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ARTICLES
Between the relentless pressure to optimize every single semester as the "best years of your life" and the trap of comparing yourself to peers, college can often feel isolating. In Dear You, Take It Easy on Yourself, Shreemayi Undavalli opens up a much-needed conversation about dropping the pursuit of perfection, adjusting to the rhythm of campus life, and remembering to breathe.
Built entirely from words submitted by CNS students, Word on the Street: Volume 1 by Sravya Gullapalli and Aleeza Mazhar weaves together biology, chemistry, and human connection. From cellular metabolism and molecular bonds to the constellations of a diverse student body, this piece transforms raw student vocabulary into a stunning reflection on what it means to build a community.
Thinking about joining the Natural Sciences Council but not sure where you fit in? In Your Aesthetic, Your Committee, Your Impact!, Sravya Gullapalli, Aleeza Mazhar, and Brina Patel break down NSC's eight unique committees. From creative storytelling and legislative advocacy to building community and organizing events, this guide helps you find your niche and make a lasting impact in CNS.
Tucked away in the back of Robert A. Welch Hall, the Nucleus has long been a go-to study hub for CNS students—provided you can find a spot before it closes at 8 p.m. In Legislation Spotlight: Extending Hours of the Welch Nucleus, Khanh Hoang highlights a new student-led initiative by Sai Kolluru to expand study hours to 10 p.m. (with hopes for midnight and weekends), giving science majors a much-needed, reliable space to collaborate late into the evening.
Between surviving brutal exams and constant lab hours, science majors know all too well what it means to run on caffeine and willpower. In Maya's Guide to Self Care, Maya reminds us that exhaustion shouldn't be worn like a badge of honor, encouraging CNS students to close their tabs and remember they are human beings first.
Applying to competitive undergraduate research programs doesn't mean you need a flawless, stress-inducing resume. In Standing out without Stressing Out!, Brina Patel shares practical advice and CNS student perspectives on navigating science internships, setting clear goals, and showing genuine curiosity over trying to look perfect on paper.
When study sessions move to coffee shops in search of focus, the intentions are high and the outcomes are often hilarious and not as productive as we thought it to be. In Locked Out: A Comic, Sravya Gullapalli captures the universal student struggle of chasing academic motivation into the wild, only to run headfirst into laughter and conversation.
Stepping into a university research lab for the first time can feel daunting, but programs like the Freshman Research Initiative change the narrative. In Hands-On Science: Experiences in UT FRI's DIY Diagnostics Stream, Haset Mekuria explores what it’s really like to dive into undergraduate research, highlighting how peer mentorship, collaborative workflows, and hands-on project development turn early scientific nerves into lasting confidence.
As distance and time soften the edges of memory, certain traditions remain to bridge the gap. In Blood Fruit, Melody Dehghan explores the quiet weight of inheritance through the seasonal ritual of peeling pomegranates—reflecting on displacement, family, and how the things we carry keep us rooted.
Every Tuesday on San Antonio Street, a long line of students gathers not for an event, but for a beloved West Campus tradition: free, freshly grilled burgers. In Churger Tuesday: Food Distribution at LuMin Austin, Khanh Hoang and Brina Patel explore how LuMin's weekly feeding ministry has evolved into a vital community hub addressing student food insecurity and fostering connection across campus.