#danielpeel

Well, here we are! A little over one month into school, just over a week past Thanksgiving, and for many of us it already feels like we’ve been locked in forever. Summer is a fast-fading distant memory as we familiarize ourselves with the nooks and crannies of Robarts and bury our heads in readings and assignments, with a generous helping of caffeine to power through the increasingly difficult days. As we enter into midterm season, things can become just a bit too strenuous, especially if you’re in first year. Therefore, below is a quick and easy list of tips for studying from a website called Top Universities. You can access the complete list here    

I have also included some notes from my own experience to help ground the tips.

1.       Give yourself enough time to study

This is such a crucial piece of the puzzle when it comes to academic success. Coming into UofT I was told (probably as many of you were), that studying doesn’t begin two weeks before tests and/or exams, it is a semester long exercise. We should be reviewing our notes regularly to make sure that we are retaining all the relevant information. This can be incredibly difficult with 3-5 courses being taken at a time, but thankfully, with practice I’ve gotten better at it and so will you! A little bit of review each day goes a long way come assessment time.

2.       Organize your study space

I usually study at home by my kitchen table because it’s completely empty before and after meals. The kitchen at my house is a bright and spacious area with plenty of windows allowing for natural light and a gorgeous view of my backyard and the trees behind my home. The lack of clutter and beauty helps me to zone in to my work and have a positive attitude as I’m working. Where’s your “kitchen table”?

3.       Organize study groups with friends

Robarts Study Rooms! Gerstein Study Rooms! Kelly Library Study Rooms! Most of the libraries on campus have study rooms that students can book in advance and they are there to facilitate study groups. By now days and slots will have started to fill up fast so click here to get started on booking a room for you and your friends.

4.       Take regular breaks

Netflix. Luke Cage. Need I say more?

We have come to the final blog post of the summer. I hope you’ve found the past few posts to be informative and helpful, and that they’ve assisted in easing your transition into first year. For this final post, I’ve put together words of wisdom from some of Woodsworth’s finest students and staff for you to keep in your heart and mind as we draw ever closer to the start of classes. We can’t wait to see you in September and wish you all the best on your post-secondary journey! #1LoveWW

Daniel Peel

 1. “Don’t get too down on yourself if you get bad marks, learn from your mistakes and try harder next time. Also, don’t be scared to drop courses if something doesn’t feel right or if you’re not fully engaged. Be strategic about what you take and keep your GPA in mind. Finally, find a study spot you love, it will transform your academic experience”.

•         Danika Baljak, 2nd year Philosophy & Aboriginal Studies Double Major, Spanish Minor

 2. “If you take charge of your time here and actively look for help of any kind, UofT will go out of its way to assist you in finding the resources you need.”

•         Jerusha Retnakanthan, 3rd year Rotman Commerce (Public Accounting)

 3. “It’s important to find a productive way to de-stress, such as going to the gym or reading a book for an hour. You also will need to be strategic about how you study because the material, while significantly more fascinating than high school, is also much more complex and difficult to master.”

•         Aadil Nathani, 4th year Criminology & Ethics, Society and Law Double Major

 4. “Take the time to research all the different programs of study the University of Toronto has to offer. It’s very likely that you’ll find a program you never knew existed but absolutely love. I’m headed into my last year, and while I have no regrets about the path I took, I’m still discovering programs I would have loved to major in.”

•         Daniel Peel, 4th year Philosophy Specialist, Political Science Minor

 5. “Don’t spend too much time focusing on others and worrying about what others are doing, which graduate schools they’re applying to or which jobs they’re looking for. Focus primarily on yourself and your own goals as that will bring you the most success during your time here.”

•         Hamza Ullah, 4th year Global Health Major

 6. “Look for ways to get involved. It helps you meet new people, build networks, and do better in school.”

      -     Ilham Islow, 4th year Criminology and Sociology Double Major (not pictured)

    7. “Don't be afraid to ask for help. In my first year I struggled with essay writing, as well as time management. I didn't reach out to my professors, family or friends for help, as I thought I could do it alone. Had I talked to someone, I would have realized there were so many supports available to help me, such as the Academic Writing Centre, or Academic Success Centre. 

 If you think you need help but don't know where to turn, my role as your Student Life Coordinator is connecting you with on-campus resources. Simply send me a quick e-mail ([email protected]) or pop in my office (Room 308 – 123 St. George Street – Woodsworth Annex) during regular hours.”

 •         Christina Alcena, Student Life Coordinator, Office of the Dean of Students, Woodsworth College 

You’ve heard the stories. Tales of scores of university students in the midst of papers and exams, holed up in the library with books, Netflix (for breaks) and the greatest beverage known to humankind…coffee. You, as an incoming student will in a few short months experience for yourself the academic grind and, as many students (including me) have found, coffee is an invaluable tool to have with you on your quest to greatness. Therefore I have worked in conjunction with a couple of other students to provide you with a handy dandy list of most of the coffee shops in and around campus. We have begun at Bloor Street and we will descend down to College Street. This is by no means an exhaustive list, there are certainly other fantastic options in and around campus that we may not have mentioned; it is merely intended to get you started. Also, please do remember to enjoy caffeinated beverages responsibly and every now and again swap out a coffee for another wonderful treat. After all, moderation is key! We have water refill stations and opportunities to enjoy fresh juice all across campus. Enjoy!

  Stars (*) indicate personal favourites.

  1. Bloor & Spadina (Spadina Subway Station)

  - Second Cup (inside the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Center)

 2. Bloor & St. George

 - The Coffee Lab (inside Willow Bookstore, next to the Bata Shoe Museum)*

 - L’Espresso Bar Mercurio (next to Woodsworth College Residence)*

 3. Bloor & Bedford (St. George Subway Station)

 - Starbucks*

 - Tim Horton’s

  4. Bloor

 - Second Cup (across from the ROM, near the Bob Miller Book Room)

 5. Bloor & Avenue

 - Starbucks

 6. Charles Street

 - Ned’s Café (across from the Isabel Bader Theater)

 - Caffiends (inside Victoria College)*

   7. St. George Street

 - Second Cup (inside Woodsworth College)*

 - Innis Café (inside Innis College)

 - Second Cup (inside Rotman Commerce Building)*

 - The Exchange (inside Rotman Commerce Building, across from Robarts)

 - Starbucks (inside Robarts Library)

 - Café Reznikoff (inside UC, across from Sid Smith)

 - Second Cup (inside Sid Smith)*

 - Tim Horton’s (inside Sid Smith Café)

 - Cube (inside the Bahen Center for Information Technology)

 - Second Cup (inside the Koffler Student Center, in-between the Bookstore and the Career Center)*

 8. Harbord

 - Starbucks (inside the AC)

 - Second Cup (inside the Graduate Building)*

 9. Devonshire

 - The Buttery (inside Trinity College)

 10. Hart House Circle

 - Sammy’s Student Exchange (inside Hart House, beside the theater entrance)*

 11. King’s College Circle

 - Diabolo’s Coffee Bar (inside UC)*

 - The Green Beet (inside Gerstein Library)

 - Tim Horton’s (in the MedSci lobby)

 - Starbucks (in the MedSci Cafeteria)

  12. College

 - Starbucks (at the intersection of College & Beverley)*

 - Second Cup*

 - Tim Horton’s (at Queen’s Park Station)

- Second Cup (inside the Pharmacy Building on College Street)*