Unlike many universities, McGill does not have required courses for all students. Here are some courses that, if mandated at McGill, would help equip students for the unexpected aspects of daily life as a McGillian.
WLKY 101: How to not break a leg while traversing the Y
Navigating campus is dangerous, especially in the winter when the snow covers any potential danger. Don’t be fooled by the cute squirrels running around—you need to be 100 per cent focused on where you put your feet at all times. With tons of foot traffic and potholes, the Y-intersection is every McGillian’s nightmare. I have seen so many people display amazing acting skills after having inattentively stepped into one of those huge holes. I myself have accidentally spilled an entire cup of coffee because of them. Believe me, the shame hit me hard. Even though I don’t want to spoil the hot dog man’s daily show, every student on campus should be trained on how to navigate the Y.
THRSD 302: How to choose between BdA and 4à7
Thursday nights are wild in the basement of both the Leacock and Bronfman buildings. But which campus bar should you go to? Should you go to a party with the Arts kids? Or with the Desautels crowd? Most people are clear about what team they join every week. On the one hand, Bar des Arts (BdA) is made for those who are fans of tradition—and sweat. BdA people are consistent and will never let you down: The grilled cheese tastes like paradise and the staff are always polite. But 4à7 is less crowded and boasts a better venue. They usually have an incredibly fun DJ set. Also, 4à7 is on the same street as Gerts so once it closes you don’t have to call it a night, just migrate toward the University Centre building. If you can’t decide, just wait for Friday and go to Blues!
BRGTCP 218: How to know what to bring to campus
While most students come to campus for class, there are so many other things you can do while there. First off, bring sunglasses—especially now that winter is finally coming to an end and you won’t want to miss those first rays of sunshine. Go lie down in the grass in front of the Redpath Museum, put on your best pair of sunglasses, and you’ll feel like the main character of a mainstream teenage flick.
If it’s Thursday or Friday, bring your reusable cup; it will come in handy in the most unexpected circumstances. Also, bring a book. If, like most McGill students, you have 30 minutes of nothingness in between your classes, you know that it’s tempting to take your phone out and scroll on TikTok or Insta. But, trust me, you’ll feel so much more rewarded if you choose to read instead. Bring cash—or a debit card—you never know when you might crave a nice hot dog out in the spring sun. Finally, bring a smile. Our campus is beautiful and with summer on the way, it’s almost like finals don’t exist so just fake it till you make it!
OPHGVR 206: How to cure your post-OAP hangover
To celebrate the end of finals, McGill students will reunite on the Lower West Field of campus for Open Air Pub (OAP). No need to worry about the campus bars closing! OAP is like a mini-festival and its slogan, “The Best Place On Earth,” is definitely accurate. The goal is to relax after a long semester and enjoy the beginning of summer with fellow McGillians. You can eat burgers or hot dogs and drink alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages while enjoying various concerts and DJ sets. Since most of us go there to party, we usually wake up with a headache the next morning. I suggest chugging several bottles of water when going home—if you can do it with beer, you can do it with water. Also, don’t forget to eat while at OAP—the food tent offers different options, so you’ll be sure to find something. Keep in mind that OAP only happens twice a year. As the year comes to an end, this might be the last opportunity to party with your university friends before going back home for the summer, so don’t spoil it!
