I’m sure a lot of you first-years are eager to get involved, both at UBC and within Engineering. Below is a mini-list of the resources and links to help you out!
1. UBC Engineering Design Teams
http://teams.engineering.ubc.ca/the-teams/
UBC Engineering has a variety of different design teams that you can join, ranging from the classic computer teams all the way to the ambitious aerospace teams. These teams are often looking for willing new members at the start of both winter semesters. I’m sure some of you may be worried about not having enough experience related to the design team fields, but don’t worry. These teams are looking for motivated people who are willing to put in the time to learn everything from scratch. Give it your best shot and apply for them!
UBC has hundreds of clubs that run under AMS (Alma Matter Society). These clubs are the perfect place for you to connect with your passion, or could possibly even be a place for you to create a new one. You don’t even have to limit yourself to just one club, you could be joining numerous of them if you wanted to. None of these clubs requires any special application either, so go and explore the different clubs you could be joining through the link above.
If any of you are looking for something to do during the reading break, you could try signing up for the Reading Week community experience through the link above. You’ll get a chance to work with a group of UBC students and lead different elementary school students with their projects and activities.
4. Hackathons
A hackathon is an event, typically lasting several days, in which a large number of people meet to engage in collaborative computer programming. Throughout the years, UBC hosts a lot of hackathons that you can join, whether as an applicant, a volunteer or a mentor. These hackathons are great for both first-timers and old-timers - it’s a place to build connections, shape your ideas and learn new things firsthand. Facebook is a great place to look for one of these hackathons.
For those of you enthusiastic in journalism and communication, UBC has a number of places just for you. These are all really cool places for you to work at, and by all means, don’t let anyone stop you from doing them!
The Work Learn Program is a great way you to, well, work and learn at the same time. The program focuses on support UBC students to work and gain meaningful experiences in a practical setting. However, do be warned that you’ll only be able to apply for a Work Learn Position for a short window of time, so get your applicants in!
Also, here’s a link on tips for applying for a Work Learn Position: https://students.ubc.ca/ubclife/tips-applying-work-learn-positions
A random guide to all the places I found on campus to study in. Please note that there may be many more study spots not listed below. If any of you have recommendations, do comment below as well!
1. Second and third floor of the Nest, located in front of the big windows.
I love the sunshine that filters through as you sit and do your work. Bad thing about this spot is lots of people occupy this place too, and it may be hard of get a spot here if you’re with a group of friends.
2. The desks by the side hallways of IKB
You’ll definitely find at least a spot empty for you to grab. Plus this side of the corridor has less people around, so you’ll get more peace and quiet here.
3. Reserved rooms of IKB
If you’re studying with a group of friends, you should try reserving a room in IKB. You’ll only get limited time inside the room, but it’s a nice space to study in together.
4. Study rooms in Mercante
These rooms are purely first come first serve. Usually, you’ll have to come in right at Mercante’s opening hours to get a place in here. But it’s a decent study space to use with your friends. Note that you’ll probably only fit about 5 people in here.
5. Dorm floor lounges
If you live on campus, these are the most accessible study spaces. However, they’re not necessarily the best place to study at, especially with a bunch of other people wanting to get the place for themselves too.
6. First floor of the Forest Science Building
The forestry building has such a unique atmosphere and it’s honestly so cozy to study here. However, only the first floor is accessible to the general public cuz the upper levels are restricted to purely the forestry students. (Although I’ve heard that the upper levels are even better)
other places I’ve heard are good studying spots but have yet to try:
- Apparently I heard there was a library(?) in the Neville Scarfe Building that’s pretty empty
- There’s a section at Peter A. Allard School of Law that is said to be a good studying spot. However, like the Forest Science Building, this place has an area restricted to only law students as well
Feardog compiles the best lofi music for relaxing and studying. I 100% recommend listening to his playlists when studying. You can find him on both youtube and soundcloud
For those of you first-years living on campus, welcome to the dorm life. Below are a compilation of some tips I thought would be good to know to get you all started!
1. Don’t do your laundry during the weekends. High chances that the machines are all full. Or if you do still want to do them during the weekend, do them bright and early in the morning and super duper late in the night. Personally, best days to do laundry is on a Wednesday.
2. Hang out in your floor lounges. Trust me, people aren’t as scary as you think they are. Plus the floor lounge is a great place to socialize.
3. Place your alarm clock away from your bed. When it rings in the morning, you’ll have to get out of your bed to turn it off, then you can just get ready from there! Trust me, having your alarm on your bed is just gonna lead to eternal snoozing.
4. If you need to do grocery shopping, go off-campus for lower shopping costs. Most stuff on campus are pretty expensive. If you really can’t go off-campus, get your stuff from Hmart or Save-on-Foods, not the UBC bookstore or the dorm night markets.
5. If you’re living with a roommate, believe me when you might not end up best friends with them. It’s perfectly normal to only be normal acquaintances with them. But make sure to set ground rules on your living conditions so as to not invade each other’s privacy.
6. If you’re ever in need of help, your Residence Advisor (RA) can be there to help you. Don’t be afraid to knock on their doors and ask for help. They’re all really nice and friendly.
7. There will be people who pull off the fire alarm in the dead middle of night. It happens to the best of us. Can’t really say there’s anything to stop this cuz it just keeps happening, but just remember to be wary of it at all times.
8.
^ These are so great. They’re available in Hmart in a variety of flavors, and if you’re ever really tired and lazy, just cook them in the microwave! They’re a lot better than just plain instant noodle, at least you’re getting in some rice and meat with your meal.
so first post is gonna be a guide on food in UBC and Vancouver in general!
food is always a priority to the campus life, and i know we’re all always anxious on getting decent food, so here’s a list of food on campus you can get that are decent on your wallet and pretty okay tasting!
