Vic: more than just books

As we make our way back to adjusting to university life burdened with hectic schedules, bulky textbooks, and already assigned due dates, I would like to remind fellow students that life's knowledge is not all contained in books or lectures. I want to make you aware of the other opportunities that co-exist in the university, (yes our university!), that may influence or create great experience and possibly expose new career paths. To all those who signed their names on every single sign-up sheet on Vic's Club day, though motivated by free goodies, it was a great first step. However, I hope you take that extra plunge and seriously consider at least one. Fortunately, I found myself in the Vic Reach program and the Vic Ambassadors. For those of you with even the slightest intention of teaching or with passion for working with kids, I strongly recommend you explore your skills in the Vic Reach program. Teacher's college applications ask for three unique experiences you had in a teaching environment and this definitely one. It exposed me to a realistic situation as a teacher as I had to adapt to children with various backgrounds and learning styles. Although the kids only saw me once a week, they had become attached and I too felt a purpose. The homeroom teacher was a wonderful mentor, flexible during exam times, and even allowed me to take over the class on working a science project, which was collaborated by the BIO150 Department. Preceding this experience, teaching was never a serious option when considering potential career paths. Presently, however, that is something I am seriously considering for my future.

Moreover, for people that feel three hours a week is a serious commitment, there are still many options available. Take Vic Student Ambassadors for instance. You basically pick the events at which you want to volunteer, and there are no specific weekly meetings. My experience included getting to know almost everyone at the wonderful Alumni Office of Vic, as well as some amazing exec members. Other appealing events I had as part of Vic Ambassadors were the Keith Davey lecture, with Mayor David Miller, and the 50s - 70s summer reunion, where I had an excellent history of pranks lesson from our alumni.

There is a specific type of learning that takes place in class, books and lectures, which is mainly directed to increase your intellect. And then there is another type of learning where you are trained through dealing with your environment. The skills for communication, leadership, organization, confidence etc. cannot be taught in books or lectures. Rather, the essential development of these and many more practical skills emerge after being exposed in those realistic surroundings where you are able to utilize them repeatedly over a certain period of time. The value of the time spent definitely varies by the quality of one's personal experiences, yet one should be able to realize not only their strengths in certain settings but if they are lucky, their shortcomings and weaknesses as well.

There are many student-run organizations at Vic and U of T. I have only mentioned a few, but five minutes of research will show lists of them. Give it a shot and explore your interests in writing, drama, choir, etc.

Check out - http://www.vicu.utoronto.ca/English/Vic-
Student-Clubs.html