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Vaishnavi Konda

Vaishnavi Konda is a sophomore at Rutgers Business School majoring in business analytics and information technology and minoring in linguistics. Her column, "Pitch In," runs on alternate Sundays.

KONDA: Invest in upcycling fashion

In an ever-changing digital world, fashion has become a quickly changing industry that adapts to the latest trends. Dec 4

KONDA: Generation Z consumers are obsessed with nostalgia

I am nostalgic all the time. When I sit in my bedroom at home, staring at the dated posters on my walls and the old stuffed animals on my bed, I am reminded of the past. Maybe it is my childhood or my early teenage years, but it offers me a strange sense of comfort, something I cannot find anywhere else.Nov 20

KONDA: Everyone should try meditation

I first learned how to meditate in my junior year of high school, sitting in a socially distanced classroom with my English teacher, who took the time each Monday to go through a meditation session. It might have taken me at least three months to actually participate in the process, closing my eyes and breathing in, but once I began, I never really stopped.Nov 5

KONDA: Prioritize your health before academics

As a high school student who often stayed up well past midnight studying for tests, I used to scoff at my mother when she urged me to get to bed at 10 p.m.Oct 23

KONDA: Living with your parents after college is OK

Fun fact: The U.S. is one of the most prominent countries with an individualistic culture, meaning autonomy and independence are highly valued. Americans grow up in a society where being self-sufficient is considered necessary, so they can feel pressured to live up to that expectation by taking the first step toward autonomy: moving out.Oct 9

KONDA: Embrace rejection in college

With the beginning of the fall semester and an influx of first-year students who are just getting accustomed to college culture, I am here to tell you about a phenomenon you will not be able to avoid in the next four years: rejection.Sep 25

KONDA: How loyalty programs could soften blow of 'shrinkflation' for consumers

The word "shrinkflation" started trending on social media sites in 2022, becoming a common phenomenon that people worldwide began to recognize. Our products are getting smaller, but the prices? They are precisely the same.Sep 11

KONDA: Social media's perpetuation of beauty standards can damage mental health

At a time when the latest trends are at our fingertips, it is easy to get caught up in the ideals of a perfect appearance. With makeup techniques, dieting methods and exercise tutorials, it seems like the world, at least online, is constantly focused on how you look.Apr 28 2023

KONDA: Learning new languages is invaluable

As college students, we rarely seem to recognize the value of learning something entirely new. We gain new experiences, meet new people and expose ourselves to new concepts in our classes, but why does it seem so daunting to learn something new outside of the classroom?Apr 14 2023

KONDA: 'De-influencing' holds influencers accountable

Influencers and other content creators on social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram have recently been attempting to 'de-influence' their viewers by considering the reality of purchasing a specific product.Mar 31 2023

KONDA: We must recognize potential of public transportation

As Rutgers students, we all know a thing or two about public transportation. Our bus system is one of the largest in the state and facilitates most of our trips from campus to campus.Mar 10 2023

KONDA: Impulse buying contributes to US' materialistic culture

Sometimes, people buy things on impulse. It does not sound too bad now and then – buying a cheap trinket while you are out grocery shopping. No, you do not need it, but there is no actual harm done to your bank account, and you feel satisfied with your new addition.Feb 24 2023