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ISSUE CONTENTS 4
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WELCOME
4
MLA WELCOME
5
SU PRESIDENT WELCOME
5
MP WELCOME
6
MEET THE STAFF
7
HOW TO INTERACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT
8
STUDY SPOTS AROUND CAMPUS
9
MACHALL DINING
10 NEW TO RESIDENTS? SO AM I 11 SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS? 13 PARKING ON CAMPUS 14 AESTHETICS ON CAMPUS 16 SAFETY ON CAMPUS 17 MENTAL HEALTH ON CAMPUS 18 U OF C DINOS EVENTS 19 7 TIPS TO GET ORGANIZED 20 BAD ADVICE FOR THE FACULTIES 21 RATING TFDL FLOORS 22 FOUR FUN MOVIES FOR FROSH
Contributors Nicholas Cervania Aressana Challand Luis Armando Sanchez Diaz Photo Credits Yasmine Elsayed Mariah Wilson Olympus Digital Camera Louie Villanueva Ava Zardynezhad Patricia Vallalba Pinterest IMDb 3 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
WELCOME BACK!
After a little more than a year spent online, we can finally begin welcoming students on campus to the University of Calgary, albeit with a little more uncertainty than we’d like to. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how absolutely ridiculous this past year has been. While I’m excited to be back, I know there
are still anxieties about the future. Despite that, there are also many opportunities that you’ll get to experience as well. I know it might be cliché, but your time at university is what you make of it. If there’s ever been something you’ve always wanted to try, now is the time to go for it. Ever wanted to learn how to play Quidditch? Dungeons & Dragons? Write for your university newspaper? I encourage you to jump off the deep end and take in as much as you can. If quarantine has taught us anything it’s that you can’t know what’ll happen, even in a couple of months from now — so open yourself up to those crazy opportunities, even if you only try it once. As you flip through the pages of this magazine, you’ll get to know our staff and the pieces of advice and general knowledge that they’ve accumulated over the years. You’ll also get to read some of our volunteers’ contributions on a wide range of student experiences. Think of this as your first-year survival guide to campus. And listen, I wasn’t joking about wonder-
ing if you wanted to write for us. We’re always looking for volunteers to help us share the stories that matter most to the campus community. So, visit us on the third floor of MacEwan Hall — I’m sure you’ll figure out where that is soon enough — and meet the team. From late night study-sessions, to thrilling sports tournaments, to unique art exhibitions, to roaming the halls when you’ve got nothing to do, to stuffing yourself with the Vietnamese subs at Bake Chef and loving every second of it, to making friends with someone in lecture and then never speaking to them again once the course is over — I’m sure with time you’ll have your own stories to look back on and remember what your time was like at the University of Calgary. Welcome, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings.
Cristina Paolozzi, Gauntlet Editor-in-Chief
...And from the government Welcome to both new and returning students to the University of Calgary. I am Jason Copping, your local MLA for Calgary-Varsity. As a former instructor at the Haskayne School of Business for over ten years, I am honoured to now represent you and your interests in the Alberta Legislature. You have chosen to attend a university that continues to be ranked as a top research university in Canada and has a number of top ranking programs recognized internationally. This is in part thanks to the incredible faculty and staff that run the university, but also in part to you, the students. I want to recognize the challenges of the last year faced by students. Virtual learning required you to adapt significantly and I commend you for rising to the occasion. I understand that campus life will still look a bit different, as you will experience a mix of virtual and in-person classes. Regardless, I hope this year involves more 4 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
of the traditional campus experience that each student deserves to have. Our government recognizes the importance of education and ensuring students are set up for success when they reach the workforce. Coming out of the pandemic, we continue to make strides towards getting our economy back on track. This includes diversifying our economy and making Alberta an attractive place to live, particularly for young people like yourselves. These objectives will ensure investor confidence and bring back jobs to Alberta — jobs that you as students need upon graduation. Alberta’s post-secondary institutions are critical to this, ensuring Alberta is once again open for business. My constituency office is located at 1055 20 Ave NW, unit 201. If you have concerns of a provincial matter please contact my office at 403-216-5436 or email at calgary. varsity@assembly.ab.ca. I also look forward to being on campus and having the
opportunity to meet with students and attend events. Please watch for notices of when I will be available on campus. I wish you all the best as you begin your new year at the University of Calgary.
Jason Copping, Memeber of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Varsity
from the Gauntlet and Students’ Union....
Welcome to the University of Calgary! My name is Nicole Schmidt and I am your Students’ Union President. Congratulations on starting your studies here at the University of Calgary! As part of starting your studies here you are also now a member of the Students’ Union. So what does that mean? It means that you have someone in your corner as you navigate campus and academic life. It also means you get access to some sweet services, benefits and supports. The SU represents student interests on campus. We offer programming, volunteer opportunities and resources to all
undergraduate students. Whether it’s supporting the more than 300 student clubs you can join, providing locker rentals or advocating on student issues to government and to university administration, the SU is here to support you during your time at university. Maybe most importantly, the SU also offers a health and dental plan for all students. This provides access for you to a wide array of benefits to support your physical and mental well-being as you study. We know that this is a new experience for you and we know the last eighteen months or so have been challenging. Rest assured that we are here for you when you need us. The SU is made up of myself and a team of executives working to support you in a variety of areas including student life, academics, operations and external affairs. The SU also has several faculty representatives who represent your interests within your faculty and to the greater university. All our contact info is listed on the SU website at www.su.ucalgary.ca. Student life is going to be new, and certainly different than high school. The best advice myself and my colleagues can give you is to get involved. For you that might be a Dinos sports team or intramural
sport. It could be one or a few of the clubs I mentioned earlier. It may even be volunteering or running for a position with the SU. Whatever it is, university is so much more than just going to class. Find an activity that matches your own hobbies, interests and ambitions. As a political science and international relations student, I can tell you one of the best things I ever did was join the University of Calgary Model United Nations Team. It’s a great way to build a network, make friends and have a good time while doing it. With over 300 clubs on campus, there is literally something for everyone. Small decisions like joining a club do matter. You never know where that decision to get involved will take you, especially as you spend the next four years here on campus. As you begin your classes and learn to navigate campus, myself and the other elected officials at the Students’ Union are here to represent you and support you every step of the way. Again, welcome to the University of Calgary and welcome to the Students’ Union.
Welcome to our community and the constituency of Calgary Confederation. Congratulations on your acceptance to study at the University of Calgary! The coming years will shape you in the most unimaginable ways and will serve as a foundation for the rest of your lives. Yes, you need to study and you will need to do your work, but also take time for yourself. Discover new friends, new experiences and new places. Most importantly, get involved! Become involved in something — anything! This will open your mind, your heart and your imagination. It will provide you with skills and experience; it will provide you with insight and inspiration. Consider being involved in sports, campus clubs, service clubs, or any one of hundreds of volunteering opportunities. You
could even get involved in politics! When you walk across that stage at graduation, make sure you leave with more than just a piece of paper. It is up to you to determine what it is that you leave university with, but make sure it embraces a broader knowledge of the world around you and the people in it. Leave more than you take, and leave knowing you made a difference in lives other than your own.
