The end is near

Hey everyone!

The last week of class is finally over which means exams are slowly getting closer. Luckily we have a study break before the exam period to catch up and review everything! It is extremely tempting to close the books for now and not worry about them until the day before the exam, however to prepare yourself for success and prevent a mass amount of stress, it is in a UTM student’s best interest to start organizing and reviewing now.  For example, the way I like to use my study period is to set aside a few hours a day and take lots of breaks so I avoid cramming.  UTM also has numerous facilitated study sessions and groups which allow students to meet with other students in the same class and ask questions.  Also, making a schedule of the week will help you make time for friends, organizations you may be a part of, and breaks of course!

Something else to bear in mind is to be productive when you take breaks from studying. What I mean by that is, when you are not studying, be sure to finish everything that is not academic-related (i.e laundry, checking emails, calling your parents, etc.) during that time so you avoid procrastination. This is a skill I learned when I realized that the root cause of my procrastination was due to the fact that I could not focus on my academics because I was thinking about everything else I had to do.  I have three exams for this session, with my most challenging on the last day of the exam period, so I am fortunate enough to have an entire month to study.

At this time, there are other things to be thinking about besides studying.  This is the time to be applying for summer jobs and internships. A great resource that advertises all the available positions on campus and more is the Career Centre Website.

Additionally, many students are in the process of making the decision to live on campus or off-campus.  It is challenging when it comes to selecting who you would like to live with and where for next year. However, UTM Student Housing and Residence website can help with your decision-making with the 360 Rez Tour and the Places4Students link!

In summation, study and when you’re taking a break, why not search the web for summer jobs and a place to live? Seems like a smart idea to me! :)

Catch ya later,

Carla

Carla Correa is from Caledon, Ontario and is a a second year student in the Concurrent Teacher Education Program. She's pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Exceptionality in Human Learning and French Language Teaching and Learning and a minor in Biology. She's part of the Residence Life Staff as a Residence Don. She loves zip-lining and playing volleyball, basketball and soccer.

How to procrastinate at U of T Mississauga

Salutations Reader,

My name is Jason and I am currently a third year student studying both psychology and biology. I’m here to discuss my student life, but before I go on I find it impossible to not bring up how nice your hair looks today. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way it’s time to get back to what’s really important: myself. So how has my student life been? What a great question to ask, as I’m sure it has been on the mind of many of you.  Truly it has been a busy time of year. There are tests to take, assignments to write, and soufflés to bake. So with all these academic-based things that I must complete by the end of the year, I naturally have spent most of my time this week procrastinating. Because of this, I have decided to dedicate this blog to show a prospective student how to procrastinate at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

The first step to procrastinating at UTM is finding the internet, which should be really easy since wireless internet is available all over campus. Once you have located yourself online you can now spend your hours watching hilarious videos of cats. Don’t enjoy cats? What about dogs? Really any animal doing cute things should keep you busy for a while. They even have a website dedicated to baby zoo animals called “zoo borns”, who could resist such a website?

Once you have grown tired of searching cute animals it is time to find a new activity to procrastinate with. I would suggest the campus student center. Here you can pick from a variety of activities - maybe going to the pub for a bite to eat, performing some break dancing (I’m really good at break dancing), or indulging in a sweet jam session (the UTM music club holds weekly electric/ acoustic jam sessions in the student center). These are all really cool ways to spend your time distracting your mind from that upcoming test that is happening this coming Friday.

Ok let’s recap our day of procrastination so far; first we surfed the campus wireless internet, then went for a bite to eat and finally we displayed our amazing guitar skills to the UTM music club. Now unfortunately it is that time of day where I realize that I really need to get work done. Procrastination is great, but it can only get you so far. So it is time to head to your favourite study spot on campus and get some work done. For me that place is the picnic tables located beside the Credit River - I know, very fancy and romantic. So now that you’re situated in the nice spring air with your laptop it’s time to get work done!

Jason Summers is a third year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Biology and Psychology. He lives and works on residence as a Don and happens to be pretty good with a guitar.

Happy March Break!

Happy March Break Everyone!

I hope you are all taking some time to relax, catch up on sleep (or homework), or travel somewhere warm with your family (if that’s the case, I’m jealous!)

