MystiSci: Science Students' Guide 2023

MYSTI MYSTISCI SCI

TABLE O F CONTENTS

LETTERS FROM THE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ABOUT THE CURRENT

The Current is an entirely student-led online platform for information and entertainment centered around science students and the wider scientific community at Western and beyond. Administered by the Science Students' Council, our writing and design teams work closely with the communications portfolio of the SSC to provide enticing articles and other forms of media.

If you are interested in being a part of our group, you can find applications for writing positions online at westernssc.ca.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Wajiha Imran

SENIOR WRITERS

Alessia Alicandro

Jiya Gangwani

Shreya Parmar

VP COMMUNICATIONS

Bernie Jin

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Bianca Loyuk

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Kristin Chan

Jocelyn Chang

Jason Lu

Sabrina Luo

Julia Resully

FIRST YEAR

ESSENTIALS

ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND ACCOMMODATION

RESEARCH AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

ADVICE FROM UPPER YEARS

WELLNESS RESOURCES

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS & IMPORTANT DATES

FIRST YEAR BUCKET LIST

GETTING INVOLVED IN CLUBS & THE SSC

CAMPUS MAP

Science Students’ Council President A

Hi first years! My name is Anya Sarma, your Faculty President for the year 2023-2024. First off, congratulations on your acceptance into Western! It is a big achievement, and for that you should be very proud of yourself. I have loved my time at Western, and I believe you too will find yourself at home within our supportive community.

Starting university is a transformative experience, a pivotal chapter in your life that holds countless opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development. As you step into this new phase, remember that you are not alone. Your fellow students, professors, and staff members are here to help you navigate this exciting journey.

While the road ahead may present challenges, each obstacle is an opportunity for you to learn, adapt, and excel. As you immerse yourself into your academics, make sure to engage in extracurricular activities, and forge new connections. I encourage you to keep an open mind and explore every avenue that interests you. This is your chance to discover new passions, broaden your horizons, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Science Students’ Council strives to enhance the lives of science students in areas relating to academics as well as mental health and wellness, advocacy, charity, events and more! We hope to see you involved in the faculty whether it be through our council, our committees, the various department clubs or any other opportunity that comes your way. Alongside your friends, sophs and academic counselling, the SSC is here to support you through the ups and downs of undergrad. Once again, congratulations on your acceptance to Western. I am confident that you will leave an indelible mark on our faculty and that, in return, your time here will leave an indelible mark on you. Welcome to your new academic home, and don’t be afraid to say if you see me around campus. You got this!

Sincerely,

Anya Sarma

Your Science Students' Council President (2023-24)

North Campus Building Room 297 Western University, Canada

Dear Incoming First-Year Students,

Congratulations on choosing Western Science! My name is Wajiha Imran and I am the 2023-2024 Editor-in-Chief for The Current. The Current is the Science Students’ Councils (SSC’s) entirely student-led publication where passionate writers openly discuss issues pertaining to student life, academics, social justice, and so much more. If you have a passion for writing or even want to improve/learn new skills, I encourage you to apply and be part of the team this year.

First year is a big, some might even call it a daunting change. The larger classes, faster pace, and increased workload can be exciting and intimidating all at the same time. However, the resources and support available to you are endless. That being said, I present to you our annual science student guide, which we hope will help you navigate your first year at Western and make your transition to university a smooth one.

This guide is the result of months of collaboration and research conducted by the Currents dedicated team of writers and editors. If you flip through the pages, you will find an abundance of information on everything ranging from academic accommodation to wellness and even expertise from upper year students who were once in your shoes. The purpose of this is to supply you with everything you may need to thrive not only academically, but socially

and emotionally in your first year as well. First year doesn’t have to be scary, in fact, it can be an amazing opportunity to make lifelong friends, converse with individuals from all backgrounds, and work with staff who are well established in their fields. Relish the fun moments and explore the campus because first year passes in the blink of an eye, before you know it you’ll be starting your second year!

That being said, on behalf of the Current team, I would like to give you all the warmest welcome and wish you success in your endeavors at Western. If you ever find yourself in need of assistance, support, or even a friendly voice, please remember that there are so many people here to help, including your faculty sophs, all of SSC and USC, and other members of staff and faculty. Don’t ever hesitate to ask questions or reach out for help.

Have a wonderful year mustangs! SSC wishes you all the best.

