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Getting around UBC: An intro to transit on campus

By Michaela Dunn on December 20, 2019

Turns out, you don’t have to walk everywhere.

By Michaela Dunn, 3rd year Arts student

It’s a warm, windy day in early September. The air smells of hot pavement. I’m in first year, it’s my first week at UBC, and I’m in the middle of my first mission to stock up on snacks for my room. I hobble down East Mall for the fourth time, in flip-flops, a blue Student Housing lanyard dangling around my neck. I notice a blue and grey bus drive by.

Onlookers—mostly upper-year students—sneak perplexed (or sympathetic?) glances as they watch me stumble, my shoulders slumping with the weight of four over-filled Save-On-Foods’ grocery bags grasped in each hand. A second bus passes by.

Now, you may be wondering: how on earth did I find myself in this situation? Who in their right mind would lug heavy groceries for two kilometres, on foot, from Wesbrook Village to Totem Park Residence twice in two hours? Not to mention the return trips.

The funny thing is, I’m from Toronto, Ontario, where transit is very much a thing. The concept of buses was not foreign to me. First year me, however, was painfully unaware that transportation on campus existed—and it’s okay if you don’t know about it either!

Transit on campus

During my first year (after I figured out they existed…) I depended on the trusty 68 and 70 bus routes. These two powerhouses were the backbone of the transit system on campus. With the launch of Translink’s Rapidbus service in January 2020, and the R4 bus, the campus transit landscape got something of a refresh.

Let me bring you up to speed:

The 70 is no more. 🚌😵
The 68 has a longer route, running via the west side of campus between the UBC Bus Exchange and Wesbrook Village.
For trips along Wesbrook Mall, take the 49—or the R4!

Now that those changes are out of the way, let’s get into what makes the 68 so helpful—nay, necessary—for taking care of business during your UBC years.

The 68

The 68 is a community shuttle bus that operates just like any other Translink bus. Simply tap your Compass Card (aka, your U-Pass) and enjoy the ride.

Take the 68 from Totem Park to that class at Buchanan. Take it for that early-morning swim at the Aquatic Centre. Heading for an adventure in Pacific Spirit Park, but want to save your energy for the actual run? The 68 will take you (most of the way) there too.

Where else does it go?

The 68 can also drop you off near ALL. THE. ATTRACTIONS. Suddenly, an excursion to the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) or the Botanical Garden doesn’t seem quite as daunting.

And, hey, if in January you don’t want to compromise your snazzy Friday night outfit with your rain boots, umbrella and parka, the 68 will embrace you in a warm hug, give you a pat on the back, and drop you off right near your campus destination.

Here are some other key places you can visit:

Wesbrook Village
UBC Farm
The Point
Koerner’s
The Student Rec Centre/the ARC
…and more!

How late does it run?

In case you find yourself studying on the other end of campus after dark, most nights the 68 runs every 20 minutes until between midnight and 1 am—just one of the ways to stay safe on campus after dark.

So remember, as long as you don’t forget to reload your U-Pass each month, the 68 is at your service—along with the 49 and the R4!

Accessibility Shuttle

If you have a temporary or permanent condition that affects your mobility, the 68 isn’t your only option for getting around. Cue the UBC Accessibility Shuttle, a free shared ride service, available by reservation, that can transport you to and from main pedestrian areas on campus.

What about cycling?

Yeah, I know, I said this post was about transit…but there’s another great option for getting around campus (besides your hoverboard).

Check out UBC’s bike share program—an affordable program through Mobi, with plenty of locations across campus to access bikes and e-bikes—for those days where you’d rather cruise across campus and take a break from the usual 68 route.

Wayfinding

Whether you’re walking, rolling or cycling around the Vancouver campus, UBC’s online map will help you identify the best and most accessible route to get from point A to point B!

The map provides different navigation features, including finding a route based on accessibility requirements, and it can identify barriers such as steep slopes, stairs and doors that aren’t powered. If you’re cycling, the route can identify details such as ramps and the closest bike rack.