We just finished our Reading Week, which means we are officially half way done our second semester!  That also typically marks the end of major midterms, which means the beginning of PAPERS! I have realized that students usually fall into two categories – they either enjoy taking tests or they enjoy writing papers. I do not really enjoy taking tests, but for the most part I find writing papers much more enjoyable! At first, writing papers may seem a little bit intimidating, because they are quite different from papers in high school. In reality however, you will get used to writing them in no time and you may even start to enjoy it! If you do struggle however, not to worry, there are many services available through the library that can help you through the process.

Besides papers and outstanding assignments, March is usually the busiest month of the year with everything wrapping up before the final exam period. Besides school, there's also clubs, teams and student organizations coming to a close which means lots of events are happening all around. It is probably my most and least favourite month of the school year!

But enough about us here, back to you guys! I know my March Break in Grade 12 was spent touring the Universities that I had applied to with my Mom. I loved getting to see the different campuses and discovering what it was that I was looking for in a University environment. I found what I was looking for when I came to visit UTM. I got a chance to meet and talk to one of the first year Psychology professors, who was really easy to talk to (despite the fact that I was really nervous) and he gave me some great advice about where my degree in Psychology could lead me in the future. I loved how green the campus was and was happy to find that it was easy to navigate. I remember being so amazed when I saw the deer roaming around on the paths, and now I am so used to it! The student life fair allowed me to see all of the unique ways that I could get involved outside of the classroom. I also got the opportunity to take a tour of Residence and was really impressed with the single bedrooms, the friendly student staff of Dons and PALs (who reminded me a bit of my past camp days, which I loved) and the easily accessible food options. Looking back now, I am definitely pleased that I chose to come to UTM!

Have a great March break and hope to see you here at some point!

Madison Peters is a fourth year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology and a Minor in Sociology. She lives and works on residence as a Programming Assistant for one of the Community Development Coordinators. 

A jumble of thoughts

We’re nearing the end of the school year and all I can smell are days of summer!  Unfortunately April examinations stand between the students and freedom.  The examination period is one that is reoccurring, for ‘we have to fight [this] battle more than once to win it’.¹ You’re probably wondering why I cited a quote… well that’s because at the University of Toronto Mississauga you have to cite all work that you reference!  Haha! Seriously.  Plus I thought I’d brush up on my referencing skills, for essay due dates are approaching.

As deadlines become pressing and the end of the term and semester nears, I have hunkered down and am slowly progressing into hermit mode.  By Hermit mode I mean sit in the library and study!  Library hours during the exam period are 24/5, so it’ll be good knowing I can stay as late as I want to finish up my work.  With the added stress I have also tried to increase my visits to the RAWC gym here at UTM from 2 times a week to 3 times a week!  It can be stressful balancing your academic life and personal life but remember that university is a learning process. 

In my first year I found it extremely tough to see my friends and family, work, and do well in school –  all while balancing full course load.  However, after 3 years of practice I am happy to say I have an idea of how to do that now.  Joke!  It is important to set a schedule for yourself and try and abide by it, but most important is to know that your schedule can be turned upside down at any time.  Personal schedules should be flexible and realistic. Prioritize what is important to you and you’ll see that the hard work everyone is always talking about pays off when you put it toward your own interests.

I am currently focused most on school, family, friends, and health and juggling them can get tough.  Many students at university don’t take much care of themselves health wise – mentally or physically – but it is very important to do so because we put our bodies through so much stress. The reason I choose to stay physically active is because I love to eat junk and when I’m studying all I do is eat!  However, that balance must be maintained and so I play hockey and go to the gym and try and keep it routine. 

To end my jumble of thoughts, just remember to stay organized, prioritize, keep focused, and stay safe!  And remember to have your pets spayed or neutered.

Arvind Singh is a fourth year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology and a Double Minor in Chemistry and Mathematics. He plays rugby and boxes. These days, you are most likely to find Arvind in the library.







Margaret Thatcher. BrainyQuote.com, Xplore Inc, 2012. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/margaretth127095.html, accessed March 2, 2012.

University Student Survival Kit

When students transition from high school or college into university, they often ask, “what’s the difference?” There’s a lot of change, but the biggest adjustment is always balancing the freedom with the responsibilities. The last thing you want is to show up to a class and everyone else is ready to write a test, and all you can think is, “what test?!” Keeping yourself on track with readings, assignments, tests, and appointments can be difficult, so I have devised a University Student Survival Kit! These are the things that I have found that I am lost without…

1. Student Agenda
   Luckily, you will not have to purchase one, as all Student Unions across the University of Toronto will supply you with one at the beginning of the school year.
   
