Beyond Business: Why Every Student Should Attend the Women in Business Conference

On March 8th, I attended the 10th annual Women in Business (WIB) Conference, an event dedicated to celebrating leadership, empowerment, and networking among women in various industries. As an English major, I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, I found the experience incredibly inspiring, engaging, and insightful. The theme of this year’s conference, “Leading a Legacy: A Decade of Empowerment,” reflected not only the impressive ten-year milestone of the WIB Conference but also the long-lasting impact of inspiring women from StFX returning to celebrate.

The weekend began with a kickoff event at Candid, where students had the chance to connect, hear from alumni, and listen to keynote speaker Kathleen Sheridan. The evening ended on a high-energy note, leaving everyone excited for the next day’s events. The following day was filled with learning opportunities, starting with two engaging workshops led by Ambrosia Caplice and Myrna L. Gillis, where attendees learned about their personal experiences, advice, and essential skills for professional and personal growth. In the afternoon, the Generations Panel provided an opportunity for students to hear from alumni and ask questions about their journeys—both the challenges they faced and the successes they achieved in their respective industries. To close out the weekend, the impressive Dr. Beth McCharles and Nikki Doucet spoke as the gala keynote speakers, sharing their experiences as powerful businesswomen navigating the typically male-dominated sports industry. Overall, it was a weekend filled with empowering and diverse perspectives. During the conference, I had the chance to speak with one of the WIB Conference Directors, Erica Cameron, who shared that this milestone event had been in the works for nearly a year. The whole WIB team’s dedication resulted in a remarkable turnout—over 45 alumni and more than 100 student delegates participated in the event.

From my perspective as an English major, I found the conference especially eye-opening. While the business world might not be my primary field of study, the themes of leadership, perseverance, and professional development are relevant and applicable to any career. Listening to women who have built successful careers in male-dominated industries gave me valuable insights into the resilience and adaptability required to thrive in any profession. Hearing their personal stories, lessons learned, and advice for the future was both motivating and reassuring. As Erica reaffirmed, “Although the conference is run by WIB, our key values are to inspire leadership, empowerment, and networking—applicable to anyone.” The conference was an experience to learn more about the business world but also an event that reinforced that no matter what career path one chooses, the ability to be a leader, form connections and take risks is essential. I left the conference feeling empowered, and now, I encourage anyone who, like me, is a woman (not) in business to step out of their comfort zone and attend events like the WIB conference—you never know what could happen.

If You Were Looking for a Sign, this is It: Apply for Exchange.

When I accepted my offer to the University of Exeter last May, I was both excited and nervous. However, I knew I would regret it if I decided not to go. I knew that it was something I had to do because I didn’t know when or if I would ever have an opportunity like it again. If you too, have thought about going on exchange and have had these same thoughts, keep reading.

I moved to England in September, not knowing anyone. Truly, it felt like first-year move-in day all over again. However, not knowing anyone allowed me to put myself out there and meet new people. Over the last few months, I’ve been able to meet people from all over the world from places like New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, and Germany just to name a few.

Exeter is a small, quaint city in the south of England enriched with history and British charm. Although it is different from the small-town lifestyle at StFX, I have loved living in a city. You can walk everywhere. You can run to the grocery store to grab something quick for dinner and there are endless cafes, restaurants, pubs, and clothing shops. Truly, you don’t ever get bored. Living in a small city has been refreshing, giving me many different opportunities. I have been able to visit sites like the Exeter Cathedral, the on-campus Cinema Museum, and the Exeter Theatre. As well, the campus here is much bigger than StFX. The 25-minute walk–all uphill–is something I won’t miss; however, the campus is large, and there is so much to do on campus. There is a surplus of study spots, places to meet up with friends and places to grab a bite to eat between classes.

Outside of Exeter, I have been able to make it to many places on my bucket list like Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Truly, being able to take the train or fly an hour to a different country is something I will never get over. Although Exeter is about a four-hour train ride from London, I have been able to take many day trips by train to cities close by. Last month, I was able to go to Exmouth and Torquay, both small, seaside towns. From visiting these towns in England, I can confirm that it is true what they say, England is full of lots of old buildings, rolling hills and potentially the greatest number of cows and sheep I have ever seen.

As I am sitting here writing this, it's hard to believe my three months at Exeter are coming to an end. Just like every semester, it flew by. I realized that I was right: I would’ve regretted not taking the leap to study abroad. Of course, there are days when you may miss home, but living and studying in another country makes it all worth it. If you are ever considering applying for a study abroad at StFX, do it. Who knows where it will take you.  

