Current Rotman Student Blogs This discussion is a repository for all of the current student blogs. If you know any, or if you are a current student and would like your blog listed here, PM me . Thanks!

Oct 31-Nov.2, 2014 I had a chance to go to Rotman Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club’s Hackathon event. Initially, I felt very hesitant as I had so much homework and group work to do, but in the end, I decided to go for it with my classmate. https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-01-19-42-08.jpg?w=576&h=1024 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-01-22-57-19.jpg?w=840&h=472 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-01-23-48-17.jpg?w=840&h=472 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-01-11-08-13.jpg?w=840&h=472 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-01-11-08-11.jpg?w=840&h=472 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-01-00-10-56.jpg?w=840&h=472 you would be surprised how much work can be accomplished in such a short amount of time, and you will wonder why it is called ‘hackathon.’ https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-02-22-44-23.jpg https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-02-14-26-07.jpg?w=840&h=472 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-02-14-23-42.jpg?w=840&h=472 Congratulations on the winning team! https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-02-22-44-23.jpg?w=840&h=472 11:30PM. Scene of the Fleck Atrium where winners were announced. It’s so quiet when no one is here. Unfortunately, I walked away with nothing. I felt tired after statistics homework. What did I learn…well, I realized I’ve been a fool. I need to learn more and wherever you go, there will certainly be someone better than you regardless of your major or work experience. I have so much to learn. While extremely tiring and focus-required, I had such a great learning session. https://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/joshatrotman.wordpress.com/417/ https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=joshatrotman.wordpress.com&blog=73392512&post=417&subd=joshatrotman&ref=&feed=1

November 5, 2014 Hosted by Rotman DesignWorks and Bridgeable ( https://bridgeable.com/ ), a reputable design firm in Toronto, I had a chance to attend their workshop. (At this point, you might have realized that I basically am attending every single Business Design workshops.) https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_175758.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_175730.jpg?w=840&h=560 As soon as the session started, we were assigned a very overwhelming task, https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_182541.jpg?w=840&h=560 to collaboratively draw a spaceship. Please do not ask why it looks this way … https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_182004.jpg?w=840&h=560 It was interesting to see how everyone differently perceives what they see and how ideas are formed in such a short amount of time. https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_194526.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_194648.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_201305.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_200812.jpg?w=840&h=560 Then, we had a chance to show our idea as a 2 minute skit, which was very fun and entertaining. What I thought at this point is that assuming I’m a typical MBA student, what I can think of is something which others would be able to think of as well. While there wasn’t enough time to make differences (just making excuses now) How can I differentiate myself? https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_200709.jpg https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_195132.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_195122.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_195120.jpg?w=840&h=560 https://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/joshatrotman.wordpress.com/436/ https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=joshatrotman.wordpress.com&blog=73392512&post=436&subd=joshatrotman&ref=&feed=1

https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-23-19-56-26.jpg?w=840&h=472 Continue pushing. Continue trying. Continue learning. https://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/joshatrotman.wordpress.com/482/ https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=joshatrotman.wordpress.com&blog=73392512&post=482&subd=joshatrotman&ref=&feed=1

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Current Rotman Student Blogs

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uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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05 Nov 2014, 00:01

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FROM uwengdori: REVCA Hackathon

Oct 31-Nov.2, 2014

I had a chance to go to Rotman Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club’s Hackathon event. Initially, I felt very hesitant as I had so much homework and group work to do, but in the end, I decided to go for it with my classmate.

you would be surprised how much work can be accomplished in such a short amount of time, and you will wonder why it is called ‘hackathon.’

https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/2014-11-02-22-44-23.jpg

Congratulations on the winning team!

11:30PM. Scene of the Fleck Atrium where winners were announced. It’s so quiet when no one is here.

Unfortunately, I walked away with nothing. I felt tired after statistics homework.

What did I learn…well, I realized I’ve been a fool. I need to learn more and wherever you go, there will certainly be someone better than you regardless of your major or work experience. I have so much to learn. While extremely tiring and focus-required, I had such a great learning session.

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uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

Posts: 39

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

Posts: 39

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05 Nov 2014, 07:01

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FROM uwengdori: Bridgeable – Bridging the Gap Workshop

November 5, 2014

Hosted by Rotman DesignWorks and Bridgeable (https://bridgeable.com/), a reputable design firm in Toronto, I had a chance to attend their workshop.

(At this point, you might have realized that I basically am attending every single Business Design workshops.)

