March Madness: Who are we?

So the reason this blog post has taken so long, is that I have been questioning my fellow students on what certain types of students look like. These are just stereotypes, however some of them seem very true. Here's how you as a student are associated with your major

Bachelor of Education, AKA Eddies:

• Block the hallways, and standing outside classrooms loudly chatting.
• Can be seen in areas like the library, and the small cafeteria behind their mac books.

Physical Education, AKA NUPHIES

• Always wearing track pants or shirts with the NUPHIE logo
• Ponytails and headbands are a must.
• Hang out around the gyms and work out rooms.
• Always peppy and ready to go.

Fine Arts, AKA The Fava group

• Enter their classes all dressed up, or on the other side, in overalls.
• Exit class looking like a piece of art (smudges, and paint covered)
• Stick together (because they are at monastery all day)

Business

• Always dressed up
• Can be seen in suits, and business attire on days of presentations.
• Carry briefcases instead of back packs
• Always have group work, and take up lounges.

History, Psychology and Gender 

• Can be found within the library, sitting on the floor with books doing research
• Wear hoodies and jeans to every class
• Have bags under their eyes from reading through the night.
• Caffeine addicts
• Have 20lb backpacks, and often suffer from breaking backpacks.

English

• Carry an air of superiority
• Often dramatic, in drama clubs, as well as being drama queens
• Dress nicely, carry books, instead of wearing backpacks.

Geography

• In warmer months, dirty from outside adventures
• In cold months bundled up in case they have to go outside
• Animal / environmental activists
• Hide out in labs 

Science

• Live in the H - wing
• Hide behind locked doors, where they do their experiments
• Wear lab coats

Math

• considered some of the smartest students
• Often seen running help centers for first years
• seen in the library at desks stressing over work.

Roommates!

One of the hardest parts of coming to university is learning to live with new and wonderful/ CRAZY people. I was lucky because I got to move in with my best friend from high school, Mariem however we still had two other roommates to contend with and get used to, and we did have to work out a system even for us to get along. For instance I no longer really get to watch Family Guy, however Marie takes out the trash which is something I always forget to do. It's about give and take.
I asked Nipissing students what the most annoying thing their roommates do is/ was.

• Come into the living room while we are watching tv and start playing his guitar!
• She has a very shrill laugh.
• Just being girls. Honestly I hate girls.
• Distract me when I'm trying to do the stuff.
• Causing drama over stupid shit.
• Walk really loudly.
• Slam doors when I'm sleeping.
• Sleeps through their alarm clock which ends up waking me up.
• NO ONE DOES THE DISHES!
• I had the roommate from hell.
• Never shut the fuck up.
• They don't do the dishes.
• They never do dishes, clean or buy groceries.
• She felt like she was entitled to all my stuff, even my boyfriend.
• Leaves the toilet seat up.
• Leaves the condiments out.
• Not doing dishes until they pile up and start to stink.
• Leaving nasty stuff on the counter.
• Leaving their thong in the kitchen sink. I don't want to know.

The best advice I have for dealing with roommates is at the beginning of the year set up rules. It may be awkward to broach, but it's really worth it.

Talk about: 

• who cleans where and when
• who does dishes, do you do your own, take turns?
• if you share groceries (for example Marie and I share baking supplies and sometimes cook together but but our own food, and have our own storage areas)
• if you share cooking supplies, i.e. pots and utensils
• if you're comfortable with others in your room
• what articles your willing to share and lend (movies, clothes, etc)
• How you're sharing common space (storage areas, living room etc)
• what tv programming and movies are agreeable to everyone/ make a schedule of tv times if you can't agree
• when and how long guests (significant others) can stay over
• if pets are acceptable (if not dictated in contract)
• let each other know about allergies.

Romance at Nipissing

Due to Valentine's Day quick approach, I decided to ask students here at Nipissing about what they thought was the most romantic thing someone could do for them. I got some really cute answers and stories, however the most common answer was a good ol' home cooked meal ( though some people through in the candles and good china). Here are some of the answers, though I saved the best stories for last.

