• gap year,  grad school,  jobs,  real life

    life after graduation

    July 29, 2013

    Hello,

    Could you tell me some of my options besides grad school after graduating? Currently I do not have a competitive enough Gpa to apply. Are there any other ways to further my education, specifically ones that do not require a high Gpa? If so, what are the requirements? Also, is there anything I can do besides obtaining another undergraduate degree with a higher Gpa that can help with my chances of getting into grad school in the future?

    Thank you, I truly appreciate your help! 🙂

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Things you can do other than go to grad school that aren’t entirely educational, may raise your GPA, and will possibly even raise your spirits:

    1. Go back to UofT.

    Requirement(s): a touch of masochism, money, desperation.

    Note(s): You can always come back to raise your CGPA if you’re so set on grad school. Basically, this is the only real way of raising that bad boy sooooooo.

    2. Get a job.

    Requirement(s): resume, positive attitude, knowing people.

    Note(s): It’s quite doable — the whole getting a job with just your bachelor’s degree thing. People actually do it. My friend loves to lament over the fact that her brother dicked around through university and just sent out a whole bunch of resumes/cover letters after graduation. Now he’s been promoted to something that is going to flying him to China multiple times a year on the company’s dime. Mmmmm good food.

    Sticking to the whole school thing isn’t totally necessary. 😉

    3. Go to college. Or anywhere that offers a post graduate certificate > MA/PhD.

    Requirement(s): for the most part, just a degree.

    Note(s): These sorts of programs are cheaper and in the long run, probably much more useful. Realistically, sticking around in university is for the would be scholar or researcher, so if you want something more hands on, go for a program that’ll require you to eventually hit up some sort of internship or co-op. Experience is always key!

    4. Travel.

    Requirement(s): money, sense of adventure, good shoes.

    Note(s): Just drop everything and travel. Have over protective parents? Just book the ticket and tell them you’re leaving when you’re at the door. Got a boyfriend/girlfriend? Ehhh they can wait a little. Have friends you’re going to miss? Whatever invest in social media apps to keep in touch.

    Like seriously just travel, education be damned.

    5. Teach English abroad.

    Requirement(s): TEFL/TESL/TESOL/whatever.

    Note(s): I suppose we can call this little part 4b but seriously… you’ve been at UofT for four years. Spice things up. Flee. Wander. And make some money while you’re at it.

    6. Gather alllllll the knowledge.

    Requirement(s): books, Discovery Channel, access to Wikipedia.

    Note(s): Learn everything. Read a book. Watch a documentary. I literally sat through a half hour of my friend talking to me about platypuses because he listened to a podcast about them. You don’t need school to learn something new.

    7. Start a blog.

    Requirement(s): internet, wit.

    Note(s): Misery loves company and what’s more entertaining than the plight of the graduated millennial who can’t find a job and discusses his/her failures in blog form? Just go for it.

    Now not all of these are going to bump up your CGPA (only one of them will technically) but they’ll certainly raise your spirits.

    Lol #cheesy.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • enrollment

    waitlists and priority — aka the other times the timetable is useful

    July 29, 2013

    Hi there. I hope this message reaches you all in the best of health.

    I am facing a current dilemma in my course selection. I would appreciate any advice or tips. Two courses which I attempted to enroll during my start time did not permit me to do so because “no meeting sections with space are available.”

    1. NML110Y1 (Arabic) is a small class (25 total spaces in each meeting section) which is giving priority for NMC majors (I am not one). Currently, I am not allowed to enroll in it. It says I do not “fit in any enrollment category.” Currently, I am lost at what option to excercise. I do not know whether these sections are full or not. Is it possible if you could tell me if that is indeed the case? If so, is there a waiting list or something of that nature which I could rely upon in order to get into this course before or after August 8th?

    2. SOC212H1 (Crime and Devience). ROSI tells me that I do not? “fit in any enrollment category.” Currently, I do not know whether the meeting sections for this course is full or not. As far as I am aware, there is no priority enrollment for this course. Is it possible if you could tell me if that is indeed the case? If so, is there a waiting list or something of that nature which I could rely upon in order to get into this course before or after August 8th?

    Am I overreacting by thinking that all is done and all my hopes are obliterated or should I be thinking about Plan B already? Any pointers or course of action which I should take would be much appreciated.

    All the best.

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    So:

    1. NML110Y, as you know, is a course that gives priority to certain groups of students. This means that you basically won’t have any access to it at all until August 8.

    The only way you can possibly get around this priority is by joining one of these groups: either the major or specialist programs of the Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations (General) — which, luckily for you, are both Type 1 programs.

    However, since the enrolment category is P*, that little asterisk means that there’s only a certain number of spaces allotted to each enrolment group.

