How To Take Control of Finals

I can't believe I'm already writing a post about finals. It feels like yesterday that I wrote a survival guide for midterms! But, despite my disbelief, the semester is coming to an end and finals are in the tangible future. While many people are beginning to freak out, I'm remaining as optimistic as possible. Here's how.
First thing's first- clear your head and de-stress as much as possible before crunch time officially starts. I was lucky enough to have a mini getaway this weekend when I went home for American Thanksgiving. It was so nice to visit with my mom, brother, and friends, eat "real" food, sleep, and get out of the chaos of the city. I still did plenty of studying while I was home, but it still felt good to remove myself from the stress bubble that was building up in my apartment. Maybe you don't have the same opportunity that I did, but there are other ways to release the stress and clear your mind here at McGill. Take a yoga class, splurge on a massage, or do whatever it is that you need to do to get in the right mindset for your studies.

Now that you've de-stressed as much as you can, it's time to plan your studies. Make sure not to procrastinate; start as early as you can so that you're not cramming the night before the test. Spread out your work efficiently and make sure not to overwork yourself. Be aware of your study habits and capabilities, and do not push them further than your limit. For example, I know that I am pretty unproductive past 12 or 1, but I really am useless past 2. Because of this, I make sure never to stay at the library past that time, since my time will be better spent getting a good night's sleep rather than trying to force myself to study when I'm not absorbing anything. Make schedules, set goals, and make sure to meet those goals. That way, you'll feel accomplished in your work, and I'm a firm believer that your attitude has a huge impact on your success. Studying stressed will get you nowhere!

Now for all the obvious ones. Don't hesitate to seek help if you need it. Go to your TA, your professor, or a tutor for questions. I'm doing prep101 for two courses, since I know I really need the extra teaching sessions. There's no shame in getting extra help if that's what you need to succeed. After all, that's what those tools are there for! Don't panic, study hard, and keep a level head. Don't forget about all your other obligations-such as grocery shopping, extra curriculars, and the gym- since productive study breaks can help you maintain focus and add structure to your day. Take these study breaks, and don't underestimate their value! I find that if I study for too long and don't stop, then I am much less productive than I would be if I had taken a short break. Make sure to get lots of sleep the night of your test and eat a big breakfast. Bring a watch, wear comfy clothes, and tie your hair/bangs back so they don't distract you during the test. Bring a bunch of writing utensils, erasers, a calculator, your ID, and everything else you might need. Double check that you haven't forgotten anything. Double check that your alarm is set correctly. DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE. YOU CAN DO IT! I have faith in you! And don't forget to reward yourself over the holiday break! You deserve it. Good luck!

How to Get Healthy

Yep, another post about food. It seems to be all I think about lately. With the holidays looming (Thanksgiving is just around the corner for me!), I really want to get into better eating habits before all the cakes, cookies, and other Christmas treats start to pile up. Entering the holiday season with healthier eating habits will help me to avoid over-indulging and gaining lots of unwanted weight next month.

My solution to this upcoming issue was to do a detox with my roommate before December sneaks up on us. It also wasn't such a bad idea to do the detox right after Hype Week. Click here to see where we got our inspiration for our list of rules; we tweaked it a bit to make it our own. Essentially, we are cutting back on meat, dairy, gluten, starches, alcohol, oil, salt, sugar, and caffeine, and adding lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, beans, tofu, eggs, nuts, healthier grains (such as quinoa and brown rice), and tons of water each day. We're also trying to get more regular exercise and sleep. We are doing this for about a week before I leave for Thanksgiving, and 5 days when I come back to Montreal.

It's true that the rules are very strict and it was hard to adjust to at first, but each day gets easier. Today is day 5 (round 1) and I'm feeling much more energized! They say "you are what you eat," and I've never believed it more than I do right now! I'm also learning to use certain ingredients that I don't normally use, like lentils and other beans. We've made some really delicious things, like spiced sweet potato fries, chickpea curry, lentil & quinoa salad, and spaghetti squash with "pesto alfredo" sauce (we used avocado to make the sauce creamy- so delicious).

I know that an intense detox isn't right for everyone. But adopting healthier habits and challenging yourself to maintain a well-balanced and nutritious diet is something that everyone should consider. After the detox is over, we will change some of the rules (I know we'll add oil and salt back into our diet, in small quantities), but we hope to continue eating similarly to how we are now. As for this weekend- I'm going to have to make sure I don't load up too much on stuffing and pie. I hope I can successfully complete our plan, and continue my healthy eating habits once I'm done. Either way, it's been a great learning experience so far, and has tested my determination and self control.

How to Keep Your Fridge Full

If you are a university student and you have a perfectly balanced, healthy, complex, and gourmet diet, then you are probably lying. If you're not lying, then kudos to you for being super-human! It is next to impossible to find enough time to plan well-rounded meals, grocery shop, and cook every day. I never realized how much I appreciated mama's cooking, and the ready-made dinners at BMH dining hall last year. Cooking for yourself is no easy task for a busy student.

