Issue #2: ORIENTATION

the

howl mag

the orientation issue

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Additional Visuals | Benjamin deBoer + Simran Sawhney Cover Model | Octavia Andrade-Dixon

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Let me start by asking you to take everything you read here with a grain of salt. Our Orientation Issue is dripping with sass and sarcasm. It’s how we communicate here at The Howl Mag. Read through the “Real Sh*t You Need to Know” for some advice that will help you in your next four years and beyond. Check our first fashion editorial “STARRED” for some ideas of places you can cop an instagram on campus, and if you want to find out about some of the dumb/cute/raunchy stuff we’ve done here take a look at the hand drawn campus map in “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs”.

One day during my second year, I had a prospective student’s father ask me why I thought that University of Toronto was worth it. Without skipping a beat, I replied “perseverance”. He, of course, countered me and said you can learn that at any university. I explained that at the University of Toronto, it can feel like all the odds are stacked up against you every single day.

Every time we trek through hail storms to a lecture that we still don’t understand three weeks in, we are learning how to persevere. This perseverance comes in many forms. It’s the self-discipline you will learn, the self-confidence you will develop and how humble you will become. This school is hard. Each and everyone of us is fighting tooth and nail to make something of ourselves. Your obscure lectures will only serve you so far in your life beyond this campus. However, the ability to wake up in the morning and see all the odds stacked against you but knowing that you can push yourself much further than you ever imagined and you can thrive-- That’s the best lesson this university can teach you.

However, this environment of high pressure and subsequent perseverance can come with a cost. I remember looking at the Editors-in-Chief I worked under in my first year and thinking they had it all figured out. This year when I was on the other side of that equation, I realized just how wrong I was.

Somewhere, between delivering a pitch of what The Howl Mag was and having a panic attack in a bathroom at a formal, I had to face the facts.

This is hard. Get help where you can-- whether that means finding a super supportive group of friends or reaching out to professional resources (both of those skills are covered in our “Real Sh*t You Need to Know”).

And if you ever need a laugh or a place to express yourself, come check out The Howl Mag team. We meet in the basement of Woodsworth College in Room 18. We have lots of books, magazine, CDs, great couches and even better conversation. Come hang out sometime.

- Chantel Ouellet, Editor-in-Chief

thoughts orientation week schedule | page five sh*t you need to know | page seven so fucking Toronto | page thirty three

sights

content

Letter from the Editor:

Art101 | page thirteen thnks fr the mmrs | page fifteen STARRED | page nineteen

sounds concert venues | page twenty five house of lorde | page twenty nine

S/O to WCSA and the Orientation Committee for making this wild orientation issue a reality. With sincere gratitude, I want to say thank you on behalf of our whole team.

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Orientation Week

Sunday: Residence Move In 9am – 5pm Residence House Meetings 5pm – 6pm Residence House Socials 6pm – 7:30pm Monday: Registration + Wolf OP’s 10am – 12pm Opening Ceremonies 12pm – 12:30pm Icebreakers 11pm – 2pm Wolf Programming 3pm - 4pm Campus Tours 4pm – 5:30pm Dinner 6pm Board Games / Quad Party 7pm – 11pm Clubs Night 8pm – 12am Tuesday: E-Mentorship Brunch 10am – 12pm Pre- UofT 11pm – 2:30pm Sugar Beach 3:15pm – 5pm Dinner 5:30pm Block Party 6:30pm – 10pm

Wednesday: Yoga/Zumba with MoveU 9am-10am WCSA + WiNC present Rainbow Pancakes 10am – 12pm Pep Rally 11:15pm - 11:45pm Cheer Off 12pm – 1pm UTSU Parade 1pm – 3pm UTSU Carnival 4pm – 6pm Closing Ceremonies 5pm – 6pm Dinner Thursday: First Day of Classes (Good Luck!)

Pep Rally + Snacks 2:30pm – 3:30pm Bed Races 3:30pm – 6pm Friday: UTSU Mystery Event – Time TBA Movie Night with WCSA 8pm – 10:30pm Saturday: Boat Cruise 7pm – 12am

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sh*t u need to know IT’S OKAY TO NOT BE OKAY

WHY CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS?

thoughts | Isabelle Vanasse Gosdidier

thoughts | Isabelle Vanasse Gosdidier

I believe there’s a perception in North America that a person’s university years are some of the best years in that person’s life. If movies and popular culture are to be believed, university students get to spend extensive time socializing, drinking, doing drugs, exploring the world, discovering themselves, discovering their sexuality – all in all having a jolly good time.

