November 2015

FOR AND BY BUSINESS STUDENTS

NOVEMBER 2015

ISABELLE LAM & MARIA BARBU ADVICE FROM THE CURRENT AND PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE KIDS HELP PHONE STUDENT COMMITTEE

BEYOND THE STRESS BALL

ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOU BLOW OFF STEAM

Mental Health & Work/Life Balance Resources and groups to help you cope Managing priorities Defining your own balance

s u p p o rt p r o stat e cancer research nov 25

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T O R Y AT R I U M 1 ST F LO O R E C H A

s po nso r e d by

CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kevin Espenido

NOVEMBER 2015

CREATIVE CONTENT EDITORS WRITERS

Kyra Cusveller Carey Poon Kara Hauca Marina Bryan Nicole Hammond Monika Sharma Rahique um Maktoom Handoo Robyn Paches Tsega MacDonald

ART DIRECTOR

Anna Lee

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Mimi Ngo

DESIGNERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ashley Truong Christina Stefaniuk Deanna Bains Krismina La Maggie Lam Nichole Chen Patrick Li Candace Chu Leslie Chiang Nicole Wee Samantha Semler

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR EVENTS COORDINATORS MARKETING COORDINATOR

Editor’s Note What’s Up

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Power, Point & Shoot 2015 Our top ten reasons why you should be there

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Exam Season Two different head-to-toe strategies for braving midterms

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Business Card Designs Innovative approaches to keep you top-of-mind

COMMUNITY CENTRE

FASHION TRENDS

NETWORKING SMARTS

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Fall Reading Week Time to relax or time to shut down?

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Isabelle Lam & Maria Barbu Mental health advice from the Kids Help Phone Student Committee presidents

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Rajvir Gill Using business skills to become a trailblazer in not for profit

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Jack.org Making an impact in its inaugural year

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Geoff Wong Finding beauty and feeling good

THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Zhayate Meng Steven Co Kristi Wong

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EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Paulina Brittner

EXTERNAL DIRECTOR

Kelsea Zalaski

SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR

Matthew Ryan

CLUBS CORNER

LAZY CHAT

PRODUCTION SPONSORED BY SPECIAL THANKS TO

Xerox Canada Priority Printing Diana Wyley Jobpostings.ca

CONTACT US E-MAIL WEBSITE

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Work/Life Balance What’s your definition?

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How To Stay Energized Tips for both school and work

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Beyond the Stress Ball From throwing axes to sensory deprivation

uofalazyfaire@gmail.com www.lazyfaire.com

cover designed by ANNA LEE cover photographed by NICOLE WEE

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Seasonal Affective Disorder Knowing the signs and staying healthy

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100 Years at the ASoB Our school gears up for its centennial

EDITOR'S NOTE

I want to start off by addressing a question that may be on your mind. We chose this month’s Mental Health & Work/Life Balance theme this past summer. But given recent events on campus, and as a publication that works to uplift our readers, I feel this needs to be said: you are not alone. Whether you are like many students, myself included, who are constantly trying to balance a multitude of commitments, or if your demons are unfathomable and impossible for anyone else to comprehend, please know that you are not alone. There is support for you and there are people who care.

As business students, I find that we thrive by surrounding ourselves with like-minded, ambitious people and work at breakneck speeds. But in exchange, we often sacrifice our mental health without a second thought.

If you only read one issue of Lazy Faire this entire year, I implore you to use this issue as a list of resources and people who genuinely care for your health and success. Our articles include groups and services available to you on campus, activities to help you cope, and conversation around mental health to broaden

FROM THE TEAM ROBYN PACHES, WRITER

Stop telling yourself “I don’t have time.”

Instead, say “This is not a priority right now.”

KYRA CUSVELLER, CONTENT EDITOR If something in your life makes you feel awful, uninspired, or even just bored, I’d strongly encourage you consider whether it’s worth another second of your time.

Instagram: @kyracusveller

In the same vein of balancing commitments, I asked the team for their best piece of advice for someone who is struggling to manage their priorities or who might be feeling overwhelmed.

NICOLE HAMMOND, WRITER Two things: find a show that’s funny, and watch it whenever you feel stressed out at the end of a day. Nothing like humour to remind you to stop taking things so seriously. And make lists any day you feel stressed. When it feels like you have a lot to do, writing it all down can make you realize that it’s like, actually only five things.

your perspective on this pervasive topic.

So, in the middle of your hectic schedule, please take a moment for yourself to simply step back, breathe, and relax. You are capable of incredible things, and your mere presence at the School of Business is proof of your immeasurable value. I and the rest of our team are looking forward to talking to you and sharing your story soon.

Take care,

KEVIN ESPENIDO Editor-in-Chief Crisis Support Centre - 24 Hour Distress Line: 780-482-HELP (4357) Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton Region: 780-414-6300

MONIKA SHARMA, WRITER I think the key to coping with stress is separating what is of importance to you and what is just obligatory. Try to focus your intentions on what you care about. No matter what other baggage you are carrying at the time that may be distracting you from what you love, do not forget about the passion that gives your life a purpose.

KARA HAUCA, WRITER Don’t be afraid to reach out for help; friends, family, and resources on campus are all great options. You are not the first university student to be overwhelmed and you are certainly not the last. You are not alone!

INSTAGRAM: @cestnicolette BLOG: www.pinkpencilskirt.com

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WHAT’S UP

Mental Health Resources at the U of A

written by ROBYN PACHES designed by ANNA LEE

Lately there has been a huge surge of dialogue around mental illness, and for good reason. Traditionally, there has been a significant stigma surrounding the issue; people suffering from a mental illness were almost seen as “broken,” and this has created massive barriers to these individuals getting the support they need.