Nicole Schmidt, SU President
Lenn Weber, Member of Parliment for Calgary Confederation
5 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
THE GAUNTLET EDITORIAL STAFF Cristina Paolozzi, Editor-in-Chief eic@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Aries Major: History and Education (Concurrent) Favourite Colour: Red Three things I can’t live without: Bullet journal, laptop, something to fidget with Where people can usually find me: I’m always running around, but usually the Gauntlet office
Rachneet Randhawa, General Editor Ava Zardynezhad,General Editor general@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Aries Major: MD Favourite Colour: Green Three things I can’t live without: My glasses, moral support, power outlets Where people can usually find me: They can’t :’)
general@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Libra Major: Anthropology Favourite Colour: Coral Three things I can’t live without: Reusable water bottle, sticky note flags, favourite moisturizing and tinted lip balm Where people can usually find me: One of the desk cubicles on the upper floors of the TFDL or that side seating area in the clubs space in MacHall
Sophia Lopez, News Editor news@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Pisces Major: Communications and Media Studies Favourite Colour: Pink Three things I can’t live without: My glasses, earbuds, whiteout Where people can usually find me: At the MacHall Starbucks or Tims line
Megan Koch, Visuals Editor visuals@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Sagittarius Major: Communications and Media Studies Favourite Colour: Blue Three things I can’t live without: Caffeine, agenda, Spotify study playlists Where people can usually find me: I don’t know the U of C campus very well, so probably the Gauntlet office space
Danise Simpelo, News Editor news@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Libra Major: History and Antropology Favourite Colour: Blue Three things I can’t live without: Charger, naps, laptop Where people can usually find me: Sixth floor of the TFDL
Valery Perez, Visuals Editor visuals@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Cancer Major: Ecology with Geography minor Fav colour: Fall pallete vibes (yellow, green, orange) Three things I can’t live without: Coffee, my water bottle and chapstick Where people can usually find me: ICT because I love the big windows
Aymen Sherwani, Voices Editor Kristy Koehler, Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Aries Major: Communications Favourite Colour: Orange Three things I can’t live without: Hot dog buns, coffee, purple pens Where people can usually find me: The Den
6 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
voices@thegauntlet.ca Zodiac: Cancer Major: Political Sciences and Law and Society Favourite Colour: Sage green and Pastel blue Three things I can’t live without: My emotional support water bottle, my LANEIGE lip mask, and a chic pair of boots Where people can usually find me: If I’m not in the Starbucks line, you can find me in the Gauntlet office
HOW TO DEAL WITH THE GOVERNMENT AS A STUDENT Cristina Paolozzi Editor-in-Chief
As a young adult in Calgary, the realities of the political world are becoming more of a responsibility than ever before. While there are some folks who love to debate and are in-the-know about certain policy decisions or potential political leaders in their community, others may feel intimidated, or might not be interested at all. As you continue to grow and move through this exciting period in your life, here are some important things to remember about how to interact with the government as a student.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT There will be an election this year in October, so now is a great time to read up on some of the candidates who could potentially be new leaders in the city. The City of Calgary controls things like public transportation and the UPass, which is included in your student fees. Most students commute to campus by CTrain — a light-rail train that connects the university with the downtown core. While train service isn’t horrible, there are definitely a few gaps here and there, especially if you live in the far suburbs. The Green Line is the latest investment to the transit system in the city, which is another thing you’ll probably hear about during this election cycle.
PROVINCIAL POLITICS The provincial government is where most of the decisions are made regarding post-secondary education. Apart from the fact that the United Conservative Party (UCP) loves to cut funding to things like healthcare and education, the debates happening at this level of government will be who bodies like the Students’ Union (SU) or university administration interacts with the most. The provincial government announced funding cuts to post-secondary education in their Budget 2021 which saw a 1.4 per cent decrease in funding for advanced education. Decisions regarding COVID-19 regulations and restrictions are also mostly mandated by the province, however, separate institutions like the university will have their own policies in place come September.
FEDERAL POLITICS Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party currently lead a minority government since the most recent election in 2019. With the news of a snap election this fall, there will be plenty of political buzz on campus to follow. Some of the issues that impact students the most at this level are things like the environment and climate change, student loans and the Canada Summer Jobs program. The government has set the interest rate to zero for the federal portion of student loans in an effort to support recent grads. While the impact that the pandemic has had on young people especially has been enormous to say the least, initiatives like the Canada Summer Jobs Program are a great way to find support as a student.
STAY INFORMED Reading student press is one of the best ways to stay informed on any level of government. The Gauntlet covers municipal, provincial and federal politics with a student-focused lens. For a birds-eye view and a distinctly Calgarian angle, be sure to support other local news too. Whatever you do, don’t forget to vote. 7 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
Ava Zardynezhad General Editor
Campus STUDY Spaces
Like it or not, as university students, we are bound to kill a lot of time on campus. While much of this time will be wasted looking for a spot to sit, for many, this time will be spent studying. So here’s a list of places you can study around campus.
THE TFDL :
THE SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE :
This University of Calgary institution is where many students will go in search of an empty seat. During the hours of the day, the search is not very fruitful, but it’s a risk worth taking. I would recommend studying anywhere above the 4th floor of the TFDL. The upper floors are often quieter and there’s more room for individual study time. If you’re planning to spend the day at the library, be sure to get there early — that would be before 10 a.m. Don’t bother looking for a spot between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. You will not succeed. The TFDL is ideal for studying in the late afternoons. There’s access to power outlets almost everywhere in the building so it’s the best place to sit and study for students. I repeat, this is not the best place to go to between classes because you will end up spending more time looking for a place to sit and study than actually studying.
The SRC is located in the Science B building and is an underrated study space. You’ll probably pass by it many times on your way to class or to MacHall and wonder, “What is this peculiar glass room? What purpose does it serve?” Well the SRC serves many purposes. If you’re passionate about issues of environmentalism and sustainability, I’d highly recommend checking out their website. In the context of this article though, this is a great study space for many reasons. There are a few communal tables you can sit at and study with friends. There are enough power outlets to go around and the lighting is everything you’d dream about. There’s some ambient noise, since this isn’t a quiet study space. Lastly, the room never gets that crowded. Keep in mind, you do have to sign in and sign out when you enter and leave the room.
THE LAW LIBRARY :
SOCIAL SCIENCES BASEMENT :
I don’t hate the Law Library. This is one of the quietest places on campus. There are plenty of seats and they’re sufficiently spaced out. There’re outlets galore. Spaces are more limited than the TFDL, but the library doesn’t usually get too crowded. My only issue with this library was that it was always so far from my classes. But, if most of your classes happen close to Education Tower or Murray Fraser Hall, this would be an ideal study space.