As soon as the session started, we were assigned a very overwhelming task,

to collaboratively draw a spaceship. Please do not ask why it looks this way

…

It was interesting to see how everyone differently perceives what they see and how ideas are formed in such a short amount of time.

Then, we had a chance to show our idea as a 2 minute skit, which was very fun and entertaining. What I thought at this point is that assuming I’m a typical MBA student, what I can think of is something which others would be able to think of as well. While there wasn’t enough time to make differences (just making excuses now) How can I differentiate myself?

https://joshatrotman.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/win_20141104_200709.jpg

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

Posts: 39

Own Kudos:

Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

Posts: 39

Kudos: 17

08 Nov 2014, 23:01

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FROM uwengdori: Term 1 Midterm season

Here it came again. The midterm season. I already finished strategy midterm yesterday and now I am preparing for my weakest subject: finance. I admire those who are good at finance as I am taking very long time to understand all one by one. I noticed Metallica (Blizzcon2014) and finance go quite well for concentration (believe it or not).

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

Posts: 39

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

Posts: 39

Kudos: 17

11 Nov 2014, 10:01

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FROM uwengdori: In Flanders Field

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks still bravely singing fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead: Short days ago,

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved: and now we lie

In Flanders fields!

Take up our quarrel with the foe

To you, from failing hands, we throw

The torch: be yours to hold it high

If ye break faith with us who die,

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

Posts: 39

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15 Nov 2014, 16:01

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FROM uwengdori: Understanding and accepting failures

Today, I participated in the Business Technology Group competition sponsored by Microsoft. With a case released just two days ago, our group was under intense time schedule to complete the analysis on top of quizzes, and assignments along with us. I also had to skip on the semi-formal held by Rotman which I heard was extremely fun.

Getting to the point, unfortunately, we couldn’t advance to the finalist round. I was disappointed at first as I thought I had given my best shot. However, after watching the four finalist teams’ presentations, I had accepted that they were better and various observations could be made.

1. Information supported with data

The points were delivered with the data that backed them up.

2. Easy to follow along

The points were organized in a way that both data and the points were presented in harmony.

3. Clear strategic framework

Step-by-step, presentations were clearly presented and could be followed along starting from market synopsis, problem statement, proofs and forecasts.

While we all try to play our best game according to the game theory, the first step to improving yourself as a better person is to accept that your method didn’t work, and try to absorb and learn from others and what could have been done different, what could I have done that others could not do. Then such observations should be re-experimented with an improvised method.

One of my favorite manga (comics) of all-time is Slamdunk, a story about a teenager going through the self-development and learn more about his potential through basketball. After a basketball game which he accidentally makes a mistake that resulted a loss of the team game, he was devastated. Then, one of his team players, who is a basketball elite, approaches him and says the following in an arrogant, but undeniable way: ” You think too highly of you that your mistakes mattered a lot. However, You did way better than what we all expected. The possibility of you making mistakes was already accounted for.”

Speaking in terms of regression to the mean, there could be ups and downs that come into teamwork including possible great work, or a mistake that influences the outcome of a team. but ultimately, it all comes down to trusting each other and playing the best game with the limited amount of resources we all have. Even luck, positiveness, and downsides are parts of the mean average of a team’s total strength. Stay humble. Stay consistent. Stay positive. Continue learning. Never stop experimenting and be grateful for what others teach and do for you.

Throughout the presentations by finalists, I was both in a state of discomfort and ambition. Accepting your failure or mistake is a very difficult task, and we sometimes avoid it, pretending it never happened. However, I kept murmuring myself, ‘stay humble. stay modest.’ I was at a place filled with great individuals from various places and I had to face that I must learn from what successful individuals did. It’s just like eating a vegi I hate. I sometimes maybe have wanted to look away, but I must face the outcome, accept, stay strong, and excitedly try to enjoy the learning process.

and I can say I’ve learned a lot.

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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20 Nov 2014, 22:01

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FROM uwengdori: Finance and Rotman scholars

Nope. I never learned finance ever in my life until I came to Rotman. This is why I got really frustrated when this term started because I was certain I was reading English and listening to English, but still didn’t understand what it meant. You know how when you are reading the same textbook lines over and over without realizing that you are not really absorbing.

After the midterm exam was over, I decided to do something which I haven’t done before: visit a teaching assistant. To be more specific, they are called Rotman scholars, 2nd year Rotman students who are experts in the subject.

