cmasociety

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Top 5 Things We Learned at CMAS Industry Night 🌟

Hello reader, Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful holiday and a fantastic start to the Winter 2024 semester. As some of you may know, CMAS recently hosted our first event of the year: Industry Night ⭐️ . During this event, we organized a Q+A panel featuring experts in the fields of technology, public relations, broadcasting/journalism, and higher education in order to provide valuable insight to communications/humanities students and how one can apply their degree effectively!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who attended this special night and seized the opportunity to network with our fellow panelists and students. For those unable to join us, we've compiled and gathered some highlights from Industry Night that may help you in navigating your future choices in your career and degree in communications! 

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💰 Want a chance to win $5000? 💰

Check out Craft Public Relations third-annual Creative for a Cause Challenge!

The event is a 24-hour hackathon-style competition.

Teams of aspiring PR professionals participate in developing creative communications plans.

The challenge supports First Book Canada, a non-profit focused on enhancing educational equity by increasing access to books and resources.

Participants work with PR professionals who mentor them during the plan development process.

The winning team receives a grand prize of $5000.

Teams selected to participate in the challenge receive a $500 honorarium.

For more information on this event and how to register visit the Creative for a Cause webpage

That's all from us for now! Want to attend the next CMAS event? Follow us on IG and TikTok @cmasmcmaster for content and announcements!

Love, Lust & Labyrinths: Navigating the Maze of Relationships 👀💓💌

Don't forget to stay tuned for February's blog where we'll be chatting about navigating friendships and relationships 💕

Until next time,

Jacqueline & Stass

[cmasociety]

Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Elevating Self-Esteem and Confidence to New Heights

Dear reader, have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're doubting yourself? Perhaps you're using harsh labels like "fraud" or "phony," worrying about your competence or qualifications. Don't worry; unfortunately, this is quite common and is known as 'Imposter Syndrome.' Approximately 1 out of 3 people suffer from it, and 70% of individuals will experience it in their lifetime. It commonly occurs when entering new situations, such as a new school, program, or job, where the pressure to succeed, combined with a lack of experience, leads to feelings of inadequacy.

Imposter Syndrome is not limited to new situations; it can also affect individuals who experience low self-efficacy, perfectionism, and neuroticism. Additionally, it may overlap with social anxiety.

If you find yourself grappling with Imposter Syndrome, there are helpful resources available. The Student Wellness Centre offers counseling services, providing support to diminish symptoms and identify the root cause. It's possible that Imposter Syndrome is linked to an underlying concern, such as anxiety or depression. Consider reaching out to professionals, including counselors or psychiatrists, to help navigate through these feelings and conquer any underlying issues. 

Visit the Student Wellness Centre counseling page to explore how you can receive the support you need. Check out additional support provided by the Student Wellness Centre:

ACT on Anxiety 

DBT: Interpersonal Effectiveness 

Managing Your Worry and Anxiety 

Mend Your Mood

Stress-Less Drop In

“Navigating the leap from Science to Humanities” - Jacqueline 

 I experienced major imposter syndrome in my first year of university when I began as a life science student. I felt like everyone was much more qualified, had everything together, and was overall smarter and more capable than I was. I struggled with these feelings for months, especially around midterm and exam seasons when I realized my passion for science wasn't as strong as I had thought (I was also at risk of failing two courses, lol!). Long story short, I was able to change my life course through a lot of introspection, seeking support from the student wellness center, and visiting the academic office. My first year was tough, and I faced numerous mental challenges with my self confidence and in the uncertainty of switching majors. Looking back, I would do it all over again if it meant being where I am today. I encourage you, readers, to have compassion for yourselves and listen to what that inner voice is telling you, remember that you are not alone in your experience! 

“Starting a New Job” - Anastasia

For me, I had major imposter syndrome when I was offered a Teaching Assistant position at Mac. While I jumped for joy at the offer, as soon as that happiness wore off, I felt like I was going to puke from the anxiety! I’d never taught anything before, nor did I think I knew the course well enough to help 25 students learn about the program I am so passionate about. I started to doubt myself, beating myself up and telling myself that I wasn’t the right fit for the position, worried that I’d scare off or impact the education of the students in my tutorial. I would go into my tutorial and reprimand myself whenever I couldn’t answer a student’s question at that moment. But, as we near the end of the semester, I realized that I loved being a TA! It was an awesome and fulfilling experience for me and it showed me to stay positive and believe in myself. Beating yourself up and staying in your head may harm your mental health, while also not allowing you to celebrate your successes! You’ve gotta let go of those negative feelings and just go for it because if you don’t start now, when will you? 

Upcoming Event: Industry Night!

Are you still trying to figure out what to do with that comms, media arts, or humanities degree? Come out to our Industry Night on January 11, 2024 where you’ll be able to network and listen to professionals in all sorts of industries. Did we mention there will also be snacks  👀 For more information visit the CMAS Instagram page. To secure your ticket, visit the CMAS linktree. 

We hope you found some insight on this month’s topic! With exams around the corner we hope you take the time to self-care, reflect, and reach out if you need to. 

Until next time reader, Jacqueline & Stass

[cmasociety]

A Spooky Sight to Behold: Balancing Fall Midterms and Halloween Fun!

Boo! We hope you enjoyed our very first blog post because, guess what? It's October, dear reader, and you know what that means - it's time for our Halloween edition! 🎃👻 With this festive season upon us (as well as midterms and assignments), we've conjured up some wisdom from our very own CMAS executives on their tips for staying organized and prepared for big assignments, looming deadlines, and midterms.

But that's not all, dear reader! We've got a treat in store for you - the real question on everyone's mind this time of year: What on earth are our CMAS leaders going as for Halloween? Because if you need some costume inspiration, who better to turn to than the masters of multitasking and event planning, right? If you dare to enter, we've also got some, low-effort, last-minute Halloween costume ideas for you at the end, so stay tuned!

