Timesare changing rapidly and have forced us to adapt to the unknown.
Artificial intelligence isn’t some distant sci-fi fantasy anymore — we have large-language model-based chatbots like ChatGPT ready to write essays and analyze information more than we were ever capable of before.
We know it can be overwhelming and that’s why we’re here to help.
We’re the Western Gazette, the university’s official student newspaper since 1906. Created for students, by students.
Think of us as your unofficial tour guides. We’ll provide you with all the information you need to know to navigate the undergrad experience — sent right to your inbox or in our bi-weekly newspapers on stands across campus.
We’ll be your go-to source for campus news, sports and entertainment. We have the answers to your questions and we’re not shy about sharing a hot take or two.
Which of these so-called “bird” courses are actually so easy that you’ll pass them with flying colours? We’ll tell you. Where do you go if you’re a music lover in Lon
don? We’ll show you. How do you avoid the frosh flu? We spoke to experts from the local health unit just for you.
One thing we know for sure is that Western is always evolving. There’s a story on every corner of campus — from the cutting-edge research to the latest chaos in residence.
Years ago, news was something you read on the front page of the paper delivered to your front door. But there’s been a shift — everything’s digital now. Breaking news gets sent straight to your inbox and your friend can send you a quick link to the latest investigations.
To capture the spirit of the present, the theme of our annual frosh issue is retrofuturism. In essence, retrofuturism is the future as envisioned by the past.
We’re in an era of advancing technology and Western is a place rich in history. There’s no telling what lies ahead this year, but we’ll be here to keep you informed every step of the way.
But we’re not just here to inform and
tip or write a letter to the editor. Your issues are our issues.
Our newsroom is located in the University Community Centre in room 263 and you’re welcome to visit us Monday to Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m..
The future is now, and the Gazette is here to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
— Adshayah Sathiaseelan,
To the class of 2028
Congratulations, you have made it!
Withopen arms, I am so happy to have the privilege to welcome you to campus. When I think back to my first day at Western University, crammed into the backseat of my parent’s car, pulling onto University Drive, I remember the anticipation. I told my family that the best and worst part about going away for school was the unknown.
During my exploration to find purpose in Delaware Hall at the peak of the pandemic, l debated if I was doing this whole student thing right. These emotions are what brought me to value and understand the importance of mentorship. I often think back to how one conversation quite literally altered the trajectory of my university experience.
What you will quickly learn at Western is that everyone is connected. A girl one year older than me who went to my high school back home reached out and en-
couraged me to apply for first-year representative on the Social Science Students’ Council. To be honest, I had no idea what that was, but it felt like a breakthrough in my pursuit for purpose at Western. Getting involved made me more confident; it socialized me to empowering individuals who wholeheartedly cared about me and ultimately, gave my experience as a student a profound meaning.
If I can give one piece of advice — stay true to yourself. After completing my undergrad, I can confirm there is no ‘right way’ to be a student. There is only the way that feels right to you.
As I mentioned previously, you will come across some pretty amazing people here. I am very lucky that five of them serve on my executive team, readily waiting to support you in whatever way they can. All of us have unique experiences at Western and can attest that taking that
leap and getting involved made our time as students so special. The University Students’ Council can be found everywhere, whether you are eating a bagel from the Spoke, joining one of our 220 clubs or going to an event at Orientation Week, our priority is you, the student.
We also provide you with services and support ranging from an on-campus food bank, bus pass to travel anywhere in London and a health and dental plan. Additionally, we pride ourselves in our advocacy, relaying your experiences to decision-makers stemming from our university administration all the way to Parliament Hill in Ottawa. We even put on some pretty cool events like concerts, late night breakfast and professional development sessions.
You all have so many exciting things ahead of you. I definitely did not have a traditional first year experience which is what makes me so excited to lead the year ahead at the USC. If you need anything my door is always open and the same is true for the rest of my team.
Take in every moment.
After completing my undergrad, I can confirm there is no ‘right way’ to be a student. There is only the way that feels right to you.
—
Emilie Kalaydjian, 2024 USC President
Science Behind:
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of OWeek, but excitement isn’t the only thing you’ll catch if you’re unlucky.
MADELEINE MCCOLL MANAGING EDITOR
The“frosh flu,” also known as the “freshers flu” or the “freshman flu,” refers to the influx of sickness that firstyear students experience in their first few weeks at university.
This year, Western University will welcome thousands of new first-year students for Orientation Week. When classes begin the following week, over 30,000 students will be roaming around campus, and the echo of coughs and sniffles will be heard throughout classrooms.
Dr. Alex Summers, the Middlesex-London Health Unit medical officer of health, says the likelihood of viruses spreading increases when students come in close contact with a large population of people
who have travelled from various places — like after summer vacation.
“We go throughout the summer without having any exposure necessarily to a lot of these viruses,” says Summers. “Then as we start to come in contact with crowds and indoor environments, like dormitories, pubs or bars, you’re just going to have more opportunities for those viruses to transmit between people.”
Emily Pak, a third-year chemistry student and science soph, notes OWeek includes many events with a large population of students in close proximity. Due to the high volume of populated events happening within a short period, the virus can spread faster.
“For the opening ceremonies, everybody’s together. If you’ve been to any
of the opening concerts, it’s basically a mosh pit in there. So everybody’s really close and personal,” says Pak.
Pak never experienced the frosh flu during her first few weeks of university in 2021. The University Students’ Council attempted to enforce masking and physical distancing at events despite a lack of cooperation from some students.
“I also didn’t go to too many of the rave events because I was scared at the time, so I didn’t go to many concerts. So I didn’t get sick, personally,” says Pak.
The high-intensity OWeek lifestyle can be a contributing factor to lowering the immune systems of first-year students and upper-years, as a week filled with late nights and unsanctioned drinking can wear people down.
