Some Sad News

I have some sad news friends. I am not going to be able to blog as much any longer. I have graduated from York University and I am will not be working at York's RED Zone. Since RED Zone is a work study job (meaning you have to be a student to work in this position) I have to spread my wings and find a different location to work. Since I am not blogging as much anymore I wanted to give you the option to read some of my lovely co-worker's blogs.

Here they are, check out their blogs and twitters to find more information!

Monika (The new RED Zone LEAD!!!) @MonikaSoniaG 

Michelle @_michelle23

Nicole @nuriasz 

Tori @torijwilcox

In other news, you can still follow me in a different way if you choose! My partner and I have been writing a different kind of blog, so if you still want to connect with me you can look at our blog. :) Thank you all for being so awesome and let me know at any time if you have any questions, I would be happy to answer it! :)

Have No Fear....I'm Still Here!

I am not going to lie, I have been home for the past two weeks, which is why I have been slacking a little bit with blogging. Let me tell you it has been a very relaxing and lovely experience to be back home! I have had the opportunity to catch up with all of my family and friends (which seem to take a back seat sometimes when you are at school or away from home). One thing I have definitely missed has been my interactions with all of you and being at York's RED Zone! Do not worry, I will be back Monday to answer any burning questions regarding your first few weeks of school.

Have any questions right now? ASK AWAY!!!

Your Task If You Choose To Accept Is....

Your task if you choose to accept is this....

I challenge you to complete all of these tasks by the end of your first week of school. Let's see how you do and be sure to let me know how it goes!


1. Meet someone new in all of your classes and get their email or phone number.
2. Go to a random building that you do not have a class in and explore.
3. Try a food that you have never had before on campus.
4. Pack your own lunch for at least 3 days of the first week of school.
5. Bring a water bottle, so you can refill your bottle at the hydration stations.
6. GO TO FROSH WEEK!
7. Compliment someone by first dissing them and then be nice to them after (This suggestion came from Yusuf, a student I was chillin' with in the RED Zone Lounge).
8. Have someone listen to your IPOD or music on transportation to York (if you live in Res, have one of your roomies listen to your favourite song).
9. Smile at at least 15 people during this week.
10. Do at least 5 hours worth of physical activity in your first week.

HAPPY CHALLENGE and GOOD LUCK!

Secuuuurity....Bon Qui Qui Time.

I thought I would share my favourite video from 2nd year! I took so many study breaks to watch this video. I hope you can get enjoyment from this as well! :)

ENJOY!

Tours on Campus

Want a tour of Keele Campus?

The tour of campus is really awesome and something I highly suggest doing. This is done by the Bennett Centre once a day (the times vary each day). You can meet the student ambassadors in the central kiosk the day you plan on coming in. If you would like to see the schedule just click here for the tour times. They also have information about parking for the day if you plan on driving to school to take this tour. The Bennett Centre is number 41 on the campus map. 

Want a tour of Glendon Campus?

Glendon campus conducts their tours daily, as well as on the weekends! If you want more information on how to sign up and when they are please visit here. Need to find where Glendon campus is? Here are directions!

Want a tour of Residence?

Want to see your residence room before you actually come on move in day? Residence tours take place each day at 2:30pm in McLaughlin College. This is number 51 on the Keele campus map, so check that out.

Here is the MAP for both the Bennett Centre (number 41 on the map) and McLaughlin College (number 51 on the map). 

*If you get lost, find us at the RED Zone and we will direct you to the correct place! :)

New Swag in York's RED Zone!

RED Zone just got some new swag! Aren't our I Heart YU shirts awesome? Do not worry we still have our rugby shirts too! :) Stay tuned for how you can WIN one of these awesome I Heart YU shirts throughout the year! 

Italian Sodas Are Where It's At!

For the past few weeks, I have been a little obsessed with Second Cup's deal! They have Italian Sodas for 1 dollar. So if you are looking for something cool and different to try, who can go wrong with $1.13?

*** Nicole and I enjoying our delicious Italian Sodas***

***We are trying to get all of the flavours, do you think we can do it?***

I will see you there! Any other deals you know of on campus?

5 FREE Ways to Stay Healthy on Campus

I thought I would take us back to our childhood with this gem of a commercial! I still remember sitting on the couch with my family watching Body Break commercials! As silly as my memories are, Hal and Joanne are completely right, you have to do the little things (especially in University) to keep yourself active and healthy. 