I personally don’t recommend studying here. The Social Sciences Basement is often too crowded and loud. There isn’t enough light and because it’s a main entrance into the university, it’s always cold. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a last resort. It’s definitely a place to sit where you don’t have time to stray too far from the lecture halls in Science Theatres. Like any other place, the seats in this basement are often filled to the maximum during lunch hours. You also won’t have access to a charger here. I will admit, I have spent many mornings before class and many hours before exams studying and reviewing here. It can still serve as a decent study space.
THE ATRIUM : Personally, I really enjoyed studying at the atrium. I loved being surrounded by trees, plants and statues while I studied, especially back when I was taking a classics course. During the day, the Atrium gets super busy, especially around lunch time. However, early mornings and late afternoons are great for studying here. The atrium has a few fundamental issues. It can be chilly inside so be sure to bring a jacket. The chairs are not ergonomically ideal for studying, so you can’t spend long hours sitting down. There is also a serious shortage of power outlets and tables. Overall, the Atrium is a peaceful place to study, where there is a bit of ambient noise, for those who can’t study in total silence. I will say, this is a great place to catch up on reading.
ARTS LOUNGE: My feelings towards the Arts Lounge are mixed. This space can vary between being crowded and relatively empty, so discretion is definitely advised. However, the space is perfect for studying. There are many tables you can sit at, plenty of outlets as well as access to a sink and a microwave oven. This is also a great place to study with friends. Beware of distractions if you decide to study here.
MACHALL DINING Kristy Koehler Volunteer Coordinator
There’s a couple of things on campus that students just can’t live without — food and caffeine. Thankfully, there’s plenty of both at the University of Calgary. Whether you’re a new student or returning to campus for your final year, read on. You might just discover a new favourite to feast on!
BAKE CHEF It would be incredibly inappropriate — and probably rage-inducing for returning students — to have a favourite foods list without including Bake Chef. This not-so-hidden gem is the best place in the city (seriously!) to get a Vietnamese sub. They offer a selection of hot buns that are to die for like the hot dog bun, chicken bun and ham and cheese bun. Their banana chocolate chip muffins are also criminally underrated and you can snag a coffee to go with it.
BREW & BLENDZ This little coffee shop in the Haskayne School of Business is a serious improvement on any Starbucks you might find. They offer smoothies, incredible lattes and really, really good coffee. The staff are super friendly and always happy to help you navigate any allergies or sensitivities. If you want to enjoy your coffee for more than just a caffeine buzz, hit up Brew & Blendz.
FUEL FOR GOLD Athletes who need some fuel for the field will find what they need at Fuel for Gold. Students who aren’t athletes can grab a nutritious meal that feels home-made here too. It’s one of the few places on campus to get a real breakfast meal. Plus, proceeds go to support athletics in Alberta. You can root for the Dinos with every bite. As an added bonus, they serve Phil & Sebastian coffee too — a definite step up from other outlets on campus.
THE DEN Some of the best pub food anywhere comes from this Students’ Union-operated outlet. The Den has a huge selection of pub favourites, specials to suit the student budget and some innovative offerings. When you need more than a coffee for lunch, the Den serves alcoholic beverages too. Since we’ve all been away from campus due to the pandemic, we’re excited to see what the Den comes up with to welcome students back this year. No doubt it will be excellent.
NOODLE & GRILL EXPRESS The daily lunch specials at Noodle & Grill Express will give you a serious amount of food for the price you pay. From soups to salad rolls, non-fried meat options and exceptional noodles, this is one of the best places on campus to level up your lunch. You’ll find plenty of other offerings in MacHall and beyond, so don’t limit yourself to this list. From sushi to Korean BBQ, poke to fast food burgers, there’s something for everyone. 9 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
NEW TO RESIDENCE? SO AM I
Luis Armando Sanchez Diaz News Assistant
A
s we look forward to moving into our own places for the very first time, we need to prepare for a set of exciting challenges and plan thoroughly to make the best out of what looks like a thrilling situation. Here I present to you a set of suggestions of what you can do to organize yourselves as you head into one of the various U of C residence buildings. These suggestions are based on mechanisms and practices that have worked for me — an incoming second-year international student from Mexico who’s never lived in residence — so far. One of the first things that you must do before moving into residence, regardless of which building you’ll be living in, is to make sure that you have paid the deposit and have signed your dorm lease. Make sure you have selected your meal plan as well — if you’re required to get one or wish to have one. That will give you assurance that you’ll have a place to stay and available meals to eat throughout your year of studies at the U of C. Since most of the residence apartments or rooms are shared double- or four-bedrooms, it is essential that you contact your roommates so you can get to know each of them before moving in. Remember that they will be your family for the next academic year and will be with you during the ups and downs of your university experience. Also, it’s important to discuss among your roommates what appliances they will be bringing over so nobody buys extra stuff. This can save you as much money as possible. Additionally, you’ll have to buy several items to equip your dorm room, like bedsheets, a duvet, pillows and maybe a desk lamp. Make sure that you search across different stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond, HomeSense, Walmart or Amazon to find the best deals — whether it’s in-store or online. Remember that some stores offer student discounts. Don’t forget to ask about discounts and bring your student ID, just in case. The final tip I’ve got for you is to have an open mind so you can make new friends during and after the move-in period. Gather with your floor-mates at the common areas and participate every time there’s an event organized by Residence Services. Never hesitate to ask for help at the front desk of your building — there’s people that will be more than happy to help you out. Many of them are students who have gone through the same process as you. Moving into residence is an exciting experience that has to be carefully planned. However, unexpected things will happen and those are the memories that will stay with us forever — this is just part of being an undergraduate student.
SHOULD YOU BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS? Aymen Sherwani Voices Editor
Whether or not you should buy your textbooks every semester has always been somewhat of a controversy. For starters, many students have stopped buying physical copies of textbooks altogether as a result of the transition to online learning, and don’t see the point of paying hundreds of dollars for e-books for a single semester. For first-years wondering if they should be proactive and buy the textbooks that their professors have detailed in their course outlines before the class has even started, here’s a word of advice — don’t. Never pay full price unless you ultimately have to. I know that it may seem like this is a new and shiny chapter in your lives and thus everything else should also reflect that, but consider the following: tuition is projected to increase by over 50 per cent for some programs by Fall 2022, alongside the potential privatization of the University of Calgary bookstore which is speculated to cause textbook prices to skyrocket. Buying new textbooks for every class and then realizing that your professor is only going to be using one chapter or testing heavily on lectures are just a few of the traumas that all students know a little too well. That doesn’t mean the incoming first-years have to navigate such a minefield either. Below are some cheaper alternatives to buying new textbooks every semester.
SEARCHING FOR YOUR TEXTBOOKS ON A PUBLIC DOMAIN This is your first line of defense against having to pay for textbooks. Using legal public domains like Library Genesis to find free copies of assigned course textbooks has been my life saver for years. I once found an $80 textbook on their server and have never looked back since. The only drawback is newer editions aren’t readily available on the platform, nor are any textbooks from publishers with heavy copyright restrictions. However, if you are able to find earlier editions of your textbooks on a public domain, don’t hesitate to ask your professors if these are acceptable to use. Many professors are really understanding and try to accommodate you as best as possible.
