What is a collegium?!

ATTENTION ALL UPCOMING FIRST YEAR COMMUTER STUDENTS!

UBC is now offering something called UBC Collegium , which UBC likes to call the “home away from home” for commuter students!

This is entirely new and it’s opening this September but it is limited to 250 memberships and you do have to sign up. HOWEVER, it is dedicated to commuter students and they give preference for first years, and let me tell you that it sounds like a pretty damn good idea.

In first year, I was a part of a program called CSP which stands for the Coordianted Science Program. Being a part of this program meant that there was a room dedicated to the CSP students where they could study in peace with (usually) a guarantee of a seat and table. This was so useful it was a little crazy how grateful I was I had this room (and how sad I am that I don’t have it anymore!)

Coming to UBC there are some MAJOR changes. It’s all fun learning about them and getting used to it though! As the year goes on, you’re going to want to use breaks between your classes or some time after all your classes are finished, to just sit down to do your readings or to study and review the lecture you just had. That can get a little difficult as a commuter student when you don’t have certain tables or rooms set aside specifically for you. You’ll also want somewhere to just relax, maybe some place to heat up your food.

So I wanna talk about the Collegium! I took this list of “Resources Offered” from the site, which is linked at the beginning of this post and I’ll link again here.

What resources will be available?

  • comfortable lounge chairs, cluster-seating, and a river-rock fireplace
  • bright, open space and floor to ceiling windows inviting natural light
  • state-of-the-art kitchen facilities (oven, two refrigerators, small appliances, dishes, and cutlery)
  • places to store meals
  • an honour-system snack bar (priced at cost and includes Fair-Trade Coffee)
  • a social area with board games, cards, and a large-screen TV
  • complimentary and secure wireless internet
  • several electrical outlets to charge wireless devices
  • a study area with desks, lamps, and shelves
  • a print centre

DOESN’T THAT SOUND AWESOME?

ANOTHER AWESOME THING: This collegium is in the new Panderosa Commons building! BRAND NEW. Like new that all of my first year, all I could see of this building was construction.

It’s basically a lounge area for commuters and only people with memberships can come in, which means it won’t ever be TOO crowded.

I just wanted to let everyone know because you DO need to apply! So send your applications in and cross your fingers!

Upper year students: although the memberships are intended for first years, there COULD be space, so sign up anyway! Each member gets guests passes so if you’re desperate to check it out… make friends with a first year commuter?

As a commuter student, I just wanted to testify that even though I haven’t had the chance to use the room, it is a wonderful idea and I hope I get the chance to use it!

…WAHHH I REALLY WANT TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS!

insert-clever-blog-title-to-make-up-for-not-blogging-in-like-eternities-here

Err…

So I got caught up in the whirlwind that is:

*Take a deep breath*

Conquering first year.

Let me tell you something, it was not easy!

But let me tell you something else: I’m already used to it!

And I’m just going to steal one off of Josella‘s ideas here and just make a list of what I plan to blog about in the future. That way if anyone is still taking a peek at my blog, you can have something to look forward to! (Also sorry for the mysterious disappearance)

Here’s what to look forward to!

  1. First Year Transition
  2. Summer School Experience (BIOL 153, almost done, whoop whoop!)
  3. Review of First Year Courses
  4. SECOND YEAR APPLICATIONS (AKA: HOW KIM GAINED 499 MORE WHITE HAIRS)
  5. Mug Leader stuff
  6. SUMMER THINGS!
  7. Lists
  8. Are
  9. Fun
  10. Also
  11. I love you, guys
  12. Also
  13. I miss everyone from Blog Squad
  14. ALSO ALSO
  15. Food reviews.
  16. Wait #15 is actually a thing
  17. HEALTHINESS AND GOALS FOR IT
  18. #17 is also an actual thing
  19. Hey! 17 is my favourite number!
  20. Yeah, so I’ll stop now.
  21. I HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A GLORIOUS SUNSHINE-Y SUMMER

*EDIT:   22. The shenanigans of Paul and Kim in August

Reflection from the Ordinary

Everyone I meet at UBC… is amazing.

Everyone has special talents and skills and it’s super insane! From past school presidents, to musicians, to artists, to singers, I met so many talented people. In fact it’s incredibly difficult to run into people who aren’t awesome at UBC.

Err. Except maybe me.

Not that I’m not awesome or anything, we ordinary peeps are full of that ;D (just kidding, I’m still just ordinary and maybe a little boring)… I just feel like I don’t have super extra curricular talents.

I wanted to blog about being “ordinary” because of the off chance that some people are feeling just as insecure as I am on the giant campus that is UBC… where people of awesomeness come from all over the world.

But let me tell you something, regular people, maybe it’s the fear of failure, or just simple hesitance to go out and try… but if there is something you want to become good at… something you want people to look at you with shocked expressions of “What?! You can juggle 6 flaming torches while riding a unicycle!?” … then UBC is the perfect place to do that! Loads of opportunities!

…I mean, maybe I’m not part of an orchestra as the second most important violinist, maybe I’m not 15 and in first year university, maybe I haven’t climbed up a mountain before…

BUT I’m in blog squad so HA.

…Just kidding!

There’s lots of ways to get involved and if you don’t even know where to start… Let me lend you a hand. Head to Brock Hall, go to the Centre for Student Involvement and Careers! They are super friendly there! And if you feel like getting involved AND approaching strangers is too much in one go (Trust me bro, I know the feel) then try starting your search online right HERE.

But hey, if it’s still bringing you down, look at it this way.

…In a world full of talented people… aren’t the ordinary people the rare and unique ones that should be treasured and loved?! AKA WE’RE SPECIAL.

No, but seriously. If you’ve always dreamt of being a dancer, take a class at UBC REC Center, if you’ve always been interested in stars, join the Astronomy Club. LIVE YOUR EXTRACURRICULAR DREAMS. Cause you CAN!

…But maybe after exams.

I should be studying.