Sunday 24 August 2014

Things I wish I knew since First Year....

Academic/ Research

  • Professors are humans too. Well duh. But that means they are approachable. If you have questions, go to their office hours during the year not just right before exams. Often they are enthusiastic to chat about their research and their experience in academia and/or industry.
  • Undergraduate Research Opportunities give undergrads in all faculties the opportunity to design a project proposal with the help of a graduate student/post-doc and present a poster at the largest undergrad multidisciplinary research conference in BC. (http://uroubc.ca/)
  • Find a mentor through the Tri-Mentoring Program which groups a junior undergrad + a senior undergrad + a professional. (http://students.ubc.ca/career/community-experiences/find-a-mentor)

Recreation

  • Drop-in activites like badminton, basketball, volleyball at the BirdCoop +  UBC Aquatic Centre (swimming) & Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre (ice skating) are all free to students. 
  • Want to join yoga classes, but not sure if you can make the weekly commitment? UBC Yoga Club offers $2 classes for those with a yearly ($10) membership. www.ubcyogaclub.com/ 
  • Want to try ballroom dancing? Check out UBC Dance Club for cheaper dance classes. www.ubcdanceclub.com/

Money

Food

  • Living at Vanier or Totem? It is ALWAYS cheaper eating at the dinner hall because you already pay overhead fees of around $1000. If you don't want to sit inside, sign-up for the eco container program and you get a free reusable container (that they wash for you!). 
  • If you don't mind a short walk, consider going to the University Village Food Court for cheaper and better food. The stairs going down to the food court is to the right of the McDonalds. 
  • Vegetarian or Vegan? Or simply like vegetarian food? Considering visiting Sprouts in the basement of the SUB or Seedlings on the top floor of Koerner Graduate Centre. Note: cash only! Sprouts also hosts Community Eats every Friday where lunch is by donation. Bring your own container. 
  • On the other end of campus and looking for healthy sustainable options? Visit Agora Café (run by LFS students) on the lower floor of H.R MacMillan Building for baked goods, breakfast, or lunch. Their granola bars are to die for. Bring your own container/mug for a discount.
  • Triple O’s Tuesday Special: $3.33 for a cheeseburger
  • Cheapest dining option: pack your own lunch. There are microwaves on the main floor & basement of the SUB, main floor of IBLC (near Ike's), 2nd floor of Abdual Ladha Science Student Centre, and probably way more hidden away on campus. 

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