{"id":22670,"date":"2014-12-05T18:35:00","date_gmt":"2014-12-05T23:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=22670"},"modified":"2014-12-05T18:36:01","modified_gmt":"2014-12-05T23:36:01","slug":"another_year_wiser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2014\/12\/05\/another_year_wiser\/","title":{"rendered":"Another Year Wiser"},"content":{"rendered":"December has finally arrived! I always love this time of year. December is a special time when we welcome winter into our lives and focus on getting away from the cold crazy world out there and curl up inside where it\u2019s warm. Winter is also a time of reflection.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_22671\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22671\" style=\"width: 338px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10376300_552312461572412_5907824804747435269_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22671\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10376300_552312461572412_5907824804747435269_n-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Looking out from a dark tunnel in a St. Michaels residence into an open courtyard with a large fountain\" width=\"338\" height=\"451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10376300_552312461572412_5907824804747435269_n-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10376300_552312461572412_5907824804747435269_n.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 338px) 100vw, 338px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22671\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Almost through the passage, into bright newness (Photo by Zachary Biech)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nThis post is my last of 2014! Can you believe it? This semester has flown by so fast! I\u2019ve learned so many new things, met many new people and had many new experiences.\u00a0 I can honestly say this has been one of the most exciting half-years in my life.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_22672\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22672\" style=\"width: 412px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/988868_552312438239081_3520260687994602728_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22672\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/988868_552312438239081_3520260687994602728_n-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"The tangled wilderness and fallen leaves strewn around a secret garden behind the Victoria College library\" width=\"412\" height=\"309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/988868_552312438239081_3520260687994602728_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/988868_552312438239081_3520260687994602728_n-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/988868_552312438239081_3520260687994602728_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22672\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I've done so much exploring, and yet I finally just stumbled into this park at Victoria College (Photo by Zachary Biech)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nSo much has changed and I have changed as well. I\u2019m still the same old Zach but university life changes <em>everything<\/em>. I finally embraced that change and even caused some of it on my own.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_22673\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22673\" style=\"width: 366px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10806495_552312478239077_3129381084600764105_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22673\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10806495_552312478239077_3129381084600764105_n-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"A notebook page with &quot;thanks&quot; written in Anishnaabemowin, Russian, and English \" width=\"366\" height=\"366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10806495_552312478239077_3129381084600764105_n-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10806495_552312478239077_3129381084600764105_n-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10806495_552312478239077_3129381084600764105_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 366px) 100vw, 366px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22673\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">These are all thank-you's to my friends and family for their birthday wishes, in the three languages I use these days (I recently turned twenty, just to add more change into the mix!) On my birthday, I wrote a syllabics test for Anishnaabemowin, studied Russian, and submitted an essay which had Russian Politics AND Indigenous studies... (Photo by Zachary Biech)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nTo cap off the year, I\u2019ll share some key points of my success this semester.\r\n\r\nKey #1: <em>Balance.<\/em>\r\n\r\n<em>Balance balance balance! <\/em>In my first blog, I shared my journey towards balance and how that journey has shaped my university experience. In short, all you need to do is recognize the four areas of your life, (body, emotion, mind, spirit) and give them each <em>equal<\/em> attention. Trust me, it works.\r\n\r\nKey #2: <em>Do what you love.<\/em>\r\n\r\nYou are the only person who knows best what you are interested in and how you want to live and work. Celebrate those interests; they are what make you so special! It\u2019s tremendously hard work to be a university student between classes and everything outside of class so it\u2019s important to choose things you are comfortable pouring your heart and soul into (I think you\u2019ll find the hard work feels much easier this way!)\r\n\r\nKey #3: <em>Change is as good as rest.<\/em>\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s amazing how big an impact you can have on yourself by changing things up. Try getting away from campus for a while, explore new areas and even rearrange some furniture if you have to. Change it up, it really helps!\r\n\r\nKey #4: <em>Get involved. <\/em>\r\n\r\nThere are so many different groups you can engage with at U of T and in downtown Toronto, there\u2019s bound to be something you\u2019d love. So try going to a couple of meetings and choose groups that you feel you can connect with. The networks and projects you can build are limitless and the skills and energy you develop in those groups is <em>invaluable<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_22674\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22674\" style=\"width: 392px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/1549355_552312571572401_5872983343224380577_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22674\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/1549355_552312571572401_5872983343224380577_n-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Looking out into a large gymnasium, with many tables of Indigenous artworks and handmade crafts \" width=\"392\" height=\"294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/1549355_552312571572401_5872983343224380577_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/1549355_552312571572401_5872983343224380577_n-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/1549355_552312571572401_5872983343224380577_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22674\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">As promised, here's a view of the NCCT craft sale I volunteered at! (Photo by Zachary Biech)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_22675\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22675\" style=\"width: 397px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10400022_552312561572402_5611768647751783044_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22675\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10400022_552312561572402_5611768647751783044_n-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"A table with huge baskets of colourful candies and crafts, which were the prizes for the raffle\" width=\"397\" height=\"298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10400022_552312561572402_5611768647751783044_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10400022_552312561572402_5611768647751783044_n-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10400022_552312561572402_5611768647751783044_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22675\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here's the raffle table from the NCCT craft sale, where I was stationed (Photo by Zachary Biech)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nFor instance, being a part of the Student Life Blog has been hugely helpful in my life. I get a lot more writing and editing practice which helps me with essays and assignments. \u00a0I get to expand and share my experiences, all while connecting with my Blogger peers, who are all amazing friends I am thankful to have!\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_22676\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22676\" style=\"width: 428px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10414380_552312498239075_7628676872481469876_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-22676\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10414380_552312498239075_7628676872481469876_n-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Looking south over all of the awesome buildings of campus, towards all the huge towers down by Toronto's waterfront (including the CN Tower)\" width=\"428\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10414380_552312498239075_7628676872481469876_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10414380_552312498239075_7628676872481469876_n-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2014\/12\/10414380_552312498239075_7628676872481469876_n.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 428px) 100vw, 428px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-22676\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An awesome view of campus from the OISE Nexus Lounge, during the Indigenous Winter Social (Photo by Zachary Biech)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nKeep these 4 keys in mind in your life at university and your path will become much clearer.\r\n\r\nThat\u2019s all from me for now! Wait for my next blog in 2015!","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n<div class=\"entry-summary\">\nDecember has finally arrived! I always love this time of year. December is a special time when we welcome winter into our lives and focus on getting away from the cold crazy world out there and curl up inside where&hellip;\n<\/div><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2014\/12\/05\/another_year_wiser\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Another Year Wiser&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2014\/12\/05\/another_year_wiser\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Another Year Wiser&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":238,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7204,6669,59,62,65,1,70,69,66,82,67,68],"tags":[78,405,135,153,9307,138,286,172,25506,48,237,696,54],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22670"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22670"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22670\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22678,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22670\/revisions\/22678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22670"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22670"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22670"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}