BORROWING TEXTBOOKS FROM THE U OF C LIBRARY Ah yes, the library. Home of the commonly known third floor hangout spot and the less commonly known fifth floor bathroom where everyone goes to hook up. You might be wondering, who even goes to the library to sign out a book anymore? Broke university students that can’t afford to buy their textbooks, that’s who. You would be surprised at the amount of textbooks you can borrow at the library just to do your readings — the only drawback is that usually there are a limited number of copies avail-
able, typically restricted to a 2-3 hour checkout time, and are not allowed to leave the library. To find out whether your textbooks are available to be borrowed, visit the U of C’s library website.
JOINING YOUR PROGRAM’S TEXTBOOK EXCHANGE GROUP Another great alternative to breaking the bank and buying new textbooks is joining a textbook exchange group. Whether it is a concentrated group specifically related to your major or this general U of C Textbook Exchange with over 17.7K members, being part of a buy-and-sell community is a more comprehensive resource for obtaining textbooks. Here you would have the opportunity to compare textbook prices across multiple sellers, as well as potentially find sellers who include their course notes as part of a package deal. This is at a fraction of the cost you would pay buying brand new textbooks.
RENTING YOUR TEXTBOOKS If you don’t want to go through the hassle of using a beat-up used physical copy or go through the anxiety of doing your readings at the library, one of the most cost-effective options is to rent out an online version of your assigned texts for the semester. Most students find that their textbooks remain relatively untouched after the course is over and don’t want to go through the hassle of trying to resell it or let it collect dust on their shelf. Renting your textbook through the U of C bookstore is a good option for physical rentals, but in my personal opinion, using an eTextbook reader like VitalSource is even more cost efficient with most rentals costing $30-40 for 5-6 months. This platform in particular allows you to highlight and bookmark sections that you’re currently studying as well as make flashcards. Personally, I don’t see anything better than this since I’ve been able to find almost every textbook I’ve needed on this site for an almost criminally lower cost than a new physical copy.
BOUND AND COPIED If you’re the type of person who likes to hold onto textbooks and build up somewhat of a collection, then buying your books may not be a bad idea. A cheaper alternative to the U of C Bookstore would be the Students’ Union’s very own consignment service, also known as Bound and Copied. Aside from tending to your copying, printing and bindery needs, Bound and Copied allows you to buy and sell your used textbooks at a competitive price, and is operated by other students on campus. Sustainability wise, it’s a great option as most of the proceeds taken by the SU are reinvested back into programs and campus resources. 11 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
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Parking on Campus Let’s face it, paying for daily parking on campus can be expensive and many of us live way out in the boonies to find riding the LRT line any good, despite the UPass program that’s offered to students. This is where some clever parking hacks can come in handy for the new school year. We can’t offer you completely free loopholes, but we can give you more affordable approaches, especially if you don’t mind taking the scenic route to campus at times. You only need to do a simple peruse of Reddit once in a while to pick up on more quick tips. So here’s our top five back-to-school tips for finding parking on or near the University of Calgary campus.
PARKING PASS: Getting a parking permit for the semester is the classic way to go — but also the most overpriced. A permit for the Arts parkade is $146.30 plus GST per month, totalling just under $600. Unless you work full time, or are juggling multiple responsibilities, this isn’t an ideal option — especially if you’re on a budget. Outside lots are about $20 cheaper, but again, it depends on your timetable and how much of a distance you need to walk to your classes. Getting a parking pass is an option, but only if you can afford it.
MCMAHON STADIUM: It’s not the ideal option, especially when the winter season rolls around. But it does offer a nifty flat rate of $5 for the whole day. Typically, if you’re there Monday to Friday for an entire month, you are looking at dropping $100 each month, or around $400 for the semester. This option is decent if you’re a broke university student, but you do have to go on a bit of a detour and take a stroll as the stadium lies adjacent to the campus. Look at it this way — it’ll be your daily dose of exercise. The only downside is if you are time-strapped, it’ll definitely be a nuisance at times.
PARKING AT BRENTWOOD AND RIDING THE LRT: This is straightforward really — many who cannot afford overpriced parking rates opt to park their vehicle at one of the Calgary Transit stations and hop on the LRT. The nice thing about Brentwood is that it’s only one stop away and puts you smack-dab in the middle of the student-commuting-to-campus runway, so it’s a breeze. The only downside is that the station’s parking lot is always jam-packed. The only advice I can give is not to go during peak hours. For instance, for earlier lectures you have to get in bright and early — ideally between 7:00 a.m.
Rachneet Randhawa General Editor
and 8:00 a.m. I have found though, that after lunchtime there are more vacant spaces. Past 1:00 p.m. you should manage to squeeze in there.
PUBLIC PARKING LOTS CLOSE TO CAMPUS: This can be a hit or miss. Hit, because you can easily find many empty spots in random strip malls and plazas. Miss, because let’s face, it all of them have those pesky “if you’re not a customer, you can’t park here” signs. But if you can manage to find a one-off lot — even some ways from campus — you can always hop on a city bus and make your way to campus. You wouldn’t really want to pay the price to ride transit, as again, the whole point of this is to save you some cash. But hey, it beats the daily and regular on-campus rates. Also, if you’re a part-time student, you may also qualify for the Low Income Monthly Pass — especially if you’re living on your own and renting with roommates with no financial support. Discounted rates range from $5.45 to $54.50 per month. It’s a headache to fill out the paperwork, but this will save you some savoury bucks in the long run. The only downside I see is that bus times can be unreliable, especially in the winter. I would suggest downloading the Calgary Transit app for up-to-date arrival and departure times if you decide to take this route. But surprisingly, Google Maps has worked just as well and is usually pretty accurate.
RENT A PARKING SPOT: This is the only option I haven’t tried out for myself — but from the looks of it, it shows promise. Use buy and sell platforms like Kijiji to your advantage, and find individuals near the University LRT station or closer to campus who are renting out their parking spots. There’s bound to be extra space in a garage pad, or sparse space in and around these nearby neighbourhood dwellings. If you can score some sort of private backyard lot for even $50 — or even less — per month, you’re still saving on half the costs of a standard U of C parking permit. This option also causes the least amount of convoluted stargazing to find daily parking spots. Simply park and walk a couple of minutes to campus, depending on what location you can score. Of course, our experiences are pre-pandemic. The campus may be more or less crowded than it was compared to previous years, but it’s always great to have backup options. So check out one of these hot hacks for parking in the upcoming school year.
