Monthly Archives: September 2012

Oh hey. Long time-no blog. And for that, I’m very sorry.  I’m also a perfect example of a stereotypical first year, for which I am also sorry.  This entry will be jam-packed with things you’ve all heard before: classes are hard, there’s a lot of homework, and I am ever so stressed, kiddies.

To begin, I genuinely am sorry for not posting in a rather long time. I’ve had a lot to say, just no time to say it.  Moving right along, I’ve had no time due to the mounds of homework I’ve had. Here’s a little secret: classes don’t seem hard, nor do the readings or assignments, until your professor breaks it to you that the mid-term that’s worth 10% of your entire grade is in less than a week. It’s in that moment that you take a mildly different approach to University..

You re-think spending time on laundry and grocery shopping.

You visit Hubbard’s a lot more than you should.

You actually go inside that building that looks like a book.

And, you still find time to watch Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, calculus takes a back seat to that show.

Two nights ago I was up into the wee hours of the night writing a paper. This resulted in five hours of sleep in order to make it to my 9AM class.  No sleep results in me sporting the clothes I wore the day before, with no shower.  And that my friends, is completely going to result in me getting a boyfriend here at UBC.  I lure all the boys in with my two-day old sock bun, so watch out.  On a more serious note,  try not to write a paper the night before it’s due. I got what was coming to me, as assignments here are very different from high school assignments.  I was a cocky IB kid thinking I was fully-prepared for the workload.. was I ever mistaken. I did get the assignment finished, but I wasn’t very proud or secure in my paper. Which leads to me to an important tip: take advantage of your professors office hours! They have those hours for YOU. They’re there to help YOU. It may seem daunting, but if you remove yourself from the 200 first-year student filled lecture hall and sit down one-on-one with your professor, it’ll help your understanding. It’s just a fact.

Well, I have three mid-terms next week, so I should start hibernating now. Thanks for reading! Talk to you soon.

P.S I got caught in the ever-so-famous Vancouver rain today for the first time!  I was wearing a white striped shirt.. so nevertheless I re-thought that bright pink bra underneath and made a note-to-self to bring a jacket everywhere.

It dawned on me one night in the shower when I was keeping a watchful eye on a spider that my parents aren’t here to kill it for me. The fact that I’m alone keeps emerging, and realizing that I have to go do things if I want anything done is exhausting. I don’t know how my parents have done it. Which brings me to one of the hardest aspects of first year – thus far – being alone.

Now, I know I can’t necessarily claim loneliness, as there are literally thirty teenagers outside my door, but being alone is completely different.  For most first years, myself included, it’s the first time you’re away from every family member and every friend. It’s hard to get adjusted and find your place, in this place.  If you weren’t the most independent child, you’ll have to learn a lot of new things.  For instance, this week I’ve done the following for the very first time: used an ATM machine, shopped for groceries, washed my clothes, and squished a spider.  But, at the risk of sounding like a cliché-laced-country song, that’s part of growing up. That is what we’re all doing here at University, is it not? Besides the obvious mission to graduate with a degree, we’re all here to become adult-like individuals, and even against our will, we will all leave here differently than we came.

The second hardest part of being away from every soul you know or grew up with is missing them. It’s as simple as that. It’s awful to miss your parents, and your sisters, and your dog, and your room. But, University is a privilege, as is any form of education, that is not granted to everyone. Try not to waste this opportunity by wishing you were somewhere else, with someone else. This is a lesson I’ve had to teach myself when I was skyping a best friend who is 4,000 km away.  Take the opportunities given to you at UBC, because there are plenty.  It’s fully within your rights to be homesick, just try not to let that ruin the experience of University, especially if you’re lucky enough to be accepted to an amazing establishment like UBC!

I’ve been introducing myself a lot  these first few days at UBC and I’ve noticed a pattern in the questions I’ve been asked, as well as the questions I’ve asked others. The top four go like this:

– What’s your name? (obviously)

– Where are you from?

– What faculty are you in?

– Why UBC?

Then more times than none, after those four questions the awkward silence ensues. But, to those of you who’ve yet to meet me I will save you the time, energy and uncomfortableness. Hi, my name is Briana, I hail from Nova Scotia but I was born in Ontario and spent almost half of my life there.  I’m a first-year Arts undergraduate, and I chose UBC not only because they have stellar academics, but because they have such a wide diversity of clubs and activities to get involved with. Oh, did I also mention that I live within a five minute walk of a beach? That’s a pretty nice bonus.

My first day at UBC was quite a whirlwind. There were long lines, lots of stairs/stares and very hard goodbyes.  I’m all set up now and my room is starting to feel like home, but I have fallen victim to a certain hermit-like quality.  I find it simple to fall into some sort of funk the first few days due to the sheer size of UBC. The amount of first-years is around 7,000 students, which is almost as big as the town I came from in Nova Scotia.  With that being said, there are literally thousands of kids that you can meet and it’s easy to be swallowed up, and go up to your dorm, shut your door and watch toddlers and tiaras on your laptop all day (guilty).  So I have a few (hopefully) helpful tips on how not to wind up watching TLC alone in your room all day.

The first tip is pretty straight forward: Don’t Stay In Your Room!

I’m not a naturally flamboyant person who can sashay up to anyone and begin talking. I’m a little more shy and introverted when I first meet people.  Due to those traits I extract myself from big groups of people where I’d actually have to go out and socialize, but contrary to my belief, the only way to meet people and make friends is to get out of your dorm room. Surprisingly enough my locked dorm room doesn’t get much social traffic.

The second tip is vastly cliché: Be Yourself!

I know, I know, I sound like your Mom, but your Mom is right.  Don’t bother trying to re-invent yourself, just be you.  If you be yourself you’ll attract friends that will most likely share similar interests and hobbies.

And, the final tip: Go To Events!

This tip has a large correlation with the first tip. You must leave your room, and when you do so, you should go to the events available to frosh. They’re events organized for you and they’re the best way to meet people.

Wish me luck!