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Author: Laura Sciarpelletti

  • How to Combine School & Work

    How to Combine School & Work

    Lecture after lecture. Essay after essay. It is a struggle in and of itself to maintain a high quality output of schoolwork and a robust grade point average. How then is someone expected to earn an income on top of all that? Perhaps you are saving towards a future goal. Or maybe the money is needed for your schooling itself. Regardless of the reason, juggling your studies with work can feel overwhelming. However, there are ways this can be done effectively so that your education and grades are not compromised.

    Providing tutoring services to clients one-on-one is a great way to make money when you are juggling other commitments. Not only are the hours typically in the evening and weekends, outside of lecture times, but the job also provides a high-level of flexibility in your scheduling. You can coordinate times with your students, and even change them as needed with sufficient notice. Perhaps more importantly, your tutoring subjects can include the field of study you are pursuing in school. This means of income would allow you to harness your knowledge and dive deeper into the subject. Being able to effectively teach a concept demonstrates a thorough understanding of the idea that will translate into success in the classroom. Finally, this line of work also lets you customize your working location. You could offer tutoring at the students’ individual homes, at a public space such as a library, or even online.

    The greater prevalence of technology has opened up the potential for remote work. By removing travel times, you make it significantly easier to balance a job with your studies. Although part-time work can sound accommodating, traveling to and from the location can be increasingly frustrating compared to full-time work due to vast difference in the travel to work time ration. As a tutor, you can be self-employed and have full control over your business online. By working with students via Skype or Google Hangout, you can be vast distances apart but still have classes. Advertise on Craigslist, Kijiji, and social media. But this can be done for more than just tutoring. Perhaps you are a writer or editor, and want to offer your services online. Or you could make crafts at home, and use an online store to sell them. In all these cases, setting up a basic website showcasing your skills and experience is a good idea.

    By utilizing the skills you are gaining in school, as well as the technology that has rapidly developed within the last few decades, you can achieve a successful balance of work and school. It could even turn into work that you continue doing after completing school. Perhaps even more importantly, you will gain the skills and know-how to juggle a hectic schedule that will prove invaluable as you move forward.

    Source:

    Raver, Ryan. 7 Easy Ways For Graduate or College Students to Earn Alternative Income or Make Money Online. http://thegradstudentway.com/blog/?p=86

  • How to Choose the Right University

    How to Choose the Right University

    Fresh out of a high school is a bittersweet place to be. You don’t know what you want to do, or where you want to go, or you should take a year off. And probably most devastating, you and your friends are attending different universities.

    But what university is the best one for you? First and foremost, you should speak to your guidance counselor before leaving high school to figure out the best path for you. Figure out with them where your strong points were in school, your favourite subjects, and if that sparked any interest in a particular field. If you want to take a year off to earn some money or to travel, then do that too. And don’t worry if you don’t wind up doing what you thought you would. A professor once told me that about 50% of university and college students change their major. I was convinced that I was going to be a psychology major and I took one week of classes in York before I knew I hated it.

    Once you have a general idea of what program you want to join, start hunting universities. Take a look at the courses they offer and compare them to that of other universities to see who has the best course timetable for you. Make sure to attend the campus tours whenever you can because you want to get a feel for the atmosphere. You’ll feel right at home in the school you’re supposed to be in, trust me. If you’re looking at something out of the city or even the country, then be sure to pay attention to the costs of living as an international student on top of residence fees and classes.

    Should you be a student who requires any accommodations, be sure to look into those as well. See which school will accommodate you best. See what clubs or sports teams they have there. Never forget that you’re going to be spending very crucial years of your life here and you want to make the most of it.

    It’s important to note that the first university you choose may not be the one that you stick with. Some people are right at home with their first choice and others want to make a move after a couple years or even seven days. There’s no shame in this. If you feel like you belong somewhere else then it’s better to know early then to pay tuition to an institution you never felt a part of to begin with.

    Students often face the crisis of being accepted into more than one school. I know that I was given a scholarship to a school that I didn’t want to go to, but free money sounded really good as a broke high school student. Remember to always go with your instinct. If something doesn’t feel right, be sure to keep looking for the best university for you.

  • Electronic Organizational Tools for Students

    Electronic Organizational Tools for Students

    How many times have you completely forgotten a due date or that you were supposed to meet with a fellow student on a group project? Are you having a hard time compartmentalizing large projects and tasks? What about that social life you would like to have with all those coffee dates and happy birthdays to wish? Luckily we live in a time of endless electronic resources for your every organizational need. That being said, sometimes it can be difficult to narrow down what to use. So here is a list of five apps/programs to use besides your phone’s built-in calendar. Let’s get organized!

