Tis' The Season of Midterms

Many university students have just overcome midterm mayhem, and as I watched from the sidelines this term (because I am on co-op and not on a study term), I started to think about my own midterm study habits.

Although during my first year I lived in Residence with many study rooms and quiet areas, I always preferred to head over to the Dana Porter library where there are rows and rows of books, study carrel after study carrel, tall windows letting natural light flow in, and the abundance of quietness. Camped out for a week or two at a time on the 7th floor, with a large tea and a box of chocolate donuts of course, I have done some of my best studying.

The right environment and the right library really does make all the difference when you need to crack down and study for those tough midterms or finals. There are 5 main libraries scattered around campus and each one has its own “vibe” and offers you something different.

Dana Porter Library

Mood ... quiet and focused.

Located … in the centre of campus, in the Arts Quad.

Opened … on Monday to Friday 8am - 11pm, with similar hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Referred to as ... the "Sugar Cube" because of its white cube-like structure.

Holds ... resources for the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Key features are … Browsers Coffee Shop on the main floor, countless individual study carrels and computer labs located on each of the 10 floors, the media centre, flex labs (for workshop, conference and learning purposes), the Peter & Betty Sims Reading Room, the Doris Lewis Rare Book Room and an extensive Microfilm Collection.

This picture is of Browsers Coffee Shop Lounge on the main floor .

Davis Centre Library

Mood ... collaborative and vibrant 
(you are free to have conversations with your peers in a normal speaking tone as long as you're not disruptive).

Located … in the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre conveniently in the same building as a Tim Hortons and right beside the main bus terminal on campus.

Referred to as … the DC library.

Open ...  on Monday to Friday from 8am - midnight with similar hours Saturday and Sunday.

Holds … resources for Engineering, Mathematics, and the Physical and Life Sciences.

Key features are … large open areas with full tables to work in groups on big projects, the silent study rooms, the many computer terminals, and the media centre.

Looking for more of a low key area to study? Try one of the libraries in the university colleges on campus.  

St. Jerome’s Library

Mood … peaceful and concentrated.

Opened … to all students!

Located … in the Academic Building at St. Jerome’s University on the Second floor.

Referred to as … the SJ library

Holds ... 40,000 books and periodicals with a variety of audiovisual and electronic resources. Materials are heavily related to Liberal Arts and Mathematics.

Key features are … many independent study carrels outline the first and second floor, comfortable lounge areas, computer terminals, the most inexpensive printing and copying on campus, and a vibrant group study room.

Conrad Grebel Library

Mood ... Cozy

Located… on the third floor of the Academic Building at Conrad Grebel.

Opened … from 8:30am – 9:00pm Monday to Thursday, with similar hours on Friday and Saturday.

Holds … resources for Music, Peace and Conflict, Mennonite, Religion and Theology studies.

Key features are … that this library also serves as a Mennonite Historical Library and is home to the Mennonite Archives of Ontario.

Lusi Wong Library

Mood …  bright and relaxed

Located… on the first floor of the Renison Academic Building

Named after … Lusi Wong, a librarian and a graduate from the University of Waterloo who died of cancer in 2002.

Opened … from 8:30am – 9:00pm Monday – Thursday with similar hours on Friday and Saturday

Holds … over 7,000 items specializing in materials to support Renison’s Social Work, Social Development Studies, East Asian Studies, Anglicanism, and English as a Second Language programs.

Key features are … two group study rooms along with over thirty individual study spaces and the Florence Li Tim-Oi memorial reading room.

No matter what colour your mood ring says, you will be able to find a study zone to suit that mood. Especially when you find yourself on campus all day, it is important to stay productive and more importantly, find a place that suits you!

Kierra's Waterloo Favourite #2: The Student Life Centre.

My favourite place to go on campus is the Student Life Centre. It is commonly referred to as the SLC. It is the hub of the university!

I love walking through the SLC because there is always some type of activity going on whether it's 8:30 in the morning or 11 at night. There are so many resources housed in the SLC and it's always my go-to place when I need something like a late night snack from Tim Hortons, stamps from FedsExpress to mail a letter, Bus schedules for the City Transit, last minute school supplies from the Pharmacy on the bottom floor, to check out my textbooks for the coming term at the Feds Used Bookstore, or to purchase a GO bus ticket from the 24 hour Turnkey Desk. 

