LA&PS Voices is York University's lifestyle blog inspired by our vibrant LA&PS community. The blog offers thoughtfully written advice, resources and opinions that centre around life as a LA&PS student- including the aspects of university life that don't always make it into the highlight reel. LA&PS Voices is written by students, for students and is led by an editorial team committed to producing content rooted in our shared community.
Tips for Speaking Up in Class
July 7, 2026
Speaking up can be scary, especially in class. Whether it's presenting in a big lecture hall, participating in tutorials, or even discussions in small breakaway groups, the pressure to articulate your thoughts can feel overwhelming. It's not uncommon to fear saying the wrong thing or worry about being judged for it. With so much uncertainty and room for error, it can be tempting ...
Through My Lens: Black History Month at York
Prior to relocating to Canada in September 2023, I never identified as Black or thought of myself in terms of race. Thanks to my world-class education and exposure to a variety of literature, I have ...
The Magic of Community: Putting on VCP’s Kinky Boots
As a first-year student at York University who loves theatre but is not a theatre major, I was delighted to find out about Vanier College Productions (colloquially VCP), an extracurricular theatre company on campus. I ...
Perseverance through history
By Suhel Singh Randhawa Our experiences guide our perception of the world, of the people around us, our motivations, and our expectations; what we can expect from those around us, from the world, and from ...
Embracing Failures: A Pathway to True Happiness
Hey, I’m Yasaman! I’m in my fifth and final year as a double major in Law and Philosophy, which means I spend a lot of time overanalyzing everything, from justice systems to why we all ...
Mastering Exam Season: The Best Study and Stress-Relief Methods
I am an author who loves to read and write about non-fiction and fictional stories. I am studying Cognitive Sciences and planning to pursue master’s in philosophy. I am hoping to become a professor one ...
The Journey of a First-Generation Student from a Marginalized Community: My Experiences at York University
By Rubaljeet Kaur Being a first-generation student from a marginalized community is both a privilege and a challenge. It is a journey marked by resilience, determination, and the pursuit of opportunities that often seemed distant. ...
The Plunge into the Air of Canada: Adjusting to life as an International Student
By Dipanpreet Kaur On a peaceful Sunday morning during my university's summer vacation, the sun's golden rays poured through my window, softly waking me up. Something felt different this morning, but I could not figure ...
Experiential Learning with LA&PS
By Mckenzie Tzeng-Fearon Is the fall weather already getting to you? Have you started counting down the days till next summer yet? Then you should start thinking about spending the summer of 2025 participating in an ...
Keeping Active While Getting an Education: Is It Really Possible?
By Anthony Aquilina Attending and succeeding in university is already a painstakingly intensive process that is guaranteed to take your attention, consciousness, and time away from other aspects of your busy life. Whether it is ...
Best Way to Get Involved on Campus? Join Clubs!
By Harrish Santhuruselvan When I entered my first year at York, I was on a mission to maximize my university life. Mainly, because I wanted to build strong connections for future networking opportunities. York University ...
Lectures: To be Engaged or Not be Engaged?
By: Isabella Ciaravino After four years as a university student, I have attended one hundred of these, paid attention to half, and fell asleep in one too many. You know what I’m talking about; we’ve ...
A YorkU Survival Guide: 10 Tips for International Students
By Dipanpreet Kaur The day I boarded the flight to Toronto marked the start of an odyssey loaded with obstacles that would mold and alter me. I stepped into an unfamiliar land to pursue my ...
My First Experience with Solo Travel
By India Madsen When I told my friends and family that I was planning a trip to Greece this summer, the first question I always got asked was "who with?". "Just by myself," I would respond. ...
I'm a Law Student and Here's my Advice for Securing your Acceptance Letter
By India Madsen When I read my acceptance letter from Osgoode Hall Law School last school year, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. As a LA&PS student who has gone ...
How I Plan to Survive my Final Year at YorkU
When I entered my first year of university, I found that creating a balance between my studies and my personal life was not always easy. I found myself spending weekends and evenings at my desk ...
Meet the LA&PS Voices Blog Team
Bhanu Priya Sharma is a Student Engagement Coordinator in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at York University, where she works with LA&PS Colleges to coordinate engagement programming for undergraduate and graduate students. She enjoys reading and writing romance fantasy, baking pretty cupcakes, and building community through creative and collaborative initiatives. Through The LA&PS Voices Blog, she hopes to highlight the diverse voices of writers in the LA&PS community and encourage students to share their stories and perspectives.
Rubaljeet Kaur (Rubal) is a Senior Student Communications Assistant in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies at York University and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) student. Through her work in communications and involvement in student-led initiatives, she is passionate about creating opportunities for students to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives. She enjoys storytelling, content creation, community engagement, and supporting projects that amplify student voices. Through LA&PS Voices, Rubaljeet hopes to foster an inclusive and welcoming space where students feel encouraged to express themselves, connect with others, and contribute to meaningful conversations within the LA&PS community.
Questions?
Contact our editors at bpsharma@yorku.ca or rubal07@yorku.ca for more information.