After spending a few weeks hanging out with friends and host families in Hiroshima and Osaka, I'm ending my spring break with a brief solo trip to Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa. Once a semi-independent kingdom, Okinawa subtly separates itself…
On flexibility and finding what you love
At this time three years ago I was planning out my courses for first year (with the previous year's calendar because the one for 2012-2013 wasn't out yet... yeah, keen is my middle name). At that point I was sure…
RENT: Not the Musical
School is almost over! It doesn't seem like that because we haven't started exams yet, but classes are done next week. For people who don't have any exams... I hate you with the passion of a thousand burning suns. 🙁 Back to the…
Are You Ready for the Test???
Being prepared for tests is a complicated art. Exams are the most individual task you will do in university. It’s just you and the test, so don’t let your mind go rushing onto all your other responsibilities. Your soul must…
UC Charity Drag Show
Coming into university I knew that there was going to be a mile long list of ‘firsts’: My first time doing my own laundry, first 500 person lecture, first time spending over 12 hours in a library. However I don’t…
The Road Ahead: Planning for Post-Exam Life
“I can’t believe this year’s already over!” we all say to ourselves in disbelief. In just over a month (even sooner for some people) we’ll be done with exams and will be free for four months. Now I know many…
Asking Questions
A few weeks ago, I suggested that students try applying to conferences. A question I’ve heard since then is: “But how can I participate in conferences outside of presenting a paper or poster?” “Good question”, I respond, spinning them into…
Hiroshima in One Day
Hiroshima holds a strong sentimental value for me. It was the first Japanese city that I spent a significant amount of time in, and my friends and homestay families there introduced me to Japan. Last week, for the first time I…
Talking About Spoons
Depression takes a lot out of you; when I was very depressed and untreated I (of course) hardly functioned, so I had come up with what I called a "conservation of willpower". Essentially, it meant that I had to neglect…
Happy Birthday U of T!
On 15 March 1827 everyone's favourite university was founded. Obviously a lot has changed over the last 188 years, but in some ways, U of T has stayed exactly the same over to this day. One of my favourite things…