Ah hello fellow warm-weatherer! I grew up in mild BC but have lived mainly in Alberta for the last 6 years. I used to ride feedlot pens for work and had to figure out how the heck to stay warm all day long in these arctic provinces! The biggest things for me is silk and wool everything. Synthetic fibres never keep me warm enough, plus they don't breathe and they hold in moisture. Silk scarves around your neck make a surprisingly huge difference in whether or not I stay warm (real silk ones will set you back ~$50 but soooo worth it). Wool cap. Wool socks. Wool long johns. Wool mitts with leather ones overtop. Wool vest with silk lining. I used to wear the -100 degree oilfield boots but they might be a little overkill for vet work and plus they're impossible to walk in. I find the dunlop -50 rubber boots are second best and the -40 arctic sport muck boots third best as far as keeping my feet warm. I'm picky because I broke my foot once and have terrible circulation in that foot's toes. The muck boots are much easier to walk around in than the dunlops though and feel more like a shoe than a boot. Also, the dunlops are also terrible on ice. I took a razor blade and cut up the bottoms and now they are a lot better though.I am a bit concerned with how I am going to spend my winters in-40degrees C when I'll be afraid to step outside.
Anyone have any tips about getting through cold weather?
I understand the frustration though. The smallest pair of Dunlops you can buy are a 6 in mens. My feet are a 6 womens so they're pretty big on me, but I got some padded insoles which helped a lot. And it's always hard to find work gloves of any kind in small sizes it seems...
speaking of which, the 2013-2014 admission statistics for WCVM have been released here http://explore.usask.ca/programs/colleges/vetmed/index.php
Just scroll to the bottom
But I'd agree with everyone here in saying that as long as you get a spot, you get a spot!
Is anyone else worried about the movie from their home city/town to Saskatoon? I personally am quite used to city life and mild, albeit rainy weather (Vancouver) and I am a bit concerned with how I am going to spend my winters in-40degrees C when I'll be afraid to step outside.
Anyone have any tips about getting through cold weather?
Oh but don't make my first year mistake and totally leave out summer clothes.... obviously from year to year the weather varies but in my first year it was short weather until almost the end of October!
Hey fellow British Columbian! I grew up in a small hot rainy mill town on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, so moving to Saskatoon for undergrad three years ago was a climate/culture shock for sure! We're opposites for the culture, since for me Saskatoon was a humongous city. For anyone used to Vancouver, its going to seem pretty dinky probably. That being said, there's a tonne of stuff to do here. The nightlife is pretty decent if you know the right places (and depending what sort of things you like to do!). Dance was huge for me growing up so being able to head to the Longbranch and go twostepping/swing is awesome for me. But there are some more modern nightclubs and things as well.
I don't know if you are the sporty type, but USask has a really great intramural program which is awesome for physical activity in the winter. I've played on a few teams and learned to skate (if you have skates bring them....it's a very common winter activity and there are some great free public rinks) and curl (which is a staple of prairie life!). Your student card gets you in free to the PAC (physical activity complex) on campus which includes a gym, pool, fitness classes, indoor track and climbing wall. Any ladies out there looking for something fun and to get physically active I highly suggest checking out Club Mynx, it's a womens-only fitness club that offers all sorts of alternative fitness options including barre, aerial hoop and silks, and my personal favourite pole dancing!
In terms of the weather, it's a change for sure. I don't mean to sound depressing, but I find that eventually (after about -30) it's just cold and it all feels the same no matter what you do. Check out Costco, they carry great Canadian-made 100% Merino wool long underwear (the tops are my lifesaver!),and it's Costco so the prices are great. Make sure you get a good hat that will cover your ears, and just be careful & listen to weather warnings. All students at WCVM get a free locker so it's easy to dress warm to get to school and then dump your coat and everything. There's four Tim's and one Starbucks on campus so there's plenty of hot beverages available
Hope some of this helps a bit
I think the key is getting involved in things as much as possible
oh my goodness I will have to save this! Thank you so much!
I'm so excited to meet everyone in August!!!
AHHHH! We actually got in guys! Cant wait to start! =-D
Yesterday I block booked the rest of the summer. I'll be working 9-5, Monday-Friday, starting today until August 22. I'm very aware that doesn't give me much time to be in Calgary by the 28th for orientation, and I know I'm going to have to miss at least one day to do the student finance thing. I guess we're looking at places on weekends! In spite of all the inconveniences, this will allow me to really squirrel away some money to pay for books etc. which is why I agreed to do it. Three cheers for full-time employment!
I did!! By a weird coincidence, a girl I went to high school with was moving to Saskatoon to be closer to her boyfriend who is in law school at U of S! We have a 2 bedroom 4 blocks from campus
I have one, I got it when I did my undergrad there so its been a while but I can definitely try to help!
Thank you!! I tried this right after I signed up for the IT services, and it didn't work - guess I had to wait and try again! Thanks!
Hi everyone, I'm another shiny new UCVMer!
I'm going through the To-Do list and also having some issues with the email account thing - I registered for the IT account, the (apparent) first step, and in my confirmation the email address spot was blank! I'm planning on calling IT when I get a chance later this week, but anyone know how to get past this without having to call?
Also, on the ABVMA student application form, #4... is that just for the vet med degree coming, or do I list the degrees I already have too? So confused!
Oh, and I remember seeing info on computers and boots etc in the student manuals for previous years, but I did not see anything in ours?
I couldn't find it either and the package said to sign up for c/o 2017 page, which I found but that seems like a typo to me...