Thankfully, the new wave of rhetoric is focused on educating people that mental illnesses are just that – illnesses. A quick Google search yields numerous large campaign efforts around the globe, ranging from the national “Bell Let’s Talk” campaign to the obvious focus on mental health in last year’s Students’ Union election.

According to Vivian Kwan, the current SU VP Student Life, “the Students’ Union VPs have been working collaboratively to advocate for student mental health in all aspects. We truly believe that student wellbeing is essential to help individuals excel in their undergraduate experience. We explore opportunities to enhance Peer Support outreach, secure provincial funding, and to cover more ground by expanding existing initiatives via partnerships with Faculty Associations.” The University of Alberta is progressive, offering numerous services to both assist those battling mental illness, and to prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Ever noticed the free food and supplies that pop up in the libraries around midterm and finals season? They are courtesy of the Unwind Your Mind (UYM) program. UYM aims to relieve stress through combining two of life’s most simple pleasures: free things, and food. In addition to a presence in libraries across campus, UYM also hosts stress-relieving activities during exam times.

Keep your eyes peeled for this semester’s round of events!

New on campus? Looking for resources to help you through a tough time? Just looking to get more connected with the U of A? The Community Social Work Team (CSWT) was created to meet those needs.

Commissioned with combatting student loneliness, the CSWT hosts presentations, training and other events to bring students together and build community. Even if attending events isn’t your thing, the CSWT can still be valuable to you; simply email cswteam@ualberta.ca with your question/ issue and they will connect you with the appropriate resources.

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“Need someone to talk to? We’re here to listen.” The first line on the Peer Support Centre’s (PSC) website could not describe them more perfectly. The Students’ Union offers the PSC as a free, 100% confidential space for students to go to for support of any kind. No issue, whether big or small, is beyond them, and their volunteers will work with you to help you find ways to face whatever hardships you may have.

In addition to their own services, the PSC offers a plethora of on- and off-campus contingent resources for when you leave the Centre.

With accessibility at the forefront, the U of A offers free professional counselling services through Counselling & Clinical (C&C) services. Located on the 2nd floor of SUB, C&C offers therapy and treatment for any type of issue that you may be facing: be it depression, grief, relationship problems, or just dealing with the stresses of everyday life, the professionals at C&C are at your disposal. C&C also offers drop-in workshops – one-time events that focus on tactics to deal with a specific topic in mental health.

Even the best of us struggle with mental illness. Ever felt exceedingly stressed? Been down in the dumps for multiple days?

Yup, that’s mental illness. Just like any illness, mental illness can be treated and prevented. The University of Alberta is working to break down the barriers of stigma surrounding this issue, leading our campus towards becoming a more open, healthier place.

written by KARA HAUCA designed by MIMI NGO

TOP 10

COMMUNITY CENTRE

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD COME TO

POWER, POINT AND SHOOT

1 2 3 4 5

Support Prostate Cancer Research

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Blow Off Steam After the BUS 201 Business Plan

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer for Canadian men. Your donation will go toward Prostate Cancer Canada and will help save lives!

In A Word: Quality

iPhone photo quality has improved by leaps and bounds in the past few generations, but they still have nothing on a DSLR. Plus, the photographers have experience and will make you sure to capture your best angles, every time.

For Your Convenience...

We will be having two locations this year! We’re keeping the old one in Tory Atrium, but this year we’ve added a brand new location in ECHA, where all BUS 201 business plans will be presented.

Profile Picture Material

It’s basically a given nowadays that employers will look up potential candidates on social media, so get rid of that duckfaced selfie from high school and take a professional profile picture for your Facebook and LinkedIn.

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#squadgoals

Grab a few friends and take some goofy pictures too! For those who have staunchly refused to be swept up in the selfie-stick craze, the whole squad can finally be in the photo because, for once, someone else is taking it!

Movember, Anyone?

Movember, No-Shave November - whatever you like to call it, it’s definitely a novelty month for all the typically cleanshaven males in Business. We love to see all the support for prostate cancer research, so come on out and take those Movember selfies to the next level!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Maybe someone will see the photos and hire you to star in a Hollywood film or model for Vogue. Hey, you never know!

Memories, For Better or For Worse

The BUS 201 business plan might have been the best, or worst, experience of your life, but either way, it is a rite of passage for all first year business students. Trust me, you’re going to want to remember it, if only for all the horror stories to reminisce about at networking events for years to come!

If You’ve Gone to All the Trouble of Putting On a Suit...

Call it the monkey suit if you will, but it’s universally accepted that a professional suit will instantly elevate your awkwardlooking, midterm-season-university-student style to that of a character straight out of Suits. Come immortalize your one day of sophistication with a photo!

Maybe you screwed up, maybe you aced it – it doesn’t matter now, the pressure’s off! It’s time to do something fun to reward yourself for making it through a week of allnighters.

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Exam Season:

FASHION TRENDS

Two Different Head-to-Toe Strategies

Dress for Success

When you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, your brain is at its peak performance.

The Bow Bun. The Slick Pony.

The Braid Headband.

The Top Knot.

The Fishtail.

The Messy Pony.

Three Exam Season Must-Haves

Paired with heels turn a comfy look into a trendy one.

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No time to shower (that would be wasting valuable study time)! Just pull on a pair of sweats and hit those books.

Keeping Hair Away From Your Face

Looking Prim & Polished

Fancy Sweats

Hot Mess

Three hairstyles great for:

Three hairstyles great for:

The

written by NICOLE HAMMOND designed by ASHLEY TRUONG

The

Soft Blazer

Great for casual study sessions where you still want to look and feel sharp.

Three Tips for Looking Good in Sweats

The

Blanket Scarf

Cute & great for bunching up into a pillow or a blanket for napping during study breaks!

1.

Wear a crop top and pair with cute sneakers.

2.

Opt for slim-line or skinny sweats.

3.

Roll and bunch up those ends!

