• summer

    School’s out for summer (sike)

    November 15, 2010

    hey aska

    i am in first year life science. i had a question about taking a course in the summer. i want to take psychology. but i am unsure about whether to take it in second semester or in summer. I would have biology with it and other 3 courese. so including psy i will have 5. in summer i am planning on taking a different biology cuz i didnt take it this term. what would you suggest? taking psycholgy in the winter semester or in the summer? Your suggestion/advice is much appreciated 🙂

    Thank you 🙂

    ??????????????

    Heyo Freshy Life Sci,

    My first concern with this question is that the course calendar for the summer session hasn’t been determined yet (and won’t be, until well into next semester). Meaning that you can’t be sure what courses are going to be offered for you to take this summer. Check out the calendar from last summer, so you can get an idea of what might be offered.

    If you’re are considering taking both of your summer school courses in the same summer term, then it might be too much to handle. From what I understand, summer school courses prove to be tougher than those in the regular school year, as they are throwing the same amount of information into a smaller period of time. So taking two courses that are regularly hard, might be the death of you.

    I would probably suggest making an appointment with someone in your registrar’s office. They can look at your specific courses and tell what would be best for you.

    P.s I’m scared for your sanity. There’s a reason why there is a summer. No School. It makes sense to take summer school if you’re down credits, but you might actually need that time to recover from a full semester of Life Sci mayhem.

    Peace and Love baby,
    Aska

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  • Napping

    Catching some z’s on those expensive leather couches

    November 12, 2010

    Hey Aska,
    I’m sleep deprived (welcome to UofT). Where are some of the best places to catch an hour (or ten) of sleep? I prefer somewhere where people wont stare at me/care as I enjoy dreams of a warm bed with cool pillows.
    —
    Nehdia

    ———————————————

    Why hello fellow napper,

    Libraries!!

    No one really goes in there to study. Robarts is like those little mats you get to sleep on in pre-school. Go up into the stacks (might I suggest the 12th floor). Go to were the different coloured shelves meet (ie the blue to the yellow) … I know mysterious. Depending on your napping preferences, you can either put your head down in one of the little cubicles or go the ledge of the window and lie down (I definitely have seen this before).
    Breaking in to one of those private study rooms might prove rewarding as well. For some reason those rooms give off a brothel-like image. Future heading for the Varsity: ‘Askastudent Unveils the Truth: Robarts renting out rooms for students to get their freak on’

    My sidekick [kind of like Robyn but a little more fashionable] took a nap in the following location and I quote:

    ” Reading room in hart house. Up the stairs and to the left ”

    Pratt has comfy couches in the basement to sleep on.

    I also hear that Emmanuel has a library with comfy couches.

    Con Hall: top floor, either sit in one of the chairs and let the lecture serenade you to sleep or the benches outside of the door

    The Chapel in UC or Trin – This probably isn’t disrespectful if you don’t snore

    Woo one of those vulnerable first year students into letting you sleep in their bed (Disclaimer: they might expect sex)

    Happy Napping!

    Love,
    Aska

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  • profs

    Student-Professor relationships are hot

    November 12, 2010

    Hello, I am a 2nd year student doing an immunology major and physiology major. I’m interested in doing research this summer and every application asks for a letter from a professor in my field of study. This is a problem because first year I was in very large classes, and this year I’m in even larger classes (I literally have all of my classes in Con Hall, like EVERY SINGLE ONE) so I don’t really know any professors, and they definitely do not know me. Do you have any advice on how I could go about getting a letter out of one of them. I have a high GPA but I’m not sure that it would help. Thanks so much!

    ———————————————

    Whaddup future brown-noser (read on, it will make sense),

    Write a letter as if from them, stalk them, and then get their kid to ask their parent to ‘sign a field trip’ form and secretly slip your letter in so they sign it instead. This might involve bribery.

    OH … or forge their signature (if the cops ask, I was tooootally joking when i said this)

    I would say go in to office hours and chat them up a couple times. Slip in that their subject matter is the most interesting thing you have ever learnt and it has inspired you to do research this summer. Seeings as they are the one that has inspired you, you would love nothing more then for them to be the one that writes the letter for you.

    The only way you can really do this, is to develop a relationship with your prof (no, not that way, it will get you kicked out of school). Go in and have a little chat with them a couple of times. I’m sure you’ll be the only one in the office hours, as no one ever goes to those things.

