportunities, four courses, a full-time internship, and leading two clubs. How did she do that? Turns out, her most helpful tool is a well-planned calendar. Having a schedule that lays out everything while making room for studies and leisure can keep you balanced and, more importantly, sane.

On her TikTok page, Mufleh shares several tips and tricks on how to prepare for the semester and how to land internships.

“My favourite tip would be to spend the first few hours of the day doing something for you. It can be as simple as meditating, making a yummy breakfast, exercising, or simply reading a book you find interesting,” says Mufleh.

She understands the significance of putting her skills to the test in real-world scenarios. As such, Mufleh actively participated in case competitions that challenged her problem-solving abilities and business acumen. Notably, she took part in prestigious events like the Young Entrepreneurs Conference (YEC) hosted by the Digital Enterprise Management Association. “YEC gave me a chance to apply the skills I’ve learned in the classroom to a practical business case competition and to network with professionals in the industry,” shares Mufleh. These competitions not only honed her analytical skills, but also boosted her confidence in presenting her ideas and solutions to a wider audience.

some advice on avoiding burnout in the middle of the semester. “At the end of the day, your mental health is more important than academics because if you are mentally not okay, you are not going to perform well,” shares Mufleh. She explains how important it is to find what your stress reliever is. Her goto activities to destress are hanging out with friends, going on walks outside, and yoga.

Making the most out of the academic year involves a combination of embracing change, stepping out of comfort zones, managing time effectively, and prioritizing personal wellness.

The insights shared by Mufleh shed light on how these principles can be put into practice. By taking initiative, seeking growth opportunities, and finding the right balance between academic and personal pursuits, students can make each academic year a fulfilling experience. rently collecting user feedback for an update, hopefully within a year from the app’s launch date. Until then: “We’re very lucky to have each other as a support group,” says Jain. She continues, “We met over Zoom with an idea and we’re such good friends now, and we have this amazing app. One class can do that to you, so if you take all the opportunities you’re given, you can make something good out of them like we did.”

Mufleh emphasizes the importance of taking care of our wellbeing and share s

Mufleh's adventures prove that trying new things, even if you are going solo, can lead to the most rewarding experiences.

She not only developed valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership, but she also built a network of like-minded individuals who would prove to be instrumental in her future endeavours.

CREDIT: LINKEDIN

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A seasonal odyssey: Embracing summer, cuisine, and travel Students share what they’ve been up to this summer.

Waves of joy: A memorable summer escapade to the Toronto Islands

Summer’s palette: A culinary exploration

Escaping Summer’s Heat: My final journey

Sukaina Rizvi Contributor

Meighan Atkinson Contributor

Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady Features Editor

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s the sun-kissed days of summer unfolded, a scenic adventure awaited my family and I on the captivating shores of the Toronto Islands. We embarked on a journey filled with laughter, exploration, and unforgettable memories as we welcomed my aunt and cousin to Canada for the very first time.

The highlight of our escapade was our mesmerizing visit to Centre Island—a haven of tranquility just a ferry ride away from the vibrant city. The ferry's gentle sway mirrored our excitement, each wave a promise of the adventures to come.

Stepping onto the island felt like entering a different world; a paradise adorned with sandy beaches, lush greenery, and the melodic symphony of lapping waves.

With bicycles as our trusty companions, we set out on a leisurely exploration of the island. Pedaling through the winding paths, the wind whispered secrets of the island's history while the scent of wildflowers carried the essence of summer.

The azure waters beckoned to us, and soon we found ourselves on the sun-drenched beach, toes sinking into the soft sand. Waves danced before us; their rhythms synchronized with our carefree spirits. As the sun painted the sky with hues of gold and pink, we snapped countless pictures, each frame capturing not just the beauty around us but the joy in our hearts.

ate this summer. Double scoops of ice cream, melting in the sun, dripping onto rough recycled paper napkins. Salads of dark red tomatoes, webbed in kaleidoscope sections of gel-like flesh, dressed in olive oil and salt. Pesto with basil from my boyfriend’s mother’s plant, smeared on good, crunchy sourdough or tossed through steamy strands of fettuccine.

Last summer, I gallivanted across coastal Europe, aching—yearning—for a Niagara peach. This summer, I ate two at a time right over the kitchen sink as the juice dripped down my elbows. I lounged by the pool with pints of my dad’s sangria while he grilled steaks and corn on the cob—corn from a side-of-the-road stand, where you drop your cash and take your produce on an honour system. I picked away at many a charcuterie board, stacking wedges of sharp cheddar and raspberry jam.

