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The most overrated Christmas movies 

Anaam Choudhury
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The most overrated Christmas movies 

Christmas movies are synonymous with comfort and nostalgia, especially during the holiday season. But some of the most celebrated films lean so heavily on overused tropes they begin to feel like a rerun of the same festive script. While they remain wildly popular, their reliance on predictable plots and archetypal characters is hard to ignore. Here are three beloved Christmas films that, for all their charm, are just a little too clichéd.

1. Love Actually (2003)

The movie that tries to do it all… and ends up doing none of it authentically.

For many, Love Actually is the quintessential Christmas movie. Its ensemble cast, intertwined love stories and holiday cheer have cemented its place in festive pop culture. Yet, beneath its glittering surface, this film is a goldmine of clichés. The movie relies on grand romantic gestures, like Andrew Lincoln’s cue-card confession, which feels more awkward than heartfelt upon closer examination. Similarly, the prime minister (Hugh Grant) falling for his assistant (Martine McCutcheon) based on fleeting encounters is pure fairy-tale fluff. These moments might feel warm and fuzzy, but they lack any meaningful emotional depth. 

The film also glorifies superficial connections. Jamie’s (Colin Firth) proposal to a woman he barely knows is absurdly romanticized, while other storylines skim over the complexities of real relationships. The overarching theme that “love conquers all” is wrapped in holiday packaging but rings hollow when the love itself feels rushed and shallow.

What’s more, the sprawling plot robs most of the characters, turning them into vehicles for festive tropes rather than fully realized individuals. Love Actually is a chaotic carousel of clichés rather than a cohesive celebration of love or Christmas spirit.

2. The Polar Express (2004)

A visual spectacle weighed down by tired holiday tropes.

The Polar Express dazzles visually, but its story is a well-trodden path that offers little originality. The movie hinges on the importance of believing in Christmas magic — a theme that has been recycled countless times.

The protagonist’s journey from skepticism to belief is entirely predictable. He starts as a doubter, only to be transformed by an enchanted train ride to the North Pole. Along the way he encounters the classic wise mentor figure, a magical North Pole and a group of wide-eyed companions designed to reinforce the protagonist’s arc. 

The North Pole itself is straight out of a holiday postcard, with cheery elves and a jolly Santa Claus who’s larger than life. While the visuals are stunning, the story relies on tired tropes and predictable character arcs, making The Polar Express feel more like a spectacle than a meaningful movie.

3. A Christmas Prince (2017)

The ultimate hallmark-style cheese fest, repackaged for Netflix.

Netflix’s A Christmas Prince became an instant holiday hit, but it’s the epitome of formulaic storytelling. The movie follows Amber, an aspiring journalist who travels to a fictional European kingdom to write about a brooding prince, only to fall in love with him. It’s a mashup of every fairy-tale and Christmas movie trope imaginable.

Amber is the classic relatable everywoman who bumbles her way into royal life, while the prince is a stereotypical romantic lead with a hidden heart of gold. Their romance unfolds against a backdrop of magical castles, festive snowfalls and obligatory ice-skating scenes. Add a scheming villain and a last-minute Christmas miracle and you have a story so predictable it feels like it was created by an algorithm.

Despite its popularity, A Christmas Prince is less of a movie than a checklist of holiday clichés. Like most Netflix hallmark movies, it’s a guilty pleasure for some but ultimately offers little in terms of originality or substance.

Why do these movies still work? 

For all their flaws, these films continue to resonate because they deliver exactly what audiences crave during the holidays: comfort, familiarity and nostalgia. Their predictability often becomes their selling point. In a season rooted in tradition, there’s something reassuring about knowing exactly how the story will unfold.

However, for viewers seeking something fresh, these movies can feel like a slog through recycled ideas. While they’re undeniably charming in small doses, they highlight the need for more creativity in holiday storytelling. Perhaps it’s time for the next generation of Christmas classics to break free from these well-worn tropes and deliver something truly magical.

