New Year...New You? How to make meaningful resolutions.

With the new year here many people are making resolutions for the new year. Typically people make resolutions about getting healthy, losing weight, or becoming more organized.

The new year is an opportunity for us to all start fresh and to make meaningful changes in our life for the year to come. So what does that mean when it comes school???

Well in my opinion I like to think of the new year as an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start again. If you're first semester wasn't perfect don't let the mistakes or missed opportunities of your Fall semester dictate the course of your Winter semester.

So what steps can you take to make your second semester better than your first?

1. Set some S.M.A.R.T goals!

--What the heck are S.M.A.R.T Goals you ask? Well S.M.A.R.T is an acronym which stands for:  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Rewardable, Time-Limited. When you make a goal it has to precise enough that you'll be able to track your progress, complete the goal and complete it in a timely manner, with a reward waiting for you when you complete the goal.

Example of what NOT to do: I want to get A's in all my classes.

Example of a S.M.A.R.T Goal: I want to spend 1 hour each night making study notes for each of my classes before watching an episode of The Walking Dead (or whatever T.V. show you like, or activity you enjoy).

2. Let the past go!

--When making resolutions sometimes we can get hung up on our past failures or missed opportunities, but that doesn't actually help in moving forward. Focusing on the past can drag you down and cause more stress. Start the new year with a clean slate, keep the past in mind but don't allow it to overshadow your future. This is a new day so try to be optimistic and POSITIVE (no negative Nancy's here)!






3. Find a way to be accountable.

--If you want any resolution to succeed you have to find a way to hold yourself accountable. This can be the most difficult part of sticking to a resolution. How can you keep yourself accountable? Some people do this by getting others involved. Tell your friends or family of your goals and have them checkin with you see how they are coming along. Knowing that others will be looking in on your progress will help you not to slack off and stay accountable. With the rise of social media, you can start a blog, vlog, or twitter account dedicated to your goal, knowing you have an audience tracking your progress will help you to stack on track. Try one or all of these methods...anything that will help you to achieve your goals.

Those are my tips for making meaningful resolutions for this semester. Let me know in the comments section below what your goals are and if these tips help you or if there are some that I didn't add that you might like to see added to this list!

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

Nicole

Making the MOST of your Study Sessions!

With less than 10 days left of the Fall 2012 semester, the Scott Library is beginning to get busy again. People are beginning to feel the crunch of this time of year and so there are more and more people packing in to study, write papers and even sleep :P

So how will this impact your study sessions?



The Scott Library is operating on their 24/5 schedule from now until the end of the exam period (Dec 20th). Which means that the Library Study Space is open Sunday-Thursday 24 hours. This means that if you want to study late, or want to study early or you want to pull an all nighter on campus you have a place to do so.

Here's what you need to know to make the most of your time in the Scott Library!

1. Wear something comfy!
-- If you plan on studying all night or late into the night you might to wear some comfy clothing. Or bring extra clothing with you. If it's 3:30am and you're wearing skinny jeans and high heels you might not be comfortable enough to do effective studying. At the same time Pyjamas are not really appropriate either!

Yeah I'm NOT gonna
wear this to study!

2. Bring snacks and a water bottle
--If you're going to be studying you'll need fuel to keep your brain power up and keep you motivated to work. Also food services on campus close at around 12-2am so if you don't bring food or a water bottle you'll be relying on vending machines which lets face it, can be expensive. Some snacks you might want to bring with you include: almonds or nuts, granola, carrots/ veggies and dip, fruits or dry cereal.

YUMM!

3. After 11:00pm All bets are off when it comes to study rooms!
--If you plan on studying late into the night and you weren't able to book a study room since they were all full...then you'll be happy to hear that after 11:00pm study rooms are a free for all. They work on a first come first serve basis. So maybe start working in the 1st floor study space then move into a study room for the rest of the night.

You got to get there early!

4. Pack LIGHT
--If you're gonna be on campus late you might not want to bring EVERY book for every class you have. Realistically you'll only be able to cover material effectively for a couple of classes. So brining ALL of your books for every class will only weigh you down and might overwhelm you, especially if you're trying to get through a lot of material.

She clearly brought too much with her!