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Aesthetics on Campus & Where to Shop Them
Aymen Sherwani Voices Editor
Campus style pre-COVID-19 was boring, vague and barely had a personality to it. I still remember people wearing their black turtlenecks, fanny packs and blue jeans all while having the audacity to call it fashion. It’s giving Steve Jobs and ‘90s era Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, bestie. Now, we have TikTok and Instagram to thank for the rise of “aesthetics” that are so much more than just styles — they’re romanticized visual manifestations of what people want out of their lives represented through the media they consume, the way they decorate their house and most importantly, how they dress. Aesthetics like Y2K and Dark Academia have become so iconic that you can search them up on Netflix and watch movies and shows that fall under their respective categories. Now that’s marketing. Something particularly unique about style aesthetics nowadays is how they are also heavily reliant on thrifting and peer-topeer online shopping stores like Depop — where you can quite literally find and wear clothes dated from an era you’re trying to emulate. Below are arguably the most popular style aesthetics you’ll see while walking around campus during your first week, their style essentials and where to shop them on a university student-friendly budget.
Y2K (Early 2000s Era) The 2021 return of Y2K — which stands for the Year 2000 — is a result of a lot of things. It could be because the internet was obsessed with vaporwave lo-fi study beats, the nostalgia behind ‘00s romantic comedies like Legally Blonde and Clue14 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
and Christina Aguilera. While the most ethical option would be to go thrifting, Y2K has always been fast fashion so the best places to shop this aesthetic without looking absolutely cheugy would be online stores like Amazon, Cider, Princess Polly and Pretty Little Thing.
less, or maybe even just the #FreeBritney movement. When I think of Y2K style I think of two words: purposeful flashiness. You want to turn heads when you’re walking down the hall and aren’t afraid to throw on some latex boots to match your nylon shoulder bag to let everyone know that you are that girl. Definitely accessorize with butterfly hair clips and a statement headband too. This aesthetic means the return of cute corset tops, leather pants, lip gloss, bucket hats and patterned fruit on everything. For a more masculine look, the essentials would be the leather shirt jacket with a cool pair of statement shades and some baggy jeans. If you’re a Y2K lover your style inspiration would be the Barbie-esque lifestyles of Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Elle Woods, combined with the more statement-making styles of Destiny’s Child, N-Sync, the Backstreet Boys
Dark Academia Dark Academia is a popular aesthetic focused on classical literature and ultimately romanticizes the pursuit of higher education as a journey of intellectual self-discovery, with a heavy emphasis on reading, writing and learning dead languages. The New York Times describes it as “traditional-academic-with-a-gothic-edge,” drawing inspiration from vintage English fashion choices of the 1940s like tweed blazers, long woollen coats, sweater vests, plaid skirts and high-waisted cigarette pants. If you see someone walking across campus dressed like this, just know that they own a bust of Michaelangelo’s David or their
favourite Greek god or goddess, like to write dark brooding poetry in their free time and probably have stacks of books on their floor. Think of the ivy-covered walls type of lifestyle represented by the Hogwarts castle in the Harry Potter series, The Queen’s Gambit and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Compared to Y2K, Dark Academia fashion stands the test of time, so grabbing a bunch of friends and heading to your local thrift store is a great option if you want some well-aged leather shoes, or maybe even a vintage beret. Your best bet would be to shop at Aritzia, Oak & Fort, Zara and H&M. If you prefer quality-made — although pricier — materials, opt for Ralph Lauren, Pringle of Scotland or even Poshmark.
itself was put on the map by influencer Emma Chamberlain, the sporty California-girl aesthetic has dominated fashion for decades. Think of Princess Diana in the ‘90s running away from the paparazzi while wearing biker shorts, a worn-looking Harvard sweatshirt with a turtleneck underneath and cat-eye sunglasses. Some contemporary style icons that rock this aesthetic would be the fun and sporty off-duty model looks pulled by the likes of Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner. In comparison to Y2K and Dark Academia, Brandy Melville Chic is relatively gender neutral, and effortless for the days during midterm season where you still want to put in an effort to look cute but still want all the comfort that this aesthetic has to offer. Your style essentials would include plaid oversized shackets — A.K.A. shirt jackets — statement sweatshirts, rectangular sunglasses, tennis skirts, biker shorts and cropped cardigans.
— the hip-hop and rap scene practically paved the way for them too. Icons like Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Travis Scott and Kanye West are trail blazers in modern day street style through the popularization of Yeezy, and the revitalization of brands like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. When you see someone walk into the campus Starbucks with a fancy backpack, tinted sunglasses and wearing SKIMS, you just know they have over 10K followers on Instagram and are completely unbothered by anyone trying to bring them down that day. Baddie fashion is as if confidence was an aesthetic and can be best found at Fashion Nova, Nasty Gal, boohoo and MissGuided.
As for where to shop, other than Brandy Melville, stores like ASOS, H&M, Urban Outfitters and Forever 21 never fail to disappoint, but it doesn’t hurt to thrift a 2012-era tennis skirt or repurpose your dad’s old college sweatshirts and call them vintage either.
Bad and Bougie
Brandy Melville Chic Think of Y2K’s cooler and more laid-back stoner cousin — that would be this aesthetic. While the store Brandy Melville
This aesthetic has been around for a while and we all have Black women to thank for popularizing long lace front weaves, designer bags and accessories, acrylic nails and Fashion Nova-Esque outfit ensembles. Beauty influencers and the Kardashians are the most mainstream style inspiration for Instagram baddies, but let’s be honest 15 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
SAFETY ON CAMPUS Aymen Sherwani Voices Editor
For most people, starting university is also simultaneously starting a new and independent chapter in life where you can stay out for however long you would like, be whoever you want to be, or even go on a three-day bender at a college party if that’s something you’re into. While all of this is fun and exciting, everyone is human and prone to making mistakes that leave us with a lot of regret and anxiety about the future. To mitigate any potential safety concerns on campus, the University of Calgary has provided the following resources to aid students with a range of issues.
SAFETY SERVICES Picture this — you’ve lost track of time while studying at the library, suddenly notice that it’s pitch black outside and you’re the only one in the building. Walking to the train station or your car is sounding more and more like the beginning of a true crime podcast than your casual Thursday evening. Thankfully, campus resources like Safewalk and the Emergency Communication System are available to students should they ever feel uncomfortable walking alone at night around campus, McMahon stadium or to the campus LRT. Safewalk is available 24/7 and can be reached at 403-220-5333. Students can also download the UC Emergency Mobile app on their phones in order to receive emergency campus updates as well as contact campus security should they be in an emergency themselves and require more assistance.
MEDICAL SERVICES Now that in-person classes are making a comeback, just know that flu season is going to hit harder than ever before. We all know to use sanitizer and keep our masks on but for the more serious medical concerns, students have the ability to access MacHall’s Varsity Pharmacy as an on-campus prescription service which also provides injections and every day cough and cold, pain relief, contraceptives for safe sex and vitamins. Additionally, students can also access the third floor walk-in clinic alongside the Wellness Centre located nearby. With the latter, support systems like psychiatric consultations, massage therapy, STI testing, alongside pregnancy and prenatal care are all available to students with the assurance that their concerns will be addressed and kept confidential. At the current time, COVID-19 vaccinations are also available here for mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) and can be booked at ucalgary.ca/wellness-services. To contact the Wellness Centre, call 403-210-9355.