“If you’re sharing drinks and straws and things like that, transmission can happen fairly readily,” says Summers. “We also know if people are running on fumes, so extra tired, and maybe they’re not eating and drinking water as much as they would like, you are certainly more susceptible to an infection.”
As a soph, Pak has also experienced OWeek-related exhaustion.
“You’re usually up for really late hours, and you have to come in decently early in the day, so you don’t get too much sleep, so most people get kind of sick” says Pak.
Pak says cough drops are a big commod-
ity during the week for people who have lost their voice or had a cough.
Summers emphasizes that getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and eating nutritious foods can help prevent coming down with a cold. It’s also important to wash your hands, minimize sharing straws and stay up to date with your vaccinations, says Summers.
If you are unlucky enough to contract an illness, avoid going out.
“The number one way to protect yourself is actually how you protect others. And that’s by staying home if you’re not feeling well,” says Summers.
While some students may prefer going out to avoid FOMO instead of sitting at home fighting cold symptoms, both Summers and Pak emphasize the importance of looking after your health first.
“We always try to hype up the fact that OWeek’s gonna be one of the better weeks of your life, so go out to as many events as possible. But I think if you need to take a night off and rest, you really should,” says Pak.
“I think it’s better to take those days off earlier so that you can be better off later on.”
The reality of long-distance friendships
TARA YANG CULTURE EDITOR
Navigating the uncharted waters of university comes with many challenges — newfound responsibilities, heavier courseloads and, of course, the drifting of hometown turned long-distance friendships.
Particularly for out-of-province and international students, our once “ride or dies” can quickly become “weak ties,”
friends we occasionally speak to when we get caught up in our separate lives and adjust to our new schedules.
Nancy Yao, a second-year bachelor of management and organizational studies student from Calgary, has struggled to maintain her long-distance friendships back home after coming to Western University.
“For some friendships it’s been harder, but for others, it’s been okay if both parties are interested in maintaining the friendship,” says Yao.
What may be only a quick call with friends to catch up can suddenly feel like a chore, and making time for these friends can become nearly impossible.
But it doesn’t have to feel like this.
According to Karen Houle, former philosophy professor at the University of Guelph, there is a distinct difference between “making time” and “folding in time” for friends.
Houle, who is almost 60 years old, reveals the secret to her lifelong friendships, which have endured all the different life phases of both parties. Her advice for people is to just build time with others into their current schedules.
By folding in time, Houle means that rather than ditching our original plans to make time for these friends, it’s more effi-
cient and manageable to include them in our already-planned activities.
A personal example from Houle’s life is catching up while cooking. During mealtimes, she sometimes FaceTimes her long-distance friend, and they cook together — showing how a mundane, even isolating activity can be turned into a shared experience with a friend.
Yao shares that while it can feel difficult to plan scheduled phone calls with these friends, she has found other ways to stay virtually connected with them.
But sometimes, even folding in time can be challenging, which is when low-maintenance friendships prove effective.
Known for their low pressure and lack of stress, these friendships refer to relationships that require little effort from both parties involved when they’re apart but have the unspoken understanding of always being there for one another.
“Honestly, texting is more convenient than calling,” says Yao. “Sometimes I’ll call, but most of the time, I’ll just text. Even if it’s just walking back from class, you could just shoot them a text.”
Yao’s advice for incoming first-year students is to do little check-ups — shooting a quick text asking how someone is or even sending a TikTok video to let friends know you’re thinking about them.
Although drifting apart from our long-distance friends can feel uncomfortable, it’s important to recognize that change is okay and inevitable for everyone in this new life stage.
Both Houle and Yao have made strong friendships in their university years, and many of Houle’s strongest relationships that she’s carried throughout her life were ones she made in university.
“My friendships in university are honestly stronger than the ones back home,” says Yao. “Since we’re focusing on similar career paths and interested in the same clubs, it’s easier to find things to talk about.”
University is a transformative time for all kinds of new experiences — ranging from relationships to mistakes — and sometimes, when figuring ourselves out, we may grow apart from people and closer to others.
The key is to meet in the middle and accept the distance — finding our way separately before circling back to each other is okay.
Opinion: You should talk to your Don
“First years out of the car!”
The sophs chant as you scramble out of the car. You’re swept up in a whirlwind of energy, introductions and emotional goodbyes as you cross the threshold of your new home for the next eight months.
Suddenly, your parents are gone, the sophs have left to help the next student and it’s … quiet. What now?
Well, you should probably talk to your Don.
Dons — or RAs, as they’re known in pop culture — aren’t the Big Bad Wolf you think they are. A Don’s priority is the emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of their students. While this can include enforcing residence rules, it is neither the most important nor the most impactful
MIKAILA KIMBALL OPINIONS EDITOR
part of the job. They are here to help guide you through the ups and downs of your first year at Western University.
My first year, I lived in Delaware Hall and moved in on the first open day. Once the quiet arrived, I had to face my biggest fear: eating in the cafeteria.
Alone.
As I anxiously meandered my way down to the cafeteria, I ran into my Don.
“Want to grab dinner with me?” she asked. Relief flooded me. We collected the rag-tag bunch of students who had moved in and descended as a group.
When I was a Don in my second year, I did the exact same thing. I saw the anxiety leave the faces of my students — yes, they would like to grab dinner with me and the group.
Dons are here to help foster a community between students on the floor — this means planned activities, floor dinners and meetings. One of my favourite memories of being a Don was during move-ins, when I left my door open and my living room floor was filled with students chatting.
Feeling overwhelmed from leaving home? Roommate conflicts? Struggling to maintain a work-life balance? Having trouble making friends? Talk to your Don. They are both trained to help and want to help — we picked this job for a reason. They’re here for you.
So — take a deep breath.
