Author: danielle (page 2)

February is Black History Month, and this week is Indigenous Education Week (learn more about IEW here). These occasions provide the U of T community with the opportunity to learn more about cultural communities on campus and their traditions and histories, to talk about and denounce racism, and to celebrate the cultural diversity of our campus and our country. These are some of the events you can attend to celebrate Black History Month on campus and in Toronto before February comes to a close.

Recently, the idea of introducing a mandatory Indigenous Studies course at U of T has been making waves on campus. It was raised by the Native Students' Association and echoed by Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s minister of Indigenous and northern affairs, at a talk on campus. These calls come in the wake of the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), which U of T has addressed by striking a committee to review the report and implement the recommendations on campus. The university also announced the establishment of a graduate research program dedicated to Indigenous health this past summer, and will host an Indigenous Health Conference this coming May. With the dialogue about the TRC growing on campus, Indigenous Education Week (IEW) presents an opportunity to learn more about Native issues and culture, meet the diverse Indigenous community on campus, and join the conversation.

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.

The other day, someone on my Facebook feed posted something along the lines of, “I’m really not impressed by how dark it is outside - day, if you want me to be productive and get out of bed, you’re going to need to do better than this.” Judging by the amount of ‘likes’ this comment accrued, I know I’m not the only one who felt she was preaching to the choir.

  In my last year of undergrad, I felt pulled in a lot of different directions. Should I start working after graduation, or go back to school? What could I actually afford to do? Scariest of all, what did I want to do? 

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year - but first, it’s a marginally less wonderful time: final papers and exams! I’ve got an all-day event everyday in my calendar for the next two weeks called “never leave Robarts”, so the concept of purchasing holiday gifts seems decidedly out of reach. If you’re hibernating in the library like me this month, here’s a few ways you can get your gifts out of the way without straying far from your study den.

I’ve moved around the city a few times since coming to Toronto, living with different roommates in different areas downtown. I’m lucky to be able to say that it’s been really fun living with new people each time and getting to know them - but every roommate situation brings with it its own unique quirks. It’s totally normal to have conflicts when living with people (even if they’re your friends)! After a few years living with roommates, here are words to live by when living with others I’ve collected over the years.