Final exams are at our door steps, and the number one thing on many residents’ minds is “Where can I find a good location to study?” The libraries are packed with people. There’s constant chatter in the residential commons areas. Distractions are constantly by your side. In this article, I am going to present a few lesser known areas that I’ve found to be really great for focusing on studies during the exam period. They are close to the residence, but far enough so that you don’t run into too many distractions.

      My personal favorite is SWING. Located just up the hill from Marine Drive, it offers multiple levels of free, open classrooms where you can study individually or with a group of friends. There are lots of spaces. The area is well maintained, well lit, well equipped with study tools such as white boards and presentation screens. The best part is that it is open 24hours a day, and 7 days a week. You don’t want to miss out on this building.

       Closer to home would be the Forestry Sciences Centre. While the computer labs are restricted, the commons area offers a quiet, elegant study space. There is a Tim Horton’s right in the building if you need a quick cup of coffee. In addition, there are also classroom spaces right on the first floor if the commons area is filled (it is a fairly busy place). Interesting, not many people use the classrooms. There are chalk boards in the rooms for drawing diagrams. As expected of an environmentally friendly faculty, the lights in the classrooms are automatic. Lights switch off after 15 minutes if no motions are detected. The only down side is that this building only opens during week days until about 7pm, not weekends.

      MacMillan Building sports a more down to earth feel. It is the Land and Foods Systems building, and it is located right across from Forestry. There are many classrooms available for use on the second floor, and the third floor has a large study centre space. There are tutors available for 1^st and 2^nd year science courses in the area on weekdays. MacMillan opens 24hours on week days. It is not very well known, but it certainly is a great space to get work done.

      These are just a few examples of alternative spaces which can be utilized for study purposes when classes are not in session. Next time you walk around buildings related to your faculty, take note of what resources are available and what spaces are free to use. You will find your very own top study spots.

Zhihao (James) Xu

It is that time of the year again: it is the time of spending 24 hours a day studying for your back-to-back exams. You’ve made it so far and it’s just the last little effort before you can be set free for the winter break. Focusing so much on studying, we tend to let good nutrition slide down our priority list. So here are some tips for nourishing your body and boosting your energy to make it through the exams.

Choose brain enhancing over brain blocking foods!

Protein-rich foods lead to longer energy and mental awareness. These foods will keep your energy up during your long exams! Some examples include eggs, fish and nuts.

Stay away from foods that are high in refined sugar or white flour, such as chocolate, candies, white bread and pasta, cookies, and muffins. Instead choose mostly whole grain-based carbohydrates, as the high fibre content in these carbohydrates help keep you full longer. Some whole grains include whole wheat, brown rice and quinoa.

Prepare these quick snacks/meals to pack with you:

• Fruits and vegetables: apples, bananas, oranges are easy to grab and go. They’re rich in vitamin C, potassium, fiber and B vitamins.
• Enjoy your vegetables with your favorite dip or, even better, have them with hummus for added protein. You can also have apples with peanut butter; it tastes great and gives you energy to carry on studying.
• Head to the grocery store in the bulk section and select your favorite nuts like almonds, walnuts, and cashews. Add some dried fruits like cranberries, raisins and apricots. They’re great to munch on while studying.
• Grab some granola and add them to your yogurt. They have lots of protein and are energy boosting.

Boost your brain with water and reduce caffeine consumption:

Drink enough water before and during your exam. Your body consists of 60% water, so by drinking water, you will replenish your body fluids, which will give you more energy. Add lime, lemon or cucumber wedges to your water for some enhanced flavor.

So what about coffee? After studying all day, it’s easy to over-consume caffeine to keep yourself awake! The effect of caffeine varies from person to person. Caffeine could have positive effects, such as increased concentration and alertness. However, in some individuals caffeine can cause disturbance of sleep, headaches, and nervousness. High caffeine intake has been shown to be associated with slight decline in calcium balance.

Finally, get enough sleep! It’s easy to get into the habit of studying late and cramming all night. Having a good sleep the night before the exam gives you enough energy to carry on with your exam. To be functional during exams, you need both healthy nutrition and adequate sleep!

Take those tips with you and start packing your day-long snacks and meals and start studying to ace those exams!

