The Ontarion - Issue #175.1

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Issue No. 175.1

AROUND THE CITY 6 • STUDENT LIFE 20 • HEALTH & WELLBEING 36 • SCHOOL & STUDIES 49

Welcome Back U of G Students!

Ride To Class In Style!

Obsessively L ocal

Enjoy a cold Steam Whistle brew at Borealis between August 28 and September 30 and you could win this NORCO Rio Vista Bike!

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Visit www.uoguelph.ca/ccs and click on Get Started to learn more.

Reach us: By email: 58888help@uoguelph.ca In person: Visit the IT Help Desk, Library 1st floor By phone: 519-824-4120 x 58888

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Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

WELCOME

Welcome to the University of Guelph, where we’re celebrating our 50th year. As U of G’s incoming president, I’m new to Guelph, too. But I’ve already learned a lot about what makes this place special.

Student engagement inside and outside of the classroom is what distinguishes this university. You can feel a real sense of community and community pride here. There’s a “you can do it all” philosophy that encourages students to go beyond the classroom and even beyond borders to learn.

Through our orientation program, students, staff, and faculty go to great lengths to ensure that you know about the incredible number of opportunities available on and off campus.

Participating in those events and activities will introduce you to new ideas and friends and provide opportunities for personal growth. It will also give you a glimpse of the many ways that you can contribute to the world around you.

That world is changing ever more rapidly, and how we adapt to that pace of change is more important than ever. Universities are increasingly focused on student engagement, experiential teaching and learning, and international collaborations and partnerships – all areas in which U of G already excels.

You and I have chosen a campus with incredible spirit, a place of caring and belonging, of wanting to understand the people and places around us and to be involved in every aspect of life. It’s a place where I’m proud to say, “Celebrate 50: I’m a Gryphon.” And now, so are you.

I hope that you take full advantage of our orientation program and the many activities available to you this year. I look forward to meeting you soon.

The team in Student Affairs would like to welcome our returning students back, and extend a warm welcome to our many new students. Our goal in Student Affairs is to help make your university experience as rewarding as possible. We provide programs and services that will enhance your student experience, both inside and outside the classroom. However, what you get out of your education is ultimately up to you. We encourage you to take advantage of all the university has to offer. Explore our many service-learning opportunities and get involved. Be sure to also check out our numerous fitness and recreation programs offered by the Department of Athletics. Join a club, volunteer, or get involved in student government. There are so many possibilities! As well as being fun, your participation at the university and in the greater community can help develop skills for the future.

While we hope your experience will be positive, please know that we have numerous people to help if you experience difficulty. Don’t

hesitate to ask if you need support. The Student Affairs Staff is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals. Speak to your program counsellor or residence assistant; go to the Academic Information Centre or the Learning Commons; call Student Health Services or Wellness Education Services; connect with Counselling or Student Accessibility Services. Visit the Student Affairs web page for additional information at uoguelph.ca/studentaffairs/home/. If you are a new student, go to the Centre for New Students Webpage at http://studentlife.uoguelph.ca/cns/.

Guelph is a marvelous place, both the city and the university. We hope you enjoy all it has to offer.

Sincerely, Franco Vaccarino President and Vice-Chancellor

Yours sincerely, Brenda Whiteside Vice-President of Student Affairs

On behalf of the City of Guelph and its citizens, I’m pleased to welcome all new and returning University of Guelph students to our community.

I am a University of Guelph alumnus myself, and can attest that you have chosen an outstanding university at which to pursue your studies. I wish you all the best for a successful and rewarding year.

U of G students are a vital part of the heart and soul of the community of Guelph. For many of you, Guelph is your “home away from home” during the school year. I hope that your time in this community has a positive and lasting impact on you, no matter where life takes you next.

When you need a break from studying, I invite you to explore all that Guelph has to offer. We have a wonderful network of parks and trails, a vibrant downtown, historic architecture, and a wealth of arts, culture, and recreational amenities. The City’s website, guelph.ca, is a great source of information.

Once again, welcome to Guelph! We are delighted to have you here.

Sincerely, Karen Farbridge Mayor

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Enjoy a cold Steam Whistle brew at the Woolwich Arrow Pub between August 28 and September 30 and you could win this NORCO Rio Vista Bike!

Meet you ! oly o W e h t at woolwicharrow.ca

TheON 2014/15

Come Join Us at the Ontarion!

Welcome Back U of G Students!

Ride Like The Wind!

LP

3

Welcome Back

Co-operative Education & Career Services is here to assist students from ALL programs!

• Find a job on Recruit Guelph. Login with your central ID & search for full-time & part-time jobs.

• Drop-in sessions available daily: √ Resume & cover letter writing assistance √ Career advising √ Further education planning • Career fairs, Employer Information Sessions & workshops. Login to your Recruit Guelph account and view the “Events & Workshops” calendar!

Graduating in 2015?

• September is the time to start applying for full-time jobs!

• Attend Career fairs and Employer Information Sessions!

• Stay up-to-date on events & job postings! #jobs4gryphgrads

www.recruitguelph.ca recruit@uoguelph.ca Trent Lane, Building #54 (North of Rozanski) 519-824-4120 x 52323

Table of Contents

AROUND THE CITY

More than a place to study!

Our free services can help you succeed • Writing help • Time management and study strategies • Supported Learning Groups (SLGs)

• Help finding sources for papers • Hands-on workshops • And much more

Fall & Winter semester hours Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday - Sunday

8:00 am - 2:00 am 8:00 am - 11:00 pm 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

*Check the website for holiday and exam hours

STUDENT LIFE

Media on campus – 20 Dealing with homesickness – 21 Living with roommates – 21 Volunteering in Guelph – 22 Eating on campus – 23 Safe sex – 24 Sexual diversity – 25 Surviving first year – 26 Social media – 28 What does success mean? – 30 Perfecting being perpetually poor - 35

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ROYAL FLUSH

REBATE PROGRAM

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ROYAL FLUSH

Eating well – 36 Positive body image – 37 Moving away – 41 Balancing life – 41 Stress, anxiety, and depression – 43 Long distance relationships – 43

SCHOOL AND STUDIES

Places to buckle down – 44 The university transition – 49 Preparing for grad from day one – 49 Writing well – 53 University learning – 53 Changing majors – 54 Get to know your profs – 54 The future of the job market – 56 to 57 Making the most of your undergrad years – 58 Going to lectures – 58

HELPFUL RESOURCES

REBATE PROGRAM

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rebate on the replacement of a 13L toilet with a new, high-efficiency or dual flush WaterSense® qualifying model. *For a list of qualifying models and rebate regulations, please visit guelph.ca/royalflush.

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Getting to know Guelph - 6 Pubs in Guelph – 6 The Guelph music scene – 9 Getting the most out of downtown Guelph – 9 Guide to Guelph arts – 11 Breakfast and Brunch – 12 The Farmer’s Market – 12 Coffee in Guelph – 14 The magic of Hillside – 17

12/08/2014 10:35:28 AM

Decoding campus – 28 Campus map – 32 Downtown map – 33 101 things to do before you graduate – 47 Student resource page - 48

56 AROUND the CITY Getting to know Guelph The Royal City in all its splendor SAMEER CHHABRA Guelph is a beautiful city. It’s just the right combination of urban and agrarian that it has the ability to appeal to almost everyone on the spectrum.

However, because of its small size, Guelph is often overlooked for not being as glamorous or exciting as its other Canadian counterparts. Certainly, there’s no way it can compare with the sprawling megapolis of Toronto, the rigid professionalism of Ottawa, or even the hustle and bustle of Montreal. Before one makes any assumptions about its nature, one should visit first to give it a chance.

Founded in 1827 by Scottish novelist, entrepreneur, and social commentator John Galt, Guelph is a medium-sized city of approximately 120,000 people.

These are facts and statistics that appeal to my kind of mind, but most people most often ask, “What’s there to do in Guelph?”

For those who come for the university, it can be difficult to look at Guelph as anything more than the most beautiful revolving door in Ontario. Starting at the university is important, but equally important is expanding out towards the rest of the city.

Adam Laufer is a third-year Philosophy undergraduate who joined the University of Guelph in 2012.

Laufer was a resident of Prairie Hall

GLENN SIMMONS VIA CC BY-NC 2.0

during his first year. His advice to students is to explore the university at any opportunity.

“As far as getting to know Guelph is concerned, my experience involved becoming familiar with the university campus and then branching out from there,” explained Laufer. “Making sure to not just go to the eateries directly near you and visiting others ones was key, as well as visiting other residence buildings themselves.”

In South Residence, whose structure was designed specifically to facilitate communication, tower-hopping is the act of visiting every neighbouring residence adjacent to one’s own.

Instead of meeting students from

Guelph pubs Check them out for yourself – you won’t be sorry ADRIEN POTVIN Whether you’re returning to Guelph or just starting your new adventure, it helps to know the city’s impressive pub scene. With the dedication to thinking, cooking, and drinking locally that is so characteristic of downtown Guelph, the pubs on this list offer something a little different than the readymade flair of so many franchised pubs. These watering holes are varied and inviting, ranging from cozy gastropubs to indie rock havens. Pick a spot from this list and check it out (responsibly, of course)!

Van Gogh’s Ear

Also the home of the Salsateria next door, Van Gogh’s Ear boasts three floors for live music, dancing, drag shows, etc. Metal, Indie, Reggae, and Folk bands flock from in and out of town every weekend, and it is also the home of GAIN Music Festival – a night of diverse entertainment presented by Guelph’s most prescient concert organizers, hosted in March. eBar/Green Room Another hotspot for local and regional entertainment, the eBar lies above the Ox Cafe and the Bookshelf bookstore on Quebec Street. A large number of GAIN Music concerts are held here. With an inviting, hip decor (who can’t love giant dominoes on the ceiling?), the eBar is a solid place to catch an offering from Guelph’s local music scene. It’s also right next door to the Bookshelf Cinema, so you can wash down that

a single dormitory, tower-hopping allows students to meet people from a wide-range of areas. For those interested in making friends, it’s a chance to meet a large amount of new people very quickly.

“Now that I’m an off-campus student, I have more exposure to bike trails and other points of interest that are in less obvious locations,” explained Laufer. “On the other hand, something that anyone can do to familiarize himself or herself with the city is to take a ride on the Guelph bus system. Some friends and I made a point of taking the entire 2 and 3 bus loops, as they cover a fairly large area surrounding campus. Of course, I personally think

it’s best to do this while the weather’s still warm, so students arriving in the fall shouldn’t hesitate until winter to branch out.”

Aaron Awdhan is a Student Program Advisor, Cluster Leader, and a fourth-year human kinetics student.

His advice to students wanting to learn more about the university is to ask questions as much as possible.

“It may seem like a fairly easy answer, but do not be afraid to ask questions,” suggested Awdhan. “I notice that a lot of incoming first years feel that they may wasting someone’s time, but people at the university are always willing to help. Some of the best people you can talk to are Residence Advisors

brutally depressing European art film you just saw with a tall, cold beer.

and craft beer junkie. Your student wallet might not thank you, but who doesn’t need a break from noodles once in a while?

Woolwich Arrow Pub Perhaps the priciest spot on this list, the Woolwich boasts one of the most impressive craft brew menus in the city. It fills up quickly on the weekends, making it a great spot to get some shareables and a few primer pints for your evening. Live entertainment is scarce because of the small restaurant floor, but enjoying a pint in its gently decorated room is entertaining enough.

Baker Street Station A mere stone’s throw from the Wooly, it’s never easy to decide between the two. However, with its innovative menu offerings catered to adventurous gastro-fiends, weekend brunch specials, and an ever-growing beer selection, Baker Street Station is ideal for the discerning foodie

and Cluster Leaders, because we know a lot of the resources on campus and have the ability to guide you in the right direction.”

Both Laufer and Awdhan suggest volunteering to learn more about the city and the university. Furthermore, getting involved with groups like Interhall Council (for students living on-campus), among countless others, can be a great way to get experience in leadership roles.

“The less-publicized ways of getting involved on-campus are taking the chance to get involved in the different student clubs and associations [available] in the university,” explained Awdhan. “Students that want to spend time in the Guelph community should [also] consider volunteering. Guelph is an amazing city for volunteering and I feel it’s a great way to learn about the city and the community.”

David J. Knight is a University of Guelph graduate and Guelph-based writer. For students looking for culture, he suggests going to some of the historical sites and parks in the city.

Historical sites like The Petrie Building and the Speed River Trail are great to visit on warm, sunny days.

Furthermore, for students interested in learning about Guelph, the Civic Museum is a great place to visit.

Guelph might not be the biggest Canadian city, and it certainly might not have the largest population, but it is home to great people and amazing sites. New and old students alike should take it upon themselves to explore Guelph for the endless number of fascinating places to discover.

Albion Hotel Another one of Guelph’s coziest gastro pubs, the Albion Hotel fuses classic pub fare with an intriguing food and beer menu. It also has a second floor which becomes the scene for 90s Night, Gay Night, and Funk Night every weekend.

The two patios offer a great scene of downtown, located across the street from the gorgeous Our Lady Immaculate church.

Jimmy Jazz Located right next to Vinyl, the Jimmy Jazz is a staple of downtown Guelph’s diverse music and entertainment scene. What it lacks in beer and food offerings it makes up for with no cover. With a heated patio,

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

If craft brews are your thing – check out some of Guelph’s microbrews on tap around the city.

pool table, dive-chic decor, weekly trivia, and live music every weekend, the Jimmy Jazz is any hip downtowner’s home-away-from-home.

O-WEEK CONCERT PRESENTED BY YOUR CENTRAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION [ A CLOSED CAMPUS EVENT ]

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Down With Webster $25 UoG students • $29 sign-in guests [ $3 extra at door ] Gryphon Field House Tickets available at the Orientation Box Office Monday, Sept 1 at noon. www.sundaycinema.ca

Connecting first-year students from racially diverse backgrounds with faculty, staff or graduate student mentors.

ut of this Mars explorers, Olympic athletes, inventors of DNA barcoding, renowned authors, world-class faculty, extraordinary students and more! Read about them all at www.uoguelph.ca

Breaking campus news – amazing people – on the U of G home page.

Refer a friend to enroll in the program by September 19th, 2014 and be entered in a chance to win one of two iPad Minis.

For more information and/or to register, visit

Photo Credit: Artist’s Concept Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

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Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

AROUND the CITY

Guelph’s music scene What to check out during the school year DANIELLE SUBJECT Whether it’s Rap, Rock, Hip-Hop, R&B, Soca, Jazz, Folk, EDM, or anything else, the Guelph music scene has something for all musical tastes. For those looking for a good time with a live band, there’s nothing better than a night out at Frank and Steins or Doogie’s. For those who want to vibe to some dancehall, Friday night at Club Vinyl hosts a Dancehall, Reggae, and Hip-Hop night.

If you’re interested in checking out Guelph’s indie music scene, special event concerts are constantly being held at eBar, Jimmy Jazz, Vinyl, and Van Gogh’s Ear. This past January, Van Gogh’s Ear hosted the incredible GAIN Music’s Battle of the Bands.

The EDM scene in downtown Guelph explodes at the Guelph Concert Theatre, with past acts including Tommy Trash, RL Grime, and Zeds Dead. Bands such as The Sheepdogs, Monster Truck, and Protest the Hero

have also performed at this venue.

“Most towns are lucky to have one place with live music, whereas Guelph seems to have a number of different groups playing a variety of music in a variety of venues on any given night – cover bands, original artists, DJ’s, etc. […]. An evening of live music will cost you less than the Saturday night cover at Trappers,” says Eddy Morin, an undergrad student at the University of Guelph.

“Then there are a number of festivals on top of that where they up the performance ante – Jazz Fest, Kazoo, and Hillside, to name a few.”

Alanna Gurr, Press and Publicity Coordinator for Fortnight Music and lead singer and guitarist for Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State, had some advice on what first year students should check out during the school year.

“For first years coming to town, a good place to see upcoming events off campus would be Music Lives, and to check out what Kazoo and Fortnight have going on throughout the year,” said Gurr.

Let’s not forget about the U of G’s own Peter Clark Hall. Located on campus, this venue has hosted performances by artists such as Arkells, Shad, Hollerado, Tokyo Police Club, and Alexisonfire.

Guelph’s music scene is famous for their annual Hillside Festival, which is a music and arts festival that has been held in Guelph every summer for the past 30 years. Past acts have included Arkells, Sam Roberts Band, July Talk, and Said The Whale. Hillside also features a ton of local and new music, including plenty of bands that originated in or have ties to the City of Guelph.

Many artists are shaped and inspired by Guelph’s music scene.

The Ontarion has had the opportunity to interview groups such as AroarA, Said the Whale, and most recently, Alanna Gurr and The Greatest State. In a recent interview, members from Alanna Gurr & The Greatest State had spoken about the impact Guelph’s music scene had on them as artists – the group stressed the sense of community and encouragement that Guelph is famous for exhibiting.

Landon Smallwood, currently an undergrad student at U of G, is the frontman for metal band Take The Throne. He recently took the time to explain how the interconnectedness of the city helped his band.

“I think what is so great about the music scene at Guelph is how unintimidating and how much of

STACEY ASPINALL

The Guelph music scene has something for everyone. a community it really is. Being in a niche genre of music, it’s sometimes hard to find that core group of people who you can really connect with at a show. The Guelph scene does a wonderful job of this,” Smallwood continued. “It is so rare to find a hardcore scene which shows as much love and community as the Guelph scene.”

Getting the most out of downtown Guelph Your guide to exploring the core

old window frames, rotary phones, Star Trek collectables, and so on.

It’s always an adventure and definitely worth a visit.

JESSICA AVOLIO

This second hand clothing store just opened last summer, and was a much-needed addition to the downtown core. The clothing is targeted towards younger women (sorry guys), and it’s a great place to find unique clothing and accessories for a reasonable price. Bonus: You can trade in your clothes for cash or store credit.

As a student, it is often convenient to stay on campus, especially because all the amenities are within reach. If you eventually manage to escape the grasp of campus and head downtown, it is likely because you’re hitting up the bars at night with your friends. But downtown Guelph has so much more to offer, and it’s quite the vibrant and bustling place. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, wanting to listen to some new music, or looking for cool knick-knacks to furnish your living space – downtown has it all.

Here is a selection of what it has to offer.

Dis-a-Ray An antique shop which deals with the unusual, it’s a great place to go exploring for knick-knacks – things like chalkboards made from

The Patch

Ouderkirk & Taylor It’s a cheese shop – need I say more?

A great place to pick up artisan cheeses, freshly baked bread, homemade soups, and drug and hormone free meats. They also let you sample cheeses, and will provide suggestions if you’re overwhelmed by the selection.

Eric the Baker A bakery and cafe serving fresh croissants, breads, pastries, and

more. All items are inspired by what one might find in a cafe in France – all items are made inhouse, and are all incredibly fresh and buttery.

