Have you ever stressed about your schoolwork, only for that stress to create even more stress? This phenomenon—stressing about stress—is a metacognitive experience very common among students of all ages. Academic emotions impact motivation, engagement in learning processes, and learning outcomes. However, it remains unclear which emotion regulation strategies actually[Read More…]
Tag: Academics
Make libraries cool again
On Monday, as I was parting ways with a friend, she casually mentioned, “I’m going to the library to pick up a book for my research.” This phrase stuck with me—not because of what she said, but because of how rare it is to hear someone, especially a student, talk[Read More…]
The case for comprehensive education
When I applied to McGill’s Interfaculty of Arts and Science, I didn’t know what I wanted to major in, but I did know one thing: I was in search of an interdisciplinary education. I didn’t want to stay in the STEM box I had streamlined myself into during my final[Read More…]
Office hours: More than an option, a must
Office hours are an essential part of any college curriculum. Amid the hustle of lectures, conferences, and assignments, these hours provide flexible opportunities for students to ask their professors or teaching assistants (TAs) any questions that come up throughout the semester. They offer a safe space for those who might[Read More…]
How do we escape our phone during midterms?
While the end of October highlights the traditional joys of the fall season, such as Halloween and pumpkin-spice lattes, it also stands as a gruelling reminder of midterm season. Given the anxiety and stress that can easily wash over us during exams, we tend to gravitate to our phones as[Read More…]
All things academic: Course recommendations
As a third-year student at McGill, I’ve taken my fair share of courses at the university—90 credits worth to be exact. Some were hard, some were reading-heavy, and others were just plain boring. To help you avoid the pitfalls of an elective gone wrong, here are some of my favourite[Read More…]
McGill students need a greater role in their own learning
As a graduating student, reading break was an opportunity for me to reflect on my time at McGill. After a few moments of thought, I realized that I could not recall a significant amount of what I had learned in the last four years. This is emblematic not just of[Read More…]
The dilemma of add-drop period
For me, the first few weeks of school—the liminal period of add-drop—are emotionally charged and stressful, demanding coordination and thorough planning. In this piece, I offer my internal monologue during add-drop, and some meagre advice on coming to terms with the schedule you end up with. Last fall, I wrote[Read More…]
Black history isn’t one uniform experience
As an African student attending McGill, I was initially shocked to see that McGill’s course list included classes with titles such as History of Colonial Africa or African Politics. While I am glad to have the opportunity to take any classes related to Africa, something I was not provided with[Read More…]
McGill needs a complete summer term
Registration for the summer term at McGill is set to open in a few weeks. As it stands, McGill students can only take two courses per summer session, or 12 total credits, over the four summer months, and are usually provided with relatively few class options. This system, however, is[Read More…]
