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Category: Advice

  • Your Credit Rating Begins Now

    Your Credit Rating Begins Now

    You begin to establish credit the day you get your first credit card, apply for a student loan, or sign a contractual cell phone plan. How you handle the credit afforded to you has a direct impact on the products and rates offered to you for years to come.

    What is a credit rating?
    Your credit rating is a measure of responsibility. It demonstrates to banks and other lending institutions that you’re consistently able to pay your minimum balance on time. Your credit score represents a track record, and where you’re at now.

    The strength of your credit history is what determines if you qualify a credit card, a loan, or a mortgage, and can affect the interest rate you’re offered. If your credit rating is low, you will be deemed high risk, and the interest rate will be much higher, if you’re even offered credit.

    How do I establish credit?
    For new or young borrowers, this can be challenging, if you don’t have any credit history.

    Some lenders will allow someone with an established credit history, such as a parent or guardian, to co-sign a credit application with you. Though remember, this means that both parties are responsible for timely repayment. If your mother co-signs your credit card application, and you fail to pay, this will negatively impact both credit scores.

    Most credit cards are unsecured, meaning you haven’t put down a deposit or secured it against property. However, if you don’t have any credit history, you can look into getting a secure another option is to apply for a secured credit card, where you have collateral backing up the line of credit. Often this is a deposit, which will be returned to you when you cancel the card. Some secured cards carry higher interest rates and have fees associated with them.

    What affects your credit rating?
    Consistently paying down credit on time, at least the minimum balance or more, builds or maintains your credit rating. Each late, missed, or incomplete payment negatively affects your score. Regularly miss or make late or incomplete payments, and this could negatively affect your credit score for years.

    Your credit score is also based on the length of time you’ve maintained a credit account with a lender, and how long that account has been in good standing.

    Credit reports only track funds that you’ve borrowed. They don’t include information about whether you pay your bills or rent on time.

    How do I maintain good credit?
    Always pay your minimum monthly balance on time. Better still, pay more than your minimum balance, and pay it early, as it can take a few days for transactions to clear.

    Each time you apply for credit, it shows up on your credit history. Requesting too much credit in a short period of time can lower your score.

    Request a credit history from Equifax or TransUnion annually, and review the report. If you find incorrect information, contact Equifax or TransUnion immediately so they can begin the dispute resolution process.

  • I Think I’m In Love! Handling a Crush

    I Think I’m In Love! Handling a Crush

    Like their first kiss and their first love, most people can remember any number of details about their first real “crush.” The butterflies in their stomachs, the dry mouths, the sweaty palms, the racing hearts – it may all sound gross, but these symptoms are exhilarating when you get to pair up with your crush for a science experiment, sit next to your crush on the bus or manage to eat a whole lunch by your crush’s side. Unfortunately, the title “crush” is apt as it is very easy to be crushed if you find out that (s)he does not return your affections. Don’t be crushed by a crush! Instead, follow these tips for moving on and moving up to someone who deserves your special attention.

    Defining a Crush
    A crush, unlike a relationship, is not a two-way street. Often you’ll realize that you feel a strong attraction to someone you barely know, for reasons you barely understand, and that this, in all of its glory, is a crush.

    Signs of a Killer Crush
    Even if you know better, falling hard for a crush can be unavoidable. Signs of a killer crush include:
    • Wanting to be near him/her, even if you don’t know his/her name, and (s)he wouldn’t know yours.
    • Wanting to find out as much as you can about your crush and searching for clues to “prove” your compatibility.
    • Changing your habits or schedules to coincide with theirs.
    • Feeling embarrassed or flustered when your crush pays attention to you.
    • Reacting nervously when you are physically close .
    • Obsessing for hours about a hypothetical future with him/her.

    Coping with a Crush
    Living with a crush isn’t easy – in fact, it’s hard work. Having a crush makes it hard to concentrate, it makes it hard to eat and it especially makes it hard to sleep, even if you are hoping to meet up  somewhere in your dreams. To make sure that the rest of your life doesn’t fall apart for the duration of your crush:
    • Confess your crush to your friends and ask them to distract you.
    • Throw yourself into schoolwork to make sure you don’t fall behind (and who knows, maybe by standing out you’ll catch your crush’s attention).
    • Take up a hobby that will get you out of the house and get you moving.
    • Give yourself enough time alone to fantasize , but don’t let it interfere with your real life.