Relax.
And go knock on that door.
ANGWARA NILANONT GAZETTE
AsOp-Ed: London needs your help
the London City Councillor for Ward 6, which includes the campus area, I’d like to welcome you to our city. As one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, with a population approaching a half million, London is an exciting city with lots to offer our residents.
Settling into your first year at Western University may seem overwhelming at times, so I hope you’ll be able to visit different parts of the city and enjoy the many cultural, entertainment and recreational opportunities we have to offer.
Students are an important part of the London community, and as a group, they have consistently advocated for several local issues over the years.
The need for improved and more reliable public transit, expanding our growing cycling and pedestrian infrastructure and safety concerns in the near campus and downtown areas are among the core issues of interest to the student community.
Yet your voices are often not adequately heard, which can result in inadequate services and concerns for your needs. It can also result in a lack of appreciation for your many contributions to the broader London community.
The city lacks any systematic process for eliciting input from the student community on these issues of concern. Notices for public participation meetings are given on short notice. While the city posts council and committee information online, the system is hard to use and it is difficult to zero-in on resources about particular issues.
There used to be a dedicated “Town and Gown Committee” which included representatives from the campus groups, the university, the ward councillor and city staff. This committee should be revived for better communication.
More generally, London needs to be a welcoming and inclusive city, one where you may wish to stay to pursue careers and raise families after graduation.
While first-year students typically live in the dorms, you will be confronted with London’s unaffordable and overcrowded housing market all too soon. The city and university must cooperate in making more affordable rental housing available, and improvements are needed in the rental unit code enforcement program.
Service gaps in London’s transit system must be addressed so students do not miss connections to campus, employment and to the downtown. We also need a better inter-city transit system.
Safety and security are growing concerns for students, including adequate street and park lighting, sidewalk maintenance, snow removal and the mitigation of traffic hazards when getting to campus.
The city council makes decisions on all of these issues, not only during the budget process but through the ongoing provision and delivery of municipal programs and services.
I want to encourage you to become engaged with our community, both in terms of enjoying our cultural and recreational amenities, but also in terms of civic engagement.
Come to a City Hall meeting, vote and ask questions about how City Hall operates and how you can become further engaged in particular local issues and projects.
Your voice matters and you have the power to make change in your current and
— Sam Trosow, London Ward 6 Councillor, retired professor emeritus in the Faculty of Law and Faculty of Information and Media Studies and London resident since 2001
MICHAEL CONLEY GAZETTE
Migrate to Brightspace with these six tips
GABRIELLA MCKENNA NEWS EDITOR
In the 2024-25 school year, Western will complete its migration to Brightspace as its new learning management system, officially replacing Sakai.
Brightspace is free to all Ontario kindergarten to grade 12 teachers through the province’s Ministry of Education, meaning that some students are likely already familiar with the platform — especially those who used it throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But whether you’re new to Brightspace or just rusty, these six tips will help you get become a pro in no time.
ANGWARA NILANONT GAZETTE
Never forget a deadline
… Okay, that’s just unrealistic. The best way to view all your deadlines on Brightspace is with the site’s “calendar” tool. You can access the tool from the dropdown menu on the home page. It shows all your upcoming assignment due dates and any missed assignments you might have.
So, even if you do forget a deadline, the calendar tool is there to give you a friendly reminder — or not so friendly, depending if you started the assignment yet.
USE THE BEST BROWSER
For the best experience with Brightspace, educators recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to access the site. Students who use Macbooks are recommended to use Safari, the built-in web browser. While Brightspace is compatible with a wide range of different internet browsers, students using these browsers are less likely to run into problems or glitches on the site than others.
Good thing no one uses Internet Explorer anymore … right?
THE DREADED ASSESSMENTS MENU
It’s 11:58 p.m. and your essay isn’t going to submit itself. So, find the “assessments” dropdown menu in each course’s navigation bar. This menu is where students go to complete online assessments, including quizzes and assignments for their classes.
It’s not all bad though — you can use it to view your awards. Brightspace allows instructors to create awards and certificates to give to their students. Although it remains to be seen how widely this feature will be used, there might be a virtual gold star waiting on the “awards” tab for you one day. 1 2 3 4 6 5
KEEP UP WITH THE UPDATES
The navigation bar of each course has a dropdown menu called “communications”, which includes class discussion forums and any groups created by the professor.
This menu also includes announcements from your professor. Next time you wake up to a snowstorm, you can check the communications tab to see if your morning class got cancelled. Just don’t forget to cross your fingers before you click refresh.
MAKE YOUR PROFILE POP
From the Brightspace home page, you can click on your name and select the “account settings” option. From here, you’ll be presented with a variety of customization options for your account. Students with accessibility needs can optimize videos for use with assistive technology, or increase text size to make Brightspace more readable for them.
You can also use this menu to add your pronouns to your profile — just select the “allow others to see my pronouns” option and they will appear beside your name in areas like your profile card or the class list.
WAKE Up, BESTIE. NEW GRADE JUST DROPPED
You can view your grades for any class assessments by clicking on the “grades” option on the course’s navigation bar. This area will display your grades for quizzes, exams and assignments with any notes or comments left by the instructor.
One new feature Brightspace has that Sakai didn’t — you are notified with an alert in the website when your professor releases a grade. If you don’t want to know, you might want to keep your eyes shut.
The Forest City is Canada’s music city
OWEN JOHNSTON CULTURE EDITOR
Whetheryou’re an aspiring musician wanting to play a gig, a music lover digging for underground artists and venues or someone just looking to see some live music on a Friday night, London has all your music needs covered.
There are 59 UNESCO Cities of Music worldwide, including Kansas City, Abu Dhabi and Glasgow. In 2021, UNESCO recognized the first city in Canada, and it was none other than London, Ont.
