WORK, WORK, WORK....STOP, ITS HAMMER TIME!

Stressed? All you do is work right? Work on essays, work on assignments, work on relationships, work on council/club activities, work on house choirs, etc. Your living in the moment which is great but sometimes you just need a break. Especially while your still young and don't have kids. But you cant stop, you have too much work to do. That's true but guess what? YOUR ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE TOO MUCH WORK TO DO or too many email to reply to, it never ends. So you might as well just take a break.  

Its very important to take breaks and vacations during university. For example, I just came back from Niagara Falls which was a great little getta way from my busy schedule. I got to sleep, relax, and enjoy the sights. I was still very busy with two courses, work, family obligations and more but it was the only chance I had to go and I took it. The rest was well needed and it allowed me to refresh before another very busy period. 

Last year, I was President of McLaughlin College Council and was super busy. I was attending meetings, organizing events, managing a team and very busy. I still made time to go to Mexico for a week. Sometimes you just gotta stop and relax or you might have a melt down. You have to put someone else in charge and trust that they will do a good job. At the end of the day, you cant do everything yourself, you need others to assist you. 

So if your stuck at home and you don't have a vacation set up for another few months, there are other people at York that can help you get through stressful periods. York has Counseling and Disability Services If you need someone to talk to but don't know who (THEY ARE FREE). We also have Health Education with S.C.L.D. that can give you some tips for staying physically and mentally fit. Take full advantage of the resources around you!

- Mike

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My Biggest University Regret - Not Living on Residence!

My Biggest University Regret - Not Living on Residence!

I really don't have many regrets. I'm of those people who tries to accept the beauty or the usefulness of every situation regardless of how bad it becomes. I do this normally because i feel like I wouldn't be the person I am today without all of the positive and negative experiences that I've had in my life. I also really try my best to live life to the fullest so that I don't have too many regrets. That being said, the biggest regret of my university experience is...not living in residence.

I've met a bunch of people who live on res and they all had a great time. That's not to say that i didn't have a great time when I was commuting. I've have had a blast at York. I've pretty much done it all from College Council President, frosh boss, wild parties, made a million friends, and munch more.

From absolutely everyone that I've met at university that has lived in residence, they all tell me that they've had a great time. They would study together, chill together, party together, and had the strongest bonds I've ever seen. Quite often, many third and fourth year students would move out of residence and live together somewhere close to school. They would build friendships, long lasting memories, and always knew that their roommates had their back when they were sick or needed help editing essays at 4:00am.

Don't get me wrong, I still had many benefits and met many friends by commuting but I honestly think the process would have been a lot easier if I wasn't commuting 1.5 hours from Scarborough three times a week.  

So that is my one regret. I will admit that I still had a great time and I saved a lot of money by not living in Res but if I could turn back and do it again...the only change I'd make...would be living in residence for at least one year!

- Mike 

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York's Red Zone! Best Job on Campus!

Why I have the best job on campus:

1. Staff. I most definitely work with the coolest people on campus. Hands down! Catherine, Director of Student Community and Leadership Development, and I often debate about who has the best job on campus but shes definitely wrong. I get to work with Red Zone Ambassadors, YorkisU Ambassadors, crazy Orientation Chairs, College Council Presidents, Jair, and SCLD students/staff. I have the most interesting and creative coworkers in Canada and most likely the world. They are hilarious!! My co-workers make this job special and fun everyday. 

 2. Atmosphere. Some jobs have a very poisonous atmosphere and make you dread going into work. But not York's Red Zone! This place is amazing and fun! We play games during work such as randomly dancing behind people or incorporating the most random words into our daily vocabulary. We also make Youtube videos such as the YorkU Call Me Maybe video and a Red Zone bootcamp video. We have WAY TOO MUCH FUN EVERYDAY! Everyone is also very open minded and willing to learn new things which is very comforting. My boss appreciates my thoughts and opinions which doesn't always happen in most jobs. 

