alyssa kennedy

The Argument

Schools still teach children that Thanksgiving marks the day that Pilgrims met helpful Indians who gave them food, farming techniques and other strategies to overcome the New England cold. It is now clear that is not what happened. In reality the Pilgrims brought diseases that wiped out some of the Native American population and overall they took over their land. 

The History 

The first official mention of a “Thanksgiving” celebration occurs in 1637, after the colonists brutally massacre an entire Pequot village, then celebrate their victory. Years later, President Washington first tried to start a holiday of Thanksgiving in 1789, but this has nothing to do with Indians and settlers, instead it’s intended to be a public day of “thanksgiving and prayer.”

The Current 

Many people question the celebration of Thanksgiving, and the reasons behind it. Many just live in ignorance of the issue, and use it as a day to celebrate, eat good food, and drink. The main concern at this point in time is ensuring everyone is aware of the origin of this holiday, and continuing to educate those, CORRECTLY.

The Future 

No matter where you are in North America, you are on indigenous land. There is no need to make Thanksgiving about a false past. Though we don’t necessarily celebrate the way the Native Americans were treated, we celebrate the time to come together with family. 

Seogwipo, South Korea

On the south side of Jeju Island, Seogwipo is home to cliffs, popular beaches and gorgeous waterfalls. The volcanic-rock cliffs located around Jungmun beach are beautiful. I’m mostly excited to eat yummy Korean food. 

Florence, Italy 

The city is noted for its culture, Renaissance art and architecture and monuments. I would come here for the food and amazing museums and buildings. 

Railay Beach, Thailand

Cut off from the rest of the mainland of Krabi province by high limestone cliffs, Railay Beach is only accessible by boat, making it one of Thailand's most peaceful and beautiful beaches. It is also secluded making it feel as though you’re on a private island. 

Praia Dona Ana, Portugal

Surrounded by cliffs, this small beach outside of Lagos is one of the most beautiful in Portugal's Algarve region. It feels like it’s straight out of a movie. It is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The beach is accessible by a small set of stairs and is surrounded by cliffs. The water is clean and clear, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors can find a number of restaurants and cafes in Lagos, as well as a variety of shops and boutiques.

Rhossili Bay, Wales

The UK has some gorgeous beaches—even if the weather isn't ideal for sunbathing. Rhossili Bay on the tip of Gower Peninsula in Swansea is gorgeous, just the flowers themselves are stunning with the ocean. This is a must-see for me.

Green, Black, and White 

Pure tea is consider only to be green tea, black tea, and white tea. They are all derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, which originates in China and India, and contains antioxidants called flavonoids. A type of flavonoid called ECGC, is known to help against cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries. All these teas also have caffeine and theanine, which affect the brain and increase mental alertness.

Green Tea

 Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may prevent the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, etc., prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels.

Black Tea

 Made with fermented tea leaves, black tea has the highest caffeine content. Black tea is also in the flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.

White Tea

 Uncured and unfermented. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas.

TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, and people are spending more time than ever scrolling on the app. TikTok is known for their short and sweet videos. When you’re on the app, you can casually scroll through hundreds of videos in a matter of minutes if you wanted to. Attention spans are on the decline, any user of the app will admit how it can sweep you in to the unlimited amounts of videos, ranging from cooking one second, to cats the next. “Although we don’t yet have longitudinal research, there is no question that TikTok affects the brain, and children’s brains are still developing into their early to mid-20s,” said Jessica Griffin in Verywell.

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain in which attention, impulse inhibition, and memory are focused. This part of the brain is not fully developed until about the age of 25. Several existing studies proove that technology in general can and does harm young people’s impulse control and the ability to value delayed gratification. This is what keeps you scrolling endlessly until your fingers lose circulation. 

“Short videos, like candy, provide a rush of dopamine, a feel-good chemical that’s released in the pleasure center in our brains,” Griffin said. “That rush often leaves you wanting more—like kids in a candy store.” This makes it harder for people, especially teens, to step away from the app and highly challenging for them to transition to more productive activities. I can speak for this firsthand, there have been countless times when I have several assignments I need to get done, but I catch myself needing to lay in bed to scroll through tik tok first. It’s addicting, it’s relieving, like a drug almost. It helps me focus on something, many things at that, and it gives me useful information, why could that be so bad? 

Negativity Bias 

The negative bias is our tendency to pay more attention to the negative aspects of things, we’re also more prone to dwell on things that go wrong, compared to the ones that are successful. This phenomenon helps explain why negative first impressions can be so hard to overcome and why traumas can have such lingering effects on our lives. 

