About the Zine
As we reach the end of another academic year, we are proud to release our fourth edition of the Chapman Learning Commons Zine, a collection of art and written works created and curated entirely by our Student Assistants.
The end of a school year always tends to invoke a sense of nostalgia and bittersweet emotions, with the realization of time moving so quickly and the daily routines we take for granted, being so fleeting. As the weather slowly gets warmer, the coats start coming off and the leaves adorning their trees once again, we can reflect on the winter months and look forward to spring with an optimistic sense of hope and eagerness.
We hope you find some solace in this zine, a piece that particularly resonates with you or even a small tip that you try implementing in your new springtime routines. With each day getting a little bit longer and the sun feeling slightly warmer, we hope you find a moment to take a breath, look at how far you have come, and bloom into yourself and your surroundings wholly and completely.
Thank you for taking a moment,
Your Fall/Winter 2026 CLC Assistants
Spring Activities at UBC
Recommendations by Anshu
🌸 Blossoms, Gardens, & Walks
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Stroll the Main Mall, Regent College area, and Nitobe Memorial Garden for peak cherry blossoms, usually late March–mid April depending on the year. Entry is free for UBC students (with a valid ID) year-round, although general adult admission is around $7 CAD, the garden is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m- 4:30 p.m.
Greenheart TreeWalk (UBC Botanical Garden)
The Greenheart TreeWalk canopy walkway operates seasonally from April 1 to October 31, with access available via UBC Botanical Garden admission plus an additional TreeWalk fee.
Stroll in Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Enjoy 55+ km of forested trails right next to campus for walking, running, or cycling, with especially nice spring foliage and songbirds. Trailheads are scattered around Wesbrook, 16th Ave, and NW Marine Drive; check conditions and guided “EcoWalks” via the Park Society.
UBC Farm Events
The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems hosts workshops, farm tours, long table dinners, and seasonal community events throughout spring. Dates vary each year; popular items (farmer’s markets, special events) can sell out quickly, so it’s worth checking and registering early.
🚣 Sports, Intramurals & Iconic UBC Traditions
Spring Sports Programs
UBC Recreation offers term-based leagues, fitness classes, and instructional programs that roll over into spring, plus one-off events. Browse by “Intramurals,” “Fitness,” or “Aquatics” to find a program that fits your schedule and level.
Day of the Longboat
UBC’s longboat races take place at Jericho Beach, usually in late September, making it more of a “shoulder season” tradition than a true spring. Check out the dates for 2026, and the safety clinic and practice run the week before.
Summer Community Adult Leagues
UBC’s Thunderbird Adult Leagues (softball and soccer) run from May to August and are open to students, alumni, and the wider community. Leagues offer multiple skill levels; registration typically opens well before May, and spots fill quickly.
Thunderbird Varsity Games
You can catch UBC Thunderbirds varsity home games across sports such as baseball, track & field, golf, and late‑season basketball or hockey, depending on schedules. Baseball, for example, opens its home conference schedule in late February and continues into April at the on‑campus ballpark.
🖼️ Arts, Culture & Museums
Visit museums on campus
Spring is a nice time to visit museums and art galleries, especially the Museum of Anthropology, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, and the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, between outdoor activities. Hours and special exhibitions vary, so confirm opening times and ticketing before you go.
Chan Centre Events
The Chan Centre hosts concerts, talks (e.g., Phil Lind Initiative), and student performances throughout winter and spring as part of its 2025–26 season. Use the calendar view by month (February–April 2026) to grab exact dates and buy tickets.
4Cats Art Studio
4Cats in Wesbrook Village (Unit L, 3311 Wesbrook Mall) runs family and adult art workshops, parties, and seasonal projects. It is great for a low‑key social evening. Workshops and times change frequently; expect things like pottery, clay mugs, and painting sessions.
UBC Makers Market
Student-led Makers Markets pop up on campus in spring (e.g., Feb/March 2026 at The Nest) and other seasons, showcasing local UBC artists, crafts, and unique gifts with raffles.
How to do a Spring Declutter
Written by Maryam
I don’t know about you but for me, as the weather changes warmer, it is time for me to get ready for spring. That means packing up my winter jackets, taking out my warmer season clothes and also it is just an opportunity for me to declutter and reorganize. It clears up my mind along with clearing up my space. So here are a few tips from me to you to get you a head start on spring decluttering!
What is decluttering?
Decluttering is the activity of tidying up by reducing or eliminating unnecessary items. It is different from ‘organization’ as that refers to arranging items intentionally or to place them in an orderly fashion. I believe decluttering is important because it allows you to be mindful of your space, the items you possess in your home and maybe even your spending.
You can become more intentional of what you keep and what deserves another home. Just because something no longer serves you a purpose, doesn’t mean you have to discard it. Give your belongings another chance by passing it on if it is in good condition. It elongates the metaphorical life of your clothes, your books, vases around the house, plants that you thought you could take care of but got too busy for.
