Talia Macchi – The Diamondback https://dbknews.com The University of Maryland's independent student newspaper Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:31:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 2026 Grammy nominations signal Recording Academy’s disconnect from pop culture https://dbknews.com/2025/11/10/2026-grammy-nominations-recording-academy/ Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:31:13 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=475495 Alex Warren nominated for Best New Artist but not Role Model? Really? 

When nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards appeared on my Instagram feed, I found myself confused about the selection. There was the expected mix of known names and the up-and-comers who’ve taken over the music scene this year. Despite this, it seems the Grammys don’t understand what’s popular anymore.

When some of this year’s music was first released, I was disappointed. But somewhere between long car rides and TikTok trends, many songs grew on me, such as “Daisies” by Justin Bieber and “No One Noticed” by The MaríasTo me, Best New Artist is the most exciting Grammys category. It always feels fresh and unpredictable, but this year it did just the opposite. Instead of being about a new discovery in the music world, this year’s lineup does not give us an accurate look at what’s new. 

Many of the artists nominated are first-time releases this year, but it’s disappointing that young artists who have been nominated in the past can’t have a second chance at this award after producing something new and more successful.

[Guillermo del Toro gives new life to ‘Frankenstein’ in latest adaptation]

The Grammys have always defined the “best” of the industry. But a few artists who really shaped what people were listening to this year are nowhere to be found on the nominations list. Where is Gracie Abrams? Her album, The Secret of Us, debuted at No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard 200,  and her single “That’s So True” hit No. 4 on the Billboard Global 200. She also wrapped up her sold-out world tour, so it feels impossible that someone with that kind of fanbase got skipped. 

Same with pop powerhouse Tate McRae. Her album, So Close To What, debuted No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and her dance performances have taken over everyone’s feeds. 

And seriously, wasn’t Billie Eilish’s “Wildflower” a 2024 track? Why is it being discussed again? 

The timing of some nominations feels messy, and makes me wonder if the Grammys are so focused on drawing a wide audience by nominating major past winners such as Eilish that they’re forgetting to keep up with pop culture itself and nominate newcomers. It seems the Recording Academy is too distracted by chasing trends — “Wildflower” went viral online — that the public is already attached to, it’s overlooking the music breaking through right now. 

It’s the same issue that makes the Best New Artist lineup feel less exciting. Instead of recognizing who is actually pushing the music industry in a new direction, the Grammys seem to be stuck rewarding who already has. 

Take Wicked, for example. The movie has been a huge cultural moment this year, with its marketing taking over everything from Dunkin’ drinks to eyeshadow palettes, so its soundtrack nominations make sense. 

But it feels like the Grammys are giving awards to what’s most talked about, rather than the actual sounds, messages and talent. Everyone loves a big pop culture moment to bond over, especially one that allows you to belt “Defying Gravity,” but highly marketed music can overshadow smaller albums and artists that truly deserve the same amount of attention. 

The dance-pop category is packed with familiar names such as Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez, which feels nostalgic because of their early 2000s fame, but also predictable as Grammys favorites. 

[Nia Sioux’s ‘Bottom of the Pyramid’ is a powerful, but unsurprising strike at ‘Dance Moms’]

Album of the Year might be the one category that feels strong and competitive. Between Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Bad Bunny, the nominations reflect the breadth of today’s popular music. 

The Grammys attempt to reflect pop culture, but sometimes can’t find the artists who really define the industry. Music going viral because of social media trends and marketing tactics seem to be defining many of this year’s nominations. 

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An ode to the plastic claw clip https://dbknews.com/2025/10/30/ode-plastic-claw-clip/ Fri, 31 Oct 2025 03:35:58 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=474941 If you walk across a college campus, step into a coffee shop or scroll through TikTok, you’ll see claw clips everywhere. These eye-catching designs include plastic tortoiseshells, fruit-shaped styles and bold printed rectangles.

Hair clips have recently become the accessory. Beyond being practical and convenient, they portray an effortless look and embody a sense of comfort and confidence.

Just like any trend that comes and goes, hair clips have made their comeback, but this time, as a personal statement. What used to be an item that stayed on the shelf in many beauty stores became an item that sells out quickly.

The hairclip comeback isn’t just following trends. It reflects people redefining what it means to look “put together.”

Wearing a hairclip can give off an “I woke up like this” look, signaling how effortless, accessible looks define style today. The popular “clean girl” and “model off-duty” aesthetics attempt to look put together without trying too hard. Claw clips accomplish that instantly.

