“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…
Overcoming my Fear of Professors
Up until last Thursday, I don’t think I had ever actually seen a professor up close. I mean, sure, I’ve sat front row in lecture or passed them while walking to class, but I am really bad at actually talking…
So You Had a Bad Daze
I am taking a cue from Haley this week. It's time for a little chat about mental wellness. Dear friends, I'm going to be honest. March is never a great month for me. It's like one bad day after another. Oh, March. Final papers, interviewing…
How to write a Research Paper
In a switch from actuarial science to the social sciences, the amount of writing I’ve been required to do has increased, as Api might say in quoting our friend Drake, from “0 to 100 real quick.” Most of the papers…
Spring Thaw
Spring is coming very quickly this year! Spring is like a sunrise in the East and it feels like a new beginning. Spring is also a time for revitalizing, rejuvenating and getting back to basics. It is a time for…
The meaning of life (and other concerns)
Warning: this post may contain material that makes you question a lot of things. Proceed with caution. I’m in the library, writing a paper on health and social policy (you know, a typical Tuesday night activity). While performing an expert analysis…