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Chill Thrills, Student Life

La Poutine Week highlights the cultural diversity of Montreal restaurants

by ET Wu on

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Poutine is a defining culinary aspect of student life in Quebec. For many, it is the meal of choice after a night out, or simply a quick way to satisfy any fast-food craving. More recently, restaurateurs have created many variations of the traditional dish, from St. Laurent Pizza’s butter chicken poutine to Romados’ Portuguese sausage poutine. Many of these variations were featured in La Poutine Week, an annual event hosted by the cheese company Saputo to promote local businesses. Restaurants could submit their poutines to be tasted for a $200 fee, and the dishes judged worthy are given the chance to participate in the festival. Running from Feb. 1-7, the week’s offerings showcased how chefs are reinterpreting this classic Quebecois dish with flavours from their own cultures, bringing unique tastes into Montreal for all to enjoy. The McGill Tribune has the dish on this year’s offerings.

Stroganoff Poutine,  L’Gros Luxe (The Plateau)

Inspired by a hearty Russian beef stew, this stroganoff poutine is packed with rich flavour. There was a slight sourness to the stroganoff-inspired gravy, which brought out the smoky and sweet flavours of the minced meat. What really made this poutine to die for was the addition of spring onions, a savoury twist that truly brought out the flavour of the cheese curds and meat. In addition, the fries maintained their crispy integrity, which was likely because the gravy is served on the side—a good idea since the delivery time is often enough to make even the most resilient taters soggy. In general, this poutine is a good choice if you’re looking for an exciting version of the classic poutine to satisfy your cravings.

The Shahi Chicken Poutine, Thali Cuisine Indienne (Downtown)

Offering the most affordable poutine out of all the entries for La Poutine Week—at an astonishing $6.50 CAD on SkipTheDishes, the week’s sponsor—the Shahi chicken poutine fuses poutine with the traditional Indian dish Shahi, or paneer in a tomato-based sauce. Upon delivery, the fries and gravy were already mixed together, which unfortunately resulted in mushy fries. In fact, the fries had the consistency of mashed potatoes. Despite this, the dish was worthy of its La Poutine Week entry: The sauce was extremely addicting and paired well with the cheese curds. Thali Cuisine Indienne’s poutine is definitely value for money. If you are okay with limp fries, this is a solid choice.

 

Mayan Poutine, La Tamalera (Mile End) 

This was by far the best option out of the three that I sampled. First, it was more affordable than the stroganoff poutine from L’Gros Luxe; second, the uniqueness of a Mexican-inspired poutine was definitely a win. The hint of lime in the pulled pork gravy brought the entire dish together, bringing out the cheese, meat, and fries. Surprisingly, the fries maintained their integrity despite being soaked in the tangy gravy. The pulled pork-based gravy was extremely juicy and proved to be a good replacement for the classic. There were a few pickled vegetables served with a dollop of sour cream that was refreshing and complimented the taste of the fries. The dish was topped off with beans, adding a heartiness alongside a sense of authenticity. This savory and unique poutine was easily my favourite of La Poutine Week 2021.

News, SSMU

SSMU revamps accessibility policy, creates commissioner position

by Taneeshaa Pradhan on

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The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) adopted a new Accessibility Policy during the Legislative Council meeting on Jan. 28. Last updated in 2016 and having expired on Jan. 1, 2021, the new policy expands beyond its previous focus on physical disabilities to include a more comprehensive commitment to accessibility and introduces a new Accessibility Commissioner position to SSMU.

The policy’s amendments are grouped into six categories: Communication and promotions, programming and events, physical access, student groups, external and internal advocacy, and SSMU governance. This expansion is an effort to embody the “social model of disability,” which maintains that it is systemic barriers, including physical, attitudinal, social, that are the primary factors to an individual’s experience of disability, rather than one’s own individual experience. 

Vice-President (VP) University Affairs Brooklyn Frizzle explained that the policy aims to improve the resources offered by SSMU’s Communications Department to reduce existing barriers to accessibility.

“There are a lot of big operational changes with the Communications Department offering accommodations in terms of whisper translation or sign language interpreters […] which we’re supposed to be offered anyways, but there hasn’t been necessary financial allocations or pressure,” Frizzle said. 

