Archives: Advice/Tips

First Chem Lab: SUCCESS

I didn’t spill anything, break anything or hurt anything! …And when I asked if my percentage result was correct he didn’t say “It was too high/low” like he did to the other people who asked.

Long story short : SUCCESS!

However, the lab did take almost the entire class. It’s important to use your time wisely. Try to do something productive while waiting for water to boil or while heating something in a oven.

Chem labs are kinda like baking.

In a more dangerous, life-threatening way that results in things one can’t eat… BUT STILL!

Tips and Tricks!

  • Make sure you know your material inside and out for the lab.  If you’re not going to know the stuff for your safety… Know it to get a good mark on the quiz! (Just kidding, safety first always)
  • Be ready to go when your lab starts. Sure you might look a little nerdy wearing your lab coat and goggles outside the lab room holding your pencil case, but it really pays off when all you have to do when you get inside is dump your bag in the storage area and write the quiz.
  • Ask the TAs questions! They are there to help! Mine was really friendly, answered my questions clearly and even checked up often to see if we were alright. Don’t worry if TAs scare you, they scare me too. But in a Chem Lab it’s really important to clarify things if you’re confused.
  • Don’t rush! The labs aren’t going to be designed so you can’t finish them. Make sure to think through your steps and do think carefully. Think about both what you’re currently doing and what you will be doing. Sure, it sounds a little scary and overwhelming but you wrote those steps out! You got this!

This is a victory in my books!

One day at a time, guys! Or for me right now, one lab at a time! …One step in a lab at a time? …One victory at a time?

…TAKE IT EASY !

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Sense of Community

When I first found out about the Coordinated Science Program (CSP), I was seriously against it. My older sister did it and I was really sick of doing what she did. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it might actually be helpful. (Plus I may or may not have been too lazy to choose my own schedule…)

What I realize now is just HOW helpful CSP really is.

Socially, I’ve met so many new people and have gotten at least 10 new numbers on my phone and at least more than a dozen new facebook friends. Everyone’s all smiles in CSP and it’s so much easier to adjust to university life. 

Academically, I’ve received help for classes by some of the smartest people I’ve met. I learn in class from the questions my fellow CSP-ers ask. And all the new numbers and facebook friends will definitely come in handy when I want to get a study group going.

I talked with a friend of mine who is in general science and she’s telling me how hard it is for her to make friends and meet people, how it isn’t easy because everyone in her class is different and sometimes she’s too shy to introduce herself.

The root of my advice here is to find a way to be involved in a community. Right now for me it’s CSP and Blog Squad. Just knowing that there are people out there I have things in common with is a comfort. Whether it’s a club or a sport or even a study group, that sense of community and friendship makes the transition a lot easier.

However, don’t stuff your plate too full of extra-curriculars if you’re taking 5 courses (like I am). It’ll make things more difficult than easy. Just join one thing at a time until you have a definite idea on how you can handle your school work (after all, above everything, that’s what you’re paying to go to UBC for). Take things one day at a time and keep your head up! …Don’t get behind on readings either!

(Now I’m just cramming all the advice I can into one post)

If you didn’t get into a program like CSP, there are LOADS of opportunities for community and new friendship. I’ll link the club site…. HERE. 

IN FACT, Clubs Days are coming up! They’re on September 19th, 20th, and 21st in the Student Union Building (SUB). Go wander about the clubs, find what you’re interested in and join it!

Knowing you aren’t alone makes getting up and going to school a lot easier. Just like in high school, we all like school because of our friends. So go make some!

WAIT ONE MORE THING.

Definitely don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. Anyone who acts rude after you introduce yourself with a friendly smile don’t deserve your friendship! You never know they might be just as shy and need someone else to make the first move but if you don’t then everyone’s running around the same circle. So… BE A MAN AND DO THE RIGHT THING. … Or woman. …Just say hi.

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WAAHHH SCHOOL?!

So after a summer of rest and relaxation it’s finally time to get back into it.

And of course getting back into it is something completely different now. I used to go to a  private school, so my “getting back into it” used to consist of uniforms, school supplies, finding out which locker was mine and checking which friends were in my classes. Now…it’s a little different.

Getting back into it comes with a whole new checklist, which has categories for OTHER checklists. Supplies, clothes, schedule, books, tuition, UPass, music… my mind has been a whirlwind already!

To be honest, first year scares me more than anything right now and that nagging feeling in my gut telling me to run-away-and-don’t-turn-back is probably going to get worse, but being positive is key to keeping my head above the water. And the same goes for any other first year!

So I thought I’d share a few tips that I’ve been following (or WILL BE following) religiously:

5. Don’t procrastinate! Procrastination is like a terrible parasite that creeps into your mind and whispers “Go check your facebook” or “I think you really do need to play another game of Super Mario”. Do your best to stay focused when you need to!
4. Remember to relax and have fun! Yay contradictions! But in all honesty, I studied so hard in my senior year of high school and forgot to relax a lot of the time, and it just stressed me out even more. Find 5, 10, even 15 minutes of your time where you just relax and take a deep breath. I recommend watching an episode of The Regular Show and/or Adventure Time. It’s important to balance work and play!
3. There’s probably 2342452342397345 other people in the same boat as you are right now. …Literally, there might be that many, UBC is pretty huge. So don’t be afraid to make friends. Start with a classic “I’m drowning in anxiety because I’m new to post secondary and everybody scares me, want to be friends?” line. I know it’d work on me! …Just kidding, just say hi. Introducing yourself can go a long way!
2. Be organized. I’m the kind of person that’s probably half-tornado. Agendas and planners are useful things. Calendars too! Don’t be afraid to plan things out, it doesn’t make you nerdy, it makes you prepared.
1. Take it one day at a time. If you’re like me and the mere thought of all of these new courses and new people and new teachers is overwhelming then just stop thinking so far ahead to those stressful times (like exams) and just take it slow. Remember that each day you get through will be a victory. And soon enough we’ll all be graduating.

I don’t think I’m in any position to be giving out advice like I’ve experienced anything huge but these are the top rules I’m going to be following and I know it’ll probably help me out.

I hope everyone has a good start to the year.

Cross your fingers and wish me luck because I tried a little pre-reading and realized just how different chem labs in high school are from university. So … yeah, cross them fingers that I don’t blow something up?

 

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