Month: November 2021

Seasonal mental health can still affect students in sunny St. George as the season begins to change.

The United States has more than 3 million cases of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a mood disorder characterized by depression during the same time yearly.

SAD symptoms can range but often include: Fatigue, social withdrawal, depression and hopelessness.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, SAD symptoms can begin at any age but typically start between ages 18 and 30.

College students are not immune to SAD. Even if students are not diagnosed with this disorder, they can still experience an increase in anxiety and depression as the weather cools and the semester begins to come to a close.

SAD can be diagnosed by a health professional and there are several treatment options; however, if you are not diagnosed with SAD by a health professional you can still find ways to boost your mood.

According to News Medical Life Sciences, 20 minutes of exercise a day can help reduce depression symptoms. Regular exercise can increase levels of serotonin in the brain.

Dixie State University opened the Human Performance Center (HPC) in 2019 to replace the old gym formally known as the Student Activity Center (SAC). Students, faculty and staff at DSU can use this as a resource to be active.

Susan Hart, associate professor of exercise science said, “Exercise is also associated with quality sleep patterns, daily energy and positive self-image.”

Spending quality time with friends can also boost your mood. Surrounding yourself with people that love and care about you is important when you are experiencing SAD symptoms.

“Getting exercise, good eating habits and getting good sleep are huge when it comes to helping your mental health improve,” said Nichole Rammell, a licensed clinical social worker with Sunrise Mental Health Services.

According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, spending time in nature has many benefits which includes cognitive benefits. Southern Utah has countless outdoor activities to participate in that allow students to enjoy the outdoors year-round.

“Exposure to sunlight has been shown to help people with anxiety and depression,” Hart said. “Sunlight is also a natural source of vitamin D, important for cell growth, the absorption of calcium needed for strong bones, and the reduction of inflammation [helping] you feel better.”

If you find that your symptoms are getting worse, you can schedule an appointment with a counselor at the Booth Wellness Center for additional help with mental health.

By: Samantha Stokes

There’s a secret musician in the Dixie State University math department.

Jesse Hicks, assistant professor of mathematics, has been teaching for 12 years and has a background in mathematical relativity which is within a branch of math known as differential geometry. His love for general relativity and Einstein’s theory of gravity is what drew him to math.

Hicks said: “I love and appreciate deep truths honestly. I like fundamental truths. That’s what I’m always hunting for.”

Hicks went into teaching because of the thrill that comes from helping students along the journey to find those “a-ha” moments. He said he enjoys seeing students advance in their own understanding of things because mathematics is logical and has definite right and wrongs.

Avery Hansen, a sophomore psychology major from Syracuse, said: “His teaching style is very efficient and he has good control over the class. He makes it fun to go to class because he’s very understanding of his students and their lives outside of school.”

Other than a passion in math, Hicks also loves music. He has always kept music between himself and his family but has recently considered releasing music for fun. 

“I’ve never had this vision of trying to be famous or release songs, but recently I’ve been thinking, why don’t I just see if people like it?” Hicks said. 

Hicks dedicates his time to work, math, music and family. His favorite band is The Beatles and one of his favorite songs is “Let it Be.”

Hicks is a compassionate and understanding professor who wants to work with each student to come to an understanding of the complicated material. 

“There are truths out there that we have to kind of bend, we can’t dictate how the universe will operate and that’s a hard thing to face,” Hicks said. “It’s a hard thing to appreciate, it’s hard to keep it understood constantly.” 

Hicks currently teaches college algebra, multivariable calculus and topology. In the spring 2022 semester he will be teaching college algebra, multivariable calculus and linear algebra two.

Mckay Sullivan, assistant professor of mathematics, said he wants to help everyone be their best self. 

When asked about his favorite class to teach, Hicks said, “It’s like picking a favorite kid, I do love topology, but I love abstract algebra as well.”

He has also taught a quantum computing course and is working to become an expert in quantum computing.

“It’s a technology that’s on the horizon, it’ll be changing industries sooner than people think,” Hicks said. 