    Living with a crush can be a wonderful, magical, painful, torturous time. Allow yourself to enjoy the frivolity of a crush, but don’t let your feelings override your common sense. Don’t risk your safety, or your reputation, in order to get your crush’s attention. In other words, don’t irrevocably change your life for a crush that will likely disappear as quickly as it began.

  • Teen Make-Up 101

    Teen Make-Up 101

    It wasn’t until I was 14 that my father would even allow the sight of lip gloss on me, and only on special occasions. As I started to flirt with makeup throughout high school, I learned just how tricky these magic wands of beauty could be. Raccoon eyes to smudged lips, I could have saved myself a lot of embarrassment learning these tricks sooner;

    Softer is better – Your best intentions for recreating that bold and glittery Kesha look-a-like can leave a smudged, clumpy mess that even lunch period isn’t look enough fix. Trying too hard with your makeup is a lot like trying too hard with a guy. A disastrous mess that everyone can see. Instead, try for a softer, natural look. Think Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez. Freshen yourself with a little eye shadow, a shade of colour to your lips and maybe some mascara to highlight the look.

    Tailor to your features, not your clothes– You might think sparkly blue eye shadow would be the perfect thing to accent that new blue sweater, but going too matchy-matchy will only age you – all the way back to the 90’s. Instead try warm browns for blue eyes, mellow greens or gold for brown eyes and lavender for green eyes. Lipsticks and stains should only be one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour. Otherwise things can get a bit….dramatic. Case and point, that great-aunt of yours.

    Keep it Clean– Nothing, not even that 1200 word essay in history, can spoil the week faster than a full pimple break out. You may think caking foundation on will make those unsightly pimples disappear, but in reality they will be setting up shop. Invest in a good facial soap and clean off your makeup every day after school. And never, ever, EVER go to bed wearing makeup; a stained pillow will be the least of your worries.

    It’s OK to ask for help – Learning all this at once is a long and bumpy road, so why not cash in on others’ experiences? Older sisters, friends and even class mates may have a gold mine of experience to spark up your look. Don’t be afraid to ask around. Once you get your artistic flare rocking, they might be asking for tips from you!

  • Coping with Jealousy

    Coping with Jealousy

    Jealousy occurs in most human relationships at one time or another. Whether your relationship is an intimate one, a friendship or even co-workers.

    For most teens there will come a day when you realize that one of your friends is jealous – whether it be of who you are, what you’ve done or something you have – and that this jealousy is hurting your friendship. Sometimes, when this happens, it feels like there is nothing you can do. But the good news is that there is! Don’t let jealousy spoil your relationships. Confront the problem and you may find your relationship will be back to normal much sooner than you think.

    Confront Your Friend
    You may find it difficult to walk up to your friend and ask them what the problem is, but if you want to save your friendship you’ll have to do just that. Don’t approach them and ask why they are jealous of you (unless of course you want to appear totally conceited), just take some time alone with them and let them know that you’ve been feeling like there’s something that has been coming between you and that you cherish their friendship. If they refuse to respond, then use the opportunity to explain how you have been feeling. Chances are that something you say will strike a nerve and your friend will open up as well.

    Find a Solution
    When you figure out what is freaking your friend, ask him or her what (s)he thinks would make the situation better. If, for example, (s)he say that (s)he feels like (s)he doesn’t get to spend any time with you because you’re off with your new friends from the swim team, then maybe you could invite them along the next time or block off one day a week for just the two of you. Remember that whatever solution you decide on needs to be a compromise. Don’t limit your own talents or opportunities simply because your friend is unhappy. Try instead to include him or her in your new life and see how that works out.

    Practice Your Patience
    Even if you do get to the bottom of your friend’s jealousy, you’ll probably need to remain patient while (s)he works out their own emotions. Even if you can think of a compromise to help get your friendship back on track, you can’t do the emotional work of getting over jealousy for your friend. You may even find there will be troubles up ahead, and you may need to chat with your friend about it again. If it turns out to be the same issue, tell your friend that you feel you have been sticking to the compromise. It may be that your friend is unable to see that, or (s)he didn’t really commit to the compromise and wanted you back all to him or herself. If this is the case, then there’s not much you can do about it besides reiterate your offer to meet him or her half-way.

    Even the best of friendships can be affected by jealousy. This destructive emotion is rarely productive and can turn best friends into worst enemies. Before taking drastic action, chat with your jealous friend to see if the two of you can work out a compromise. If you can’t, be prepared to know exactly how far you will go to keep your friend – and how far you won’t.