Whether it’s to the office, a Pilates class or a snazzy dinner, pulling your hair back with a cute accessory immediately makes you look like you have your life together.

Yes, a clip is meant for your hair, but the best part about this hairclip comeback is that it can also serve as an accessory. You might clip it to the bottom of your sweater, attach it to the waistband of your jeans or hang it off your tote bag. It’s the perfect “it girl” accessory: both functional and fashionable.

[UMD students weigh in on simplified Halloween costumes]

The options feel endless. Soft colors. Rhinestones. Bold patterns. Shapes like hearts and wine glasses. There’s a clip for every outfit, occasion and outing.

Are you headed to a sports game but don’t own anything in the team’s colors? Throw on a basic white T-shirt and jeans, and throw on a clip with a pop of that color. Bam — you’re game ready.

Running late to class after the gym? Twist your hair up into a clip, and no one will know you just ran five miles.

The clip’s magic lies in its versatility and accessibility.

Some clips you can find at stores like CVS and Target are as affordable as $5. Others, like the popular Emi Jay brand of “Big Effing Clips” fame, are becoming a luxury item in the clip industry. A $36 hair clip may seem insane, but as someone with my own hair clip collection, the quality makes up for the price.

[Be unconventional this fall with these 5 wardrobe pieces]

In 2025, being stylish does not mean spending hours on your hair. For some, it just means reaching for the clip that makes you feel confident and real.

Clip wearers truly make them their own. People adorn cheap clips with rhinestones and sparkles. Etsy sellers also create personalized clips. Forget custom sweatshirts for your club or team — get hair clips with your team’s name instead.

Every clip you see is a tiny glimpse into someone’s personality. Whether it’s big and sparkly or small with pastel hearts, each clip says something about the person wearing it.

It shows that self-expression and feeling confident in an outfit can be effortless and affordable.

In a world where fashion focuses on exclusivity, the clips stand out for their inclusivity. The variety of styles and prices proves the trend is here to stay.

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For some UMD students, trick-or-treating remains an essential Halloween tradition https://dbknews.com/2025/10/29/trick-or-treating-halloween-umd/ Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:22:14 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=474815 Cynthia Cohen last went trick-or-treating when she was about 14 years old. 

She remembers going door to door in her neighborhood, usually with her brother, and always having a fun night.  

“There’s kind of a stigma from people,” the junior geography major said. “It gets into this teenage hooligan idea and it’s just kind of disapproved.”

When you’re a kid, Halloween means knocking on doors with a pillowcase full of candy. Somewhere between middle school and college, that thrill becomes something you’re “too old” for. On college campuses and at the University of Maryland, most students wouldn’t dream of saying “trick or treat,” even if they still want to. 

There’s no rule that college students can’t go trick-or-treating; the unwritten expectation that they don’t is rooted in maturity and social expectations. 

“People just get less into it as they get older,” sophomore communication major Ava Zotollo said. “They might get embarrassed to be walking around neighborhoods and knocking on doors.”

[SNL’s Marcello Hernández keeps it real in SEE’s Homecoming Comedy Show]

Zotollo said students could revisit trick-or-treating as a nostalgic way to reconnect with their childhood. She would go trick-or-treating again if others joined too, she added. 

Sociology lecturer and academic advisor Amy McLaughlin said many people view trick-or-treating as something meant for children.

But McLaughlin said the excitement of childhood Halloween traditions could be recreated on college campuses if people work together to create their own version of it

“It is a purely fun holiday for kids with dressing up and getting free candy,” McLaughlin said. “It brings about only good memories.”

Although Cohen doesn’t trick-or-treat on campus, she said it’s fun to celebrate with friends and put effort into costumes. 

In dorms, resident assistants look to create festive feels during the holiday through dorm decorations and free candy handed out to students. 

But when Halloween night arrives, many turn to flashing lights, music and crowded rooms. On college campuses, students hop from bar to bar instead of door to door like they did in the past.

[‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ fails to honor its legendary subject]

Even so, McLaughlin believes that if students dive into their childhood traditions of trick-or-treating, they might feel like an escape of responsibility and tradition to adulthood.  

“There’s a lot of pressure on the generation that is kind of aging out of trick or treating now, and I think that doing something fun and kind of recreating the magic of your childhood,” McLaughlin said. “It is a real escape and it’s a night of low stress and just high fun.”

