by Sanaah Dodhia

If you’re all done with exams, the only logical thing to do with your time is binge watch great TV shows on Netflix. Here are my recommendations on where to start.

1. Suits

Description on Netflix: When he impresses a big lawyer with his razor-sharp mind, a college dropout scores a coveted associate job, even though he has no legal credentials.

My description: Mike Ross – a cute, smart, college drop out with a crazy memory – meets Harvey Spector – a handsome, charming Senior Partner at a law firm and New York – and ends up with a job. Mike is not a real lawyer but because of his witts and ability Harvey decides to take him on as his associate. The whole show revolves around solving cases while trying to keep Mike Ross from being fired.

Why I like it: It’s a really engaging show in terms of the content level. It makes you think but there’s some comedy and emotional drama in it – a dramedy.

2. Orange Is The New Black

Description on Netflix: From the creator of “Weeds” comes a heartbreaking and hilarious original series set in a women’s prison. Piper Chapman’s wild past comes back to haunt her, resulting in her arrest and detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper trades her comfortable New York life for an orange prison jumpsuit and finds unexpected conflict and camaraderie amidst an eccentric group of inmates.

My description: Piper, who’s about to get engaged gets put into prison because of a group that she was associated with when she was younger. The show revolves around her struggles as a non-criminal in prison and how she “blossoms” from this quite, logical woman into this beast that can seriously kick some a**.

Why I like it: I was addicted to season 1 because I was really curious to know what it was that got Piper in jail in the first place. It’s a really interesting story line and it’s not something a lot of people would think of – what’s life like in prison? Stay in school kids, because it’s not a fun life.

3. How I Met Your Mother

Description on Netflix: Ted’s epic search for his soul mate is told largely through flashbacks, as an adult Ted recounts to his kids how he met their mother.

My Description: Ted is this crazy believer in love and finding the right woman for him but he’s essentially obsessed with his best friend Robyn the entire show. Ted goes through multiple women with interesting backgrounds – stalker police woman, baker who leaves her wedding, a divorced woman with a child etc. Eventually Ted finds the right woman but don’t anticipate the ending of the show to meet your expectations; it certainly didn’t meet mine!

Why I like it: After a hard day of class or work, it was really nice to slip into someone else’s life story for a while. Plus it was funny seeing Ted be so ridiculous in his love life. I’m also secretly a sucker for the mushy love story stuff so I liked that aspect of a light hearted story with a romantic spin.

by Jason Speidel

Have you ever walked past that big, shiny, circular building on the north end of campus? You know the one, right next to the rose garden, and across from Buchanon. Have you ever actually taken the time to figure out what it is, what it is used for or why it is so fancy? As you may have guessed from the title of this article, that futuristic looking cylinder is the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and I am here to tell you why it is so awesome.

1. The UBC Symphony Orchestra

The UBC SO is made up of extremely talented music students who you definitely need to hear play. Often performing in conjunction with UBC Opera Theatre, University Singers, or the UBC Choral Union, they leave a lasting impression. Best part? Most concerts are free!

2. Numerous TV Appearances

The Chan Centre has shown up in many TV shows including: Fringe, The 4400, Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, and Kyle XY. Keep an eye out the next time you are channel surfing; you never know when this iconic building might pop up.

3. Acoustics

If you ever hear a concert in the Chan Centre, you will know immediately that it was designed right. The hall has sound absorbing banners to mask the walls, convex concrete walls that have been jack hammered to prevent reverb, and is even shaped like a cello. Another key feature is the hanging acoustic canopy which reflects sounds to optimize your listening experience while looking like a spaceship.

4. The Giant Hanging Spaceship

Ok, so it is not really a space ship, but it for sure looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. Weighing a massive 37-tonnes, this canopy can be moved up or down depending on the performance and uses a combination of cork and steel to reflect sounds. Most definitely an awesome addition.

5. The Chairs

There is something extremely satisfying about the red cushiony seats that you have to experience for yourself. Sitting down in the Concert Hall, you immediately feel 100% more classy – true fact.

6. It has its own Wikipedia page

Need I say more?

7. The Dalai Lama visits!

Yep, you read that right, the Dalai Lama has been known to visit the Chan Centre and give a speech or two while visiting UBC.

8. You get your diploma here!

This is my favourite reason for loving the Chan Centre and it should be yours too. This is the culmination of your UBC experience, the pinnacle of your education and a totally awesome time to celebrate your achievements. Listening to the UBC President give a speech while you wait your turn to finally graduate. It all builds up to you walking across the hallowed stage to shake hands with Deans, the President, and the Chancellor. This will be one your proudest moments so you should be glad to have such a renowned building to complete your experience in.