Category Archives: Connections

The Squirrels of U of T

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My first blog post! On a blog that I know people actually read!

Hello everyone,

My name is Ishita and I’m going to be a blogger for Life @ U of T this year (like you couldn’t figure that out for yourself). I look forward to sharing the goings-on in my life at U of T!  My blog topics aim to be broad and inclusive and also mindful of equity and diversity elements in life at U of T.

Picture of a squirrel

The other day as I was walking home from class, I noticed a squirrel scurry down a tree trunk to grab a nut from the ground. Have
you ever watched a squirrel nibble on food? It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. As I stared, another squirrel peeked through the bushes, eyeing the nut in my squirrel’s paws. Both of them stood motionless for a moment. And then my squirrel bounced over and offered the nut to his friend. I wish I’d taken a picture.

Sharing is caring, isn’t it? The concept is drilled into our heads over and over again by the adults around us in a well-intentioned attempt to engrain it into our lifestyles. And eventually, it becomes as natural to us as breathing, doesn’t it?

But sometimes, we forget the importance of sharing. The cutthroat environment of U of T has unconsciously forced some of us (myself included!) to adopt an “all-for-one-and-none-for-all” philosophy. Perhaps we need to take a minute to relearn an important life lesson from the squirrels of U of T and remind ourselves that there is value in sharing.

1) Share your umbrella.

Back in first year after I attended one of my optional tutorials (I know, don’t laugh), a small group of students herded out of the classroom. It was pouring cats and dogs and I prepared for the speed walk of my life. It took me a minute to realize that the rain wasn’t feeling very wet. Turns out a girl in my class had noticed I was umbrella-less and had rushed to catch up so she could share hers. Her casual gesture has become the yard stick by which I measure almost every act of kindness. Although I haven’t spoken to her since, I hope she continues to offer her umbrella to the umbrella-less. And I hope you consider starting.

2) Share your ideas.

We go to the University of Toronto, an institution that recently cracked Top 20 in world rankings (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/university-of-toronto-cracks-top-20-in-global-rankings/article556094/). Bragging rights FTW! UofT is the birthplace of insulin, stem cell research, and multi-touch technology (without which our smartphones wouldn’t be as smart as they are). Breakthroughs at this university have been the result of one person thinking “what if.” Don’t hesitate to be that person. Sharing your idea could spark a revolution.

3) Share your problems.

We’re supposed to be super smart, super focused UofT students. But if we did all the things we were supposed to do, we wouldn’t be human. You will run into roadblocks. Sharing your problems with friends, family, or trained professionals on campus will help you realize that you’re not alone. Exploit the services that the university offers (http://life.utoronto.ca/get-info/a-z-list-of-student-services/) and you’ll feel better in no time.

4) Share your passion.

School is important. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be spending bucket loads of money on our education. That doesn’t mean, however, that you have to let it consume your life. UofT has over 400 clubs and student organizations. After graduation, you probably won’t remember the lectures you sat in or the all-nighters you pulled but you will remember the friends you made doing the things you loved (https://ulife.utoronto.ca/organizations).

We all get stressed. It comes with the territory. But I hope the next time you see a squirrel on campus, you remember to share.

Till next week,

Ishita

UTSU’s Got YOU Covered (For a variety of health and dental things)!

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The last few weeks of lectures have made me realize something important:

I’m in dire need of an eye exam.

But, with the cost of tuition and books, campus food, and a Metropass, how am I going to afford an eye exam?  I’m really starting to feel the impact of not being covered by my parents’ health and dental insurance anymore.

So, what did I do next?  Well, I did what any student, desperate to stop guessing at what’s written on the chalkboard during class, would do: I decided to check out the UTSU Health and Dental Plan and see what it could do for me.

Don’t get me wrong; I know that I am, by default, covered by the UTSU health and dental plan (my tuition invoice says so), but I’ve never really had a need to look into the details of what this plan offered.  The results were pleasantly surprising, to say the least!