Things I Will Be Doing as Soon as I Land in Canada.

As I reach my third month of living in England, I find myself counting down the days until I return to Canada with both sadness and excitement. There are so many things I have loved about living here. However, I didn’t think there would be many differences between living in England and Canada. After living in England for the last three months, I realized I was wrong. There are many important and fascinating differences that I have come across. From my personal experiences, here are some things that I am beyond excited for back home that I have missed while living in England. Or, if you are ever planning to visit England, here are some things that you should prepare for if you ever find yourself across the pond.

Using words without being misunderstood. I miss saying sidewalk instead of pavement, chips instead of crisps, cookies instead of biscuits, and movie theatre instead of the cinema. Truly, the list goes on and on. Yesterday, a friend came up to me and said, “I love your dungarees.” I was completely confused until she had to explain to me that dungarees are just another word for overalls. It's so interesting that even without a language barrier, there are so many words and phrases that differentiate themselves between Canada and England.

Driving. Oh, how I love getting my steps in, but I also miss being able to drive. Especially, if it's on the CORRECT side of the road. I never knew crossing the road could be such a challenge, but now, out of habit, I turn my head 360 degrees at every light to make sure I won't get hit by a car or a bike.

Walking without bumping into people. In Canada, we walk on the right side of the sidewalk. I thought this was universal knowledge. However, everyone here walks everywhere, in every direction. So, be prepared to walk in a zigzag line when you’re in a crowd just so you don’t bump into anybody. Oh, and if you’re a slow walker, forget about it.

Wearing sweatpants in public without being judged. Sometimes, you don’t want to wear jeans. Or cargo pants. Or even leggings. Sometimes, you just want to wear sweatpants to class. I love putting together a good outfit, and so does everyone else on my university campus in England. However, I do miss being able to wake up fifteen minutes before my 8:30 am class and wear my sweatpants to class just like everyone else.

Not having to carry my umbrella or “brolly” with me 24/7. If there is one thing people didn’t lie about, it’s the rain.  It rains here. A lot. Most of the time, if the weather doesn’t say it's going to rain, it will. Or, it will say it's going to rain and then never actually rain. Pro tip: Always have an umbrella on hand, or, as the Brits say, your “brolly.”

The Ultimate “Gift” Guide for A Stressed-Out Student

Oh, it's the most wonderful time of the year. You thought I was talking about the holiday season? No. It’s the day after your last final. The day when you can finally relax. The day when you can say goodbye to those late-night study sessions, backaches from sitting in the library for two weeks straight and, of course, the stress that’s been finally lifted off your shoulders. For the first time in a month, you can enjoy the holiday season and stop thinking about all the work you must do.

Soon, this will be you. But, until then, you must get through the dreaded three weeks of final assessments, essays, and exams. Many of you reading this are a stressed-out student yourself or know someone who is a stressed-out student. However, there are many ways to make this time of year (a little bit) better for yourself or those around you during the worst time of year: finals season. 

1.       Coffee

When it’s final season, purchases on coffee or a sweet treat do not count. I don’t make the rules. Some source of caffeine is essential to buy yourself or, if you are feeling generous, someone else. Getting yourself some caffeine is crucial to get you through the days when you don’t see the sun because you’ve been inside all day. 

2.                  Advil 

Headaches, backaches, and migraines are bound to happen when you are staring at your laptop for 15 hours a day. Even more likely when you are hunched over your desk trying to memorize 150 vocabulary words for your exam the following day. Pro tip: always keep Advil on hand. You or someone you know will thank you for it. 

3.                  A large sweater

It’s cold, gets dark at 5 pm and all you want to do is be curled up in your bed. But you can’t. The Alternative? Get yourself a large, preferably fuzzy sweater and get studying. It is the closest thing you’ll get to a blanket all day. 

4.                  Study snacks

The only way to get through a long study day is, of course, with study snacks. My choice: Something sweet for my sweet tooth and something salty for some balance. Sometimes if I need some motivation I’ll decide to purchase, for example, my $8 coffee and cake pop from Starbucks. It doesn’t really count if it's during finals season…does it?

5.                  New study supplies

The only way to somewhat enjoy studying is to make your notes enjoyable to write. Getting new study supplies before I know I'll be writing so many notes my hand will be cramping, helps me to somewhat enjoy writing my notes. Truly, getting some new pens, highlighters and cue cards is a foolproof method to make you want to write your notes. Even if your hand feels like it's going to fall off, at least your notes will look good.