    Remember, don’t limit your own talents or opportunities simply because your friend is unhappy.

  • The Importance of Being True to Yourself

    The Importance of Being True to Yourself

    Each and every single one of us has a unique set of values, beliefs, and even inspirations that make us who we are as individuals. Naturally, as we progress through life, these very important elements that lie at the very core of our existence will slightly alter and adjust in a manner to allow for the new experiences and situations that we have endured. Life is much like a sea… at one time; we may drift peacefully and quietly atop the glistening waters. Then, there will be situations in which we must work to keep ourselves afloat waters that are ferocious and ominous in nature.

    Yes, it is true, there will be treacherous waters and frightening and intimidating clouds that linger among us throughout life, but it is essential that we each realize the importance of being true to ourselves. Is it not true that in the roughest of seas men learn to survive? Is it not among the violent waves that men learn to welcome and appreciate the calm surfaces of the water? Is it not true that when men face the evil of the storm that they relish in the calm that occurs after the thunders and treacherous waves have passed? If you are searching for the importance of being true to yourself, consider the man that was consumed by something much larger than he.

    In order to be true to yourself in the midst of peace and calmness, you must stand firm in your beliefs when staring opposition in the face. This is what assists in developing who you are, this is what defines you… your ability to overcome and learn.

    Many times in life, we will be faced with temptations that may defy who we are as individuals. It is so much easier to go with the natural flow of the tide than to push against it. It is human nature to want to experience as little complications as possible. What you must consider is if you are denying yourself of some important lesson, of something much bigger than you or you ever imagined. If floating with the direction of the tide defies you as an individual, and you feel as if you will not gain any type of insight as to who you are, or it does not allow you to stand alongside of your personal beliefs and convictions, turn that boat around and push with all of your might against the tide.

    It is better for a man to be true to who he is, rather than deny himself of all the rewards he will experience as standing alone in his personal convictions and beliefs.

    Being true to yourself is a very rewarding experience. Many experiences and situations will come your way and threaten the very existence of your unique stand in life. We pass over many different waves in life, many ships come in, and many ships pass us by. In many cases, animals of the wild such as sharks will want to engulf us in order to define their existence. Stormy skies will sometimes linger over us, and violent wars sometimes rest on the banks of life. In all of these things, you must stand strong in who you are. Allowing these situations to overcome you, violate you, and even control you in any way, just may be the point in which you lose sight of the horizon, sight of who you truly are.

  • Interviewing Without Ego

    Interviewing Without Ego

    You’ve worked on your resume, sent it out, maybe gone to a few job fairs, and lined up a few interviews. You know your stuff, and what you don’t know you can learn. You’re young, eager, and smart – this should be a snap, right? Maybe, but remember…

    It’s not about you
    So, you need money. You’re looking for a job, preferably one that suits who you are, has flexible hours, and great people to work with. Bonus points if it’s fun and pays reasonably well.

    You may want all these things, and you may find some or all of them, but your best chance of actually landing the job is in demonstrating to the interviewer that you’re familiar with the company’s needs.

    Don’t tell the interviewer how great you are, show them.

    It’s about them
    Employers are looking for people to do a job, whether it’s sales, service, or working in an office. They don’t care that you need the money; employers care whether you can do the job, and fit into the culture of their specific work place.

    Do your homework
    Get as much background information as you can. Check the company’s website. Or, if you have friends or family who work for the company, ask them what they do, and what you can expect from your interviewer.

    You’re great, and you know that, but confidence can only take you so far. Simply telling the interviewer that you’re the best person for the job isn’t going to win points. It’s just going to make you look full of yourself.

    Find out about the company you’re interviewing for and what they pride themselves in. You can use this information to tailor your responses to the interviewer’s questions. If service is important to them, let the interviewer know about that summer you helped out at the retirement home. Or if sales is a focus, let them know about the spring you sold the most Girl Scout cookies in your troop.

    Prepare to ask at least three questions about the company and the job you’re applying for. This shows initiative, that you took the time to learn about their needs, and how you can help. Remember – interviews go both ways. If you demonstrate interest in the company, it shows that you really care. And, if you don’t care, why would you want to work there?

    Be polite
    Show up early. The interviewer has set aside time in their day to interview, and they may have a host of other candidates before and after you. If you’re late or squeeze in at the last minute, you could delay others down the line, and it very well may hurt your chances of getting the job.