5. Try to stick to your study plan
--Last week I talked about the importance of having a study plan. Well when you're studying in the library it can be easy to take A LOT of breaks, or to waste time talking to friends or those around you. If you make a study plan like I suggested...then try your best to stick to it. Budget your time and try not to waste it!

Stay on Track!

These are just a few ways that you could make the most of your study sessions. This by no means an exhaustive list. It's just a few things that I do whenever I study in the library. Let me know what works for you in the comments section below.

It's CRUNCH time folks so I wish you the VERY BEST OF LUCK as you prepare for your final exams and papers!

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

Nicole

Midterm grade NOT what you expected? Wondering what to do now?

Coming out of high school you might be accustomed to getting straight A's. Despite everyone telling you that university is not the same as high school, you still thought that you'd be able to keep up those high marks. However, now that you've started getting your midterm grades back you might be finding that the marks you're getting aren't quite what you had expected.

You might be thinking..."NOW WHAT? SHOULD I DROP THE CLASS? MY PARENTS WILL BE DISAPPOINTED! MY LIFE IS FALLING APART!!

Let me be the first person to tell you to CALM down!! It's going to be ok! You don't have to the class, your parents just want the best for you and your life is not over. Take a DEEP BREATHE!! Everything will be ok!!

So you didn't get what you thought you would...don't be discouraged. It isn't the end of the world...although it may feel like it right now. Here are some tips for dealing with less than ideal Midterm marks.

1. The BEST part about Midterms (if there is anything good about them at all) is that they are only ONE part of your grade! You still have time to improve you mark!! Midterms are NOT the END of your course. You still have other assignments, tutorial or lab work or a final that you can use to boost your grade.

2. Take the time to look over your grade. Look at how much of your grade the midterm is actually worth. Take the time out to go and talk to your professor or TA to figure out how to improve your grade, (If you're worried about talking your prof see my post ). Really look at your midterm and determine where you went wrong and how you can improve.

3. Try to put your grade in perspective. Of course we all want to do well, but how does this midterm mark impact your life. If you care a lot about your marks then a not so great mark might stress you out. I'm here to remind you that grades are one component of your whole university experience, and your time at university is only one part of your entire life. Although it might seem like a MAJOR ISSUE now, remember this too shall pass. Try not to stress yourself out too much over your midterms.

4. Try to STAY POSITIVE! If you didn't do as well as you hoped, don't be too hard on yourself. Negativity only makes you feel worse and doesn't actually motivate you try to improve. Get proactive, take the suggestions or improvements you get from your TA's or Profs and learn from them.

**Remember: If you find yourself really stressed out about your grades you can always check out CDS.**

- When I was in my first year, I had a really hard time adjusting to University life. It was the first time I'd ever lived away from home, I was in a new country where I knew no one, and I had just gotten back a midterm that I didn't do as well on as I had hoped. I was REALLY hard on myself and I didn't think that university was for me, I was really having a hard time. My Don suggested that I go and talk to CDS. Honestly I wasn't sure that CDS was for me...but I went and found that the people there were really nice; more importantly they were helpful. I know that sometimes it can be hard to ask for help but sometimes that's exactly what you need most. I highly recommend checking out CDS since they do offer FREE personal counselling!

I promise Midterm season will end! Lets get through it together. If you have any other tips for dealing with midterm add them in the comments section below! See you after Midterms!!

Take it one day at a time and catch me in the zone,
Nicole

SHO' ME THE MONEY!!!

Higher education is expensive, university students constantly find themselves scraping to make ends meet. Many students they are living pay check to pay check, without much left over for personal use. For some this is the first time that you're living on your own, or managing your own finances. I know for me, it was really difficult to accept the fact that I'm an adult now have to take care of myself.

WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

When I came to York it was the first time I'd ever had to create or follow a budget. Soo I thought it might be a good idea to go over the BASICS of BUDGETING with you, so that you can benefit from my experiences. (Truth be told this is something that I'm still working on!)

Alright so what do you gatta do??

1. When starting out you want to figure out where all your money is coming from and how much you have coming in each month. Knowing how much money you have coming in will help you figure out how to divide up that money. 

2. Write down all of your expenses for each month. Any and everything that you spend money on should be written down. Things like RENT, FOOD, BUS FAIR, etc. Whatever you spend money on every month you should put down. I ALWAYS include "FUN" as an expense, since I like to go out with my friends, and I don't want to spend money that I don't have. 