My favourite way to make sure I'm well fed is to plan dinner dates with friends. We like to come up with an idea for dinner beforehand, split up the groceries, and then cook together. It's a nice way to unwind after a long day, and it certainly ensure that you will be fed (at least for the night).

OR, if you have lazy&hungry guy friends and you love to cook (like me), then you can make your friends pick up all the ingredients and then make them something! I made my boys some pumpkin pie a few days ago... how lucky are they?!

If you're short on time, like most of us are, then the best thing to do is set aside some time about once or twice a week to do all your groceries and then make a giant batch of something that you can go back to and eat all week. It's so nice to make a giant pot of some delicious meal that you can feed off of for a while, and you also don't have to worry about making time to cook. For those that don't enjoy cooking, aim for easy and tasty recipes, like stir-fry, chili, curry, pasta, or anything else that doesn't require much effort or culinary talent. Hopefully grocery shopping and cooking will eventually be fun instead of feeling like a chore!

How to Manage Time During HYPE WEEK

McGill Management puts on some pretty awesome social events. Whether its Frosh, Hype Week, Carnival, or 4a7, it is clear that Desautels students enjoy having a good time and consuming copious amounts of cheap beer. But how do you balance all these social events with your school work and other commitments?
Its all about time management. It's so important to make sure that you have your priorities straight and can finish all of your school-related obligations. Only then can you fully appreciate and enjoy your week of fun-filled Hype events!

I learned this the hard way at the beginning of the week. I had a midterm at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening, so I had to decide whether or not I would be able to attend Monday night's events. I set a goal for myself to get enough studying done over the weekend so that I could enjoy myself Monday night for the first event of Hype Week. I wasn't even planning to drink; I simply wanted to attend the event to cheer on my team and show my spirit. Unfortunately, I did not meet my studying goal for the weekend. While my friends were out celebrating, I was stuck at home reading through my chapter notes.
Even during the craziest of weeks, it isn't worth it to fall behind and risk your GPA plummeting. After missing the first night, I was able to get enough work done to feel confident during my exam. And after it was done, I felt very relieved and got to go to the rest of the week's events. Hype Week was a nice reward for finishing my last midterm, but it was also a reminder that social life can't come first when you go to a school like McGill. I know that I need to stay on top of all of my work in order to fully appreciate all the fun things that happen here. I'll see all you Hype Week-ers tonight! And maybe I'll see you at the library the next day... just maybe...

How to Feel Not-So-Far Away From Home

Even though Montreal has become my new home in these past two years, every once in a while I still find myself wishing I could snuggle up on my couch with my Mom and a home-cooked meal. I normally start to feel homesick in times of high stress, so it makes sense that I'm missing home in the midst of all my midterms and assignments.
When I get homesick, the first thing I try to do is blow off some steam and do something that makes me happy and relaxed, like watching a movie with friends. I also love big outings with the crew where we either cook or go out for dinner together. It's a nice way to catch up with everyone when you haven't heard from them in a while, and brings everyone closer together. Surrounding yourself with friends is a nice reminder that home isn't necessarily a location; it's also your loved ones!

The next thing I always like to do is call or skype my mama. It's always nice to reconnect with your family when you're missing them. No one can cheer you up quite like your mom when you're feeling down! She always knows what to say.
If talking to the fam isn't enough to get you out of your funk, plan a weekend home. I'm going home for American Thanksgiving at the end of November, which I didn't do last year. I regretted it a lot, since it was the first time my friends were all reunited since we had started school in August. Now, I can look forward to my visit home, and it makes my homesick days a little less gloomy!

How to Prep for Halloween on a Budget

It's finally here- one of my favorite times of year has arrived. No, I'm not talking about the oncoming winter (in fact, I'm dreading the cold), I'm talking about HALLOWEEN! This weekend always proves to be one of the craziest of the year and I can't wait to show off all my costumes.
The one problem I have with Halloween, however, is the buckets of cash I end up dropping on putting together multiple costumes, tickets for shows and events, candy, pumpkins, alcohol, and everything else that makes this holiday awesome. This year, I'll be going to 4floors and Kill Halloween, so I'm trying to figure out ways I can save money without missing out on all these events.

My first tip is to make your costumes yourself! As cool as pre-made costumes can be, they can be really expensive. First come up with a creative idea, then start piecing your outfit together. Borrow clothes from friends, search your closet for hidden treasures, and hit up dollar stores or other cheap shops like Urban Planet, Ardenes, Claire's, Forever 21, and more. Try to get things that you'll be able to wear again so that your money truly is well spent!


It also doesn't hurt to improvise parts of your costume. Even if each piece isn't exactly reflective of your character, it should still be fine. My first costume is going to be Natalie Portman's character of the Black Swan: and she wears a detailed black tiara. Instead, I'm going to wear a feathered and jeweled headband, which I think will be a good enough substitute.

For the tutu, I visited Eva B's, which is a vintage store on St. Laurent near St. Catherine's. This shop has an awesome "pit" where you can find mountains of old clothes all sold for just $1. The store also has amazing costume rental opportunities; the basement is a labyrinth of epic costume pieces that you can pick and choose as you please. I found a perfect ballet skirt for my character and rented it for only $5,70. I do have to return it in a week, but it works perfectly for my outfit and my budget.

