Category Archives: UT Life

Study Spotlight: Noranda Earth Sciences Library

Academics, General, On Campus, Opinion, Photography, Review, Uncategorized, UT Life, , , , , , , , ,
The view of the Noranda Earth Sciences Library from its second floor
The inside view of the Noranda Earth Sciences Library from its second floor

And.. we’re back with Study Spotlight! Last time I reviewed Knox College’s Caven Library ( check out the hyperlink!) For the second post, I’ll be reviewing the Noranda Earth Sciences Library located on 5 Bancroft Avenue.

Where is the Earth Sciences Library?

The Noranda Earth Sciences Library is a little gem situated on the second floor of the Earth Sciences Buildings. If you’re like me and know absolutely nothing about this area, it’s basically a collection of closely spaced buildings that all fall under the UofT code of ES (you may be familiar with ES 1050, the auditorium many first year courses are held in). Once you enter through the front doors, there’ll be a sign to direct you to the library through the next flight of stairs.

The Noranda Earth Sciences Library is also cornered between New College (that’s my college, holla!) and the McLennan Physical Laboratories.

Quietness: 8.1/10

For a library, it is quiet but it’s definitely not the most quiet library I’ve been to; there’s no harm in a library that isn’t completely silent though! I feel comfortable breathing, sneezing, coughing and occasionally whispering to my peers. A chill environment to be in.

Spot Availability: 8.6/10

Not a lot of students know about this little library so I can always count on there being a seat for me. There are both individual studying cubicles (on the second floor) as well as a number of group study tables (on the ground floor).

Resources (computer specific): 7/10

I’m not taking any courses in the Earth Sciences disciple so I haven’t (or will ever) use the books but there does seem to be a vast selection. There’s also a good amount of computers available for use which I have used previously. The computers are spaced enough so that each individual has their own space to take/annotate notes on a sheet of paper whilst using the computer.

Aesthetic: 8.3/10

The Noranda Earth Science Library definitely has that retro vibe to it with its dulled polychromatic colour scheme of purple and green. The floors are all carpeted and the furniture is made of a light-coloured wood. But there are two aspects of it that make the library visually appealing: the architecture and sunlight (see photo above).

The library is round with “two storeys”. So on the first floor, you have your computers and group study tables while on the second floor, you have your independent studying cubicles with a flight of stairs to bridge the two. The design creates a dynamic within this small library with the ground floor having a sound threshold higher than that of the second floor.

Because of the location and round design of the library, it is enveloped by a panel of windows allowing maximum sunlight to enter. Nothing’s better than a good dose of Vitamin D!

Overall: 8.2/10

The Noranda Earth Sciences Library is definitely one of my go-to libraries when I’m in the area. It may take a bit of time to initially find it, but it’s definitely worth it. A quiet secluded place to study.

For more information, visit https://earth.library.utoronto.ca

Bonus: the Earth Sciences building also has a green house open for student viewing!

First-Year Anxieties

Academics, UT Life

As a first year student, I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxieties from my transition from high school to university.  Some things have been especially tough since I’m a commuter and I don’t seem to blend into the social aspects of university life as easily as residence students do. Therefore, I want to write this article as a way to document my experience and see if I can come up with solutions to my own problems. Continue reading First-Year Anxieties →

UC Follies’ AGAMEMNON Review

Arts, Campus Theatre, Entertainment, On Campus, Review, theatre, UT Life, , , , , , , ,

The UC Follies’ adaptation of Agamemnon held onto the core values of the original play. To quote the artistic producer, Agamemnon “explores gender and power”,  and incorporated the devotion to Greek gods and the seduction and destruction of war.

There is a clear disregard of a woman’s value throughout the play, especially between the chorus and the Queen, Clytemenstra. They honour her, but only in the King’s absence (a 10 year absence, and still they resent a woman in power). They say she’s “like wax, too easily softened”. Even the king, upon his return, says “A woman who fears nothing, is she a woman?” Well, to answer your question Agamemnon: hell yes.We think all women can relate to Clytemenstra with her sassy sarcastic adoration of her husband, and powerful defence of herself and her lost daughter (killed by her husband!). Continue reading UC Follies’ AGAMEMNON Review →

Study Spotlight: Knox College’s Caven Library

Academics, General, On Campus, Opinion, Review, UT Life, Wish You Were Here, , , , , , , , , , , , ,
classic photo of Knox College Walkway
A classic photo of the beautiful outdoor walkway at Knox College (59 St. George Street)

Introducing… Study Spotlight! Study Spotlight is a newly established series of blog posts focusing on different places to study. For the first post, I’ll be personally reviewing Knox College’s Caven Library.

What is Knox College?

Knox College runs from King’s College Circle to St. George Street, having entrances/exits to both. In a nut shell, it isn’t like the 7 other colleges offered at U of T. Although there are some graduate students affiliated with Knox, I can say there are no undergraduate students that are tied to it. Big difference already, right? Knox is also much smaller in size and resources: there’s a small kitchen for eating, and located upstairs is a small church and the library. To the left and right of the beautiful walkway photographed above, there are courtyards with benches and flowers.

Quietness: 9.2/10

It’s incredibly quiet. Each time I come back, I feel guilty for pulling the zippers on my backpack, pencil and tablet case. There’s little whispering and the noise from outside doesn’t find its way in. The library itself is pretty small so there aren’t any doors for people to constantly open and close. The entire college is actually pretty quiet thanks to the silence-enforcing admins.

Spot Availability: 8.7/10

The library isn’t very packed. I guess it has a a lot to do with the fact that not a lot of people know about this gem. Out of the many times I’ve visited, I can always find a spot. Seats are organized in trios with a couple of the larger study group tables situated near the front desk.