POST-ALCOHOL SUPPORT SPACE (PASS) Driving while under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other substances is one of the worst mistakes you can make while you’re out partying, but it’s also an alarmingly common one. PASS is intended to reduce the risk of alcohol or cannabis-related injuries on campus, and offer a medically supervised, judgment-free and confidential space located at Cascade Hall where students can get the treatment they need. Escorts can be requested through Safewalk or the Student Medical Response Team from any on-campus location, but are only open on Saturdays. This is where I would remind you that if you are planning to party and get intoxicated, preemptive planning is the best move. It doesn’t hurt to have a designated driver in your friend group, or even have a naloxone kit nearby — these are available at the Student Wellness Services. Call 403-210-9355 to book a training appointment with a registered nurse. Stay safe, Dinos!
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Mental Health on Campus Sophia Lopez News Editor
With COVID-19 hitting us last year and having spent an entire year and a half learning online, it’s important to make sure we’re getting the mental health help that we need. This experience has been extremely challenging for all of us, and there is no shame in seeking help if we need it. Here is a list of resources you can reach out to if you are in need of any support.
THE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTRE The Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is a safe space on campus that promotes gender equality and a more inclusive campus environment. Students are welcome to come to the space to study, have lunch or just simply chat with others. The WRC is located on the fourth floor of the MacEwan Student Centre in room 482, and can be reached by email at women@ucalgary. ca or by phone at (403) 220-8551.
THE Q CENTRE: STUDENTS’ UNION CENTRE FOR SEXUAL & GENDER DIVERSITY
STUDENT WELLNESS SERVICES Student Wellness Services is an on-campus resource for students who seek support for their physical and mental health. From providing COVID-19 vaccines to massage therapy, this resource provides a wide range of services for students. Student Wellness Services is located on the third floor of the MacEwan Student Centre in room 370, and can be reached by phone at (403) 210-9355.
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES
The Q Centre is a safe space on campus that provides support for the LGBTQA+ community and their allies. Here you can socialize with others who are a part of the community, and also have the opportunity to join their mentorship program. The Q Centre is located on the second floor of the MacEwan Student Centre in room 210, and can be reached by email at qcentre@ ucalgary.ca or by phone at (403) 220-4460.
International Student Services (ISS) is an on-campus resource that provides international students with support and programs that can help them adjust to the University of Calgary and Canada in general. Their website helps out students by giving advice on situations such as where to buy food and finding a job on campus, among others. The ISS is located on the second floor of the MacEwan Student Centre in room 275, and can be reached by email at iss@ucalgary.ca.
THE FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY CENTRE
THE WRITING SYMBOLS LODGE
The Faith and Spirituality Centre is a safe space for people religious or nonreligious to participate in religious traditions and explore religious communities. All are welcome at the space — it does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity and welcomes people from all different religious, spiritual or secular traditions. The Faith and Spirituality Centre is located on the fourth floor of the MacEwan Student Centre in room 487, and can be reached by email at interfaith@ucalgary. ca or by phone at (403) 220-5451.
The Writing Symbols Lodge is a safe space on campus for prospective and current First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. This resource provides services and programs to support Indigenous students as they pursue higher education. The Writing Symbols Lodge is located on the third floor of the MacEwan Student Centre in room 390, and can be reached by email at writingsymbolslodge@ucalgary.ca or by phone at (403) 2206034. 17 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
Ava Zardynezhad General Editor
After a long, relentless year, the Dinos are finally back in the game. Most of the University of Calgary athletic teams are returning to sports starting early fall. In previous years, we’ve had major events that have been well-attended by students, year after year. Since the pandemic is still a reality during this school year, many of these events might not go ahead as they did pre-COVID. Nonetheless, you might be considering getting out there and supporting our U of C Dinos or would like to know what to look forward to over the next few years of your university life. So, here are a few major Dinos sporting events you should know about.
U of C Dinos Events to Look Forward to
Kickoff This event is the major game of the fall term and is the cherry on top of Orientation Week. Kickoff is often the first home game the Dinos football team plays and it always takes place at McMahon Stadium. Since orientations will happen online this year, there will be no Kickoff in 2021. However, the football team will have a number of home games in the fall. All regular season games — throughout all of U of C athletics — are free to attend for students. So, if you’re itching to watch some live football, be sure to head down to McMahon Stadium on game days and don’t forget to take your student ID.
Crowchild Classic The Crowchild Classic might have the most attendance of all major Dinos events. This hockey match takes place at the Saddledome — home of the Calgary Flames. The Crowchild Classic is a Calgary staple, as the local university teams — the U of C Dinos and the Mount Royal Cougars — go head to head. You will get a chance to watch both our women’s and men’s teams play at this game. For the time being, we don’t know if this iconic event will be happening in the winter of 2022. However, if the plan is approved, you won’t have to look any further than every LRT station screen in the city to find out.
Pack the Jack This is another iconic U of C event that lives up to its name. Every year, the U of C community literally packs the Jack Simpson Gymnasium to support the Dinos Basketball teams. This event often follows the Crowchild Classic and takes place in the winter of 2022. We’re happy to announce that for the foreseeable future — pandemic permitting — Pack the Jack will be going ahead as planned. The date has not been announced yet, but be sure to keep an eye out. These are the three largest events planned by the Dinos. However, this year, U of C is fortunate enough to host a few championship games during the fall of 2021 and the spring of 2022. You can catch the Canada West Women’s Rugby Championship at McMahon Stadium on Oct. 28–31 as well as the U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship games on Mar. 25–27. We hope that you are able to get out to a few of these games at least once throughout your university experience. As much as these games showcase the skill and talent of U of C athletes, they also reflect the support and team spirit of the campus community.
7
TIPS TO GET 5 ORGANIZED
STAY AHEAD ON YOUR READINGS
for the fall semster during syllabus week
6
SCHEDULE TIME
Aressana Challand
TO STUDY EARLY
Volunteer
As we head into our first hybrid semester, syllabus week will be our only chance before reading week to get acquainted with our classes and start on the right foot. These seven tips will help you make the most out of your schedule.
1
READ OVER YOUR SYLLABUS
The first week of university puts a focus on your syllabus for a reason. The answers to your project guidelines and due dates will be in your syllabus, alongside the main themes of the class. This will help you focus your notes throughout the semester. When exams come, treat your syllabus as a guide to help you study.
2
CREATE A MASTER SYLLABUS
After reading the syllabuses for each class, prioritize which class requires more of your attention and studying time. Create a master syllabus with all of your classes’ due dates in one document. When you put your semester’s worth of work together, you will be able to visualize the weeks you need to set aside more time.
3
GET AN AGENDA AS A TO-DO LIST
Now that you have your master syllabus, you can write your dates and outside commitments in an online or paperback agenda. Doing so will help you organize time
If your class is reading-focused, you probably have the time during syllabus week to do the next week’s readings. That way, you will have a basic understanding of the material for next week’s lectures. Plus, if you ever fall behind, you will have a week’s worth of readings to fall back on.
for your academic and personal life. Prioritize the hardest and most time-consuming tasks first. If the agenda life is not for you, consider putting reminders in your phone before your due dates. You can even ask Siri to put the reminders in for you — easy.