Of course you might think, “meh I can study on my own.” Believe me. even listening to them for 10minutes clarify so much stuff that you didn’t know before. I was having trouble with hedging and stock cashflows and after scholar session, I was cleared…well at least I have to practice again, but now I understood. There is tons of resources available at Rotman. You just have to approach it first.

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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20 Nov 2014, 23:01

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FROM uwengdori: Scotiabank Credit Committee Simulation and Networking Event 2014

Today, 1st year Rotman students had a great simulation event hosted by Scotiabank, one of Canada’s best and largest banks. Attended by entire Rotman 1st year students, the goal of an exercise was to come up with a suggestion based on a given scenario.

Initially, I was very overwhelmed because I am basically taking my first baby steps with accounting this term, and they were giving us cases, so I thought it was going to be a very difficult and stressful session.

On the contrary, the event was, I have to say, very enjoyable. The case did not just involve numbers, but was built based on scenarios and stories that we could read and understand from using five Cs of credit. This reminded me of strategy classes: assessing competitors, suppliers, threats, etc. This allowed non-accountants such as myself to become more engaged and actually participate in decision making process. Moreover, the event was very adequately timed in a way that it’s not too long or short and ran very smoothly without many problems. I don’t intend to sugarcoat anything in my blog, but I really was impressed the amount of support and enthusiasm I received from Scotiabank and the event hosted by Rotman.

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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21 Nov 2014, 22:01

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FROM uwengdori: My blog Percentage of visitors by country

First of all, thank you for all the interest in pursuing graduate studies in MBA as well as the Rotman School of Management. I have received a lot of feedback, questions and positive comments, and that gives me a motivation to continue recording my days, advice, and thoughts that can hopefully be passed down to the next generation of MBA students in the world as a whole. Past three months have taught me, and reassured me with certainty that MBA education brings significant benefits to everyone, whether hoping to understand more about how organization works as a whole, wants to learn how to assess your business position in industries, and also meet next generations of global leaders who will all become a part of, ultimately, making the world a greater place to live for everyone.

It’s Friday night, and this is a perfect time to run some stats summary on my blog visitors by country. While I won’t get into details, I was surprised to see blog visits also come from many other various countries other than Canada and the USA. Considering how Rotman brings competitive advantage and benefits to international MBA students, this makes sense (I won’t try to run hypothesis test on this. I was at school for more than 12 hours straight).

My point is, it’s happy to see that many people are visiting my blog, and I hope that the contents I bring hopefully can benefit you.

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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24 Nov 2014, 00:01

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FROM uwengdori: Night at Rotman

Continue pushing. Continue trying. Continue learning.

uwengdori

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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04 Dec 2014, 22:01

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FROM uwengdori: Toronto Eaton Centre

Toronto’s largest shopping centre. Christmas season is here. It had been such a long time since I came here. Everyone seems to be in a festive mood. I couldn’t help feeling awkwardness as I hadn’t been used to so much blissfulness in awhile. I’ve been busy with studying and working.

Last year, I was alone in New York. I had the best and worst memories. Now I am here with my family taking one step at a time. I feel uncertainty but with confidence.

uwengdori

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Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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04 Dec 2014, 22:02

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FROM uwengdori: Rotman ingEngineers in Management Perfect 10 Mock Interview

Today, I had a chance to participate in the Engineers in Management Perfect 10 mock interview. I had a great chance to be interviewed by seniors who gave me great advices. The advices were straight and very informational. I wasn’t ready. Even though I have done so many interviews in the past, my interviews were very poorly done. This is something I have to pivot and adjust.

uwengdori

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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08 Dec 2014, 23:01

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FROM uwengdori: Rotman Engineers in Management Perfect 10 Mock Interview

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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08 Dec 2014, 23:01

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FROM uwengdori: Last assignment of the terms

so many things I wanted to do, so little time. Life is full of regrets. I know what the answer is, but I just don’t seem to try to earn it.

uwengdori

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Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

Posts: 39

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09 Dec 2014, 23:01

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FROM uwengdori: Finals ahead

(yes I drew that. I love drawing.)

I have to admit. MBA is tough. or it could be Rotman, but I have no data to compare relatively to other schools, so I will never know (I don’t think I will be doing another MBA at other school of course haha). Coming from electrical engineering, I thought I am pretty good at digging in and studying, but turns out I am not as good as I thought. Before you realize, you are already behind your studies due to group work and various school events which you must not miss.