Getting Off-Campus

Now that you’re well-versed in transportation options on campus, you’re ready to leave the nest. Luckily, you can get almost anywhere via the UBC Bus Exchange. Some key routes include:

The famous 99 B-line, which runs east-west on Broadway
The 44, which will get you downtown or connect you to the SeaBus for a North Shore adventure
The R4, which heads east on 41st Avenue and connects with the SkyTrain just a couple of stops away from Metrotown mall

All you have to do is tap your card, find a seat (if you can), and wait for the adventure to begin. Plan your journey online or, if you’re old-school, take a gander at the transit map. Check out this UBC Life blog post for a breakdown of bus routes, neighbourhoods and key destinations.

So when the day comes and you need to hit up Save-on-Foods for some supplies, get to the opposite end of campus without getting drenched, or go on a weekend excursion, don’t be first-week me. Save a little time (and frustration) by taking a ride on the 68 (or any one of UBC’s many transportation options). Your chariot awaits!

Posted in Students

I’m Worried, My Student Isn’t Replying

By Sean on February 20, 2018

Concerned mother checking her phone

It’s important to remember that this is a challenging and exciting time for your student. They’re juggling competing priorities—classes, friends and extra-curricular activities, not to mention the typical challenges of early adulthood—and can become distracted.

However, if you’re feeling worried or concerned because your student hasn’t returned your messages or calls, here’s what you can do and some info about support resources at UBC.

Urgent health or safety concerns

If you are concerned that your student is at risk, and you think or suspect an urgent health or safety check may be needed, or if there is a known emergency, first responders (i.e., police, ambulance and fire) are best positioned to assist your student.

You should immediately call 911. The police will attend, and Campus Security and residence staff will assist and give them access to your student’s room.

If you live elsewhere and are not able contact local emergency responders via 911, contact the local police (RCMP) detachment (24/7) at 604 224 1322 instead.

Are there consequences for calling 911?

Your student will not get in trouble if they call 911—or if 911 is called on their behalf.
There is no cost for using the 911 service.

If your student isn’t replying

From our experience, in many cases where a student has not replied to a family member’s messages or phone calls—which is especially common in the first couple months of the academic year (i.e., September and October)—the student was often busy with the many academic, social and extra-curricular activities at UBC.

Other scenarios included:

They were asleep
Their phone died
They didn’t have a chance to reply
They simply missed the messages or phone calls

There are also circumstances where a student is choosing not to reply or avoiding communication with an individual for personal reasons.

What to do if it’s not an urgent health or safety concern

If you do not think an urgent health or safety check is needed, but repeated efforts to contact your student, via different contact methods (i.e., message, phone, email, etc.) have failed, and you are growing concerned about their wellbeing, here are a few options:

Contact the local police (RCMP) detachment (24/7): call the local police detachment (RCMP) at 604 224 1322. The police will discuss the situation with you and help determine the best course of action—which may include a wellness check. If needed, Campus Security and residence staff will assist first responders and give them access to your student’s room.

Contact your student’s residence front desk (7 am–10:30 pm): You may call your student’s residence front desk. Within the following 24 hours, our staff will send a message to your student to inform them that you have phoned and that you have requested they contact you.

Please note that our staff are not able to provide wake-up calls, give reminders about classes or assignments, or relay messages.

Due to privacy legislation in British Columbia:

We will be limited in the information we can discuss about your student, if any.
After reaching out to your student, our staff are not able to report back to you and share information about your student.

Difficult transitions to life at UBC

If you are in contact with your student, but you are concerned that they are experiencing difficulty transitioning to UBC, please encourage them to reach out and access resources available in residence and elsewhere on campus, including a wide range of health and wellbeing resources—24/7 crisis support, self-help tools, peer resources and much more.

Your student’s privacy

We take parent, guardian, family and friend concerns seriously, and we will follow up with your student. But please keep in mind that UBC is required to respect your student’s privacy. We are not able to share information with you or phone you with an update about your student—even in the above situations.

Posted in Home Page, Parents

My Favourite Study Spaces

By Andy Gregory on July 21, 2016

Group of students studying together in library

By Julia Yang, UBC student

If you’ve ever been in your room with the intention of diving into study only to be drawn by the magnetic pull of the bed, then this article is for you. Succumbing to the familiar comfort of the bed too frequently may be detrimental to the health of your academics and, if you have one, your normal sleep schedule.