In practice, students tend to experience university quite differently. A survey of students attending colleges and universities conducted by the Ontario University and College Health Association in 2016 suggests that rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts have been rising in the past years. Students today are under enormous amounts of pressure, and it’s not too much of a stretch imaging how the daily stresses of being a university student can negatively impact mental health. First year students in particular undergo a huge amount of change very fast; they have to adjust to university workloads while being far away from home and trying to making new friends. That’s a lot to adapt to at once. Don’t forget to pile on rising tuition costs, competitive job markets, and the poor eating and sleep habits many of us have. It’s not hard to see where shit goes downhill.

The point of this article is to remind you that it’s okay to not be okay. In response to student demand, the University has introduced a number of services and initiatives to address student wellbeing. The Student Life division

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offers workshops to help students deal with stress, develop coping skills, develop healthy habits, and much more (head to the studentlife.utoronto.ca/hwc/workshops for more information). Programs such as Counseline offer face-to-face or online counseling (accessible from the comfort of your own home) and help students cope with homesickness, substance abuse, self-esteem issues, or anxiety, amongst others. Students can also get help by visiting a physician at the Health and Wellness Centre in the Koffler Building.

While it’s important to seek help when you need it, it’s also important to promote your mental health with preventative measures.

This can’t be said enough, but be sure to exercise regularly (there are lots of intramural sports teams or clubs that you can join to stay active), eat well, get tons of sleep, and develop mechanisms to manage stress (deep breathing, yoga, or meditation are all great ways to cope with stress).

Students at U of T often feel like they are “just a number”, but don’t forget that there are people around campus who care about your success and want to help you. Professors, teaching assistants, student life coordinators, mentors, residence dons, academic advisors, career educators, and disability counselors are here for you. Don’t ever be afraid to reach out and ask for help.

I guarantee you that no one gets through an undergraduate degree alone.

Attending a massive institution like the University of Toronto is a blessing and a curse in more ways than one. With 43,000 undergraduates spread across three campuses, there’s bound to be at least one person out there who shares your interests and who you’ve got chemistry with. That being said, with 43,000 undergraduates spread across three campuses, it can be hard to know where to start.

on the Ulife website (www.ulife.utoronto. ca), or you can talk to executives in person during the UTSU Clubs Day. The choice can be overwhelming, and many students tend to sign up with twenty different associations on clubs day but fail to follow through on any of these commitments. If you find the prospect of attending the first club meeting alone a little daunting, get a friend or acquaintance to come along with you!

From my experience as a first year, there is a lot of pressure on incoming students to make and solidify friendships during orientation week. There seems to be a recurring myth that the friends you make during orientation week are the ones you will have for the next four years. This is simply not true, and it adds unnecessary stress to the already nerve-wracking and chaotic experience that is orientation. Don’t get me wrong, orientation week is a great way to connect with students on campus and discover useful campus resources. But if you haven’t met your soul mate by the time classes starts, don’t panic! It takes more than four days to build a lasting friendship.

If you find after a couple weeks (or even well into second semester) that you’re having trouble making friends, don’t worry because you’re not alone. Many incoming students are building up their social circles from scratch, which takes a lot of time and effort.

First year classes at U of T are large, and unless you exchange contact information with the person you’re sitting next to, chances are you’ll never see them again. So put yourself out there by joining a club, invite classmates to study or grab a coffee with you, be open to meeting new people, and remember that it’s alright if you don’t become best friends with everyone. Some relationships don’t work out, but finding a friendship worth nurturing makes it worth the effort.

A great way to meet people and make friends once school starts is to get involved.

You’ll probably hear this over and over again from upper years and staff members, but it really can’t be said enough. There are countless student unions, societies, associations, clubs, teams, and forums you can get involved with on campus. You can find a comprehensive list of recognized groups

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sh*t u need to know Sans Substance: Having Fun While Staying Sober thoughts | Madeline Taylor I grew up in a small town in southwestern Ontario. This small town was smaller than the average small town (small in this particular scenario means we didn’t have our own grocery store and our pharmacy was only open on Wednesdays?). Due to a shortage of even lame after-school activities, most of the blossoming young adults I went to highschool with had nothing else to do on a weekend but drink their faces off. And drink their faces off, they did. Partying was a large part of small town culture, and it never appealed to me. My father is an alcoholic and there was always something eerily familiar about the alcohol-fueled memories that were recounted to me on a Monday morning by my fifteen year old peers.

When I started to research universities, I knew what I was looking for. I wanted to escape the party scene I had never felt comfortable enjoying. When I started to seriously consider U of T, I felt confident that Toronto could give me the substance-free fun I had always dreamt of having with friends who wanted to hang out sober.

