The Eyeopener: Vol 57, Issue 1

How to get the most out of your student benefits this year

By Anastasia Blosser, Dexter LeRuez, Gabriela Silva Ponte

Whether you are an incoming or returning student, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) offers a variety of health, financial and other benefits. Here’s your guide to navigating and applying for some of them.

Health Benefits

TMU’s health and wellness programs can be accessed through the student well-being site. All students are automatically covered for health and dental insurance and must opt-out if they do not want to be charged.

Full-time and part-time students are treated under two different plans while international students have the option of applying for coverage under a separate provider.

Full-time undergraduate students are covered under the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) health and dental plan. They are charged a fee of $330 that is reflected in tuition statements. The benefits cover prescriptions drugs, paramedical visits, mental health services and other medical support.

Under the TMSU health and dental plan, 80 per cent of the costs for prescription drugs are covered with a maximum of $5000 per benefit year. Students are also insured for 100 per cent of birth control costs and 65 per cent of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.

The plan also covers up to $75 for an eye exam and $150 for eyeglasses or contact lenses. This amount automatically renews two years after it is initially used.

Students are insured for up to $100 per ambulance ride and all costs incurred by a paramedical practitioner.

Though students have the option of receiving mental health support through TMU, the plan also provides up to $1000 for the services of mental health practitioners off-campus.

Students enrolled in a part-time degree program are covered under the Toronto Metropolitan Associa-

tion of Part-time Students’ health and dental plan. The benefits are provided through Green Shield Canada and cover drug, paramedical, dental, vision and accidental.

Graduate students are covered by the Toronto Metropolitan Graduate Students’ Union and also use Green Shield Canada as their insurance provider. Their benefits include prescription drugs, dental and vision.

Full-time graduate students are automatically enrolled in the plan. Meanwhile, part-time students aren’t immediately enrolled but can opt in. All graduate students are also eligible to add their spouse, common-law partner and/or dependent children onto their plan.

International students can apply for coverage under the University Health Insurance Plan, which is similar to Ontario’s health insurance.

Costs and coverage vary from one plan to another, letting students customise their premiums to their needs.

The Medical Centre is a non-profit clinic that provides physical and mental health services to current TMU students and staff. They offer immunizations, assessments, physicals and tests for sexually transmitted diseases.

The Medical Centre does not treat major emergencies or accept walkins. Students must bring their provincial health card and OneCard to every appointment.

Students with disabilities can create personalized academic accommodation plans to reduce barriers to education. These plans can modify how students receive course material or how they are evaluated. Documentation is required and typically includes a psychoeducational or disability assessment by a healthcare practitioner.

Through the Centre for Student Development & Counselling, students can receive mental health assistance or book an appointment with a trained professional. Individual and group counselling are free and students can request to meet with a counsellor who is Black, Indigenous or another identified person of colour.

The university also offers a peer support program, where students with shared experiences can meet together to discuss their emotions.

Consent Comes First provides free and confidential support to TMU students who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence. The centre provides referrals, educational programs and assistance in the decision to report acts of violence.

Financial benefits

TMU offers a variety of prestigious scholarships that can provide students with financial assistance.

The AwardSpring platform, which can be found in the “Scholarships and Awards” subheading of the “Admissions” section of TMU’s website, includes all of the scholarships offered by the university.

According to the AwardSpring website, the platform offers a foolproof and simple student experience to assist students in obtaining the required documents for scholarship applications and making sure they are submitted on time.

Additionally, the TMSU offers the Emergency Bursary Program to all full-time undergraduate students. According to the application, which

can be found on the grants and bursaries page of the TMSU website, the fund seeks to provide monetary aid to students experiencing financial hardship. The fund offers students upwards of $500 in financial assistance and is to be used as an emergency, once-a-semester solution for unexpected expenses rather than to aid students on an ongoing basis.

If students are still confused on how to finance their education, TMU’s ServiceHub has financial advisors available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions regarding financial assistance.

Students can contact TMU’s ServiceHub through their website, or in person in the Podium Building in room POD-150.

Tax resources

Students can access their Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity and Other Income (T4A), Tuition and Enrollment Certificate (T2202) and any other documents necessary for taxes on the MyServiceHub online portal.

By accessing the “Financial Account” section on the school’s student portal, students can request an inquiry and get access to these documents.

Whether you’ll be filing taxes on your own or asking your accountant to do so, these documents will come in handy when tax season rolls around, no matter if you or someone else pays for your tuition.

Other benefits

TMU has a Tri-Mentoring Program (TMP) which aims to provide students with an “experience to find their sense of belonging on campus,” according to its website.

Students can apply by signing up with their student login information through the TMP’s website.

Undergraduate students in firstyear can take part in Peer Mentoring, where they are matched with upperyear students in their same program. These students may also be matched

up with a student with similar interests to support the arduous transition into university.

Students in third-year or over can participate in Career Mentoring, where they are matched with a professional in their chosen field. These students can expect to be given guidance and encouragement as they work towards their objectives.

The Career Mentoring program includes Specialized Career Mentoring Programs such as the Black Graduate Career Mentoring, Race Forward and more for students who would like and qualify for more specific training.

Lastly, undergraduate students at TMU can benefit from Group Mentoring, which hosts regular community meetings for equity-deserving students. The groups eligible for this include members of the 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, Jewish and Lusophone/ Portuguese speaking communities. Other groups eligible include mature students, students with disabilities, women in STEM and more.

Graduate students can also benefit from mentoring programs, like the Career Mentoring and Group Mentoring programs.

GRADMentors is a program where graduate students are matched with upper-year undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies. For graduate students, helping and mentoring others can serve as a learning experience of its own.

TMP also includes Interfaith Programming, which aims to provide students with safe spaces where open, faith related conversations, can be held according to the TMP’s website.

The TMP’s website also highlights Student Action Programming. The program is another way in which students are provided with a learning environment where they are able to practice the techniques and skills that are nessecary to “make a positive change” in whatever areas they may be interested in.

