We come to university to learn, or at least that’s what my dad says when he sees me blogging and shakes his head. It is true that classes impart a lot of useful (or not) information, but it is also true that much of what we learn comes not from lectures or exams, but from frantically preparing for lectures or exams. By half-way through their first year, the average student has mastered the all-nighter, the cram session, and the ability to meet a seemingly-impossible deadline on nothing but determination and Red Bull. We learn these skills to help us learn other things, of course, but it’s also so satisfying when we can apply them to other situations.

Take, for instance, Lost Episode Festival Toronto‘s upcoming 50 Hour Film Competition. A creative contest open to anyone and everyone with a camera and some friends, this local challenge encourages aspiring film-makers (or anyone else interested in winning terrific prizes) to re-create “lost” scenes from famous TV shows, or to make fake advertisements or trailers, all in only 50 hours. Remember those consecutive all-nighters for that econ final? Remember cursing the time and energy spent in learning something you thought could not have any practical application? Well, now you can put at least some of that experience to use.

The competition begins on the night of Friday, May 3, when each team is given a character, a line of dialogue, and a prop to incorporate into making a film. The teams then have only 50 hours to write, shoot, and submit their masterpieces. The entries will be evaluated by the festival’s judges and the winning teams will be awarded cash, prizes, and all the glamour and prestige that comes with winning a film festival. There’s also an audience choice award, for the film-makers who somehow manage to go commercial in under 50 hours. All entries will be screened in the big, beautiful, fully-licensed Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, only a few blocks from campus

To participate, simply sign-up on the festival website here. Participation costs less than a statistics textbook and is, I’ve been told, at least twice as enjoyable. Anyone of any level of skill and experience is welcome to enter, and a team can be of any size. It’s the perfect activity for those, like me, who have only a few weeks between the end of exams and the beginning of summer school to have a little fun. Or a lot of fun. Or 50 hours of fun.

Dear BlogUT reader,

Before you take a look at the title of this article, roll your eyes, and choose something less pretentious, please know that I am far from a jazz connoisseur. In fact, while something of a music enthusiast, I know next to nothing about jazz; all I’ve really had to go on for the past 21 years are stereotypical mental images of some fat guy blasting away on a trumpet while a sweaty tweaker bounces around uncontrollably in the audience. So, since I value your time as much as the next girl, and simply know too little about the genre, I won’t be boring you with jargon or technical details, or insightfully describing the “virtuosity of the alto sax”. This article is meant to be the thoughts, recollections, and recommendations of a jazz beginner, noob, philistine, or whatever other degrading term you’d prefer to call me. So, looking to get up close and personal with some real jazz, and not just the one Coltrane album in my collection, I decided to head down to The Rex Jazz & Blues Bar located in the bustling Queen St. West area and get initiated.

The first thing that became apparent as I approached The Rex’s exterior is that it isn’t a stuck-up or intimidating venue in the least. While jazz may conjure up images of stuffy, exclusive clubs, The Rex couldn’t be further from this cliché. The outside of the bar exhibits something of a sleek, retro look, while the interior is Cheers-esque, with wooden finishes and a pervading sense of warmth (Although maybe that was just the central heating. Yowza it’s cold out these days!). I was also heartened to discover that the place was absolutely packed. Although it was a little overwhelming to walk in and be greeted by what seemed to be a wall of people, me and my plus one were lucky enough to find a spot near the back, with seats just high enough to get a glimpse of the stage at the opposite end of the room. The crowd was a mix of all ages, and everyone seemed in good spirits with the drinks flowing and a nice selection of bar food at the standard expensive-but-not-Toronto-expensive prices. I ordered the New York style cheesecake with caramel sauce and was pleasantly surprised: the night was off to a good start.

Up next, a waitress came to our table, but we were told that we absolutely couldn’t be served until we paid our cover charge. Oddly enough, when we arrived there was no one at the door waiting to take our money and stamp us; we had to sit and wait a good 15 minutes before someone came to our table to help us. I also thought the cover was a little steep at $10 a person. It’s nice to support local acts, and so I wasn’t annoyed per se, but considering the place was beyond packed, $5 or even $7 seemed more reasonable to me. Still, for the show that followed, and for the wonderful ambiance of the place as a whole, it was worth giving up a tenner.