Red Brick Café

A super cute cafe tucked away in a red brick building, serving the typical cafe fare such as coffee, tea, and other fancy drinks and snacks.

The atmosphere alone makes this cafe one of the best places to hang out in Guelph.

Baker Street Station Love pub food and beer? This is the place for you. They offer a huge beer selection and a menu that changes several times a year, so you’ll never get bored of the sameold. Also, everything is delicious.

Silence + PS Guelph Silence is a portal for adventurous new sounds - a great place to check out new and interesting musical acts. Located in the same space on Essex St. is PS Guelph, where books are printed and bound by hand.

9

The Bookshelf

Not only is this a bookstore, but it also houses a small movie theatre upstairs.

They often play lesser-known films and documentaries, so it’s a nice break from the norm. Plus, if you stop by The Ontarion office, you can pick up a Bookshelf membership card, which means you save $4 off the price of a movie ticket.

Play with Clay An interactive pottery studio which offers pottery painting classes and fresh clay building. Makes for a fun experience that offers something a bit different than your usual daytime activities.

Grey Rock Clothing Co. Sweatshop-free and ethical clothing in one convenient location, so you can feel good about your clothing purchases.

Renaan Isaacs Contemporary Art A beautiful gallery space featuring artworks in a variety of mediums

For those who are interested in checking out what Guelph’s music scene has to offer, one of the most useful tools is Facebook – simply “like” the pages of Guelph’s many bars and venues, as well as Music Lives and Fortnight Music, for upto-date information on upcoming shows and events.

such as paint, works on paper, jewellery, metal sculpture, and glass – all by some of Canada’s finest artists.

The Dragon A specialty comics, games, and manga store in the Old Quebec St. mall. They have a pretty packed events calendar that can be accessed on their website – with events such as board game and Magic nights.

Farmer’s Market Open on Saturdays from 7 a.m. till noon, this is a fantastic spot to get farm-fresh produce, all from local farmers.

On the Verge A hip little shop with a combination of clothing, jewellery, greeting cards, housewares, and eclectic novelty and gift items.

Sweet!

Ice cream, chocolate, candy, and soda pop – all-in-one little sweet shop with a cute retro vibe. Great for satisfying a sweet tooth.

Yoga in the heart of Guelph Intro Special

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Rafaela é,

TheOntarion.com

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Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

AROUND the CITY

11

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

The Guelph arts scene is plentiful. Make it a priority to check out what the artistic community has to offer during your time here.

Guide to Guelph arts There is something for everyone WILL WELLINGTON The Guelph arts scene is rich and varied, even overwhelmingly so. But there’s no need to worry – you’ve got four years, and possibly more, to explore it. Sample widely and savour. This lamentably brief guide will get you started.

Three general recommendations: (1) Check bulletin boards frequently, on campus and downtown, for the latest events – there’s simply no online equivalent, especially since many events are one-offs; (2) Get to know downtown – familiarize yourself with the core and get a sense of the surrounding area, by bike or by bus (you’ve got that bus pass – use it) because in terms of art in Guelph, downtown, for the most part, is where it’s at; and(3) Stick around for the summer. It might become somewhat lonely with most of your fellow students at home, but if you can find a job, there’s no shortage of exciting arts events during the warmer months, not the least of which is Hillside, Guelph’s near-legendary music festival. And during the summer, campus displays its beauties best.

Visual Arts Pay a weekly visit to Zavitz Gallery on the second floor of Zavitz Hall (right across from the UC).

New work, mostly by U of G undergrads, goes up every Monday,

although the openings, where you can meet the artists and snag some free food, usually occur on Wednesday or Thursday evenings (check posters to be sure). Take a tour of the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre at the north end of campus and stroll through the sculpture park.

The School of Fine Arts and Music (SOFAM) frequently hosts public talks by visiting artists both major and obscure – check the College of Arts homepage and bulletin boards in Zavitz and Alexander Hall for details. In the Winter semester, get cozy in War Memorial (WarMem) for the Shenkman Lecture in Contemporary Art, and wash it down with a wander through the Open Studios of upper-year undergraduates and students in Guelph’s esteemed MFA program.

Theatre During Orientation Week, head to the George Luscombe Theatre (GLT) in MacKinnon (Room 101, close to Johnston Hall) for the O-Week One-Act Play Festival.

Produced by the Drama Student Federation (DSF), the O-Weeks (and the companion Sno-Weeks in January) feature original student work, and are often designed, rehearsed, and performed in a little over a week. The School of English and Theatre Studies (SETS) produces a large-scale Mainstage show in the GLT every Fall and Winter, and the venerable Curtain Call Productions stages a major musical in WarMem every Winter. For something more unusual, attend the “409” Directing Class Festival in the Fall and the Ensemble Class Festival in the Winter. Massey Hall is

where you can check for upcoming events, sign up for auditions, and receive notifications from the DSF. Off-campus, notable theatre fixtures include entrepreneurial jesters The Making-Box Brigade, whose improv and stand-up shows routinely pack the ANAF club on Gordon St., the Guelph Little Theatre, and the education-oriented First Light and To Be Determined Theatre Companies. The Bookshelf also screens performances from the Royal Opera House, and both the south and north-end Galaxy cinemas show performances from London and other major theatre centres.

Cinema For students, especially on or close to campus, the best deal going is Sunday Cinema, usually held in either Thornborough or WarMem, which screens everything from blockbusters to indie darlings for under five dollars with your student card. Docurama on Thursday evenings is a good bet, too, playing all the most interesting new documentaries for free. The Bookshelf cinema on Quebec St. is the place to go for film fans, screening new indie cinema, new documentaries, classics, and cult favourites. It’s conveniently located downtown and every student gets a free membership, which means four dollars off movie tickets. Check the Bookshelf ’s monthly magazine, Off the Shelf, or their website for listings. If it’s not in cinemas and not on Netflix, check the University Library’s surprisingly substantial AV collection on the second floor (unfortunately, loans are one night only).

Music Start the semester right by soaking up the sweet sounds of the Guelph Jazz Festival early in September, storing stamina all the while for Nuit Blanche, held simultaneously, featuring unusual and lovely music and art events in the wee hours of the night and morning. Throughout the year, Silence (46 Essex St. near Gordon and Waterloo, just south of the downtown core) is the place to go for sounds strange and exciting. Whether raucous and loud or hushed and reverent, Silence events seldom fail to interest, and the space also plays host to the Department of Lost Records, featuring new and used vinyl and cassettes, including a healthy selection of local artists. Vinyl lovers should also visit Royal Cat Records located inside Meow! on Carden St. across from City Hall. Watch out for installments in the Kazoo! concert series, which recently celebrated its eighth anniversary, and the annual Kazoo! music festival in the spring. The best way to discover new music on campus?

Tune into Guelph’s campus and community radio station, CFRU 93.3fm. Also check the SOFAM homepage for upcoming recitals and instalments in the Thursday at Noon Concert Series.

Literature If words are your passion, don’t miss the Eden Mills Writers Festival, held soon after the Jazz Festival, which sees top writing talents from Canada and

the world descending upon the bucolic hamlet of Eden Mills for a festival of open-air readings.

Although the beloved Macondo Books closed up shop this past summer, Guelph readers remain blessed with a few really terrific bookstores. The Bookshelf on Quebec St. supplies all one could ask for in terms of new hardcovers, paperbacks, and magazines, not to mention that it’s attached to a café/restaurant, another restaurant, a bar, and the best – indeed only – boutique cinema in Guelph. Take advantage of the free membership that you receive as a student. Janus Books, tucked in the Market Fresh plaza, is now downtown Guelph’s only used bookstore – good thing it’s got a wicked selection, most of which is in practically mint condition.

A brief trip farther afield will take you to the jam-packed Sunrise Books (366 Speedvale – take Bus 12 General Hospital from downtown). Comic lovers, meanwhile, flock to The Dragon, located in the Quebec St. Mall. Take a bookbinding workshop at PSGuelph, Guelph’s only print on demand bookstore and publishing house (located in Silence). Vocamus Press provides a variety of services for the local literary community.

Check their literary events calendar on their website. Schedule a visit during the Fall with the writer-in-residence or one of the numerous writers on faculty. And on Thursday mornings, tune into Books for Breakfast on CFRU 93.3fm, hosted by the lovable Dan Evans.

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AROUND the CITY

The Guelph Farmer’s Market is a busy place and open all year long. It is an excellent way to get acquainted with thePHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION downtown core in the daytime hours. Grab a coffee from a local coffee shop and fill up your fridge with local produce!

The Guelph Farmer’s Market Keeping the community healthy EMILY JONES The adjustment may take some time, and it may not happen until living off campus in future years of study, but something to not miss out on is the Guelph Farmer’s Market, located on Gordon Street downtown. There is something

really special about being able to talk to local farmers, business owners, and entrepreneurs on Saturday mornings - it gives “community” a whole new meaning.

Each member of the Guelph community is an active part of what makes this city such a great one to live in, and shopping for local food and local goods is what keeps our downtown core so strong.

The Guelph Farmer’s Market has been around for more than 180 years and is well known to city dwellers and out-of-towners

alike. The quality of edibles and people are what make the Guelph Farmer’s Market so memorable to anyone who has been.

It is of such great importance to know what you are eating, where it came from, and who you are supporting. Going to the Farmer’s Market allows residents to get to know the farmers that have been and will continue to strengthen our community for years to come.

The Market also gives a chance to students and residents alike to arm themselves with the knowledge of

where their food is coming from and what is in season - which then allows the community to stay healthy throughout the year.

Supporting the Guelph Farmer’s Market is beneficial to everyone.

It comes with a sense of nostalgia, and after each visit, you leave knowing something new and ready to try something different. It is key to find out what is in season each month of the year to know what to look for to craft the best and freshest meals. Pick up a copy of The Ontarion each week to read

my weekly column, titled “Simply Authentic: Diary of a Local Foodie,” and find simple, whole food recipes that document my weekly trips to the market and an instructional guide to making fresh and delicious meals on a budget.

These years are filled with learning experiences in and outside the classroom, so why not learn a new skill and develop a wide variety of talents – a key one being developing a desire to know what exactly you are fueling your body with and how to make it.

Best Breakfasts in Guelph Taking a look at some must-try breakfast places EMILIO GHLOUM Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Without a good breakfast, it is difficult to find the motivation to head out into the world. Luckily for you, Guelph has a vast array of restaurants that will satisfy the cravings of every kind of breakfast junkie. Whether you are looking for healthy vegetarian options or a classic greasy-spoon diner, there are a variety of restaurants in Guelph. Here is a list of a few breakfast joints that will surely aim to please.

Vienna Restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Guelph and serves an amazing breakfast.

This old-fashioned restaurant has been in Guelph since the early 1900’s. When you walk in, it feels like you are entering someone’s living room. The decor is quaint and the staff is extra friendly. As for the food, Vienna serves a fantastic

array of breakfast items ranging from the classic eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon to a delicious pancake dish called“Saddlebags.” This appropriately titled dish includes two enormous pancakes with sausage and bacon stuffed inside them. Although this may not be the healthiest choice, Vienna offers an overall wonderful breakfast experience quintessential to Guelphites.

The Cornerstone is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant located in Downtown Guelph that offers a breakfast experience like no other.

Not only known for its breakfast, Cornerstone is a great place to go and enjoy some live music on a cool downtown night. This restaurant is an excellent choice for breakfast — the menu offers daily specials made from fresh ingredients, fair portions, and delicious coffee straight from Toronto’s Kensington Market.

For a vegetarian restaurant, the menu at Cornerstone is extremely dynamic and includes omlettes, freshly-spiced roasted potatoes, and sandwiches with gourmet ingredients that change daily.

Salsateria is a unique South American restaurant that offers a twist on the original breakfast.

If you are looking to spice up your breakfast routine, this is the place to do it. With a bright and friendly atmosphere, Salsateria has been a staple for Guelphites who enjoy a diversity of cuisine.

The menu includes items such as a delicious breakfast burrito that will surely fill you up and Huevos Rancheros, a traditional Mexican dish consisting of two eggs served on a bed of tortillas and black beans. The cuisine is fresh, exciting, and well-priced. Definitely a must-try.

With the Grain is a quaint breakfast joint located on Woolwich Street that serves an incredibly healthy and delicious meal. Known as a top-notch restaurant and a bakery (located directly across the street of the cafe), the food here packs quite the punch. Offering healthy and hearty menu choices, With the Grain prides itself on using local and sustainable food sources.

Inside the small cafe with limited seating, the atmosphere is

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Cornerstone’s “Huevos Rancheros” breakfast with eggs (vegan option with tofu). very calm and relaxing. Start your day with a scrumptiously famous B.A.T.H (Bacon, Avocado, Tomato, and Havarti) or if you’re in a hurry, grab a nutritious

smoothie made fresh to order.

With the Grain is a healthy alternative to a greasy breakfast with all the same great taste. A great way to start the day.

Come join us at the Ontarion!

Our first volunteer

meeting is Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Stop by the office to check out the new space and meet the new staff!

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/GUELPH.FIONNMACCOOLS Fionn MacCool’s is a registered trade-mark of Prime Restaurants Inc. © 2014 Prime Restaurants Inc.

TheOntarion.com

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AROUND the CITY

Coffee in Guelph The best places to get your caffeine fix

through one of your favourite books.

The atmosphere is artistic and romantic, filled with warm, rich colours, light music, and local art - it is a mustcheck-out location.

EMILY JONES Looking for a better atmosphere to get some work done? Look no further than some of Guelph’s best coffee shops to get an excellent ambience and that caffeine fix we all so desperately need. Do yourself a favour and take some time to venture to all the different local coffee shops the city has to offer to find which best suits your mood on any given day.

The Red Brick Cafe

The Red Brick Cafe has two locations in Guelph: 8 Douglas Street (see the downtown map for location) and 77 Westmount Road. The two locations have a slightly different vibe, but both are host to the same delicious delicacies you are looking for when you are in need of a pick me up, a relaxing conversation with friends, or a new place to spend an hour or two sipping on an specialty coffee while making your way

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Planet Bean

Planet Bean Coffee is “freshly roasted, Fair Trade certified organic coffee” roasted right here in Guelph.

With three locations in Guelph and

availability at different venues throughout the city, Planet Bean has made quite the name for itself. The quality and ethics behind the coffee speaks for itself - it is delicious, and they are experts. The coffee bars are located at the following locations: 2 Wyndham Street (see downtown map), unit 1-1467 Gordon Street (South End), and 259 Grange Street East (this location houses the headquarters, the roastery, and a coffee bar). Planet Bean is a coffee house that holds their ethics and standards in high regard, and they have done an excellent job showing this to the community. An interesting and important notice to University of Guelph students and staff that love Planet Bean coffee: it is served at the Bullring on Campus!

The Cornerstone The Cornerstone is located on Carden Street, across the road from Planet Bean. It is known primarily for its vegetarian and vegan cuisine, so it’s the perfect place to go for a meal with a health conscious friend who still loves full-flavoured food. It is also an ideal location to spend a rainy afternoon

With the Grain Cafe and Bakery With the Grain is located on the corner of London and Woolwich, just on the edge of downtown (trust me, it’s worth the walk). With the Grain serves Planet Bean coffee and a slew of baked goods and breakfast and lunch items to try out. It’s a bustling place every morning with people looking to get their daily fix.

The decor is eclectic and homey. If you are looking for somewhere that feels like a bright cottage kitchen, this is your place!

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

when looking for a cozy place to call home for a few hours.

Capistrano Cafe Capistrano Cafe is located in the Guelph downtown square, right next to Play with Clay (see downtown map). Capistrano is known for its chai latte, and has a number of different brews ready to be served daily.

Whatever vibe you are looking for, local coffee houses have you covered. Check out what the City of Guelph has to offer when you have time to venture off campus.

Treat yourself to deliciously brewed coffee in between the fast and easy trips to Starbucks, Williams, Tim Hortons, Second Cup, and Seattle’s Best - all which are scattered around campus. Remember to bring your own mug – let’s enjoy our coffee without creating more garbage.

E V A H u yo WER O P E H T

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

AROUND the CITY

The magic of Hillside Investigating what it is that tugs at people’s heartstrings EMILY JONES For more than three decades now, Guelph has been the home of a very special festival - its name is Hillside.

Andrew Cooper, a Guelph resident who has been visiting Hillside for the past sixteen years, recently sat down for an interview with The Ontarion to celebrate the Hillside Music Festival’s 31st year. This festival is more than just a music festival, however; it has something for everyone and allows locals and outof-towners a weekend in a magical

land – a place where memories are made and never forgotten.

It all began for Cooper in 1998: “my friend’s band [Honeysuckle] won a competition. Winning the competition gave them the opportunity to play at Hillside [...] They invited me to go, and I did. I haven’t missed one since!” Cooper keeps coming back because it has become a tradition. “I have to go, I want to go. [...] I really enjoy finding [and] seeing new up-and-coming musicians [and] bands that no one has heard of quite yet,” said Cooper.

For the past twelve years, Cooper has shared the experiences of the festival with his wife, Michelle.

“We have been lucky enough to get to see many of these musicians who eventually turn out to be big,” Cooper said of their years of experience at the festival. Cooper went on to share that “more recently, it

has become a family affair. Over the last few years, both my sisters, my brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew have joined Michelle and I at our annual music festival.”

When asked about his fondest memory of Hillside, Cooper said it “will always be the music, the bands, the Island Stage with The New Deal, House of Velvet, and dripping sweat from my elbow watching The Sheepdogs […] The Lake Stage with Matt Anderson, Kim Churchill, and The Bright Light Social Hour [… and]The Main Stage with Arcade Fire, Ivanna Santilli, and Xavier Rudd.”

But Hillside isn’t just about the music; it’s about comes along with it, Cooper shared. “We camped with friends of ours; walking back to the GRCA sites in [the] pitch black [...] is something I will always remember,

[they are] such good memories,” he explained. Cooper expressed that there are too many memories to pick just one of his favourites.

“I know I have had a great time over the past sixteen years, [and I] look forward to many more years of Hillside,” Cooper shared, but there will be some changes for the Coopers, as they are expecting a baby this coming September.

“How that will change our Hillside experience, it is for us to find out at Hillside 2015,” said Cooper. “I can’t wait!”

Hillside isn’t just a music festival. It is something that is part of people’s lives; experiences they continue reliving when thinking back to fond memories. This may be just one story, but the magic of Hillside spans over thousands of people that feel just as fondly about the annual summer festival.

PHOTOS CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: JESSICA AVOLIO, VANESSA TIGNANELLI PHOTOGRAPHY, STACEY ASPINALL, WENDY SHEPHERD. IN-CONCERT, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BASIA BULAT, HYDRA AND PUP.

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SEPT. 8 - 10 UNI CENTRECOURTYARD 9-8 9-5

20

STUDENT LIFE

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION (LEFT & CENTRE), CSA COURTESY (RIGHT)

The Ontarion, CFRU radio, and the CSA (Central Student Association) are three key places to become familiar with in your undergrad years. They help keep the students aware and notified of important issues.