GABRIELA SILVA PONTE/THE EYEOPENER

GABRIELA SILVA PONTE/THE EYEOPENER

Editor-in-Chief

Negin “Proud Mother” Khodayari

News

Gabriela “Beloved Radio Host” Silva Ponte

Dexter “Like the TV Show” LeRuez

Anastasia “Voyager Across Asia” Blosser

Photo

Brithi “Slayed Cover” Sehra

Sammy “Current Cover Model” Kogan

Jerry “Former Cover Model” Zhang

Online

Madeline “Welcome Back!” Liao

Shaki “Little Miss Author” Sutharsan

Features

Kinza “Use Straw Not Dollar Bills” Zafar

Arts and Culture

Danielle “Can-Also-Write” Reid

Business and Technology

Jake “Bartender Extraordianire”

MacAndrew

Communities

Bana “Women Issue Icon” Yirgalem

Sports

Ilyas “As Previously Seen On Cover” Hussein

Daniella “Women in Sports!” Lopez

Fun and Satire

Joshua “Get Well Soon” Chang

Media

Konnor “Firefighting” Killoran

Vanessa “Crochet Plushies” Kauk

Web

Nishil “Welcome” Kapadia

Sam “Back!” Chowdhury

General Manager

Liane “The Printers Arrived!” McLarty

Design Director

J.D. “Espresso Plug” Mowat

Contributors

Mitchell “Babysitter” Fox

Keiran “CANWNT” Gorsky

Tia “Keep the Change” Harish

Let’s get digital!

A look ahead at Volume 57

By Negin Khodayari

As a contributor at The Eyeopener, and later as an editor, I was often faced with people’s blank stares and confusion as they asked “What’s that?” when I’d tell them about my work in Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) independent student newspaper. To my surprise, despite our best efforts, there were still students at TMU who had yet to discover The Eye Our visibility to bystanders on campus diminished even further when the university made the move to proceed with online classes during the first year of the pandemic. Suddenly the halls that housed our newspaper stands were now vacant and the only readers we were able to reach were via our website––or on social media.

Recent developments with Bill C-18

Now, during the summer of 2023, after the enactment of Bill C-18, known as the Online News Act, Meta has announced it will be restricting Canadian news on its platforms including Instagram and Facebook––and yet again we face the challenge of gaining visibility in our community.

You can imagine our concern when

some of our readers let us know in early August that our social media channels were no longer visible to them. This came just as we were beginning to triumph over our years-long battle with an already declining readership with the success of Volume 56–our first volume entirely back in-person.

Our new production schedule

On top of that, at the end of last semester, The Eye made the decision to move forward with a bi-weekly print schedule in the upcoming school year. This decision was made to accommodate for the rise in popularity of social media platforms and digital content.

People under the age of 35 prefer social media to traditional news broadcasts and platforms, according to a 2019 report commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University. More specifically, there are studies that suggest university-aged students consume their news content almost entirely online and on their mobile devices, particularly on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, according to a journal article titled ‘Checking’ and Googling: Stages of News Consumption Among Young Adults.

In spite of recent Bill C-18 developments, The Eye will uphold its new

commitment to increase its digital presence in an effort to explore mediums that best attract university students in the 2023-24 school year. Though we can’t say for sure what these efforts will look like now, we can confidently say we’re not going anywhere.

Cutting down on print issues won’t mean cutting down on content. The Eye is still devoted to keeping the university and its affiliates accountable, sharing important student stories and highlighting underrepresented TMU communities to the best of our abilities.

Holding everyone accountable

This year, we will continue to keep a close eye on the Toronto Metropolitan Students’ Union (TMSU) as we gear up to follow their anticipated upcoming byelections.

In April of this year, the Elections and Referenda Committee (ERC) released a statement announcing the cancellation of the TMSU spring election. “New evidence has been presented to the committee that raises significant concerns about the integrity of the entire election process, not just the voting process which was the subject of our last Special Decision,” the statement, which was posted to the TMSU’s website, read.

The ERC’s statement said the TMSU must hold a by-election in the fall, in accordance with TMSU bylaws, but there have been no further announcements made regarding this matter.

Additionally, we will continue to do our best to follow all university developments, be it in relation to the increased presence of security on campus, the school’s acquisition of two new buildings in Toronto resulting in the displacement of the safe injection site located at 277 Victoria Street, the school’s response to students’ increased concerns about their safety both on and around university grounds–and everything in between.

Our promise to you

But most importantly, we promise to be an honest reflection of you––the students. We are your student newspaper, so let us guide you as you learn to navigate a new campus, a new program, a new era of your life or simply a new semester.

We too, just like you, are facing some changes: a new production schedule and a new legislation to navigate––and though the future is unclear, we’ll keep you updated every step of the way.

It’s a whole new world––we’re happy to have you here.

GABRIELA SILVA PONTE/THE EYEOPENER

INTRODUCING YOUR

Madeline Liao

Online Editor

online@theeyeopener.com

As one half of the online dream team, I’m anticipating making The Eye and our content known to the TMU community and beyond. When I’m not editing or posting, I enjoy crocheting and re-watching my favourite TV shows.

Shaki Sutharsan

Online Editor

online@theeyeopener.com

I am one half of the arts & culture editor to online editor pipeline squad and am chronically online, which makes this job a dream for me. I’m looking forward to expanding our social media presence and do a lot of editing this year!

Danielle Reid

Arts & Culture Editor arts@theeyeopener.com

I love funky foods, period dramas, and sharing impactful stories about inspiring people and places. Some of my best friendships and deepest connections have been formed over a shared love of movies, music or books. I cannot wait to share the different ways the arts are bringing our intersecting communities together. The arts give us all a voice to communicate complicated, often deeply personal emotions and I’m excited to share what our fellow students are saying. Please send me your movie recommendations, xoxo!

Kinza Zafar

Features Editor

features@theeyeopener.com

As a multimedia creative passionate about community, social justice and the intricacies of art and life, the move from Photo Editor to Features Editor excites me! When I’m not hunched over my laptop, you can catch me grooving to live music, crouched behind a lens or exploring new spots.

Gabriela Silva Ponte

News Editor

news@theeyeopener.com

As annoying as it must sound, I’ve been a news fanatic since I was a little girl. From watching the daily television news with my grandfather, to having a two hour daily screen time on my news app, I’m committed to bringing you the stories you need and desire.

Anastasia Blosser

News Editor

news@theeyeopener.com

I’ve wanted to be a journalist my entire life so unsurprisingly I love to read and write. I’m currently obsessed with data-driven news, investigative work and multimedia article elements. This semester I want to bring you the stories that are buzzing on campus and the ones that slipped under the radar. Please reach out whenever!

