Whether this is your first year at UBC or your fifth you deserve to have the best year of your life. You deserve to learn new things, have new adventures and make memories in the moment. Laugh until you cry, mess up horribly, don’t let others govern how you live your life and most importantly BE YOURSELF. Here’s how to get there:

1)      Stop Settling. It’s easy to get stuck, to fall into a routine and never break free. University shouldn’t be about routine, it should be the time in your life where you verge from the norm, try new things and create new and interesting paths on which to travel. At UBC you are surrounded by hundreds of clubs, dozens of sports leagues, thousands of classes, and an infinite amount of people with unique stories, experiences and histories. Don’t allow yourself to settle for just going to school. UBC is home to countless ways to get involved, ways to leave your comfort zone and ways in which you can design your own unique paths.

2)      Say No. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed, especially in university. There are times when we say ‘yes’ to too many things and as a result have no time for ourselves. There’s a saying that university consists of three things: school, sleep and a social life, you can only do two of them well at any one time. Sometimes it’s necessary to say ‘no’. Don’t feel guilty about taking a night to hang out in your pajamas and watch movies rather than going out with friends. Know your limits and don’t let yourself get to your breaking point. Saying ‘no’ is tough, but ultimately it’s an essential word to avoid exhaustion.

3)      Don’t Think Long Term. Every day is full of little challenges. We don’t live in a perfect world and things are not always going to go our way. Although having long-term goals are great they force you onto a conveyer belt. When you set your mind on something that is still five years away you set your life onto a five-year plan. Five years down the road how do you know that that goal is still going to be what you want? What if you’ve just wasted five years striving for something that no longer compliments who you are? Instead make small term goals and celebrate every time you complete one of them. Eat breakfast every day for a month, learn to run 5 km, study for an hour every night. Being able to have small victories allows you to appreciate those moments of accomplishments, and they will help you learn where your passions are. All of your little successes will eventually build up and take you to exactly where you need to be.

4)      Allow Yourself to Fail. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to not be able to do everything exactly the way you were expecting. It’s okay to not be perfect. Being able to recognize defeat and accept failure is an easy thing to do, it’s what comes next that is difficult. Getting up and trying again, asking for a second chance, starting from the beginning, those are the things that are truly challenging. It takes courage to keep on going even after you’ve failed. Failure is part of life, it’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s what makes us human, and we learn the most about ourselves from how we deal with defeat. It’s okay to allow yourself to fail; it’s not okay to allow yourself to give up. So keep trying, be tenacious, fight for what you want and don’t ever stop believing that your can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.

5)      Be Scared. Eleanor Roosevelt once said you should do one thing every day that scares you. Some of our greatest achievements can come from accomplishing something that absolutely terrifies you. Whether it’s bungee jumping, learning to dance or saying “I love you”, our fears should not hold us back. The most memorable moments come from looking back on those moments of fear that we were able to overcome. So take time this year to figure out what you’re scared of, allow the fear to wash over you and then do it anyways, the view from the finish line is worth it. 

 by Kaitlin Flemons

It’s funny that I’m giving relationship advice on the internet. Partly because I don’t consider myself an expert in romance, but mostly because every couple is different and there is no one correct way to do things. All I can really share is my own experience, so here we go!

I went on exchange last year and had a great time, while staying in a long-distance relationship.

The night before I left, I had a small panic attack when I realized I had NO CLUE how to do long-distance, so I sought help from one of my friends, who is now in year four of a long-distance relationship with his girlfriend in Guelph, Ontario. He told me some valuable things that I will now share with you.

