Update: I've Graduated but I'm still writing!

I'm sure you haven't noticed since you're probably busy with school and life; but I haven't been updating this blog as often as I have in the past. That's because over the summer I graduated and my career with York's RED Zone has come to an end.

What does that mean for you??

Well if you're looking for content on this site specifically focused on York you might notice less York content and more content around finding a job as a post graduate.

If you're interests solely lie in York, and student related content I totally understand and I'd invite you to check out any of the other AMAZING RSA Blogs that can be found at redzone.yorku.ca

From now on this blog won't be updated with York specific information but rather content concerning job search and life after university ends.

If you're still interested in reading along with me, I'd love to have you along for my journey as I try to find my footing in the adult working world!

Here I go, pursuing my profession!!

Nicole

Hey Have you Heard about Health Ed?

There are TONS of student clubs and organizations that are registered and recognized here at York,

Check out all our clubs HERE!

over 500 to be exact!! Among all these clubs and organization there is one that holds a special place in my heart, that organization is Health Education and Promotion.

You might be wondering, why I care so much about this one club. Could it be because I was a member of the club for 4 years? Could it be because it taught me countless skills that I use on a daily basis? Or could it be because their uniforms are totally awesome?? I would say that it is ALL of these reasons and so much more. I cannot even begin to discuss all the amazing experiences, friends and memories that I made over my four years with this organization.

Now that the mushy stuff is over with let's get down to the real question that's on your mind... WHAT does Health Ed do??

Well Health Education and Promotion is a student run organization that advocates for student health on

Check em Out on Facebook

campus. Health Ed consists of 2 professional health promoters who plan programs on and around campus focusing on health topics relevant to university students. Health Ed hosts events to raise awareness about health issues, health solutions and resources and organization where students can seek out support.

Health Ed hosts weekly events on both the Keele and Glendon campuses where students can find information on health topics that interest them. Wellness Wednesday would have to be one of my favourite events since no matter what topic is being discussed there are always really AWESOME prizes being given away!! Best part, all you have to do to get a prize is play a quick fun game, and who doesn't LOVE games?!?!

Health Ed is made up of 10 different topic teams:
1. Leave The Pack Behind (Smoking Cessation)
2. Health Eating and Nutrition
3. Active Living
4. Stress Management and Mental Health
5. Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships
6. Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness
7. Peer Sexual Health Outreach Program
8. Glendon Team
9. Health Education In Residence
10. Running Relief

To find out a little bit more about each of these team check the Health Ed Website HERE !!

These are some of the AWESOME folks I met at Health Ed!

During the course of my career at Health Ed I worked on the Stress Management, Alcohol and Other Drug and Peer S.H.O.P teams and I LOVED every second of my time there. How much did I love it you ask?? Well check out this video I made all about Health Ed!!

If you've got questions about Health Ed or you want to check out any of their events feel free to follow them on twitter @healthedyork and like them on Facebook!

As always remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!!

Nicole

Pro Tips for Adjusting to University Life!

So you just graduated from High School, you had a summer to get yourself ready for starting university in the fall. You've had your enrollment appointment, enrolled in classes, visited the RED Zone, bought your Frosh Kit and you're feeling pretty set on the IDEA of starting here at York. Then you realize...hey the summer is PRACTICALLY OVER and "Going to University in the Fall" is actually LESS THAN a month away! You might be feeling a little less self-assured, heck you might be FREAKING OUT! I know that when I was starting at University I played it cool for most of the summer, but by the time August rolled around I was not handling it well at all.

When classes started I had a really difficult time adjusting just because it was NOT what I was expecting!! I don't know I was expecting? Maybe I was expecting everyone to be really mean or condescending, or for the work to be way to difficult for me to handle. What I found was the my first month of University was pretty light, I had more free time than I expected and so I settled into BAD HABITS! I started slacking since I didn't have "homework" that was due everyday I put off doing my readings and preparing for my lectures. I WOULD NOT ADVISE THAT ANYONE DO THIS! When midterms rolled around I got a RUDE AWAKENING!! Since I hadn't kept up with the readings all of a sudden instead of reviewing my chapters I had to read like 10 chapters for the first time and try to learn it all in a couple of days. You can imagine what happened I'm sure, I did not do as well as I could have if I had just been a bit more organized right away.

So to help you learn from my first year mistakes I've compiled a short list of the things I think you might want to do to help you adjust to your first year here at York!

Pro Tip 1: Go to Class!
-It can be really easy to skip classes since no one is really taking attendance, but this would be a mistake. You're paying so much for these classes and the reason your at University is to learn so make the effort to go to class. Sometimes professors will give hints as to what will be on exams while in lecture so get a leg up by attending every class!! 

Go to Class & Do your reading!

Pro Tip 2: Stay on top of your Readings and Assignments
-Since no one is keeping track of what readings you're doing and which one's you're not it can be really easy to slack off and not do them at all. If you don't keep up with them week by week, when midterm season rolls around you'll find that you have A LOT to read. This can be REALLY overwhelming and it might make you super stressed out! I can tell you that it might not be fun to give up some of your weekend to do readings, but it'll make all the difference when it comes time for your midterms! So get organized and stay on top of it all!

Breaks are IMPORTANT!

Pro Tip 3: Always find time a break
-I don't want to leave you thinking that all you'll be doing here is working, working, working. I promise you'll have time for breaks and I'd encourage you to try to find as many opportunities as you can to take breaks. Break time is important for your mental health since it allows you to rest and give you brain a break. Be sure to plan your time in such a way that you'll be able to take as many breaks as possible!

