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In case you didn’t know: Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival

Unlike western holidays such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the date for Chinese New Year (aka Spring Festival) varies every year with a general range from mid-January to mid-February. This is as traditional Chinese festivals are usually based on Lunar/Moon Phase Calendar.  In 2019, Chinese New Year was celebrated on February 5 for the Year of Pig.

If you are not familar with the Chinese Zodiac Story, you can take a look here!  You can also check your Zodiac sign here.

The Lantern Festival is always 15 days after the Chinese New Year. The name comes from the tradition of hanging different types of beautiful lanterns. Another name for the festival is Yuan Xiao. Yuan means first, and Xiao means night. It symbolizes the first full moon night in the lunar new year.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the celebration for the Spring Festival. After eating a bowl of Yuan Xiao or Tang Yuan, which are traditionally small and round rice balls with sesame filling, everything returns to normal. People go back to work, and students go back to classes.

Traditional Yuan Xiao (or Tang Yuan)
Traditional Yuan Xiao (or Tang Yuan). Photo credit: https://www.instructables.com/id/Tangyuan-Glutinous-rice-dumplings-in-sweet-soup/

Most Chinese schools and workplaces set their winter break according to the date of the Spring Festival.  Hundreds of thousands of people begin their journey of going home right after the break. For some of them, this might be the only time of the year they can go back to their hometowns and visit family.

Living in Canada and in the western culture, the Spring Festival is not a statutory holiday. There are usually no days off to celebrate the Chinese New Year or the Lantern Festival. Furthermore, as the two festivals always take place about one and half month into the second term, there are always numerous midterms and assignments either around or on the dates. The last time I spent Chinese New Year with my family was six year ago!!!!!!!

However, there are celebrations around Vancouver that aim to continue the traditions. Although the Chinese New Year has passed, the Lantern Festival is taking place on February 19, 2019.

Flight of the Dragon: Jan. 24 to Feb. 24, 2019

The Galleria of Imperial Inspirations: Jan. 29 to Feb. 19, 2019

 

Happy Lantern Festival!

σ

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Presenting: Black History Month and Jerry Lawson

As you know, February is recognized by the Government of Canada as Black History month. This year, the theme is “Black Canadian Youth: Boundless, Rooted and Proud”.

While famous Black celebrities like Drake (yes, he’s black – fight me!), Dwayne Johnson and Usain Bolt have definitely made their marks and become role models for many today, we rarely hear about Black Engineers who have made equally great contributions in STEM.

Today, your very own π peer would like to present Jerry Lawson, and if you have any interest at all in video gaming (which you do – you’re in Engineering LOL), you’d want to keep scrolling.

Jerry was once the Chief Hardware Engineer and Director at Fairchild Semiconductor, a company in San Francisco. At the time, gaming systems had their game programming stored on the ROM storage and soldered onto the game hardware, which could not be removed. Jerry and his team figured out how to install the ROM on a cartridge that could be inserted and removed from a console unit repeatedly without electrically shocking the users. So, if you have ever played Mario Kart on a Nintendo 64 or any game today, which is essentially an evolution of Jerry’s antiquated invention, you’re advertently or inadvertently already celebrating Black History Month.

Interestingly, Jerry was also part of the Homebrew Computer Club, a group of early computer hobbyists that later produced Apple founders, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. And funny enough, Jerry interviewed Wozniak for a position at Fairchild but did not hire him (big lol)!

In relation to Black History Month, I would like to also refer interested parties to various organizations and communities in British Columbia and nearby that contribute to Black culture:

  • BC Black History Awareness Society
  • National Society of Black Engineers

UBC Student Organizations:

  • Black Students Union of UBC
  • African Awareness Initiative
  • African Business Club

You could check out the Government of Canada’s Heritage page to learn more about Black History Month OR… Watch Kevin Hart’s recent Netflix special “Guide to Black History Month”. Your choice.

Well, I guess this is it people *sad reacts only*. Until next time, over and out.

 

Much love,

π peer

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σ’s Tips for Finals Season

There are only 14 days until Christmas! But first, we have to conquer all the final exams.

A good study environment is essential to productive work. Study places on campus have become more and more crowded with students who are cramming last minute for exams. Luckily, there are some hidden gems that are yet to be discovered.

 

Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

Hours: open 24/7 from December 3 to December 18

The IKB Learning Centre is one of the most popular places for studying. It is almost impossible to find a table after 11 am on its upper floors. However, most people do not know that there is also a floor under. Walking down the stairs, you can find more seats and study rooms, and the space is generally quieter. This is ideal for those who need to concentrate for a long time as the place is open 24 hours during exam weeks.