3. After you have your list of expenses you should divide up your expenses into two sub categories. Category one : Expenses that will remain the same month to month. E.G. RENT, BUS FAIR

Category two: Expenses that will change from month to month. E.G. FOOD, FUN

4. After writing both these things down determine how much each one is going to cost you for a one month period. Then look at how much money you are bringing in for a one month period. If your income is more than your expenses GREAT! If your income is LESS than your expenses, then you'll need to figure out where you can cut back. For my I usually end up having to cut back on my FUN budget.

5. As time goes on you want to review your budget so that you can make adjustments. For example, if you get a raise at work, or you move to a cheaper place to live or your car payments go up whatever. You have to be able to adjust your budget according to your changing circumstances. 

I know it can be overwhelming to deal with making a budget. But don't worry York has got your back. York offers FREE Financial Advising for all students. You can make appointments with a Financial Aid Advisor to help you sort out your finances and make a budget or go to one of their events or workshops!  Check out the Financial Advising website! Also on financial advising website there are links to budgeting assistance websites run by the major Canadian Banks, find your bank and make use of their budgeting tips!

Let me know what works for you in the comments section below. 

Remember mo' Money doesn't HAVE to mean mo' Problems!

So GET out there and start the saving!

Nicole

Top 3 Differences between Highschool and University

Everyone is always telling you that University is a big change from High-school, and that's true BUTTT  here are a few differences you might not have considered that will be a big change from high-school.

Just one of MANY differences!

1. The amount of free time you have.
There is no real "homework" in the traditional sense of the word. At least no homework in the style you might be accustomed to in high-school. At the beginning of the semester you might think that you have so much free time since you don't have assignments due till the middle end of October. It might be tempting to slack off...but don't since it can be really hard to break bad habits that you form at the beginning of the year.

Try not to waste the free time you do have!

2. The sheer amount of people you'll have in your lectures.
There are 60,000 people that go to York. That's far more then some people are accustomed to. That means you'll have lots of people in your lectures. In first year lectures are pretty big since there are so many people that all have to complete foundations courses. Your first lecture might have between 300-700 students depending on your program.

Don't worry it's not impossible!
You will figure out how to navigate all these ppl!

3. You might not realize how much walking you'll be doing when you get here. There are 82 buildings on this campus so you'll be walking all over the place...it's important to wear comfy shoes. It's also important to know where you're going, and the quickest way to get from one class to the next. With so many people and buildings it can be really easy to get a little bit lost, have no fear though the RED Zone has you covered. If you ever find yourself lost you can always stop by our booth in Vari Hall and we'll give you directions and help you out!

Getting in some exercise is
as simple as walking to class!
You'll see!

Those are the top 3 difference between life in High School and Life here in University. Hopefully now that you know you'll be ready to hit the ground running! It is possible to do well in University, just remember, everything in moderation. Finding balance in your life can help you to become a successful student and really excel while you're at York.

First Day Jitters? Here's the Scoop on all you'll need on day 1 !!

With the summer coming to an end, you're probably starting to get some butterflies flying around in your stomach. I know that when on my first day I had to give myself a pep talk to just get out of bed. But I promise you it's not as overwhelming as it might seem at first. Going to University for the first time is A LOT for anyone, so if you think you're the only one whose worried, you are not alone!

Here's a check-list of things that might help you get through your first day of school!


1.  Your class schedule: You'd be surprised at how many students don't actually print it and bring it with them. It has all the info on it that you'll need to find the LOCATION and the START and END time of all your classes. Make sure you print it out and bring it with you on day 1.

2.  A campus map: If you don't want to get too lost then you should have a campus map with you. Don't worry if you do get lost that's what the RED Zone is for. WE GIVE DIRECTIONS!! Come visit us we have maps and we know where everything is!

3.  A reusable water bottle and snacks: We have lots of hydration stations all over campus where you can get free filtered water, having a reusable bottle means you can skip the line ups at the restaurants and shops and save a little money. Also you're allowed to eat in class so having a small snack with you to munch on in classes or between them will mean that you won't disrupt the class with a growling stomach.