I was lucky to find the friends I did. During my

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first months at U of T, I surrounded myself with amazing people I had met in residence who were just as content as I was to binge watch movies, make family-style dinners, and play Cards Against Humanity on a Friday night. Sure, we’ve had our crazy nights out since then but the foundation of our friendship was based on common interests, shared humour, and experiences that we actually remember.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to experience the party lifestyle, and if it’s something you’re looking for, like most things, you’ll be able to find it in Toronto. I wanted something different, and it was amazing to come to a city that truly does have something for every kind of person and lifestyle. I may not party, but my weekends are rarely lame (unless I want them to be). During my undergrad, I have explored the ROM, the AGO, the Gardiner Museum, been to countless films, attended a TIFF premiere, learned how to “yoga”, taught myself how to paint, karaoked with my best friend, walked all over the city, discovered new bands at festivals... and yes, had my first clubbing experience.

Alcohol or not, in Toronto your options for Friday night plans are limitless.

From Bad to Bougie thoughts | Chantel Ouellet Selling overpriced sandwiches made from rejected Costco produce to twenty-something sugar babies who mix Lululemon and

Celine while toting around small yappy dogs.

Getting fired from a bougie all women’s gym that promoted acceptance regardless of appearance because you don’t “meet their brand image”. Meeting a man with face tattoos who had recently purchased the bakery you work at, who slowly begins to hire the strange men who used to loiter outside said bakery until your workplace is fully converted into an illegal front. What do all these experiences have in common? Me. Welcome to my first few attempts at finding gainful employment in this lovely city.

University is expensive as hell. No matter what your situation is, you are bound to blow through cash way too quickly during your first few months here – especially with events, concerts, nights out, new stores, textbooks, food, and fun pens you decide are “necessities”. I’m not going to expressly tell you to curb your spending, because I don’t know how to either.

I am here to tell you to start getting paid by the place you are paying to be a part of.

Two words: work study. Working at university is one of the best experiences you can have while attending university. The jobs are designed for students, so they help you to learn professional skills that will long outlast your “academic” lessons. This is the real world shit people say school doesn’t teach you. And you can get paid while learning it.

You will be given leniency for exams and other poor time management. You will learn practical knowledge like Excel or customer service.

Hiring begins in the fall but extends throughout the year. Despite having a job, I still scroll through the University’s Career Learning

Network (Google it) to see what options are available. Want to teach dance? Work in a lab? Become a barista? All of those and many more positions are available right here on our very own campus.

All you have to do is apply.

Intramural Sports thoughts | Jordan Balls Intramural Sports are a great way to get involved with the Woodsworth community, meet new people, and to stay active, which is essential to both mental and physical health at a high intensity academic institution such as University of Toronto. As is the case with most student organisations here, the sheer volume of students means that there is almost certainly an intramural team for your sport. Woodsworth has seen success in many sports in recent years, including in hockey, volleyball and soccer.

So, how do you get involved? You can talk to your Dons or to WCSA to find out about when practices or tryouts begin, or to be put in touch with the captains of the sport. It’s important to act quickly so that you can register in time for the start of the fall season.

You can also check for more information at www.uoftintramurals.ca.

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sh*t u need to know The Anti-Guide to the TTC

Dear first year commuters,

thoughts | Madeline Taylor + Logan Blair

thoughts | Natalia Herran

Whether you’re a student living on residence or a brave soul living off campus (with parents or not), it’s likely that you will have to take public transit at some point during your first year. This guide is for you. Plz read carefully.

Pro tip #1: The transit system is expansive.

It goes to literally every corner of this city. It might be the most frustrating travel experience you’ll ever have, but you’ll get there... eventually.

Pro tip #2: Skip the monthly metro pass.

A Presto card is the new (chic) alternative to the age-old $116 unlimited pass to the shit storm that is the TTC. Plus, you can use your money on GO Transit and other transit systems outside Toronto that use Presto. #PrestoPerks Pro tip #3: If you opt to hold off on getting a Presto card or Metropass and use cash or tokens, BE SURE TO TAKE A TRANSFER. Transit Enforcement are lurking around the corner in Spadina Station. Watching. Waiting.

For you.

Pro tip #4: For the love of everything that is holy, just get your post-secondary photo ID. Yes–this seems like an inconvenience, and to be honest it’s a complete scam. What is more inconvenient is being hauled off the streetcar because the bags under your eyes somehow don’t “prove” you go to U of T. Author’s note: If you do end up being hauled off a streetcar for not having the ID, you will

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find yourself ugly-crying in public at 1 am.

Confirmed by Logan.

Pro tip #5: The TTC has a special way of bringing people together. How you are brought together really depends on the day.

You might be escaping the bright yellow river of public urination brought to you by Friday night’s most drunken Torontonians, or indebted to the stranger who kindly chased after you with the mitten you dropped in the middle of February.

You and the guy across the aisle on the subway might lock eyes. In the time it takes to get from St. Patrick to Queen’s Park Station, you will see your whole life together flash before your eyes. At Museum Station, his girlfriend will get on. Maybe next time.