How to declutter:
Set a goal for yourself.
Is the goal to get rid of five articles of clothing or to simply rethink what you’ve been wearing versus not. Is the goal to finally tackle that one miscellaneous drawer that you’ve been avoiding? Or are you really ambitious and want to declutter your entire apartment or dorm? Set a goal and write it down on a piece of paper or in the notes app on your phone.
Tidy by category, not location.
If your goal is to declutter your books, bring every book from your apartment together, if you’re hoping to declutter miscellaneous items, take some time to bring all your miscellaneous items from every corner of your space, put in all on one table/ floor space and then go through it piece by piece.
Declutter sustainably.
Avoid blindly throwing away items or clothes that do not serve you a purpose anymore. Instead, look at their condition. If it is in good, usable condition, consider giving it away to a friend, donating it to a cause or even reselling it on Facebook marketplace.
How to mindfully let go of items?
Each of our belongings host a piece of us and it is because of that sentimentality it is hard to let go. Here are some tips to keep in mind!
- “I don’t want to get rid of this!” That’s okay. Hold on to the item for a set amount of time (eg, 3, 6 months), set a reminder on your phone. Come back to the item in that amount of time and think about whether you actually had a chance to use it. If you found yourself not leaning towards it, you can reconsider decluttering.
- Pro tip: When I am decluttering and decide something will be donated, recycled or fully let go of, I hold the items one by one, take a moment to reflect on its use and memories, thank it and let go. This is the proven Marie Kondo way!
Spring Declutter Checklist
- Winter clothing & accessories (eg. hats, gloves, scarves)
- Seasonal decorations
- Winter blankets/duvets
- Empty cleaning supplies
- Expired food and pantry items
- Burned out old candles
- Old makeup / nail polish
- Expired medication/skincare
- Old pens and office supplies
- Knick knacks
- Old takeout menus and coupons
- Books that are donatable
- Missing lids and misc tupperware
Small Ways to Look After Yourself
List by Manya
Staying hydrated
Never skipping breakfast
Playing your favourite music
Making your bed every morning
Getting some movement
Trying new hobbies
Practising skincare
Spring on a Plate
Recipes by Yanya
🍋 Lemon Spinach Pasta
This is the kind of meal I make when I want something quick but still bright and satisfying. The lemon keeps it fresh, the spinach adds colour, and it comes together in under 20 minutes. Perfect for a busy spring evening.
All You Need:
- Pasta
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Spinach
- Chili flakes
How:
- Cook pasta.
- Sauté garlic in olive oil.
- Add spinach until wilted.
- Toss everything with lemon juice, zest, and chili flakes.
- Finish with parmesan if you have it
My little twist: Add peas or cherry tomatoes for extra colour and it pairs wonderfully with some grilled chicken if you are looking for some protein!
🍰 Strawberry Lemon Cake
Soft, citrusy, and topped with fresh strawberries, this cake feels like peak spring. It’s simple enough to bake on a weekend afternoon but pretty enough to bring to a picnic or share with your roommates!
All You Need:
- ¾ cup sifted all purpose flour
- ½ cup caster sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 4 tbsps of melted unsalted butter
- ¾ tsp of baking powder (sifted)
- 2 tbsps of Lemon zest + 1 tbsp of lemon juice
- For adding the whimsy!
- 18 ounces of diced up strawberries
- 1 cup of strawberry jam
- 1 ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream, chilled
- ¼ cup of sifted icing sugar for the cream
How:
- Preheat the oven to 355°F and grease two 6-inch baking tins
- Beat eggs and sugar together until it doubles in size and pales in colour for roughly about 10 minutes
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in thirds. Then pour the melted and cooled butter to the batter, careful not to overmix here!
- Pour into the 2 lined pans and bake them for about 15-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted to the centre comes out clean
- Once baked remove from the tins and leave them to cool for about 30 minutes
- For the best part, whisk together the heavy cream and sifted icing sugar together until its stiff peaks
- For decorating I like to think the more messy it looks the better, so layer the cake with a LOT of strawberry, whipped cream and strawberry jam.
My little twist: Add more strawberries and whipped cream when serving!
🥒 Cucumber Mint Lime Refresher
When the weather starts warming up, this is my go-to drink. It’s crispy, light, and just sweet enough, something that feels a little special when if you’re just sipping it between study sessions or while on a stroll
All You Need:
- Cucumber
- Fresh mint
- Lime
- Sparkling water
- Ice
How:
- Lightly crush mint and cucumber.
- Add lime juice and pour over ice.
- Top with sparkling water.
My little twist: I like to add frozen berries as ice cubes to make it a little fancy!
🥗 Chickpea Avocado Salad
All You Need:
- Chickpeas
- Avocado
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onion
- Lemon
- Olive oil
This one feels like sunshine in a bowl. It’s filling without being heavy, colourful without trying too hard, and easy to meal prep for a few days at a time.