1. Feast / Open Kitchen / Gather
Say hello to the standard 3 dining area for all non-commuter students, all located in the respective dormitories (Totem Park, Orchard Commons and Place Vanier)
convenience: 4/5
They are all literally located right next to your dorms. Less than a 5-minute walk to the place!
quality of food: 2/5
If you want honest opinions, the food in these dining areas aren’t exactly the best. They’re not bad, but just decent. Although fair warning from an avid rice lover, none of these 3 dining areas can cook real rice.
price: 2/5
Another honest opinion, but the food here are actually quite pricey, and are only worth it if you are going to use your student card meal plan. Trust me, if you ain’t got money in your meal plan, ditch this place
best time to dine here:
during the first few weeks of classes, the dining areas will be crowded during lunch and dinner times (1100-1300; 1700-2000). After that, the dining areas will typically be a lot emptier during lunch time but still decently crowded during dinner time
food recommendation:
- grilled cheese sandwich; literally my favorite food here!
- build your own salad; decent selection of vegetables plus you’ll pay less if you bring your own container!
2. Mercante
UBC’s very own Italian semi fast food restaurant, although it’s mostly well-known for their pizzas!
convenience: 3/5
For all non-commuters, Mercante is really close to you all. It’ll probably take about 5-10 minutes to walk here.
quality of food: 3/5
It’s really decent and there’s nothing too bad to talk about here. Although fair warning, some people have said that the cheese used here aren’t of the best quality.
price: 3/5
Standard price for food. The food generally cost about $12-18.
best time to dine here:
Make sure NOT to line up during peak lunch hours (1200-1300). However, it’s not too crowded during dinner time. Another thing to take note is lots of students come to Mercante to study, especially during lunch times, so be warned if you can’t find a place to sit and eat.
food recommendation:
- pizza bianca; I always get this when I’m in Mercante
- prosciutto e rucola
- lasagna bolognese
- insalata di caesar
additional comment:
Mercante hacks! Go visit Mercenta nearing its closing hours. If you’re lucky, you may get free food (otherwise, the leftover food of the day are gonna get thrown out to the trash!)
3. Subway
This standard fast food chain can be found in both the Life Building and in the University Village.
convenience: 4/5
For those of you having classes in the Life Building or anywhere nearby, you’re in luck cuz Subway is right there in the first floor of the building!
quality of food: 4/5
You know Subway, I don’t really know how it would fail you (unless you just generally don’t like it in the first place). Plus it’s got vegetarian/vegan options :)
price: 3/5
It’s got standard food prices. Nothing much else to say here.
best time to dine:
There’s always going to be a line at subway no matter when. However, from my daily observations, the line is typically shorter at 1000 and 1700.
food recommendation:
honestly, go try it yourself! I’m not a big subway eater, but I believe you can mix and match the contents of your sandwich.
4. International Foodcourt
The love of my life honestly. It’s located at the heart of the University Village, sandwiched between MacDonald’s and Hmart. The International Foodcourt is a collection of stalls selling a variety of food, ranging from Chinese to Japanese to Mexican.
convenience: 3/5
You will 100% need to walk for a bit to reach here, but hey it’s not that far really!
quality of food: 5/5
Honestly, if you’re going to compare the food from the International Foodcourt, they taste miles better than the food on campus. Plus they got a wide variety of food from different stalls too!
price: 5/5
International Foodcourt saved my wallet. I could get food for about $10, and the portion of food is big enough to fill me up for a long time. Definitely worth my money.
best time to dine:
Anytime is a good time. These people here serve their food really fast, so even if there’s a line, you’ll probably wait 15 minutes max.
food recommendation:
- My Home Cuisine Combo; my personal favorite is the Fried Rice, Mixed Vegetables and Honey Garlic Pork
- Coco; best bubble tea on campus, come fight me
- I forgot the name of the stall, but there’s a stall that sells japanese food and they make really great pork katsu curry
5. Running Chicken
This baby is located just above the International Foodcourt. Running Chicken is a Korean restaurant best known for their chicken wings, and me tell you, Running Chicken is personally the best food on campus.
convenience: 3/5
Just like the International Foodcourt, you’ll need to do some walking to get here but again it’s not that far.
quality of food: 5/5
Like I said, personally, it’s the best food on campus. I love Running Chicken so much and I think you all will as well!
price: 4/5
If you’re going to compare it to the International Foodcourt downstairs, you’ll definitely have to pay more. However, it’s still good for your wallet as it’s definitely cheaper than the other food on campus.
best time to dine:
Any time is a great time! The place is never overflowing that you can’t get a seat. However, they do sometimes take a while to get your food ready, so it’s not the best place to eat at when you’re having only a 30min-1hour break.
food recommendation:
- Chi-bob; I’m just gonna say this outright, I ALWAYS get this when I’m at Running Chicken
- Half & Half (with Golden Chicken and Honey Soy Chicken); I also ALWAYS get this
- Fish Cake Soup
just some side recommendations for food off-campus:
“in the university of life, failure births experience”
— found this quote in the internet and thought it might be appropriate for this blog
So introduction, hello there! My name is Tiffany, a 2nd-year Engineering student here at UBC and I’m going to be an Orientation Leader for Imagine Day 2019.
So I decided to make a first year guide to UBC here in tumblr cuz who doesn’t love tumblr!
disclaimer: the guides posted here are from my experience that I believe may be helpful but by all means, if you find better ways do share them here with me too!
kianamaiart
stormborns
annaxmalina
origamiaround
jacobvanloon
andulkaphoto
baratheonpilled