The best surprise of the night was when we discovered that the nightly act was the Radiohead Jazz Project, bringing together the Toronto Jazz Orchestra and local tribute band Idioteque. To be introduced to any live jazz that night would’ve been a pleasure, but knowing the songs really helped me get into the spirit of the evening. For the most part, the group sounded very tight and comfortable playing with one another. They burst out of the gates with a freewheeling, beautifully-played version of Bodysnatchers. Without any vocals getting in the way, the trumpets really shone, and the song presented itself in a completely fresh, invigorating way. Paranoid Android in particular was an audience favourite, and had people roaring with delight at every new twist and turn. Yet, as much as I hate to say it, the vocals really let the group down. To begin with, they were far too high in the mix at the start of the night, overpowering the backing band at various points. Yet, even when the vocals were noticeably turned down, the quality of the singing wasn’t up to par, especially when it came to the soaringly high notes Thom Yorke is famous for. In all fairness, few people could ever hope to cover Yorke’s vocals in a convincing or even competent way. Still, it seems to me that the show would be much stronger as a whole if the vocals were simply omitted altogether. It speaks to the strength of the backing band, however, that the lackluster singing didn’t detract much from the overall experience: the show was a rousing success with the crowd, and left me wanting to get out there and explore much more live jazz in the near future.

In summary, while certain elements of the show could’ve done with some reworking, the night as a whole was a wonderful experience, leaving me hopeful that this is but the start of my adventure into the world of jazz. Perhaps I’ll head back on the 25th, when our very own U of T Student Jazz Ensemble hits the stage. Join me?

Junior Editor’s Note: Due to an unfortunate error, this article could not be posted until ten days after it was first written – the “25th” referred to is of February.

U of T is full of unique opportunities. They’re the bread and butter of this blog and my life; there are few things I like more than learning about a hidden spot or quirky club or meaningful volunteer position on campus. I scour the blogs and papers as often as I can, holding up event listings to my mental calendar and wondering if I can fit in a play, philosophy discussion, and homework in one afternoon. (I can.)

That’s why I was surprised and a little embarrassed to realize that U of T has had an entire faculty of performers right underneath my nose (and Museum Station) this whole time. The Faculty of Music is full to the brim of brilliant composers and performers, and features them in free shows at least once a week. Couple in the fact that a sudden epiphany (read: episode of Frasier) made me realize how much culture is missing from my life, and suddenly I’m cruising the Faculty of Music website for upcoming events.

In the past two days alone, I’ve seen the finals of a concerto competition (that bassoonist nailed it), listened to new pop pieces by students with classical backgrounds, and [I'm not sure what the verb is] an experimental theatrical music… thing in honour of the 10th anniversary of the passing of its composer. The last two events were part of the Faculty’s New Music Festival, which runs until the 27th and features nine more free shows. I’ll go to as many as I can.

There are few academic phenomena that are as notorious as the following, which plagues U of T undergraduates from a remarkably diverse range of subject POSTs. It has unconsciously governed your ability to make decisions, and has been both supportive of your goals and occasionally a source of misery. This phenomenon may commonly be referred to as the Paradox of Post-Secondary Priorities, and is outlined in full detail in Figure 1 below (click to expand).

Figure 1: The Paradox of Post-Secondary Priorities. In some extreme and unfortunate cases, you only choose one. #YOCO

With my last post, I tried to equip you with the tools to help you succeed in the classroom. This week, I’m writing for those who find that they have little choice but to prioritize good grades and enough sleep when it comes to life at U of T.  If you’re a freshman hoping to make new friends, a socially awkward recluse trying to break out of your shell, or even if you’re just looking for ways to expand your social circle, you may benefit from one or more of these suggestions:

1) Join a Club or Team

Naturally, a great place to meet people is one where you share a common interest. Getting involved in an activity that you’re not even remotely passionate about just to meet members of the opposite sex might work out in rare cases. But I imagine that trying to balance your Vegetarian and Vegan Society meetings with your self-imposed dietary intake of bacon will prove quite challenging in the long run.

After joining a club, try to attend more than just the important meetings. You’ll get to know the other members a lot better if you venture out of your comfort zone every once in a while and attend the group outings, practices, retreats, parties, end-of-year dinners, or whatever other social opportunities you might find.