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The UMD dorm experience is the same decades later https://dbknews.com/2025/10/24/umd-dorm-experience-history/ Fri, 24 Oct 2025 05:01:28 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=474550 Many University of Maryland dorms today are adorned with LED strip lights, mini-fridges and sometimes even flat screen TVs.

But if you were to walk into the same cinder block walled room 60 years ago, you might instead see the space surrounded with posters and record players.

Many North Campus dorms were built in the ‘60s and still house students. With minor construction updates throughout the years, generations of students have called these buildings their home.

In 1995, internet access was limited. Only some dorms had ethernet jacks and students could pay $70 a semester for a second phone line to make calls.

Brian Schenck, an alum of this university, wrote in a letter to the editor criticizing the Board of Regent’s salary increase for then-university president William Kirwan.

“The entire Board of Regents and Kirwan should be forced to live in the high rises of North Campus for two semesters and see how they like it,” Schenck wrote. “I’m sure they wouldn’t, those buildings are badly in need of refurbishment.”

When Elana Steinberg moved into Ellicott Hall in 1996, she remembers “rugged-looking” brown furniture, the extra long twin bed, a desk and a dresser. The same set up in the rooms today minus the decorative lights, big headboards and extension cords that fill every outlet.

“It wasn’t a thing to really do anything to a dorm and decorate or anything like that,” Steinberg said. “I don’t even think we had carpets.”

[Students are nuts for UMD’s squirrel watching club]

Many of the similarities between now and then aren’t glamorous. A Diamondback article from 1998 reported on students living in halls and their coping mechanisms to fight the summer heat. This included showering constantly and buying fans to deal with no air conditioning in some dorms — methods 2025 students still rely on.

In 1998, some students on campus were hospitalized after being unable to escape 95-degree temperatures, The Diamondback reported.

Alexandria Hede, a sophomore marketing and business analytics major, lived in Hagerstown Hall last year. Although she said she knew her dorm didn’t have air conditioning before moving in, she didn’t anticipate how bad it would get.

“The first couple of weeks were horrible … we would wake up sweating,” Hede said. “The lounge was the only place with AC, so we’d sleep there sometimes.”

[Latine Heritage Month Closing Gala celebrates unity among students]

Other than the addition of gender neutral areas, most bathrooms are still decorated with bright shades of pink, blue and green titles. Some halls have short walls separating the showers while others just have a shower curtain, just like Steinberg experienced.

Steinberg didn’t have high expectations about living in the dorms, but still felt like the buildings were old.

In 2021 and 2022, two new dorms were constructed and stood out for their modern, sleek look on the inside and outside.

When freshman communication major Mischa Lee, who lives in Cumberland Hall, visited friends in the new Pyon-Chen and Johnson-Whittle Halls, the differences were hard to ignore.

Even Steinberg was shocked when she visited the newer halls.

“It was like a hotel,” Steinberg said. “It was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it.”

Looking back, Steinberg said she’d prefer to be in a newer residence hall but said there’s a tradeoff between living in the new dorms versus living in the old ones.

Regardless of the evolution of the dorms, the timeless experience of living in a dorm will never change.

Historian Evelyn Reidy contributed archive research to this story. 

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Love Island alumni at UMD reaffirm the series’ longevity https://dbknews.com/2025/10/02/love-island-alumni-nic-olandria/ Thu, 02 Oct 2025 17:18:44 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=473389 From Fiji to Maryland, iconic players Austin Shepard, Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen from Season 7 of Love Island landed in College Park this week. To see these three contestants who didn’t even win the show, people needed to buy tickets. 

And those events? They sold out fast. 

I found out Nic was coming to Maryland through an Instagram post my mom sent me, telling me to buy tickets. Although I watched Love Island every night this summer with her and my sisters, I am surprised that Nic was even on her feed. Why are hers and so many others’ feeds still trapped in the Love Island summer? 

Season 7 of Love Island USA wrapped up in early July with a reunion episode airing in August. In most cases, reality TV contestants fade once cameras cut. But Love Island stars this year didn’t disappear a few days after the season concluded. Instead, they continued their daily broadcast through social media, creating a stronger connection with fans who felt like they lived by their side for weeks in the villa.  

Unlike most reality TV shows, which span over the course of a few months with weekly episodes, Love Island is rather fast-paced with a new episode airing five days a week. Viewers watch the islanders wake up, argue, make up and go to bed. 