Math is typically thought of as a very black and white topic while music has no right answer.

Giving thanks is celebrated all around the world and may be different than the Thanksgiving you have previously experienced.

We all celebrate the holiday of giving differently, and each family has their own unique traditions. Here’s a list of five countries and their holiday traditions. 

Canada 

Canadian Thanksgiving dates back 40 years before the U.S., going back to 1578. This is considered to be the very first Thanksgiving celebration in North America. Their Thanksgiving is centered around bountiful harvest instead of focusing on the pilgrims. 

“Canadian Thanksgiving is the second weekend in October because snow starts falling at the end of October and it pretty much feels like Christmas in November,” said Ayana Brown, a senior accounting major from British Columbia, Canada. “It’s pretty similar, a big family dinner with turkey, ham and lots of different vegetables.” 

The Canadian Thanksgiving is almost identical to how it is celebrated in the U.S., it only falls a few weeks earlier on the calendar. 

“On Canadian Thanksgiving, it is indigenous people’s day in the U.S.,” Brown said. “I miss the celebration of indigenous people in Canada.”

Spain 

In Spain, there isn’t one day dedicated to thanks or the harvest season. It’s more about celebrations of individual harvest. In late August, they celebrate La Vendimia in Requena, Valencia, which is for the grape harvest. On Oct. 31, many cities celebrate Castañadas y Otoño, which means chestnuts and autumn. 

“I would say I first learned about Thanksgiving through the movies and shows I watched as a kid,” said Alejandra Henriquez, a junior graphic design major from Barcelona, Spain. “The first time I ever had a Thanksgiving dinner was in Sweden; the senior couple overseeing the Young Adult Center prepared the meal for us.” 

Germany

Thanksgiving in Germany is referred to as Erntedankfest, which means “harvest festival of thanks.” It takes place on the first Sunday of October, which often follows their celebration of Michaelistag, which means Michaelmas on Sept. 29.

During a typical Erntedankfest, individuals may carry an Erntekrone, a harvest crown of grains, fruit and flowers to the church in a solemn procession and feast on various dishes.

Though rural areas take the harvest festival more literally, churches in German cities will also join in on the celebration. They give thanks for the good fortune their congregations experienced during the year. 

China 

China celebrates its annual Chung Chiu Moon Festival, the fall harvest, on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar cycle of the year. Chinese families come together for a three-day feast. This feast features a delicacy they have, moon cakes. 

Moon cakes are round pastries that usually contain duck egg yolks, lotus seed paste and sesame seeds. The yolk represents the full moon and the cakes usually contain the baker’s insignia on the top. Families and friends will share these pastries as a symbol of peace for the new season. 

Families will then watch the full moon and recite poetry, or for couples, they celebrate romance under the full moon. 

“I find it fascinating that cultures around the world have similar celebrations and holidays despite being completely different,” said Lin Tian, a junior mechanical engineering major from Hangzhou, China. 

Thanksgiving is celebrated in many different ways if celebrated at all, but every country has a holiday that celebrates the harvest, whether it’s Thanksgiving or something completely different. 

Nearing the end of the semester, the holidays are a nice break to visit home and re-set for students.

Whether it be seeing family or getting time off school, Dixie State University students are ready for the holiday season to start and here’s what they have to say about Thanksgiving.

“I love the holidays, it’s my favorite time of year and Thanksgiving is really the kick-off of the season for me,” said Natalie Degering, a sophomore communication studies major from Sandy.

Natalie’s Thanksgiving is family-oriented, as her and her parents take the weekend to set up their home for Christmas.

“It brings me so much joy to see family that I’ve missed, and gather around some good food,” Degering said.

Thanksgiving means food in this student’s book. Drew Martin, a junior media studies major from Bountiful, said he looks forward to a good turkey, the perfect slice of pumpkin pie, and some killer deals on Black Friday.

“When it comes to Thanksgiving it’s very food-based for me,” Martin said. “It’s all about that dark meat turkey.”

For several students, Thanksgiving means finally going home for the holidays to see family. 

