Lately, I’ve been interviewing people and posting articles on why they picked York University.  It’s always good to get someone else’s opinion, but I almost forgot that I also go to York.  Who better to give advice then me! So here is why I picked York, and why I like it.

The main reason I picked York was due to its location.  It’s extremely close to my hometown; and if I ever need to head to campus for extracurricular activities or to meet up for a group project I can be there in about 20 minuets.

All of my close friends decided to stay home as well.  Considering I’ve known these guys since grade one and grade nine, this also played an important factor in my decision.  Most of them all went downtown for school, but were commuters like me.  At the end of the day we all came home and still hung out.

The programs I wanted (political science and history) were at the same level if not better than those at the other universities I was considering.  If I could get a great education 20 minuets away from home, what was the point of me traveling an hour away, or moving to another town?

Personally I’m very close to my family, and get home sick very easily.  I love my town and the people in it.  York University is able to fit into my life style easily and I love it.  I can’t picture myself going anywhere else.  York also enables me to keep a part-time job during the school year, because I have the freedom to personalize my schedule with York.

To sum it all up, I picked York because it had a great Political Science and History program.  It’s close to home, which means I can see my friends whom I’ve known since grade one.  I can also keep my hobbies such as hockey and Brazilian jujitsu because they don’t interfere with my academic life.
 
York University is balance, York University is home, and York University is my life.

It’s pretty obvious that York University libraries have a lot of books. But did you also know about eResources? Here’s a quick video tutorial on browsing the 13 000 + online resources available through the library.

The other day I had the chance to interview a fellow York U student who has lived on campus, and has some good advice for you first year residence people.  Stacey is a sociology major and has been living on campus for the majority of her university career.   

Unfortunately I have no advice for you residence people, because number 1) I’m Italian we don’t “move out”, number 2) I live in Richmond Hill, which is fifteen minuets away, so no need to move to campus, and number 3) did I mention I was Italian…

A: Where did you live first year?
S: I lived in Winters my first year, but not all the kids were in the same program as me so I felt out of the loop. 

A: Was it any fun living in residence?
S: My first year was pretty fun.  In third year I decided to move to Stong residence.  I had an easier time connecting with the students in Stong.  They also had a lot of social events, which made it more entertaining.  My last year I lived in Calumet, which was also nice.  It felt more like an apartment and showcased what living on your own would be like. 

A: Where was your favorite place to eat?
S: My favorite place in first year was Berries and Blooms.  They had a fresh and healthy selection of food there.  In third year I found the Orange Snail and fell in love.  Their food is by far the best on campus and “mama” and “papa” make it feel like home. 

If you haven’t caught on by now, A stands for Andrew and S for Stacey. 

A: Do you enjoy living on your own?
S: Yes, I think it’s important to experience struggle on your own, so you can appreciate how good you have it at home.  I like the freedom too much to go back.  I also want to show my family that I’m independent. 

A: What’s the best part about living on your own?
S: Staying out late I suppose.  At home I have a curfew, so it’s nice to stay out late and not having someone call you to see where you are.  

A: What’s the worst part about living on your own?
S: Cleaning.  Residence has staff that cleans the halls and bathrooms, but living on your own you don’t have time to clean.  It’s frustrating because cleaning always needs to happen and it’s a lot of extra work. 

A: What’s your advice for first year students?
S: Do the house events.  I know it sounds stupid but you really get to know people that way.  I wish I had done more of this in first year.  In third year I did everything I could and had a blast.  Also, don’t miss pub night.  Even if you can’t drink it’s still a great way to socialize.  And don’t forget to study.  It’s a lot of freedom all at once and once you have frosh you get all excited about the new opportunities. 

Often people can’t juggle work and their social life, so many people wish they could re-do first year because they didn’t take it serious enough.  There is time for work and time for play. 
Also go to frosh even if you’re a commuter.  It’s part of the experience. Same as residence; just do it one year, even your last.  It’s a lot of fun and makes your university life more personal.

 I know most of you are just starting your first year at York this September, but it’s important to start thinking about your next step in your academic career.

I’m talking about Grad School.

Now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Andrew, you crazy. I just started my first year of my undergrad.”