6.                  A break

I know you’re probably stressed out because your exam is tomorrow, and you feel like you know nothing even though you’ve been in the library for hours. Hear me out: take a break. Go for a walk, visit some friends, watch a movie, bake some cookies. Really, do anything to take your mind off all the information you’ve just crammed into your brain. Taking occasional breaks is key to surviving this time of year.

Together, these six essentials to surviving exam season are the ideal combination to make this time of year a little better so we can get to the best day of the year: the day you hand in your final exam.

A Couple Spontaneous Days in Scotland

When you can barely keep your eyes open on the plane ride home, you know that it was a good trip. Recently, I traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland; a place that has been on my bucket list for years. During my study abroad, I made it my goal to travel as much as I could while still being able to study and go to (most) classes. My trip to Scotland was somewhat booked on a whim, but I’ve now realized spontaneous decisions are, oftentimes, the best decisions. A week prior, my friend and I decided that we wanted to take a trip to Edinburgh, so that’s exactly what we did. For a £50 return flight, we couldn’t turn the offer down.

When we landed in Edinburgh, we got in late and ventured to our hostel in the heart of the city. This was my first time in a hostel, and, honestly, not my last. I was hesitant to stay in a room full of fifteen strangers (sorry Mom), but truly, it was worth the price. The next morning, we got up early and took a trip to the Edinburgh Castle. If you ever find yourself in Edinburgh, you should definitely take a trip to the castle as it has spectacular views of the city and provides a detailed insight into the history of Scotland. After we spent the morning at the castle, we walked around the city and went to a pub for lunch. If you ever find yourself in the UK, the pubs here are a staple. The pub can be a great place for a quick bite to eat, a drink with friends and family or a place to go for a fun night out. In other words, no matter the occasion, the pub is the place to be.

Later that afternoon we walked around the city, visited the Scott Monument, and took a tour of the Edinburgh Dungeons. If I thought we couldn’t fit more into our day, I was wrong, because we had a busy night ahead of us. We went out for dinner at an upscale pizza joint and headed out to–you guessed it–a Pub. Our goal was to do a pub crawl; however, we only made it to one. Even though we only ventured to one place, it was a good choice. The pub was filled with live music, and we danced the night away until 2:30 am.

I woke up the next morning tired, but ready to conquer the day. We walked around the city, did some shopping, and headed to Upland’s Roast, a small coffee shop on campus at the University of Edinburgh. I think I had the best hot chocolate of my life. 10/10. Later, we headed to Glasgow to visit some friends. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it back on the 11:45 pm train from Glasgow back to Edinburgh. Am I surprised? Not at all.

We woke up bright and early the next day to catch the 7:30 am train back to Edinburgh to head home. From planes, trains, and automobiles it may have been the longest day of my life. However, our short, eventful, and jam-packed trip to Edinburgh was definitely worth the £50 return flight. If you ever get the chance to go to Edinburgh, or, go on any spontaneous trip, do it. You won’t regret it. Even though everything may not go as planned, you’ll have some good laughs and make some pretty good stories along the way.

March Horoscopes

Aries:

March 21-April 20th

This month, you are still in your yearly personal pleasure peak, showing a happy month ahead. After the 20th, you will enter an annual financial peak where earnings will be good. However, the solar eclipse has the potential to bring financial and personal drama into your life, so be mindful of the choices you make during this time.

Taurus:

April 21st-May 20th

You will have a happy month ahead! The solar eclipse this month marks changes that will impact how you present yourself. In other words, this month sparks opportunities that will allow you to redefine yourself. Additionally, there is potential for drama in romantic and platonic relationships during the eclipse.

Gemini:

May 21st-June 20th

With the solar eclipse this month, this month has the potential to be stressful with personal dramas in friendships and issues with technology. Additionally, students can experience changes or disruptions in their academic plans, but these changes can be good!

Cancer:

June 21st-July 20th

This month brings changes to your career and to those related to your career. With the solar eclipse, your finances will enter disruptions and you may need to make corrections to how you are spending your money. However, despite these disruptions, your career is going strong, and you are achieving success.

Leo:

July 21st-August 21st

With the solar eclipse this month, there are disruptions to foreign travel and to those who are college-level students. This can lead to changes in travel and education plans, so be cautious if you are travelling this month. Furthermore, there will be positive changes in your career, removing any roadblocks as you enter your yearly career peak.

