Attending Classes

Attending Classes

by Mary Okorie

Classes have resumed for fall and some programs are offering mixed classes which   is some classes are in person while others are still online. Some other programs are offering classes primarily online because of Covid 19 and government restrictions. Irrespective of how lectures are delivered, it is very important to attend classes. 

Some people are finding it hard to adjust back to going for in-person class especially when they have had a year of online and the weather is getting colder as the days go by. It is not easy to wake up on a cold early morning and take a walk to school and people would prefer to be at home. There are still benefits of going to class. People get to interact with each other while adhering to wearing mask. Friends and connection are made which is hard to make in an online delivered class. Attention span is also better when sitting on chair and desk rather than being in bed. It is still very important to attend online classes, especially if that is how the course material is being delivered. Professors tend to say important things and give hints in class. Sometimes there are questions asked in class that can be very helpful. Some professors also take attendance and add it to grade marks. The importance of attendance is always strong and should be adhered to. 

Also students should try to prepare before coming to class by reading class materials, preparing questions to ask in class and also having a good night rest so they are not groggy and feeling tired the next day.

Though it might be hard to attend classes online or in person, the importance cannot be stressed enough in achieving success in the semester.

Studying from home

Studying from home

By Mary Okorie

Midterm week is close by and some students have already written some. Like fall last year, classes and midterms are online. Studying from home may not be the best way to prepare for exams but it’s the only alternative that we have. We have to look for ways to turn this situation into what works best for us. Study groups can still be formed via online apps where students that are interested set up a meeting time so they can discuss topics. 

There is also the alternative of following the restriction guidelines and inviting few people to the house to study especially if you live alone. This might work if you already knew the other students before and they all live somewhere nearby. Students also need to have good time management so that they do not feel choked up with courses. 

Studying from home seems to make students feel lazier and are in bed while listening to class, some may even prefer to sleep and miss class due to late night activities. Timetables would be a good way to stay up-top of your classes and still find time to take a break. It would also help to reduce procrastination. Students can still do well in exams even if they are studying from home if they have the right attitude and tools to achieve it.

Good Time Management During Isolation

Good Time Management During Isolation

By Mary Okorie

Good time management is one of the many things students find difficult and it seems a lot worse during isolation because the whole day is spent at home. Students may feel very lazy and think that 24 hours is not enough for them anymore. They feel their time is congested with classes, projects, assignments, test and for some students work. There are a few ways students can try to manage their time effectively. Students can maintain a good bedtime and wake routine, timetables for classes, assignments, and readings, breaks in between and if work is also part of their schedule, they should work around that.

A good bedtime and wake up routine are quite essential for time management. Students should make sure to get adequate sleep but also wake up early so that they can start their day and accomplish things that day. Instead of waking few minutes before a class that starts at 12pm, they should either try to take shifts that can end around 11 or do some other productive things before the class starts. After classes, students should also note reminders on tests and assignments that are due soon and try to complete them as soon as possible. A flexible timetable for reading should be made. Within the timetable students should make sure they take a break so that they are not overwhelmed and can have renewed strength to finish up their task.

There might be no pushing force during this COVID-19 period, but we have to find a way to make sure our daily lives are not distorted or feel that time is not enough. Good time management would go a long way in helping to stay focused on whatever you decide to do.

How to get textbooks for winter semester

How to get textbooks for winter semester

By Mary Okorie

Winter session has started and many of university courses require textbooks. This may be hard for students to access due to various reasons such as cost, time to be delivered and availability. The university bookstore has most of the textbooks but because of the pandemic they only offer the service of delivery or curb side pickup and due to the amount of students’ order, getting the book might be delayed. There is also the option of renting for the whole semester or buying the book depending on what students want. The option of bookstore might be an expensive option for some students but there are also alternatives. Facebook market has proven to be a nice medium to get used textbooks for a very reasonable price. There are always people willing to sell, students just have to use filters so that they are buying from people around their location. We also need to consider students that are not currently in Canada and may have no means of accessing the bookstore or facebook market sellers that are  within their area. There is an option of ordering the textbook online to the place of location. There is also a cheaper way but that would be an online version instead of paperback textbooks. Students have these various options to choose from to access textbooks for this semester. We have to find ways to adjust to the way things have become.

Graduating Online

Graduating Online

Mary Okorie

This year graduation is going to seem weird and different from the rest of past graduations because of Covid-19 and the restrictions that come with it. Students graduating in the coming year must have been looking forward to an in-person graduation ceremony, spending their last day in school with their classmates while taking pictures to make memories. It is quite sad that those dreams might have been shattered and now graduating ceremony is online where everyone is distanced. Some graduating students might not even be eager to attend anymore. Even with all that is going on, our health should be our top priority and students have to understand that doing the graduation ceremony online is the best way to ensure social distancing and keep everyone safe. Graduating students should try their best to attend as this might be their last graduation. They can also see their fellow classmates online and try to connect with them. 

Graduating online might not be the best graduation ceremony but the students have to understand why it is important for graduation to be online and try their best to make good use of the ceremony. Let us all try to look at the good sides of things and always remain positive.

Celebrating Christmas during isolation

Celebrating Christmas during isolation

Mary Okorie 

Christmas is fast approaching and with the looks of it, this Christmas might be a little different from how other Christmas’s were celebrated, due to Covid-19. How can we make Christmas celebrations fun without breaking rules or being in a large gathering of family and friends?

