Starting Fresh!... Kind of.

Hey y'all! Our eAmbassadors have moved to using WordPress blogs!

You can find my blog at this link here: https://juanggl.wordpress.com/

All my blog posts from this blog are also featured on that one!

See you on the flipside!

It's Almost Time

Hello friends! It's been awhile, I know! First off, let me say that I hope you all have have been having marvelous summers!

So school hasn't started just yet, but it's VERY close! Some students are participating in the Jumpstart program this week, and DFrosh are moving in starting this Saturday! Everybody is super excited and things are starting to fall into place.

However, I know that the closer you get to the actual day you move-in, or it's the first day of Frosh or your first class you're going to have question upon question pile up and it might drive you a little crazy!I know that's what happened to me! It felt like everyday I was emailing someone or calling and asking a question.

I got a chance to sit down for coffee with one of you, Jennifer Cote, because we both hail from Kitchener (even the same area actually) and she asked to pick my brain a bit about some last minute topics that were making her feel nervous or anxious!

(Disclaimer: I was going to post this as more of a traditional interview-question-and-answer type post, but our conversations were so intriguing I didn't end up taking many notes or transcribing... much of anything. So these will be just little explanations of some key topics that we covered!)

First up... FROSH WEEK!

OKAY! So Frosh. AMAZING. It's honestly one of the greatest weeks and such a great way to start the school year! If you haven't bought your Frosh Kit yet, head over to http://www.glendonfrosh.com/ and order it now! Your Frosh kits will be picked up on the 31st. Some of you may feel nervous or anxious about this week, but rest assured that it's an awesome time. The key thing to remember is that everybody is in the same boat. Everybody is new to school, everybody is wanting to make friends, and everybody wants to have fun! It's a great way to make friends, get a feel for the school, the energy of Glendon students and celebrate the enormous school spirit that we all have! You not only get to know fellow First-Years, but it gives you a great chance to meet your FABULOUS D-FROSH! These student leaders are here to make sure that you feel safe, comfortable and to answer any questions you have. You'll be split into teams, that help facilitate getting to know people, and as well it helps encourage some friendly competition (team cheering and whatnot.)

(This year Pink team is the best FYI.)

Next.... LE FRANÇAIS!

Une grande partie des étudiants nouveaux craint que leur niveau de français n'est pas assez bien ou comprehensive, MAIS on ne doit pas avoir trop de peur!

When it comes to the amount of French you'll use around campus is 100% up to you! The great thing about Glendon is that the majority of student are there because they have an interest in French, so there will NEVER be a shortage of people willing to either help or practice their French with you. Learning a language takes time and effort. It will be very difficult to learn how to speak French if you only practice it for the 3 hours of class you have a week. Take initiative! Talk with some of your Francophone friends in French, or even with your Anglophone friends, try to speak French with them outside of class!

And last but not least, Jennifer asked me a very clichéd but important question!

"What was the biggest adjustment that you had to make?"

For me, especially being on residence and an hour away from my parents, the biggest adjustment was the amount of freedom I had. For the first time, there wasn't anyone monitoring my time, or telling me what to do when. Of course I had responsibility, with my readings and assignment. But unlike high school, I didn't have teachers breathing down my neck, and seeing them everyday with them reminding.

For some students, that can be great for them! Some people THRIVE on being independent, and scheduling their own time. Other students, (myself included to an extent), this proves difficult. It may be tempting to just go out and explore the city everyday, or even just to hangout all day with friends in your residence. However, you have to remember to prioritize, balance your time and effectively schedule out your time. Nobody is going to do it for you. It's a true test of responsibility. But one that you CAN and WILL succeed in.

There are resources available if you find yourself stressed or lost. Feel free to talk Counselling and Disability Services, or your Don. If you have any questions left about school, residence, student life or anything feel free to leave a comment here, tweet me (or one of the other eAmbassadors) or join our Facebook group! Everybody is super excited and looking forward to this year!

Aidez-moi !

This past Sunday, I celebrated my 19th birthday, and I was trying to think of some worldly words of wisdom to share on my blog; something about growing up, or becoming an adult or responsibility. As if I know anything about. This "adult" slept for 12 hours last night after taking two naps. However in my vast 19 years of life I have learned a little about life. Emphasis on the "a little."

Une Journée Pistoloise!

Le couche-soleil au Trois-Pistoles!

J'étais ici en Trois-Pistoles pour trois jours et j'ai la déjà aime! C'est une experience magnifique! Je me sens que mon français a déjà amelioré et il va continuer de devenir mieux! Pour cette "blog-post" je vais vous dire qu'est-ce que j'ai fait hier, pour démontrer un jour typique et normal au le programme!

The Journey Starts!

This (short and sweet) post is coming to you from the Via Rail train #44, Toronto-Ottawa! I'm currently on my way to Trois-Pistoles, Quebec for the spring session of the Explore program, which is the government funded program that allows young Canadians to immerse themselves in the second of their official languages. (i.e. Anglophones learning French, Francophones learning English).

I'll be blogging throughout my five weeks during the program so if you guys decide to participate in this program next year, you guys will know a little bit of what to expect!

