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A W I N T E R S F R E E P R E S S P U B L I C AT I O N

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This Is Us Kaila Gallacher

Hunter Weaymouth

Kaela Cordero Nicole Moos Pyper Johnston Reann Bast Megan Desousa Inna Gordeyeva Joshua Cea Melissa Nicole Amelia Calo Megha Rethinasamy Shamus Quinn Nima Salimi

Nicole Williamson Laura Bourbonnais Siddharth Koyal Kamesha Ramnarine Erin Dagenais John Doyle Caroline Febbraro Miske Ahmed Serena Lam Thanh Dang

Jena Angra Meaghan Gonsalves Ha-Yun Holly Yoon Sharyl Man Victoria Collins Thanh Dang

Khadija Bari Zornitsa Stoimenova Bailey Paniszczyn Daniel Fong Maria Guna Abigail Wiley

Laur Brewin Daye Oh Matteo De Sanctis Maria Elizabeth Muia Rita Zhan

Thanh Dang Sarah Shahab Eliza Szymak

Yuhan Shi Hashneet Choudhary John Sanchez

Victoria Venpin Melanie Gazvoda Roshni Nayar Carly Balestreri Marvin Darkwa Julia Usher Cassie Weir Avery-Rose Hamilton Teodora Vilotijevic Victoria Ann Kaila Gallacher Eduardo Guerra

Kalli Jones

Amelia Calo

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A Peek Inside Letters from Editors Frost Week Fun Photobank Feature Win-WHAT Dean’s Winters Welcome Welcome to AMPD Winter Term Message

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Creative Challenge + Prompts Tobogganing With my Mama A Perfect Winter Day

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Hybrid Schooling Graduation This 2022 Advice for Frost Students Veil of Darkness Merry Kiss-mas Resources at York University for New and Returning Students

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Letters From

The Editors

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Welcome Back Winters Students, Staff, And Readers Of The Artichoke!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wow. It is hard to believe that it is now 2022.

This year promises to be one for the books—it is just a matter of seeing what exactly the book will be about. While many of us feel a little lost and unsure about what the New Year will bring, one thing we can rely on is that things will eventually get better. With the continued pandemic, higher Covid 19 case-counts, and so much uncertainty it might feel like the year has started off on the wrong foot…again.

But, if you look at it from another angle, whether you’re a new or returning student, staff, or from another college, you have onto the next. That in itself is something to celebrate.

Despite the continuous hardship that has been experienced in the last few years, despite all the dark moments, and tough decisions, you made it.

That is something worth recognizing and celebrating.More than that, for some of

you this will be your last year. Something you will read about shortly in this issue of The Artichoke. That is something else worth recognizing and celebrating.

Keeping this in mind, I hope that this term you will allow yourself to slow down and try to enjoy the process. For those students who are just beginning their Winters College and York University journey, or for those returning students who are continuing to forge ahead, take some time this semester to slow down and enjoy the journey. Join a club, try a new hobby, sign up for intramural sports, step out of your comfort zone a little.

Winters College Council has many weekly and monthly events (online and in-person), such as game nights, trivia nights, and even word nights where students can take a break from the day-to-day and have some fun. See a list of upcoming events right here in the next few pages.

Till we meet again! Enjoy your semester!

Kaila Gallacher (she/her) Editor-in-Chief

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HEY WINTERS,

TO OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY,

A welcome is in order! To all new and returning York students, welcome. I hope you had a happy holiday and are feeling rested and refreshed to begin the winter term. Although things on campus may look a little different than we’d hoped for, there’s still lots of great stuff going on! The January issue of the Artichoke is here to tell you all you need to know about Winter time at York. Plus, the Artichoke challenge is back again this month. Be sure to check it out for a chance to be featured in the next addition of the Artichoke and on our social media!

We are so fortunate to be able to enter this new year with all of you! We hope that you were able to catch up with loved ones (and some much needed rest) this holiday season. During the break, our writers and designers were hard at work creating another awe-inspiring issue for you to enjoy. We have quite a few events to look forward to at the start of 2022 – especially for members of our Frost Week. Feel free to read up on everything that’s happening with Winters this month, and remember to stay safe and healthy in these everchanging times!

All the best this term, Hunter Weaymouth (he/him) Assistant Editor

Here’s to a fantastic 2022, Kalli Jones (she/her) Design Editor

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DEAR WINTERS, Welcome to a new year and a new semester!

