You're nothing more than a grade

None of my expeditions turned out the way I anticipated, and this one was no different lol. Having departed earlier compared to the rest of the expeditions, this was the only one that was completed slightly before midnight. What started as a potential flop ended up being an adventure that checked off so many inside jokes and gave us another endurance challenge—no breaks, no water, no food, just non-stop movement. 

I switched the destination last minute from the Hamilton Waterfront Trail to Devil’s Punchbowl, and ended up with two new first-years from Reddit yet again on board. Keeping in mind unfavourable night-time bus timings, we decided to bus there and somehow walk back to campus. We departed by bus at 5:38 PM, arriving at Upper Centennial and Green Mountain at 6:49 PM. From there, we had to walk ~2.3km to view the conservation area, reaching it at 7:11 PM. Unfortunately, either we missed the sights or they were just less exciting than I envisioned. I couldn’t jeopardize anyone’s safety, but some chaotic companionship (like the people down by the stream lol) definitely could’ve led to some questionable results. 

Looking at the official map, we spotted Bruce Trail and Dofasco Trail, and the gears in my head started turning. But the majority of us agreed to simply head back to campus via Bruce Trail, given we were already situated ~4 hours away. By the time we reached the bottom at 7:40PM, we were kind of clueless about the directions and time, so we decided to simply visit Dundurn Stairs as a way to wrap up the night—the origin of my series of expeditions. We really only ended up viewing the stairs from afar before heading back to campus. I did start questioning myself, though, wondering if I’d let the others down by not opting for a better location or long trail, but it all worked out.

Instead of taking in stunning natural sights or potentially unsafe areas, this journey was more about the context and inside jokes I formed with friends. For example, I posted about spotting cats around Mac during exam season last semester, and this time, not only did I find four cats, but I even got to pet a super friendly orange cat! It came comfortably approached us, brushed against our legs, and then rolled over to reveal its belly! I was already attached, but we didn’t quite know what to do at that moment except keep moving.

Honestly, I’m not sure how to describe this journey. We didn’t quite get the results I/we were hoping for, but we had seamless conversations and interesting discussions throughout. It really supports the saying: “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” We didn’t really have a destination—just visiting Devil's Punchbowl and returning to Mac—and took detours (e.g. Wentworth Stairs) to shape our own path rather than blindly following maps. But I’m glad my series of expeditions with Redditors specifically (possibly?) ended this way, at least for the time-being perhaps.

Hey Everyone,

I wanted to make a post to a ask a question that sometimes seems like it shouldn't be real. Has anyone been depressed about graduating?

for context, I am graduating this year and I have never felt so depressed about something in my life. it feels like my life is over, like my youth is gone and the future of unknown is so terrifying to me that honestly I just wish I could restart my undergrad and not feel so lost.

and it's not like I don't have any career plan. I did a stem program with 3 internships throughout my undergrad and one of them being 1 year long.

I just don't know but I feel like life after school is just work or just nothing idk I just feel so depressed rn and was wondering if anyone has ever felt this way and if they feel better afterwards.

I just had a moment of realization.. I don’t really have any close girl friends. I’m a girl in the chemical engineering department, and it often feels like everyone already has their own established groups. Conversations with other girls either feel really surface-level or just hard to start in the first place, and I find myself hesitating to approach people.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s something about me, like maybe I’m not interesting enough, or maybe I give off the wrong impression. I’ve always found it a bit easier to talk to guys, but I genuinely wish I had a close girl friend I could trust, someone to laugh with, talk openly to, and share things with without fear of judgment or gossip.

Growing up, trying to befriend girls often left me feeling judged or left out, and I guess that fear stuck with me. Now that I’m in second year, I hoped things would be different, but I still feel like I haven’t made much progress.

If anyone else feels this way or has been through something similar I’d really love to hear from you. It would be nice to know I’m not alone in this.

TL;DR: I’m a girl in Chem Eng who struggles to make girl friends. I feel like everyone has their own groups, and I find it hard to connect with other girls even though I really want to. I just want someone I can trust and be open with without fear of judgment or gossip. Wondering if anyone else feels this way too.

How is the final exam with Dr. Doyle and Kidd? Especially the MC?