Ghazal Haghnegahdar

3^rd Year Dietetics

Are you passionate about Sustainability? Did you know that UBC has set the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of any of the top 40 universities in the world? Although UBC was Canada’s first university to achieve a Gold rating in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), our current goal is to increase the power of our sustainable commitment.
Be part of this movement by becoming a ‘Suite Sustainable Volunteer’ for you residence area. You will work with the Suite Style Sustainability Coordinator to put on events related to water, energy, food and waste. The group will meet twice a month to discuss that month’s theme and events. Then you will be in charge of executing the event in your Residence Area (Gage, Fairview, Thunderbird…etc.)
For the month of November we are hoping to look into waste by planning Stuff swaps, a trip to the in-vessel composter on campus as well as increasing compost and recycling use in residence.
To become your Residence Area’s ‘Suite Volunteer’ or for more information contact Anna Murynka (a.murynka@gmail.com) or Amy Stewart (amy.stewart@ubc.ca) by Wednesday 14 November. Also, come and meet us on Wednesday at Faculty in Rez: ‘100 mile diet, is it worth is?’ in Gage Izzy Mac at 6pm.

We all have those teachers that we just can’t stand to listen to and those classes we dread sitting in for hours… The ones that make us want to skip class, change our major, or even give up on school altogether. Well have no fear; there is an education revolution coming! My discovery this past week was a wonderful thing that I am sure will change the world: online teaching from some of the top schools and professors in the world. There are a couple of sites that I have discovered that are offering lectures and practice to students all around the world in a variety of subjects, and the best part… it’s completely FREE!

The first site, and my personal favourite, is Coursera. This site offers classes taught by professors from schools all over North America (including our very own UBC!) and has lectures in a wide variety of subjects, from computer science to sustainability.  You can sign up for a course which takes place over a few months. You will be able to learn at your own pace from some of the greatest professors in the world, test your knowledge, and reinforce what you have learned through interactive activities.  I highly recommend checking out this site if you are looking to expand your knowledge or improve your skills in a class you may currently be taking. The website for Coursea is: https://www.coursera.org/

The second site is Khan Academy. This site is not as interactive as Coursera, but still offers online lectures in a variety of subjects. I recommend this site if you are looking for help in a subject you are already taking as I found it more useful for explaining a topic I had already heard about rather than teaching me something completely new.  You listen to a professor and see drawings and diagrams on the screen as he/she is talking. The website for Khan Academy is: http://www.khanacademy.org/

I highly recommend browsing through these sites and trying them out! These sites are fantastic resources to enhance your learning, and remember… knowledge is power!

It’s that time of year when the leaves start turning, and that means autumn is right around the corner. Summer may be gone, but there’s no looking back. After all, Vancouver has enough fall activities to keep you busy between your schoolwork with fun-filled days of action-packed events, apple cider, Halloween frights — even chocolate festivals. Check out these must-see fall activities in Vancouver this year and renew your love for autumn.                

1. Take a Hike


The colours are changing and the best way to see them and really appreciate them is to get outside and immerse yourself in nature. Whether you’re huffing and puffing up Grouse Grind or leisurely strolling through Stanley Park, the crisp air and sweeping views will keep your body active and provide only-in-autumn photo ops. Check out www.outdoorvancouver.ca for hiking trails this fall.

 2. Soak up colour at VanDusen Botanical Garden or the UBC Rose Garden

Heathers, Autumn crocus, hydrangeas and more bloom during the fall at VanDusen Botanical Garden, giving visitors the simple pleasure of soaking up picture-perfect fall landscapes. Make sure to visit the Alma VanDusen Meadow Garden and stand before the fiery red Japanese Maples.

3. Get Cultured at the Vancouver Art Gallery

It will get colder in the fall, but that’s exactly what art museums are made for. VAG’s 10,000-piece permanent holdings include works from historical and contemporary Vancouver artists and other contemporary art leaders, making a trip here a welcome cultural change. Plus, the museum boasts one of the city’s top cafes, and chatting with friends over a cappuccino is one fall activity you just have to partake in. 

 4. Visit your favourite animals

The best time of the year to visit Maplewood Farm is definitely the fall. The leaves are turning, the cider is hot and pumpkins are sprouting like crazy. It’s the perfect season to visit Rosie and Roberto, the farm’s Sicilian miniature donkeys, and Fluffy, one of the farm’s giant New Zealand white rabbits.

5. Go international
Travel to more than 80 countries via the silver screen at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Screenings begin October 1 at various venues, which in the past have included Vancity Theatre, Pacific Cinematheque and Empire Granville 7 Cinemas. It’s one of the biggest film festivals in North America and one you don’t want to miss.