Vanessa Kauk

Media Editor

media@theeyeopener.com

I love to crochet and have my own small business alongside working with The Eye for two years now. As a former photo editor for The Eye I hope to build the media department into something amazing.

Dexter LeRuez

News Editor news@theeyeopener.com

I’m a massive sports fan and you’ll probably see me at a good few Bold games this year. Otherwise I’m looking forward to bring to you the underrepresented stories you might have missed here on campus.

Bana Yirgalem

Communities Editor communities@theeyeopener.com

You may see me as a sports writer or a huge fan of the TMU Bold games. However, I’m here to show you that not only do I love the stories behind sports, I love the stories of the different communities that shape society today. As a young Black woman, I’ve seen the many ways my community and others have been poorly represented. As the new communities editor, I’m here to flip the script and have everyone represented fairly and accurately in hopes to break stereotypes society has placed on us.

Konnor Killoran Media Editor

media@theeyeopener.com

I love all things outdoors, and have been working with The Eye for a year. I can’t wait to work on investigation and other fun video content with everyone!

FALL 2023 MASTHEAD

Jake MacAndrew

Biz & Tech Editor

business@theeyeopener.com

Formerly a TMU current affairs obsessed editor in the news department at The Eye , this business-casual dressed guy is now appropriately attired in his role as Business & Technology editor—working to bring more fun and interesting stories to the section this volume.

llyas Hussein

Sports Editor

sports@theeyeopener.com

As the other member of the wonderful sports editor squad at The Eye , I would love to capture all the incredible and intriguing stories we have in the sports world at TMU! I want to take a deep dive in the fun aspects of sports and show off our amazing section, while also covering topics that you just can’t find on a stat sheet. Overall, I’m just happy to be here. Buckle in and let’s ride.

Daniella Lopez

Sports Editor

sports@theeyeopener.com

Hi all, I’m an avid sports fan with a love for basketball and Formula 1. As a young Latina woman navigating the sports world, giving a voice to those underrepresented in sports is my priority. I hope to achieve that goal through my time as sports editor at The Eye .

Joshua Chang

Fun & Satire Editor

fun@theeyeopener.com

I love music, language learning and the outdoors! I plan to bring as many smiles as possible to everyone during my first year with The Eye and bring every angle of humour to the fun and satire section.

Sam Chowdhury Web Editor web@theeyeopener.com

Photo Editor

photo@theeyeopener.com

I love seeing my work displayed around the world, and what better way to start than have it on the front cover of the university newspaper! I am super excited to create for The Eye and elevate our visual presence!

Jerry Zhang

Photo Editor

photo@theeyeopener.com

Can’t wait to get started, it’s always been a dream of mine to be a photojournalist. Now I am one step closer to my goal. I love the outdoors and traveling.

VOLUNTEER WITH US!

Whether you’re a writer, photographer, videographer, illustrator or content creator, you can volunteer with us! We have numerous talented and hard-working volunteers contributing to our paper weekly.

Email editor@theeyeopener.com for more information!

Sammy Kogan Photo Editor photo@theeyeopener.com

Looking forward to telling visual stories with The Eye. Always doing something camera related. Inbox/phone is always open!

Nishil Kapadia Web Editor web@theeyeopener.com

Negin Khodayari Editor-In-Chief editor@theeyeopener.com

Brithi Sehra

A GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL FROSH WEEK

WORDS

& VISUALS BY KINZA

ZAFAR

Trigger warning: This article contains mention of sexual assault.

Do you grab a bite before taking shots at the club? Limit yourself to one coffee a day to avoid the caffeine jitters? Wait up to an hour before blazing another joint?

That’s harm reduction—an evidence-based approach that aims to minimize the health and social harms related to substance use, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association. The theory applies to other everyday activities too, like wearing a helmet while bike riding, snapping in your seat belt inside a car or using oven mitts.

Toronto-based harm reduction worker Drew Thomas says the approach doesn’t enable substance use like some may believe. “It just provides people with the resources and knowledge to use [substances] safer and make more informed choices around what they put in their body or what they do with their body,” they said.

As Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) prepares to welcome a new class of bright-eyed first-year students with a week full of presentations, mixers and parties, The Eye has you covered with a guide to a fun, safe O-Week.

SAFETY PLAN

Shaaranki Kulenthirarasa, a first-year journalism student says she “can’t wait for frosh” but has some safety concerns as a commuter living an hour away from campus.

In a group chat with about a dozen incoming students, Kulenthirarasa and her friends created a frosh week commuter safety plan to travel to campus as a group. “Especially when it gets dark, people are kind of scared to get out there,” she said.

According to TMU’s Consent Comes First webpage, complete safety isn’t always possible—”it’s an

ongoing project.”

SPEAK UP

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING! Upper-year creative industries student Mir Asoh said, “We all probably know somebody, unfortunately, that has assaulted somebody else.”

KNOW WHEN TO CALL IN AND CALL OUT! According to a study by Harvard University, calling in invites a small conversation about someone’s harmful words or behaviour whereas calling out brings public attention to it.

SAFE SUBSTANCE & ALCOHOL USE

USE STRAWS, NOT BILLS! Thomas suggests bringing your own clean straw when snorting substances.

PICK UP FREE NALOXONE! The Works, at 277 Victoria St., provides free naloxone training and kits to people who use opioids, as well as their friends and family.

REMEMBER TO EAT & STAY HYDRATED! Match each alcoholic drink with a cup of water and carry on-thego snacks like granola bars.

START LOW, GO SLOW! You can always take more, you can never take less.

ALWAYS MEASURE! Pocket-sized scales come in handy to help you reach your desired effect.

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE MIXING! According to Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy, “using cannabis and alcohol together can lead to increased impairment, dizziness and vomiting.” Cocaine paired with alcohol creates an entirely different chemical in your system called cocaethylene which has its own list of side effects and risks, said Thomas. “Mixing can be done safely. You just have to know what you’re doing.”

CHARGE YOUR PHONE!

SHARE YOUR LOCATION!

USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM!

PLAN YOUR ESCAPE! Know who you’re leaving with. Decide ahead of time what will happen if that changes.

THINK ABOUT A PLAN B! Have you memorized some emergency contact numbers and your address?

SAFE SEX

Hooking up at parties can get tricky as you’re surrounded by strangers, said Thomas. “If you’re going to a party and you know someone that you’re interested in hooking up with, discuss consent prior to engaging.”

