Breezing through security and fighting boredom THE FACT OF the matter is, while planning a trip, most people prefer to focus on the destination and choose to put the actual travel time out of their minds. Many travellers dread airports and view any flight longer than an hour as a scheme on behalf of the …
Features
Experts suggest steps students can take now to avoid a decade-long repayment process WATERLOO (CUP)—ANYTHING WRITTEN ON financial planning and debt among university students is likely to be riddled with sound bites that seem to be common sense, as though students intelligent enough to enter a post-secondary institution should be able to budget and manage …
1. Terrible spelling and grammar Nobody is expecting to find a perfectly punctuated, Pulitzer Prize-winning essay on your profile, but at least make an effort to be coherent. 2. The “trying too hard” pictures The pouted lips, awkwardly angled body shots, pounds of makeup, and greased up pecs and abs? Yeah, they need to go. …
The ins and outs of online dating ACCORDING TO THE standards set by romantic comedies, we’re all supposed to experience love at first sight standing in the produce aisle of the grocery store or checking out a book in the library. But let’s face it: We’re not going to meet anyone with headphones in our …
Rick Mercer continues to encourage the youth vote RICK MERCER, A Canadian comedian, producer, and an avid advocate of the youth vote is at it again. In an interview with the Fulcrum, Mercer gave his thoughts on student voting, the upcoming election, and the issues at hand. “It’s a consistent message that I’ve always been shouting into the wind: That everyone …
Students share their biggest regrets “NEVER REGRET ANYTHING because at one time it was exactly what you wanted.” Sorry, inspirational quote enthusiasts, but it’s time to call bullshit on your “no regrets” posters, Facebook photo captions, and tattoos. Experience may be our best teacher, but refusing to acknowledge we’ve all screwed up in the past isn’t …
MANY OF US admit to doing it at least once and most of us believe we will never be caught or properly disciplined. It is a crime that is supposed to be taken seriously but is sometimes swept under the rug; it’s an offence that tarnishes reputations and lands students in a world of trouble. …
Advice to help you stay on track this semester Ah, September. The leaves begin to fall, the air cools, and the smell of fresh textbooks lingers in the air. Although we’re all busy constructing new IKEA furniture and scrambling to attend as many back-to-school keggers as possible, most of us university students manage to find …
The Fulcrum gives you the down-low on the d-town Starting university can be an overwhelming experience. There are classes to register for, textbooks to buy, IKEA furniture to put together, tuition to pay, and if you’re from out of town, there’s a city to uncover. But never fear, froshies—the Fulcrum is here and we’ve compiled …
A Gee-Gee’s bucket list that’s guaranteed to get you props Whether you’re just entering university or starting your sixth year, there are certain university challenges you must complete. The Fulcrum compiled a list of 30 things you should do before entering the real world. 1. Participate in 101 Week. Whether you’re new to the university …
Di Daniels’ message to the newcomers WELCOME, FROSHERS, TO the University of Ottawa. Your university experience here will be the best of times, the worst of times, and—it is my sincerest hope—it will also be the sexiest of times. Most students come to school prepared to fill their heads with equations, quotations, and solutions. I’m …
Make staying at home sweeter FOR MOST FIRST-years, starting university means moving to a new city and living away from home for the first time. But not all students move away for their post-secondary studies; some decide to go to university while living at home. Though there are tons of advantages to staying home, most …
Discovering Ottawa through the U-Pass Another year, another U-Pass. Though returning students already know what to expect—that mandatory $290 bus pass tacked on to all full-time student fees. But all you first years have yet to decide whether you love it or hate it. Some of you will wonder, “What do I do with this U-Pass? I live on or near campus. I’m central to it all!” Well, the Fulcrum has come to save the day—as usual—by compiling this year’s top five places to use your U-Pass. IKEA Need I say more? Maybe bringing a new Trondheim dresser home on the bus isn’t the best idea you’ll have over the next four years, but I guarantee it won’t be the worst. Something to write home about! Scotiabank Place, a.k.a The Bank Hockey lovers—rejoice. And all music lovers too. Oh, you’re …
Taking a look at who has the best 101 Week events YEAR AFTER YEAR, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) dominates the 101 Week calendar. As the official organizers of frosh week fun on campus, the SFUO has by far the most well-known—and well-attended—101 Week events. But despite the popularity of the …
Making memories you’ll never remember Finally, after a long week filled with assignments, early morning classes, and readings, the weekends has arrived. Although it couldn’t have come a moment sooner you’re still slightly unsure what to do with your weekend in a new city. If you’re interested in what’s hot in Ottawa on the weekend, …
Here to help you out whatever your need may be Bike Co-op The SFUO’s mandate to make education accessible for all starts with being able to get to school—and one of the cheapest ways to get around in Ottawa is to bike. Born out of a referendum in 2010, the Bike Co-op saw a stellar …
On-campus resources that are here to help AMIDST ALL THE new places, people, and experiences that come with starting university, some students forget the reason they’re here: School. Often it takes a few failed midterms for freshmen to realize how hard university academics really are—and how unprepared they may be for the massive learning curve …
Things you should and shouldn’t do at Morisset Library The difference between your high school library and that of a university is colossal. In secondary school, you were constantly told to “Shh,” you weren’t allowed to eat, and studying in pairs was frowned upon. At university, you can drink coffee and eat pizza while studying …
We’ve all heard the spiel: Stereotyping others is unfair, hurtful, and indicative of being close-minded. But if you spend a month on a university campus, you’ll most definitely meet people who fit certain stereotypes perfectly. The following are 10 “types” of people you will surely run into at the University of Ottawa. The Political Diehard This person …
A how-to guide on making the most of your student space FOR MANY FRESHMEN, moving into on-campus housing is not the exciting experience promised by Staples commercials and IKEA catalogues alike. Rather than a spacious, eclectically decorated dorm, most students are met with little more than a glorified closet when they initially enter their expensive …
Tricks for destroying your at-home life So you’ve met your roommate, and although you’ve only known each other five minutes, you can tell you’re going to hate each other. So why not make their year a living hell? You’re already on the right track by prematurely jumping to conclusions. Another good step is to consciously decide …
With so many new experiences awaiting you, you might not realize how crucial certain information is until you need it. For your sake, grab your cellphone and add in these numbers in the case of any emergencies or last-minute adventures. On-campus protection Is your party invaded by hooligans? Are you walking home and someone is …
Solutions to shitty situations faced by first years Here at the Fulcrum, we believe in telling it like it is. The truth about being a university student? It’s hard. And being a first-year student? It’s really hard. Gone are the days of getting an A on the assignment you started the night before. Say goodbye …
Students tell their tales of summer job triumph and tribulation IT’S NO SECRET that many university students across the country are struggling to secure employment this summer. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and some students have resorted to working nightmare-inducing or insomnia-curing jobs just to make ends meet. On the other hand, a very …
An outpour of anecdotes from student service workers WHEN I WAS growing up in the sprawling suburb of Barrhaven, getting a job at Tim Hortons was actually kind of cool. You got free Timbits and soda, and on a slow night your friends could take over the inside of the store and amuse you between …