2) Eat Pancakes

I think we can all agree that there is something endearing about enjoying a couple of pancakes hot off the griddle and drizzled in sweet, silky maple syrup, especially on a slow weekday morning and among fellow pancake-lovers. And that’s the story behind Victoria College’s weekly Pancake Brunch at the Birge Carnegie building in the Cat’s Eye (the Birge Carnegie Reading Room). The atmosphere is friendly, the energy is inviting, and there are plenty of opportunities to make small-talk with the other students waiting in line, or with the volunteers. They’ve also got music, couches, books, pool tables, and foosball, so if you can just say ‘hello’ and strike up a conversation with someone, there will be plenty more to do and talk about.

The event is intended for Victoria College commuter students and is being held from 11 am to 1 pm on Tuesdays this year. From past experiences, it’s a cool place to meet other people, and there’s no better way to bond than over food. Did I mention that it’s free?

3) Drink Beer

Now, I’m not proposing here that you go bar-hopping between classes. What I do suggest is that you keep yourself informed about the regular pub nights and events that occur throughout the semester. It’s a great way to get to know the other students in your program, who share your academic interests, outside of the classroom.

Depending on the kind of person you are, and the type of relationship you’re looking for, getting to know people at the bar can definitely have its advantages and disadvantages. I think the wise philosopher, Homer J. Simpson, said it best when he profoundly called alcohol “the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems”.

4) Form a Study Group

Now if watching Community has taught me anything, it’s that shared adversity is the key to fostering eccentric and intimate relationships with your peers. I know that the last thing most of us want to see in our cluttered inbox is another confusing mass-email. But you know what? Of the 2 billion people in your class at Con Hall, I’m sure that a handful of them are willing to hear you out. In addition, there are likely more students like you looking to make connections and to take advantage of the support that a study group provides, so inviting them to work with you at the library might not be such a bad idea.

Another approach you might want to consider is attending your professor’s office hours, particularly the ones right before a major test. During these times, everyone suddenly has questions that they desperately need answered, which gives you a great opportunity to start a conversation. Try to help each other out, calm each other down, or even better, swap contact information so you can meet up in class and/or get your awesome study group going.

“Conflicts like these will inevitably bring us together as an unlikely family.”
–Abed, student at Greendale Community College.

5) Frɑτεrnizε

Greek life is often misconceived as being rated R for adult content, sexually suggestive themes, and explicit alcohol or drug use, when it is usually the media that’s guilty for amplifying these occurrences that are equally as present in other aspects of society. That being said, Greek life is certainly not for everyone, and as such has never really been at the top of my list of options for cultivating relationships.

Fraternities and sororities, such as the ones at U of T, are organizations that are external to the university, and as a result are responsible for funding their own operations. In addition to academic incentives, they value philanthropy in the community. Sigma Chi’s annual Derby Days event and Gamma Phi Beta’s outreach initiatives are only a couple of examples of the involvement of these organizations in the community.

Other than supporting charitable causes, social events organized by your fraternity or sorority will also help you make connections with members within your own community and those in other communities around campus. Obviously, there is far more to Greek life than plain research can tell you, and it might be something worth looking into.

6) Play the Piano

Although highly unconventional, I have witnessed students reel in other people by the ear using their carefully rehearsed abilities to play the piano. I know there are pianos at St. Mike’s, UC, and Victoria College, so get to work.

If you don’t happen to be a very musical person, don’t be discouraged. I guarantee that if you visit any of the locations that I’ve mentioned and start randomly hammering away at the piano’s keys, someone will definitely come over to you with something to say.

7) Take Note of the Email and/or Phone Number of the Person You Want to Meet from the Sign-up Sheet Circulating Around the Classroom So You Can Contact Them in the Future

Just kidding. Don’t do this. You know who you are.

7) Use Social Media

Keep connected with all the different clubs, groups, and organizations at U of T through e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter. Every now and then, you may find out about an interesting upcoming event on campus, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Ulife (@UTulife), University of Toronto Students’ Union, (@UTSU98), UeaT (@UeaToronto), and obviously blogUT (@blogUT) are just a few places to start.

In any situation (and as cliché as this is going to sound), remember to be yourself. Attempting to change your personality to please another person will likely result in conveying false expectations of who you are, which will only end up being unfulfilling to everyone involved. I’d especially advise against it if you’re unwilling to put a potentially meaningful relationship at risk.