    So what does this mean??If you want to get around the P, hurry up and do it now.

    2. ?For SOC212H, no, there is no priority control, so I’m not sure where you’re having difficulty…

    You know you can actually check spaces in a course on ROSI right? Provided, of course, that there’s no enrolment control on them. But I looked SOC212H up on my own ROSI and I can assure you that the two F term lecture sections have waitlists. But finding out whether or not a waitlist is available is totally doable through the timetable too.

    Anyway, as of right now, July 29, 2013 at 11:20 AM, there’s still room in fall one on Wednesdays.

    Now are you overreacting to think “all [your] hopes are obliterated”?

    Obliterated is such a strong word.

    Can’t get into a course? Meh. Welcome to UofT. But I highly doubt this is your last year of university, so if there’s no hope for right now, then just wait for next year. But these courses seem to have waitlists, so if need be, just join them.

    So for now, add SOC212H. That’s something you can do. And then after that, sit tight and wait around for August 8.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • breadth requirements

    Y so confusing, breadth requirements :/

    July 26, 2013

    Hi,

    So in a major I am applying to, it states that I need 3.0 FCE’s in Breadth Requirement 2/3.

    So if I have a 1.0 full year course which is Breadth Requirement 1 and 2, would this count as 1.0 FCE towards this major or only 0.5 because it is half 1 and half 2?

    Thanks!

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    When a Y course says it contributes to two different breadth categories, that means you get 0.5 FCE in each one.

    So because that Y course you had said 1 and 2, you have 0.5 FCE for categories 1 and 2.

    Breadth requirements can be pretty damn annoying and confusing, but I watched this super helpful video on degree requirements by FASt Answers that explains how breadth requirements work in this super helpful visual way including BUBBLES. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • enrollment

    in a perfect world…

    July 25, 2013

    Sorry if this isn’t the proper way to ask!

    Is there any way to change the start time you’re assigned on ROSI? I was?assigned 4:20 pm, but I’m working and can’t take the afternoon off.

    Thanks!

    ^I forgot to mention this, but I’ve already called the registrar’s office -?they were very unhelpful and I’m hoping you can help me out!!

    Thanks!!

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    Short answer = Nope.

    Long answer = Lol nope.

    If changing start times was possible, every damn student would be on that option in a heartbeat sooooo I hope you have a friend you trust to enrol in courses for you. 😉

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • enrollment

    what are the chances of me finding your question

    July 25, 2013

    Good Afternoon Aska,

    I was searching for a Time Table planner for the St. George, and Scarborough campus that displays the amount of spaces available in their classes. I go to UTM, and I am interested in enrolling courses at St. George/Scarborough (I already know how the enrolment process works). I know UTM has a time table planner that shows the amount of space available, and I just want to see if I will have any chance at getting into these classes so I can formulate a contingency plan.

    Thank You,

    ———————————————

    Um.

    I THINK you’re asking me for a way to see the number of spots in a course before enrolling in it?

    The only way I’m aware of for St. George and UTSC courses is to head onto ROSI and select “View Timetables/Spaces” under manage courses.

    So try that to gauge your chances.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • first year,  hard,  housing

    breaking bad first years

    July 25, 2013

    Hi, I’m going to? U of T in the coming fall and I am having some difficulties during course selection.

    I’m considering enrolling in either a Chemistry specialist program or Financial Economics specialist program in the future. Therefore, I am intending to choose CHY151Y1(Y), MAT135H1(F), MAT136H1(S), PHY131H1(F), PHY132H1(S), ECO100Y1(Y). However, when I emailed my College Registrar’s Office about it, she said it would be ‘an extremely heavy course load’ for me. Do you think it is too heavy as well? Do normal people only do the prerequisites for one program only?

    I also wonder if it is possible to do the Physics courses in the 2nd year instead of the 1st year, but still have the prerequisites for a Chemistry program.

    Besides, I’m on the wait list for the residence. Is it likely for me to get a residence offer? If not, where do you recommend me to live in while I’m at U Of T?

    Sometimes I might worry too much but I do worry about the job opportunities of a Chemistry graduate!

    THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    Honestly, I do think that’s a rather heavy course load.

    If there’s anything there that you don’t actually need to take… just don’t take it. Spare yourself the trauma and stress. Normally, people take the fer sure prereqs for their would be programs, and maybe an elective here and there. And since I’m getting the vibe that you’re more into chem than eco, maybe don’t take eco? I’ve heard it’s a bit of a monster.

    But yes, you can just save the physics courses for second year if you don’t need them immediately.

    To get into chem, you only need CHM138H/139H. HOWEVER, note that if you go through with the specialist (as opposed to the major), you will eventually need physics down the line.

