Hey kind krafters! School has been oh so busy and midterms and papers and concert season are in full swing. Keeping yourself calm and organized during these times can feel impossible but here are some tips I hope you find helpful through these stressful weeks!
 
1. Start to prepare in advance - Even if it feels like you have so much time for some of these things but starting your preparation early will make the world of a difference. You are only as stressed as you are unprepared.

2. Do not be afraid to ask for help - Asking your professors, classmates,     parents or anyone in your life for a shoulder to lean on or even some extra help can be super beneficial to relax some stress you have. Everyone wants you to succeed, don't be afraid to ask for help! 

3. Go to class!!!! - I know, this sounds like the obvious BUT going to class and staying engaged will really help you understand the material and hopefully drop some hints for your upcoming midterm. The more familiar you are, the less stressed you will feel

4. Stay organized - Keeping notes, workspaces and your scheduling organized will help keep your mind clear and be able to accomplish much more 

5. Rest! - Getting much needed rest is so important during this busy time! A rested mind is a better mind. Get some sleep!! 

6. Take breaks - allow yourself short study breaks to relax, refresh, and regroup.  It may be hard to convince yourself you deserve it, but the break will be worth it.  

7. Eat Healthy - it’s important to make sure you’re eating healthy and on a schedule.  Doing so will provide you with energy and brainpower! (study snacks are a exception, of course) 

8. Study Efficiently - It can be hard to REALLY focus. Getting a quiet room where you won't be distracted and using beneficial study habits that work for you are the best ways to ensure you aren't wasting time. 

9. Practice Positive Thinking - “I am doing my best”, “This is going to be okay” “I am prepared” “I got this”. Thinking like this can really change your mood, energy and outcome of your midterms, be your own biggest fan! You got this!

10. Treat yourself! - Take a break, hang out with friends, watch netflix …… you deserve it. :) 
 
Thanks kind krafters, hope you are all having a busy and great study season :)
 
Amy Cameron.

Hey kind krafters!

On October 13th I flew to Ontario with Xara Choral Theatre to tour the show Fatty Legs. I have mentioned the show in a previous blogpost and will talk about the tour in greater detail at a later date but if you want to do individual research please look at this link http://www.xara.ca/fatty-legs-ed-guide.  I have only been away for less than a week but I am already learning so much about the show, our history in Canada, and myself as a musician, ally, friend, and member of society. This group is full of badass people with so much knowledge, respect, and resilience and after listening to them over the last few days, I have been able to do some major reflecting.
 
The Importance of Asking Questions

• During all of my schooling, I’ve been afraid to ask questions. I’m sure that there are a number of contributing factors for why I didn’t want to ask questions, but I think there were a main two reasons:
  1. I didn’t want to ask something that could be considered as “dumb” or “stupid”
  2. I didn’t want my classmates to know that I didn’t understand something

I still am aware that I don’t always ask for help when I know I need it because I feel ashamed of myself for not already knowing the answer, and worry that I might be shamed by others for asking. What I have realized from being with this group of people, is that really I am only doing a disservice to myself by not asking. Many educators encourage questions because what better way to learn? By not asking the questions or seeking help and guidance when you need it, you are stunting your own growth.
 
The Importance of Dialogue

• This group is amazing at having a dialogue and being honest with each other. I admire how eloquent everyone is (even when they think they’re not) and their unique ideas and perspectives that they add to discussions. I have learnt that I usually listen during discussions and feel unsure of what to add because I don’t want my comments to not meet the expectation. From these conversations being so safe, I have realized that to be a part of the discussion, I can choose to contribute or not. It’s up to me to hold the space in the circle, or take up space that is offered to me. I’ve also learnt that you can take up too much space, and that within a dialogue, you still need to be aware of yourself and do self-reflection. I also have admitted that sometimes I feel the pressure to talk when the offer is presented, and from that I need to know that it’s okay to not have something to say.

 
The Importance of Self Reflection

• I always think that I take time to do self-reflection, but I don’t actually think that I do it deeply enough. Every day I give myself some time to think about what has happened and how some of it has made me feel, but I definitely don’t ask myself enough questions and dig deeper into the “what next” part. On this tour I am constantly thinking “what next?” and about how I continue to learn and work towards my goals. I have also been questioned on what certain things mean to me within the show, such as “what does this move mean to you?” and “why are you singing this line while this particular piece of the narration is happening?”. I have been able to do a deep dive in many aspects of this show and can’t wait to apply this thinking and preparation to my own music making.

I know that this has not been my typical blogpost this week so thank you for reading!