Virgo:

August 22nd-September 22nd

This month brings changes to educational plans, but positive changes. However, it is important to note that the solar eclipse will provoke changes in your income and the incomes of those around you. Overall, this month will be a month of change, but it is a chance to make new goals and pay attention to how you can adapt to these changes.

Libra:

September 23rd-October 22nd

This month, relationships will be tested, proving the strengths and weaknesses in your current relationships. Furthermore, there are financial dramas in your life and the lives of those closest to you. Despite these changes, they are happening to make room for new opportunities and goals that will become important over the following months.

Scorpio:

October 23rd-November 22nd

With the eclipse this month, there will be changes in your career or dramas in the lives of you and your co-workers. With these changes will also come dramas in your personal relationships. In other words, this month is a good time to make changes to yourself and how you present yourself to others.

Sagittarius:

November 23rd-December 20th

The solar eclipse this month will impact your career and provide opportunities for potential job changes. Additionally, there will be changes to your health routine and if you are a student, there are disruptions at school and in your education plans. However, these changes can be good!

Capricorn:

December 21st-January 19th

This month is a good month to begin new projects or ventures. There will be shake-ups in your typical routine; however, these changes can be positive. As well, friends and family may experience personal dramas, so it is a good opportunity to prepare for change this month.

Aquarius:

January 20th-February 18th

There are many opportunities for love this month; however, the solar eclipse will also test your current relationships. Furthermore, the eclipse will impact those who are students as they will be facing changes in education plans. Additionally, there will be dramas in the home and in the lives of the family members.

Pisces:

February 19th-March 20th

This month, you will experience a yearly financial peak! With the solar eclipse, there will need to be changes in your financial spending and planning. Those who are students may face disruptions in their educational plans. Furthermore, there may also be changes to your career or current workplace.

Welcome to The Nish: Things Only StFX Students Understand

StFX has many traditions and special characteristics that make the school unique. I grew up in Ontario, where many of my friends went to larger universities and stayed within the province. When I was looking at universities, what drew me to StFX was its small classes, the small town, and the close-knit community—things that weren’t like other schools in Ontario. Truly, it sounded like a place that was the opposite of where my peers were going, and now that I am finishing off my second year here, I was right. I have come across many places, people, and things specific to this school that I know would surprise anyone who doesn’t go to X—especially students at other universities. So, here are five specific places and things that only StFX students will understand about X.  

1. X-Ring.

Most notably, the ring of recognition for completing a degree at StFX is a large contributor in making this school what it is. I cannot think of any other school that has a ring that is a milestone for students. Like most students at X, I am counting down the days until I get mine.

2. The One and Only (Literally): Piper’s Pub.

There’s a reason the Pub is always so busy: It’s because it's the only off-campus pub in town. However, there are Pub lovers and haters, so whatever your stance is I support it because I’ve had some great and not-so-great times at the Pub. Despite mixed opinions, the Pub is one of the only gathering spots off-campus and I believe it's one of the many reasons StFX is as close-knit of a community as it is. 

3. Crows.

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Antigonish just has a lot of crows. I know that any other school in a city would not be accustomed to the surplus of crows that swoop over our campus. Despite their high population on our campus, the crows (no matter how noisy they are) make StFX a place like no other.  

4. 4:30 Dome.

“Hey, want to go to 4:30 dome?” was a question I got asked throughout my first year at X. In fact, it became less of a question and more of a routine during my year living in residence. I know for myself and many others, meal hall was a place where many memories were made whether it was for “4:30 dome” or for Friday night recaps on Saturday mornings. If you ask any non-StFX students about “4:30 dome” they will probably think you are referring to The Dome Nightclub in Halifax or they will think you are crazy. Regardless, they will probably think you are crazy because no one goes to The Dome Nightclub at 4:30 pm.

5. Kenny’s vs. The Wheel

There has been a long debate over which local pizza joint is the best, but truly, they are both good in their different ways. If you ask any StFX student which pizza joint is the best, you will come across a variety of answers. But between me and you, I am (and always will be) a fan of The Wheel.

I could go on and on about what makes StFX so special and, truly, a place like no other. Because really, what other university has the third most well-recognized ring in the world, a crow population that (almost) outnumbers its student population, and has an ongoing, heated debate over two local pizza places? That’s right, nowhere. Despite discovering many of the places and things that most students at X have learned about, I am still learning about the little things that make this place unique. If you, too, are still learning, I hope this list could make you laugh, learn or that it could be a relatable source of life at X—welcome to the Nish.

