At the end of the day, a person often questions what they really have learned after all those years of university. I was doing that recently, reflecting back on the past four years of my life to try and realize what I had gained. Sure you learn a lot of facts, general facts, about a variety of topics. Most people who've gone to college can tell you about Pavlov's dogs, how important it is to breastfeed (thanks Nutr 112) or how to dissect a crayfish. These are all great things to know but in the end going to the U of S taught me so much more.
University is a time that allows you to step out of your comfort zone, befriend new people who share common interests with you (or class schedules). It is a time when your personality really develops, you get a sense of self, you learned which majors worked for you and which didn't. I changed mine a couple of times. For some it is a time where they find their 'sweetheart' for life, meet a mentor who will inspire them for many years to come, or even become a role model to others. It is really hard to grasp how much you develop when you step foot on campus until you return home. Sometimes it feels a little odd to talk to your peers who didn't go to the U of S or to university at all, but it is at that point that you really realize how much you've changed and grown up.
There's no fool-proof way to grow up or a certain place you should go to school to accomplish your dreams, but I'm glad I made Saskatoon my home for the past four years and decided to go to the University of Saskatchewan, if anything when I get that 'big' international interview I've always dreamed of and the interviewer stumbles over the name 'Sa..sk.a....what?', I will smile politely and correct them, telling them that is where I'm from.
Wow it is hard to believe that April is already just around the corner (tomorrow actually - watch out for April Fool's jokes) and University students will be writing exams before going off to work for the summer. Although finals can seem intimidating before arriving here on campus, after having written over 40 of them (alot, I know!), I have a few words of advice when preparing for them. These suggestions should be taken with a grain of salt considering that everyone's student method is a bit different than the next. Also keep in mind that you can use these for your high school examinations coming up in June. I remember in high school that writing 4 - 6 two hour exams a day seemed tedious, wait until you arrive at University and must do 2 three hour finals in a day!
1. Start Early, start now, stop reading this blog and study! Just jokes, but really, tackling a little at a time really helps lighten the load and give your head a rest every now and again.
2. Keep up with your physical activity routine and eating well. I am just as guilty as the next for craving comforting, unhealthy foods during finals, especially when stress levels start reaching infinite levels, but trust me, you will perform better and feel better if you take care of yourself.
3. Get some rest! Although staying up late to memorize 20 amino acids and their structures seems like a phenomenal idea, it probably isn't. Whatever you don't know the night before will be hard to recall the next day. Get at least 7 hours if you can since sleep is the best time to ferment what you've learned for the test. After pulling an all-nighter my first year for Biology 111, I vowed to never again do that.
4. Socialize a bit. It is easy to hole yourself up in the library during finals and refuse to take any calls or forgot what your e-mail password even was, but taking time to tend to your regular rituals isn't a bad idea and can keep you sane for the next few weeks to come. Your Mom would love to hear from you.
5. Don't socialize too much. Those socializing procrastinators sometimes waste other people's time at the library by avoiding their own work to talk. Keep in mind other people's study schedules. It doesn't hurt to have a study group, some people are much better at studying in groups as opposed to individually.
6. Ask for help! If there is a concept or chapter you were completely lost on, ask your TA, your prof, or someone else in your course for assistance or better yet, check out the University Learning Centre for a PAL Assistance. These people are all there to help you succeed so let them be a help to you when doing exams.
7. Look forward to to what is next and put things in perspective. Sometimes it can't be helped to completely bomb an exam. Take it for what it is, a learning experience, you still have many many more exams to write in the upcoming years at university. One bad final won't ruin your chances of getting into law school.
8. Dream about summer! Think about it, in less than a month, most University students will be done writing finals and possibly working outside to save up money for next year. So take some time to daydream about your summer plans, maybe Craven, maybe being a Science camp instructor, or maybe travelling. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, literally as in sun!
9. Take a break and go home if you can. There is nothing as relaxing for me as going home to Yorkton during finals to take the edge off. Your parents would love to have you for Easter and probably would do your laundry and help you study. Visit them if your schedule so permits.
10. Bring the right supplies. The most important thing for writing exams is having your student card, a calculator if necessary, sharpened pencils, filled pens, scrap paper, cheat notes if permitted, a water bottle and a snack if needed. There's nothing more frazzling than writing your Biochemistry 200 exam and realizing that you forgot your student car, yeah that happened to me. Pack everything up the night before and you'll be set.
Most importantly good luck to everyone at the U of S for their April exams, good luck to all you high school students in June and see everyone again in September for another Orientation Week which is always a great time!
If you haven't yet heard the news, the Huskies Men's Basketball team placed 1st at the CIS Championships and the Women's team got a bronze medal. Way to go Huskies!
It is tough to believe it is already that time of year, when the Huskies hang up their skates/cleats/runners/flippers for another season. The U of S track team just competed at National CIS's and now their season has come to a close. It is not to say that the training stops by if you want to check out any Huskie action you will have to wait like the rest of us for the end of August when the Football team makes their debut for the season.
Wow, what a wonderful time of year, the days are getting noticeably longer, people are out and about walking rather than using their vehicles, and I now wake up to the sound of the birds chirping their mating calls to each other. What a beautiful month March has begun as, let's hope it continues to be like a lamb.
Here are some ways to know that Spring has put a little spring into everyone's steps at the U of S:
-More couples holding hands
-Skirts' hemlines are getting higher
-People are dying their hair lighter colours
-Profs are still giving plenty of midterms and assignments
-Students suddenly have more energy to spend at the library until 7PM, since it doesn't get dark until then
-People cluster at the PAC more readily than in February, bikini season is coming up
-Everyone is talking about their summer plans
-Job interviews are happening for summer work terms
Although any time at the U of S is a blast, there is always something magical about spring, when you only have four more weeks to go of classes and you can see that light at the end of the tunnel. For some it will be graduation and a time to start a whole new chapter in their lives. For others it will mean returning to their hometowns after experiencing a year of university. And for others it may mean travelling to exotic lands abroad to get to know oneself. Regardless of what people are doing, there is definitely a twinkle in most peoples eyes (especially those profs who are giving you a pop quiz on Monday!)
This is one feature of the U of S not be overlooked for new arrivals. PAC stands for the Physical Activity Complex and is home to the College of Kinesiology as well as Huskie Athletics. It boasts a very impressive weight room that the University's teams train in. There are loads of cardio machines, be it treadmills, ellipticals, steppers, bikes, etc. This gym is constantly voted 'Number 1 Gym' in the city of Saskatoon by Planet S Magazine Readers in their Annual Best Of issue.
Some of the reasons that make this the best workout facility is that it has a salt-water pool. That's right bottle blondes, no more dyed green-looking hair when emerging from a chlorine-infused swimming pool. There are several racket-ball courts, a gymnastic room, an indoor running track (which allows you to check out the cute guys playing basketball in the gyms), and triple gym that you can use when the sports teams are not practicing. The change rooms are spacious and if you line up early enough in September you can get a full-size locker at the gym for only $25.00!! What a steal of a deal. The Centre also offers a variety of fitness classes all included with your student fees. There is yoga (2 types), spin class, sculpting class, etc. They are offered at all times of the day so there is no problem scheduling a daily workout into your class schedule. The instructors are very knowledgeable and offer guidance to beginners who want to try a new type of workout.
I almost forget to mention the 3-story climbing wall! This thing is amazing, they switch the grips every few weeks to ensure a new experience each time you come to the gym. There is plenty more to do at the PAC that I have barely touched on but when you get a chance, come and check it out and see why everyone on campus loves this perk of being a U of S student.
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