Media on Campus Voices heard and ears reached SAMEER CHHABRA University makes a point of emphasizing balance. Academics are the backbone of the university experience, but clubs, sports teams, and social organizations are ways for students to get out of the textbook bubble and join a different part of the university community. Getting and staying connected with other students is the first step to truly experiencing all that university has to offer.

There are numerous on-campus organizations to join, but for those students looking to have their voices heard and their opinions shared, the on-campus media institutions are the first place to look. At the University of Guelph, there are three main on-campus organizations that actively attempt to reach the ears of every student. While all three reach the minds of students, Campus and Community Radio (CFRU-FM), The Ontarion, and The Central Student Association reach the ears, eyes, and hearts of the members of the University of Guelph respectively.

CFRU-FM dates back to 1939, when a radio broadcasting credit was available to students at the Ontario Agricultural College.

However, it wasn’t until 1969 that

the University of Guelph truly had a dedicated radio station.

Finally, in 1973, CFRU-FM was awarded an AM license to broadcast publically on campus. The CFRU moved to its current 93.3 FM station in 1980.

“Since [1980], CFRU has offered Guelph a volunteerdriven alternative to mainstream and public radio,” explained Vish Khanna, Station Manager at the CFRU. “We broadcast over 70 weekly shows programmed and

“...it allows for people to work on and improve their writing skills while covering subject matter they enjoy.” hosted by local students and community members about the things they care about.”

Matthew Azevedo is a student who has been involved with CFRU-FM for over two years.

“I originally got involved with CFRU after being drawn into their “club days” booth in the UC two years ago,” explained Azevedo. “They were playing

video game music performed by an orchestra and I think it was the Zelda theme song that drew me in.”

For students with no prior experience, the CFRU staff offer training sessions and workshops that “prepare volunteers to program their own shows, produce station promos and ads, listen to and organize the tons of new music that arrives each week, promote the station, or help with the behind the scenes technical details.”

CFRU-FM invites all students to volunteer.

“The varied interests, activities, and backgrounds of our diverse group of volunteers form the basis of CFRU’s programming and allow CFRU to be an integral community hub and source of information,” concluded Khanna.

Established in 1951, The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent, non-profit newspaper. Offices are located in the second-floor of the University Centre, and much like the CFRU, all students are invited to volunteer.

“Our focus is to allow students to have a voice on-campus – our staff is primarily students, and volunteer writers and photographers fill much of the weekly publication’s content,” explained Emily Jones, Editor-in-Chief of The Ontarion. “The Ontarion covers a variety of stories on a weekly basis, including campus events, things going on in the Guelph community, and global

issues that are in dire need of being talked about.”

Students are not required to have a background in journalism.

Furthermore, advice and help are always offered by The Ontarion’s network of volunteers in addition to the five section editors.

“Working with, or for, The Ontarion is truly a unique opportunity,” stated Jones. “It allows each person to have a voice on campus if they want a public one, and it allows for people to work on and improve their writing skills while covering subject matter they enjoy. It, at times, takes you out of your comfort zone and prepares you for a future in the work place – it’s all a part of evolving into a better, stronger, more capable being, while learning new transferable skills.”

Finally, for students interested in a chance to engage in student government, the Central Student Association (CSA) serves as a voice for students at the University of Guelph.

“The CSA is your undergraduate students’ union – your voice for your rights,” explained Sonia Chwalek, Communications and Corporate Affairs Commissioner for the CSA. “We aim to work towards positive change on issues that affect students across the country through lobbying efforts, campaigns, social initiatives, events, and organizing.”

Though the CSA has a central set of five Executive Commissioners, students are encouraged to attend Board of Director

meetings to voice their concerns and opinions with the people determining their future. Furthermore, executives hold a one-year student elected position, and any student can apply for any position.

“We are member-driven and directed, so communication between the CSA and students is integral,” concluded Chwalek.

“There are a lot of opportunities to get involved, and not all require the same time commitment, skills [and] knowledge, or level of dedication. Regardless of your individual circumstances, there is definitely a way in which you can participate.”

The University of Guelph also has a number of other media groups, including The Peak Magazine, a web and print magazine published five times a year in the City of Guelph, Carousel Magazine, an arts and culture publication released twice a year; and Kaleidoscope, a student publication “dedicated to promoting and celebrating the creative efforts of the undergraduate population at the University of Guelph.”

TheON

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

STUDENT LIFE

21

Dealing with homesickness A battle faced by everyone EMILY JONES Arriving in a new place surrounded by new people is not the most comforting situation for everyone.

Although surrounded by many, it is easy to still feel alone when crowded by so much unfamiliarity. These feelings often strike unannounced and although uncomfortable, feelings of homesickness can be confronted and will, in time, pass. Like many things, this advice is easier said than done, but the hope of this article is to help you find your way out of the darkness and loneliness of being homesick.

Take time to appreciate your surroundings and the fear that comes along with beginning something new. Fear is not a bad thing; it means you are challenging yourself to enable your move towards something

greater. University is a time for evolving, and that change is not possible without getting out of your comfort zone and into a space where growth is possible. Embrace these years; they will fly by.

Stay in contact with friends from back home, but do not neglect making new ones. The relationships made or strengthened while at university are also ones that will last a lifetime. Being in a new place and meeting new people can be nerveracking, but think of it this way: these are people you are meeting because you have something in common, not just because you are the same age and from the same geographical space.

This already tells you that these new found connections are something to cherish – these people are your family for the years you spend here.

Make the most of the time you have with them; it will never be the same after you leave. Trust me.

Use technology to stay connected with loved-ones, and do so often… but not too often. With the

continual rise of technology, it is easy to talk to the people you care most about for free. Use these tools to make the transition of leaving home easier. Have a weekly Skype chat with your family or best friend. Try to coordinate it so that you have the ability to see them when you need to, but recognize that it may not always work out as planned – so stay strong, and know you’ll talk to them soon enough.

When you are having a hard time, find a new friend and stay in, watch a favourite movie, and find out about each other’s lives and what brought you to Guelph. After 30 minutes of hanging out with a new friend, the sad, homesick feelings will float away and you will be laughing late into the night, reminiscing about past times and sharing old memories while making new ones.

Find a place on campus that makes you feel at home. Whether it is a quiet corner in the library, a tree to sit under on Johnson Green, or your residence hall, make it a priority to find a place

Living with roommates The good, the bad, the ugly

that is comfortable for you and cherish it. This campus may not feel like

home right away, but it will feel like it sooner than you expect.

2. Be blunt and up-front

Off-Campus

Chances are, if you’re living on campus it’ll be hard to avoid a housemate you have tensions with.

Whether you’re packed together like sardines in South Residence or enjoying a reasonably sized East Residence room to yourself, you’re going to have to see each other on a daily basis, and when there’s a lingering tension over an issue, it can erode the sanctity of your space. Air your concerns about something and talk about it civilly, lest the problem snowball into something larger and you’re stuck not speaking to each other.

ADRIEN POTVIN Unfortunately, the horror stories you’ve heard can become very real very quickly. Dishes are piled high, your leftover Pad Thai has somehow flown the coop, and there’s a mountain of things where your common room table used to be – I’m talking, of course, about the dreaded bad roommate.

Unless you’ve arranged beforehand to live with somebody you know, choosing roommates can often be summed up to luck of the draw. If your luck runs dry and you’re stuck with someone irresponsible, messy, unpleasant, or a little bit of all those things, it can become a serious problem when it comes time to focus on yourself and your education.

It’s important to set boundaries, cleaning duties, and other factors with the people you live with from the onset of your living arrangement.

Here are some problem-solving approaches, as well as some practical rules-of-thumb to mutually set for the space you’ll be studying in, eating in and, most importantly, living in.

EMILY MILLS VIA CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Coming to university can be an overwhelming time – you are surrounded by so many new faces and learning how to be independent. Remember that you are not alone.

3. Speak to housing services (the earlier the better)

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Over the next few years, living with roommates will be one of the biggest adjustments. Be prepared, be organized and create open communication.

On-Campus 1. Establish nights for fun and nights for work On a lively Saturday night when your whole floor is partying but you, it’s a total drag. Being taunted by the shrieks of reckless abandon while you bury your face in physics formulas is agonizing enough,

and you shouldn’t have your own personal space intruded upon when your roommate plans to cut loose. To avoid this, you should let your roommate know when you have an upcoming test or assignment. It saves you the headache of dealing with people in your space, and saves any potential drama of having to boot people from your room.

If you have a gut feeling that it just won’t work out with you and your assigned roommate, you should speak to housing services the instant you get that gut feeling. The room switches fill up very quickly, and priority is given exclusively on a first-come, first-serve basis. So, if it’s day one and your roommate is giving you a bad vibe, act on it. I’ve been in this situation once and I really kicked myself for not arranging a switch sooner. Even if they can’t get you a switch immediately, in time you should be able to find something.

1. Set established schedules for cleaning It’s sometimes difficult to stick with, but when you divide cleaning duties between you and your roommates, it allows you to tackle the mess head-on before it gets too overwhelming. Spring cleaning shouldn’t have to happen in the middle of fall finals.

2. Write your name on cupboards, shelves, food products, etc.

Separating your food sets boundaries between what is yours and your roommates’, so you know exactly what you can and cannot freely use. Divide your fridge using cardboard strips, stick some tape on your cupboard doors, things like that to ensure that your things are your own.

3. Keep record of who bought what supplies Toilet paper; it is there one day, then it is gone. Nobody wants to be the one buying it all the time, so it makes sense to set a rotation of who buys it and what week they buy it.

This way, everybody knows whose responsibility it is. The same goes for dish soap and other shared household products.

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STUDENT LIFE

Volunteering in Guelph The importance of lending a helping hand EMILY JONES Looking to get involved? You came to the right city. If you haven’t already, you will soon enough feel the energy that the City of Guelph and the university have to offer. Volunteering on campus and throughout the community can enrich your life and the lives of others tenfold. Recently, in an interview conducted with Christine Oldfield, the Executive Director of the Volunteer Centre of Guelph/ Wellington, the importance of volunteerism was discussed.

“Volunteering can change a life,” said Oldfield, “for both the volunteer and the organization where they contribute their energies and talent. People volunteer for a number of reasons: some because they value giving back to the community, some to contribute to a cause they believe in, and some to explore career options and to build skills and confidence.”

The act of volunteering can “give [...] a sense of purpose,” stated

WENDY SHEPHERD/THE ONTARION

Make a choice to get involved, volunteer your time and make a different in the community. You are a vital part of making our community prosper.

Oldfield. Students and community members alike are encouraged to look at their options and find something that is suitable for them, both interest- and schedule-wise. Volunteering acts as an opportunity to get to know others and to get to know yourself better.

The City of Guelph has been extremely dedicated to volunteerism for years, and as Oldfield described, the city “is often heralded as the ‘most caring community in Canada,’ based on above average rates of volunteering identified in Maclean’s magazine in 2008.”

Oldfield went on to acknowledge that “a high rate of volunteering reflects the character of Guelph residents and the university students that [reside] here. People in Guelph want to make a difference and channel their skills, energies, and passion through community organizations.”

This dedication and passion is what makes Guelph such an incredible city to live in and be a part of.

As members of the Guelph community, we all have a role to play in keeping Guelph so rich and cultured, filled with people who care about so many different issues that affect each and every one of us. It is crucial that we keep this going. The population of Guelph rises when students move here or return here from the summer months spent at home - this is reason to see volunteer efforts rising.

Volunteering makes for a stronger community bond, greater empathy for others, and the chance to meet new people and discover new opportunities. Anything helps - an afternoon here and there, a regular weekly visit, or whatever works in your schedule. “We believe there is something for everyone. The Volunteer Centre publishes a list of new volunteer opportunities each week. From volunteering to teach kids photography through the organization Focus on Nature, to providing support to clients of Hospice Wellington, volunteers in Guelph have all sorts of options,” concluded Oldfield. Take some time this year and lend a hand the impact we can have collectively is substantial.

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

STUDENT LIFE Eating on campus Creelman, The Bullring, and many more EMILY JONES The options are seemingly endless at the University of Guelph, which should be no surprise considering the university has been among the top schools awarded for their culinary expertise for close to a decade.

Your taste buds are in good company here. When moving to university, it is crucial to find new places you like spending time, and adapting to campus meals is a big part of that.

Within a few months, you will become more and more familiar with the places you like to eat at on campus. This article will give you the low-down on some of the best spots.

Creelman Hall Looking for selection for any meal of the day? Creelman may

just be your best bet. The hall itself is beautiful and open; it is a nice place to unwind and have a meal with friends. There are always daily specials no matter what kind of food you are interested in, and the choices will surely not disappoint. My favourite as an undergrad was the pizza and quesadilla station, where you can choose your favourite toppings to satisfy your taste buds.

Other locations on campus include cafeterias located in Lennox/Addington (LA Pit), Prairie and Mountain Halls, and quick stop locations spread throughout the academic buildings. All of these also have excellent options for you to ensure you don’t go hungry while enjoying your years of study.

The University Centre

The Bullring is known around campus as “your on-campus living room,” which is perfectly suiting. The eatery that actually used to be a Bullring, then a campus pub and dance hall, has become legendary in its culinary pursuits. The Bullring is student-run and has some of the best-tasting food you’ll find on campus. It is the perfect place to spend some time, enjoy some tasty treats, and have a beverage or two or some Planet Bean Coffee (for more information about the best coffee in Guelph, see page 14).

The University Centre (UC) is also home to some tasty grub.

There are some recognizable chain fast food restaurants, but the UC also has options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free eaters, among many others. The UC also hosts three coffee shops for those early mornings and long days spent on campus. There are two restaurants in the UC, as well: The Brass Taps on the second floor, which serves pub fare and has a selection of draft beer, and The Grad Lounge on the fifth floor.

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The Bullring

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

There are so many places to eat on campus; here are three of our favourites. Pictured above is the Bullring “your on-campus living room.”

Bring YOUR voice to CFRU! multilingual programming . amazing music sound production . archived shows . events . free training and access social commentary . advertising community projects

We are

Guelph’s non-profit, volunteer-driven, campus and community radio station. Our 100+ volunteers provide alternative music, featuring Canadian artists, news and spoken word programming to the city of Guelph and our surrounding areas. We engage, inform and entertain our listeners, we empower and teach our volunteers, and we reflect the diversity of our communities.

www.cfru.ca

LOOK OUT for our events throughout October 2014 for our annual

RAISE YOUR VOICE Fundraising Drive.

24

STUDENT LIFE

Safety first!

Safe sex is the most fun sex

knitting a sweater. I am probably currently doing both of these things.

ALYSSA OTTEMA

This may seem pretty standard, but I think a lot of the time excitement and nervousness can drown out the logical voice in our heads. Most obviously, make sure you are using physical protection. Thanks to amazing health services on campus, you have access to most forms of birth control free of charge. They literally have a bowl of easily accessible, free-for-the-taking

University can be an exciting and lifechanging experience in more than one way. Chances are, this is the first you’ve lived on your own and enjoyed the freedoms that are a part of that – including the freedom of bringing whomever you choose into your life and into your bedroom.

I’ll preface this by saying that, as I sat down to write this article, it occurred to me that I am far from the authority on how to have fun with multiple partners and do it safely.

I’ve been living with my boyfriend for the last two and a half years, and my “nightlife” usually consists of too much television, roaming Pinterest, and (if I’m really lucky) gorging on pizza. Take my advice as seriously as you like, and know that I am not offended if you read this in the voice of someone wearing mom jeans and

Protect yourself first.

certainly key, you also need to consider protecting your feelings. I’m sure this isn’t something you want to hear, and I’m sure you’re rolling your eyes at me right now, but it can be really difficult to separate emotions and sex.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, and that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try (if that’s what you want to do). Do your best to be prepared for everything that comes with physical intimacy before you get down to the intimate part, but recognize that you will probably not be as prepared as you think you are – and that’s okay.

Be an adult about it.

“Do your best to be prepared for everything...” condoms in the health services building. But while physical protection is

Maybe you’re reading this thinking, “Man, this girl is a prude. Does she honestly think we need such basic sex advice?” But it’s important to be level-headed and proactive in these sometimes spur-of-the-moment situations. Even if you’re only planning to be with a partner once, it’s good to have a (hopefully quick and painless) conversation to make sure everyone is on the same page. It sucks, but you’ll

Don’t be afraid to talk about it.

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

SHAC offers free condoms outside their office in the UC. Be prepared, be safe! protect yourself and your partner from even more awkward conversations down the road, from “Oh, you think we’re dating? I was thinking about…a one-time thing…Awkward,” to “Oh, you didn’t actually use a condom?

Maybe that explains a few things about my weight gain…Awkward.” Sure, you might kill the mood, but you will definitely find the mood again.

Herpes, on the other hand, as they mentioned in The Hangover, “that shit sticks with you.”

I hope, from the bottom of my momjeans-wearing heart, that all of your sexual escapades are safe, consensual, and fun. But if you find yourself in a position which makes you uncomfortable, please don’t be afraid to ask for help. In the midst of it all, if you just don’t feel safe anymore, you can call Campus SafeWalk, and they will pick you up and escort you safely home. The aforementioned Campus Health Services are not only excellent for preparing for safe sex; they’re also a fantastic resource for maintaining your personal sexual health afterwards. At the root of it all, however, it’s important to be comfortable talking about it. Talk to your friends, your family, or anyone you feel like, really. Know that there is always an ear willing to listen, whether you just feel mildly uncomfortable about last night or you are truly struggling. There are also several hotlines and counselling services available to University of Guelph students, so please use them: sexual health does not just include physical health.

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

Sexual diversity Resources on campus for sexually diversity and gender equality ALYSSA OTTEMA Moving away from home can be both scary and exciting. It’s great to be able to - pardon my cliche - spread your wings and fly, but it can be daunting to move to a new place, away from your friends and family and the comfortable zone you have lived in for the last 17 or 18 years. It can be especially intimidating to figure out how sex, sexuality, and gender identity fits into you move into adult life. At the University of Guelph, there are several services, clubs, and support systems available to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, inter-sex, queer, two-spirit, and ally students.

STUDENT LIFE

OUTline is an amalgamation of several of these services and resources, and the organization runs several of its own initiatives, as well. Ask OUTline, a question-and-answer based blog run by the organization’s volunteers and staff members, allows students to submit questions anonymously on an online forum. The Support Phone Line, which is confidential and anonymous, offers a way for students to connect with LGBTIQQ2+ identifying volunteers for support, questions, or just general conversation. The OUTline website also links to two separate hotlines - the Distress line and the LGBT Youth Line - for students who are seeking immediate assistance.

OUTline also participates in awareness events and hosts several workshops and training sessions on the barriers and challenges of the LGBTIQQ2+ community for on- and off-campus organizations, looking to engage not only students with questions but the community as a whole.