    Love Always,
    Aska

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  • math

    2 beers + 3 beers = …. ??

    November 12, 2010

    Hi,

    I was just wondering if there is a help center for 2nd year math course?

    Thanks,
    Lvi.

    ??????????????

    Yo Yo Lvi

    Oh you know it! Thank God … Buddha … Mother Teresa that there is actually something included in our inflating school fees. Free drop-in and one on one help with Math for one and all

    In true U of T style, there are multiple math help centres

    Here you have it (psst click the link).
    Those are all the Math help centres at U of T, pick the one that pertains to you and be on your way to killer marks.

    Peace and Love baby,

    Aska

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  • grades

    Help! I need somebody …

    November 10, 2010

    Hi, I just stumbled upon your website while searching for tutors.
    Well, I was wondering…this year I haven’t been getting good grades on my essays and assignments I get from 60s-70s and I’m used to getting like 80s-90s. I’m afraid this academic year is going to ruin it for the school career I have. I’m afraid it’s a step backwards to getting my degree. I’m so scared that I’m going to fail, I don’t even know what do do. If you could please give me some sort of advice I’d really appreciate it a lot.

    Thank you,
    Omta

    ———————————————

    Whaddup Omta

    Ok first of all, let’s have a little zen yoga moment. Breathe in, breathe out, childs pose, breathe in.

    Look around you, 95% of the people you can see are in the same situation as you. By coming to one of the top schools in the country …

    Side Bar –

    I’m sure these sources have little to no credit but here it is
    U of T rankings IN THE WORLD – # 29
    got from this shoddy site

    U of T rankings in Canada- # 1 (that’s what i’m talking about)

    got from this even shoddier site

    Like I said, who knows how these people determine this or how accurate it is, but it’s good enough

    Back to you.
    So yah, most people at this school (and most schools) are use to getting awesome grades, but university is harder. I have always been told that you can expect to drop at least 10% from the marks you’re use to getting in highschool. I know, I know, I’m telling you things you already know. Now what to do to fix it

    First of all you’re not going to fail. The fact that you’re actually concerned for your marks indicates you have what it takes to get the job done

    If it’s essays that are giving you trouble, then maybe you should hit up the Writing Center. Each college has a writing center. Here’s all the information on that shiz. This is actually a killer resource. They check out assignments your currently working on and also give general insights on how you can improve your writing skills. Cheesy as it sounds, but writing is a skill you have to develop with practice and this center will seriously help you with this.

    These writing centers also hold workshops. They offer help on writing essays and exams, revising essays, oraganizing essays, library research and almost all aspects of university that a student could need help on.

    Start things far, far …????????????? …??????????????? …?????????? far in advance. If you start it early, you’ll find yourself thinking about it and developing better and more concise ideas.

    For editing essays, read them aloud to someone (or just to yourself); you will catch grammatical errors this way.

    hmm… what other tricks? are there. OH YAH! Don’t write your essays at four in the morning the day they are due. Sure it gets done, but you’ll be a little embarrassed to get that bad boy back

    You can also go in to your academic advisor and they can tell you about resources specific to your courses

    But don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of this university thing.

    Love Always,
    Aska

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  • probation

    I feel like a convict being on probation

    November 8, 2010

    Hello mate your great for giving all these cool responses.

    Anyway, to cut a long story short I’m on probation.? I took 3 courses I’m gonna have to LWD one to and come down to two.? Is it possible to get out of probation while taking only 2 courses?

    ??????????????

    Yo yo, short story-er

    It really depends on? your current CGPA and the marks you’re getting in your other course. But generally I’m going to say it will be very hard to. This is what the course calendar says on your situation

    ” A student who, at the end of the Winter or Summer Session during which he or she is on probation

    a) has a cumulative GPA of 1.50 or more shall be in good standing

    b) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 but an annual GPA of 1.70 or more (Winter Session)/sessional GPA of 1.70 or more (Summer Session) shall continue on probation.

    c) has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 and an annual GPA of less than 1.70 (Winter Session)/sessional GPA of less than 1.70 (Summer Session) shall be suspended for one calendar year unless he or she has been so suspended previously, in which case he or she shall be suspended for three years. “

    Meaning that in order to be ‘In Good Standing’ you must raise you CGPA above 1.50 which could prove challenging or impossible depending on the amount of credits and the grades you have.