The UNESCO website explains that London has a competitive advantage over other cities because it is home to three internationally recognized post-secondary
education schools: Western University, Fanshawe College and the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology.
Riley Garinger received an Honours Diploma in Audio Recording from the OIART in 2023. Learning under instructors who are also professional music producers, Garinger explains how ingrained OIART is in London’s music landscape.
“It fosters the music and the musical culture in London,” says Garinger. “Once you meet a few people involved there, you see how much of a musical culture london has.”
London’s rich musical history and popular live events and festivals are other fac-
tors that contributed to the city’s UNESCO distinction.
Elijah Rae, marketing director at Radio Western 94.9 FM, explains that London’s music scene is thriving, having a niche in indie-folk and punk while other genres still retain prominent communities.
“London has many emerging music scenes,” says Rae. “The hip-hop scene has been gaining a lot more prominence recently, and the electronic scene has been doing some really interesting things.”
But London’s music is not restricted to the bars and venues outside Western’s main gates.
MADELEINE MCCOLL GAZETTE
Justin Heffernan, a fourth-year English literature and creative writing student, is a music producer and a local London resident who has found a community of students interested in a variety of music genres. He has even met friends in class who have gone to concerts with him.
“It’s very easy to talk about music with students at Western,” says Heffernan. “The undergraduate age seems to be an age where people care about music and want to go see live music.” Heffernan, who goes by the stage name Custie — a childhood nickname — began crafting beats on his laptop in high school and performed his first show at the Masonville Rec Room.
Since then, he has performed two shows for Western’s arts and culture collective, Iconoclast. In his first year, he performed at The Well, a new 2SLGBTQIA+ bar, and in his third year, he performed at Poacher’s Arms, a local underground pub.
“Some of the fondest memories I have of London are musical memories,” says Heffernan. “The small things that you do during your university degree that have to do with music are going to make a world of a difference to you.”
Garinger experienced a similar music oriented culture at OIART.
sound for film and visual media.
So, where should a Western undergraduate student go if they want to create their own musical memories?
Rae explains that Budweiser Gardens and London Music Hall are the larger venues in town. The arena-setting at Budweiser Gardens brings in the bigger names you know and love, like Noah Kahan, Morgan Wallen and Snoop Dogg.
London Music Hall and the attached Rum Runners collectively showcase everything from rap to metal to country from larger artists and emerging stars.
The Holy Diver and Poacher’s Arms are smaller, popular bar-setting venues for students and locals alike featuring local and alternative acts. Expect to find indie folk and jazz at the intimate concert venue, Aeolian Hall, and country at the saloon-like Richmond Tavern.
“Almost everyone in my year was very musically driven,” says Garinger. “They want to create music and meet with other people who make music.”
Since graduating, Garinger has worked as an AV technician for live events and on student films. He is looking to expand into
Rae saw Tyler, the Creator perform at London Music Hall in 2013. He remembers waiting in a ticket line for hours in the freezing cold, but the wait was worth it.
“It still is one of the greatest concerts I’ve ever been to because of how great the energy of the crowd was” says Rae. “It was a really great time.”
If you want to discover new artists and music, tune into Radio Western 94.9, an FM radio station located in Western’s own University Community Centre. The Canadian government and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission mandate Radio Western to focus on alternative music, so the big hits take a back seat.
“It provides a great opportunity for us to highlight alternative artists and local music,” says Rae. “Introducing people to new sounds and styles and genres that they might not have heard before, that’s something that we take great pride in.”
So, if you are bored and looking for something to do in the Forest City, you won’t have to walk far to find some live music, potentially even played by your own classmate.
London has solidified itself as Canada’s music city from its live venues and local radio stations to its many educational opportunities. A rich and unique legacy from a city between Detroit and Toronto.
RYAN GOODISON GAZETTE
Power bar
People seriously underestimate the number of outlets in a room, and the short answer is very few.
- Hannah Alper, Coordinating Editor
A plane ticket
The money I didn’t spend in London was truly better spent on my exchange.
- Mina Ahmad, Creative Director
Handheld vacuum cleaner
At the risk of sounding like your mom, I have to say this cleaning item is a must-buy for your room. Instead of lugging a huge vacuum cleaner to your room in residence or off-campus every two weeks, you can just pick up this handheld vacuum cleaner and clean dirty surfaces within minutes.
- Chirag K Singhal, News Editor
Sunset Lamp
It instantly transformed my dorm room into a vibey hangout spot. I could change the colours based on my mood, it was great to nap to and it always impressed guests.
- Mabel Zhao, News Editor
Projector
All our friends were able to get together and watch anything from YouTube videos to the NBA playoffs together on the big screen.
- Manan Joshi, Senior Sports Editor
Noise-cancelling headphones
Whether it’s walking to campus, locking in on school work or even just chilling alone, my babies are glued to my head.
-Tara Yang, Culture Editor
Mattress topper
Try sleeping on the paper-thin mattresses you’ll find in the dorms. Impossible. I found that a mattress topper helped me get the rest I needed in order to keep up with first-year festivities.
- Owen Johnston, Culture Editor
Fan
London can get ridiculously hot (even in September) and and student housing usually has bad air conditioning or none at all — a fan lets you stay cool even in the fall heat waves.
- Mikaila Kimball, Opinions Editor
Used bike
It allows me to commute to campus quickly and avoid the superbusy morning buses.
- Jessica Kim, Features, Impact and Engagement Editor
WESTERN MUST-HAVES
MUST-HAVES
BEST THINGS WE BOUGHT AT UNIVERSITY
Mini Humidifier
A humidifier only cost me around $12 and has been priceless to my sleep quality ever since. If you really want to get fancy, most of them can be fitted with essential oils.