Frizzle noted that the lack of enforcement mechanisms contained in the previous 2016 policy limited its effectiveness during the five years that the former policy was in effect. 

“The biggest problem was that it was just frankly unenforceable,” Frizzle said. “There weren’t any clear mandates for executives or governing bodies. From [2016] on, I don’t think there was a single report on accessibility […] presented to the council.”

To address these concerns, the new policy will mandate the creation of an Accessibility Commissioner who will be responsible for leading an Accessibility Committee that will convene biweekly. VP Student Life Maheen Akter will be responsible for the hiring and training of the new commissioner. 

“The Accessibility Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that mandates are followed,” Akter said. “The commissioner will  serve as a resource for SSMU and […] student groups in efforts to expand accessibility.”

The commissioner and their committee will work to engage the entire university population to ensure that all operations and communications are accessible.

“We’re now able to hire someone with expertise, […] somebody who will consult with student groups and staff in order to make sure all our operations are as accessible as possible,” Akter said. 

Akter will correspond with student clubs to address barriers to student participation and provide resources to address concerns about accessibility. 

“One of the other things […] that is also part of my role [is] making sure that there’s inclusion and awareness [within student clubs, and] part of that is providing training materials in clubs workshops,” Akter said.

Under the leadership of the new commissioner, the Accessibility Committee will aim to create space for students to voice concerns on accessibility at SSMU, which Frizzle notes is lacking on campus. 

“The creation of an accessibility committee [serves as] an oversight and auditing body that identifies inaccessibility at SSMU, makes recommendations and acts as […] a forum for students with disabilities,” Frizzle said. “[Right now this] doesn’t really exist on campus aside from the University Joint Board Senate Committee on Equity Subcommittee on Persons with Disabilities.”

The policy states that the SSMU Funding Committee will now ask at least one question concerning accessibility when evaluating funding applications. The accountability committee will be held responsible for ensuring that this takes place, and report to the SSMU Legislative Council at least once a semester.

Teri Phillips, director of the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), emphasized the organization’s shared goals with the SSMU’s reformed Accessibility Policy and explained that the OSD will apply the central aims of the policy to continue to improve their services. 

“I do welcome and look forward to working with SSMU representatives to advance our mutual objective of improving access and creating an accessible learning environment for all our students,” Phillips said.

Hockey, Sports

The rich history of McGill Martlets hockey

by Sarah Farnand on

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McGill men’s hockey has played a crucial part in developing the modern version of the sport. However, women’s hockey has made its mark as well, despite having a later start. 

Women started playing hockey at McGill in 1896, but with a slew of restrictions. They were required to wear skirts while they played and were given very little ice time—and their games did not allow male spectators, except for referees and rink employees that would guard the doors against any prospective onlookers. 

Organized play would not take off until 20 years later, when the McGill women’s hockey team participated in the first Women’s Provincial Ontario Championship in 1914. In 1920, Lady Meredith of Montreal donated the Lady Meredith Cup to the Quebec Ladies’ Hockey Association. This cup is said to be the first women’s ice hockey trophy in Canada. 

From 1921 to 1933, McGill was part of the first university-level women’s hockey league. In 1921, they played against the University of Toronto in the first-ever women’s university championship. The Women Interuniversity Athletics Union (WIAU) league, founded in 1923, would run for 50 years; however, McGill’s teams would never become champions. 

In the 1960s, McGill women’s hockey made a comeback when David Kerr, a McGill men’s hockey player, helped restore the women’s team. It was at McGill that he met his wife Sheryl, a first-year player at the time. Together, in 2007, the Kerrs would make the largest donation ever made towards a Canadian university female athletic program. The $1 million donation helped trainers become full-time employees and allowed the team to hire scouts to recruit players from around Quebec to join McGill’s team. 

The Kerrs made another, even larger, donation of $3.5 million in 2018 towards the creation of a Women in Sports initiative at McGill, helping the women’s hockey program hire their current interim head coach, Alyssa Cecere.

In 1976, the women’s team became known as the Martlets. The name referred to the coat of arms in the university logo, which has three birds, originally part of James McGill’s family crest. The symbol was also used by the McGill Martlet Foundation, a program focussed on raising money for and providing aid to McGill student athletes.

