Are you stuck wondering what to get for all of your loved ones? Are you feeling pressed for time under the weight of finals prep? That’s ok! You are not alone! That is why Gage would like to give you a quick and easy “Holiday Gift Guide” to make your holiday shopping more efficient and less stressful.

First thing’s first, the key to efficient shopping is buying more than one gift at a time. So lets knock off your three best girl friends right away. Try finding a deal on fuzzy socks, they often come in packs that contain multiple pairs, which make the perfect gift for multiple friends. Put those, some chocolate kisses and a small candle in a bag and voila! You have an easy gift that says, “I want you to stay warm this winter.”

Second on the list is Dad. We all know that shopping for him is harder than diamonds; however, if he is anything like you he probably likes to read. Chapters has all sorts of deals on books this time of year and they even have sections dedicated to help you find the perfect book for a “special man in your life”. Wrap that nicely with a card and he’ll be sure to love it.

Last but not least, Mom. There are two different gift options for her; however, one thing remains the same. She loves sentimental. She might not be super open to admitting that she loves all the cutesy, mushy, lovey-dovey things you’ve ever done for her, but trust me, she has kept every single one of your childhood creations in a secret spot so that she can look back on them whenever she wants.

That being said, she also probably gets annoyed when the house is not in tip-top shape. The perfect gift for mom is can be one of two things. First, a homemade book of “I.O.U’s” that includes “I.O.U a laundry day” or “I.O.U a lunch date.” This will tell her that you’ve thought about her gift long and hard and that you also want to do small things around the house to make your family’s lives easier. The second option is still as grotesquely cute, but does not involve a lot of handcrafting. Go out and buy her one of the favourite childhood books you two read together and spray it with your perfume/cologne. Finish that off with a nice card and you’ll have her in (happy) tears.

Now that you’ve been given a few tips, Gage hopes that your holiday shopping experience goes much more smoothly!

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Over the course of the past three months, many of my peers have helpfully provided suggestions in their blog entries that are intended to help you (the reader) both cope and thrive in the present. With the calendar year winding down, however, I’m looking into the future for initiatives we can all undertake in term two – and beyond – to be the best version of ourselves at all times. I have accordingly cherry-picked some of my favourite insight and advice to share – I hope they afford you the same clarity and direction I found in them!

1. Stop Multi-tasking in 2016. You might believe that you’re being more productive, but the reality is that more is not necessarily positive. According to a professor at UC Irvine, it can take nearly 24 minutes to fully return mentally to a task after you’re interrupted. As such, it is better to solely commit to one task at a time, and to focus on doing it well. This perspective inspires my use of the Pomodoro Study technique, where you commit to a task wholeheartedly for 25 minutes before taking a five-minute break and repeating.

2. Learn how to say “No” in 2016. With New Year resolutions being a hot topic in the first few weeks of the year, it’s easy find yourself in a situation where friends may wish to get you to commit to something alongside them. Watching 100 movies, going on thirty hikes, travelling to five countries, going to the gym at 7AM daily… all impressive and admirable objectives, but perhaps not feasible together on top of your day-to-day. Instead of adding on, consider where you can stop, cut-back or say no in order to more appropriately commit to other initiatives.

3. Establish a routine in 2016. The reality behind your last-minute crams – for exams and otherwise – is a failure to commit to a consistent routine. Routines are essential for efficiency; if you don’t have one, you’re wasting time trying to sort yourself out. Commit to a particular time of the day for a particular task – 6PM for course readings, for example. When you settle into a groove, you’ll develop a well-deserved sense of stability that goes a long way.

4. Read on current events daily in 2016. I vividly remember speaking to a 400-level class earlier this year about the horrendous instability plaguing Syria, and subsequently being floored by how uninformed and oblivious the entire class was. Without going off on a tangent, being a student at UBC means a few things – you’ve displayed some intellectual chops by getting in, and you’re tremendously privileged to have the opportunity to learn and think critically in a safe environment. Don’t let this opportunity to learn sit within the confines of the classroom; spend five minutes a day at least reading headlines so you know what’s going on in the world. You owe it to yourself to be a well-informed person.

5. Have more fun in 2016. This one may seem facetious, but hear me out. Fun means different things to different people; perhaps a night out at a club, or starting a mariachi band. Whatever it may be, allow yourself to experience it. The satisfaction you take away if done responsibly – that is, not at the expense of other important areas in your life – is immeasurable. I’ve personally felt much happier this year setting aside time to visit restaurants that’s been on my to-nom-nom-nom list, grabbing ice cream with friends, going on bike rides, watching sunsets on roof tops and going on hikes. Whatever it is that makes you happy, I implore you to do it.

