Showing posts with label yorku. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yorku. Show all posts

Friday, 2 August 2013

A RED Zone Interview with Katie

Check out my third RED Zone Interview!

This interview is with Katie. A student at York University who is also a Health Education Peer Advisor!

Check it out for more information on Health Education on campus:


Thanks for watching!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,



Thursday, 18 July 2013

A RED Zone Interview with Madeeha

Presenting my second RED Zone Interview!

This interview is with Madeeha, a student at York University who is also a Student Ambassador for the Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Department.

Check it out for information about your enrollment appointment.


Thanks for watching!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

Wednesday, 19 June 2013

Coming Soon...

I am excited to say that during the Summer I will be working on a brand new project! Interested? Check out the video below...


First interview coming soon to a computer screen near you, so be on the lookout!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around ;)


Thursday, 30 August 2012

MOVE-IN DAY!

The day is almost here! Your moving away from the nest, and about to live alone for the first time! I bet you're all packed up and excited, but also feeling a little nervous, and not sure what to expect.

HAVE NO FEAR! As ALWAYS... I am here! I'll let you in on some tips from the pros, so you have a super smooth process moving in on Friday! :)

TIP #1 Don't sweat if your parents can't stick around to help you unpack! 
There will be over ONE HUNDRED upper year students at each residence to greet you, and help you get your belongings to your room! So your parents can still attend parent orientation if they have registered! :)

Rain or Shine we will direct you!

  Some upper-years students helping move someone in!
The upper-year students who are there to GREET YOU!

We sometimes really get into the greeting
 TIP #2 Go pick-up your key BEFORE going to your Residence! 
Your room key will not be at your residence! You will have to pick up your key from a residence office. Not sure where the residence office is? Refer to the following:

CHECK IN TIMES AND KEY PICK-UP LOCATIONS
Your Residence
Friday August 31st –
Wednesday September 5th
Sept. 6th and after
Tatham, Vanier  and
Winters Residences
Housing Complex 1 Office
108 McLaughlin College
8:30am – 10pm
Housing Complex 1 Office
108 McLaughlin College
8:30am – 4:30pm (Mon-Fri)
Pond Road Residence
Pond Road Residence
Front Desk
8:30am – 10pm
Housing Complex 1 Office
108 McLaughlin College
8:30am – 4:30pm (Mon-Fri) *
Bethune, Stong & Calumet Residences
Housing Complex 2 Office
101 Bethune College
8:30am-10pm
Housing Complex 2 Office
101 Bethune College
8:30am – 4:30pm (Mon-Fri)


This leads to me to my third tip...

TIP #3 Bring a photo ID when picking up your room key!
You need either your York University Student card, passport, or driver's license in order to pick up your room key, so make sure you have it with you when picking up your room key!

TIP #4 Plan your route ahead of time!
Unfortunately there is some construction on move-in day which will cause some road-closures! To prevent a headache, refer to the updated map which shows which roads will be closed. Also make sure you have the full campus map which shows you where each residence is.

TIP #5 Make sure you know what you can and can not bring into residence!
Don't waste time, space and effort bringing something to residence only to find out you are not allowed to bring it! 
Things to bring:
- picture or poster hangers that don’t damage the wall or door surfaces 
- bathrobe and shower shoes
 - towels and toiletries
- a laundry hamper and detergent
- clothes hangers
- your own bed linens which you can purchase from this website
- under-the-bed storage bins
- alarm clock
- computer and a power bar with surge protection
- headphones
- your health card and medications
- any information that the university sent you over the summer
-mini fridges are allowed!
Things to NOT bring: 
- extra large pieces of furniture (your residence room comes furnished with a single bed and mattress, dresser, desk, bookshelves and chair). Residence furnishings may not be removed from rooms and stored. Storage is only provided for empty trunks and suitcases
- pets (including fish)
- large amplifiers and subwoofers
- candles.
- cooking appliances (including microwaves and toaster ovens). Cooking is not permitted in residence unless you have been assigned a suite-style room that comes equipped with kitchen access. There are microwaves available in most common rooms for heating up a snack or water for your tea.

