I keep seeing posts and memes online about how “all things in nature hibernate or die back during the winter,” or how “winter is a time of rest, and therefore we need to refrain from activities and social events so we can reset.” And while I absolutely agree that we need to allow ourselves more time and space for rest, I can’t help but feel like we’re missing the point. If growing up in the temperate rain forest of the Pacific Northwest has taught me anything, it’s that winte

Aung Pyae Lin came to MHCC from Myanmar as a computer science major with no plans to become a photographer. Last spring he walked into The Advocate with nothing but an old childhood camcorder and curiosity. One assignment later, everything changed. “I didn’t expect to love it,” he says. “But framing a shot started feeling like debugging – except the result is something people actually want to look at.” What began as a side gig quickly turned into passion. His photos sharpened

Holidays: Time to Rest, Reflect, and Rejoice Have you ever counted down the days to a holiday and felt like the world finally slowed down? Holidays are more than just a break, they are special times that give us a chance to rest, connect with others, explore new experiences, and reflect on the things we are grateful for. In our busy lives, filled with schoolwork, jobs, and daily responsibilities, these special days allow us to pause, slow down, and focus on what truly matters

Between travel, groceries, and the temptation to “celebrate properly,” it’s easy for college students to spend money they don’t really have. But being broke doesn’t mean you have to skip the fun.

I’ll be the first to admit I was a little jealous of the bonds and the laughter they shared on those bargain-blitz battlefields, but I also knew myself well enough to realize it was more than I could handle. I mean, let’s be honest: Holiday shopping in general was more than I could handle, and Black Friday was in a league of its own. Nowadays, the holiday shopping season hits a bit differently. Instead of waiting in line for hours to brave the crowds in physical stores, intro

There is a quiet but unmistakable shift in the way modern culture approaches progress: Not simply political or technological progress, but the ordinary, often unglamorous act of working toward something that takes time. Patience, once considered a civic virtue and a personal discipline, has begun to feel antiquated. The world moves quickly, and many people now expect everything else to move at the same speed. What used to be understood as a process is increasingly judged as

Finals week has a reputation for chaos: Late-night cram sessions fueled by coffee and energy drinks, half-finished assignments scattered across the kitchen table, and students hyperventilating in the bathroom between exams have become synonymous with the college experience. But while the pressure is real, the full-blown meltdown narrative might be more myth than reality – and students today are all too aware of how easily overdoing it can lead to burnout. That doesn’t mean w

Your student ID isn’t just a plastic card that opens doors or hides in your wallet, it’s a discount card in disguise. You’re literally walking around with cash you’re not using. From educational platforms to shopping sites and streaming services, plenty of companies are ready to hand you perks just for being a student here at Mount Hood Community College. Save this, you’re going to need it soon! I’ll start with the ones I love and use myself: Study & Learning Discounts Quizle

Have you ever noticed that certain headlines – local, national, or global – barely register anymore? You scroll past them, not because you don’t care, but because you’ve simply run out of space to care. That creeping sense of indifference has a name: news fatigue. It’s the emotional and mental exhaustion that comes from the relentless current of information, especially the kind steeped in crisis, conflict, and catastrophe. We live in the age of information, a time when techno

Midterms, money issues, shorter days, rainy weather, and complex family dynamics – this time of year can be difficult for students even under the best circumstances. But this fall, the weight of it feels heavier. Government shutdowns, SNAP benefits on hold, military deployments, rising community tension over increased immigration enforcement, protesting, political polarization, and global uncertainty – it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling stretched so thin. We’re on edge,

Chiderah Edeh The Advocate Education today is not just about learning facts or passing exams, it’s about discovering new ways to think, solve problems, and express ideas. At Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), creativity is at the heart of learning. The college encourages students to explore their interests, challenge traditional ways of thinking, and use their imagination to connect what they learn in class to the real world. One of the most inspiring things about MHCC is how

War and conflict are notorious for demanding loyalty. “Pick a side,” people say. “Are you with the good or the bad?” It’s a question that is loaded with unfair weight. It assumes morality is simple – black and white – when, in truth, it is black, white, and the countless shades of grey in between. Every conflict, whether between nations or within a community, is built on stories, experiences, and pain. Both sides believe they are justified; both think they are right. Yet inn

Right now, freedom of speech is dangerously stationed on a parapet. If it topples, there is no climbing back – the very existence of this right would be threatened, perhaps lost for good. We stand at a moment of historical weight where the principle of free speech is not only questioned but actively eroding right before our eyes. More and more, those who exercise their right to speak find themselves punished, shamed, or silenced, as if the act of expression itself is an attac

How do I deal with a one-sided friendship without feeling guilty?

As my time in the Middle College program at Mt. Hood comes to an end, I’ve been thinking about everything these past two years have taught me...

Sometimes things happen in ugly ways, and you must have some uncomfortable conversations for there to be some sort of resolution.

Opinion

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