Zac Barker, a junior digital film major from Watertown, New York, said: “It means spending time with family and friends. My favorite part of thanksgiving is between the food and going shopping.”

Jocee Spotten, a freshman general studies major from Spanish Fork, said Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday to her, it’s about being grateful.

“It’s about gratitude, it’s a time to be thankful for what you have and the family that you are surrounded by,” Spotten said. “Being able to get together with everyone is important to me.”

Greyson Sederlof, a junior marketing major from Ogden, said it is special to him that he and his family come together for the holidays.

“It’s one of the rare times a year that my family gets to be together in one place,” Sederlof said. “I look forward to going home every year.”

Jody Thompson, a sophomore business management major from Fontana, California, said Thanksgiving goes beyond just a day to her.

“Thanksgiving to me is not only being grateful for the big things like food, shelter, and the clothes on my back, but the little things like being able to have a good job or be healthy,” Thompson said. “I am grateful to be alive and have the people I love to be present with me like my family and friends.”

Cutter David, a sophomore psychology major from St. George, said he likes to spend Thanksgiving surrounded by family and be grateful for life in all aspects. 

“Thanksgiving to me is a time of remembrance and gratitude,” David said. “It’s one of my favorite times of the year because I am surrounded by family and friends the entire day; it allows me to be thankful to those who are still with us and to remember those who are no longer here.”

Not every student heads to their hometown for Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give thanks from your own dorm room.

Students who aren’t able to return home for Thanksgiving still have the ability to create their favorite foods and traditions of the holiday. The reasons for staying at school during Thanksgiving vary from student to student, whether a student has to work over the break or family is too far away.

Watching your favorite movies, holiday movies or seeing a new movie in the theaters are relaxing activities for Thanksgiving.

Sean Gray, a sophomore accounting major from Kanab, said, “I am going to watch some TV and maybe decorate for the holidays.”

Other activity ideas are serving the community or hosting a Friendsgiving. The easiest way to plan a Friendsgiving is by asking each friend who attends to bring their favorite Thanksgiving food.

Haili Lino, a freshman general studies major from Herriman, said, “Although it’s not the same as being with your family, surrounding yourself with friends that you’re thankful for is fun and sentimental.”

This Thanksgiving will be the second Thanksgiving that Ivette Balboa, a sophomore pre-nursing major from Kailua, Hawaii, will be attending a Friendsgiving.

“A lot of our friends are staying down so we are all going to make a whole bunch of food and watch movies,” Balboa said. “Last time we did it at the Campus View Suites community kitchen and it worked really well.”

When searching for recipes, ease and affordability are important for college students. Here are five recipes you can easily make in your dorm room:

Air Fryer Stuffing

The traditional Thanksgiving side of stuffing is a blend of bread, veggies and flavor.

Students in dorms who don’t have easy access to an oven or stovetop have resorted to an air fryer for meals. This recipe is partly on the stovetop and partly in the air fryer which makes for a great option for students.

Air fryer Turkey

Once again with Thanksgiving in the air-fryer, this recipe shows you how to easily make a turkey in the air fryer.

This recipe works with either boneless turkey breast or bone-in turkey breast. The easier option for college students would be the boneless turkey breast option.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

A dessert for this Thanksgiving season would be a chocolate chip pumpkin bread recipe.

This recipe requires an oven but is easy and festive to go along with the autumn season. A tip for keeping the bread long-lasting is to save half of it in the freezer. When you want to eat it, pull it out, cut off a slice and heat it up in the microwave or toaster.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Roll-ups

This air fryer recipe is a play off of the traditional apple pie. With only five ingredients, this recipe is a great option to bring to Friendsgiving.

This recipe is easy and quick with a total cook and prep time of 20 minutes.

Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pie Soup

After Thanksgiving, leftovers can be whipped up into one soup. This recipe is even easier right after Thanksgiving since all the ingredients can be thrown into a pot.

It is a slow cooker recipe that takes about four hours on the stove. The prep time is only 15 minutes.

For more recipes to fit your specific interests and situations visit Pinterest.