Are there actual benefits of reality television? This is a question researchers, psychologists, parents and more have wondered for years.

I have an older brother who is four years older than me. One night, he influenced me to watch Jersey Shore. Was that show super appropriate at the time and should it represent reality tv in general? No. But that is the opposite of the point I am trying to get across here.

You are probably going through a lot of emotions right now, which is normal. However, I urge you to watch maybe an episode or two of reality TV a couple times a month — it could help you in the long-term period and future.

The first show that I am going to analyze for you is Survivor. This grueling and intense competition on islands with, so far, a total of 40 seasons has had the same host Jeff Probst. One of the seasons that stood out unlike any other was season 39. Picture this: It’s Winter of 2019, and you are watching the 39th season of Survivor. There is a situation that you see is alarming but inspirational at the time. Basically, in a sentence or two summarized: in one of the episodes a social issue regarding feminism was touched upon, and the male castaways spooked a “women’s alliance.” The women in the tribe discussed double standards and societal perceptions in an intelligent manner. These female contestants educated the men on the tribe and even Jeff Probst himself. In my eyes, this was a pivotal point in the history of Survivor. Not one woman, but a multiple women advocated for female empowerment in front of many men who made assumptions about them. It was sickening to watch men think like that, but it still happens today. According to the blog Medium, Women earn on average 9 percent less than men. When this social issue is in a popular TV show or competition it was a lesson learned by men watching and females were inspired.

The second show that is relevant to why reality TV has many pros is from a show called The Bachelorette. Now this source I am going to dive deeper into was in December. In a recent new season of Bachelorette, there was a contestant whose name was Ben. The woman he was interacting with, Tayshia, brought up the topic of suicide in a discussion. According to AFSP, in 2018, there were an estimated 1.4M suicide attempts. It affects so many people worldwide and when this reality TV show is aired in front of millions of people, awareness is brought into a new light. It is inspiring to know that a show like Bachelorette can allow contestants to fully open about their personal life and make people feel more comfortable with talking about it. The amount it has changed regarding the discussion of mental health has become more prominent over the years. As a Psychology major, it is evident that everyone deals with mental health in their lifetime. It affects people in different ways, but people endure those experiences as life goes on.

The third show that is relevant to this discussion is 16 & Pregnant, along with Teen Mom 2, (same group of girls and concept), which have been present in the media and received a lot of attention for more than a decade. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, exposure to the 16 & Pregnant franchise of shows generated a 4.3 percent reduction in teen births between June 2009 and the end of 2010. This reduction can account for 24 percent of the decline over that period. Teen Pregnancy has become a serious social problem in society because at young age teenage females and males are unaware of what it is like with so many challenges and obstacles. For over a decade, the show has been present with the same ladies and it has followed the women throughout the years, with their struggles. Pregnancy at a young age can be scary but watching how the women tackle the life of being teen moms, girls can learn from their mistakes and use strategies that worked for them.

These three shows: Bachelorette, Teen Mom/16 & Pregnant, and Survivor bring attention to and discuss the topics of mental health, racism and teen pregnancy. When millions are watching each show, the audience can be inspired by hearing one’s stories. When you watch reality TV or hear about it, just know there are many tangible benefits to it.

Shows can talk about topics that people afraid to talk about.

A video call to break down stigmas about mental illness. A Zoom session in which there is a no-judgment zone to talk about life. A space for advocating for mental health in the society that we live in. Where could you dream that this would be?

This is an average meeting for NAMI, also known as National Alliance on Mental Illness. Some people may be hesitant to talk about mental health so publicly. This fall quarter, every board member is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of undergraduate students at Drexel University. This past week, I had the pleasure of talking to every single board member on Zoom and got to know the future goals for the organization and its mission statement. The NAMI organization at Drexel is unlike any other club present in the Drexel community in supporting and cherishing the life that exists around us every day!

