Welcome everyone to the year 2013 – a new year and a new semester!
My name is Maria and I’m a
fourth year student here at the University of Toronto Mississauga. I’m studying
an English Major, French and History Minor. The end of this semester will mark
the end of my academic career. Yes, graduation! Oh the feeling of almost being
done is nerve-wracking and exciting! After university, I’m planning on
attending teacher’s college and eventually become an elementary school
teacher. When I’m not doing homework and
essays, I’m volunteering at Big Brothers and Big Sisters, reading books other
than my assigned readings, and attempting to sketch. You will always find me at home, because I’m
a “home body’ and proud of it! I love spending time with family and friends,
partaking in random excursions from cross border shopping to anything, really!
It’s my last semester, but graduation is not on my mind –I’m making
sure that I stay focused on my classes and finish them with a bang! This term
I’m continuing my year course, ENG322: Fiction up to 1832, and starting fresh
with HIS306: The Cold War, FRE382: Advanced Language Practice III: Written, and
ENG352: Canadian Drama. As you can tell, these classes do not have anything to
do with each other, but nevertheless, I’m excited and prepared to be in them!
These classes are the last of my program requirements, and yet, I’m still
uneasy. This semester you’ll find me with my laptop always checking my student
account to make sure that I’m taking all the right classes for my final year.
Fortunately, the Office of the Registrar gives students two weeks to decide
their fates each semester. If we make a mistake in choosing a course or if we
want to take it the next year, we can always drop a course and get a full
refund. It gives us the opportunity to
make sure that we made the right decision in taking that class, and I’m glad
that we always have that option at the beginning of a new semester!
While it may be my last semester, it only seems like yesterday that I
was applying to university. I was nervous and just as my obsession with
checking my student account for graduation, I continuously checked my OUAC to
see if there were any responses. Don’t worry if no one has responded yet, it’s
normal for schools to respond around March or May. Just double check that you
applied to the schools that you want to attend, because the deadline to apply
is January 16th! Finalize your decisions and just work hard to
maintain your marks. You’re almost done!
In preparation for your upcoming exams, my best studying tip for you
would be to pretend to be teaching the class, explaining every bit of detail
that your brain can handle. Not only will this help you for your exams, the
information will stay in your head. Understanding the concepts is a key part
for those dreaded exams! Also, just make
sure you make room for study breaks, because they will help you to better
absorb the information that you’re studying. Maybe go on a little walk, have a
snack, watch an episode or two of your favorite television show, or meditate.
Trust me— it always works like a charm!
Wishing you all good luck on your exams and final assignments! Just
stay organized and focused, and you’ll get through this and soon be on to
bigger and better things!
Maria is a fourth-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?