I hope that the winter break was a time to of year with loved ones. I am so happy for you to be able to enjoy this amazing new issue both designed and written by our talented team here at Artichoke. Despite how busy this semester might feel, I hope that reading this magazine can be a time of relaxation in the midst of chaos.

Whether you are a new reader or a pieces that speak to you and you yourself take part in the creativeness with our monthly challenge.

Let’s have an amazing semester!

Best, Amelia Calo Social Media Coordinator

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Frost Week Fun

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FROST EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS WEEK Open Mic Night DND Night Kahoot Night and the illustrious Winters Ball!

For more information on each event go to @ThatWintersShow on Instagram!

SOCUL EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS MONTH Minecraft Monday / Game Night — Jan 17 8pm-10pm VIA Discord/Zoom Jam Sessions / Ab Karaoke — Jan 26 8pm-11pm VIA Zoom

8pm-10pm VIA Zoom Word Night — Jan 31 8pm-10pm VIA Zoom

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MEET OUR 2021/2022

PHOTOGRAPHERS

TOP LEFT: SARAH SHAHAB, TOP RIGHT: TOM DANG, BOTTOM LEFT: TOM DANG, BOTTOM RIGHT: ELIZA SZYMAK.

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TOP LEFT: YUHAN SHI, TOP RIGHT: ELIZA SZYMAK, BOTTOM LEFT SARAH SHAHAB, BOTTOM RIGHT: YUHAN SHI.

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WIN - WHAT?

WIN TERS !!!

FROM FROST LEADERS

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HEY FOLKS! IT’S Rey and Karolina, back at it again for FROST WEEK 2022!!! This year, the theme for your Frost Week is…..

WINTERS BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT! “THIS COLD?”

NOT A PROBLEM!!!

Frost week will be happening from January 10th-16th with night events happening both IN-PERSON and online. A sneak peek at some of the events we are currently planning include Skating and Hot Chocolate with Calumet at Canlan, Pub Night with Glendon and Calumet, and a DND Night!!! Frost Week is a great time to reconnect with some friends that you met at That Winters Show and make some new ones! We are so excited for this week and get ready for a fun time!

Yoohoo!!!!! Are you ready for WINTERS BIG SUMMER BLOWOUT? See you there and don’t forget to bring your skates and warm hugs!

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WINTERS WINTERS DEAN’S DEAN’S WELCOME WINTER 2022

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BY SARAH BAY-CHENG

WELCOME TO WINTERS COLLEGE! MY NAME IS Dr. Sarah By-Cheng, and I’m the Dean of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, or AMPD at York Winters, but we know that our students in Winters come from across the University, so it’s my pleasure to welcome you all, whatever your major or range of interests.

By now, you’ll probably have learned that you’ve become part of the most creative student community on campus. Whether you’re a student in AMPD or another Faculty or School, Winters isn’t just where you live and learn; it’s also a place to play, connect, and create with people from across the University at large.

Over the past two years, Winters College Council and Jason Merai, Director of Student & Community Engagement in AMPD have worked hard to ensure that Winters students can maintain connections to each other, even in the midst of the pandemic. We are all very happy to be able to welcome you back to campus and to see the renewed activity and excitement in classrooms, studios and community spaces in Winters and AMPD.

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Starting out a new year and a new place can be intimidating at times. As you get ready for the semester, here are a few tips and tricks to help you succeed in the semester to come.

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Read the syllabus. Then, read it again.

This is the best way to know what your professors expect and how you can plan ahead.

Read your @yorku.ca email. All the important stuff you need to know comes through email. Although Snap, text, Discord, WeChat, WhatsApp, and other apps are great for chatting with friends and keeping in touch, we aren’t legally allowed to contact you that way. So, your faculty and programs will send all the important information in email. If you’re not regularly checking your email (at least 1 time per day), you might be missing important info.

Ask for help. There are lots of great people who want to see you succeed.

Your teachers, peer mentors, OAISS

always available to help you. You can get all the information about OAISS online. We also recommend that students visit faculty hours. That’s time for you! Recent studies have shown that students can increase their grades just by visiting

If you’ve never visited the York University campus, it’s a big place, but there are lots of smaller communities of dedicated people who want to connect with you.

Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you. My email is always available: deanampd@yorku.ca.

I’m glad you’re here and I hope to meet you in person soon!

Have a great semester!

Warmly, Sarah Bay-Cheng

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WELCOME TO AMPD

BY JASON MERAI

WELCOME TO AMPD & Winters College!