1. COMMUNICATION. Sounds like a no-brainer, but putting in effort to communicating effectively will make your life a lot easier. Carefully choose words to communicate your own feelings, as well as any concerns you may have. A relationship where both parties are open and communicative fosters trust, which will give you less stress and a lot more fun and relaxed relationship.
2. LOWER YOUR STANDARDS. You can still have a lot of fun, but the relationship aspect of your life probably won’t be as good as living in the same place. You love them! Of course it’s nicer when you get to see them every day. The good news is: it might be worth it. Once you move past trying to recreate the intimacy of being in the same place, it can be really valuable to have a support system at home that will love you from afar and hear your stories, and understand what you’re talking about when you get back.
3. YOU CAN’T BE A BIG PART OF EACH OTHER’S LIVES, and you need to be ok with this. When you live in the same place, you know pretty much everything about what the other person has on their plate. You know their friends, you know what they’re currently exited about, you know what’s stressing them out. When you don’t see them in person, you miss out on most of this. Skype is great but there is no way you can remember everything that’s happening for you or fully convey your mood, and to tell every minute detail would be a boring anyways. If you can accept that your partner can be a small, very nice part of your life, without coming into every aspect of it, it will make room for friends and events in the same place as you, and be way more fun.
4. YOU MIGHT OVERREACT, but that doesn’t mean you have to over-respond. Little things can turn into big things when you don’t know the full story, and some detail could make you angry, jealous, worried, feel neglected, etc. If it isn’t something that obviously needs to be dealt with right away, give it 24 hours to settle in and for you to calm down. Approaching your partner with a plan for what you need to say, what the problem is, and how you want to solve it is much more productive than a sudden skype session with you in a jealous rage because they commented on someone else’s facebook profile picture instead of responding to your 15 paragraph message. Odds are you’ll realize it was silly anyways and move on.
5. YOU MIGHT BE WRONG, SO KEEP AN OPEN MIND. This one is a great life and relationship skill in general, and works in a lot of ways for when there’s distance involved. The stereotype of long-distance relationships is that they don’t work, but in my experience they often do! Be open to both possibilities, and keep expectations realistic. Being apart can also change the dynamic of a relationship, so anticipating some bumps and surprises for both while you’re apart and when you’re reunited can make it easier.
6. IT CAN’T LAST FOREVER. A relationship is like a savings account. You can put all you want in there when you’re together, and the more awesome stuff you do together, great things you discover about each other, and good feels you share in each other’s company, the longer that account can last. The thing is, once you live apart you can no longer add anything to that account. It can last for a long time, but no relationship-account can last forever. Eventually you need to be together to start investing again.

There you have it. Best of luck in your romantic and travelling endeavors!

 by Britta Antonsen

“I’m gonna pop some tags, only got 20 dollars in my pocket…”

Have you ever heard of the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Well, after my friend took me thrifting for the very first time last year, I can now fully understand and appreciate this quote. For those who have no idea what thrifting is, it is essentially searching for and buying inexpensive and unconventional items from vintage, consignment or second-hand stores. After making my first thrift-store purchase (an H&M animal print dress for only $2.00!), I’ve become hooked! Some of my favourite pieces of clothing in my closet have come from thrift stores. Even with a job, I can honestly say that I love to thrift, and definitely recommend it as a fun and fulfilling way to create a unique and fashionable wardrobe for cheap!

If you are new to thrifting, or are an experienced thrifter looking for another fellow thrifter’s perspective, here are a few tips and tricks that I go by:

1)    Keep an open mind

Face it, clothes at thrift stores and vintage shops are going to be old and sometimes not in the best of conditions (random stains, rips, holes, interesting smells, etc.) I remember cringing when searching through the racks at Value Village, thinking “Am I actually even going to find anything decent here?” But if you maintain a positive outlook and just aim to have fun, you never know just what you might find.

2)    Dig, dig, dig!

When thrifting, look through ALL of the sections in the store. That includes childrens’ wear, menswear if you are a girl, or the women’s department if you are a boy. Browse through the jewelry section, check out the shoes, and definitely look through the sales section if you see one. Something that I like to do is look through the “rejects” pile in the change rooms; they are basically the items that are left behind on the rack by people who have already tried them on. My logic here is that if someone put the item here, they must have liked it enough to try it at one point. Last month, someone left behind a pair of high waisted light blue denim shorts that they didn’t want, but after going through the rejects pile and trying them on, I fell in love with them. So don’t hesitate to look anywhere and everywhere!

3)    Try on everything, and take your time

Seriously. If something even remotely catches your eye or looks good to you, put it in your basket! You never know if something is going to look amazing or atrocious on you until you’re actually wearing it. Take your time when trying on different clothes or picking out specific accessories and items, because although most of these pieces are cheap, it is easy to get carried away with buying a pile of items that you might not actually wear much in the future. The key is to pick out a few key pieces that you genuinely like, and to go for quality over quantity. Sometimes, you might not even end up with anything and that’s okay!

4)    Shop at different places

Going to new stores and shops to go thrifting is refreshing because every store has something special to offer. Often, there are different types of styles, brands and trends available depending on the places you go to. Shops like The Salvation Army, Value Village, The Front and Company, and Army Navy are great places to explore for inexpensive clothing, home décor items, and accessories. Going to different areas of the city can also help you in your search for that amazing, one of a kind item. Main Street, downtown Vancouver, and West 4^th are some places to start.