The importance of arts degrees

Kimberly Gilson
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The importance of arts degrees

Let’s talk about arts degrees.

Why are the curtains blue? It’s an old question that comes up a lot in reference to literary criticism. Some may argue the hypothetical curtains reflect the author’s obsession with Picasso’s “blue period.” Others may say they speak to the character’s lack of desire or complacency. They may note blue curtains in 2024 were very topical, trendy or tawdry — or that they symbolize a dystopian version of corporate Canada. But there’s one answer that always grinds my gears: “Who cares?”

We must. Communication and understanding is everything. Arts degrees — such as film studies, theatre, English, history, sociology and political science — focus on developing a student’s critical analysis, communication, argument-crafting and information-synthesis skills. These degrees ask “Why?” over and over again until students know how to provide reasoned, evidence-based answers that can be clearly understood by others.

Communication and understanding

Arts degrees are not the opposite of science, business and other university degrees. For every STEM related subject, the humanities teach essential and complementary skills. 

In computer science classes, students first learn to code “Hello, World.” Then, they spend the next several years learning ways to effectively communicate through languages like Python, Java and mySQL. Is this all that different from the philosophy major? Just add a faux snakeskin belt and coffee in hand, and they too send queries out into the world until they retrieve what they’re looking for.

Jokes aside, without effective communication and analysis skills, basic job requirements would prove insurmountable. If a health professional invents a new medication, the way they present it to the public needs to recognize the intended audience’s socio-political history with Western medicine; otherwise, it would do more harm than good. They also need to pitch these new ideas to colleagues and effectively communicate the benefits of their product. All these skills are learned through an arts degree. So, despite what uncles at holiday dinners say, getting an arts degree does not bar people from employment.

Oh, but there’s no money in that field

Jason Haslam is an English professor at Dalhousie and a fierce defender of the humanities. From the angle that treats universities as mere job-training businesses, he points to vocal business leaders who increasingly desire employees with humanities-based skills 

Haslam challenges the notion that arts degrees lead to worse financial futures when students graduate.

“Humanities students on average have comparable financial outcomes to many graduates from other fields,”] says Haslam.

Progressing the public good

However, Haslam believes those transferable, practical skills are secondary to the key reason that arts degrees are so important. He notes there are many arguments that assert there is a democratic purpose to education in the humanities, a public good. 

However, Haslam does not think the humanities alone can save the world. 

“Scholars and students of the humanities can’t agree on the meaning of even short poems, let alone on how to address current challenges to liberal democracies around the planet, climate and health emergencies, generational economic divides, wars and genocides,” says Haslam. 

Yet, with the global rise of fear-mongering propaganda and harmful rhetoric, Haslam believes that the ability to think complexly about current issues is necessary.

 “Studying the humanities tells us that people who spout easy answers are invariably wrong and often dangerous,” he says.

Life is complicated, even when people wish it’s not. Interrogating those easy answers can make progress seem slow, however, if someone moves forward from a false principle, that is not progress. As society continually progresses, Haslam asserts we must be able to appreciate complexity and acknowledge a variety of possibilities. 

“[It] is the only way to move forward,” he says. “It’s the only way to keep moving at all.”

Arts degrees are undoubtedly important, teaching valuable transferable skills and essential communication abilities that prepare students for an uncertain future. 

It’s time to reconsider those blue curtains.

The revolution of NFL running backs

Ethan Hunt
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The revolution of NFL running backs

Under the lights of SoFi Stadium on week 12 of the NFL schedule, the Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley ran through the entire Los Angeles Rams defence on the way to 255 yards and two touchdowns.

Over his six seasons on the New York Giants, Barkley totalled over 1,000 yards three times —  including the 2022 season where he was behind the Giants’ success in winning a playoff game. 