A semester done, the halfway point to closing the academic year. Time at you have taken the holiday break to hit the refresh button, while also taking the time to reconnect with loved ones, hobbies and your creative talent.

I welcome you back to AMPD and to Winters College, your “home away from home”.

Please stay connected to us by following us on Instagram @winterscollege to learn about social events to connect you back to your AMPD community. We have some exciting plans in store to support your development as an Artist. Stay tuned.

Wishing you a memorable semester, and that time pauses for friendships and accelerates for getting past your midterms.

Enjoy and wishing you all the very best, Jason Merai Director, Student & Community

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A MESSAGE FROM

JOHN MAYBERRY WINTERS COLLEGE FELLOW AND THEATRE PROFESSOR.

WELCOME WINTERS STUDENTS – to the Winter Term!

There’s a nice symmetry to this greeting, and it makes me proud that of all the colleges at York, season and a whole academic term!

Of course, I’m sure most of you are aware that our beloved Winters College is actually named after the York benefactor Robert Winters and not after the winter season, but the name always makes me realise that our Winters community really comes into its own at this time of the year. Whether it is Frost Week, intramural sports, or just hunkering down with friends to help each other get through to the end of term (and the glorious spring!), you know there is something going on at the College to help you engage with other students.

At this point in our pandemic journey, we are all so tired of hearing, and saying, things like, “Well, in a normal year…” or “As soon as we can get back to normal…”. It’s hard to keep our spirits up, to keep focused on goals and aspirations, to concentrate on schoolwork, and to keep being kind to each other.

But the one thing I’ve seen over and over during the last 20 months, is that you Winters folks, new and old, are superb at rising to these unforeseen challenges, and are doing great work - managing your own paths while also reaching out to help each other.

Special kudos to the Winters College Council, your student representatives, who continually come up with activities and initiatives to keep us connected in this community of ours.

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The Winter Term (I do love saying that!) will undoubtedly bring more hiccups and confusions as we see how this &**%@#! virus continues to develop, but I wish all of you strength, wisdom, and kindness as you manoeuvre your way through these times.

Do keep track of what the Winters College Council has on offer, knowing that the more you can engage, the more connected and successful you will feel. You can follow them here: Facebook: Winters College Council Instagram: @winterscouncil Twitter: @winterscouncil_

capacity, expertly managed by Emily Fiorini, and I am on sabbatical this year, so not actually on campus very often (like many of you). However, I am always available by email. mayberry@yorku.ca, if there is any way I can help you. York is a huge place, yes, but this also means that there are many people here who are poised to offer you support of any kind.

If you are having any trouble accessing what you need, drop me a message.

Happy Winter, Winters!

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FEBRUARY CREATIVE CHALLENGE WE ARE ECSTATIC TO PRESENT THIS MONTH’S CREATIVE CHALLENGES FOR YOU TO PLAY AROUND WITH. IF YOUR SUBMISSION IS CHOSEN, YOU COULD BE FEATURED IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF THE ARTICHOKE!

CREATIVE

VALENTINES DAY Will you be celebrating? Will you be abstaining from celebrations or throwing an “Anti-Valentines Day” party?

What does this holiday mean to you, if anything? What is at the root of this Hallmark celebration?

GROUNDHOG DAY Do you believe in the “Groundhog Day” superstition? Where did the myth come from? If you were stuck repeating the same day over and over again, what would you do?

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Highlight or honour some modern or Pay tribute to them in a poem or in some other creative way.

FAMILY DAY Do you celebrate it? How so? And how may you be celebrating it differently this year (i.e. virtually)?

READING WEEK What kind of fun social activities are you planning? Maybe you’ve got lots of studying to do or maybe you’re considering hibernating in bed instead.

GUIDELINES: There are no rules as to what you can create Write, draw, take a photo, or create in any medium you choose HOW TO ENTER: Either send us a message or tag us on Instagram @Artichokewfp Or email your entries to wintersfreepress@winterscouncil.com If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

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TOBOGGANING WITH MY MAMA BY MEGAN DE SOUSA

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kids at school wore. Nothing mattered but having my mama suit up in her own giant swish swish swish charcoal snow pants, holding my hand and whisking me to the steep school hill.

WHEN I WAS SMALL, around the time I played exclusively with Bratz dolls and the Littlest Pet Shop, all I wanted to do in winter was toboggan.