    Trello

    This project management app features “boards” which contain “lists” for tasks. The “cards” contained in the lists correspond to the particular tasks. This is perfect for breaking down assignments and large projects, particularly for groups and organizations. If you are a teacher, teacher’s assistant or tutor this app is absolutely perfect for lesson planning. Very recently Microsoft launched a Trello-like component called Microsoft Planner. Microsoft users can compare and contrast Trello with this new app to decide which they like best.

    www.trello.com

    Excel

    One of the most popular tools for students and really anyone is Excel. This program is so popular because it features many spreadsheet templates to sort through for your specific organizing needs. From to-do lists to budget worksheets, Excel is an all in one. It lacks the simplistic construct of some of these other apps, but numerous how-to videos can be found on the web to improve your understanding and ability to use Excel to its full extent.

    Deadline

    Completely simple in format and therefore more than easy to use, this calendar app helps you to set up reminders and organize meetings, deadlines, tests and appointments. It can be used for both work and school setting, although it does lend itself particularly well to the busy individual who does it all and doesn’t have time to remember every little thing themselves.

    www.deadlineapp.com

    TrackClass

    Strictly for schoolwork, TrackClass features a calendar application that keeps an eye on your progress and schedule. You will be reminded when you have a midterm or final coming up—right down to the last fifteen minutes—and labs and tutorials will be formatted in a simple and comprehensive way. You can even take notes on the program that will ensure that you never lose them. The website features a tour, so take it to see if TrackClass is right for you.

    www.trackclass.com

    Soshiku

    Very similar to TrackClass, Soshiku helps students organize their work in a practical way. This is ideal for high school and college assignments and projects, and the app will email you reminders on due dates. The basic version of this program is free, but going pro only costs $5. Some handy features of Soshiku are that assignments can be searched for in the tool bar, courses can be organized and labeled, you can share messages and attachments and tasks with friends, and assignments and reminders can be added right from your own phone.

  • Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – We All Have Our Different Stories

    Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – We All Have Our Different Stories

    Canada is known to be one of the world’s most multicultural countries, and everywhere you go, you will likely encounter with a cultural background that is different from yours. Often, when we meet such people, we unconsciously create an invisible barrier that prevents us from reaching out and eventually learning that we might have a lot of things in common with those people than we originally thought.

    We are often quick to judge that there is no getting past these cultural differences. We are too hasty to think to ourselves, “What is the point anyways? They would not know what my culture is like and I have no idea of what their culture is like.” We jump to conclusions that there are bound to be disagreements anyway. In doing so, we miss out in learning about other cultures or worse yet we miss out on what could be perhaps lifelong friendships.

    Sometimes, though it is not a cultural difference at all, but the moment when we feel other people are different from us in other ways, we fast-track to the conclusion that there is something wrong.

    If you find yourself making silent judgments about other people even before you get to know them, perhaps it is time to make an effort to eradicate that behaviour.

    Be conscious of your thoughts.

    At times, you may not even be fully aware that you are making conclusions about the people you meet. Perhaps you tend to chock it up to human instinct. However, the first step to stop judging other people is to be conscious that you are doing so. Watch yourself.  Perhaps you succumb to the behaviour when you are with your friends or family who are quick to judge others. Try to attend an event in your neighbourhood on your own—maybe a tree-planting effort or any volunteer event—and see if you are quick to judge when you meet new people.

    Let go of stereotypes.

    Stereotyping may seem acceptable in pop culture and comedy, but in real life, it is best to get rid of this habit. Not everyone will fit into a stereotype—no matter how hard you convince yourself that they do. A square peg does not fit a round hole, and there is nothing wrong with that. Every individual is their own person. Once you let go of the stereotypes you have learned in films and TV shows, you are ready to embrace people who are not like you.

    Give other people a chance to share their story.

    There is that adage that birds of the same feather flock together. Oftentimes, we find a sense of belongingness in people who are most like us—whether it is similarities in culture, beliefs, interests, likes, dislikes, habits, behaviour, you name it. Once you encounter people who do not share your passion for Literature, for example, you tend to be dismissive right away. For instance, you work day and night to finish a term paper on Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, and they would rather rely on Google, everyone’s best friend. You are quick to conclude they are lazy and incompetent. However, you did not give them a chance to explain their side. Maybe literature is really not their thing, and they excel more in Physics or Calculus, which can be subjects you will need their help on.

