Writer: Karly Pridmore Photographer: Natalia Hernandez After over a year of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptability became the top priority of student organizations within the Biola community. As many students experienced months ago and continue to today, COVID-19 altered the ways in which students experience school and extracurriculars. From the way the Student Government Association leaders hosted events to the publication of the student-run newspaper, Biola’s leaders had to adapt to preserve their organizations. Biola’s student-run newspaper The Chimes experienced this first-hand. The Chimes seeks to not only report on happenings within the Biola community itself, but to connect global events to the student body. THE CHIMES Current editor-in-chief Lacey…
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Same Day, Every Day: Students Fight To Stay Motivated Despite a Monotonous Semester
Writer: Charlotte Snyder Photographer: Natalia Hernandez Spring of 2021 was another semester spent entirely online for most Biola students. Students across the country have been struggling with online learning according to studies done by Harvard and Brown on the adverse effects of such education. Harvard’s study found that the average letter grade earned in class dropped from a B- to a C when students switched to virtual learning. “Taking a course online, instead of in-person, reduces student success and progress in college,” said Harvard University’s Eric Taylor. Biola University’s students have also found that remote learning has its challenges, especially the resulting lack of community and motivation. FEELING ISOLATED Not…
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Local Escapes: Life Outside Zoom
Writer: Lily Johnson Photographer: Jalin Cerillo After a year of tired eyes and drained hearts, students struggle to focus as Zoom fatigue hits harder than ever. Trying to maintain a balanced lifestyle with school, work and relationships can be overwhelming, which is why implementing certain lifestyle changes can help lower stress and leave one with less anxiety. Students have a very sedentary lifestyle; they spend hours staring at a screen during class and even more hours sitting while working on homework. Setting time aside to get out of the house or dorm to get some fresh air not only helps improve one’s mood and relieves stress, but also helps one stay…
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The Role of Media: The International Student’s Journey of Adapting in the U.S.
Writer: Aspen Haw Photographer: Jalin Cerrillo Given its global spotlight, the United States claims a unique position of influence. Movies and news coverage can stir up positive or negative excitement, especially for international students with their sights set on an American education. But is this country’s self-portrayal accurate to their experience? While media is informative, it can create discrepancies between perceived reality and actual life in the U.S. For international students, these gaps lead to culture shock, resulting in a rocky start to their life in America. FILM: DISTORTION OF SOCIETY Sophomore business administration major Dena Rahel was born and raised in Indonesia. Her family had high praise for the…
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Systemic Racism in Human Trafficking in the United States
Written by Karly Pridmore, photographed by Natalia Hernandez STATISTICS A recent study completed by Liberate Children estimated 550,000 people are trafficked into the United States each year. Of these 550,000 people, those targeted demographics are people within the welfare program as well as LGBTQ communities, and enslaved forms of labor. Another report states that black children make up 40.4% of the estimated 50,000 people who are trafficked each year. These statistics note the ways in which race causes higher susceptibility within the United States. Dressember notes the important signs of those who are vulnerable targets of trafficking are those who have instability in their family or community, as well as…
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Was I Born in the Wrong Generation?
Written by Lily Johnson, photographed by Jalin Cerillo The phrase “I was born in the wrong generation” is commonly heard amongst people today. Many wish they were growing up in past decades when times were simpler and their daily lives were less influenced by technology. A survey from the U.K. magazine the Sun found that 2,000 adults said children wish they had grown up in the same era as their parents and 15% would prefer to grow up in today’s world. Surprisingly the Gen Z group, born between 1997-2009, longs to see old-time favorite classic bands such as the Ramones or the Beatles perform live, or dream of dressing in…
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A Glimpse Into On-campus life for Biola Athletes
Written by Jenna Wirtz, photographed by Natalia Hernandez With about a week to get their bearings, Biola University athletes were invited to live on campus before school began this fall. Since the invitation/announcement came after Biola decided to close campus for the semester to the general student body, many athletes jumped at the special opportunity as they longed for a somewhat normal college experience. But with social-distancing protocols in full-swing, including wearing a mask during practices, students have begun to feel the strain. The closest one can get to another student is sharing a meal together. “It still feels like we’re quarantined,” said freshman track athlete and psychology major Sophia…
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From Behind the Screen
Written by Charlotte Snyder, photographed by Jalin Cerillo Eight out of 10 students report experiencing increased stress due to the switch to online schooling, and they are not alone. Professors face a multitude of challenges as they adjust their class content to an online format. The American Council of Education found that professors across the country are struggling in many of the same ways that students are. “Many [professors] are trying to keep a sense of normalcy despite experiencing their own uncertainties, fears, and anxieties,” ACE wrote. “[Professors] are quickly adapting to new ways to do business, juggling work-life balance, and addressing the new and varying academic and student life…
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The New Freshman Experience: Beginning College During a Pandemic
Written and edited by Lily Journey and Hannah Dilanchyan, photographed by Kate Bomar, designed by Tabby Bernardus (Contributions by: Gretchen Ferguson) Less than a year ago Biola University’s sunny campus buzzed with the constant activity of students living and learning in community. Daily traditions like studying with friends at Common Grounds, passing the well-known Jesus mural or grabbing breakfast before attending a chapel service were normal parts of the Biola experience. But now the ringing of the Biola bells is just a faint memory replaced by the chime of a computer notification. COLLEGE COMMITMENTS: A LEAP OF FAITH Because COVID-19 swept through our nation during the peak of college tours…
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Escaping COVID-19: How 2020 Has Exposed Our Coping Mechanisms
Written by Addi Freheit, edited by Lily Journey, designed by Phoebe Han, photographed by Brooke Schimmels After Northwest University junior English major Emma McFarland watched a season of “Schitt’s Creek” within 24 hours, she realized something needed to change. “It goes back to the idea that this isn’t how things are supposed to be,” McFarland explained about spending time on Netflix and Instagram. “When I feel that in my life, I long for a little bit of… escapism.” With the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has spent much of 2020 groaning with the knowledge that this is not how things are “supposed” to be. Social isolation, a heightened…
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Missions in a Locked Down World: Same Heart, Different Format
Written by Juliana Fujii, edited by Amanda Frese, photos by Corrie Myhr, designed by Tabby Bernardus Spreading the gospel in a locked down world. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders have changed everything about human interaction. With in-person gatherings cancelled and physical interaction minimized around the world, loneliness and screen fatigue are becoming the new normal. Coronavirus mandates create a particular dilemma for mission trips and spreading the gospel. World Magazine reports that missions organizations including Serge, SIM and the International Mission Board saw a little under half of their global missionaries come home. Many trips were curtailed or cancelled. However, the Great Commission still hasn’t changed. The Biolans behind the…
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Online Chapels: finding faith and community in a time of social-distancing
Written by Rebecca Schwind, edited by Addison Freiheit, Photos by Julianne Foster, Designs by Phoebe Han Biola student Hannah Fodera is a chapel scanner. At least, she was until late last semester when students got sent home following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. After landing back home in various places around the globe, students have had to cope with all sorts of transitions. For Biolans, one of those transitions was going from in-person to online chapels. While this can be considered less-than-ideal, the transition also provides students with a chance to focus on their relationships with God. Fodera, a sophomore Christian ministries major, loved greeting people and welcoming them…