 

Woodward Library

Hours:

Monday to Thursday: 8 am to 10 pm

Friday: 8 am to 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm

Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm

The library is probably one of the closest libraries to engineering buildings. They also carry engineering related books so it is your go-to place whether you want to find a textbook or additional material for studying. The hours for this library are slightly shorter but I usually go there to clear my head and do some final review right before an exam as it is close to almost all major exam locations. My favorite part about the library is its sunshine-covered carrel desks on the second floor. When it is not raining in Vancouver, you just have to enjoy the sun.

 

Law Library at Allard Hall

Hours:

Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am to 10 pm

Friday: 8:30 am to 6 pm

Saturday to Sunday: 10 am to 6 pm

This is a library that has been highly rated among UBC students. I have not personally visited the place but it is definitely on my to-do list. The library is a quiet study space in general. During exam weeks, there are reserved tables and carrels for Law students so please observe the signage when entering.

 

Beans Around the World

Hours:

Monday to Friday: 7 am to 7 pm

Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm

Beans Around the World is probably the best coffee you can find on campus. It is located about 10 minutes walk away from the main campus on Thunderbird Blvd. Enjoying a good walk and a cup of coffee before settling down to study on a sunny winter day in Vancouver can be so relaxing.

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φ’s Tips for Finals Season

In my (almost) three years at UBC, I have seen multiple ways to prepare for finals. My friends have slightly different study habits than me, their friends probably do things differently, and I’m pretty sure there is no set ‘way’ to study. I do though believe that there are things that anyone can do to improve their study habits, or to find the study technique that works best for them. With that in mind, here are my three study tips for you as we begin this finals season.

 

Follow your Learning Style

Some people are visual learners, others learn by listening, I myself learn best by writing or reading, and the list goes on… Each person has a unique learning style, and by experimenting, can learn what works best for them. When studying for your finals;

  • Follow how you best learn, whether that’s rewriting your notes, practicing examples, discussing the subject with someone… etc.
  • Know what works for you and follow it. Also know what doesn’t work for you and don’t focus on it.
  • Don’t be afraid to try new learning styles and study techniques! You will definitely learn something new about the material or about yourself 😀

 

Study Alone AND With a Group

Studying in a group is great! You can work on concepts together, explain to each other, and support one another during this more stressful time. Although working together is a great way to study, it should not be your only way of studying! I believe that studying alone is just as important and should come before and after group study sessions.

Before a group study session, you should go through the material, test your knowledge, practice the ideas, and get a general grasp of concepts.

After a group session, you have likely done some practice, discussed the material with your buddies, and now have a good understanding of the subject. This is the best time to apply that knowledge by practicing some problems alone and making sure that you can solve questions in an exam-like situation.

 

Stay Healthy

Although not a study tip, staying healthy and in tip-top condition is vital during this finals season. For me, staying healthy means;

  • Making sure to get enough sleep every night
  • Making sure to eat well and drink plenty of water
  • Staying active by doing exercise or going for walks and getting some fresh air
  • Taking some time for self care in between study sessions
  • Staying connected with friends and family for support
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Post E^0

Hello fellow Engineering students,

Right now, you’re probably struggling with midterms, catching up with last month’s class content, sleep deprived, and likely excessively caffeinated. If you’re in first year, welcome to the life; and for us upper years, it’s nothing new – and even fun 🙂

Either way, you made the right choice by taking a few minutes to check out our Blog and very first post on The ESSentials. Here, we will let you in on all the top secrets for success, and provide more insight on how your ESS works. Welcome!

The ESS (our humble home) ensures that students get all the support they need, so we will refer you back “home” if needed. In the meantime, you can find us at Room 1100, Fred Kaiser Building (beside Starbucks *wink *wink). You can call us at 604-822-6556 and our email is students@apsc.ubc.ca.

The ESSentials is managed by your fellow geeky but totally cool Engineering students (Peer Advisors). For the fun of it, we have decided to remain anonymous but considering that there’s only three of us, you should be able to figure it out – if you really want to. For now, you may address us as π-peer, φ-peer, and σ-peer.

Please feel free to drop by the ESS anytime. We have way too much love to give (and sometimes we even have candy)! For now, au revoir and stay tuned for our next post…. (sneak peek – finals!)

Love,

π, φ, and σ

 

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