Lots of love,
Rhi xoxo

​Hi kind krafters! As we are heading toward our long Canadian Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the harvest season and any other blessings that we have received this year, I hope you are all looking forward to a relaxing weekend. I am currently sitting in one of Acadia’s most beautiful buildings, listening to Dan Forrest’s “Requiem for the Living”, and enjoying overlooking a fountain in our university gardens. I can’t help but realize how lucky I am in my life to have all the opportunities and experience available to me. I think it would be very fitting to list a very small amount of things and people that I am thankful for in this week’s blog. 

Family – I am constantly overwhelmed by my family and our constant support for each other. We are always messaging back and forth in our groupchat, driving to see each other, or calling to see how our days are going. Whenever I need help or a positive chat to brighten my day, I know I can call home and feel better right away. 

Friends – I have always been surrounded by a large group of people that I can easily call friends and am so lucky to have had that ability. However, since going to university I have made a solid group of friends that I can always rely on and trust. While being at Acadia, I have been able to find people that I really connect with and have similar views as me. I am able to talk to my friends about anything and everything, and have in-depth conversations about subjects that mean a lot to us. I love my pals so much and I’m very thankful for them!

University/Acadia – Like most students I often doubt myself, which can often get turned into me doubting my institution. When I start to have these ideas creep into my head, it doesn’t take long for them to get kicked back out again. At Acadia (especially the School of Music) the profs really care about your success and are always offering any and all help to make sure that you are doing the best possible. Being at a smaller university allows me to have more one on one time with my amazingly talented teachers and fellow students and I am constantly shaping who I am as a person and a musician 

Market - Every Saturday, I get to submerge myself in the loving community that is Wolfville. I love working and volunteering at the market, and getting to know more people from my small university town. I have now got a group of locals that expect me to remember their orders, and vendors that chat with me as we unload at 7am. I love the facilitators and how conscious they are with making people feel welcome no matter how long their stay in the town. I am so so so lucky to be able to get fresh produce that’s locally grown and at affordable prices for a student like myself. Going to the market every Saturday is definitely my favourite part of the week. 

Canada – Having moved to Canada ten years ago, I have now spent half of my life in England and the other half here. I love Canada more and more everyday, especially living somewhere as beautiful as the valley. I have got to explore eight provinces since moving here, but I have to say that Nova Scotia is definitely the prettiest. No matter where you are in the province you’re never more than 67km from the coast! I love the ocean and the gorgeous fall colours that are covering the province.  

Thanks for reading my blog this week everyone! I hope that you have a lovely weekend reflecting and relaxing!
 
Lots of love, Rhi xoxo

Hello kind krafters! I hope everything is great with everyone. Today I want to talk to you about a program here at Acadia that I volunteer with every Saturday for the last two years, that program is S.M.I.L.E!
        
“The Acadia S.M.I.L.E. (Sensory Motor Instructional Leadership Experience) Program is an innovative, academic-based, yet volunteer-driven program that provides persons with varying disabilities a unique physical activity experience in order to improve their total development as individuals.”

At S.M.I.L.E every week students volunteer and get matched with a buddy who could have a variety of disabilities and get to work on cognitive, motor and social skills. S.M.I.L.E has so many days offered for volunteering as they run Tuesday and Thursday morning as well as Friday night and Saturday morning. Having this one on one volunteer experience at S.M.I.L.E is the highlight of my week.
 
A typical day at S.M.I.L.E starts off by our buddies arriving at the athletic complex and we continue on by working on individual skills based on the participant including activities in the gym including trampolines, building blocks, matt activities and swings. Participants also love the music therapy room, walks around the track, skating and we finish off our days by heading to the pool for more activities.

An individual education plan is developed for each of our buddies that includes: “water orientation; physical fitness activities to improve strength, endurance and flexibility; and perceptual motor programs to enhance development of body awareness, spatial awareness, temporal awareness and sport skills”. All of this is done in such a safe fun way and it is most definitely Acadia Universities biggest volunteering experience and it is such an awesome program that I am proud to be apart of.
 
Having the opportunity to volunteer every week and be able to expand my leadership skills, teaching skills and having an opportunity to make someone feel special for a few hours on Saturday is sincerely the best feeling. I have learned so much from these participants and they help discover things in myself that I never knew existed. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to volunteer with S.M.I.L.E.

Working with children with disabilities is most definitely a passion of mine and I am so excited to continue with S.M.I.L.E and see where these volunteer experiences take me! All of the S.M.I.L.E participants are truly the best.
 
All photos are from the Acadia S.M.I.L.E website which you should all check out!
 
Talk soon kind krafters!
​Amy