Video games didn’t just mean a fun hobby to kill time, now they meant connection. Rather than having experiences in real life, I was having virtual experiences to keep my friendships alive. The hours we spent playing Among Us didn’t value less than the hours we spent sitting around at the campus.

As far back as Aristotle’s time, people understood the importance of community. He famously said that “humans are social animals”, meaning that people naturally wired to form relationships and live in groups. It’s not just about survival –strong social bonds help us thrive, find happiness, and reach our full potential. Even today, in our modern world, social connections are just as essential. In fact, our brains are built to expect interactions with others.

International Youth Day was born out of a resolution adopted at the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1998. The United Nations General Assembly later endorsed this recommendation, officially proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day in December 1999. Since then, this day has become an annual opportunity for governments, youth organizations, and communities to come together and address the pressing issues facing young people worldwide.

When was the last time you delayed or postponed a task you needed to complete? Procrastination is basically when we put off doing things that need to be done. Whether it’s cleaning your room, studying for an exam, paying the rent, or finishing work tasks, procrastination is very common, especially among young people.

Ever feel like you're on an emotional rollercoaster, up one minute and down the next? Mood swings can be confusing and frustrating as they are fast and unpredictable. These fluctuations in mood are a common aspect of human experience, influenced by a myriad of factors both internal and external.

Body dysmorphic disorder, also know as body dysmorphia, has a long history, with psychiatrists discussing and diagnosing it since the 1850s. They used the term to describe individuals who were convinced they were unattractive despite having no visible flaws. So this isn’t just a modern phenomenon tied to our society’s preoccupation with appearance.