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!