Here are 5 FREE ways to stay healthy on campus:

1. Free fitness classes at Tait Mackenzie Gym
2. Bring your lunch to school instead of buying something that brings down your energy levels. Or check out Health Education and Promotion for healthy options on campus
3. Join Health Ed's Running Relief Program 
4. Start a Yoga group in your Residence common room
5. Intramural Program with your College 

5 ways I stay healthy everyday:

1. I keep a healthy eating journal to track the awesome food I consume each day and I make left overs every night so I can have a lunch at school

2. I try to get at least 6 hours of sleep each night

3. I complete morning exercises, jog, and do ab exercises daily

4. I try to work out at least 3 times a week

5. I read Zen Learning books in conjunction with my school readings to keep my mind and body healthy (meditation and mindfulness is kind of my thing)!

What are you going to do to stay healthy??

Dinner on a Dime!

You may not completely know yet, but sometimes having money to buy food when you are a student can be difficult. To be honest, there are quite a few places on campus that you can go to that are on the cheaper side.

I was able to buy many meals on campus for under 5 dollars! To make things a little bit cheaper I would usually bring my own drink (my water bottle) and have my own snacks that I brought from residence. They other way I saved money was just making my own food and bringing it to class instead of buying. I always had a budget for myself that would keep me in check as well. 

***Food Glorious Food!***

Worried about spending too much money at school? Maybe I can help you with more ideas I did throughout my University Career. Let me know what you are worried about the most and I will come up with a strategy for you!

Connections and Meaningful Conversations

Want a friendly experience at YorkU before you come to York University?

Last summer I had a lovely experience with one of York's incoming students on YU Connect (If you have not checked out YU Connect yet here is the link!). YU Connect gave me the opportunity to correspond and converse with my new friend Deserey. It was a great experience because she lives abroad and I was able to pass on information to her the whole summer about her transition into University. Once September came, it was amazing because we actually got to meet each other in person! It was awesome to get to know someone on a personal level before even meeting them, and then being able to actually meet them!

***Deserey chillin' at the famous Seven Mile beach in Grand Cayman (Jealous!)*** 

***One of Our First Interactions together!***

Are you looking for a similar opportunity to create community and engage on campus? Just because you might live far away, it doesn't mean you cannot have meaningful interactions throughout the summer! Check out our blogs, twitter, website, and facebook if you want to connect with any of the RED Zone Ambassadors! Or, if you live near campus, come by the RED Zone anytime. Have a friendly conversation with us. Ask us whatever questions you may have. We’ll even help you get set up on YU Connect so you can reach out and meet other York students.


I am looking forward to connecting with all of you very soon! :) 

Making Some Beats in the RED Zone Lounge!

Nicole, Joy, and I were getting our groove on in the RED Zone! The new stomp crew potentially??

**Post some awesome videos that you have made with your friends! It is the summer, get crazy!

The 5 S's of Residence!

The 5 S's of Residence:

1. Surviving the Slump:
    Something residence is awesome for is getting you out of the slump! Often times when you return           from reading week or a weekend it is hard to get back into swing of things (readings, assignments, etc). There are always people around motivating and mentoring you to get you back on track!

2. Study Partyaas!!:
    How awesome is it that you can walk out of your room, knock on the person's door beside you and have an impromptu study party in your common room? I always took the opportunity to ask housemates for advice or have a creative brainstorm while we were all in our pjs!

3. Shower and Go:
    I loved that I could get up a half hour before my class started, eat my breakfast and be in class 10 mins before it started! Not to mention, you always have someone to walk to class with who lives in residence with you. (My favourite is that I was 10 mins away from the Gym facility at all times, so my roommate and I used to used it all the time in first year!).

4. Stayin' Alive:
    What I really enjoyed about residence was that I had the opportunity to learn so many new things each time I went to an activity or an event. They had tons of programming to make sure you were ready for anything in and out of your classes!

5. Super Don:
    Lastly, I loved that there was someone there to help me with my transition. On each floor of your residence there is a Don that can help you with any questions or concerns you may have. They are upper year students so they have gone through similar experiences. Both my Dons in first and second year were amazing! :)

Making cookies in residence! 

So delicious!! 

Making awesome faces while we wait for our cookies! 

Haven't applied for Residence yet? Click here for more information! 

**Have any other questions about residence? If you do, you have to pose it in a question that starts with S though (witty right?)! ;)**

Tips that Help Me Through University!

