Fewer programs, diminished funding for liberal arts, and empty dormitories seem a growing reality for many college campuses nationwide—especially in New York State (NYS). The national average for college enrollment from 2010 to 2024 saw an 11.61 percent decline, while SUNY schools, such as Potsdam, saw as much as a 43 percent decrease in first-year student enrollment. Geneseo itself has experienced a -22.57 percent enrollment difference since 2010. Several New York schools, including the College of Saint Rose, Medaille College, and Cazenovia College, have been forced to close due to decreased enrollment and funding issues.

Students often struggle during the middle of the fall semester; as midterms pass and Thanksgiving break approaches, it's common to lose momentum and motivation. Knowing that you are not the only one feeling this way is essential! Once the buzz of starting a new school year (or starting college at all) wears out and deadlines begin to creep in, it can start to feel like the semester starts to drag you along. So, instead of holding on for dear life, here are some tips and tricks from students who are along for the ride with you! 

During the upcoming festive season, people engage in shopping to a way higher degree than most will at any other point of the year. It is no surprise to any of us in the modern age that there has been a large movement away from traditional retail stores to check boxes off of birthday and holiday lists, and turning to finding and buying these goods online. E-commerce is a foundational pillar of the Internet age, with many of the biggest online companies in the world, such as Amazon, being companies based on acquiring, purchasing, and shipping various products. While more convenient for many people, is it better that society has moved to this more streamlined version of shopping? Or will this reliance lead to a dissolvement of one of America’s largest industries?