Sometimes all it takes to get into intense study mode is a change of scenery—finding that one place where your brain seems to magically click.

So here is a list of my favourite places (in no particular order) on and off campus to escape the lure of “the Bed” and to spend some quality study time!

Life Sciences Centre

The Life Sciences Centre on Health Sciences Mall is wonderful place to study because it’s not so quiet that you have to be self conscious opening your binder, but it’s not loud enough to feel irritation. There are two atriums with plenty of light, one with smaller round tables and the other with long wide tables. Speaking from personal experience, if you are an avid practitioner of study sprawling, then the long wooden tables will be an absolute delight for you! Plus, if a caffeine fix is desperately needed, there is Caffè Perugia located in the Centre and a Starbucks across the street.

It’s open from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays, but unfortunately it’s closed on the weekends.

Ridington Room

Known more famously as the “Harry Potter” room due in large part to the paintings of past UBC presidents, it is one of four silent study rooms in the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. It has a calm and quiet atmosphere, and the high ceilings make the room feel large and airy which contributes at an overall relaxed environment. Like the Life Sciences Centre, the long tables in the Ridington Room make it a great place for study sprawlers. During sunny days, wonderful, warm sunshine peeks through the giant windows to remind you that, outside of that frustrating and table flipping course, all is still well.

Law Library

The Law Library is across from Buchanan and is a great place to get some quiet studying done. All three floors of the library have spaces for students to study and the chairs are quite comfortable to sit in for longer periods of time. The new building itself is visually pleasing and doesn’t have that funky, old building smell which I suppose is always a bonus (for those of you with sensitive noses, it actually smells quite nice). If you get caught in a mind bind, the Law Café downstairs provides food for brain fuel and the movable book stacks in the library are a great distraction during breaks. Outside the library are seating areas for students who want to work on group projects or just study in each others’ company.

An important side note is that during exam period, certain areas of the library will be reserved for law students so just make sure to observe the signage to avoid the uncomfortable situation of being asked to vacate. Also, food and drinks (other than bottled water) are not allowed in the library in order to maintain its pristine and stink-free environment.

Walter Gage Commonsblock

The Walter Gage Commonsblock has a variety of different study spaces available to both students living on and off campus. Ruth Blair C is a quiet study room with mostly glass walls, so at times it may feel like being an exhibit at the aquarium.

The Izzy Mac Ballroom is a semi-silent study area that has mirrors covering opposite walls (like a dance studio) but is sometimes unavailable due to residence events.

Another semi-silent study is the Mary Murrin room which is great if you love to study in an environment that is mostly olive in colour (it’s honestly quite relaxing).

Ruth Blair A and B are smaller, separate rooms available for students to book at the front desk and can only be booked within the 24 hours prior to your chosen time.

The common area has many cozy couches and fairly large tables that are great for group study sessions and a mini mart to stock up on snacks. All study areas in Walter Gage Commonsblock are open 24 hours a day, which makes them great places to study with friends during exam season.

Feel free to check out these spots, escape from the comforts of your blanket and hopefully reconnect with  your books!

Posted in Home Page

More Than A Game

By Andy Gregory on October 9, 2015

At UBC, we’re big believers in the benefits of getting involved in extracurricular activities.

Playing sports, like football, is a way to build important leadership skills, stay healthy and active. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends.

We sat down with Colin Yang, Vikaram Varpaul, Spencer Moore and Karson Patommel, Totem Park residents and first-year recruits on the UBC Thunderbird football team. Here’s what they had to say about it.

Colin Yang (right)

Colin Yang

Football is a place where I have no doubts, no stress and no fear.

I’ve heard people refer to their university experience as the best time of their life. I’ve no idea how true this really is or not, but one thing’s for sure—it’s definitely one of the most stressful.

It can get really hectic sometimes. Pages upon pages of reading to keep up with every night. Tests and quizzes to study for. Luckily, no matter how tough or stressful life seems, there’s always a place I can go to unwind, de-stress, and forget about my worries. It’s a place where I am at ease, in tune with my element, no matter the time of day nor the season.

Colin is from Frisco, Texas. He’s studying Computer Science at UBC.

Vikaram Varpaul

Football creates a winning attitude, helping me develop not only as an athlete but as a student.