No matter the experiences you end up having on the TTC, regardless of the bad reputation the TTC gets for the stress it adds to our lives, it’s the only system we’ve got.

Enjoy the “scheduled signal upgrades” and unexpected track maintenance.

On second thought... how much is a bicycle again?

I thought about the cost and the schedules and the weather and the routes, but I never thought about what commuting would do to my mental health. I commuted all throughout my first three years; with the bus, train, and subway schedules, it was about two hours each way, every day. I was really focused on this time. It was time that felt wasted and, I blamed it for my unproductivity. Commuting made me feel isolated, and that carried over to other aspects of my life.

I never considered how difficult it would be to miss everything. I wasn’t prepared for the serious FOMO that came out of nowhere in first year. I managed to make a lot of friends living in res, and they became a lot closer to each other than I ever could because I simply wasn’t there. This quickly led to a complete drift between us that I should’ve worked harder to fix. First year was definitely the hardest.

Second year brought four people that I no longer talk to, but am grateful for. They each led me to meet people that are now the closest people in my life. As a commuting foursome with the same routes, we all understood exactly what it felt like to have to trek to school every morning and we were able to do it together. If it wasn’t for second year, I feel like I wouldn’t have made it through at the rate I was going. Despite everything that happened between us, I am grateful.

comfortable couch. For me this was our EIC, Chantel. I know that she doesn’t realize how much easier she made things for me, but I will always be thankful for her that year. For the first time since I started university, I felt like I had a real connection with the friends I had made. It sounds silly, but not having to worry about taking the train too late makes hanging out with people so much easier.

Commuting itself was, for me, logistically simple. It definitely could’ve been worse.

Sure, winter sucked, and having to wake up three hours early for class was painful but, honestly, it was the emotional aspect that ruined everything else. There were times that I could’ve approached people that I had seen on the train a couple of times, but I didn’t.

It was a mix of insecurities with the rapidly increasing negativity from trying to adjust to school. I wish it hadn’t affected me as much as it did. It’s a learning curve. Try to remember that despite the obvious inconveniences you’ll face, there are ways around them and they’re ultimately up to you to decide how to handle them. I’m just fine now and you will be too, I promise.

Third year was a breeze. It led me to this piece of advice: find yourself a friend with a

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ART101: Intro to the U of T & Toronto Art Scene Thoughts & Sights | Russell Canceran

Let’s face it, the University of Toronto is not necessarily known for being a hub for young artists and creatives. In an overly academic environment, one has to work a lot harder to find creative outlets and inviting art communities. Rest assured this guide will help you navigate not only the U of T art scene, but the Toronto one as well.

Welcome to the University of Toronto, where it seems like there is no room for creative expression but check out these clubs to make the most of your experience.

VicXposure - For all the photographers out there, Victoria College’s photography club, VicXposure, is your best option for your shutterbug needs. The club is super inviting to students from all U of T colleges, and hosts events such as photo walks and photography workshops. The club also hosts open submission galleries, monthly photo contests and darkroom sessions. Give them a follow on Facebook and Instagram @ vicxposure to stay updated and see photos from other U of T students.

Trinity Art Show - For artists of all disciplines, Trinity College hosts an annual art show that has a curated theme.

The theme of last year’s show was work that interprets and emphasizes minimal visual forms. For artists seeking to gain exposure, the Trinity College Art Show is one of your best options. Check them out at their Instagram @artshowtrinity, and their website, www.trinityartshow.com.

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The Howl Mag - Lastly for all you creative minds at Wood-

sworth (and other colleges), The Howl Mag seeks to be your artistic outlet. We are constantly looking for writers, photographers, and artists to join our team to continue to cater to an awesome arts community here at U of T. Check us out on Instagram @thehowlmag, where we feature the artwork and photos of U of T and local artists. Slide in our DMs to be featured or for any other inquiries!

Instagram @blankcanvasgallery and @omitlimitation to keep up with events you do not want to miss out on.

BABYTEETH Collective - BABYTEETH is an arts collective made up of four female artists from Toronto that focuses on providing a platform for young artists to relay their lived experiences in a safe and positive space.

The collective hosts many events, such as art For those seeking to make the big leap into shows and fundraisers, throughout the city the Toronto art scene, here are a couple art while giving rise to vital issues. Their last event, collectives and galleries that are a must follow. This Shit Still Happens, a sexual assault awareness fundraiser held at the Gladstone Hotel, Omit Limitation and Blank Canvas Gallery hosted many up-and-coming Toronto artists, - Omit Limitation is one of Toronto’s prelike MADDEE and Luna Li. The collective also mier community based art collectives. This hosts smaller and more intimate, curated art collective hosts a variety of events and runs shows that often have open calls for submisthe infamous Blank Canvas Gallery at 890 St. sion. Stay updated and give them a follow on Clair West. Through the gallery, the collective Instagram @babyteethcollective or check their has been able to create a welcoming and safe website out at www.babyteeth.space. environment for all walks of life, while reaching out to a multitude of Toronto artists of all U of T and Toronto can be very intimidating disciplines. Their events are also notorious for environments, and often times young artists do being wild and dance filled, so much that they not where to go in order to find creative comcreated a spot down the street for after hour munities. Hopefully the following collectives, events. If you need a space to display your art, galleries, and clubs can you help take that first take part in open mics, meet other artists, or leap into the art scene. just have a good dance, Blank Canvas is the place to go. Check them out on Facebook and 14