In 1985, the Martlets won the Quebec Championships, but over the next 13 years they would only manage to make the qualifying rounds once. Things began to turn around for the Martlets after the arrival of goaltender Kim St-Pierre in the 1998 season. Over the next four years, she would help the Martlets qualify for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) women’s ice hockey championship playoffs. 

In the 21 years since the start of the USports championship, the Martlets have had four wins in 10 appearances, second only to the Alberta Pandas, with eight wins in 10 appearances. Over the past two decades, the McGill Martlets have become a dominant force in women’s hockey at the university level. 

With the creation of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and the Montreal-based team, Les Canadiennes, the talent of the Martlets has become evident: Eight of the 21 women rostered for Les Canadiennes are former McGill Martlets. The team’s general manager, Meg Hewings, explained the Martlet’s significance in an interview with the McGill Alumni Association.

“Women’s hockey is growing at an exponential rate and McGill has paved the way for that growth,” said Hewings. “McGill’s varsity hockey program has a long and rich history [….] Many of our players came out of the program, they know each other well and play well together, and they’ve brought a lot of terrific chemistry to our team.”

Multiple Martlets have also become Olympic champions with the Canadian women’s hockey team, which won four of the last five Olympic gold medals in the sport.

Although the history of the McGill men’s program may be more familiar to some, the story of the Martlets is just as significant and deserves the same recognition as the men’s.

Science & Technology

McGill researchers are shaping the future of arthritis treatment

by Natalie Sprenger on

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Arthritis has been one of the most common health conditions in Canada for years, affecting people of all ages with symptoms including joint stiffness and painful inflammation. While there is no known cure, researchers are hoping to find more effective ways to treat and manage arthritis. The Arthritis Society of Canada compiles a list of the top 10 research advances each year, highlighting breakthroughs with promising results. The list for 2020 includes two McGill-led projects supervised by Dr. Hosni Cherif and Dr. Inés Colmegna.

Zombie cells and spinal degradation

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis worldwide, and is caused by the deterioration of joint cartilage—tissues that cushion the ends of bones. Cherif, a postdoctoral fellow in McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, led a research project on spinal osteoarthritis. 

“My research goal is to understand how intervertebral discs and joints degenerate leading to axial osteoarthritis, and the associated chronic pain,” Cherif wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. 

In particular, Cherif studied the role of senescent cells, often known as “zombie cells,” which permanently stop dividing but continue to age and evade death. 

Cytokines, also known as cellular signalling molecules, are typically involved in aiding the immune response at a site of inflammation, but the accumulation of these molecules can cause degradation of the spine.

“[The] accumulation of senescent cells increases cytokine production and inflammation leading to the development of intervertebral disc degeneration,” Cherif wrote. 

Cherif’s team identified a synthetic drug, RG-7112, and a natural compound, o-Vanillin, capable of eliminating zombie cells while allowing healthy ones to proliferate. The combination of these molecules has the potential to target inflammation in the spine, thereby reducing the associated chronic pain. 

“This will lead to better management or the alleviation of persistent pain to improve the quality of life of patients with osteoarthritis,” Cherif wrote. 

Currently, Cherif is expanding his research in drug discovery to treat spinal osteoarthritis by testing out the signalling pathways of other senotherapeutic agents, molecules that specifically target cellular senescence. 

“Understanding the mechanism of cellular senescence and disc degradation will facilitate [the] development of novel disease-modifying drugs,” Cherif wrote.

The more the better: High dose vaccine protection

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune type of arthritis in which the immune response mistakenly targets host cells, causing joint damage and inflammation. This makes patients more vulnerable to the adverse effects of viruses such as influenza.

Colmegna, an assistant professor working in the Division of Rheumatology at the McGill University Health Centre, led a study focussing on the implications of influenza infections in RA patients. 

Specifically, Colmegna studied the effect on antibody production of a standard dose of the influenza vaccine versus a high dose in those with RA. Antibodies are molecular markers that recognize and bind to foreign invaders, signalling their presence to the immune system and initiating an immunological response. 

