Last Post: And That’s All, Folks

I actually feel so sad writing this.

Don’t worry, pal, there’s nothing to actually be sad about. I just can’t believe this is my last post as a First-year Blogger. It may sound cheesy and all, but the journey from September to now has been so much fun and I have learned so much about myself and about blogging.

A little visual representation of this journey:

Actual footage of me going into the interview

Live footage of me when I got the job

^Me before and after writing a blog

Also, me getting some inspirational ideas

and of course, the many brain farts.

You may have read my other posts and noticed that I’m obsessed with lists, so here is a list of all the fabulous things I experienced as a first-year blogger!

1. I met some really amazing people. My fellow bloggers, Dev and Shelby; our blogging sensei, Laura; and all the great people on the OST (Office of Student Transition) team (*ahem* Janina) are people you need to get to know, reader.
2. I had the chance to be creative! I always need a project or assignment that lets me be creative and fluid (you know what I mean?) and I experienced a serious lack of that at university. Luckily, this position not only let me write about what I wanted to write about, it let me do it in whichever style I wanted. There was no rubric and it felt great.
3. It felt absolutely amazing when people talked to me in real life about something I had written because I felt like I was having a positive impact on someone’s life. Always made my day!

Speaking of someone reading my blog, let’s get on to the main part of this post.

Thank you, reader.

Thank you for reading the (mostly random) thoughts and experiences I had as a first-year student at UTM. I hope I was able to make you laugh at least once (not even once?) and that you learned something useful from taking time out of your (probably crazy) schedule. You kept me motivated to post worthy content (*launches YouTube speech*). This was my first real job (#Don’tJudgeMe) and your welcoming attitude made it a lot less stressful than it would have been. So, thanks, pal. I really appreciate it.

 

If, by now, you haven’t stepped out of your comfort zone and outmaneuvered yourself, we ain’t getting anywhere. 😉

 – Azalfa 🙂

 

 

Study Break: Let’s Talk About Stress Management!

I’m sure you’re no stranger to stress, reader. It’s what takes up the most space in our university package (aside from debt of course).

Do not fear though, for there are many ways to make sure you have the right amount of stress. Yes, you read that correctly.

I don’t think one can ever be completely free of stress because there are just so many different factors that cause it. I have always been someone who stresses out and overanalyzes the smallest things, so university made the list of these factors even longer.

I got to a point where it became too much and decided that something must be done about this. I wanted to enjoy my time at university! Here are some stress management strategies that worked great for me!

 

 

A proper sleep schedule is the advice you have probably heard a gazillion times by now, right? Have you tried it, though? Try setting your bedtime and wake-up time to a specific time and making a routine out of it. This can help you avoid getting into sleep debt (because do you really need more debt?) and make it easier to wake up in the morning. I don’t know about you but getting too much sleep and not getting enough sleep both make my day unproductive which makes me stressed!

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I really underestimated the power of talking to someone or even something (LOL, I’ll explain) about problems that stress me out. Talking to someone is literally the best because people who care about you give the best advice and it’s always a great reminder to know you’re not alone.

For the part where you talk to something, teddy bears are great too! LOL, just kidding. Some days, I like writing out whatever I’m feeling without thinking twice about what I’m writing. It helps me organize my thoughts and sometimes, I can figure out what is bothering me the most (it’s usually what I spend the longest ranting about).

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For me, the most consistent source of school-related stress has been that I’m running out of time. One of the things I use to manage time and stress are the Pomodoro Technique and a set number of hours in a day to work.

The Pomodoro Technique, simply put, is taking 5-minute breaks after every 25 minutes of work. Also, considering that full time workers typically work 9 to 5 (8 hours), I think full time students should have a set time like this too. I usually work from 9 to 6 (including my classes) and then I relax for the evening. This way, I don’t think about procrastinating when I’m working or working when I’m relaxing. Give it a try!

Out of so many different techniques I’ve tried this year, these ones have been the most effective in reducing my stress to manageable levels. I like just a little bit of stress because it keeps me motivated and focused on what needs to get done. Be sure to comment below and tell me which strategies work best for you!

Step out of your comfort zone and outmaneuver yourself.

– Azalfa

 

10 Things I Love About UTM

Before I came to UTM, practically everyone had something to say about it. Most of what people said was negative and it made me feel like I was about to face four years of sad times. After having spent some time here though, I’m happy to say that they were wrong. There are so many things to love about UTM and here are 10 of my favourite ones (in no particular order).

1. Nature

Since coming here, nature has been a de-stressor because it lets me unplug and get fresh air! I still get stunned by deer when they suddenly emerge out of the woods because they just seem so out of place. UTM has the best balance of natural and human creations ( have you seen the bridge down Principal’s Road?) and it only adds to the comfort I feel here.

2. The RAWC

For a broke university student, there is no better motivator to go to the gym than to know that you’re paying for it in your tuition, am I right? The great thing is, the RAWC has such an enormous variety of activities that there’s something for everyone at every level. Check out the full list of activities here!

3. All the help!

Whether it’s the Career Centre helping you get your professional life together or the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre polishing your academic life, this place is full of support! I feel like I always have some place to go in case of an emergency, which is literally all the time, so this place is fabulous!

4. Student Centre

The student center has made my life rainbows and unicorns when it was going through sad times. With so many events to pump student spirit and events to improve our experiences, the UTMSU (UTM Students Union) definitely takes away a lot of stress!

5. Library

The library looks like something out of a dream. Or a fun nightmare? Who dreams about school unless it’s a nightmare? With a gazillion computers, gorgeous study rooms, handy-dandy borrowing services and so much more, this library has become my second home.

Bonus: the website even has old exams and information about course reserves!

6. Tunnels

In winter (and in summer when it gets ferociously hot), venturing outside to go to class in different buildings is quite the adventure. That’s why the tunnels and short cuts between buildings are a blessing! Most of us know of the tunnel that connects Kaneff and Davis, but apparently there is another one that connects Davis and CCT!

7. The Duck Stop

This little convenience store, right in front of the student centre, has anything and everything you could need when at school, except for your marks of course. Whether you’re craving healthy or junk food, they have it. If you need toiletries, they have them! Disclaimer: this post is not sponsored, I just really love it!

   9. William G. Davis building

Just kidding!

Also, did you notice I skipped #8? Haha!

10. Free busses

I know the pass is included in our tuition, but the fact that it’s unlimited access is absolutely beautiful! I’ve been showing it off to all my friends because it’s so useful!

There’s so much more that could be included in this list. In fact, there’s so much more to still be discovered! Tell me, what are your favourite things about UTM? 😀

Step out of your comfort zone and outmaneuver yourself.

– Azalfa