-Eshal Naqvi, Digital Editor
Slippers
Warm slippers with a hard sole come in handy when you inevitably have a 3 a.m. fire alarm and have to stand outside in the cold for an hour.
- Shaylee Talbot, Digital Editor
POSTERS
I truly believe that naked walls are depressing and sad. The poster sale at the UCC is a great place to start but I would recommend RedBubble.
- Chiara Wallace, Senior Social Media and Layout Editor
5 GUM COBALT PEPPERMINT 35-STICK PACK
At the start of every class, turn to the person next to you and offer them some gum from the comically large container. It serves as a great icebreaker and you always have fresh breath.
- Anna Jagga, Social Media Staff
PILOT DR. GRIP MECHANICAL PENCIL
You only really understand the true potential of ergonomic design after experiencing Japan’s silicon grip and excellent lead shaker mechanism to a pencil.
- Angwara Nilanont, Graphics Editor
Noise-cancelling headphones
My roommate in my first year snored and watched TikToks on a speaker at 3 a.m.. During those tough times, I used a pair of Bose headphones I bought to tune out his diabolical noise.
-Kai Wilson, Photo and Layout Editor
USED CAR
It costs me a bunch in gas but makes up for it in not having to take the London buses.
-Desmond Mahood, Staff Photographer
GRAMMARLY PREMIUM
It especially comes in handy when you are writing an essay on a tight deadline and don’t have the time for a peer to review it.
-Ryan Goodison, Deputy Editor
Keon Edwards’ last ride
RYAN GOODISON DEPUTY EDITOR
Whenthe Mustangs football team travelled to Montreal to take on the Carabins in the Uteck Bowl last November, they were without the talents of their veteran all-star.
It would be a tough matchup regardless, going all the way into enemy territory at the University of Montreal — even tougher without their former Ontario University Athletics Larry Haylor Award winner. After a long hard season, the Mustangs’ road to their ninth Vanier Cup had come up short in a 29–3 loss in the national semi-final.
Keon Edwards was on the sidelines that fateful day — the Mustangs and their fans all the lesser for it.
The seventh-year running back snapped his ankle in the very last game of the regular season against the Wilfrid Laurier University
“
” I just never want to be in that same spot ever again — that’s kind of what fueled my fire every single year - Keon Edwards
Golden Hawks on Oct. 21, 2023.
Many student-athletes have suffered similar fates throughout their university careers, and Keon, like most, is not immune to the misfortune that can be put upon them.
As Keon began to blast his way into the endzone early in the first quarter, the team’s rush leader went down — you could hear a pin drop in Western Alumni Stadium.
His teammates carried him off the field — his season was over.
“You can’t really put your head down too much,” says Keon. “I feel like the moment that it happened, my [mentality] kind of swung to the point where it was kind of like, what can I do to get back from this injury?”
The all-star running back has been a staple on the purple-and-white for the last few seasons, not many have garnered the attention and accomplishments Keon has. Through his 36 career games played for Western University, Keon has run for 3,352 yards and has put up 33 touchdowns. The seventh-year player has averaged an outstanding 7.2 yards per play and 93.1 yards per game.
It was in the 2022 season that Keon cemented himself in Mustangs history as he tore up defences for 1,389 yards in 10 games and put up 11 touchdowns. His impressive numbers earned him the Larry Haylor Trophy — awarded to the most valuable player to his team amongst OUA football teams.
SOPHIE BOUQUILLON GAZETTE
The veteran now looks towards his final season playing for the three-peat kings of the OUA — whatever that may hold will be between Keon and fate.
But the road to get where he is today wasn’t easy. As a Mustang, you’re expected to earn your spot, and Keon did just that.
“When I first came to Western, I kind of knew that it would be like, kind of a learning experience. And that’s kind of why I chose to come to Western,” says Keon.
Keon began with the Mustangs in the 2018 season, where he was a redshirt player — meaning he participated in less than two games, which did not count towards his maximum five years of university eligibility.
A year later, he had made the squad but did not play running back. Instead, he cut his teeth on the special teams unit, using his speed on kick returns. Running backs Alex Taylor, Cedric Joseph and Trey Humes had the starter positions locked up.
“[Special teams unit] was the biggest thing ever. I’m like, ‘Oh my god, I’m actually on the field. This is fun. I’m starting
to feel the team culture here now,’” says Keon. “That second year was probably one of my favourite years.”
The seventh year explains that in high school he had been utilized as both a back and slot receiver. His coaches would move him around depending on the scenario.
Western could’ve chosen to put Keon in either role — but it was during the 2021 season that the veteran got his starting position as the second-string running back behind Humes.
With Humes and Keon as the backs, the Mustangs rode all the way to the Vanier Cup, capturing their first Vanier Cup since 2017.
But before he could run, Keon had to crawl.
It was his first year of eligibility in 2019 that sparked a fire in the athlete that he would not forget.
Western fell short of the OUA championship Yates Cup to the McMaster University Marauders in a 29–15 defeat.
He still remembers walking into the locker room after the game and seeing the
faces of his teammates, who may never put pads on again.
“I just never want to be in that same spot ever again — that’s kind of what fueled my fire every single year,” Keon says. “I’m trying to give back to the program as much as possible. And again, like pass on that Western legacy.”
Since that 2019 loss, Keon has captured three Yates Cups and one Vanier, with hopefully more on the way.
But his experience might be his most valuable skill heading into this season.
Underneath him on the depth chart is the next generation of Western running backs, hungry and excited but still athletically raw like Keon was. The veteran allstar wants to make sure he is there for his team whenever they might need him.
“I just feel like the biggest thing that I want to take away from this year is giving it my all in every aspect of the game. I just want to be everywhere,” Keon says.
This Mustangs home opener is on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m., and this year’s OWeek game is on Sept. 7 at 5 p.m..