What makes football so much more than a game is everything that it teaches me. To be a member of the UBC Thunderbird football team requires mental toughness and discipline. Every day I put 100% of my energy into workouts, practice, and meetings trying to constantly improve myself and help the team succeed. This attitude applies towards everything I do outside of football, including academics.

To me, football is not just a game, it is a huge part of my life.

Vikaram Varpaul is from Surrey, BC. He studies in the Faculty of Arts at UBC.

Spencer Moore (centre)

Spencer Moore

Football is more than just a game, it’s my passion and first love.

As a player, a great amount of dedication is required on and off the field: in meetings, in the gym, and in the classroom. To be successful at what I do, it requires a very determined attitude and that’s what I adopt.

With that said, all the efforts I put into perfecting my game can be very time-consuming, making it tough to study and get school work done sometimes. But, at the end of the day, the challenge of balancing it all is worth it. When I get to step out on to the field, and wear that number 31, I know I won’t be out-worked. Every play is all out and that comes from the constant grind day-in and day-out.

Spencer Moore is from Langley, BC. He’s studying in the Faculty of Arts at UBC.

Karson Patommel

Football lets me be more than just a first-year student at UBC: it’s what makes me unique.

When I walk around campus, I am proud of being on a team that works so hard and contributes to the community.

Because of football, I have the unique opportunity to play for thousands of fans all while making friends and creating important relationships with my teammates. Football is more than just a game, it gives me the opportunity to better myself and it has really made my experience at UBC a great one. I look forward to many more years as a UBC thunderbird.

Karson Patommel is from Vernon, BC. He’s studying Kinesiology at UBC.

Posted in Home Page

Living with a roommate: my first-year experience

By Andy Gregory on July 30, 2019

…try to see your experience with a roommate as an opportunity to gain an unexpected friend. At times it can be tough and at other times it’s a blast. But most of all, it’s an opportunity to seize every moment and have an awesome experience.”

It was early-August and the time right before I would find out where I would live and with whom. I had wondered for days about what my roommate would be like. Would she also be from BC or from some exotic place on the other side of the world? Would she be in the same faculty as me? Would we get along? What if we had nothing in common? With these thoughts, I grew more anxious and began checking my email every day in anticipation of my roommate assignment.

A week into August the email arrived! I was excited, happy, and relieved. But I grew hesitant. Now that I knew who my roommate was, should I message her? At first I decided I didn’t want to. Instead, I looked her up on Facebook and contemplated sending her a friend request. I was really nervous because I wasn’t sure if we’d get along, and I wasn’t ready to find out.

However, with a push from my friends, I sent her a message and am glad that I did. It was what started the wonderful friendship that my roommate and I still have today.

Starting Small

I don’t think I would have felt so comfortable living with my roommate if we hadn’t started talking in the weeks prior to moving in.

Our conversation started with small talk—where we were from, what we were going to be studying, how our summers were going. We even began to plan out our first week at UBC and what events we would attend. This was really comforting for me. I had been worried because I didn’t really know anyone who was going to be living in the Totem Park Residence with me, but now I knew at least one!

We were in the same program, which meant that we had a lot of the same classes. We helped each other with schoolwork, worked on lab reports, and pulled late-night study sessions together. These times led to late-night talks about our values, dreams, and aspirations, helping us learn about how the other viewed the world and become really great friends.

How We Made It Work

Living with a roommate for the first time was definitely a new challenge and there were a lot of things I learned that year. But the key things I took away from the experience are:

Set out rules and expectations from the start
This is really important to avoid disrespecting or hurting the other person down the road. My roommate and I were able to agree/compromise on all of our rules, such as sleeping schedules, clean up duties, and guest policy. This was something that really allowed us to understand each other’s habits and to respect each other’s space.

Make clear what method of communication you prefer when discussing problems
It was nice to talk about the method of confrontation we liked for the times things bugged us or when we weren’t happy with something the other did. My roommate and I both preferred a quick text to let the other know what was on our minds before we’d set aside a time to talk about it in person.

Be respectful (treat them the way you’d like to be treated)
Your roommate may come from a very different background, city, or experience than you. There may be many things that you agree on but also many for which you’ll have differing views. This is where respect comes in. Share your opinions but also respect the other’s views.

