How I Like My Coffee

Hi everyone,

I know a lot of you like coffee. Me too. Only, I like to make it (with my coffee and espresso machine or manually), and I'm not too thrilled about its actual taste and awakening properties (because they don't work). So this blog will outline how I found my perfect coffee which doesn't leave a disgusting after-taste and freshens me up! With Pictures!

Step 1.

This is the coffee I'm using. Zavida can be purchased at Costco, and Starbucks one I bought at Nofrills.

Step 2.

I am using a French Press (FP) for this recipe, and I am adding about 3 table spoons of coffee with proportions 0.5 Zavida:2.5 Espresso. At the same time, I am boiling water, and pouring it ONto the French Press and into the cup to heat it up. Do it carefully.

Step 3.

I pour the boiling water into the FP, just enough to cover the grounds. Hold it like this for 15 seconds, and fill up the FP until half (if I wanted a stronger coffee), or full (if I want a lighter roast). I then put the cap on top and brew it for 4 minutes. 

Step 4.

I push the cap down. Pour the coffee into my mug with 1 tea spoon of Splenda (don't judge), and heating up the milk in a pan until it reaches 140 Fahrenheit. 

Step 5. 

I pour the milk into the cup and enjoy my drink!

I normally wouldn't order coffee out, or I'd rarely take it with me. I like to take my time on preparing it, and enjoying it, too! :) 

What if you can't get an executive/leading position in your extracurricular activities?

Hey everyone,

So I've met a lot of people who just can't manage to get an executive position at a club for various reasons. Either they don't know when and how to apply, the application process is unsuitable, or their application doesn't stand out. 
Since English is not my first language, I can't write masterpieces. I also am often struggling to put something I wanna say into words (although I have to learn how to). That being said, I still do possess lots of useful skills to organize and lead a club; I just don't know how to put them forward.
This blog post is for those of you to whom it sounds familiar! 

Here are your options: 

1. Start your own club 
Starting a club is definitely a lot of work: you have to come up with an idea, plan it out, create an application process for future executive members, review it, establish a team, introduce your idea to them, work out a detailed plan, and finally - a ton of paperwork. 
So once all of that is done, and your club is liked by the club administration at your university - the position of a President is yours! Except...not everyone might be able to or want to become a president. In that case, talk to your executive members about Presidential elections, and whoever will get the most votes - that person will make your leader.

2. Meet more people 
More people means more opportunities. Opportunities for friendships, connections, and partnerships. All of that is a very valuable source of information, and with that, you have more chances to find and get executive positions. 
I am not telling you to go use people, though! But definitely be mindful of those individuals who can teach and expose you to new things! 

3. Start a project
A project is not necessarily a club. It also doesn't involve a lot of paperwork. What I call a project is something you'd do under a professor's or faculty's supervision. My project, for instance, is illustrations for our Psychology and Neuroscience textbooks. I found that reading such text without images is not appealing at all, and as I proposed to illustrate for the textbook, it became a project of mine and our Faculty of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior. I now work in a wonderful team of faculty members and students, and the new textbooks will come out in September 2017! 

First Year Doesn't Determine Your Future | Am I Still Set on MedSchool?

This blog post is not meant to be scary, but I recommend keeping it in mind!

The first year at a university doesn't determine your future. I have talked to SO MANY PEOPLE who wanted to become doctors, scientists, etc., and now some of them have dropped out, changed the programs, transferred to other universities, or have decided that post-secondary education is not at all for them. This list of circumstances doesn't even include individuals with low averages, with no extracurriculars, or lacking some sort of professional skills. 

Here is a thing...the majority people who feel like the first year will determine their entire life are wrong. Here is why - YOU CAN MAKE IT UP IN THE YEARS TO COME!

1. You can increase your average! It's true that MedSchools are looking for high grades, however, what they appreciate more is the INCREASING TREND in grades; plus you can have a story behind why your grades are low.

2. You can get involved! Just join some of the clubs! And trust me, if you didn't get an executive position right away - that's fine; what's important, is the connections you make to, later on, have high chances of getting that executive position!

3. You can volunteer! I'm not gonna lie - it's hard to get a position (especially at a hospital), but aim for smaller establishments; not only they might need more help, but also, it will give you experience which will be useful while looking for a better position. 

Some people, on the other hand, just think that whatever career they wanted to pursue is not "their thing" anymore, which is absolutely fine! THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER CAREERS! 

In science alone, you can pursue:

1. Research

2. Academia

3. Forensic Science

4. Medical Specialties

5. Creative jobs

6. Social jobs

7. Recreation

...each of which has AT LEAST 10 different specialties within it. 

University is definitely an eye opener. But I don't want anyone who has done badly in the first year to get discouraged. Even if you will have to take a year or 2 in between undergrad and MedSchool, you can do things that will make you a much stronger applicant. Just to name a few:

1. Work 

2. Study

3. Travel

4. Receive certificates

5. Discover something (about yourself or just in general)

6. Learn a language

etc. 

As for me...am I still set on MedSchool? 

Of course, I am!  :)