Humans of UTM

If the UTM Buildings Were Students

April 24, 2016Kaitlyn Fernandes

Sometimes after you’ve been in a certain place long enough, it can start to take on a personality of its own. Since each of UTM’s buildings has a distinct style and character, here’s a look at what UTM’s buildings might be like if they were students.

DAVIS (South): The Seasoned Sixth-Year

Davis is a little old-school, but he’s allowed to be because he’s finishing off a sixth year at UTM. I imagine he likes to watch black and white movies and enjoys a good bag of trail mix. He also loves to use the “back in my day phrase” to bring up his pioneer days of dial-up Internet and Hanson. Davis’ secret fears include creepy basements, empty hallways, and tiny desks.

How I Found My Calling

April 24, 2016Ayesha T

My journey began when I entered university without really having any idea what I wanted to do. I was accepted into a program and I’ve stuck with it, despite not necessarily loving it. Even my grades aren’t that bad, but I’ve been studying this for three years without any real interest or dislike for it.

That might sound nice to some people, that I managed to do well without even liking the subject itself, but it isn’t that great. It made me wonder how my university years could have unfolded if I had actually studied in a program that I genuinely had an interest in. After a wake-up call I had, when a family member of mine suffered through a season of depression, I do not know what happened to me… but I guess I just leaked (for lack of a better word) out of my own bindings.

Breathe!

March 15, 2016Kristal Sulavella

“It is okay if the only thing you did today was breathe.”

These words resonated with me more than anything else I have ever seen, read, or heard. As a university student, especially at the University of Toronto, it’s easy to get caught up in coursework. But sometimes, I think it’s imperative that you allow yourself time to breathe.

Breathe (verb): to pause, take rest.

Having an off day? Bomb an exam? Considering quitting life? Take a break!

Research actually indicates that taking breaks is the secret to success. It’s taken me three years to realize this. Prior to testing out this “break” theory, I cringed at the idea, but I tried it. Now, I am confident that taking breaks is the secret to success, and the increase in my GPA proves it. Rather than moping around and beating yourself up over that one unfortunate grade, relax, regenerate, and come back in full force tomorrow!

April 2, 2015September 22, 2015Shyam Jajal

Second Year, Art and Art History and CCIT

“How do you define yourself?”

“Loud and outgoing. That’s me…”

“Art isn’t as easy is anyone says its not like painting and taking pictures. You have to try to be original because in the end you are going to be compared to an old artist and his works that someone saw. That’s not something that you would want.”

Humans of UTM

April 1, 2015September 22, 2015Assia Messaoudi

Second Year, Double major in Linguistics and Italian

“What has been the most exciting thing you’ve done all week?”

“I went to a cooking class where we learned to make 20 minute stew.”

Humans of UTM

April 1, 2015September 22, 2015Assia Messaoudi

Second Year, Double major in CCIT and PWC and a minor in Visual Culture Studies

“If you had to choose a song to describe your life, what would it be?”

“For my student life: something from Kanye West’s ‘College Dropout’ album or Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’. For love life: ‘Untitled/How Does it Feel’ by Jeff D’angelo. For my personal life: ‘Grinnin’ in Your Face’ by Son House.”

Humans of UTM

April 1, 2015September 22, 2015Assia Messaoudi

Fifth Year, Double Major in Psych and Bio and a minor in Philosophy

“What quote do you live by?”

“Per aspera ad astra. It means ‘Through hardships to the stars’.”

Humans of UTM

April 1, 2015September 22, 2015Manali Shinde

Second Year, Double Major in CCIT and Criminology

“How do you cope with stress when it comes to school as a second year student?”

“I listen to The Weeknd.”

Humans of UTM

March 30, 2015September 22, 2015Ustat Rai

Second Year, Major in Criminology, Minor in Psychology and Sociology

“What’s the strangest thing you’ve done?”

“When I was 9 I was at my grandma’s house for the summer and there were these guys who used to hang out in my grandma’s backyard but they always made fun of me and were really rude. One time there was a wasp that landed in my hair and the boys ran away and laughed at me so I borrowed a jar from my grandma, knowing they would return later. I used the jar to collect wasps and when they returned to gather in the backyard, I retrieved the jar, shook it violently, and then threw it at the group of boys. So, I created a wasp-bomb when I was 9 … I think that’s kind of strange.“

Humans of UTM

March 29, 2015September 22, 2015Saif Ahmad

Third Year, Double major in Chemistry and Environmental Science and a minor in Anthropology

“Nothing is impossible, even the word itself says I’m-possible.”