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!