Resources: ??

I’ve never used any of the library’s resources except for their WiFi. There seems to be a lot of books, but all probably specific to the graduate programs they offer at Knox. There are also a couple of computers for use; probably about nine.

Aesthetic: 8.5/10

If the above photo wasn’t enough to make you like Knox, maybe this will help:

KNOX2

The Caven Library has most of its furniture made of wood and the floors are all carpeted. The ceiling is raised high, with a set of chandeliers hanging. The lights definitely illuminate a warm cast on the library with little sunlight penetrating through the windows.

Overall: 8.7./10

As a life science student, Knox is a really convenient place for me to hang around. It’s close to where all my classes are: the convocation hall, medical sciences building, sid smith, etc. I can have lunch either in the walkway (if I can find a seat and it’s warm enough) or in their small kitchen. And of course, I can do my favourite thing there too: study!!!

For more information, visit http://www.knox.utoronto.ca/

A Note to First-Years, from a Fourth-Year Student

Desperation, UT Life

542816_10152243769370721_1240932932_n

Howdy, first-years. Channelling my inner psychiatrist, how do you feel? Are you nervous to begin your however-long (you have 25 years from the time you begin your degree to finish it) foray into the U of T community? Or were you like me, anxious to start studying what I loved and none of what I didn’t (re: math) while surrounded by like-minded people whom you were determined to make your friends?

You know that this is a time of change, of self-exploration, of finding your purpose in life, etc. This is true- in the end we are all here to be educated to enter the workforce in some productive capacity upon graduation. This may occur after having completed a Master’s or Doctorate degree, an internship, a post-graduate certificate, or simply your newly-minted bachelor’s degree. But this reality is still years away. For now, I digress. Continue reading A Note to First-Years, from a Fourth-Year Student →

A casual anime observer’s review on Attack on Titans

Arts, blogUT is so badass, Opinion, UT Life, , ,

Watching anime and reading manga is a casual hobby of mine that I indulge in on occasion when I’m bored. I’m probably really late on this topic, but I’ve recently watched the most recent episodes on an extremely popular anime called Attack on Titans.

The plot is a post apocalyptic time period in which all races of men live together in a fortified wall city with several layers to defend against giant man eating monsters called the Titans. The main character, Eren Jeager, lives in the outermost layer of the city and witnesses Titans attacking his city after 100 years of peace. His mother is killed in the process, driven by his thirst for revenge, he joins the “Survey Corps”. soldiers who venture outside the wall city and fight to protect the citizens directly with Titans,

The story reminded me at first, a bit like Naruto. Let’s list the similarities shall we?
-Main character has no blood related relatives throughout most of the series, his mom definitely died for sure
-Main character has two dynamic friends who prove to be talented in their own ways and are loyal to him
-Main character has some extremely rare gift that is a totally unfair advantage (but also a personal curse). This curse was given to him by his own father (thanks dad).
-Main character is extremely eager to die, but doesn’t, which is awfully brave, but also slightly stupid in the beginning
-Main character is moral, his values and character are unwavering
-Main character will save everyone (inevitably)

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it. The story has a lot of violence in it, and the society’s lack of technology (but amazing invention of gas tubes that let you fly) is somewhat silly as it is a time period ahead of current modern age, but I’ll take it for what it is.

The anime’s “Titans” are not the kind you would expect from watching that childhood show “Teen Titans” on Cartoon Network, or the weird monster/God like creatures from Greek mythology. These monsters are pure horror, allowing you to witness gruesome scenes of humans getting eaten and basic human like cruelty from them. Which, I must say, is epic.

Learning how to kill these monsters is really cool, apparently they can only die from slices off the back of its neck, so watching humans kill them with their 3D flying gear maneuver thing is freaking bad ass.

I actually liked Eren Jeager’s plot twist, where he could become a Titan and regenerate his body all the time. It would have been a little more satisfying, however, if he had enough skills to just take down a bunch of Titans like Levi Ackerman. But then we would never understand the Colossal or Armored Titan’s true nature.

Long story short, it is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested but hesitant to watch it. I would recommend watching anime as an extremely efficient study break indulgence as most episodes are only 20 minutes (not an extreme investment of time) and it is much more satisfying than watching you tube (which can be addicting and quickly add up to much more time you had originally planned on spending on it).

Limited Advice for First Years, by a First Year

Survival Tips, UT Life

Who do you want to be? You are in a new place with new people. You could be anyone you want. This is an opportunity for a clean start. Do not create a different and inauthentic persona to play out (unless you want to); but instead, embody what is going to make you happiest. Perhaps you sought to be more extroverted in high school. Be fearless, this first year is a renaissance. Take complete advantage of it.

Who you are going to be for the following four years will be prominently sculpted by the friends and people with whom you associate yourself. The group you amalgamate into during and after orientation will change, but it sets a precedent for how others perceive you.

Let go of home. Stop checking Facebook to see your friends’ happy new lives. Turn off your phone for the first few days. Learn to love yourself, by yourself, as yourself.

Figure out your personal balance of socializing via those clubs and/or your other friends, and maintaining your benchmark grades. University is every bit as much about developing as an adult as it is learning.

Love your new home from the start. It will be uncomfortable and lonesome, you will yearn for some sense of security, but you will be thankful later if you endure the unknown.

Go to club fairs and events. Join three clubs that you would have never considered before. Learn how to dance. Volunteer at a homeless shelter. Read philosophical novels and discuss them. Play tennis. Taste wine. Allow yourself to be brand new

Lastly, there is no path. The path will appear as you walk. Let go of how you think things should be, and simply appreciate this as the fresh experience that it is. Keep advancing onward, be grateful for where you are, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised where you eventually end up.