Hope your all packed and ready to go, and found all this information useful! If you have any more questions, check out the move-in website or comment below!

I'm going to be on campus therefore you all must stop by the RED Zone so we can all meet you! :)

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,



Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Let's Get Physical... Physical!

Yea. Let's get physical. What kind of physical? I'm talking about running, working out, swimming, dancing, stretching, lifting, punching, everything and anything that has to do with moving your body! Even if your not super into working out, there is something out there for you to get your body moving, and staying healthy! 

Here at York we have a ton of services, and facilities that are here to make it easier to fit in some physical activity into our busy schedules as students!

Tait McKenzie Gym 

This is the go to place for fitness, with a majority of services being housed here! Some of the services they have are:

Fitness Centre: This is 11,000 square foot room you will find 45 cardio machines and 23 selectorized machines and free weights! Access to the fitness centre costs only $15 for the whole year (crazy, I know)! On top of that the hours are amazing because from Mon-Fri it is open 6am-10pm during the school year! For more information click here.

Fitness Centre
Swimming Pool: An awesome 25 metre long swimming pool for your swimming pleasure. There are lane swims usually 3 times during the day (so you can go when is best for you), and don't worry if your not the next Michael Phelps because they divide the swimming pool into different lanes, with each lane being for what speed you go at! It is free to use the swimming pool as a York University student! For times of lane swims click here.

The Tait McKenzie Pool during an event
Basketball, Squash, Tennis Courts: There are 5 North American squash courts, 5 double tennis courts, and 2 basketball courts housed either in the Tait McKenzie Gym, or outside. All these courts are accessible for use during public use time, or when you call in and let them know when you want to use it! There are also baseball diamonds, and outdoor fields that can be used as well, and all the courts are for free as a York University student. For more information on booking a court or field click here.

Fitness Classes: Yoga, Zumba, Muay Thai, Martial Arts, Swimming, Salsa, Pilates, Hip-Hop, and Boot Camp, are just some of the fitness classes you can sign yourself up for! Although not for free, the prices are usually much lower than any where else, and Tait McKendzie does have some free cardio classes. These classes include Cardio Tae Boxing, Cardio Step,  and Total Body Challenge among a few others. For more information on times, and other classes that are offered click here for the recreational guide.


Toronto Track and Field Centre

Inside the Track and Field Centre

This is a go to place for any one who runs and jogs (personally my favourite place to run when the weather isn't great). They have an 8 lane outdoor track and 5 lane indoor track. Access is free for York University students, you just have to print of the list with all your courses, which you can log-in and access here. On top of the tracks there are also jumps, sprint runways, hurdle lane ways, and many other tracks where you will sometimes find professional athletes practising which is pretty cool!


Canlan Ice Centre

One of the most "outstanding arena facilities in North America". With 5 NHL regulation sized ice surfaces, and 1 international sized ice surface, I don't doubt that. Don't worry if you don't play hockey (I don't either), the reason why I'm mentioning this facility is because they do public skating for everyone! You can bring in your own skates, or rent. They also host a "stick and puck" event where you can practise your hockey skills, and they also do an adult shinny! It's only $6 each for one session. For more information click here.

Intramural Sports

Did you know you can play 27 sports throughout the school year for free? Did you also know you don't have to be good at them? At York University we have an Intramural Sports program. The way it works is all 9 colleges compete against each other in 27 sports throughout the year. Every sport is offered in either Tier 1 (more competitive, and more skills required) or Tier 2 (more for fun, no skills required). With so many sports not only do we have all the regular good 'ol sports, but we also have rage dodgeball (dodgeball you play from 10pm-7am) and rock, paper, scissors tournament! It is a lot of fun, and its an awesome, free way to stay active, and play sports or even take up a new sport!

Me and my Rage Dodgball Team!
I didn't play any sports in high school and considered myself very inactive. When I found out about the intramurals I was hesitant to play because I had never played any sports, but luckily some friends persuaded me to come out and play, and I have been playing ever since! Word of advice: do intramurals! You won't regret it! If you are smart enough to listen to me, you'll want to talk to your athletic rep at your college for information on signing up or click here.

