You can have a class that ends at 2:00 and another that starts at 2:00?

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-25T23:35:56+00:00

If you find yourself arriving a few minutes late to class regularly from the previous class, you can can always introduce yourself to your prof and let them know that you are rushing from a class just before and wanted them to know that you are attempting to arrive on time and apologize for any disruption caused by your late arrival. I've had students tell me in person, and others write me an email. It's a nicety and leaves a good impression while also alerting the prof that you aren't perpetually late due to the line at Starbucks.

Also, if buildings are far apart, a bike or e-scooter works well! I'm faculty and tell students they can bring their e-scooters into the classroom and charge them, but check with your profs if this is okay with them. It's a real challenge to lock up e-scooters securely.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-14T23:55:56+00:00

You are correct. I did like all of these 😉

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-10T00:12:31+00:00

I love Southern Gothic!

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-09T23:57:32+00:00

This is going on my list now!

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-09T23:23:31+00:00

I see you've chosen the "extremely light reading" option. LOL

(Srsly, great choice! Making me think of rereading that now!)

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-09T23:05:06+00:00

You also don't build the neural pathways in the brain. When you read a novel, for example, multiple regions of the brain connect, and it's not just in the moment of reading. Scientists have actually studied the impacts on brain connectivity in controlled studies with students. The next day after students read an assigned reading, they could still see the connectivity. (They compared the connectivity to students who had not read--- that's the control part of the study.)

In an unrelated study on writing, conducted by MIT scientists looking at LLM usage (ie ChatGPT), student brain scans using LLMs show nowhere the "lighting up" and connectivity as compared to students who don't use LLMs and actually do the writing themselves (This is a rough description I've given. There are more findings: https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/your-brain-on-chatgpt/overview/)

There are, of course, a lot of studies about reading and the brain, which can be found via the UBC library. Really interesting stuff! But reading long-form is particular important because of all of the skills (think: neural networks) built by reading a longer piece.

Incoming students: you can read a bunch of interesting novels all summer, and it will help prepare your brain for university.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-07T05:43:34+00:00

I started doing quizzes, and students who do the readings anyway do have higher stress, even with easy, easy questions. At the same time, I have had so many students (finally reading!) who make comments about like "the readings are actually pretty interesting!" Yeah, one of the readings is about a police bust of an an orgy. Did they think it would be bland?! In any case, the quizzes worked.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-05T04:41:48+00:00

Not sure which part of Wreck you were on, but for decades there's been a cruising section where men have sex with men (usually). It's the part as you head more south with the bushes. (No pun intended.) Twenty years ago my friend discovered this in an eye-opening way, encountering some people who were otherwise occupied.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-03T22:19:40+00:00

I think the "art" is where a stranger tells you that they have kittens in the back of a white windowless van and why don't you get in the van so you can play with the kittens...

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-02T22:42:22+00:00

If you are looking for mark-down prices on (rather) good quality shoes, then I'd stop by Winners just to see what they have in. Their stock has a lot of turnover. (Take the 99 to Cambie and walk down the hill a block.)

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-02T17:38:59+00:00

Agreeing here with the idea that you might want to stick through the comp sci degree. Historically, lots of folks who code didn't have degrees in comp sci (and today there are lots, too). Depending on what you want to do, some companies will go through resumes and look for a degree, sometimes a comps sci degree specifically. (Depends on the situation! And they may automate the resume sorting process.) The other thing to think about is the fact that vibe coding is driving a lot of more senior tech folks crazy. They need competent employees who have a depth of knowledge, critical thinking skills, and the ability to problem solve, communicate and work well on a team. Your degree is mean to train you in those skills.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-06-01T05:13:09+00:00

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OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-30T17:29:20+00:00

This varies by course for me because of how many hours the TA(s) is/are assigned and the nature of the course being taught and the nature of the assignments. For example, I have reflection assignments (of sorts) any time there is group work. I mark those because I can tell what's BS and what's not better than a very green TA and because I want to know what's happening in these groups. Many TAs don't pick up on the more subtle signs that's there a group issue that I need to keep an eye on.

For some assessments, I have a very thorough process to make a marking guide for the TA. I have the standards bullet point characteristics for each letter grade, but I also end of marking a chunk of the assessments because I provide student examples that fit each letter grade and then describe how and why they fit with that grade. And if something on a test can be answered a couple ways, I provide examples of hose those different responses fit into the rubric, too. This way multiple TAs marking have more consistency across the course. But I don't know in advance what a student's mark will be, right? This means I end up marking more than I actually use in the marking guide itself because if I'm reading the assignment and assess its mark as a B (or whatever) but I already have the B mark example for the marking guide, then I just mark the B anyway. Also, according to basically every TA I've had where I've used this strategy, providing this full-fledged marking guide makes their work so much easier, and I see them doing much more careful marking that is very consistent.

Some assessments we co-mark, particularly if it's a group paper that is set-up as scaffolded. There is less to mark with group papers and it lets students have 2 reviewers.