Some interesting facts I discovered while browsing the Benefit Booklet:

  • Oral contraceptives and contraceptive devices (YES, that’s right! Condoms AND birth control pills) are covered up to a maximum of $250 per person, per benefit year
  • Optometric eye exams up to a maximum of $75 per person, once every two years
  • Professional services: chiropractor, acupuncturist, registered massage therapist ($35 per visit, up to a max of 20 visits per benefit year)

These are just a few of the things that full-time, undergraduate students are covered for under the UTSU Plan.

Reimbursement for most services is also relatively easy.  You simply need to fill out a form and mail it to Green Shield (the actual insurance company) and wait for a cheque to be sent to you.  Unfortunately, the plan does not subsidize costs for eyeglasses or contact lenses (drat!).  But, both domestic and international students are covered, provided you’re enrolled full-time at the St. George or UTM campuses or are a Toronto School of Theology student.

However, if you are covered by your parents’ health and dental plan, you have the option to opt out of the UTSU plan and receive a refund for those fees.  You’ll have to do it soon though, as the opt out deadline is October 5, 2012 (for students beginning in the Fall session; there is a different opt out period for Winter session).  Just make sure you have proof of alternative insurance coverage by providing the insurer’s name and policy number when completing the opt-out form online.

While part-time undergraduate students and graduate students are not covered by the UTSU plan, APUS and GSU have plans for their respective students.  Check out APUS or GSU for details.

As for me, I plan on going to an optometrist ASAP and, while I may not be using the majority of what is covered by the health and dental plan (yet!), it’s nice knowing that a variety of benefits are there for me to use if and when I need them.

- Vivian

Tweeting your way to student engagement

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Are you on Twitter? If not, you should be. To me Twitter is more than just another dumb social network (although it can totally seem like it sometimes) but a way for a person to stay constantly informed and up-to-date on a variety of topics that may interest them. In terms of student life and engagement here at the University of Toronto I’ve found that Twitter has a surprising amount of utility!

Twitter is great for what I like to call “passive” student engagement. While ideally I would encourage every student to get involved in campus life in some capacity or another I am aware that this is simply not a feasible expectation to have (we all approach our time as undergraduates differently, some with a more zealous approach to student life than others). It is along this line of thought where I like to think of Twitter as being a very beneficial tool in allowing you to, in the very least, stay up-to-date on campus life and events with minimal effort on your part. Simply knowing what’s going on in this big campus is half the battle for many of us and it is ultimately the first step in turning a passive approach to student life into an active one.

Below is a list of a few accounts that I think every U of T Tweeter should Follow. It is in no way an exhaustive list of the accounts available at the university as almost every campus organization/group/institution is Tweeting nowadays – spanning all aspects of the university. Consider this list as a little something to help you get started:

Faculty of Arts & Science (@ArtSciRegistrar)

U of T’s largest and most prominent faculty – this account is especially great for reminding you of those really important dates that can sometimes slip your mind!

Hart House (@HartHouse)

U of T’s co-curricular hub, follow Hart House to get information about the plethora of events and activities happening within its walls – you’re bound to find something that’ll pique your interest!

U of T News (@UofTNews) and U of T Arts & Science (@UofTArtSci)

Follow all the important news coming out of U of T! From new programs and initiatives to groundbreaking research – there’s always something happening at the university you call home!

U of T Bookstore (@UofTBookstore)

Two words: secret sales.

Life @ U of T (@lifeatuoft)

The official Twitter account of the website you’re currently reading! Get firsthand accounts of how engagement in student life has affected the lives of real students. Also be sure to follow the Life @ U of T Community Crew Tweeters: Sarah, Chris, and Khevna!

U of T Problems (@UofT_Problems)

My last recommendation is an account not officially affiliated with the university, but I think it’s worth following anyway. This a great place for you to vent whatever frustrations you may have with the university, 140 characters at a time.

~ Matteo

H(e)art House

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While I’ve previously talked about finding myself, what I’m studying and how my college has helped me come to terms with who I am and what I hope to do, one of the places on campus that had an important role in all of that was Hart House. We’ve talked about how first impressions aren’t everything, and this one-stop-shop seriously helped me come to terms with that.