Saquon Barkley

The team’s quarterback, Daniel Jones, earned about $6.4 million in 2022 compared to Barkley’s just-shy-of $7.8 million. Across the NFL however running backs made less money compared to other positions because of the high workload and short peak of the players. Heading into the Giants’ 2023 season, Jones signed a four-year contract worth $40 million annually. Barkley, on the other hand, signed a one-year contract amounting to $10 million. During the 2023 season, Barkley played 14 games totalling 962 yards and six touchdowns, but the team only won six games. It was time for Barkley to negotiate a pay raise, or move on to a team with a worthy budget for his talent.

The Giants’ off-season was well documented as they were the first team ever to be filmed during their off-season decisions in the show Hard Knocks. The show saw the New York general manager Joe Schoen give Barkley’s agent Edward Berry an ultimatum where the Giants would allow Barkley to enter free agency and they would decide if the price was too high to pay. 

Schoen’s worst nightmare came true as National Football Conference (NFC) east rival Philadelphia Eagles paid Barkley. The running back signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million. The Giants had to let Barkley join their rival: This deal was too pricey for them to match.

Schoen’s nightmare has only gotten worse as Barkley completely dominated the NFL while playing on the Eagles. 

The 27-year-old is having a career year. He has already passed his career rushing yards high as he has 1,392 yards through 12 weeks in the season. ESPN projects Barkley to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record by the end of the season, as Barkley will finish with 2,151 yards, compared to Dickerson’s 2,105.

Only eight running backs have totalled over 2,000 yards in a single NFL season — Barkley is 688 yards away from crossing that threshold. Barkley has carried the Eagles to a new level with him in their backfield. Philadelphia has rocketed out to a 9-2 record and Barkley sits third in most valuable player odds while the Giants have fallen to be a dumpster fire of the league with a 2-9 record.

Derrick Henry

As good as Barkley has been, there is another running back who has been hot on his case all year. 

It was clear the Tennessee Titans were heading into a rebuild. But the question was, what should they do with 30-year-old running back Derrick Henry? 

Henry had been the outlier of a running back generation who did not compare to years past. A product of The University of Alabama, he has eclipsed 1,000 yards in six of his nine seasons in the NFL. Of those eight players to total 2,000 rushing yards in a season, Henry had done it in 2020. 

Henry’s play also led to playoff success as in 2019, the running back stiff-armed defenders all the way to the American Football final. The Chiefs ended the Titans’ Cinderella run however but Henry made his imprint in NFL history.

Tennessee had a winning percentage of under .500 in Henry’s last two seasons with the Titans and the organization decided to go in another direction. “King Henry” played his last game with Tennessee on Jan. 7, 2024 and headed to free agency to find his market. 

After not being able to get over the Chiefs hump in 2023, the Baltimore Ravens looked to make a change for the 2024 season. There was no better possible fit than pairing Lamar Jackson, the best rushing quarterback in NFL history with the best running back of this generation. 

Derrick Henry became a Raven on March 12 as every other 31 NFL franchises screamed out in fear at the sight of the new Baltimore back field.

Twelve weeks into the season, Henry has continued his dominance onto his new team as he has totalled 1,325 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. ESPN projects the 30-year-old to have his best season since 2020 and finish with 1,877 rushing yards.

As for team success after a slow start, the Ravens sit with a 8-4 record but everyone knows the most important part of their season waits for them in the playoffs. For Baltimore to slay their Kansas City demons King Henry will prove to be the catalyst to change history.

Thunderbirds ranked outside the top eight before the season start

Jake Piper
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Thunderbirds ranked outside the top eight before the season start

In 2021, the East Coast finally got a team in North America’s top professional lacrosse league. The East Coast has what it takes to support the Halifax Thunderbirds. This was only natural. We have the grit it takes to appreciate lacrosse. Every day, hundreds of our fishermen fasten the straps on their hip waders before the sun rises to battle the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Lacrosse is the creator’s game, the game the Mi’kmaq have played for centuries. It’s only natural that the Thunderbirds have flown home. In this column, we’ll get to know your Halifax Thunderbirds on the floor and in the community. If you’re already a fan, welcome back to another season of Thunderbird’s lacrosse. If you’re new to the game, welcome to the nest. To all, welcome to The Birds Eye View. 