    Wear clean dress clothes as a sign of respect, even if it’s common to wear jeans and t-shirts while actually on the job.

    Remember to always thank the interviewer for their time. However awkward or amazing the interview was, it’s nice to leave on a positive and respectful note.

    Wait a full week, and if you haven’t heard back, follow up with the interviewer. Call or send an email thanking them again for their time and the opportunity to interview with them.

    Good luck!

  • Don’t Like Your Boss? Be Nice Anyway

    Don’t Like Your Boss? Be Nice Anyway

    The working life can be hard. Poor pay, bad hours, unappealing work and unhelpful co-workers can sometimes seem to follow you from job to job. On top of all that, the presence of a ‘bad-boss’, and whatever that may entail, can make it all the worse. Whether making you work those extra hours on a Friday night or just putting extra pressure on you, the knee-jerk reaction may just be to fire back on all cylinders; to yell, scream or be passive-aggressive to the individual who sometimes seems so comfortable doing the same to you.

    The appropriate response is, however, simpler: be nice.

    It is always important to stand up for yourself but you have to bear in mind that you are this individual’s employee and it is your job to cater to both their needs and the needs of the job, within reason.

    Hopefully instances such as this, where you are forced to deal with an unpleasant work environment, are few and far between, but they do (unfortunately) exist. Many bosses are easy to work with – are even constructive and friendly – but it is important to remember that your boss is your boss, whether amicable or not. They are an authority figure within the confines of your workplace and it is important to do your best to maintain positive relations with them to the best of your ability. Why? A friendly attitude may bring about some better hours in the future but more importantly: the reference.

    The importance of a letter of reference or positive referral from a previous boss cannot be understated when looking for a new job. A glowing letter of recommendation from a past employer may be what it takes to elevate your resume over those of your peers. So be nice to your boss. Do your best to keep a positive attitude during those extra hours at work – what’s there to lose? The worst case scenario is that you’re friendly for no reason. The best case scenario is that you cultivate a good working relationship with your employer, obtain a good referral (or perhaps invitations to come work with them again) and improve the overall working environment of wherever you may find yourself employed.

    So be nice. It can be difficult sometimes, but if you can manage to rise above your negative feelings for your boss or workplace you’ll be enjoying yourself in no time.

  • Following Your Gut Instincts

    Following Your Gut Instincts

    Making decisions can be tough — not only for the very difficult decisions, but also for the easy ones. Sometimes, people can make life-changing choices in a few moments but then spend a very long time deciding what to eat for supper or what kind of chocolate to buy. They might weigh their options carefully or go with their first instincts. How do you make your decisions? Different decisions demand different levels of thought and planning, but your gut instincts might be very good for guiding you into the best choice for your future.

    Trusting your instincts might seem like a very doubtful way of making life-changing choices. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably bought things and then later regretted your purchase or said things you later wished you could take back. Not every impulse at every moment of the day is trustworthy, partly because so many factors can affect thinking. People who are under a lot of stress from work, school, or family can make bad decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives, for example. Similarly, people who usually have very strong opinions might tend to make quicker, if not always better, decisions than people who try to look at issues from all sides. What kind of person are you? Knowing your personality can help you know how much to trust your instincts in decision-making.

    Gut instincts might not always be right, but they are still important because they tell you about your values and preferences. If you love composing stories, for example, you might want to consider some kind of writing as a career, even if the life of a novelist is not for you. If you dislike a lot of noise, you might want to stay away from a career with young children. If you have a strong instinct to help people in need, you might want to consider a career in social work or in writing about social issues and urging the government to respond. You can learn to understand and interpret your instincts to help you make good decisions for your future.

    How can you learn to use your instincts to your best advantage? You need to learn more about yourself and about what keeps you from making good decisions, and you need to know when you can trust your first impulse. Practice is an important factor in following your instincts. When people have worked a long time in their field, they often find that their first instincts are right because they are based on experience. Learning to work with your instincts will tell you when you can trust them.

    The best kind of decision-making is a combination of factors, including analysis, experience, and a natural sense of what might work best. With practice, you can find ways to use all of these different factors to arrive at the best possible decisions for your situation. You won’t always be right, but if you learn how to appreciate your instincts, you can follow them throughout your life.

  • Study More Effectively with Art

    Study More Effectively with Art

    It is a daunting task to study for a multi-chapter unit test. Besides the final exam, those are the tests that every high school student dreads – no matter how good their grades are. Many students have their own tried-and-true methods of study, while many others are still searching for the right method for them. Have you ever thought about using art when you study to help you remember things?