[Relax from midterm stress, doomscrolling with these 5 books]

This sense of routine blurred the line between reality and entertainment. Season 5 gained a lot of traction through players like Rob Rausch, a guy whose sarcasm and looks turned him into a fan favorite.

Season 6 maintained the momentum by drawing viewers in with the show’s classic strong suspense and many cliff hangers. But by the time season 7 premiered, fans were fully sucked in and the show became a bonding opportunity as opposed to just entertainment.  

Many, like myself, watched with their families (creating awkward moments of course),  streamed in bars and viewed clips on TikTok.

When fans invest that much repetitive time into characters —  sorry, real people — they form attachments which stick. But now, the inclusion of social media introduces a parasocial relationship to this dynamic. The show feels real in a way reality TV, ironically, often doesn’t. 

For example, TJ Palma left the villa while being in a couple with Iris Kendall, but he didn’t just fade away. He posted a TikTok to “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, making mine and many fans’ hearts break for him. 

Even though they were trapped in a tropical paradise together for less than two weeks, their connection on the show felt genuine and his post aimed to prove that, giving fans hope.

A month later, Iris ended the show with Pepe Garcia, but when rumors that he cheated surfaced, TJ came back into the picture. Soon, the pair posted on social media together, giving fans what they wanted months ago. It felt like I was watching this drama unfold in my own friend group. 

Viewers built a connection with cast members while watching the show, and that feeling has only gotten stronger through seeing their daily social media posts. All summer long we watched the cast do everything from making breakfast to getting ready together. Now on social media, everything feels familiar, like we deeply know each other. 

Very likely, Nic could be strolling through College Park with fans going up to him like they are best friends that hung out together all summer. Although Nic and Olandria placed second and left the show as a couple, their College Park presence doesn’t feel like a crazy big celebrity spotting — they just seem like normal people.

[Zara Larsson is fun, but dated on ‘Midnight Sun’]

After each episode, viewers bond over shared thoughts and feelings on TikTok and Instagram comment sections, making assumptions and predictions about the players and their motives – something that show producers seemed to take into consideration, making the reality TV show not so reality TV. 

That’s the thing with Love Island. The finale doesn’t end the story, it creates a second season on social media, where contestants compete on maintaining their fame through social media and fan events, at places where the majority of their fanbase spend their time — college bars. 

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UMD’s Fashion Business Association brings professionals to the runway https://dbknews.com/2025/09/29/umd-fashion-business-club/ Tue, 30 Sep 2025 03:51:21 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=473263 An average meeting at the University of Maryland’s Fashion Business Association feels more like a style studio than an after-class club.

Janet Jackson and Taylor Swift streamed in the background as the club president, marketing major senior Raquel Ford, asked members to take one item from their bag that says something about them. Lip gloss, keychains and even a hot sauce bottle became points of conversation.

When Ford arrived at this university, she was excited about exploring the intersection between business and fashion. But she struggled finding a community on campus with similar interests.

With the help of an upperclassman, she took her idea to the campus runway and created the club — a space for students like her.

“There are so many businesses around fashion and beauty and a lot of students want to go into that,” Ford said. “We wanted to make a community of students so they’d be able to gain new opportunities and learn about their future career goals.”

The duo pursued their goal of fostering a community of fashion enthusiasts. After finding an advisor, building an executive board and recruiting members, they grew the association into a club that focuses on the intersection of fashion and business.

“We like to connect students to exciting career prospects, but we also make sure that we nurture their knowledge in a dynamic world of fashion,” Ford said.

[Dress to Recess: How Labubus, animal prints could indicate economic downturn]

Although the club started off as a small project when Ford co-founded it in 2022, it has grown in recent years due to the executive board’s desire to bring together students who love fashion.

At first, the club struggled to grow its membership. But through collaborations with other on-campus organizations that explore the professional side of fashion — such as MasTERPiece, the American Marketing Association and the International Business Student Organization — it was able to grow.

The club isn’t just limited to marketing and business, though. It aims to understand the fashion industry and its broader impact.

With the ever-increasing fast-fashion trends, members addressed sustainability by hosting events like a clothing swap last semester. They also collaborated with Depop, an e-commerce company, to share tips on selling secondhand.

