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Student Reflections

(Live) Underground Music in Vancouver

By Jack on July 4, 2025 |Tagged with:art and culture, extracurricular, music, Resources, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Witnessing underground live music has been a transformative experience for me. Listening to music on the radio or your phone is easy to take for granted. But if you aren’t experiencing it live, it’s hard to connect to the people behind the music. Going to a show supports the artists and connects you to other […]

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Vegan in Vancouver: Beyond UBC

By Roshni on June 27, 2025 |Tagged with:food, fun, restaurants, Student Reflections, vegan

Learn about Vancouver’s incredible vegan scene with Roshni’s favourite restaurant finds!

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I Tried It! DIY Stickers

By Natalia on June 20, 2025 |Tagged with:art, DIY, fun, stickers, Student Reflections

Whenever I look at my sad, plain belongings, I feel the urge to decorate them, but the stickers I find rarely match my vision or fit my budget. That’s why I jumped on the chance to make my own stickers using supplies I already had at home. Now, I invite you to join me on […]

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Declutter With Me!

By Manya on June 6, 2025 |Tagged with:Declutter, Skills for life, spring cleaning, Student Reflections

Moving out at the end of the school year always hits me with a mix of excitement and dread. Back in the beginning of the year, I packed in a rush, tossing all my belongings into a suitcase. Somehow, I brought back things I hadn’t touched in months (7 pairs of trousers?!). This time while […]

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Summer Escapades: Travelling on a Student Budget

By Yanya on May 23, 2025 |Tagged with:explore, fun, Student Reflections, travel

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly adventure, here are some of our top picks for a weekend getaway.

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How To Be A Person of The Great Outdoors (temporarily): Explore Vancouver!

By Oishi on April 18, 2025 |Tagged with:explore, fun, Student Reflections, travel

If you are like me, and the prospect of spending the day mooching about the great indoors excites you: hello, pleased to meet you, my indoor brethren. However, as my friend says, “we must touch some grass.” She is right. So, to make the most of the sunny days we get in Vancouver, we should […]

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When to go to the library: UBC Edition

By Yanya on April 7, 2025 |Tagged with:learning, Resources, Student Reflections, studying

Navigating university life can feel like a juggling act at times. Between assignments, group projects, and last-minute study sessions, I’ve found myself heading to the library more times than I can count. But sometimes, it’s tough to know exactly when the library will save the day. Here’s how the UBC libraries have come to my […]

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I Tried It! Meditating Everyday For a Week

By Manya on March 21, 2025 |Tagged with:fun, health, learning, mindfulness, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Follow Manya’s journey in learning the importance of taking care of ourselves to manage stress and staying happy!

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How to Deal With 0.5 hrs of Daylight in the Winter

By Roshni on January 3, 2025 |Tagged with:health, Resources, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Surviving with half an hour of daylight during the winter months can be a challenge. But fear not! There are ways to cope with the limited sunlight hours. Vancouver winters can feel a bit gloomy. The short daylight hours catch you by surprise as the sun sets. One moment, it’s midday. Next, it’s dark outside. […]

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Not Heading Home for the Holidays? Tips for Feeling Less Homesick Over Winter Break

By Thao on December 20, 2024 |Tagged with:health, Skills for life, Student Reflections

As an international student from Vietnam living in Vancouver for the past three years, I often feel homesick during the winter break, especially around Christmas and New Year—times when I usually spend with my family. Over the years, I’ve gathered some tips to help ease homesickness during this season. 1. Cook Up Some Cozy Feelings […]

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Outdoor Spots to Practice Mindfulness

By Jaya on October 25, 2024 |Tagged with:mental health, Student Reflections

Discover some special spots on campus to clear your mind and embrace the moment!

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I Tried it!: A New Aesthetic For a Week

By Selene on October 11, 2024 |Tagged with:fun, Student Reflections

Ever wanted to try a new style? Read more to hear how it went for Selene’s take on the “cinephile-core” aesthetic!

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CLC Zine! – September 2024

By CLC Assistants on September 13, 2024 |Tagged with:fun, Student Reflections

Fully written, designed, and crafted by the student assistants of the CLC, this zine is all about relaxation and recharging during these busy times.

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Our Top 5 Must-Read Blog Posts to Gear Up for this Year

By Maxwell on August 23, 2024 |Tagged with:extracurricular, new students, Resources, skills for class, Skills for life, Student Reflections, studying

1. Tips to Prepare for Courses Effectively  If you want to start your year off right, this blog is for you! Whether you’re a first-year or fourth-year there is truly something for everyone here. I find myself returning to school in September each year desperately trying to avoid the mistakes I made the year before; […]

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New to BC? Start here!