The opportunity for social interaction is all around you. What do you do to meet new people at U of T?

Now that we’re into the second week of classes, we’re long past the informal introductions and the administrative details and classes are beginning to pick up momentum. If you’re a first-year undergrad, then your breath is bated as you begin the portentous foray into post-secondary academia. If you’re approaching the end of your road at the University of Toronto, this year may be the one year that will make or break you.

In any case (no pressure, guys), you’ll be needing some extra fire-power in that utility belt of yours to help you through the semester. A few nifty (and obviously free) mobile applications may be the key to giving you the extra edge that you’ll need. Trust me when I say that it’s dangerous to go alone, so take these:

1) Blackboard Mobile Learn

Blackboard doesn’t even need an introduction. But for anyone who doesn’t know what it is for whatever reason, it’s a ubiquitous tool at U of T (and many other institutions), allowing students and faculty to access course content, updates, grades, announcements, discussion forums, and more. Download this one if you haven’t already, especially if you’re a keener looking for another way to stay on top of things at all times. Check out this link for more information about Blackboard’s mobile app for U of T.

2) Dropbox

I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard of this one. Good Guy Dropbox has been very helpful to me over the years, as it allows me to store up to 2GB of documents, photos, and videos in a single folder, which I can then access from either my mobile device or my desktop computer, as long as I’m connected to the Internet. You can also generate a link to share a specific file, or even share an entire folder with another Dropbox user, making note-sharing or group work more convenient.

3) Epicurious

As a student, particularly at the University of Toronto, you know how important it is to count every nickel. That is, unless you’ve inherited a sizeable trust fund from your celebrity parents’ recent divorce settlement, or you just so happen to be a genius/billionaire/playboy/philanthropist. I’m going to venture a guess and say that you’re not and, if you’re someone like me, that your wallet feels the pinch of buying breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner every other day while you’re downtown.

If you’re living in residence or if you’re renting a place nearby, Epicurious might help you conjure up a simple and inexpensive meal, and help spare you the guilt of unnecessary spending. It’s like a virtual recipe book, and it’s even got an ‘I Can Barely Cook’ section devoted to culinary novices such as myself…

I feel like the biggest hypocrite for talking about saving money on food here. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if the money you save from not eating out is worth the added effort and cost of groceries.

4) Evernote

Taking notes with your quill pen and paper scroll has become archaic. Fortunately, Evernote is a note-taking service that not only helps you take notes in lecture, but is also useful for taking pictures, audio notes, and sharing all of your work with your other devices on the cloud. I think it’s a pretty sweet deal for a free note-taking app, and I’m intent on using it to take awesome notes in all my classes.

There is one minor issue that my friend and I (and apparently other Evernote users) have experienced while using the app on the iPad, which is that the app has crashed a couple of times. Thankfully, all our notes remained intact, and starting the app again was quick. But if your lecturer speaks as fast as Prof. Brian Cantwell Smith, or Dr. Matthias Niemeier (anyone else?), you might miss an entire chapter in the 5 seconds it takes to re-launch.

5) Google Drive

I haven’t used this one enough to give you my personal opinion, but Google Drive bears a strong resemblance to Dropbox in that it offers the same essential features, such as cloud-based file storage and web-accessibility across multiple devices. Google Drive includes 3GB more of initial storage than Dropbox for free accounts, but you can earn up to 16GB of additional storage with Dropbox by referring it to others. I think the biggest advantage that Google Drive has over Dropbox is the fact that you can edit Google Docs through the app, which is great for collaborative work for your group project. If you’re really torn between the two, you can find a more in-depth analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the apps right here.

6) iBooks

This one is only available on Apple devices. iBooks allows you to purchase books from the iBookstore, as well as download PDF documents using your Safari web browser for later or offline viewing. I’ve started to use iBooks on my iPad to download course slides, syllabi (I just wanted to say ‘syllabi’), and other documents in PDF format that my professors provide. I then organize all the documents into ‘Collections’ according to their corresponding class, from where I can read everything while studying for a test, or in order to keep up during lecture. It might come in handy, so I recommend downloading it if you don’t yet have it on your device.