If you’ve been to Hart House, then one-stop-shop – or as I prefer: half-Hogwarts-half-funhouse – will make perfect sense. This is the place on campus that offers everything from the arts, to recreation, sports and debate in one place. They call it the living laboratory, and it is exactly that.  I don’t know of any other place where you could see a play, proceed to a Ukulele lesson and then embark on an exciting game of squash. Oh, and when the screeching wails of your neglected readings finally reach your stubborn ears, there’s a library there too! Did I mention the free cookies and tea Craft Thursdays, free massages and free documentaries? I know, I’m throwing a lot at you, but it’s all in one place.

Beyond everything that Hart House has to offer, it personally helped me get so much more involved with campus. I first started blogging with Hart House, and it was my first time blogging with a professional platform. By professional I mean, you know, beyond an emotional teen tumblr full of Carrie Bradshaw quotes & pictures of cupcakes.  The blogging became a healthy outlet for when my anxiety, and the times I felt like I was on a one-way trip towards a world of all work and no fun. Eventually, I became an an ambassador. From there, I discovered the lovely studios of CIUT FM - fun fact: it used to be the Warden’s apartment – and it’s been cloud 9 ever since.  I’d like to think of it as one of my more rewarding campus courtships.

 Image Source

More than anything however, Hart House was the sole catalyst in getting me involved at U of T. I wasn’t very involved in anything at the beginning of first year, classes felt like a complete blur, and I just felt like I was swimming in a small pond amongst very many big fishes. To say in the least, post-high school me was feeling pretty burnt out and incredibly sorry for myself.

I took that walk over during the second semester of my first year feeing absolutely hopeless about everything that had come my way in first semester,  and Hart House really turned things around for me. The way in which it got me involved ultimately led towards a greater road of opportunity, meeting all kinds of people on campus, and helped show me where I had left the the old me again, except this time she was a little older and and the teeniest bit wiser.

-Vahini

 

All about Me and You and Learning

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Hi there, I’m Lori. You might remember me as a past blogger for student life, but I have moved on to new experiences and I am now blogging for C.T.S.I., The Center for Support and Teaching Innovation!

This year I’ll be inviting you along with me to my classes (especially my 9am ones) and to the library and to any other place on campus
that is part of how I learn at U of T. I am of course speaking figuratively; you can’t really come to class with me…

So me in a nut shell: I am carrying a 5.5FCE course load this year, I have two part time jobs, I have two kids, I have a husband, I have a cat, and I have a 50lb backpack full of used textbooks that I am trying to sell.

This is my cat Albert...he's cheeky!

My mandate is to share with you my fellow undergrads what my learning experience is all about. What helps and what hinders me, what excites me to learn and what incites uncontrollable mid-lecture pandiculation. (That’s a big yawn accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to strech…see we’re already learning together!!)

Pandiculation aka the old yawn and stretch! Obviously not me, but you get the point.

It’s my hope that through this dialogue we will find some common ground in what we think learning means at U of T. If you’re in your first year, your classes are most likely huge and intimidating. I’m in my third year now, but I still remember the vertigo I experienced the first time I attempted to take lecture notes on the upper balcony at Con Hall. I also remember my giddy reaction to the smaller class sizes of my second year.

I have traversed this campus on multiple occasions, found nooks and crannies that I never knew existed, and discovered some amazing academic help on campus. I hope that over the course of the year I can help to fill in the gaps of your learning experience here at U of T.

As busy and stressful as the first few weeks of school always are I have already managed to learn a few really interesting things. For example I learnt how to quiet a room of unruly children by just standing stoically silent.  I should mention that I am working towards my B.Ed. I also learnt that even if you rehearse for two hours you can still have a mid-presentation brain freeze, wherein your brain decides that it will not be sending any word making signals to your mouth for a period of fifteen seconds, no matter how hard you may attempt to articulate said word!

What interesting things did you learn this week?