By Prannav on August 16, 2024 |Tagged with:new students, Resources, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Prepare for a smooth transition to UBC in British Columbia with tips on transportation, job opportunities, and building a new community.

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Peaceful Playing: Relaxing Video Game Recommendations

By Dixie on July 5, 2024 |Tagged with:extracurricular, fun, Student Reflections

Fight away the boredom with these comfy and relaxing video games!

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5 Books To Add To Your Summer TBR! 

By Oishi on June 21, 2024 |Tagged with:fun, Student Reflections

One of the best things about this time of year is being freed from the many deadlines that cast a shadow over us from the months of September to May. In the summer sunshine you can finally enjoy being outside– touch the grass, feel the sand slip through your fingers, perspire under the shades of […]

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My Skincare Journey

By Nuriya on May 24, 2024 |Tagged with:health, lifestyle, Skills for life, student life, Student Reflections

Disclaimer: All content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions. Finding my Routine Being a teen with dry skin seemed easy to me. I didn’t have any acne, and I was grateful for that. Without […]

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Come with me to Find Fun Activities at the UBC Libraries!

By Ciara on May 10, 2024 |Tagged with:fun, Resources, Student Reflections

Discover some of the fun, non-academic resources UBC’s libraries have to offer!

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Pets of the CLC

By Madeleine on April 19, 2024 |Tagged with:extracurricular, fun, pets, Student Reflections

Meet the pets of the CLC!

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Best Coffee on Campus: Dare to Disagree

By Jaya on April 12, 2024 |Tagged with:extracurricular, food, fun, Student Reflections, studying

Learn about some of the popular places to get coffee on campus!

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Stuck in a Rut? Get Re-energized by Trying New Things!

By Payal on March 22, 2024 |Tagged with:health, Skills for life, Student Reflections, studying

Find easy ways to incorporate new experiences into your daily life to keep life interesting, even on the busiest of days!

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Hitting the Slopes: Tips For Your First Ski!

By Laura on March 15, 2024 |Tagged with:extracurricular, fun, Student Reflections

I first learned how to ski from my dad when I was just 7 years old and switched over to snowboarding when I was 12. Although I was nervous at first to try such an extreme sport, both experiences have been some of the best decisions I have ever made! Want to try skiing or […]

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Finding your Chosen Family on Campus

By Mika on March 1, 2024 |Tagged with:extracurricular, new students, Student Reflections

Before starting first year, I so nervous to meet a whole bunch of new people and find my place in such a large university! With so many clubs, volunteer opportunities, and jobs on campus, I found it difficult to figure out where to start. After a bit of trial and error, here’s how I found […]

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Reading Week? Let’s Adventure!

By Prannav on February 16, 2024 |Tagged with:fun, Student Reflections

Discover the ultimate getaway guide for Reading Week adventures around Vancouver, from the snowy slopes of Whistler to the surf of Tofino.

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Exploring Different Workplace Cultures

By Thao on February 9, 2024 |Tagged with:learning, Student Reflections

Learn about differences in workplace cultures between West Coast Canada and Asian countries like Vietnam and how to navigate them. Coming from an international student’s perspective!

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Affordable Bites Near Campus

By Tasnuva on February 2, 2024 |Tagged with:fun, new students, Student Reflections

A short guide to some good food places that are both affordable and within 20 minutes of commute from UBC!

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Clubs on Campus: Finding Your Home Away From Home

By Yasmeen on January 19, 2024 |Tagged with:campus engagement, clubs, extracurricular, fun, new students, Resources, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Learn about building your community through exploring the various clubs on Campus

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4 Fiction Books by UBC Faculty for your Next Library Trip

By Manzura on November 10, 2023 |Tagged with:books, fun, Student Reflections

This post introduces students to fiction books written by UBC faculty members, that will be a fun read for anyone.

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Disconnect to Reconnect: A Guide to “Digital Detoxing”

By Yanya on November 3, 2023 |Tagged with:detox, digital detox, health, learning, Skills for life, Student Reflections, technology

Discover how to find balance in the digital age through my digital detox journey and practical tips for a healthier, happier student life.

