Opinion Columns
Senior Column by Sabrina Qiao | The “ What if” conundrum: leaving that mentality behind at graduation
I can’t live my life thinking that I’ll soon die. At a certain point I’m willing to suspend disbelief: to let myself think I have the capacity to live a healthy and ordinary — maybe, even, an extraordinary — life.
Senior Column by Ally Johnson | Stories worth retelling
The DP taught me how deeply fulfilling it can be to devote yourself to something important, even without the dangling carrot of external validation from grades and other “objective” measures of success we obsess over on this campus.
Senior Column by Sophie Trotto | It’s good to be weak
I didn’t know this was going to be the case, but my time on the 134th board of The Daily Pennsylvanian was without a doubt the worst year of my life. Or, more precisely, it coincided with the worst year of my life.
Senior Column by Rebecca Tan | Take a big swing
Now though, for what feels like the first time, I’m not dragging my feet. I’m ready, heck, I’m excited to move on because I feel like I took a mighty swing at this college thing.
Editorial | Penn students deserve more Reading Days
As much as The Daily Pennsylvanian Editorial Board believes our Quaker peers are the brightest in the Ivy League, we don’t think we’re that much smarter, and we’d appreciate some more time off.
Christy Qiu | Every Penn student should build their own time capsule
The process of reflecting was valuable in that it was a cognizant deliberation and analysis of my mentality and actions. It helped me break out of habit and identity my faults, my ways of responding to situations, and the methods I can take to improve my lifestyle. It also helped raise self-acceptance as I pinpointed victories that I’ve achieved through hard work and compassion.
Lucy Hu | Should international students give up career or family? How about neither.
I will always have to choose between pursuing my passions in the United States of America and being with my family. If I choose one, I can’t have the other.
Sophia DuRose | Too many students don't take full advantage of financial aid
Students should know of every advantage Penn’s financial aid offers in order to allow them the same access as Penn students not on financial aid.
Hadriana Lowenkron | Volunteering this summer isn't financially sustainable for everyone
The truth of the matter, and what some are so quick to overlook, as they are blindsided by their activist ambitions, is that having the ability to volunteer or take on an unpaid internship exudes extreme privilege.
Tyler Larkworthy | Penn students need to lead more sustainable lives
We could live incredibly sustainable lives. But we don’t.
Urooba Abid | Penn, make summer courses more accessible to students from all backgrounds
The entire system of summer courses at Penn benefits mainly wealthy students.
Isami McCowan | Now more than ever, it’s important to say no sometimes
Before I came to Penn, I pretty much said “yes” to every kind of position or opportunity presented to me.
James Morrison | Call home more
And, although their nagging can sometimes be annoying, it’s good to be reminded from time to time that it’s important to get enough sleep, eat well, and go to Van Pelt every once in a while.
Kaliyah Dorsey | At Penn, fake smiles hurt more than they help
I realized that spending a lot of time alone, coupled with the stress of academics, can foster loneliness even in those who like alone time. This means you might not feel as happy as you might have in high school or on vacation.
Jessica Li | Penn professors, get my name right
Learn our names correctly. It’s not that hard.
Sophia DuRose | Incoming freshmen, take advantage of your peer advisors
My peer-advisor story is not a unique one, and many people don’t feel as if their peer advisors have done all they can to help them. But I must ask myself if I did all I could to ask for help.
Sophia DuRose | Penn, let's talk about female masturbation
So my question is, why are sexual encounters where men benefit more normalized? And how can we combat this idea? By talking.
Julia Mitchell | International students deserve transparency from Student Financial Services
There are steps that the University could take to both mitigate tax inconsistencies and to better disseminate these facts to students, many of whom do not realize the facts until they are issued an unexpected billing statement that they will have to pay a tax on a significant portion of their grant.
Joel Lee | Don’t let housing ruin your relationships
The truth is that housing presents a problem with no good solution.