Cheers to 2016 – you got this. Gurvir

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Don’t just survive in exam season, thrive in it.

No matter what year or program you’re in, no matter how many exams, papers, assignments are due, December is a stressful time for all students.  But understand that stress is completely normal and just a part of your journey in education and on to your career. Here are some quick tips that have truly helped me handle stress around exams or any other stressful time at school.

1. Eat healthy – Don’t get me wrong, I love dark chocolate, chips and candy to snack on when I am studying. But remember to actually have a meal like eggs and toast for breakfast, a salad of sushi for lunch and maybe some pasta for dinner.
2. Eat your whole grains and veggies – incase the first point didn’t get through, you need to nourish your brain with all the vitamins and minerals your body needs.
3. Bring a snack and water bottle to exams – Maybe not something loud and crunchy but two and half hours is a long time to sit without any food.
4. Use ear plugs – the smallest noise or cough can break my concentration when I am stressed, using ear plugs in an exam really helps me focus and not worry about what other people are doing.
5. Sleep – your brain needs sleep to build connections and retain memories. Less than 6 hours of sleep and you are definitely deprived, make sure you incorporate sleep into your schedule!
6. Be prepared – study with others, make flashcards on online apps like Study Blue or Quizlet. Go to review sessions, email your professor and ask lots of questions, feeling prepared is the best way not to feel stress.
7. Exercise – take a 60, 30, 20, 15, 10 minute break, whatever little time you can to get your heart rate up and release endorphins that help your mood.
8. Talk it out – Whatever you are dealing with, you are not alone. Talk out your stresses with friends, family members, counselors at UBC Counseling Services and your academic advisors. They are there to help you when things get tough!
9. Cut out distractions – put your phone away, stay good bye to Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Netflix. These will not help you learn what you are studying.

Remember what’s important – Your GPA doesn’t define you. Hopefully you are at UBC starting or finishing a program to better your future, and the skills you develop while at University, and in work and volunteer experiences are what are most important in your future career.  Everything you have to give right now is enough and you will thrive in this last stretch of 2015!

– Lawren Pallot

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With final exams fast approaching, a lot of us develop a sort of tunnel vision in regards to how we prioritize the roles and responsibilities we hold in our lives. We may take time out of part-time work, volunteer activities, hobbies, family, and our own health and wellbeing for those extra few hours of cram time.

But what happens when you place all your value into a few final exams and things just don’t turn out as grand as you had hoped? When every day for two weeks straight looks the same because you have it set in your mind that if you take a break from studying, you won’t do well? When you put all your energy into these exams, your self worth feels as if it is directly linked to their outcome.

Today, I had a check-in with a mentor of mine for a leadership position I hold, which involves volunteering at a community placement as part of my role, and she asked me, “How does your role at your placement reflect the goals you’ve set for yourself?”

I thought on this for a second.

And then I responded: “I like that when I go in to volunteer at my placement I can just be there and leave everything else at the door. I like that the purpose is not to achieve some set in stone quantitative standard, but rather, the support and services that the centre provides to the community strive towards a set way of being – it has a purpose much greater than all of its parts, and the care that is provided to its patrons is individualized. When I go there, I feel like I’ve made an impact on something bigger and that just sends shivers down my spine – its very rewarding.” I said this with a dopey grin on my face.

I’m a student, just like all of you, and I too get caught up in maintaining a high GPA and gaining achievements that will put me in a competitive position in my chosen career path. However, at the end of the day, all the academic, professional, and other goals you set for yourself are merely stepping stones into achieving the ideal – that is: shaping who you’re going to be in ten, twenty, fifty years from now.

So I challenge you: don’t just set goals, set ideals.

Ask yourself, “Who? Who do I want to be in 10 years?” and then identify what experiences and/or aspects of your life will help shape the identity you want to create for yourself, that one that will allow you to wake up with a smile on your face and butterflies in your stomach each and every morning and think, It’s satisfying to be me today. And every night, challenge yourself to do better.

You may not always get it right, but you can try.

So while you’re putting all your focus into your exams, don’t forget about all the other things that make you who you are and that make you feel like you have a purpose on this planet, greater than yourself.

And don’t forget to smile and always chase the butterflies!

Nevena :3

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Hello Walter Gage!