On November 28, the National Lacrosse League (NLL) released a list of the top eight teams it believes are the best in the league based on pre-season games. The Halifax Thunderbirds were not on the list. 

The Thunderbirds’ first game is on December 7, 2024, at the Scotiabank Centre. 

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the Thunderbirds competed in their final pre-season game, going on the road to play the Ottawa Black Bears, a new team in the NLL. 

In the second quarter, Thunderbirds forward Randy Staats took a few steps off the bench into the offensive zone, caught the ball, took two hop steps while he sized up the goalie, and then took his shot. The goalie flinched to his right to match where the six-foot-three Halifax player’s body was pointing. The ball was already tucked under the crossbar on his left by the time the Ottawa goaltender realized it was a feint. 

Then Staats walked by Black Bears in fresh red and black uniforms to see his teammates, who were wearing plain white practice jerseys and dull grey gym shorts.

The Thunderbirds looked calm, confident and focused. Graeme Hossack, a Thunderbirds defender, came out of pre-season as the first ranked defenseman in the NLL. Jake Withers, the face— off man, was ranked the fifth best transition player.

But every lacrosse game is a battle; the Thunderbirds only won by one goal against Ottawa, and lost their two other pre-season games. 

They’re coming off a good 2023-24 season. Halifax finished sixth out of 15 teams in the 2023-24 season with a 10-8 record, tying their best regular season finish. They had 228 goals, which was the second most in the National Lacrosse League. And Jake Withers, the face—off man, finished with 98 more draw wins than the next guy. 

The season wasn’t without its problems, though. The Thunderbirds had 200 goals against them while four of five teams above them had under 200. Withers led the league in face— off wins … and in penalty minutes. Thunderbirds captain Cody Jamieson told me in an early February interview they needed to work on holding a lead late in games. At the start of March, he said the team was struggling to start the game composed. 

The Thunderbirds have the talent to be successful in the NLL, but they have some things to clean up. 

“Chop wood, carry water, that’s what we need to do,” Jamieson said. 

Time will tell if a “workman’s mentality” can make them a contender this season. 

More than a game: the community of intramural sports 

Wyatt Carling
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More than a game: the community of intramural sports 

For many Dalhousie University students, intramural sports stand as a space to continue their athletic career and stay active during post-secondary education.

As this year’s fall intramural sports season comes to an end, the students who participated in the leagues recognize what joining has done for them. With such a large community of intramural athletes at Dalhousie, many see the league’s role as fundamental to their university experience. 

For third-year biology chemistry major, Shanyn Bleeker, intramural sports was a way for her to make friends in first-year.

“It made my university experience an overall positive one,” said Bleeker.

Most Dalhousie intramurals are offered in both recreational and competitive leagues, of which two seasons are played. The focus of intramural teams is to have fun, get active and make friends.

Bringing more and more students into the world of athletics every year, the season starts just a few weeks into each semester, allowing for those new to Dalhousie to learn about and participate in the sport of their choosing at a casual level. 

“It also allowed me to continue to be active as I transition into adult life,” said Bleeker. “Especially where sports were such a huge part of my livelihood growing up.”

Third-year actuarial science student Adam Wills joined the intramural league in his first year at Dal. His intramural athletics resumé includes volleyball, basketball, football and soccer. 

“Intramurals contribute to a sense of belonging by giving students a team to be a part of,” said Wills.. 

Bleeker echoed this sentiment.  

“Since university can be a bit of a struggle for some to go out of their way and meet people, intramurals are a great push to meet others with common interests,” said Bleeker.

Students who participate find the influence of intramurals in all aspects of their university life. Wills even got a widely used nickname, “Sports,” because he plays on so many teams.