“The findings of our study indicate that compared with the standard dose influenza vaccine, RA patients who receive the high-dose are two to three times more likely to generate ‘protective’ antibodies against the influenza virus,” Colmegna wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. “This may be associated with a reduced risk of developing influenza.” 

By increasing the likelihood of generating more antibodies against influenza, the higher dose increases the effectiveness of the body’s response to infection.

This study is the first of its kind to show that it is possible for those with RA to achieve better protection against influenza by using an existing high dose vaccine. 

“Canadian guidelines recommend that RA patients receive an annual standard dose influenza vaccine,” Colmegna wrote. “However, many RA patients do not generate protective antibodies post-vaccination [….] With this approach, a larger number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis might be protected against influenza, a disease that in these patients is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.”

Colmegna hopes that her research findings will increase the availability of high dose vaccines to better protect RA patients against the influenza virus.

McGill, News

McGill plans to implement Tier 2 in-person academic activities

by Kate Addison on

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In an email to the McGill community on Feb. 5, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Fabrice Labeau announced that McGill would begin implementing some in-person activities on campus as early as Feb. 8. These in-person activities, called “Tier 2 academic activities,” are optional learning opportunities for students currently in the Montreal area who would like to return to campus. 

The Ministry of Higher Education officially announced the gradual rollout of in-person learning activities in a press conference on Feb. 4. Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Programs) Christopher Buddle told The McGill Tribune that the safety of students and staff will be prioritized during the roll out of Tier 2 teaching activities. 

“Planning was […] done with strict adherence to all the public health directives and guidelines,” Buddle said. “That’s actually why some activities will take a little bit of time before they’re ready to go. We have to make sure that [all] the safety measures are in place [….] Students will be notified [about in-person activities] through their faculties and instructors in the coming days and weeks.” 

A procedural mask mandate for indoor spaces on McGill’s campuses will be implemented along with pre-existing campus safety regulations. For Rachel Kalmanovich, U2 Arts, however, the prospect of a sudden return to in-person learning is daunting despite the difficulties of online classes. 

“I’m generally a little bit nervous,” Kalmanovich said “When I signed up for [my] conference I wasn’t really expecting things to go in person. I definitely don’t think I feel comfortable being in an in-person space at this point in time.” 

The administration cited the positive impact they believe returning to campus will have on students’ mental health as a driving force behind beginning Tier 2 in-person activities.

“For [some] students the ability to come to campus for some activities could be quite impactful and very important because we know that a lot of students are feeling quite isolated,” Buddle said. “An opportunity for some students to engage even just a little bit with the campus […] can be quite important for members of our community.” 

While some academic activities will be offered under Tier 2, other student services, like clubs and some Wellness Hub services, will remain online. 

“[Under] the new government directives, we are told that [McGill] can offer [student services] in person, based on demand,” Labeau said. “Our first couple of weeks are going to be really about gauging demand. We know that for the Wellness Hub there hasn’t been much demand for in-person mental health services. But [for] in-person physical health services, [we know] there was demand, so […] it’s going to be done on a case-by-case basis.” 

The return to in-person teaching also came as a cause for concern for some educators at the university. Jessica Rose, grievance officer for the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM), voiced some of the union members’ concerns regarding the safety of in-person teaching. 

“The university maintains that as long as their protocols are in place, and are being followed, that the environment is categorically safe,” Rose said. “Of course, protocols are simply a matter of behaviour and compliance […] so the question of whether or not they’re consistently maintained […] determines whether or not they consider the environment to be safe.” 

Rose expressed frustrations with the McGill administration’s decision to implement in-person teaching. 

 “For people who have health concerns, there are procedures for accommodation which include […] the right to opt out of in-person teaching altogether and to teach remotely or to do other tasks as a TA without losing [your position],” Rose said. “But there are also other conditions that aren’t taken as seriously. [McGill has] been very explicit that if you have dependents who have health conditions, or if you live with somebody who has a health condition that puts them at greater risk for negative outcomes from COVID-19, they don’t care.”

McGill, News

Eating Disorder Awareness Week forms community in isolation

by Wendy Zhao on

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Content warning: Mentions of eating disorders.