 Good luck and happy thrifting!

by Eva Chan

The AMS Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) offers The Anti-Violence Ally Program: an educational opportunity, informing people about the facts about sexual assault, as well as getting more people involved in conversations about this issue.  The opportunity aims to foster a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere on campus for all people. 

What does the training include?

• An opportunity to learn more about sexual assault, the Canadian legal system, consent, resources, and basic support skills through an informative, fun, and interactive workshop.
• A certificate that recognizes your participation.
• A button and poster to display, should you decide to become an Anti-Violence Ally.
• A free package of information so you can continue to learn at your own pace.

How do I get involved?

• Anyone at UBC can choose to become an Anti-Violence Ally.
• Attend a one-time, 2.5-hour training session facilitated by the staff of the SASC.
• Display your button and poster, should you decide to become an Anti-Violence Ally.

How do I get register?

The next Anti- Violence Ally training takes place on Wednesday October 23^rd from 1.30pm-4pm. Alternatively The SASC staff can come to your space and facilitate the training anytime. The SASC also offers various workshops tailored to your groups needs.

• Find more information at www.gotconsent.ca
• E-mail sascprog@ams.ubc.ca with the date/time of the training(s) you would like to attend.

The rain is here and soon the leaves will begin to turn lovely shades of yellow and red, but that also means the sun is leaving us for a while. It is generally hard to think of things to do when it’s a little bit sad outside because we tend to just go to movies, the mall or sit at home and eat. Though those are still lovely, there are some things you can do around UBC and Vancouver instead.

1. VanDusen Botanical Gardens – one of the nicest places to view the changing colours of the leaves!

2. Vancouver Art Gallery – time to get cultured if you haven’t already visited!

3. Vancouver International Film Festival – this happens in the beginning of October showing films featuring 80 different countries. Perfect if you’ve always wanted to travel!

4. Fright Nights at the PNE – this is a fun, but spooky activity to do for Halloween!

5. Chan Centre – go see an enchanting musical performance!

6. Canucks Games – always a great study break!

7. Museum of Anthropology – it’s free with a student card!

8. Chan Centre – go see an enchanting musical performance!

9. Flyovercanada – a way to get acquainted with Canada with videos and a flying ride from coast to coast!

10. Science World – go enjoy Science and acting like a kid again!

Despite the darker skies and colder weather, there is still a lot to do 🙂

As university students we are all faced with stress and anxiety. Sometimes this stress keeps us from getting the sleep we need to be productive. Here are some tips aimed at combating insomnia, in order to keep you at your best:

1)      Find a way to relax and calm your body before going to bed. This may include listening to soft audio, having a warm bath, deep breathing, or meditation.

2)      Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol. These substances cause your body to become stimulated, making it harder for your body to relax and fall asleep.

3)      Add more exercise and activity to your day. Make sure the physical activity is completed a couple of hours before bedtime.  This way your body is able to settle down before you try to get to sleep.

4)      Implement a strict sleep schedule. Don’t deviate from this schedule on weekends or days off work. By having a sleep schedule you will train your body when to go to sleep, and when to be awake.

5)      Move your alarm clock out of sight. As you watch the minutes go by, your stress is going to further arouse your body. This will make it even harder to fall asleep.

6)      Only use your bed to sleep. This will allow your body to realize that the bed is only for sleeping not for watching TV or using your mind in other ways.

7)      Don’t nap. If you nap during the day your less likely to be tired at night and therefore more likely to continue struggling with insomnia.

8)      Avoiding stimulating activities such as watching TV and reading directly before bed. Stimulating activities wake up your mind, therefore, making it harder to fall asleep.

9)      If all else fails see a doctor. It’s possible that a sleep disorder or another problem that requires medical attention is keeping you up at night.

You could also try writing a blog post on insomnia because I’m starting to get really drowsy.

Good luck and Good night!

