opinion
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Is This Still Racing? Inside F1’s Controversial 2026 Overhaul
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The 2026 Formula 1 regulations were designed to modernize the sport and bring the sport to a “purer” form of racing, without the gimmicks like DRS in seasons prior. However, early reactions from drivers and pundits suggest they have fundamentally changed the experience behind the wheel, and not for the better. At the heart of…
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St Patrick’s, Marshall Street and the Sniper
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On the weekend of March 13th to 16th, Laurier students gathered along Marshall Street to celebrate what Laurier celebrates best: St. Patrick’s Day—all despite the frigid forecast. Every year, the City of Waterloo declares a Community Safety Event to regulate the streets that the students inevitably overrun. Like in years past, this Community Safety Event meant ticketing bystanders, installing road barriers, and trying to dissolve the crowd as early as possible. This is put in place in anticipation for public safety and nuisance…
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Bridgerton’s “feminism” falls short of real solidarity
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Spoilers Ahead! Bridgerton is a show that attempts to be feminist, but often falls short, favouring half-hearted speeches about feminism instead of solidarity between all women for collective liberation. One of the best examples of this is the character of Penelope Bridgerton. Penelope is the author of the Lady Whistledown gossip columns, where she comments on the lives of those…
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The Strange Sadness of Almost Being Done with University
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Realizing that the days are counting down towards the end of the school year can be a very exciting time as you look forward to summer and not having to worry about essays, annotated bibliographies or exams. However, for me, it has made me realize that I am about to be entering my final year of undergrad, which is…
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When Did We Stop Doing Nothing?
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Whether you find yourself walking around campus, riding a bus, or even waiting in line at McDonalds, it’s become increasingly apparent that these quiet moments that once sparked communication and connection, have become just another opportunity for stimulation. For most of us, it’s become a habit to pull out our phone and scroll whenever the opportunity arises, the constant drive to keep our minds engaged to avoid uncomfortable thoughts or feelings of unproductiveness, and through these social constructs, boredom has become something we avoid at all…
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The Illusion that Everyone has it Figured Out
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Walking across campus, scrolling through social media, or sitting in a lecture hall, it is easy to notice how much it seems like everyone else has it all together. People already know what they want to do. They’re finishing internships, securing jobs, graduating on time and seem to have a clear path ahead. Meanwhile, you are just trying to survive midterms, keep up with assignments, and figure out what comes next. It is natural to feel like you are falling behind. Life appears to be moving forward while you are stuck in the…
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How Unsinkable is Changing the Conversation Around Mental Health
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For many students, university can feel like a constant balancing act. Academics, social life, future uncertainty, and everything in between. While conversations around mental health have become more common, many still struggle in silence, unsure of where to turn, or how to begin opening up. Unsinkable is a platform that helps Canadians tell their mental health stories, creating spaces where these stories have become a lifeline for others. For Hailey Hechtman, Executive Director of Unsinkable, storytelling is where that process can begin.…
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In The Space Between Expectations and Choice
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Choosing a path in university is rarely as simple as following personal interest. Students must often navigate a balance between their own aspirations and the expectations of family, friends, and society. These expectations can be explicit or subtle, but they shape the choices students make every day. Following your heart can feel risky. Your dreams may not align with what your parents hope for, what friends consider realistic, or what society views as practical. Ignoring personal ambition does not feel right either. Many students experience…
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The Tragic Dreamer of White Nights
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When I first picked up White Nights by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, I truly believed it to be a classic romance story. Once I really started to understand the protagonist, though, I realized that this book has been misinterpreted by many. Yes, romance is a central to the story, but more than that, it explores deep loneliness and coping mechanisms, containing themes…
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Reflecting on My Time at The Cord
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As I wrap up my second year with WLUSP, and The Cord in particular, and look ahead to year three, I’ve come to realize just how deeply this experience has shaped my university journey. From the people I’ve worked with to the stories I’ve told and the voices I’ve had the privilege to amplify; The Cord has become a defining part of my time at Laurier. It…
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The Tie That Binds WLU Since 1926
Serving the Waterloo campus, The Cord seeks to provide students with relevant, up to date stories. We’re always interested in having more volunteer writers, photographers and graphic designers.