Find things to do that you both enjoy
This is an opportunity to get away from your schoolwork and the busyness of university life. My roommate and I would watch a television show weekly and play intramural basketball. It ended up being really fun!

Communication is essential (be open-minded and willing to share and learn)
As my first year went by I realized that there were a lot of roommates who respected each other’s space and were good roommates. Yet they never really seemed to know each other. You may not end up becoming the best of friends, but being in such close proximity (my roommate and I shared a room for eight months) with another person allows you to really learn, share, and grow together.

In the End

It can be a scary experience opening up to someone you don’t know. However, rather than seeing it as your obligation to get by and be nice, try to see your experience with a roommate as an opportunity to gain an unexpected friend. At times it can be tough and at other times it’s a blast. But most of all, it’s an opportunity to seize every moment and have an awesome experience.

Now that I’m entering my fourth year I would still say that my roommate from first year is one of my really good friends. We may not talk as much or see each other as often as before; however, when we do hang out, it’s like we never stopped talking.

Posted in Featured, Home Page | Tagged first-year, roommates, ubc housing, ubc residence

Building Community Together

By Andy Gregory on August 15, 2014

How to help create equitable, inclusive communities in residence.

Meeting new people and exploring different identities are part of living, working and learning in a diverse university environment.

Living in residence comes with a responsibility to encourage and support activities and living spaces where all people can thrive socially and academically, no matter what uniquely shapes their identity.

This principle is important at UBC, which is home to students from over 150 different countries, each with their own identities, life experiences and expressions.

Two ethnic friends

Uttara Kumar, science major, and Payal Shah, psychology major, know first-hand what it’s like to live in residence in a community of people with diverse identities, backgrounds and customs, which were new to them when they arrived in residence.

Both from India, they met in the Jump Start orientation program, lived in Place Vanier during their first year of studies and then became roommates in Marine Drive. They offered to share their experiences and some advice for living and learning on a vibrant, equitable, diverse and inclusive campus.

Before you arrived, how did you expect people from different cultures would interact?

P: When I was doing my research, I read about the diversity at UBC and was a little scared. I wondered, “What if I offend someone or say something I shouldn’t?” I also worried that people wouldn’t understand my background and that it would be hard for other people to relate to me.

How did it feel when you moved in?

P: It was such a positive experience. Everyone I met was understanding and interested in getting to know me. People were very respectful of other’s feelings.

U: I agree. A lot of people we met are international students too. We all have different experiences and perspectives but can relate to each other. We did the Jump Start program before moving into residence, which helped us get used to our surroundings and all the different people.

What challenges did you face with so many diverse people living in the same place?

P: At first, I was concerned about approaching people. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to walk up to someone and say hi. Building relationships works differently here than it does back home.

U: I was mostly concerned about trying to maintain friendships. Just because you meet someone, doesn’t mean you’ll see them again because there are so many people here with different interests. Group friendships didn’t happen quickly, but they did happen.

How does UBC create a sense of inclusion among residents?

P: It’s all about participating in different activities. In my first year, I was a floor representative at Place Vanier and helped organize many events. I think the whole purpose is to bring people together from different backgrounds to get to know one another and learn about unique traditions and customs.

You’re both from India. Does that mean you’re the same, culturally?

P: No! We have strong differences because we’re from different parts of India. Our family customs are different and we speak different languages. Living together, we realized there’s so much diversity even within our own country.

Have you learned anything new about other cultures while living in residence?

U: We have another roommate from France. It’s fun when she teaches us new words. She even made us crepes, which we had never tried before, and they were so good! It was also interesting to learn that people from France don’t speak the same as French Canadians. We didn’t really know that.

You’re both from India. Does that mean you’re the same, culturally?

Do you think there could be cultural barriers among roommates?

P: Sometimes, but very rarely. I think there could be challenges mostly related to language, food choices and sense of humour. But we all recognize that people do things differently around the world. As long as you’re willing to learn, everyone can get along.

What’s your best piece of advice when it comes to unique cultural perspectives in residence?

P: Living in residence might be difficult for people who are set in their ways and not willing to expand their horizons. It’s always best to be open-minded and accept people’s differences.