To motivate intramural teams to participate in scheduled games and events, Dalhousie has implemented regulations for forfeits. In order for a team to concede for an upcoming game, an email must be sent to an intramural account informing them of the forfeit 24 hours in advance. If this is not done, a fine of $20 must be paid within a 48 hour period to the Dalplex front desk.

Wills said the university does a good job of supporting their intramural teams with up to date emails and called Dalhousie’s forfeit system excellent. 

“It’s also nice that they have an actual prize for winning a league,” said Wills, referring to the black and gold t-shirt they those on championship teams win. 

For students interested in joining the intramural community, two main routes are available. 

If a student is living in a Dalhousie residence, they are encouraged to reach out to their residence hall teams. These are intramural teams based on which residence the student resides, whose goal is to connect students in the same residences.  

If a student is living off campus they are encouraged to join through the Dal Athletics online portal, which has the forms and waivers necessary to join any intramural team for the upcoming season.

Play4All to offer clinics for children across Halifax Regional Municipality

Ethan Hunt
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Play4All to offer clinics for children across Halifax Regional Municipality

Started by Dalhousie University students Caitlin Donnelly and Marina Mrishih, Play4All is a community driven initiative with the goal of creating a positive impact through making sports accessible to all families.

Though it’s still in the starting stages Play4All looks to break the financial barrier for sports. The goal is to have monthly clinics hosted by their executive team and announced by Instagram. Volunteers and varsity athletes will help teach the games to the children. The initiative hopes to foster inclusivity and give opportunities to children throughout Halifax Regional Municipality. 

“We just want to inspire teamwork, encourage fitness and give kids a love for sports,” Donnelly said. 

Mrishih said they plan to start small this semester as they hope to have a fundraiser by the end of the fall semester and one or two clinics in January. She also hopes by the second or third week of the winter semester, the Dalhousie University society expo will allow the group to spread the word about what they are doing. Once numbers increase, the group will have a list of sports for the participants prior to sessions and the Dalhousie student volunteers will be in charge of running through a sport. 

Parks and recreation ties

Mrishih and Donnelly both have experience working with children as they work with Halifax parks and recreation to plan summer camps and coordinate programs. Mrishih said while working for parks and recreation they realized some areas in Halifax have limited  access to recreation because of expenses. 

Mrishih said she loved the parks and recreation job and wanted to bring it to school for Dalhousie University students to volunteer. 

Dalhousie has countless societies which offer students the opportunity to get active. These sports range from arm wrestling to running and rugby. Other initiatives allow students to volunteer to work with youth in sport environments, teaching them the importance of sport. This includes Extra Awesome which organizes sessions for children with down syndrome to work with varsity athletes.

These clubs, societies and volunteer work proved to Donnelly and Mrishih there would be interest from the student body.

Mrishih said while they are just in the beginning of their initiative, they have laid the foundation for what a session would look like. Three hours would be booked off, with one sport being explored each hour through drills and scrimmages. They goal is for the children to learn about the sport and connect with peers of the same age.

The sessions would be open to all families regardless of parental income. 

“We want to provide it to as many kids as we can,” Donnelly said.

A sense of community

Donnelly said the pair started with the focus to introduce fitness and teamwork among the children. They also want to give the opportunity for the children to try a sport and build on that love as they grow up. 

Additionally Mrishih said with it being a Dalhousie initiative she hopes it will be able to build a community where the students running the drills and games can build friendships. . She described the games as fun and said the students can learn leadership and the ability to work with children through the love of sports. 

For the community to grow, Donnelly said the initiative hopes to gain local business sponsors for their sessions, gain connections and hopes to do giveaways through their social media.

Mrishih put an emphasis on trying to get people involved. In order for sessions to run they need children and students there, so the group plans to have flyers around the city once a first session is ready.