7) Twitter

I’m completely serious. So long as you’re not using it to follow the fabulous life of NiC0LE P0LiZZi, or to reflect upon the insightful teachings of @swagboyzzz2020, Twitter can actually be an effective resource to help you keep up to speed with news, activities, and upcoming events around campus. The clever thing to do would be to create and manage lists or groups of accounts that you follow (such as professors, peers, clubs, campus life, professional connections, etc.) so that you don’t waste your time scrolling through irrelevant tweets.

These are only a few of the many applications that are available to you to help you stay on top of your game. What other mobile apps do you have in your arsenal of productivity tools?

I’m alone, leaning up against a pillar. The pavement is reflecting the sun’s intense rays but behind my sunglasses my eyes are darting up and down the street, looking for my mark. Her? No, that sweater’s pink, not purple. I look back at the crumpled piece of paper in my hand and the message scrawled on it: “Front of OISE. 4:00″. I’m in the right place. I turn to check the time on my cell phone when a shadow is cast over my bowed head. I look up: purple sweater, jean shorts, plastic shopping bag. It’s her. She walks up to me.
“Jeanne?”
“Yeah.” She hands me the bag. ”You can check the quality, if you like.”
“Nah, I trust you.” I reach into my pocket and hand her a five dollar bill. She nods and walks away. I wait a minute and walk the other direction.

As you can tell, I’m a big fun of TUSBE –  the Toronto University Student Book Exchange. It’s a fabulous website that connects university students looking to buy or sell textbooks in Toronto with each other, eliminating a middle-man like eBay or the clutter possible from a general use site like Craig’s List. Anyone can post a listing, and then when someone sees what they want they contact the poster and set up a time and place to meet and make the transaction. As textbooks are often dead weight – and occasionally bad memories – to students who’ve completed the corresponding class, motivated sellers offer better prices than the campus bookstore, et al. Best of all, waiting to buy or sell a book starts to feel like a Hollywood-type secret agent liason or Albuquerque crystal meth sale*.

TUSBE is an extremely valuable academic resource but lately I’ve been toying with the idea of using it to buy a book I don’t need for class. I wouldn’t want to waste money; I’d buy a novel or something I could actually, theoretically enjoy, but mostly I have a lot of fun pretending to be a spy or controlled substance distributor. Between my time stuck in class, the unpleasantness of job hunting, and cramming the equivalent of a year’s worth of studying into twelve weeks, a little excitement – however goofy and imagined – starts to seem pretty appealing.

If I were the prose writer I wish I were, I’d have been able to communicate to you just how much I’m hating summer school with the above anecdote and no further explanation. Then you could use my little blurb for an assignment in INI103 in the fall and the professor would comment “excellent insight” and you would get an “A” because you read between the lines, but I haven’t quite gotten the hang of writing between the lines. Until then, this will have to do:

Summer school sucks.

Making believe is fun.

Summer school still sucks.

*If you don’t immediately get that reference, go and pick up the first four seasons of Breaking Bad and watch them all right now. I can wait.

There’s an episode of the Simpsons in which Bart realizes that he has only one day left until school starts in the fall and he’s accomplished nothing he’d intended to do over the summer. So, true to cartoon form, Bart finishes off his checklist of summer activities – including his first romance – in under 24 hours and when school starts the next day he feels he’s had a complete vacation.

That’s kind of like how I feel with summer classes looming so soon after spring exams end. Sure, there are differences between me and Bart Simpson – one of us is cartoon, the other is not; one had one day, the other has a few weeks; only one of us is able to get a date – but the pressure to make the best of my time in these glorious sunny days in the prime of my youth does not go unnoticed. That’s why, in the two or so weeks until UofT’s scaly academic claw drags me back into the depths of cram session hell (as you can tell, I study writing and rhetoric) I’ve decided to do as much as I can to truly make the best of summer 2012. To aid me in my noble task, I have prepared a list of the summer attractions for the summer school student.

Summer 2012, Toronto: Abridged Edition

May 1: May Day
Toronto’s fair-weather revolution picks up in full swing on May 1 as activists – from a wide array of backgrounds but with the common goal of stickin’ it to the Man – will take to the streets to protest the government/the 1% in a rally at City Hall followed by a march to an undisclosed location. Employees of all jobs are encouraged to take a sick day to really show the system who’s boss and attend, if they can, the Occupy Toronto potluck at Queen’s Park. Even students who are not entirely convinced of the movement’s goals and ideologies may be interested in popping by with a camera for some interesting snapshots and the chance to document what may become an event of historical significance.