This current fall quarter, the club was recolonized. One of the sole reasons that the club was recolonized was because of the faculty advisor, Dr. White. The board members were picked out thoughtfully and carefully so that the Drexel community could receive the best experience. In my opinion, mental health is an essential topic that should be talked about more. In the past, I have had experience with mental illness. When I heard that the club was back, I jumped at the first chance to join. Since I have joined, everyone in the club has been so accepting. All the board members are accepting and conscientious about hearing about everyone’s experiences. The social media coordinator, Graysen Montel, constantly posts statistics, small events and polls that students can look at. In the past month, their Instagram has played an integral part in breaking down stigmas and educating people on facts that may have not been known by their followers. On Oct. 14, there was a Mental Health Jeopardy. It was extremely interactive and allowed all students to learn something new or test what was already known. In the quarter, there will be one large event and two small events.

The President, Domenica Pusic, stated that “NAMI is open for anyone, at any time and it is a place to celebrate each other!” As someone who has attended the last couple of meetings, I have learned more about mental health and I have felt accepted by everyone in the club. I have never experienced such support from a Drexel organization from fellow students at Drexel. I look forward to and strive to attend every meeting because it is such a unique space for all college students. Although most of the clubs are online, like this one, the impact is just as influential as if it was on campus. NAMI is a way for people to talk about something that is not discussed as often as it should.

The organization is constantly accepting every student regardless of what major, background or connection that they may have for mental illness. There is so much room for the organization the grow, prosper and make a difference in the Philadelphia community!

We have heard time and time again about how much COVID-19 has impacted all our lives. We know that, at Drexel, one of the most significant draws for students is co-op. For some, their first and only co-op that was affected; for others, it was one of three.

No one expected what 2020 was going to entail. When March and April came around, co-ops started getting postponed or even canceled. My co-op at Olympik Tots Childcare was supposed to start in March but was delayed until June. I learned about the co-op from my advisor, and I soon realized that the position interested me. One of my friends that goes to Drexel, Lauren Hermann, had a co-op at ALS Center of Hope at Temple University. Although some of the work was postponed and limited, she said “it was hard to get the interaction, but it felt good to work with a team.” She learned about independence in the workforce and completing collaborative work with other coworkers. In addition to working with a team, she had conversations over the phone with patients. This was out of her comfort zone, but she learned much from it. Just like her, you may find yourself in a position that you never thought you would ever consider doing, but keeping an open mind before the co-op application process begins is a good trait to have because it shows resilience to employers.

We should stay hopeful. Although classes are online this fall quarter, we must take advantage of every opportunity to succeed. Try to make zoom classes fun, make connections with faculty, and lastly make the best out of the situation that we are all in. As a five-year student, I have two more co-ops left. Open-mindedness is key because there might be something you were not originally drawn toward. The one you least expect can be a life-changing moment in your lives. I did not ever expect to work at a daycare, but it made me realize that I did not want to be a teacher. But if it were not for this experience, I would not have had any personal experience being a co-teacher.

During my co-op, something that I cherished was making a mark on the lives of children during this time. Younger kids are more susceptible to what is happening around them. Every mark that is made in their lives could impact their future both short term and long term. Even during this time, we should stay open-minded for what is to come.

Spanish is becoming a more common language in the United States. It’s the second most common language spoken in the United States. Personally, I have taken six years of Spanish both in middle school and high school and am currently minoring in Spanish. Because of it’s prominence, Spanish is helpful in everyday life.

I want to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country like Argentina or Spain. Because the number one language spoken in both of these countries is Spanish, these abroad opportunities require a certain level of fluency. I am hoping to achieve that fluency goal and practice my Spanish-speaking skills in person.

Speaking a second language can also have positive, long term health effects. According to Alzheimer’s Today, “Speaking more than one language appears to help the brain resist the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.” According to Colorado Mesa University, there are 33 million Spanish speakers in the United States, leaving other advantages of speaking the language unexplored still.

The Spanish speaking population in the United States is exponentially getting higher and higher day by day. As a result, it’s becoming more popular in the work force and is being taught to young children. I used to be a camp counselor at McDonogh Summer Programs, which had a Spanish class for the younger campers. With six to seven-year-old children, we sang songs and did arts and crafts related to Spanish.