Wajiha Imran Editor-in-Chief of The Current Science Students’ Council 2023-2024

RESEARCH AS AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT

In the early 1920s, diabetes was seen as a death sentence, with the treatment being as cruel as the disease itself. It wasn’t until Fredrick Banting discovered insulin, that the reputation of a diabetes diagnosis changed. In the 1800s, passengers on ships were thrown overboard if they were even suspected of having smallpox. It wasn’t until Edward Jenner formulated the smallpox vaccine that this contagious disease became eradicated. The one thing that both these events have in common is research! Without it, our everyday lives would look very different. In fact, if you think about it, the majority of new discoveries achieved in 2040 will be done by individuals just like yourselves. So, why not start now?

Research is so vast, and there are several types of labs that you can get involved in. Labs can be divided into 2 main categories: wet labs, and dry labs. Wet labs are the ones that manipulate chemicals and biological matter, whereas dry labs utilize more programming and computational inputting – similar to a physics or psychology lab. It is up to you to decide what kind of lab interests you the most. That being said, it is important to keep an open mind regarding lab work, and the kinds of research you want to pursue. Initially, in most labs, you may start with dry lab activities and eventually work your way up to wet lab activities.

Gaining relevant research experience during your time as an undergraduate student can be tough. So how does one acquire it? First, you need to spend some time finding hospitals, or research institutes that you are interested in. Make a list of these, and go through the list of individual researchers to learn more about the type of research that they do. Read some of their published papers or even check out their LinkedIn. Next, organize your research, and record all relevant points. Think about why their research is important, and why we should care. Why are you personally interested in what they are doing? Be sure to answer all these questions when drafting your emails, and cover letters.

Here we have drafted a sample cold email.

Additionally, you can also look into research awards/internships in order to obtain research.

For example, the USRI, NSERC, and the Science Internship Program are most popular among students.

Dear (INSERT THEIR NAME),

My name is (INSERT YOUR NAME), and I am currently a first-year student in the (INSERT PROGRAM) at Western University. I have been reading some of the research that your lab has completed in the past, and wanted to reach out to you, and let you know that I would be interested in being a part of your research into (INSERT RESEARCH TOPIC) as a (INSERT POSITION).

Now you can elaborate a little bit on what specifically you find interesting about their research, and how you would be an asset to their lab. What do you hope to gain from this experience?

Some labs will ask for a Cover Letter/Resume, Unofficial Transcript, and some Sample Writing of Past Research If you aren’t sure as to what is required, include as much as you can — it doesn’t hurt to add it just in case.

I have attached (LIST DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO EMAIL) to this email. Please contact me for any additional information, or if you have any questions. Thank you for your time and consideration, I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind Regards,

(YOUR FULL NAME)

Cover Letter

More in depth, specific letter that you can attach to your email to emphasize your interest in this position, what sets you apart from other candidates, and what skills can you bring to this position. Aim to keep the cover letter to 1 page (single sided)

Unofficial Transcript

This could be a screenshot of your grades from the Student Center. There is no need to order a transcript from the Registrar’s Office. If you are in first year, and do not have any grades in the Student Center, you can submit an unofficial copy of your high school grades, and indicate what classes you are currently enrolled in. Like the other documents, limit this to 1 page (single sided) if possible.

Brief Timeline:

Resume

Formal document to quantify your past experiences and qualifications for the position. Some basic sections to include: name and contact information, education, past experiences, skills/interests, licenses and certifications, and awards and achievements. Feel free to add additional sections as well, but make sure that your resume does not exceed 1 page (single sided).

If you have any past experience with scientific writing this is where to include it. This could include a paper that you assisted in authoring. However, submitting a past lab report or any other form of scientific writing should suffice.

There is no specific timeline of when to apply for a research position, as it depends on when you want to begin your position. Nevertheless, we have provided a rough timeline for obtaining a summer research position that most students opt for.

Nov - Jan: Do your own research on research! Look into different labs in the area, and what their goals are. Start compiling a spreadsheet of all the positions that you may be interested in. During this time, labs on campus will start holding Lab Fairs to spread the word about the research labs on campus, and opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved.

Late Jan - Early Feb: This is the ideal time to start sending out emails. Get in contact with all the labs that you are interested in, and emphasize your interest in their research. Make sure to include all necessary documents in your email, and then the waiting period begins!

Late Feb - Early March: You should be receiving emails about the positions you applied to! Some might be good news – with supervisors inviting you to interview, or it could be rejection. But don’t be discouraged! Remember it sometimes takes >40 emails reaching out to supervisors prior to getting an interview. The process is definitely tough, but you can do it!

March: You should be interviewing with your respective labs, and waiting to hear if you got the position! If you do, you will begin training in your lab – learning about the experiments, and how to collect data.

