One moment you're hugging your mom goodbye outside your dorm room...and the next, you're submitting your final paper and leaving campus.
My 5 years at UBC were a whirlwind, to say the least. Whether it was studying for my Political Science 380 final until 1 a.m. at the library or scrambling to get an iced coffee from Tim Hortons in between classes, I’ll forever cherish my time at UBC.
I could probably write for hours about all my fun, weird—and at times, unfortunate—undergrad stories, but I realized that the best way to look back on my moments on campus was through photos. Whether you’re about to start your UBC journey or you’re about to graduate, UBC holds memories for so many of us. So, come along on this nostalgic UBC journey with me; I hope you recognize some of these spots or create memories of your own there!
Thunderbird Stadium
My first real college football game! I don’t think I even knew how a touchdown worked—but nonetheless a moment where I truly felt like a university freshman.
Totem Park Field
Where I played frisbee on my second day of living on campus at UBC, and made some of my first university friends.
Swing Building
Where I took my first class at UBC (Political Science 110) and had my first midterm—which I surprisingly didn’t fail?
Orchard Commons
The residence I lived in in my first year. Back in 2016, I was one of the first people to live in the building as Orchard had just opened. Shoutout to Braeburn 8th floor!
Buchanan
One of my main student involvement experiences at UBC started in my second year with the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS); I ended up spending 4 years with the AUS. I met some really close friends and have many fond memories of my time there.
The AUS office is located in Buchanan D, right next to this sculpture. I ran by this sculpture in the Buchanan courtyard at least once a day.
C.K. Choi Building
The site of my first on-campus job! I worked with the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in a Work Learn position and learned a lot more about what I wanted to do with my career.
AMS Nest bathroom
I failed a midterm in my first year and cried in this bathroom after it happened. Definitely a learning experience for me and thanks to the girl who was also in the Nest bathroom who asked me if I was doing okay—your kindness has not been forgotten!
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre bike racks
I used to park my bike at these bike racks (then forget about it) all the time. There were many evenings when I would suddenly remember my bike sitting out on campus and have to come trudging back to retrieve it.
Acadia Rd. House
The old house that I lived in for 3 years on campus. I experienced everything from ye olde classic college house party to my first heartbreak while living here.
AMS Nest
I would always see friends sitting on the stairs at the AMS Nest and stop by for a few minutes to catch up or eat lunch with them. I definitely miss seeing friendly faces around campus.
Student Recreation Centre
Home of the UBC Recreation Intramural program student office—where I spent 3 years on the media team taking photos and videos for Storm the Wall, Day of the Longboat, and more.
Main Mall
Spent a full semester running across campus, in the rain, to get from Buchanan to Swing. For any first years considering back-to-back classes between these buildings, a word of advice…don’t do it!
Honourable Mention: Brock Hall
The office of my first Co-op role—and my current Work Learn position! Although under construction, Brock Hall is the home of the UBC Life blog.
These are just a few moments from my degree, and these locations across UBC hold memories for myself and so many other students as well. Memories at UBC don't have to be just crazy nights at the Pit; sometimes it’s the walks in between class and other small moments that add up over time. So strike up a conversation with that girl in your Psych 101, take the long route to class for the fresh air, and seize every opportunity that comes your way.
