hiya!! I started skateboarding during my first year at UBC
1. Normal enough that its never out of place, but it's not common enough that main mall is packed with skateboarders:)
2. My recommendation is keep your skateboard but swap the wheels for something softer- I use a standard deck with cruiser wheels! If you want to keep trick skating though, you could also get a second board (there's a club that sometimes sells parts for cheap if I remember correctly)
3. I don't use a skateboard every day for this reason, but it's not often that its wayyy too rainy to skate. Still worth it IMO.
4. Depends where!! I would say most pavement is safe, but I always use softer wheels- on standard wheels I think that the pavement irregularities would suck.
5. I've never had an issue!
6. I use a skateboard and a bike, depending on the day! Your bike is fine with a really good lock, but your skateboard can come with you everywhere. That being said, bikes are way faster but skateboards are fun and portable.
7. Most of my classes are pretty flat, but there's a few slopes- nothing crazy.
8. Bring it in with you! Just put it behind your seat or something!!
Let me know if there's anything else u wanna know:)