4. Bring some music: It can be a little boring waiting between classes or walking between classes, so having some music might make the down time between classes less boring.

5.  Bring things to write with or on: whether it's your laptop, ipad, tablet or the basic pen and paper, you'll need something to write on and with. Prof's usually go over the syllabus and they may even give a short lecture. You'll want to write down important things the prof says about due dates and assignments.

**Lots of students ask me if it's better to take notes with a laptop or with a pen and paper. Honestly it all depends on the prof, some are pretty old school and don't like laptops in their lectures, some are really tech savvy and encourage students to use laptops. Also some profs speak quickly and it might be easier for people to type notes than to write them. On the first day of class you'll be able to determine which note-taking utensil is best for you.**

Things you probably won't need for the first day of school.

1.  Don't bring every book for every class you're taking: Chances are that you will not need all the assigned books for the first day of class. Typically profs don't lecture for the entire class on the very first day so you probably won't be expected to have all your books with you. Also that might be a lot to carry, and you don't want to tire yourself out carrying all your books around on day 1. 

2.  Don't bring your final high school transcript: Unless the student services has asked for your transcript, you won't need it on your first day. Some times people think that profs will want to look at your grades, honestly profs assume that if you're in their class then you have a certain level of knowledge. You don't have to prove everything on the first day. 

3.  Don't bring every single school supply you own: You're not going to need to have scissors, glue, a stapler, a staple remover, paper clips, colour pencils, markers...etc. on the first day. Just make sure that you have at least one working pen and you'll be fine. Sometimes people bring entire office supply stores with them on the first day and it just ends up taking up space in their backpacks.   

Did you know that as a student you have rights?!?

As a student it can be easy to feel neglected by your school, especially one the size of York. But did you know that York has developed a document with the sole purpose of identifying and maintaining the rights of students?  "The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities".


This document outlines the rights of all students at York. You might be wondering what types of rights we have as students. Well we have the right:
- To academic pursuit as the primary reason for students to be at York.
- To participate in activities for students at the University, without harassment, intimidation, discrimination, disruption or acts of violence.
- The right to freedom of inquiry, expression and assembly on campus.
There are just a few of the rights we have as students...check out this link for the entire document.
It might be a good thing to have a read of the code before you start at York, just to be aware of your rights as a student.

This document was designed to protect all York student during their time here. University is a time for self-discovery, learning and expression. The Code of Students Rights and Responsibilities was constructed to ensure that all students have the ability to learn in an environment conducive to "civility, diversity, equity, honesty and respect" to quote directly from the document.

It's not all rainbows and sparkles though and with that in mind I think it's important to also mention that this document also covers the responsibilities that we have as students, after all we can't do whatever we want, there are rules that we have to follow. For example as students it is our responsibility:
-Not to disrupt or interfere with University activities (e.g. academic activities such as classes, University programs, student co-curricular activities and tabling).
-The responsibility to behave in the way that does not harm or threaten to harm another person's physical or mental wellbeing.
-The responsibility to uphold an atmosphere of civility, honesty, equity and respect for others which values the inherent diversity in our community.

Again these are just a few of the responsibilities that we have as students. It's important to know that if you are found in breach of these rules there are significant consequences that you could face as a result.

Moral of the story...know your rights and don't break the rules!

York makes every effort to ensure that all students have a meaningful and positive experience while at University. Now that you know about the code make sure you abide by it!

Stressed? Here are some times that could help you out!

The RED Zone is a POPULAR place this summer. Since we opened over 3 months ago we've talked to more that 4400 students. We've made tons of new friends and I'd like to think that we've been helping students feel a little more confident about starting at York in the fall!

A common concern among all of the students I've met with this summer has been dealing with the stress of starting at university. Students are all concerned about adjusting to the workload and being able to handle the transition from high school to university. 

With that in mind here is my top 5 list of things that you can do to avoid or reduce your stress while at university.

Top 5 list of ways to stay stress free:
5. Choose your attitude

-You can deal with any situation that comes your way! You can either choose to address it head on or address it by stressing out about it and becoming depressed or angry. By deciding to stay positive instead of being negative can make all the difference when you have a lot on your plate. 