    As for residence…. er well it depends on the res and where you are on the waitlist. To be completely, honest, I have no idea if you’ll get in, but my gut is leaning towards a you shall not enter.

    Do you ABSOLUTELY need to live on campus?

    If you do, the university offers a roommate finder/house finder search function thingie. It may be a bit limited, but that’s something. Past that, there’s sifting through the usual sketchiness that is Craigslist, viewit.ca, and just… you know, Google.

    But if you can commute, do that.

    And job opportunities for a chemistry graduate?

    Well, you can always pull a Walter White… 😉

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • economics,  hard

    eco105y: principles of economics for dummies

    July 24, 2013

    Hi I am about to pick courses for first year life science. I will be taking bio120 , chm 138, mat135 a first year seminar, and I would like to take eco105. How difficult is Eco105? What are the chances it will affect my gpa?

    ———————————————

    Yo.

    Sadly, I am but a student and have not sampled every possible course that exists.

    How difficult is ECO105Y?

    Waaaah I hate those kinds of questions. “Difficulty” is just so subjective. I’m going to go with “damn difficult” because it’s economics so yes. But check out the anti-calendar to see what past students thought of their past lectures. Apparently in 2011-2012, the difficulty was more or less average, but the retake rate is a lovely 47%.

    As for your GPA… well, every course affects your GPA. Duuuuh.

    xoxo,
    aska

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  • 12 distinct credits,  anthropology,  subject POST

    versatility at its finest

    July 24, 2013

    Hello!

    I’m on the precipice of my fourth year (of five) at U of T. And now, during course selections, I want to change my POST. Specifically, I want to trade my general anthropology major, my diaspora and transnational studies minor and my biology minor, for a double major in biological anthropology and socio-cultural anthropology. I believe I can do this and still respect the 12.0 distinct course rule.

    Can I hold two majors offered by the same department? And, will I be able to continue enrolling in classes normally if I delete my current POST in order to make these changes?

    Thanks for your time

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    “Precipice” sounds like an awkward word choice right there. Why not “cusp”? Or “brink”? Something more “edge”-esque?

    Anyhow, yes, yes you can enrol in those two majors together.

    I’m going to be honest with you, my first reaction was “Lol no.” I asked another person who said “Lol no but maybe double check with anthro.” Then I emailed anthro — be tea dubs, the anthro undergraduate administrator is such a sweet woman! — and well… apparently you can certainly do a double major in anthro and anthro!

    Naturally, of course, heed the 12.0 distinct credits rule, and remember that you can’t have more than 15.0 credit with the same three letter code.

    But your ability to function on ROSI (e.g. enrolling in new courses if they suit your fancy) is based on you being in a proper subject POSt combo, so if you suddenly drop the three you have and linger in a state of “requested” for the other two majors, that’ll be a problem.

    So for now, stick with the POSts you have and request the two majors — there’s no limit to what you can request. And then when you get invited to the new majors in September, THEN you delete the old ones.

    Make sense?

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • enrollment

    for the fumbling second-year:

    July 24, 2013

    Some tips to the second-year enrolling in courses today:

    1. If ROSI says you’re not in a proper subject POSt combination, it’s actually because, funnily enough, you’re not in a proper subject POSt combination. Remember guys: one specialist, two majors, or one major and two minors!

    2. If ROSI says the class you’re looking for “doesn’t exist,” it’s because you spelled something wrong in the activity code?or section code. Also, not that section codes are F, S, or Y. Don’t be the dummy who writes “H” there for his/her fall course!

    3. If ROSI says you don’t belong to the enrolment category, it’s because you probably don’t belong to the enrolment category. Check the timetable to be sure you can get past the priorities and restrictions for specific courses!

    Happy course enrolment and, as per usual, may the odds be ever in your favour.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • enrollment

    if plan a fails, at least we have 25 more letters

    July 23, 2013

    Hi!

    I’m a first-year Humanities student, and my start time is 10:25 am. At first, I was somewhat relieved, but I don’t think it’s such a great time any more… I have a seminar that I want to get into, what are my chances? I’ve gotten at least 3-4 back-ups. Am I in trouble for getting the other courses that I want?

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    I assume you’re talking about one of the 199Y seminars for first-year students, right?

    Eh, even not, I’d say this still applies.

    What are your chances? Uh. Good, I guess?

    Unfortunately, your question is a liiiiiittle hard to work with considering all the nothing I have in terms of specifics, but seminars are seminars and they’re typically capped at 30 students or so. You can always check that for yourself though on ROSI under the “View Timetable/Spaces” tab of “Course Enrolment.”

    Do take a look at the timetable and see if the course has any priorities or restrictions on it. If this seminar IS one of the 199Y ones, then yay you, you’ve officially eliminated any second, third and fourth year students from your own personal Hunger Games. ROSI Game. UofT Games?