Here are my tips for University that might help you out and make you feel a little more comfortable! :)

1. Reading books that you are super interested in, aside from your course readings.
2. Laugh A LOT, laughing is the best remedy for stress!
3. Meeting new people through jobs and organizations.
4. Meditation really helped me, check out youtube for some guided meditation! (The RED Zone team does this every Monday and Friday morning to get prepared!)
5. Using the gym on campus to keep me active (it is only a 15 dollar membership!!!!)
6. Using the Library to get productive!
7. Going to all of my classes, I only missed them when I was REALLY sick!
8. Finding a really awesome way of keeping yourself organized (I colour coordinated all of my classes, assignments, outside involvement, etc on a piece of paper near my computer each week).
9. Using all of the resources avaible to you (The College, Career Centre, YU Connect, Library).
10. Keeping an open mind and a positive attitude (I like to do Yoga and read Zen living to keep me positive)!

Let me know what you are going to do to help yourself through University! :) I cannot wait to hear from you.

Sustainability? Yes Please!!!

Up until this morning I was unaware that I could be a Sustainability Ambassador for York University! Once I found out I signed up right away! This is an awesome initiative! You can pledge to do a few things to help out our environment.

Check it out the Sustainability Ambassador link and see what you think! http://www.yorku.ca/susweb/ambassadors/

Who is going to do this as well? If you have any questions just let me know!

My Favourite Spot for Lunch!

I think everyone at York University starts to have favourite places to eat on campus. I wanted to show you mine....

**Me Eating a Cookie at Vari Hall!**

Let me know where your favourite place is once you come to York! :) 

AHHH! What Do I Need For The First Day???

The night before my first day I had butterflies and the anxious feeling about what was to come the next day. Luckily I lived in Residence and many others had similar feelings, so do not worry, you are not alone!

Here is my first year checklist:

• Wake up early and make sure you print off a map so you know where your class is or Visit Yorks RED Zone, we can give you directions!
• Have a good breakfast so that you do not get sick or pass out in class! (I have seen this happen before, so eat it up!)
• Arrive 15 mins before class so that you can grab a good seat (sit near the front).
• Try and make a friend beside you so you can grab notes from someone if you are sick!
• Attend your first class, there is awesome information that you may need to know, so do not skip!
• Bring Paper, Pens, and Highlighters (I did not have a laptop so this was my way of keeping notes!)
• Water and Snacks (My first day I had 3 classes so I made sure I brought enough food for my belly!) We have many hydration stations so make sure you bring a water bottle! 
• Ask questions if you are not sure what your Professor or Teaching Assistant (TA) is talking about, I did not ask and then I was confused for a couple of weeks...or research other services to help you. (Ie- York's Learning Commons)

**See why I had to bring paper and pens to class? My computer was massive, we all named it Big Bertha!**

Just a reminder: University is a different experience than Highschool, please make sure that you ask for help if you need it, there are so many resources available for you to use! Take advantage of them because they are all FREE!!! The Yorku Search-bar was my best friend!

Let me know how your first day goes or if you have any questions about your first day! Anyone have any other ideas??

Tips for Convocation

Here are my tips for your future convocation! Seems far away, but these will be super helpful when you are ready to graduate in a few years!! AHH!!!

*Can you find me in there???*

Tips to consider:

1. Prepare a meeting spot for your family and friends after convocation.
2. Wear comfortable shoes, you stand for a long period of time.
3. Be there early!
4. Do not forget to bring out the print out of your confirmation for convocation.
5. Bring snacks it is a pretty long process, I got super hungry!
6. Leave all of your possession with your family, friends, or just do not bring it, it comes on stage with you if you bring it! :(
7. Your hair is covered by your hat, so no buns or crazy spikes!
8. Do not expect to sit with your friends during convocations, talk to the person beside you though! :)
9. Count how many times someone receives Cum Laude- makes the wait pretty entertaining! (Hopefully you are one of those individuals who receives this as well!) Note: Cum Laude means a high level of academic distinction!
10. Do not worry about holding on to the program, your family or friends most likely were given one!

Any finally....GO TO CONVOCATION, it was really awesome and I had a lovely time!

*My friend and I at the reception!*

If you have any other questions about convocation I can totally answer anything you need!

Convocation, Getting My Graduation On!

Good morning YorkU World,

I am just preparing to go to Convocation and I thought I would update you! I am planning on writing some tips for you so that when you graduate you will know what to watch out for. It seems crazy that 5 years ago I would be at this point already! Time flies so really appreciate every moment you are at University (<--- That was my first tip for graduation thus far!). I have my parent's tickets and I think I am ready to rock and roll, AHHHHH!!! I will keep you posted on what to keep in mind!!! :)

Not sure what I should do when I cross the stage though....any suggestions?