3. Pay and Flexibility. All students at York get paid more than minimum wage and during the summer I'm working 30 hours/week. My job is also very flexible around booking days off and leaving a bit early for summer school. My bosses (Lindsey and Monika) are the nicest, coolest, fun, people ever! They are very helpful and understanding. 

4. Better than any other job that I've had. I used to flip burgers for my first job and clean dishes. For my second job, I had to load couches, fridges, and mattresses into cars/vans (thats right, I said cars). For my last job, I had to push buggies and load bricks, concrete, doors, appliances, wood, and steel into cars/vans. I'd have to do this in the middle of the freezing winter and during the boiling summer. Thats why I appreciate working in the Red Zone the most. 

- Mike   

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Professors Are Humans Too

Aren't they scary! They stand at the front of the lecture hall like they own the place. Their thick glasses and greying hair makes them virtually impossible to connect with on any normal human level. They are academic superiors who know everything about the world which makes them super intimidating to speak to. They are...Professors!! They speak 9 different languages, are complete geniuses, soulless beings, and will laugh in your face if you even think about asking a question. 

Now back to reality! So I don't know what school from hell this professor is from but at York University, our professors are humans too. 

Like most human beings, professors have feelings too (at least most of them do). To be honest with you, most of the profs that I've had over the years have been really cool and down to earth. Although some of them might be a bit...off, the majority of them are very interesting, active, and fun people. I've met professors that love rock climbing, dancing, piano, singing, hip hop music, exercising, bowling, drinking and just having a good time. Many of them have families and know what real life is like. They are not super humans and they do have feelings as well. Most of them are really cool. Think of some of your cool friends that are really smart and might be professors one day, wouldn't you still hang out with them?

95% of my professors at York were excellent teachers. Some of them have even been good friends. Last Tuesday, I went for lunch with one of my profs and we could have talked forever about a wide variety of topics. He even bought me lunch. Im planning on going rock climbing with him some time over the summer. 

My main point is that you need to get to know your profs and don't be afraid. Who knows, you might even make a new friend. They are also VERY helpful with writing essays and doing assignments. My academic advisor loves giving personal and life advise. He's even known for giving helpful tips on fishing from time to time. 

Go approach your prof after class or during their office hours. Experience how "scary" they can be. It might even help your grades ;)

- Mike 

If you don't believe me, check this out!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMp4Chc6ytA

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Best Places To Eat On York U's Keele Campus

Love food? 

Me 2!? York has a very long list of places to eat on campus. The list goes on and on but where's the BEST places to eat on campus? Depends on what you're craving really. If your down for a good pint of beer, some nachos and an amazing atmosphere with some friends then I would recommend the Absinthe Pub in Winters College. They have some legit pub nights as well.

Feeling a bit more healthier than that? How about Berries and Blooms. They have AMAZING smoothies for $3.14 and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in their salad bar. Its probably the healthiest place to eat on campus. 

Are you feening for some Caribbean flavour? Perhaps you should say "Hi" to Albert in the Orange Snail in the basement of Stong College. The Orange Snail has a relaxed atmosphere with great Caribbean food and some amazing prices. Albert and staff will make you feel right at home. Trust me I know!

Want some food like mama used to make? Michelangelo's restaurent in the basement of Atkinson is where you need to be. They have fantastic Italian food! MAMAMIA!! They also make a mean coffee, check em out!  

If you love a good burger/poutine/salad/AMAZING breakfast, then you should check out this new place just around the corner from York at Steeles and Petrolia. Its called Blueberry Hill!! Talk to Alex and George and tell them that Mike sent you. 

If your looking for a good, affordable deal in a modern looking spot, then hit up the Underground! They have tons of daily specials and cheap beer. They have a lively atmosphere, especially when people are watching big sporting events like the Euro Cup. They are also known for a crazy pub night around Halloween and St. Paddies Day. The costumes are amazing! 