Sometimes ‘tricky’ can quickly become ‘harmful.’ Asoh is unable to recall the number of sexual assault incidents they became aware of during frosh week, but one story in particular sticks out in their mind.

“She was having fun. And then she wasn’t. Somebody assaulted her. And she came home by herself,” they said.

According to TMU’s sexual violence policy, “consent must be affirmative, ongoing, informed, respectful and engaged.”

IF THE CONSENT ISN’T ENTHUSIASTIC, STOP!

CARRY BARRIERS AND LUBE! Dental dams and internal and external condoms, along with lube, are must-haves.

AFTER-CARE IS IMPORTANT! Check in with your partner and yourself after sex.

Frosh is all about celebrating a new chapter in your life and making connections and memories. Kulenthirarasa is most excited to “meet a lot of people, get a lot of freebies and attend a couple parties here and there.”

Rest assured you’ll find your people—Asoh says they found theirs quickly and spent many nights watching movies and snacking in dorm rooms.

“Have fun and if you don’t want to do something, don’t do it. Find people who want to do what you want to do.”

5 Movies and shows to guide you through first-year

know: Kimberly is a small-town girl from a poor family working to get herself through school. Bela is a spunky, sex-positive Indian-American girl determined to become a comedy writer and be accepted by the notoriously misogynistic campus comedy paper. Leighton is a preppy legacy who’s discovering her lesbian identity and trying to live up to her mother’s expectations. Finally, we have Whitney, daughter of a prominent US senator and soccer star who is also having a secret affair with her coach (again - would NOT recommend!)

It feels like all coming-of-age movies are centred around surviving the last year of high school and finally graduating. The main characters say heartfelt goodbyes to friends they’ve known for years, the shy wallflower works up the courage to finally ask their crush to prom or the class nobodies hatch a plan to throw one last rager before going off to college. Things work out or they don’t, they graduate and the credits roll. But what happens next? If you’re anything like me, movies aren’t just a form of entertainment, they’re something to turn to when beginning new life chapters. They get us excited, give us something to relate to and have the power to make us feel less alone. Here are 5 must-see university movies and shows to guide you through your first year of university and get you pumped for campus life.

friendships. Each episode is narrated by Felicity in the form of weekly tape-recorded messages to her friend back home, updating her on what’s going on in her life. Aside from cute resident advisors and frustrating love triangles, the show touches on some pretty heavy but important topics like unplanned pregnancy, sexual assault and study drugs. Pair it all with the moody backdrop of New York City and you’ve got yourself a glimpse of uni life in downtown Toronto - sort of.

Good Will Hunting (1997) Movie

This classic drama centers around the rougharound-the-edges, Will Hunting (a young Matt Damon, who also co-wrote the movie with Ben Affleck). He works nights as a janitor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT) but it turns out he also as a genius-level IQ. After anonymously solving an impossible math equation left on the blackboard of a classroom one night, it’s discovered that he is capable of more than even some of the school’s professors. After being arrested for a gang fight, an agreement is made that Will can avoid jail time by studying under the instruction of one of the university’s professors. It’s also mandated that he visit a psychologist at the university (Robin Williams) who helps him to realize his full potential and for the first time imagine a future beyond his life in the mean streets of South Boston. A movie that is heartwarming as it is inspiring, Good Will Hunting teaches us a lesson on resilience, second chances and the realization that we are not our circumstances.

Master (2022) Movie

Felicity (1998-2002) Series

If you liked the fall-time, cozy-academic vibe of Gilmore Girls, allow me to recommend to you, Felicity. Felicity Porter is a bashful, intro verted girl graduating from high school. After her crush signs her yearbook with a heartfelt, “wish we got to know each other better” farewell, Felicity makes the impulsive decision to follow him across the country to the University of New York. While I surely wouldn’t recommend following in her footsteps, what follows is four years of Felicity learning how to follow her dreams, deal with relationship struggles and make meaningful life-long

A Different World (1987-1993) Series

When I was leaving high school, my mom introduced me to A Different World, and it quickly became one of my favourites. The series follows a group of students from Hillman College, a Historically Black University, as they deal with the everyday struggles of uni life. There’s an episode for nearly everything you’ll encounter as you embark on your university journey, like juggling responsibilities during finals or being stuck on campus for the holidays. There’s a special treat for anyone out there who loves a good enemies to lovers trope and the pairings are unpredictable yet perfectly matched.The cast of this show not only provides positive black representation on screen, but it is also full of a diverse range of lovable and eccentric characters you’ll quickly identify with. The show addresses issues of race and class, starting university as a mature student and student activism. It’s also full of some pretty incredible late-80s early-90s fashion if you’re looking to reinvent your wardrobe too.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021-Present) Series

This comedy-drama series follows 4 freshman roommates from different economic, racial and social backgrounds as they navigate their first brush with adulthood and evolving sex lives. Once you start the show, you’ll definitely feel like one of the roommates yourself, so heres what you need to

For those who love a psychological thriller, there’s Master. Gail Bishop, a Black woman, is appointed as the headmaster of an elite University that students believe is cursed by a ghost. At the same time, freshman Jasmine Moore moves into her new dorm which is rumoured to be especially haunted by a deceased student from years before. Not only is the school creepy and rampant with the paranormal, but they also experience racist attacks and microaggressions from both staff and students. The two women’s stories run parallel to one another as they try to uncover the truth about the sinister presence lurking on the campus. While it’s definitely not your typical feel-good campus story, this horror/mystery hybrid will surely get you in a spooky-university mood as we usher in the colder months.

As a treat, grab a group of your fellow froshies and head over to a residence common room or book a study room with a TV in the Student Learning Centre to watch one of these movies or shows.

The song of the week is “The First Day of My Life” by Bright Eyes. Scan this QR code to listen on Spotify!

SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

By Danielle Reid

MIRAMAX/IMDB

CARSEY-WERNER/IMDB

TOUCHSTONE TELEVISION/IMDB

WARNER MEDIA /IMDB

CARSEY-WERNER/IMDB

TMU acquires new buildings at 277 Victoria St. and 38 Dundas St. E.

By Dexter LeRuez and Gabriela Silva Ponte

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) announced in June it had acquired two new buildings located at 277 Victoria St. and 38 Dundas St. E.