Trinity Bellwoods Park buzzed with the feeling of summer, dispersed by groups of young professionals off work, but still in their business-casual attire, sipping canned coolers under a tree’s shade. My friends and I shared sub sandwiches at picnic tables, listening to jazz musicians wail on their saxophones and quietly observing friendly (but clearly very competitive) games of spikeball. My boyfriend and I sat on patios, sipping our C$15 cocktails, savouring Ossington in its best

ummer? Nope. Instead, I escaped the heat to my home country’s winter. To be fair, winters are quite mellow in Mauritius—they’re more akin to Canada’s late spring, with temperatures in the low 20s. Honestly, I’ve always disliked the heat. So, I was mostly looking forward to the mild, windy weather and seeing my family while Canada was experiencing its hottest days ever—literally. When it came time to return to Canada, I was dreading the heat. But as it turned out, I wouldn’t spend much time outdoors for a little while.

Coming back to Canada meant two things: 1) stocking up on my favourite foods that I cannot acquire in Mauritius, and 2) a long journey after which I always swear I will never make again. This trip was no exception. As I made my way to the airport—realizing that my luggage was grossly overweight as I did not properly account for everything I was bringing back for family—I mentally prepared myself to streamline my selection of edible goodies.

I ended up bringing none.

Aboard the plane, which was at maximum capacity, I attempted to soothe a facial allergic reaction. I found myself in an aisle seat next to a man. Mostly half-asleep for the rest of the journey after taking some medication, I noticed the man next to me coughing. I fooled myself into thinking he had a cold.

At the transit airport in France, I was hit by a migraine followed by the “surprising” announcement that my Air Canada flight was delayed—as per usual—by around four hours.

The terminal was tiny, with nothing much to do, and I winded up calling my mum teary-eyed.

Fast forward to my arrival in Canada, over 24 hours later, I greeted my dad as I arrived at our apartment. I tested myself for Covid-19 every day for the next four days, since I was feeling weird.

Day five showed up as positive. I cancelled all my immediate plans, napped for the next two weeks, and scrambled to finish all my late assignments for most of July and August. I guess I didn’t have to worry about summer that much after all.

As for the journey? Yeah, never again, please. This time for real—I think.

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Arts

The seashore kelp that waits for the waves

Editor | Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca

Self discovery

The Burden of Choice

Hannah Grace Wang Contributor

Madhav Ajayamohan Contributor

Autumn leaves bring it full circle Confirmation doesn’t mean much, except reassurance to trust your gut.

Our age is the “anything possible” age

Maryam Uddin Contributor

Knowing doesn’t change things But after the year of uncertainty It turns out, I wasn’t the one who needed to change.

My ambiguous yearning for you gradually gathers Like silky seaweed at the seaside shore in early summer, It imprints itself gently onto the pulpy, soaked sand, Impatiently waiting for the next anticipated wave,

Soon it’ll be winter again, but the frost on the glass has melted And I can finally see the other side of the window.

Finally.

I wait for you, like an ire soul restless in its grave, My organs, my heart, await you like the kelp, a slave, Stuck — oh, drowning! — in the suffocating sand, Tethered by an invisible thread that ties me and commands That my hollow heart-rate shall sync with the wistful waves

where the freedom of choosing what you want to be is stifling.

With so many more possibilities, so many more paths, who knows where to go?

Is the step forward actually two steps back?

Is the path you chose an unbreakable, unending loop?

Or is it just you?

When the people beside you run, jump, and stride forward, is it your fault for being stuck?

In the “anything possible” age, expectations, hopes, and dreams are stacked up as high as the sky.

In the “anything possible” age, you are given freedom.

Freedom that pins you down. Freedom that chains you down.

They never do come, and the sand, my loneliness, presses against my ribs, And all that suppressed anguish that’s welled up leaks from my pen’s nib, That’s when the poetry I skillfully scribble sings the wave’s songs, It tickles like the rough-edged kelp, screams the way my heart longs, Tell me, my beloved — only if you may speak the bittersweet truth, Why does every wave that comes insufferably wash away my youth?

UTM alumna Bernice Santos is a Whistler Independent Book Awards 2023 finalist On the importance of leaning on inner guidance to understand your university experience.

Alisa Samuel Arts & Entertainment Editor

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hen Bernice Santos found out that she had been selected as a Whistler Independent Book Awards (WIBA) finalist in the fiction category for Ghosts of a Cure, her debut novel, she couldn’t believe it. “I don’t think I fully processed that this book even exists,” Santos says, nearly five months after its release. “It’s an unbelievable feeling that it’s come to this point where it doesn’t just exist, but it’s being recognized in a positive way, and I’m very grateful for it.”

The WIBAs were established in 2016 to acknowledge Canadian excellence in self-published fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. Finalists receive one review on their submissions from each of two judges and are invited to sell their books at the Whistler Writers Festival. Winners receive the same prizes

and more: the opportunity to be part of a full-page advertisement in Write magazine, a “one-year membership in the Canadian Authors Association”, and “a reading event hosted by a branch of Canadian Authors.”