    Anyhow, I don’t think you should have too much trouble getting into your seminar.

    Naturally, make it the first thing you try to sign up for on ROSI come enrolment day, but if that doesn’t fall through… well, you’ve already got your back ups. 🙂

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • enrollment

    prepping for the 6am melee

    July 22, 2013

    Greetings,

    Today I explored ROSI and i am accepted in social sciences however I now?want to be in Life Science. I read through your blog and it looks like its?relatively easy to change program. But the issue is not here.

    I looked up the times for BIO120H1F and it said that I am not in the?category of enrollment for any of the lectures but practices yes. Will this?change when the time of actual enrollment comes? Yes I emailed the registrar.

    Thank you

    Lori

    ?????????

    Lori,

    It’s because of the enrolment control put on the course.

    If you click that little “see details” button beside the timetable info for BIO120H, you’ll see that it gives priority to first year life science students. Because you’re entering through social sciences, you’ll have to wait until August 8 to enrol in the course.

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • courses,  CR/NCR

    four for you, nameless student!

    July 22, 2013

    Hi,

    I took 4.0 FCEs during the 2012-2013 year (my first year) & by the end of?this summer, I’ll have earned an additional 1.0 FCE. My current “plan” is?to keep up this course load pace for the rest of my time at U of T, because?I’m concerned that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the recommended 5.0?FCE course load, as every year only gets more challenging.

    I was wondering if this type of course load is a common choice for?students, because I am concerned about completing my degree requirements a?summer after I was hoping to graduate, in 2016. I know everyone is?different, has their own pace, etc., etc., but most people I know are?taking those 5.0 FCEs, so I guess I’m looking for some kind of reassurance??(the truth is also appreciated)

    Also, do you have any recommendations for courses with lighter workloads,?that I could possibly take as CR/NCR during the fall/winter semesters? I?know a lighter workload is more than a big-ask, but it would be great to?achieve that June graduation date.

    Thanks so much for your help!

    ?????????

    Hey hey

    Rest assured, this is a common course load. While the majority of students like to live on the edge and play with 5.0 FCE, a good chunk of them end up with LWDs or just drop things.

    So don’t worry — 4.0 during the year + 1.0 in the summer is fine if you’re okay with it.

    But yes, that one summer where you can’t finish 1.0.

    What to do, what to do…

    Well, I say you test the waters! Try taking five courses this coming semester and see how you manage with it. Contrary to popular belief, it’s actually quite simple providing you manage your time and cut back on the usual shenanigans.

    You can take a look at our post on bird courses, but try not to fill up on those.

    Actually, if you’ve already chosen your programs for the future, you’ll find that plenty of courses in that field can be treated as “bird courses” just because they interest you!

    And try not to get too into that CR/NCR option. It doesn’t work for courses that are program requirements, so they’re really meant for students who want to try new things without totally botching up their cGPA provided said “new thing” doesn’t work well with them. So if a math specialist wants to take world religions and is scared he won’t do well, the CR/NCR kicks in.

    tl;dr = Just try a semester of five courses. If you have trouble with them, you can drop one (before the last date to do so). I mean you’re on program fees anyway, so it’s not like you actually lose anything past textbook fees or whatnot. 😉

    Cheers!

    aska

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  • 12 distinct credits,  degree requirements

    double the major brings double the trouble

    July 22, 2013

    So I’m going into first year this fall, and I’m planning to do a double major in physiology and nutritional sciences at UTSG. I was wondering how double majors works because I am so lost in every aspect of it. Do I have to have 12 distinct credits (?) between the programs and if I do, what does that mean? Will I have to take summer classes to complete the double major? How many courses can be overlapped between the two?
    Sorry for the questions but I’m so very confused. Thanks!

    ———————————————

    Hey hey

    The rule of having 12.0 distinct credits seems to be weirdly confusing to everyone andI genuinely don’t understand why. I personally find that the name is enough to make things clear, but given everyone’s trouble, I demand we get a new name for that rule!

    My ideas:

    • 12.0 different credits
    • 12.0 credits that are not like the others ones
    • 12.0 credits that are not the same
    • 12.0 credits that have their own distinct course code
    • 12.0 differing credits

    Anyhow, long story short, it’s as simple as it sounds.

    In your degree of 20.0 credits, 12.0 of them need to be distinct. As in among your two majors or whatever program combo you end up with, you can only have 8.0 overlapping. So for the student who does a double major in psychology and cognitive science, you can have a max of 8.0 overlapping credits.

    Make sense?

    But no, summer school won’t be necessary for you to complete this. Majors are typically around 8.0 FCE each so they’re definitely doable if you just do a regular course load each year.

    Cheers!

    aska

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