    So it doesn’t matter how many credits you take, but the more courses with high grades will help to balance out the not so hot grades.

    You might as well talk with your academic adviser about what you’ll have to do to get out of probation as you have to speak with them in order to LWD from a course.

    Peace and Love baby,

    Aska

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  • chem,  first year,  grades

    Stinkin’ Chemistry

    November 5, 2010

    Hi aska,

    So I’ve just gone through the first 2 months at utm, and I failed my first Chem mid-term test worth 7% of my final mark, which I’m not too proud of. My goal is to graduate with a CGPA of 4.0 in 4 years time (doing a Physics Specialist). So my main question would be what is a general formula for one to tackle the insane first year science courses to squeeze out a 4.0 while staying sane in the process (e.g how to be more efficient, how to maximize my resources) 😛 . Thanks xoxo

    ———————————————

    Hi there poor, poor Chemistry Student,

    There’s a few things that you can do.
    1) Time management is a huge, HUGE aspect of doing well. Make sure you allot more time for things that are going to give you some trouble.

    2) Connect with a Physics Major – ask a 4th year student how they possibly managed to survive 4 years of hell. You can probably go to one of your profs and they can recommend someone for you.

    3) Surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you – its easier to be a study bug if the people around you are also in a study cave and not out at a rave (a little Dr. Seuss moment for you there)

    4) Study snacks (they seriously keep you going)

    5) Coffee and Baileys (Caffeine and good taste)

    6) Have dancing, video gaming, beer ponging breaks so you don’t completely lose your mind

    7) realize that you’re not the only one in this position (take for example the kid in the post below your … also thinking that Chemistry is being a little bitch)

    8) apparently you can’t have an eight with a bracket without it becoming a cool dude face, BUT WHATEVER, we like sunglasses

    UTM has Chemistry department advisers and i BET they love helping you develop a good work ethic.

    9) St. George offers seminars on time management, developing study work ethics, how to be more effecient etc. So I would suggest looking into the UTM academic Learning Center as I’m sure they will offer help in similar topics

    Good Luck!

    Love,
    Aska

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  • physics,  transfer credits,  UTM

    and another one bites the St.George dust

    November 5, 2010

    I saw your site. I have a question!! So, I am a first year UTM student and I understand that I cannot take St. George courses until i finish 4.0 credits from UTM. However, can I choose a subject POST from St. George? I really want to do the physics major in St. George but I also dont think I could switch campuses because of my GPA. (chemistry is a %*#$) If I do end up picking the physics major from UTM, can I take the required courses for the major in the St. George campus even if it is offered in UTM?

    ———————————————

    Whaddup little UTMer

    Unfortunately you would have to registered at the St.George campus to have a subject POST from that campus.

    I would suggest first going into your registrar’s office and asking them about the possibility of transferring to the downtown campus. It sounds like that’s the campus that would be best suited for you. You never know, you might secretly have the perfect CGPA to get transferred (well i don’t know really, but you might as well check).

    This is what the Arts and Science Course Calendar says about taking courses at other campuses:
    ” Students registered on the St. George campus of the Faculty of Arts & Science may enroll in most courses offered by University of Toronto Mississauga and University of Toronto Scarborough, provided that they meet the enrollment controls and prerequisites established by those divisions. These courses count towards the 20 credits required for a St. George degree and are included in the CGPA. These courses may also count towards St. George program requirements; students should check with their program office before enrolling. ”

    Meaning, that unfortunately your going to have to go into the Physics department and talk to all those scary men dropping eggs off of balconies in little contraptions trying to get them not to break AND just ask them if its cool with them if you betray UTM for St.George …. and still have it contribute to your degree.

    With Greatest Love,
    Aska

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  • non degree

    U of T, I miss you and want you to take me back

    November 5, 2010

    Hello there Aska,

    First of all, I have to compliment you on your witty writing skills, and your ability to provide very entertaining answers for the readers 🙂

    Now onto my question. I recently graduated this past year with a Bsc in Healthstudies and Medical Anthropology, with not so stellar marks… my ambition (as lowly as it sounds) was just to finish undergrad, get the heck out, and find a job.

    Now that I am actually in the “working world”, I realize I totally screwed up my undergrad and having to pay for the consequences now. I want to pursue a Masters degree at Uoft in Public Health (MPH). I was reading on the program requirements, and it stated that I needed to have a mid B (2.7-3.0) GPA in my final year, a four year degree, etc etc…The program did not mention anything about a CGPA.

