Holy Moly... Its Time to Graduate?! Part 2

Its January which means I've been focusing a lot on:
1. JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!
2. How I want to do my hair and makeup for my graduation picture (its this week!)

3. Keeping up those marks of course!

Although summer may seem like its long ways away, its important to start thinking about employment opportunities NOW (even if you are an undergraduate student, but especially if you're graduating). Many employers are looking for students and new grads to hire for the summer around this time of year.

So what have I been doing to prepare for this stressful, uncertain, yet exciting time?

UPDATE MY RESUME
My resume isn't something I update regularly until Im looking for a new job therefore polishing, editing, adding, and taking away is something I have been focusing on lately. If you're not sure how to go about making your resume, the Career Centre is a good place to check out, and on that topic...

CHECK OUT THE CAREER CENTRE
The Career Centre can help with everything and anything that has to do with your career or job search! They offer workshops, one on one appointments, mock interviews, tips to sharpen your resume, etc! If you are searching for a job for this summer, the Career Centre has GOT to be one of your stops! P.S. You can use their services for up to 2 years after you've graduated!

Career Centre: Located at McLaughlin College, room 202

SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH
There are job postings out there, we just gotta find em! I like to be positive during job searching, in fact my motto has been "just keep applying, just keep applying". Google search the heck out of your interests, scroll through pages upon pages of job postings, use the career centre, use different employment websites- PUT IN THE TIME AND EFFORT (and I am sure it will pay off).

And hopefully... eventually... THIS will be me...

... a girl can hope ;)

How are you preparing yourself for the summer whether you are a continuing student or a graduate?

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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My PERFECT Snow Day

Here's something that will make you jealous: My school had 64 school busses which covered numerous towns in the area. This meant that even when just one of them were experiencing icy road conditions, all 64 school busses were cancelled which meant we had a SNOW DAY. And we got a LOT of snow days... one year I believe we went close to 14 in one year!

Unfortunately this does not happen at University.... however once in a blue moon, when the weather gets absolutely terrifying, and the city almost comes to a halt... we at York University.... get a SNOW DAY (or ice day considering recent events)!

Yowza!

Whats my perfect snow day look like?

8:00am-11:00am: Sleep In
Realistically I wouldn't find out its a snow day until AFTER I've woken up, however the minute I find out it's a snow day... we're crawling back to bed for another few hours...

2:00pm-9:00pm: Snowboard
If it's a snow day that must mean there is a sweet layer of soft snow waiting to be boarded on just 2 hours north! I am calling up some friends, and boarding all afternoon as soon as I wake up (from sleeping in... obvs).

Me and my board on a hill <3 

11:00pm- 12:00am: Get Ready for Reality
A nice snow day usually throws you off from your normal routine, so the last hours before going to bed I'd have to get ready for the next day :(

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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Monika's FAVOURITE THINGS 2013

As students we have quite the list of things we wish for these holidays. Here are a few of MONIKA'S FAVOURITE THINGS 2013! Except unlike Oprah, Im not actually giving any of these away ;)

1. NO EXAMS

Yup, this is number one... no explanation needed but wouldn't it be great to have no exams? 

Now back to reality... 

2. Bluetooth Handset Gloves

Yes, you'd look ridiculous but as soon as you explain yourself to people you'll also be really cool. This is the new (and super cool) bluetooth handset gloves. Keep you warm while talking on the phone and look friggin cool while doing it! Check out the gloves here. 

3. BIG Mug

For your BIG cup of coffee! All those all nighters need all that coffee (I love coffee by the way)!!!! (WARNING: Drinking a cup of coffee as I write this blog post). Get this awesome mug here. 

4.  Alarm Clock App For Your Phone

I WILL turn my alarm clock off in my sleep! Therefore I don't go to sleep unless I know Ill be awoken by a math problem. No, it does not sound like a nice way to wake up, but neither is waking up and knowing you've missed your class (Oops!). Search on your smart phone!

5. Clip On Cup Holder 

At the library, at home, or on the bus- keep your hands free while still enjoying a cup of tea! 

Downfall: It won't hold your "I Like Big Mugs and I Can Not Lie" Mug :( 

That wraps up just some of my FAVOURITE THINGS! Hope you enjoyed! Got something favourite of your own? Comment below! Good luck with exams folks, and even more luck finding gifts this season :)

Until Next Time, I'll Be Yorking Around, 

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ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE 2013: Survival Kit

That's right! December 9th marks the first day of exams... otherwise known as the start of a month long  ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!! Ok, that might be a little dramatic of me but...

... Im sure we've all felt like this...

... and seen students looking like this...

... during exam time (hence the name... ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE)!!!

Whats a student to do?

Continue reading this blog post to find out how to survive the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE while studying like a beast for those exams ;)... that's what!

1. SHELTER
Everyone knows a good place to stake out during a zombie apocalypse is the KEY to survival! Theres a few good places on campus which can offer you protection from brain-hungry zombies, abd I have rated them conveniently form "best place" to "worst place":

#1 Your Bedroom: I know, I know, every time you glance at your bed you want to sleep but you CANT THINK LIKE THAT! Not only are you far away from the zombies roaming around campus, but you have easy access to food, a bathroom, and your bed (AFTER doing your school work).