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS CARD DESIGNS

written by MARINA BRYAN designed by CHRISTINA STEFANIUK & ANNA LEE

NETWORKING SMARTS

When it comes to networking, the most important part is the impression you make, and how you are remembered later. In order to stand out from the crowd, you can be charming and interesting to talk to, but putting the cherry on top is handing over a business card at the end of the conversation that reflects your personality and what you do. Hopefully these unique designs inspire you to think outside of the standard rectangle when it comes to your own business cards, now or for the future!

Double Duty Business Cards Anything that makes someone stop and think twice about the card they’ve just been handed is a good thing. With a limited amount of space to capture the essence of your business, think beyond cardstock and consider the possibilities of unconventional materials to represent yourself. For example, a miniature piece of turf for a landscaping business.

Reflect the Business Business cards that are more than just a business card are useful and are more likely to be looked at more often than a piece of paper. Take this cheese grater business card for a cheese store: it’s a great gift and definitely memorable.

Design Beyond the Rectangle One of the simplest ways to create a distinctive card is to play around with shape and design. It can be an effective way to develop a business card with an edge without the expense and challenges involved with different materials. This financial advisor used shapes which are familiar to everyone to create a striking conversation piece.

Be Interactive If you want to be memorable, try to be fun. Most often, when someone receives a standard business card, they may glance at it before putting it away. By making your card interactive and fun, you have increased the chances that people will actually look at your card before putting it away, making them more likely to remember you later.

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Three midterms, tons of assignments, countless pages of reading and so many group projects. Couldn’t we all just do with a small break? This fall semester we’re lucky enough to experience this break in the form of the Fall Reading Week. This hiatus from the 9th of November to the 13th is a boon for us all. Up until this year, this would be the time that most of us feel burned out. With just a month to finals, stress levels are high and our health and well-being takes a back seat to school and other commitments.

This time around, things are going to be different. We’ve been granted a week to relax, catch-up and see the world outside of the university campus. If you’re up to speed with all your classes, chances are you have had late nights of learning and cramming.

This time would be perfect for getting some much needed rest and sleep. You now have time to make plans with friends that usually fall through because of someone’s class or assignment.

And if you’re all about the party life, you’ll definitely have more time and people to party with. For those of us that need to catch up on classwork and have midterms and assignments due, this

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time allows for us to complete them without the added pressure of classes and new material. The extra time means being better prepared for the midterm and getting that grade up right in time for finals. It is also a great time to plan meetings for your group projects and finally have everyone on the same page. For others, this might be the chance to spend time with family and not worry about adult things for a very happy week.

The Fall Reading Week was initiated in an effort to improve mental health around campus and it will be a good opportunity to assess and focus on our health- both physical and mental. Ultimately, it’s a great time to rejuvenate and come to school with a fresh and relaxed mind. Thanks to this week off, it’ll be a re-energized version of you rather than a burned out one that will be taking on the last quarter of the semester. My colleague may come up with various reasons why the reading week is not a good idea but I think there would be very few times that she, and all of us, would go “Oh a break? No thanks!”

THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT

written by RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM HANDOO & KARA HAUCA designed by DEANNA BAINS

Fall Reading Week sounds promising, but there are many issues with it. First of all, why haven’t we had it before? There must have been good reasons not to have it in pervious years. Such as the fact that many students from out of town have to pay an extra month’s rent because school starts a week earlier. Paying eight months rent was hard enough, an extra month means less money for textbooks and food. It was very strange to start before September long weekend for both local and out of town students. It was hard to get into the swing of studying and going to class in those first couple days knowing that a long weekend was coming up right away. During September long weekend, people like to take vacations, and starting classes earlier restricts a student’s options for vacation spots.

Starting earlier also interferes and overlaps with many students’ summer jobs, leaving them not completely invested in their last week of work and unprepared to start school. It only leaves them a two-day weekend to decompress from work and plan for school.

I had a professor remark to me that he found more people were switching in and out of classes right up to the add/drop deadline.

He believed it was because of the earlier start date this year. The earlier start took me by surprise, for one, and I ended up chang-

ing half my classes days before the add/drop deadline, something I have never done before. Maybe if school hadn’t started soon I would have stopped switching classes earlier and not missed half the midterm material for one of my classes, who knows?

One of the arguments I’ve heard the most from second and third year business students is that it’s unfair that first year business students in BUS 201 get an extra week to work on their business plans. Will the business plans be significantly better this year because they have more time? Possibly. Another argument that’s been floating around is that after Winter Reading Week, students often have a harder time focusing because their motivation is lower. After having a nice, peaceful, relaxing week off (or a hard week of partying, depending on what you have planned), all the momentum of good studying habits and hard work will be gone.

More studying would probably be done if it was simply a four-day weekend, but with a full week off, students make vacation and staycation plans. Really though, we won’t know until we try it. I guess we will see after Reading Week!

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

The Kids Help Phone Student Committee (KHPSC) is an organization tasked with promoting awareness of mental health issues affecting young people, in addition to improving the accessibility of mental health resources like Kids Help Phone. This month, we joined current University of Alberta KHPSC president Maria Barbu, and president-emeritus Isabelle Lam to talk about not only their role within KHPSC, but their thoughts on leadership, their other involvements, and advice on work/life balance in general.

On themselves: IL: I’m currently in the fourth and final year of my Bachelor of Commerce Cooperative Education degree with a major in accounting. Interesting facts: I love cross-country skiing and most recently got into archery!

MB: I’m currently in my second year of Business; of how many years? I do not know. I might be the next Dan Park. I’m already 19 so step one is complete…

My major is SMO and an interesting fact about me would be that Chelsea Peretti is my spiritual twin.

On being president of the Kids Help Phone Student Committee:

ISABELLE LAM

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IL: I first got involved with KHPSC in 2012 when I entered university.