Last week I attended a session entitled “Head, Heart, Hands, and Home” which really helped me to remember some things that should be straight forward, but are not always easy to remember. To very briefly summarize, we learned or were reminded of the fact that each of us going to UBC is a whole person and that person is more than the sum of their parts. This means that we are not simply our academics or grades, we are not just how we interact with others, we are not just how we feel and we are not just what we do. We are all of these things and so much more. I found this to be such a helpful reminder, especially during midterm season (aka October-November) and I wanted to share that with all of you lovely people. Whether you are struggling to get the grades you want, or struggling to make good friends; whether you are feeling like you don’t know who you are, or you feel like you can’t do anything right – know that you are more than just the sum of your parts. Look for ways to succeed and improve in all areas of your life but don’t let one of these things define you or destroy you.

And remember that if you are struggling with any of these feelings or having any doubts – your RA’s love you and would love it if you wanted to talk about it with them 🙂

Love, Emily

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November is a tough month with all your midterms and weather crashing down on your soul. One may feel devoid of hope and have thoughts about quitting everything and hermit out in the magical forest near Totem Park. It is definitely a grind and to prevent that, I would suggest you go island hopping. Of course you’re not going to actually go island hopping but this will all happen in your head.

When you have something to look forward to, imagine those plans transforming into a paradise island in your head. You have to cross the treacherous sea to get to the island where you can relax and sunbathe in what little sun we have in November. However these islands will eventually sink and you’ll have to paddle your way to your next island. This mindset has helped me get through tough weeks because there was an island in sight in my mind. Eventually you’ll find happy moments and these may not be a paradise island but will be a pathway to your next island. You won’t have to paddle and your trip to your next plan will go through smoother.

However if your travels contain a lot of unpredictable weather and nasty pirates, then think of it this way. A summer vacation is only a summer vacation if it ends. If it doesn’t end then it may as well be called an eternal job that is numbing your mind and crumbling your soul. You may think that a watermelon could rival peaches or mangoes if only they were seedless. A watermelon is only delicious through the struggle of removing the seeds. You had to work on the watermelon and the drama of seed removal makes the final result even sweeter. Thus your struggles with pirates and storms to your next paradise island will only plant more palm trees and generate more hammocks for your stay.

I find that planning to go to a restaurant with friends or doing anything physical helps fighting back against November blues. Here are some of my personal suggestions:

Marutama Ramen: One of the best ramen shop in downtown Vancouver with umami that will blow you out of this world. Very affordable for its quality.

-Wilson

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By: Yun Kang

I have been involved with Best Buddies for about 4-5 years now (since Grade 11) and have loved every experience that has come along with it. I wanted to present this wonderful opportunity of volunteerism to the first years as it not only allows you to build friendships and community, but also helps you discover who you are as an individual. If you’re up for having a blast while building friendship, continue and read along!
Best Buddies is a program that pairs students, just like you, with another student or individual in the community with an intellectual disability in order to develop friendship and community. For those of you that are not familiar with the term intellectual disability, it is a term used to describe any condition that includes a lifelong impairment to a person’s ability to learn or adapt to their environment; some examples include Autism, Down Syndrome, and William’s Syndrome.
Before I share my current experiences with Best Buddies, I would like to share a word of caution to those who are interested in embarking on this journey to friendship: you are not volunteering to ‘help them out,’ but you are actually building friendship through this program. During my first year with Best Buddies, I had not known the true values behind this program and had simply tried to be a mentor and a teacher to my buddy, rather than being friends with her. I guess I had the foolish misconception that I was ‘better off’ than my buddy was since I was not born with an intellectual or physical disability. However, what I did not know at that time was that people with disabilities, whether they be intellectual or physical, are very much like us and that they, too, simple want a buddy to hang out with. I advise you to please take caution and not approach them as if you are at a better place than they are, but simply as a person, an individual, and a friend.
Now, to share some of my personal experiences with the Best Buddies Program, I am currently paired with a beautiful girl. She has the most radiant smile that I have ever seen and she constantly reminds me that there are simple joys and wonders in life that we often forget as we grow older – she still giggles at watching flowers blossom or the sun shining through her window. I have learned over the past 6 months that she loves flowers, to dance, and to go on a stroll, and that she truly appreciates the time we spend together. I am not going to lie, there were some hard times with her, as she is unable to speak or move due to cerebral palsy; there were times where I just wanted to quit because I couldn’t communicate with her or had to watch her experience painful and frightening seizures. But, at the end of the day, I am always so glad to be able to be there for her and to truly be her friend, by trying to figure out what she wants to do for the day or what would make her happy.
I challenge you all to take part in this wonderful organization and to build friendships like no other. Sure, they will be tough at times, but you will truly learn that any good cause can only be reached by enduring hardships – not by yourself, but together.