The student-athlete’s balancing act
Becoming a great student-athlete doesn’t just mean winning games and putting up points, but learning to take care of yourself when you need it the most. Student-athletes face many challenges, such as earning recognition, securing play opportunities and excelling in their respective positions. Off the field, managing time for academics and other hobbies effectively adds another layer of complexity to their responsibilities.
Anne Barnfield, a psychology professor emerita at Western University, notes that academic and athletic demands placed on student-athletes increase stress and anxiety,
which can lead to issues like overtraining.
“There are both emotional and mental effects of overtraining across what is referred to as the cognitive-affective framework,” says Barnfield, “Regular training or exercise is good, but there also needs to be some downtime or recovery periods.”
Barnfield began participating in karate during her undergraduate studies and now holds a black belt in Legacy Shorin Ryu Karate. She is certified as a Renshi — an instructor at the “junior master” level — and is an instructor for the Western Karate Club.
According to Barnfield, physical activity
uses stress hormones and neurotransmitters, activating the fight-or-flight response to prepare for action. But Barnfield says finding balance is important, as excessive fitness can become a stressor rather than a remedy.
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“Don’t expect too much of yourself, but be practical and responsible,” Barnfield says. “Plan properly, even write out or set up schedules for all your responsibilities such as training sessions and competitions, but also consider your academic responsibilities such as classes and coursework deadlines.”
Navigating the world of student athletics involves balancing action, mindset and self-care to establish healthy boundaires and manage expectations. Working on each of these areas individually promotes a holistic approach to well-being.
“I have struggled with the feeling I must always be productive and doing things to contribute to progressing my academic or athletic success,” says Ella Doornaert, a second-year PhD candidate in neuroscience and former captain of the Western wrestling team. “I have had to convince myself of the importance of taking time for myself without the pressures.”
Doornaert strongly advocates for gender equity in Western’s Wrestling Program and received the OUA Female Student-Athlete Community Service Award in February.
This year, she will start as an assistant coach and academic coordinator for Western’s wrestling team. But she attributes much of her success to her support system.
“It is easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of emotion through the feelings of endless thoughts in your head. However, talking it out with people you trust and care about provides you with perspective,” says Doornaert
In a 2023 NCAA survey on the health and wellness of university student-athletes, 17 per cent of male respondents and
44 per cent of female respondents reported feeling overwhelmed.
Cassie Ellis, manager of sports performance and head strength and conditioning coach for varsity student-athletes at Western, suggests an innovative approach in sports psychology that can improve the mental well-being of student-athletes — visualization.
For athletes, effective visualization might involve picturing themselves on the field or court, sensing the touch of the ball or equipment and hearing the sounds of the crowd.
Mastering effective visualization is a skill that requires consistent practice and should become a part of your daily routine. This is just one part of the routines that Ellis says should be developed to maintain a balanced lifestyle — especially during exam or competition season.
“Build healthy habits now so that you’re prepared for busy, stressful times, and have the positive resources and routines to fall back on, rather than sliding down the slippery slope of sleep deprivation and poor diet,” says Ellis. “Your mental, physical and emotional health will be rewarded and hopefully, your athletic excellence too.”
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Is AI art a tool or a threat?
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AI art is flooding social media algorithms, but for young creatives, its implications go beyond entertainment.
For most students, using artificial intelligence doesn’t go beyond creating an essay outline. But for young creatives, AI is not just seen as a tool — it’s competition.
“Creatives are just so neglected already,” says Thalia Ma, a third-year visual arts student.
“I see AI as an insult.”
With the rise of AI-generated images, it’s become increasingly difficult to tell what is machine-generated or human-made art.
Instances such as the viral doctored
Met Gala images of celebrities, including Katy Perry and Rihanna, highlight AI’s capabilities, raising concerns among young artists.
While Ma thinks AI-generated art can mimic specific artistic techniques or styles, she believes it lacks the same creativity and emotional depth as human art. What excites her about art is the story behind the creation, not just the final product.
Ruth Skinner, a professor at Western’s School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities, frequently teaches courses on digital literacy and visual culture. She explains that AI art involves software that can gather, remix and reproduce vast amounts of artistic content.
Skinner explains that softwares like DALL-E and Mid Journey essentially “generate images based on existing images.”
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“There was this idea that if you’re using AI, you’re kind of grifting, or you’re taking a job away from another artist,” says Skinner. “You’re also benefiting from all of these artists whose work has been filtered into these algorithms.”
Emma Hardy, a third-year art and psychology student interested in pursuing a career in illustration and animation, worries about AI algorithms stealing her work.
“It just makes me want to post my work less. Just the threat of people taking my work and putting it up as their own,” says Hardy.
Hardy echoes Ma’s concerns, referring to AI art as “soulless.” She finds that AI art promotes quantity over quality, taking away from true artistry.
Skinner says that websites like DeviantArt, a platform created for artists to share their work, have faced an influx of AI-generated art, prompting concerns among users.
Ma feels that AI-generated art, designed for overproduction and online engage-
ment, oversaturates the internet, diluting the value and attention given to art posted by human artists.
“It’s creating art by just typing in words,” said Ma. “I feel like that’s not valuable. Anyone can do it.”
While many students like Hardy and Ma remain skeptical, some creatives are beginning to embrace the new technology.
Sarah Al-Qaysi, a Toronto-based freelance architect, has incorporated AI into her work since 2021. She now creates Instagram content to educate others about the application of AI in architecture and design.
Al-Qaysi says that AI should never be used in the final product without credit, but it can be a valuable tool for generating ideas and enhancing the creative process. She mainly uses the tool to render and visualize her designs, finding it streamlines her workflow and inspires new concepts.
She hopes that by being open about her AI use, she can encourage others to do the same.
