It's hard to make friends in Palm Springs because, in my 50s, I'm one of the younger residents. Many retirees move here.

Tech Insider
Mid-century homes with palm trees in front of them and a mountain range behind them in Palm Springs, California.
Shelly Karpaty says she recently moved to Palm Springs, California, where most people are retired.

Getty Images

My business partner ended our relationship via email and outlined everything wrong with me. She still wanted to be friends.

Tech Insider
email icons repeated
The author received an angry email from her business partner.

Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images

Waiting for your college acceptance letters can be excruciating. Here's how I survived that anxiety-inducing time.

Tech Insider
a classroom of high schoolers with banners from colleges on the walls
Students are waiting to hear back from colleges.

Mel Melcon/Getty Images

The new FAFSA form for 2024 was supposed to streamline the process. It took me 13 hours to complete — and only thanks to Reddit.

Tech Insider
close up shot of a FAFSA form
The new FAFSA troubled one parent.

Richard Stephen/Getty Images

I'm an American teacher in China. I can't see myself going back to the US to teach.

Tech Insider
A classroom students reading from their textbook

xPACIFICA/Getty Images

I recently graduated from college, and I'm incredibly lonely. I'm struggling to adjust to my post-graduate life.

Tech Insider
Rachel Bernstein under cherry blossom trees
The author is a recent college grad.

Courtesy of Rachel Bernstein

I graduated from college early to save money. It wasn't worth it.

Tech Insider
College graduate sitting outside
The author, not pictured, graduated early.

Sean de Burca/Getty Images

I attended law school in the US and Belgium. I had better, cheaper classes in Europe and felt safer.

Tech Insider
Kristopher Milicevic sitting on a train in europe
The author studied in Europe.

Courtesy of Kristopher Milicevic

In Norway, I had the same teacher every year, which is called 'looping.' It's proven to benefit students.

Tech Insider
A split image with two photos. In the photo on the left, Jessica Furseth sits on the ground, cross-legged. Jess has light brown hair in a short pixie cut and wears a blue and black ombre sweater, blue jeans and black sneakers. The photo on the right shows a lake surrounded by snowy mountains and a small group of houses on raised beams.

My toxic boss relied on me to do everything and even texted me on holidays. I quit to save my sanity.

Tech Insider
illustration of a boss yelling at a coworker sitting at a desk
The author's boss would consult the author on most aspects of his own job and text frequently.

Simplehappyart/Getty Images

Subscribe to Essay