With the variety of food facilities and countless places for students to hangout between classes, the SLC is somewhere where student can relax, or socialize. As soon as you stroll through,you really get a feel for student life at Waterloo and what better place to make new friends!
There are also numerous study rooms and quiet lounges scattered through the SLC where you are able to hold your group meetings or do some studying.

Something I find really cool and interesting about the Student Life Centre is that there are always kiosks, and booths in the main foyers. From jerseys, to purses, jewelry, and fudge, there is always a reason to drop by and take a look (it's a great study break!)
Once a term there is also a HUGE poster sale held in the Great Hall and main foyer. You can find the perfect accessory for your room or that hard to find Christmas/ birthday gift.  

I love the atmosphere of the Student Life Centre and always feel a sense of excitement from the buzz of the students. With something happening there every day, it is one of my favourite places to be on campus!

Better Searching, Better Marks! My Top 7 Tips for Researching

The scariest and most difficult thing I had to overcome during my first year was my very first university essay. It was a term paper for a sociology class and worth 40% of my grade; needless to say I was shaking in my boots! To be honest, it wasn’t just the writing aspect that had me cringing as the deadline approached (was my writing truly at a university level? Will I be able to write 12 pages?) I was mainly worried about where to find strong research. Going with my first instinct, I approached a third year psychology student in my Residence for assistance and she helped me navigate through uWaterloo’s library website to locate books and online databases. It was great to have someone walk me through the unfamiliar territory but there’s always resources such as:

•  the Professor and Teaching Assistant(TA) of your class who could offer you handy tips and preferable sources,
• library pamphlets on research techniques for every department or simple "how to" guides,
• workshops (usually offered by the library or your department),
• and very helpful librarians that can lead you to the right sources and show you how to be effective to retrieving quality information which is so important to your success!

So here are my top 7 tips for surviving your first university essay, specifically centered around searching for sources. Some I’ve gathered through my own experience while others are from workshops I’ve attended or professors I’ve talked with.

1. Brainstorm. I know this sounds like something they taught us in 9^th grade English but we sometimes forget basicswhen we rush through our assignements. This September another one of my Sociology essays had me really stumped. I went to the TA for help and we spent an hour just jotting down ideas and linking them together which made it easier to sit down and write. Brainstorming allows you to develop a strong argument, pick out a variety of key concepts and words for searching, and gives you a firm idea of what you are looking for. Brainstorming improves your search.

2. Use a variety of avenues to search for journal articles and books but don’t become overwhelmed! Your first large essay is a chance to explore the types of databases available to retrieve journal articles and books. Each database looks different which can be confusing. Take a moment to understand how it works and to learn how to use the settings (such as year, subject) to get the best results. Don't get discouraged if the article you want isn't offered as a download, or the book you found has already been borrowed. Ask the librarian,if the articles is in paper form or order the book from another library (our library system is connected to Wilfred Laurier and The University of Guelph).


3. Keep your search words short and simple. Refrain from typing in long sentences and instead use key concepts with words such as and, or, and not to give a clearer indication of what you are looking for.

4. Keep Track of Citations and important information about your sources. Searching for articles means reading titles until you find one that appears to be suitable. Most of the time you are able to click on it which brings you to a page with a summary of the article, and its citation. Open a fresh new document and copy and paste the citation of every article you will reference. You will not be able to use these citations directly in your Works Cited (Bibliography), but it gives you all the crucial information you will need to cite them in the proper format.

5. Rename ALL of the articles you retrieve on the computer. When you download articles they usually have unrecognizable file names. The more articles you have the harder it is to find the one you are looking for. Rename every article after you download it and organize them straight into folders.

6. Document everything! Certain concepts and facts may stick out to you when you read through an article or book. Get out a sheet of paper, write down the concept or thought you had relating to that, and then document where you found it including the title of the source and page number. This ensures every time you mention an idea you picked up from an external source you can automatically and quickly reference its original author instead of going back and trying to find it. (such a nightmare!) The referencing process will be easier and it will keep you from plagiarising when you have efficient habits.

