“Age is just a number” is a motto I have learned to embrace, since I started school at the age of three. My education continued to accelerate after receiving a promotion from the Ministry of Education in Dubai, when in kindergarten. This promotion involved a process that evaluated me in terms of social skills, maturity, as well as academics.  I then attended Harvard Summer School at 14, and interned at the University of Chicago Medical Center at 15. Starting college at the age of 16, although unusual to many, was not a question for me.

During my first three weeks at McGill, my “underage” flag was already marked by my white frosh bracelet and my lack of valid ID to enter the local SAQ. People are likely questioning my decision to enter college as a minor, and whether I would be able to handle the educational and social pressures in a new environment, thousands of miles away from my home in Dubai. In fact, I recollect one of my concerned high school counselors suggesting that I take a gap year or participate in a volunteer program before starting university.  Working part-time or job shadowing in Dubai is not a common practice, however. Nor is it an option for me, as the legal working age is 18.

There weren’t many options open for me but direct entry into college. Moreover, determined as I am, I felt that I was mentally and emotionally prepared to advance into the next phase of my life. I have always been self-driven to discover and explore new and challenging paths in my education and extra-curricular activities. Most of all, with the support and encouragement from my parents, I’ve been able to make it to where I want to be in life.

Mark Twain said: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Likewise, I believe that if I can handle what every other 18-year-old first-year can handle, then my age should be a non-issue.

I’m often asked if I ever feel out of place in any situation due to my age, and one incident did make me feel slightly ill at ease. In a neuroscience lab, I was paired  with a 30-year-old MBA student. Eventually the ice was broken, and the age difference didn’t matter after all. Another uncomfortable situation, was not being able to legally access events at clubs or the Open Air Pub, even though many international students come to Montreal for just that! Attending an international school and being academically and socially oriented in turn has helped me in terms of adjusting to different groups, cultures and countries, thereby making my transition into university an easier process. Additionally, having lived on my own during summer work and study programs since the age of 13 has helped to build up my level of confidence, maturity and independence.

Some might think being 16 at university would make for a completely different experience—especially half-way round the globe—but I don’t really see it that way. Although I will be under the guardianship of Mr. Michael Porritt, executive director of McGill Residences and Student Housing, until I am a U3 student, I am really looking forward to making the most of my new experience here. I have met some of the greatest friends, colleagues, and professors along the 16 years of my journey so far. The people I have met, my family, and the opportunities and exposure I have gained from the diverse experiences I’ve been through have all contributed to the making of the person I am today. I would rather be at McGill right now, at the age of 16, than anywhere else.

Priyanka is majoring in economics. She hopes to pursue a career in patent law.

It’s the start of a new term, which means that you will face many new people, new activities, and new sickness-causing bugs. Chances are, most of us are going to fall ill this semester; but this doesn’t mean that we can’t try our best to prime our immune systems to fight the nasty germs. Here are some all-natural, tasty, and consumable ways to give your immune system an edge against germs this Fall. 

1. Eat Pumpkin Pie. Pumpkins, like carrots and other orange vegetables, are loaded with beta-carotene and other carotenoids. These powerful anti-oxidants fire up the immune system by activating pretty much every immune cell in your body. Enjoy pumpkin out of a can, as a pie, a soup base, in an easy-to-make pudding, or in bread. Note that taking a beta-carotene supplement is not as effective as eating sources rich in all the carotenoids, as they work best together to ramp up immunity.

2. Be ‘C’ Crazy. As Mom always told us, eating oranges during cold season is essential. This is because citrus fruits—and actually better yet, kiwis, sweet potato, red bell peppers, kale, and broccoli—are rich in potent anti-oxidants, namely vitamin C, which act as an overall sickness tonic. If you take supplements, 200 milligrams a day is optimal to provide immune-boosting effects. Anything more will be flushed down the toilet.

3. Beef up with Protein. Protein is a necessary part of overall system maintenance and bolstering your immune defences. Lean proteins such as poultry and legumes are best. Try to incorporate at least one portion of dense protein per day into your diet: five to seven ounces of lean meats or one to two cups of beans. In addition to protein, beans give you a boost of immune-supporting iron.