If you need help ASK!

Pro Tip 4: If you're feeling overwhelmed REACH OUT
- It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when you start doing new things, in a new place with people that you don't know. School is demanding, challenging and can be a little much at times for everyone! BUTTTT no one can help you if you don't let them know you need help! If you find yourself struggling be sure to ask for help, there's no shortage of people here that can and WANT to help you out! So just ask!

Help yourself by USING THE SERVICES!

Pro Tip 5:  Use the FREE services on campus
- There are so many services on campus that you can use FOR FREE that will make your university experience a little easier and more bearable. For more detailed information about the FREE SERVICES here at York check here!

Hope my PRO-TIPS helped you out and maybe eased your stress levels about starting at York in the Fall!!

As always remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Saftey on Campus?? There's an App for that!!

Unless you've been living under a rock you've probably heard the phrase "There's an App for that!" If you've got a smart phone you might find that the majority of the time you spend on your phone isn't actually for calling or texting. You might be a little obsessed with Candy Crush, Temple Run or if you're old school then Tetris or Snake might be more your speed. If you're looking for a new App to add to your collection and you're starting at York in the fall or returning to Campus you might be interested in adding the York Safety App!

Where can you find the app??

The York U Safety App is available in the Apple Store, Android App on Google Play and BlackBerry App World (Black Berry 10 App version coming soon!!).

What does it look like/ How does it work??
The App is pretty self-explanatory, if you've used App's before you should be able to figure out how it works. But here's the run down of the basic info you'll need to get started using the App right away!

1. Open your App Store and Search York University. I have an iPhone so the example here is the Apple App Store. Check out the description and other information if you want to know a little more about the App before you download. Also bonus the App is completely FREE so you don't have to worry about buying it!

This is what it looks like in the App Store!

2. After you've downloaded the app browse around you'll notice some cool stuff are included in the app. Here are a few of the services that I find especially interesting and useful. The first is the Emergency Alarm. When you click "Start Alarm" you phone starts to sound an alarm, so that those around you will hear the alarm and come to help you if you need it. Also you can call York Security of 911 directly from within the App! It's more convenient than trying to look up the number online and then calling it, especially if you're in an emergency situation and need help right away.

Sound the Alarm or Call for Help!

3. Some other features of the App that I really like would be the Flashlight option that on the camera flash on your phone so you can have some light when it's dark. The interactive campus map that you can use from within the app when you're lost, the goSAFE shuttle schedule and safety tips and other security info you might want to know about.

I use the flashlight all the time!

4.Lastly the app also has links to some helpful info for Counseling and Support of those that feel they need them, all these services are FREE so please feel free to use them if you need them. If you have a phone with a QR Code reader feel free to stop by the RED Zone to pick one of the pamphlets with the code on it to download the app directly! We also have lots of other handouts to help you "Play Your Part in Campus Safety!" 

If you need help York's here to give it to you!

Soo there's the LEST you need to know to use the app. If you're still wondering if I have the app on my phone or not...check out the pic below! Not only do I have the app but I have it on my main page, so I see it everyday!!

Yup that's my phone!

If you want to know EVEN more about the app feel free to check out this video!! Or this link!

If you've got questions feel free to comment below and I'd be happy to get back to you!!



As always remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!
Nicole

goSAFE? What the heck is that??

So you're on campus...it's getting dark and all of a sudden you don't recognize any of the buildings and you
find yourself wandering around LOST!!

Who you gonna call??

Ghost Busters Go SAFE!!

I don't know about you but whenever it gets dark all of a sudden EVERYTHING looks different to me.
Even if I've been going to the same place for years, when the sun goes down I find myself hopelessly lost. York's Keele Campus has over 90 buildings, tons of construction projects and 60,000 people, it's like a small city so there's no shame in admitting that you're lost; especially if you're new! Everyone's been lost at least ONCE here at Keele. If you're like me you might find that you get lost more than once.

You might be wondering what getting lost has to do with goSAFE?

Well goSAFE is a student staffed organization which escorts students and staff from any on-campus location to any other on-campus location. When you call goSAFE two or more trained students with goSAFE jersey's will meet you at your pick-up location within 10 mins and walk you to on-campus parking lots, the bus loop or residences. Best part...the services is COMPLETELY FREE!!!

When does goSAFE operate?
goSAFE operates on both the Keele and Glendon campuses. During the school year their hours are as follows: Keele: 6:00pm - 2:00am (Sept-Apr)  Glendon: 6:00pm - 1:00am (Sept-Apr) 7 Days a week!!

Wanna an escort??
There are a few ways that you can use to get a hold of goSAFE... you can:
            - Dial 416-736-5454 (or extension 55454)
            - Use any of the Blue Light Emergency Phones
            - Use any of the payphones on campus (it’s free!)
            - Use the goSAFE button on any campus Safety phone
Someone will answer your call and request your name, desired pick-up location and destination. goSAFE staff will immediately be sent to meet you, with a typical wait time of no more than 10 minutes

TOP SECRET TIP: In my first year I used goSAFE in my first year as my night time personal walking campus map. I would call them about 10 mins before my 7-10 class ended, when class was over they were waiting for me outside and they'd walk me back to my residence. I used them until I learned my way around! Best part?? They were SUPER nice and really helped me find my way here on campus!

Now that you know a little bit more about goSAFE I hope that you feel more comfortable about using them during the year! For more info about goSAFE check this link!

Remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole