Published by the Students of Johns Hopkins since 1896
April 27, 2024

Voices

Hopkins is a diverse university where an incredible mix of cultures, academic interests and personalities coexist and thrive. Here is the section where you can publish your unique thoughts, ideas and perspectives on life at Hopkins and beyond.

Yes, it’s possible to fail first grade gym

By RACHEL WITKIN | October 18, 2012

I’m so uncoordinated that once, my gym teacher had to ask my parents if they locked me in a closet all day at home. Instead of talking about academics at my parent-teacher conference, they apparently talked about my inability to do any kind of athletic activity. My teacher had given me an “N” in physical education for that quarter, which was the lowest grade. I don’t know what it stood for, but probably something like “not a real human being.”

Charles Commons, the darker side you don’t see

By BRIDGET BAIRD HARKNESS | October 18, 2012

With its completion a mere six years ago, in 2006, Charles Commons presents itself as a sort of housing mecca for underclassmen. Freshmen make or break roommate relationships for the sole purpose of securing a high enough lottery number to attain entrance beyond the mechanically operated turnstiles. Sophomores yearn for late night companionship with any Commoner, seduced by the privacy that walls of a single bedroom can provide. Yet beneath the shining, freshly painted exterior lurks a darker, more sinister presence.

The Essential Top Six Partying Movies

By KEVIN JOYCE | October 11, 2012

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article on what I thought were the best movies for a college student to watch. This week I’ll narrow my focus on one (very important) facet of college life: partying. You’re not usually going to be watching a movie during a party (because that would probably be a pretty boring party) but it’s not a bad idea to have one going on in the background of a pregame, or even to watch one before a pregame to get you pumped up and excited. Here are some of the top films you can watch to get you excited for going out.

Death Grips: "NO LOVE DEEP WEB" Leaked

By ALEX HUROWITZ | October 11, 2012

When I last wrote about the experimental rap/punk/rave group Death Grips for The News-Letter, they had just released their critically acclaimed debut album The Money Store. So after mentioning them before, why would I be doing another “check these guys out”/review article of their music? Well, just last week, Death Grips leaked their second album, NO LOVE DEEP WEB: a major label LP.

A selection of the best bars Sydney has to offer

By CARTER BANKER | October 11, 2012

A few weeks ago, I wrote a column outlining a 5-day visit to Sydney, Australia, but I left out a key part of the experience: the bars! Like it or not, drinking is a pretty big part of Australian culture. So here’s a list of some of my favorite bars in Sydney.

Want to graduate? You have to live in an igloo

By Ellen Brait | October 4, 2012

By sharing this story, I am more than likely fueling the stereotypes that Canadians live in an igloo-filled, barren, snowy wasteland. Just to clarify, my high school was considered strange even in Canada, and this type of trip was by no means normal.

Ambassador Brunch is always a good idea

By GEORGINA RUPP | October 4, 2012

It’s Sunday, and late morning sunlight is pouring into your room mocking you for how late you’ve slept and the mountains of work that await you in the library. You stay in your bed unwilling to detach your head from your pillow in protest against the upcoming week. The thought of even seeing a campus building right now pains you. As you lie there, you cringe at the thought of eating yet another boring and unsatisfying bowl of cereal for breakfast. Maybe you consider a trip to Tambers, but you seriously fear the possibility of running into someone there with whom you’ll be forced to make conversation. So you decide this is a day to treat yourself to Sunday brunch at the Ambassador Dining Room.

Social media keeps you connected with the fam

By AMANDA GARCIA | October 4, 2012

Whether it’s ooVoo, Skype, Facebook, or FaceTime, nearly everyone has had a taste of online video chat. It’s nice seeing people that are far away on a screen and getting a little bit more than you would by phone. It just so happens that this past week was a busy one for FaceTime.

Why I'd rather look sixty-five than twenty-one

By Ellen Brait | September 27, 2012

I have the unfortunate luck of having a baby face. At the age of 20, I am still constantly mistaken for being 15 or 16. At one point last year while in Colombia with my family, I was even mistaken for being 12. When we asked to make reservations at a restaurant they informed us that one had to be 13 or older to dine there. My parents and I were speechless, unsure what to say. Finally after a few awkward seconds, my mother stuttered out, “How old do you think she is? She’s 19.” Needless to say, it was awkward.

On the Brink of the Brank: The Do's and Dont's of sporting a man's tank

By SALLY MINN | September 27, 2012

The Brank, or more formally known as the bro tank, is a phenomenon most present, for better or worse, among young males in today’s society. The brank is a constant staple in the wardrobe of somewhat toolish, somewhat arrogant, but often simultaneously humorous and even laudable males in their teens and twenties.

Your vote matters - it's time to use it

By NICHOLAS DEPAUL | September 27, 2012

As the Nov. 6 presidential election creeps ever closer, it’s time for every college student to register to vote. Most campuses, including ours, have volunteer groups that make the process very easy. So why do so many of our peers still choose not to vote?

Music advice for the upcoming season: Fall albums to look forward to

By ALEX HUROWITZ | September 20, 2012

This summer has been great for music with releases like Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, the Dirty Projectors’ Swing Lo Magellan, Jessie Ware’s Devotion, Passion Pit’s Gossamer, and Purity Rings’ Shrines. But now, with summer at an end, the fall is here with even more releases. Just these past two weeks, The xx and Animal Collective have released their new albums Coexist and Centipede Hz, respectively. What else does the fall have in store?

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