Photo Credit: University of St. Michael’s College
What to Do When You’re Not in Class
Madhav Thennapan, Contributor
As a new U of T student, you’ll want to make sure to spend your time outside of class doing fun activities, hanging out with and making new friends, and trying out all the new experiences that U of T and the city of Toronto have to offer. Here are some suggestions for what to do when you’re not in class:
Sports and Activities
You’ll want to get your blood pumping after a sedentary day of hard studying. The Athletic Centre located at Harbord and Spadina provides drop-in sessions for ultimate frisbee, soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, ice skating, and more! You can also book courts for tennis, badminton, and squash. For a more team-oriented sports experience, U of T offers casual tournament-style games, called intramurals, for which you may register with a team and play through the semester. You can also take part in fun group fitness workout sessions like Cardio Dance Party, Mindful Moments Yoga, and others through registration. All of these invigorating activities do not require additional fees as they are covered under your tuition!
If you’re into working out or want to get into it, you can also visit the open gyms at the Strength and Conditioning Centre, Goldring Centre, or Hart House.
Exploring the City
Toronto is a melting pot of culture, food and ideas. As a new arrival here, you’ll want to make sure to experience the rich culture through the Royal Ontario Museum (free to students on Tuesdays), the Art Gallery of Ontario, as well as U of T’s very own art museums at University College. You can’t miss out on the stunning views from Toronto Islands of the waterfront, or the walks, the beaches or amusement park on the island.
On the weekend, you can take a walk through Kensington Market near campus, when it’s closed off for pedestrians, or go to Yonge and Dundas Square for a Times Square-esque experience, where, once you’re done being amazed by the city lights and billboards, you can go shopping at Eaton Centre for any of your needs.
Diverse cultures are localised around Toronto, and if you’re craving a particular experience, you can visit Greektown in Danforth, Little India, Little Italy, and so many more. Just make sure to take someone with you for both your safety and the joy of having someone to share the experience with.
Clubs
U of T has clubs for all activities (and if not, you can start one), which help you socialize and meet people with similar interests while doing something that you enjoy or would like to explore. St Michael’s College’s own clubs — like Pair-A-Dice, a board game club — have fun game nights and events multiple times a month, and could become something you really look forward to. The running club organises runs to all the parts of Toronto you’d want to visit, like beautiful parks and eateries, all while you exercise, socialize and explore the city. Clubs specific to your culture or cultures you’d like to learn about also exist – like the Italian Student’s Association, the Indian Students Association, and many others – which help finding a sense of familiarity and home in the chaos of shifting to university. There are many more clubs organizing activities to your liking that are only waiting for you to find them!