At the time I wanted to have the most fulfilling and well-rounded university experience possible and I felt that an active involvement in community outreach could afford me that experience. KHPSC’s mission in helping out youth and adolescents experiencing life crises and mental health issues resonated with me. As someone who experienced hardships in the past, I wanted to use my own experiences to help others who might

be in a similar position. As I stayed on with KHPSC, my understanding of mental health issues and the ways to effectively target those issues continued to broaden, and with that my passion surrounding mental health grew.

MB: Mental illness and mental health – both very different notions by the way – have always been topics that interested me; topics which hit close to home. So to have the opportunity to make a difference in the field with a well known organization such as Kids Help Phone was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up. Isabelle was looking for a VP of Communications & Design, which also interested me, and I happened to be looking for a volunteering opportunity. Everything just kind of added up. Looking back, it was definitely a good experience for me to have. I’ve learned a lot about myself, about mental health and about the perceptions and misconceptions that people still harbour about mental illness. It definitely inspired me to take a more conscious approach in my interactions.

On the challenges of being committee president: MB: Ever since my transition to president in July, I’ve been continuously facing challenges, from creating an inspired, motivated team, to effective time management, to developing strategic plans for the future. It is easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged by the overload of information and external expectations. But the transition and its aftermath are constantly testing me, and are great learning moments.

The main lessons I can take are to take everything one step at a time, hone my strengths and the strengths of my team, improve on our weaknesses, and maintain positive self-talk.

IL: One challenge was connecting with the student group members and trying to channel our common passion surrounding mental health into action.

Anyone can say that they want to see change, but what matters at the end of the day is what tangible steps were taken to make a difference. Learning to take initiative and empowering others were important lessons.

There’s also a lot of behind-the-scene work that goes into running a group.

Recognizing the importance behind your group’s efforts and the people involved is integral to maintaining a positive group environment.

Isabelle, on her involvement with Multiplying Equality: IL: For those who don’t know about us, Multiplying Equality is a group committed to combating social injustice issues in the community such as homelessness and human trafficking. Our mission is to inspire youth to join our movement for change by connecting them to meaningful causes locally and globally. We have a variety of community outreach initiatives, one example being the Street Store, where we offer a dignified “shopping” experience for the homeless community. Last year, we collected over 300 bags of clothing donations. It was a moving experience getting to interact with the homeless community and hear their stories firsthand.

Maria, on her involvement with the SMO Club: MB: This month, we’re excited to hold a SMOvember Breakfast by Donation, where proceeds will go to the Movember Foundation. SMOvember will be taking place on Friday, November 20th but we’ll be holding a month-long social media campaign with the hashtag #smovember as

well. January is host to a surprise SMO event, February brings a “How to Negotiate” workshop in preparation for our First Annual Negotiations Case Competition in March. We’re also giving away free coffee and tea during exam weeks in both December and April to help students stay focused and awake. We’ll be around all year, I hope students get more involved this year with SMO – we have a lot to offer!

On their best advice for getting involved while maintaining balance: MB: When it comes to getting involved, I really ask myself: Is this activity, position, or organization something worth contributing to OR is it solely a resume builder? If it’s something that I find worthy of my time, then I try to make it work. But if it’s just a resume builder, I scrap it. Nobody needs more resume builders. What everyone needs is to build experience in a field that they are passionate about. So my advice would be to explore and to find this passion, and not to settle for anything less.

MARIA BARBU

IL: I would just encourage getting out, becoming involved with the community, and diversifying your experiences as much as possible. Some of the best learning opportunities for me arose from the most unexpected places, so don’t be afraid to explore a little! When you find something that you love to do and find people who share the same passion, it makes the experience worthwhile.

For our full interview with Isabelle and Maria, visit lazyfaire.com! written by TSEGA MACDONALD designed by ANNA LEE photographed by NICOLE WEE

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EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Rajvir Gill is an Alberta School of Business alumna who has worked in the not for profit sector and is passionate about bringing awareness to issues that are typically stigmatized. Since graduating, she has worked with multiple organizations, including the Indo-Canadian Women’s Association and the Woman’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton Committee (WAVE), which both work to provide a voice to minority groups in the Edmonton community. I sat down with Rajvir earlier this year to discuss how she went from being a student to becoming a decorated leader in women’s rights in the Edmonton community.

What experience stood out to you during your time at the School of Business?

What I really enjoyed about the business program were the exchange opportunities. During my first cohort year, I met one student who was from Chile and another who was from Germany, and I was so intrigued that they were doing their studies abroad in Edmonton. I wanted to go to Europe, so I convinced my parents – who were a little bit stricter at the time – that if I did a summer abroad, it would be beneficial for me. They agreed, and I went to the Vienna University of Economics and Business. That was probably one of the best experiences of my life; I excelled at the course work, I made great friends, I had such a European experience – it was a dream.

What was next for you after graduation?

I applied on a whim to a Master’s program in Sweden for political science. They were looking for people with different backgrounds – and I was a BCom student who had never even taken a political science introductory course yet! So I just applied, and I got in and moved to Sweden in 2007. What really geared me towards political science was being able to use my management skills to deal with socio-political issues and help a charity or nonprofit, whether that was locally or abroad.

Do you have any advice for the future for BUEC/BLAW students who are afraid they might not get into law?

Definitely. If you really want to go to law school, go for it! It’s a hard ride to get there; you have to do well on your LSAT and you have to have a really stellar GPA. Getting into law school is harder and harder every year. But, you can always go back later in life to do it, and it doesn’t have to be the be-all and end-all for you. I always recommend strengthening your resume and pursuing your interests. I am interested in women’s rights and advocacy work, so I went the nonprofit route and I got that work experience. I believe if you go back to 14

school as a mature student, it makes you a better candidate for law school, especially those that take a holistic point of view.