Trust me; I’m as sane as they come. The best time to be thinking about grad school is as early as possible. The earlier you bunker down, get those A’s and involve yourself in the field of your choice the better. Most schools want you to have high grades as well as extracurricular activity. The sooner you get on that, the better.

Now, you don’t have to start this very moment, but look into it and check out the requirements. Come second or third year, you may be very interested in doing it.  The process of applying will now be easier because you know your stuff.

Getting good grades is another important aspect for applying to grad school. Slacking off for three years and then working hard in fourth year usually doesn’t work. It’s better to do your best in the beginning and improve over time. Time improves everything; one cannot simply wake up and become a brain surgeon. Do your best and give it everything you got.

Remember first years to do or do not, there is no try.

Grade twelve your last year of high school.  You’ve studied hard, perfected the art of essaying writing, and participated as much as possible.  This really is an end of an era.  Four years have flown by, and a new chapter in your life is about to be written.  But what will you write?

If you’re feeling strung out, bored, or have an empty feeling inside of you; maybe you need to do something.  If you’ve been accepted to York University I may have the cure. 

“Bridging the Gap”

What? Andrew please elaborate, I have no idea what you are talking about. 

Bridging the gap is a program offered by York University to Ontario students who have been accepted into an undergraduate program.  The program allows you to take a one year break from starting first year.  The University will hold your spot for one year, if you want to work, do community service, or go on an international exchange. 

This is one opportunity I wish I took advantage of.  I love to travel; and knowing I could have worked for a year overseas while still attending York the following year would have been amazing.  But it’s not too late for you.  If your interested checkout the website.  Any future students who love to travel and want to experience another culture should definitely check it out.  This is another great thing about going to York.  They’ll allow you to experience the world before you start your degree. 

The website is http://www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/bridgingthegap/index.html
If any students are going to be “bridging the gap” or already have, let us know what you did and what you thought about it.

I’m a commuter, which means I don’t get to sleep in (no offence lazy people) like those lazy people in res.  I have to wake up early to catch the bus then I have to ride the bus.  Taking the VIVA bus down to York for the past three years has gotten boring, and old.  Unfortunately it’s a love hate relationship.  I hate it but I need it in order to get to school.  Ok hates a strong word, lets say dislike. 

If you take the bus during rush hour, you’ll find yourself twiddling your thumbs for the majority of the ride.  Over the years you come up with ways to beat your boredom.  Here are a few things that can keep you occupied on your bus ride to York. 

1) IPod: this is a good way to stay entertained because you can listen to some good tunes or watch a movie.  Or most cell phones have built in radios.  If you get tired of your IPod, you can always listen to the radio.
Tip: Don’t blast your music too loud, if everyone can hear your music it will annoy them.  Especially if you have bad taste in music, it also annoys me.

2) Read: the bus ride is a good time to catch up on missed readings.  Depending on where you live you might have a long journey ahead of you.  Crack open that book and contemplate life as an exterior being.  If you got a 45 minute bus ride that means you have 45 minuets to study or 45 minuets to try and understand Plato.

3) Game boy: yea that’s right I said game boy, sometimes the old school games are the best games.  Or if you have a PSP or something else that is also good.  Whatever helps you pass the time.  Or play on your cell. 

4) Essay: personally the best ideas come to me when I’m doing absolutely nothing.  The amount of times I get good ideas about my essays are usually on the bus.  It always helps to bring a pen and notepad.  Write down anything that comes to mind that will help you with your essay or other assignments. 

5) Sleep:  I can’t pull this one off personally but I’ve seen people do it.  If you’re tired and you’re able to catch some shuteye on the bus, then by all means nap away.  I’m always worried I’ll miss my stop. 
       Tip: try not to talk in your sleep, snore, or use other people’s shoulders as pillows; because people will think you’re weird.  Don’t take up two spots while you’re sleeping either, that’s just rude. 

These are some of the things you can do to pass the time on your commute to York, just remember to be respectful of your surroundings and to others.  If you have any good ideas let the rest of us know.

