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By Cricia Richon, Gradlife ambassador

Congratulations on surviving the first month back to school! I hope you’re making the most of the beautiful weather and scenery before we start hiding indoors due to the cold Canadian winter. Remember that it’s important for your mental well being to not get too consumed by your graduate studies. Take breaks to explore other aspects of your identity and explore Toronto!

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Sports enthusiast? Attend a Varsity Blues football game!

Today our Varsity Blues football team will take on the McMaster Marauders in the Varsity Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM, and tickets are free with a TCard. The UTSU is hosting pre-game homecoming festivities from 4-7 PM at the University College Quad. Can’t make it this week? View the rest of the season schedule here.

Preservationist? Visit the Evergreen Brick Works Saturday Farmers Market!

Evergreen is a Canadian charity based in Toronto that aims to inspire action to green cities, and has connected, collaborated, and catalyzed green initiatives for more than 25 years. The Evergreen Brick Works, located at the Don River Valley Park has a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays 8 AM – 1 PM. Each Saturday of October there’s a new theme: Thanksgiving, chicken, waste reduction, and Halloween. This is really North of campus, but there is a shuttle bus that runs every half hour from a parkette by Broadview TTC Station. Read more here.

Bibliophile? Attend Toronto’s International Festival of Authors (IFOA)!

Take a content break from your own writing and attend Toronto’s International Festival of Authors (IFOA): a celebration of words and ideas of writers and readers. At the Harbourfront Centre from October 19 to 29, there will be readings, poetry slams, panel discussions, interviews, and book signings. Tickets are free for students and $18 for general admission. View the full schedule here.

Foodie? Explore the Kensington Market’s Pedestrian Sunday!

Kensington Market is one of Toronto’s most vibrant neighbourhoods that is considered an important tourist attraction and addition to Toronto’s cultural life. Every last Sunday of the month from May to October, it hosts “Pedestrian Sundays”. Between 12 to 7 PM, the streets are closed to traffic and opened to pedestrians to explore vendors showcasing what the Market has to offer with live music. October 29th marks the last one–don’t miss your last chance to experience this before having to wait until next year!

Musicphile? Listen to jazz and explore Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada!

At the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada there are over 16,000 aquatic animals, featuring North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel, with over 100 interactive opportunities. Ripley’s hosts a unique musical underwater adventure on the second Friday of every month: Friday Night Jazz. These tickets are included with the Sharks After Dark or Express Anytime general admission for $28. Be sure to have a look into your affiliations’ group rates; for example, the University Health Network offers a discounted ticket prices for their graduate students. Read more about Friday Jazz Night here.