Another easy way to save money is to not go out every night. Pick which events you really want to splurge on, and go to a house party or watch a scary movie with friends for one night. Trust me, you'll be partying hard even if you choose not to buy a ticket for one or two nights. On Saturday, I'm going to a party at my good friend's house and two girlfriends and I are dressing up as the Powerpuff Girls. Choosing one simple costume and one more complicated one also helps you save a few bucks. Also, it's fun to do group costumes!

As of now, those are the plans I have for the weekend. Who knows, maybe I'll get inspired and figure out a third cheap costume! Have an awesome Halloween, and happy shopping!

How to Get off the Couch

If you are anything like me, then you find it difficult to make time for the gym. Even though I would love to make my daily workout a priority, it simply is put on the back-burner when there are so many other things to be done. Any spare time I get is spent catching up on a TV show instead of working out. It's no easy task staying fit in University!
The best way to find time for the gym is to plan out your day the night before instead of in the morning. That way, you can tell whether or not you will be able to complete all the goals you've set for the day. It might seem like a no-brainer, but making a schedule and sticking to it makes everything so much easier. Plus, it's rewarding to check everything off your to-do list once it's all completed!
On days when there is no possible way of getting to the gym, try getting your heart rate going in different ways. Skip the elevator in your apartment building, take the scenic route home from class, hang out with a friend who lives a little bit far away, or take a quick hike up Mt. Royal. Set a daily at-home workout for yourself of abs, jumping jacks, push-ups, or any other easy exercise routines so that you know you'll do at least a little bit each day.
My favorite athletic commitments that I've made at McGill are my Intramural Ultimate Frisbee and Inner-tube Water Polo teams. Intramural sports are a fun way to get outside and play with friends. Fortunately, for disorganized people, McGill makes the game schedule for you, so you don't have to worry about finding time. Being part of a team also means you owe it to your teammates to show up to the games, making you obligated to get a fun workout. Also, you get to hang out with friends who you don't see much otherwise, so Intramural sports are the way to go for lazy and time-constrained people like me.

How to Survive Midterms Without Your Head Exploding

Ah, yes, the wonderful season of midterms has arrived yet again. At this time, you can see university students are downing Redbulls and coffees, pulling their hair out, and spending countless hours in the library cracking their books (often for the first time). Every student encounters that one, terrifying moment where he actually realizes what lies ahead in the near future. This moment came to me about a week ago. I was buried in assignments, readings, reports, and presentations, when it finally occurred to me that on top of all of this, I also had to face five exams in the upcoming month. I was not remotely prepared for a single one.
Of course, my initial feelings were of panic and self-doubt. I felt completely overwhelmed and refused to believe that I was capable of passing any of my impending tests. It is nearly impossible to achieve any studying under these conditions, so I decided it was time to make a change.
As hard as it is to deal during these times of high stress, it is essential to one’s mental and physical health to release these nerves rather than let them build up inside. In order to start this process, I had to change my attitude, and I had to change it fast. As silly as it may sound, believing in yourself is a key factor that leads to success during exams. No productive studying can be done if you keep telling yourself that you are destined for failure. The first step is feigning confidence, which will eventually turn into true faith. Only once you know that you are capable of success can you actually achieve it.
The next most important step is allowing yourself a break as a reward for your hard work. All work and no play will only lead to exhaustion and even depression, so I find relaxing to be a vital part of studying and preparing for exams. I was faced with a dilemma this weekend, when I had to decide whether or not I would go away for the holiday. I’m from the States, and my friend John was nice enough to invite me to join his family for Thanksgiving at his cottage. Once the weekend finally approached, I was feeling extremely overwhelmed and anxious about all of my exams. I had to decide whether or not I was going to be able to make the trip.
After much reflection, I decided to join John for my first Canadian Thanksgiving, and I’m so glad that I did. We’ve enjoyed home-cooked meals, a gorgeous lake view (John was crazy enough to water ski in the freezing water!), mountain hikes, nighttime bonfires, and more. His family has been incredibly kind and made me feel welcome the entire time. I’ve found time to study while here, in between our relaxation and mini-adventures.
Now that I've observed my first observed Canadian Thanksgiving, I know exactly what I am thankful for. I’m so glad I decided to come on this trip because it allowed me to take some time for myself to clear my head of all the unnecessary stress. The mountain air has given me a sense of calm that I hope to take back with me to Montreal. Even though I didn’t study as much as I might have if I’d stayed at school, I was still able to get work done in a much more bearable fashion. This way, I’ll stay mentally stable and won’t burn out before my exams are finished.
So, to all my friends who face the same struggles as I do, I implore you to make time for yourself during these stressful periods. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to take a weekend in the country like me, be sure to give yourself a chance to unwind. Whether it be a walk up Mont Royal, a movie night with friends, a vigorous work out at the gym, a game of cards, or a trip to a local bar or restaurant, relieving stress and rewarding yourself for your hard work is just as important as the hard work itself. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back this month, and happy studying!