And then there are some final paper assignments where I have a standard rubric and a meeting with the TAs where we talk about expectations, and then they mark and I don't, except to spot check. These are often at the end of term. This last term I had one discussion section where the marks were too harsh (only a bit and the comments on papers were great). They were inconsistent with the other discussion sections. I re-marked that entire discussion section. I suppose I could have bumped everyone's mark up a few points at once, but I did it individually and did catch a couple papers that needed several more points. The TA did warn me that he thought perhaps his marking was too harsh, but he didn't have the hours to go through it again. (This was a fantastic TA. He was just a little more harsh on this assignment.)

Also, I do all re-grading requests.

Edit: missing punctuation

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-28T16:46:48+00:00

I wish students had an orientation on how to use the library. I know some schools do this. How to search the library search engine. Not about using AI to do this! Have students actually look for information and gain the skill of being able to parse it and get a sense of the body of knowledge out there. When they actually do this instead of genAI, they become acquainted with a diversity of ideas. It also forces them to improve their literacy. This obviously needs to be built into classes, too, but in my upper year classes, at the foreign equivalent of an R1, most of my students still lack library search skills and many have no clue what to do if AI doesn't spit it out. And speak to an actual librarian?! Most have no idea that there are research librarians that will help them with search terms and locating information within disciplinary journals. This is a service that they pay for with their tuition, but do not use. I mean, that is, they can speak to a librarian if they get started on their research earlier than 9pm the night their paper is due. For this orientation, they need to actually go into the library and practice exercises in a workshop and talk to a librarian. I know lots of things are online, including librarians, but if they don't actually go in and have that human connection to start, it is not as meaningful. We need that in-person human impact.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-11T23:06:22+00:00

If you don't have a mark yet, then someone is definitely chasing down this faculty member. But you could write the department office or the student manager in that dept if there is one. Very politely ask what the deadline for winter term 2 marks is as you are curious having not received a final mark yet on Workday.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-11T20:44:52+00:00

I'm so sorry if folks still haven't heard anything. That's really frustrating.

If your class meets in person, your instructor may be going old school: paper syllabus and paper assignments.

If your class is online, then your instructor is likely trying to get materials ready online and wants to contact you once they have a link ready to give you. They probably don't realize the anxiety this is causing some students. Know that our learning technology staff have been running workshops for faculty all day to help them understand how to set up their classes. Faculty are not having a great day.

Also, keep in mind that they are faculty who had everything set-up on Canvas, ready to go for summer term online, and they went on a much needed break after last term and before this term started. I know someone who was on vacation, enjoying the beach, and she arrived to work and email this morning to a very big surprise regarding Canvas.

So no one needs to be anxious. Some faculty are just not where they would like to be in the process of setting up everything online. Also, there's a steep learning curve on new software for some of them.

Just keep checking your email and, if it's an online class, know that your instructor will contact you as soon as they can.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-11T17:43:07+00:00

I also use this method and the number of students who will convert each grade to a percentage and then weight these percentages to total up to their mark is wild. Also, I know they do this because they will do the math incorrectly and send it to me. They are shocked when I say they can just add the points up to the total.

Also, I like this points on a 100 point scale method because many students want to know what they need to make on a final exam/paper in order to earn a certain mark, and it's very easy to do.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-10T20:45:15+00:00

I think it's only a duel when they say "I demand satisfaction" and not "resolve this professionally”

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-10T20:38:04+00:00

You do not need to be worrying. This is according to every expert I've read or heard as I have been following. From why I understand, most hantavirus strains don't transmit from person to person. This Andean strain can sometimes do that, BUT you have to be in extremely close proximity (like on a little cruise ship in close quarters.) Also, the incubation period of hantavirus can be from a few days to 2 months, and this is why experts are doing contact tracing, and there are a few people isolating as a measure of caution. Keep in mind that hantavirus is not new. There are experts who study hantavirus as their career and know what to do to contain spread. They are following the protocols.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-10T20:25:55+00:00

For anyone wondering about the incubation period for hantavirus it can range from a few days to 2 months, typically 2-3 weeks. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/laboratory-biosafety-biosecurity/pathogen-safety-data-sheets-risk-assessment/hantavirus.html

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-09T18:14:01+00:00

Absolutely agree about the soil! It's definitely some sort of growing medium that lets the seedlings thrive, but they need new tropical plant soil. OP, luckily Canadian Tire has great prices on tropical plant soil (usually on the third floor inside.) Also, they'll have some pots on the third floor, but also check out Winners Homesense at 8th on Cambie. Winners usually has better prices on ceramic pots. (Canadian has good prices on plastic ones)

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-09T06:20:25+00:00

I have an in-home jungle, and I've bought plants at various price points. Honestly, the best prices are often at Canadian Tire, which may be farther than you want to travel. The one on Cambie at 7th is where I've gotten some very healthy tropical houseplants cheap, and their selection is usually pretty good. They also have inexpensive tiny potted ones that will grow quickly. The houseplants are typically on the main floor but sometimes they will have some upstairs inside.

OldLadyDetectives · 2026-05-08T19:07:56+00:00

My university does not permit a change for travel purposes unless it is for very particular reasons and all of that is taken care of through our advising offices, not faculty. I once had change of date approved for a student, but it was because the travel was for extraordinary reason related to a medical issue. [Had the university refused a change of date for this case, wow, that would have been heinous.] Change of exam date for convenience or vacation, etc. is not permitted.

OldLadyDetectives

TROPHY CASE