7. Set realistic goals and reward yourself when you achieve them. Maybe your target is 2 articles every hour, or writing a paragraph every hour. Whatever your goals are, make sure they're realistic and don't forget to stock up with a favourite snack and/ or beverage. Take breaks during this process to let your brain rejuvenate. Change your scenery once in a while, or have a light conversation with your friend or a family member.

So my first paper came and went, a milestone we all experience and survive! No matter the mark you receive, just remember, it is a learning experience and practice definitely makes perfect.

What is a WatCard?

By the time you enter university, a student card, usually consisting of your picture, name and ID number on it, is nothing unusual but it definitely becomes a staple in your life as a university student.

Now normally, you don’t put much thought into your student ID card, which uWaterloo students refer to as their WatCard. However, last week my WatCard “mysteriously” went missing and suddenly I was experiencing a sense of loss, not to mention panic.

And why is that?
Well, your WatCard has so many uses, other than being your official identification as a uWaterloo student. It's one of those things that you only start to notice its true value until after you find yourself without it. Take it from me!

Use #1, your WatCard serves as a bus pass for the Grand River Transit system for the duration of your Undergraduate studies. All Undergraduate students are able to use their WatCards to take any bus using the public transit service through the Grand River Transit. Get out and explore the city of Waterloo. It won't cost you anything! 

Use #2, your WatCard can hold money on it, acting as a debit card. You have the option to put money onto your WatCard either online through your banking system, or at the WatCard office (located on the lower level of the Student Life Centre). And so my top 3 reasons why you should put money on your WatCard are:

1. You are able to use your WatCard to purchase things at all Food Service facilities (which serves as the meal plan for those living in the Main Campus Residences), and at almost any vending machine and Tim Hortons on campus. As well as food facilities such as Campus Pizza, McGuiness Front Row, Williams Coffee Pub, Pizza Pizza, Swiss Chalet, Sobeys and many more locations off campus.
2. You are able to use it at the Feds Used Bookstore, UWshop, Campus Tech, Feds Express, the pharmacy, the Turnkey Desk (to buy GO and Greyhound tickets) and at any photocopier or laundry mat on campus
3. Doing so eliminates the need to carry cash around on campus and it comes in handy in an emergency.

Use #3, your WatCard allows you access to certain uWaterloo facilities. You need your WatCard on hand when using the athletic facilities (Fitness Centres, Courts, Ice Rink, Pool) at the Physical Activities Complex, or Columbia Ice Fields. You are also able to book study rooms or a piano room in the Student Life Centre, as well as to use the UW Shuttle Service (a transportation service shuttling you to an off campus location from campus late at night) with your WatCard.

Use #4, you are required to show your WatCard to write an examination (midterms and final exams). To me this is the most important use for your WatCard! When you go to write an exam you are required to have your WatCard face up on your desk to show your professor, instructor, or exam proctors to verify your identity. It is definitely a MUST NOT FORGET when heading to any midterm or final exam and causes unnecessary panic before an exam when you realize it's not in your pocket like you thought. Yes I experienced that once or twice in my first year!

Use #5, your WatCard serves as a library card. In order to borrow any books or resources from a library on campus you need your WatCard. The online journal and article database through the uWaterloo library "At Home" system can only be accessed using the library card number that is also printed on your card.

The uses don't stop there! At certain stores such as Zehr's and East Side Mario's, you can receive discounts on your purchases if you show your WatCard.

As for me, my story of the lost WatCard has a happy ending!
I was able to go to the WatCard office and within minutes was given a new card. I was even given the option to retake my photo, which of course I was more than happy about! There is nothing worse than having a photo on your WatCard that makes you cringe for the next four years every time an exam proctor or bus driver glances at it! 

The Federation of Students, so much more than just a student government!

It took me the better part of my first year to become aware of what services and resources the Federation of Students (Feds) offers to the students of uWaterloo. With their name frequently appearing in common areas around campus, I slowly able to piece together what their role was on campus. That, and mainly because I found myself utilizing their services more and more as the year progressed.

The 2011 elections for the Feds Executive, Student Council and Senate are in full swing. Everywhere you look on campus students are feeling the buzz of student government and are pausing to ask, how does the Federation of Students serve our community and can it be improved in anyway. Such questions, I have now realized, cannot be answered with a quick response.