I grew up wanting to learn new things about different cultures. I am still eager to learn new things about other cultures that I haven’t known before. I am going on co-op in the spring and summer quarter and one of the jobs that I had gotten an interview for asked me if I spoke Spanish. I let the employer knew that I had taken six years of Spanish and that my minor is Spanish, putting these advantages to work.

This is a clear example of how popular it is becoming in the work force around the United States, especially Philadelphia. According to a 2011 paper by U.S. Census Bureau Demographers Jennifer Ortman and Hyon B. Shin, the number of Spanish speakers is projected to rise through 2020 to anywhere between 39 million and 43 million, depending on the assumption one makes about immigration. These numbers are clearly going to grow and make an impact on today’s society.

Week five! What does that mean? Exam stress is increasing and anxiety is exponentially booming. In the past year, I have been involved with a walking dog service called Wag. What is Wag? It’s a dog walking service in which you walk dogs and get paid for doing it.

I had a beagle for 16 years of my life. When she passed away, I went to college the following month. I missed the opportunity to walk my dog around the court. I missed the endless licks from my dog. And most of all, I missed the constant unconditional love. It was something I looked forward to every day of the week.

Beagles are a very mysterious and mischievous breed of dog. They get themselves into trouble and often make a mess around the house. However, they are also the most innocent dogs out there. Dogs can have a lifelong effect on people, known to boost happiness, promote laughter and attract love. According to pet care blogger Sandy Wallace, petting dogs and gazing into their eyes releases the “feel good” hormone oxytocin for both people and dogs. Young children can receive a boost of self-fulfillment when matched up with a pet, particularly a dog. I was extremely lucky to have grown up with a dog and watch it grow and develop. It became a regular part of my life.

I first heard about the Wag app from a friend. When I signed up, I was a bit hesitant, but I went for it. Since then, I have walked about 25 dogs and made an average of nine bucks per walk. I have noticed that after I walk a dog, I feel more motivated to do my homework and study. It simply puts me in a good mood, and I receive a bump of joy. I have walked a different breed every time; whether it be a golden retriever, basset hound, or bulldog, they all had a lasting effect on my mood that week.

According to a service dog certification website, students are more equipped to face the challenges of academia with regular visits from a therapy canine. A therapy dog or even interacting with a dog can help improve how you feel. When you first interact with a dog, your automatic instinct is to gravitate toward them. Personally, when I am faced with challenges at college, I know a way to relieve my stress is interacting with an animal, particularly a dog.

In 2011, the American Psychological Association found that pet owners had “greater self-esteem, were more conscientious, were more extraverted, tended to be less fearful and tended to be less preoccupied than non-owners.”

Through many studies and evaluations, it has been recognized that a person’s sense of happiness is formed by interactions with their dogs. As a result, when someone has a dog for a portion of their life, that portion of their life is defined as having many more ups than downs in terms of one’s mood. If you have a chance, go walk a dog or even see when the Drexel therapy dogs are on campus!

I decided to run cross country at the beginning of my freshman year, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The sport taught me perseverance, determination and diligence, but most importantly, it taught me that running is a good mechanism for relieving stress. I have loved running since then, and whenever I need something to do, running is one of my first solutions to that problem.

The sport helps clear my mind whenever I am stressed, as I always set a goal for myself before I go on the run, and accomplishing it always makes me feel productive. The transition from spring break to spring term was difficult, but I found that running helped to relieve my stress.The first couple weeks of the third quarter were difficult because of this transition, but when the weather started getting warmer, I was able to go on runs on the trail along the Schuylkill River.

I highly recommend going on a run or walk, for it allows you to take in what is around you. Getting outside exercises the brain because it alleviates any negative thoughts in the mind. During a walk or run, observing nature and embracing the environment that surrounds us can be beneficial. Running is often especially stress-relieving for people like myself who have anxiety and depression. While this does not work for everyone, there are many proven positive aspects of running, both mental and physical. In one eight-year study of 2,637 participants, researchers found that the more frequently people ran, the less likely they were to suffer from knee pain or osteoarthritis. Given this information, running has been known to make the muscles in the body to be stronger. Another positive aspect of running is that it helps people sleep longer, improve their mood and boost their ability to focus. It can also give you a more determined mindset as you become focused on completing your running goals.