According to a TorontoMet Today release, the school said this purchase is part of its Campus Master Plan, which seeks to create “inclusive, vibrant spaces.”

The school will have a two-year handoff plan, where current occupants of the buildings will remain until the spring of 2025.

The release cited a Council of Ontario Universities report, in which TMU was considered one of the most space-challenged universities in the province.

TMU professors are excited about this change.

“As the university seeks to create a reputation for itself as an urban university and a place to attract students, it is a well situated building,” said Chris De Sousa, professor of urban and regional planning at TMU.

De Sousa hopes that the interior of the Victoria Street building will be used for office and research space, something he believes TMU is in short supply of.

“Given the makeup of that building, I’m thinking office space, lab space. A lot of our faculty over the

last decade in particular have really increased their research productivity. And so they need lab space for their students,” he said. “We have a lot of professionals who come in and teach a course and they need space as well as our research assistants and visitors.

So I think that building would probably serve best as an office.”

Raktim Mitra, director and associate professor at the School of Urban and Regional Planning, spoke about his hopes for the new facilities.

“My hope is that in these new buildings, we’d have larger classrooms that offer more appropriate learning environments for our students,” he said.

But fourth-year sport media student Armen Zargarian said he hopes it will be a hangout space, like the Sheldon & Tracy Levy Student Learning Centre (SLC).

“Another open space for people to just chill and get their work done,” said Zargarian. “I think people could still use that space to hangout, kick up, work, collaborate.”

Second-year nutrition and food student Nasra Ali feels the same way.

“I hope that we can use [the buildings] as…quieter study zones or a place for people to wind down,” she said.

Fourth-year computer science student Shameer Rehman had a couple of ideas for what could go into the building.

“I would want some sort of gymnasium, maybe another weight lifting room. Because I know the [Mattamy Athletic Centre] is kind of a walk from here and the [Recreation and Athletic Centre] is kind of small,” he said. “So adding another facility where students can go for recreational spaces would be nice.”

“Adding better places for students to study, more bookable spaces, like study rooms. Because the [Toronto Metropolitan University Library] ones or the SLC always seem to be booked,” he added.

But others, like incoming first-year social work student Lucy Pinili, have different ideas in mind.

“I hope that whatever TMU will use it for, will be…mental health or health [services],” said Pinili. “’Cause it was once that, I’d hope that that’s what it’s going to be for, but maybe more accessible for students as well.”

In an emailed statement to The Eyeopener, vice-president, administration and operations Saeed Zolfaghari said, “While it’s not clear exactly how the space will be used at this time, the additional space creates countless possibilities for academic, research, creative and entrepreneurial initiatives.”

Zolfaghari added in the emailed statement that the purchase would “enhance the university’s presence

at an important entryway into the core campus.”

Both Mitra and De Sousa spoke about the possibility of a new gateway into campus.

“With these buildings, we’d now have a presence on Dundas [Street], which is basically covering the key intersection that identifies our institution,” said Mitra. “I think the purchase of these buildings would create another gateway into the university.”

“I think [38 Dundas St. E.] could definitely be some kind of welcoming point for people coming into the university,” said De Sousa.”We have the [SLC], which is kind of like one doorway on Gould [Street] and that white building at Dundas [Street] and Victoria [Street] could kind of be another doorway into the campus.”

But the acquisition of these buildings will require a large adjustment. 277 Victoria St. currently serves as a safe injection site, as part of The Works Needle Exchange Program. It will have to be relocated once the school takes over the buildings. The site has, for long, been a concern for students and staff at the university.

“Health and safety, particularly since the pandemic, has been a significant area of concern in and around campus,” said Mitra. “Particularly areas near Dundas Street around campus are probably less safe for students

than it used to be before.”

“The relocation of the safe injection site…may help improve our safety for our students. But in saying this, I am very much aware that relocating a site that is perceived as problematic is not a solution for that problem,” he added. “It is possible that by relocating that site we are just transferring the problem we are facing to other civil communities.”

Zolfaghari wrote, “Toronto Public Health has been working on plans for the future of these services for some time,” but did not address where the site might be relocated to.

De Sousa raised some probable criteria for where the safe injection site should be moved.

“I’m hoping that the city can identify a place that allows the inside safe injection activities as well as the pre and post realities of that site,” he said. “Optimally, it would be somewhere that would serve the current population that uses that site close by. And I think it needs to be in proximity to hospitals in case of emergencies.”

Zargarian said he believes the relocation would make TMU’s campus safer.

“There’s been so many times where I’ve had classmates ask me to walk them past that little strip because they feel uncomfortable,” he said.

Read more at theeyeopener.com

Some student groups at TMU first-years should know about

By Bana Yirgalem

As the fall 2023 semester fast approaches, that means there’s a new class of first-years coming to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). For many, a new change in an academic environment may seem daunting. Student groups at TMU are a great way to feel a sense of community and balance the social aspect of your university journey with your studies.

You may be wondering, “How am I supposed to know about any groups, I just got here?” The Eyeopener has got you covered on some of the many student groups you should know about in case you want to attend events to meet people within or outside your community!

ters, which is an account for those who identify as female.

The group has hosted a lot of events, including free Iftar every Tuesday and Thursday during Ramadan, two Iftar dinners (one for sisters and the other for brothers). Iftar is the meal at sundown that breaks their daily fast during Ramadan. They also hosted a brothers inter-Muslim basketball tournament where they stayed active physically as well as participated in a lecture with the focus topic: Importance of brotherhood. They post helpful ips for fasting during Ramadan during school and important facts about those who are Muslim.

Black Business Student Association (BBSA)

Local Black street market and an open mic night. While their professional events included a career fair, IT Speaker series and a Finance Speaker series.

Due to the group’s hard work in uplifting and reaching to the Black community at TMU, they won the award for Most Subsidiary Club of 2023 by the Canadian Association of Business Students. The BBSA has a General Ambassador Program that starts the application process when school is about to start so if you’d like to be involved with the group, make sure you apply when the time comes this year!

BIPOC Students Collective

year or difficult times within their community. Not to mention, this group also plays a role as one of equity centers on campus!

International Student Support

With TMU being known for it’s diverse range of students, the International Student Support groups works as a platform to support those who are international students coming to Canada for their post-secondary education. According to TMU’s website, there are 4,000 students at TMU coming from 140 countries worldwide.