Professor Allen, offers students the opportunity to self-learn procedures and practices in book publishing, like editing, typesetting, and budgeting, so that they become published authors by the end of it.

Santos says, “the only reason I ever learned about the Whistler Independent Book Awards is because of Shannon Terrell.” Terrell won for non-fiction with her memoir The Guest House: Stories of a Nervous Mind in 2022. “I don’t think we went through a lecture where her name didn’t come up. We had her book on hand. Guy Allen would be like, ‘Okay, if you need an example of what a good typeset is supposed to look like, reference this book.’”

“I didn’t think I would [have taken] Making a Book, [but] I had really great support from an editorial group in another PWC class,” Santos explains. “I didn’t write anything in the book from other PWC classes, but I think at its core, [the book] was very much a result of the PWC program because of the way the idea was encouraged.”

Terrell and Santos, both graduates of the professional writing and communication (PWC) major program at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), published their books through WRI420H5: Making a Book. The course, taught by

Ghosts of a Cure is a compilation of three stories that imagine the internal lives of anguished characters in the grip of “Cure,” a psychedelic drug originally created to cease experiences of pain and anxiety in patients receiving end-of-life care. Cure is characterized by hallucinations that users can induce and manipulate to their own will, like lucid dreams.

13 After escaping the clinical setting, the drug lands in the ordinary hands of those who hunger for escape, control, and agency.

The book opens with the story of a middle-aged author who first uses Cure to detail into literary existence a pair of long-thought characters, but then falls obsessively in love with his hallucinations of them. Then comes the story of a young grieving woman who spends her days in isolation as she revisits three-dimensional memories of lost loved ones under the influence of Cure. Last, the book ends with Cure’s origin story, wherein the drug’s creator illegally seeks to assuage her ailing wife’s journey into death.

A member of the WIBA selection committee, Kilmeny Denny from Tidewater Press originally shortlisted the book.

In an email to The Medium, Denny says she “was impressed by the ambitious, creative narrative structure of [Santo’s novel] and the confident prose.”

From cover to cover, ranging from a house that collapses in on its inhabitants to a seed that grows into an invasive weed, Santos’s writing honours the interplay of nature metaphors and emotional experiences to reach and express the depths that befall human relationships. “Because of the intense nature of what these characters are going through, it just made sense to take these mystical, grand contrasts to illustrate what’s going on in their heads,” she says. “I really love nature settings—that’s where I ended up forming a lot of these ideas for the book.”

As a reader and a writer, Santos has always gravitated towards exploring internal worlds. As a writer, she prefers psychological unfolding to action-filled plots. “I’m not really sure where that came from. I guess I am an introspective person. I think I spent majority of my life just in my own head. I don’t have siblings if that tells us anything.”

Born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, Santos was certain about her passion and aptitude for writing by the time she enrolled in the PWC program. It was early 2022, during her third year, that she began writing Ghosts of a Cure on personal time.

For students interested in taking the Making a Book course, Santos’s advice is to have a manuscript ready prior to enrolment. “Definitely know what you’re up against. I don’t recommend taking it on a full course load. If you’re serious about

publishing, you need to prioritize this course above anything else. There are going to moments of panic and self-doubt, but there’s no time for that. What happens in this course is lots and lots of troubleshooting with lots of tight deadlines,” she says.

“That being said, lean on your classmates, because if you decide to take the course, these people are your greatest allies.

[The] four months will be all consuming and it’s going to be incredibly frustrating at times, but offer support and figure things out together because it’s going to be a very special thing to see each other holding products of hard work.”

Despite potential rewards, Santos also cautions students about the reality that their work becomes indefinitely open to criticism through publication: “You have intentions as a writer, but obviously people are going to have their own interpretations. They’re going to pick and choose what resonates, what doesn’t. There might even be parts of the book that they hate, and that’s okay because that’s just the nature of being an author.”

Ghosts of a Cure is available for purchase in paperback and e-book on Amazon. You can find more of Santos on her website bernicesantos.com.

place that would come to ground me through many depressive episodes and existential crises. It is that place that veered me away from allowing everyone access to me, and towards being intentional about the connections I made. It is that place that made me ditch a career in software engineering for a life in the arts, and it is that place where I feel the most fulfilled and, to the religious among you, closer to God. There is no denying that the risks that you take must be calculated, nor that logic is a powerful tool, but even science admits that one cannot account for all the variables and possibilities. There are bounds to where logic and assistance from others will take you. As such, it is best to learn to couple your logic with discernment to help take you from what you know to where you want to go.

To the incoming freshmen, practice leaning on your discernment; practice following the guidance of your faith and heart. Some of you will hit the ground running, many of you will struggle, all of you will fail at some aspect in your life.

When you meet persistent failures, it’s good to press your professors and search engines for answers, but it’s most important to pursue only the answers and choices which make sense to you.