    The issue is that my CGPA, let alone my GPA, is nowhere in the vicinity of a 2.7… Thus, I am thinking of going back as a non degree student and upgrading my marks for one year. Do you know if I can retake my previous courses? And if I do excel at them (which to be honest, is the only choice I have!), will UofT count those as new marks or will they average the 2 marks out (previous marks vs. new marks)?

    Finally, are there any recommendations you can offer? I am planning to resume my volunteer activities, and despite my horrible marks, I do
    have recommendations from 2 professors already. But is there anything else that I overlooked or need to focus on?

    Please advise, and sincerely thank you so much !

    – T (yes, I realize my ID is my email account)

    ———————————————

    Hey There T (Pain?) …. Mr. T??

    You officially receive brownie points for the compliment.

    Here’s the deal, I have both positive and negative news … which do you want first?
    Side bar: this reminds me of when people ask questions when leaving a message on the answering machine … they CLEARLY can’t respond

    Good News first … your not totally screwed.

    First of all this here are the requirements for the program (again, I know you looked at them) NOW on the same website they have a section on upgrading. This is what is says:

    Many applicants inquire about their prospects of admission to graduate programs if they do not have the requisite academic standing of a mid-B. The following statement does not cover every possible case but should serve as a general guide.

    “The School of Graduate Studies expects applicants who are in this situation to upgrade their standing by completing a further year of study and obtaining at least a B+ average. Such additional work:

    • need not be taken on a full-time basis but will be equivalent to a year of full-time study (say 4-1/2 to 5 full courses);
    • will comprise courses at senior undergraduate level (third or fourth year).
    • may be taken in any disciplinary area where the applicant has access to senior level courses (but will carry more weight with the admitting department if they are relevant to the proposed graduate degree program).

    Successful completion of such an upgrading program cannot guarantee admission, because applicants must always compete with the others who happen to apply in a particular year for admission to programs with limited total enrolment. Persons who are interested in the possibility of upgrading would, therefore, be well-advised to discuss their situation with the Department before committing themselves to what can be an arduous and expensive undertaking.”

    So I’m assuming other students have been in the same position as you have in the past.
    Now for the bad news, the University of Toronto allows you to repeat a course up to 1.0 credits. BUT … it also states in the course calendar that, “The repeated course will be designated an “Extra” course: it will appear on the academic record, but will be marked “Extra” and will not be included in GPA calculations or in the degree credit count”

    Non-Degree credits do contribute towards your CGPA, if you haven’t already taken the course previously

    If your main goal is to raise your CGPA, then your going to have to take senior level courses that you have not previously taken. Saying this, confirm with the department for Public Health and make sure there are no specific course requirements for admission into their masters program.

    Don’t give up help and you can go in and see your old registrar’s office for an academic advice as they will still make appointments for you.

    Tender Thoughts,
    Aska

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  • fraternities & sororities

    Party on Wayne

    November 5, 2010

    Hi,
    I’m looking to throw a party and I heard that you can rent one of the frat houses or something for a night? I just wanted more info on this, if it was possible, who to contact, and how much it would cost me if I could do this.
    Thanks for your help!Tamara

    ———————————————

    Yo yo Party Master Tamara

    First off I can only answer 2/3 parts of this question, but that’s a passing grade.

    FINALLY the true meaning of the University experience comes out. If you haven’t done a keg stand, woken up beside someone you don’t know or had to hold a friend’s hair back while they vomit YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO UNIVERSITY … right? … right?

    You can totally do this! Fraternities love parties … well that’s what movies say.
    The word on the campus streets … ie St.George street … is that this has been done before

    Here’s the Greek Directory for University of Toronto – my advice is to scope out the best party location/house and give them a shout (although limited houses post their phone number, mainly just emails)

    Also I just wanted to point out the naive viewpoint of U of T:

    “The University of Toronto does not recognize sororities or fraternities. On-campus events and chapter promotion are therefore not permitted. Problems and difficulties arising out of fraternity and sorority activities can not be resolved through University services and resources”
    Silly silly men in suits, OF COURSE there are fraternities/sororities and OF COURSE they have parties … the houses are right on St George, probably right outside their office windows.

