I’ve got some shocking news: askastudent is not the only person on campus with useful information and awesome opinions. I know, it sounds crazy, but sometimes it’s good to hear what other people have to say. aska top 5’s is a regular feature that lets a diverse lineup of interesting UofT folk share some of their tips, which might range from incredibly practical to incredibly disturbing. this time on aska: Chandler Levack
1) U of T is not a contest you can win. There are about a thousand people who are more succesful, better-looking and smarter than you and this is what you get for not going to Queen’s. Take your success in stride, don’t psyche people out in residence common rooms and do what you’re interested in. You don’t need to go to Grad School right away if you’re not ready. It’s okay, you’re okay and I’m okay. Okay?
2) Don’t live in a basement apartment. While they may be cheaper and easier to find, you’ll always think it’s raining even when it’s not. Basements are depressing and sad. People need windows and light to function. Everything you accomplish in that year will be blocked out by the “year you lived in that horrible basement”.
3) You don’t have to tell your parents everything – in fact it’s better if you don’t. Don’t tell your mother that you are walking down Yonge Street at 11:30 PM to meet up with someone you “some guy” at a bar in the gay village. She will freak out and worry needlessly. Treat your parents like an ATM machine – take out the minimal amount of the things you require and never print a receipt.
4) Do everything bad once. Drink ’till you puke, get so stoned the walls can talk, have a totally regrettable hookup – and then never ever do it again. As long as you have mistakes, you can learn from them. University is a once in a lifetime opportunity to truly act out. If you’re already making up for lost time in high school, don’t wait until you’re working 9-5 at age 30.
5) Chia-like, you will grow. Let yourself change instead of fighting it. While transitioning takes time, it’ll be a much easier process if you don’t call your best friend from high school every day. There’s a whole city out there, and many things to explore. Your university experience is the best olpportunity you have to truly define yourself as something new. If you’re gay, you can come out. If you write, get published. Let yourself change and be changed by what the University provides. Let yourself live a new life.
here’s why you should listen to Chandler Levack: that whole thing about “UofT is not a contest you can win”? that was just Chandler trying to make you feel better, because she is the winner of the UofT contest: as the editor-in-chief for the Varsity newspaper, she has the absolute best on-campus job (aside from mine). in addition, she’s a freelance journalist, spin magazine employee, sometimes model, and master of all things pseudo hipster patio pop culture. if you see Chandler on the streets of new york city, lift a boombox over your head and talk like you’re in a Cameron Crowe film. hopefully everything will go into slow-motion and the world will be a wonderful place.