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…
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Hard Conversations: Young voters navigate divisive political discussions
Writer: Ashley Grams, Story Editor: Amanda Frese, Designer: Tabita Bernardus, Photographer: Stephanie Guevara In the current political season, voters learn ways to stay informed and engage in conversations via social media. It’s just another day in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven months in and staring at a screen for hours on end is normal. What else is normal? Fighting with your followers on Instagram about the upcoming election. In the past several months, Americans have faced divisive rhetoric across all forms of media. The 2020 presidential election is no exception. Tomorrow, young voters are faced with a tumultuous decision. In an effort to establish normalcy, Generation Z has fallen…
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What’s the Point: How to be a Conscious Consumer in the Era of Misinformation
In light of the upcoming election and the divides we have seen in the United States this year, we asked our readers to send in questions for Professor Michael Longinow, chair of the Department of Digital Journalism and Media at Biola University. Question 1: How can we encourage others to be conscious consumers of media? Leadership by example is the best approach. Don’t preach at people about what they read, watch or listen to. Show them what’s best by being wise in how we approach news and information. When we use the word “media,” it means many things to many people. And it’s generational. Those under 25 tend to see…
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Closed Bibles? The Epidemic of Biblical Illiteracy in the 21st Century
Written by Eliza Lee If one decided to start a diet solely on Taco Bell and McDonalds, it would not take long before they ballooned up and died, or at least became seriously ill. No matter how good those quesadillas and fries taste in the moment, they were never made to satisfy. In fact, instead of satisfying, they actually end up doing a lot of damage. What if the same thing is happening in our souls? Instead of filling our souls with the rich Word of God, we fill it with Instagram posts, funny memes, YouTube videos and episodes of “The Bachelor.” Essentially, these things are the digitized equivalent of…
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Motivation to Move-The Mental Game
Written by Addi Freiheit You can see almost everything it takes for an athlete to perform. Almost. You can see their muscles flex and contract with every movement. You can see their long strides as they sprint around a track or across a field. You can see their eyes track the ball and focus on the goal right before they score. What you cannot see is their minds racing to think three steps ahead, tracking the other players or attacking the mental hurdle called fear. At a sporting event, the audience unknowingly watches the result of extensive physical and mental training. ATHLETE IQ Freshman finance major Enrique Montana III plays…
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Managing Finances
Written by Alyssa Minney So now you are a college student who is trying to navigate life after your parents dropped you off and gave you a tearful goodbye. Chief among those concerns is how to manage finances well and avoid the ‘broke college student’ stereotype. There are living expenses to think about, such as food, books, gas, social activities and coffee runs. It is a challenge balancing all the expenses; if you prioritize food too much, you will not have enough money to buy the books you might need for your classes. Unexpected plans occur all the time; the book you thought you got right from Thriftbooks is the…