Thnks Fr The Mmrs We’ve highlighted some of the places that we have found quite memorable on campus. You can find our reasons (both good and bad) on the following pages.

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Illustration | Joyce Wong

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This city in a city may still be a confusing maze to you. However soon it will become a place you love to dread. That love and dread is the result of the many memories you will create on this campus. Some of them will be magical, some of them will be embarrassing and some of them just plain weird. Here are some of the memories we’ve collected over the years: Woodsworth College Residence

for was classy, sleek, professional. I pulled on my cream coloured sweater, black dress pants, and finished the look with my Mac rose shade lipstick.

Since the interview was going to drag on for four hours, I thought I better hit up my trusted friend, Mercurio, for a caffeine fix. With my latte in hand, I sauntered through the college towards my destination. This is when the tragedy happened. As I was walking down the stairs into Kruger, my foot slipped and there went my beautifully crafted latte all down the front of my sweater. For the next four hours I had to try to prove to forty other candidates how I was adult enough to become a Residence Don while looking like a hot mess.

Robarts

But maybe close the blinds first.

Kruger Hall, Woodsworth College

This is short and sweet: if you’re new to coffee, university, and crushing an entire term assignment in one night, chugging four tall blondes from Starbucks within the span of a couple hours, and locking yourself in the basement of a library you’re less than familiar with, surrounded by people you’ve only recently met is… unwise. Did I have a panic attack in the ladies bathrooms in Robarts at 2 am during an excursion wherein I attempted to complete my first ever Big University Assignment in one night? Perhaps. Did I learn a valuable lesson, if nothing else, about spacing out my caffeine intake over an evening and eating a full dinner? Also perhaps.

Drop In Centre

Throwback to second year Madi getting ready for her first group interview. I woke up extra early that morning, did some last minute prep, and then carefully put on my big girl interviewing attire. The look I was going

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Thoughts | Natalia Herran

Thoughts | Simona Presutto

Thoughts | Madison Frost Many of you might have fond memories of Kruger Hall as the hub of orientation and where you consumed too much Pizza Pizza.

For me, Kruger Hall is the place where I tried to adult, and failed.

I was, in that moment, perhaps not the best representative of the serious political moves being made by activist groups on campus. I promise it doesn’t happen often.

Bahen

Thoughts | Anonymous Actually, there are a lot of things that better represent my first year, but this is a memory that suits anonymity quite well. It’s important to remember as you enter your university years that sex is not happening to the people around you as often as one might think.

The movies are misleading: you have class, work, homework... you have to FEED YOURSELF and, by the end of the week, there isn’t a lot of time for sexing. So when the mood strikes and you find yourself alone with a suitable partner and more than 15 minutes of spare time–treat yo’self.

slow day, which meant that us volunteers were left to entertain each other. Naturally, this turned into me attempting to hit a full split in the centre of the room while blasting the iconic Katya verse from “Read U Wrote U” and shouting that “none of you bitches believed in me, but I believe in myself, and look where I am now”. A lost fragment of a tour group entered at that moment, and asked us with genuine confusion what part of the residence this was. We gave them directions and sent them on their way.

Thoughts | Simona Presutto Context: I’m a volunteer with the Drop-In Centre, colloquially known as the DIC, which is a small room in 70 St. George Street for queer-oriented, peer counselling run by LGBTOUT. Now that I’ve covered the boring shit, let’s talk about how one time I made an ass of myself in front of strangers. It was a painfully

In first year, during one of my first classes ever I had the pleasure of watching a little baby mouse terrorize my very serious linguistics prof in the middle of the lecture. As the mouse ran back and forth at the front of the lecture hall, the prof jumped up and down, letting out the tiniest little shrieks. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed harder during a lecture since then.

Queens Park Thoughts | Logan Blair Picture this: It’s a fall night. You’re in a park with some girl who would become one of your best friends. You scoped this place out because you had heard of a secret society that exists somewhere on campus. Naturally, you looked up all the information you could find about them. They’re called Episkopon.

Officially, U of T (namely Trinity College) has dissociated from the society.

My pal and I managed to find out they were holding their annual initiation event that evening. We sat, we waited, and they arrived after dark. They were wearing capes and hoods, yelling in other languages, singing about girls’ virginity, and how they disagree

with The Gays™. It was a lot to take in. They paraded around the park yelling their songs.