-Lori

My Graduation Bucket List

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This is no ordinary list of goals for the school year…this is my GRADUATION BUCKET LIST!! My time as an undergrad is limited. I only have eight months to self-induce every possible “university experience” before I enter the realm of post-grad. I feel like I still have so much to learn, so much to do and so many people still to meet! WHERE TO START?!

  1. Give my parents a walking tour of UofT (yes, I am in fourth  year and my parents have yet to see where I go to school)
  2. Take pictures of all of your favourite spots on campus and seasonal ones of scenery for a more holistic photo album to show your grandkids
  3. Find the Inner Bamboo Garden and enter into reflective withdrawal (DONE)
  4. Make time to have lunch with EVERY one you cancelled on because of readings, extracurriculars or work (make sure to get legal sized paper for this list). (Almost done…)
  5. Find a fellow FC Barcelona fan and watch a game at Sammy’s Café dressed in red and blue
  6. Participate in a protest about something you are passionate about (Any leads?)
  7. Travel somewhere exciting during reading week with only friends from university
  8. Spice up your resume with the help of the Career Centre and update your style to get ready for your post-grad life. Check out their amazing Graduating Students Employment Service tool!
  9. Become besties with a prof (Done)
  10. Go on a U of T themed date. All those couples walking hand in hand down St.George like they got clouds for feet and rainbows for sidewalks. Obvs I’m missing out on something. Must make time in my schedule for pre-class flanter! (Done!)
  11. Go stargazing at U of T’s very own planetarium 
  12. Buy some overpriced U of T swag from the bookstore
  13. Attend a Varsity Blues Soccer game. I want to bleeed bluueee!!!
  14. Sit in a random introductory cognitive science, economics or biology lecture. I already sat in a physics lecture and let’s just say that was a once in a lifetime experience. Totes PHUN. -_- (Get it?) (Done!)
  15. Have an intense philosophical debate at philosopher’s walk (What exactly is the meaning of life?) (Done!)
  16. Raise my hand and show the world my brilliance in a lecture hall without having an anxiety attack (DONE!)
  17. Figure out what you want to do in life and how you are going to actualize your vision
  18. Learn a new skill by taking a random workshop, class or lesson on campus
  19. Visit the Hart House Farm and drink some apple cider next to a bonfire
  20. Overcome my greatest fear (my fear WOULD be the fear of showing people how awesome I am)
  21. Participate in a U of T tradition (any ideas?)
  22. Get fit and leave university looking fine, fresh and fierce! (Zumba crew, UNITE)
  23. Get published
  24. Do something extremely out of character. Something so random that one day you can tell others about that one time…
  25. GRADUATE

Yes I do have a bunch of personal goals I need to accomplish before graduating which I cannot really blog about here! Whenever I complete a task on this bucket list I will come back and write next to it completed and will obviously tweet about! So let the GAMES begin!! And may U of T be ever in my favour!

Fellow fourth years, what’s on your graduating bucket list? My list looks a little empty.

And first years, what’s on your university bucket list?

-Sarah

10 Types of Friends You’ll Most Likely Make at U of T

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During your time at U of T, I bet you this year’s tuition that you are going to meet some of the most randomest, most beautiful, most unique or even the most interesting personalities you will ever meet in your life.  Our campus is home to people from all different walks of life. They can be from a different country or even subscribe to a crazy cool sub-culture. The opportunity to pick the brains of these inimitable souls is one of the reasons I wake up in the morning. The way my Dad speaks about the people he met in university and the lessons he learned from them, tells me that who you meet now will be ever present in who you are tomorrow in our mannerisms, lifestyles or decisions.

I’ve realized that the friends I have in my life currently can be categorized into 10 archetypes that I’m sure all university students encounter in their life. These 10 archetypes also provide insight into how you can make friends in university and where to find your future BFFs.