How did you get involved in the nonprofit sector?

Luckily, I applied for a job at a human trafficking agency called ACT Alberta (Action Coalition on Human Trafficking). Their executive director was looking for an office coordinator, so I did some work around spreading the word about what human trafficking looks like in Canada. Mostly, because we think it’s an international issue, when we think of human trafficking, we think of doe-eyed European women locked in cages, or Taken the movie – but it’s such a different type of phenomenon in Canada. It’s more about vulnerable populations, such as aboriginal women or women living in group homes. I just wanted to educate the public on this issue.

I started with the [Indo-Canadian Women’s Association] doing youth workshops on honourbased violence. There’s many definitions of honour-based violence and people fight about it to this day, so I can’t give you a specific definition, but we do look at it as family codes of conduct that are usually placed upon women, mostly by the family. Once these codes are violated, they usually face repercussions, punishments or violence from either their parents or extended family members.

I did workshops for young women in hopes of spreading the word about this so that if they knew some people at risk, they would be trained on how to respond to this type of violence.

What kind of challenges are you facing in your work with the Indo-Canadian Women’s Association?

Nobody really wants to talk about honour-based violence. Because our project targeted diverse ethno-cultural communities, we were called racists, basically, for singling out certain communities that only had immigrant populations. But, I do see their point now; I went through a transition in

my thinking too. When I first started this project, I thought a lot of this violence was cultural, but I totally transformed with more education about the issue. Talking to people from the Edmonton Police Service, academics from the U of A and out East, and service-providers out East, I realized that this is not a cultural issue – this is an issue that happens across the board. Family violence happens in every culture and every community, and just branding it ‘honour’ because that’s the motivation, is very stigmatizing to some communities. That’s some of the pushback we got at first. We were also really hard pressed to find people who wanted to talk about it in focus groups and interviews.

What is your experience working as a business background in the nonprofit field?

It is mostly people with Arts backgrounds [in the field], which is a huge disservice, because business majors have so many skills that nonprofits need.

When I started with ACT, it was just the two of us and our board; my executive director came from an Arts background, and she told me I was lucky to have a business background – having some accounting knowledge and financial knowledge were all things that were needed. You’re basically running a business and you have to think of it that way. It’s so vital [to have a business background] and there is so much opportunity within the sector.

What was it like to be named Top 30 Under 30 by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation?

That was really cool, because it was just recognizing the work people do to help women out, and I felt like my work with human trafficking really did that.

Unfortunately, it’s a crime that disproportionately affects women, and it’s the same way with honourbased violence, so I feel like that’s made me an advocate, or a voice, for the women who do not have the means to protect themselves or speak out against these horrific crimes. It was really humbling to be honoured and to be mentioned with a group of inspiring under-30’s.

written by KELSEA ZALASKI designed by ANNA LEE photographed by LESLIE CHIANG

What is next for you?

I haven’t given up on law school. I feel fulfilled in the not for profit sector, and I feel that my job really rewards me and gives back a lot to me. I hope I’m doing the same with the people that I encounter, but I still have this desire to have a more direct impact on their lives. I get a lot of clients, especially family violence victims, calling me saying, “I need a divorce”, or “Give me some legal advice”, but I can’t give it to them and it’s frustrating, because now I see the need for accessible and affordable legal advice. I would really like, if I become a lawyer, to work in the realm of family law or criminal prosecution, and work to help people and be an advocate again. I’m not a trained social worker or a trained lawyer right now – I’m kind of inbetween and I don’t feel like I can really help them in a tangible way; I do my best to listen and to send them to the right resources, but I can’t really be a champion for them directly, and that’s what I want to do.

RAJVIR GILL 15

JACK.ORg CLUBS CORNER

As students, we all know the struggle of trying to balance classes, assignments, midterms, work, and extra-curricular activities. An important thing in this mix that can easily be overlooked is our mental health. The University of Alberta chapter of Jack.org is working towards changing how people think about mental health and ending the stigma surrounding it. Lazy Faire sat down with the Chapter Lead Nancy Zhao and VP Events and Collaborations Ryan Forster to discuss Jack.org and mental health for university students.

written by RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM HANDOO designed by PATRICK LI & ANNA LEE photo courtesy of JACK.ORG

What does mental health mean to you?

Nancy: Mental health encompasses many different components: spiritual, psychological, social, and emotional — all of which need to be nourished to cultivate good mental health.

Ryan: Mental Health to me represents an emotional and psychological way of feeling and thinking. That feeling can change from day to day, but what’s most important is to always take care of yourself.

What inspired you to start a Jack.org chapter at the University and how did it all begin?

Ryan: I wanted to open up about mental health and create an atmosphere where anyone could be comfortable with sharing their mental health issues.

Nancy: I attended the national Jack.org summit in 2015 and learned how to bring the organization to my own campus. I contacted people I knew that were affiliated with mental health organizations and we began from there.

What has Jack.org taught you about mental health?

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Ryan: Through Jack.org, I took part in the

community helpers program and increased my capacity to provide mental health support to youth and my peers. One in five of us have mental illness but five in five of us have mental health. It’s helped me to talk — even to strangers — about mental health, and helped me communicate with people that are going through mental health issues.

or not they took part in that activity. We’ll be doing the same event during exams to compare. We’re also collaborating with social workers, Health Sciences student groups, and Relaxation Superstation to put together a conference. We can’t say much right now, but it will include a student panel, and will definitely be worth attending.

Nancy: I learned about the language we use when talking about mental health. For instance, the common language is to say “committed suicide.” The word “committed” criminalizes suicide and can make it more difficult for the family and friends to deal with.

I’ve learned to steer away from such language, and to use phrases like “died by suicide” instead.

Finally, what would you say to a reader who is currently struggling with mental health?