It was rattling. Disheartening, truly.

I can’t fully describe how I felt during this act.

I just remember being confused, but also understanding why Trinity College banned the group. They’d ruin the prestige of Trinity.

Understandably so, considering Episkopon is homophobic, misogynistic, and probably racist. Like, wtf. What are they doing?

This was a bonding experience for Michaela and me though. So I guess watching cults chant in parks can be a fun family event, if that’s your sort of thing.

Hart House Thoughts | Chantel Ouellet You know that moment when you’ve previously hooked up with someone from Tinder, and then you run into them in public for the first time and all you can do is stare at them like, “uh, you’ve seen me naked”? No? Maybe you’re classier than me. I applaud you.

I had that moment while walking through Hart House in my first year with this guy from Trinity. The issue was that the hookup was awful and I had been swerving him for weeks.

I think the final straw was when he sent me a text that just read, “Sex?”. By all accounts, I should have had the upper hand. I should have strutted by him with confidence and a cool, “Hey”. Instead, I tripped and poured water down the front of my shirt the moment we locked eyes. I never saw him again after that. Thank god.

Convocation Hall Thoughts | Anonymous PSA: the Con Hall bathroom is great when you don’t live on campus and your long distance significant other comes to visit. Let’s just say whatever happened in there was much more fun than SOC101.

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S T A R R E D Sights | Noah Kahansky Style | Gabbi Gard

Model | Eunice Tan 19

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Model | Penelope Higgins

Model | Regina Cardenas 21

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PHOTO SHOOT

Model | Eunice Tan 23

Model | Octavia Andrade-Dixon 24

A Music Lover’s Guide to Toronto where to get your gig fix in the six Thoughts | Jordan Balls 25

Sights | Chantel Ouellet

g go in u’re o e y wh n se ecau a week b ts e t nig h no in o ur y Take e d this e v a . e ger h r yo u to n o lon nne d fo n u la yo o ut p

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One of the best things about living in one of the largest cities in both the country and the continent is that it is almost always a stop on any artist’s North American tour. Toronto has a wide range of venues that cater to everyone’s needs and tastes, so here’s our lowdown.

Velvet Underground (Queen and Portland): Recently reopened, the Velvet is a smaller club venue that plays host to raucous shows from some of the very best up and coming artists from around the world. With a mere 500 person capacity, tickets are limited, but it provides one of the most intimate concert experiences available in Toronto with hardly a bad view in the house. Though the venue is a bit cramped, the diminutive size merely ramps up the energy further, with shows often ending in impromptu stage invasions.

The Garrison: Another hidden gem where you may just discover the next big thing. With a tiny 300 person capacity, this is the type of place where you may even get the chance to share a beer and a chat with the artist after the show. For example, Catfish and the Bottlemen, who have now sold out the Phoenix, Danforth and REBEL, played their first ever Toronto show here. Though it’s a little far out location-wise, there’s plenty of cool places to start or continue your night in the area.

Danforth Music Hall: My favourite venue in the city, The Danforth Music Hall is a medium sized venue with a whole lot of character. Hosting artists of all genres, there is a show on almost every night at this Toronto staple.

The slight angling of the floor towards the stage means that there’s not a bad view in the house, and makes the crowd easy to manoeuvre through. As a venue used purely for concerts and shows, the Danforth gets it right in so many ways — staff, layout, acoustics, and design. Additionally, the Danforth is in a great area of town that is rife for exploring pre-gig, with plentiful food and drink options.

REBEL (formerly Sound Academy): This venue used to be a bit crap to be honest; poor acoustics, a very inconvenient location way out in the docks to the east of the city, as well as a poorly designed layout that created an uncomfortable and time consuming bottleneck effect when trying to exit.

However, after the recent remodel and rebranding my opinion has completely turned around. It’s spacious, has fantastic sound, and seems to have become the go-to for artists who aren’t quite big enough for the ACC. The venue runs as a nightclub when not hosting concerts, so it has a great bar either side of the crowd area, and plentiful easy access washrooms. Though it plays host

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to fantastic rock and indie shows, the venue really comes into its element for hip hop and electronic artists thanks to the stunning lighting setup which makes the whole venue become a part of the show. Also, Drake and other Toronto celebs have been known to turn up here....

