Hi! I’m an incoming second year student who basically feels like a first year because everything was online during my freshman year LOL
I guess I wanted to ask if you have any general tips for in-person classes in university. I also wanted to ask if you could let me know how to attend an online class before an in-person class (back to back). I saw some people on reddit talking about study rooms, but I also don’t really know how that works/how to book it? I’m in Victoria College studying English and BMS if that helps at all :]
Thank you so much in advance !!!
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hello there,
this is a great question!
here’s what i can come up with off the top of my head for in-person classes. it’s been a quick minute since i’ve done one of those, so i expect we’ll all need to adjust.
- use the U of T map to look up building codes when you plan your classes out. whenever possible, i like to avoid registering in back-to-back classes that will require me to run from corner to corner of campus. you can technically make it from con hall to vic within the ten-minute window between classes, but it may require some jaywalking and some awkward walk-running.
- note down the location of each one of your lecture halls before the first day of class!! and then check them last-minute to make sure they haven’t changed, as sometimes that happens. one of the worst feelings is running around a building looking for the right lecture room, only to find that the class recently moved across campus.
- make sure you bring snacks! there won’t be any more running to your fridge during lecture breaks if you get hungry.
- familiarize yourself with the underground tunnels at vic, since they’ll keep you warm and dry when you’re going between buildings in the winter. plus, remember to use the museum subway tunnel to cross queen’s park between the faculty of law and emmanuel college. it’s much safer than jaywalking if you’re in a rush.
- sit close to the front of your classes! i can imagine that if you have to talk with a mask on, you won’t need to struggle as much to be heard if you’re closer to the instructor.
other than that… i’ll be learning how to juggle online courses with in-person courses the same as you, as i’ve never done that before. i can imagine online courses that don’t require voice participation will be a lot easier to manage, as you can just pick a quiet study space on campus and take your class from there. just make sure you bring your laptop charger and headphones.
let me know if you need study space recommendations, as i do have a few favourites, but i think part of the fun of uni is trying all the spaces out and figuring out which ones you love!
if you do need to participate by turning on your camera and/or mic, it may make sense to book a study room. information about that will be available on this page when u of t reopens the booking system.
i hope this was at least a little helpful! i’m struggling to wrap my head around the concept of returning to campus myself, so i expect we’ve all got a learning curve just up ahead. remember to be gentle with yourself, stay hydrated, and plan things out well. you’ve got this!
be Boundless,
aska