The Science Behind It 

This is not necessarily our fault, or controllable. It is programmed into our brains from years of evolution. It’s our natural instinct to be in “survival mode” because cavemen basically relied on that instinct to continue living. Cavemen along with many others of course… 

We Aren’t Cavemen Anymore

Our focus on negative things is rooted in how our attention works. Although we don’t need these survival instincts to survive anymore, it still affects our day-to-day thoughts and decisions we make. You might be asking yourself, if we’re hardwired to think negatively, all of the time…. How will we ever be happy? 

Break the Pattern

There are several things you can do to overcome negativity bias, although it takes energy and motivation. 

• Be aware of the negativity bias. Know it’s there, and understand what it means, use this to process your thoughts accordingly. 

• Establish new patterns. If you feel yourself going into a negative thought. Stop and reframe, think about the true reason for this particular thought. 

• Replay the positive times. It’s easy to think about negatives all of the time, and dwell on what you could have done better. But, it’s important to take into account the good times. If you’re only concentrating on the negatives, you can’t expect to be happy.

When it comes down to it, I joined a sorority for the friends and deep rooted connections. There were several reasons I wanted to join, but overall that sums it up. 

I have always valued deep rooted and close friendships. Every personality/values quiz, loyalty was my top trait. The friends I have are the friends I’ve had for years. Not that I’m not up to making new friends and opening myself up, because that’s exactly what it took to join a sorority, but I do highly value the people that have been there for me in the long term. 

Most of the girls that go through recruitment have the same ideology and are heavily concerned with making deep rooted friendships, especially when you’re at a new place like college. A lot of the girls that go through recruitment may not even be freshmen. A lot of the girls in my pledge class are sophomores. This is mainly due to the fact that they didn’t want to go through recruitment during the Covid season.

Joining a sorority was great and brought me so many friends that radiate love and loyalty. I recommend this to anyone who values friendships, like me.

Marine Bio

One of my favorite classes I’ve ever taken was Marine Biology in high school. One specific topic caught my attention, whales and their ability to use echolocation. 

Night Vision

Echolocation is a method toothed whales and dolphins use and rely on to help navigate their way through the sea. They also use echolocation to hunt in the pitch dark. The whale produces high-pitched sounds that bounce off objects and are reflected back to the whale. This helps the whale navigate its way through the water as if it could see the layout of the land. 

Nothing New 

Whales and dolphins are not the only animals that use echolocation. There are thousands of species that use this such as bats, toothed whales, and some small mammals. Animals have several methods for echolocation, from vibrating their throats to flapping their wings.

How Exactly? 

Dolphins and other toothed whales echolocate through a specialized organ, dorsal bursae. The dorsal bursae sits at the top of their head, very close to the blowhole. A fat deposit is in this area, called the melon, which decreases resistance to soundwaves, between the dolphin’s body and the water, making the sound clearer. Another fat deposit from a whale’s lower jaw up to its ear clarifies the echo that returns from prey, such as fish or squid. This ultimately helps with hunting and navigation. 

What is Microdosing?

Microdosing psychedelics is the practice of consuming very low doses of a psychedelic substance, such as LSD or mushrooms. Microdosing is becoming more common, but there is not enough substantial long-term evidence of its effects. Microdosing involves taking roughly one-tenth the “trip” dose of a psychedelic drug, an amount too little to trigger hallucinations but enough, its proponents say, to sharpen the mind.

What are the Benefits?

Many people share the idea that microdosing with psychedelics enhances one’s mood, creativity, concentration, productivity, and ability to empathize with others. The company, Compass Pathways has received FDA approval for a “Phase 2B” clinical trial of psilocybin, mushrooms, (in larger-than-microdoses) for treatment-resistant depression.

Is This Safe?

The War on Drugs in the 60s provided scientists and researchers with information on the safety of mushrooms and LSD. This research has been reviewed over the last 5 to 10 years and has been promoted for further investigation. Psilocybin, mushrooms, are generally thought to be safe in low dosages and have been used for centuries by indigenous peoples. However, a large dose can result in a negative experience, some have even described it as traumatic.

Real Life Experiences 

According to the National Library of Medicine, they conducted on individuals who microdose. They tracked the experiences of 98 microdosing participants, who provided daily results of psychological functioning over a six-week period. 63 of these also completed measures of their tapping mood, attention span, and well-being. Some reported “mystical” experiences, uplifted personalities, creativity, and a sense of agency and purpose. Analyses of pre and post-study measures showed reductions in reported levels of depression and stress; lower levels of distractibility, and increased absorption. 

Start From the Beginning

I was a junior in high school taking the SAT, procrastinating studying. Trying to watch Khan Academy videos without having to pay some crazy amount for an SAT class. In hindsight I definitely recommend paying for those crazy expensive classes, that’s not the thing to be skimping on. Soon after, comes the college applications. This took weeks to complete, luckily for me, test scores were optional. Meaning I didn’t have to submit my SAT score, instead, I only submitted my GPA. 