Laptop_vs_Notebook_podcast_first_cut

This week Brent and I have a heated debate on the pros and cons involving high-tech laptops and good old fashioned notebooks.  Checkout our podcast to see what you like better, Laptops or Notebooks.  Also tell us what you think is better and why.

Since the beginning of high school we are told to prepare for our career.  Like we’re supposed to know what we want to do with our lives when we’re 14.  I’m 21 and I’m still confused.  Knowing what you want to do for the rest of your life is a tough decision.  And picking a degree, which will prepare you for your life long career, is just as stressful. 

Relax, don’t panic.  You have four years to find a career you wish to follow, I only have one year left, so I’m the one who’s allowed to panic.  First years I say to you.  What do you like? What do you really like?  Don’t pick something because your parents like it or all your friends are doing it, you have to find something you truly enjoy.  This is going to sound lame, but whatever your heart yearns for, follow it. 

If you love the environment and animals but your studying chemistry, there is still a way to get involved in that field.  It’s just up to you to do the research to find that job.  Your dream job isn’t going to magically appear at your door and ask you to come work for it.  You got to find where it lives, knock down its door and say
“Hey, guess what? I’m hired.” 
You have to be aggressive and have that drive to find your calling. 

The best thing to do is take advantage of any career centre, or career website that allows you to research certain careers.  Life is hard work, so roll up your sleeves.  If you’re in first year and don’t like the major you picked, change it.  I did.  I was a history major but by the end of the year I couldn’t see myself doing this for four years, so I changed to political science.  Don’t be afraid to change majors. 

I also like archeology and wouldn’t mind majoring in that field.  I can also see myself wearing a leather jacket and fedora, running around the desert finding lost treasure.  But that’s not realistic.  So remember to talk to people in the field you are interested in to get a sense of what the jobs are like.

High school was a good experience.  Near the end of it, I got involved in more clubs; I like to think of myself as an athlete who turned into an academic.  It’s always good to play sports and be active but it’s also important to pay attention to what you’re learning.  One of the clubs I joined this year was the model United Nations.
 
YMUN (York Model United Nations) is exactly what it sounds like.  You pretend to be a delegate from another country and participate in a mock U.N. assembly and try to change the world for better or for worse.   The most exciting part is traveling to other destinations and competing against other Universities. 

This year I travelled to Queens University in Kingston.  I was able to compete and debate with other students for eternal glory and bragging rights.  This is definitely an experience everyone should try.  Not only is it fun, but you get to meet new people, make new friends, and rivals.  If someone beat you at the Queens meet you can seek a rematch at other meets.  This past year YMUN traveled to McGill, Harvard, and Europe.
 
It was also good to see old friends whom I went to high school with at their University.  I received an excellent tour of the town and University as well as the night life; and because they’ve lived there for so long I was treated to the best parts of town.  Not to mention the U.N meets are usually accompanied by night time social meets.

So I say to you, get out there and experience a well rounded university life.  If you never get your feet wet you’ll never learn how to swim.

Here is the YMUN website if anyone is interested: http://www.yorku.ca/ymun/

Hey everybody, Andrew here with some more tips on workout regimes.  Today’s post will focus on your chest and core.  It’s best to do this workout once a week, in conjunction with the rest of your workouts.  This workout is a little bit harder than my last post; it’s for those who are at the intermidiate level.  This is going to be more of a circuit style workout.  Hope you enjoy!

Warm up:
15 mins on a bike, treadmill, or elliptical trainer.  Medium intensity and don’t forget to stretch after!

1. bench press: weight of your choice 8-10 reps

2. 30 seconds rest

3. bench press: weight of your choice 8-10 reps

4. 30 seconds rest

5. bench press: weight of your choice 10-15 reps

6. 20 leg raises

7. 20 Swiss ball crunches

8. 20 sit-ups

9. 30 seconds rest

10. chin ups: as many as you can do

11. 15 standard push ups

12. chin ups: as many as you can do
 
13. 10-15 wide fly push ups

14. 1 min break

15. 25-35 mason twists

16. 20-25 V-up roll ups

17. 15-20 oblique V-ups

18. 15-20 bicycle crunches

If at any time you need a break, take one.  This isn’t a race.  It’s best to workout with a buddy so you can motivate each other.