So I know this is a short post but I still have 13 hours till I'm estimated to arrive, so I'm going to get some shut eye! :)

Summertime, and the living is easy

Now that the school year is done, the big question for university students is what are you going to do this summer? Some are doing summer courses, some are doing exchanges, some are working.

Summers in university are, for many students, about how you can use your time effectively; are you going to earn money? Get more credits and fast track your degree? Volunteer and get a new experience?

Take On The Challenge

I had my last meeting yesterday. I had my last exam yesterday. I'm doing my last shift at the GCSU office. I'm all packed up. First year is done.

I was trying to think of a defining word or theme for this "end-of-first-year" post. All I could think was how challenging it was. Your first year of university is challenge. However, something being a challenge doesn't always have to be a bad thing.

Flexibility is Key!

As my friends and I start to finish up our semesters of university and begin focusing on exams, our minds are also filled with thoughts of the future. Fellow first years and I are making decisions about what to do next year; did we enjoy our first year in our program? Upper years are focusing on what to do post-undergrad. Some are deciding on graduate schools, some are starting to think of jobs. Much of the time spent in university is dedicated to looking ahead and making plans. I, myself, love planning out the future; picking courses, looking a few years down the road and even helping my friends do the same.

Un Autre eAmbassador... eAmbassadeur?... Vlog! Avec Francette

Francette et moi ont fait un autre vlog à propos du français! :)

Here's also a blooper video since we had 20 minutes of extra footage after I edited these videos down! Enjoy! :)

I really hate the thumbnails that Blogger gives my videos.

Tick. Tock.

"In fourth grade I had an excellent teacher; Mr. McClellan. He had the ability to engage my class in a way that made us excited about education. He expertly created an atmosphere that was fun and inspiring. Since then, I have made it my lifelong goal to become an educator and inspire students to learn in the same way that I was inspired."

That's how my Personal Statement for my Concurrent Education application starts.
Yeah. I just applied for Concurrent Education. Literally. I pushed the submit button like 5 minutes ago. I'm reeling.

Transition Into First Year! Featuring Francette Maquito!

Francette joined me outside to record a vlog about transitioning into first year! Check it out! 

MARCH BREAK U.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of leading a bilingual campus tour for the first round of March Break U participants and there's one word to describe my feelings; jealousy.

Glendon had this program last year, but I didn't get a chance to participate and I wish I had. It's an awesome opportunity, and seeing what students were able to take out of it make me wish I had taken advantage of that opportunity.

The Keele Connection

I'm currently sitting in Scott Library at the Keele Campus of York University. Yes, it is true. Despite being a die-hard Coeur de Lion / Glendonite , I do sometimes venture to the main campus of York to be among my YorkU LIon brethern. There are numerous reasons as to why I (and other Glendonites) leave our little forest in the corner of Toronto; food, libraries, a change of pace and many others.

#impactmatters

Hey all,

Here's my newest vlog! It's doubling as part of TEDxYorkU's  Share The Impact contest! Go to their website to learn about TEDxYorkU and share what kind of impact matters to you! :)

Do I Need A Laptop?

I'm sitting in my parents' living room in Kitchener right now because I decided to come back home to visit for the reading week. . I'm working away on my computer getting certain tasks finished, and I feel like that between school, a social life and all my extracurricular obligations, I have a never ending list of things I need to do. Yet, I'm in an amazing mood! Why? Because I'm using my laptop for the first time in two weeks. I'd like to say that it's because I challenged myself to focus on my studies, or something like that. But no. It's because the fan on my laptop conked out so I had to take it to Futureshop so I could get it fixed and I just got it back today after two weeks!

An Insider's Look Into Residence

So my friend Ally and I were bored so we decided to give you a special preview into what type of things her and I do on a Friday night on Residence. Check it out below.

Why I Love Toronto

You may or may not recall my first blog post in which I briefly described the amount of moving that my family has done. Let me break it down for you. We moved from Guatemala City, Guatemala, to Dardanelle, Arkansas. From there, we moved to Toronto, Ontario (St. Clair area). We then moved to West Seneca, New York as we waited for the Canadian government to accept our applications for residency. THEN we moved back to Toronto (Etobicoke). We then moved to London, Ontario until finally settling in Kitchener, Ontario. 

LOL JKZ. I moved to Toronto for school again and right now I'm thinking I might stay in Toronto after university (but that's way too far ahead to be solidified. I'm not even sure what I'm going to have for lunch. Darn. Now I'm hungry.) 

New Year

It's the beginning of a new year, and with it new challenges, new surprises, new changes, new friends and new experiences.

Especially if you're in grade 12 right now. This year is going to be a whirlwind of emotions, experiences and challenges. You'll be finishing high school, and saying goodbye to some people, some places and hopefully some drama. It'll be weird, especially if you did all 4 years at your high school like I did. Ask any of my friends, from May to June, I was a wreck. I was going to miss my high school so much, all my friends, the teachers, the halls, and even the classes. However if there was one word to describe the experience I'd use "bittersweet."