Feeling for a cup of Joe? Well your in luck because we have Starbucks, Second Cup, Treats, Coffee Time, and more. Looking for a Tim Hortons on campus? Well you wont find one because we have many. lol. 

 

Hungry late at night or after York's fun pub nights? Head over to Falafel Hut in York Lanes. They will keep you fed all night. Trust me! 

We have more food options in one building than most universities have in their whole school. If your interested in finding out about more crazy, awesome places to eat at York's Keele Campus, come hollar at me in the RED Zone. 

- Mike

 

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Do you LOVE FREE STUFF?! How about free money?

Do you LOVE FREE STUFF?! How about free money?

         I know I do! York University gives over $16,000,000 in scholarships, bursaries, and grants, EVERY YEAR!! You can access it through this thing called the SFP or the Student Financial Profile at http://sfs.yorku.ca/services/sfp. They pretty much ask you 5 or 6 questions about your personal finances. Then they will list hundreds of different bursaries and grants and you can even search for specific grants/bursaries that apply for you.

O.S.A.P. - Ontario Student Assistance Program

         The Government of Ontario may provide you with a loan to help you pay for school. Sometimes they even offer non-repayable grants to help you as well. If you apply for O.S.A.P., you will also be considered for the Ontario 30% rebate in tuition. There are a few requirements that you need in order to qualify for the rebate. The rebate is $1680 for university students and $770 for college students.

Get this free money!!

MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll3uipTO-4A

- Mike

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Looking For A Job Or A Career? I Got What You Need!!

         

Looking for a job or a career? Are you super duper involved in extracurricular activities? 

         York has many services and tools to help you find jobs, careers, and internships that you're interested in. York's Career Centre has professional staff that will assist you in building your resume, developing your personal skills and gaining life experience. You might even get a free lunch out of it! The Career Centre offers the TASTE (Take A Student To Eat) program which connects successful alumni with current students. They have many different internship programs which are extremely beneficial for gaining practical and real life work experience. They also have many, many, many, jobs on campus and off campus. Don't believe me? Check it yourself at http://www.yorku.ca/careers/index.htm. Once your upload your resume and cover letter, the website will list available jobs/careers and all you have to do is click submit on the side to apply to them. They also have many career and professional fairs to help students find work. One of my friends went to one and got hired on the spot. Shes been working for that company for over a year and is making really good money. The Career Centre also has personalized sessions that can help you discover a long list of potential careers and even try to match careers with your degree and interests. 

         The Career Centre will assist you in finding on campus jobs and the service is completely FREE for York students. During the year, I worked 15 hours a week in an administrative office on campus. It was awesome! My bosses were so cool and very down to earth. They really appreciated the challenging circumstances that students face and were really supportive to me in every way they could. They would delegate tasks each day and then during free time I was allowed to work on essays, assignments, check my emails, and do work for my College Council. The hours were very flexible and I never had to work during the exam period and could easily take days off when I necessary. IT WAS AMAZING! Definitely check out the on campus jobs. Before I worked on campus, I worked for a home improvement company and it was VERY PHYSICALLY DEMANDING and not very flexible. I'm super happy that I got an on campus job and I'm not still lifting bricks and pushing buggies. I'm sure many students are currently in that position. If you want a tip for getting on job on campus, its get involved in extracurricular activities! Its a lot easier to get a job when you know the person hiring and they know your more than qualified for the job because they have worked with you in the past.


         A great tool to help you prove your extracurricular activities and your life experience to future employers is the co-curricular record which can be accessed at yuconnect.yorku.ca. The co-curricular record is an official document from York University stating all your extracurricular activity on campus. The record includes: the clubs/organisations you were apart of; the number of hours that you volunteered; your position within the club; and finally the YorkU logo. The co-curricular record will assist you legitimising your record of involvement to future employers and help you get an awesome job.   

         Take advantage of all of York's free services, they just might help you get your dream job one day. All the resources are here for you to succeed and all you gotta do is try.

- Mike 

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