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Category: Advice

  • Cells Phones and Driving Don’t Mix

    Cells Phones and Driving Don’t Mix

    Cellular phones – they went from being foot long-antenna esoteric devices to the necessity of the 21st century; after all, children as young as nine carry them. We depend on their everyday functions and applications. They’re organizers, alarm clocks and music players all in one; they’re almost as valuable as our wallets.

    Besides all of their positive uses, they can be quite a distraction and leave us absent-minded while driving. Cell phones cause up to 30% of highway collisions in Ontario. It isn’t only talking on a cell phone that is a distraction, either – texting while driving can often prove fatal.

    Talking and texting on cell phones has been categorized into what Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls “distracted driving”. This means anyone who physically takes their hands off of the steering wheel or directs their attention elsewhere, such as to their cell phone, is a distracted driver. Consider this: over 196 billion text messages were sent in the U.S. with up to half of them being sent while driving. Unfortunately, this probably attributed to the 3,331 people who were killed in collisions that involved distracted drivers.

    Although there are alternatives to talking on the cell phone while driving, such as a Bluetooth headset, it is still equally distracting. As of 2009, Ontario implemented a cell phone law that carried a fine of $155 for anyone seen talking on a cell phone while driving. Other provinces have similar laws that carry fines up to $400 and demerit point as well.

    So it’s probably best if we keep our hands off of the phone and on the steering wheel. Not only will it keeps our roads safer, but it will keep money in your pocket. In case of an emergency, pull over to the side of the road to use your phone. Otherwise, keep it out of your hands until you’ve safely reached your destination.

    Stay safe and smart on the roads!

  • Study What You Love

    Study What You Love

    At any level of education, it is important for students to take courses that are interesting and enjoyable. This is especially true in the first year or two of college. Many students enter college with no idea what they want to do after they receive their diploma, and that’s okay! The purpose of going to college is of course to achieve a degree, but also to explore your identity and discover what your passions are. General education courses in college are designed to allow students to dip their feet into different subjects in order to test the waters. Taking these basic courses could turn interests into passions, or help students to discover passions they never even knew they had.

    As an example, if you excelled in English and writing in high school, but are unsure on how to apply those skills in college, a basic creative writing course could be beneficial. You may find you have a knack for fiction writing or poetry. Sometimes required general education courses are seen as a nuisance, but you just might find that random course on your schedule to be your new favorite subject. If you have never studied psychology before, and find yourself fascinated by the way the mind works, that random class could lead to a rewarding career path.

    Colleges that require a variety of general education courses, or introductory courses, produce graduates with a broad spectrum of knowledge. These days, employers are looking for well-rounded employees who can adapt to different situations and challenges. Graduates are more likely to succeed in the real world if they have been introduced to several different subjects in college. Adding diversity to your schedule will allow you to meet different people and learn new things. It may also lead to interest in on-campus organizations, and allow you to be more involved at your school, which always looks good on a resume. Not only will taking enjoyable classes lead to career discovery and success, but you will be happier too. You will look forward to going to class, and you will be more eager to learn new material.

    If nothing else, taking interesting and enjoyable courses is important to finding the correct career path for you. For a student, the best possible outcome of graduating with a degree is to find themselves with not only a job but a career they love. College is a lot of work, so the reward of a good career is well deserved. There is nothing worse than rolling out of bed in the morning and groaning at the thought of going to work. If you study what you love and pursue your passions, you will end up with a fulfilling career and a happy life.

  • Mastering the Art of Communication

    Mastering the Art of Communication

    Your mission: Learn to communicate – and do it well!

    Communication is an important part of being successful and something that everyone must do. Whether you’re talking to one person or a room full of people, sharing a personal story or presenting a project, it’s important to learn to communicate in the most effective way.

    Have you ever played the game Telephone? If you have, you know how easy it is for one set of words to get turned into something else as each person tries to understand what the person next to them has said. You want your messages to be clear when you communicate so that a telephone-effect does not happen to what you say.

    If you want a room full of people to know that global warming is an issue you feel strongly about and think they should, too, you want them to leave the room with an understanding of why. So how do you say what you mean? And how do you say it in a way where people will want to listen?

    1) Think before you speak: It sounds so simple yet many times not thinking ahead will cause us to say something differently, incorrectly, or even sometimes completely silly-sounding. By thinking through what you want to say, you are more likely to say exactly what you mean.

