In a world that’s more politically charged than ever, sometimes holiday dinner tables can feel more like war zones and conversations turn into cross-examinations. Between outdated political beliefs and an influx of propaganda, it frequently feels like the weight of changing our parents’ beliefs falls on us, making holidays seem more like interventions.

Despite the addictive nature of phones, there is a solution to the ever-consuming algorithm — a better way to educate oneself, to engage in critical thought and expand one’s worldview. I propose returning to the original form of entertainment, the humble paperback book.

I had a routine every morning. I’d turn on the light, get out of bed, make my bed, put on my clothes, go to the bathroom and head downstairs. This routine was so ingrained in me that I could literally do it in my sleep, and I know this because I did so multiple times.

Here’s a reminder to slow down and celebrate yourself. Celebrate the mornings you have woken up and made it to that 8 a.m. class. Celebrate the moments you decided to keep studying instead of hanging out with your friends on a random Saturday. Celebrate being present, being persistent and being proud of how far you’ve come — even if you’re still figuring out what’s next.

Before there were comments sections and quote tweets, there were letters to The Lariat — and Baylor students have never held back. From chef salad complaints to prison pen pals, the opinion page has always been where the campus found its voice.

One of the projects we’re especially excited about this semester is the redevelopment of the airport shuttle service between campus and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

It seems that Baylor’s happy-go-lucky, rainbow-sunshine demeanor is restricting people from telling the truth about their lives, for fear of being judged by the seemingly picture-perfect peers that surround us. This phenomenon seems unique to Baylor.

In the academic model, the measurement of success can become a bit murkier. One contributing factor to the lack of clarity is the issue of where you, as a student, sit in the flow of the academic transaction. You might see yourself as the customer or you might be the product. It presents a few questions: the first is who determines that and the second is what is the difference.

Baylor is commonly recognized as a Baptist university, but as the school has grown and modernized, many denominations have made their mark on it. With so many different viewpoints of Christianity surrounding students, it is important to remember the Lord’s original command for us to love each other.

Many of us struggle with anxiety because we do not give ourselves time to breathe. When was the last time you took a day to yourself? When was the last time you spent your morning solely on journaling or working through a devotional? When was the last time you intentionally reflected on what areas of life you need growth in or what you’re most thankful for?

When describing overthinkers, their thought process can be compared to a scribble on a piece of paper, whereas lateral thinking follows a more direct path from A to B. The benefit of overthinking is how many observations and conclusions one can make when they aren’t thinking laterally. It’s truly a gift when overthinkers can pick up small details that others wouldn’t have thought of.

With the integration of AI in job boards and a never-ending list of “preferred” and required experience, finding a job or internship has never been harder. But in the same vein, getting the experience required to check all the boxes is extremely accessible, cheap and not time-consuming.

The two-block stretch, beginning at the intersection of Bagby and Fifth Street followed by the Bagby and Fourth Street intersection, is something I dread. It’s the ultimate patience tester.

Jones said it’s tragic that abortion became so politicized, but it is, and now it’s voters’ responsibility to bring about the change they want.

“I would say it is totally worth doing, even without the salary, just because this what I’m chasing,” Phnom Penh, Cambodia, senior Laura Workman said. “This is what I’m passionate about and what I want to do with my life. Being paid is a great bonus, but I would do it again without the salary.”

Even in Central Texas, Baylor Bears find a way to spend time on the water. The Sailing Club has long been a part of the university’s history, participating in competitions and leisurely sailing since the 1970s.

Students who are signed up for Baylor Missions’ spring break trips will be opting out of a beach vacation this year, traveling instead to the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Amsterdam, Madrid and Japan.

Katie Klingstedt, coordinator of international programs, said the hope for the program is that international students get to see what it’s like to live in America outside of a college campus. They are matched with a domestic student, a faculty member or a local family to meet with once a month for a semester.

Every year, Baylor celebrates Presidents’ Day with a trivia contest hosted by the political science department. Professors and students go head-to-head in a competition that tests their presidential knowledge.

Baylor’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. hosted Jazz ‘n Stanzas on Monday evening in the SUB den. The event was in conjunction with Black History Month and included a variety of performances, from singing to reading poetry.

“The idea behind this season of prayer is that we pray for our college students, who are our next generation of leaders,” Dr. Charles Ramsey, director for campus ministries and church connections, said. “If they are the leaders of the future church, surely we have the time in our day to invest in them and support them.”

The Martin Museum of Art recently introduced a new exhibit, In Pursuit of Light: Women in Photography, to reflect on women’s role in the art form. Allison Chew, director of the Martin Museum of Art, said that the exhibit focuses on how female artists relate to the concept of light — and that it was created in part as a nod to the solar eclipse taking place in April.

Baylor in Washington is hosting a mixer Wednesday to advertise the program and recognize the students who are participating at its offices this semester..

“We encourage all members of our community to participate in our democratic process by casting their ballot on Election Day,” Farmer-Neal said in an email. “It’s one of our most important rights and privileges as Americans.”

Through Transformation Waco AfterSchool Academies, a group of Baylor students serve as power math coaches, tutoring elementary school children in Waco and helping them prepare for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness math test.

In 1987, Baylor began the first college Habitat for Humanity chapter. During COVID-19, the chapter’s impact was stunted for two years, however this year the volunteers were able to engage with the community and assist in building houses around Waco.

Biden announced his candidacy through a three-minute video montage of him and Vice President Kamala Harris speaking with constituents.

Although easy to forget, Baylor athletics stayed busy over the Labor Day weekend, and we’ve got the lowdown in case you missed it.

Students have engaged in a verbal gunfight that has resulted from the proposal of The Campus Personal Protection Act, introduced by Texas State Sen. Brian Birdwell in early January.

The bill has already resulted in a petition by Baylor professors. Now, students are going vocal.

“I think everyone should have the right to carry a concealed handgun anywhere they want,” Brownsville senior Ruben Pizana said. “But there are restrictions for a reason. I think the concealed carry process should be at least five times harder.”

Baylor students living in New York as a part of the Baylor Communication in New York program said the wind and rain from Hurricane Sandy were nothing — compared to the disruption in the public transportation system.