Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design, Author at Study Breaks

Are Manic Pixie Dream Girls the New Barbie Doll?

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Though the characters may seem empowered, in reality, they’re just repackaging misogynist concepts in new ways.…

January 26, 2017

Courtney Cook on Why You Need to Stop Apologizing for Art

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

In both her creative writing and visual art, the University of Michigan student is a testament to the power of confessional expression.…

January 19, 2017

The Cling Rap: Dealing with Overly Attached Friends

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

The line between being a good friend and being an overbearing one is thin. Here’s how to walk it.…

January 11, 2017

Virtual Reality vs. Real Expectations

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Virtual reality has been a popular concept for decades. Now that it’s here, how does it stack up to its sci-fi predecessors?…

January 6, 2017

Why I Regret Choosing a Small Campus

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Ultimately, the same things that attract you to a small campus as a freshman will be the reasons you get bored of it as a sophomore.…

January 1, 2017

How Having Non-English-Speaking Parents Affects the College Experience

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Though translating everything can get tedious, it does come with its advantages.…

December 23, 2016

Industrial Design Major Sevgim Akcakil Has Invented the Perfect Pot

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

The SCAD student created the 'Propago Pot,' a wooden, geometric container that eliminates the need to repot plants.…

December 14, 2016

Making Christmas Scary: Why Do Christmas-Horror Films Exist?

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

The Christmas-horror genre combines the spirit of the holidays with spooky, chair-gripping fear—and it’s awesome.…

December 7, 2016

The Human Mail Challenge and the Dangers of YouTube Trends

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Come on guys, didn’t we learn enough from the Cinnamon Challenge?…

December 2, 2016

How Black Friday Differs Overseas

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Sure, Black Friday exists in other countries, but when you’re not in America, nobody gets trampled for a discounted TV.…

November 23, 2016

College Campuses Are No Longer a Safe Place For Expressing Your Political Opinion

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

College campuses have always been centers of discourse and respectful debate, but has the outcome of this election altered that trait forever?…

November 16, 2016

Make Writing Great Again: Learning How to Give and Receive Feedback in Workshops

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Don’t be the guy who can’t handle some constructive criticism; use the guidance of your peers to make your pieces stronger together.…

November 9, 2016

Why Senioritis Can Trigger a Sudden Hate for Your Major

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Do you really hate your finance major, or are you maybe just a tad overtired?…

November 2, 2016

Is Urban Exploration an Adventurous Time-Killer Or a Total Nightmare?

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Exploring uninhabited, “haunted” buildings can lead you to some crazy, inspirational findings, but it can also leave you running for the hills.…

October 26, 2016

We Don’t Want Trump: The Perspective of International Students

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

If Donald Trump becomes the next president, most international students will choose to pack their bags and head home to avoid his xenophobic racism.…

October 19, 2016

Why Your Parents Worry about Study Abroad Programs

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

When you want to relocate across the globe for a semester, your parents can’t help but worry.…

October 13, 2016

The Struggles of Looking for a Job When You’re an International Student

Help Wanted: Why International Students Struggle to Find Jobs

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

A student visa restricts international students to working solely on campus, but it isn’t always easy to find a helpful employer at school.…

October 5, 2016

When Does Casual Drinking Become an Alcohol Problem?

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Turning 21-years-old is exciting, but don’t let too many beers ruin your year.…

September 28, 2016

Suggestions

Suggestions

Maria Alvarado, Savannah College of Arts and Design

Major

Writing