March 2023 Horoscopes

Aries:

March 21-April 20th

This is a happy and eventful month ahead, with the potential for long-term changes happening! Overall, this month is your yearly personal pleasure peak, where love, money, creative and social opportunities are coming your way. Furthermore, there are many creative breakthroughs and possible supernatural experiences. This month also holds your independence peak, where any decisions you make should be made for you and not for others.

Taurus:

April 21st-May 20th

This month holds transformative opportunities for your career and work life. With these career changes also come changes in your social and love life. The month ahead is a social month, with opportunities to build friendships and networking opportunities in both your social circle and career circle.

Gemini:

May 21st-June 20th

This month is successful, the effort you have been putting into your work is finally paying off. Despite no major changes, this month is one of your strongest financial periods this year. Additionally, this month is social, with many opportunities to build on friendships and love.

Cancer:

June 21st-July 20th

March is a busy month! Despite this, any of the social or love-related stress you have been feeling will be reduced. This month is also your yearly career peak, with the possibility of promotions, pay increases or recognition for your hard work. Overall, this month proves to be successful in both your career and social life.

Leo:

July 21st-August 21st

Your intuition is running high this month. Specifically, you make good, focused decisions regarding your finances–this will pay off! This month presents the possibility for changes in your finances and your social circle after Mercury’s solstice–there will be a pause and a shift.

Virgo:

August 22nd-September 22nd

This month holds many changes for you! Furthermore, this month is your yearly love and social peak, but it is important to focus on the quality rather than the number of people you let into your life this month. This month is important for personal transformation and for making progress in yourself and your social circle.

Libra:

September 23rd-October 22nd

Many important events are happening this month. Specifically, concerning your family and career, there are changes. This month also holds your yearly love and social peak, having many opportunities–social and romantic. There will be new people, relationships and clarity in friendships and relationships this month.

Scorpio:

October 23rd-November 22nd

This month will provide clarity. Any issues involving health and career will become more focused and clear, allowing you to clear up anything that needs to be resolved. There will be many networking opportunities for your career, and possible promotions and pay raises in the career.

Sagittarius:

November 23rd-December 20th

There will be many changes this month. Specifically, your health, family and love spheres will be of importance and need attention. After Mercury’s solstice, there will be a pause and a shift of direction in your life and career. For many of you, this month will be a personal pleasure peak!

Capricorn:

December 21st-January 19th

This is an eventful month ahead! It is a great time to start any new projects or any tasks you have been putting off. For students, this month will bring success and enjoyment in your studies. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on the home and family life; however, there will be a success in your career of studies despite this focus on the family.

Aquarius:

January 20th-February 18th

This month, any stress you have been feeling regarding money, health and energy will be improved. Furthermore, this month will bring about a personal transformation that will last for the next several years. Additionally, you are at a yearly financial peak, which brings strong finances and success for those who are students.

Pisces:

February 19th-March 20th

This month is eventful, as you are in a yearly personal pleasure peak and financial peak! Additionally, this is a good month for love. There are many romantic and financial opportunities for you this month. Overall, the month ahead is extremely prosperous.

Sit Back, Relax, Grab Some Popcorn: Celebrate International Women’s Day from Your Screen.

March 8th marks International Women’s Day and what better way to celebrate than to sit back, relax, and grab some popcorn to watch some classics–new and old–that celebrate strong, empowering women. If you need some movie-watching inspiration, I have some favorites that will be sure to spark some form of female empowerment in your life.

 1. Legally Blond

Elle Woods proves that you can do anything you put your mind to…including Harvard Law School. This classic rom-com will have you laughing, crying, and just maybe convince you to apply to law school. Or, do anything you put your mind to, no matter who you are or where you come from.

2. Little Women

Louisa May Alcott’s 1869 Little Women novel is a classic; however, the novel's 2019 film adaptation reinforces the heartwarming and empowering story of sisters during the American Civil War. Each sister overcomes a societal struggle, but Jo, one of the four March sisters is a writer, breaking the boundaries of what is considered traditional or “ladylike.” Truly, the story of the March sisters showcases how women–whether it be in 1869 or 2023–can be the heroes of their own stories.

3. Wonder Woman

The 2017 film featuring Gal Gadot presents the epitome of an empowered, strong female lead. As Wonder Woman, Gadot attempts to stop and fights through war, understanding her true powers as a superhero and as a woman. To many, Wonder Woman has been portrayed as a peacemaker and a fighter for equality. In my opinion, what better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by watching Wonder Woman–the superhero that spearheaded female equality on and off screen.

