Skip to content
Search articles
NewsSportsOpinionsInside BeatVideosPodcastsHoRUAbout

Vanessa Darkoa

Vanessa Darkoa is a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore majoring in English and minoring in history and education. Her column, "As It Is," runs on alternate Mondays.

Opinions

DARKOA: Passions are overrated

Many of us have heard the phrase “find your passion” time and time again. At some point in our lives, motivational speakers, teachers, parents, friends and even grandparents have advised us that it would be in our best interest to find our “passion” in life. Oct 21 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: Your well-being cannot be neglected

Now that we are in the midst of the fall semester, many students (including myself) are experiencing the full pressure of what it means to be full-time college students. We need to face it — academics are not easy. Aside from attending roughly 320 to 480 minutes of lectures each week, many of us are also grappling with work, extracurricular commitments, sports teams and clubs.Oct 7 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: University degrees will always be worth it

In the new age of internet stardom and social media influencers, many young people are ditching school in pursuit of easier but lucrative careers. Not a day goes by that I do not hear a peer of mine proclaim how much they would rather be a wealthy YouTuber or a TikToker. In fact, a recent study found that more than 86 percent of Generation Z and millennials would prefer posting internet content in exchange for money.Sep 23 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: American teachers deserve more respect

The teacher shortage is a real issue impacting many schools across the nation. While teaching has always been considered a noble profession, fewer people are going into the profession now than ever before. It is important to acknowledge that teachers, the good and the bad, have more of an impact on the lives of children than many people would like to admit.May 3 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: Fast-food workers deserve better working conditions

Fast food has been a part of the American culture since the 1920s. Fast food is always available, whether you do not feel like cooking or are simply looking for a quick bite. In fact, as of 2019, the fast-food industry is worth a staggering 648 billion dollars and on average, Americans consume about 50 billion burgers per year. And while we may be familiar with the different chains and the meals they offer, it seems as though no one ever really stops to think about the workers, who are the backbone of these businesses. Apr 19 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: Fast fashion has dangerous consequences

Many millennials and Zoomers alike have grown up in the age of mass consumerism. We have all heard of the phrase, “shop 'til you drop,” and for some of us, this is how we are used to spending our money. Shopping malls are always the go-to weekend place, and with online shopping at our disposal, purchasing an entirely new wardrobe has never been easier.  Like so many Americans, I had become accustomed to this way of life.Apr 5 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: Quitting social media can improve your quality of life

So many of us spend hours mindlessly scrolling through our different social media feeds. It seems as though a new application is developed every few years and escaping the social media frenzy often seems next to impossible.Mar 22 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: Racial color blindness dismisses struggles faced by marginalized communities

We have all heard of color blindness before. For some, it is a physical condition that affects the ability to see color correctly. For others, it is an excuse to use when they want to avoid having uncomfortable conversations about race in America. Mar 1 2021
Opinions

DARKOA: For Black students, taking up space can be act of resistance

Taking up space. At first glance, it sounds impolite and inconsiderate. And yet, for those whose very existence has been suppressed for so long, it is one of the most radical acts of self-acceptance.Feb 15 2021