Whether you play one intramural sport, or go to the gym every day-  just get physical! It'll make you feel good, help you with stress, and is a great way to get involved. There are also other services that aren't mentioned here, so look around and comment if your looking for something specific!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

Monday, 23 July 2012

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

If the title didn't give it away, we are going to talk about newspapers and magazines! You may be wondering "What in the world do newspapers and magazines have to do with being a student at York University?". Well, did you know that York students operate more than 10 newspapers, magazines, and  publications? Yea, it is quite a lot.


With all these publications there is so many opportunities for you to share your poems, your ideas, drawings, etc! Even if your not into that, there is always something sweet to read in between classes, on the bus, or wherever you go and need to kill some time!


I've come up with a list of majority of the newspapers and magazines that we have on campus. A great things about having so many is that they all share different interests, focus on different things, and you will find different opinions in them:


Some of the newspapers and magazines you'll
find around campus!


The Flying Walrus
- This is the Stong College Student magazine


Artichoke Magazine
- Student run magazine housed at Winters College
- Geared towards fine-arts topics, issues, etc.


YU Free Press
- Alternative newspaper run by Graduate and Undergraduate students
- Their objectives are "to challenge the mainstream corporate media model and to provide a space for critical analysis and commentary of the news around us – both on and off campus – to a community of students, faculty, and staff alike"


Excalibur
- York Universities community newspaper
- Covers news on campus, and off-campus


The Vandoo
- Student run newspaper housed at Vanier College
- Covers news and events going around Vanier, campus, and off-campus


Mac Media
- Student run magazine housed at MacLaughlin College
- Covers many topics, issues, and opinions an pretty much anything


Incendies Magazine
- York's only arts and culture feminist magazine
- They seek to "highlight modern thought and diversity through a feminist, gendered, queer, sexuality, race, religion, ability lens (and so on!)" 


The Lexicon
- Student run newspaper housed at Bethune College
- They feature pieces on students life, entertainment, travel, science and technology, etc.


New Beat
- Student run magazine housed at New College
- Their focus is on student life at York University, and New College in particular


Pro Tem
- Is the bilingual newspaper of Glendon College
- Founded at 1962, it is York's oldest running newspaper
- They pride themselves on "delivering reliable and accurate news reports that concern the campus, the city, the country, and the world."


Existere 
- Existere exists as a venue for emerging and established talent from York University and around the world.
- They publish poetry, fiction, visual art, interviews, reviews, essays, photographs, art, and much more from established and emerging talents. They also debut new writers, poets, and artists.


Check them out, and even look into submitting your own articles, pictures, comics, poems because all these publications are always looking for new submissions! 




P.S. York gets FREE Toronto Star Newspaper every day at the newspaper stands around campus!



Until next time, I'll be Yorking Around,

Monday, 9 July 2012

Swag, Swag, Swag

What kinda swag? YORK SWAG! Since your a student here at York, one thing you got to do while your here is get some York swag! I'm talking hoodies, pants, mugs, key chains, and much more! It's an awesome way to rep York University, and a sweet way to remind you of York University and all the sweet memories you will have here!

The place to get all this sweet swag is at the Bookstore (located in York Lanes, #24 on the map). I went through a bunch of York swag, swag swag, and here are my favourites!

"York Est. 1959" Tee! 100% Cotton.
Comes in Black, Red, White, and Grey! $15.95.
Me with this adorable plush York Lion! So cute! Eeek! $24.95.
Mugs! These are only 2 out of all the many available!
The one on the right says "Mom" Perfect gift? Prices Range.
$9.95 for the left one and 15.95 for the right one.
Show your York Pride in your room, on your car, or at
a football game! $5.95.
Water Bottle! You can use it around campus with
the hydration station. $6.95.
Lindsey and I rep'n York Hoodies! There are so many colours and designs available.
 Prices range. Lindsey's was $49.99, mine was $59.99.
So those are some of my favourite swag swag swag, but there are SO many other mugs, bottles, plush animals, shirts, sweaters, pants, binders, notebooks, etc. Check out the bookstore website for more pictures and prices for some of the other York swag swag swag!