    Do a self-examination.

    At times, some people are quick to judge others to mask the insecurity or envy they have. Stop and take time to think about the common denominator that prompts you to judge other people. Do you have a classmate who seem to cruise in all of your classes and still end up with the highest grades in class while you study hard and don’t even come close to those marks? You are quick to judge that someone else is helping him or her with homework and other school projects. You might not know that that classmate is trying to stay positive and doing the best he or she can in school to gain a scholarship to support future college studies due to his or her parents’ messy divorce that ended up in both parties’ financial ruin.

    The next time you feel yourself judging other people, stop. Remember that everyone has their own story. Just allow yourself to listen to that story.

    SOURCES:

    http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18203/stop-judging-start-living-how-to-become-a-happy-accepting-person.html

    http://www.positivelypresent.com/2009/05/stop-judging.html

    http://zenhabits.net/judgy/

  • Discover Ontario’s History this July

    Discover Ontario’s History this July

    The summer months see Ontario come to life as the province bristles with activity. You may not have classes to attend, but there is always more to learn and always fun ways to go about it. Here are some fun events to check out throughout July that will bring history to life, from the wars Canada faced on its way to becoming a nation, to the houses where people lived out their lives just as you do now. The past is brimming with stories that make it more intriguing than you might expect.

    Heritage Day Canada – To celebrate Canada day on July 1st, consider heading to Sault Ste. Marie for the Heritage Day Canada festivities. You can watch a reenactment of pre-Confederation times, as people dress up to give you a glimpse into life hundreds of years ago. While there, do not forget to check out the Ermatinger Old Stone House. This restored piece of history lets you step back in time to experience domestic and work life during the 1800s.

    Lang Pioneer Village – Do you prefer more action in your history? Then head over to Peterborough’s Lang Pioneer Village on July 3rd. Their Confederation celebration will feature a re-enactment of the Fenian Raid, as part of the 150th anniversary of the 1866 Invasion of Canada. These raids saw Canada embroiled in a battle against Irish Republicans from the United States attempting to convince Britain to withdraw from Ireland. The battles helped strengthen morale amongst Canadians and give them greater faith in their military. It helped develop a critical sense of nationalism at around the time that we became a country.

    Scottish Tea – For those with an appetite for history, check out the Hutchinson House Museum in Peterborough during the afternoons throughout July. Starting July 2nd, tea and snacks will be offered everyday except Monday’s from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The gorgeous terrace has a period garden. There are also guided tours of the restored stone house for you to get a glimpse of how people lived and relaxed centuries ago.

    Crimes and Criminals Guided Walk

    Maybe peaceful little historical homes are not your cup of tea. If that all sounds a bit dull for you, perhaps you prefer an edge to your history. This is the tour for you. Starting July 1st, Brockville will be hosting guided walk tours around their downtown area. Unlike those tours of quaint 19th century homes, this one examines the criminal past of the area, including the largest bank heist in Canadian history. The tours will take place every Friday at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

    Ontario is filled with fun events throughout the summer filled with educational opportunities. Before classes start up again in September, make sure to take advantage of as many of them as possible. After all, you can only learn so much from the confines of a classroom.

    Source:

    Festivals & Events Ontario. http://www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca/

  • Dare Not to Compare: Comparing Yourself to Others

    Dare Not to Compare: Comparing Yourself to Others

    We all fall for it. Looking at someone in a seemingly better situation, and wondering what we did wrong that resulted in our misfortune. How come my friend’s parents are paying for most of their tuition? Should I have been looking for part-time work sooner in order to pay for schooling? How lucrative will my career path be if I pursue the liberal arts, while my friend goes into accounting? This comparison is not only unhealthy, but also unreasonable.

    Your focus should first and foremost be on your own financial situation and goals. Even if you are in a dire state, drawing comparisons will do absolutely nothing to amend it. Instead, that negative mindset can actually be to your detriment. The more you beat yourself up, the more negativity and pessimism will loom over your every thought and action, and before you know it this will be hindering your future prospects. It is challenging enough as it is to go to class every day, complete exams, and hunt for jobs. Now imagine throwing in a negative mindset, and those tasks become infinitely harder. You will be increasingly prone to mistakes due to the distraction and expectation of failure.

    The very mindset is a no-win situation. Even if we are convinced of the accuracy of the comparison, our brains are deceiving us. This is something they do far more often than we realize. Comparing your finances not only harms your own situation, but is also unreasonable in the first place.

