The holiday season comes wrapped in nostalgia and emotional landmines. Hallmark sells us warmth and togetherness. Reality hands us one long group text about who’s bringing what, and who’s bringing baggage. For queer people, that baggage isn’t metaphorical. It’s personal, political, and perennial.

For the first time in over a decade, there’s no drag show on FAU’s fall calendar. Longtime host, producer, drag performer, and alumna Ariel Rimm says no one even told her.

“Technically, it would’ve been my 15th year doing this show,” Rimm said. “I got zero response from anyone.”

For many queer students, college is as emotionally demanding as it is exciting, making it crucial to have an outlet beyond classes and coursework.

Whether that be a friend group, family, or an interest, having something separate from the stressor creates an environment that can help you get through tough times.

During my first week at FAU, I got my class schedule and textbooks. Then I made a counseling appointment. 

Have you ever felt like the sky was falling—like you’re one crisis away from everything crashing down? Whether that feels painfully familiar or impossibly distant, it’s the daily reality for many students.

I recently picked up a copy of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor and famous Stoic.