    When I was in grade eleven, one of my teachers had us make study guides. They were to include everything we needed to remember for each unit test. We were allowed to put whatever we wanted on it, as long as it fit on one side of a piece of paper. The first one I ever made was a work of art: it was probably the most colourful non-art assignment I’ve ever turned in.

    I came to realize that with that method of study, I was remembering more than ever. Suddenly, memorizing pages of vocabulary, trying to remember the parts of a diagram, and writing out textbook definitions word for word seemed boring. Limited to the space of one page, I quickly had to learn to condense information.

    I eventually came up with a system in three parts: replacing words and phrases with symbols, using illustrations to replace paragraphs, and colour coding the parts that I did wind up writing.

    Use a set of symbols that are meaningful to you. Not only will it be less boring when you are reviewing your notes, but the extra brain power you use to remember what the symbols mean will help you to recall that information in the future. The more complicated, but definitely more fun, part is the illustrating.

    Do not let a lack of faith in your artistic abilities stop you. No matter how well you can draw, even if it is just stick figures, you can use illustrations effectively. After all, they are there for your benefit. As long as you understand the concept, you have done what you have set out to do. If a few arrows and a vaguely-drawn map of North America help you to remember where vital battles took place? Excellent. A few scribbled lines and some swirls to show how ocean currents work? Wonderful! When you draw it out yourself, you are far more likely to retain the information you have put down than if you had stared at it on the page of a textbook.

    Next comes highlighting. Since you will need some words in your notes, why not come up with a colour-coding system? In my study guide, I would put a small legend on the side containing not only the above-mentioned symbols, but also what each colour meant.

    Try using a different colour for headings and subheadings, vocabulary words and definitions, and concepts you have difficulty remembering. Everything will be a lot easier to find when you know what colour to look for.

    Try it out sometime. Use it for the next big test you have. You might discover some hidden talents, and maybe even find studying enjoyable. You may realize that merely creating the study sheet is enough and never refer to it again. Maybe that unit test won’t be so daunting after all.

  • Study What Interests You

    Study What Interests You

    Going to college or university is a pretty big deal and the program or courses you choose can impact your future success, both financially and in terms of doing something that excites you.

    You may already know exactly what you want to major in, or you may not. Either way, don’t panic. Many students begin college or university without a clear idea of what they want to study or what kinds of jobs they’ll be qualified for at the end of their studies.

    The perfect mix
    We take courses to expand our knowledge, hopefully in things we’re interested in, so we can find ways to enjoy what it is we do for a living – however far on the horizon that may be.

    The perfect job covers three main points. It’s: 1) something you’re good at, 2) something other people will to pay you to do, and 3) something you’re interested in or excited about. The sweet spot is right at the center of all three.

    Study what you’re good at
    If you’re good at something, it may be because you’ve spent a lot of time doing it because you enjoy it or simply because it comes naturally to you. Either way, taking courses where you’re likely to get good marks can beef up your transcript and you may find that these courses lead to new opportunities. They may be requirements for another course, or you may discover new aspects of the course that lead to something you’re more interested in.

    Study what other people will pay you to do
    Long term, you probably want a career you’ll enjoy where you have opportunity to do new and interesting things, but there are few jobs available playing video games or ultimate frisbee (though they do exist).

    Check out career fairs and look online for jobs related to what you like to do and see how other people are able to make money in related fields. You’d be surprised by the variety of jobs available, and it helps to have something to work towards.

    Study what you love
    School’s expensive, both in money and the time it takes to complete the coursework, so you might as well spend it doing something that you find inspiring. The best courses are sometimes the most difficult because that’s where you find room to grow, expanding your knowledge and skills.

    You may be able to take electives in subjects that are outside the scope of your larger program, but ones that are fun and teach you things you never knew you were interested in. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these opportunities when they arise.

    Explore your options
    Look for programs or courses that complement your strengths, attributes and interests – it can make all the difference. Choosing a path you feel comfortable with, that builds confidence and challenges you to accomplish more, can be incredibly rewarding.

    The earlier you begin, the easier it is to create a map of where you want to go. And don’t worry about making wrong decisions; you can always change track if something more suitable comes up.

    While the sweet spot may be where these three things collide, also consider courses which only hit two of these points. Take a look at course catalogues for different universities and see what’s out there.