On their Instagram page, they share tips on how to take care of your mental health, taking care of your taxes, and the importance of having a Social Insurance Number

(SIN). When it comes to events, they offer a wide range that would benefit someone who isn’t from Canada or even the Greater Toronto Area. Some of the events they previously had are English language classes, a SIN clinic, a karaoke night and much more! The page has everything you may need to understand if you are a upcoming international student this fall. They add a personalized touch to their posts by asking questions directed to those who are not from Canada about their homeland, which allows them have a sense of home even when they’re miles away.

They have an office located at POD-50A in case you may want to drop in personally with any questions or concerns.

Muslim

Student Association (MSA)

According to their website, the Muslim Student Association is a student-run group that represents the Muslim community at the university. Their purpose is to serve the Muslim student body while helping those that are members of the MSA with the educational, professional and religious services that they need in order to succeed at university. The MSA also has a second account called the MSA Sis

The BBSA was founded in 2020, the year when the world went into isolation due to the COVID_19 pandemic and buildings including TMU were closed. According to their website, the BBSA “strives to increase the representation of Black students not only at TRSM but in all faculties at TMU. We aim to build student leaders and improve students’ experience at university through our events and workshops.”

Last year, their social events included a Y2K karaoke night, a

The BIPOC Students Collective is a student group that focuses on building communities for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of colour. They always have events throughout the year for those communities and even shed light on the important days which these communities have like Black History Month and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Not only do they have great events to recognize the BIPOC community at TMU, they also post affirmations on the Instagram page which can help students who identify as BIPOC feel more self love during the school

SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

‘Sky is the limit’ as TMU men’s soccer team seeks to soar in 2023

By Mitchell Fox

On the heels of a groundbreaking 2022 and having bolstered their lineup in the off-season, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s soccer team have their sights set on championships in 2023.

Last season, the Bold lost in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) final to the McMaster Marauders and finished fifth at the U Sports national tournament in their first appearance at the event. With a new season on the horizon, the team believes they can finish what they started.

Bold head coach Filip Prostran says he enters each season with the belief the team can win it all.

“Our sights are always set on the highest mountains—the OUA banner and the national banner,” Prostran said. “My mindset and the way we recruit and coach, we’re trying to win every game, every moment, every banner we can.”

The pre-season will allow him and his coaching staff to see how the team has progressed, with many new players entering the fold and familiar faces seeking greater results.

son, so the successes brought more relief than overjoy. As time has passed, they have been able to look back and be proud of their accomplishments.

However, the off-season presented a challenge: change. Eight Bold players saw their OUA eligibility end in 2022, while striker Ameer Kinani moved on to a contract with Vancouver Football Club of the Canadian Premier League.

“Not only did we lose a lot of good people and good players, we lost a lot of experience,” Prostran explained.

gap,” said Martin.

To help achieve their lofty goals, the Bold have brought in a recruiting class full of established OUA veterans, acclaimed League1 Ontario and high school players.

Among the recruits are reigning U Sports Player of the Year Christopher Campoli, former OUA champion Colin Gander and former Toronto Football Club Academy striker Mauro Lulli.

brand of football the team plays with Prostran and Milanovic coaching.

The Bold’s blue-collar style of play is encouraged by Prostran. He says he tells the players to play for their stakeholders–their parents.

“They always say, ‘Our parents came here with nothing. They’re hardworking, didn’t make excuses, but they’re family-first,’…and I said, ‘When they come to watch our games, I think they want to see an example of that, of who they are,’” Prostran said.

Much as the team used their early season losses in 2022 as learning opportunities en route to a successful season, they will hope to excel this year having learned from their defeats in both the OUA final and national championship quarter-final.

“I think it’s only normal for us to hope to build on that big step forward last year,” the bench boss added.

Prostran said it felt like the team was meant to go to nationals last sea-

Fifth-year back Kai Martin says the team feels that void is being filled, as the new recruits have impressed over the summer.

“We’re confident with the new players and their abilities to fill the

Campoli, who has been to the OUA playoffs three times, says he hopes to bring experience as well as goal-scoring and creativity to a team that feels they can win it all.

“I’ve been there, done that. I’m just missing an OUA championship now

and a national championship. I’m just looking to use my skill set to best benefit the team and help us win,” said the former Ontario Tech Ridgeback.

“They’re climbing the mountain and I felt that I could help try and push them over the top.”

Many of the recruits have strong connections to the team, having played with members of the Bold squad. Many have played for North Toronto Nitros of League1 Ontario, where Prostran coaches and Bold assistant coach Marko Milanovic is the head coach of the U21 Team.

Campoli joked that in the past he liked scoring against TMU. However, he complimented the possession-focused and hard-working

“I think getting over the hump of OUA final four last year and making nationals, there’s more of a hunger in the team to go to nationals again,” Martin said. “I’m really excited to see what we can do.”

Achieving that goal will require hitting the ground running early and often in what Prostran calls a “sprint” season. This may be possible with a team already set to gel.

The Bold kick off their season on the road with a matchup against the Laurentian Voyageurs in Sudbury, Ont. on Sept. 2. Their first home game will take place Sept. 9 against the Nipissing Lakers.

“I feel we’re gonna come out flying right out of the gates,” Campoli added. “The sky is the limit for the group of guys we have this year.”

Redemption season at top of mind for Bold women’s soccer

en’s team qualified for three consecutive post-seasons, though only one resulted in a second round appearance. A certain frustration is all too present, even while Bold players look back at the season with some satisfaction.

“We went into that game knowing we had nothing to lose and everything to gain,” said fourth-year midfielder Vittoria Gallivan, who started every game last season. “At the end, we kind of reflected on our season and how we still came together and played with pride.”

By Keiran Gorsky

Building on a string of playoff appearances, the Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Bold women’s soccer team looks to hop another hurdle, with the 2023 season kick-off fast approaching.

It was a tale of two seasons for the Bold last year. They quickly racked up nine points in their first five matches, only to go winless in their last seven. It culminated in TMU drawing a difficult University of To-

ronto (U of T) Varsity Blues team in the first round of the post-season.

U of T has an established program fourth-year midfielder and leading scorer Ivymae Perez, begrudgingly heralded as “one of the top” in Ontario University Athletics.

Players speak about the game almost as if it happened just yesterday.

