Holy Moly... Its Time to GRADUATE?! Part 1

The title says it all. My almost 5 years at York University are almost coming to an end and it's definitely  a bitter sweet feeling. It's a cliche but it honestly feels like yesterday when I was getting a ride to Frosh Week from my mom, but here we are now- and Im getting ready to graduate!

This blog post is the first of a mini-series which will continue throughout the year. It will give you an insight into the things I as a graduating student in June 2014 (knock on wood- don't wanna jinx it at this point!).

Keep checking back either as a graduate who wants to make sure their doing everything they need to in order to graduate for June, or as a student who wants to know what they will be needing to do- sooner than one might think.

It's November so here's a few things I've been doing to get prepared for June 2014:

1. Apply To Graduate

I'd say this is probably the most important step! How are you gonna graduate without letting York know you want to graduate? The process to apply to graduate is all online and super straight forward- all it takes is a few clicks. You can apply here and make sure to do it ASAP because the deadline to apply is JANUARY 31, 2014 (if you want to graduate for June 2014)

Applying to Graduate!

2. Book Your Glamorous Photo Shoot

Ok, maybe it might not be all that glamorous, however I think it's a pretty important picture so booking it sooner rather then later is smart! You should get an email from your College or Faculty to book your photo shoot however if not, you can get information here. I've booked mine and it's coming up in December!

Guess what... You can add in props to your photo shoot!
No, not me (I wish), but its my clever friend Eleni!

3. Keep Up Those Marks!

Since its my last year, the pressure is on to keep up my marks! There is no more "next year" so it's now or never (ok, maybe thats a little too dramatic but you get the point). 

Well said inspirational photo! 

4. Make a "Last" Academic Advising Appointment 

You might want to do this earlier than November, however I made one a few days ago just to make sure I've done or am doing all the classes I need to graduate from the program I would like (and I;m happy to say i'm on the path to graduation). Making a last academic advising appointment will help ensure you're right on track, and will ease your mind a little! 

That sums about all that needs to be done for graduation so far! Keep checking back to stay in the loop on my journey to graduation!

Until next Time, I'll be Yorking Around, 

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Co-Curricular Days FTW (For The Win)

Having a few days off is SUPER nice as it allows some breathing room for getting readings done, and fitting in some relaxation time before work picks up in the last few weeks of the semester (end of semester soon? say whaa)... On that note, here's a few things I did the past few days:

School Work

Assignment Necessities!

Getting that school work done early in the days off is key- that way you have optimal relaxation time in the last few days!

Went Up North 
As I said, relaxation and self care time is important when you have a few days off, so that is exactly what I did over the weekend

Saw Deer! :D (can you see it?! can you?!)

Went hiking which led to this beauty of a view!

The co-curricular days tend to slip through your fingers super fast (I know they did for me). And your Monday back can sorta feel like this...

Speaking of- DID ANYONE WATCH WALKING DEAD LAST NIGHT?!
(another thing I did during the days)

BUT... you can get through it :)
Planning ahead, and using your time wisely is important for your academics and for yourself! These days were just what I needed to get through this last month + exams!

What did you do during your co-curricular days?! I hope they were well spent doing what you love!

Until Next Time, Ill be Yorking Around,

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Reasons You Should Play Intramurals

intramural

ˌɪntrəˈmjʊər(ə)l/

adjective

1. Sports played by colleges in a fun environment
2. Colleges compete for the York Torch 

Intramural's can be a daunting thing to get involved in. "What if Im not good enough?", "I've never played sports" and "But I don't know anyone" are the things that commonly run through peoples minds when being asked to join intramural's. Im here to change your mind! Presenting.... reasons you should play intramurals:

1. YOU DONT HAVE TO BE GOOD IN SPORTS

Yes you will be playing sports. No, you don't have to be a pro. Almost every sport offered in intramurals is offered in either TIER ONE or TIER TWO. Tier one is more competitive, and people usually have played the sport before, however tier two is way less competitive and more fun (giving a chance for everyone to play)!

Batting in softball...
needless to say that ball didn't go anywhere....

2. ITS FUN 

Yes fun. Just because you're at University doesn't mean you have to give up on fun! And this is a perfect way to get some fun in your life. Intramurals allow you to be goofy, get your body moving, and interacting with other people- how can you say NO people?!

3. THERE ARE SOME CRAZY SPORTS OUT THERE...

RAGE dodgeball. Bowling. Inner-water basketball. YES. Those are all sports you can play FOR FREE here at York University. They bring the fun to a whole 'nother level, and you may never get a chance to play these sports anywhere else ;) 

Me in action.. at Rage Dodgeball
(its THIS FRIDAY btw)!

4. YOU LEARN SPORTS 

Before I came to York I had never played football, let alone knew the rules. And this applied to a lot of sports. Intramurals have allowed me to become more familiar with sports, which I am pretty happy about (no longer do I have to pretend to know what people are talking about the night after a "crazy game")

5.  EASY TO FIT IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Finding it hard to get to the gym or to do that 5k a day? Intramurals are a perfect way to incorporate moving your body everyday!

AND if you're having a hard time fitting in study breaks, and socializing time... INTRAMURALS will cover all that for you too! 3-in-1: its s study break, you socialize while playing, and you're getting a workout in :D perfect right?!

Lastly... if sports 100% are not your thing, absolutely, what so ever.... AT LEAST get involved with something at York!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around, 

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What Im Thankful For...

So its Thanksgiving weekend which means time for reflection and thanks! What am I thankful for? Its a tough one because there is so much I am lucky to have in my life, however one big thing that I am thankful for is the opportunities I have been so grateful to have in my life! These include...

Opportunity to snowboard!

Opportunity to be a Don for the 2013/2014 school year!

Opportunity to work the RED Zone!

Opportunity to be on a website!

Opportunity to run a Half Marathon the upcoming weekend! 

... we shall see how it goes ;)

Hope you all had a relaxing weekend full of thanks!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking around,

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Brace Yourselves... Essays Are Coming

I have written quite a few essays during my time here at York University. Since it is that time of the year where essays will be due soon I thought Id give some of my best tips which have helped me along the years...

1. Start Them Early

May seem like the most overrated recommendation but its so true! Essays take time because you need to read materiel, do the research, and then actually pump out X amount of pages filled your arguments and ideas. Point is: give yourself enough time... its the difference between a D essay and a A essay.

2. Talk To Your Professor
They may seem scary and intimidating but most profs are nice and approachable. Feel free to ask them questions regarding your essay and it'll give you a feel for what they are looking for in your paper.

3. Writing Centre
The Writing Centre is a service on campus which provides FREE help with all things essay. They offer help through various ways (15 mins drop ins, 1 hour appointments, and even online help). Get more information about them here or visit them at S311 Ross South.

4. Learning Commons

Located on the second floor of Scott Library, the learning commons can provide assistant with your essays too! They can provide help with writing, research, learning skills, and career services. Furthermore they have workshops going on all the time which can help with achieving those A+ essays! Get more information here.

5. Ref Works

Ref Works is my knight in shining armour (in the essay world). Ref works is a tool to make those tedious bibliographies, much easier. It lets you input your sources, and when your done, you ask it to generate a bibliography and citation in the format you have request. Check out my previous blog post which goes into detail about RefWorks or check out their website here.

6. Think About Past Lectures
There is a reason you've been assigned an essay on a particular topic... and it's not to torture you. Its so you can enhance what you've learned in the class so far. Think back on past themes, topics, and vocabulary you have learnt so far in the class and find ways to tie them into your essay. This will show you understand what you've been learning in class which will then give you a better mark!

Good luck with those essays,

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