6. Become a Thunderbird fan


Did you know there are 27 Varsity teams at UBC! You can attend any and all home games of the season with a Blue Crew pass (for only $15). Go watch a football or rugby game with some friends while it’s still nice out!

8. Catch the start of theatre season

Many of Vancouver’s theatres start their seasons in the fall, making it a great time to catch a show. Arts Club Theatre Company, Firehall Arts Centre, and Touchstone Theatre are all great picks, or stay right here at home and attend a show put on by UBC Theatre.

(Source: Vancouver Tourism)

It’s the beginning of October. You’ve had time to settle in, make friends, party, maybe even studied a little bit. Now that you’ve figured out the basics like laundry, the kitchen, and the magical land of the Village, it’s time to settle into the groove of school and social life. Suddenly, a thought occurs to you: the most exercise you’ve had all semester is lugging your boxes from the car to your room on move in day! Your friends have all joined teams or are taking classes, but you’re broke and can’t fork out that much cash. Don’t fret! There are plenty of free or inexpensive ways to stay active around campus.

1. SRC Re)(ercise

Cost: FREE!

What: Do you get bored if you do the same old thing every single week? Well, the Health Promotion staff at UBC REC certainly do. They’ve incorporated variety into this weekly sweat session by picking a new route, location, and/or activity every week! Drop by for anything from dodgeball or fun runs to the Wreck Beach stairs or noon swims.

When: Every Thursday at 12:30pm. Check the HP Re)(ercise facebook event for details.

2. UBC Aquatic Center

Cost: FREE!

What: Want to get in some exercise, but have no idea what to do? Head over to the UBC Aquatic Center! You can choose to go for a swim, hit the gym, do some yoga, or simply soak in the hot tub or sweat in the sauna. Make use of this incredibly underused facility! The gym is particularly notorious for it’s quiet, “aged” atmosphere, so if you’re too intimidated to go to the Birdcoop check out this gem.

When: Check www.aquatics.ubc.ca for schedules

3. Nitobe Garden and UBC Botanical Gardens

Cost: FREE!

What: Gather a couple of friends and go for a walk in one of these two beautiful parks. Nitobe Memorial Garden is located just north of Vanier near the Asian Center, and the UBC Botanical Garden is on Marine Drive near 16^th Avenue, just down the road from Save On. If you’re feeling particularly friendly, chat with the staff at either garden, they have tons of knowledge that they’d love to share! If the “formal” gardens seem too far away, you could always settle for Pacific Spirit Park (the trees that are all around us!)

When: Check out www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/hours-and-directions for hours and directions.

4. The Birdcoop (Gym)

Cost: $25/semester

What: Newer, cleaner, busier, and full of good looking guys and gals, the Birdcoop is the next step up from the free gym in the basement of the Aquatic Center. Whether you’re into working out more seriously or watching other people work out seriously, this is an excellent place to hang out.

When: For schedules, head to www.birdcoop.ubc.ca

5. Moksha Yoga

Cost: Minimum $5 donation (Most classes cost $20, but they have an excellent Karma class on Friday nights for poor students)

What: Want to sweat in an incredibly hot room while contorting your body into impossible positions? Then Moksha Yoga in Jericho Village on 4^th Ave is for you!

When: Friday nights from 8-9:15pm. Make sure to arrive early, the class often fills up.

6. UBC Yoga Club

Cost: $10 membership, plus $2/class

What: Did you try hot yoga at Moksha? Want to start practicing yoga more often in a much cooler environment (literally)? Try some classes with the UBC Yoga Club. It’s a great way to stretch, strengthen and destress.

When: Check out www.ubcyogaclub.com/schedule.html for class schedules.

Peter Harrington, Fraser Hall

Are you looking to explore Vancouver or for cool places to go with your new roommates? Maybe getting stressed and need to take a break from studying? Here are 5 five awesome places to go in Vancouver, whether you’re new to the city or a seasoned Vancouverite.

 1. Vancouver Art Gallery

               The Art Gallery has some stunning pieces. Right now, the Art Gallery has an exhibition that investigates the history of collecting at the Vancouver Art Gallery, looking at the nuances, practicalities and idiosyncrasies of museum collecting. On Tuesdays after 5pm, it’s admission by donation.