WIBA 2023 winners will be announced at the Literary Cabaret at the Whistler Writers Festival on Friday, October 13.

We live in an age where all the answers are one Google search away, yet we are still lost. We are well-informed but that doesn’t necessarily translate into knowledge. The information that others relay to us rarely compares to the wisdom and power we derive from making our own choices and owning them. I found that in my first year, I put the words of others on a pedestal and rarely ever listened to my own voice and feelings about the choices I was making. In an attempt to do what I was told to be “the right thing,” I was failing to do what was right by me.

In conversation with Oprah Winfrey, legendary poet Dr. Maya Angelou said that she recommended this to her son after he asked how to make friends: “There’s a place in you that you must keep inviolate. You must keep it pristine, clean, so that nobody has the right to curse you or treat you badly.”

In these words, she referred to self-respect, but I believe that these words also perfectly describe what discernment is. It’s a place within me that I have learned to find answers that make sense for me. It became my pursuit to stay in touch with this

BERNICE SANTOS

10 back-to-school movies to help you settle into September Here are some movies to watch in prep for another year in higher education!

Megan Freedman Contributor

1. Pitch Perfect (Dir. Jason Moore, 2012) Pitch Perfect is the epitome of 2010s comedy. Launching the catchy song “Cups (When I’m Gone),” this film made acapella music mainstream. The film follows Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick) as she reluctantly joins the Barden Bellas female acapella group as part of a deal with her father to put an effort into her student experience at Barden University.

While she clashes with the captain of the Bellas, Aubrey Posen (Anna Camp), Beca eventually learns to love her team.

Pitch Perfect is a hilarious film that encourages first year university students to step out of their comfort zone, get involved on campus, ¬¬and try new things.

2. Legally Blonde (Dir. Robert Luketic, 2001) If Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods taught us anything, it’s that you do not need to dim your sparkle to be successful (and that the “first cardinal rule of perm maintenance [is] that you’re forbidden to wet your hair for at least 24 hours after getting a perm at the risk of deactivating the ammonium thioglycolate”). Legally Blonde’s classic tale of girl-follows-

guy to Harvard University, only to become one of the greatest legal interns the university has ever admitted, reminds audiences that basing someone’s value solely on their looks is ridiculous. Elle Woods teaches us that no matter the hurdles, anyone can become successful in university if they put their minds to it and stay true to themselves.

3. National Lampoon’s Animal House (Dir. John Landis, 1978) One cannot make a back-to-school film list without mentioning National Lampoon’s Animal House. The film comes from a period of raunchy comedy, John Belushi, and postVietnam War counterculture. The film follows the Delta Tau Chi fraternity at Faber College as they clash with the prestigious Omega Theta Pi house and Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon). While Animal House is considered “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the US Library of Congress, it does often make jokes that are insensitive by today’s standards. The film cracked open Greek life in universities for audiences to see some of its brutalities, but also pioneered the “snobs vs. slobs” motif that is found in so many films that have come after it, including a few on this list.

4. Mona Lisa Smile (Dir. Mike Newell, 2003)

Mona Lisa Smile follows art professor Katherine Watson (Julia Roberts) as she attempts to inspire the women in her course at Wellesley College to dream beyond the assigned gender roles of 1953. While the conservative Elizabeth “Betty” Warren (Kirsten Dunst) is resistant to Katherine’s modern ideas and standards, she and her classmates discover that it is okay to choose your own path in life. Mona Lisa Smile is a beautiful film that showcases how connecting with just one good professor can inspire you to change the trajectory of your future through education.

5. My Cousin Vinny (Dir. Jonathan Lynn, (1992) While at first glance My Cousin Vinny seems like an odd choice for a back-to-school film list, rest assured, it belongs here. The film follows Vinny Gambini (Joe Pesci), a newly admitted lawyer to the bar association, who is called down to Alabama to represent his cousin Bill Gambini (Ralph Macchio) and his friend Stan Rothenstein (Mitchell Whitfield) after they are wrongfully accused of murder. Vinny’s lack of trial experience and overall New York attitude causes him to clash with Judge Chamberlain Haller (Fred Gwynne) in some hilarious exchanges.

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MOVIES CONT. FROM PG. 13 Not only did this film earn Marisa Tomei an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but it is highly respected by attorneys because of its accurate representation of trials. My Cousin Vinny is the movie for every law student or anyone thinking about going into law.

6. Drumline (Dir. Charles Stone III, 2002) Though Devon Miles (Nick Cannon) is a talented drummer in his first year at the historically black A&T University’s prestigious marching band, he secretly doesn’t know how to read music and struggles throughout the film to find his place within A&T’s band. While balancing his girlfriend Laila (Zoe Saldana), pressure from his band instructor, Dr. Lee (Orlando Jones), and the rivalry with his section leader, Sean Taylor (Leonard Roberts), Miles learns to put the needs of the band and drumline above his own pride in order to facilitate their collective success. Drumline emphasises the importance of being a team player.