“U of T is not an easy team to play against,” said Perez, who scored six goals and was named team MVP at the end of the season. “It was a lot of back and forth and we were playing up to their standards. We were giving them a little trouble.”

Gallivan added that, “Our team has a great ability to come together and play like a family.”

“We just need to take more shots to begin with,” said Perez. “Just being able to shoot, it sounds so simple, but [too often], we wanted to walk the ball into the box rather than taking shots…All the goals don’t need to be pretty.”

cess this season.”

The Bold are back to business with three exhibition matches in late August. The regular season gets underway on Sept. 2, when the Bold will make the long trip to Sudbury, Ont. to play the Laurentian Voyageurs at James Jerome Complex.

TMU’s first home game will take place Sept. 9 when the Bold face the Nipissing Lakers.

With the return of head coach Natalie Bukovec after a year away on maternity leave, Bold veterans are looking forward to a reunion.

“I’m very excited for her to come back [as] I didn’t get the chance to get close to her last year,” said Perez. “I’m excited to see her come back with [assistant coach John Yacou]. I know she can bring a lot to the table.”

While expectations are higher, Gallivan explained how some of the veterans are looking a little beyond this year.

“Obviously we want to go even further [than last year] and make program history. But something that’s honestly bigger for me, since it’s my last season, is leaving the program in a better place than when I joined.”

It marked the first time the wom-

Still, there is an appetite to improve on last season’s 3-7-3 finish, in which TMU scored a total of just 12 goals.

Gallivan emphasized the importance of TMU’s coaching staff as well as the team’s strength conditioning team and athletic therapists. “Everyone will be contributing to our suc-

Aside from victory, Gallivan hopes to lead by example and become a mentor for the younger players on the squad.

“Though winning is incredibly important,” she said. “If the team thrives after I leave, that’s when I know I’ve really made an impact.”

NASHRA SYED/THE EYEOPENER

ANDREW YANG/THE EYEOPENER

NASHRA SYED/THE EYEOPENER

“We just need to take more shots to begin with”

“Our team has a great ability to come together and play like a family”

“I’m really excited to see what we can do”

A Froshie’s Guide to Tipping in Toronto

Students’ commutes could be more expensive in 2023 compared to previous years as inflation continues to increase the price of goods and services. Students can expect to pay more for some essentials on their journey to Toronto Metropolitan University. Here are three goods and services a part of many students’ morning commutes that have increased in price since August 2022.

By Tia Harish

Tipping is considered supplementary income for workers in the restaurant industry. As the cost of living continues to climb in Toronto, these workers depend on both their wages as steady income and tips that are regulated by the quality of service they provide.

This fast-paced and intensive industry employs nearly 50,000 Ontarians as food and beverage servers, according to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.

The average Torontonian feels they are being asked to tip a greater amount and more frequently as the cost of living in the city rises, according to a study from the Angus Reid Institute. The study shows 62 per cent of Canadians feel they are tipping more when eating out.

While some locals may notice an increase in the cost of a dinner at a restaurant or drinks at a bar, how much is appropriate to tip at food service establishments while prices inflate? Here’s what some industry professionals feel is the right amount.

Coffee Shops

Many baristas master the craft of making drinks to accommodate a customer’s personal drink preference. Rachel MacKinnon is a barista at a Bay Street cafe, Coffee Island. She believes tipping at a coffee shop should be based more on the experience you receive, not how complicated a drink order is.

“You could take in the customer service and how you are treated when you’re getting your order taken,” said MacKinnon. “If the barista is kind of standoffish and not too chatty, then that might affect the tip. If you’re feeling like you’re having a good time and you’re getting a good drink, then it’s worth it.”

Haleh Asadnia, another barista at

Coffee Island, added that food service industry workers count on the tips that they receive because the cost of living is expensive in Toronto.

“In Canada, [tips] are part of the lifestyle and people do count on the tips that they receive. So because the cost of living is so expensive... it would be nice for customers to think of that,” said Asadnia.

Both MacKinnon and Asadnia said they tip around 15 per cent when they get a beverage from a coffee shop.

Bars

Bartenders and bar staff can elevate a club or bar experience. Whether it’s a new drink recommendation or a pleasant conversation, the staff add to the experience of going out.

“Tips of 10 to 20 per cent is pretty industry standard,” said Brendan Corney, a bartender at Pegasus on Church Street in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood of Toronto.

According to Corney, this would be roughly the same as tipping a dollar or two per drink at the bar he works at.

“I tend to do my drinking in the village, so oftentimes I know the person that is serving me,” Corney explained. “Servers tend [to tip] upwards of 30 per cent.” He acknowledged that 30 per cent is much more than regular customers would tip, but found that it was part of the industry’s culture.

He stated that tipping at bars should be entirely voluntary, since bartenders now must receive minimum wage. On Jan. 1, 2022, the Ontario government changed the lowered minimum wage of $12.55 for liquor servers to match regular minimum wage.

Corney believes that anything bartenders get over their normal wage is “‘gravy’ but shouldn’t be expected.”

Corney noted the tip pooling setup

at his bar is different than that of a restaurant since there is less staff to distribute tips to other workers involved in the restaurant experience—commonly referred to as a “tip pool”

A tip pool is defined as when “servers collect tips directly from patrons and then contribute a portion of these tips to an employee-run pool. The employer re-distributes the pool to the kitchen staff and other employees who do not receive tips directly from patrons,” according to Restaurants Canada.

Sit Down Restaurants

Grace Amos, a supervisor and server at Caribbean restaurant The Diner’s Corner on Yonge Street said customers should judge the service, the food quality and the environment when deciding how much to tip.

Amos said 15 to 18 per cent would be standard if you enjoyed the meal and the service exceeded your expectations. Tipping 20 per cent or more should be reserved if the overall quality went above and beyond expectations to deliver a quality service.

Kailey Huang is a student working part-time at HanBingo, a Korean dessert cafe on Spadina Avenue. She said that although tips are encouraged based on great customer service, she recognised that some customers aren’t able to afford big tips—such as students.

“Generally speaking, the lowest [tip] being 10 per cent is pretty reasonable. Especially since in downtown Toronto there are so many students,” said Huang. “Students having to pay a lot of tip on top of already paying for some things that are not cheap...Sometimes the tipping options are like, either no tip or minimum 18 [per cent].”

No-Tip Restaurants

The concept of a hospitality-included tip model for restaurants is still considered unconventional in Toronto,

KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER

with the business model few and far between at dining establishments in the city.