• Foot massages.
• Come visit me at the university.
• Take me somewhere spontaneous.
• A long walk and a picnic.
• Take me stargazing.
• Not do anything for valentines day. It's actions, not objects that matter.
• Hot Chocolate in front of a fire.
• Give me a "happy tuesday" present.
• Clean my house...
• Moonlight walks on the beach and candle lit dinners... can you put my phone number up with this?
• Random texts, and links to funny videos, just to cheer me up.
• Take a personal interest in my life, like get hockey tickets or something...
• Buy me a big bag of Kush...
• Buy me a blue stuffed dragon.
• She didn't kill me when she had the chance.
• Writing me love poems... several actually...

And now for some of the cute stories:

• My boyfriend painted me a dresser, and gave it to me, in the first drawer was a card, in the second drawer was a bottle of wine, and in the third drawer was an envelope of money, and travel brochures.
• One time I had a really bad day, and my boyfriend knew I was stressed, so he bought me flowers just to cheer me up.
• My boyfriend and I had really busy schedules so we made a date once a month to have cheese cake by candle light.
• My boyfriend had me meet him in a hotel in Barrie, where he had strewn rose petals all over the hotel room, and had drawn me a bath, and set up candles all around it. 
• One of the most loving gestures I've experienced was someone recognizing I was upset and writing to me when I was at my lowest that now matter where our roads led they would always make a U-turn and come all the way home just to give me a hug. ♥ I still appreciate it every single time I'm upset. 
• In high school, on an enrichment trip, I once walked a guy I liked and his friend to a building at Queens and then needed to head back so I could catch a bus to take me on a boat cruise. As I left the building alone, I crossed the street, and heard someone yelling "ANDREA!" I turned around and saw the guy booking it out of the building with his friend right behind him. When he caught up to me, he said that he and his friend would walk me back, and they promised not to get lost again.

Happy Valentines Day!

Time Warp

I asked upper year students around campus; "If you could go back in time, and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?"

• Go to all the events at Frosh week, it's where you'll meet some of your best friends in University.
• Don't do a double major... and coffee is your BEST friend.
• Watch out for the pandas.
• Do NOT procrastinate.
• Don't drink so much.
• It's impossible to do it all. It's about priorities.
• Save your money.
• Don't follow guidance counselor's advice.
• Go to U of T.
• Plan better. Look at prerequisites ahead of time. Keep your options open.
• Force yourself to do things.
• Prepare for grad school, get involved more dip shit.
• Enjoy it more. Go out. Don't stress. Work hard, but play equally hard.
• Have fun, but find things out about your program.
• DO YOUR FUCKING HOMEWORK!
• Drink more.
• Don't get drunk so often.
• Try More.
• FAVA is what you are going for, don't worry about other classes so much.
• Fight Jenna.
• Don't worry so much.
• Eat more ground Beef.
• Use the Calander. Don't argue, just do it.
• Buying hamburger buns instead of bread because it's cheaper is NOT worth it.
• The winning lotto numbers.

Music at Nipissing

I decided my music list is severely lacking lately. I polled students in the Green Lounge and the Small Cafeteria about their music selection. First I wanted to know what kind of music Nipissing students preferred.

11% of students at Nipissing like the Country Twang
3% like the vocals of Folk Music
6% like Techno Beats
3% like to zone out to Trance
3% like dropping rhymes to Rap
3% like Music that they can Work Out To
11% like to bust a move to Hip Hop
3% like to head bang to Metal
6% like to sing in the shower with Rock
14% like the king and Classic Rock
6% like the Oldie Hits
3% like to groove to Alternative
8% like the sweet vibes of Classical Music
20% of student say they'll listen to anything

While eventually students gave me an answer to the above question, on first impulse there were some pretty funny answers to my question of what type of music students like:
- Awesomeness
- Kick-ass-ity
- Anything... except jazz, country and Screamo
- Does cheerleading count as music?
- Neil Young IS his own Genre!

Now that I know what kind of music students at Nipissing like, I asked them to tell me their favorite songs:

• Right Through Me by Nicki Minaj
• Never Enough by Econoline Crush
• Prelude by Bach
• One in a Million by Ney'o
• Teach me How to Dougie by Cali Swag District
• Let it Be by The Beatles
• Raise your Weapon by Dead Mau5
• Psycho Killer by Talking Heads
• Be By Myself by Asher Roth
• The Cave by Mumford and Son
• Grenade by Bruno Mars
• Bite Hard by Franz Ferdinand
• Purple Rain by Prince
• Layla by Eric Clapton
• My Time by Fabolous
• Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
• For Everyman by Jackson Brown
• Speak Now by Taylor Swift
• Hotel California by The Eagles
• I Just Had Sex by Lonely Island
• Sweetness and Starlight by Matt Werte
• Ten Thousand Days by Tool
• I'm On A Boat by Lonely Island
• In Exile by Thrice
• Penitentiary by Citizen Cope
• Fuck You by Cee Lo Green
• I'm Yours by Jason Mraz
• Show Me a Good Time by Drake
• Your Sex is On Fire by Kings of Leon
• Old Man by Neil Young
• Don't Stop Me Now by Queen
• Rooster by Alice in Chains
• Gallows by Cocorosie
• If I Die Young by Perry
• Run Away by Bruno Mars
• Long Distance by Bruno Mars

The best and worst of Nipissing.

Yes, I know. We all love it here at Nipissing, that's why people come here from all over Ontario, Canada, and the world. My question is a two parter today. I walked around the school and asked our students why they loved it here at Nipissing, but on the other side what they disliked and what they would change.
I was honestly surprised at what people had to say about Nipissing, and for the first time ever I had to whole heartedly assure people that they were answering anonymously.

Why Do You Like Nipissing?

• It's a small school.
• It's small, and more personable.
• I like the class sizes, the profs are friendly and helpful, and most importantly it's far away from home.
• It's small, and I really love North Bay.
• I came for the teaching program.
• It's conveniently located.
• It's small, so there's lots of one on one with the profs.
• I'm a face, not a number.
• The profs make all the difference.
• Honestly... It's the only teacher's college that let us in.
• I like the "small town" vibe.
• There's good interaction with the professors.
• I am NOT a number.
• It's a small school.
• Everyone is really friendly, and approachable.
• I'm a person, not a cheque.
• The professors make an effort to know your name, you won't find that in any other university.
• I love the social aspect of the school.
• Sometimes, I don't.
• You ask me while I'm reading a text book?!
• I like that there is work on campus, it's less stress full.
• I like the scenery.
• I can make friends because the classes are smaller, and majors move together.
• The profs have time for you, and will make the time for you.
• I know everybody.
• The Wall . . .
• Nipissing is making an effort to expand and include more diversity.
• I like the trails, and the amount of land available.
• The classes are intimate, and the profs are dedicated to the students
•  I like going through the halls and knowing everyone, you can always get a helping hand if needed.
•  like how kind the profs are - they actually care and most of them are VERY helpful. I also like being able to find familiar faces in the halls or caf - means you can always find someone to talk to.
• I love the profs. I've been to a couple post secondary schools and so far the profs at Nip are the best. 
• I like the vending machines. They provide valuable nutrition.

Why Do You Dislike Nipissing?

• I dislike the boys.
• I dislike midterms, because it's hard to get a hold of anyone to do anything fun.
• I dislike exam season because everyone is so stressed.
• I hate that the only place to get decent food is the Wall.
• There's no course selection.
• SNOW!
• I hate the bus system.
• Cabs at night never show up.
• The work load. 
• EXAMS!
• The bus schedules.
• Small size = less resources.
• There's no good employment opportunities.
• There is nowhere to study.
• North Bay is like 4 hours away from ANYTHING!
• It's always freezing in the classrooms.
• Faculty members, and administration employees need to be evaluated more often.
• It's cold in the classrooms.
• The library is too small. (soon to be remedied)
• The gym is too small, there needs to be more equipment, and more resources.
• There needs to be a fine arts wing because the monastery is too small.
• Some of the profs suck, because the university is so small, I guess it's hard to recruit good profs.
• The tuition and the things they slip in under "fees".
• They make changes to the programs and don't tell you. (scheduling, and requirements)
• The staggered class times suck!
• The administration is ineffective.
• It's Fucking Cold!
• The bar can be scary, especially with all the bar fights.
• The crooked stairs... who thought that would be a good idea?
• North Bay drivers, the round about, and the shitty roads.

The Craziest thing I've seen at Nipissing was. . .

I asked around the University, in the halls, in classes and of course on Facebook to see what  students thought was the craziest thing to happen at the university. Here's what they have to say:

At formal there was a guy stripping on stage.

Hands down Pac Man running through the school was awesome.

That girl who sometimes walks around backwards.

At the Wall, watching the guys pull down their pants on stage at the end of the night to the song "Fuck you Gently"

My friends having sex on the Nipissing Stage

People having sex in the Wall elevator

The outfits at no pants night. . . wow

Pac man people running through the gym, and no one reacting... welcome to Nipissing

Pac man running through the Library yelling Wacka Wacka

The dirty bingo prizes

I had a bottle thrown at my head in the townhouses 

Bouncers picking fights with drunks at The Wall

Tight and bright outfits. I didn’t know there was so much spandex in the world.

A girl taking her top off at The Wall

The Crooked Stairs, and watching people fall down on them

During the lockdown when no one would let me in a room

The Granny who lectures on sex at The Wall

And here are some links to the craziest youtube videos of Nipissing:

Pacman

Ian Getting Snowed

Rafting Ducheny

Masters v.s. Eddies

Town House Tunnels 

Crooked Stairs

Best Bar in the Bay

I asked Nipissing students, everyone from first years to our fifth year eddies, What is the Best Bar in North Bay? Personally I like the zoo, for it’s music and night club feel, as well as for its sort of “grungy” vibe. 

Surprisingly (to me anyway) the Zoo was not the favorite bar in town for Nipissing Students, and not only did students tell me why they like certain bars, they also told me why they don’t like others. Here’s what Students had to say:

In the Halls:

• The Wall : It’s close, and cheap, especially compared to bars in London.
• The Wall: It’s easy, cheap and student friendly.
• Blur: Me and my friends are older, and I like that it’s the older crowd at Blur.
• The Moose: The Chicken Wings are AWESOME!
• I don’t go to Bars.
• None really.
• The Zoo: More people that I know go there, and I don’t get kicked out as often as I do at the Wall
• The Zoo: It’s close to home, everyone I know goes there, and you don’t get randomly kicked out.
• Cecil’s: I like the bands, and the atmosphere.
• The Wall: It’s the only place I’ve been.
• The Moose: Has good food, especially their wings.
• I don’t go to bars.
• Cecil’s: Really good wings.
• Cecil’s or The Moose: I just like the vibes there

From My Sexuality Class

• 100 George’s: The Wall’s music is too loud and remixed too often
• The Wall: Cheaper, Good food, and Mainly students. There are too many cougars/ pervs elsewhere.
• Cecil’s: period.

On the Facebook Group:

• I’m still looking
• The Zoo: I can just let go and dance.
• I don’t drink.
• There’s this amazing steel bar outside walmart
• The Wall: I feel the safest there, and love seeing the friendly faces of all my friends. Plus the themes and prizes are pretty amazing!!!!! <3
• The Wall: it’s right up the hill

Important and Helpful

This is a list I put together myself of programs and services that Nipissing offers to aid their students as well as some links to important information. Every student should be aware of these services and their purpose, especially first years who are trying to cope with life as an "adult".

• Book List This is where to find out what your text books will be for the semester. Most upper year students suggest that you wait until about a week into the program to buy the books listed incase the text is not required but mainly because upper year students will often sell their used text books, so keep your eyes out for flyers around campus.

• Academic Skills  This is everything from math help to writing help. The purpose of this service is to help you fine tune your skills. Academic skills is also a place where you can find a Peer Tutor, who is an upper year student who has taken the course before and can help you fine tune your skills for specific courses.

• Disability Services This is where to find support if you are someone who has a disability. The support offered is everything from exam accommodations to in class accommodations. The first step would be to read and fill out the self identification form. The Enhanced Service Program can help you with the self identification process. 

• Placement Services  This is where a student can apply for work in the university (or through the university at local businesses). Keep in mind that to qualify for Nipwork, you must have applied for OSAP (you don't necessarily have to get it, but you must apply) and show financial need.

• Peer Mentoring This is a service offered through the university which offers first years the chance to be matched up with upper year students who can guide them through their first year of university. The mentoring program offers workshops on leadership and academic success fridays, as well as providing students to get involved with the school and the community (i.e. building a float for the Santa clause parade, NUreads: reading to youths, Meal Exchange, Etc.)

• Career and Personal Counseling. Career counseling is a service which can help students choose their courses and figure out what they can do with their degree, so that they can find a career that will make them happy, while taking courses that interest them. Personal counseling offers students a venting place, a place to cry and a place to find guidance in their personal life, from coping with roommates to depression, the counselors will do their best to make sure that you get what you need to be healthy and happy.

• Financial Aid Is where you can find information on Tuition Amounts and Due Dates, Scholarship Information, Bursaries, and OSAP including the link to the OSAP Site.

• Nipissing University Student Union Which controls the majority of events involving student life including but not limited to:
• Clubs: which provide meeting places for student interests, any student can petition and create a club, it's super easy and super fun!
• Travel Boards Where students can find rides, or give rides to fellow students. These boards can also be found in the school by the tree house lounge
• Food Bank which is where students low on funds may be able to find a meal they might have otherwise had to go without.
• Frosh Week Probably the most epic event in the history of your student career.

• Women's Center which offers services to women at Nipissing, as well as raising awareness about women's rights and issues.

The Best Part of Christmas Break. . .

One thing that all university students will tell you is that the Holiday break is the best time of the school year. It's like being twelve again, waiting for school to let out, waiting for the first real snow fall, but university does have a twist. I asked some people at Nipissing what they thought the best part of the Holiday Break is, and here is what they had to say:

• The "break" part. Doing absolutely nothing school-related, defiantly.
• Reading books for FUN.
• Going home. 
• The epic family party on Christmas Day.
• Spending time with Family.
• A little sleep perhaps.
• Going home and being able to relax with the family. 
• Reading something OTHER than a textbook.
• Mum's cooking.
• Band practice.
• Family, and sleep
• Seeing all of my family and having someone cook for me!
• Having time to sleep, and maybe some real food.
• Going back to my own church.
• reminding myself of why I'm putting myself through the agony of education.
• Holiday specials
• Getting a head start on next semester's workload.
• Drinking during the week.
• Going on trips to warmer places!
• Christmas baking!
• Seeing my pets again.
• Playing cards with my family.
• Seeing my hometown friends.

Overall I think it's clear that the biggest thing you will miss while at university is your family. The break gives you free time to be with the ones you love and becomes very special to most university students.

Fun Things to do in the Bay!

I know that finding things to do in the smaller towns can be tough, especially in Winter. Lucky for all of you, I grew up in Sundridge which is a town of 1000 people about 30 minutes from North Bay. What did we do for fun you may ask.  Well here is a list of the best things to do in the Bay.

• Go Sledding (there are good hills by Canadian tire on Mckewen, of course the hill by the Monastery Hall,  and in the park on Memorial)
• Volunteer at the animal shelter. (This is my favorite thing)
• Go for a walk on Memorial, by the waterfront.
• The pool hall and bowling alley (connected) on Main Street.
• Browse Allison the Bookman the greatest used book store on Main Street, across from the bowling alley/ pool hall.
• Window shopping at the North Gate Mall, or at the old North Bay mall
• Cheep night at the theater (5.00 tickets on tuesdays)
• The ski hill will open soon.
• There are skating rinks at lower rez. and on Memorial.
• Borrow snowshoes / ski equipment from the athletic center
• Walk the trails by the university (either Duchany Falls, or the ones by the Monastery Hall)
• Go swimming at the YMCA
• Go to the Bars (The Wall, The Zoo/Cecil's, The Moose, 100 George's, The Bull&Quench, Blur)

So now if you are bored and there is nothing to do, you have a list of the epic things to do in North Bay!

The next Question coming up is about the bars in North Bay. What is the best bar in North Bay and Why?

How to De-Stress During the Exam Period

This week I made a group on Facebook in tribute to my blog called Nipissing Answers. On this I asked how students de-stressed during the exam period. Here are some of the answers I got:

• Spend time outside the house/ away from studying, like going for a coffee with a friend or taking a walk... to get caffeine... for the studying ahead.
• History Pub night, coming up Thursday December 9th
• Have sex!
• Yoga and hot chocolate... not necessarily at the same time...
• Build a Snowman, run through the snow, and when you fall make a snow angel!
• Do studying outside with sidewalk chalk!
• Free Hug Week! (December 6th - December 10th)
• Do the dishes
• Beat up on your roommate
• Surf Facebook
• Go to a playground
• Study hard, and then you don't have to worry about the questions.
• Sleeping, eating and doing stuff you enjoy is important to remember when you are in study mode.
• Long hot baths
• Listening to music while studying.
• Get snacks and junk food
• Make your BF give you a massage
• Dance!!!!!!

Here are some places you can visit in case of being stressed that are on the nipissing university website

Academic Skills Program: Student Affairs

Personal Counseling 

Disability Services 

Exam Kits

Where to Meet Guys at Nipissing

I asked this question on facebook and in my Canadian Women's History Class, to get the answers from my friends here at Nipissing;

Where do you meet guys at Nipissing? 

As you may know I have the best boyfriend in the freaking world, he's a Canadore Grad, who now works as a mechanic at Crappy Tire. I therefore need to meddle in my friends love lives and find out where to take them to meet the best guys.

1. If old Lassie episodes are anything to go by, you can meet them at the bottom of wells, and trapped in hay lofts.
2. Through Clubs and Shared Interests.
3. Canadore. . .
4. Most people meet their significant other through work or in shared classes. Other than that, I say online dating sites
5. Ask guys where they meet girls and we'll go there.
6. All the guys I've met up here, I've met through being random. i.e. talking to random guys, sneaking into the theatre to listen to people play piano, etc. So if you're sitting next to a guy on the bus, talk to him! ^_^
7. I hear Halloween parties work (from the guy who met my roomie at our halloween party)
8. Nowhere 
9. I think you might have to lower your standards if you want a Nipissing guy.
10. In my Home Town... there aren't any here.
11. Downtown, 100 Georges has the best guys.
12. Blur (the new dance club)
13. That's a good question, let me know when you figure it out
14. Men's washroom?
15. Math class
16. Police Foundations, at commerce court
17. Business class
18. Fannie's . . . . is that appropriate?

Here are some dating sites for all those lonely hearts out there: 

• Plenty of Fish - Free safe site
• E- Harmony - Has free weekends and weeks, but is mainly membership orientated 
• Match.com  - Requires a membership

Stuff to do, while in class

So, you're sitting in class, bored out of your mind, and have checked facebook twenty times already. What do you do?

• Texts From Last Night
• Games in general (make sure the sound is OFF on your computer)
• The Customer is NOT Always Right
• De-motivational Posters

Now you're out of class, working on Homework!

• How it Should Have Ended
• College Humour

And since you are slacking off anyway try these youtube videos:

• Nipissing Pac Man
• Babies eating lemons
• Baman and Piderman
• Charlie Bit my finger
• Charlie the Unicorn
• Sassy Gay Friend