There are also several other resources available to students on campus and in the greater Guelph

community. The Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity is a student-funded resource centre for “people of all or no genders.” The Student Help and Advocacy Centre (SHAC) offers support to LGBTIQQ2+ students who feel that their rights may have been compromised. SHAC is also responsible for coordinating the annual Queer Identities Week hosted on campus. Guelph Queer Equality was created to provide a safe place for students of all kinds - LGBTIQQ2+, questioning, or ally. Guelph Queer Equality hosts several events over the academic year, open not only to the university community, but to the general public, as well.

Making the leap into student life is certainly an exciting and terrifying leap to make, no matter your gender or sexual identity, but know that at the University of Guelph, there will always be someone who knows what you’re going through and is willing to listen. You are definitely never alone here, and the many amazing services available to students makes adjusting to campus life a little bit easier.

25

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Pamphlets outside of the Guelph Queer Equality office (UC 243).

TheON

26

STUDENT LIFE

How to survive first year Looking at some strategies towards balancing student life and social life EMILIO GHLOUM Beginning your first year on your own and your first year of university can become quite the balancing act. From all the excitement and freedom that comes with living on your own to the copious amounts of school work which will inevitably pile on, it is important to effectively manage your time. Some students get carried away with their social life and neglect their school work, while others stay locked in their rooms with no signs of life. These are both extreme cases, and as a student, it is your responsibility to effectively create a balance between the time you spend with friends and time for your

education. Once you find a good balance of your social life and your work habits, your first year experience can grow and become more meaningful as you progress throughout your university program.

That being said, there is no singular correct formula for a student to follow to ensure success. Each person has different preferences towards how they spend their time – the trick is to avoid the extremes. One way to do this is by building daily habits. For example, by setting a certain amount of time towards studying, your daily habit will become established and keep you grounded. This is important in order to avoid falling too heavily into one category. Just as too much partying will affect your academics, dedicating no time for friends or relaxing can lead to stress. Building a daily habit, whether it’s going over your notes for thirty minutes or going for a walk, can effectively help you manage your time in your busy first year.

Another strategy towards managing your time during the school year is goal setting. More importantly, setting realistic goals will boost morale and overall motivation. Setting goals can

help tremendously with time management by reinforcing positive actions.

However, there is a difference between realistic goals and goals that are counter-productive. If you set a goal to read the entire Harry Potter series within your first semester, chances are that the time being spent fulfilling that goal can harm your academics rather than improve them. Keeping in mind that you will already have a lot of reading for your classes, this goal may not be the best way to spend your time. In this scenario however, setting a more realistic goal would still be able to involve reading for leisure, but at a more controlled rate. Reading every night before bed could be a compromise for this goal which would still leave room for assigned school readings. If the goals you are setting for yourself are unrealistic, you will be less likely to achieve them. When goals are attainable, you will gain a sense of accomplishment and can build towards further improvements during your years at university.

Time management is one of the most important tools you can possess for your first year. Finding a balance between school, friends, building

WENDY SHEPHERD/THE ONTARION

Make sure to not get carried away with your social life – there are many things that are important during these years. Try to find a balance between school and life. habits, and setting realistic goals can help keep you grounded during the excitement surrounding your first year.

It is easy to get swept away from your routine, as student life can get hectic, but in being aware of how you are

spending your time, you can avoid becoming overwhelmed and stressed by your first year. The key to finding balance in your first year is managing your time realistically while fitting your own individual needs.

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28

STUDENT LIFE

Campus Decoded

Social media Use it, but use it with intention EMILY JONES In a recent interview, Andrea Karpala, Communications Manager for the CIO/Chief Librarian and Chair of the Library Social Media Committee, Jessica Westlake, Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, and former intern Belu Follin sat for an interview with the Ontarion to make clear to incoming students the way that social media can both enable students to succeed in endeavours and diminish their chances of being looked at in a positive manner.

Social media can be and is used on a daily basis at work in a multitude of facets, both here on campus and throughout the world. Karpala expressed that she “spends a lot of time on twitter” through the Library, because she finds it is “very engagement focused” and that it “points [students] to resources they may not have been aware of before.” Karpala described giving feedback on twitter to students as a way of giving them “some online love” and recognition for a job well done. Follin said that something great about social media is that “you can get some kind of feedback in a different way,” which encourages students to continue sharing.

Westlake described the role social media plays in her professional life as something that is “done in various ways,” and involves “connecting people to each other.” Westlake went on to say that “it is how we inform and support students and … ensure that there is a positive outlet.”

Social media is an important tool to use, as it helps to build an online presence, but there are things that students need to be aware of when using these platforms. While social media platforms can give students the ability to create a strong online presence where they can share and like things that they want to show people, it can also be easy to share information you may not want people to know. Weslake cautioned that “viewing someone’s social media and meeting them in person” are two different kinds of first impressions.

“The nice thing about meeting someone in person is that [someone] can elaborate on that,” Westlake explained, “whereas online, the first impression is what someone can walk away with [without learning more first].” This is why transparency is so important. Karpala stressed that “Your online presence needs to be an extension of you. As a student, you need to be really careful about what you are publically sharing online.” While being careful is important, it’s equally important to maintain

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Social media allows students to stay connected with the university community and the world. your personality, Karpala explained.

“If you are looking for a co-op or a job, you should have a more professional account that you can share with employers and then a personal account that you can share with your friends,” she concluded. “Regardless, it should still be a reflection of you.”

Something to keep in mind when constructing or deconstructing your Facebook account, according to Westlake, is your reputation. “Eventually, as my network grew, I started to think … what kind of reputation do I want online if everyone can see it? Anticipate some things - build in some safety. It all at the end of the day, it all has my reputation in mind,” stated Westlake.

When asked what kind of role social media plays in society Karpala said “I think social media plays a uniquely strong role, because it’s such a personal way of connecting. When you think about marketing in general, the most successful marketing programs are the ones that can be the most targeted and that is exactly what social media platforms can give to you.”

Karpala also shared some important things for students to keep in mind when using social media: Always use a professional account for employers; get friends to look over your account; and connect to the university to stay informed and get questions answered more quickly. She also pointed out some things not to do: never share your personal information, because you don’t know who will be looking at it; turn off your location-based services on your devices; and put a passcode on your phone, as you never know when you may lose it and who would have access to all of your personal information.

Westlake expressed a need for students to “understand each platform and how they are to be used in socially acceptable way, in order to present yourself with tact. For example,” she continued, “Facebook is about liking and sharing, not necessary a blog to talk about substantial topics. Certainly, you are allowed to, but I would caution people to use these platforms properly.”

Westlake also mentioned some questions students should ask about their online profile to make sure they are making the right choices: “Is this the reputation you want to portray? Is it accurate? Should something change?

Will you be proud of your online profile, five or ten years from now? Could it prevent you for any future careers?”

The overall consensus throughout the interview was that some social media sites are fantastic tools to help build a strong professional online presence – like LinkedIn and twitter – but that it is important to be sure to keep in mind the kind of people, networks, and groups that you follow and to ensure that they are things that support your end goal. Karpala also added that she thinks it is “field directed” – for an example, if you have an interest in writing and journalism, it may be a good idea to start a blog.

As beneficial as social media can be and as present as it is in society, it is absolutely necessary to keep in mind some of this great advice when using social media over the years you spend here at the University of Guelph. So please, go ahead, check your privacy settings and make sure you are making smart choices for not just the present you, but your future self as well.

AC - Athletics Centre AC DOME - Athletic Centre and Gryphon Dome ANNU - Animal Science & Nutrition ALEX - Alexander Hall AXEL - Axelrod BIO - Biodiversity Institute of Ontario BookStore (The University) - Books & memorabilia Brass Taps, The - On-campus pub Bullring, The - On-campus living room and coffee shop BWH - Blackwood Hall CAF - Central Animal Facility Cannon, the - Also known as Old Jeremiah Creelman Hall - Marketplace-style eating CRSC - Crop Science Daily Grind Coffeehouse - Above the Bookstore DH - Day Hall East Residences - Suite-style living for students East Village - Townhouses, usually for upper-year students EBA - Environmental Biology Annex 1 ECB - Edmund C. Bovey Building FS - Food Science FVMI - OVC - Former VMI Grad Lounge - Lounge & eatery, not just for grad students GRHM - Graham Hall Gryphs Sports Lounge or “Gryphs” - Eatery above Gryphon Sports Centre HUTT - H.L. Hutt Building JHNH - Johnston Hall Johnston Hall - Residence building for first years Johnston Green - The “front lawn” of campus JTP - John T. Powell Building LA - Landscape Architecture Building LA Pit - Eating area located in Lennox/Addington LABL - Lab Animal Building Lambton - Residence building Lennox/Addington - Residence building MAC/Macdonald Hall - Residence building Macdonald Institute Coffee Shop - To go snacks & coffee MACK - MacKinnon Building MACKS Coffee Shop - To go snacks and coffee MACN - MacNaughton MACS - Macdonald Stewart Hall MASS - Massey Hall MCLN - J.D. MacLachlan Mills Hall - Residence building MINS - Macdonald Institute MLIB - McLaughlin Library Mountain Dining Hall - In South Residence MSAC - Macdonald Stewart Art Centre OVC - Ontario Veterinary College OVC Dining Hall - In the Lifetime Learning Centre Pages Coffeehouse - 2nd floor of the University Bookstore PAHL - OVC Pathobiology AHL Prairie Dining Hall - Located in South Residence REYN - Reynolds Building RICH - Richards Building ROZH - Rozanski Hall SCIE - Summerlee Science Complex South Residences - Includes Maritime/Prairie/Mountain TCI - TransCanada Institute TEXT - Textiles and Design THRN - Albert A. Thornbrough Building UC - University Centre University Centre Food Court - Main floor of the UC West Residence - Fully furnished, paid per-semester rez Windows Café - Bistro in South Rez WMEM - War Memorial Hall ZAV - Zavitz Hall ZOOA - Zoology Annex 1 ZOOB - Zoology Annex 2

30

STUDENT LIFE

What does success mean?

after graduation. You may learn that just as you will never vanquish or eliminate the dishes, you will never vanquish or eliminate the tests and trials of life. And you may wonder, as I did and continue to do, “What is the point?”

Unfortunately, you must answer that question yourself. Some may find that there is no point in a degree at the University of Guelph.

Some will go into the workforce, or into other programs at other universities, or into college programs or apprenticeships. A university degree is not a thing of absolute and uni-

An individual discovery WILL WELLINGTON They warned me about third year.

I remember visiting a friend of a friend in first year. I barely knew the guy, an upper year in the sciences, but there I sat in his cluttered bedroom in his grimy townhouse, wondering whether filthy laundry and scattered lecture notes constituted “décor” and noting that the smell of the dirty dishes strewn across the kitchen counter permeated the entire house. I sat there with this complete stranger and, since he constituted, by my standards, a veteran in the trenches of academia, I asked him about university. I asked him whether it was difficult. He replied that, no, it wasn’t, on the whole. It wasn’t too hard.

Except for third year.

As I say, they warned me about third year.

They warned me and I ignored them. For years I forgot those words of caution entirely. So, while I should have seen third year coming, I didn’t. While I should have expected that the wave upon which I coasted through first year and second year would soon hit the rocks, I didn’t. While I should have known that the world would ask more of me and prepared myself to supply it, I didn’t. And third year hit me like a sack of bricks.

My marks never plummeted.

In fact, they hardly dipped. My workload remained about as heavy as it had ever been. I even took on more extracurricular responsibilities, which I fulfilled adequately. I could discern no radical shift to differentiate third year from the years that preceded it, except for the overwhelming fact that third year hurt.

It hurt a lot.

Remembering now how it felt requires some effort. With hindsight, the problems and pains appear miniscule and manageable, their solutions and salves simple

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Success is something that is different to each individual – it will take time to figure out what it means to you and is an ever-changing idea. Pictured above, author, Will Wellington. and intuitive. But at the time, I felt constantly exhausted. I ate and slept poorly, irregularly, and insufficiently. I neglected to wash my body, my clothes, and my home. I isolated myself even as I ached with loneliness. I condemned myself for my stupidity and laziness. I stayed up late, glaring owl-eyed at my computer screen and procrastinating like a fiend. I tried to talk myself

“They warned me about third year.”

out of assignments and considered dropping courses or dropping out. I wondered about the point of it all. I felt like a rat writhing fruitlessly in a trap.

Naturally, some of this, perhaps most of it, must be hyperbole, the fantastic magnifying lens of memory transforming a few bad weeks into one bad year. But third year challenged a lot of people. Several of my friends opted to take a break, dropped out temporarily or permanently, transferred schools, or underwent periods of severe self-doubt. I suspect those individuals, like me, look back at those trials with a mix of reverential awe and breezy dismissal. But I think it dangerous to disregard the difficult times, as tempting as it is. We risk losing everything we learned. And so I try to summon up that pain once more and ask myself, “How did I survive?” One answer is: I did the dishes.

Everything was falling apart around me. I had no idea how to be a good student or a good person.

But I could do the dishes. I was thankful for a task so simple and yet so absolutely and universally virtuous. During the toughest weeks of the winter semester, I diligently washed a load of dishes every night.

Cleaning the dishes became my anchoring ritual, as if by scrubbing plates I scrubbed away my own failures and shortcomings. No matter how poorly I performed the rest of the day, the dishes gleamed.

I think it behooves us to conceive of success as more like doing the dishes and less like, say, winning a battle or a duel. Battles, duels, and their attendant pleasures end all too quickly. Dishes, on the other hand, are forever. One cannot win at dishes, just as one cannot win at life. In such a contest, one can only hope to develop a sustainable and disciplined practice, disciplined because dishes need doing whether one is elated or deflated, glad or sad, wired or tired. A clean load of dishes may represent a humble and fleeting triumph. But such minor victories may give us not only the courage to achieve great ones, but the courage to endure great defeats.

After the rush of first year and the acclimatization of second year, you may lose sight of why you pursued a degree in the first place just as you begin to wonder what you will do

“...success [is] more like doing the dishes, and less like, say, winning a battle or a duel.” versal virtue. Neither is doing the dishes, as I discovered when my roommates informed me that they preferred I refrain from doing their dishes as well as my own. Resenting their failure to appreciate my self-evident generosity, I continued to wash their dishes with less and less magnanimity and more and more spite. (Curiously, I also discovered my inability to enter into the slightest confrontation with my roommates without speaking very softly in a silly Mexican accent.)

And eventually I fell into my old habits and the dishes piled up. I still struggle, because I, like you, am human. Nevertheless, I hope some of this may be of use someday when you find yourself, weary and downtrodden, looking back and thinking: They warned me about third year.

COME VOLUNTEER

WITH The Ontarion!

FIND OUT MORE AT

THEONTARION.COM

Finding your way through campus

You’ll definitely need to find... q MSAC / Sculpture Park

u University Bookstore

w North Residences

i University Centre (The UC)

e Johnston Hall & Green

o University Bus Terminal

r Alumni Stadium

a South Residences

t The Bullring

s East Residences d McLaughlin Library

y The Cannon

Getting around downtown Guelph

Why not check out... q Frank & Stein’s / Apartment 58

i McCabe's Irish Pub

w Guelph Concert Theatre

o Van Gogh's / Salsateria

e Jimmy Jazz / Vinyl

a Woolwich Arrow Pub

r The Albion Hotel

s Baker Street Station d Penny Whistle

t Doogie's & Pablo's y Trappers / Palace / Tabu u OX and The Ebar

f Sip Club g Western Hotel

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

STUDENT LIFE

35

Perfecting being perpetually poor

nothing worse than having an extravagant night that leaves you penniless and wondering how you’re going to manage to eat until you get some cash.

Find out what works for you.

Create your budget GABRIELLE DICKERT What needs to be acknowledged first and foremost is that students’ financial situations vary significantly. There will be people who read this column who have tuition paid for, along with a car, rent, and spending money; there will be students who use services like the CSA food bank and really struggle to make it from fall to winter OSAP disbursement; there will also be a bunch of you whose financial situations lie somewhere in between these two extremes.

This column will not provide

“...insight into the world of being a student from a financial perspective.” the financial advise that should be sought out by a professional financial planner.

There are resources available to you free of charge both through financial services at the university and your bank that you can take advantage of if you feel the need. What this column does provide is insight into the world of being a student from a financial perspective. A lot of the time students’ can feel overwhelmed in what can feel like a sea of debt, there may be situations where we can feel like we’re not able to do the things we want to or buy the things we want to because we simply just don’t have

“Remember to give yourself some wiggle room.”

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

There is a difference between what you think you will spend and what you will actually spend in the years spent at university. The price of text books will shock you, but it’s all worth it in the end. the money. That is what perfecting being perpetually poor is all about – learning that you’re not alone. That although it can seem like many of your friends are financially stable enough to go to the bars three days a week or go out for dinner regularly or even take cabs home instead of hopping on the drunk bus, there are still so many people in a similar financial situation as you.

As we begin the semester, we start with a clean slate. In some cases, we’re receiving our fall OSAP disbursements; some students are diving into their new lines of credit, some students are finding employment in the city, and some students are being allocated sums of money or allowances from their parents.

Whatever your financial situation is, now is the time to create your budget. When you’re creating your budget, you need to create an exhaustive list of expenses that will arise over the entirety of the budgeting period. Consider

things more broad than those conventionally thought of (i.e. rent, food, utilities, entertainment, phone bills, line of credit payments), but consider everything you have to pay for before the next time you’ll receive money.

If you receive OSAP, remember to budget January’s rent in. You don’t receive the second disbursement until after Jan. 1. Recognize that Christmas, as well as some of your friends’ birthdays, may be in this time and that even though they may not expect a gift, they probably expect to spend some time with you which may involve a bar night or a dinner out.

Be realistic with your budget, and more importantly, be realistic with your spending habits. If you’re someone who is notorious for shopping sprees, if you often check your dwindling bank balance just days after getting paid only to wonder, “Where did all that money even go?” you should consider creating a spreadsheet to track your spending. It’s one

thing to be spending your money, but it’s another thing to see where it goes. These days, major banks have resources for you to go online and see where your money goes. You can assess the results on your own or talk to a personal financial planner to see if you can make cut backs that may be necessary.

“Be realistic with your budget, and more importantly, be realistic with your spending habits.”

Remember to give yourself some wiggle room. There is

Some people keep their money allocated in a number of envelopes, some people need different accounts for different budget allocation categories, and some people use their credit cards for everything and pay it off right away. Just because your friends (or your parents) handle their finances one way does not mean that it will work for you as well.

Take some time to really figure out a system for yourself and you will appreciate it soon enough.

If you find that you absolutely cannot restrain yourself from spending, ask your parents to give you an allowance versus a lump sum, or open a tax free savings account or another account that doesn’t let you access your money immediately. Be very strict with yourself until you’re able to trust yourself with your own money.