4. The Hate U Give

The 2018 film adaptation of The Hate U Give is an eye-opening, empowering story that showcases systemic racism, activism, and relations with the police in present-day America. The film shows the story of Starr Carter, a young woman of color who has been affected by racism and is now an activist for the racism that she has experienced. The film showcases the intersectionality of race and gender that makes Starr such a powerful female heroine. Ultimately, the film encompasses how anyone can become a power figure–just like Starr.

5. The Hunger Games

If you haven’t seen The Hunger Games, you missed out on a central part of 2012 pop culture. In fact, it is one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time. If you are one of the few people who haven’t seen the series, International Women’s Day is the perfect time to grab a snack and watch the 548-minute series. Katniss Everdeen–the female lead in the films–is a strong, fearless female heroine that springboards the series to its success. Despite Panem–the dystopian world of the Hunger Games–being far from our reality, Katniss evolves into a leader by standing up for herself and everyone around her. Throughout the four-part series, Katniss sparks a flame, igniting change and just maybe inspiring you to do the same.

Monthly Horoscopes: January 2023

Aries:

March 21-April 20th

The month ahead is a happy month! From the retrograde, this month is a fast-paced, eventful month. This month is highly focused on your personal independence and is a good time to identify and plan your goals for the year.

Taurus:

April 21st-May 20th

This month, getting lots of rest is important as you are about to experience changes in your finances and career. In the month ahead you are bound for success in your education and employment.

Gemini:

May 21st-June 20th

This month your energy and health are good–it is a happy month ahead. However, there is a likelihood for moments of stress where your personal goals and judgments are not completely clear. This month, you are focused on your friendships rather than romantic relationships.

Cancer:

June 21st-July 20th

You are in your yearly social and love peak. You will have many opportunities for social experiences and bringing clarity to relationships. January also brings success in your career–there is a pause and then a change of direction. This change of direction is a good thing!

Leo:

July 21st-August 21st

This month your focus is on others rather than yourself. This month also brings a yearly social and love peak where you are in control and taking action. This month will also bring clarity regarding finances and your career.

Virgo:

August 22nd-September 22nd

This is a good, happy, and creative month for you. In both your career and personal goals, there is some fogginess, however, it will take until the end of the month for you to gain clarity. In your family and domestic life, there will be a pause and then a sudden shift.

Libra:

September 23rd-October 22nd

This month is highly focused on your emotional and domestic life. By the end of this month, you will gain clarity on these aspects. In regards to love, you are going outside of your normal boundaries with the potential to make powerful changes. You will have many social and romantic opportunities this month!

Scorpio:

October 23rd-November 22nd

In your finances, there will be a pause and a change. This month is more focused on your love and social life rather than your career with many opportunities emerging. You have social confidence and progress in your friendships and relationships. Lastly, intellectual activities–such as one’s studies–will be at a peak this month.

Sagittarius:

November 23rd-December 20th

The month ahead is fun and entertaining–especially in your friendships and relationships. Singles will have many opportunities for romantic opportunities. This month is your yearly financial peak where any financial issues will gain clarity.

Capricorn:

December 21st-January 19th

This month is a happy month. There will be many opportunities for social and romantic experiences. This month is also a period of high personal independence–now is the time to make changes and identify your personal goals! This month is also your yearly financial peak in planning and handling your money.

Aquarius:

January 20th-February 18th

You are feeling energized and healthy this month. Overall, health is great. This month there are many romantic opportunities for singles. As well, this month you reach a personal pleasure peak where you will look and feel good!

Pisces:

February 19th-March 20th

Overall, this is a happy month. Although there are some stressful moments, you are going outside of your typical sphere–in a good way! This month is highly focused on friendships and your social life is happy and active.

New Year, Same You: The Truth About New Year's Resolutions

2023 New Year's Resolution: to not make any more new year's resolutions. Here’s the thing about new year's resolutions, they’re meant to be broken. What I’m trying to say is, they are pointless. Yes, a new year can often signify a refresh, a new start; however, goals can be made at any point during the year. There is so much hype about being a better version of yourself once the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. In my opinion, it's because the idea of making yourself new is just a way to make ourselves feel better about all the things we didn’t achieve last year. 