If it wasn’t my mama taking me to the hill, I would make small slopes on my lawn and sliiiiiiiiiiiide all the way down.

My mama, sitting at the front of the grey and yellow foam-like sled, the down the middle, with me, a giant bubble-wrapped-bubble-gum-winterblob at the back, holding onto the sled handles while my legs twisted around my mama.

TAKE OFF!

However, when it came to going with my mama, I would suit up in my oversized bright magenta snow pants that would swish swish swish whenever I pranced around. I would wait patiently at the door like a puppy, eager to go to my elementary school’s hill to sliiiiiiiiiiiide all the way down.

What I loved most about it was the slowness.

Nothing mattered to me, not the timestable-math sheets I had due for class the next day, not what brands the other

Me, among hundreds of other small winter-blob-marshmallow-kids, slid down the cold icy hill, until we reached a smooth stop. It was at that moment, in the cold spikey air, I was the warmest.

This was one of the memories I will hold dear forever.

Sometimes, though, when I long for warm summer days, days where I don’t have to shiver at the Go Bus stop, I see concrete and I imagine hugging my mama, being a blob, and tobogganing.

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A PERFECT WINTER DAY BY JULIA USHER

CREATIVE

I GLIDE FORWARD along the crystal surface, Marking every inch of its shimmering endlessness.

I close my eyes and feel at home, Swirls of crisp air swimming in my vision.

We lay on the ice staring at the clouds, The smooth coldness supporting our backs As the sky smiles down at us, Indulging us with its beautiful blue hue.

The ice carries me and keeps me balanced, Wind across my face and sun beaming down, There’s no place I’d rather be.

A hand is there, taking hold of mine.

We twirl together in ecstasy, It is just us, you and me.

Then another, and another, Until the sky is painted white, A winter wonderland.

We stick out our tongues, And landing in the strands of our hair.

I want to stay here forever; My heart desires such freedom, Where there is nothing else but this.

We match each other’s movements, Skating in perfect harmony And making it up as we go along.

It is peaceful and calm, Our skates signing the ice the only sound.

When we fall down, Cursing in failed attempts to get back up.

It has never felt more perfect, Laying here with you, One in a billion; Right in the palm of my hands.

I pray you won’t melt away;

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LIFESTYLE

Hybrid Schooling

The Online experience BY MELISSA NICOLE

AS THE FIRST semester of my school year comes to a close, on my classes and what I have learned. Although, as I began to look back on this semester in particular, something stood out to me that I have not thought about before - the way my classes were structured, as well as how this structure affected my overall attitude towards the material taught.

Last year, online school was the new normal, with everyone hopping on and off of Zoom everyday instead of enduring the usual travel to campus and sitting down in a leacture hall. During these online classes, I would just

roll out of bed, comb my hair, brush my teeth, and then be at my class ten minutes later.

I never thought about how drastic this changed my overall learning experience, until it came to this year.

Now having classes both online and in person, I noticed a major shift in my attitude, as well as a shift in how I retained the information my professors were telling me. Even though I understood that I had to get used to in-person learning experience once again, I also realized that I never quite got used to the online format.

For as long as I could remember,

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the classroom was a staple part of my life, almost like a second home to me. That sounds quite nerdy I know- but going to school from the time I was four until now has been quite a long stretch, which is why the classroom has had such a great impact on my life. Although history class has now become a lecture of over a hundred students and that science lesson has now turned into a lab, in-person learning was all I, as well as many others, knew and grew up with. Naturally, this meant that learning via webcam and online forums proved to be a

I will say that understanding how to use Zoom and deliver presentations online was not hang of it. It was also nice not having to properly get ready and drive to campus. The lessons were given to me from the comfort of my own bed, which was a huge plus. However, the online learning experience did take a toll on me after a while. I realized that since

I was at home in my room, I got more distracted than usual.

If I had enough for the day, I would end the Zoom early, usually resulting in missing some important information regarding an assignment. I also would skip class more, often feeling tired from staring at a screen for multiple hours a day and having no motivation to sit through another online class.

The online space, oddly enough, made me not want to participate as much when it came to discussion portions of class.

Although I felt less pressure speaking up in the online classroom rather than in-person, I barely had any energy to do so. When I had to speak, I felt disconnected from everyone, almost like my body was on auto-pilot while speaking. The information being told to me felt as if it was going through one ear and out the other. Although I adapted to the online space, I truly did not feel as connected as I should have been.