TheON

36

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Eating well The balancing act of adapting to university life EMILY JONES Eating well when moving away to university, or coming back to school after being off and active all summer long, is definitely a task - like everything else in life, it is something that you need to consciously focus on to accomplish. There are plenty of long days spent on campus and many of them aren’t anticipated, so there are some steps you can take to ensure that you will not go hungry and feel the urge to overindulge (but do make sure to do so sometimes – give yourself a treat).

Eating healthily on campus with a meal plan is difficult - there are so many choices, both healthy and unhealthy, and it is up to you to make the right one. Keeping your body well-fueled is step one. University can at times feel overwhelming, but don’t skip out on meals to study a little longer, or choose not to make breakfast before an exam you have at 9:30 am because you are too busy cramming (cramming, by the way is always a bad idea). Your brain needs nutrients and water to function skipping a meal will only cause you angst while writing the exam and serve as a distraction, potentially resulting in a lower grade.

Take your time to get to know the different eateries on campus and keep hydrated by bringing a reusable water bottle with you around for the day - there are places on campus where you can fill up for free, so take advantage of this service!

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Guelph’s Campus provides students with plenty of options in terms of eating well, scope out each eatery and work to create a healthy balance. Pictured above is the salad bar in the UC. If you live off campus and are without a meal plan, eating on campus can be expensive, and realistically, you can make delicious

“Take a 15 minute break and enjoy your lunch...” meals and snacks at home to bring with you that will keep you energized throughout the whole day.

Some great ideas for quick, easy, and healthy snacks are: hummus

and veggies, nut butter and an apple, or cottage cheese or yogurt with seeds. These will all fight hunger and keep you healthy.

When you eat well, you function better; you have more energy to do the things you need to accomplish and do them well. Like everything at University, planning and organizing are the keys to successfully completing what you have set out to do. Don’t allow your eating habits to fall off that long to-do list! It is just as important as – or even more important than – keeping up with your studies.

The following segment is from Lindzie O’Reilly, Registered Dietitian in Student Health Services, who students can meet with, for free, by making an appointment

through Student Health Services.

“We are quite lucky at the University of Guelph to have access to a variety of food options on campus - you can find everything from comfort foods like mashed potatoes to a more adventurous curry or samosa. The University of Guelph makes a strong effort to include locally sourced meat and produce in its dishes, meaning your meal will travel a shorter distance, taste fresher, and be jam-packed with nutrients” said O’Reilly.

“We eat for many different reasons - for health, for fuel, for enjoyment, and for social and emotional reasons, to name a few.

Campus eateries provide us with an opportunity to meet up with friends, relax, and enjoy a meal.

Eating well will improve concentration and focus in class, can improve your mood, and will help you juggle the stressors of university life” stated O’Reilly.

“As a new student, eating on campus will likely look quite different than eating at home with your family. With a busy schedule and endless food options, it can hard to know what to choose. Try these three tips: 1. Eat often over the course of the day. Eating often will keep your energy levels up and help you retain information learned in lecture. Waiting long periods of time or until you are starving prior to eating will set you up for snoozing in class and craving foods that are high in sugar and fat but low in nutrients later in the day.

2. Make time for meals and snacks. With a hectic schedule, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of eating on the go, or skipping meals altogether. Food provides us with fuel, but also with a time to unwind. Rather than seeing meals as an inconvenience, try seeing them as a crucial part of health and self-care. Take a 15 minute break and enjoy your lunch rather than trying to study while eating. When you return to work, you will feel refreshed and more productive!

3. Build your meals and snacks around whole foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, meat, nuts, legumes, and dairy. These foods give us the energy and nutrients we need to perform. Enjoy coffee and sugary foods from time to time with your meals, but if a coffee or a snack from the vending machine becomes your lunch, your energy levels are going to suffer!”

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

HEALTH & WELLBEING Maintaining a positive body image It isn’t always easy, but it is attainable JESSICA AVOLIO University is a time of change, and how you perceive your body during this time isn’t immune to this. The truth is, many university students struggle with issues surrounding body image– issues that are often exacerbated by the changes that come with entering university for the first time. You’re adopting new eating habits and your weight may fluctuate; you’re now surrounded by a wider variety of bodies to compare yourself to; and stress from school can filter into other aspects of life and can affect your self-esteem. In addition, this is the prime time in your life to selfassess and develop your identity – making university a difficult time to maintain a positive relationship with your body.

Unfortunately, preoccupation with your body can lead to negative outcomes such as emotional distress, anxiety, depression, unhealthy habits, and even eating disorders. But the good news is that there are ways to deal with these complexities, and by forming positive habits, you can assure that you maintain a positive body image during this time.

Don’t compare your body to others. Your body is unique to you, and it is unfair to yourself to use other people’s bodies as a reference point for your own.

Especially because every body has a “type” due to genetic inheritance – this is the type of variety

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY PHILIPP // MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION VIA CC BY 2.0

Everyone deals with body image issues – with the over consumption of the media, it is easy to fall victim to these images. Learn to create a positive body image for yourself. we should all learn to appreciate.

Research shows that comparing your body to other peoples only increases negative body image.

“Don’t ever let a number on the scale dictate how you feel about yourself...”

You may find yourself envious of someone else’s curves, but maybe they wish their stomach was as flat as yours or their hair was as voluminous. The grass always seems greener, but it’s not.

Avoid bad body talk about others. Conversations between friends and family that puts a focus on other’s appearance (such as “fat talk”) only reinforces the need to heavily concentrate on surface looks. It also increases the likelihood that we find our own appearance lacking in some respect. Make friends with people who have a healthy relationship with their body, and their positivity will rub off on you. Negative chatter will do nothing but drag down your own self-confidence with it.

Avoid bad body talk about yourself. Avoid creating negative thoughts inside your head every time you pass a mirror. If you catch yourself internally or externally saying something negative

about your appearance, get yourself to think of something you like instead. Re-program how you view yourself by focusing on the positive things and not the negative. Think about how having a negative view of your body and appearance affects your personal happiness and satisfaction.

De-emphasize numbers. Your weight and BMI are not accurate indicators of body composition and health, nor are they indicators of your self worth. Caring about the health of your body by eating nutrient-rich foods, drinking enough water, and keeping your mind and body strong, are far more important than numbers. Don’t ever let a number on the scale dictate how you feel about yourself, especially because

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that number will fluctuate on a daily basis. Enjoy your body for how it moves, and exercise because it makes you feel strong, energized, and at peace.

Really question how much your esteem is dependent on appearance. Basing your happiness on how you look will only leave you frustrated. Your body will forever change, whether through shifts in weight, through the normal aging process, or whatever else may come your way. Even if your body never changed, dissatisfaction could still persist if you let it. It is important to consider what other aspects of your life may be reflecting negatively on your body image, and question if putting so much focus on your appearance has any benefits to your daily life.

Broaden your perspectives and reach out. Read books and articles about body image and do research. It is amazing how you can start viewing yourself differently when you gain further knowledge on the topic. If you are really struggling, consider contacting a campus therapist or reach out to a supportive friend, someone you can share your concerns with. Ask for support and encouragement from those around you.

As always, don’t feel pressured to feel great about your body all the time, as that’s not realistic.

The goal is to begin to change the way you view yourself and view others, and also how you interact with those around you. Altering your inner and outer discourse in a positive way when speaking about body image and self-worth will only help you on your journey to maintaining a positive body image in the long run.

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TO

GUELPH OUR CITY IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND WE WANT YOU TO FEEL AT HOME! Guelph has a vibrant downtown, great nightlife, fantastic entertainment facilities, amazing restaurants and unique shops. There’s a lot to love about Guelph!

The transit system, parking rules, garbage and recycling collection, and by-laws you’re familiar with in your city maybe different than ours.

GET TO KNOW GUELPH guelph.ca facebook.com/cityofguelph twitter.com/cityofguelph

PARKING SERVICES On-street, overnight parking is not permitted from November 1 to April 30 (unless otherwise posted), or on sidewalks, boulevards, grassed areas.

T 519-836-7275

BY-LAW AND BUILDING SERVICES Need to report a messy yard, run-down building?

PARKS AND TRAILS

Maybe you have a noise complaint or are dogs leaving a mess on your lawn?

Guelph has over 1,000 hectares of parks and open space where you can find over 70 km of trails and paths. Visit guelph.ca/parks to learn more.

It doesn’t matter the issue, By-law Services can be reached through one number.

Not sure if you are too loud? If you stand at your neighbour’s property line and hear noise from your property, then you may be too loud.

In most areas of Guelph, pets must be kept on a leash and under control. Dogs must be licensed, and some parks have off-leash areas. All pet owners are required to stoop and scoop pet waste.

WASTE SERVICES Visit guelph.ca/waste for sorting instructions and waste collection schedules.

T 519-767-0598

T 519-837-2529

FIRE SAFETY Your apartment or house must have a working smoke detector on each level.

T 519-763-8111 (non-emergency number) guelph.ca/fire

GUELPH TRANSIT Visit guelphtransit.ca for transit schedules and route maps.

T 519-822-1811 E transit@guelph.ca facebook.com/guelphtransit twitter.com/@guelphtransit

Ontarion_Back to school_2014.indd 2

12/08/2014 10:40:50 AM

CONNECT WITH GUELPH TRANSIT ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND GUELPHTRANSIT.CA

guelphtransit.ca

YOUR TICKET TO RIDE! Your University of Guelph student card with a valid bus pass sticker is your ticket to ride on Guelph Transit! Please show your card to the driver each time you board the bus. You are required to pay full bus fare if you do not have a valid bus pass sticker on your University of Guelph student card.

WASTE COLLECTION Welcome to Guelph! Guelph’s waste collection program is unique. Residents, including students living off campus, sort waste into three streams—organics, recyclables and garbage for landfill.

LOST AND FOUND Lost student cards found on Guelph Transit buses are sent to the Student Client Services in the UC. Confiscated student cards are sent to the Campus Police office.

For all other lost items, please contact Guelph Transit at transit@guelph.ca or 519-822-1811.

ROUTE PLANNING Plan your trip online with Google Transit or use the NextBus Arrival System with your phone or on the web. Information on Google Transit and NextBus, as well as route maps and schedules are available on guelphtransit.ca.

GREEN (ORGANICS)

BLUE (RECYCLABLES)

EXPRESS AND LATE NIGHT SERVICE

• Food items (scraps, peels, bones, shells)

• Aluminum

• Tea bags, coffee grounds and filters

• Glass (all colours)

Guelph Transit operates several express buses that service the university campus and surrounding areas. Late night bus service operates Tuesday to Saturday, servicing the university area. Late night service is also offered on Sunday, but on a modified route. The late night shuttle provides service between the University Centre and Guelph Central Station on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights during the school year.

• Paper towels and tissues • Household plants • Pet waste and litter (no plastic bags, except those labelled with the certified compostable logo) All plastics must be removed.

• Boxboard and cardboard (flattened) • Newsprint and paper • Plastic bottles and containers (all numbers) • Polycoat/Tetra Pak (milk cartons/juice boxes) • Shredded paper (in a separate blue bag)

Express and late night service is provided from September to April, with the exception of winter break and reading week.

• Steel cans Containers must be empty.

CLEAR BAG/GREY CART (GARBAGE) Items that are: NOT compostable NOT recyclable NOT hazardous Including: Diapers and hygiene products Styrofoam Coffee cups

WE’RE ROLLING OUT THE CARTS Guelph places its organics, recyclables and garbage at the curb in transparent green, blue and clear bags for collection. Last fall, two-third of the city started using carts to place their waste at the curb for collection instead of plastic bags. Using carts instead of bags reduces the amount of waste Guelph sends to landfill as well as its carbon footprint.

Green, blue and grey carts will roll out in select neighbourhoods again this fall. If you receive carts this fall, you’ll receive an information kit.

Ontarion_Back to school_2014.indd 3

COLLECTION TIPS • Your waste must be at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on your collection day.

• If your waste is not picked up, its contents may not be sorted properly.

Remove uncollected bags or carts from your curb by 7 p.m. Items left at the curb are subject to a fine under the Waste Management By-law.

BIG STUFF

KEEP THE COPS FROM CRASHING YOUR PARTY The City has stepped-up enforcement to ensure people at your party get home safely, respect your neighbours and comply with City by-laws.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS: • Designate a sober host. A sober host can control the music volume and who gets in to your party.

• Tell your neighbours about the party and how to get in touch with your host if there’s a problem.

• Park properly. Follow posted rules about parking, and don’t block driveways or sidewalks.

• Party with people you know. If you have uninvited guests or things get out of hand, call Guelph Police 519-824-1212.

• Clean up immediately. Your neighbours may be more tolerant of the next party if you clean up your mess.

• Party at someone else’s place. Your neighbours will get annoyed if there’s ALWAYS a party next door.

Large items, including furniture, are not collected at the curb. Bring them to the Waste Resource Innovation Centre, 110 Dunlop Drive or pay to use the Bulky Item Collection Program for a scheduled pickup.

12/08/2014 10:40:54 AM

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

HEALTH & WELLBEING

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Moving away from home Difficulties associated with distance SAMEER CHHABRA I was excited to move out of my house and into residence during my first year. I’d packed my things, said goodbye to my friends, and I was just about to start my journey into whatever it is people call university-age-living. I was also lucky since I was on the same floor as a variety of people who were just as excited about living on-campus.

As far as anyone I knew was concerned, residence was going to be awesome – it was going to be like a hotel, except doors would always be open and friends would always be available.

What I didn’t know was that just below my room was someone who was nowhere near as excited as I was. They weren’t looking forward to leaving home, they missed their friends, and their journey into university-age-living was more intimidating than exciting.

Experiencing none of the same excitement as their roommates or floormates, going through homesickness and loneliness, and wanting nothing more than to be somewhere familiar are reasons why not everyone looks forward to moving away from home.

Especially difficult is the feeling

of isolation that can creep up on a person when they’re in an unfamiliar environment surrounded by unfamiliar people doing unfamiliar things.

Despite enjoying his time, Aaron Awdhan is a fourth-year Human Kinetics student who experienced difficulty and unfamiliarity with his first year.

“I had an amazing experience when I first came to the University, although I was fairly scared initially because I had just met my roommate for the first time, knew nobody, and was overwhelmed by all the people moving in and overwhelmed by the events happening on campus,” explained Awdhan.

Shelby Cady is a third-year Zoology student who experienced a similar difficulty in getting acclimated to the new university environment during her first year.

Hailing from Missouri, Shelby was a significant distance away from her family and her home.

“The hardest thing is that having your family be a 12 hour ride away makes it impossible to go home for a weekend while everyone else is [visiting their family],” explained Cady. “I can’t go home and have my mom cook me dinner or play with my pets to relax.”

Living away from home is a difficult and daunting experience, but students should always remember that they are not alone.

Every incoming student shares a certain amount of apprehension and excitement, even if they

don’t show it. More importantly, there are a countless number of resources available to students during any period of anxiety.

Raithby House is the home of the Student Support Network at the University of Guelph. They specialize in helping students not only acclimate to new experiences, but also deal with stress, moments of crisis, fear, and apprehension.

Furthermore, there are after hours resources like Crisis Line and Good2Talk that always have operators present to talk to students.

For students living on-campus, Residence Advisors (RA’s) and Cluster Leaders are always a good option. RA’s and Cluster Leaders are current students who have experience and training to help with confusing emotions, difficult roommates, incredible course loads, and general mental wellness.

Daunting as it might be, the best way to get acclimated to the university setting is by getting involved. Orientation Week is a time for new students to meet one another and learn more about themselves and each other. “[Orientation] Week is definitely one of the most social times [students] will have during university, because [they] meet lots of people, and everyone is so friendly,” explained Awdhan. “[Students] generally feel the same way [as each other] and there are so many events to meet people who have similar interests.”

Balancing life as a student Productivity, self-care, and leisure EMILY JONES People often concentrate on the importance of being physically fit and take time to work on the outsides of their bodies, but it is extremely important to find balance all around. Being healthy from the inside-out is a task that takes some planning and dedication, but it is ultimately one of the most beneficial things one can do for themselves. Moving to university, or coming back after spending a summer back home, is an adjustment; it will take time to figure out what works and what doesn’t work to keep you healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Finding a balance between productivity, self-care, and leisure is one of the greatest things one can do to better their lives in the moment and in the future. The Wellness Education Centre on campus provides some resources that would be beneficial for students to aid in properly managing their time. With so much going on for students, such as school, social gatherings, part time jobs, and extra-curricular activities, “... students can use time management techniques to make time for everything – to find balance.

I highly recommend the time management workshops and tools offered through the Learning Commons in the Library,” recommended the staff of The Wellness Education Centre.

At times, it is hard to adapt to these rapid changes; everything seems as though it is moving so quickly that there is barely any

time to stop and acknowledge what exactly is changing. Students go from living at home and having some structure (and often less responsibility, both financially and otherwise) to living alone with less restriction; things like eating healthy meals and getting enough sleep can fall to the wayside. These things may seem small now, but they are actually some of the foundational pieces of living well during the period of living independently for the first time. The staff at The Wellness Education Centre mentioned that “First year students especially struggle with finding balance – particularly when it comes to finding time to get enough sleep, eat well, and stay active.” They went on to say “finding balance is something that we all have to constantly work on. New commitments come up, some times of the year get busier than others,

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

Moving away can seem like a daunting, unfamiliar thing to do.

Embrace this time – it may seem scary now, but it will turn out to be one of the greatest times of your life.

However, another great way to deal with the stress of moving away is by engaging in volunteering activities. “[Student Volunteer Connections at Raithby House] helps people who feel alone by helping them put down roots in the Guelph community both on and off campus,” explained Kelsey Taylor, Director of Student Volunteer Connections. “Volunteering off-campus is a great way

to get to know the culture of the city, make friends outside of the campus bubble, and find a support network for those days when you are feeling homesick.”

It’s difficult getting used to the university environment, but there are always options available to people who feel down or out of place. The simple truth is, regardless of our many differences, we’re united by the University of Guelph.

and so on. It’s like balancing on one leg on a large circus-sized ball with a plate spinning on a

time is going to ensure that they have an adequate amount of time for taking good physical care of themselves – which is considered self-care (eating well, exercising, sleeping enough) – while maintaining a structured school and work schedule – which is part of productivity, and being sure that they continue to set time aside to do things that they want to do (spending time with friends, doing a hobby, etc.).

The key to being healthy is linked to working towards finding an equal balance between these three extremely important aspects of each individual’s life.

Once one begins along this route, it will be simpler to stay healthy - physically, emotionally, and mentally. When looking for help, The Wellness Education Centre is a great resource to make the transition to university life smoother and more enjoyable.

“...gaining control of time management is the best way to create a balance.” stick that is perched on your nose – something will always come along to perturb that and it’s up to you to regain the stability.”

The Wellness Education Centre staff made clear that they believe that gaining control of time management is the best way to create a balance. The staff stressed that it’s important that students are consciously acknowledging where

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Stress, anxiety, and depression

and make appointments with the appropriate support services.”

