Letter from the Editor: In my final letter to our readers, I’d like to address all of the wonderful writers, photographers, artists and editors who have helped make this year of TN2 possible. With shorter print runs and greater emphasis on our ‘online print’ editions, all of our staff this year have gracefully facilitated the ever-changing circumstances of both public health guidelines and access to much-needed resources. I cannot express my gratitude enough to those who have stuck with me through all of this, in what is likely the most challenging year of college, so far, for all of us. My vision as editor has been only a small part of the final result for any of this year’s issues and, thanks to the collective effort of our team, I couldn’t be prouder of what we have all managed to endure and accomplish. As an arts and culture magazine, TN2 has had a tough time of it these last 12 months. This issue seeks to examine the creative innovation and the benefits of reflection which can come with time spent alone, featuring interviews with two lockdown creators, Catherine Forristal and our own Robert Gibbons. Other highlights include healthy snacks for this exam season, lessons learned about love during college, as well as tips on curating your own playlists and developing archives. These pieces reflect on the growing importance of self-care when managing prolonged uncertainty, as Ireland faces another few months of lockdown. The value of producing art and continuing to record memories is especially pertinent now, when the worth of doing anything we enjoyed pre-COVID is constantly tested. Writing or creating for the joy of it is at the heart of student publications, and this message is something I hope will resonate throughout this final issue of the year. Our spring-themed cover celebrates the essential truth of springtime: the potential for growth and the inevitability of change. With this in mind, please enjoy. Stay safe. Yours sincerely,
Ursula
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