The 2024 Stanfield Conversation brings experts together to discuss the state of democracy

Olivia Piercey
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The 2024 Stanfield Conversation brings experts together to discuss the state of democracy

In his opening statements at the 2024 Stanfield Conversation on Wednesday, Nov. 20, journalist Doug Saunders said this year has been the worst in a century for democracy, despite an unprecedented number of elections worldwide. 

“It’s not military coups or takeovers or revolutions that are removing democracy from countries that were previously democratic,” Saunders, an international affairs journalist with the Globe and Mail, told the crowd. Instead, he said, democracies fall when an authoritarian candidate is voted in by democratic means. 

Debra Thompson, a political science professor at McGill and the Canada Research Chair in Racial Inequality in Democratic Societies, spoke with Saunders in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium at Dalhousie University. The conversation was mediated by Piya Chattopadhyay, host of The Sunday Magazine on CBC.

The Stanfield Conversations is an annual event held in honour of Robert L. Stanfield, a former premier of Nova Scotia. The conversations discuss the challenges to democracy and responses to those challenges.

This year’s conversation discussed the circumstances leading to the election of Donald Trump, and the implications his presidency will have on the state of global democracy. 

Thompson said in her opening remarks that institutions protecting democracy in America “have either disintegrated, have been co-opted or are in grave danger.”

“Democratic guardrails” refers to democratic decision-making institutions like the courts, congress, election results and the Department of Justice that keep the president from having unchecked power. 

Democracies fall, the speakers agreed, when these guardrails are shut down, stacked, disenfranchised or disempowered. It is not unusual for democracies to fall because of the results of an election. 

“That’s the most common way,” Saunders said. 

During his campaign, Donald Trump said he would not be a dictator “except for day one” of his presidency. Saunders said he knows of Canadians who are currently working on exit strategies for Trump’s political rivals, military commanders and former members of Trump’s administration because they’ve been “directly threatened with arrest by Trump and his circle.”

According to a 2024 report by the International Institute for Democracy, only 30 per cent of countries today are becoming more democratic, while 47 per cent are becoming less democratic.  

Thompson said even though the global state of democracy is concerning, it’s important to remember the triumphs of freedom over authoritarianism. 

“There was a time when people in the United States and in this country could not imagine a world without slavery,” Thompson said. She went on to explain the same is true of colonialism, apartheid in South Africa and the Cold War. 

“We have done impossible things before in the service of progressive ends and social justice, and we will continue to do that,” she said. 

Despite threats to global democracy, both speakers had faith that Canada’s democracy remains safe; the parliamentary system provides more guardrails than the American republic system.

“As Canadians, we just don’t like it when [one] federal party has control for more than a decade,” Thompson said. “I think that’s a democratic impulse. We don’t even like the semblance of a one-party state.”

Saunders pointed out that while Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre uses similar far-right rhetoric to Trump, he still operates in a very different system. “Somebody who’s very far right … is very different from somebody who’s a threat to the democratic order.” 

Dalhousie University students grapple with bike theft

Gillian Rees
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Dalhousie University students grapple with bike theft

Claire Tyner, a fourth-year student at Dalhousie University, has had two bikes stolen off of her front porch this year. She is one of many students in Halifax impacted by bicycle theft. 

“[It’s] not fun to wake up to,” Tyner said. “It’s just disheartening to know that there are people around us that would go out of their way to take away someone’s main form of transportation.”

Due to the likelihood of it happening again, Tyner said she will only be purchasing cheap bikes going forward.

Cara Cripton-Inglis, co-president of the Dalhousie Bike Society, has noticed a rise in bicycle thefts.

“I think the overall reaction to the spike in bike thefts both on campus and around Halifax has scared everyone,” she said. “For a lot of people, especially students, your bike allows you a lot of agency in getting around at a relatively low cost.”

Over the summer, the Halifax Regional Police recovered approximately 40 stolen bicycles from an encampment on Barrington Street. The HRP recovered more stolen bicycles from the same location in September. 

In an online release, the HRP suggested cyclists make a record of as much information on their bike as they can, “including the serial number, make, model, speed, colour, and any distinguishing markings,” the release said. Police said knowing this information makes it easier to recover stolen bikes. 