Constantly Doubting the Process

The entire application process filled me with doubt. I managed to convince myself that I was doing everything wrong. I was scared my application was wrong, somehow, in some way. Luckily, that was not the case. 

Decision Time

I got my college decisions back senior year. You think it will get easier but it doesn’t, it’s just more decisions that need to be made. Now comes the time to compare prices and your needs, and realistically choose where you want to go. My mind changed a couple of times, but ultimately I chose the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. 

The Pay Off 

All of the stress and burdens of the heavy decisions and hard work paid off. I was finally settled on a decision, I had the entire summer to be excited about the new school I was attending. I moved in on August 20th, and still to this day I am satisfied with where the process brought me. I love my roommate and I have even joined a sorority since coming to school. I have met so many new friends and couldn’t be happier. Before leaving home, I was worried I would be homesick at my new school, but that’s not the case. Of course, I miss my mom, brother, and cat, and that’s probably the hardest part. But, I have never felt more independent and happy about my place in life right now. Knock on wood. 

Walking the Loop at Wrightsville Beach 

The loop follows the road that leads to the beach. It’s a trail accommodated for walkers, runners, and even walking your dog. It’s roughly a 2.5-mile walk that circles the heart of the town. I love walking the loop with my sorority sisters, they bring their dogs and we take cute pictures! Walking the loop never gets old. 

Island’s 

Island’s is a tex-mex restaurant that has delicious tacos, burritos, and QUESO. Since coming to college, I’ve been to Island’s more than the dining halls on campus. You can get a lot of food for a very small price. $5 for 2 tacos and chips with queso, you can’t beat it. 

Downtown Wilmington 

Downtown Wilmington is by far the cutest town I’ve seen. The cobblestone streets really set the scene. There are exciting live bars, cute boutiques, and unique restaurants like nothing I’ve seen before. There are walkways for a scenic stroll, and you’re guaranteed to run into some furry friends down there. 

What is the Law of Attraction?

First, let's start with the basics, what is the law of attraction? The law of attraction is a philosophy suggesting that positive thoughts bring positive results into a person's life, while negative thoughts bring negative outcomes. It is based on the belief that thoughts are a form of energy and that positive energy attracts success in all areas of life, including health, finances, and relationships.

How to Use Law of Attraction?

Now you might question how to apply the law of attraction to your everyday life. This philosophy emphasizes creating your own reality. What you focus on is what you draw into your life. It suggests that what you believe will happen in your life is what does happen. Some things that you can do to incorporate the law of attraction into your own life include:

1. Being grateful for the things you have, even the little things

2. Specifically, look for the positives in every situation 

3. Plan and visualize your goals 

4. Affirm yourself positively, every chance you get

5. Redirect negative thoughts to positive ones 

6. Learn how to identify negative thinking

Does it Actually Work?

Is this even real, though? If you had the ability to think positively all of the time, then wouldn’t you be doing that already? While the law of attraction isn’t a quick fix for all of life's challenges, it can help you learn to create a more optimistic outlook on life. It may also help you stay motivated to continue working toward your goals, no matter what they may be. While the law of attraction lacks scientific support, people suggest that it can create positive changes in a person's life. 

Myth Debunked

Have your teachers tried to convince you that there’s a learning method specifically designed for you? There is a common belief that there are 4 main styles of learning, visual learning style, auditory learning style, kinesthetic learning style, and reading/writing. 

Different Types of Learners

Visual learners prefer to take in their information visually, with maps, graphs, diagrams, charts, etc. Auditory learners are individuals who learn best when they hear the information when it is heard or spoken. They’re used to organizing their ideas after speaking, rather than thinking ideas through before. Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing. They like a hands-on experience. They are usually more connected to reality, according to psychologists, which is why they require using tactile experience to understand something better. Reading/writing learners consume information best when it’s in words, by writing it down or reading it. Text is more important and useful than any kind of visual or auditory demonstration of a concept. These individuals usually perform very well on written assignments and tests. 

Does Science Agree?

Does science actually prove this concept of people learning better one way than another? Unfortunately, the answer is no, according to a major report published in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. You might feel like you learn better one way than another, like preferring to take handwritten notes rather than just listening, but there are several other factors that go into this. 

Just Doesn't Add Up

Several of the methods overlap, for example, kinesthetic covers all of the categories. Psychological research has not found that people learn differently, at least not in the ways learning styles claim. Some psychologists and scientists that have studied this concept, argue that the currently widespread use of learning-style tests and teaching tools is a wasteful use of limited educational resources.

This is a question I have asked myself several times since entering college? The constant doubt of, is this actually worth my time, money, and energy? This is a common and normal question to ask yourself when deciding the next path to take in life. 