Different Types of University Friends

1)      The ones you meet through pre/post class small talk

I made my first ever friends at U of T, Anna and Shannon, before an ENG110Y1 tutorial started. Nervously excited Anna and I bonded over hating clubs, having awkward frosh experiences and reading books. Our conversation, followed by buying books at Bob Miller Book Room and lunch at Queens Park, turned into a beautiful friendship still going strong in fourth year. She is by far one of the funniest and most sweetest people I have EVER met.

Anna

Shannon and I bonded over boy-talk, fashion and fangirling over this one cutie in our tutorial. She is now my right-hand woman in both the Underwear Club and Because I am A Girl-UT. She’s the ultimate ride-or-die friend. Thank you U of T for the introduction! Pre-lecture or tutorial small talk is my favourite way to make friends. Chances are being in the same class is adequate footing for a friendship. An obstacle to these friendships is time. After first year, these friends go into their own programs and somehow not having the same class in common and suddenly you have long-distance friendships. However, I got lucky with Anna and Shannon! We can go weeks without contact and still be as cool as ever when we hang out. They are like long-lost sisters of mine.

Shannon

 2)      The ones you meet through extracurriculars

I met Rida through FLC first and after realizing we shared a similar vision for the human condition, we quickly merged our paths through extracurricular activities. We now meet up occasionally to have long talks about all that is wrong with the world and what we can do about it right now. What I love about her is that she gets me. Not only do we share similar visions, but we share the same values! For the first time in my life, I have a friend who gets exactly why I don’t drink, party or date a lot! Its so nice to talk to someone who gets it after 20 years of being misunderstood.

3)      The ones you meet through a mentorship program

You should all know how much I adore Jessica by now!

 4)      The ones you meet in the most random way

These ones are the rarest friendships because they are dependent on the actualization of the will. If you see a person at the same place at the same time constantly, and decide to befriend them, that is how these friendships are formed. They arise from the conscious effort to dissolve the otherness in your world. Most of these friendships are short lived because their beauty is encapsulated in the now; serendipitous and to be enjoyed in the present tense.

5)      The ones you meet online

These friends are found on Facebook groups, on Twitter or even via mass emails through Portal. Some of them you will never meet, most of them you will make awkward eye contact with and a few of them may just become a vital part in accomplishing your dreams. I consider all of my Twitter followers to be in my closest circle of friends. They get me, and I get them. I care about them just like I care about my friends. Some I have met, others I would like to meet and most I would like to inspire and guide! These friendships are the easiest to maintain and usually the most prominent during exam season!

6)      The ones you know from high school

I’ve known Shbina since high school and although we haven’t kept  in touch as much in university, I know that homegurl will always be my well-wisher. Its really beautiful to have people from your past with you in the present. They know where you’ve been and can truly appreciate the breadth of your growth.

Shbina

7)      The ones you cling to because they are older

These friends are upper years, or for me, law school students or grad students. Through courses, extracurriculars and tutorials, Ive befriended quite a few older friends who’ve become my mentors. Doesn’t it feel cool to tell your friends “oh my friend in fourth year” or “my friend in law school…” They are great sources for support, and guidance.

8)      The ones you only party with

I know these kind of friends exist. I just don’t party, like at all, to know of them. Goal for fourth year? Who wants to be the JWoWW to my Snooki?

9)      The ones you commute with

The 4:50 on Thursdays. Compatible commuting schedules = a year of long talks on the train about life, boys and school. These encounters are a great way to end or start your commute.

 10)   The ones you meet through mutual friends

I met Shaquelle through a mutual friend in POL200 and we’ve been attached at the hip ever since. I hit the friendship jackpot with Shaquelle—almost like a match made in heaven. Same dreams, same values and same train of thoughts brought together by the power of a mutual friendship. I can’t imagine life at U of T without her now. Never-ending talks about the effects of colonialism on our perceptions of beauty at Sid Smith’s Cafe, pulling off events for The Underwear Club, preventing each other from sleeping in lectures, Shaquelle and I are like two peas in a pod.

Shaquelle

These types are most prominent in my life at the moment. Whatever brings you together, know that it takes initiative to form lasting friendships. It makes me sad to think of all the people that have disappeared in my life, because of my failure to keep in touch with them after our first encounter!