The Dalhousie Gazette reached out to the HRP’s public information officer, Martin Cromwell, for information on bike theft in Halifax, but he declined to comment. 

Cripton-Inglis and the bike society have been brainstorming ways to help curb bike thefts on campus and around Halifax. She said, “The best resource for anyone with a bike is a program called 529 Garage.”

Project 529 Garage is a database that aims to reduce bike theft. The database allows people to register their bikes, allowing them to be easily identified if stolen. 

“In fact, they have made a specific post on what to do if your bike is stolen in Halifax,” Cripton-Inglis said.

529 Garage connects with local law enforcement, universities, bike clubs and shops across the country to help cyclists recover their stolen bikes. 

Megan Cooper is the president of the Dalhousie Outdoors Society. 

“There’s definitely been a significant increase in bike thefts on campus this year,” Cooper said. “Neither the university nor Halifax police have responded in a meaningful way, which is really unfortunate considering the many positives of commuting by bike.”

The Gazette reached out to Dalhousie Security for information about what they are doing to prevent bike theft on campus, but they did not respond to requests for comment. 

Cooper believes that students often commute by bike because it’s “a whole lot of fun.” She frequently commutes by bike and has some ideas for how to prevent bike theft on campus. 

“More secure bike storage on campus would be ideal, but there are also a few things students can do to reduce risk,” Cooper said. “I suggest locking your bike in a highly visible/busy location, using a U-lock and passing through both the frame and back wheel of your ride.”

What are your plans after university? You don’t have to answer just yet

Valerie Monterroza Prieto
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What are your plans after university? You don’t have to answer just yet

As university flies by, the age-old question lurks over the shoulders of many walking through campus: “What are your plans after university?” 

The answer depends on the person. Although it’s easy to feel like everyone else has their lives figured out and you will be left behind, more people are unsure of their future plans than you think.

It’s not a race

The average university degree takes between four and five years, depending on the program, major, minor and any additional requirements or certificates needed to complete your degree. This is all part of the experience. Throughout these years, you learn and grow as a person. You are constantly changing and experiencing new things. The version of yourself who started your degree will not be the same person who walks across the stage. Getting a university degree is not a race, and everyone’s finish line looks different. The only thing that matters is your education — not your classmates’.

Taking a break

Once you’ve completed your degree, you may choose to take a much needed break. Feelings of exhaustion and burnout are not uncommon with university students. Some people may want to move back home to save money, as the cost of living makes serious dents in students’ bank accounts. Others may want to travel with their newfound free time, opting for adventures in Europe before they’re “tied down” by responsibility. For some students, further education, like graduate school, may be required. These options are great — but only if they are the best choice for you. 

Finding a job

Other graduates may not take a break at all, hopping right into the job search. Attempting to find a job right after completing your degree is a challenge and finding a job right away is not always guaranteed. 

Out there in the working world, you may realize your interests lie in a different field than your original field of study. A change in careers may require additional schooling or other training and you may need to get another job while you figure it out. Although this possibility is daunting, don’t stress. Everyone finds their career in different ways. It’s normal to change your mind.

Post-grad plans

It’s important to note that not every student has the financial or personal freedom to not be stressed about their post graduate plans. Not everyone can afford to take a trip to find themselves or change their minds multiple times. 

However, that doesn’t mean you need to have everything figured out right away. There may already be some people who do — which is great for them — but know it’s okay if you don’t. The importance of rushing into big decisions is almost always less immediate than it feels.

FOMO

You should never feel worried if you don’t immediately know what you want to do with the rest of your life. The fear of missing out on “adult” milestones is valid but can also be misguided. Do your research, make your plans, but if the thought of needing to figure out what you want to do after university is disrupting your daily life, you may need to re-evaluate the weight these plans carry. The thought of your future should be exciting, not scary.