Whether you live alone or with a few family members, Christmas should be made special. With restrictions put during these periods, watching a nice Christmas movie would be a nice way to celebrate Christmas; select a good Christmas movie that helps to improve the mood. You can also connect with friends via social media to watch the movie and discuss it as you would if they were there in person. Also, cooking a nice dinner would help to put you in the Christmas mood. Talk to your other family members that are not there to celebrate with you. Decorating your apartment, even if it’s just Christmas lights or a Christmas tree is also a nice way to celebrate Christmas with so many restrictions. You can also engage in other Christmas activities virtually. Try out some new things such as baking and maybe making a few snowballs or a snowman if you are able to.

Christmas is a special holiday and should be celebrated in a special way despite the circumstances and restrictions. It might not be as wonderful as other Christmas’s celebrated with family and friends, but we should look at the bright side and try to make the best of what we have. 

Tips on Writing University Essays

Tips on Writing University Essays

By Mary Uchechukwu Okorie 

Writing essays can be really difficult and stressful and it might not be easy to get good grades on them. There are some tips provided here that might help to reduce the stress and difficulty level of writing essays.

• Write down your ideas on a paper

• Make sure to follow guidelines and instructions from your professor

• Go to class and watch some videos

• Review and discuss your paper with a writing specialist

Since we are now learning online and essays must be typed, writing down the rough draft on a piece of paper can go a long way when writing an essay. Your thought needs to be out on paper even if it is not organised yet. After writing down your thoughts, you can do research if the paper requires it, adding this information under your thoughts. Make sure not to plagiarize when citing the sources. Read this rough draft again and start looking for ways to make it more organized and concise. It will help reduce the stress when it is time to type it up.

Furthermore, following the guidelines and instructions from your professor will also help to improve your grades, as this ensures you are doing things correctly and to the standards of each professor. Do not do the opposite of what they ask. If they want a particular writing format, be sure to write in that format so that you do not lose marks.

Going to class and watching videos on how to write good essays are very helpful. People might think that it is just writing and there is no use for going to class, but this is an incorrect notion. Professors can explain what they are looking for in an essay, or what to avoid when writing essays. For thesis statements, which many professors say is the most important part of an essay, and the part students might find difficult to write; make sure to listen to them and if you still do not understand, after the class you should watch videos or ask the professor directly for clarification. That might help to clarify your misunderstanding.

In addition, reviewing and discussing your paper with a writing specialist is a great advantage when writing a paper. They are there to help you discuss your ideas and make sure you are on the right track and not writing off topic. They also offer suggestions of what could make a better essay. I find this resource very helpful and it makes me feel more confident about my essay. They are of great help if you have any difficulties.

In summary, reviewing and discussing your paper with writing specialist, attending class and watching videos, following the instructions and guidelines of professors, and writing down your ideas on paper are tips that can be of help when writing university essays. There is a high probability of reducing difficulty levels and achieving better grades on an essay when using these tips.

Preparation for winter

 Preparation for winter

By Mary Uchechukwu Okorie, Reporter

(Photo Credit: Ronnie Neman)

(Photo Credit: Ronnie Neman)

As we know, winter is fast approaching, and Brandon winter can be quite brutal. We have to stay safe during this season so that we do not fall ill. Here are some tips on how to prepare for winter for both students new in Brandon and students who have been here for quite some time.

• Dress in layers when going out

• Get a heater if the apartment you are staying at does not have an effective heater

• Try not to stay out too long

• Wear thick socks and winter boots

Winter is a very cold season and few clothes, even if they cover the whole body, will not be enough protection against the cold. It is highly advised to dress in layers, starting from small, light clothing to heavier options and make sure winter coats are thick enough to help reduce the cold. Also, wear gloves if possible, in layers if the cold is strong enough to penetrate through one pair. In addition, try to protect necks and heads with mufflers and head-warmers and try not to expose body parts. 

Dressing in layers allows choice. When your destination is reached and the place is warm, one can remove some of the clothing and if it’s colder, one can add more clothing. Also, remember to check the weather before leaving the house to ensure that you are well prepared.

Moreover, try not to stay out too long during winter. If a lot of time is spent outside, especially without proper dress, it is very likely to catch a cold. If you are using the bus system, be sure to be at the bus stop when the bus is close by so that you do not have to wait out for too long. If it is a close by place that does not require transportation, try to walk quickly so you can reach it faster and this will allow your muscles to generate some heat to help keep you warm. Once again, try to limit the amount of time you spend in the cold.

Furthermore, not all shoes are suitable for winter, especially in Manitoba. The ground can be really slippery and shoes that have enough friction and stick to the ground will be more suitable and always make sure to watch your steps to avoid falling. For students who use car, be sure to check the tires of the car before heading out to avoid accidents; use of winter tires is highly advised. Warm socks should also be worn to keep the legs extra toasty. For people going through ear pains because of the cold, earmuffs are recommended to protect the ears.

As mentioned before, there are some houses or apartments that do not have effective heating systems. If there are no good heaters in your home and you feel cold inside the house, I advise that you buy a good heater to keep yourself warm in the house. You do not want to feel cold outside and then come home and there is not much difference. 

Buy an additional heater, suitable shoes and socks, avoid being out for long, and dressing in layers are tips on how to prepare for the coming winter season.