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HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE NOTES
Most of us returning to school will be taking online and in-person classes. You may not even take many notes online if your professor provides powerpoints, but the time you save watching lectures at double speed — we are all guilty of it — can result in missing key details or typing overly detailed notes. Think about what’s best for you. Keeping your notes up to speed with your professor is a necessity of in-person classes, but most of us are used to writing and remembering information with written notes. If your online class is asynchronous, you can watch the lecture at your speed — pausing to take written notes if that works for you. Online note-taking also has the life-saving search text function. You can use it to write your own summaries, or highlight portions of text to study. Whatever note-taking method you choose, try and keep it consistent. You will only confuse yourself otherwise and the time saved is extra time slept.
The age-old nag of studying early grates on any student’s ears, but it is even more important with in-person classes. No, you cannot rely on open book exams anymore. So yes, you should consider studying earlier than the night before the exam. If you study for a 20-30 minute period every couple of days, starting a few weeks before an exam, you might just avoid the passionate levels of procrastination and attempts to convince you to pull an all-nighter.
7
CHECK YOUR EMAIL REGULARLY
If professors or teacher assistants remove part of an assignment, you will probably want to know that before you get started on it. They will communicate with you primarily through email for online classes. Avoid looking in multiple places for information and update your D2L notification settings to send you emails when documents are added and news updates are posted to your shell. Do not base your worth on your to-do list — unexpected things will come up in life that may force you to set your agendas aside. Figuring out how to stay organized makes life easier so that your agenda has room for yourself, your passions, family and friends.
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BAD ADVICE For the Faculties Aymen Sherwani Voices Editor
SCHULICH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Why are you so angry all the time? Most importantly, why is the majority of your anger projected at your one-sided rivalry with business students while also simultaneously looking down on every other faculty on campus? My advice for you is to relax, stop worshipping Overlord Elon Musk and maybe make some friends outside of your own faculty to give you some perspective. Oh and please for the love of God, stop wearing that plaid monstrosity of a scarf around campus. You look like a STEM field Harry Potter with a Napoleon complex.
HASKAYNE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS If I told you that going to therapy was a good long-term financial investment, would you finally go? I know you’re going for the boss vibes and hustle culture, but really, the three-piece suits at 9 a.m. are giving validation issues, and a need to overcompensate for everything. Some of you are really nice people but the rest of you would likely sell your own mothers to Satan just to land an A+ in ACCT 343. My advice for you would be to stop taking your LinkedIn so seriously and to be a little more vulnerable with your own thoughts sometimes rather than filling the voids in your schedule with meaningless plans. Maybe then everyone’s hate towards you would be a little less warranted.
CUMMING SCHOOL OF MEDICINE Why is it that whenever you see a health sciences student, it’s when they’re taking one of your course requirements as an options course? My advice for you would be to stop taking the courses I need to graduate just because you want a chance to spend some time on the main campus.
FACULTY OF KINESIOLOGY Be honest — did you major in Kinesiology because you couldn’t get a seat in Health Sciences? Because really, why is there an entire faculty for people that are ultimately all trying to get into medical school like everyone else? I still don’t know what you do other than ask me how many reps I have left at the gym.
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WERKLUND SCHOOL OF EDUCATION You know what you want out of life, and clearly that means going to school just so you can go back to school and convince younger people that they should pay money to go to school too. The business students should honestly learn a thing or two from you on how to run a successful pyramid scheme. My advice for you would be to vote for the NDP this election unless you’re one of those teachers that genuinely enjoys low salaries, buying school supplies with your own money.
FACULTY OF SCIENCE If there’s one thing people admire about the Faculty of Science, it’s the fact that it has range. You’ll either find the kindest and most attractive people, who somehow seem to be good at everything, or be met by a basement goblin that speaks in Python. My advice for you is to seriously re-evaluate whether you’re pursuing your major because you like it or because it’s just a hop, skip and a jump away from being a medical school hopeful. Because it’s either that or spending the rest of your life teaching 8th graders how to label a mitochondria.
FACULTY OF NURSING Get ready for an entire year of nursing students telling you how they were essential during the pandemic. Yes okay, you all did a great job holding this country together by its threads, but I’ve never met a nursing student that wasn’t a little shady back in high school behind that bubbly facade. My advice to you would be to take the mask off — not the clinical one — and let everyone see who you really are, even though they might be scared of who they meet.
FACULTY OF ARTS What’s it like walking into a room and thinking you’re the smartest person in there just because you’ve read all the famous dead white guy books? Newsflash — reading Plato’s works isn’t going to get you laid. If he was alive, he’d probably tell you that too. I would say that someone should knock your ego down a couple of notches, but your piling student debt combined with the bone-dry job market for arts majors will handle that just fine. And sure, you probably love taking classes that you find intellectually fulfilling, but let’s be honest, you’re probably going to take half an adderall and start that 12-page academic paper the day that it’s due anyway. My advice to you would be to come to terms with the fact that you’ll never be your parents’ favourite child.
RATING EACH TFDL FLOOR Sophia Lopez News Editor
I think all University of Calgary students can agree that each floor of the Taylor Family Digital Library (TFDL) has a personality of its own. So for those new to U of C, here is what you can expect from each floor of the TFDL along with a very accurate rating.
FIRST FLOOR Arguably the most boring floor of the TFDL. You’ll mostly find people drinking overpriced coffee from Good Earth here — and they’re probably sitting in one of those wobbly chairs right beside the coffee shop. This is also where you’ll find people overcrowding the elevator and then eventually deciding to just take the stairs — fun!
SECOND FLOOR An underrated floor in my opinion. You can find tables here where you can look over all the people sipping on their overpriced coffee — can you think of a better way to spend your study session? There are also a lot of private study rooms that are available to book, which never hurts considering the noise level on this floor.
THIRD FLOOR I have mixed feelings about this floor. On one hand you’ve got a cool space where you can be with friends without worrying about being quiet, and on the other hand you’ve got a floor where you won’t be able to find a table unless you get there at the crack of dawn. I’m not sure which to prioritize.
FOURTH FLOOR I have a real sweet spot for this floor but sometimes it gets on my nerves. It’s got nice study spaces but sometimes people forget that this isn’t the third floor, and I don’t want to hear you and your friend talk about how you failed your exam because all you did during class was online shop instead of paying attention. But let’s face it, we’ve all been there, right?
FIFTH FLOOR Anyone who has anything bad to say about this floor will see me in court because how dare you think there’s a better place to study than this gorgeous floor. Big desks with a view from the window? Yes. Not a lot of people obnoxiously chewing on their food? Yes. Are you able to actually find a good spot here to study without circling the floor a good five times? Oh my goodness where do I begin. I would give it more than five stars if I could.
