What You Need to Know in December: Winter Wrap Up!

By Fariha on December 1, 2021

Snowman surrounded by falling snow.

The holiday season and winter break is upon us and so are finals! I know, it’s a shame, but hopefully celebrating with your family and friends at the end of it gives you motivation to strive through this cold rainy month! For individuals like me who will be spending the winter break in Vancouver, we have some exciting highlights for you.

Studying in either your residence or the libraries can get monotonous sometimes. So here is a place where you can get a change in environment to cram for your exams. It can help to get a change in environment when preparing for your exams, and I’ve been spending a lot of time at Breka Bakery and Cafe (Kitsilano, 3750 W 4th Ave); they are always open! Share your favourite off-campus study spots in the comments!

Event Highlights

Exam Jam

Finals season can get stressful, but Exam Jam is here to save the day! Exam Jam is a virtual event offered during exams, including workshops and events by UBC partners (Chapman Learning Commons, UBC Wellness Centre, AMS Tutoring, UBC Recreation, and more!) aimed to help you de-stress, manage your time, develop study habits and learn course content. You can join us for the whole day or just for a few events!

When: December 9, 9AM - 4PM PST
Where: Register through Canvas.

Professional Development Events

Climate Justice: Activating Solidarity Economies - Pitch Party
The Centre for Community Engaged Learning’s Social Impact Lab is hosting an event to provide students with an opportunity to make a 5-minute pitch about their climate justice project idea/solution live to community organizations that prioritize environmental and social objectives. A total of 4 grants up to $1000 are available. This is a great opportunity for students who are passionate about the environment and making a difference!

When: December 2, 5PM - 7PM PST
Where: CIRS Building, BC Hydro Theatre - 2260 West Mall/Virtual attendance available, link will be emailed to you. Read more here.
 
What Can I Do with My Arts Degree? (Virtual Workshop)
As Arts students, my friends and I have sometimes wondered how we can apply our learning in professional contexts. This virtual workshop is here to help fellow Arts students design their career path after graduation by teaching you how to tell your story in your resumes and cover letters as well as job search strategies, interview skills and more. This workshop is part of a 3-part series so you can attend one, two or all of them by RSVPing on CareersOnline.

When: December 8, 12PM - 1:30PM PST
Where: Register for the virtual event here.

Other Educational Events

Michelle Good: UBC Connects Speaker Series
This series, presented by Santa J. Ono, brings forth a lineup of extraordinary educational speakers and this year one of them is Michelle Good, here to talk about “Education through dialogue: the human cost of colonialism.” Good is a Cree writer, an advocate for residential school survivors, a UBC alumni and founder of her own law firm. The agenda of the talk is to highlight the truth about the dismemberment of Indigenous families and a history of thriving in a society before the arrival of colonial bodies.

When: December 2, 2PM - 3:30PM PST
Where: Register for the virtual event here.
 
Drift: Art and Dark Matter
The Belkin Art Gallery is exhibiting this amazing art project that combines physics and art in order to understand something as invisible as the dark matter that possibly holds galaxies together. If you are looking for a break from this exam season, this might be a great place to immerse yourself in something new.

When: Until December 5, 10AM - 5PM PST
Where: See more details here or visit the exhibit at Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, 1825 Main Mall.


 

Resources for New and Returning Students

It is easy to forget to look after yourself in the midst of this busy month, so here are a few academic resources that have your back throughout the exam season:

  • If you are struggling to write your final research papers, make sure to visit the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication for a free academic writing consultation or check out their website for more academic writing resources.
  • The Chapman Learning Commons is here through the exam period to answer any questions you have about campus resources. Visit our Help Desk on Level 3 of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, and check out upcoming workshops or our free equipment lending service for students, staff, and faculty.
  • Taking care of your mental wellness is key to hustling through this month. Make sure to visit the Wellness Centre or book an appointment with them to discover a myriad of physical and mental health and wellness support resources offered by peers and professionals at UBC and beyond.

 

Thoughtful Blogs by Your Peers!

Last but not least, who else to better understand the struggle if not fellow peers? Here are some student staff blogs that provide some insightful tips to help you through this month and your university experience in general!

 

I hope everyone has a warm and fuzzy December filled with hot chocolates, gingerbread and other holiday delicacies as you pass through one of university’s rites of passage, exam season.
Happy Holidays and wishing you a wonderful New Year!

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