I used to be an avid new year's resolution maker. That is until I realized that resolutions can be made at any time and anywhere. This isn’t to bash anyone who makes new years resolutions, I used to make them too. However, since I’ve stopped, I’ve lived my life without the pressure to be the best version of myself at the start of the new year. Even though it's a new year, it is also just another month, another day, really. Truly, I stopped following the notion of a “new year, new me.” However, I am not against making goals. In fact, I have some tips to make sure any goals you make–at any time–succeed.

1. Make sure they are sustainable–is it something you will actually want to do?

2. Why do you want to achieve it?

3. What is the long-term outcome?

In making these goals, don’t measure your success based on productivity. I used to define my days by how much I got done on my do-list, but, truly, making my daily goal of being productive made me feel like I achieved less because oftentimes, I didn’t check off every box on my to-do list. Because we measure our success through the idea of productivity, it really is rewarding when you wake up early, complete all your work and go to the gym. However, most days are not like this. In fact, measuring your happiness and success from productivity makes you think about everything you didn’t achieve. Yesterday, I woke up at noon, spent the day watching movies and did not cook any of my meals. Despite my unproductivity, I measured my day based on the enjoyment I felt from simply doing nothing.

With these tips, maybe you can give up the idea of a “new year, new you” and make some goals right now…or, in six months. Or, whenever you decide that you want to make a change in your life. What I’m trying to say is: stop pressuring yourself to become the “best” version of yourself right now. If you want to go lay in bed, watch some Netflix and do nothing, go for it. I promise you’ll thank yourself later.

November Horoscopes

Aries

March 21st-April 20th

This month there is less retrograde activity than the last, so projects that were put on pause will begin again. Life is busy, and you are outside of your comfort zone this month. Despite this, there are successes this month in your career and academics.

Taurus:

April 21st-May 20th

Things are progressing in your life after retrograde activity is greatly reduced this month. This is an eventful and joyful month ahead. This is a period for breakthroughs for students in their studies, they are likely to hear good news.

Gemini:

May 21st-June 20th

Your independence is not as strong as usual; however, positive outcomes from this month will come from others rather than yourself. This month also brings stability and improvement in love and finances. It is a good time to get rid of unnecessary things in your life in preparation for the new year.

Cancer:

June 21st-July 20th

This month planetary power is in the social house and is at its maximum all year. It is important to take care of others in order to bring good to yourself. There are many opportunities for singles to meet new people. In your career, you are outside of your typical realm, however, this month brings success.

Leo:

July 21st-August 21st

This month brings creativity and joy. You are outside of your comfort zone in finance, religion and career. There is an opportunity for travel, however, delays are likely. This month provides many employment opportunities and it is a good time to get jobs you have been pushing off.

Virgo:

August 22nd-September 22nd

Home and family issues are prominent this month, so it is important to focus on your emotional well-being. You will most likely spend more time with the family and at home this month. The month ahead is creative and fun as the pace of life quickens, and you tend to go out of your normal boundaries.

Libra:

September 23rd-October 22nd

As your love planet is still in retrograde, this month is valuable in making long-term decisions, specifically revolving around love. If you are a student, you are focused on your studies this month. It is a good time to read and study more as your intellectual faculties are stronger than usual.

Scorpio:

October 23rd-November 22nd

Mars is in retrograde this month and you are outside of your typical routines regarding health, career and love. You will have job opportunities and are also at a yearly financial peak. Many goals are being achieved and students will succeed in their studies.

Sagittarius:

November 23rd-December 20th

This month you produce maximum personal independence and prioritize your happiness. There are many job, travel and romantic opportunities this month. You also are entering a yearly financial peak while going outside your boundaries in all aspects of your life.

Capricorn:

December 21st-January 19th

This month holds many career opportunities. With these opportunities, there are earnings; however, delays are likely. As well, within the family and the home, there is happiness and excitement, with the possibility of movement from the home.

Aquarius:

January 20th-February 18th

This month, someone in your social circle is acting out of their typical realmña trend with many of the planets this month. With this out-of-boundary change, life is moving fast, but you are going at your own pace. You have a happy month ahead, prioritizing yourself.

Pisces:

February 19th-March 20th

Career is a primary focus this month and you are progressing within your career. There is financial prosperity happening this month; however, it is much slower than usual. Your social life this month becomes very active, specifically after the 22nd.

Take a Break, You Deserve It

When I was younger, I would start listening to holiday music, put up decorations and begin counting down the days till Christmas on November 1st. I was the epitome of a kid with holiday spirit. I think that part of me is still there, longing to come out; however, as a university student, things are a little bit different now. Instead of doing all of those things, I countdown the days till my last exam, thinking about all my assignments and papers to do, and how on earth I am going to do it all.

