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Ultimately, tipping fatigue might be the catalyst needed for a broader change in the wage system

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BY AMARI SUKHDEO

In recent years, Americans have grown frustrated with the pervasive tipping culture, a phenomenon known as tipping fatigue. This exhaustion has occurred from being constantly prompted to tip in a variety of situations, from coffee shops to self-serve kiosks. The issue has become so widespread that it’s sparking debates about the fairness and necessity of tipping altogether.

A Bankrate survey found that two-thirds of Americans feel negatively about tipping, and 70% believe tipping is now expected in more places than ever before, according to the Pew Research Center. This is reflected in another survey where 35% of Americans think tipping culture is out of control. It’s not surprising that 29% of Americans see tipping as an obligation rather than a choice.

Saru Jayaraman, a long-time advocate for fair wages for restaurant workers, has been fighting to eliminate the subminimum wage, a system that allows employers to pay tipped workers less than the federal minimum wage. Jayaraman points out that the frustration among Americans, as over half of them think businesses are using tips to avoid paying fair wages, shifting the burden of employee compensation to customers.

The historical roots of tipping in America reveal its contentious nature. After the abolition of slavery in 1865, employers used tips to justify not paying wages to newly freed slaves. This practice was codified into law in 1938 when the U.S. established its first nationwide minimum wage but exempted tipped workers. Today, 43 states still have a federal subminimum wage of $2.13 an hour for tipped workers, leaving many reliant on the generosity of customers to make a living.

Despite these challenges, some regions are making progress. Washington D.C. and Chicago have passed laws requiring all workers to receive the minimum wage regardless of tips. This change has not led to the predicted economic downfall. In Chicago, for instance, 60% of restaurants are already adhering to this policy even though there is a five-year grace period for implementation.

As tipping fatigue continues to grow, more consumers are questioning the fairness and necessity of tipping. Research from Cornell University indicates people tip not out of generosity, but to avoid feeling guilty, or ashamed. Interestingly, 72% of adults report being asked to tip in more places compared to five years ago, contributing to what many call “tipflation.”

Ultimately, tipping fatigue might be the catalyst needed for a broader change in the wage system. As more consumers become aware of the implications of tipping, there is hope for a shift towards fair wages for all workers, ensuring that compensation does not rely on the fluctuating generosity of customers.

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Junior Contributors

To make education better, teachers need to change how they connect with students

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BY KAHA GEDI

Teaching isn’t just about giving information; it’s about creating learning experiences that students find interesting and useful. When teachers try new ways to connect with their students, learning becomes more exciting and not to mention meaningful. Here are five essential tips for schools and educators to support students.

Introducing Michigan Virtual, or LANSING, Mich, who unveiled a bold 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for transforming education. They are a leader in learning innovations and are sharing key tips for educators and schools to build off their new 2025-2030 Strategic Plan. This ambitious plan accentuates three strategic priorities: driving educational change, broadening student pathways, and powering professional learning. These efforts aim to address Michigan’s urgent need for educational talent development and provide innovative, technology-driven learning solutions for students and educators alike. These efforts aim to address Michigan’s urgent need for educational talent development and provide innovative, technology-driven learning solutions for students and educators alike. Other regions, including Toronto, Ontario can also learn from these strategies and use them to improve their own educational systems too.

To support both students and educators, schools should look to:

  • Adopt new learning models: Schools should explore innovative educational measures like virtual training and project-based learning to meet diverse needs. These models allow students to engage in hands-on experiences that relate to real-world problems, helping them develop important skills like teamwork and critical thinking.
  • Expand career pathways: Focus on integrating flexible, real-world learning experiences to prepare students for life beyond school. This could include: job shadowing, internships, or partnerships with local, or small businesses, giving students a chance to explore different careers and understand what skills are needed. I think this is a great idea because it diversifies students’ experiences and helps them get ready for the real world. It shows them how what they learn in school can be used in real-life situations. By taking part in these opportunities, students can make important connections and learn more about their future careers.
  • Prioritize professional development: Investing in flexible learning opportunities to keep up with trends in education technology is crucial. Providing teachers with ongoing training helps them learn new tools and techniques, which they can then use to enhance their teaching and better support their students.
  • Foster collaborative networks: Engaging with partners such as Michigan Virtual to introduce and attain system-wide transformations. Collaboration allows schools to share resources and best practices, creating a stronger support system for educators and students alike. By working together, schools can implement new ideas more effectively.
  • Leverage technology: Use AI and other tech tools to create personalized, high touch learning environments that enhance student engagement. Technology can help make lessons to fit individual student needs, making learning more enjoyable and effective. For example, virtual reality experiences, which can be provided with a higher budget, and can be used once in while during classes, can definitely make lessons more interactive.