How:
- Toss everything together.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Chill before serving.
Five DIY Self Care Practices
(that take 20 minutes or less!)
Written by Manavi
🍯 Make a homemade face mask.
My favourite recipe is equal parts coffee, honey and milk. Of course ensure that you’re not allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients, but the Internet is full of DIY Face Masks that you can make with things you already have at home, for a number of issues from dry skin to dullness. Apart from the skincare benefits, doing a face mask is one of the easiest acts of self-care that is sure to relax and rejuvenate you.
🎨 Do some Arts and Crafts.
Starting an Arts and Crafts project not only gives you something to do but results in a tangible creation of your own, which is so unique and special. My go-to Arts and Craft Projects are any type of easy room decor, such as banner making using coloured paper, sign decorating or even a simple cardboard cut out with my favourite pictures stuck on it. Consult Pinterest, grab your supplies, play some music, and find yourself with the coolest arts and crafts projects a few minutes or even hours later. It’s super rewarding which is self-care in itself, but the process too, really allows you to be present and actively work towards a goal, which is one of the best ways to take care of yourself.
🍅 Try a new recipe.
Cooking is perhaps my most practiced form of self-care because I love trying new recipes I see on social media. Cooking is an outlet for me because I can tweak recipes to my own tastes, in a way restaurants and take out can’t. On top of that, the process of following a recipe, cooking and then ending up with (most of the time) a delicious dinner, is such a fulfilling experience. Some of my favorite recipes are Rice Paper Dumplings, Hot Honey Beef Bowls and Peanut Noodles. Tiktok, Instagram Reels and Youtube have what sometimes feels like endless amounts of new recipes for every mood, occasion and ingredient configuration.
🌿 Go for a walk in a new neighborhood but here is the catch – do it without Google Maps.
Just walk in any direction you feel like for as little or as long as you want and see where you end up. I’ve done this once or twice before, when I really needed to clear my head and ended up in the most gorgeous lookout point near Kits Beach. Walking without Google Maps, lets you be more present while exploring your surroundings. Listen to a podcast, your favourite album or just your own thoughts and you’ll almost always feel better than how you felt before your walk.
🗓️ Organise your next week.
Sometimes, I need Self-care practices because I’m feeling overwhelmed. A great way I have managed to combat that, is by organising my next week on Google Calendar with my classes, social hangouts and weekly obligations. Having my week laid out in front of me, shows me that everything I need to do is actually extremely doable and that I have enough time. Even though I don’t always stick to what I schedule, it’s nice to be held accountable.
Summer Book Recs
Recommendations by CLC Assistants; List Compiled by Natalia
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnnie Garmus
A chemist becomes a cooking show host in this dark comedy set in the 1960s. Bonus, it’s been made into a TV show! — Yanya
Great Goddesses: Life Lessons from Myths and Monsters
by Nikita Gill
Greek mythology reimagined as a love letter to women’s rage, resilience, & divinity. — Aurora
Beach Read
by Emily Henry
A romance author inherits a secret beach house and realizes that her new neighbor is not only a writer too, but her college nemesis. — Fahmia
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
by Gabrielle Zevin
All about love, both platonic and romantic!! — Xelena
The Devil and the Dark Water
by Stuart Turton
This grim mystery novel features the harrowing journey of a Dutch ship through the East Indies. — Ethaniel
Howl’s Moving Castle
by Diana Wynne Jones
A whimsical tale filled with magic, humour, and heart. The film is also fantastic! — Natalia
End of School Year Reflections: Graduating Student Edition
Written by Anshu
It strikes you gradually, not on the final day of school, but in the little in-betweens. Strolling about Buchanan in late afternoon light, having one more snack, in the same cafeteria that fueled a hundred 9 a.m. lectures, cherry blossoms falling all over Main Mall as it has done every spring you have been there, except that this time you realize that you know it will be the last.
When it began, four years seemed to be an eternity. Now it is a beat you can not help dancing to. UBC has a way of teaching you outside of the classroom: the discussions that go past midnight in residence lounges, the silence at Acadia Beach that you require to get your head straight. Between the coursework and the corrections and the hurly burly of university life, you created a life that would suit this part of Vancouver quite well.
The school year is as though a deep breath. Those last weeks are part of a pattern of note-taking marathons at the library, writing assignments until your hand starts to cramp, and looking at final essay questions as a personal challenge. You have struggled with theories and arguments that seemed impossible at the beginning of the semester. The deadlines are gone now, grades are in, the burden is off, and you can see how much you have accomplished.
And now, the closures are weightier as they are composed of persons. Friends who became family over shared notes and late-night debates, professors who shifted how you think about the world. That is what graduation is about: being atop the Point, gazing into the water, and realizing that you are becoming a different person. You take away with you something out of this world which you will never lose. The smell of the rain on the brick, the clatter of seagulls in the Rose Garden, the silence of knowing that you have gone far, not just through the courses, but through the process of becoming yourself.