Mashea Sowers, a junior economics and public health major, took the information she learned to create her own Depop shop, where she now resells clothes. Sowers feels the association provided her with lessons on how the fashion world operates and an environment that fuels creativity. It also welcomed her to a tight-knit community where she feels comfortable enough to receive fashion advice and inspiration from the people in the association.

“I’ve met new people who have recommended places to shop,” Sowers said. “So I definitely have improved my own style.”

[NPR’s Peter Sagal talks future of the humanities at The Clarice]

Brooke Glessner, a senior psychology major, said joining the association allowed her to expand her love for fashion.

She added being in the club has influenced her own fashion choices, helping her become more comfortable with what she wears and making her proud of the welcoming community she helped to build.

Ford said events with the club, such as working with name brands and speaking with professionals, increased her ability to recognize clothing trends. She believes that fall fashion is a big time of the year for different companies because of back-to-school looks, noting a boho and nomadic feel to this year’s fall fashion.

Similarly, Glessner finds herself more fashion-observant, eyeing what students are wearing while walking to class and excited to discuss them at the group’s biweekly meetings.

The club hopes this year to build on those lessons with speakers from companies that support marginalized communities, while continuing to spark creativity with activities such as last year’s Valentine’s Day-themed charm bracelet workshop.

The club also plans to partner with the university’s business school’s new career boutique.

Among the top goals for the club, Ford said, is increasing the its recognizability on campus and keeping its member retention high throughout the year.

Ford added she hopes association members will continue to develop their taste and confidence in their fashion and that the organization supports their growth.

“[It’s important] making sure that they stay true to who they are as an artist, but also professionally and how they can stand out when they’re working,” Ford said.

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Be the main character on the way to class with these 5 songs https://dbknews.com/2025/09/19/fall-playlist-walking-to-class/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 05:11:21 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=472699 The sometimes dreadful and sometimes delightful daily walk through the University of Maryland’s sprawling campus on the way to class can often be overlooked.

If I’m not walking with friends or calling my mom, I find listening to music helps make the steps toward the lecture hall more bearable. As someone with more than 20 Apple Music playlists, I obviously soundtrack my trip to class.

Whether you’re meandering across McKeldin Mall, strutting through Stamp or racing down Route 1, here are five songs to listen to while walking to class.

“Young Folks,” Peter Bjorn and John

Best known for its playful opening synth, this song’s driving rhythm makes for a memorable moment in Gossip Girl’s pilot episode, when main character Serena Vanderwooden walks through Grand Central station.

If you want to feel just like Serena, strutting glamorously through Manhattan and ready to take on the day, then this is your anthem. This song is all about new possibilities, as Peter Bjorn and John sing “I would go along with someone like you,” a positive message to think about before focusing in on class.

[Madilyn Mei juggles whimsy, vulnerability in new album]

“Everywhere,” Fleetwood Mac

Like “Young Folks,” the intro to “Everywhere” is instantly iconic. The dreamy, shimmering synths pull you in like a warm hug, setting the scene for a cinematic trudge to class. Put it on and watch as the distractions of e-scooters whipping through campus and the constant construction feel like the background of your own tiny movie.

The track captures the feeling of new possibilities and connections as singer Christine McVie shares the feeling of wanting to “be with you everywhere.”

“Flowers In Your Hair,” The Lumineers

There is no better way to boost your mood than listening to The Lumineers. At just fewer than two minutes, it captures a sense of innocence and change — a feeling that can often sneak up on you, especially at the start of a new semester.

The song starts as a mellow tune, building up to an uplifting chorus, like how college can feel both fleeting and full of possibilities. On the walk to class, this song can be a reminder that while life is always changing, every step is a part of your story.

[You’re finally free from ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ after a shaky series finale]

“Dog Days Are Over,” Florence & The Machine 

The strong drums and claps make it impossible not to walk on beat while listening, turning your slow walk into strides.

This dramatic rhythm builds and builds into the kind of song that makes you feel empowered and unstoppable. The reminder to leave the hard days in the past in the song can feel inspiring on a crisp September day.

Soon you’re not just heading to class — you’re stepping into your own main character moment right as the chorus hits.

“Sunday Morning,” Maroon 5

Although you hopefully won’t be walking to class on a Sunday, Adam Levine’s smooth vocals can make a gloomy morning walk feel sunnier. He sings about comfort and finding fulfillment with routine. The lyrics “that may be all I’ll need / in darkness she is all I see” can create a sense of stability that can seem rare between hours of lectures and discussions.