To learn more, check out UBC’s Equity and Inclusion Office—an important resource for students interested in learning more about UBC’s commitment and policies related to equity, diversity and inclusion, looking to get involved in campus initiatives or seeking support on conflicts or human rights incidents on campus, including discrimination.

Posted in Featured, Home Page, Students | Tagged ubc residence, ubc students

Shared Living

By Andy Gregory on January 22, 2014

Two roommates talking in kitchen

By Brook Jones, UBC student

Living in residence with dozens of peers, and no parents, is probably new. As with any new experience, there may be a few adjustments to make.

Luckily, the key to success is summed up in one word: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That’s how Aretha Franklin spelled it, and who am I to argue with the First Lady of Soul? The only way to keep these shared living spaces from falling into utter chaos is by showing respect for your room-, floor- and house-mates.

Different strokes

One of the great things about living in residence is being close to friends and peers. But it can sometimes be a drawback. For example, everyone has their own standard of acceptable noise levels, which can vary depending on the time of day, time or whether exams are happening.

Realize that you’re a member of an academic community. You need to respect your neighbours’ noise level needs and they need to respect yours. If you can do that, and be willing to compromise, you’ll definitely be able to make residence livable.

Clean up your act

Cleanliness is another area where respect is paramount. You’ll share hallways, a lounge and, possibly, a room. Each one of you will have your own definition of acceptable cleanliness. It’s important to establish standards and cleaning responsibilities. With common areas it’s simple:

Be tidy.
Don’t let food rot in the fridge.
Clean your dirty dishes promptly.

Housekeeping staff tidy common areas, but only the basics. You and your neighbours are all responsible for keeping these areas clean and tidy. Also, leaving a large mess might result in your floor being charged for the cleanup.

Talk it out

Respect for others is the guiding principle of residence contracts, which all residents agree to before moving in. For questions, or if you feel disrespected, contact your Residence Advisor. They are there to help resolve these sorts of situations. Remember, a little Aretha goes a long way.

Posted in Featured, Home Page | Tagged ubc housing, ubc residence

Reasons to live in residence

By Andy Gregory on January 23, 2014

Happy young university students studying with books in library

By Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan, Director, Student Residence

At UBC, we’re big believers in the benefits of living in residence. And we’re not alone. Researchers back us up and the students, themselves, do too.

From the scientists

Research has shown that, compared to students who commute, residence students:

Are more comfortable with the campus environment and more satisfied with their university experience.
Have more interaction with a diversity of faculty and staff, resulting in greater opportunity for mentoring relationships, academic discussion and exploration of ideas.
Demonstrate greater gains in critical thinking.
Show more rapid development of social and interpersonal skills.
Experience greater personal growth and development.
Have higher self-esteem, feel better about themselves, their accomplishments and demonstrate more self-confidence.
Develop greater tolerance for different cultures and lifestyles, learning how to break down cultural biases and stereotypes.
Build stronger friendships, and experience a greater sense of community.
Are more involved in residence and campus extra-curricular and volunteer activities. In doing so, they gain “functionally transferrable” skills that will aid them throughout their lives. Skills such as:
- Interacting/working with others in small groups.
- Managing a budget.
- Expressing one’s ideas in formal or informal meetings.
- Negotiating with administration.
- Creating and following through on projects.
- Are more likely to graduate from university.

Best news of all? Research suggests the net effects of residence living tend to be cumulative, and may increase in magnitude over the resident’s university career.

Source: Four Critical Years, by Alexander W. Astin.

From the students

Here is what some Totem Park and Place Vanier residents said they liked most about living in residence:

Residence staff make us feel welcome.
Making new friends from the great mix of people on my floor.
Having someone else cook and clean for me!
Quiet study hours and easy access to information.
Support when times are tough.
The planned activities and shared meals helped me meet and enjoy getting to know my neighbours.
The events—fun, fun, fun!
Participating in intramural sports with the floor team.
Emphasis on respect for diversity.
Meeting intelligent, creative, open-minded people.
A good balance between academics and social activity.
Learning to live with different people.
Chances to participate and try new activities.
Life here is good!