    When we compare ourselves with others, we are examining the minutia of our own lives; every foolish purchase, every missed job opportunity, every bill awaiting payment. Yet when we examine others, we are only getting glimpses into their world. We see polished social media profiles that may post pictures of them going out and spending money, but rarely of the days spent at home eating in. People come from a multitude of situations, circumstances, good and bad. The plethora of events and decisions make it absurd to compare even a similar-looking situation to your own. Someone may have a similar background, with a family much like yours and an upbringing similar to you. But the small differences in their personality, teachers, friends, choices, activities, and more add up to make a completely different person. Comparison is not only unhealthy; it is nonsensical.

    At the end of the day, if you are unhappy with the state of your bank account, you can take steps to fix it. Plan a monthly budget, seek out part-time work, and talk to your family about your situation. Your education is of utmost importance. Your parents will not want that to falter due to dollars and cents, and may be able to help. Your life, in all its wonder and worry, is yours. Do not let unnecessary comparisons get to you – for all you know, your subject of comparison is doing the same.

    Source:

    Tempesta, Daniela. Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Others. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniela-tempesta-lcsw/comparing-yourself_b_4441288.html

  • Career Profile: Speech and Language Pathologist

    Career Profile: Speech and Language Pathologist

    Being able to speak seems like a natural and normal thing to do. However, many young children or even adults lisp or stutter, and people who have had strokes or accidents often lose their ability to speak. Speech and language pathologists help people with various kinds of problems to speak more clearly so that they can communicate with the people around them.

    Do you enjoy the sciences or do you prefer words and language? As a speech and language pathologist, you could work with both. Speaking is about knowing words and being able to put sentences together, but it is also about using the right part of the mouth and having the physical ability to get the words out. Speech and language pathologists can help with both.

    Knowing how sounds are formed is an important part of helping people with speech problems. For example, someone with a lisp needs to know that “s” is made at the ridge inside the mouth, and “th” is made between the teeth. Proper breathing methods and pronunciation techniques for other problems are part of what speech and language pathologists need to know.

    In Canada, speech and language pathologists need a university education, normally at least a Master’s degree with courses in English and the sciences. Studies in areas like social work and psychology can also be useful. National certification from Speech-Language and Audiology Canada is also necessary for people working in the field. At first, speech and language pathologists might earn about $40,000 per year, but people with experience can get salaries of over $80,000.

    Besides the technical knowledge, people in this field need to be able to work well with people. Their patients might be small children, accident victims, or elderly people who have had strokes or other health problems. They can work in schools, hospitals, or research facilities. Pathologists need to consult with other people such as parents or teachers, and they need to be able to explain what they are doing so that the people know what to expect. Sometimes, they might teach classes or give presentations about their work.

    Being able to plan and look ahead is very important for this work. Speech and language pathologists have to get to know each patient’s needs, diagnose the problem, and find a solution. Sometimes, a patient’s needs might be beyond a speech and language pathologist’s skills, and knowing when to get help is a very important part of the work.

    Speech and language pathologists spend a lot of time working with people, but they also need to work independently as they research the best techniques for helping patients. Do these qualities describe you? If so, you might want to consider becoming a speech and language pathologist.

    Bibliography:

    Alberta Learning Information Service. “Speech-Language Pathologist.” http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse-occupations/occupation-profile.html?id=71002785

    Living in Canada. “Audiologist and Speech Language Pathologist Salary Canada.” http://www.livingin-canada.com/salaries-for-audiologists-and-speech-language-pathologists.html.

    McGill School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “Professional Training in Speech-Language Pathology (M.Sc.A.).” http://www.mcgill.ca/scsd/programs/slp/.

    Payscale.com. “Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Salary (Canada).” http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Speech-Language_Pathologist_(SLP)/Salary.

  • Book Recommendations: Catch Up on Your Reading!

    Book Recommendations: Catch Up on Your Reading!

    Book lists are never easy, because there are so many great books out there! This is especially true when it comes to elementary level reading. While stories that are beloved especially by kids are many, the ones that fit particularly well for the reading level of the child sometimes need to be sought out. Here we break down the best books and book series by grades based on the reading level typically displayed.

    1st Grade

    1. The complete collection of Dr. Seuss

    A no brainer for any growing child, these wonderfully weird tales use the most basic of English words to create a bright and eccentric world that is easy for the child to put together with their own budding reading skills.