4. Make a "to-do" list

-Making a list of all the things that you have to do can help you to see just how much you really have going on. Without a list how will you know how to divide up your time? Making a list can help you see everything you have to do, knowing exactly what you have to do can help you manage your time and therefore your stress. PLUS crossing things off your list feels SO REWARDING!

3. Set priorities

-After you've made your list, set priorities. Rank them in order of importance. Sometimes it might be difficult to decide which order to put things in, I recommend ranking things in order of when they are due, or how long they will take you to complete. If I have an assignment that is due in two weeks and will take a me a few days to fully complete I'll put that higher up on my list. Check out this video it helps explain the importance of making lists and setting priorities (it's only like a minute so it's not that much of a time commitment)! Thank you Brain Tracy!

2. Make time for fun!

-Rewarding yourself for with some "you" time helps keep your stress level down. Running, biking, dancing, sleeping. Whatever you like make some time for it, it'll keep you motivated and help to reduce your stress.

1. Set S.M.A.R.T goals 

- If we use the S.M.A.R.T goal system we can take any task from the abstract idea stage all the way to completion! What does S.M.A.R.T stand for???

S = specific, making a goal specific means ensuring that it is something small enough that you'll be able to complete it. 

M = measurable, your goal must be something that you can track your progress. You won't want to start a goal and not be able to check how close you are to achieving this goal.

A = achievable, this goes back to making a specific goal. Make sure that you can actually complete this goal

R = rewardable, this refers to motivation. Knowing that you have something waiting for you when your finish your goal will keep you focused.

T = time limited, you don't have forever to finish these goals, especially when it comes to a goal related to school work. Setting a time limit for your goal will also keep you motivated to complete it.


Let me know if these tips help you deal next time your feeling stressed!

Best thing about living in residence? The friends you make!

Juhi and I in 1st year!

Everyone is always saying that you make your TRUE lasting friends in College / University; I can say now, from first hand experience that what they say is true. 
Four years ago I came to York, fresh outta High school as an International Student I knew 0 people. I moved into residence and almost immediately after my parents left me there…all alone…I regretted coming to such a huge school in a different country so far away from home.


After my first residence floor meeting I thought WOW I’m never gonna make it here. I was ready to go back to my room and pack my stuff and GO BACK HOME! Then I heard a knock on my door and my whole university experience CHANGED! I made my first friend!!
 This girl was at my door, asking me about the internet, of all things. I helped her set up the internet, then we went for dinner together and everyday after that. Suddenly we realized we had a lot in common and so we became fast friends. 


As you move from year to year the people you were close with in first year are usually NOT still your friends by fourth year, but she and I were practically family at the end. Four years is a long time to be friends with a person, we laughed, cried and helped each other make it through the challenge that is University.
 She was an International Student just like me, she was from Dubai and I from The Bahamas. Leave it to us to make friends with people who live on opposite sides of the world!

4 yrs later still together!

As I sit here writing this I can’t help but to think of all the things we shared over four years, our first winter with SNOW, our first time on a subway, and of course let’s not forget our first time living away from home on our own. She was really a true friend, we were there for each other whenever we needed anything no questions asked! We took care of each other when we were sick, homesick or lovesick. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through this journey without her.
And now that she’s moved back home I wish her nothing but the best! I hope she is finds happiness, she is an amazing person and truly deserves the very best that life has to offer. I miss her like crazy! All I can say is THANK GOD for BBM and SKYPE!

There is a STRONG possibility that I might never see her again; but she’ll always be with me, because she helped shape the person I am today. I miss her so much, she was my sister, my mom and most importantly my FRIEND!


The moral of my story...living in residence can be such an amazing experience if you open yourself and take the opportunity that is there!

What makes a "successful" student?? It might NOT be what you think!

These days everyone looks at letter grades or a g.p.a. as the only way to measure the "success" of a student. Of course both of these are really important, after all everyone wants to do well, but grades are only one small part of what makes a student succeed at university and at life.

I LOVE this meme!
 He looks so satisfied!

I know what you're thinking...how else can you measure the success of a student if you don't use letter grades or a g.p.a?

Grades aren't EVERYTHING!

I would challenge you to think outside the box a little bit.