The Students’ Society of McGill University’s (SSMU) Eating Disorder Resource and Support Centre (EDRSC) held its third National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW) from Feb. 1 to Feb. 5. The events and discussions throughout the week highlighted the impact that social media and the pandemic have had on eating disorders or disordered eating. The workshops provided guidance on mindful eating, fatphobia, and supporting affected loved ones. 

McGill cut its Eating Disorder Program in 2017 due to changes made to the structure of counselling and psychiatric services at the time, among other factors. In its place, SSMU established the EDRSC to fill a lack of resources. 

During the “Disordered Eating in a COVID-19 Context” event, Ffion Hughes, U4 Arts and a survivor of anorexia nervosa, shared how working from home in constant proximity to her kitchen has made it challenging to maintain a positive relationship with food. 

“For the most part, I’ve been able to stay in control over my eating,” Hughes said. “But in a sense, it’s too much control.”

Confined now to her apartment, Hughes says that the pandemic has left it up to herself to enforce the boundaries that make balanced consumption easier. 

“In years past, I’ve been able to go to the library, where I could not think about food for a while,” Hughes said. “[Now], I’m constantly surrounded by triggers.”

Odessa Grimard is a U3 Science and floor fellow for Solin Hall residence who has experienced disordered eating. Grimard explained that isolation may be especially triggering for those in recovery. 

“Folks don’t have the social checks of other people around them to realize that their behaviour is not [normal],” Grimard said. 

Grimard also grapples with the decreased visibility of students’ mental health challenges in the remote learning context. With the loss of communal spaces, students’ struggles are obscured and preventative measures inhibited when they are most needed.

“In previous years, I had students study until 3 a.m. as a form of anxious [behaviour], and we’d see them and be able to reach out and support them, but we can’t see that anymore,” Grimard said. 

Those fighting mental health issues and disordered eating during the pandemic are forced to seek support themselves. Elizabeth Hales, U0 Arts, expressed the challenge of finding and accepting aid as a first-year student. 

“My therapist is back home,” Hales said. “Coming into a new city with no support system, being unable to meet new people, it’s hard to validate myself and realize it’s okay to get help, even though I’m not the worst I’ve ever been.”

During “Fatphobia: An Introductory Workshop,” Mariam Elmi, a student at the University of Ottawa, described her search for a community of minorities affected by eating disorders or disordered eating. 

“Within mainstream eating disorder stories and discussions, I often feel like I’m the odd one out because I don’t see people who look like me,” Elmi said. “I didn’t see anyone like me until I went to a support group over Zoom last night. I thought, ‘Finally I’m not alone.’” 

Cyndi Owens, a local wellness advisor, concluded the “Disordered Eating in a COVID-19 Context” event by calling upon students to support one another through their shared challenges. 

“The only connection we have left [is] grief,” Owens said. “We’re all not okay in different ways [….] The key is a network of support [….] Bother each other, make use of each other, then change will be sustainable and be rooted in a core rather than something that feels like it might overtake us.”

Students can find resources and support for disordered eating or eating disorders at the EDRSC and Student Wellness Hub.

Montreal, News

Bar des Pins to be revamped by Milton Park community group

by Anthony Schokalsky on

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Bar des Pins, a student-favourite sports bar at the corner of avenues Parc and des Pins is set to be purchased by Société du Développement Communautaire (SDC) Milton Parc, a group member within Milton Parc Citizen’s Committee (CCMP). A recent report by the Students’ Society of McGill University Vice-President (VP) External suggests that SSMU may begin engaging in conversations with the Milton Park Community (CMP)—a housing cooperative network that the SDC is a member of—about forming a partnership.

The CCMP is a not-for-profit organization which strives to improve the democratic and collective autonomy of Milton-Parc residents. Its past projects have included organic fair trade food banks, an environment committee, and a partnership with SSMU’s Trash 2 Treasure initiative.

In an email to The McGill Tribune, Nathan McDonnell, VP of the CCMP, elaborated on the SDC’s role as “community landlord” of the Milton Parc neighbourhood, noting that it owns Presse Café, Basha’s, Marché Lobo, and Café St Barth, as well as other offices and businesses along Parc Avenue. The SDC currently has its sight set on numerous properties, like the former Hôtel-Dieu hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, and the parking lots on Saint Urbain.

