Many Mumblings With Makayla

Over the course of this semester, our Principles of Social Media class has been working on an assignment that allows us to explore what it would be like to manage a professional business social media account. As we progressed through the simulation, we were given promotions and tasks that increased in difficulty, requiring more skill. The company whose social media accounts we manage is Buhi Supply Co., a bag company selling products such as backpacks, purses, wallets, satchels and duffels. The simulation is run exactly like a real business, giving us the experience of managing different social media platforms and collaborating with others to market the product. The first tasks we were assigned as social media assistants (eventually managers) involved analyzing social media brand guides, audits and other resources to determine which strategies worked best for our company. One of the most important resources was data about which social media platforms perform best based on how we market...

In a world where society is ruled by social media engagement and algorithmic programming, Director Jeff Orlowski's "The Social Dilemma" pulls back the curtain we have used to shield ourselves from the price of our lives in the digital world. The documentary was released in 2020, conveniently around the time when just about everyone in the country was glued to their phones. It complies interviews with social media experts that highlight the dangers and manipulation tactics used by our favorite platforms.  I am a firm believer that social media can do a lot of good when used properly. I may be a little biased in that opinion due to the fact that I know when I need to put my screens down and just live in the moment. This film, while clearly dramatized, genuinely revealed to me just how harmful social media can be. So many individuals can be targeted by certain algorithms that spread misinformation and hate, creating poor social media experiences. Subconsciously, I am aware o...

I can't wait for this summer vacation! For some reason, this semester has felt like it's been 2 years long already. Even though we've had multiple breaks, I am absolutely drained from school and need a 3 month long break from this place.  Thankfully, I have a lot planned for the summer. I say a lot, but will most likely end up sitting in bed doing nothing for hours. My goal this summer is to NOT do that as much...I'll let you know how that works out for me later.  A super exciting event that will happen this summer is my birthday! It's on July 6th and I will be turning 20 years old. I don't exactly know what I want to do for my birthday, but I have ideas. I always usually celebrate with my family on one day and with my friends another. Last year, I had a big party where all my family members came over and my dad made tacos. I don't think I really want that this year, but I love parties and hanging out so I'd be happy either way. This year, I think I want...

In a world where traditional news outlets are fighting to keep the attention of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as an unexpected but powerful player in the realm of news outreach. What started off as a platform for dance trends and funny videos has rapidly evolved into the go-to source of information for millions, specifically Gen Z.  The transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it’s undeniable. Scroll through TikTok today, and in between comedy skits and beauty tutorials, you’ll find users breaking down Supreme Court rulings, live streaming debates or providing real-time updates on global events. Whether it’s the war in Ukraine or political scandals, TikTok users get it all with a few quick scrolls and searches.  There are a few reasons why this method of receiving news works: 1. Traditional news can feel overwhelming. TikTok thrives on being concise, offering digestible updates that fit seamlessly into a world that gravitates toward short attention spans. 2.  ...

Here at ONU, we have a fraternity called TAP, or Theta Alpha Phi, for those involved in the theatre department. TAP events help fund the New York trip the seniors take at the end of the year to audition for casting directors. I was inducted last year as the only freshman because of the amount of credits I came in with. The actual induction ceremony was...strange to say the least, but definitely a lot of fun.  Since then, we've hosted some fun events like themed cabarets where students sign up with a song they want to sing that fits the theme. It's all meant to be fun and we've gotten to see some pretty entertaining performances. We also sell flowers for the family members and friends of students involved in the shows we put on to buy. You can choose to buy them one or two flowers and write them a nice note that we deliver straight to them backstage. Usually we try to host events for the entire ONU community to attend or participate in, but this year has been extremely hard ...

We are officially two days away from Easter Break! Technically only one day because I'm leaving after work on Thursday, but we're almost there. It's hard to believe that once we're back from break there will only be three weeks left of school before finals week. But, that is the furthest thing from my mind right now because I'm so excited to go home and see my family! All three of my sisters will be home this weekend plus my niece and nephew, so it'll be a full house, which I prefer. Family can be a lot sometimes and I'm sure they'll drive me crazy in the three short days I'll be home, but I love when we're all able to get together. When you're the youngest child, you don't cherish those moments when all of your siblings still live with you and when they move out it gets so lonely. It feels even more lonely now that I'm also moved out and two hours away from home. So the times when we can all be in one house for even a weekend are the...