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This year, the online learning sphere expanded into in-person once again, and my current schedule has both forms of the classroom. I am quite happy that in-person learning is going on, even though I am only in one in-person class. Although it is taking me some time to get used to it, it is also allowing me to feel properly connected to my community and professors, making me understand the curriculum more. Seeing my friends in person again and being able to sit beside them has also made me feel more comfortable, and the space allows me to fully listen to what is being taught to me instead of me getting distracted. This new change has also made me feel more alert and comfortable in my online classes as well. In fact, it actually makes me feel excited for my online classes, instead of fatigued and uninterested. Although I am still adjusting to this hybrid comfortable in both forms of the classroom as a whole.

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GRADUATION THIS 2022 BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS

IT TRULY FEELS like only a few months ago, I transferred from the University of Ottawa and started school at York. The last few years have gone by in a blur and while it’s truly too bad that I had to do basically half of my degree online, I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met, for the opportunities I’ve gotten, and for the experiences I’ve had.

I wouldn’t have had the same university experience anywhere else.

I honestly had no idea what to expect when I moved to Toronto for school, away from everything and everyone I knew to study screenwriting. I was so excited for the opportunity and humbled to have been admitted into such a small program. I’ve met so many talented folks since, both in and outside of my major and have since shifted to a double major and taken courses in various programs, which I highly recommend.

As I grew up in a bit of a conservative town where sports were kind of prioritized over arts in my high school and I personally focused on dance and music in elementary through high

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school, I felt really lucky to be able to study writing at the undergraduate level.

Suddenly, being a nerd and loving school and writing late into the night for the sheer pleasure of it was something I could talk about in my classes and something my

especially looking forward to this pilot I’m writing for my original TV series, this book I’m publishing along with my group in my Book Publishing class and to my feature becoming stronger through my edits. I’m also looking forward to hearing back from programs I’ve future a bit more through every response.

now and then when I look back at things I and even third year of university, but hey, I’ve grown as a writer, and thanks to the opportunities I’ve gotten, as an editor as well.

All I knew prior to this degree was that I wanted to write and while that’s still true, I now have a better sense of what industries I’m most interested in and what mediums I prefer to write in. I also feel I’ve become a writer, which is a huge plus as an introvert who tends to have trouble expressing herself.

In these next few months, I look forward to staying and getting more involved in extracurricular activities, while of course, prioritizing school and my courses. I’m

Post-graduation, I look forward to bringing what I’ve learned about writing, editing and either in Creative Writing, Book Publishing, or Dramatic Writing, or in my entry-level jobs industry.

All I can do is my best.

At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself of as I worry about the future and the uncertainty of it all.

If you’re in a similar situation, I get it, and you’ve got this.

I believe in you.

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ADVICE FOR FROST STUDENTS THIS WINTER BY LAURA BOURBONNAIS

FIRST OF ALL, welcome to all incoming Frost Students this Winter semester! We’re so glad you’re here and already know you’ll be contributing so much to our community in your own unique way. I’m sure there are countless people who have already tried giving you advice, and here I am too, I suppose.

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01. Get to know people in and outside of your program Whether you like meeting new people and making new friends or not, I highly recommend you put yourself out there in some way. So many people would be lucky to know you and want to, and that’s in part how you build community at university, through the people you meet in and out of your classes. Don’t be afraid to meet people who you thought you’d never hang out with like folks from Lassonde or Schulich or people who seem so different from you that you normally wouldn’t even give them the time of day. University is your time to explore and mingle.

02. Join Extracurriculars Whether it be a club, your program’s association, the Winters College Council, a are so many opporunities within Winters, AMPD and the campus at large to get involved. to join or the online AMPD Calendar of Events to stay up-to-date with all things AMPD. Follow a variety of Instagram accounts of clubs and organizations at your school including Winters College at @winterscollege and the Winters College Council on Instagram at @ winterscouncil. Follow the YFS at @yfslocal68 for a variety of events planned this Frost week and throughout the semester, so be sure to check them out. Go to an event, go to a club meeting, explore outside of your comfort zone.

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03. Make time to explore downtown Whether you’re from the Toronto area or not, making time to explore downtown and not always stay on campus might make all the difference in your university experience. Give yourself time to wander, to discover thrift shops, new places to eat, TIFF, Mirivish theatres, cute parks, go to concerts (safely) or cute cafes or bookstores. The list goes on. Whatever downtown that you’ll like.