Thinking back to when I had that excitement for the holiday’s made me wonder how I can bring it back. Or, at least a piece of it back. No matter if you do or don’t celebrate anything during the holidays, this time of year can be stressful for students as the dreaded darkness of daylight savings–and exams–takes over our lives. But between all the business, I think we can all make some time to take a break. Truly, the beginning of December used to be filled with anticipation and excitement, but it’s now filled with long hours of studying, procrastinating and stressing about procrastinating. However, this year is going to be different. This year, aside from finals, we can do a little something to make the long, dark days of December a little brighter.

Firstly, I recommend baking something. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but by taking an hour out of your day, you can procrastinate by baking instead of scrolling on TikTok for hours. Even better, you get a pretty sweet reward for your hard work in the kitchen. After you bake something, you may as well watch a movie. Personally, I prefer holiday movies around this time to distract myself from everything I’m avoiding doing. Some of my favorites include Home Alone, Christmas With The Kranks and The Holiday. If you are feeling like taking a break from your studies and really getting in the Holiday spirit, the town of Antigonish is putting on A Hometown Christmas with events throughout December–check out the schedule below!

All I’m trying to say is, there are ways this December doesn’t have to be as dull as it seems. Despite the dreaded dark days of finals season, you can do something small, like bake some cookies, watch a movie or go and distract yourself from that exam you’ve been dreading. By bringing back that excitement for this season, it makes the finish line for finals appear just a little bit closer. So, take a well-deserved break, you deserve it.

Exchange at StFX: What You Need to Know

International exchange applications are now open for the 2023-2024 school year! To be eligible for exchange, you must be a student going into their second or third year of study, have a GPA above 70%, have at least 30 credit hours, and not be on academic probation. If you are interested in participating in the exchange program, it is important to meet with an Education Abroad Advisor to ensure you are eligible and to help you begin the application process! If you are interested in meeting with an Education Abroad Advisor, email exchange@stfx.ca.

The application process entails the preparation of application documents, filling out a preliminary study plan, and an interview before being granted final approval. If you want to participate in the exchange program for the 2023-2024 school year, the final deadline to submit applications is January 15, 2023. Check mystfx.ca for eligibility requirements and the list of countries with partner schools below to see which university you are eligible to attend: Barbados, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom.

Antigonish Just Has a Lot of Crows

Fall: the season of changing leaves, warm sweaters, and apple pie. Truly, the list is endless. However, I have also decided that fall in Antigonish has some of its own traits. Fall in Antigonish is the season of crows. As the warm, sunny days of summer draw to a close, the clouds that linger over campus call the crows back. If you do not know what I am talking about, listen closely and you’ll hear them.

I first noticed the high number of crows last year. Around the middle of October, each morning, I began waking up to a new alarm clock: the crows. This may sound like an over-exaggeration, but I know I, and many others, have also woken up to the sounds of…nature. By nature, I mean the sound of those black birds that flock to our campus each fall. Over the course of last year, I became accustomed to the 6 am wake-up calls and to the fact that Antigonish has a lot–and I mean a lot–of crows.

I had thought, perhaps, it was my location on campus or pure bad luck that attracted the hundreds of crows that sat outside my window. I was wrong. Last week, I woke up to the familiar sound of what was often my alarm clock last year. After being woken up, I opened my curtains and looked out to see the hundreds—or what felt like thousands— of crows sitting on the wire and swooping in circles above my house. That leads me to today, where I have realized that I either have really bad luck, or, most likely, Antigonish just has a lot of crows. Having explained my experience to many people, I’ve concluded that I am not the only one who thinks there is an absurd amount of crows. Every person I’ve told my story to has had a similar encounter.

Nonetheless, this shared experience means two things: firstly, I do not have bad luck and more importantly, Antigonish does have a lot of crows. I took the liberty of looking into Antigonish’s crow problem and discovered an article written in 2007 by Bruce Muschel, where he stated that, at the time, there were thousands of crows in Antigonish. In fact, the town used high-technology devices to drive the crows away. Last year, I even came across the crows on social media. Specifically, the Instagram account, @stfx_murders showcases the heavy presence that they have taken on campus. The account features sightings of crows on campus and yet again, proves that there are too many crows in Antigonish. From my research and surveying, I can conclude I am not going crazy. Like everyone else, I am, in fact, seeing a copious amount of crows swooping around StFX. Despite past efforts to remove them, I believe that if the crows ever left, they all came back.