April - May: Welcome to summer! It’s time to finish up your finals, and begin your work in the lab!

Sample Writing of Past Research

UPPER YEARS UPPER YEARS ADVICE FROM

Chris De Luca, Year 4 :

Don't be so hard on yourself. While it is important to have goals in your academics, you will have many opportunities to make up for mishaps.

Jiya Gangwani, Year 3:

Try as many new things as you can. As humans, we have a tendency to stick to things that are familiar to us, and within our comfort zone. But university is full of new and exciting opportunities, so just go for it! You have nothing to lose. Join that club, go to that concert, and audition for that fashion show!

Anjalin, Year 4:

Go to class and schedule

asynchronous classes in your calendar

to make sure you keep up with lectures. Also, go to office hours when you can and reach out to your profs or TA’s if you’re struggling with course material. They are there to help you!

Alessia Alicandro, Year 4:

Make time for yourself! In university, your time is under your control, from planning your course schedule to how you spend your day outside of classes. It is easy to become consumed by your school work and deadlines but do not forget to plan time for yourself as well, you need to make sure to take breaks as needed and not overexert yourself. Investing in an agenda can definitely help you be as efficient as possible and ensure you do not miss anything important.

Shreya Parmar, Year 2:

Definitely make use of a calendar!!

Once all your course outlines are available in the first week of school, add every date, course drop deadlines, assignment due dates, Professor office hours, midterms/finals, and weekly chapters/content to one single calendar. You might have to change it slightly as the year goes by, but it will make navigating your life in first year so much easier, organized, and accessible in regards to school.

Wellness resources

Residence Counselling Services

University can be a stressful experience. For many it is a new environment academically, socially, and physically! In order to succeed you need to take care of yourself and your mental health, if you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, or ill please utilize any of the free campus resources* available to you.

Residence counselling offers services to students living on Main Campus residences providing resources for students facing relationship issues, homesickness, stress or lack of motivation by placing focus on problem solving. Appointments are flexible and can be booked via email.

Contact: Email needtotalk@uwo.ca, Website support_services/need_to_talk_residence_counselling  https://residence.uwo.ca/experience/ Location: Ontario Hall, Room 3C10

Western Health and Wellness

Western Health and Wellness offers a variety of services for students in need ranging from mental health, to medical care, and sexual health. Mental Health Support assists students struggling personally, socially, and academically through the use of consulting, work-shops, or psychotherapy to help resolve mental-distress. Through a counselling appointment students can also be referred to specialized services or psychiatry. Book an appointment by calling the office at (519) 661-3030, you will need to provide your student ID and a time that corresponds with your schedule.

Western Health and Wellness also emphasizes the use of alternative supports when in need. This includes in-person resources such as Western Constable Services ((519) 661- 3300), and remote crisis lines. More information can be found at: https://www.uwo.ca/health//crisis.html

Contact: (519) 661- 3030, Website: https://www.uwo.ca/health//shs/index.html  Location: Thames Hall, Room 2170

Learning Development and Success

The Learning Development and Success team provides resources to students to help them cope with the stress of University, and work towards building new skills for success. This resource particularly focuses on students who are struggling academically and the effects this has on mental health. This strategy is facilitated through appointments, presentations and workshops, and putting students in touch with the Peer Assisted Learning Centre to provide academic help. Through working with this team students can receive insight as to how to tackle their coursework effectively and introduce a work-life balance.

Contact: (519) 661- 2183, Email learning@uwo.ca , Website https://learning.uwo.ca  Location: Western Student Services Building, Room 4100

*Please note that these are non-crisis services, contact the Canadian Mental Health Association helpline at 1(866) 531-2600 for mental health emergencies.

FIRST YEAR BUCKET LIST

Here is a non-exhaustive list of potential activities to do during your first year at Western University. Enjoy!

Try a Spoke bagel Join a science club or council

Get free midnight breakfast during final exam season

Take walk along Thames River

Visit the McIntosh Art Gallery

Participate in O-Week activities Read an article on The Current

Walk through an area filled with geese without getting attacked

Get lunch from a campus food truck

Get Western merch

Try some karaoke

Watch a Western football game

Go on a picnic with friends

Make it to a morning class after a night out

Use your student ID to get a discount

Take a nap in the library  Write a letter to your future self

Go night sledding

Dress up for Halloween

Visit downtown London

Sign up for an intramural team Go to a party

Order King Richie’s after a night out

Explore the underground tunnels (map)

Go to a concert on campus

Explore the vintage and thrift stores downtown

Go to the Western poster sale