Last Monday I heard about a reading by author David Bezmozgis being held at Massey College and decided to check it out. Stepping through the gated entranceway, past the porter’s lodge, along the stone pathway of the water garden, I…
Ideas for the U of T.
Last Wednesday I enrolled in a free lecture series called ‘Ideas for the World’, hosted for students at Victoria College. With the options of different sessions within the program, each focusing on different topics and hosted at different times, the…
Thinking About the Future
Just before we begin, let us take a brief pause. This is a fine moment in the academic year, before second semester really comes on full swing, to consider where we are, what we’ve done, and what we’d like to…
And Here We Are . . . The End of Term!
I used to snowboard a lot in the winter. Ever since I was about six years old, I was out on the snow-hills and riding chairlifts. But once I came to university, I stopped. I guess I got busy. Always…
5 Things Alumni Taught Me
It’s called Backpack to Briefcase. The idea is that students will benefit from early experience with the professional world, such as listening to industry lectures, attending faculty events, and meeting U of T alumni. This year B2B is offering program specific…
A Conversation with a Friend about Life
Last week I met a friend for coffee. It was the end of summer that I saw him last — O how that winged tyrant flies! — and it was lucky because he’s graduated and he’s very busy these days.…
Difficult Conversations: Conversations as education instead of confrontation
University life is fraught with plenty of difficult and intimidating conversations, which many students try to avoid like the plague. Some of these conversations lie within the academic sphere, such as explaining to a professor why you think you deserve…
Minding Our Minds: Unpacking Mental Health
Academic panels and conferences can often be dry, which is why I mainly go for the free food. If I happen to learn something interesting, great; if not, I’ll have made my case against the “there’s no such thing as…
Essay Writing Dos and Don’ts
Warning: Now entering Essay Alley, a two-month span of the academic year known for an increase in essay-related stress, anxiety, and all out no-good-not-niceness. Luckily, the unofficial U of T Essay Writing Dos and Don’ts is here to help. (Have…
TEDxToronto: The Choices We Make
The fifth annual TEDxToronto conference, themed The Choices We Make, was held last Thursday at the Royal Conservatory of Music. The mix included innovators like U of T's own Director of Urban Design, Rodolphe el-Khoury, who showcased IM BLANKY…