    1. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

    If you give a mouse a cookie, be prepared for all the other requests that may follow. This charming series of events will take the reader on a journey of light cause and effect.

    1. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

    This picture book tells the story of someone’s ability to give and love to no end. It will both teach a wonderful outlook and way of being, but will also appeal to the reader with its bright yet basic illustrations.

    2nd Grade

    The Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish

    Ever thought YOU did things the hard way? Trust me no one does things in a more difficult and roundabout manner than housekeeper for hire Amelia Bedelia. Taking simple household instructions and tasks all too literally, Amelia leaves disaster in her wake. Luckily, the girl can cook. Actually she is basically the best cook ever. Always able to win her angry employers over with a pie or a strudel, Amelia may be a terrible housekeeper but she will never be without work.

    3rd Grade

    The BFG by Roald Dahl

    The BFG (Big Friendly Giant) is just one of many marvelous Dahl books. Entering into the novel format, 3rd graders will eat up the relationship between lovely heroine Sophie and her dream-giving friendly giant. This is a great first chapter book to leave with your kids and let make their way through on their own for the first time.

    4th Grade

    Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

    While all of Judy Blume’s books should be on this list, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing stands out as a wonderful look at the relationship between young brothers. The first in the impeccable Fudge series, this book shows how the age gap between siblings can seem like the biggest thing at the time but in the end everyone makes silly mistakes no matter their age. Be prepared to roll on the floor laughing basically whenever the youngest brother Fudge speaks throughout the series.

    5th Grade

    Report to the Principal’s Office by Jerry Spinelli

    The first in a hilarious series about the kids of Plumstead Middle School, this book is about middle schoolers but for those with a slightly lower reading level. As fifth and sixth graders are often getting excited about the upcoming world of middle school, this book is a good look at the transition youngsters go through as they are trying to move on from their “kiddie” ways but cannot help but fall into mischief. It is about trying to fit in, not fitting in at all, and finding out that you actually think the principal is a pretty cool guy.

    6th Grade

    A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

    It is time for a dark leap from all those happy-go-lucky books from above. This sad series on the lives of the Baudelaire orphans and their murderous relative Count Olaf is a wild ride. Not for the faint of heart, enter into this dreary world at your own emotional risk. Still, it is 100% appropriate for the reading-savvy 6th grader. Also be prepared to walk away from each book with a new appreciation for your family.

  • Academic Probation

    Academic Probation

    Whether you get overloaded with school work, join too many clubs to make new friends, or can’t handle the load of university, being on academic probation is a serious problem. For any of those who may not know, academic probation is when the university takes action against a student who consistently fails to keep their grades above a certain overall average, according to their program. The average will range from school to school. For example, Wilfrid Laurier University defines it as, “An undergraduate student (registered in an Honours or General degree program) is placed on academic probation, in a general degree program (BA or BSc) without designation, when they achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) between 2.00 (D) and 3.99 (on a minimum of 4.0 credit attempts.” The University of Toronto Mississauga, on the other hand, describes it as “Students who have a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) of less than 1.50 at the end of an academic session after which they have attempted 4.0 credits, will be placed on academic probation.”

    Academic probation leads to serious complications for university and college students. For starters, those on academic probation will need to adhere to strict rules and guidelines for completing their degree. For example, UTM requires that said students “who, at the end of a session during which they were placed on probation, have a Cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 but a summer sessional or annual (Fall-Winter Session) GPA of 1.70 or more shall continue on probation. Students who, at the end of a session during which they were placed on probation, have a Cumulative GPA of less than 1.50 and a sessional GPA of less than 1.70 shall be suspended for one calendar year.” Universities and colleges do this for students on probation; they monitor these students closely and should you fail to reach the grades the school asks, you get suspended.

    One of the things you need to pay attention to as a student, especially a first year student, is that things are going to be different. Your grades will drop. Classes will be harder. There will be lots more people. The homework will pile up. It will be overwhelming. And, yes, academic probation is a scary but a very real thing to worry about. However, talking to your professors, the office of the registrar, and attending study groups (to name a few) are just some of the ways to keep those grades up without falling too behind. If you receive a poor mark on a test, don’t get so discouraged that you don’t ask for help. Take the blow and get help from your professors or your classmates. It’ll keep you in good standing and on the way to a smooth graduation.  In the case of being on academic probation, you may need to stay in school longer with a lesser course load spread out to help you get the hang of things- even though it could help you focus better, you may not to stay in post-secondary longer than you have to.