Happy friend hunting!

-Sarah

PS. Did I miss any types of friends that need to be on this list? Comment below or tweet me!

how I met my college.

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Author’s Note: Different students will have different reactions to this post. Trinity College students will probably find this post annoying. UC students will probably find this post awesome. Other college students will probably be apathetic towards to this post. Please keep in mind that all jokes in this post are meant in good humour. Trinity College, don’t cry. This is how I really feel about you. Besides, this week there will be other awesome posts that highlight love for Trinity. But today, today is UC’s day to shine. 

So as you probably can ascertain from the author’s note, I’m a student at University College. How I came to be a student at UC was actually quite by chance. UC was not my top choice, my top choice of college was a college that will remain nameless. Needless to say, I did not get into said college (turned out to be for the best). At the time, I was slightly dejected by this but I had the attitude of Adele. At the time when I ordered my remaining colleges, I didn’t really put much thought into it. It turns out, I ordered UC second, based on the fact that the building looked old and cool.

So as I arrived on campus last September, I didn’t really know much about UC nor did I expect to really be involved with it. That first day, though, when I met my first university friend, it turns out he was from University College. I found that when meeting people, UC seemed to be a way to connect with others. Then, I picked up a copy of the Varsity Handbook and found out about free tea and cookies. So that became my hotspot every day at 2:30. Hey, it’s free food. That was held at the UC Union, which shares a building with the Commuter Students Centre. Soon, I found myself eating lunch with my St. Mikes friend there (who appreciated the couches) a lot. So that’s how I formed a relationship with my college. I’ll admit that as a busy commuting science student, having UC close to my classes helped a lot. Had I been say a St. Mike’s student, I would have barely frequented my college.

It’s often thought that Trinity College is the most prestigous of all the colleges. That would probably be true. But you see, Trinity is like the high school prep student, always trying to act all big and refined. UC is more like a old hip grandpa with lots of wisdom, so think mixture of Steven Tyler with Aristotle. We’re under appreciated. There are lots of things to love about this hip grandpa.

  • We’re the oldest college at U of T.
  • We have the oldest student government in Canada. (I probably should go to more events.)
  • We give out free tea and cookies.
  • Diabolos and Reznikoff are more than just restaurants.
  • We are often compared to Hogwarts.
  • We caught fire in the 1800s and have a dance to commerate it.
  • Home to Junior Common Room and an awesome student-run coffee shop that sells coffee for a buck.
  • Generally home to awesome people.
  • We confuse people with our paradox of a name.
  • We be on all the U of T promotional material, yo.
  • We own arguably the best spot on campus, the main field. And we’re a step away from Hart House, Robarts, St. George St. and Con Hall.
  • You can easily get lost at UC and somehow end up in Narnia.

On a more serious note, it’s great to be all warm and fuzzy with your college, but remember that there are people outside of your college (getting involved in campus media and clubs gives you this opportunity). They are just as awesome and you should interact with them, even those Trinity college students can be loveable. We’re all U of T students after all.

So, if you’re a prospective student (especially if you’re going into science – all your classes are near UC) definitely consider UC as an option for a college. You won’t regret it. If you end up choosing Trinity instead of UC, I have one thing to say:

 

- Abdullah

 

My College and I

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This week at Life @ U of T we will be trying something new! All posts this week will be dedicated to providing you with a diverse set of perspectives on U of T’s college system and the significance or lack thereof of colleges at U of T. As a prelude to our posts, check out past blogger Cynthia’s insightful coverage of the college system.

A question most incoming first-years ask is “what college should I choose?” Not going to lie, I asked that too. All I knew was that Victoria College was a castle and New College, well wasn’t. But that’s just superficial, confused and uninformed Grade 12 me talking. Fourth year me, as a commuter, is very indifferent about the college system. As long as I have access to a writing centre I am a happy camper.