2. Gordon MacMillan Southam Observatory 

                Head over to the HR Macmilan Space Centre and gaze at the stars above Vancouver. Open every Saturday from 8pm. Admission by donation

3. Visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Park

                Adjacent to the Gardens, which charge, this park has many elements of a traditional Chinese garden, and best of all, it’s free!

4. Stanley Park

                If you haven’t walked the sea wall, if you love nature, if you want to go seal watching, venture over to Stanley Park with a few friends, bring a picnic basket and enjoy all that Stanley Park has to offer.

5. Granville Island

                My personal favourite place in all of Vancouver, this little island has many things to offer. Some of the cities best improv is found here, but for a cost. Some fun free things are visiting the Public Market, trying on hats in The Hat Shop, or experience some world music.

Using your U-Pass and taking public transit can reach all of these places. Grab a friend, or spend a day adventuring with your camera or a favourite book and fall in love, or back in love, with Vancouver.

So much scree, so little time – A hiking story

By: Peter Harrington

In my first year at UBC one of my greatest regrets was not getting out into the forest enough, so here I am telling you about one of the awesome hikes that I recently finished, so that hopefully I can inspire you to do the same. As well, if you have never climbed a rock scree before, or don’t know what the word scree means, this is definitely the hike for you!

The hike, called the Lynn-Hanes Valley Trail, starts at the base of Lynn Valley with the Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge and then continues north all the way up Lynn Valley and eventually bears west to end up at the top of Grouse Mountain. The first section, which hugs Lynn Creek, is the more popular and therefore more built up section of the trail and there are different levels of difficulty in this section. Once the trail leaves the creek and begins to head west there is an increase in difficulty which is especially marked by a creek crossing, in which the only ways to cross the creek are a fallen log or boulder hopping. After the creek crossing the trail begins to ascend, offering some fabulous forest hiking for either rain or shine (when I went it was rain, and a lot of it) for about 2.5km. The trail then opens into a valley and there lies the rock scree in all its magnificence. This section is the most difficult of the trail, but also the most rewarding, as in the next 1.5 horizontal kilometers travelled there is almost a 600 meter vertical rise.

As someone who had never hiked on a rock scree before, this was by far my favourite section of the hike as the view from the scree was breath-taking and jumping between rocks made for an interesting venture. After completing the ascent you have the choice to go up Crown Mountain and back, or simply head south to Grouse Mountain, which requires another steep ascent, though this is remedied by the fact that Grouse Mountain is the end of the hike. Once at Grouse the re-entry into society is sudden, but eased by the fact that you can take the Skyride down the mountain instead of doing the Grouse Grind in reverse.

This hike is not suited for beginners, though is fine for anyone with some hiking experience, hiking boots, and the willingness to climb a rock scree. The hike took a friend and between 6 and 7 hours, though this was done with a 35 pound pack.  Hiking at a brisk pace the hike may be able to be done in under 6, though could take up to 8 with breaks if done at a slower pace.  As well the trail offers many options to extend the hike as well as to make it more challenging. The transit ride is about 1 and a ½ hours to Lynn Valley and about the same time to get back from Grouse. All in all, I found the Hanes Valley Trail to be an excellent, easily accessible, and refreshing hike for anyone looking to experience more wilderness than can be found in Pacific Spirit Park.

Tom Denton, Fairview RA

Its midterm season and you just got a paper back. It didn’t go as well as you expected. ‘I need to get better marks’, you think. ‘I just need to spend more time on this class’. Then you remember that you have an assignment due soon. You consider the assignment and don’t understand where to start. Then you think of the quiz you have in a couple days. Where am I going to find time to learn it all? What about your involvement in the club. Your team is counting on you to do your part. Where will you find time for that extracurricular? Your stomach growls. You think of what you are going to eat, and you don’t know what to buy. You want to be healthy but there is no food in the fridge. You decide to go out and get take out instead. Take out is more expensive; I can’t afford to eat this all the time. I’m going to need a good job to afford eating like this you think. You remember the mark you just got back. How am I going to get a good job if I get marks like these in my courses?

You’ve now gone full circle. You’ve been sitting there thinking for half an hour and nothing has changed about your situation for the better. You are just more stressed out and tired than you were in the beginning.

Worry is like a hamster on a wheel, it gives it something to do but it gets you nowhere.

The only way to do things is one at a time. Stop take a deep breathe.

Tasks often seem daunting when you contemplate them. When you look into the future you never know how it will turn out.