    2) Pay attention: Listen to what your audience is saying and judge how they are reacting to what you’re saying. This will help you to identify strong points and areas for improvement in the future.

    3) Know it all: Understand what you’re talking about and take time to become an expert in the subject. Fully understanding a subject is important not only in formal situations or while presenting, but also when having a conversation. Know all the details and don’t assume or gossip to fill in the blanks. Understanding your subject will give you confidence that your audience will notice.

    4) Add personality: You’ve got personality and it would be a shame not to use it! Perhaps you’re a caring, soft-spoken individual or perhaps the joker of your group of friends. Regardless of your personality, find a way to use it to add uniqueness to the way you communicate.

    5) Know how to close: Not every story ends saying, “the end.” How do you want your audience to feel after you’ve finished communicating? What was the purpose of your communicating? To inspire thought or action? To inform? Ensure that your conclusion brings all of your thoughts together and re-states your purpose.

    Whether you’re just starting to build your communication skills or you’re already quite the expert, there is always room for improvement. Keep practising and experimenting with new ways to communicate. Challenge yourself and find new methods that work well for you.

    With all of these tips in mind and with a willingness to grow as a communicator – your mission will be accomplished!

     

  • Need Volunteer Hours? Join a Mob!

    Need Volunteer Hours? Join a Mob!

    The student’s quest for 40 community service hours is not always a pretty one. Sponge-bathing senior citizens and picking up garbage are healthy for the community, but often so uninspiring to the average teenager that procrastination happens and some diploma-getting is in jeopardy.

    What if you could find volunteer work that you’re passionate about, that gives you larger opportunities, that is part of a worldwide social activist movement? The Me to We (Mob)ilizers are students all across Canada, working from the ground to promote and support the charity Free The Children and facilitate real social change in the world.

    It’s all about going from thinking ‘me’, with selfish or self-centred motives and aspirations, to thinking ‘we’, with motivation to do right for all. If you are seeking to volunteer and get involved as a global citizen on a larger scale, consider joining the Me to We MOB.

    The entire enterprise began when a 12 year old Craig Kielburger read a news article about a 12 year old in South Asia who had died as a result of horrible child labour exploitation. This inspired him to make a difference. In 1995 Craig began speaking out for children’s rights in different small venues throughout Ontario. His vision caught on and late that year, he founded the Free the Children organization, with what he described as the motivation to “free the children from poverty, and free the children from the notion that they are powerless to affect change”.

    This means that while we work to end the enslavement and exploitation of children far from home, we can help children here to understand how valuable they are to the world, becoming enlightened and empowered.

    Today, Free the Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth in 45 countries involved in its education and development programs (like the Me to We initiatives).

    When an organization gets so large, it can become difficult to stay connected to the individual people while continuing to bring new, passionate youth into the cycle. That’s where the MOB comes in, taking Free the Children back to its grassroots and spreading the message from the ground up.

    Erica Baker is a MOB-Lead for Canada’s West Coast and a summer intern with Free the Children headquarters. When asked to describe what the MOB is Erica’s response, “Can I just say amazing?” was one of honest passion.

    “We are the masses. We are the movement. We are the MOB,” Erica said, “a vast group of students operating out of many cities across Canada, who are serious about making a mark on the social issues of our time. We organize events and fundraisers to benefit Me to We and Free the Children, and bring awesome, motivated young people together from across the country to make change,” Erica continued.

    She revealed that this year, the (Mob)ilizers are supporting one village in India, one in Ecuador, and one in Haiti, with funds going toward building houses, schools, and health clinics there. (Mob)ilizers have the option of going to one of these villages at the end of the school year to see exactly what their efforts are accomplishing.

    Applications are open until July 25th for next year’s MOB. To check out more or apply for a MOB position in your city, visit http://www.metowe.com/movement/mobilizers/join/.

  • Time Management: Making the Best of What You Have

    Time Management: Making the Best of What You Have

    Do you ever feel that you have too much to do and too little time to do it? Besides going to school every day, you might have swimming or music lessons, sports team practices, chores at home, and much more. How can you get everything done without wearing yourself out? For people of any age, the best way to deal with a busy schedule is through good time management.