Its jazzy rhythm feels like someone saying ‘everything is going to be okay,’ turning a dreary Tuesday into a calm Sunday afternoon.

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Don’t forget these backpack essentials for a successful semester https://dbknews.com/2025/09/09/backpack-guide-umd/ Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:24:41 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=471936 Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a seasoned senior, the start of a semester can feel like stepping into a whole new world. Falling back into routine with new classes, a fresh schedule and maybe a different living situation can seem daunting at first. On a large, hectic campus, there is nothing more comforting than knowing you have everything you need tucked safely in your backpack or class bag to keep your day running smoothly. Think of your bag as your own little survival kit — a small stash of things to make you more prepared for anything coming your way.

First things first, your backpack has to work for you. You want a bag that can fit everything you need without feeling like you’re holding bricks, a problem that is especially unpleasant in the early fall heat. Comfort and confidence are key when walking across a big campus, so make sure your bag has enough space, feels good on your back and shoulders and doesn’t leave you regretting your choice halfway through the day.

[UMD seniors reflect, give advice to admitted students]

Most obvious and most important is to carry your laptop with you. It will be your lifeline for classes, so make sure to also throw a few chargers in your bag. A dead phone or laptop is the fastest way to turn a good day into a bad one. Keep your laptop organized by closing tabs and organizing files so it doesn’t crash the moment you need it most.

Some professors will prefer handwritten notes and quizzes, so making space in your bag for a few pencils and pens and a notebook or two is a must. Plus, if you get bored in class you can always mindlessly doodle.

Whether it is online or on paper, having a planner or calendar is vital for organization. With most students living by a day-to-day schedule, it’s crucial to be aware of assignments and daily to-dos. Making a checklist is helpful and marking a calendar with due dates is another beneficial piece. With many happenings and events on campus, it can be easy to forget the things that are most important.

Water and food are key for energy and energy is key for focus. Keeping a reusable bottle on you is great with all the available water filling stations on campus, and snacks are lifesavers during long classes or while going about your busy day.

[UMD freshmen look back on their first year in College Park]

Putting on headphones or earbuds can help you escape from a stressful day. Whether you pop them on between classes or play something to help you get out of bed in the morning, being able to listen to music or a podcast or call someone can be a mood booster.

Hand sanitizer, chapstick, tissues, gum and tylenol can be a game changer as well. You never know when you are going to need one of these little items — you’ll never regret packing a small personal care pouch in your bag.

Lastly, don’t forget to carry confidence and flexibility with you as this next semester begins. Being able to adapt to change and stay open to new experiences is vital in a vibrant and unpredictable college space.

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Old locations, tired storylines weigh down ‘YOU’ season 5 premiere https://dbknews.com/2025/04/30/you-season-5-premiere-review/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:29:38 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=470307 The classic “boy meets girl, boy obsesses over girl, boy kills girls” tale returned Thursday with the fifth and final season of Netflix’s YOU.  

Where viewers might have been excited about a fresh start, the show falls into repetitive cliches, which is exactly what fans didn’t want after season four’s let down. The show continues to recycle the predictable story of charming yet deeply disturbed serial killer Joe, but by season 5, the repetition feels more like writers block then character consistency. 

The season opens three years in the future, with Joe explaining his new life in New York City  with his wife, Kate. While setting the series in London for season four seemed rather random, bringing Joe’s story back to New York felt full circle for the series end. 

But instead of building on the season four finale, the premiere continued clinging to cliched tactics

[‘The Rehearsal’ season 2 premiere takes off in awkward, chaotic bliss]

Working with their established, iconic material is effective in moments. As the owner of the iconic bookstore Mooney’s, Joe is inclined in one scene to go to the basement where the “cage” —  a plexiglass box originally meant for preserving books, but later used to trap victims — remains. 

Without much subtlety, the show guides audiences to think that a body will end up there soon enough, making an eerie homage to earlier seasons. 

He also quickly finds himself obsessing over a new girl, who he finds living in the store.  Of course, she is a book fanatic, which Joe found hard to resist since the first episode. But it’s grown born to see Joe fall head over heels for someone, only to grow bored once he has them and begin his mission to ruin their life. 

Visually, the show’s moody lighting, flashes of cityscapes and zoomed in close up shots of characters remain effective. The voiceovers —  once a window into Joe’s mind —  now come off overused. In past seasons, Joe referred to the girl he is obsessing over as “You.” Now, season five introduces “you” as Joe’s season four self.