The Federation of Students is a corporation run by an elected governing body of students who act as the Board of Directors overseeing all its operations. As the official voice of uWaterloo students, Feds states their mission is to "serve, empower and represent the Undergraduate Students of the University of Waterloo".

Their vision is to develop a united student body who pursues learning and personal satisfaction on a campus that provides them with an array of opportunities for life experiences.

So where can we see these values translate into tangible services and resources that we the students can benefit from?

The Federation of Students' role on campus can be broken down into: Businesses, Services, Clubs and Societies, as well as Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities.

Businesses

• The Bombshelter (more commonly referred to as The Bomber) is a pub where students can grab a meal any time of the day while meeting with friends. They hold nightly events such as concerts, open mic and trivia nights, as well as events for special occasions. It's a known fact among students that they have the best chicken wings, and it's always one of the busiest places on campus in the evenings.

• Federation Hall is an accessible venue on campus for conferences, catering or special events. This past month a Justin Nozuk Concert was held there.

• Federation Express is a popular convenience store in the Student Life Centre, selling absolutely any item you would need on the go! It beats the Tim Horton's line up for a quick coffee.

• Feds Bus is an inexpensive alternate to any other bus system that provides direct transportation to and from main areas within Toronto, Hamilton, and London. It makes visiting home on the weekends easy and fast, without having to spend too much money.

• Feds Used Book Store is my favourite service of all! Located at the bottom of the Student Life Centre, it acts a consignment store (you receive your money when your book sells) where you are able to sell your old textbooks while being able to buy the textbooks you need for the following term at discounted prices. It really is an amazing service and a must check before heading to the main bookstore on campus.

• Wasabi Sushi Bar and Curry Up! are two great, affordable and unique places to grab a quick snack or lunch in the Student Life Centre. There is so much variety you will never get tired of eating lunch on campus.
• Services

• Campus Response Team - a volunteer-run program that provides first aid and CPR services at campus events.
• The Food Bank - open to any student from Monday to Friday
• GLOW – is the Queer and Questioning Community Centre
• International Student Connection – is the main hub for students from all over the world to share their stories and become more acquainted with uWaterloo.
• Off Campus Dons – Enabling First Year Students who live off campus to get the full experience of their first year.
• Student Refugee Program
• UW Sustainability Project - increases Environmental awareness and community involvement
• The Women’s Centre - creating a safe place for all women

Clubs and Societies

As mentioned in a previous post about the Clubs and Societies Day, uWaterloo has so many opportunities for students to get involved on campus. All Clubs and Societies are affiliated with, and governed by, the Federation of Students. They are provided with so many resources such as funding, and marketing/promotional tools to better connect/ reach the student body.

Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

Aside from offering students convenient part-time or full-time employment on campus, the Federation of Students has many, many, opportunities for students to get involved in campus life. There are volunteering opportunities to assist with events and campaigns (such as the One Waterloo and Colour Me Educated Campaigns mentioned in previous posts). You can help out, gain experience, and get involved with what you are passionate about.

Clearly, the Federation of Students plays a large role in the uWaterloo we all know and love. Maybe you didn't know that they had a role in some of the services you use everyday or maybe you didn't know all that they offered to you.

Learn more about the Federation of Students at their newly improved website (http://feds.ca/) and start to take advantage of everything that is available to you here at uWaterloo!

A Waterloo Winter Wednesday Wisking into a White Wonderland! (WOW that's a lot of W's!)

Talk of the largest snow storm in decades spread all around campus yesterday as students alike hoped and wished, while doing their snow dance of couse, that today would be a snow day, class cancelled and the university would be closed.

Although, the university did not close and the learning continued as usual, heapfulls of snow covered the ground over night, turning our campus into a beautiful white desert! 

Sure walking around campus from class to class is a little brisk and chilly but the scenery of large slowly falling snow flakes is enough to make you stop for a second and take a look around. Plus, it's nothing a hot cup of coffee or tea can't fix!

Take a look!



The Arts Quad covered in a blanket of snow and piles of snow banks!



Students all bundled up and heading to class. Talk about dedication!

 The view from a window in the Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology Building onto the DayCare Facilities. Definitely no children playing out today!

Conrad Crebel, looking out from across the creek.

Looks like the perfect time for a snow ball fight!