5 Tips for Finding a Job On Campus

So I am not trying to brag...however, each and everyday that I leave the RED Zone I am so overjoyed with my day and what has been accomplished! The RED Zone this year has been the best summer job I have ever had! You can have an awesome job on campus too!!!

Ever since my first year I have had a job on campus. I am going to help you with 5 Tips for finding a job!
1. Check out the Career Centre Website for jobs and other workshops. http://www.yorku.ca/careers/
2. Talk to some offices on campus and see if they need any assistance (I did that for Winters College).
3. Get involved so you have more experience for your resume! yuconnect.yorku.ca
4. Ask friends who already have jobs on campus or visit the RED Zone for assistance!
5. Fill out your student financial profile! http://sfs.yorku.ca/services/sfp/

***The awesome RED Zone Team!***

RED Zone Ambassador Tips:
1. Good hygiene.
2. Good Shoes.

Want to Know a Secret??

There are so many individuals on this campus that have no idea what the Absinthe Pub and Coffee Shop is or where it is!! I am going to let you know a secret ahead of time about this gem in the basement of Winters College!

The Absinthe Pub and Coffee Shop (The Ab) is one of my favourite places to chill on campus! It is full of energy, awesome people, and REAL plates and silverware!! You can hang out with your friends, play darts, watch some Discovery Channel on the TV's, do homework, or play at acoustic night on a Tuesday night!

*My Friends and I enjoying the atmosphere of the Ab in second year*

***Check the link for some photographs!***

http://food.apps01.yorku.ca/restaurant/absinthe-pub-coffee-shop

http://winters.yorku.ca/facilities/

The Absinthe Pub and Coffee Shop was somewhere that was a second home for me in first year (aside from residence). Maybe you will find that it can be the same for you, just promise me you will take the time to find it! It can be like a sweet version of a scavenger hunt with an awesome find at the end!

Orientation Chair Tip, here is Cassandra's Tips:
1. Wear comfortable shoes.

2. Be open to meeting new people! (You can do that at the Ab!)

Social Orientation...HECK YES!

Thinking about attending Social Orientation? You should not even be thinking you should just be yelling HECK YES I AM!!!

I can tell you that my first interaction with York University at Social Orientation remains to be my favourite part of my University career! This is how my story goes...

I arrived in my loaded van for residence and then all of a sudden people started taking all of my stuff upstairs to my room! There was a really awesome Frosh Boss (leaders during Frosh Week) that helped me get my key for my room, signed me up for Frosh, and then back to my room. Once I got settled I was off to the events, finally at around dinner I got to say bye to my parents. My mom looked at me and said "You are definitely in the right place, this will be a great home for you!"

Now that I look back, I know that it is one of the best decisions that I ever made to live in residence, go to frosh week and test my limits!

Here is a super embarrassing photograph from Frosh Week to show you the perks of Social Orientation. You can look back and remember how awesome you looked in your Frosh Week shirt (Aren't I soo pretty??, you do not have to answer that...) My roommate and I are just waiting for an event to start, cheerios were our favourite snack!

RED Zone Ambassador Tip, here is Kulsoom's Tips:

1. Do not be shy!

2. It is ok to ask for help...you are not alone! 

Dance Dares!

RED Zone is having some laughs today with doing the famous Ellen Dance Dares. Want to see my version of it? I personally like the ending...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7lAiUs1Lr8&feature=player_embedded

Why the Heck Should I Get Involved?...Top 10 Reasons Why I Did!

Top 10 Reasons Why YOU Should Get Involved On-Campus! (With more embarrassing photographs, why do I do this to myself???)

1. You can meet like minded people with similar interests.

2. Build your resume for super fantastic jobs later in life.
3. You can have a co-curricular record that shows all of your involvement while you are at York (http://yuconnect.yorku.ca/).

4. Build relationships with individuals that can be your life-long friends.
5. You can have many support systems with individuals and resources through getting involved.

6. Makes your experience at York University more interactive and exciting.
7. Be involved in training sessions that are important for your growth and development.
8. Adds to your personal brand that you want to relay to people in University.

9. You can have a spot to hang out on campus and study if you do not want to go home or residence.
10. Life long memories (Especially if you go to Social Orientation aka Frosh Week)! :)

TADA!! I know I really appreciate everything clubs and organizations have offered me while I have been at York University, let's see if the same happens for you! Do not know where to start? I can help you try and figure that out! :)

Orientation Chair Tip, here is Anil's Tips:
1. Go to Frosh Week!!
2. Bring a phone the first day so you don't have to eat alone!
3. Make a new friend, and say "Hi!".