What do the future plans of Jack.org look like?

Nancy: We want to promote the fact that everyone has mental health and make them comfortable enough to talk about it. We also want to connect students with mental health resources and aim to make them as accessible as physical health ones.

Ryan: Our goal is to spread the knowledge of how to care for mental health; for yourself and for your peers. We have an event called “Don’t Lose Your Marbles” that aims to raise awareness and start conversations. In October, we set up jars labelled with different ways to take care of mental health, and allowed students to use marbles to vote on whether

Nancy: I’d let them know they’re not alone, and that it’s okay not to be okay. We all have days where we are burned out and stressed. It’s good to acknowledge that sometimes we need a mental boost.

Ryan: It’s okay to feel what they are feeling. A great first step is to simply acknowledge their mental health issues. There are a lot of resources available on campus, like the Peer Support Centre, which is free to use. I’d also like to remind them that there is always someone out there that cares for them.

If you are interested in learning more about Jack.org, you can find them on social media!

Facebook: Jack.org UAlberta Instagram: jackorgualberta

written by RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM HANDOO designed by NICHOLE CHEN

NAP 101 INTRO TO SLEEP

STRATEGIC NAPPING

We’re all familiar with the occasional all-nighter and the less-than (way-less-than) seven-hour sleep routine. But if you’re one of those people thinking “Sleep? What is that?” you may benefit from reading on, as we discuss the syllabus of NAP 101.

• The physical effects of lack of sleep include a lowered immune system, increased weight gain and decreased performance in coordination-related activities.

• Less sleep can leave you stressed out and also lead to increased mental health issues

Sometimes, you try your best but you just don’t succeed. If a good night’s sleep just didn’t happen and you need a quick productive nap, here’s how to do it!

• The best time to nap depends on when you wake up, but for most of us this should be around 2 to 3 pm.

• 10 to 20-minute power nap: This one is for those of us that need to get back to work with

If you’re looking for a place to get some sleep that isn’t the back row of your classroom, we’ve got you covered!

ALL THE RIGHT NAPS IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES

• The Old Arts Lounge: Unless there’s an event held here, not many people go into the Old Arts Building which makes it ideal for a nap.

• Floor 5, Rutherford North: A somewhat busy location, but the floor is silent, making it an ideal spot for those who need white noise to

like depression or anxiety.

• If you rely on all-nighters during midterm season, you might want to reconsider.

Sleep strengthens the memory and converts information from short term memory to long term.

a quick boost of alertness.

• 60-minute nap: If you need some rest but also need to remember facts, places and names that you just learned, take an hour long nap. You might have to deal with some sleep blues upon waking up though.

• 90-minute nap: This involves a full sleep cycle and enhances creativity without the groggy feeling of a 60-minute nap.

sleep. Grab a spot on the couches for ultimate comfort.

• SUB Basement: Always starving when you wake up? The new “nap room” in SUB Basement is just steps from the food court.

• Kiva Room, Floor 2 Education North: A circular room with no desks and chairs to bother you, the Kiva Room has plenty of space to lie down and relax.

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K R O W

LIFE

BALANCE

WHAT’S YOUR DEFINITION?

guest article written by DEEPA MAISURIA, CA, CBV designed by ANNA LEE

Everyone talks about work/life balance, but there is no such thing. There is only everyone’s definition of it.

I lived with my parents while in university and barely watched TV because 1: I never had time, and 2: We only had one TV and my Dad basically didn’t let anyone else watch.

Regardless, I was super busy and didn’t need to watch TV. My time was split between class, studying, working at a part-time job and working on whatever extra-curricular activities I signed up for. I always had a bunch of things going on.

It was manageable, for the most part, but I still remember days when I enlisted my Mom to help me complete tedious tasks just so I had a chance to meet all my deadlines.

Whether you do it to yourself, or others place deadlines on you, there will be days or weeks that are just insane. We all react the same way as well; if it’s not mission-critical, we let it go.

The first thing I let go of is exercise, which sucks 18

because I usually also stop cooking and order take-out instead, and then I make it worse by not sleeping eight hours a night either. But once deadlines are met, life resumes back to normal.

So balance to me is learning to ride the waves, but that’s not for everyone; it’s for workaholics.

I love being busy. In fact, after moving out and getting a TV of my own, I eventually had to cancel our cable and Netflix account. Not because I didn’t watch TV, but because I watched too much. I became addicted. One show became four in a night. Every night. I realized how many hours I spent watching TV and I felt bad because I felt so unproductive (it’s the workaholic in me).

On the other hand, I have friends who love watching TV for four hours a night after work because it’s their downtime and that is their definition of balance. Neither definition is right or wrong. You just have to define what balance is for you.

And you shouldn’t care about someone else’s definition either because I’ve learnt that perception is not reality. I may not watch TV, but I still manage to waste time watching Facebook videos and scrolling through Instagram a lot!

But if I didn’t tell you that, you would probably assume I’m super productive all the time. Nope! I have flaws too and anyone who makes you think they’re flawless is likely overcompensating for something.

During stressful times try to get through it by: 1. Managing your energy. Simplify your life as much as possible by making less decisions each day:

a) Eat the same breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks each day. Make sure they’re full of nutrients too. This is fuel! b) Be like Steve Jobs and keep the fashion simple. c) Have a morning and bedtime routine, including a set sleep schedule. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep. I find it annoying when people boast about how little sleep they get, as if we’re supposed to be in awe of how “busy” or important they think they are.

Sleeping has a lot of different functions, one of which is to allow your brain to strengthen synaptic connections so that you can retain things you studied. So if you’re thinking about pulling an all-nighter, maybe you should sleep on it!