I have to admit that I wasn’t always on track, but I have felt a need for the following:

1. Time Management

you really have to keep push yourself to get things done quick and fast.

2. Organization

There is just too much information to gather, collect and keep in track of.

3. Health

I literally can;t think if I sleep after 1am. After participating in one competition, I had to end up keep sleeping after 1-2am and that put me in a vicious cycle I couldn’t get out of.

I have to tell you, however. I knew it won’t be easy. What to do then?

You have to overcome your fears. Face it and fight, overcome what scares you.

More thoughts you put into things, more you become cautious and anxious. It gets worse when others’ inputs blind you from achieving your personal goal.

“Work on things as if you’re the master of the world, but listen to suggestions as if you have never done it before.”

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

Posts: 39

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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14 Dec 2014, 09:01

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FROM uwengdori: Final week of 2014dy

Final week of Term 1 Rotman is here. Frustrated? yes.

There was so much going on that I feel that I couldn’t use my time allotted appropriately (this blogging is an exception as I value keeping memories for my own good). Who knows, you just have to do your best.

Strategy, Finance, Accounting, and Statistics.

I will have to use my time as efficiently as possible in the next four days…plus 4 more days for personal training exam…oh man.

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

Posts: 39

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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25 Dec 2014, 21:01

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FROM uwengdori: End of Term 1

Perhaps known as the toughest term in the entire 2 years of Rotman MBA has ended (of course I heard it gets harder, but nonetheless).

It started with an excitement, and ended with a lot of learnings, enlightenments, and regrets.

I thought I will do a lot better than when I was an undergraduate with a fresh mind, and resolution, but I failed to overcome tiredness and anxiety that engulfed me during my term 1. My completion of term 1 wouldn’t have been possible without the help of knowledgeable and helpful professors, scholars, TAs, and my good friends. Professors were always more than happy to reach out and help, even the stupidest questions. I wouldn’t call it stupidity, but there is only ignorance, and lack of knowledge. School is here to evaluate and execute all your ideas without failure other than GPA. You don’t need to feel bad here as we are all researchers, students, and experimenters who want to accomplish and make the world a better place no matter which paths we take.

What went well:

Not giving up

What didn’t go so well:

Failure to maintain physical wellness
Failure to study as hard and prepare as well as I hoped for.
Failure to manage time

After the end of the last exam, statistics, we were greeted by 2nd year students, pizzas, and beer. Beer tasted fresh, cold, and…bitter. Taste left with anxieties and regrets of the past four months. Feeling of uncertainty, and that maybe I could’ve tried harder and better made me feel uneasy. Surely, there is no such thing as a certainty in our lives, but because we always find rooms for improvements, that’s why there are uncertainties.

I don’t really want to end this blog post with an old-fashioned, predictable words such as ‘ but there’s always hope, things will get better. I will try harder next time and stuff.’ But I don’t really know how to end this post to be honest. Such a boring post to write about especially when it’s Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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05 Jan 2015, 20:01

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FROM uwengdori: Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport

Finally, I had a chance to go to the new Goldring centre right beside Rotman building today. It’s also a part of an initiative for the Pan Am 2015.

First impressions:

1. Awesome NEW building.

Every.thing.is.new. WOW.

They even got dyson airblade in the change rooms with private shower stalls.

2. kilos for weights

I found it very awkward using dumbbells that have kilograms written instead of pounds (lb). Perhaps it is because to allow international sportsmen to use them at ease. They do have a conversion chart on the wall, but I had a hard time getting used to it.

3. Fat dumbbell grip

Also something that I felt uncomfortable although it gives a better performance from my understanding.

So far, not many people know about this place, but once it gets crowded, who knows how it might end up? but now that we got an exercise facility right beside our school building, it’s time to exercise!

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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11 Jan 2015, 04:00

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FROM uwengdori: End of Term 1

Not giving up

What didn’t go so well:

Failure to maintain physical wellness
Failure to study as hard and prepare as well as I hoped for.
Failure to manage time

uwengdori

Current Student

Joined: 10 Dec 2013

Last visit: 16 Aug 2020

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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11 Jan 2015, 04:01

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FROM uwengdori: Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport

uwengdori

Current Student

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Schools: Rotman '16 (M)

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19 Jan 2015, 22:00

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FROM uwengdori: In search of internship

One of the benefits of being a Rotman student is that you also get to become a part of this massive U of T community that comes with so many benefits, and recently, one of them was to visit a career fair. While it was mainly engineering-based, it was still a great opportunity to get to know more companies.