Air Canada Centre: The big daddy of concert venues in Toronto (other than the lesser used Rogers Centre), you really will struggle to find a worse gig-going experience. Its day job is acting as the home to our city’s two most beloved sports teams, the Raptors and the Maple Leafs, and the size of it means that there comes a certain point of popularity where an artist doesn’t have a choice but to play here. Generally, you’re going to be paying a minimum of $50 for nosebleed seats, and $150-400 if you want to be anywhere near the floor. As a poor student trying to live off of instant coffee and ramen noodles, you probably don’t like paying upwards of $12 for a beer, terrible acoustics, vertigo, standing next to your seat while the elderly people behind you moan about not being able to see and feeling as though if you were to take one wrong step you would plunge to your death, then maybe you will have a fantastic experience at the ACC. Sadly, for the rest of us who want to see a superstar act that is simply too big the ACC remains a necessary evil.

The Horseshoe Tavern: One of my personal favourite venues, the Horseshoe is a Toronto gem. Whether you are just grabbing a drink in the front part, or paying to see whoever is playing in the back, this bar/venue provides the infamous grimey-vibes. For all the history-majors out there, the Horseshoe is a classic go-to place as it has been around for all the famous music eras. It has hosted acts the early shows of Willie Nelson, The Police, The Talking Heads, The Tragically Hip, and even Arcade Fire! The average ticket price is $10, with the most I have ever paid being $20 to see The Growlers back in 2015. This venue is cost-efficient for all us university students, and you will always expect a great time jamming out to smaller bands from all genres that are just on the verge of exploding in popularity.

The Opera House: One of Toronto’s oldest venues, The Opera House delivers beautiful acoustics and brings you back in time with some of the original interiors and stage. Originally opening as a entertainment theatre in 1909, this Riverside attraction eventually graduated to a music venue hosting a variety of acts from Nirvana to Eminem. Today, The Opera House is a definite must as it presents diverse acts to appeal anyones personal music tastes - it is a great way to see famous acts without sacrificing your wallet.

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House of

Lorde

Thoughts & Sights | Chantel Ouellet

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Everyone’s favourite white teeth teen has entered adulthood, and so have you.

As you navigate this difficult and tumultuous next four years, let our girl Lorde guide you. Her latest album Melodrama (2017) drew its inspiration from the house parties and late nights she experienced as she entered her twenties. Her first album Pure Heroine (2013) cast a nostalgic knowing look at the paved streets of our adolescence. No matter where you are on your journey, Lorde’s ability to speak to our innermost thoughts and word them in a mystical way will provide you with comfort. Her music sounds like your best friend lying across from you late at night still slightly buzzed, or the etchings on an old notebook you find tucked away. Next time it all becomes just a bit too much, select this playlist, put on some running shoes, plug in your headphones, and take a nice long walk in this brand new city. This is the House of Lorde.

“Tennis Court” Pure Heroine (2013) Lorde

“Magnets” Caracal (2015) Disclosure feat. Lorde

Pick any line from this song and you can probably apply it to the facade that is life at U of T. Let’s start with the first line, “Don’t you think it’s how boring how people talk? Making smart with their words again, well I’m bored.”

Maybe the academic rhetoric hasn’t gotten to yet, maybe you are “still doing this for the thrill of it, killin’ it, never not chasing the million things [you] want.”

Either way, it was once applicable for high school, but it’s even more relevant here.

This song is great for getting ready for a night out. In our opinion one of the best parts of university is the new found freedom you have. This city is mystical and mysterious. It has so many nooks and crannies for you to explore. Get dressed up, get messed up, and get out there.

There will come a time when you need to free yourself from what you’ve learned and “[dance] past the point of no return.”

Don’t feel bad about it, just go for it. This is all part of the experience.

“Liability” Melodrama (2017) Lorde First year is a great time to fall in love.

First year is also a great time to fall out of love. That’s not to say you won’t meet someone special, you might, but we can’t guarantee that. We can guarantee that you will find out why you are this institution. It’s because you are strong, independent, and smart. The most important lesson you can learn here is persistence. First year is hard and it can be lonely but take your time.

Take this time to fall in love with your resilience. Fall in love with your passion.

Fall in love with your autonomy. Fall in love with yourself.

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“A World Alone” Pure Heroine (2013) Lorde You will learn a lot in your first year, that’s a given. This year and the three that follow will show you clearly just how little you know. University does not give you all the answers, arguably you will leave with more questions, albeit better questions. You find your vices just as easily as you find your virtues. You see the cracks in everyone else, sometimes more clearly than you see those in yourself. It can feel like everyone else is taking all of this in stride. It’s already been said that this year will be hard but, “raise a glass ‘cause I’m not done saying it.” You are not “a world alone,” you are right here with the rest of us.

“The Louvre” Melodrama (2017) Lorde The feeling when you first meet someone and fall in love is unique. That moment that you think this is something special, iconic even. A love so significant that it will inspire books and songs, hell, maybe even a painting so great it can be hung in The Louvre. It’s chaotic and all-encompassing. Like all relationships, your relationship with this university will take work and time. However, you can fall in love with it and it can be truly iconic. With your inevitable spamming of Facebook and Instagram, you might as well put, “a megaphone to your chest, broadcast the boom boom boom boom and make ‘em all dance to it.”