2. Exercise and listen to your favourite music. Dancing around the house when no one is looking is still exercise!

3. Meditate. Ten minutes of mindfulness will help alleviate anxiety and stress.

4. Leverage! If there is something you can get someone else to do for you, let them. a) Take the bus instead of driving. b) Buy food if you can afford it. c) Ask for help. Moms are great!

5. Remember to take it One Day at a Time.

how to stay energized at work and school designed by KRISMINA LA

RISE AND SHINE! It’s an early start to a brand new day and you’re absolutely dreading to have to wake up before the sun. But it’s not the end of the world. If you plan on continuing to be productive at work or school, and need some tips on staying awake and energized, here’s what you should consider adding to your morning routine.

1

STAY HYDRATED

2

LISTEN TO MUSIC

5

It’s the number one rule to get through the day. Growing up, we were always told to drink about eight glasses of water every day, so continue to drink lots of it to keep you hydrated. On the side, have a nice cup of warm and fresh green tea. It improves brain function and productivity.

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If you’re in an environment that allows you to listen to your own music, then here’s another option. Find the genre that’ll help you be most productive, and then get to work. It’ll be like having your own private concert, but make sure to keep your headphones on so you don’t disrupt others.

BE ACTIVE

Need to take the elevator to get up to your office or fourth floor class? If you can, take the stairs instead. This will keep your breath racing and your blood pumping.

It’ll also help you avoid those awkward elevator conversations or prevent you from being in a tight space. The more you walk or run up the stairs, the more energized you’ll feel; soon enough, you’ll be the stair master!

GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST

Whoever said “sleep is for the weak” has no idea how much it affects our work and our health. In an article from The Fabricator, having a sleep-deprived employee affects work productivity and quality, and can get in the way of our working relationships. It results in us having the difficulty to concentrate, learn, and communicate. Oftentimes, lack of sleep could lead to a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and depression.

3 SNACK TIME IS THE BEST TIME

When you start working full-time, you’ll usually work the average 9–5 shift, so it would be a really good idea to bring food other than your lunch. It is recommended to snack on pieces of fruit like apples, oranges, or grapes because you’ll gain energy quicker. Fruits are a healthier alternative (and they’re also delicious). Some profs will let you snack as well!

SO IF THESE ENERGYBOOSTING TIPS AREN’T ALREADY PART OF YOUR DAILY ROUTINE, WAKE UP AND GET STARTED!

This article was written by Johna Autencio of Jobpostings.ca, Canada’s largest student job network helping post-secondary students find their internships, coops and entry-level jobs to launch their careers. Follow them @Jobpostingsca.

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What better way to get away from stress than to literally get away from it all? Float pods, also known as sensory deprivation tanks, are soundproof tanks, in which users soak in an Epsom salt bath in complete darkness. As you float in the pod, the water temperature is controlled to keep you comfortable, and give you the ultimate time alone with your thoughts.

In Edmonton check out:

Floatique Rest Centre www.floatique.com

FLOATATION THERAPY

AXE-THROWING Floating in a pod not really your thing? Yeah, me neither. I’d rather be chucking axes. Now you can blow off steam at Edmonton’s newest indoor axe-throwing facility, Axe Hole. A great idea for a team building exercise, a date or who knows, maybe you’ve always been looking to join an axe-throwing league.

It’s all possible now in Edmonton. Plaid shirt and full beard encouraged, but not required.

Axe Hole www.axehole.ca

BEYOND THE STRESS BALL When it’s time for exams, and your stress ball just isn’t enough anymore, don’t freak out! Take a deep breath, and read on — this month, Lazy Faire researched four alternative methods to blowing off steam and finding calm.

ADULT COLOURING BOOKS If you’ve ever wanted to redeem yourself from your childhood days of colouring outside the lines in colouring books, now’s your chance. Last April, Johanna Basford’s colouring book ‘Secret Garden’ was the bestselling title on Amazon in the US. The concept is simple: the designs are a little more intricate than you remember as a child, and all you have to do is choose a book, put on some tunes, and let your mind find some calm.

Available at Indigo.

written by NICOLE HAMMOND designed by MAGGIE LAM 20

In a laughter yoga class, you will practice sustaining voluntary (as opposed to spontaneous) laughter - but by the time the class is over the line between voluntary and spontaneous may be blurred! These classes operate on the principle that you can reap the same benefits from laughter even without an external stimulus of humour. Whether you’re so stressed out that nothing seems funny anymore, or you find yourself bordering on hysteria, a laughter yoga class might be a good idea!

In Edmonton check out: Yoga Life Studios www.yogalifestudios.ca

LAUGHTER YOGA

Fall is a busy time for university students, and it can be difficult to adjust to going back to school with a new schedule, not to mention the accompanying workload and stress. However, if you find yourself experiencing recurring symptoms of stress and exhaustion at the same time every year, it might be something more serious than the regular back to school blues.

Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression tied to changes in the seasons. The onset of SAD is thought to be caused by the lack of sunlight and drop in temperature that takes place at the start of the winter months. Typically symptoms begin in the fall, around September and October, and last until the spring, although it is also possible to experience SAD in either the spring or winter.

SYMPTOMS General symptoms of SAD often overlap with the general symptoms of depression; you may notice low energy, irritability, problems with sleeping or oversleeping, and changes in appetite. Often, individuals dealing with SAD will crave carbohydrates in the winter, and tend to gain weight.

written by MARINA BRYAN designed by CHRISTINA STEFANIUK & ANNA LEE

SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER

It’s possible for anyone to experience SAD, although there are a number of factors which may worsen its effects, or increase its likelihood.

Unfortunately for students at the University of Alberta, we fall into a few of these categories. Young people tend to have a higher risk for winter SAD, and risk is also increased for those who live far from the equator — so living through Edmonton’s long, cold, and dark winters definitely doesn’t help. It is also more common for women to experience symptoms than men, and the disorder is more common in those with a family link to SAD.