McDonnell spoke to the imminent purchase of Bar des Pins by the SDC.

“[One] family has owned [Bar des Pins] for several decades,” McDonell said. “Since the father has become elderly and unable to run the business anymore, the sons […] wanted to sell the bar even before the pandemic.”

Bar des Pins falls within the Milton Parc community land trust, which gives the SDC rights of first refusal to buy it, effectively keeping it off the private market when sold.

“[The land trust is] a kind of post-capitalist form of property ownership where 1500 people live without landlords in community-controlled housing.”

McDonnell described SDC members’ vision for the future of the Bar. 

“[It could be] a unique family-friendly community café [or] bistro, a place with healthy, local, maybe all vegetarian food, amazing coffee, and lots and lots of community events,” McDonnell said. “It would be run as a solidarity cooperative, a democratic model where workers and customers are co-owners. It would be a model for a democratic and ecological economy.”

CCMP members are interested in collaborating with SSMU on the new business.

In an email to The McGill Tribune, SSMU VP Finance Gifford Marpole wrote that the decision to collaborate with SSMU has only come up once in dialogue with the CCMP and that no firm decisions have been made concerning the Pins café yet.

Marpole explained that SSMU would have to produce a robust financial analysis should it become seriously interested in forming a partnership with the site.

“[It would involve] rigorous analysis to determine the feasibility, sustainability, and benefit of such a collaboration,” Marpole said. “The decision would have to be brought to the students and voted [on] by them. It would definitely be brought to the attention of students. That’s important to SSMU’s policy on transparency.”

According to SSMU VP External Affairs Ayo Ogunremi SSMU has yet to seriously consider the partnership.

“SSMU has a history of collaborating with organizations and communities in Milton Parc,” Ogunremi said in an interview with the Tribune. “It’s established positions to work on inter-generational housing with the community, for example.”

Regardless of SSMU’s decision to financially back the project, the expected timeline for Bar des Pins’ purchase and renovation remains unclear.

A representative of Bar des Pins said that the establishment has yet to be sold to anyone and did not elaborate on its potential redevelopment.

The projected date for a renovated Pins café remains unknown. CCMP treasurer Adam Gwiazda-Amsel, U4 Arts, said that the SDC is currently negotiating the purchase of the property from its current owners.

“As such, it is unlikely that [the Pins café] will be operational before this summer at the earliest,” Gwiazda-Amsel said.

Student Life

The pros and cons of taking notes by hand

by Josephine Wang on

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With the transition from in-person to online lectures, one thing is certain: How students engage with course material remains important, and this includes taking effective notes. Because of the online format, however, students now have the freedom to watch recorded lectures at their own pace and no longer have to type frantically to keep up with their professors. Typing out notes is faster, which comes in handy when there is a lot of information to digest in a short amount of time, but now that students are able to pause, slow down, or speed up lectures, taking notes by hand is a more viable alternative. Below, The McGill Tribune investigates the pros and cons of  taking handwritten notes. 

Note-taking can be categorized into two types: Generative and non generative. While generative note-taking uses paraphrasing and summarizing, non generative note-taking involves transcribing something verbatim. Research shows that students who write out their notes on paper remember information better because they listen, digest, and paraphrase to capture the essence of the material rather than type up a transcript of the lecture, which involves little cognitive processing of the content. 

Thus, the main issue with typing is that students tend to transcribe whatever the lecturer says without much thought. People who write notes by hand tend to give more consideration as to what they should write down, which leads to more effective learning. 

Beyond being able to retain lecture material more effectively, there are other benefits to taking notes by hand. Hayley Mauricio, U3 Science, explained why she prefers taking notes the old-fashioned way.

“I find that whenever I type out my notes during class, I get easily distracted,” Mauricio said.  “Because I’m on my laptop, I’ll use Facebook, check my emails, or message my friends when I should be listening to the lecture. Having just a notebook and pencil on my desk keeps me focussed as I’m not tempted by other applications.”

However, the benefits of handwritten notes do not negate any practical benefits of digital note taking. Some studies that compared the effects of handwriting notes to typing notes utilized immediate memory tests administered shortly after note-taking sessions, which is not representative of real classroom settings as students are assessed weeks after learning new material. Additionally, writing notes by hand is more cumbersome, which can be problematic during long lectures. Tracy Liu, U3 Science, shared why she is committed to typing notes.