   Students will organize their own in a multitude of ways, but I have found that if I write down my tests, assignments, and their % weight the moment I get my Syllabus on that first class of the semester then I don’t have to remind myself later on. It’s a good idea to colour-code as well, so my tests are always in red, gym classes in orange, work in green, etc. It’s a great idea to jot down the readings for your classes over the weekend to prepare yourself for the week ahead.
    
2. Writing Tools
   At the bare minimum, bring a pen to class. A back-up pen would be nice, especially on test days. There’s no reason to bring a giant pencil case, but one or two pens, pencils and highlighters should be more than enough.
   
   There will always be people in class who think you are a school supply store and that you will always have pen, pencil, extra piece of paper, etc. for them. If you bring just the one or two, then you don’t have any extras to give away and potentially lose!
   
   A clipboard with lined paper has been my choice for 5 years because it’s easier (and lighter) than carrying around multiple binders. Then, all you have to do is put the notes in your binders when you get home!
   
   FOR EXAMS: BRING 3 PENS, 3 PENCILS and a functioning eraser. It is AMAZING how many people forget to bring pencils to a multiple-choice exam and rush to the bookstore right before their exam. Rookie mistake…
    
3. To Laptop Or NOT To Laptop
   Laptops wind up being a huge distraction (what with Facebook, Pinterest, EBay, online games, etc.), so as a senior student, I would strongly suggest leaving your laptop at home, or at least in your bag during class. It is great practice to type up your hand-written notes after class as review. If you don’t feel like lugging a computer around all day, the library is stocked with many laptops you can borrow, and there are lots of desktop computers available.
    
4. USB Key
   If you don’t like the idea of carrying around a computer, this little technological piece of genius will save your tush! It’s a great idea to keep documents that you access frequently (like course syllabi, your resume and cover letter, assignments-in-progess, presentations, etc.) close at hand. It’s just another way to always be prepared and avoid disasters!
    
5. T-Card and Bus Pass
   Your T-Card is your Golden Ticket on campus. You’ll need it to get into the gym, take out or request books at the library, pay for printing, even purchase food on campus (if you load it up with a Meal Plan). Your T-Card is MANDATORY at exams as it acts as your identification, so don’t forget it!
   
   One of the great advantages of UTM is that the Bus Pass is hugely subsidized, so your busing fees are less than $100 for the academic year, and included in your Additional Fees. It’s so easy to hop on one of the many buses that come into campus.
   
   Let’s not forget our handy-dandy shuttle buses! The two shuttle buses bring you to Hart House on St. George campus or to Sheridan College, all with a simple scan of your T-card if you are a UTM student. Otherwise, shuttle bus tickets are $6 at the Student Centre.
    
6. Reusable Water Bottle
   UTM recently installed filtered water fountains all around campus, so you can grab some fresh, cold H20 on your way to class or gym! Having water in class is way more refreshing than coffee, and that way you don’t need to worry about coffee breath as you share some seriously insightful thoughts in class. The bookstore often sells reusable water bottles for really cheap during their “secret sales” as well, so pick one up, rep UofT, and get your 8 glasses a day!

Happy Reading Week, everyone!

  

Emily Johnston is a fifth year student in the Concurrent Teacher Education Program. She is working toward both a Bachelor of Education and an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Double Major in Teaching and Learning French as a Second Language and English. She has loved her time at UTM for the small campus life and opportunities to get involved.

Planning, studying and having fun are possible!

-“Do you have your T-Card?”
-“Yup.”
-“Pens and pencils?”
-“Check.”
-“Did you shut off your phone?”
-“Oh no, I almost forgot!!”

These overheard conversations give a strong indication that midterms are finally here! Yup, no need for the fashion police because track pants, socks and sandals, no make-up, and pony tails are in style this week. It is that time of year where hygiene is lower on the priority list and stress levels are high. However, there is no need to worry because stress buster activities facilitated by the Health and Counselling Centre on campus give you the tools – and the free and delicious fruits and vegetables – to cope with the chaos.

I have to say I learned a whole lot the hard way in my first year of university. Realizing the day before your French test that grammar is much more complicated to understand than in high school is not a good feeling to experience! It was soon after I attended a residence life workshop about how to beat procrastination that I decided to invest in a calendar and create a study game plan.  These are two of the numerous simple and effective ways that help me balance studying, sleeping, and spending time with family and friends.