Do you like to travel but don’t think you can afford it? Travelling doesn’t have to be expensive there are cheap, free, and grassroots ways of travelling. Many ways of traveling cost next to nothing or you could volunteer without service costs and gain invaluable experience. Here are some sites to get you started:

www.couchsurfing.org : Allows you stay on people’s couches for free around the world and also allows you to locate and connect with local communities who are open to showing you their city.

www.workaway.info : This site gives you direct access to volunteer opportunities around the world with no middle man taking your money. The basic premise is you volunteer 25 hours per week and in return you receive free food and shelter. The possibilities are endless!

www.wwoof.org  : It stand for “Willing Workers On Organic Farms” and is a site that connects you with the owners of Organic Farms where in exchange for volunteering you get free housing and free food in any location round the world.

www.oxfordseminars.ca : Take a two week course & then teach English abroad & get paid in different locations around the world.

www.escapenormal.com/2011/02/23/top-6-resources-for-cheap-or-free-travel/ :This is a catch-all site which basically lists from A-Z every cheap option for travel.

There is also the option of hostelling which is cheap accommodation and allows you to meet young travels in similar situations as yourself. Be flexible with your travel and don’t forget to have fun!

So go explore the world and don’t let money hold you back!

For a lot of people, summer is the chance to capitalize on the food weather and finally reach those long sought after fitness goals. Here are some great year round fitness activities that are even better in the summer!

Running:

As most people will tell you, the benefits of running are mostly physical. Running can help you lose weight, burn calories, strengthen muscles, improve your energy levels, lower your heart rate and even increase your life expectancy. However, there are also huge mental benefits as well. For many people, running is a great, healthy way to manage stress and decrease anxiety. It can also be a great way to meet people by joining a running group or running with friends. Some great routes around UBC include the trails in Pacific Spirit Park and the hill/beach combo that runs down to Jericho (save that one for a day when you’ve got a lot of energy: it can be challenging!).

Yoga:

Looking for a way to combine the perfect day at the beach with a little bit of exercise? Bring a yoga mat and a list of poses from the internet (just Google “yoga poses”) and you’re set. Yoga, mostly known for it’s laid-back culture and mental relaxation techniques, also has a wealth of fitness benefits. Vinyasa, Ashatanga and Kundalini yoga are particularly grueling; both help build muscle and increase flexibly through a variety of different poses. Yoga has also been shown to increase your concentration, build your focus, relieve stress and increase your interest in pursuing other healthy activities. Consider joining the UBC Yoga club or a local studio to try your hand at this trendy activity.

Swimming:

While the UBC Aquatic Centre offers free swimming facilities all year round (with your student card), summer is the perfect time to try swimming in more natural environments. Try heading down to the beach and swimming in the ocean,, pay a visit to one of the many local lakes, or try the outdoor pools in Stanley Park and at the Aquatic Centre. Swimming is a great low impact sport that can tone your body and build muscle, all while giving you a great cardio workout. If you’re an early riser, nothing beats a sunrise swim at Wreck or Jericho!

No matter what you choose to do it, keeping fit is an essential part of any University life style. Besides keeping you healthy, physical activity will help you focus and succeed academically as well.  Some other great activities to do around UBC include drop in soccer or other sports at Rec, the Wreck Beach stairs, or even just taking a quick walk around campus. So however you choose to do, go out and take advantage of the summer sun and exercise! You won’t regret it.

Here are some ideas for treats that are delicious and easy to make:

1. Lemonade.

You can’t beat a great cup of lemonade on a hot day. How to make perfect lemonade? Its easy. 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water and 1 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Also, The powdered kind doesn’t taste too bad either. No matter how you make it, you will be refreshed and happy. Because who isn’t happy while they’re drinking lemonade? It just tastes great.

2. Popsicles

Buy yourself some popsicle makers at any grocery store. Add literally whatever you want. Straight-up Orange Juice popsicles – AMAZING. You can also throw together some yogurt and blended strawberries. Or how about throwing in some gummy bears like the “bug” popsicles we used to love as kids? The opportunities are endless.

3. Cookie sandwich

This one is easy, classy and you can’t beat it. Take two cookies, warm them a little bit in the microwave, and then squeeze some ice cream in between them. DONE. Munch on.

4. Real Iced Tea

Wake up in the morning and make your tea, make extra, have a cup or two, and throw the rest in the fridge with some ice. Voila! Some, like myself, may want to add some sugar. But its up to you really.

5. Frozen Grapes

Literally, like it sounds. Freezing your grapes makes them even more delicious ad sweet! Easy to snack on while you study or work. Plop a couple on a stick and you’ve got yourself a grape popsicle!

I hope you make some of these delicious treats, I’m going to go make some right now.

– Jill Alport – Fairview Residence Advisor