MANAGING SYMPTOMS Luckily, there are a number of ways to combat SAD symptoms, including taking care of your physical health and managing stress.

As one of the main causes of SAD is thought to be linked to the decrease in sunlight, it can be very effective to increase exposure to the sun. Whenever possible, spend time outside or by a bright window.

It might help to find a place to study with a lot of natural light.

ASSISTANCE Although school can be overwhelming at this time of year, it is important to remember to take care of yourself by exercising, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep to keep up your energy throughout the day. Other treatments include medication or light therapy, which involves spending time next to a light that simulates natural light.

If these symptoms sound similar to how you feel during the school year, it is important to talk to a mental health professional, such as those available through Counselling and Clinical Services at the university. There are plenty of resources available for you to get help, and to help you take care of yourself.

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S R A E Y 0 10

&

e r a c g in k a t l l sti

You may have heard a murmur about it in the halls these past few months. There’s an excitement growing in our school, and come January, it’s going to hit a fever pitch.

2016 marks our school’s centennial. 100 years at the Alberta School of Business.

But what does our centennial entirely entail? It means celebrating a century of excellence, relevance, and impact. It gives everyone connected to the Alberta School of Business - students, staff, alumni, donors, and partners - the opportunity to promote our school. 2016 will be a year dotted with parties and celebrations.

Faculty and student groups alike are gearing up for their own activities that will uniquely celebrate our centennial.

After 100 years, it’s high time that we take a quick second in the middle of our innovation, leadership, and success to

ntennial

s Ce res for it a p e r P s ines

s

ool of Bu

rta Sch The Albe

s s e n i s of Bu

celebrate everything that we’ve achieved.

As students, we hear time and time again that we are leaders from Alberta, for the World. We continually push boundaries and engage with influential thinkers and doers. Doesn’t that deserve some recognition and a few awesome parties?

How can we get involved?

As leaders from Alberta for the World, taking part in centennial is as easy as spreading the news. The School simply wants us to share the pride we have in attending a faculty of excellence and innovation. When the opportunity presents itself, mentioning our centennial has earned me a few “oohs and aahs” and an increased interest in getting involved with our school. As the newest group of grads, we’re also responsible for carrying on the School’s legacy and embodying its vision.

For those of us still sticking around in the New Year, when I mentioned celebrations, I wasn’t kidding! The School is looking to put together a Centennial Ambassador Street Team, consisting of students to help spread energy and excitement around campus, and to bring the festivities beyond the University. Not only Ambassadors for the School, this group of students will have the opportunity to attend exclusive networking events, luncheons, and mixers with the intention to promote all of the incredible work taking place at the School.

Anyone interested in being part of the School’s Centennial Ambassador Street Team, or wanting to learn more about other ways to get involved, are encouraged to email Eryne Sarabin of Tycoon Event Planning & Promotions, the School’s Centennial Manager, at eryne@ tycoonevents.ca.

written by KEVIN ESPENIDO designed by ANNA LEE 22

FINDING

Beauty

LAZY CHAT

FEELING

Good

Meet Geoff Wong! This month, we had a chance to talk with him about his interest in photography and graphic design, and how he hopes to channel those skills into his career.

Why don’t we start with you telling us a little bit about yourself?

Thanks for having me. I’m a marketing major, MIS minor in the Bilingual BCom program. I am also in Coop and working towards a CSL (Community ServiceLearning) certificate. At school, I am involved with UAMA (University of Alberta Marketing Association) and JDC West. I’m also an avid photographer; I’m obsessed with capturing the beauty around me and helping people feel good through the photos I take.

What sparked your interest in photography and graphic design?

My family definitely helped in sparking my interest.

My mom is a professional artist and my brother is talented at drawing. Growing up, I was never good at traditional arts. I actually failed art in grade five; needless to say my mom was disappointed. But gradually, I found photography and graphic design as a great way to express myself. I volunteered my skills in various organizations and graphic design kind of worked its way into my professional life. The more opportunities I had to apply these skills, the better I got - and I think the better you are at a skill, the more you love it.

written by MONIKA SHARMA designed by KEVIN ESPENIDO photographed by CANDACE CHU Do you think of photography and graphic design as hobbies, or interests you would want to combine into your career?

I think most talents generally just start as an interest.

At the end of the day, when you move towards developing skills that are applicable to the working world, you want to work on what you like. I think people can usually tell what you’re passionate about because it shines through in your work. Employers are often looking for well-rounded individuals, and your hobbies and interests are a great way of showcasing these skills.

Where do you see yourself in ten years, and where do you hope your career will take you?

It’s difficult to think of that because so many things that you don’t expect could happen in that time. Even being in school for four or five years, so much about you changes that you don’t realize. But essentially, I want to take good business skills and practices and apply them to non-profit organizations. I came into business because I wanted to learn about how successful businesses operate and then apply these strategies to non-profits to help them succeed. I

think they have great ideas, but often times, their execution is lacking. Right now I am trying to learn what makes an organization excel and to take that, in the future, to an organization where I can really make a difference.

Tying in with this month’s theme of “Mental Health,” do you have any pointers on how to maintain a work/life balance?

I think mental health is something we don’t often talk about, because we see it as an illness that just applies to some people. But really, these issues affect everyone, just some more than others. The problem with the stigma is that when we don’t talk about it, people feel alone and trapped in the darkness. A pointer I have would be to make sure you make time for yourself and take time to recover.

Take time to enjoy yourself; it doesn’t necessarily mean partying all the time, but understanding how you gain energy and doing that, which is different for everyone. Also, I would advise people to find their self-worth in something other than performance.

This added stress is unnecessary; just focus on the value of what you’re doing, rather than the outcome.

There is support all around you - if you are struggling with anything, reach out and someone will be there.

Find an extended version of Geoff’s interview on lazyfaire.com!

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