“I think there should be some laws that enforce the use of AI,” says Al-Qaysi. “But if you were to incorporate it the correct way, it’s going to help artists a lot.”
Hardy also agrees that if there were stricter laws surrounding AI, she would be more comfortable with its use. She notes AI has practical applications within the artistic process.
Despite mixed opinions, Skinner highlights that artists have always incorporated new technologies in their work and AI is no different.
Ultimately, Skinner believes it’s far less productive to discuss whether AI art is good or bad. Instead, conversations should focus on how to integrate it responsibly into the creative process — especially as it becomes a permanent fixture in our lives.
“I do think that artists are going to make use of AI, and they’re going to push AI in very unexpected ways because that’s what they’ve always done,” says Skinner.
What you need to know about supplements
With a global rise in interest in health and wellness, the supplement landscape can be hard to follow, but proper guidance can make it much easier.
Supplements are manufactured health and wellness products used for various purposes, like increasing cognitive function, promoting muscle growth and supporting body regulation.
Some of the more popular supplements people take for workouts include creatine, protein powders and pre-workout among many others. The industry for these types of supplements is massive, with tons of brands essentially selling the same thing — just repackaged.
One of the main reasons people tend to supplement is that they think it will help them reach their fitness goals faster. But according to Peter Lemon, a kinesiology professor at Western University, a healthy diet is all you need. Your body will naturally get rid of the extra supplements it does not need through bodily functions.
“In fact, a quality diet should be the priority. For those who have difficulty doing this, supplementation can assist,” says Lemon.
Lemon says for most people, simply changing their diet to more nutrient-rich foods is all that’s necessary. These foods are helpful for physical and mental health, which many supplements claim to help.
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But Lemon recommends supplements if you have a nutrient deficiency that cannot be addressed through diet alone. For example, he suggests iron supplements for most women because iron loss occurs during menstruation.
“Many athletes benefit from specific
supplementation due to increased utilization during training and competition,” says Lemon.
One example would be creatine for its enhancements in many different areas such as ATP production, muscle growth and improvements in brain function.
“[There are] lots of fake products that do nothing. At the same time, there are products out there that contain active pharmaceutical ingredients but claim to be ‘all natural.’ They tend to be supplements related to trends in nutrition or “superfoods,” says Ken Kirkwood, a health sciences professor at Western.
Another point Kirkwood highlights is the very low number of successful clinically recognized tests that show positive effects of certain supplements compared to what is claimed on the bottle. One example that passed the tests was creatine, which is positive for muscular hypertrophy — the building of muscle.
The world of supplementation is one that is hard to track and understand, and with many people online giving their own
A simple rule to help with this thought process would be that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. One example Kirkwood points to is all-natural testosterone boost products, as the actual dosage is much higher than the packaged dosage. It’s important to fully understand what you are putting into your body because, as Kirkwood says, many products contain certain ingredients that will do more harm than good.
opinions, it can all seem confusing.
Both Lemon and Kirkwood agree that supplementation should not be the priority. At the end of the day, the number one thing you can do for yourself is look at your diet and get better sleep. If a person still hasn’t reached their individual goal even after proper sleep and diet maintenance, they can inquire about supplements with the guidance of a physician.
“Supplementation can eliminate a deficiency, but for the most part, supplementation is unnecessary when a balanced diet is consumed,” says Lemon.
How to keep your social battery charged
A person’s capacity to interact with others can vary but balancing this without getting fully drained is a tricky act.
Theleap from the familiar comfort of home to bustling campus life can be overwhelming.
New faces, places and experiences may sometimes leave you feeling burnt out and needing to take a step back. This is completely normal — but maybe a sign to recognize and manage your social battery.
A social battery describes a person’s energy and capacity to socialize and interact with others. A full social battery will leave you enthusiastic to meet others and engage in conversation. On the other hand, a depleted social battery can make you easily irritated and anxious.
Jesse Minns, a mental health counsellor at Western University, explains that social batteries function differently for everyone.
“Some people get energy from socializing so their social battery gets filled up by socializing,” says Minns. “And some people have the opposite. Their battery gets drained by socializing so it actually takes effort to go through those interactions.”
According to Minns, anxiety is one of the most common things he sees first years go through, and this can lead to a depleted social battery.
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There’s been extensive research done on the science behind anxiety and what is happening in the body when your fight-orflight response is activated, Minns says. “If we know what’s going on in our body, then that can actually help inform how we cope.”
Minns describes two different categories of coping strategies: mental and physical. When you’re anxious, the natural response is to think of all the reasons not to be. But Minns explains that the fightor-flight response changes the high-level part of your brain, which includes problem-solving and rational thinking.
“That part of our brain is actually slowly going offline, as our fight-or-flight response is going up … So to have the expectation that you’re going to be able to think through this situation is not reasonable. So mental coping is not going to be your first strategy.”
Minns explains this is when physical coping comes in, as it requires less energy. Different strategies include taking deep breaths, splashing water on your face or going for a walk — anything that “draws your attention away from the anxious situation.”
Angelica Galluzzo, a recent Western graduate and mental health advocate, has struggled with mental health throughout her life. She notes that there will be some days when you feel like you can handle it and be ‘on’ all the time and others when your social battery is full and you need to slow down.
“I think a lot of that is just checking in with your mental health, whether that’s through journaling, talking to friends or just like having quiet time by yourself to self-reflect,” says Galluzzo. “I think the more you can do that, the more in touch you’ll be with yourself and know what’s the best step for you.”
Galluzzo grew up playing sports, which she says taught her invaluable skills that helped her move through life. She highlights the importance of finding a passion outside of school, whether it’s a sport, art or anything that will help you take care of yourself to recharge your social battery.
“Carve out 30 minutes in your busy day to dedicate yourself to the things that you love,” says Galluzzo.