#2 Study Rooms: This is a little more riskier as it requires you to walk around campus, but as long as they don't smell your fear- you should be fine. Not only do you have walls all around you in a study room, and room to do your school work, but there's also... LOCKS! Zombies cant open locked doors- duh! Book yourself a library study room here and get ready to be protected from everything else going on around campus.

#3  Common Library Areas: Yea this one's once again a pretty risky location, but as long as you don't make eye contact and don't say anything to anyone- you should be fine! Just mind your own business, blast tunes from your headphones and study away. If there's a risk of infection- RE-LOCATE!

#4 Bathroom: If all else fails go to the nearest bathroom, lock the door, and stay in there until the coast is clear! The downfall is that there are no desks to do your school work in, which is why this location is from extreme circumstances, and only for a short period of time.

2. FOOD
YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU'LL HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD AGAIN! So make sure to STOCK UP whenever you can! Food is just as important as shelter is during a zombie apocalypse.

If you have a deficit in nutrients THEY... WILL... GET... YOU! Here are some TIPS for staying stocked up while hiding out in shelter:

#1 Prepare Meals Ahead of Time: Yes it can be time efficient, but how else are you going to stay fed without leaving you shelter? In addition this is cost effective, and ensures you're getting healthy home made stuff ;)

#2 Eat Your Greens: Sorry, junk food won't give you the nutrition you need to get through Zombie Apocalypse 2013. Move over chips and fast food, hello veggies and fruits. Junk food will only make you sluggish, slow, and won't give you brain power. Veggies and fruits will keep you awake, alert, energized, and give you power to fight off those zombies!

3. Equipment
Pack your bags with everything you need to get through this tough time...

#1 Pens & Pencils: You don't wanna be caught off guard, nor do you want to be forced to rely on a zombie for these bad boys. Pens and pencils are a necessity as you WILL need them some point in time in the next few weeks.

#2 Photo ID: Others will need to know you can be trusted in the midst of all the chaos, so a photo ID will come in handy during an exam. Drivers license, and a student ID are both great ID's!

#3 Water: Gotta get some H2O in your system, especially when you've just written for an hour non-stop, or when you've just fought your way though crowds of zombies. Water can give you that pick me up during your exam, plus being dehydrated during an exam or while studying is quite possibly the worst  thing in life! PLUS: Bring a re-usable water bottle and the hydration station provides to water for you!

#4 Sweater: Zombie's are cold hearted creatures. Being around them, especially during an exam will get you feeling cold too- bring a sweater to ensure optimal comfort during your times of struggle.

#5 Watch: I know your cell phone serves this purpose nowadays, but Im sorry to be the one to tell you that during a zombie apocalypse, cell phones are not allowed to be used. If you're lucky you'll be in a room with the time, but if you're not: get prepared for the most stressful time of your life! One of the worst things is not knowing how much time you have left during an exam.

Phew, that was a lot of information but I hope I have equipped you all with the information and skills you need to survive!

Dont forget: any zombie fighting student needs their ZZZZ's as well! Being sleep deprived won't help you much- getting your 6-8 hours however will let you take over the world!

Goodluck and may the odds be in your favour during 2013 Zombie Apocalypse: Monika out!

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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TOP 5: Study Music

When I got a lot of school work to do either 

a) Relaxing 

b) Pump up 

c) Chill

music will do the trick for me to stay motivated. There are times when Ill write a whole essay while jamming out to the same album on repeat! The following are my TOP 5 songs to listen to when studying:

5. Daft Punk: Tron Legacy Soundtrack: I haven't watched the movie, but I sure am familiar with the soundtrack. Lots of the songs on the soundtrack don't have lyrics, and the music is a little techno but upbeat which is perfect for  me!

 

4. Classical Music: And no particular artist- just about anything with a piano and violin jamming out will do. Its so relaxing, whats not to like?  Be careful: music that is too relaxing might put you to sleep which isn't ideal when studying ;)

 

3. Pink Floyd/ Easy All Stars: Pink Floyd's album dark side of the moon is one of the greatest albums of all time (in my opinion). Easy All Stars did their own take on the album which produced Dub Side of the Moon. Whether you choose to listen to the original Pink Floyd version, or opt for something with a reggae twist to it like Easy All-Stars, both chill tunes will help you get through those pesky essays! 

Pink Floyd: 

Easy All Stars:

2. Girl Talk: All Day: This tune is over an hour long, and is a mash up of 100's of upbeat songs you can think of. Its best for when you're writing and not reading, as lyrics in songs can get mixed up with what you're reading!

  

1. 8Tracks: When in doubt, 8Tracks! If you have not heard of this website before- your life is about to change (for the better). 8Tracks allows you to put in your mood, or genre you're looking for, and it will generate hundreds of playlists other people have uploaded on the site. I use this website for when I need something other than the songs above. Check out 8Tracks here. 

That's about it for me! Remember not to let your music choice to distract you from whatever task you have at hand! Happy studying while jamming out to those tunes! 

Until Next Time, I'll be Yorking Around,

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