What I really want to emphasize is the importance of both studying hard and squeezing in time for your friends and family into your game plan. In hectic times like these, it is easy to forget to take breaks from studying and, for some of us, to take a shower!  Ensure that you occasionally put down those books and mark on your calendar a planned phone call to your mom, dad, brother, or sister, or maybe even watch an episode of the Big Bang Theory with some close friends in between studying.
Another bonus to using a calendar is the fact that it makes counting down the days until Reading Week so much easier. Giving yourself a visual representation of what your week/month looks like grants you the opportunity to set both short and long term attainable goals and it makes the rough times bearable. 


UTM students can feel stressed right now because some of us are wanting to go home to family, some are praying for snow and wanting to hit the ski slopes, and some of us have planned to hop on a plane to spend the week sleeping on a beach! University organizations and clubs also plan trips during the break for great prices such as the four day trip to Montreal happening this year.  How fantastic is that? Because, realistically, after all this stress with studying for these mid-terms, who really “reads” during reading week? Wait a minute, isn’t miserable March just after Reading Week? Maybe catching up on all those readings is a good idea! Mark that down on your calendar!

My message is this: have a strategy which includes studying efficiently with breaks and don’t forget to reward yourself for all that hard work!

Carla Correa is from Caledon, Ontario and is a a second year student in the Concurrent Teacher Education Program. She's pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Exceptionality in Human Learning and French Language Teaching and Learning and a minor in Biology. She's part of the Residence Life Staff as a Residence Don. She loves zip-lining and playing volleyball, basketball and soccer.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For university students, there are four seasons: Winter, Midterms, Reading Week, and Exams. And though it seems that happiness is not on the schedule, it will be after Midterms. Ah, February  –  the month of midterms. The academic peak in the life of a university student. A peak that might be climbed with impetuous cramming, insane and illegal levels of caffeine, and for some, frequent visits to the Dollar Store for packs of sticky notes. This is it people – February!  The hapless month for university students! Everybody knows that this is a month for academic doom, but have no fear there is a light at the end of every tunnel – READING WEEK.


Procrastination is a common problem amongst university students. The symptoms include random searches on Google, the inherent need to obtain really unnecessary information from Wikipedia, the undying urge to publicly address your procrastination on your Twitter, and lastly, the strange desire to watch fails of all sorts on Youtube. There is no natural remedy to procrastination and perhaps that is the reason as to why we university students have a hard time overcoming these habitual internet practices, but there is a way to divert yourself from this serious problem; ORGANIZATION, TIME-MANAGEMENT, and a little bit of SELF-DISCIPLINE, will be your tools of success for the rest of your life. 


That is why midterms don’t scare me as much as they did when I was in first year. University opened my eyes to the word “reinvention.” In high school, teachers reminded us when something was due. University, however, is quite a different story. It is your responsibility to know those important dates. Those dates will be your mantra for the rest of the semester. Well, you’re not totally left out on your own. The syllabus will be your best friend for the next four months (or eight for a full year course): use it wisely. With this simple document, I was able to create weekly schedules for readings, assignments and tests. This is what helped me fight off procrastination. I had to be willing to throw aside the unnecessary “breaks” that dictated my life and had to teach myself to stick to my schedule and finish the things that needed to be done. Other useful resources included The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, which provided me with some valuable tips for time management and effective studying methods. You can also take advantage of Office Hours, which is a great way to interact with your professors and get one-on-one advice or feedback about major assignments or tests. In university, it is not to up to the professors to tell you that you are doing something wrong and offer you some help. It’s up to you, the student, to take advantage of all those sources that can you give you the help you need to succeed. At UTM, there are a lot of places that you can get help from, even with little things like organization. It’s the key to help you get over the dread with midterms and it also becomes beneficial later on in the work place.


Even when organized, there will also be some stress! But don’t worry! UTM’s got your back with the Health and Counselling Center and its tips for overcoming stress during busy times like these. Or if you’d like, you could always visit the RAWC (our gym) to get some exercise to boost your energy levels and to get your mind off all those assignments. For every concern, UTM has a slew of solutions, but it is up to you to take advantage of them! After exploring all these opportunities, the midterm season doesn’t stress me out as much.


Before I know it, midterms will be over. But for now, I will be focusing my time with readings, perfecting essays, and studying for tests. Not to worry though, with the glimmering hope of reading week on my mind, a large cup of coffee in hand and instrumental music in the background…it will all be over soon.