“I think those pieces often get missed when there’s so much going on and deadlines to meet. But those little pieces can really help to fill our cup back up and just connect to ourselves.”
Minns emphasizes there is no one right way of building and maintaining relationships, and no two people socialize the same way. He also cautions people not to compare other people’s social situations and friend groups to their own.
“Sometimes, that alone time for people is how they recharge their social battery. It’s about being balanced, self-aware and not isolating yourself.”
Is it really a bird course?
Reviewing the most popular first-year bird courses at Western
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Fromthe overstressed medical sci-
ence student looking to lighten their course load to the AEO student hoping to keep their 80 per cent average, the solution is often bird courses.
Bird courses are easy academic courses taken to boost one’s grade point average. The question students often ask is which of these so-called bird courses can be truly considered grade boosters and which ones are GPA killers in disguise.
There has been so much discussion around this topic that WebStraw, an organization dedicated to creating open-access educational resources, published several editions of their Bird Courses Catalogue for Western University.
You’ll fly right through: Math 1228 and Math 1229
Frequently cited as the easiest math courses at Western, Math 1228: Methods of Finite Mathematics and Math 1229: Methods of Matrix Algebra often attract non-science students looking to fulfill their category C requirement without having to tackle an intensive math or science course.
While Math 1228, which covers topics like counting and probability and requires a grade 12 math credit as a prerequisite, Math 1229 focuses on vectors and matrices and only requires a university or mixed grade 11 math. These half-credit courses share a similar evaluation structure: three exams and bi-weekly online quizzes
Yvonne Wu, a second-year bachelor of management and organizational studies student who took both Math 1228 and 1229, says the two courses share
similar levels of difficulty.
“It’s pretty well placed,” says Wu about Math 1228’s bird reputation. “The final 10 per cent being added to your highest mark adds to its bird quality since it kind of maximizes your grade.”
The exam in which the student performed the best is given an additional 10 percent weighting in their final grade — acting as a grade booster in both Math 1228 and Math 1229.
Joanna Strang, a second-year biology student who took Math 1229 in her first year, says its reputation as a bird is accurate.
“I think the concepts weren’t hard to pick up on, you just needed a lot of practice,” Strang says. “I also feel like [the course instructors] were good teachers and explained stuff really well.”
Wing it effortlessly: Political Science 1020
Political Science 1020: Introduction to Political Science is another popular class among first-year Western students.
This 1.0 credit essay course offers an overview of political science concepts and theories. Students are tested on these concepts in four multiple-choice exams and also required to write a research paper on a given list of topics.
“With the midterms and finals being unproctored and online, it really allows you to not study as much as needed,” says Isabella Zhu, a second-year BMOS student.
Wu agrees with Zhu, adding there’s not much of a time commitment and students don’t need to attend in-person lectures
because they’re posted online.
Both Wu and Zhu agree the essay is the most challenging aspect of the course. If you want to walk away with an A in the class, Wu recommends students manage their time properly and avoid writing the whole paper in one night.
“You have months to write,” says Wu. “It’s not a short essay because you need a certain number of sources, but if you pace yourself, it’s not too bad.”
Smooth soaring: Computer Science 1033
Another classic bird course, Computer Science 1033: Intro to Multimedia and Communications, might look misleading at first glance, but there is little to no coding in this class. The category C course explores multimedia, website development, graphic design and animation.
Katy Wong, a second year BMOS student, believes Computer Science 1033’s reputation as a bird course is accurate.
Evaluations for the course include several assignments, biweekly quizzes, labs and a final exam.
Wong said the biweekly online quizzes and weekly labs, each worth around 10 per cent, were grade boosters. She explains it was also “very possible to get a high 90” on the two website assignments since the grading criteria was relatively objective.
For those still worried about the computer science element of the course, Wong said the only coding done is in HTML and students are working with platforms like Adobe and PowerPoint for most of the course.
May encounter some turbulence: Classics 1000
Classics 1000: Greek and Roman Civilization, a full-year course, appeared several times in WebStraw’s Catalogue of Bird Courses, where it was described as a memorization-heavy course with straightforward content and exams.
Unlike many courses in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Classics 1000 is not an essay course and students are evaluated solely by four multiple-choice exams.
“I found it a little bit on the harder end,” says Rachel Peng, a second-year political science student. “Especially because on the tests they would ask really specific questions, and as someone who is more focused on concepts on a broader scale, Classics isn’t really based on that at all.”
Peng adds she would not recommend Classics 1000 as a bird course to incom-
ing students, especially if they don’t consider themselves detail-oriented or interested in history.
“I feel like, if you’re the type of person who is really into history and has some sort of previous knowledge in the subject area, this would be a really good course,” says Peng. “But as someone who has never really dabbled in this and can’t really memorize every single detail on the slides, maybe not.”
Requires more than a simple glide: Earth Science 1086
Perhaps a spin on the old pun, “Rocks for Jocks,” Earth Science 1086: Origin and Geology of the Solar System, is also cited in WebStraw as a bird course for non-science students to fulfill their category C requirement.
This fully online course explores the solar system through two exams, online quizzes, weekly discussion posts
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and a scientific report.
“This is one bird which was not actually a bird. The average of the midterm was 52,” says Zhu. “Because the exams are open book, people have the impression that you can slack off but because of how they format the questions, you can’t do that.”
Zhu also says the content in this course is exclusively taught via assigned chapter readings and there are no lectures to attend.
“There’s no pressure on you to complete the chapter readings for each week so it’s very easy to prioritize other things because there aren’t any deadlines,” says Zhu. “But the thing is, it does catch up to you and that’s another reason why this course can be challenging.”
Zhu recommends that only students who are independent, self-motivated learners and those who are genuinely interested in Earth Science take this course.