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Did you know that Thrive is a week long series of events aimed at positive mental health for students, faculty and staff? This year, Thrive is happening Nov 02 – 06, 2015. There are A TON of great events occurring around campus during this week revolving around positive mental health, and for an extensive list, please check out this link: http://thrive.ubc.ca/thrive-events/

Oftentimes around this time of year, some folks will be feeling drained from midterms and a bit anxious for finals. But there are plenty of things you can do in order to feel like you’re thriving!

1. Live in the moment – as university students, we have a ton on our plate, but take the time to live in the present moment and think about how you are feeling at the moment, what you are feeling and why you are feeling that way.

2. Exercise – exercise is great for not only physical fitness, but also mental fitness. I have found that with my 4 years at UBC, the times where I keep on top of my exercise regimen and stay active, my mind stays calmer easier, and I have less anxiety when it comes to my numerous projects, papers and work that I have to do.

3. Get good sleep – sleep is necessary to survive! Sleep is thought of as an overall indicator for health and well-being. For students, it is often that we forget what is like to feel well-rested. Something that I have learned about myself is to put my digital gadgets far away from my bed, avoid caffeine after my midafternoon snack, and to try to meditate and clear my mind of tasks and lists prior to bed. Find out what can help you clear your mind, and help you get good sleep.

4. Smile & laugh – You may have heard this time and time again – laughter is the best medicine. Laughter can often act as an antidote to stress, pain and conflict. It can relax the body, boost the immune system by decreasing stress hormones and infection-battling antibodies, and can release endorphins which is your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Don’t forget the time to do something, watch something, or talk to someone that makes you smile and laugh!

5. Volunteer – do you ever get that warm fuzzy feeling when you volunteer for a cause that you really believe in? Take the time to research various causes, clubs and initiatives within (and outside) of the UBC community to find something you believe in! When taking the time to help others, you can boost your morale and self confidence too!

   Inspired by http://thrive.ubc.ca/thrive-365-days/

Anna Chen

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Life’s greatest pleasure in my opinion is falling asleep next to something warm. That’s a skill I’ve been practicing for as long as I can remember. It’s a peaceful comforting endeavor that helps with all sorts of life’s problems. I could even say that I’m a professional cuddliteer. You see, I have a full time job as a floofy friend. I have a companion, who is a very busy boy but he often makes time for me. I get to ride on his shoulder around the residence, and sit on is head so I can read while he reads. Best of all, when it’s time for bed we get to snuggle up together like a sushi roll: blankets as rice, sheets as nori paper, and us the goodies in the middle.

During the days when my companion is in class or meetings, he lets me have the room to myself. I like to sit on my pillow and think about the world.

I like to think about anything that sparks my curiosity. Big and small. I have lots of time to think.

Most of all I like to think that even though my companion has grown up, I still reside. An everlasting, never-aging piece of him.

The role I have in my companion’s life is extremely important. I am a constant: something stable to rely on to always been there. He can trust me to hang on tight when the waters are rough and the going gets tough. I’m always there to keep the cold wind off his neck when November sets in and the skies are always overcast. I give him freedom to think and feel and understand. I help him express what he cannot put to words. I am a reminder to stay true and authentic and not pretend to be someone else. Oh, and I’m also a pretty good wing man.

I’ve noticed that people can struggle to on course through life as a student. It’s so hard to make it through the stress that comes with school and work and life and family without questioning the situation. I sometimes see my companion wonder if the direction he has taken is the correct way to go. Honestly I don’t think there is one correct answer. There is no path to follow. Perhaps “thrashing one’s way through the foliage of a thick jungle hoping to run into “success” by chance along the way” is a more accurate description of young adulthood.

I know that it’s easy to get lost in a jungle, but that’s all part of growing up. Sometimes getting thoroughly lost is the best way to find one’s self. My job is to be there with my companion, hanging on tight to my seat on his shoulder as we make our way deeper and deeper into the jungle. And when he is feeling lost he can look down at me and kiss my head, and play with my ears, and give me a hug. He knows that at least he’s doing something right, because we are still together. Best friends forever.

So why am I telling you all this, and why should you take the advice of a stuffed dog? Through all of my time as a floofy friend I’ve learned that you should never be afraid of needing a buddy, upon whose shoulder you can sit. If you have something or someone that makes you feel safe and comfortable and lets your be yourself don’t try to hide them. Cherish them, love them and in return they’ll help you get through those November days when it rains a lot, or when the midterm marks you get back aren’t as good as you thought. More often than not when you’re in a crumby spot it’s best to be honest, give it a shot. Life’s greatest challenge in my opinion is staying true to yourself. Only then can you fully appreciate life’s greatest pleasures.

~Steve

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