Here are a few things that I think make a successful student:

1. I think that a successful student is able to find balance in their life.

Universal symbol for BALANCE!
Yin and Yang

Balance is everything! Knowing your limitations and understanding that you're not superman will help reduce your stress. Accepting that there are only 168 hours in a week will help you learn to prioritize your time. Learning how to effectively balance work, school, family and friends, will make your university experience richer.








2. A successful student should be able to look back on their university experience with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

Key to Success?
Why YES thank-you!

This can be achieved by getting involved on campus. I know you've heard me say this before...but that's because it's GOOD ADVICE! Get involved in campus life!

Becoming a member of the York community made my university experience so much richer. I was able to avoid the commuter trap (going to school and then straight home), I was able to give back to other students and I was able to make friends! Accomplishing something as a result of your involvement on campus really makes you feel like you've succeeded at university life.

3. Finally I think that a successful student is someone that is open minded and willing to try NEW things.

University is your opportunity to try new things, and have new experiences. Successful students are those that open themselves up to new people, cultures, beliefs and practices. York is FULL of diversity, there are students from over 155 countries worldwide. There are so many different people with interesting and unique experiences sitting next to you in class, it would be a shame not to get to know them. Being open to meeting new people and trying new things will help to prepare you for the real world, which, thanks to globalization is becoming increasingly interconnected, so don't miss out!

These are just a few things that I think make a successful a student. If you can think of anything else feel free to make suggestions in the comments section!

So I got into York...NOW WHAT??

When you're a kid everyone always asks "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and as children we most likely said completely unrealistic things like "I want to be a super hero, or a movie star or a doctor."

As children we don't think about the work that goes into becoming a doctor or an actor...or where we will find radioactive waste or gamma radiation (if we really want to be a super hero :P). So as we grow up our goals shift and suddenly our biggest goal is making through high school and into university.

Got any Radioactive waste lying around?

If you're anything like me...you probably thought to yourself..."I just have to make it through high school! Once I'm out of here I'm going to go to university and when I get there everything will make sense and I'll know who I am and what I want to be!"

Well congrats on getting into University! These days that's an amazing accomplishment and you should be really proud of yourself! Equally impressive is the fact that you made it into York!!

Right now you're probably feeling like a duck on a pond...calm on the surface but paddling like crazy to keep from sinking. Don't worry though you're not alone. I felt the same way when I first decided to go to university. I looked at my friends who were also going to university and they seemed totally calm and so I pretended I was calm and ready as well.

Le Duck!

My first day at York I had to give myself a pep talk JUST to get out the door! I thought that everything was just supposed to fall into place? Wasn't it supposed to be like a movie? I walk onto the prestigious collegiate campus and everything was supposed to be figured out! Instant intelligence, instant popularity, instant career plans, right?!? Hollywood left me painfully unprepared for reality.

My University experience was NOT like this...but how cute is that little dog!?!

I found myself asking "So I got into York...NOW WHAT?" You might find yourself asking that question as well. If you are then look no further, consider me your fairy godmother...or your Mr. Miyagi...you know from The Karate Kid...maybe the reference is a little old but it still fits...if you don't know who I'm talking about...Google it!

Anyhoo I'm here with some tips that can make your University experience a little easier and far less stressful than mine was.

Top 5 Tips!!

5: If you need help and you don't know where to go stop by the RED Zone
-We're in Vari Hall everyday from 10-4 come see us we can help!

4.USE THE FREE SERVICES!

-York has tons of services to make the student experience easier. From academic support and tutoring all the way to career advice, use what we have on campus!

3. Go to class

-You're here to learn, that's the whole point of going to University. It might be intimidating at first but all new things can be a little overwhelming at first, stick it out...it gets better!

2.  Explore the campus 

-There are tons of places for students to gather, study, work, chill and meet...outside of the Student Centre or York Lanes. Get out there and check them out.

1. Get involved on campus.

-If you've been reading my blog or any of the other RSA blogs you've probably noticed that "getting involved" is a common theme. There's a reason for that...it's because it's the BEST WAY to get the MOST out of your university experience. I know that it may seem hard at first...since you don't really know where to start but trust me, check out the YU Connect page, it's a great place to begin.

Now that you've read all of that...I hope that you feel up the "Challenge" of starting at York!! Sooo I have ONE question for you guys?!? 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Let me know in the comments section!