Amid rising tuition and living costs, more students than ever at one prestigious university are turning to government assistance to find their next meal.
Since the beginning of this year, more than 500 University of California, Berkeley students have applied for food stamps. In the previous year, only 111 students had applied. In 2015, that number was just 41, according to a SFGate report. Thousands more students visit a campus-based food pantry each month to grab free basics like milk, cereal, and canned vegitables to tide them over when their money is low.
California’s food stamp program, known as CalFresh, can provide up to $192 per month to approved applicants, which helps many avoid having to go hungry. In order to qualify for the program, students must be U.S. citizens, maintain a monthly income below the program’s threshold (often $1,980), attend school at least half-time, and work at least 80 hours per month.
The need for assistance in procuring food is just another example of the crippling financial burden many students encounter before they even enter the workforce, where they’re often saddled with loan debt. Currently, the average loan balance for Americans in their 20s is $22,135.
A recent survey of students in the University of California system found that 19% claim to eat too little due to “limited resources,” while an additional 23% admitted to regularly eating substandard food for sustenance. In 2014, state legislators passed AB1930, which made food stamps more accessible to students through reduced documentation requirements.
While the increase in food stamp applications is indicative of the rising costs facing students at state-funded universities, California has taken steps to ensure that those in need will have access to the assistance programs available. In response to the problem, the California State University system is outfitting all 23 of its campuses with the infrastructure to accept food stamps from students and help them apply for benefits.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.