    Love Always,
    Aska

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  • study abroad

    When in Rome, and away from U of T

    November 3, 2010

    Hi,

    I’m a prospective student from British Columbia who is interested in applying to the University of Toronto. I did some research about U of T and really like what I’m learning about the school! I want to major in languages and study abroad in university (preferably i would like to study abroad for two years). At University of Toronto, are there any limits to the amount of time you can study abroad? I know at some schools, they have a certain amount of time students must spend resident at the home university in order to graduate. Would this be the same case for U of T as well?

    Thank you very much!

    ———————————————

    Heyo,

    So I gave the Student Exchange Center a shout and their answer is Yes there is a limit.

    Students can do up to 3 semesters abroad. So a year and a half of school or 3 separate semesters.

    Click here to see what the bible (ie the course calendar) says.

    AND the international student exchange page

    Love Always,

    Aska

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  • admissions

    BC students love the U of T

    November 1, 2010

    Hi

    I am currently a BC secondary school student. I am planning on taking lifesciences at U of T next year. However, right now I am not too sure if I would get in the program. So I was wondering if there is any college in Ontario which provides a university transfer program? Or would it be better to go to some other university and then take transfer? Does it really effect the course of my studies?

    Regards,

    Hardeep

    ———————————————

    Whaddup Hardeep,

    Ok, what I don’t understand is why you wouldn’t just stay in highschool for an extra year or semester and upgrade your marks until you could get into the program. Obviously apply this year and see if you get in (it all depends on the competition that year, you might be surprised, but probably not).

    1) It’s easier to get good marks (ie the upgraded marks you need) in highschool over post secondary schools. I don’t mean to burst your bubble, but the odds are it’s going to be harder to go to another university, get higher grades in order to transfer to U of T.

    2) Save either your money or your Mommy and Daddy’s money and keep with the free education if it’s needed.

    Any-who, that’s my two cents. Here’s the Ontario College University Transfer Guide and you can punch in what you school you want to go to and a college and see if they are compatible.

    Love Always and Truly,
    Aska

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  • economics,  psychology

    When I grow up I want to be a Human Resource Manager

    November 1, 2010

    Hey! Please I need your opinion about subject post selections. Do you think that a double major in Psychology and Economics is a good combination at university? I would like to do a masters degree in HRM after that. Also what do you think about repeating a course in university? Does it have any negative effect when applying for graduate school? I had some problems in my first year and I didn’t get up to the cut off mark in a course that I need so I’m thinking of taking the course again.

    ———————————————

    yoyo,

    I see what you’re doing … Psych for the Human and Eco for the Resource Management, clever. Looking at a couple of the Master’s in HRM in Canada it doesn’t appear that there are specific courses you need to take for entry requirements. As you know that you want to continue on to a masters in HRM, I would suggest looking at the graduate schools you want to attend and review their entry requirements as that should probably be your deciding factor.

    Saying that people at U of T have taken this combination of majors before … yippie

    Well actually, I know of one other person (check the aska archives). It’s cool because you get to choose if you want to graduate with a BSc or BA. I’m not entirely sure why you would choose a BA over a prestigious Bsc, but to each their own.

    On to the next part …

    If you didn’t meet the cut off mark, doesn’t that mean the course is a degree requirement and you need it in order to graduate … so, uh … yah you should take it again.

    Here’s what the course calendar says on the matter (and that book is almost as good of a resource as I am):
    “All students (both degree and non-degree-seeking) may repeat up to 1.0 full-course equivalent for which they have received credit (i.e., achieved a grade of 50% or higher or CR) for reasons other than to gain a required mark above passing to qualify for entry into a Subject POSt or a course required for a prerequisite. The repeated course will be designated an “Extra” course: it will appear on the academic record, but will be marked “Extra” and will not be included in GPA calculations or in the degree credit count.”

    Yah, i know it’s all jibberish, but simply you can take it as a requirement filler. BUT … big BUTT (teehee) it doesn’t count in your 20 credit requirement for graduation or towards your GPA. Also depending on the University and the program, they might put it into consideration. For example, if you’re tied with another student for the last spot in the program, they might choose the one who got the needed grade on the first attempt.

    Also it states that you must request repeating a course at your college’s registrar, so if you’re are going to have to go in there anyways you might as well make an appointment and make sure you’re heading in the right HRM path.

    Phew, a little long winded. Hopefully that clarified things for you, rather making your head explode (like when you drop a pumpkin off the roof of your building)
    Peace Lova,
    Aska

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