When wanting to reach out, students are encouraged to do so. “You don’t need to wait until something’s wrong to get involved on campus and meet a really awesome mentor or friend. That could include something like volunteering with a student organization or club, chatting with a professor or TA about something you’re really interested in, working part time, or finding a social hobby that you

really enjoy,” said the staff at the Wellness Education Centre.

It is important that “if something isn’t feeling right, you (…) reach out to any of the many resources on or off campus to get support with pretty much anything you could think of (i.e. academics, relationships, career searching, etc.),” they continued.

“What becomes worrisome is when you have an emotion that lasts over a long period of time (think weeks or months), when they get in the way of normal day-to-day living, or they are severe emotions,” the staff of the Centre explained. “If you’re experiencing something like this, Counselling Services (on the 3 rd floor of the UC) has professional counsellors that can meet with you one-to-one by appointment or you can drop-in between 12:00pm and 3:30pm Mon-Fri. If you’d like to speak to a trained student volunteer, you can access the Student Support Network in Raithby House from 12pm-10pm Mon-Fri. The physicians in Student Health Services (in the J.T. Powell Building) are also able to support students who are struggling or in crisis between 8:30am and 4:30pm Mon-Fri.” So please, don’t feel alone there are times that are tough for all of us, and at the University of Guelph, we are extremely lucky to have so many resources available to help aid in making our livelihood so much better.

you finally do get a response, it will be something that brightens your day.

Call your family; as much as it may seem like your parents couldn’t wait for you to get out of the house, or that they were as excited for you to begin this new chapter as you were to get out on your own and be an adult, this is not easy for them. They have been watching you grow and evolve your whole life, and whether or not you want to hear it, they love you and they are so proud of your accomplishments thus far, but they are going to miss you like you wouldn’t believe. So call them, and let them know you love them and are thinking of them. It will make them even more proud to call you their offspring.

Take the time to appreciate all of the people who have lent a hand in helping you get to where you are in this moment. Recognize that all of the people you have met and loved up until now have helped you shape your life and the person you are. If they mean something to you, tell them; be open and honest and have gratitude. It may seem difficult to believe right now, but these new faces surrounding you right now the people who you will spend so much time with over the next four years – will too be long-distance relationships in the future, so cherish every moment you have. It isn’t your whole life that you will be able to live with your best friends - appreciate all these moments, and don’t let them just slip away.

Talking openly about mental health EMILY JONES This year at The Ontarion, there will be a weekly column titled “Mental Health and Wellness,” which will touch on several different kinds of staying mentally healthy and feeling well in dayto-day life. The column will be a place where people can openly discuss how they are feeling, how mental health has affected them in their lives, and ways to stay mentally fit. This column will be of rotating authorship, so our readers will have many different perspectives to learn from.

Some things that have effect on so many people - students and non-students alike - are things like stress, sadness, anxiety, and depression. These are also things that vary in severity and are not the same for everyone. In looking for somewhere to lend a helping hand and some pointers, The Wellness Education Centre on campus was willing to give some feedback to help those dealing with hardship.

The Wellness Education Centre believes that “it’s important to move away from pathologizing mental health and acknowledge that it’s totally normal to feel sad, anxious, or stressed out – especially

LIZ VIA CC BY-NC 2.0

If you are feeling like you need to talk to someone – do it. There are so many people here on campus that want to help and are listening with open ears. during such a huge transition.

Equally as important is allowing yourself to seek support and talk to someone if you’re having those feelings – even if you don’t have depression or anxiety or a mental health challenge. Sometimes talking through an experience or the emotions can be very helpful for some people. Having emotions [is] what makes us human.” They offered up some important places to reach out to if you or someone you know is wanting to talk, such

as “Counselling Services, Student Health Services, and the Student Support Network, [which are] available to students for FREE if they want to talk to a counsellor, physician, or trained volunteer.

Good2Talk and Here 24/7 are also two hotlines available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. Good2Talk is a hotline for post-secondary students who want to discuss the challenges they are facing (…) Here 24/7 is a crisis line that can provide referrals

Long-distance relationships Not just the romantic ones EMILY JONES Long-distance relationships come in many forms, but the ones most often associated with the name are relationships of the romantic kind.

Romantic relationships may be ones that are paid the most attention to when moving away to school and leaving a partner behind. These relationships are important, and there are many ways one can work towards keeping those relationships intact.

This article’s focus isn’t primarily on long-distance relationships of the romantic kind, but of every kind.

Due to the rose-coloured glasses that often cloud vision when in a warm and fuzzy romantic union, other relationships that are also of great importance (and sometimes of greater importance - sorry) fall to the wayside. These relationships are relationships between family members and friends. When moving to university and away from home, everything changes. High school is over, and all of the people you have known for years aren’t surrounding you anymore. The commonality and familiarization of the hallways, the faces, the friends – they’re all gone.

Coming home to your bedroom with your parents just down the hall is a feeling you will now have a few times a year, or possibly in the next few summers. These changes

can take years to recognize, but it’s crucial to at least acknowledge that there are changes and that it is one of your new responsibilities to keep the relationships that you cherish strong. Noticing this will also aid in not taking for granted the moments you have here with the new friends and “family” you will meet.

Keep in touch with friends back home, or friends who are now away discovering their own lives and independence. It will not always be easy to keep in touch; schedules will conflict, and there may even difference in time zones - but do it anyway.

Plan a monthly email update with your best friends and don’t expect a response the next day, because it is highly unlikely it will happen. Just know they are there and that when

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SCHOOL & STUDIES

MATTHEW AZEVEDO/THE ONTARION

There are so many great nooks and crannies on campus to buckle down and make the most of study time. Find somewhere you are comfortable and take time to focus. Pictured above is McLaughlin Library.

Places to buckle down and study A look at the different spots to study on campus EMILIO GHLOUM The University of Guelph campus is filled with many unique and interesting places for a person to study. Whether you enjoy silence, proximity to food, or the sounds of students rushing to class, the campus hosts a place to study for everyone.

The most common and resourceful place for studying is the McLaughlin Library. With 7 huge floors stacked with shelves of books, it is no wonder that the library is the most coveted study space on campus. With a newly built Starbucks (opening Sept.

22) located on the main floor, the library offers all the resources a student could want in a study space. Everything from printers to comfy couches, computers, and study carrels are available at the McLaughlin Library. While this may seem like the clear-cut choice when finding a place to study, during exams and midterms the library is notorious for being crowded. During the busiest times of the semester, it can get extremely difficult to find a place to settle down and study.

If you are looking for a more comfortable and cozy place to study, The Bullring is the perfect place to do so. The well-known

student-run pub is a great place to get some work done on multiple couches and insanely comfortable chairs (beware if you are prone to napping). On top of its excellent atmosphere, The Bullring serves incredibly delicious and affordable food to fuel the studying mind. Hosting live music and open-mic nights every week, there is no doubt that The Bullring is one of the most lively spots on campus. That being said, the space is small and can get pretty distracting if you are not comfortable with a loud atmosphere for studying.

“The Bullring... is a great place to get some work done on mulitple couches and insanely comfortable chairs.”

Another great space for studying if you have a group of friends would be in Rozanski Hall.

During exams or when there are no classes in session, these enormous and comfortable lecture halls serve as a great place to get together with friends. With swivel seats, white boards, and laptop charger plugs, Rozanski is a vital place to set up for long

periods of time. Similarly, the seminar rooms in the MacKinnon Building offer the same kind of study space that Rozanski offers, with a few exceptions. The rooms in MacKinnon, located directly across from the library, are a lot smaller but also grant you the ability to speak and practice presentations in a classroom environment. In the Rozanski lecture halls, there may be other students studying quietly in the area, so being vocal is not ideal.

Perhaps the most prominently located building on the list, the University Centre (UC), boasts a variety of spaces to buckle down and study. There are many tables available at the food court in the UC with huge windows for great natural light. With Starbucks and Subway just a few steps away, the UC can be great for keeping up with your studies on campus.

The UC is full of the hustle and bustle of Guelph students and is often one of the busiest places on campus. If the food court is not your scene, William’s Cafe in the UC will definitely become a favourite. Typically filled with students taking naps on the many comfortable sofas, this cafe is also cozy and comfortable, and perfect for a less intense study session.

There are many spots that attract students to the UC, and as you will learn from passing through almost daily, it is one of the most convenient and proactive places to be on campus.

Located on the north end of campus, the Macdonald Stewart Hall is a spacious study spot in a rustic and beautiful building.

“...you will no doubt find multiple places to study which best suit your needs. ” Also home to PJ’s Restaurant in the Atrium (which was recently voted as one of Canada’s greenest restaurants in 2014 by LEAF), the Macdonald Stewart Hall offers a place for students living in northern residences to come and study. If you are looking for a quaint and approachable study space, the lounge in Macdonald Stewart Hall is a great alternative to some of the central campus locations.

Unless you are distracted by the smell of delicious food, Creelman Hall is a great and efficient place to study. While Creelman Hall serves primarily as a marketplace, its recent renovations and ample seating has made it one of the favourite places to study on the north end of campus. Creelman Hall has a variety of restaurants to fulfill your culinary cravings– perfect for early mornings or long nights of studying.

Another popular location for studying on campus is the

Summerlee Science Complex.

While it is home to the College of Biological Science and College of Physical and Engineering Science, the newly built complex is open to students of all majors.

The beautiful and spacious atrium is the perfect place to set up camp during mid-terms and exams. Always open late and filled with students studying or relaxing, the Science Complex atrium has some of the most comfortable seating on the entire campus. If you are looking to post up for long periods of time, the atrium is one of the most quintessential study spaces available.

As your first year progresses, you will no doubt find multiple places to study which best suit your needs. There are many places I haven’t listed which would be ideal for all kinds of studying; half of the fun is uncovering the lesser known spots and exploring the wonderful campus with the aim of academic success.

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DO YOU HAVE GREAT COPY-EDITING SKILLS, AND THRIVE IN FINDING ERRORS? IF SO, YOU ARE WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR. AS COPY-EDITOR, SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS ON MONDAY AFTERNOONS, AND FOR SOME TIME ON TUESDAY MORNINGS DURING EACH PRODUCTION WEEK.

101 Things to Do Before You Graduate Read The Ontarion Volunteer for The Ontarion Learn a new language Paint the cannon See a play on campus See a local band play Go to Sunday Night Cinema at War Memorial Hall Sit in on a class you are not a part of – and learn something new 9. Participate in class – even if you are nervous; it’ll get easier as you go 10. Go canoeing or kayaking down the Eramosa and the Speed River 11. Spend a summer in Guelph and explore the city 12. Listen to CFRU 13. Change your major (if you want to) 14. Avoid social media for a week 15. Go to (or volunteer for) Hillside Festival during the summer, or Hillside Inside during the winter 16. When you get the urge to say something in class, raise your hand and say it – don’t worry about being judged 17. Work on ways to improve your self-esteem and learn to love your uniqueness 18. Have a drink (or two) with one of your favourite professors 19. Take the wrong bus and go for a scenic tour of Guelph 20. Have a picnic on Johnston Green 21. Join a team or a club 22. Play an intramural 23. Speak to a career advisor before graduation 24. Make full use of your student discounts while you can 25. Use your student benefits – the dentist is expensive without them 26. Take a ballroom dancing class at the Athletic Centre and impress your friends 27. Go to the Guelph Farmer’s Market (tip: try and wake up early and go; by 10:30 it’s packed!)

28. Participate in Project Serve 29. Live off-campus 30. Go to 4/20 on Johnston Green 31. Go for a bike ride to Guelph Lake 32. Explore the Arboretum 33. Learn the difference between MacKinnon, MacLachlan, McLaughlin, MacNaughton, and MacDonald Hall, MacDonald Stewart Hall, and MacDonald Steward Art Centre 34. Visit the Church of Our Lady Immaculate – appreciate its architectural beauty 35. Go to a noon hour concert 36. Read the Peak 37. Visit an art show at Zavitz 38. Participate in the Speed River clean up 39. Get free condoms at the Wellness Centre 40. Go to The Bookshelf Cinema to see a film 41. Visit the splash pad in front of City Hall in the summer 42. Go skating on the ice-rink in front of City Hall in the winter 43. Learn to properly sort your garbage 44. See a show at the River Run Centre 45. Introduce your older relatives to Skype and keep in touch through video calls 46. Get to know your personal style 47. Visit Elora and explore the area 1.

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48. Go to the Aberfoyle Antique Market 49. Visit MacDonald Stewart Art Centre for an exhibition – catch an opening for wine and cheese 50. Create a close group of friends – they are the family you create for yourself 51. Network with people in your field and in other fields to become a more well-rounded person 52. Take time for yourself 53. Dress the Begging Bear 54. Take a photo with the Gryphon statue 55. Watch the squirrels – they are everywhere 56. Wear University of Guelph gear; be proud 57. Go vegetarian 58. Volunteer and participate in Trick or Eat 59. Cook every meal for yourself for a week 60. Find a new hobby 61. Participate in Movember 62. Go vegan 63. Do music trivia at a bar 64. Start a sing along of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’’” on the late night bus 65. Get the highest mark you have ever received on an exam 66. Get the lowest mark you have ever received on exam (it’s ok – it happens to everyone) 67. Try new kinds of cuisine 68. Learn to navigate your way around the library and the library website 69. Bring your new friends to your hometown and show them around 70. Host a wine and cheese party 71. Host a “family” dinner with your group of friends – make it a potluck 72. Pull an all-nighter 73. Go a day without your cell phone 74. Don’t buy a plastic water bottle 75. Be happy that you didn’t go to Western 76. Go to a St. Patrick’s Day keg party 77. See a varsity sports game 78. Get to know your neighbours 79. Get to know Bob from Bob’s Dogs 80. Take a nap in the Bullring 81. Volunteer for the CSA 82. Go to College Royal 83. Attend a concert at Peter Clark Hall 84. Go camping at Guelph Lake 85. Visit and explore local conservation areas 86. Go to the Eden Mills Writers Festival 87. Check out the Festival of Moving Media 88. Go to the Jazz Festival 89. Buy artwork at the Zavitz print sale 90. Go to the Fergus Highland Games 91. Run a marathon 92. Learn to meditate 93. Learn to enjoy spending time alone 94. Join in on the festivities for Canada Day at Riverside Park 95. Ride your bike to campus 96. Take notes by hand 97. See a guest speaker 98. Take a local brewery tour 99. Make it to every lecture for a month 100. Contemplate life 101. Create your own traditions

Aboriginal Resource Centre (ARC) The Aboriginal Resource Centre provides a warm and caring environment for all Aboriginal students and the community. Programs and services include: Aboriginal student advising and support, programs to help with the transition to university life, study support and tutoring assistance, bursary and scholarship information, cultural and traditional workshops, and research support.

Athletics The Athletics Department provides a diverse spectrum of physical activities, including intercollegiate sports, intramurals, interest classes, clubs and unstructured recreation. A wide range of facilities and extensive building hours provide all students with the opportunity to become involved.

CampOut CampOut is a student-driven support/social group that provides a safe space for students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Transsexual, Queer, Not-Straight; those who chose not to identify with a label; and/or those who are questioning their sexual orientation.

Campus Police The Campus Community Police are committed to enhancing the safety of students, staff, faculty and visitors to the University of Guelph.

Central Student Association (CSA) The Central Student Association is a not-forprofit, run by students for students, that works to serve and protect the rights of undergraduate students at the University of Guelph.

They represent collective interests on issues as diverse as public transit, neighborhood relations, and accessible education.

The CSA listens to student concerns, whether academic, community, social or environmental, and take action. They also seek to protect and advance student rights on campus, in the community, and on a provincial and cross-Canada scale.

Centre for New Students The Centre for New Students supports incoming undergraduate students in their transition to the university and throughout their first year of study. During Orientation Week they collaborate with more than one hundred campus partners in delivering a range of events and activities designed to expose new students to the rich network of opportunities that exist on campus.

Centre for Students with Disabilities The CSD offers specialized programs and services to students with disabilities registered at the University of Guelph (full-time or part-time undergraduate and graduate). Their advisors, support staff, Peer Helpers and volunteers work with students, faculty and staff in the provision of programs and services designed to assist students with disabilities in participating fully in university life, and in maximizing campus accessibility.

C.J. Munford Centre The C.J. Munford Centre functions as a resource facility for students of colour of varying backgrounds. The Centre focuses on issues of diversity, race, and other significant factors relevant to the lives of people of colour.

The centre houses a small lending library, as well as a safe space, events, public programming throughout the year, workshops, discussions and counseling support. Though the centre is a volunteer driven organization for students of colour, it is open to everyone

on campus and individuals within the Guelph community interested in learning about issues regarding people of colour around the world.

Community Engagement & Global Citizenship Community Engagement & Global Citizenship fosters leadership, community engagement and social change through active collaboration and meaningful learning experiences. This unit challenges students to imagine what is possible, to seize opportunities to deepen their learning, and to effect individual and collective transformation as active, global citizens.

Co-operative Education & Career Services The Co-operative Education & Career Services (CECS) department is an essential on-campus resource for students and alumni, providing career guidance through programs and services to help you achieve your career potential. CECS provides assistance in all stages of the job search process from building the perfect resume, performing a stellar interview, to accepting job offers.

Assistance is also available in determining what to do with your degree and how to plan your career path. Recruit Guelph, the University of Guelph’s online job board, is also available through CECS, giving you access to full-time, co-op, part-time and summer jobs at your fingertips.

Counselling & Disability Services Counselling and Disability Services fosters academic success, personal development, and spiritual growth through the provision of responsive and proactive programs and services. The department is comprised of three units: the Centre for Students with Disabilities, Counselling Services and the Multi-Faith Resource Centre.

Guelph Resource Centre for Gender Empowerment and Diversity (GRCGED) GRCGED is a student funded, collectively run resource centre for people of all or no genders.

They advocate anti-oppression issues within a feminist framework, recognizing that issues of gendered oppression consist of struggles against all systems of domination. They offer a relaxing, comfortable space and provide resources and support for students, staff, faculty and community members, who can use their extensive library, computers and other accessible technologies, buy traditional and alternative menstrual products, attend workshops and other public events, or become a trained volunteer or collective member.

If you are in crisis, you can also access peer support, referrals and a private room.

Health & Performance Centre The Health and Performance Centre (HPC) offers a wide range of diagnostic, rehabilitation and health promotion services, including physiotherapy, massage therapy, chiropractic and sports medicine. The services are offered on a fee for service basis - many of which are covered by the student health plan.

Humans Rights & Equity Office (HREO) The role of the Human Rights and Equity Office is to help maintain an environment within which all persons, regardless of their personal characteristics, feel that they are treated with dignity and respect. Their staff, together with a large number of interested University community members, works toward meeting the University’s commitment to protecting and upholding the human rights of every individual and to providing special programs to end the effects of historical disadvantage and to achieve equity in all areas of University life.

tudent Resource Guide The Learning Commons The Learning Commons is based on a partnership model designed to support and enhance undergraduate and graduate student learning, writing, research, numeracy, and technology at the University of Guelph. Our core services are located on the first floor of the McLaughlin Library in recognition of the Library as the central gathering place for students to study, engage in writing and research, and learn in collaborative settings.