TL;DR: Executive advice column for midterms and last-minute Halloween costumes/inspo.

Fall Fest Thank You! 

A huge shoutout to the CMAS and MHS gang for organizing, planning, and executing Fall Fest 2023! And the biggest thanks of all go to you guys who came out to our event. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did hosting it, and we hope to see you at our future events because we're just getting started!

Advice Column

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Low Effort Last Minute Halloween Costumes 👻

Sims Character 

Find materials and a tutorial here!

Where’s Waldo?

Find materials and a tutorial here! 

Follow us on IG & TikTok for future events and updates @cmasmcmaster !!

Above all, stay safe, look out for one another and have fun! Until next time, 

Jacqueline & Stass 

[cmasociety]

Surviving and Thriving: CMAS’s Top 5 Tips for the School Year

Whether you’re a first year, fourth year, someone who has lost count, or someone who still walks aimlessly around BSB looking for their classroom. The school year is always a daunting one– especially with midterm season creeping up on us. Our goal at CMAS is to be there for everyone. That’s why for our very first blog post, we have created our Top 5 Tips for the School Year so that we can all survive and thrive! 

Get to know your authors:

Anastasia Arps (Social Media & Web Copywriter)

Hey friends! I am a fourth year Honours Communication Studies student, I enjoy cycling and writing horror stories!

Jacqueline Pham (Communications Officer)

Hi everyone, so happy you are here! I am a fourth year Communication Studies student here at Mac, some of my favourite hobbies include embroidery and baking!

The Basics 

Embarking on the student journey is an exciting yet demanding phase of life. To navigate its various challenges successfully, building a solid foundation for self-care is absolutely vital. Here are the 3 non-negotiable aspects that’ll help you power through even the toughest of times:

Proper nutrition - Maintaining a healthy diet doesn't have to be an intimidating task; it can be surprisingly simple! Incorporating essential nutrients into your routine, like kick starting your day with a nutritious smoothie jam-packed with greens and goodness, is a great way to get those vitamins in. However, when time is tight, supplements can be a lifesaver, especially during those dark winter months when we need that extra boost of vitamin D. 

Regular physical activity - Staying active doesn't mean spending hours at the gym. It's all about finding enjoyable ways to keep your body moving, even in the midst of a busy academic season. Take a stroll around campus to get your steps in or opt for biking along the scenic trails in Hamilton. Studies have consistently shown that even simple activities like walking can significantly contribute to overall health and well-being. 

Engaging in feel-good personal activities - Amidst the academic hustle, don't forget to indulge in activities that bring you joy! Whether it's playing your favourite video games, a bit of retail therapy, savouring a meal at your favourite restaurant, or experimenting with cooking. Integrating hobbies and entertainment into your routine is essential for a well-rounded and fulfilling lifestyle.

2. McMaster Resources

Struggling with student life? Need support academically? Mentally? In my four years at McMaster, the one thing I wish I utilized more was the amazing resources that McMaster has to offer. I know you probably see these resources posted all the time around Mac but I highly suggest you take advantage of the resources that will best support you! Some upcoming programs include: 

ACT on Anxiety 

DBT: Interpersonal Effectiveness 

Managing Your Worry and Anxiety 

Mend Your Mood

SWC offers FREE Fruit Fridays ! A great way to sneak in those extra vitamins. 

The Student Wellness Centre also offers additional programs and advice columns relating to personal finances, relationships, and cooking. Visit the McMaster Wellness Centre website to register for these programs. 

3. Keep Organized

Assignments, tests, quizzes, essays, oh my! When midterm season rolls around, if you find that you struggle with keeping mental tabs of what and when something is due, look towards organization tools to help out. There are lots of different ways to stay on track with due dates so don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are a few organizational suggestions to never miss a due date ever again:

Notion -  An application that allows you to create your own personal webpage where you can input anything ranging from links to course readings or calendars with assignment due dates. Check out this YouTube video that links you to aesthetic templates and how to utilize Notion!

Phone Calendar - For the minimalistic approach, simply input when a specific assignment is due and set an alert for a set amount of time. This alert will go off, reminding you that this assignment is due soon and you should start working on it!

Daily/Weekly/Monthly To Do Lists - Having one or all three will keep you on your feet and ahead of those pesky due dates. Look at stationery stores that may have specific to-do list calendars in stock or print out a free version of one you like and decorate it yourself. 

Affirmation Board - A cute board or reminder that keeps you motivated will encourage productivity and promote being nice to yourself during stressful times. 

4. Connect with your Faculty

Introducing yourself and getting to know your professors, Teaching Assistants, and fellow classmates is a great way to develop a sense of community and open new doors. While it may seem nerve-wracking, developing a professional relationship with faculty and friends in your programs will help you in the long run– or at the very least, the entirety of the course. Additionally, when you head into a new class– whether it be next semester or next school year– and you’re able to recognize someone’s friendly face, it will always ease your nerves because you have an already established relationship with that individual. 

5. Attend CMAS Events 

Come out to our CMAS events! At CMAS, we love to encourage those in Communications, Media Arts, or Humanities to come out, socialise, and create bonds with your fellow Hum students (not to mention the awesome CMAS team that will be there to support you!). This is a great opportunity to meet new people, strengthen friendships, and develop connections. Keep an eye on our Instagram (@cmasmcmaster) for upcoming events! We have an event coming up in late October and we hope that we’ll see lots of you there as a way to decompress after midterms.

A huge thank you for reading through our very first blog post! We hope you stay tuned for more exciting and insightful content! Check us out on Instagram for future events / updates and TikTok for your late night scrolls.  

Until next time, Anastasia & Jacqueline