When you feel like you need to concentrate or take your mind off things, go for a walk or run in a nearby park. If the sky is blue and the grass is green, the weather is perfect for a stroll. Nature is underrated. We need to take advantage of the parks around us; even a 20-minute brisk walk is enough. Philadelphia has amazing parks and trails that are present for a reason. As a Philadelphian student, I strongly recommend fresh air as a good way to take your mind off things. Whether it be with someone or just by yourself,  running helps you take in what is around you and enjoy the little things in life. While people may be apprehensive about taking up running, I believe the positive aspects of this exercise make it worth trying out.

I decided to run cross country at the beginning of my freshman year, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The sport taught me perseverance, determination and diligence, but most importantly, it taught me that running is a good mechanism for relieving stress. I have loved running since then, and whenever I need something to do, running is one of my first solutions to that problem.

The sport helps clear my mind whenever I am stressed, as I always set a goal for myself before I go on the run, and accomplishing it always makes me feel productive. The transition from spring break to spring term was difficult, but I found that running helped to relieve my stress.The first couple weeks of the third quarter were difficult because of this transition, but when the weather started getting warmer, I was able to go on runs on the trail along the Schuylkill River.

I highly recommend going on a run or walk, for it allows you to take in what is around you. Getting outside exercises the brain because it alleviates any negative thoughts in the mind. During a walk or run, observing nature and embracing the environment that surrounds us can be beneficial. Running is often especially stress-relieving for people like myself who have anxiety and depression. While this does not work for everyone, there are many proven positive aspects of running, both mental and physical. In one eight-year study of 2,637 participants, researchers found that the more frequently people ran, the less likely they were to suffer from knee pain or osteoarthritis. Given this information, running has been known to make the muscles in the body to be stronger. Another positive aspect of running is that it helps people sleep longer, improve their mood and boost their ability to focus. It can also give you a more determined mindset as you become focused on completing your running goals.

When you feel like you need to concentrate or take your mind off things, go for a walk or run in a nearby park. If the sky is blue and the grass is green, the weather is perfect for a stroll. Nature is underrated. We need to take advantage of the parks around us; even a 20-minute brisk walk is enough. Philadelphia has amazing parks and trails that are present for a reason. As a Philadelphian student, I strongly recommend fresh air as a good way to take your mind off things. Whether it be with someone or just by yourself,  running helps you take in what is around you and enjoy the little things in life. While people may be apprehensive about taking up running, I believe the positive aspects of this exercise make it worth trying out.

I decided to run cross country at the beginning of my freshman year, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The sport taught me perseverance, determination and diligence, but most importantly, it taught me that running is a good mechanism for relieving stress. I have loved running since then, and whenever I need something to do, running is one of my first solutions to that problem.

The sport helps clear my mind whenever I am stressed, as I always set a goal for myself before I go on the run, and accomplishing it always makes me feel productive. The transition from spring break to spring term was difficult, but I found that running helped to relieve my stress.The first couple weeks of the third quarter were difficult because of this transition, but when the weather started getting warmer, I was able to go on runs on the trail along the Schuylkill River.

I highly recommend going on a run or walk, for it allows you to take in what is around you. Getting outside exercises the brain because it alleviates any negative thoughts in the mind. During a walk or run, observing nature and embracing the environment that surrounds us can be beneficial. Running is often especially stress-relieving for people like myself who have anxiety and depression. While this does not work for everyone, there are many proven positive aspects of running, both mental and physical. In one eight-year study of 2,637 participants, researchers found that the more frequently people ran, the less likely they were to suffer from knee pain or osteoarthritis. Given this information, running has been known to make the muscles in the body to be stronger. Another positive aspect of running is that it helps people sleep longer, improve their mood and boost their ability to focus. It can also give you a more determined mindset as you become focused on completing your running goals.