“I make a lot of mistakes when taking notes, whether it is spelling errors or just getting the material wrong,” Liu said. “Digital notes are much easier to edit, fix, and search through. Not to mention that typing out notes is fast. I can’t imagine writing out notes during my three hour lectures. Additionally, digital notes are more interactive, which is more important now more than ever. Because we are unable to collaborate in-person anymore, sharing a Google Doc with my classmates is an alternative to sharing notes.”

As with any mode of learning, there are different variables to consider when it comes to choosing what works best for you. If you prefer typing your notes, try to understand and process the material first instead of simply transcribing what the professor says word for word. Jasmine Coulombe, U3 Science, offered advice for typing notes.

“I always wait until the professor finishes a slide or a problem,” Coulombe said. “Afterwards, I type out the main concepts that were just explained in my own words. That way, I’m able to actively listen and understand the material being taught, and not just create a record of the lecture. If there’s something that I missed, I’ll wait until I finish listening to the whole lecture and watch the recording afterwards so I don’t disrupt my flow.”

Ultimately, typing notes and writing them out can both be effective note-taking methods, though handwritten notes are often more conducive to retaining information.

 

Chill Thrills, Student Life

Battle of the streaming services

by Dante Ventulieri on

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As the pandemic continues to keep us indoors, television and movies have become a welcome distraction from the monotony of our everyday lives. For many students, the search is on for the ideal streaming service: One that has both serious films for movie nights and lighthearted sitcoms to put on in the background. Most importantly, the service should provide good value and a compatible interface on computers and phones. The McGill Tribune has investigated the pros and cons of several streaming services to help you weather your pandemic boredom.

Apple TV+

Apple’s foray into the subscription service business continues with Apple TV+. At $5 a month and $60 a year, it’s one of the cheaper options available. Apple TV+ relies mostly on Apple originals, and while most shows are high quality, this limited selection is ultimately its downfall. There simply are not enough shows or films for Apple TV+ to be a serious contender. It lacks any sort of casual fare, and shows that should be simple and entertaining—like Home, a mini-series about interesting homes from around the world—feel too laboured and drawn-out to be enjoyable. A counterintuitive interface for PCs and the lack of an Android app further hampers the service.

Amazon Prime Video

For Amazon Prime members, Prime Video is included in subscription costs, while non-Prime members will have to shell out $8 a month. Amazon has produced a shallow but solid collection of original content, but their entire library, including borrowed content, still feels insufficient for the avid watcher. Combine that with a clunky interface, and the result is less than stellar. While the inclusion of live Global TV is welcome, the presence of paywalls and ads is not. Overall, it’s a solid service for students who already have a Prime membership, but hard to justify purchasing otherwise.

Crave

For $10 per month and $100 per year for the base package, Crave finds itself in the middle of the pack. Its original content is lackluster, with Letterkenny being one of the few recognisable names. While it boasts some popular classics like Seinfeld and Friends, there aren’t many ground-breaking, must-watch shows—even the movie offerings seem like bargain-bin finds. The Movies + HBO add-on at $10 a month adds to the selection, but it is too expensive for a service that does not provide everything a TV watcher might want. Further, its clunky and sluggish interface does little to buoy its appeal.

Disney+

Disney+ is the ideal streaming platform for those who like to go down memory lane: It’s as if your inner child curated the selection. Disney+ is packed with movies and shows, but they are all concentrated within a few genres. There are no political dramas or reality TV, but when it comes to cartoons, sitcoms, superheroes, and musicals, Disney+ is a near-perfect service. With its new price increase, Disney+ charges $120 per year, or $12 per month for its nostalgic selection. While the inclusion of National Geographic and Marvel among their selection help soften the blow, $120 is too pricey for a service that might only be used occasionally.

Netflix

Netflix is the most popular streaming service, and with a price that starts at $15 per month, it is also the most expensive. While there is a $10 subscription plan, its lack of HD streaming and limited screens make it hard to recommend. Overall, Netflix has the strongest content library, with a great selection of both original and borrowed shows and movies, spanning every genre. The interface is fluid, easy-to-use, and available on most devices.