7. The House Bunny (Dir. Fred Wolf, 2008) We have now reached the portion of this list that is essentially comprised of films inspired by Animal House. The House Bunny centers around Shelley Darlingson (Anna Faris), a former Playboy bunny who becomes “house mother” for the awkward and rundown sorority house Zeta Alpha Zeta.

She helps the girls work through their social awkwardness to

gather enough pledges so that they do not lose their charter.

Much like Animal House, the university’s dean (Christopher McDonald)—along with the more popular house, Phi Iota Mu—plots to end the Zeta house. The House Bunny is a silly but fun way to get excited about the social aspects of university life.

8. Old School (Dir. Todd Phillips, 2003) Second on the list of films inspired by Animal House is a movie that manages to be even raunchier than its predecessor.

The film stars Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Will Ferrell as three depressed friends in their 30s who attempt to relive the glory days of university by starting a fraternity. Old School is a good reminder to not take your time in university for granted, but to also learn to move on from it.

9. Monsters University (Dir. Dan Scanlon, 2013) The final film inspired by Animal House on this list is this family-friendly prequel to Monsters, Inc. (2001). The Pixaranimated film pins future besties Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. “Sulley” Sullivan (John Goodman) against each other in their scare program at Monsters University.

While Sulley is naturally talented, he is lazy, and Wazowski, though a hard worker, is not scary. After failing an important exam, Wazowski and Sulley attempt to prove themselves by joining the “Annual Scare Games” with their fraternity of

non-scary misfits, Oozma Kappa. Much like Animal House, the film does not end with the heroes’ academic success, but they are still shown as successful well-rounded monsters. The takeaway? Hard work outweighs natural talent.

10. Back to School (Dir. Alan Metter, 1986) No back-to-school film list is complete without Back to School. When self-made millionaire Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield) visits his son Jason Melon (Keith Gordon) at university, he discovers that Jason is unhappy with college life and intends to drop-out. To motivate his son, Thornton enrolls as a student himself. Thornton, more interested in partying than studying, hires NASA scientists and Kurt Vonnegut to write his assignments. When threatened with expulsion due to academic dishonesty, Thornton is challenged to study.

Back to School is necessary for getting in the back-to-school spirit, because it encourages perseverance and reminds audiences that they are never too old to try something new—not to mention, the importance of academic integrity.

SAMIRA KARIM0VA/THE MEDIUM

Tainy encrypts the world with his debut album DATA

June 29, 2023 marked the release of the highly anticipated debut album from Puerto Rican musical genius Marcos Efraín Masís Fernández—widely known as Tainy.

Meghna Parhar Contributor

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ccording to Rolling Stone, Tainy started professionally producing music when he was a teenager. He was only 15 years old when he first collaborated with two of the biggest Puerto Rican names in music, Daddy Yankee and Don Omar, on the genre-changing Mas Flow 2 compilation album released by Dominican-American duo Luny Tunes in 2005.

Since then, as a producer, composer, songwriter, label executive, and musical visionary, Tainy has created some of the biggest hits in reggaeton since the early 2000s. He is the only producer to hold the #1 spot on Billboard’s producers’ charts for more than 100 weeks, a Grammy nominee, and a four-time Latin Grammy winner.

Credited as an “architect” of new wave reggaeton, his ability to synthesize old-school reggaeton into modern-day perreo (grinding dance) bangers prompted the resurgence of the urban Latino genre.

Tainy samples various genres on DATA, but seamlessly blends them together into one cohesive sound that is unabashedly his own. The album is a display of his appetite for experimentation, a mish-mash of sounds that fall between futuristic pop, afro-trap, and classic reggaeton.

The album comes alive like an experience, as listeners are given the opportunity to download the deepest parts of Tainy’s musical mind and listen along as his creative genius unfolds. It is not based off of a single story or sound but is a collection that is perfectly unique and reflects each featured artist.

DATA consists of 19 songs that feature 27 major artists in reggaeton, including, but not limited to Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and Myke Towers.

As stated in Variety, Hiromasa Ogura, the art director and anime artist who designed the cover art for the album, took inspiration from one of Tainy’s favourite anime films: “the 1995 cyberpunk epic Ghost in the Shell, which follows a cyborg with a technologically augmented brain.” In an interview with Complex, Tainy explained he “took that idea as a metaphor, and treated the concept of the album like a movie in

which I create a cyborg called ‘Sena’ who we see in the cover, and each track is DATA that I'm uploading to make her come to life.” We hear this in the glitch of a robotic voice at the beginning of Myke Towers’ “obstáculo.” It truly comes to life in the outro of Xantos’ “SACRIFICIO,” when a human woman gasps for breath.

