100 REASONS TO LOVE YORKU (PART 6)

Hiya Yorkies, Yorkettes & Yorkers!

I’m having a really hard time believing we’re in the month of July right now (whaaaat). Was that not the fastest month ever? Seriously where did June even go! Anyhow, it just means one day closer to the Fall semester (HOORAH!). I hope, as I always am, that your preparing for your post-secondary education! Doing these reasons has become a bit harder (just a teeny tiny bit) but still very doable. It’s made me realize that there is just way too many reasons to love York U.

51. My Taste buds are Salivating! The Orange Snail (located at Stong College’s basement) is simply amazing in terms of food. There is buffet as well as a menu option available. Their buffet is extremely cheap (only six bucks last time I checked) and they have various themed buffet days such as chinese, american, mediterranean and caribbean (which keeps it exciting). Their also super friendly and you can sit there for hours if you like (to do homework and such). There is also a liquor option available if you want to have a pub night. The business is completely family owned as well which gives the place a good home-like feel. Meet the Orange Snail owner here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gxW0yqasck

52. MOM I CAN FLY! I always think of flying when I think of the SOARING program offered to LA&PS (Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) students. SOARING actually stands for Success, Opportunities, Achievements, and Realizing Them. The program recognizes and rewards students who engage various sorts of opportunities both on campus as well as off campus. There are various levels you can pass such as START, ADVANCE & GRAD. Through your participation in the program you can be rewarded with SOARING Certificates of Achievement as well as The Outstanding Student Involvement Award. Get more info here: http://www.yorku.ca/laps/students/engage/soaring/

53. The Amazing Race: Every year the residences at Keele and Glendon Campuses compete to reduce their carbon footprint while being sustainable! The race it’s self is called The Res Race To Zero. The race is during the semester and basically they have the residents focus on turning off the light, recycling and so forth. The colleges complete with each other for the most reduced carbon footprint! Check out last years results here http://www.yorku.ca/resrace/

54.I’m on cloud nine: There are lots of renovations going at York University but this is sure to be the best! The new Lassonde School of Engineering is coming soon to a Keele campus near you! The 169,000 sq ft, 5 level building will be the home of three engineering disciplines: electrical, civil and mechanical! The building’s unique architecture is responsible for it’s name: The Cloud. Have a look at The Cloud here: http://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2013/06/17/new-engineering-building-about-to-take-shape-at-york-university/

55. GRASPing Health: The Graduate Research Association of Students in Public Health (GRASP for short) offers an undergraduate certificate program for all those interested in public health! Past GRASP talks have been led by authors, astronauts, CEOs, and so forth. This is a great opportunity to meet professors and public health practitioners while preparing for graduate school. Get more info here: http://grasp.student-org.yorku.ca/

56. Relaxing Time: Winters College Council runs the Absinthe pub & Coffee Shop (known affectionately as “The Ab” to some) located in the basement of Winters College! All are welcome and the options are endless: milkshakes, salads, wraps and drinks at decent prices! If you are 18 and under, you are still welcome sans alcohol! They feature themed nights such as acoustic night, where musicians across York University can come and play! Check them out! More info at: http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/absinthe-pub-winters-college-york

57. Magical Times: We are huge fans of Harry Potter here at York, and The Ministry of Magic can advocate for that. The Ministry of Magic consists of four sections: General Harry Potter fan club, A Quidditch Team, An HPA Team as well as Nerdfighteria. The student club will be holding a Hogwarts Express YorkU Open Quidditch Tournament on Saturday August 17th 2013, and it will be BYOB (Bring Your Own Broom). The membership includes: Ministry of Magic I.D Card, Ministry Welcome Letter in a wax-sealed envelope and so much more! Check out the Quidditch Tournament here: https://www.facebook.com/events/495517290518489/

58. YORK SPIRIT: York University has two Red and White Days throughout the year where the whole community shows their pride through sporting red and white York swag while chanting one of our many spirit anthems! The university holds two spirit competitions (best in class competition as well as YorkU spirit competition) on these days where you have the chance to win some awesome prizes simply by showing your pride! Read about Red and White day here! http://www.yorku.ca/redwhite/index.html

59.Free Courses: Yeah you read right! There is such a thing as free courses at York 🙂 Most of the courses which are free come from the School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences. Their called PKINS and are all sports-related courses, such as swimming, self-defense, kung-fu, yoga and so forth. These courses are also zero credit meaning that they do not affect your overall GPA. You are graded on a pass/fail basis (which can be refreshing). Find the full list of available courses here: http://www.yorku.ca/health/kine/documents/PKINCourseDescriptions.pdf