May 1 – 2: Toronto Blue Jays play the Texas Rangers
An obscene amount of research went into this blurb, including a search for the definitions of “baseball”, “inning”, and “Ricky Romero”. Someone with my lack of knowledge on the subject can’t truthfully say either way if the Jays’ games against the Rangers will be exciting or notable, but the Torontonian in me still roots for the home team.

May 1 – 8: The Tennessee Williams Project
Beginning and ending right in the middle of our mini-vacation, The Tennessee Williams project will feature nine theatre companies producing seven of Williams’ lesser-known one-act plays over the course of seven nights, each in a different neighbourhood. The Project seeks to unite Toronto over the mutual admiration and respect for the works of this giant of American theatre and will, at the very least, provide us with some exceptional local theatre and the chance to see some rarely-performed pieces.

May 4: Star Wars Day (“May the 4th Be with You”)
Nerds of the city awaken from their anime-fuelled slumbers and join together on May 4 to celebrate George Lucas’ ground-breaking sci-fi classic and its subsequent sequels, prequels, comic books, novels, TV shows, and general media empire. The epicentre is the Toronto Underground Cinema, which will host a trivia challenge, costume contest, fan films, and celebrity guests. Tickets are pre-sold, so make sure to grab some quick.

May 5: Free Comic Book Day / TCAF
Two fairly different cultural groups unite over one marginalized medium on May 5 as local comic book stores hand out free comic books, courtesy of corporate sponsors, while the Toronto Reference Library hosts a wide array of indie comic writers and artists to peddle their hip, and often depressing, wares. To draw in the crowds Silver Snail Comics will be handing out original, unique posters and bringing in artist Phil Noto for an appearance and signing - but if you’re really into being starstruck I’d recommend heading to TCAF instead to bask in the genius emanating from graphic novelist Alison Bechdel.
TCAF runs until Sunday but many headlining exhibitors and special guests, including Bechdel, will only drop by for the Saturday.

May 5 – 6: Jane’s Walk
As if choosing between TCAF and FCBD weren’t hard enough, those with prior obligations on Sunday must also choose between a day in comic book stores and libraries or an educational walk in the city. Jane’s Walks are public walking tours led by knowledgeable members of the community that provide attendees with knowledge of the neighbourhood while they promenade through. They’re often specialized to individual topics and offer in-depth knowledge on local culture, architecture, and history, and they’re well worth checking out.

April 26 – May 6: Hot Docs Film Festival
A Toronto tradition on par with not caring about Toronto or traditions, the Hot Docs film festival highlights the work of documentarians from around the world in a series of screenings at venues across the city. As Ally’s stirring review of The World Before Her shows, good documentaries have the power to touch us emotionally while also opening our eyes and educating us on matters we’d never even considered. Hot Docs brings in the best of the best of documentaries and provides us with a rich cultural and intellectual experience for a very modest fee. I strongly recommend seeing at least one Hot Doc before the festival closes on May 6.

Picasso at the Art Gallery of Ontario
One of the amazing benefits of living or studying in a city as cosmopolitan as Toronto is access not only to local art but to international pieces as well. Throughout the month of May, the Art Gallery of Ontario will be showcasing some of the greatest works of one of the greatest artists of the past hundred years, and admission is only $11 for students. If you have even a fleeting interest in art Picasso’s is some of the first work you should be checking out; at the very least drop by the exhibit so you have something to tell your parents when they ask about your summer plans.

May 13 – Mother’s Day
This is as much a reminder to me as it is to you. Though the students in us may protest the incorporation and commercialization of maternal attachment as a means of exploitation of the masses, there’s still no excuse in forgetting to at least call. Many local restaurants and shops will also have mother’s day sales, so even if you’re not into all this – or you don’t have a mother – you can still indulge yourself.

As the past eight months of blogs have shown, school is by no means a social death sentence. We can always find time to go to the theatre or a sports game if we manage, and we can always manage if we need to. UofT students are resourceful and, contrary to our memes page, capable of good grades and recreational activities. Despite all this, the liberty of knowing you have no assignments due and no essays to study for and no novels to read and no lab reports to write is a wonderful feeling to a weary student, even if it is at the cost of the pressure to enjoy one’s self. I’d gladly take it over school-work any day, or at least until May 14.