Advice...Take it or Leave it (I suggest the first option though ;)!)

I am going to be 100% honest and let you know that my enrolment appointment when I first came to York University was a pretty terrible experience. I felt like breaking down after the session I had just completed...it was all because I did not ask for assistance! Something you should really keep in mind while attending University is that asking questions is always the best idea! :)

I was recently talking to a few Professors at York University and they had wished that students actually took the time and effort to discuss some of the topics from class. They said that they learned a lot from the students when they engaged in discussion. It is a great feeling creating a mutual learning relationship, especially when that relationship is between you and your professors!! It is a super rewarding experience!!

So my main point is...just ask for help!! That was my main mistake from my enrolment appointment and my first year, so learn from my mistakes and ASK A QUESTION!

*Do not be this girl (p.s. that is me on the left), she did not ask for help in first year! :(*

*Hopefully my roommate from first year does not care that I am using her in my picture... :S*

I promised you a RED Zone Ambassador Tip in all of my blogs, here is Monika's (http://monikaredzone.blogspot.ca/)!
1. Plan to arrive early (in case you get lost).
2. Introduce yourself to your professors and teaching assistances.

Nervous? No Need to Fret, We Totally Have You Covered!!

How big are my classes??  Will I know my Professors?  Where are my classes??? Who is this person beside me on the first day??? Will there be places I can grab something to eat?? Do I bring a laptop??

Looking back on my first year experience I can confidently say that I was freaked out to the max and had many of the same questions! I was coming from a small town so my exposer to a huge University, was a scary situation! You may be having similar feelings and questions! Have no fear, our RED Zone Ambassadors and Orientation Chairs (The awesome individuals who plan Social Orientation) have some tips and tricks for your first day!

My Tips For You:

-Keep a campus map in your back pocket!

-Re-check your class schedule to make sure your classroom has not change.

-Find a friend in your class to be your study buddy!

**Photo taken from http://toriinthezone.blogspot.ca/ **

Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind from some of the other RED Zone Student Ambassadors:

Nicole's Tips For You (http://1inreallife.blogspot.ca/):

-Don't be afraid to ask questions!

-Go to class!! 

Michelle's Tips For You (http://michelleinthezone.blogspot.ca/):

-Bring snacks to class!

-Get to know the campus ahead of time!

Every blog post from now on I will post different tips from a RED Zone Ambassador or Orientation Chair. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask, I am here to help you out! :)

I Have School Spirit, What About You???

I have three questions for you!
1. Are you pumped and excited about coming to YorkU?
2. Do you already have awesome school spirit?
3. Are you willing to look a little silly?

Then you are ready for the YorkU Lions Cheer!!!! Everyone on the YorkU Campus (especially after you have attended Social Orientation Week) knows this cheer. You are in luck because I am going to give you a sneak peek to the beautiful anthem we all cheer throughout the year at the games, frosh week, and other joint events.

Here we go...
*****
Deep in the heart of the YorkU jungle
You can hear the Lions rumble...
OOU OOU  Y U Y U,
OOU OOU  Y U Y U!
*****

Simple enough right? You got this! If you would like to hear it in person, drop by the RED Zone and I will give you an in person rendition of the cheer! :-)

Caution...AWESOME RED Zone Team!

The RED Zone is an interactive and fun space where new and incoming students can come and communicate with real and awesome students from York University! I am cautioning you now that when you come to visit you need to be aware of how amazing our team is.

I don't usually like to brag, however I am totally going to put it out there that when you visit you will have a ridiculously awesome experience because of the talent and positivity that exists in the RED Zone! I am soooo proud and honoured to be part of such a cool team, so come be a part of that and stop by the RED Zone starting May 14th!

Lindsey All Up in the RED Zone....but for realz I am!

I have been at York for 5 years now....(a long time I know right??). I am the Lead at the RED Zone this summer and I love giving information to students at the information desk, now I am expanding into the blogger world...AHHHH!!! My blog is going to be focused on how you can get involved and the super easy ways to accomplish this (Clubs and organizations anyone?)! Get ready...it is going to be an awesome ride! I hope you will love coming on this journey with me! I have a lot of information to offer and would love to be able to share it!

WOW, first blog post! EKK! (Can you tell I am excited??)