Daddy Yankee steps out of retirement to support Sech and Feid with his inimitable flair on “LA BABY.” Bad Bunny highlights not one, but three separate tracks, from the ‘80s synth-wave of “MOJABI GHOST to an uncredited ode to his trap beginnings in the outro of Myke Towers, Arcangel, Owen Courtz, and Jhayco’s track “PA SIEMPRE.” Rauw Alejandro easily adapts to Skrillex and Four Tet’s electronic beats on “VOLVER.” Jhayco balances his trademark flow with the switch-up from earth to outer space in “FANTASMA | AVC.” Mora and Zion fit into the summer reggaeton hit, “BUENOS AIRES” (my personal favourite from the album), like a glove. Chencho Corleone offers his signature voice to serenade listeners over a drawn-out, slow-grind interlude.

Tainy expresses his decades-long truth through the voices of the biggest artists in the industry, harmonizing elaborate production and heartfelt writing in what can only be defined as the future of music. What else could possibly speak to the success of a man who has had the world singing and dancing to his work for the past 22 years?

From a musical prodigy to an industry titan, it is obvious that Tainy has long since satisfied the expectation of turning up a party. His debut album locks in on his accomplishment of taking the heart and soul of reggaeton and forever injecting his own roots into it.

15

Sports & Health

Editor |Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca

UTM drop-in sports and campus teams: see the complete lists As another school year dawns, drop-in schedules and registration details for try-outs are now available.

Alisa Samuel Arts & Entertainment Editor

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he Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre (RAWC) at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) has three Sports Program offerings to meet the various needs and fitness levels of all incidental fee-paying students and active RAWC members.

Here are the lists of sports opportunities through Drop-In, UTM Intramurals, and TriCampus League. Click on the links for more information.

Indoors and Outdoors Drop-In Sports at UTM According to the UTM website, no experience is needed to participate in drop-in sports, as the stakes are low— “no standings, no stats, no commitment.”

Women’s Only drop-in basketball, volleyball, and badminton are available, too.

The master online calendar for drop-in sports is updated daily to show timings for: • Badminton • Basketball • Beach Volleyball • Bean-bag Toss • Indoor Cricket • Field Sports (Outdoor) • Indoor Soccer • Squash • Table Tennis • Tennis • Volleyball UTM Intramurals In the UTM Intramurals program, UTM students compete against one another in teams. Like drop-ins, participation in Intramural sports is low-stakes, providing students with an opportunity to make friends, stay physically active, and have fun.

Registration for the following 2023 Fall sports leagues on imleagues.com ends on Wednesday, September 13, 2023: Mixed Beach Volleyball • Fridays @ 3:30 PM-5:30 PM | Beach Volleyball Courts Open Bean Bag Toss • Wednesdays @ 2:30 PM-4:30 PM | South Field Open Flag Football • Tuesdays @ 3:30 PM-7:30 PM | South Field Open Kanjam • Wednesdays @ 2:30 PM-4:30 PM | South Field

Open Outdoor Soccer • Mondays @ 3:30 PM-7:30 PM | South Field

Mixed Volleyball • Mondays @ 4:30 PM-8:30 PM | Gym A/B

Open Spikeball • Fridays @ 3:30 PM- 5:30 PM | North Field

Women in Sport • Thursdays @ 4:30 PM-6:00 PM | Gym C

Open Doubles Tennis • Fridays @ 2:30 PM- 6:30 PM | Tennis Courts Open Singles Tennis • Wednesdays @ 2:30 PM-6:30 PM | Tennis Courts Mixed Ultimate Frisbee • Tuesdays @ 3:30 PM-7:30 PM | South Field Registration for the following 2023 Fall sports on imleagues.com ends on Wednesday, September 20, 2023: Open Doubles Badminton • Mondays @ 4:30 PM-8:30 PM | Gym C Open Singles Badminton • Wednesdays @ 1:30 PM-3:30 PM | Gym C Open Basketball • Thursdays @ 1:30 PM-6:30 PM | Gym A/B Mixed Basketball • Thursdays @ 6:30 PM-8:30 PM | Gym C Open Cricket • Tuesdays @ 2:30 PM-6:30 PM | Gym C Mixed Dodgeball • Wednesdays @ 2:30 PM-4:30 PM | Gym A/B Open Indoor Soccer • Tuesdays @ 1:30 PM-6:30 PM | Gym A/B Mixed Indoor Soccer • Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM-8:30 PM | Gym A/B

C

Mixed Multi-Sport • Fridays @ 4:30 PM-8:30 PM | Gym

Open Singles Squash • Mondays @ 5:30 PM-8:30 PM |Squash Courts Open Singles Table Tennis • Thursdays @ 4:30 PM-8:30 PM | Multi-Purpose Room A Open Volleyball • Mondays @ 1:30 PM-4:30 PM | Gym A/B

U of T Tri-Campus Sports With dedicated coaches, weekly skillbuilding practices, team uniforms, and scheduled games, the Tri-Campus Sports program is where you’ll find the highest level of competition at UTM. It’s the closest equivalent to varsity sports here on campus after the school’s Department of Recreation, Athletics & Wellness decided to end them in 2022.

