The Hit Netflix Show: Stranger Things

By Kora Scalia 

1 December  2025 

On November 26, 2025, the world was able to view the first four episodes of Volume 1 of the final season of Stranger Things. This has been one of the most anticipated seasons since the release of Season 4 in 2022. 

This show started in 2016 and has been running for 10 years. The creators of the show, Matt and Ross Duffer have put a lot of time and effort into this show to make it the hit it is today. But did you know that 15-20 networks rejected the show before Netflix took it? This show was the pathway to success for many of the actors. The series features an ensemble cast including: 

Winona Ryder - Joyce Byers

David Harbour - Jim Hopper 

Finn Wolfhard - Mike Wheeler

Millie Bobby Brown - 011

Gaten Matarazzo - Dustin Henderson 

Caleb McLaughlin -  Lucas Sinclair 

Natalia Dyer- Nancy Wheeler 

Charlie Heaton- Jonathan Byers 

Noah Schnapp - Will Byers  

Joe Keery- Steve Harrington  (promoted to the main cast season 2)

Sadie Sink- Max Mayfield

Priah Ferguson- Erica Sniclar  ( promoted to the main cast season 3)

Netflix prompted season one with the tweet pictured below:

By Jude Szijarto 

9 December  2025 

A new trend called “quiet travel” has been growing in popularity, especially among teens and young adults who want a different kind of experience when they go on vacation. Instead of visiting crowded tourist spots or rushing from one activity to the next, quiet travel focuses on slowing down, noticing the environment, and actually enjoying the moment.

Quiet travel doesn’t mean avoiding fun — it just means choosing experiences that are calmer and more meaningful. For example, instead of spending a whole trip standing in line for attractions, people are choosing simple activities like hiking, biking, walking through small towns, or staying in quieter places like cabins and nature lodges. Many travelers say they feel more relaxed and remember these trips better than the fast-paced ones.

The trend is also partly a reaction to social media. A lot of people feel tired of constantly taking photos, making content, or trying to get the “perfect” travel moment. Quiet travel encourages people to put down their phones and actually enjoy where they are.

Another reason the trend is growing is the emphasis on maintaining good mental health. Students and young adults often deal with stress, so a calm escape can feel refreshing. Some even say they come back from their quiet travel feeling more focused and motivated at school or work.

Whether someone travels far away or just takes a quiet weekend close to home, the idea is the same: slow down, breathe, and actually experience life. And in a world that moves fast, quiet travel might be exactly what more people need.