Maria is a third-year English Major, French and History Minor student here at UTM. She grew up in Oakville, Ontario and went to St. Ignatius of Loyola. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, painting, drawing and volunteering. Why UofT? I chose this school because education has always been an important aspect of my life, and why not go to a school that's world renowned for their research and their exceptional education, right?

A Day in Pictures

9 a.m. - Wake up.

10 a.m. - Snooze.

10:30 a.m. - Snooze.

10:47 a.m. - WHY DID I HIT SNOOZE, I HAVE A CLASS AT ELEVEN!!

10:56 a.m. - Luckily, at the University of Toronto Mississauga we have a small campus setting so even though I woke up late I still have time to practice my sweet parkour skills before arriving to class on time.

11:10 a.m. - Class begins.

12:00 noon - Mmm! Time to sample some of our fine campus eats for lunch.

12:30 p.m. - More parkour on the way to work!

1 p.m. - Flexible hours, nice coworkers, AND brownies?  Man, everything's coming up Jason.

4 p.m. - After work, I take a little time to wind down and woo fellow students with my sweet guitar skills. I don't even know how to play, I just sit down and hold it.

4:20 p.m. Tandem water gun fight with Principal Deep Saini. This may seem like a joke but seriously - our Principal is actually that easy to talk to. This is made even easier through residence programs such as "Faculty in Rez" where faculty members are brought directly to students living on campus.

4:50 p.m. - Parkour accident on the way to class.

5:00 p.m. - Luckily, we have awesome services such as the Health and Counselling Centre.

6:10 p.m. - Class again!

8:00 p.m. - "Studying."

9:12 p.m. - Actually studying! The problem with going to such a good institution with high-quality professors is that you actually have to work hard for your grades.

12:00 a.m. - Time to prepare for bed.

2:34 a.m. - Time for sleep.

Jason Summers is a third year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Biology and Psychology. He lives and works on residence as a Don and happens to be pretty good with a guitar.

Get involved!

Hi, my name is Madison. I am a fourth year student completing a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology and a Minor in Sociology. I was born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, and my family still lives there. I attended Notre Dame Secondary School.

I chose to attend the University of Toronto for a variety of reasons including its world renowned reputation, its large size and many resources, its excellent professors and courses, and its vast opportunities for students to get involved in both academic and social/cultural activities, among other things. I chose the Mississauga campus specifically because I wanted to get my UofT education without confronting the size of the St. George campus right out of high school.

Besides my academics, I have also gotten involved in a lot of different things here at UTM. I have been dancing every year since I was 4 years old, so when I got to UofT Mississauga I was pleased to find out that they had a dance team. Now in my fourth year on the team, I am an executive member! Being able to continue on with dance on the team has allowed me to be active in a way that I am used to and enjoy, and being on the team has introduced me to many great people with whom I share that interest. We dance 4 hours a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9-11 pm), and throughout the year we put on a dance pub, participate in Arts Fest, and attend two competitions.

In my first year of university I chose to live in residence and that provided me with another amazing way to get involved with campus life. In my second year I applied to be a don in residence and was hired! I loved my position so much that I was a don again in my third year and this year I am working as a programming assistant for the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life. My role as a member of the RLS (Residence Life Staff) team has been so rewarding and it has allowed me to meet really incredible people and make friends, and allowed me to develop both personally and professionally!

In addition, in my third year (last year), I applied for a work study position (which are campus jobs that are reserved for students eligible for OSAP) with the Office of Admissions and Recruitment and was hired as a student ambassador. That too has been a great experience (which I have continued into my fourth year) as it allows me to meet a variety of different people as well as talk about how much I have loved my time here at UTM to prospective students such as you!

So if I could give you one piece of advice (besides the typical, stay on top of your academic work of course) it would be to get involved! Investigate the numerous options available to you and find some things that suit you.

Madison Peters is a fourth year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Double Major in Psychology and Criminology and a Minor in Sociology. She lives and works on residence as a Programming Assistant for one of the Community Development Coordinators.

New Year, new semester!

Wow, it’s already January 2012 and the first semester of my last year just flew by!  I’m glad that my courses are over and that they went well but what does the new semester hold in store for me?  Will my test dates and due dates overlap? Is the course I chose actually the course I wanted to take?  Do I have enough money saved up for coffee this semester?  All are very important questions.