    As the name says, time management is about learning to organize and manage activities throughout the day. The first step is to separate the very important activities from the less important ones and the things that you can change from the things that you can’t. Going to school or work, for example, is something that people usually can’t change. They might be able to find an easier job or a school that gives less homework, but they can’t normally eliminate it entirely. Sleep is another unchangeable part of life; whether people sleep for five hours a night or ten hours, everyone needs to rest.

    What are the parts of your life that you can’t change? You might be surprised to find that the list of necessary activities is quite short. After you separate the necessary activities from the optional ones, you can find ways to manage your time better. You can try to cut down on activities like being in clubs or watching television if they make your life too full. Working better and more efficiently can also help a lot.

    The most important part of time management is to decide what level of activity you enjoy. Some people can manage to fit a lot of activities into the day, but the danger is that they might do too much. Other people need a much slower pace, and they easily become overwhelmed by any pressure. Both kinds of people can be perfectionists who think that they have to get everything exactly right. Trying to do everything well can be good, but can also put a lot of pressure on people to accomplish more than they are able to do. Often, a heavy schedule and high expectations cause mental breakdowns in very busy people.

    Knowing yourself and how you use your time can make time management easier. The best place to begin is to record everything you do on an average day, or even a week, and to see how you organize yourself and your work. You might find a lot of short periods of time, such as between school and supper, when you can quickly finish a project. Writing out a schedule can help you to find much more time than you might have realized you had. Creating lists of things that need to be done and knowing why they’re important can help you with your priorities, and learning to say “no” to people’s requests can be useful. Whether you love to be busy or not, good time management can help you get through each day.

  • I Dropped Out – But I Want to Go to College!

    I Dropped Out – But I Want to Go to College!

    For whatever reason, you didn’t make it through high school. That doesn’t mean that higher education is out of reach. There are a variety of options still available to you. You may not be able to get into every program at every school, but everyone has a shot at getting into a post-secondary program with any academic background, with or without a high school diploma.

    Getting Your GED

    GED stands for General Educational Development, and refers to the set of tests taken to obtain a high school equivalency certificate. In order to take the tests, you must be at least 18 years of age, have not graduated from high school, and must have been out of high school for at least a year.

    The tests provide a means for those who did not complete a formal high school program to show high school-level knowledge and skills. They cover reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science.

    A GED is typically used to provide evidence of a high school-level education, and is commonly accepted in the work force as equivalent to a high school diploma. It’s not always accepted by universities as an academic assessment for university-level studies, however.

    Apply to an Open University

    Open universities are universities which do not require a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite for enrolling in courses. Anyone can apply at any time.

    After a year’s worth of courses from an open university, a student is considered to be a transfer student and can then transfer to a conventional university on the basis of these marks as opposed to high school grades.

    Apply as a Mature Student

    Each college or university has their own standards on what qualifies one as a mature student, but typically a mature student is one who has reached a certain age, which might be anywhere between 19 and 21; who has been out of school for a certain amount of time, generally 1-2 years; and who does not possess the academic prerequisites expected of recent high school graduates, meaning a mature student may or may not have a high school diploma or GED.

    Mature students may be admitted on the basis of life or work experience, regardless of past academic performance. Some programs will require entrance tests to place the student at the right level, others will admit mature students on a trial basis, and others can forge ahead at full speed.

    Remember  that learning is more important than schooling. It may be that completing a degree or diploma program isn’t the right fit right now. Also consider certificate programs which are often shorter, and carry immediate, real-world applications.

    It’s never too late

    Once you know what programs you’re interested in, pick up the phone and call the admissions office. Speak to someone who can walk you through the process, as specific requirements are going to be different for each school. Make an appointment to speak with someone one-on-one to sort out your options.

    You may have to jump through a few hoops, but that determination can pay off. Remember, most university admissions are governed by a general policy, not law. Rules can be bent or broken if you’re able to show why you should be there.

    Good luck!

  • Why Students Should Join Professional Associations

    Why Students Should Join Professional Associations

    Once you’ve entered university and have started on your path towards your chosen career, you can look at joining professional associations. Students who join the associations in their related field do well for several reasons:

    1)      They are well connected with people who share a common interest. Having a social network of people who you can talk to about stresses and successes in your program is a huge coping resource. If you have any complaints about professors or courses, or are looking for information about textbooks or course notes, you have an easy access group of people at your disposal. There are also opportunities to share your opinion which is often a useful outlet as you undergo the stresses of university or college life.