This new framing suggests that Joe is attempting some kind of self-reflection. But the sudden change to the city undermines any attempt at real growth, making all of his progress vanish.  

But watching Joe embrace fatherhood with his son Henry is a welcome change, despite leaving the child in Los Angeles. Like Henry, almost the entire cast introduced in the premiere are new faces. 

While I typically prefer continuity in intense series like You, the new cast works — especially since Joe is living an entirely different life now. But the struggle to remember all the new people, including a set of identical evil twins, takes away attention at moments from other events in the episode. 

By the time the episode ends, Joe, of course, already has a new target after learning about an upcoming hit piece about his wife’s past. At first, he resorts to putting his desires into writing, telling the story of how he wishes to kill the person who sent in the hit on his wife, showing his true willingness to change. But it’s clear Joe missed the thrill of killing — you can see it when he puts on his classic black hat to get the job done.

[Billy Idol fails to relive his glory days on ‘Dream into it’]

After seasons of Joe fleeing and changing identities, returning feels risky and contradicts his pattern of escape, rendering the move out of place rather than a part of  believable story progression. In one scene, Joe is seen smiling for cameras, embracing the paparazzi attention alongside his famous and wealthy wife — a shift from his usual paranoia in past seasons.

His new comfort in being seen feels thrown in without much thought. It disrupts Joe’s developed character and makes his return home seem less natural and more like an added twist for the sake of the show. 

Joe’s cycle of obsession, murder and regret is stuck on a loop from season to season. While the familiar New York City setting is a nostalgic nice touch in watching Joe fall back into the same cycle is unappealing. Nonetheless, the intense premiere already has me hooked on this season and I’m excited to see how the series concludes. 

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Juggling enthusiasts find community, performance opportunities in UMD club https://dbknews.com/2025/04/10/juggling-enthusiasts-community-umd-club/ Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:11:46 +0000 https://dbknews.com/?p=469112 Jacob Skidmore wants to learn how to juggle flower sticks, long rods with tassels at each end that are controlled by two smaller sticks.

Holding one in each hand, he spins the uniquely shaped juggling prop, catching and throwing them into the air in a swift motion.

It’s one of many objects the sophomore education and English major is working to master as part of the University of Maryland’s juggling club.

Since 2003, the club has been home to jugglers of all skill levels and aims to maintain a relaxed atmosphere for all skill sets, according to club co-president and junior electrical engineering major Caroline Colangelo. While the group is open to anyone, skilled jugglers from around the area occasionally join in on meetings on campus.

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While Skidmore joined his freshman year with no prior experience, he learned the basics of juggling in just two to three weeks.

“There are some people who stop by for one day and learn it in probably 15 minutes,” he said. “That’s always really, really impressive to see.”

Along with flower sticks, the club practices with unique objects like poi sticks, devil sticks, fake swords and diablos along with the classics like juggling balls, clubs and rings. Some members, including Skidmore, are learning how to juggle while riding a unicycle.

Colangelo said the club used to perform around campus and that it would be “really cool” to revive that tradition. Currently, opportunities for visibility and showcasing their skills are during practice and at the annual Congress of Jugglers — a convention that’s been running for more than 20 years.

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Jugglers from across the East Coast gather at the event to attend workshops, perform, hone their skills and participate in raffles to support the club,according to club treasurer Roame Hildebrand.

The aspect of teaching and trying new tricks is a good way of building trust between the members of the team and building that community sense that we’re working together to get better at what we do,” said Hildebrand, a senior mathematics and physics major.

For Skidmore, juggling club is a space that he can go to take his mind off what is going on that week and “just juggle.” After attending the convention for the first time last year, he said it was one of the coolest things he has done in college so far.

The club hopes to perform in showsand host workshops in the future. Colangelo aims to put together a ball making workshop next year and showcase the members’ skills at local senior centers and elementary schools.

While the club aims to expand its outreach, it also wants to preserve its relaxed, “just for fun” atmosphere, they said.

“Everyone has to start from somewhere,” Colangelo said. “Anyone you ask in the club would gladly help teach you how to juggle … if you already know how to juggle and you want to learn a new trick or something, everyone’s very welcoming and kind.”

The Juggling Club’s sign rests on the grass of McKeldin Mall on April 9, 2025. (Clare Roth/The Diamondback)
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