So, I was having tomato soup this evening while I was doing some research for my anthropology essay. I had my binder of notes sitting open on my lap, and the soup on my desk, and a whole swirl of other stationary, USBs, and a complementary Cirque du Soleil egg shaker around my computer.

Today just happened to be one of those days when my inner klutz kicks in, and as I was reaching over to my keyboard to ask Google to look up something for me, I knocked my bowl of soup right into my damageable (and very biodegradable) paper notes. Great.

As I was taking out all my notes and spreading them on the ground to dry, I was surprised at how little my papers were damaged. Only two pages were significantly soaked (half of them); all the other pages were either completely untouched or had just a couple of splatters on the edges or corners.

How could a half a bowl of soup not turn my lecture notes into a pile of pulp? Well, the pages were saved by the sheet protectors I used as dividers. Even though the notes themselves weren’t in the plastic sleeves, the sheet protectors were able to section off my binder, like how ships have separate locked compartments in their bellies. The soup could only get as far as the end of the anthropology section in my binder…and I’m quite thankful for that. If it got to my psychology notes, well, let’s just say that calling upcoming mid-term exam a “nightmare” would be an understatement.

So, the moral of the story is, if you’re as clumsy as I am, and if you like eating at precarious locations such as your desk, invest in some sheet protectors. Believe it or not, they do save your pages, even if you don’t put your notes in them.

I like it.

The three words that pretty much sum up my feelings today, being an undergrad student here at U of T.

As with any brand-new student, there’ll always be that time of transition and change. Nothing can change that – it’s a part of life. However, I have to say that it’s not as scary as I thought.

Then again, I’m taking the Music program. Which everybody dislikes. For some odd reason.

Wait, wait, wait, don’t click the Back button – I know that reading a rant about an undergrad at Music might seem extremely boring, but please hear me out.

Let me introduce myself first (more…)

Around one year ago, I started my PEY (Professional Experience Year) job at a mid-sized software company in downtown Toronto. It was the first time got a taste of life in a typical office job, surrounded by grey cubicle walls for hours a day. Below is my analysis of a general work experience versus school experience.

School: There is a foreseeable end (graduation).
Work: No foreseeable end, until retirement.

School: Being around people who are your age who have a similar lifestyle as you.
Work: Seeing the same people everyday, some of whom are likely to be significantly older than you. Also, if you don’t happen to get along with one of them, you are basically screwed.

School: Sitting through boring lectures, although you can skip them sometimes (or sleep through).
Work: Sitting through boring meetings that you can’t get out of and have to pay attention in.

School: Being thousands of dollars in debt.
Work: Having a steady income.

(more…)

So true, in my opinion. Do you agree?

Photo from the blogUT Flickr pool by coolnalu

So, as the new school year rolls around and students once again fill the campus in a flurry of activity, I’m in a strangely different position. This Tuesday, I finally handed in all the paper work necessary for the completion of my Master’s degree, wrapping up a 6 year stint here at the University of Toronto. I can’t help but feel a little nostalgic already. It’s been quite a learning experience indeed, and I know I’m going to miss it. So, before I leave, let me share with you 6 things I learned in my 6 years here. It took me a while to figure these things out… but you know what they say, better late then never.

Well, better earlier than late! You get to know them now if you read on. (more…)

The new school year is almost beginning and you’ll soon be thrown back into a whirlwind of meeting deadlines, studying for tests, researching, and doing extracurricular work. Here is part 1 of a list of useful links we’ve compiled to help you get to where you need to be, remember dates, find books, and just get through your day.

BASIC STUFF

UTORmail – University of Toronto Mail
ROSI - Repository of Student Information
Blackboard Academic Suite

WORK, MONEY AND LIVING

Student Financial Aid
Balance your budget, get financial aid, get emergency financial assistance.

University of Toronto Career Centre
Learn how to write a resume, cover letter, and CV. Book an appointment to get your resume or CV reviewed and practice being interviewed. Also has tons of job listings for part-time, volunteer, casual, and work-study positions.

University of Toronto Student Housing
Find a place to live, read up on your rights and responsibilities as a tentant, get tips on living in Toronto, and more. Use the search engine to find housing.