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! :-)