Despite all the snow January brings, many students are eager to return to campus in the new year and start fresh. For many students, New Year’s resolutions mean a commitment to participate in new campus activities that they have not tried before. Looking forward to activities ranging from joining clubs to attending events like OAP, students seem determined to be a part of campus life in 2025.
Sean Overton, U0 Engineering, for one, is planning on being more involved in campus life by joining clubs this semester. For Overton, the Winter semester offers a chance to create a new routine.
“Now that it’s the second semester, I am more used to managing my time so I want to join even more clubs,” he explained in an interview with The Tribune.
The recent reopening of Gerts is another boon for students looking to engage with the community in one of McGill’s classic third spaces. Eleanor Casey, U1 Arts, expressed her enthusiasm for the student-run bar.
“Especially in the winter when I don’t really feel like going too far or trying out new places, Gerts is always a nice place to go to,” she said.
Other campus bars like Bar des Arts (BdA) and Blues Pub are places that McGillians are looking forward to attending in 2025. Especially with the cold winter weather, the affordable food and drinks combined with the lively environment make these fun and welcoming spaces very popular amongst students.
Blues’ layout enables people to move more freely around without constantly feeling claustrophobic, which is one reason why so many students love it.
“Blues has really good grilled cheese and since it’s a circular area it’s very accessible,” Ella Bjork, U1 Arts, highlighted.
Exploring campus does not only mean hanging out downtown: Many downtown-campus pupils tend to forget that the Macdonald campus also has its hidden gems.
“I really want to visit the Macdonald campus because I heard it is very pretty in the spring with all the flowers,” Casey said.
This year, McGill students are committed to explore campus more, although they are also looking for fun places that allow intellectually stimulating activities are also welcome in 2025. Bjork explained in an interview with The Tribune how visiting the Redpath Museum is a must.
“There is a lot of natural history, animals, rocks and shells. Coming from an Art History major, I really recommend it because it’s very rich with history,” Bjork stated.
Bridget Cohl, U2 Engineering, cannot wait to be able to relax and hang out on the Lower Field when spring finally arrives in Montreal—a feeling that is shared by many students eagerly awaiting the warm weather and the return of the hot dog man.
“We have a really pretty campus to just sit around in summer or spring to read a book or talk to friends,” said Cohl.
“I love getting a hot dog on a warm day and sitting on the grass of the Lower Field,” added Casey.
The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations such as the Ginger Run and dressing up all in green to wait in line for a drink at concerningly early times in the morning are also impatiently awaited by students.
Finally, Open Air Pub (OAP) is a classic McGill way to cap off the semester on a good note, with some live music, cheap beer, and good vibes.
“I am really looking forward to going to OAP if I don’t have too many finals and I am also very excited for St. Patrick’s Day,” Cohl said.
The McGill campus has a lot in store this year for students looking to get involved. Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities and events and make the most of your campus experience.
