Semester 1 Reviews

2 Replies

Following is a list of my personal opinion and review of the professors and the courses they taught that I took in my very first semester in UBC, Vancouver campus.
Note: I am only explicating my personal experience and opinion. This analysis is fully qualitative and includes no quantitative ‘ratings’. This post is not sponsored or an assignment in any way.

 

  1. Robert Gateman
    Course taught: ECON 101

Prof G’s classes feel nothing like a typical university class – every lecture seems like a TED talk. Gateman focuses on you knowing the theory of economics as opposed to doing pointless calculations – which is what I appreciate most because a) it works for my personal style of learning and b) I’m not exactly a fan of math. But this means that you do really have to know the theory in and out, because his midterm questions are absolutely bizarre and make you think in ways you have never thought. The tough exams are offset by the easy scaling, so your Econ grades probably won’t look worse than your others. Take this class if you are objectively smart and grasp concepts quick, and have the ability to think of Econ a little more imaginatively than usual. Don’t take it if Econ is just another one of your many electives, because then this class is way too much effort for you for no substantial reason.

2. Dr. Mary Ann Saunders
Course taught: WRDS 150

Dr Saunders’ class is boring as hell, but at least she acknowledges it and tries her best to curb the ridiculous lack of interesting material this course has to offer. I appreciate her initiative of taking her students easy and purposefully giving minimal homework. However, I found her pretty unprofessional, she came to class unprepared a few too many times and would rant about insignificant things for too long. Her marking was also a reflection of the same, I found it pretty inconsistent and vague. Nonetheless, I don’t have any regrets of taking this class because the work was made easy and the theme of the class, gender studies, was more interesting than some other themes in the other WRDS classes.

3. Daniel Rakotonirina
Course taught: MATH 104

Since I find my brain is not wired for calculus, this course was like a tongue twister for my brain that it never got around to actually saying… and Prof Daniel made that experience worse. It was really difficult to follow him in class due to his highly unclear diction and scrawly handwriting. Often he got confused while solving questions on the board, which was a completely ineffective, monotonous and one-way teaching style adopted by him. However, I do appreciate the fact that he always posted his notes online (which were a slightly neater version since they weren’t form the ones he wrote on the board), and that he gave easy homework instead of nerve-wracking weekly tests like some other profs. Nonetheless, I wish I took this class with someone else.

4. Barbara Arneil
Course taught: POLI 100

Prof Arneil is a delightful woman! Not only was she super supportive and helpful when I tried getting into a full class, but she was most attentive to questions online as well as offline. Her classes can get slightly monotonous since they are heavily slide based but she tries to jazz them up with activities, discussions, polls and so on. For someone who was studying political science for the first time, she really helped kindle my interest in the field enough to want to take more classes in future. She proved adept in explaining concepts clearly and effectively and passing on heavy theory in a way that makes it easy to remember. The midterms are easy but the final was unexpectedly hard, I found myself unprepared for that level of rigour and length of the paper. What really helped me ace this course was my TA who was really easy on her students, provided prompt feedback, and really cared about her job. Shoutout to you, Pan Chang!

Use and Throw: Student Version

Leave a reply

There are some organizations who hire young volunteers/ interns to promote a good cause and spread a message amidst the most influential sector of a society- the youth. Most of these happen to be students who are inspired to be change makers or do something fruitful about something they’re passionate about.

However, these organizations often don’t have them work under an official contract, or anything more than a meaningless and fickle verbal promise.

As a result many students are laid off without a proper letter of recommendation, certificate, or even a prior notice. Their ideas are taken but not credited for, and they are held against things they have not done wrong.

In some cases theft of original thought can be an actual felony, but students may think that these cases are far too insignificant to be thought of that way.

This has happened to me, a close friend, and I don’t want it happening to anyone else.
So before you join a team, make sure they are legitimate and professional, not entirely run by amateurs, and preferably an official and registered organization. Make sure they don’t use and throw you like some kind of tissue paper.

As someone who looks for a lot of work to do independently/ by myself, I have also come across various other forms of misguidance and scam. An example of this is a ‘fake’ company that tried to recruit me to scam me. I will include this in a separate post.

Youth Mental Health

1 Reply

Demand for youth mental health is snowballing like never before, and universities may or may not be reacting up to the extent they ought to. Not only is it a general, overwhelming sense of nervousness that looms amongst every crowd of students, but there is also a rising trend in statistical data that explicates the same. For instance, data collected across Canada by the investigation run by the University of Ryerson shows dramatic increases in the number of young people seeking mental health services as well as increases in the associated costs of meeting that demand. While it is uncertain what exactly is going on, it is vital for us to acknowledge the fact that youth today is definitely under more pressure. It is alarming how there is an absolute lack of mental health services for younger Canadians. This is exactly what leaves serious problems undetected for years; then, years later, as students arrive on campus, they suddenly have access to counselling and psychiatry services not previously available in high school. This makes them even more overwhelmed, but it does engender the process of realizing, accepting, and treating the mental anxiety and similar such paradoxes students may be encountering. However, it is important we don’t pin down the reason on just one factor, when Canada today encounters several varying lifestyles due to changing parental styles, an increasingly competitive job market, societal changes with regards to how we communicate, and so on. Nonetheless, as the day’s progress, there is a general sense of decreased mental health stigma and increased awareness of the services available on campus. This allows people to find their journey, or make their own if they have to, to come out of their ‘anxiety’ category without being ashamed.