I started U of T as a student at New College. I spent most of my first year at their AMAZING writing centre and other than that really didn’t have much interaction with my college after an extremely awkward frosh. From first year to third year, I lived off-campus – close enough to not stress about commuting, yet still far enough to feel disconnected from college community. I just didn’t feel comfortable with randomly showing up to a college event to make new friends.

As a socially awkward penguin, I don’t really enjoy being rushed into a foreign environment with a ton of strange faces and no familiarity. Socialization, for me , is best taken in small doses—baby steps. As a non-resident student I always felt left out from college life. I knew about events happening through their listservs and was aware of the resources provided by them, but just didn’t take the initiative to get connected with my college community. Remember this is just my story. Colleges have extremely welcoming and fun events for commuters and your experience with your college will be shaped by the initiative you take and the people you meet. I think Victoria College is doing an especially great job at connecting and engaging commuters.

In end of second year, I switched to Trinity College because my POSt - Ethics, Society and Law - is based there and random treks to New College just for a writing centre appointment were getting really frustrating. Yes you can change colleges (contact the registrar of your desired college and ask them about the transfer application process before the end of the school year). Most of my classes, office hours and activity are located at Trinity. The funny thing about this is the day I got into Trinity, I got offered a scholarship from New College. AWKWARD.

 

I continue to frequent the writing centre on a bi-weekly basis but still have no connection to college life itself. Maybe I’m not part of the right communication channels because I was a latecomer? I also have no clue about student life at Trinity. I just enjoy the complimentary meals at Strachan. But I do appreciate the support and community Trinity has provided me through my one-of-a-kind subject post. I’ve found a community at Trinity, but not through the traditional college student life channels, but rather through my program of study.

But I must say that getting to know my college more is definitely on my graduation bucket list.

I guess my experience goes to show that the college you are assigned is not really a major gamechanger in university. They all have equally amazing resources, student unions and communities. They also all have super helpful writing centres—free of charge! Stay tuned for Vahini, Abdullah and Crystal’s perspective on college life!

-Sarah

Meet Jessica, My Soul-Sister

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That’s what friendship means to me. Camaraderie. Ride or die. Through thick and thin. I would not have survived the last two years without the friends I have made at UofT. I used to think that true friendship was impossible in a highly competitive university environment. If I had a nickel for every time somebody has used me to get to my notes, I wouldn’t have to work all summer for tuition. Or for every time somebody refused to respond to my smile in fear of me befriending them for selfish purposes. Why do we perceive university as a zero-sum game where our classmates can only be our competitors? I tried that mindset for a whole two weeks in first year but I quickly realized that I’m just not built for the Hunger Games. I’d rather spend my energies getting to know the diverse multitude of personalities inhabiting our campus.

They say U of T sucks souls - but want to meet living-proof of a beautiful soul at UofT who has changed my life through the power of friendship? Meet Jessica, my soul sister and one of my closest friends. She was my mentee and I was her Assistant Peer Mentor in 2nd year, and then in 3rd she became my Assistant Peer Mentor for FLC Philosophy. We bonded over our anxious hand tremors, our care for the human condition and our infatuation with mysticism. Also, over the fact that we are the ultimate photo-bombers. Through the good and the bad, she has always been there for me. I learn from her and she learns from me. We’ve grown so much together like sisters.

I believe that the essence of a human being can be found through storytelling showcasing their use of deeds and speech. Random text messages letting me know she’s always here for me. A super sentimental present with a card filled with thoughts I will keep forever. The most genuine and sincere compliments paired with extremely insightful wisdom. Always there to vent to.  She’s just beautiful.

And I wouldn’t have met her without U of T. I feel like university is this magical place where  over time you are drawn to souls which complement yours.  It’s the perfect environment for the union of kindred spirits. You come to be found. Somehow the more you learn about yourself, the more these souls reveal themselves to you.

How do you place yourself in a position to be found? Know thyself. Do some good ol’ soul-searching. Attend random clubs events, respond to calls that excite your spirit and dissolve the otherness in your world.

I hope that in your time at U of T, in finding yourself, you find a Jessica of your own somewhere along the way.

- Sarah