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I tried it! Journaling for a week

By Mika on October 13, 2023 |Tagged with:health, learning, mental health, mindfulness, Skills for life, Student Reflections, writing

This blog post will help students to feel empowered with the knowledge they need to start journaling and understand how journaling can benefit their overall health!

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3 General Tips for Solving All Roommate Disputes

By Florent on October 6, 2023 |Tagged with:Skills for life, Student Reflections

Learn about realistic expectations and good communication to solve roommate disputes.

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The Ultimate Guide to Time Management – Part 2

By Sam on October 21, 2022 |Tagged with:skills for class, Skills for life, Student Reflections, Time Management

Learn about project management tools you can use to improve your productivity and time management in part 2 of Sam’s blog post!

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The Ultimate Guide to Time Management – Part 1

By Sam on October 14, 2022 |Tagged with:Resources, skills for class, Skills for life, Student Reflections, Time Management

Curious about how to become more efficient with your time? Read Sam’s post to learn strategies on how to use online tools to maximize your time!

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Culture Shock, And How to Address It

By Maxine on September 30, 2022 |Tagged with:international, motivation, new students, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Culture shock can be a very troubling experience – read Maxine’s blog post for advice on how to deal with it!

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Studying While Neurodivergent: Advice From a Recent Graduate

By Sarah on September 16, 2022 |Tagged with:learning, Student Reflections, studying

Figuring out how you could best navigate UBC and develop personal learning styles? Read Sarah’s post on how she approached studying while neurodivergent.

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Why a Longer Degree May Be a Great Option to Consider

By Cindy on July 8, 2022 |Tagged with:learning, Student Reflections, studying

Considering extending your undergraduate degree? Read Cindy’s insights into why this might be the right choice for you.

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Things to Consider When Choosing a Major

By Fariha on April 29, 2022 |Tagged with:skills for class, Student Reflections

Read about a student’s experience choosing a major and what questions helped guide their decision.

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How to Have Self-Compassion in Academics

By Alex on January 14, 2022 |Tagged with:health, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Read about how Alex learned to have self-compassion and how it can improve your academic experience.

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Volunteering: What I Have Learned

By Rosemary on November 19, 2021 |Tagged with:Skills for life, Student Reflections, work

A personal reflection from Rosemary on volunteering and resources to help get you connected to volunteer opportunities!

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How to Write Persuasively, Patiently and with Ease

By Moussa on October 15, 2021 |Tagged with:Student Reflections, studying

Hear Moussa talk about his journey to becoming a more persuasive academic writer, and his advice to you.

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Ask Yourself: How do you Learn?

By Nana on October 8, 2021 |Tagged with:Resources, skills for class, Student Reflections

A blog post that begins to join the dots on how self-knowledge promotes learning, and how the Approach to Learning self-assessment helps that!

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Mapping Your University Community

By Simen on September 17, 2021 |Tagged with:new students, Resources, Student Reflections

As a UBC community member, you have access to all the resources you need in order to make your own maps and learn how to use mapping to the benefit of your communities.

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Getting Better With Money: Methods and Techniques

By Keli on August 13, 2021 |Tagged with:new students, Skills for life, Student Reflections

In the second part of Keli’s attempt to get better at handling money, she explores some budgeting methods and techniques.

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How to build confidence as an introverted minority

By Tam on May 28, 2021 |Tagged with:extracurricular, health, learning, Skills for life, Student Reflections

Learn how an introverted minority student builds her confidence during her time at UBC.

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Discovering My Approach to Learning

By Kira on May 21, 2021 |Tagged with:learning, Student Reflections

Read about how Kira gained insight into her learning preferences and how you can explore your own.

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A Positive Approach to Facing University

By Alina on April 23, 2021 |Tagged with:health, new students, Student Reflections

By revealing our imperfections, recognizing our fragileness, we are made human and complete.

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The Danger of Reference Points

By Chris on April 9, 2021 |Tagged with:health, motivation, Student Reflections

We compare ourselves to others constantly, often to our own detriment. Chris sheds some light on how reference points make silver medal winners and heavy social media users unhappy.

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Residence: Planning Ahead for Year-Round Housing

By Sara on April 2, 2021 |Tagged with:extracurricular, international, new students, Resources, Student Reflections

Are you worried about not being able to find a housing spot for next year? Whether you’re looking on campus or off-campus, this blog will show you where you start!

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Grades vs Educational Knowledge

By Madeleine on March 26, 2021 |Tagged with:learning, motivation, skills for class, Student Reflections

Madeleine reflects on the difference between grades and knowledge, and why each is as important as the other.

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