I have always loved sleep. When I was little, I even used to ask my parents if I could go to bed early, because I loved it that much! (I was an odd kid, but that’s beside the point!) My…
Having a Fresh Start
"You're struggling with this because it is hard." This was one the things that stuck with me from last weekend. I attended the Fresh Start Conference, an annual one-day event dedicated to getting students back on their feet after a…
The Ultimate Showdown: Expectations vs. Reality
Sometimes you order a sandwich, and instead of getting satisfying, carb-y deliciousness you get a slice of cheddar between two soggy pieces of Wonderbread: the kind of meal that makes anyone who went to Fyre Festival jealous. Let's face it:…
The Myth of the Four Year Degree
While it's true that many students graduate in four years, this isn't always the case. As someone who's anticipating a fifth year at UofT, I wanted to bust the "Myth of the Four Year Degree," a myth that seems to…
Confession pages and anonymous submissions about failing midterms
I came across an Instagram account that posts anonymous reflections supposedly submitted by U of T students. They go by <@uoftears_>. A common theme that comes up on the page through these so-called confessions is failing midterms. Failure is par…
The Myths of Course Dropping
November 5th is the official deadline to drop a Fall class for this semester. Speaking from personal experience, I know what it’s like to be confused by, and bit scared of, the concept of dropping a class, so I wanted…
The Changing Faces of “Success”
I've found that the tricky thing about defining "success" is how often the idea of success changes. I'm willing to argue that others have this same issue. Sure, people can associate success with money, health, academic marks, and other broad…
Arthur Read on Roller Blades (alt: My Struggles with Mental Health)
One thing that few people know about me is that there was a point in time when I didn’t believe that I could make it through university. I didn’t believe that I was supposed to be at U of T.…
Study Spaces For Exam Preparation
Exam season is rapidly approaching, and you know what that means? Lots of studying! To make studying as pleasant and productive as possible, first find a study space with minimal distractions and adequate resources in which you feel physically and…
Managing Exam Anxiety
Here’s a new tongue twister for you – try saying “Exam Anxiety” five times really fast. Can you do it? I sure can’t. Unfortunately, “Exam Anxiety” isn’t just a tongue twister – rather, it is something that affects many students…