With the current digital age, social media usage continues to rise and seep into college campuses. The short-video format has been revealed to be the most addictive and equally the most harmful. Out of all the apps, TikTok takes the throne.

Results from an online survey presented by Active Minds and TimelyCare showed that 64.7% of college students reported feeling lonely in 2024.
Vice President for Student Life Sharra Hynes said Baylor is working to combat this issue by emphasizing community on campus, especially for freshmen, who Hynes said are among the most vulnerable to loneliness.

While food banks and delivery services look to solve the symptoms of food insecurity, Meraz said that poor nutrition is often linked to a lack of internal motivation. This, in turn, is caused by the increasing social isolation felt by many adults. According to the CDC, one in three report feeling lonely, and one in four say they lack social and emotional support.

“For many veterans, Veterans Day is a reminder that they are not alone,” Milian said. “Life can be isolating, and it’s important to remember that we are surrounded by others who share similar experiences.”

Although she graduated as a painting major, Olsen said she actually started off as a pre-med major and then switched to a math major before she circled back to her artistic abilities. She said the dissociation and isolation she experienced during COVID-19 in her freshman year paired with the influence of an art class she was taking at the time really allowed her to see she was meant to create.

The strongest tool we have as humans is our ability to connect, which requires emotional vulnerability and openness, not just with ourselves but also with others.

Whether you share the same interests as your parents or not, it’s important to take these years seriously. We’re all busy in college, but send your parents this article and let them know you love them. Maybe ask what they want to do sometimes. It can go a long way; trust me.

Our desire for independence has become self-destructive. Life has become a game where whoever holds out the longest before asking for help is the winner. But what do they win? It’s time to change the rules of the game. We win by admitting our weaknesses and allowing those who love us to fill in the gaps.

This realization that Charkalis’ journey isn’t too different from many of her peers’ seems to be a source of comfort. Charkalis said her goal is to bring a sense of community to the journey. She said when you aren’t alone in your walk with mental health, there seems to be far greater hope.