4. Sunbathe. Some say summer tanning  carries some health risks, but it also boosts your immune system and cancer-fighting abilities! Vitamin D is critical to wake-up the less active, disease-fighting T-cells in order to evade invading germs. Indulge in fortified milk and cereals during the dark Canadian winters to keep your stocks of vitamin D high.

5. Indulge in ‘E’. As the untold hero of immune health, vitamin E activates a different kind of immune cell, the natural killer (NK) cell, which acts as the search party of the immune system. NK cells seek out cancer cells and germs, and actively destroy them. Found mostly in fatty fishes, vitamin E can also be taken as a supplement at 100-400mg a day.

6. Bio-‘whata’-noids?

Bioflavonoids create a super-barrier to your cells. This prevents nasty germs and pollutants from latching onto your cells and slowly eating away at the normal protective barrier in order to launch an attack from the inside. How can you get these? By eating your fruits and vegetables, and drinking hot black or green teas.

7. Eat Smelly Garlic. A double whammy: garlic both scares away your diseased friends from getting too close, and simultaneously enhances the proliferative capacity of immune cells and their activity. The smellier the garlic the better! The sulfur-containing compounds of garlic and onions are the main source of its action.

8. Mushrooms? Yes, mushrooms enhance the production of cytokines—little molecules that coordinate and activate the action of those immune cells.

9. Go Spicy. Now is the best time to enjoy that runny-nose-provoking Indian food! Chilis, hot mustard, pepper, radishes, and garlicky substances are also known as mucolytics as they mobilize mucous. This not only makes for an embarrassing eating experience full of sniffles, but  also prevents the build-up of germs in the mucous layers of your nose and throat.

10. Ginger. Ginger potently and specifically targets viruses that instigate the common cold, and suppresses coughing. It is also anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and basically anti-anything-that-makes-you-sick. Boil some of this tangy root in water to enjoy a home-brewed cup of health!

Despite being the joyous, wonderful start to the weekend, Saturday mornings can be the most excruciating part of your week. You may remember what you did the night before, and why you feel so utterly awful; or worse, you may have no recollection. Never fear, my friends. Next time this pickle comes your way, grab ten bucks, do up your shoe laces (if you managed not to lose them last night), and head on a culinary mission to brighten your morning.

First stop, Middle Eastern food.  It’s called a Shawarma. Pita, hummus, garlic sauce, chicken, pickles, some sort of salad, all combined into a divinely toasted wrap. This meal cures a hangover like nothing else in the world. Forget any pointless shakes or juices your healthy subconscious would persuade you to try; these babies are moist, juicy, greasy, and so satisfying, that your hangover will simply melt away.

What if hummus is not your thing? What if the presence of lettuce and tomato is just ‘too healthy’ to assist your stubborn, growling stomach? Maybe you would be better off embracing any fragment of French within you by seeking out a crêpe. Like the Shawarma, these are little lifesavers wrapped in paper and easily eaten on the run. However, one difficulty involved needs to be mentioned: should you go as large as the Eiffel Tower itself and order one stocked with eggs, cheese, ham or a combination of those? On the other end of the spectrum, your stomach might be more inclined to head down the strawberries and Nutella track. I shall leave that one up to you. Either way, they both rank equally in the feel-good stakes.

Now for my third recommendation. What is that I hear you chanting? ‘Poutine, poutine, POUTINE!’ While poutine is a popular hangover cure, I cannot condone it or recommend it. I simply like my fries crispy, not drowning in gravy, and I stand by my beliefs.

So let us return to the calorie-laden delights that we can all enjoy. When you are slapped with a hangover—the slap being self-served—let’s be honest, there are two little guys who will always be there for you: one is named Ben, and the other Jerry.  This chilled dessert is probably not the first thing that comes to mind with the post-beer cravings hit—it’s more traditionally associated with the post-break-up funk—but it does not disappoint. With an already scrumptious base of creamy ice cream, and additions such as cookie dough, chocolate chips, nuts and bits of cake batter, one is guaranteed to feel on top of the world after this indulgence.

Use this short list the next time your morning begins with no dignity, no memory, and no food in the house. Good luck on your next culinary quest to combat the booze-induced blues.