Hello! I'm in first year of Life Sci and I need some advice on picking a specialization for second year. I'm really interested in PNB (specifically the Mental Health spec) and the courses look interesting, but I wanted to know if specializing would be a good idea if I want to maintain a high GPA in undergrad (for grad school like med). I know lots of people stay in HLS for the sake of having more elective space to fill with bird courses, but one of my concerns was if students in HLS still get research opportunities (despite their degree not being as focused on a specific subject like PNB). Also, if grad school like med doesn't work out, but I chose to stay in HLS, will that impact my ability to be successful in getting a Master's degree (for the same reason as my concern about research: not having a 'specific enough' degree).

If anyone from these programs could drop some advice (about the courses and overall difficulty), it'd be much appreciated 😭:
- Honours Life Sciences
- Honours PNB (with or without the mental health spec)

Second year applications have opened up and I am confused on what to make my first choice from the two programs. There's not much info on irh but it seems interesting to me especially since I really don't know what I want to do after my bachelors, I just know that I am interested in healthcare and social aspects of it. The same goes for the human behaviour program, i think both are cool because healthcare and humanities/social aspects are integrated in it but I do not know which one to make my first choice.

Haven't touched the textbook since the last midterm, what would be the best course of action to properly study from the psych textbook? Usually go into the tests to guess, but I want to ensure that I can pick up the points from the textbook this time. What should I do?

This is just a thought I had that I was wondering someone could clarify. After finishing a class, so many people upload their work onto studocu or other google drives for other students to use but aren't they scared that someone might copy their work and they'll have to face the consequences? Or are there no consequences after you finish a class and the mark is on your transcript? Am I blowing this whole thing out of proportion and is it actually not that big of a deal after you have finished the class?

How hard was the stats 2B03 exam last semester? Was it around the same difficulty as the second midterm?

Hey everyone! I'm an incoming student from Alberta starting the Accelerated Nursing Program at McMaster this Fall (2025), and I'm looking for a female roommate to find a pet-friendly apartment or condo with.

I’m Muslim, so I’d prefer to live with someone who shares similar values or is open to a culturally respectful home. I’ll be bringing my cat, so a cat-friendly place is a must 🐾

Haven’t found a place yet, but hoping to team up with someone to search and split rent. I’m clean, quiet, and focused on school — looking for someone who's on the same page.

If you’re still looking or open to chatting, feel free to DM me!

How was the COMMERCE 4AA3 Final exam? I'm starting to get a bit nervous, so as much information as possible would help.

Im planning on taking intersession classes and those put me over 30 units, I'm just wondering if they would count towards my gpa for this year or not. this will help guide my decisions so pls any clarification will greatly help

I used an MSAF for a test last semester but just want to make sure the same rules apply for a written assignment.

Does anyone know when we will get the sciclone decisions, can I expect it in April or may?

I got accepted and might accept. Any advice? How's the program? The prestige?

Fully online.

I want to go into dentistry and I need a high gpa to get in so whats the best specialization honours life sci or bio core, I want to choose honours life sciences but I keep hearing that the degree has less value is that true?

Hi, I’m planning to join HIF online part-time course offered by MAC master continuing education. Any current students or grads, please let me know how intense the course is and how are you finding the job market after this program

Hey so I see that the move out date is the day after your last exam at 3pm, if you live on res but exams finish on like the 25/26/27th of April. If I stay a day later (for example my last exam is the 16 and I leave the 18th) just to relax and take a a breather would I be fined or caught?

May 2025 -April 2026 with the possibility of extending - DM more for more info! We're a really friendly bunch (5 girls, 4 of us upper years) who hope to be friends with the girl joining us! located close to all the Westdale shops on a quiet, nice street.

on Mosaic the deadline for the tuition deposit is is 09.06.2025 (Not sure if this is September 6th or June 9th), but in my acceptance letter it says May 9th. Which one is it?

Hey guys, anyone know the lowest average that was accepted into med rad last year?

struggling to find vegetarian “egg-free” food at mac… im living on coffee and a cookie when im on campus

food with egg cooked with it is okay like cookies or muffins but things like omelettes or eggs with ramen aren’t

any recommendations…im tryna be well feed during exam season

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