Posted in Home Page, Parents, Students | Tagged ubc housing, ubc residence, ubc students

Take care of your health

By Andy Gregory on January 22, 2014

Woman resting in bed, focus on feet with socks on

By Guy Robertson, contributor

Communal living can be challenging. You’ve got to accommodate other people and their (sometimes) annoying habits. They can be noisy and untidy. Occasionally they make you sick. And vice versa. Consider following a few simple rules to make residence life healthier for everyone.

Live life in moderation

Your university years are a great time to eat, drink, exercise, study and celebrate—all in moderation. Exercise is good for you until you overdo it and injure yourself. Study is essential, but sleep-deprived study sessions can weaken academic performance. Partying can be fun, but too many late nights leads to exhaustion and poor grades.

Keep it clean

One of the best ways to avoid colds and flu is to wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water and dry them using a clean towel. When? Before eating, after using the washroom, and after working in a lab, kitchen or high-traffic area such as a lecture theatre or study hall.

Avoid sharing towels, washcloths, toothbrushes and razors with others.
Dispose immediately of tissues, dental floss and bandages.
Don’t spit in public places. It’s a health risk (and kinda gross too…).

Recognize symptoms and rest up

Nobody wants to share your germs. If you’re sick, stay in bed and get rest. Most of your professors, teammates and friends will forgive your absence. Learn the symptomatic differences between a cold and flu and take your doctor’s advice to get better.

Visit a health practitioner

Make an appointment to visit a health practitioner at UBC’s Student Health Service.

Plus get additional advice and information from Nurse on Campus or Vancouver Coastal Health.

Get a shot

One of the best ways to avoid the flu is by getting an annual flu shot. They’re free and available on campus. Consider updating other common vaccines before moving into residence, especially the vaccine for meningococcal meningitis. Check B.C.’s immunization website for information about which vaccines are advised and for whom.

More resources

Posted in Students | Tagged ubc health, ubc housing, ubc living well, ubc residence

New here?

By Andy Gregory on January 23, 2014

Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan, Director, Student Residence

By Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan, Director, Student Residence

Welcome!

At UBC, we’re big believers in the benefits of living in residence. Here are ten essential tips to get the most out of your time as a UBC student.

1. Live in residence

Residence facilities, staff, programs and services make it easy for you to:

meet new people
feel part of UBC
live in a study-oriented atmosphere
find help for academic and personal challenges
try new activities
have tons of fun
get shopping, cooking and cleaning done

2. Attend all your classes

It’s the best way to stay on your academic game. Education costs money and takes time, so make every bit count.

3. Talk to your profs

Ask questions in class, after class and during office hours. Professors remember the students who talk to them and show interest in learning.

4. Consider a part-time job

But make sure you can still study and have time for friends. Limit work hours to 10–12 per week. For a short commute and to meet fellow students, consider a job on campus—there are plenty. Stop by the UBC Career Centre for more information.

5. Advocate for yourself

If you need something, ask for it. Start by asking the person right next to you. If they can’t help, seek suggestions about who can. And if you have a legitimate complaint (about, say, your living situation or a grade you received), propose a solution.

6. Friendships to last a lifetime.

This is a time to build new, lasting friendships. You’ll need your friends during the ups and downs of your year. You can also bring people together by introducing new friends to one another. But remember to keep old friendships strong, near or far.

7. It’s OK to just be roommates—not fast friends

You might not become forever friends with your roommate(s), but you do need to find a way to live together respectfully. Make a contract with your roommate(s) that outlines housekeeping standards, schedules and costs; using and borrowing each other’s things; and a policy on guests. If you live in residence, ask your Residence Advisor for the roommate agreement that can help you and your roommate(s) discuss your expectations.

8. Do something

Get involved in a club, group, association, team or volunteer work. You’ll meet new friends and feel part of UBC. You’ll also feel good knowing that you’re helping others, are part of a bigger purpose, and possibly learning professional skills. Here are a few ideas:

• Attend Clubs Fair in September.

• See UBC Recreation to browse activities and intramural sports.

• Search for volunteer opportunities.

9. Use campus resources

Learning and social resources are at your fingertips. Student Services is a one-stop-shop for information.

10. Create a schedule and follow it

Now that you’re at university, you’re the one who decides how to use your time. Schedule time to study, work, socialize. Don’t forget “me time.” It’s important to find a balance between all these important elements that make up your life.

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