Hayden Johnston, co-owner of Richmond Station in downtown Toronto, converted his restaurant to a gratuity-included format to set a standard of good service and give opportunity to grow within the company.

“The quality of our offerings, both food wise and service wise, has improved,” said Johnston. “I think a lot of that just has to do with the culture around hospitality-included [restaurant models].”

TTC Fare:

10 cent increase since last year (now $3.35 per trip or $3.30 with PRESTO for an adult fare)

On April 3, 2023, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) increased all adult and youth fares by ten cents. The TTC stated the price increase would help ensure “the system is reliable, safe and accessible for all Torontonians.” This is the first fare increase the transit agency has introduced since March 2020. Students commuting five days a week both ways on the TTC could have an additional transportation cost of $1 a week.

Spotify Premium:

$1 increase on student plans

Johnston said with hiring professionals who could maintain a good quality of service, he was able to give them employment insurance and make sure their wages were fair. This also increased incentives to become managers, since at many restaurants where customers are expected to tip, servers becoming managers might take on more responsibility with more hours and then also get paid less.

“[Servers becoming managers] are not earning the same amount of gratuity,” said Johnston.

The prices on Richmond Station’s menu are inclusive of a service charge, yet the restaurant’s prices are still competitive, according to Johnston.

He said switching to a hospitalityincluded model is a difficult transition but was worth it as diners are getting tired of tipping. “People are getting tip fatigue,” said Johnston. “I think the way we offer our services are in the best way possible [for everyone].”

Last month, music streaming service Spotify announced an increase of one dollar to their student plan. Students will now pay $5.99 a month compared to the previous price of $4.99 in monthly fees from August 2022— an increase of $12 a year in Spotify purchases. Spotify’s main competitor Apple Music offers their service discounted for students at a rate of $5.99 per month.

Gas:

$0.30 increase per litre since lowest price in the last year to date

Gas prices average around $1.67 per litre in Canada compared to $1.64 per litre in August 2022 according to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA). Although the current average is around three cents cheaper per litre, the lowest price of gas per litre was $1.37 in a report published by CAA. Similarly, gas prices were around $1.57 per litre when classes ended last April. An average fill up of 60 litres of regular gas will cost $6 more than when Spring semester classes ended in April 2023.

SAMMY

How this year’s commute might be more expensive

“If you’re feeling like you’re having a good time and getting a good drink, then it’s worth it”

How to prepare for your first 8 a.m. class of the semester

drift off during class...in your comfortable chair...arms folded in front of you. Cozy, so cozy.

Hit the snooze button

There’s no questioning that you’re going to need as much beauty sleep as possible the night before the big day. You might have the sense to set a few alarms so you don’t wake up late for your first 8 a.m. When your alarm begins to ring, do what we all do and silence it. Once.

Twice. Three times.

By Joshua Chang

So, you’re fortunate enough to have been selected for the dreaded 8 a.m. You’ve already gone on MyServiceHub to try and find another time slot, but unfortunately, it’s the only one left. From program credits to core electives, your class has inexplicably fallen under the most dreaded time slot for many.

However, don’t be discouraged! There’s no need to fear, young student! Wipe those tears away and set all eight of your alarms. Here are five tips and tricks to help you survive your first 8 a.m. class this upcoming fall semester.

Embrace the inevitable end of the summer...hard

Make sure you give the end of the summer the treatment it deserves.

It’s already time to say goodbye to a season of late nights, whether it be living it up in a club or going on a reality television marathon (or both). Soon, those late nights will turn into harrowing early morning.

Make the most of that final night before class to get all that summer fun out of your system so you’re well-prepared to loiter, I mean learn, as soon as your classes begin!

That’s right, invite your friends, turn up some music and whip out some refreshments. Party hard and bask in the fading light of summer’s sweet freedom.

It’s especially important to do this the day before your class so the festivities can run for as long as possi-

ble. Furthermore, it’ll ensure a long, deep sleep that will energize you the next morning! Just be sure not to stay up too late!

Do NOT read your class syllabus

There’s nothing more draining than thinking about school during the last few days of summer vacation. Skip out on reading any school material until the early morning of that 8 a.m. class! Your professor will likely post some course introductions online a few days before your first class, but why bother going over it? It’s not like they’re going to forget about it on the first day. Learning everything for the first time in class will help to keep you awake and alert amid morning drowsiness. Just make sure not to

When the first few alarms wake you, you’ll remember that more sleep equals more rest. Yes, that makes sense. Don’t worry, you’ll remember to actually get up when you turn off the last of your eight alarms. Or was it nine?

Pack lightly

It’s important not to weigh yourself down with all that unnecessary baggage right before your first 8 a.m. class. Not only will it tire out your old, aching back so early in the morning, you run the risk of misplacing and losing something.

What if you leave your backpack on the subway? What if a sneaky, mischievous hand decides to reach into your bag and pluck out something valuable while you’re stumbling down the street, sleepy and senseless? The possibilities are endless.

Leave all your clutter behind! That bulky old binder? No one uses paper anymore, anyway. A laptop charger?

Not to worry, someone in class will probably have one. Your pencil case? Seriously, who takes notes on the first day? Leave it all behind. Fly and be free, little flightless bird.

Skip out on breakfast

For those of you who actually eat breakfast every morning, don’t bother doing so on the morning of your 8 a.m. You have the absolute delight of having the earliest possible class or the semester, so it isn’t worth it to start your early day by eating away your post-summer grief. Besides, there’s plenty of time after class to spend money you don’t have on campus. It’s like a reward. Instead of using up time making breakfast or looking for something to eat, use those precious 15 minutes to do something worthwhile, like scrolling through your TikTok For You page. Or you know, go back to sleep. That works too.

You’re ready to go!

With these handy tips, you’re equipped and ready to walk out of that 8 a.m. class refreshed and prepared to begin your best school year yet! You’ll be used to rising at the crack of dawn once or twice a week in no time, I’m sure!

Now shoulder your bag, put on a smile and keep your head held high as you get ready to do it all over again next week! And the next week. And the next week after that. You can do this!

Find The Eye!

The Eyeopener is made up of a team of editors who work together to create the newspaper you know and love! Find out exactly who is a part of our team and the sections that you can find in The Eye!

SAMMY KOGAN/THE EYEOPENER