04. Prioritize your mental health and get resources you need

There are so many resources at and outside of the university. This link https://mhw.info.yorku. ca/resources/resources-at-york/students/ can there are plenty more. There might be clubs, for example, where you can meet people with experiences similar to yours where you’ll feel safe to discuss what you might be experiencing such as the IBPOC Association if you’re a person of colour. If you’re queer and are looking for services and support, you might want to check out this link https://rights.info.yorku.ca/lgbtq-campusorganizations/ for some resources.

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05. Make time to exercise

06. Staying on top of the

essentials and self-care

Whether you love or hate exercising, moving in some way can truly help you be more focused when you need to work or study, and can help you spend energy in ways you might not be. Check out Tait McKenzie gym on campus to see all the MUV classes or the recreational or competitive sports that are held there and the studio spaces they have in the basement.

They have a squash court for example! Speaking about athletics, I highly recommend checking this link out for intramural sports https://yorkulions. ca/sports/intramurals, The York Lions Dance Club at @yorklionsdanceclub on Instagram to dance recreationally, Dance Energy at @danceenergy_ if you’re looking to audition for a competitive dance team next year and would like to support them. There are a variety of varsity sports you can check out on Instagram by searching “York Lions”, for example, York Lions Track at @yorklionstrack. If you want to have updates on sports, check out York U Lions at @ yorkulions on Instagram. There are countless dance classes or sports you can try downtown including climbing at Base Camp. Whatever you choose to do, moving your body, if you’re able to do it, can only be helpful for both your mental and physical health.

Regardless of how busy it gets with everything, make sure to leave time to properly eat, sleep, stay hydrated, and self-care. Try to eat three meals a day and to eat what you need to stay energized, regardless of your dietary choices or restrictions. Sleep is super important too. That will be window most likely, but without proper sleep, you will not be able to stay awake to meet your deadlines. Selfcare can look different for everyone, but for the most part, try to make sure you’re leaving yourself a bit of time to just be yourself at least once a day.

These are just a few of my tips! Feel free to take them into consideration or not!

Totally up to you. But overall, please look after yourself. You deserve it and your future self will thank you. Good luck Frostie! You’ve got this and the whole world before you.

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VEIL OF DARKNESS BY JOSHUA CEA

IN PLATO’S ALLEGORY of the Cave, Plato describes Socrates’ theory of the cave as who prescribe their own reality with what they perceive to be true rather than witness the truth behind a veil.

This past November has marked two years since we have been living with the pandemic and after engaging in various conversations, it’s becoming harder to freely say that we are not out of this situation just yet. As a person who was born and raised in what is supposed to be “one of the best education systems in the world,” (something which I highly disagree with), we are taught at a young age to keep our grades high and focus on the future. To get an education at a University or College and after four years and thousands of dollars wasted, we expect to come out with a higher chance of earning a livable wage in order to live a comfortable lifestyle.

years of work experience and Covid-19 has completely exacerbated this problem up to the point that currently no employers are seeking new hires, but rather transferring the workload onto current employees in

Low-income workers en masse have quit or walked out of their jobs after earning unlivable salaries all the while company CEOs and shareholders have gained reaping due to the various lockdowns and closures from competing small businesses.

Our quality of life has been at a decline as opportunities have been drying up and dissipating, all the while we have politicians who balk at accepting that “affordability” on housing, transportation, and access to the basic necessities are well out of reach to the majority of people living in this country.

The promise of a better life that was preached by my public-school teachers almost vigorously, has been broken, and without any foreseeable remedy, I really do not expect things to improve for the better.

So to come back to the question at hand, are we almost at a breaking point with ending this pandemic?

Simply, the answer is no.

This country is not only plagued by Covid and its x number of variants, but also plagued with social inequalities, a decline of wealth in the middle class, and a rapid growth of the lower class which has left many disenfranchised and disengaged in a society that has been punishing those who do not have those connections for opportunities for personal growth. All in all, these issues have left many people lost and swept away making them the true losers in this pandemic.

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MERRY KISS-MASS HISTORY OF THE MISTLETOE

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BY MELANIE ROSE GAZVODA EVERYONE KNOWS THE classic Christmas trope of kissing underneath the mistletoe, but not many people know the history of the mystical holiday symbol or where it derived from. Mistletoe is that little cardinal red or white oval berries attached to evergreen leaves. They can make for really romantic or really awkward situations and are featured in just about every Hallmark holiday movie. Mistletoe is a reminder of love. The actual word mistletoe originates from an old-English word, ‘mistiltan’, which, in and of itself, is a combination of two Anglo-Saxon words.