SIXTH FLOOR Now I know that this floor also has big desks and good views, but there’s something fishy about this floor. I don’t know how to explain it but don’t question me. I will come up to this floor on occasion if I’m feeling adventurous but that’s about it. Also this is the quietest floor in the TFDL so make sure not to breathe or else someone might shush you. 21 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
FOUR FUN MOVIES TO WATCH WHILE YOU’RE BORED Nicholas Cervania VOLUNTEER
University is a weird time in your life, especially when you’re first starting out. Oftentimes, it can come across as an awkward transitional period between high school and adult life. However, university can also be a place where you find yourself and your place in the world — and thankfully there are countless movies that explore this idea. During your first year, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Here are four fun movies you can watch when you want to relax and have a good laugh. These movies center around graduating high school seniors or life in post-secondary — something that most first-years will likely be able to relate to.
SUPERBAD (2007) Superbad was released in 2007, a time that was dominated by the generation of raunchy adult comedies. To be completely frank, most of the movies from this period fail to hold my attention. Most of them have very weak plots and premises and exceptionally bad pacing. However, Superbad is the one movie from this era that I think is the exception.
Superbad centers around life-long friends Evan (Michael Cera) and Seth (Jonah Hill) as they try to procure alcohol for an end-of-theyear high school party. While seeming like a simple raunchy adult comedy, Superbad is a cleverly disguised and compassionate coming-of-age story. The main problem that Evan, Seth and their friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) face throughout the movie is their lack of confidence. Each character’s development is based around them gaining confidence, making the film a lot easier to relate to.
ACCEPTED (2006) What lengths would you go to in order to find a place where you belong? What if you had the opportunity to reshape the outdated school and education system? When Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) and his friends get rejected from every college they apply to, he decides to create a fraudulent post-secondary institution to fake his acceptance in order to appease his parents with high expectations. After creating a website for his fake school, forging an acceptance letter and repairing an abandoned mental hospital to pose as the campus, Bartleby is ready to waste his college years playing games and goofing off with his friends. However, when it’s discovered that the website is fully functional and accepts enrollment for all who apply, Bartleby’s fake school is suddenly flooded with incoming students. Bartleby decides to let the students think his fake college is real and becomes responsible for managing his unconventional approach to education. Like a lot of students coming into post-secondary after high school, Bartleby and his friends haven’t found their place in the world yet. While Bartleby hasn’t found a college to accept him, his best friend, Sherman Schrader III (Jonah Hill), has, but finds himself an outcast among the fraternity whose family legacy he wishes to carry on. The story of Bartleby and his friends is one about youth finding and creating a place where they belong, a place where they can feel — as the name suggests — accepted. 22 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
Seth’s top priority is to “get laid,” but that goal stems from his insecurities and lack of self-confidence. In contrast to Seth, Evan seems to have little to no interest in sex. His main goal is to get closer to the girl he likes, while also making an effort to distance himself from Seth, who he thinks has stopped him from enjoying his time in high school and who he’s leaving behind to go to Dartmouth in the fall. Knowing this, Seth constantly feels betrayed by Evan throughout the events of the film, driving a wedge between them and their friendship. While the two reconcile before the end of the film, they ultimately sacrifice their friendship in order to pursue relationships with the girls they want. In the end, Seth and Evan get what they want, but they lose the only thing that they had, making for a bittersweet ending.
Superbad is a story about two friends learning that despite having an unqualified companionship with one another, they ultimately can’t avoid drifting apart as they grow older. It’s a hilarious and timeless coming-of-age story and one of the quintessential films of this generation.
BOOKSMART (2019) Directed by Olivia Wilde, Booksmart was released in 2019 and was a film that I felt was very inspired by Superbad without feeling like a direct rip-off. Both movies have similar plot structure, pacing, character dynamics, tone and resolution. But, there was one key difference in Booksmart that I think set it apart.
21 JUMP STREET (2012) & 22 JUMP STREET (2014) I’m putting these two movies together because they both center around late high school and college life and because it’s difficult to revisit one without the other. Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, 21 and 22 Jump Street is a comedic movie series reboot of the 1987 TV series. In 21 Jump Street, new police academy students and old high school classmates Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) become friends when they discover their strengths compliment each other’s weaknesses. When assigned an undercover case at a high school, they pose as students to infiltrate a drug operation. Once there, they find that the high school social order they had grown up with has changed. Schmidt takes this as an opportunity to have the fun high school experience he never had. While his main goal is to infiltrate the dealers and find the supplier, Schmidt finds himself distracted by his newfound social standing with the popular high school kids, leaving Jenko feeling left out. What really elevates these movies is the over-the-top performances and the chemistry between the two main leads. Hill and Tatum feel like they’re real best friends and even as a viewer, you can feel the bond between them.
Lifelong best friends Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Denver) are two overachieving, ascetic and accomplished high school seniors. Molly, who on the eve of graduation has been accepted and is planning on attending Yale, thinks she can finally leave behind the partying, underachieving peers of her high school. However, she discovers that despite their partying and fooling around, her underachieving peers have also managed to be accepted into prestigious universities. Upon realizing that she lost out on her youth by being the paragon of straight-edged overachievement, she is sent into a frenzy — one that she drags Amy into. This sets them off on an adventure to find and attend the most popular end-of-theyear party at their school. Initially, I found myself slightly disinterested in the film. That is, until the reveal that all the underachieving students were also able to get into prestigious schools. This felt like a unique and modern take that wouldn’t have worked a decade ago. Back then, you had to follow a straight and narrow path to get into the college of your choice, but youth these days are presented with opportunities to follow unconventional paths to their destination. Students today are able to achieve success through means other than academic pursuit — no longer do you have to compromise your youth in order to protect your future. This was an interesting and fresh idea that I felt was explored excellently throughout this film. While not as relatable or unique as Superbad, Booksmart is a fresh and modern take that can be enjoyed in a similar way.
22 Jump Street sees Schmidt and Jenko in another undercover narcotics operation, this time in college. This time, Jenko is the one distracted by his newfound sense of belonging and Schmidt is left behind. Schmidt’s arc in this film revolves around his co-dependence on Jenko. Afraid of being left behind, Schmidt is reluctant to work independently from Jenko. Jenko however, sees this as Schmidt holding him back, as his constant responsibility to cater to Jenko stops him from pursuing the goals he wants to accomplish. By the end, however, both Schmidt and Jenko realize they’re nothing without each other. They manage to lift each other up without holding each other back. A lot of Hollywood sequels try to pass off the same plot as the original movie and hope that audiences just won’t notice. While 22 Jump Street does this to an extent, it does so in a tongue-in-cheek, satirical way that makes it work even better. With a lot more meta-humor and commentary, 22 Jump Street improves upon the original without coming across as contrived or derivative.
Conclusion While your first year experience may not be as fanatical as these movies make university out to be, there’s no doubt that most first years will be able to engage with their content and characters. Enjoy it while it lasts. 23 | GAUNTLET FROSH 2021