Pros and Cons 

People who argue that college is worth it concluded that college graduates have higher employment rates, bigger salaries, and more work benefits than high school graduates. They say college graduates also have better interpersonal skills, live longer, have healthier children, and have proven their ability to achieve a major milestone.

People who argue that college is not worth it concluded that the debt from college loans is too high and delays individuals from saving for retirement, buying a house, or starting a family. They argue that many successful people never graduated from college and that many jobs, especially trades jobs, do not require college degrees.

Overall

College graduates earn more than non-graduates, despite the rising cost of tuition and loans, a college degree still pays off for the majority of graduates. Georgetown University predicts that 70% of all jobs will require some college education by 2027. Although you may have a degree, this does not mean jobs will be guaranteed or easy to acquire. There are several middle-ground solutions to this question, community college, trade school, entrepreneurship, and more. 

I wouldn’t call myself an expert on weightlifting but an enthusiast. I’ve spent countless days practicing, researching, and perfecting my form. I worked at LifeTime Fitness, as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Because I worked there, I had a free gym membership, so I really took advantage of that. 

I made a promise to myself to stay motivated and consistent for at least a few months, just to see if I could actually notice progress. I also noticed that I became happier and stronger after each workout, not just physically but mentally. It’s therapeutic to work out for intrinsic motivation. 

Within 2 weeks I was more toned, and even gaining muscle. When you start to see progress, it keeps you motivated to see more and more. It became a part of my daily routine. Even if I was tired after work and school, I still made time for myself, which can make the biggest difference when it comes to mental health. 

I would say the biggest challenge for people on their fitness journey is staying motivated and consistent. You need to WANT to work out for yourself, with no outside source. If you rely on extrinsic motivation, it will not be long-term. If you have no motivation to better yourself, for YOU then it is easy to lose sight of your long-term goal. This goes hand-in-hand with consistency. If you make something a part of your routine, it feels more natural and less forced. 

How many Earths would we need if everyone lived like a U.S resident? 

5.1….that’s an issue. Biocapacity refers to the ability of ecosystems to regenerate what people use. If people are using resources at a faster pace than they can replenish, then we will eventually run out.  All life competes for space, humans, animals, plants, and more. Humanity is using nature 1.8 times faster than our planet’s biocapacity can regenerate. Scientists have gathered that humans used 173% of the planet’s biocapacity in 2017, compared to 119% in 1980.

The Ecological Footprint is the only metric that measures how much nature we have and how much nature we use. It has come to show that humans are overstepping their boundaries on Earth. It’s no surprise that we all have unsustainable living habits, the numbers get worse every year.

The real question is, when will it be too late? 

Earth has at least 1.5 billion years left to support life. If humans last that long, Earth would be overall uncomfortable for them, but livable in some areas in the polar regions. Scientists suggest that at some point we will have to relocate off Earth. 

I love to relate my writing to other aspects of my life that I find interesting, for example, my favorite tv show at the moment, inspiration from others, current events, etc...

I'm now fascinated with the TV show, Love On the Spectrum. It's on Netflix, and really dials down on the challenges people with autism face, while trying to find love, and communicate their feelings with others.

It's something that the everyday person wouldn't think twice about but is a massive struggle for millions. Most of the time, the common denominator with folks on the spectrum is the challenge of social skills and how to interpret things. It could be as simple as eye contact, thinking of things to talk about with others (which I feel is a HUGE challenge for everyone, on the spectrum or not), and interpreting how others think of them.

To answer the question, yes, people on the spectrum can find love. In the show, there are therapists and aids that interview them, and pair them with someone who is closer to them on the spectrum. The spectrum is VERY broad, so this is the biggest challenge. The therapists will also guide them through the entire process, which I think is amazing. They give them tips to help build better connections.

Most of the people on the show, state in their interviews that they never would've thought they would be capable of maintaining a relationship or even finding someone that would love them, for them. Thats the best thing about watching Love On The Spectrum, you can see them blossom and potentially find their soulmate.

I want to start writing essays online, not only because my English teacher requires it (lol) but because I want to experience firsthand how writing or posting will quickly accelerate if you stay consistent. I'm interested in how this directly affects the quality of my work. I'm a firm believer in consistency is key. If you do anything consistently over a period of time, you will see growth in some aspects. I've experienced this with working out. A couple of years ago, I committed to being consistent and I saw significant progress, just as I had hoped. My biggest struggle is very common when it comes to writing, I think to myself, I don't even know where to start, what topics should I write about, will anyone other than me finds this interesting, and so on. This course has already broadened my perspective in many ways. I've never actually formed the idea that if you post on Tik Tok every single day, or write an article every single day, you will most likely go viral. The only catch is you need to find your niche or something you like, that you know other people will like too.

Some essay topics that really catch my attention, and I'll be writing about include global warming, the underlying psychology behind things, and fun things that I find interesting.