Registration is required on the Tri-Campus webpage to try out for a Tri-Campus sports team. Here are the 2023 tryout dates: Women’s Basketball • Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 2:00 PM-3:30 PM | Gym A/B • Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 3:30 PM-5:00 PM | Gym A/B • Wednesday, September 27, 2023 @ 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | Gym A/B Men’s Basketball • Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 10:00 AM-11:30 AM | Gym A/B • Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 11:30 AM-1:00 PM | Gym A/B • Wednesday, September 27, 2023 @ 7:30 PM-9:00 PM | Gym A/B Open Indoor Cricket • Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 1:00 PM-2:30 PM | Gym C • Saturday, September 23, 2023 @ 2:30 PM-4:00 PM | Gym C • Tuesday, September 26, 2023 @ 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | Gym C • Tuesday, October 3, 2023 @ 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | Gym C Women’s Flag Football • Saturday, September 9, 2023 @ 12:30 PM-2:00 PM | North Field • Sunday, September 10, 2023 @ 10:30 AM-12:00 PM | North Field • Monday, September 11, 2023 @ 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | South Field Men’s Flag Football • Saturday, September 9, 2023 @ 2:00 PM-3:30 PM | North Field • Sunday, September 10, 2023 @ 12:00 PM-1:30 PM | North Field • Monday, September 11, 2023 @ 7:00 PM-8:30 PM | South Field Women’s Ice Hockey • Saturday, September 16, 2023 @ 1:15 PM-2:45 PM | Canlan Sports • Saturday, September 16, 2023 @ 2:45 PM-4:15 PM | Canlan Sports • Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 6:45

PM-8:15 PM | Canlan Sports

Men’s Ice Hockey • Saturday, September 16, 2023 @ 4:15 PM-5:30 PM | Canlan Sports • Saturday, September 16, 2023 @ 5:30 PM-7:00 PM | Canlan Sports • Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 5:15 PM-6:45 PM | Canlan Sports Women’s Indoor Soccer • Dates will be released in December 2023 Men’s Indoor Soccer • Dates will be released in December 2023 Women’s Outdoor Soccer • Thursday, September 7, 2023 @ 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | South Field • Thursday, September 7, 2023 @ 7:30 PM-9:00 PM | South Field • Sunday, September 10, 2023 @ 11:00 AM-12:30 PM | South Field • Sunday, September 10, 2023 @ 12:30 PM-2:00 PM | South Field Men’s Outdoor Soccer • Wednesday, September 6, 2023 @ 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | South Field • Wednesday, September 6, 2023 @ 7:30 PM-9:00 PM | South Field • Friday, September 8, 2023 @ 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | South Field • Friday, September 8, 2023 @ 7:30 PM-9:00 PM | South Field Mixed Ultimate • Wednesday, September 6, 2023 @ 5:00 PM-6:30 PM | North Field • Sunday, September 10, 2023 @ 2:00 PM-3:30 PM | North Field • Monday, September 11, 2023 @ 5:00 PM-6:30 PM | South Field Women’s Volleyball • Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | Gym C • Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 7:30 PM-9:00 PM | Gym C • Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 2:00 PM-3:30 PM | Gym A/B • Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 3:30 PM-5:00 PM | Gym A/B Men’s Volleyball • Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 6:00 PM-7:30 PM | Gym A/B • Friday, September 22, 2023 @ 7:30 PM-9:00 PM | Gym A/B • Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 10:00 AM11:30 AM | Gym A/B • Sunday, September 24, 2023 @ 11:30 AM-1:00 PM | Gym A/B

16

Inside Saudi Arabia’s Football Goldrush The Oil State took the football world by surprise after spending the summer transfer window gobbling up some of the biggest names in the game. Their aim was to increase viewership to their own league, but critics suspect more sinister reasons.

Bilaal Mo Contributor

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n August 19, the Riyadh-based club Al Hilal unveiled their new marquee signing inside their packed home stadium. Brazilian megastar Neymar Jr. was seen walking onto the pitch in the club’s royal blue kit. Fireworks set off, smoke machines fogged up the pitch, and 65,000 fans sang his name. Above the stadium were drones lit up like stars, tracing out the words “Neymar is blue.”

After spending nearly $1B in the summer transfer market, The Saudi Professional League kicked off its new season on August 11 with the arrival of some of the most prominent players and coaches in the football world. Cristiano Ronaldo set the stage for many of his peers back in January 2023, when his contract was terminated at Manchester United after having a falling out with his coach. The player subsequently joined Riyadh-based club Al-Nassr for a mouthwatering $400 million contract for two years.

