Last week, I briefly mentioned that midterms had started up; by now, I’m sure we’ve all felt our workloads spike up that much more. I have had 3 this week, amongst other assignments, and that has definitely taken its toll.…
My alarm goes off. I sit up and my head is spinning. I reach for my alarm and miss it the first two times. I finally get it to switch off, lie back down, and assess the situation. I’m drenched in sweat. My head is pounding. My throat is really sore; it hurts to swallow. I feel too cold and too hot at the same time. Memories of my dreams start to trickle back: flying donuts, green skies, canoeing on a chocolate river. I start to put the pieces together.This fever dream is brought to you by Wonka’s Chocolate Factory™ and Pure Imagination™ Picture courtesy of http://www.frenchtoastsunday.comYep. I’m sick. Now what?
What does a commuter love more than on-schedule public transit? Free food. And an entire week of it, no less. See, last week was….. *drumroll please*: Commuter Appreciation Week at U of T! Well, okay, it’s not really an officially…
Happy February!
In my last post, I wrote about all the super resources we have on campus that can help you lead a healthy student life. This week, I decided to investigate another great resource on campus - the Sexual Education Centre (SEC)! The SEC is located at the Sussex Clubhouse and if you didn't already know, is famous for its nearly infinite supply of free condoms.
The door to the SEC office is open to all students on campus, undergrad and graduate!
This was essentially the sole fact I knew about SEC before I visited. What I found was that while the office did indeed boast of an incredible quantity and variety of condoms (see the “menu”), it also contained a wide array of resources and supports for all things related to sex, sexuality, and relationships.
I quote directly one of the centre's volunteers: “For 50cents of your annual student fees you can get an infinite amount of condoms.”
My welcome to the centre was quite positive. I was greeted by a number of smiling faces when I walked in, supplied with a wealth of information during my visit, and seen off with a “grab bag” filled with safer-sex products. The centre is open Monday – Friday, 10 am – 7pm, during the Fall/Winter semesters, and everyone is welcome.
This is the time of year when I start to feel a little bit blue. In Toronto, I think it’s because this is the time when winter seems like it will never end, like I’ll be cold forever and the days will never get any longer. I know everyone hates winter, but I really hate it. So I thought living in Scotland this year would be a nice break from the winter blues.
Have you ever thought about a career in social work? Well, you're in luck! As my next "Faculty Spotlight", I have the pleasure to present the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work! Our insider information comes from Jamie, a second year student in the Masters of Social Work program. She previously completed her undergrad at Western University and graduated in 2010 with a Honours Specialization in Psychology with a focus in Clinical and Social Psychology.
It’s Mentorship Week at U of T! From today through to Thursday, there are events happening around campus to explore mentorship opportunities - whether you’re looking to become a mentor, find a mentor, or thank a mentor who’s supported you. Need more convincing to come out? Here’s five reasons to take part! 1. Make friends through mentorship communities.
Mentorship programs at U of T also provide you with opportunities to meet other pairs of mentors and mentees at networking events, socials, and more. Beyond the lasting bond you'll make with your mentor or mentee, these communities provide an added bonus to mentorship - making new friends on campus.
"We're part of the iConnect mentorship program. It's a really loving, supportive, and welcoming community." - Daniel, second year, Cinema Studies & Computer Science and Brianna Chan, fourth year, Life Science.
I am in my final year of undergrad and scheduled to graduate this June (by some terrible twist of fate, I graduate on the date of my birthday thereby having to spend my 22nd year of life in CON HALL). These past four years have been spent strolling around King's College Circle, cramming at Robarts during unspeakable hours, and attending every puppy therapy event U of T has to offer. The fact that I may not be coming back next year has only recently hit me. As much as I tried to prepare for (see also: dread) the future, it actually did not occur to me that I'd soon be done my Bachelor's. It's a bittersweet feeling.
I embarked on a HONY-esque quest across campus to hunt down fellow fourth-years and ask them about their plans. Are you graduating? Taking a fifth year? Taking some time off? What have you learned here? What's been a memorable U of T experience? Please share intimate details of your life with this random, unnaturally peppy stranger!
From my mini adventure I have concluded that 1) Apparently no upper years go to school because it proved quite difficult trying to find fourth years on campus and 2) Apparently all upper years are in the same boat of worry, anticipation, and excitement for their futures. So fear not, fourth year friends! Here are just some of the lovely students that attend our school, starting with the loveliest of all (me):
Nancy, Neuroscience:
I'm graduating this year! I want to do an MSc in neuroscience research. I'm also looking into professional programs in public policy and global health. The biggest takeaways from my time here is to go after what you want, enjoy yourself, and that the best person to compete with is yourself. I'm super grateful for all the people I've met and friends I've made!
I recently finished my very last stage production at UofT. It was a play called “Rope,” which is about two university students who kill one of their friends for “philosophical reasons” and put his body in a chest. They host…
I've been in a bit of a creative rut lately. Between the perpetual grey weather and the sudden onslaught of midterms, I've been finding it difficult to feel inspired. Thankfully, this changed when I attended VicXposure's Allan Gardens Photowalk this weekend. The bright greenery and the group of happy photographers were more than enough to shake me of the January gloom and doom I was feeling.
I've been in a bit of a creative rut lately. Between the perpetual grey weather and the sudden onslaught of midterms, I've been finding it difficult to feel inspired. Thankfully, this changed when I attended VicXposure's Allan Gardens Photowalk this weekend. The bright greenery and the group of happy photographers were more than enough to shake me of the January gloom and doom I was feeling.
