Awesome! A bird course.

As a newcomer to UTSC, there were several terms and abbreviations that seem like a foreign language, at times. For instance, where and what is the UofT blackboard? Or where is the ARC? Of course it didn't take me long to realize that the Blackboard is a place to view our course content and that the ARC was unfortunately not a boat but simply an acronym for the Academic Resource Center.

But something that fluttered around, especially near the course selection periods, was the infamous term; bird course. I had heard the term before in high school, so I assumed that a bird course represented one that is supposedly "easy" in nature. I learned that to some extent this was true. Naturally, some UTSC courses are easier than others, but what is the criteria and how do we measure this supposed "easiness" That is the question. As a first year student, it is important to select electives carefully. What is easy for one student might not be easy for someone else. Where one student might excel in courses that require extensive memorization and an abundance of writing, might struggle more in a technical or science course that requires a significant amount of problem solving or mathematics.

All in all, it is sometimes unwise to chose an elective course because it has been branded "a bird" course, but chose an elective that interests you. This is especially important for Management students as the BBA has lengthy list of compulsories, choosing electives should be a delicate process. You might even find a new calling in the process! 

Cornell Jones

But I don't have a Business?

At first glance, the card above looks like something a UTSC faculty member would have in their pockets. But when we examine it closely, it's not hard to see that the card is one that could belong to a student. Business cards, by definition, are cards that contain information about a business or individual that are shared and distributed during formal introductions.

During my first year, back when I was a beginner to the business world (I'm a certified professional now..) I thought the idea of having a business card seemed, for lack of better words, pointless. I thought it didn't make sense to have a card when I one, didn't have a business and two, wasn't employed. But with that being said, it came as a shocking surprise to find out that employers not only welcome business cards from students, some even expect one. Last fall I attended a MESA hosted event called CA Facts Night which was/is a social networking event where students have the chance to interact with professionals in the accounting field. So being the ambitious and slightly ignorant person as I was, I decided to talk to a management representative at Deloitte. We had a longer than usual chat but this is how our conversation ended. "It was nice chatting with you. Do you have a business card so we can keep in touch?" I would have loved my response to be "Of course. I look forward to speaking with you again." But we all know it didn't end as such.

So in conclusion, I learned that business cards were in fact not only for business, but simply a means to share your contact information and to make networking a lot easier. Building business relationships and connects do not stop after the initial encounter. The strongest relationships are ones that are continuous. Having a business card present during networking events is having a tool that tells said person that you are interested in more than the present conversation. You'd be astonished how impressed an employer will be to see a card that simply says Your Name, Institute and Program. Hey, it's better than writing your phone number on a napkin, right?

Business cards like the one shown above can be purchased in bulk at the Management E-Store. 

Cornell Jones

Summer Abroad

Care for an academic vacation for two? Just you and your beloved textbooks––destination: anywhere you want. It turns out opportunities for students to continue their studies abroad are out there, just waiting for a willing candidate. The University of Toronto has more than 125 university partners in 34 different countries around the world. What the Student Exchange Program provides is a chance for second or third year students to experience new cultures, learn new languages and still earn credits towards their U of T degree. Whether it is legal studies in England or advanced microeconomics in Argentina, students have the option to explore new customs and partake in diverse traditions.

You might be thinking, with so many choices, how does one possibly decide which institution to choose? Of course, a process such as selecting a country is much more complex than deciding upon a University in Ontario. Naturally, it will take a focused mind and some careful thought to partake on a mission like this. Perhaps you have always imagined yourself in New Zealand, or maybe you are fluent in French or Spanish; there are several ways to slim down your selection. How much support are you looking for from the host program? Do you want to attend a larger or smaller institution? Are you interested in a more natural environment or does an urban setting still appeal to you? What about the course selection? With so many programs available the varying advantages and disadvantages are endless and the decision process could be  an interesting adventure itself.  

School + Vacation = Summer Abroad

Certainly such an enriching escapade cannot be accessible to all students, but students like you, that have completed at least 4.0 full credits, have a minimum annual GPA of 2.5 and a cumulative GPA of 2.25 are still in the running. Keep in mind, however, that some programs might require a higher GPA. As well as meeting the minimum averages, those that are interested in a spicier education must undergo a conducted interview and must provide other documents including a statement of interest, a resume, an online application and academic references. Going abroad is an experience of a lifetime, but in order to be nominated the above steps must be taken care of. In regards to costs, students in the Student Exchange Program including Summer Abroad, are still only subjected to the predetermined U of T fees. You can visit the U of T online website for more information about the various exchange programs as well as a full detailed list of participating countries and institutions.

“We should come home from adventures, perils and discoveries every day with new experience and character.” – Henry David Thoreau.

Exchange programs are an interesting way to dive into new cultures, interact with locals and still be considered a dedicated U of T student. Who knows, maybe the international venues can learn a thing or two from us. You would be surprised! The deadline for the Student Exchange Program and the U of T Summer Abroad is late February and early March respectively. What better way to end this article then to say, bon voyage, UTSC? 

For more information regarding U of T Exchange Programs, click here  

Cornell Jones

Six Semester Strategies

First semester can sometimes be a hard one to conquer. Through personal experience, I have come up with six semester strategies that have helped me improve, academically, in my later semesters.

1. Procrastinate Procrastination

How often do we find ourselves saying “I’ll do it later,” or “I’ll get around to it soon.” For me, all too often! I’ve learned that if I need something done, it is nearly always best done as soon as possible. It is far too easy to find something else to do. Accomplish a task before that show comes on, before that special someone messages you or before you realize you are too tired to function.

2. Time Management

A simple and effective method to reduce the likelihood of procrastination is to make a schedule that you will absolutely live by. There are many ways to create an agenda or schedule, may it be with a pen and paper or on MS Word. It can be as detailed as needed. Schedules have allowed me to prioritize tasks that need to be done and to have them done on time. All I need to remember is to add time for fun and entertainment; otherwise I’ll find myself defying the laws of my schedule.

3. Using Available Resources

As I’ve learned and many upper year students have known is that UTSC has several available means of assistance in our courses. There are help centers run by teaching assistants and professors have office hours. Using said resources have proved to be substantially useful. Teaching assistants are there to clarify your questions and professors can further discuss material you may already know to better your understandings of course concepts. An excellent time to visit professors has been during or close to exam periods.

4. Teamwork

Working cohesively in a group can be an effective way to grasp concepts in your subjects much quicker. I found that having multiple minds working on the same subject allowed us to understand the trickier problems in our courses. Working in small or large groups, depending on your preference and ability to concentrate can make studying a lot easier. There are various study groups organized by UTSC that can be discovered but groups can also be among friends that share the same desire to achieve a high grade in whatever courses you are focusing on.

5. Coming to Class Prepared

“You should read ahead” are words many of my professors have repeated during lectures. I didn’t believe it at the time but their advice has proven to be sincere. Coming to class with even a minimal knowledge of the materials that will be covered can be useful. I found it better to come to class already having questions and concerns floating in my head than to leave the lecture with those concerns. It is likely that during the lecture, said professor will explain the material in enough detail that whatever issues you had prior to arriving to class will be answered.

6. Go Above and Beyond

Going above and beyond can come in a variety of forms. For example: In Financial Accounting, it could be changing certain aspects to questions to see what different effects it can have on them. In mathematics it could be doing those extra questions that were never assigned. In Microeconomics it could be reading the textbook to broaden your knowledge of the theories. I’ve learned that taking that extra initiative to better your understanding can certainly pay off. 

Cornell Jones