    2)      Having a strong sense of belonging within a group will allow you to fulfill one of your most basic needs in a really easy and accessible way. This is super important because you will be busy in university or in college, so making time for social activities may present a problem for you. Having a group that you belong to will help to reassure you and let you focus on more important things, like your studies.

    3)      It looks good on a resume. Being a part of your chosen professional organization will help you to bulk up your resume. Employers and academics will be impressed with any work that you did within this organization because it shows that you have a strong work ethic and are able to work well on a team. It also shows that you are engaged in your academic life in a way that exceeds the minimum expectations. Whenever possible, you want to gain experience that goes above and beyond to put yourself ahead of others who will be competing for the same jobs as you.

    4)      It provides you with networking tools. When you are a part of an organization, you can more easily get in touch with people who can get you jobs or volunteer positions.  You want to have these connections so that your life is made easier when it comes time to finding a job. This may not seem important since you are in school and may not want a job immediately, but if you plan on being employed sometime in the future, then you will need to have connections.

    5)      There are more opportunities when you are a part of something then when you aren’t. When you are a part of your professional organization, you have opportunities for social gatherings and charity drives and other such events that you otherwise may not know about. Taking part keeps you in the loop.

    Overall, the most important reason to join a professional organization is to have the beginning of a social network.  When you start university or college there are often competing demands on your time. This means that you may not have time to do the social networking that you should be doing. This aspect should not, however, be neglected, and by joining a professional organization you are immediately put in touch with people with common interests and have access to opportunities that are likely of interest to you and that will look great on your resume. Also, any way to make networking with employers easier should be acted upon because, as the common adage says, having connections is your most useful tool for getting employed, no matter how spectacular your experience is.

  • What Are C.O.W.S.?

    What Are C.O.W.S.?

    Today’s world is filled with fast and convenient foods which fit in to our busy lifestyles. How many of you have given any thought to how the foods you eat make you feel and their affect our long-term health or appearance?

    At age15, my parents bought a convenience store and suddenly I had access to all of this junk food.

    I was in heaven for a while. Until my pants started getting tight and I felt terrible.

    I made the connection between what I ate and how I felt and looked. Small changes I made way back in high school paved the way for a healthy life.

    Together, let’s explore what today’s experts are saying we should eat to live a long and healthy life. The earlier in life we start, the better. In ‘The PH Miracle’ written by Dr. Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young, they talk about an acronym we should all remember COWS.

    C is for chlorophyll.

    “Vegetables are your new best friends,” especially the green ones. Chlorophyll helps the blood cells deliver oxygen, reduces the binding of carcinogens to DNA in our organs and help to neutralize dietary acids in the blood and tissues. They are nutrient dense and rich in antioxidants.

    O is for Oils.

    Know the good from the bad. Saturated fats found primarily in animal protein, partially hydrogenated oils found in processed foods are to be avoided. Good fats contain essential fatty acids. EFAs strengthen immune cells, lubricate joints, insulate the body against heat loss, provide energy, protect us from heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. It improves asthma, PMS, allergies, skin conditions, some behavioral disorders and brain function. Good sources of oils include fish, seeds, avocados, olives and flax.

    W is for Water.

    In the earliest stages, dehydration can lead to muddled thinking, short-term memory problems, trouble with math and expressing yourself verbally, difficulty focusing on a printed page, cold hands or feet, anxiety, irritability, depression, sugar cravings and cramps too. Water neutralizes acids and literally washes them (and all toxins) out of the body via urine and sweat and the bowels. When you don’t get enough water you will feel tired and weak. About two liters of water a day is generally recommended.

    S is for Salt.

    Salt is as essential as water or air. You cannot consume too much natural, unrefined salt. Processed foods are laden with the bad salts. The salt test: mix a teaspoon of the salt you use in a glass of water and let it sit overnight. If the water is clear in the morning, it’s a natural salt. If you can see salt in the bottom of the glass it’s processed salt. Salt that does not dissolve in a glass of water will not dissolve in your body and will collect in your body organs and tissues. This can lead to heart disease, arthritis, hardening of the arteries and calcium deposits in joints.

    Following COWS is an easy first step to a healthy life.