When you feel like you need to concentrate or take your mind off things, go for a walk or run in a nearby park. If the sky is blue and the grass is green, the weather is perfect for a stroll. Nature is underrated. We need to take advantage of the parks around us; even a 20-minute brisk walk is enough. Philadelphia has amazing parks and trails that are present for a reason. As a Philadelphian student, I strongly recommend fresh air as a good way to take your mind off things. Whether it be with someone or just by yourself,  running helps you take in what is around you and enjoy the little things in life. While people may be apprehensive about taking up running, I believe the positive aspects of this exercise make it worth trying out.

I decided to run cross country at the beginning of my freshman year, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The sport taught me perseverance, determination and diligence, but most importantly, it taught me that running is a good mechanism for relieving stress. I have loved running since then, and whenever I need something to do, running is one of my first solutions to that problem.

The sport helps clear my mind whenever I am stressed, as I always set a goal for myself before I go on the run, and accomplishing it always makes me feel productive. The transition from spring break to spring term was difficult, but I found that running helped to relieve my stress.The first couple weeks of the third quarter were difficult because of this transition, but when the weather started getting warmer, I was able to go on runs on the trail along the Schuylkill River.

I highly recommend going on a run or walk, for it allows you to take in what is around you. Getting outside exercises the brain because it alleviates any negative thoughts in the mind. During a walk or run, observing nature and embracing the environment that surrounds us can be beneficial. Running is often especially stress-relieving for people like myself who have anxiety and depression. While this does not work for everyone, there are many proven positive aspects of running, both mental and physical. In one eight-year study of 2,637 participants, researchers found that the more frequently people ran, the less likely they were to suffer from knee pain or osteoarthritis. Given this information, running has been known to make the muscles in the body to be stronger. Another positive aspect of running is that it helps people sleep longer, improve their mood and boost their ability to focus. It can also give you a more determined mindset as you become focused on completing your running goals.

When you feel like you need to concentrate or take your mind off things, go for a walk or run in a nearby park. If the sky is blue and the grass is green, the weather is perfect for a stroll. Nature is underrated. We need to take advantage of the parks around us; even a 20-minute brisk walk is enough. Philadelphia has amazing parks and trails that are present for a reason. As a Philadelphian student, I strongly recommend fresh air as a good way to take your mind off things. Whether it be with someone or just by yourself,  running helps you take in what is around you and enjoy the little things in life. While people may be apprehensive about taking up running, I believe the positive aspects of this exercise make it worth trying out.

I decided to run cross country at the beginning of my freshman year, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The sport taught me perseverance, determination and diligence, but most importantly, it taught me that running is a good mechanism for relieving stress. I have loved running since then, and whenever I need something to do, running is one of my first solutions to that problem.

The sport helps clear my mind whenever I am stressed, as I always set a goal for myself before I go on the run, and accomplishing it always makes me feel productive. The transition from spring break to spring term was difficult, but I found that running helped to relieve my stress.The first couple weeks of the third quarter were difficult because of this transition, but when the weather started getting warmer, I was able to go on runs on the trail along the Schuylkill River.

I highly recommend going on a run or walk, for it allows you to take in what is around you. Getting outside exercises the brain because it alleviates any negative thoughts in the mind. During a walk or run, observing nature and embracing the environment that surrounds us can be beneficial. Running is often especially stress-relieving for people like myself who have anxiety and depression. While this does not work for everyone, there are many proven positive aspects of running, both mental and physical. In one eight-year study of 2,637 participants, researchers found that the more frequently people ran, the less likely they were to suffer from knee pain or osteoarthritis. Given this information, running has been known to make the muscles in the body to be stronger. Another positive aspect of running is that it helps people sleep longer, improve their mood and boost their ability to focus. It can also give you a more determined mindset as you become focused on completing your running goals.

When you feel like you need to concentrate or take your mind off things, go for a walk or run in a nearby park. If the sky is blue and the grass is green, the weather is perfect for a stroll. Nature is underrated. We need to take advantage of the parks around us; even a 20-minute brisk walk is enough. Philadelphia has amazing parks and trails that are present for a reason. As a Philadelphian student, I strongly recommend fresh air as a good way to take your mind off things. Whether it be with someone or just by yourself,  running helps you take in what is around you and enjoy the little things in life. While people may be apprehensive about taking up running, I believe the positive aspects of this exercise make it worth trying out.