Multi-Faith Resources Multi-Faith Resources consists of a team of leaders or representatives from a number of different faiths, all working together to meet the religious and spiritual needs of the university community. Multi-Faith Resources are committed to promoting friendliness, religious understanding, harmony in diversity, and spiritual growth on campus.

Off Campus Living Off Campus Living works closely with students, residents, City staff, landlords, and City Councillors to help facilitate communication and to ease the way for students who live in Guelph. They also provide a range of programs and services to support students in making the transition to off campus living, in navigating new relationships with landlords, house mates and neighbours and, through the Information Desk, finding their way on campus and in the local community.

Office of Intercultural Affairs The Office of Intercultural Affairs (OIA) serves the campus community by fostering an environment of cultural competency and diversity. At the intersection of academic and co-curricular learning the OIA offers intentionally designed programming and services that foster leadership and community development within an intercultural and international context. OIA is home to the Aboriginal Student Advisor, the Aboriginal Resource Centre, Chroma, the LINK program, the International Student Advisor, and many programs, services, and awareness campaigns.

OUTline OUTline is the University of Guelph’s resource and support service specializing in questions relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. The OUTline website was created to provide you with information about the services we offer and connect you to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, queer, two-spirit, ally resources and support in Guelph and beyond.

Personal Counselling Offers individual counselling sessions to help support students as they work through the personal challenges that impair their ability to succeed at school and in other areas of their lives.

Safe Walk Safe Walk is a student-run organization dedicated to providing people on campus with a safe and reliable escort after dark. This service is free of charge. To access, use the free SafeWalk button on any Bell pay phone, use the emergency blue pole phones located around campus, or approach a pair of walkers.

Student Health Services Student Health Services supports student’s academic success by providing comprehensive medical and health services to students and their immediate families. The health clinic staff includes: physicians, a psychiatrist, nurses, a dietitian, an Addiction Counsellor, and a Health

Educator. In addition to the clinic, we have a Wellness Centre staffed by trained student peers offering health education and information on a variety of health and lifestyle topics.

Student Help and Advocacy Centre (SHAC) The Student Help and Advocacy Centre is a student run advocacy and referral centre that provides a safe space for students to ask questions and get information. SHAC staff and volunteers will assist students in a confidential and compassionate manner to provide them with the information they need.

SHAC strives to eliminate the discrimination against people facing all forms of oppression as well as the stigma of asking for help. Their goals as an organization are to work hard to help advocate for the rights of the oppressed as well as to aid as many people as possible in finding the resources they need to be successful in their endeavors.

Student Housing Services Student Housing Services provides residence space and services for over 5000 students as well as two locations for students with families. Student Housing aims to promote students’ personal and academic success by providing communities staffed by teams who respond to student needs.

Student Life Student Life supports students in the many transitions they experience - from the time they are admitted until they graduate. They are committed to the development of the whole student and, as such, help students explore their capacity for leadership, overcome barriers to learning, assume the responsibilities of a global citizen, engage in campus and community life, and contribute toward meaningful change.

Student Support Network The Student Support Network, an after hours confidential, non-judgmental listening & support service is a program offered by Counselling Services which is managed by a professional and delivered by a team of dedicated students who receive extensive training.

Undergraduate Academic Information Centre (UAIC) The Undergraduate Academic Information Centre, located in the University Centre, is a resource hub that provides general academic information to undergraduate students and acts as a referral centre to other campus resources.

The Wellness Education Centre The Student Health Wellness Centre is a resource Centre at the University of Guelph. It provides information on alcohol consumption, body image, eating disorders, drugs, smoking, human rights, LGBTQ issues, mental health, sexual health, physical health, nutrition and spirituality.

Women’s Campus Safety Initiatives The Women’s Campus Safety Initiative promotes the safety of women on campus. WCSI funding has been a vital infusion of dollars into initiatives that address the safety needs of women. Funding is used to support programs, services and initiatives that address issues of women’s safety, sexual harassment and violence against women.

Writing Services Writing Services support University of Guelph students of all levels in becoming stronger, more confident writers and they also assist departments and faculty who are integrating writing into their courses.

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

SCHOOL & STUDIES

Transitioning from high school to university Ways to make the switch as smooth as possible EMILIO GHLOUM Moving from high school to university can be a daunting task.

With such an enormous change in environment, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the differences between high school and university. Experiences previously had in high school vary from person to person. While there are many positive aspects of high school, there are many differences that arise when making the switch to university.

One of the biggest differences between high school and university is the amount of freedom students have. In high school, you are often on a tight schedule, when your classes and your time are already designated for you. For the most part, the time every student spends in high school is generally the same, with classes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Perhaps one of the most liberating aspects of university is the ability to shape and manoeuvre your schedule to best fit your needs. While there are limits to this, your schedule becomes something you can control and

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Campus has many places to sit and take a break, get a breath of fresh air and relax. In between classes, explore and take it all in. have influence over. This freedom allows you to plan your time around your habits (if you are a night owl, morning classes may not be the right choice) in order to be the best student you can be. In between classes, you have the ability to get lunch, head to the gym, find a quiet place to study, or even just sit at Johnston Green to pass the time. Having these options of how to spend your time is crucial to the university experience. How

you spend your time defines you, while in high school, schedules are not nearly as flexible.

From an academic point of view, the switch from high school to university yields a lot of positive benefits to your growth as a student. In a high school English class, for example, writing an essay involves following a rubric and often a rigid structure.

While many students may find this method helpful, university

classes will push you that extra step and will give you more freedom to structure your essay your own way. That being said, your ability to communicate ideas from the course is viewed with more importance than the physical structure of your essay. It is important to realize that the freedom of pursuing your own ideas for assignments can also harm your grade if not executed properly. Professors give you the

Preparing for graduation from day one How to stay on track EMILY JONES One of the biggest differences when transitioning from high school to university is the amount of control you have over your own success.

This is both exhilarating and challenging. This control involves planning and organizing for your years ahead, so one of the best decisions you can make right away is to go and speak with a program counsellor; program counsellors have an abundance of knowledge and they know how to help guide you in making decisions that really matter.

Program counsellors advise students to “come and see [them] about what courses to take, making sure that [they will] meet program requirements to graduate, and

what to do when things go wrong,” expressed Jerome Chang, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BAS) Program Counsellor. Throughout the years students spend at university, there are plenty of events that can throw off plans and allow studies to take a backseat for small periods of time.

Not everything in life is scheduled and happens at the most ideal time - this is why speaking to someone who really knows the ins and outs of academic planning is extremely beneficial.

It can be difficult to try to figure out what you really want to do with your life - this isn’t something that comes easily, and it is something that often takes years to figure out.

“There is so much going on for new students; lots of students are unsure of what they want to do. As [students] take on more courses, [they’ll] have a better idea of what [they] like and don’t like. [They] might even come across some great opportunities that [they] didn’t even

know existed before,” said Chang.

Taking chances and getting out of your comfort zone is what enables personal and academic growth.

Test different areas out in a reasonable fashion to see what you like and what doesn’t work for you but never give up on a dream that seems difficult, if you really want something work hard for it and it is achievable.

If you are struggling, Chang advises that you “ask questions, and ask for help [and make sure] you are asking reliable sources. Friends and family often mean well, but if you have questions about academics or university policies, the best people to talk to are your instructors and your program counsellors. The same applies to upper year students.”

Chang recommends to speak to a program counsellor to “make sure you know what you need to do to graduate when degree completion is on the horizon [including: making sure your average is what it needs to

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One key thing to do is to become familiar with your undergraduate calendar. be, that you have met all the program requirements and taken all core classes, etc].”

One of the most important pieces of knowledge students can

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opportunity to establish your own voice as a writer and as a person. For some, the ability to become invested in your work on a personal level motivates a greater level of effort in their academic studies.

Another crucial part of having a smooth transition is knowing what is expected of you. Professors and TA’s in university each have different course structures, and in turn their expectations differ from course to course and discipline to discipline. Fortunately, professors are very open about their office hours and even encourage students to come visit.

Discussing previous assignments or course material with professors can greatly help with your academics. Not only will you be more engaged with course material and lectures, but visiting office hours can also help you establish connections that could last through your entire university stay.

Being active in your education is the key to successfully making this transition. In university, a lot of decisions about your future will be yours to make – having this freedom to become your own person is empowering. In being aware of your surroundings and participating in your education, the differences between high school and university life is a matter of personal motivation and action.

arm themselves with is to “become familiar with [their] undergraduate calendar. It is [their] road map of requirements and rules for [their] university career,” stated Chang.

This is something that every student should do from day one to ensure that they stay on track throughout their years at university. Knowing your options is the key to not only being successful as a student, but also to having the ability to accomplish what you intend to accomplish in this next chapter of your life.

“You are completely responsible for your education, so stay on top of things, ask questions, go to class, participate, and [...] remember to have some fun as well!” concluded Chang. It is up to you to take charge and responsibility for the decisions you make here at the University of Guelph - the decisions you make now will help you learn, grow, and become who you really want to be in the future.

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

SCHOOL & STUDIES

Writing well A literary dilemma faced by literally everyone SAMEER CHHABRA For all the books and papers published in the known universe, there have been thousands more writers trying to perfect some form of their craft. Writers have been trying to embrace the secret to writing well since the moment someone decided to put pen to paper and record spoken language. Since the first recorded literary moment, people have tried and failed a thousand times over trying to find just the right combination of words and sentences to express their thoughts while also getting people interested enough to read their work.

Results have been mixed, to say the least. Writing is not easy, and anyone who says otherwise is lacking in veracity, skill, or a good editor.

Writing can be difficult, writing can be soul-crushing, but writing can be self-actualizing. At the very least, writing is a talent worth polishing.

Academic papers may disappear after four years, but reports, letters, and studies will form the backbone of most students’ lives, regardless of opinion. In the case of certain papers, the difficulty lies in making words interesting, not making words accessible.

The question then becomes how to write well for assignments.

Indeed, how do we write well? In

academia there are generally two kinds of literary works: Factual and Opinionated. Factual literature sticks to the rules and plays it safe; there’s no excess and everything follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure standardization. Opinionated literature takes the rules and plays outside of them. For those taking notes, heed this warning: Academia is primarily factual.

Within the realms of university and college, tenure and assistantship, professor and student, rules and guidelines are everything. English papers might be contextually different from papers published by physics professors, but the end goal is the same – convincing other people of an idea. Classes don’t matter, sources don’t make a difference, and style manuals are irrelevant; academics try to prove that they’re right by showing how and why others might be wrong, using anything they’ve learned in class, any valid source that agrees with an opinion, and any manual of style.

The truth is writing becomes better through practice, exposure, and criticism. Never stop writing, never stop seeking out good and bad literature, and never disregard the opinion of a critic. Taking criticism well should be a mandatory course for every student at some point in their careers, because it would appeal to every student and apply to every program. Being able to rationally respond to a person disagreeing with one’s opinion is not a skill every student leaves university with.

However, if all else fails, don’t worry too much, because there are

resources on campus that are more than willing to help.

Writing Services is a team of volunteers that supports University of Guelph students by reviewing papers, editing assignments, and offering advice to better the literary voice. They are available by appointment of through walk-ins at McLaughlin Library.

“Students at all levels (undergraduate, graduate) and at all levels of experiences and expertise with writing can benefit from visiting writing services,” explained Lenore Latta, a Master’s student who works at Writing Services. “Students can come to writing services at all stages of writing: brainstorming ideas, outlining, or drafting. A consultant can act as a sounding board for ideas, can ask questions to encourage the student to think critically about their topic or organization, and can review aspects of a written document with the student and talk about options for improvement.”

Appointments can be scheduled for 50-minute intervals (for consultation with Writing Peers and staff writing specialists) and 25-minute intervals (for consultation with Graduate Student Writing Advisors).

For students interested in getting involved with Writing Services, applications to become a Writing Peer Helper are handled through the Peer Helper Program.

Furthermore, teaching assistants and professors post office hours where they’ll be more than happy to provide some form of writing assistance. Most professors will not read individual papers and offer gratuitous amounts of advice, but

University learning and study tips How to get in the zone and prosper EMILY JONES Getting accustomed to different styles of university learning is a task that often takes some time to master. It is not something that happens overnight, and it requires some dedication, but learning these skills now will help you in each course taken over the next four years.

The University of Guelph’s McLaughlin Library houses The Learning Commons and consists of an abundance of helpful guides

and tips to make you successful in your undergraduate career. The Learning Commons has a guide available online entitled “A Guide for University Learning,” which gives students helpful information on adapting to the change of university studies. The categories it touches upon are things such as: learning from course outlines, textbooks, lectures, how to study, and how to take exams. Each one of these categories is extremely important to successfully completing your degree to the best of your ability. Each step is critical to keeping on track and understanding the complexity and different elements that go along with doing well at university.

This is the time to do the best you can. You are entirely

responsible for the outcome of these next four years – no one is going to be reminding you that assignments are due, what readings are to be done and by which date, or how much your essay is worth. It is up to you to become familiar with your course outlines and to keep track of what is happening in each of your classes, so keep organized! The earlier you begin, the easier it will be.

Once this becomes a habit, you will be able to keep up to date on your school schedule, and you will thank yourself later for doing this.

Once you have become familiar with course outlines, plan out a schedule for yourself - use a calendar, and take the first week of classes to organize yourself and

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When you feel like you need help with your writing, take advantage of the skilled professionals at the university. There are many people who are here to help improve your skills so you can get the most out of your degree. they will absolutely be comfortable with discussing assignment details and expectations with curious students. Advice to all writers and students: if an expert offers to give an opinion, it’s best

to take it into account even if it sounds unimportant.

Ultimately, I’m forced to go back to an earlier statement. Writing well means writing a lot and practicing a lot.

become situated with the tasks you need to work on throughout the semester. It is best to plan your schedule out in its entirety and then break it down week by week and day by day. Figure out what needs to get accomplished; take time and go through each course outline. It may seem overwhelming at first, and it is a lot to take in at once, but there is no better way to keep yourself in reality and ready for what is coming next.

University-style learning is very different from what you may be accustomed to from high school - there isn’t much guidance unless you go and look for it. Much of the work you will be doing here is independent, and the pressure is on you and you alone to figure it

out and do well. Although there will be times when this all seems worrisome, think about the bigger picture, no matter how difficult it may be. The amount of knowledge you will gain being here and being accountable for yourself is the best life lesson you could ever learn.

Find what works for you - take this period to adapt to your new surroundings, get used the structure of your course load, and move into taking action for yourself. These are some of the most challenging but best years of your life. It’s your time, so make the most of it and challenge yourself to be the best you can be.

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SCHOOL & STUDIES

Changing your major Follow your passion ADRIEN POTVIN Part of the joy of post-secondary education is finding out what you do well. Sometime it’s a rocky road, and sometimes you need to make big changes, sacrifices, and overhauls.

Choosing a major to stick with is an important decision to make, and needs to be a well-informed one.

Fortunately, there are a number of resources open to those who need to make this change, and it’s perfectly natural to want to change your course of study. So, don’t freak out.

It happens to all of us! And who knows? You may even discover something you never even realized you were great at.

The first thing to accept is that it is not a sign of weakness, or failure. It’s a sign, if anything, that university is a time and place to challenge yourself and see what you are capable of.

Don’t feel like you must be locked into one field of study for your four years at Guelph – there is a plethora of possibilities at your fingertips, and diversifying your education can only

make it stronger.

Some students go through major changes more than once. I spoke to fourth-year Wildlife Biology and Conservation student Kathryn Tisshaw, who went through a number of major changes. However, what she had lost in a more “clear-cut” direction, she had gained in diversifying her studies for the better.

“My major went from a BSc. in Psychology, to Wildlife Biology, then from Marine Biology to Wildlife Biology again, and now I’m in Wildlife Biology and Conservation […]

It was a good learning experience because being in science allowed me to choose a specific major tailored to my interests. A lot of other schools don’t have integrative biology majors, and science students just major in “biology.” I found it a lot easier to change majors than I thought it would be, which contributed to why I changed so much. I didn’t even have to choose the new major before picking courses, because all the courses were already open to me,” Tisshaw explained.

Since many science courses, especially, are so diverse and sometimes overlap with each other, it can be even beneficial to change your major a few times. For you

arts majors, “intersectionality” is an important current in critical studies, so having a background in a variety of disciplines can certainly aid your approach to the humanities in a time where one approach can’t explain everything. These are but a few examples of where your decision to change can take you.

My situation is similar. After doing a year at Carleton University in the Film Studies program, I decided to leave and, in time, come to Guelph to major in English. The gained knowledge of cinema has certainly helped my studies in literature, and I believe it was worth my time even though no film degree came out of it. Education is never a waste of time or money.

The first step is to speak to your academic advisors. You can do this by talking to your degree advisor (at the B.A. and B.Sc. counseling offices in the Mackinnon Building, for example) and then your program advisor, usually a faculty member from the major’s respective school. These advisors can help you investigate your options by providing the answers to the questions you need to know regarding your program of choice.

After weighing your options, it

Getting to know your professors It’s not as scary as you’d think DANIELLE SUBJECT Getting to know your professors can be one of the most important and useful tools in an undergraduate career. Professors may seem intimidating at first, but they appreciate when students take the time to attend their office hours. Whether it is for essay help or just to introduce yourself, professors appreciate being able to put a face to a name.

“It is extremely beneficial for students to get to know their professors,” comments Gregor Campbell, Associate Professor of English in the College of Arts. “You build self-confidence as a student when you find out that profs are very human, even if they pretend that they are not.”

Professors are also always looking to improve their teaching strategies and change their curriculums based on what newer generations of students are looking for. They are naturally encouraged to put increasingly more effort and creativity into their lectures when students make the effort to communicate with them.

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You aren’t a number here – go and meet your professors in office hours and get on a first name basis with them.

“It is rewarding for the professors to go the extra mile if the student is going to read the extra article, the extra book,” said Professor Campbell.

University of Guelph alumnus Julianne Streeter believes it is an excellent idea for students to get to know their professors. She told her own story about getting to know a

JAMES WHEELER CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Even though you are enrolled it doesn’t mean that you are locked in to your major – if you want to be doing something else, look into changing majors. would help to get some more indepth input from a professor in the field you are considering. Ask questions to find out more information such as, “Where can this

take me?” “What kinds of jobs are in this field?” and “Would it be worth it to minor in this field?”

The answers you receive may surprise you.

professor and asking for help on a lengthy essay – she ended up doing really well on the paper because she made the effort to seek further help after class.

“I’d say getting to know your professors is a great step in getting the most out of your education,” commented Streeter. “Your professors are avid learners themselves and are passionate about the subjects they teach. Taking the time to converse with them and build relationships really helps with your progression in their courses.”