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“OTHER THAN MEDICAL ‘Mistel,’ meaning ‘dung,’ and ‘tan,’ meaning ‘twig’. So, in a more direct translation, it means shit-stick. The poisonous plant was named this because birds can ingest the mistletoe and quickly drop their waste onto trees, thus fertilizing them in the process.

The plant, mistletoe, is a hemiparasite, which means it steals nutrients from its host organism.

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FACTS, THERE IS HEAVY DEBATE ABOUT WHERE THE KISSING LEGEND STARTED

The plant, mistletoe, is a hemiparasite, which means it steals nutrients from its host organism. Its thick roots are often referred to as witches’ broom or baskets on higH. If ingested, it can cause stomach aches or worse, as it contains chlorophyll. Don’t let the potential toxicity fuel you though, mistletoe can also be helpful. In recent studies, scientists found the poison in the berries can eliminate cancer cells in rats and help their immune systems thrivE. Mistletoe isn’t just for ridding people of the holiday blues,

LIFESTYLE

Most experts claim it all began with the Celtic Druids, who were an ancient civilization amongst the British Isles (now known as Ireland and Scotland). It became symbolic of fertility, immortality, and a gift from the heavens after the Druids watched the plant grow in the dead of winter. Druids adorned their homes with the sacred plant to bring good luck for their winter solstice.

Another tale comes from Norse mythology as a motif of peace and love. This was because the Norse goddess, Frigga, lost her son, the god Baldr, to an arrow weapon made of mistletoe. The death of Baldr meant the death of the sun, causing the harsh winters. Frigga cried until white berries emerged from her eyes. Those tears brought Baldr back to life, and she then blessed the mistletoe, claiming anyone who walked beneath would be given a kiss. Afterwards, even mortal enemies had to lie down their arms if they met under the mistletoe and declare peace for the day.

In England, and later in America, mistletoe was said to predestine marriage if a kiss was shared underneath. Today, the legend holds that if lovers kiss underneath a mistletoe, then it will bring good fortune. However, if it is refused, bad luck is said to follow the person who said ‘no’. The stories of the mistletoe are captivating and heartwarming, but if you take anything away from this, let it be this: mistletoe is not just a toxic plant, it is a reminder of love, peace, and joy. So, grab someone under the shit-stick this holiday season and lay a fat smooch on them. Frigga will thank you.

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ARTICHOKE

RESOURCES AT YORK UNIVERSITY FOR NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS BY KAILA GALLACHER

Academic Advising Academic Advising offers services online and over the phone. It is a student’s onestop-shop for all things related to their personal academic goals. The purpose of Academic Advising is to help support you in your academic plans—they offer support ranging from changing majors to graduation.

what to do when a class is full, or need information on academic petitions, this is the place to go. This is one fantastic resource that every student should access, even if you do not feel you need it, as they can offer you an abundance of clarity and advice.

Student Counselling, Health & Wellbeing This is one of the most important resources available to students. It covers a wide range of needs and offers traumainformed counselling support. Counselling sessions are offered online and may be offered in-person in the coming months.

Attending a counselling session is one the best ways to learn how to navigate all aspects of life—whether it is school-related stress or dealing with personal struggles, the individuals who work in Student Counselling are there to support you and give you practical tools to help you cope. This branch of student services also offers workshops and support groups for Survivors of Sexual Violence (in conjunction with The Center), Racialized Students, Gay Men, and LGBTQ2S+.

LIFESTYLE

Student Accessibility Services This is another invaluable resource to students who need it. To get access to help to register with them and disclose your disability—whatever it may be, Student Accessibility Services is there to ensure you have the help and support you need to be successful.

Clubs While this resource has less to do with the university, and what they technically offer students, it is another fantastic resource for students to try out. During these complicated Covid times, when getting out of the house and onto campus is not always a safe or possible option, clubs provide students with an opportunity to socialize and connect. You can browse through all the clubs at York University on YU Link and search by keyword. There are clubs for a wide array of interests and passions. For example, if you are passionate about dancing, there is the Dance Student Association or, if art is more your thing, there is the Winters Community Art Club. If, on the off chance, you do not always the possibility of starting your own.

Many clubs have online events running throughout the school year where you will be able to meet up with like-minded students and have some fun.

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