Study Breaks - Fresh perspectives on pop culture from students across the United States.

A white U HAUL truck with a red line struck through it and a blue bush drawn on it races across a rainbow, heading to who-knows-where. Pink silk streamers floats off the ends of a pink bouquet placed above a banner with "Just Hitched" written on it in black ink. The streamers flutter in the air against a grey background, implying the speed at which the vehicle must be racing.

U-Hauling and LGBTQ+ Relationships: The Dynamics of Speed in Love

Love knows no speed limit, but within the LGBTQ+ community, there's a phenomenon that's driving relationships into the express lane.

Sarah Erin, Brooklyn College

April 22, 2024

A writer in a black sweater with square, rimmed glasses peers over his latest manuscript, glowing with a nefarious green light. In the faded background, a puppet sits and stares at him with an enthusiastic look on its face, twisted in the disturbing tone which belies only the most horrible fantasies.

Pages

The Life and Process of R.L. Stine

What best-selling children's horror author R.L. Stine can teach up-and-coming writers through his professional process.

April 22, 2024

Two women kiss in front of a red background with a yellow stream twining through it like a stream of silk. The woman on the left bears a pink hoodie and a ponytail embraces her partner, garbed in a black dress with her hair in an updo. Her hands are placed on the first woman's chest in an intimate gesture.

Film

“Saving Face” is the Best 2000s Queer Rom-Com You’ve (Probably) Never Seen

The 2004 film features a mother and daughter navigating new circumstances amidst cultural expectations with humor and sensitive, deft craft.

April 21, 2024

A young man with a blue shirt and orange hair stares, nay, is transfixed by smartphone. His eyes swirl in a whirling pool of red and yellow, drool crawling down his chin as the phone's light shines brightly in his face, contrasting against the dark purple background.

Doom-Scrolling Dooms Media as We Know it

Doom-scrolling is doing more than just ruining our attention spans: it is transforming news and media as an enterprise.

Brain listening to music on headphones in studying environment.

Background Bops: Why We Need Music to Focus

Have you ever noticed that you tend to clean faster or more efficiently when you have music on? Some people love 80s rock, others love lo-fi. What is it about music that constantly draws people

Student laughing at college humor magazine she is reading.

Marooned Lampoons: The Abandoned Art of College Humor Magazines

Many old universities have long-running humor magazines that, while once extremely popular, are failing to keep up with the culture.

An animated brain with a podcaster in front of an "On Air" sign.

5 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter

These are the best podcasts to listen to if you want to learn but can’t find the time!

College Burnout and BIPOC Students: Expanding Resources

Model minority myths and discrimination are just a few of the many challenges university students of colors face. Where are the resources to help them cope with these stressful situations, especially during a rigorous academic

FEATURED

Women wearing Latine fashion with colorful filters.

Latine Streetwear Fashion: An Evergreen Vogue and Indigenous Resistance to Whiteness

Latine swagger is timeless in the world of fashion. From 90’s Cholas in lowriders to modern-day streetwear and even “Hot Cheeto girl” aesthetics, Latine styles certainly make their mark.

Emily Diaz, DePaul University

For an article about the Percy Jackson Disney Plus series, two young boys stare into the sky. A young girl with braids stares off in a suit of armor. A lightning storm goes on in the background and a beast carries a figure by its neck.

TV’s Future Golden Boy: Percy Jackson, The Hero You’ve Been Waiting For

After almost 20 years, Percy Jackson and the series' long history of neurodivergent representation is getting the adaptation it deserves.

Havilah Sciabbarrasi, Florida State University

The Brilliance of Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Leading Ladies in Television

Insights into two of TV’s most beloved female leads, Lorelai Gilmore and Miriam Maisel.

Noah Hernandez, University of Texas at San Antonio

For an article about sonification of space data, a person sits cross-legged with head phones on staring off. A blue background with musical notes around them.

By the Way, the Universe Is Always Singing

How sonifications of space data are broadening horizons for interpretation and interaction between humans and the cosmos.

Farah Shah, University of Central Florida

What’s the Obsession with ‘Bluey’?

The fun-loving blue heeler and her sister, Bingo, have taken the hearts of millions across the world.

Natalie VanHecke, University of Texas at Dallas

Dark Cafes and Big Yellow Taxis—The Everlasting World of Joni Mitchell

Now in her 80th year on earth, Mitchell’s work continues to influence young generations of fans.

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

It’s Time to Talk About Filipino Food

An introduction to an underrated Asian cuisine.

Sydney Chastain, Florida State University

An illustration of Bridgit Mendler standing in front of a 30th birthday cake

Bridgit Mendler: Where Is She Now?

Despite never matching the fame of other Disney Channel stars, she left an undeniable impact on our childhoods.

Paul Hoskin, Weber State University

‘Star Trek’: Jake Sisko’s Coming of Age Story

One of Star Trek’s most relatable characters for kids and young adults to be on screen.

Sydney Chastain, Florida State University

Who Are P1Harmony?

K-Pop Group P1Harmony Enters the Music Scene With Their Single "Fall In Love Again

Emma Troise, Manhattan College

Easy-A UVA Classes

Ace these five simple and stress-free courses at the University of Virginia.

Sarah Deavers, University of Virginia

The Latin Lover Is Back and He Has A “Mustache Goatee Combo”

Your crush is a dud with a good barber and colonizer genes and your interest in him is based on a hollow perception of Latinidad. Oops!

Roberto Soto

Spanish Rock Band Airú Sparkles On Their First U.S. Tour

The Spanish rock band, Airú, transcends with a hopeful energy and quiet optimism on their first U.S. Tour.

Roberto Soto

Faded art of foods on decorative plates set out on a table with bright green, red and yellow colors.

More than Struggle: Palestinian Cuisine

An ode to the flavors of Palestine, a culture exemplified through their soulful cooking and heartfelt social traditions.

Farah Shah, University of Central Florida

What’s Behind Beyoncé and Taylor Swift’s Massive 2023?

Both veteran entertainers broke into new levels of popularity and success with their mammoth tours and film releases.

Avery Heeringa, Columbia College Chicago

For an article on the Weeki Wachee park, a woman in a bathing suit on a floating device while in water while mermaids swim below her.

The Wonders of Weeki Wachee

A roadside attraction brought mermaids, Hollywood and Elvis to Florida.

Sydney Chastain, Florida State University

LATEST

Culture·Thoughts

U-Hauling and LGBTQ+ Relationships: The Dynamics of Speed in Love

Love knows no speed limit, but within the LGBTQ+ community, there's a phenomenon that's driving relationships into the express lane.

Sarah Erin, Brooklyn College

Pages

The Life and Process of R.L. Stine

What best-selling children's horror author R.L. Stine can teach up-and-coming writers through his professional process.

Hamad Naroze, Hunter College

Film

“Saving Face” is the Best 2000s Queer Rom-Com You’ve (Probably) Never Seen

The 2004 film features a mother and daughter navigating new circumstances amidst cultural expectations with humor and sensitive, deft craft.

Archie Wagner, University of Iowa

YouTube

Doom-Scrolling Dooms Media as We Know it

Doom-scrolling is doing more than just ruining our attention spans: it is transforming news and media as an enterprise.

Cerasela Hanseter, University of California, Berkeley

Sounds

Background Bops: Why We Need Music to Focus

Have you ever noticed that you tend to clean faster or more efficiently when you have music on? Some people love 80s rock, others love lo-fi. What is it about music that constantly draws people

Mark StenbergandNatalie VanHecke, University of Texas at Dallas