You’re not alone

You don’t have to make these decisions alone. Lean on your community, family or friends for advice. The people who know you best will be able to help guide you in the right direction or at least help you consider things from another perspective.

There is always such pressure to have everything figured out right away and for the rest of your life. Your life is  long and will be filled with many mistakes as well as successes to share with those who come after us. So why not try new things and see if you like them? Finding the right career is full of trial and error.

The world around us is constantly changing and so are we. As we navigate the times we live in, there will always be something to worry or stress about and there will always be times when we feel behind or as if everyone else has things figured out. But that’s never truly the case.

So, what are your plans after university? Let’s find out together.

Dalhousie University swimmers’ program introduces elementary children to sports

Ethan Hunt
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Dalhousie University swimmers’ program introduces elementary children to sports

In 2023, Dalhousie University assistant swimming coach Madeline Shivgulam started the program “Hear Me Roar” to bring her varsity sports experience to elementary schools across the Halifax Regional Municipality. 

“Hear Me Roar” is a program created to motivate underprivileged children to join sports and get active with Dalhousie’s student athletes. The student athletes give an oral presentation to the children where the athletes share the impact sports has had on their lives. Then there is a hands-on component where the athletes run the children through games and drills specific to their sport. 

St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay Elementary, Clayton Park Junior High, Duc d’Anville Elementary School and John Martin Junior High are the home to this year’s presentations as the schools signed up for four workshops, two in the fall and two in the winter. 

Shivgulam approached co-captains of the women’s swimming team Elaine Gentleman and Emile Schofield to help organize the program. Both kinesiology students at Dal, the pair wanted to give back to the community as sports have had a huge impact on each of their lives. 

“I’ve had the opportunity and privilege to be a part of sport at a high level,” Gentleman said. “So I have a large skill set and a large understanding of physical activity to be able to use that to give back to my community.”

Schofield said she wanted to share her experiences growing up in sport and her time spent at Dal as a student athlete. 

“I love teaching younger kids, and sport is just one of my passions,” Schofield said.

Schofield said poor behaviour and illness is on the rise  in younger children and the program wants to help prevent this through physical activity.

The program focuses on swimming, track, soccer and volleyball where they have two athletes from the specific sport running through drills and activities.

The beginning

In 2023, Noah Mascoll-Gomes started “Making Waves,” which focused on introducing swimming to those who traditionally have less access to swimming lessons, specifically African Nova Scotians. 

Shivgulam was inspired by the program and wanted to expand past the walls of swimming. She focused on creating a program that brought sports, physical activity and exercise promotion all together. Shivgulam also hoped to introduce these workshops that had educational and physical aspects.

As Shivgulam exited sport as a player she was able to look back at the profound impact it had on her life and felt she had the resources at Dalhousie and from her time spent being a physical activity and health researcher to be able to give back to the community. 

“It’s time to give back and share this love with people who don’t necessarily get the opportunity to feel a part of something like I did,” Shivgulam said.

She said the program was different when she started compared to what it is today, which she credits to Gentleman and Schofield.

“We kind of put our cognitive power together,” Shivgulam said.

What a session looks like

The first 20 minutes of a session at a school is made up of the oral presentation from two student athletes. The athletes are to choose from a group of themes such as accountability, motivation, sportsmanship and resilience. During the presentation the athletes share their stories as athletes, as well as how they learned about the topic they chose and how they apply it to their day to day life. 

The remaining 40 minutes is made up of physical activity and workshops based on their chosen sport. For instance, the group of children may play soccer amongst themselves, participate in relay races for track, or take part in swimming or volleyball activities while trying to apply the topic from the presentation to their sport.

Shivgulam said the reason they wanted to have the presentation aspect of the program was to showcase how much athletes have learned from sport through storytelling.

“One of the really beautiful things about sport and being involved in sport is not just the sport such as the physical activity,” Shivgulam said. “But you gain so many experiences from it and it really shapes who you become as a human being.”

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