  • Preparing for Exams and Mid-Terms

    Preparing for Exams and Mid-Terms

    Stress – that’s often the first word that comes to mind when students think about studying for finals, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a number of steps you can take to cut back on the stress and anxiety you inevitably feel at test time. Try some of the suggestions below. They should help you feel more prepared and confident going into the exam.

    1. Accept the fact that you have to study. There is no easy way out. Sleeping with a text book under your head will not make you magically absorb all of the information in the book you never read. You just need to realize you HAVE to do some work.

    2. Don’t wait until the last minute to start studying. Cramming will make you more stressed and you won’t be able to remember as much info.

    3. If you are an overly organized person, put your skills to good use. Create a chart to document when, where and for how long you will study each subject. For example: Monday, 6-8 p.m., campus library, History. This will ensure you have enough time to adequately prepare.

    4. If you are a less rigid kind of person make flashcards and recite them while doing household chores, brushing your teeth, riding the bus to and from school, and between commercials while you’re watching the latest episode of The Voice.

    5. Don’t plan to study somewhere super comfy like in bed, wrapped up in a warm furry blanket, surrounded by twenty fluffy pillows. Chances are you will end up doing more napping then studying. Do however find a comfortable chair and work space large enough for all your text books (and snacks) with good lighting. It’ll make life a whole lot easier.

    6. Turn your phone off or, at the very least, set it to vibrate and only check it every 45 minutes (and then only stay on it for 10 minutes). Phones, tablets, iPods, etc. are great, but are very distracting. Contrary to popular belief, being a Candy Crush savant will not help you when it comes to school work.

    7. Before you start studying, write down everything you know about the subject. That way you’ll have a better grip on what you still need to know and what you don’t need to focus as much time on.

    8. Study with friends – but actually study. Don’t just sit around and chat. Your friends can be a great resource. If they were in the same class as you chances are they may remember stuff you don’t.

    9. Read through all your class notes. If you don’t understand a definition or a particular theory, try looking it up online. If you have time, ask your teacher for help.

    10. Take breaks, get exercise, sleep well and eat well. It’s not just studying the material that’s important. Your body needs proper exercise, sleep and nourishment to function at its peak.

    11. Know the material in your own words. This will ensure you actually understand it and haven’t just memorized a text book. It will also increase your confidence and your ability to answer any question thrown at you about the subject.

    12. Make sure you know where and when the exam is and how long it will take you to get there. Try to arrive about 30 minutes early, but don’t do any more studying for about 15 minutes before the exam. This will give you time to calm yourself and get acclimated with your surroundings. Scope out a good seat; get out all your necessary supplies (water, pens, pencils, calculators, scrap paper, etc.). If you have a favorite song that calms or relaxes you, listen to it on your iPod. Music often has a calming and soothing affect and can help put you in just the right mind set before you begin writing the exam.

    The important thing in avoiding exam stress is to be prepared. You may still be a little nervous, but you will have the knowledge and confidence to succeed.

  • Finding Your Niche

    Finding Your Niche

    After high school you then have to move onto post-secondary education – and that’s when you no longer have to take courses that make you think, “Why would I ever have to use this in the future?” We have all been there and thought about it. However, when you get to post-secondary, it all becomes very specific. You have to figure out what you are into and what you really wish to study.

    From experience, it is much easier to take a program that you are genuinely interested in rather than pursuing something you know you won’t like. After I changed my courses to something I enjoyed, I absorbed the information so quickly and in such great detail that I was able to retain a lot of information with little effort. When you are genuinely thrilled to learn the information you are provided, it’s a lot easier to stay focused and to achieve the best grades and goals!

    At this point, you need to focus on really finding your niche; your specialty. Find out what you are good at! Some of the lucky students have already figured it all out. My friend wanted to be a veterinarian since she was six years old, for example. If you’re like me, though, you had a lot of different plans and options throughout your life. When I found my niche, I found what I really enjoyed and knew a lot about. For example, if you are a very strong persuader and can effectively communicate your ideas to a wide audience and create outstanding rapport with your peers, you can pursue Public Relations positions.

    Finding your niche is all about exploration, and volunteering helps with taking a chance on many different fields; Extracurriculars and electives will also help with this.

    Always take a chance and find out what you enjoy and pursue your talents!