 

Referring to:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/05/29/youth-mental-health-demand-is-exploding-how-universities-and-business-are-scrambling-to-react.html

About: The Lens

Leave a reply

The Lens is going to be about something I observe around me and want to share on a platform that is my own. It could be a photo, a video, a song, an article, a piece of news, or just something I personally encountered.

One reason I am doing this is because this is my way of doing my part in attempting to showcase global issues, foster awareness and cultivate acceptance of diverse perspectives and cultures. Another reason, honestly, is just because I want a part of my blog to be about what I stand for, believe in, and wish to discuss!

If you’re here and think this is a cool idea and have something of your own to share, do not hesitate to share it with me! It could be something from your travels, that you’ve created or simply something that you’ve come across! Please send your submission as a message to me or leave it in the comments.

Can’t study in my room: HELP!

1 Reply

If you’ve ever been in your room with the intention of plunging into work only to be distracted by the comforting, magnetic pull of your bed, then this article is for you.

Succumbing to the repose of your loving bed too frequently may cause you to mess up your academics, health and even sleep cycle. And so, especially for me personally, sometimes all it takes to get into intense study mode is a change of environment.

While most people find libraries and such study spaces to click for them the most, I love studying in my residence, Totem Park itself! This is because while I want to venture out of my room, I prefer not going too far, so that I have easy access back to my room as and when required.

Here are my favourite study spaces within Totem:

  1. My floor lounge

    This is arguably the most easily accessible study space in not only Totem but every single first year residence I know of! Floor lounges are in fact meant for the very purpose of getting together with your floor mates and either engaging in quiet self study, group study and project work, or social and cultural floor activities! Nearest to your room and comfortable seating – what more do you need!

  2. My House lounge

    Finding a good study place can be like making a new friend. After seeing each other a couple times you become more comfortable and start wanting to spend more time together. You can rely on them when you need to, but they also don’t get angry when you spend time apart. That’s what the həm’ləsəm house lounge is to me! I’m not always there because I do prefer hanging out on the floor lounges, but when I wish to be in a different room but within the same proximity, house lounge is where I will be!

  3. Totem Park quiet reading room

    This room is in the commonsblock and is designed for some quiet reading time of your own! To the extent that you are literally not allowed to be loud. It’s great if you want to get out of your room but not really study with other people, enjoy some alone study time and do so alongside the picturesque view of the totem field and greenery that the floor to ceiling glass windows offer.

  4. Totem Park group study room

    Want to meet with your friend from another house but don’t want to fight over whose house to meet at? This common space for study should be your best choice! Again, this is also in the commonsblock and contrary to the quiet room is meant for students all across Totem or anywhere else to come together and study in small groups. What I exceptionally find useful about this room is that it is home to other useful study resources offered in residence, namely the weekly AMS tutoring service and also the biweekly study hall at night.

  5. Totem Dining hall

    This is not a very typical study space but I actually use this one the most! The totem dining hall is cozy enough to make you feel comfortable but not to an unhealthy extent that will make you feel lazy and sleepy. Plus, the view is great and nearly every table has access to a plug point, which is good for someone like me who never charges their laptop on time! Another plus: unlimited access to food (limited res dollars and limited hours the food services are open, though)

  6. Outdoors between həm’ləsəm and q’ələχən house

    When Vancouver’s rain gods are in a festive mood and bestow us with sunshine and no rain, the benches and the field in between these two houses is amazing for: a picnic, a study space, or both combined! The fresh air and the relaxed atmosphere is a huge juxtaposition from any other space on campus, making this a refreshingly new idea of a study space.

 

My residence, best residence!

Leave a reply

As a first year student, I am in one of the three first year residences on campus, which are Place Vanier, Orchard Commons, and TOTEM PARK! <3 In Totem, I live in həm’ləsəm’ house in a single connected room.

As evident, I have a clear bias for Totem, and that’s because I LOVE living here! Needless to say, I spend most of my time here and most of my friends reside here as well.

I believe Totem, and residence life in general, offers space and time for studying, the comforts of home, and a relaxed atmosphere like no other place on campus. As an international student who combats frequent homesickness, Totem gave me a place to always find someone to walk to class with, talk to, or have dinner with, effortlessly.

Right from Jumpstart to now, I have always found myself engulfed in this amazing, warm sense of community which is always buzzing with activity, to the extent that the Commons Block or one of the 10 other houses is host to a unique event nearly every single day of the academic calendar! These events are central to fellowship, stress-busting, and community-building and can range from low-key karaoke evenings, movie nights to something as fancy as the Yule Ball.

Another thing that makes residence life so enjoyable for me is that it allows me to get as involved as I want. This is because there are opportunities for students to grab of all kinds- leadership, work related as well as volunteering, in various areas of interest such as sustainability, health & safety, dining, outdoor, floor representatives of their respective houses, and so on.

Personally, I am a part of the TPRA (Totem Park Residence Association) House Council and I am a representative of my floor and house alike. Being at the forefront with the rest of the council as far as residence life in our capacity as first year students is concerned is an incredible experience! I have found myself to walk into the dining hall at any given time and never feel alone because I’ll see at least a handful of people I know. Additionally, I have been nurturing my interest in res life in many other ways, such as partaking in the house/ floor events, showing up for residence-wide activities and so on.

Truly, I feel lucky to be a part of a safe, inclusive and enjoyable community at Totem and amidst UBC’s campus in general. Every day I learn something new, whether it’s about sharing a space with over 2000 people or about the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples.