6 Ways You Can Spark Something Incredible

Voting: We should all do it whenever the opportunity arises. But it’s important to remember that our municipal, provincial, and federal governments represent us at all times (and not just during election periods). Plenty of students got involved during the recent provincial election, and hopefully just as many (if not more) will prove that the youth vote matters during the upcoming federal election too. In the meantime, we can still prove that the youth vote matters by keeping ourselves informed and engaged with political happenings. Here’s how: 

1. Read More

Image courtesy of giphy.com

Do you have strong opinion when it comes to politics? Fantastic! Is that opinion to the left? The right? Somewhere in the middle?  Do you know and understand the perspective of the opposing side? Do you try to? Because you should. It’s tempting to restrict your information in-take to those opinions that match your own (i.e. if you like the left and only follow left-leaning Twitter accounts, or if you lean to the right and only listen to right-wing pod casts)—but doing so can weaken your perspective. You are a part of a larger and diverse community, so while it is important to support your personal viewpoint, you have to be respectful of all other members of the community as well. Try to understand why someone might disagree with you and then look for common ground—or at the very least, learn how to better structure your argument to appeal to them. Stay well informed by reading a variety of newspapers (and yes, those still exist). Follow a bunch of political people on Twitter and try to understand the underlying values that they believe in. Stay true to your beliefs, but don’t fall for your own propaganda.

2. Debate

Image courtesy of reddit.com

One of the best ways to learn about political views is to discuss them. An even better way to learn about them is to debate them—from any side of the discussion. While talking with your friends, you can challenge one another to learn how well different viewpoints stand alongside one another, and you can understand where your own knowledge gaps are at the same time. The Debate Society might be a great option for those who really want to test out different perspectives. The group regularly hosts politically charged discussions that challenge members’ views. Debating allows you to learn more about what you believe in, and how to approach discussions with people with whom you may not agree. After all, learning to respectfully disagree can be a tough skill to pick up, but a truly rewarding one to have.

3. Aid a Campaign

Image courtesy of tierneymilne.com

Almost all political parties and interest groups need volunteers to make things happen. Fundraising, helping out with an event, and fielding calls are just a few of the ways volunteers are able to help an organization share their message. Plus, volunteering means that you get to choose who you spend your time with – if you have a specific view point that you’d like to share then you can volunteer with a political party or a special interest group; if you would rather just encourage community involvement, then you can likely find a bi-partisan group looking to do the same (like the SU’s Get Out The Vote campaign which encourages students to vote or one of the groups that fall within the Student Umbrella for Social Justice ).

4. Join a Party

Image courtesy of thedisneyblog.com

Most parties have an affiliated youth organization for members under the age of 25. As a member, you’ll get to help choose nominees for ridings and can vote on party policies. Some of those policies might even make their way to Parliament or the Legislature. A few parties give their youth organizations special representation within the main party allowing for greater say in decision making than general members. Joining a youth chapter will also provide you with educational opportunities, as they usually organize special guest speakers to talk on a variety of community focused topics. They can also help you to connect with volunteer initiatives that might align with the issues that most matter to you.

5. Be Proactive

It’s one thing to sit down and talk about policy, but it can feel like an entirely different world when you decide to get up to get involved. For example, the Alberta chapter of Delta Upsilon saw that the Garneau Elementary School had very little gym equipment. Rather than sit around and talk about how disappointing that was, members DID something. They hosted events to raise money that they then used to purchase balls, hula hoops, and other equipment for the kids. Having an impact really can be as simple as buying a ball. What is stopping you from doing something similar?

6. Do What You Do Best

Image courtesy of ourkids.net

At this stage in our lives, many of us can feel disenfranchised by traditional politics. However, what we need to recognize is that traditional politics are not the only way to be political. If parties, Parliament, and policy make you fall asleep, you can still be politically engaged. And although you may not know it, you might actually already be politically engaged if you happen to spend your time volunteering in the community. And at its core, that is truly what politics is about: making an impact on your community. Volunteering with an organization can be a meaningful form of political engagement, whether it be the Campus Food Bank, Engineers Without Borders, or the Boys & Girls Clubs of Edmonton. And if you feel strongly about an initiative, find people who also feel strongly about it. By uniting passionate people, you can spark something incredible.


Are you expected to run for political office? No, that’s not for everyone. Politics are now about making a statement through positive engagement. Politics is about being a member of a community: and that community is diverse and hosts multitudes of opinions and perspectives. It is our responsibility to learn how to respect different opinions and it’s our obligation to look for the commonalities that exist between all of those opinions (because we’re all a part of the same community and must have some key commonalities). After all, even the smallest change can have the largest impact and everyone should be involved in the process.

----About the Author

Chris

Chris is wrapping up his undergrad at the U of A having just completed his Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Trumpet Performance. When not practising, you can find him planning community service events for his fraternity, two-stepping all night long at Cook County, or discovering the best restaurants in Edmonton. He also loves long walks through the River Valley and enjoys looking at pictures of cute puppies by candlelight while watching romantic comedies—that’s only partially a joke.

Summer Plans Made

The grass is greener and the air is warmer. Students are getting out of the classroom and onto the patio. Textbooks are being placed back onto shelves. Treadmills lay abandoned as runners feel the pounding of their feet on the trails through the river valley. IT IS SUMMER…ish! 

I spent a day going around asking students what their plans were for the coming four months of sweet freedom. I have to say that I am jealous. You all have such great experiences coming in the next few months. UAlberta, you have impressed me. Here are just a few of the highlights that people shared with me. And yes, it might be a little late to sign up for some of these experiences for yourself this summer; but pay attention and mark your calendars for next year!

CorinneMusic, III Year

While talking with Corinne, I learned something; the UofA offers a summer school in Germany. For six weeks, you are placed in a host family home in Kassel, Germany and you immerse yourself in German language and culture. AND YOU GET CREDIT!! Classes run from 8:30am until noon. Then the afternoons are spent sitting at Tor Café, visiting museums, shopping… What can be better than doing your homework in a little German café? Plus, Kassel has a lot of nearby castles and ruins, and is home to the Brothers Grimm Museum. 


So as you sit there enjoying your drink on a patio on Whyte; Corinne will be doing the same thing, just with German people. Beside a castle. And getting language credits. If you want to swap Whyte for Kassel next summer, check out www.cssg.ca.

LandonEngineering, III Year

Landon told me that his plan is to keep things simple. After spending last summer in Ecuador, he’ll be staying home this year to get some work experience and give back to the local community. Notably, he is currently looking at supporting the Mustard Seed with his time, aiding those who live in poverty. And why? Because summer is a fantastic opportunity for students to volunteer. Many youth programs need extra hands to accommodate the influx of participants. City programs are up and running again. And it’s a good chance to buff up a resume for future job prospects.

So while Landon already has plans to go camping in the Alberta wild, and will enjoy the get-togethers with his fraternity brothers, he’ll also be giving back to the community. And if you think that you have some spare time to get yourself involved, you can too. You can check the SU’s Volunteer Registry through InfoLink or Volunteer Edmonton.

Anna
Arts, V Year

Anna is going to be enjoying the fact that she is finally graduating. And as a result, a long voyage through Chile lies in her immediate future. She’ll be putting the Spanish classes that she took to good use while hiking through some of the Chilean mountain ranges. 

After her trip, she hopes to be working with the U of A Summer Camps. If you’re on campus during the summer, you’ll see hordes of grade-school kids and teenagers roaming through the halls as they learn about nature, art, sports, robotics… and yes, even math. While they are no longer accepting applications for paid summer positions, there are opportunities to volunteer with these camps, and some even offer paid positions during the school year! You can click here to learn about these opportunities. 

Jordan
Engineering, III year

Although he plans to cruise around on a houseboat for a while, Jordan’s main plan is to continue learning this summer. That’s right, he’ll actually be on campus continuing a research project that he started working on this past semester as part of the Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Research Award program. 

Research at the U of A is a great opportunity to get some extra money to help cover costs for the following year, and you do it by furthering your knowledge in the material you want to know more about. Many research programs through the university offer grants and funding that actually pay you to learn. The Undergraduate Research Initiative helps to link you to faculty awards, and information on how to receive funding for your research. It pays to be curious. 

This post barely even touches on the many individual and group achievements that will be attained over the next four months. Student groups will continue to function. People will aim for higher and better things. I obviously didn’t have enough time to find out what all of you have planned, but I really hope to hear your stories in September! (Or sooner if you hit the comments!)

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About the Author

Chris

My name is Chris, and I have a problem; there is too much to do at the University of Alberta! How can you go to class when there are concerts, philanthropy initiatives, services days, food specials, and so many interesting people all over the place?

I am in the sixth year of my Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Trumpet Performance. When I am not practicing, you can find me planning the University of Alberta Dance Marathon, planning community service events for my fraternity, two-stepping all night long at Cook County, or discovering the best restaurants in Edmonton. I also love long walks through the River Valley and enjoy looking at pictures of cute puppies by candlelight while watching romantic comedies—that’s only partially a joke.

I am excited to be writing for YouAlberta this year. I’ll be bringing you insights into some of the hidden gems of the University of Alberta experience. Stay tuned for more about YOU!

Project FU: Let’s Talk

Image courtesy of Project Feminist U

#YesAllWomen #WhyIStayed #WhyILeft #AskHerMore These are just a few of the hashtags that dominated social media last year. Each represented a collective of individuals who wanted to come together to say “We can do better.” And just in case you’re wondering: better for what? The answer, though a complex one that touches upon a number of intertwined issues, would be that we can do better for gender equality. 


As a campus that has a history of being progressive and responsive to conversations around equality through initiatives like Safe Spaces, The Landing, Pride Week, and the Gender Based Violence Prevention Project, we’ve proven that the U of A is a place where the phrase “we can do better” is taken seriously. And as I learned when I sat down to talk with Navneet Khinda, VP External for the Students’ Union, the U of A is the perfect place to continue the equality conversation by opening a dialogue about the F word – that’s right, it’s time to talk feminism. Khinda is currently running the unapologetically in-your-face Project FU. This initiative hopes to not only increase the participation of women in student leadership positions, but to also facilitate a campus-wide conversation about feminism.

In Khinda’s perspective, “there is a lot of talk about feminism, but it’s not constructive. It’s actually quite destructive, and it is not educational.” And I have to agree. It only takes a quick glance at UAlberta Confessions to see that how we approach the topic is divisive and violent. You can walk through the Garneau community and around campus and still see graffiti from last year which pits one group against another. 

That’s not how we improve.

One thing that Khinda was quick to point out is the fact that this project does not define the word “feminism” from the beginning. This is one of the conversations that Project FU hopes to initiate. If the project starts with a bias, voices will be silenced. Which is contrary to the project’s mission, but getting people to talk is quite hard.

Image courtesy of Project Feminist U

This was the basis for a name that makes you stop and think. Khinda discussed the naming of the project with me which was a long process in itself. While they could have named it something like “Equity Week”, the abrupt nature of Project FU made it ideal. She “personally [doesn’t] like the idea of backing down or shying away from what feminism is or stands for.” And that appears to be working. It’s hard not to see it pop up on your Facebook newsfeed, or on a poster and not read what it is about. Even in my personal experience, walking through the halls I see students stopping at posters and reading the quotes that are printed there.

And those quotes, they come from you. Over 500 students voluntarily and anonymously shared their experiences online through a survey that was posted weeks ago. I asked Khinda which story had the greatest impact on her. She told me the following:

“Sexism isn’t really loud in engineering – no one tells you that you don’t belong because you’re a woman, but you feel it, which is somehow worse because then you think it’s in your head. My best analogy for this is imagine you’re wearing a sweater that looks like what everyone else in your Faculty is wearing. But instead of a nice cashmere or angora or whatever, yours is synthetic polyester and every time you wear it, you feel terrible. But yours looks the same as everyone else, so you can’t explain the subtlety of it (without the other person trying it on).”

(Female, Engineer IV).

It’s the experiences like this that assures Khinda that this project is necessary. And these types of stories are common across cultures and communities.

Over the next few days, Project FU will be hosting a series of ten events that will start many conversations. I am personally excited to see the Debate Society tackle the role of men in the feminist movement on Tuesday night at 5pm in CCIS; it’s promising to be a rapid-fire, hard hitting event. On Wednesday night in SUB at 6pm, I’m sure that you’ll be able to meet Navneet at Undressing Feminism which will present ways that the feminist movement has influenced fashion over the years. You can check out the entire lineup of events here.

Project FU is one of the many steps that we can take in making our campus and our community better. After all, we’ve already made significant traction with our other initiatives. By having the conversation about feminism—what it is and its role—as a community, we have the opportunity to improve. I challenge you to be a positive part of the conversation. Participate, engage, and uplift with your words and your actions. No one deserves to feel like they do not belong on this campus. Help make that a reality. 

----About the Author

Chris

My name is Chris, and I have a problem; there is too much to do at the University of Alberta! How can you go to class when there are concerts, philanthropy initiatives, services days, food specials, and so many interesting people all over the place?

I am in the sixth year of my Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Trumpet Performance. When I am not practicing, you can find me planning the University of Alberta Dance Marathon, planning community service events for my fraternity, two-stepping all night long at Cook County, or discovering the best restaurants in Edmonton. I also love long walks through the River Valley and enjoy looking at pictures of cute puppies by candlelight while watching romantic comedies—that’s only partially a joke.

I am excited to be writing for YouAlberta this year. I’ll be bringing you insights into some of the hidden gems of the University of Alberta experience. Stay tuned for more about YOU!

Dance Marathon: 10 Reasons You Should Dance All Night Long

“For The kids,” is a phrase you'll hear and see a lot over the coming months. Why? Because the organizers of the University of Alberta Dance Marathon will be saying it a lot and they’ll be saying it everywhere.  This group of student and community members are planning what they hope will be one of the U of A’s biggest events for 2015, and given that we know that the Dance Marathon will include 24 hours of live music, DJs, dancing, and dodgeball, we’ve come up with a list of 10 reasons you might want to sign yourself up.  So, here’s our list:

1. It’s all FOR THE KIDS!

Image courtesy of helpmakemiricales.org

Do you want to help put smiles on some kids’ faces? I thought so!

2. You get to help make history!

It’s the first 24 hour Marathon in Canada!

3. There’s something for everyone!

Image courtesy of The Berry

Want some EDM? We got it! Need to put on your cowboy boots? We’ll let that happen too! Want to be in your PJs and watch cartoons? We’ve got that covered!

4. You get to rock out to this:

Image courtesy of Tumblr

Yes, there’s Disney!

5. Free food!

Image courtesy of chzbgr.com

Free as in Freebird!

6. Meet new people!

Image courtesy of Buzzfeed

Could you meet your new best friend? Certainly!

7. Late night Dodgeball!

Why sleep when you can hit people with foam balls?

8. Make an impact!

Image courtesy of alifetimeofwisdom.com

But at a dance marathon, they won't judge you if you do... Every dollar raised goes to the Stollery Children’s Hospital to help make kids get healthy and get back to just being kids.

9. Learn some new dance moves!

Image courtesy of Tumblr

You don’t need to know how to dance. We just want you on your feet!

10. Start a legacy!

Image courtesy of nonprofitctr.org

Help us Do Great Things here at the UofA! #FTK

After six years in university, I’ve learned the importance of getting involved and making my choices matter. And I think that getting involved in this particular event will allow me to make another choice that matters since I’ll be able to help kids in the process. 


For more information or to register online, visit www.ualbertadm.com

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About the Author

Chris

My name is Chris, and I have a problem; there is too much to do at the University of Alberta! How can you go to class when there are concerts, philanthropy initiatives, services days, food specials, and so many interesting people all over the place?

I am in the sixth year of my Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Trumpet Performance. When I am not practicing, you can find me planning the University of Alberta Dance Marathon, planning community service events for my fraternity, two-stepping all night long at Cook County, or discovering the best restaurants in Edmonton. I also love long walks through the River Valley and enjoy looking at pictures of cute puppies by candlelight while watching romantic comedies—that’s only partially a joke.


I am excited to be writing for YouAlberta this year. I’ll be bringing you insights into some of the hidden gems of the University of Alberta experience. Stay tuned for more about YOU!

Fall Break Study Tip Ideas (In Cartoon Form!)

The YouAlberta team was asked to provide some pieces of study advice based on how they get through midterms, and this is the result... in cartoon form:

(Note: Coffee appears a lot...)

Step 1: Wake up early

Step 2: Make some coffee

Step 3: Go to class

Step 4: Consider a late afternoon nap (or at least crave one...)

Step 5: Check your "To Do" list

Step 6: Find some caffeine

______________________________________________________

When you need to study....

Start by organizing your notes.

Try working out to relax.

Eat healthy study snacks.

Go to class. (This one usually helps.)

Take 10 minute study breaks every 3... hours? Possibly every 30 minutes? Preferably not every 30 hours...

Go to your prof's office hours if you need help with a concept.

And finally... get some sleep.

______________________________________________________________

Panel 1: Wake up early

Panel 2: REALLY early (the clock says "6:00am")

Panel 3: That might be going to class...

Panel 4: Understand a concept... or ask a question?

Panel 5: Study 

Panel 6: Realize you need a break

Panel 7: Head to a coffee line

Panel 8: Take a study/coffee break with a friend

___________________________________________________________________

"Take a Fake Break"

Panel 1: Study like you normally would

Panel 2: Think of a creative way to review your material

Panel 3: In this case, find a resource (like a neuro-anatomy colouring book)

Panel 4: There's the resource

Panel 5: Enjoy taking in the info you need to study differently (in this case, by colouring neuro-anatomy instead of just re-reading your notes)

___________________________________________________________

"How to Survive Midterms (And How Not To)"

Try: Making an Epic Study Plan for yourself

Try: Eating healthy snacks (and yes, there is more coffee in there)

Don't try: Having a Netflix marathon instead of reading

Try: Studying in the library

Don't try: Having a disco wine party the night before your exam

Try: Sleeping the night before your exam

__________________________________________________________________

"Cramming The Night Before An Exam: You Probably Shouldn't"

Panel 1: Realizing that you need to start studying late at night (likely not a good idea)

Panel 2: Studying (a good idea... but probably not late at night)

Panel 3: Time passes

Panel 4: You'll likely start to feel exhausted

Panel 5: More time passes

Panel 6: Move to a different study spot (this could actually be helpful... moving around a little and having a change of scene can be useful)

Panel 7: That could be the sun coming up... or it could be your notes heading out a window... either way, likely not helpful

Panel 8: Realizing that you've been up all night studying can be stressful. 

The bottom line: Avoid being in a situation where you have to cram the night before. Start studying early, break things down into sections to review, and make sure that you take care of yourself.

_________________________________________________________________

This one probably needs a little more explanation....

Step 1: Wake up form a good night's rest

Step 2: Eat a healthy breakfast

Step 3: Attend a review session for your class

Step 4: Study in the library

Step 5: Have a coffee/study break with a friend

Step 6: Study in the library again

Step 7: Work out at the gym.... that's honestly the suggestion here. Honestly. 

Step 8: Get a good night's rest and repeat.

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So to summarize: 

Stay well rested, eat properly (yes you do need to eat properly), take care of yourself, ask for help when you need it (because it's always okay to ask for help), give yourself a break when you need one, and take your time. 

From the Tuck Shop with Love: Celebrating the Green & Gold

With Open House happening this weekend and we look to the future students of the U of A who will push our school to greater heights, we should also look back at those who have helped raise our school to where it is now. Last month, the U of A hosted alumni from throughout our history and celebrated what it means to be Green & Gold. The following account is a (cinnamon-filled) taste of the events that brought us all together. 

The Mission: Infiltrate Alumni Weekend and eat Tuck Shop Cinnamon Buns

Welcome? They’re trying to lull me into a false sense of security!

Delicious cinnamon buns are so close… I can practically taste them!

Look at their security! They’re full of hot air!

The only thing standing between me and deliciousness is… four smiling, friendly ladies!

Finally!  Come here my sweet, tasty beauty!

Oops… guess I’ll need another one!

I’m full… oh look! Art! Building asteroids for a sculpture: our Fine Arts alumni have great ideas.

Date: September 19, 2014Mission Update: Successfully infiltrate the Green & Gold picture

Security again seems to be falling flat

The Golden Bears Football team! They’ve spotted me!

It’s Guba and his UofA Cheer Team posse! 

Date: September 19, 2014

Mission Update: Survive the Sock Fight 

The socks have been donated to Boyle Street, the Salvation Army, and iHuman! We really are doing great things!

Date: September 20, 2014

Mission Update: Cheer on the Golden Bears Football team to a win against the Regina Rams

We win! Amazing! 44-42 for the Golden Bears! “Ring out a cheer for our Alberta…”

Date: September 20, 2014

Mission Update: Eat a lot of Free Candy

The Wet Secrets sure know how to dress…

… and rock out on stage!

Date: September 21, 2014

Mission Update: Get cultured at the Music Department Homecoming Concert

The University Symphony Orchestra does some last minute checkups before the concert.

The USO performed Beethoven’s First Symphony and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performed Gandalf from De Meij’s First Symphony and the UofA Cheer Song. Raucous applause in the hall!

----About the Author

Chris

My name is Chris, and I have a problem; there is too much to do at the University of Alberta! How can you go to class when there are concerts, philanthropy initiatives, services days, food specials, and so many interesting people all over the place?

I am in the sixth year of my Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Trumpet Performance. When I am not practicing, you can find me planning the University of Alberta Dance Marathon, planning community service events for my fraternity, two-stepping all night long at Cook County, or discovering the best restaurants in Edmonton. I also love long walks through the River Valley and enjoy looking at pictures of cute puppies by candlelight while watching romantic comedies—that’s only partially a joke.


I am excited to be writing for YouAlberta this year. I’ll be bringing you insights into some of the hidden gems of the University of Alberta experience. Stay tuned for more about YOU!