You finally poured your feelings out to a guy you’ve known for at least a year, hoping for reciprocation, but it went the opposite way. What’s the next move? Last semester, I had a huge crush on a guy that I’d known for a while, but I was too nervous to do anything about it….
“Love.” What does it mean, how does it feel and is it different with different people? These were questions I found myself asking over the past two months. Growing up, I had a very affectionate family. We were constantly telling each other we loved each other. I now know I am very lucky to have…
Trachemys scripta–the red-eared slider–is a terrapin native to the southeast United States. Prevalence in the pet trade has made the subspecies invasive in many parts of the world, including Rhode Island. These sliders are one of the most invasive species in the world and are now common in many ponds and lakes across many continents. …
At some point in the last decade, the waiting until the third date rule vanished, but the stakes around virginity never disappeared. For years, advice about losing your virginity seemed like a script: wait for the right person, wait for love, wait for a certain age. Having sex for the first time was supposed to…
Junco hyemalis–the dark-eyed junco–is a small snowbird common in most of North America and is quite abundant on campus during this time of year. Dark-eyed juncos feast primarily on seeds but will also target insects when the opportunity presents itself. The dark-eyed junco’s ecology is a “what you see is what you get” situation. They…
Leuconotopicus vilosus – the hairy woodpecker – is a common woodpecker species that can be found in most of North America. Although omnivorous, these birds are specially designed for insect foraging, uncovering grubs that foolishly believe bark to be an infallible sanctuary. Sometimes evolution gives simple answers to complex questions. How do you find and…
In an age defined by hookup culture and dating apps, I ended up in an interesting situation. Lying in his bed, I found myself asking the question, “Are we exclusive?” What started as something casual slowly morphed into something I couldn’t explain. As the summer went on, I found the “are we exclusive?” question eating…
Is closure a myth? I almost always close the door when I leave a room. Not for any particular reason, like turning off the lights to save the planet or locking a window to keep intruders at bay. Doors were made to be closed, right? Closure. The elusive, tempting feeling we chase after something ends…
Baeolophus bicolor – the tufted titmouse – is a small songbird native to the eastern half of the United States and a common bird on campus, especially during the winter months. These small omnivores are less conspicuous than other birds seen on campus. Although their songs are sweet and their crests tufted, they don’t peacock…
The American robin – Turdus migratorius – is the most common landbird species in North America and a fixture across campus. The robin has weathered and thrived, despite its turbulent environment, to be one of the most successful vertebrate species of our day. Some naturalists may point to its balanced diet of bugs and fruits…