The Tribune’s pick

Despite being the most expensive service, Netflix remains the platform to beat, as it feels like the only platform that can be used conveniently. Apple TV+ and Disney+ are enticing options for sharing with friends or binging for one month. As budget options, Crave and Amazon have a large amount of variety, but the quality of the content and interface lags behind Netflix. 

Worth a shot

Crackle has a free selection of syndicated shows and movies along with some original content created for the service. Kanopy, which is free for students through the McGill Library, offers indie films and documentaries. The CuriosityStream/Nebula bundle for $15 per year features documentaries and original content from popular educational YouTube channels.

Arts & Entertainment, Music

‘Lost in Bloom’ chronicles The Neighbourhood Watch’s coming-of-age

by Noma Mirny on

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On the morning of Jan. 31, a group of guys in grey beanies gathered around a computer screen from the comfort of their own homes, drinking coffee, adjusting their headphones, and cheerily chatting away. Meet The Neighbourhood Watch, a Toronto-based band consisting of pianist Tyler Moretti, drummer Wyeth Robertson, and brothers guitarist Ethan and vocalist Tristan Surman, U3 Arts. Their excitement was palpable. On Feb. 4, their latest album Lost in Bloom—a two-year writing endeavour—was released.

The band, which has now amassed 75,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and is featured on the “Indie All Stars” playlist alongside the likes of Tame Impala and Glass Animals, started as an accident in a basement. All of the band members attended the same Toronto high school, and, through a set of mutual connections, formed The Neighbourhood Watch. Luckily, attending the same arts school exposed them to an assortment of different musical styles.

“We [were] surrounded by a bunch of musicians all the time [and] there was just a unique style that funneled through that school,” Moretti said. “We were always surrounded by a very […] diverse set of music tastes [that were] very simple but artistic in a lyrical sense.” 

In their creative classrooms, the future musicians were equipped with the artistic storytelling tools they needed to compose engaging musical pieces.

“Wyeth, Ethan, and I, we were all studying film there and Tyler studied drama [….] We were [all] coming from backgrounds where we were [essentially studying] how to tell stories. [And] I think that that’s always been one of the things that I like most about our music, is that you could kind of say that it’s cinematic […] and I think that our studying of film [was] kind of an impetus for that,” Tristan Surman said.

Since forming in 2017, one of their greatest challenges has been developing an authentic sound. On their debut album, Community Protected, the quartet classified their music as predominantly folksy, taking inspiration from The Lumineers and The Head and The Heart. Experimenting more in their sophomore record, the group joked that they threw the kitchen sink in their four-month production time, ultimately feeling that this produced a less cohesive set of tracks in Goodbye Childhood (2019).

In their newest album, Lost in Bloom, it seems that the band has finally bloomed into its sound. Taking musical cues from The Beatles, Kodaline, Alabama Shakes, Arcade Fire, and Cage the Elephant, Lost in Bloom is a beautiful amalgamation of tender folk, lively rock, and kitchen-dancing, head-bopping indie. Particularly outstanding is the Great-Caesar-esque tour-de-force of “20 Year Dream,” the melancholic delicacy of “Hailey,” and the tenderhearted wisdom of “Focus Up.”

Written over the span of two years, the band admitted that working on Bloom during COVID-19 has proved to be difficult, but the pandemic also encouraged them to explore their central theme of emotional and interpersonal maturity. Describing the album as being both a break-up and a coming-of-age record, main songwriter of the band Tristan Surman said that the heart of the album revolves around the idea of growing up. 

“If you were to put all of our albums in sequence, every single one is […] about a different aspect of growing up,” Tristan Surman said. “So, one of the core themes I think for this record is asking, ‘As we grow up, as we become more mature and responsible people, what is our responsibility to the people that we love? [….] How do we create enough space for those people to just be themselves and never let our emotions or our personalities stop them from fully flourishing? [….] I think a lot of what this album is about is a moment of realization that growing up should be less about ambition, and more about kindness.”

You can now stream Lost in Bloom on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube Music, and Pandora. Album cover art by Ella Roy. Video production by Charlie Hill and Max Mezo. Press photography by Jamie Brennan.

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