In conclusion, to make education better, teachers need to change how they connect with students. By trying new learning methods, offering real-world experiences, supporting teacher training, working together with partners, and using technology, schools can create meaningful learning experiences. Michigan Virtual plan shows that these ideas can help students and teachers today and prepare them for the future. By using these strategies, schools can improve learning and help students succeed.

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Junior Contributors

6 Essential tips for mastering college productivity

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BY AMARI SUKHDEO

Balancing college classes, assignments, part-time jobs, and personal life can be challenging, especially when everything feels like a top priority. Between study sessions, deadlines, and social commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

However, developing effective productivity habits can help you: stay organized, reduce stress, and even carve out more time for the things you enjoy. Here are six essential tips to help you stay on top of your responsibilities without sacrificing your well-being.

Use a calendar to organize your time

Start by organizing your schedule using a calendar or planner, whether it’s digital or paper based. Set aside time for classes, study sessions, and any other commitments, making sure to include travel time, meals, and breaks. Having a clear view of your week ahead can help prevent missed deadlines and last-minute stress.

Make a focused to-do list

Every week, create a to-do list that includes both large and small tasks. Estimate how long each one will take, then prioritize them based on deadlines and difficulty. A well-organized list can help you stay focused and makes it easier to work through your day without feeling overwhelmed. Re-evaluate your list as the week goes on, moving completed tasks off the list and adding any new ones to keep everything up to date.

Tackle tasks during your peak hours

Everyone has certain times of the day when they’re most alert. Identify your peak productivity hours, whether morning, or late night and schedule your hardest work for those times. Experiment with different times of day to discover what works best for you, and be flexible; sometimes schedules shift, so having a backup plan can be useful when you need it.

Eliminate distractions

Staying focused is key to getting things done efficiently. Find a study spot where you can work without interruptions, and turn off phone and app notifications during study sessions. Using a timer to work in focused blocks, such as 25 minutes with a short break afterward, can keep your mind on track and prevent burnout. If you’re easily tempted by social media or browsing, consider apps that temporarily block distractions, or allow access to them only during breaks.

Take regular breaks to recharge

Taking breaks might seem counterproductive, but they’re essential for maintaining focus over time. If you feel mentally exhausted, or start losing concentration, step away for a short walk, do some stretching, or grab a snack. Breaks help recharge your mind, allowing you to return to tasks with renewed energy. You might also want to include “micro-breaks,” where you pause for a minute, or two to stretch, or breathe deeply, especially during longer study sessions.

Remember self-care

Your well-being directly impacts your productivity. Make time for sleep, eat balanced meals, and find ways to manage stress, like: deep breathing, exercise, or meditation.

While self-care might feel like another “task” on your list, it’s crucial for staying healthy and keeping up with the demands of college life. Building these habits now will pay off in better focus, higher energy, and greater resilience over time.

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It is all about using technology as a tool, not as a crutch

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Photo Credit: Look Studio

BY KHADIJA KARIM

Artificial Intelligence, or AI for short, is already here. It is in our phones and video games. It is even in the things we search. While AI can be great, some experts say depending on it too much could actually change how we think, and that might not be good for us!

So, what does AI really do? It is a tool that learns from info it sees and then uses what it learned to make rules about new stuff it hasn’t seen before. This can save us time and energy by helping us find what we are looking for fast, but there are a few bad things about getting all this convenience.

One thing I worry about is that if we rely on AI too much, then we might not be able to really do certain things well. For example, let’s say you started using a calculator for all the math problems you need to solve, then it would start becoming harder and harder for you to even do simple math in your head. Similarly, if we start relying on AI to make decisions, or even help us think of new ideas, then we have no way of getting better at it ourselves. It will certainly help make things easier, but at the same time I would not want to lose my ability to come up with unique original thoughts, or process information myself. If everything was done by AI in our lives there won’t be much space left for us to think.

So how do we solve this? The answer is simple. AI can be an amazing tool, it was created to help us in our daily lives after all, but that’s all it should be; a tool. Just because something can be done for us doesn’t mean it has to be. Understanding and accepting that concept is important if we want to ensure our skills remain sharp and unique.

In conclusion, while AI can make our lives easier, we need to be careful not to let it take away our ability to think and create independently. It’s all about using technology as a tool, not as a crutch. If we stay mindful of this, we can enjoy the benefits of AI while still being true to ourselves.

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