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?