In my very first blog post, I wrote about the difficult aspect of doing my virtual exchange, which is that I experience a whole 12-hour time difference from Perth, Australia. I thought that this week, I would dive in a…
What it’s like Having a Work Study Position during the Pandemic
“All work-studies will now be offered online”When I was in my first-year of study, I never envisioned that by my third-year, the plain four walls of my room would transform into a makeshift office. Yet, here I am two years…
Getting the Most Out of the Writing Centre
I only started using the Writing Centre recently (now that I’m in my fourth year aah). I wish I’d used this resource earlier but I never thought I had the time for writing appointments. This year, especially now that everything's…
When Mental Health Becomes a Laundry List of “Problems”
I always thought I was content with speaking about my mental health struggles. It wasn’t something I felt ashamed about, rather it was liberating to let people know of my own struggles – it indirectly assured me that people could…
How I Take Notes During Online Classes (Virtual Exchange Edition)
When doing a virtual exchange, it is crucial to take notes effectively during online classes, as there is a shift in the culture and teaching style from what we are used to at U of T. I have developed some…
6 Things You Can Do to De-Stress When You Don’t Have the Attention Span for Meditation
Featured artwork by Ari. See more of Ari's artwork on IG @Ariigum I’ve lost count of the amount of times that people have told me to meditate, “take a deep breath”, do some stretches – anything that relates to taking…
Living Far Away From Home During “Uncertain Times”
Last year, I wrote a post about my struggles living far away from home (I’m from Vancouver, which is a 4-5 hour plane ride away from Toronto). Now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, living away from home has gotten a lot…
The music I listen to all-day and for studying
Music. I listen to it a lot. If I had to categorise them, it’s probably something familiar or fancy. Either way, it brings more thoughts and emotions to the present moment. I get to feel more, without travelling anywhere. Music…
How I Deal With My Fear of Participation
Participation: the dreaded 20% of a final grade. My heart feels like it's going to jump out of my chest, I can hear the blood pumping in my ears, anxiety is through the roof--all because I need to raise my…
How I Stay Organized Using my iPad Pro
As University students, it is important for us to keep a healthy balance between school and our personal lives. With COVID-19 and the shift to online learning, this has become even more crucial – especially if you are studying abroad…