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So Fucking Toronto

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Felt the slow draw of death on a mode of public transit

so yo u . d r a c is h c a pun o yo ur year e d a m t tually t how Toron ur wallet.

We ac s o y u j it in ack can tr ut and put o Cut it

I love Toronto, and I love U of T, for all of its vegans and hipsters and wealthy sports fans from the GTA. I hope you will too.

Had a positive experience in a club bathroom

The Preliminary Hypothesis: This is probably

Where: in a club bathroom What: touching up your makeup and deciding if your hair is officially Too Sweaty For The Public when an impressively intoxicated 20-something girl tells you that you have the most gorgeous lipstick and it compliments your eyes so well and have you thought of

Conclusions: That was fun! Let’s never take that deep a dive into Toronto culture again.

I love this city, but she’s tiring. Over your years at U of T, you’ll likely develop a similar love-hate relationship with Toronto and its many varied residents. Here’s something to keep in mind: for every Manbun Vapesmoke Septumpierce McLeatherpants, there’s someone cool, someone kindly, someone who has your back when they don’t have to.

For every intimidating professor, there’s an approachable TA with a Statement Haircut and great academic advice. In a city of this prolific magnitude, it’s easy to feel lost (in the sauce). In those moments of loneliness remember this: because of sheer size and statistical probability, someone, somewhere, is probably shitting their pants right now. Like, literally. At least you’re not having that kind of day. (If you are, it won’t last forever.)

Was canvased by an interest group outside

The Experiment: I’m going to mix and match important locations and common occurrences for residents of this city while narrating your thoughts as they happen to you in an attempt to find a singular experience that is Peak Toronto.

Where: on the GO train, heading into the city What: Standing. Grudgingly.

Thoughts: There’s a Jays game, right? There has to be a Jays game. Maybe Leafs. The blues are hard to tell apart when you’re spitefully not making eye contact with any of the loathsome assholes refusing to let you sit. Can I sit on the ground? If I sit on the ground of this train, will it be cool cause like I don’t need your rules, man, or will it be sad and obvious that I’m having a tough year?

Where: underground at St. George Station What: inhaling the sickly sweet taste of secondhand cherry cola from some dudebro’s ungodly vape rig Thoughts: Is there something to be said for overcompensation by means of comically oversized vape rig? Cause this dude has it, bad. I’m so proud of you for quitting smoking but guy. I’m inhaling your exhale, and it’s weird.

modelling? I saw that guy buy you a drink! Is he okay, do you want us to bail you out?

Thoughts: I love girls so much. We’re so nice to each other. What a great segment of society. 10/10 for all girls, would definitely female again, would recommend to all my friends.

Inhaled someones exhale.

Instead of that, this article is about the question that has been keeping me awake at night: Can one experience be the *most* Toronto? Is there an apex occurrence to sum up the dirty-clean-artsy-corporatebroke-wealthy Toronto/ON/CA, centre of the universe?

Where you are: the 512 streetcar What you’re doing: Sitting in quiet rage on public transit as Manbun McLeatherPants blasts music out of his phone sans earbuds (sans common decency and respect for his fellow man, too) Thoughts on the matter: On the one hand, I respect that kind of confidence. On the other hand, it’s 9 am and I’m pretty sure this is your own music. Flip your septum piercing up and get a job, Manbun. We don’t want to listen to your indie-fusion.

Where: passing Robarts What: Just!! Trying!! To get!! To class!!

Thoughts: I wonder what the success rate is for vegans who recruit exclusively with tactics bordering on street harassment. Do they pull? Are a lot of people swayed to an entire lifestyle change by sheer irritation?

Is that raccoon over there staring at me in agony, lust, rage, or appreciation of my contemplation of veganism? Should I be scared?

Does that vegan guy think I’m weird because I shrieked and ran away from a harmless, rabies-infected raccoon?

Encountered Manbun McLeather Pants

But, like, manageable goals. It’s O-Week!

not going to work. If nothing else, you can use this as a list of things that will happen while your degree here is in progress. Tear it out, keep it in your wallet! Check mark when a new thing happens to you! It’s like those punch cards at local coffee places, only instead of a free pastry you’re gifted the knowledge that you, too, are garbage.

So you know when you’ve seen it all

Toronto is a city with an identity crisis. Our grimy metropolis is home to so many people of such differing cultural backgrounds that it’s hard to firmly grasp one true vision of The Toronto Manz, strong and free. There are too many young people to be considered a city of professionals, too many Real Adults to even get close to College Town status. It is far too expensive to be wholly grunge, but too cool to be concretely bourgeoisie. All of this probably leads back to a heavy intergenerational conversation we all need to have as a nation about wealth disparity and class politics.

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