Cinda Gault, Professor at the Guelph-Humber campus and former University of Guelph professor, commented that an important friendship of hers grew out of interacting with her professors. She explained that she did not attend her professor’s office hours until she returned to school in her adult years, and it helped improve her essays and learning experience.

“When my kids were undergrads, I told them to go to office hours – which most students don’t bother with – and talk to their professors about upcoming essays,” said Professor Gault. “I didn’t do that myself until I came back to school as an older person, and it enriched

my engagement with the issues of my essays.”

As a first year student making the transition from high school to university, it is understandable that approaching a professor is nothing like approaching a high school teacher – it can be quite intimidating at times. However, making that extra effort is important and extremely relevant in your success as a student. Although the professors may seem intimidating, they are actually hoping for students to engage with them over their office hours and outside of course material. Not only do students learn more from taking that extra step, but the professors also learn more from their students. It’s an exchange that helps both parties – what better way to improve your teaching styles than to have your own students provide feedback?

What better way to score that extra grade on an essay than to approach the source of the assignment and find out exactly what they’re looking for? Remember, professors were once undergraduate students themselves – they understand what we go through, and they were once nervous to approach their own professors.

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SCHOOL & STUDIES

In conversation with Professor Sean Lyons The future of the job market: an insightful reflection EMILY JONES Emily Jones: First, tell me a bit about your position in Guelph and how you became interested in this area of study.

Prof. Sean Lyons: I came to Guelph in 2007 after having taught at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. I’m an Associate Professor in the Department of Management, and I teach courses in Leadership, Human Resource Management, and Organizational Behaviour. I’m excited to be teaching a firstyear seminar course in September on Careers.

I started studying generational differences in the workplace during my doctoral degree. It was actually the topic of my thesis. I’ve been active in this field of study since before 2000. As a Gen Xer, I faced a really tough labour market in the 1990s when I graduated with my undergraduate degree, and it seemed like nobody was talking about

“...I started

to see big changes in the students I was teaching.” it. The people who did have something to say about it blamed young people for being lazy and unmotivated, and that didn’t seem right to me. Then, after I did my Master’s degree and PhD, I started to see big changes in the students I was teaching. Around 2000, people started talking about Generation Y, who were later re-labeled as “Millennials,” and there were really mixed messages about them. Some people said that they’d be a new great generation of workers, and others complained that they were entitled, greedy, and self-centred. I

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

Professor Sean Lyons teaches courses in Leadership, Human Resource Management, and Organizational Behaviour. wanted to get to the bottom of this, so I made this my main area of research. Around 2008, I started focusing more specifically on generational career issues and that’s what I’ve been working on ever since.

EJ: How would you describe today’s job market? Why is it different than it was 10 or 20 years ago?

SL: The labour market has changed significantly since the 1990s. Globalization has moved jobs all over the world that used to be done in North America.

Technology has made a lot of jobs redundant or has lowered the level of qualifications that are required. For example, banks used to have trained finance officers to make loan decisions, but now they just need someone to enter information into a centralized system that applies rules and checks credit ratings. The finance officer was a good job that required skills and experience. Now it’s gone, and it has been replaced with lower paying entry-level jobs. But jobs like this require university education. Since the 1980s, when Baby Boomers were in their 20s, the percentage of people with university degrees has more than doubled. So now a degree is a requirement for even lower level jobs, and it’s getting more competitive. The other big change is that job tenure has dropped significantly. Employers don’t hire as many people for long-term

relationships. There are significantly more term positions, part-time jobs, and contract positions that require people to be self-employed contractors. Companies also routinely lay off employees, even when they’re highly profitable, simply to improve profitability. The idea of a long-term employment at one employer is a thing of the past. People are much more mobile these days, which makes it really hard for people to settle down and make long term plans for their careers and lives.

For those people who are in the middle of their careers, it’s really hard to see how much things have changed around them. A lot of people don’t really think about these changes until they look back and think about them, so they tend to judge young people based on standards that are outdated. It’s difficult for young people when their parents give them career advice without really considering how different modern careers are from the ones that they enacted.

EJ: What kind of advice would you give students getting an undergrad degree upon entering university? What kind of advice would you give those who have recently graduated?

SL: To those just entering university, I would say that today, you aren’t expected to be a “grown up” until late in your 20s. This was not the case for your parents when they were your age. You

can take this time to party and delay thinking about your future, or you can use it to really explore your options, interests, values, and competencies. You can try lots of things in university and stretch your mind to really see what inspires you and what your passion might be. You will need to adapt and upgrade your knowledge continuously throughout your career, so you need to find the field or occupation that you want to continue exploring.

You can take full advantage of the resources that the university offers, like student services, social interaction with peers, clubs and associations, volunteer and community service opportunities, learning relationships with professors, co-ops, etc. Having this time to grow as a person is a real gift. If you just treat university like an extension of high school and go through the motions of taking classes and writing exams, you are squandering it. The other thing is to think about your career marketability throughout your degree – not when you’re getting ready to graduate. You have to work for the whole four years to find ways to develop your best self in the area you’re studying. Some majors have less job opportunity than others. If the field you love is not a highly promising job field, you need to think about how to position yourself to create opportunities – it might mean taking a minor or a certificate or extra classes or just doing volunteer work that adds breadth to your skill

set. Also – be very careful about taking on student debt to sustain your lifestyle. It can be tempting to take lots of student loans so you can live more comfortably while in school. But when those loans come up for repayment, it can be a huge burden on your life starting out. Be smart with your finances.

For new graduates, I would hope that they have been thoughtful about their future for the past 4 years and that they’re not just getting around to thinking about career options. My advice would be to not get too anxious or paralyzed by fear as you consider your job options. There’s no such thing as an “ideal career path” – you will have to constantly change course and adapt. Don’t worry about making the wrong choices, because every road will lead somewhere and you can learn something important from every opportunity – even ones that are not positive. Nothing is forever these days, so it’s important to not limit yourself because you worry that an opportunity might not be the “best one for you.”

The other thing I would say is to seriously think about how you want your life to unfold, as well as your career. Where you want to live, what kind of family life you hope to have, and what kind of values you want to live will all have impacts on your choices.

You can’t plan every detail of your life and expect that plan to work out for you, but it’s important to know what your personal “rules” are for making choices when they arise.

EJ: What are your thoughts on students choosing to take postgrad programs, or who opt for professional schools?

SL: Graduate school is becoming a necessity for a lot of fields. It’s important to know whether this is a requirement for the type of work you want to do in your career. In many professions, it’s simply not an option that you can avoid. Graduate school really changes your perspectives on the world, and for those who pursue it enthusiastically, it can change their lives. But grad school is not for everyone. It’s very different than undergraduate education. The workload is much greater and it takes a lot more dedication to be successful. It’s certainly not something to do just because you don’t have any better options.

Continued on next page...

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

SCHOOL & STUDIES ...continuation of previous page It should not be a way of avoiding the real world for another year or two.

“You need to know yourself - what your strengths and weaknesses are, where your passion lies, what really matters to you in life...”

Students often agonize about whether to go right into graduate school or gain some work experience first. Some programs

require experience before you can be accepted. This is a tough decision and it’s a personal one. On the one hand, if you are not a mature person and feel that you need to “grow up” a little before you can benefit from graduate school, you should consider taking time off. On the other hand, taking a job and starting your professional career is a big investment and transition to make. It’s expensive and it often requires you to relocate and invest money in clothing and transportation and furniture and things like that. Once you get into that lifestyle, it’s hard to drop it all and go back to full-time studies.

My advice for people starting grad school is similar to that for undergrads – make the absolute most of your time in that degree. Being among other graduate students is an opportunity to really stretch your mind.

But if you squander the opportunity, you can be older and more educated and deeper in debt and still unemployable.

EJ: What do you think are the most desired and appreciated skills a student can develop to be a strong candidate entering the work force in today’s day and age?

SL: Skills really depend on the type of work a person wants to do. You need different skills to be an artist than to be a teacher or an engineer. But there are some competencies that everyone needs to develop both in school and in life in order to really be effective in the modern economy.

You need to know yourself - what your strengths and weaknesses are, where your passion lies, what really matters to you in life, and what kind of work life you want to have. You can’t communicate your strengths if you don’t know them yourself. You can’t address your weaknesses if you don’t take stock of them. Also, you need to be able to express yourself effectively in writing and verbally to different audiences. It’s getting more and more important to be able to get your ideas across in

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very few words. You also need to be a critical thinker. There is so much information available to us today; it’s critical that you can critically assess the quality of information and authenticate it rather than accepting it as true or good. You also need to be adaptable and resilient. You have to be willing to change directions when an opportunity emerges or an obstacle blocks your path, and you really need to persevere when you fail. Everybody fails and learning from it is how you grow. But most of all, you need to work hard. Hard work is much easier when you do something that engages you, so knowing what that is is very important.

and work with your friends to see what opportunities you can create for yourself. I think it’s great when I see former students starting business or not-forprofit projects and funding them through crowd-funding. If you can’t find a way to have the career you want, then make a way.

When you’re young and free from the responsibilities of family and mortgage, it’s a time to take risks and do things that might lead to great opportunities.

EJ: Is there anything else you would like to add?

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SL: This is a challenging time to be a young person starting a career, but it’s also the most exciting time. The internet and social media make it possible for you to do amazing things. Be creative

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SCHOOL & STUDIES

Making the most of your undergraduate years The degree and the rest JESSICA AVOLIO Your undergraduate degree is more than just a rite of passage or a slip of paper that will prove to potential employers that you’re hirable. Yes, it may be an important pathway to helping you achieve your future career goals, but it is really so much more than that.

makes or breaks this experience are the other choices you make during this time. Think about how you can navigate through this time and really make the best of it.

It is important to realize that career paths are not always linear

Your years as an undergrad will not only expand your knowledge base more than ever before, but the skills and experiences gained throughout can help you build important life skills that can be applied basically anywhere. Most of all, university is a place that will help grow in new and positive ways.

Though we are often told the most important part of university is the name on our degree, what really

Select courses outside of your major and minor. Maybe a course is taught by an interesting professor, or it is a subject you are totally unfamiliar with – don’t just take a course because you heard it was easy. Choosing at least two elective courses in a subject you aren’t familiar with is a great way to expand your knowledge in new directions and help you think in new and interesting ways. You may even discover a new passion.

Network Meet with instructors or professors one-on-one and build relationships

Sometimes it may seem bad but its oh so good ADRIEN POTVIN Picture yourself in this scenario – it’s 8 a.m. on a Tuesday, the most dull and mediocre day of the week. The wind is blowing a frigid wrath about everything and is just waiting for you to step outside for your cold walk to campus.

You think to yourself, “Do I really want to walk through this and make it to my lecture? It’s not that important, I’ll pick it up from the textbook,” and you stay

1. Make a new friend or two Time spent in good company passes by faster. You’re in a new school, surrounded by literally hundreds of new people, and you should take advantage of it by making some new friends! You can exchange notes,

high grades. Your mental health is important, so make sure you are taking care of your body and mind. University can be an incredibly stressful time, and building good time management and organizational skills in order to balance all aspects of your life will assure that it is a more positive experience.

Utilize campus resources

There are writing workshops, tutors, program counselors, counseling ser vices, and the list goes on. These resources are here to help you for whatever issues you may need help dealing with.

JAMES CLARK VIA CC BY-SA 2.0

had known in their first year, tips such as the best professors, the toughest exams, or even where to grab the best meal off campus. It is important to network with others who may be able to provide helpful insight – the type of advice that could really help when you’re trying to figure things out.

Learn outside of the classroom Attend campus lectures, join a club, volunteer at a campus organization, get involved in student government, etc. Taking on projects outside the classroom demonstrates initiative and leads to other tangible experiences that wouldn’t necessarily be gained through your degree alone.

Tips on going to lectures under the covers, warm and cozy.

But wait…don’t you have a midterm in a week from now? Nobody likes to be “that” person who emails the whole class looking for notes, and the textbook doesn’t cover exactly what the lecture went over. So you blank out, lose marks on your test, and you’re kicking yourself for missing that class.

It happens to everyone, certainly.

However, what should be treated as a one-off thing can become force of habit quickly.

Consider a semester abroad

Universities typically have sister schools in other countries which allow for courses to be transferable.

Experience a different place with a different culture for a while. These types of opportunities allow you to build up an international network of contacts, and may give you a competitive edge once you graduate. If you don’t think you want to commit to an entire semester away, look out for department-organized trips that are equally interesting but less of a time commitment.

An English degree may not lead to a job teaching English (for example).

In reality, your major doesn’t necessarily have any direct relationship with your ideal career. You will learn a variety of skills whilst obtaining your degree, and it is important to build on skills such as written and verbal communication, teamwork, meeting deadlines – the sort of skills that will set you up to excel in a future job. Yes, academics are important, but everything else you glean will prove to be so much more important in the future.

Take courses outside of your comfort zone

BENJAMIN DEROCHIE

with them – something that will help you immediately with your studies, and could prove to be useful in the future. Also, meet with upper year students or alumni, because they will likely be able to offer you some tips they wish they

complain about your pretentious TA, study together, make 11:20 a.m. on Wednesdays your weekly lunch meet-up – anything to make it more worth your while to go to class.

2. Get to know your professor Your professors are people, too. They may be a little stuffy sometimes but they’re people who are, after all, experts on a subject who put a lesson together and go through it with you. Why not pick their brain a little deeper into the material? I’ve found doing this enriches the class experience tenfold, especially in seminars or labs where you’ll often be marked on participation and attendance, and cover more specific and in-depth topics from the lectures themselves.

Socialize and make new friends You’ll be surrounded by likeminded people, and you will always be in situations where it is easier to meet others (the classroom, a dorm, etc.). At this time, people aren’t confined to their typical social circles, so it makes it easier to meet different types of individuals. Consider befriending an exchange student, someone who can provide a worldview different than your own.

Don’t spread yourself too thin Figure out the best way to balance school, work, and your social life. Consider the tradeoff between effort and reward, especially when it comes to getting

3. Don’t be paying to use free services! (Facebook, reddit, Instagram, etc.)

With tuition in Ontario at an alltime high, your motivation to attend to class can improve if you keep one simple thing in mind: what you are doing isn’t cheap.

Why would you flock to time vampires like Facebook or reddit, services that are 100 per cent free, in a class that you’re paying $700 to attend? That’s a ballpark figure because costs vary, of course, but when you realize just how absurd this is, it just makes sense to go to class, take it all in, and get your money’s worth out of it. In short, that hilarious cat .gif isn’t going anywhere in the next hour and it can wait until your free time.

WENDY SHEPHERD/THE ONTARION

Beyond your degree, university is the ideal place to provide new and unique opportunities that would be difficult to recreate outside of this setting, and the pursuit of these opportunities will matter more than just your academic achievements alone.

You will get back what you put into it, so make the effort to get the most out of your degree – and when you graduate you’ll leave with more than you had initially hoped for.

4. Keep your “write-off days” for a good reason It’s an accepted fact that it’s tough to get to class some days. It’s too cold out, you have another paper to finish and want to avoid an all-nighter – all perfectly understandable reasons to miss class. But that’s when you should miss class: for a good reason. Making excuses becomes a vicious cycle before you know it, and by finals time, you’ll wish you had spent time more effectively in class. University is all about balance, and if you get trapped into losing time to make up for time already lost, that balance begins to falter and you’re left with a mess on your hands.

Issue 175.1 • Thursday, August 28, 2014

FUN PAGE

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Crossword Winner from 174.4 is….

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174.4 ANSWERS

Across 1- “M*A*S*H*” name 6- That, in Tijuana 9- Put off, as an agenda item 14- Icon 15- Boy 16- Hatch on the Hill 17- Hearth 19- Circular 20- Service charge 21- Aleutian island 22- Titles 23- Having a sound mind 25- Having auricular protuberances 26- In danger 29- Clock pointer 31- Objects from everyday life 32- Continuing 36- Bluesy James 37- Road curve 38- Freeway access 40- Least difficult 43- Did penance 45- Immerses 46- Tropical fruit 47- Ruhr city 50- Membership fees 51- Conductor Zubin 52- Meets one’s maker 54- Fire starter?

57- Disney mermaid 58- Observe with festivities 61- Growing in snow 62- Man-mouse connector 63- Seeps 64- Sordid 65- Marshal at Waterloo 66- Lulus

Down 1- Jazz phrase 2- French friend

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3- Challenge 4- Tree-ring indication 5- Agent, briefly 6- Gladden 7- Large bag 8- Concert halls 9- Violent whirlwind 10- Bellowing 11- Mist 12- Covered on the inside 13- Terminates 18- Sri ___ 23- Eliot’s Marner 24- Faulkner’s “___ Lay Dying” 25- Chang’s twin 26- Exist 27- Head of France 28- Pro ___ 29- Emcees 30- Ques. response 33- Golf clubs 34- Granny 35- Feds 37- Clairvoyant’s claim 39- Palm Pilot, e.g.

41- Perfectly 42- German article 43- Misuse 44- ___ kwon do 47- Uncanny 48- The Hindu Destroyer 49- Water vapor 50- Postpone 51- ___ best friend 52- Pest control brand 53- Able was ___...

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Editor’s WELCOME

The Ontarion Inc. University Campus Room 264 University of Guelph N1G 2W1 ontarion@uoguelph.ca Phone 519-824-4120 General: x 58265 Editorial: x 58250 Advertising: x 53534 Accounts: x 53534 Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief

Emily Jones

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Send us a letter to the editor at ontarion@uoguelph.ca.

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The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since the Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Ontarion Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit of refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editorin-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2011 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify the Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement.

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Dear Students, Welcome! These next few years are going to be some of the greatest years of your lives. As a recent graduate myself, I urge you to not take these years for granted and to get the most out of the time you have as a student at the University of Guelph. In no time at all, campus and the city will feel like a second home to you all.

The memories you build here will be some of your fondest to look back at later in life. The contacts you make both personally and professionally will help you smoothly transition into the next chapter once this one comes to an end. The years you spend here will be life changing.

As an undergrad, you are starting a very important journey. It’s a journey of self-discovery, learning and pushing yourself to be the best you can be. This is such an exciting time for all of you, and I want to personally welcome you to the University of Guelph, and to The Ontarion.

If you have an interest in getting involved on campus, and think that volunteering for The Ontarion is somewhere you would like to do it, please send us an email, or stop by our office. The staff of The Ontarion likes to think of our office as a community, and are always welcoming new people to join in the fun throughout the year.

We have weekly meetings on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. where we spend time discussing current events that are happening on campus, throughout the city, and around the world. The Ontarion has spent the summer under renovation, creating a new environment for this new school year. This is an exciting time for all of us; let’s share in it together to make this the best year yet!

I hope that the articles the staff and volunteer writers have prepared for this issue will help you with your transition to university. On behalf of myself, and the staff of The Ontarion, welcome students - it’s so nice to have you back!

Sincerely,

Emily Jones Editor-in-Chief

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