Soon after, the Saudi government targeted many big-name footballers nearing their retirement by offering them huge amounts of (untaxed) wages that they simply couldn’t turn down.

Many high-profile players such as Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema ($214M), Liverpool’s Jordan Hendersen ($150M), and Bayern Munich’s Sadio Mané (170M) flocked to the Gulf state to receive their last big paycheck. The Saudi League also managed to attract some sought-after players still in their prime like 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves, who was linked to Barcelona FC but instead joined Al Hilal to earn $300,000 a week—money even Europe’s richest clubs could not afford.

Saudi’s massive spending spree in the football market not only marks a new era for the Saudi Professional League, but also marks the country’s utopian vision for its people. This moment is the first step of their “2030 vision,” an elaborate plan to diversify their economy through sports & tourism and wean off their dependency on oil exportation by 2030. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spearheaded the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) project to inject oil money straight into their underdeveloped football league, where clubs were struggling to pay their players: and not just football, but other universally watched sports, such as boxing, Formula 1, and the LIV golf tour.

Another reason why sports is a big priority in the country is because 67 per cent of the country's population is under 35, a young demographic that creates huge demand for sports and entertainment. Having the biggest football stars playing within Saudi borders can generate massive amounts of revenue for the state. Additionally, as part of the Vision 2030, the Saudi government aims to host the FIFA World Cup after seeing how people from all corners of the world came to attend the prestigious sporting event when it was held in neighboring Qatar.

Critics have accused the Saudi regime of “Sportswashing,” a process in which the government tries to fix its reputation by investing in its sports & entertainment industry. Although the country has been slowly reforming its ultra-conservative policies, Saudi continues to draw negative international attention with ongoing injustices, such as the imprisonment of journalists, public executions, and the massacring of migrants. The Saudi government hopes to dominate international headlines by hosting top athletes and sporting events, earning a more favourable view from the rest of the world.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking a massive gamble on its future. It's too early to tell whether their reckless spending will result in them becoming the epicenter of live sports or leaving their economy in ruins. In the meantime, make sure to tune into the next Al Nassr game where Ronaldo might score a cool goal!

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, victory is only followed by defeat. Breaking their 19-year-old playoff curse could have led to a new era of glory and redemption, but the moment was too fleeting for the team to seize.

Omar Khan Sports Editor

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he Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games throughout a heart-pounding and electrifying playoff series. They shattered the chains of their 19-year playoff-losing curse, re-igniting their fanbase, and cleaning their slate—only to be destroyed by the Florida Panthers in the second round, undoing any redemption they may have achieved. The Leafs lost to the Panthers in five games, almost getting swept in the process (losing 4 straight games to get eliminated). The defeat has given the Leafs fanbase and the franchise itself much to process and learn from. What puzzles people the most is the night-and-day difference in how the team performed in each of the two series.

The Leafs played tough against the Lightning: they came back from multiple scoring deficits, maintained strong offence & solid defence, and were, in the end, successful.

In the following series against the Panthers, the Leafs severely lacked toughness, were unable to recover when down, were low scoring, had poor defensive performance, and—in the end—lost by a significant margin.

That series against the Panthers caused a seismic shift in Leaf-land. After lots of speculation, the organization decided to part ways with General Manager and worldrenowned hockey mind, Kyle Dubas. President of Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan was then tasked with finding a new GM and landed on former Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving. Leaf fans hope Treliving can bring new perspectives, new personnel, and a new winning attitude to a team that is desperate for a fresh start.

Treliving’s first steps as the Leafs’ GM were to add Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, John Klingberg, and Ryan Reaves to the team. Each of these new additions is sure to add more offensive firepower, grit, and toughness to the lineup. Bertuzzi and Domi are perhaps the best players of the new ad-

ditions, and it will be interesting to see how they fit in with the rest of the team's star players: Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander.

While these new additions are important, Treliving’s top priority is the soon-tobe-expired contracts of superstars Auston Matthews and William Nylander. So far, Treliving was able to sign Matthews to a four-year, $53 million extension. No progress has been made so far on Nylander’s contract, but the Swedish superstar explained in a recent interview that he doesn’t want to play anywhere else; Toronto is his second home, and he is in no rush to sign a new contract.

Additionally, Treliving also signed Head Coach Sheldon Keefe to a two-year extension, further cementing his commitment to the team. This move is an interesting one, as most new GMs fire the old Head Coach and replace them with someone who they are more familiar with. One reason Keefe was given an extension is that he has the best winning percentage of any Toronto Maple

Leafs Head Coach in history. This is a remarkable feat for a franchise whose history spans over a century.

Equipped with the confidence of their new General Manager, the players and coaches of the Toronto Maple Leafs look to the upcoming season as a new beginning: the most important of their career thus far.

As the season approaches, expectations, and anticipation—as they are every year— are at an all-time high.