60. College Council Frenzy: Each college has their own council where you represent your fellow students through hosting various events (pub nights, coffee houses, movie nights, etc) and trips to places like Montreal, Blue Mountain and Niagara Falls for dirt cheap prices (For example, colleges have hosted trips to Montreal for a weekend for $40 with hotel, bus fare and other varieties included!). The council is also responsible for owning and operating student run organizations which pertain to the particular college. Check out http://colleges.yorku.ca/

That’s all folks! Hope you enjoyed it 🙂

100 Reasons To Love YorkU (Part 4)

Heya guys! Hope everyone had an epic weekend, finally some good weather (about time, eh). I hope this information hasn’t become too overwhelming, remember to take small doses daily (even though it’s equally as awesome to burst with pride). Anyways, hope you guys continue enjoying these reasons!

31. Future Event Planner for Vogue? Like to plan events? Want to have some experience programming large-scale events? Great! Then join your Residence Council where you can plan events all year long for your college while having fun! If you don’t live on residence, become a York is U co-ordinator and plan events such as The Terry Fox Run, York’s Birthday and Red & White Day. For all your hard work, you’ll be recognized at ceremonies, given hours and best of all, you’ll be making friends outside your program 🙂 Check out http://www.yorkisu.ca for future updates and contact your DLLO in september! Psst, I’m the DLLO for Vanier so 😉 yeaaaaah

32. I just want me some frozen yogurt: So I just found out this exciting news today, YORK LANES IS OPENING QOOLA! Don’t know what that is? cool, me neither but after some research, I’ve come to the conclusion it will be the best frozen yogurt place in Canada! It’s a huge name in the states and the first ever will be in our very own York Lanes! In addition to frozen yogurt (served Menchies style) there will be belgian waffles (YUUUUM) and smoothies (yummmy!)  Check it out: http://qoola.com/

33. Show me your teeth! YFS (York Federation of Students) automatically opts everyone into their health plan which covers things that are not covered by OHIP. This includes various benefits such as dental care, massages, etc. Use it! Get free teeth whitening at http://www.yorkusmiles.ca/

34. On Guard! I don’t know why but I’ve always had a fascination with sword-fighting. It sounded so awesome when I was a kid (not to mention bad ass). Feel free to embrace your inner child in practicing sports like Kendo (which means way of the sword in Japanese) and Fencing (Think tomb raider, lara croft style). As a bonus, it’s super cheap, only $100 a year for Kendo and $90 for Fencing! Everyone is welcome, no try outs required! Learn more at  http://www.yorku.ca/fencing/ and http://www.yorku.ca/kendo/default.htm

35. Movie Fanatic: Love watching movies and even more so, discussing them after? Future flixster critic? Check out Movies at York (M@Y) to watch free movies all year long in our huge lecture rooms! Past movies shown have included: the avengers, the dark knight, transformers and argo. They also have a pick of the month so keep your eyes and ears open! More information here https://yorku.collegiatelink.net/organization/movies/about

36. Culture Frenzy! The YFS hosts one of the most anticipated events of the year, Multicultural week. Learn about different cultures through trying new types of food at the YFS food market, participating in the multicultural parade and strutting your stuff on the fashion show which will display fashion and trends around the world. Check out the past multicultural week on http://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2013/01/31/multicultural-week-kicks-off-with-smudging-ceremony-and-parade-monday/

37.I DON’T GET IT!!: If your in the sciences stream, that’s probably what’s going through your head 9 out of 10 times. Which is why you should take advantage of SOS (Students Ombuds Services) where you can access peer tutoring, peer advising, peer mentoring and career workshops! Read more on it at http://bethune.yorku.ca/sos/

38. Frosty The Snowman: Back from our winter break and in the mood for a York Fest type two kind of thing? Then partake in The YFS Frost Week! Frost Week includes amazingness such as free shisha, hot drinks, breakfasts and so forth! Events have in the past included dirty bingo and pub night! Last year there was a huge shisha tent out all week (it was awesome, to say the least). Read on last years’ event here https://www.facebook.com/events/542101519133520/

39. Yummy Grub: If your in the mood for trying something different and a bit fancier, then go to the underground! The underground is York’s restaurant and they have various food items (which are ALL delicious!) You can find the underground at the student center. The underground has also hosted various events such as break-dancing competitions, saint patrick’s day, and lounge night! Go to http://myunderground.ca/

40. Students For York: S4Y is a political club that strives to be a unionized voice for the students while supporting York University’s mission. They have various events such as  “Model Parliament” where students have the choice to represent NDP, Liberal, or the Conservatives and then engage in a friendly debate. There is also “Expression Fest” which is a york-wide talent show! Check it out at http://www.students4york.webs.com

Hope you enjoyed these reasons!