Note: The York Bookstore is also your go-to place to find out about what textbooks you need for your classes! 

Untile next time, I'll be around Yorking Around,




Friday, 15 June 2012

Don't Let This Concrete Jungle Fool You!

York has over 50 buildings on 457 acres of land, making us a huge concrete jungle! But don't let that fool you, as York does still have some awesome sights. I'm going to let you in on a secret: York has a pond! Now I know, I know, I know it may seem like it's "just" a Pond, but at a big campus such as York it is not to be taken for granted.

The pond that we have on campus- also known as Stong Pond- is one of my favourite places on campus. Located behind the Health Nursing & Environmental Studies Building, it's one of the only places where you can get away from the hustle and bustle on campus to:
- be alone
- relax
- take a few breaths of fresh air
- listen to the birds chirp
- de-stress
It's also my favourite place to jog by every morning!

The Stong Pond (pretty eh?)
It doesn't stop there, as there is also a HUGE family of ducks that can always be found at the Pond taking a swim, walking around, or feeding their adorable baby ducks! They can also sometimes cause a little traffic when they cross the the nearby Pond Road (I know, totally original name), but they are so cute it's hard to stay mad while your waiting for them to cross.

The ducks that live at the Stong Pond

Everyone NEEDS to stop by the Stong Pond at York cause it will be totally worth it, and you'll feel so great after you do. One rule though: you have to invite me! :)








Tuesday, 12 June 2012

Everything RESP

R-E-S-P-E-C-T... find out what it means to me! Oh... oops, got carried away, were not going to be talking about THAT resp. What were really going to be talking about is the Registered Education Savings Plan. Many of us might have one but are not sure how to access it or might not even know what it is. Since I have one it's only fitting I pass on the knowledge to YOU. After reading this blog post you will be filled in on everything you need to know about this awesome thing from accessing it, to the lingo around it, and definitions, becoming RESP experts!

What is an RESP?
An RESP is money that has been put aside for you (incoming first year student). This money was put aside for you in hopes you would use it in the future to pay off school, and is usually put aside by your parents, family members, or even friends. This money grows, and grows (through more payments, and interest) leaving you here today with money to use for your school- how sweet is that?! (give a shout-out to the peeps who did that for you!)

How can you access money from your RESP?
In order to access money from your RESP you have to prove that you will be going to school (as this is the purpose to the RESP, and therefore the only way you can access it). You will want to do a Verification of Enrolment (VOE)

Note: The money that is coming from your RESP is called an Education Assistance Payment (EAP).

How do I verify that I will be going to school in September?
Many times, your RESP Provider (the financial institution that is essentially watching over your RESP), will send some forms (VOE) that says you need to get stamped and filled out by your university, in order to receive an EAP. This does not apply for York University students. York University does things a little more conveniently so you don't have to travel to York to get it filled out.
What you want to do is go to this website: http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/program/letters/ and go to the tab that says RESP. This will provide you with access to VOE letters that you can send to your RESP Provider (as opposed to the letter they told you to fill out). The letter you get through the website will be accepted by your RESP Provider!

Note: You have to pay your $450 enrolment fee before you can get an RESP letter through the website!

RESP section under the Financial Services website.
This is where you can generate a VOE to send to you RESP Provider. 

Which letter should I send my RESP Provider?
When you go on the website that will generate an RESP letter for you, you will be faced with two options:
The two options you have for a VOE letter. 
Unless your RESP Provider has asked for specific, more detailed information (which happens rarely) the Online VOE Letter will be the one you want (this is the one I use)! Just click to access the letter, log-in with your YorkU username, and password and it will take you to a VOE letter, personalized with all your information!

What do I do with the VOE letter?
Simply print this letter, and send it to your RESP Provider! It's that easy! Your RESP Provider will usually give your EAP in 2 installments, either through your bank account (if you sent them a void cheque) or they will send a cheque!

More Questions?
If any of you guys have any questions feel free to ask it in the comment section below, or feel free to check out the Government of Canada website!

And to end it off, who doesn't like some classic 60's music (cause I sure do!)

                    

Goodluck with your RESP everyone! :)

YuConnect