Ask Sophie: how to avoid student burnout

Ask Sophie: how to avoid student burnout

Maintaining balanced schedule means checking in with yourself, moving away from competitive mindset

As college students, we are fixated on individual productivity, and we often equate our self-worth with academic success. Yet, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is pushing us to let go of our unrealistic expectations on productivity. Let’s be honest: last semester was a nightmare. The endless stream of eLearning notifications, Teams...

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Switching up degrees takes a major plan

Switching up degrees takes a major plan

Changing majors: what you need to know

With increased student interest in exploratory major advising, two people familiar with the process share their advice for students who are considering changing their major. According to fall 2020 UTD enrollment statistics, out of 3,601 freshmen, only 92 were undeclared. But data from a study published by the US Department...

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Beefing up a student business

Beefing up a student business

Student finds meaningful connection through start-up jerky business

For business administration and marketing junior Johnathon Jones, his beef jerky business –  Jerky Jones – is more than just a side gig: it’s a connection to family and his place in the military community. Jones grew up with his father in the military, which meant frequent moves and substantial...

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Minecraft, blind dates, a relationship app – oh my!

Minecraft, blind dates, a relationship app – oh my!

Students get creative by socializing online

This spring, a Minecraft server, a virtual blind date project and an app dedicated to friendship-forming are just three of the newest ways UTD students can stay connected amid the pandemic.        Campus esports and the African Student Union are implementing new, experimental virtual projects intended to boost social interactivity this...

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Testing Testing – for COVID-19

Testing Testing – for COVID-19

Breakdown of COVID testing results on campus at start of semester

As North Texas sees more than 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 per day in the DFW metroplex, the results of UTD’s proactive testing program are encouraging. Vice President and Chief of Staff Rafael Martín – head of the COVID-19 Task Force at UTD – said that while testing capabilities were...

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Springing into in-person events

Springing into in-person events

Plans for student clubs to host their own events this spring

UTD’s decision to relax restrictions on in-person gatherings this spring may influence some students’ choice to stay on campus. Vice President of Student Affairs Gene Fitch said that UTD is expecting more students on campus in the spring than there were in the fall. “We’re expecting 3,200,” Fitch said. “We’ve...

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“We do not conduct campus celebrations of one of these state-mandated holidays: Confederate Heroes’ Day”

“We do not conduct campus celebrations of one of these state-mandated holidays: Confederate Heroes’ Day”

UTD Vice President Rafael Martín clarifies controversy surrounding holiday

Confederate Heroes’ Day – a state-mandated holiday that is incorporated into UTD’s winter break – is not celebrated by the university in any way. Questions were raised after the Presidential Town Hall last June when University President Richard Benson was asked why UTD students and staff aren’t given a holiday...

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Comparing COVID vaccines

Comparing COVID vaccines

What storage, distribution look likes for Pfizer, Moderna vaccines

As the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines increase in distribution, possible side effects and storage obstacles raise potential concerns. On Dec. 11, 2020, the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was approved and became the first vaccine administered to prevent COVID-19.  Just seven days later, the U.S Food and Drug Administration approved the second vaccine,...

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