The second half of the school year has begun at the University of Toronto Mississauga and I’m excited about my courses this semester.  I am enrolled in microbiology, thermodynamics and kinetics, animal physiology, and the biology of human sexuality.  I made sure that I attended all my classes the first week to ensure that the courses were of interest.  At the end of each one of those classes, I made sure to go through my syllabus and record all test and due dates – that way, I would always know what to do for the upcoming weeks.  This is a practice I began using in my second semester of first year after I almost missed a test!  That was before I discovered the wonders of coffee and decided to put my head down on my desk in the library but dozed off…

The courses I am enrolled in this semester are ones I have a personal interest in and want to take, as well as program requirements. They will classify me according to my programs: a biology major and math and chemistry minor.

I’m lucky to have planned ahead and figured out what courses I wanted to take.  Sometimes what you want to take doesn’t fit into your schedule with all your courses so you have to take some courses at other times, like in another semester or another year entirely.

As a student at UTM I am glad to know that I have the freedom to make changes to my course schedule two weeks into each semester.  There have been times when I’ve wanted to see how a course is so I have enrolled and attended the lectures knowing that I can drop the course with no academic or financial penalty.  UTM even gives all its students the ability to go so far as to change their program(s) of study – we just need to have the required courses and GPA for the program.

Since I’m pleased with my courses and they satisfy my program requirements, all that’s left for me to do is move into the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Center, aka the UTM library.  That’s right, I said move into the library.  Does that sound odd to you?  Well it shouldn’t.  Where else would you study?!

Come to UofT Mississauga! …and its library!

Arvind Singh is a fourth year student working toward an Honours Bachelor of Science with a Major in Biology and a Double Minor in Chemistry and Mathematics. He plays rugby and boxes. These days, you are most likely to find Arvind in the library.

Tips from Emily

Thinking back to grade 12 seems like an eternity ago. It may have only been 5 years, but it seems like it's been ages since I was frantically searching university sites, trying to find that one university program that would work for me. I had my choices narrowed down to my top 6 and applied to those schools after visiting the campuses and making sure I had the pre-requisites to be considered eligible.

I was avid about visiting every campus I was considering, and wouldn't have changed a thing about these visits. Visiting the campuses was definitely the most beneficial way to narrow down my options, and it will help you realize some of your own priorities that you might not have considered. The campus tour is important to meet some current students at the university, ask questions about classes and student life, but most importantly, it will give you a feel of the campus and people. Consider the location of the campus, too, and don’t take this consideration too lightly. Living away from home is a big shift, and you will be making this campus your new home for the next 4 years or so. If you’re commuting, try the commute by yourself, with a parent or a friend to see what that route would be like and if there are any alternate routes. Prepare yourself as much as you feel necessary so that you’re comfortable prioritizing your choices and you will feel much more secure about making a decision.

Ok, I will admit that I was probably a little too much of a control-freak and my guidance counsellor was tired of our weekly updates, but I am very happy with my decision to come to UTM for many reasons. I am in a Concurrent Education program that is partnered with OISE. I liked the fact that two hugely recognized schools were offering this combined program with small size classes. I liked that I was slightly outside of the city (being a Toronto-native, I couldn’t be too far from a big city, but didn’t want to be right in the middle of it), but still was able to take courses at the St. George campus if I wanted a different experience to shake things up. If there was one thing I would change, it would be my anxiety level throughout the whole process. I actually enjoyed applying for university, doing the research, considering myself in different programs and wondering where they could lead. I became so obsessed with getting in that I would actually ask to leave class to “get a drink of water” or “go to the washroom” just to run to the library to check if OUAC had been updated. I don’t suggest this, as your librarian will catch onto you. (This was also before the time of data plans on smartphones, so forgive me for being so brutally ancient.) Don’t be worried if friends are hearing back from schools before you. It is a lengthy process, and you will hear back eventually. Once you have completed your applications and visited the campuses, all you can really do to ensure you get in is focus on your current classes and do the best you can in those classes. 

This can be a really fun experience, envisioning your future in many different ways and learning about yourself by prioritizing your needs in a school and in a program. Through discussions with your parents, guidance counsellors, friends and teachers, you can discuss what you think is most important for your transition and what is most realistic to cater towards your goals. Enjoy this learning experience! Good luck! 

Emily Johnston is a fifth year student in the Concurrent Teacher Education Program. She is working toward both a Bachelor of Education and an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Double Major in Teaching and Learning French as a Second Language and English. She has loved her time at UTM for the small campus life and opportunities to get involved.

Drum roll, please!

Hello world! Here is our first blog post.