Gradlife

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It’s still September, but boy, do I feel like I need a break. An escape. A grad escape. ;D

Thankfully, I got the opportunity to check out a sketch comedy show this past weekend, courtesy of our very own Grad Escapes. Located in the heart of the Entertainment District, The Second City is one of Toronto’s legendary comedy clubs, boasting it’s very own comic training center and a list of very well-known alumni. So, if you ever start second guessing your degree, you can always try your hand at being the next Russell Peters.

I promise I’ll stop now. I guess I’m trying to be funny because I want to channel the fun I experienced at the show into the blog. When things get heavy, and all you can think about is your thesis/lab/assignment/the adorable yet slightly insane classes you TA, it’s time to take a step back and take some time off.

As grad students, we’re (supposed to be) better at managing out time and commitments, meaning that a number of us already have our own activities to help take our mind off school once in a while. But if you’re still trying to find a me-time activity or just looking for something new to do, here are a some suggestions:

1. Grad Escapes

Their motto is “Thesis Avoidance with Style”. Cheap or free events, all because you’re a grad student. I’m talking Toronto Blue Jays games, Mirvish productions, The Rocky Horror Show, even world-renown performances like Les Misérables. Seriously, guys. Get on this.

2. Go to the gym

There are two gyms we can use on St. George campus, the Athletic Centre and Hart House; RAWC on Mississauga campus; and the Athletics and Recreation Centre on Scarborough Campus. All have great facilities and each have their own distinct atmosphere. If you’re like me and you get bored easily exercising by yourself, there are plenty of drop-in and registered classes for you to join.

3. Intramurals!

The last time I was part of an intramural team was in elementary school, where my grade 6 class totally destroyed the other classes at floor hockey. That is, until one of my classmates suggested that we form a class volleyball team and participate in GSU’s Volleyball League. There are also other leagues, like SGS Intramurals and U of T Intramurals.

The Eager Beavers will see you on the court.

4. Join a club

This is advice you generally give to undergrads, but they apply to grad students too! We are free to join any club on campus. You can see the directory on ULife. Some graduate units and departments have their own student-run clubs as well. For example, someone I met at Second City told me about the board game club he started at Rotman MBA. Awesome stuff, guys!

 5. Hang out with your peers

My program is organized by cohort. Our class is always together – most of us end up having lunch together, studying together, and just hanging out after class together. It’s probably not the case in other graduate units, but it’s still nice to get to know your peers and learn about them. Reach out to people around you and share your experiences. Meet people in different departments and learn from them too. Remember, we’re all in this together.

Second City’s fall mainstage show is called “We Can Be Heroes”. They wanted to highlight the little bits of heroism we see day to day, whether it be the poor guy that saves his wife from a nefarious bat, to the high school students hiding a coloured classmate during a prom in Georgia. My favourite sketch is where a little girl tells the old man down the street she’s being bullied in school. She notices his snow globes and, like your archetypal wise man, he decides to teach her this life lesson:

You’re like a snowglobe. No matter how hard someone shakes you, ya ain’t gonna fall apart.

So remember that, when your dissertation falls apart, your petri dish gets contaminated, your computer crashes before you can save, or even when the normally angelic undergrads you TA turn into cunning baby foxes when midterms come around. Be a snowglobe.

Because us grad students? We’re heroes too. It’s not every day that someone decides to go into grad school. Once in a while we deserve breaks and little pats on the back too.