1210212.us16.myftpupload.com Managed WordPress Site

Category: Advice

  • Taking A Year Off

    Taking A Year Off

    If You’re Not Ready, It’s OK

    Post-secondary education costs a lot of money and most students leave with a hefty debt to pay off as they start their professional careers. This debt is harder to deal with if a student chooses to leave their program or is forced to drop out.

    While continuing your education is a great way to guarantee future career success and open the door to higher paying jobs, not everyone is prepared to go immediately following high school.

    Many students experience nervousness as they try to plan for their future and choose an educational institution and program suited to their wants and future goals, but some students have greater concern and need more time to discover themselves and decide what they want from life before they enrol. 



    There is no harm in taking time off to ensure you take the program best suited to your wants and needs. Perhaps after taking a year off to work and reflect, you’ll take the program you thought you’d take in high school – but it’s still better to take the time and ensure you’re prepared to invest the effort needed for success.

    Some students take a year off and work to earn money to pay for their education. Others travel and develop worldly experience, while others upgrade a course or two. There are plenty of options available. Going to school for thirteen to fourteen years straight does not always allow time to reflect on future goals and fully explore the options available. Taking some needed time off, even short-term, can help afford those thoughts.

    Remember that taking a year off does not mean leaving forever. There are always opportunities to return to school. If you’re looking for time off but a year seems like too long, look into January or May-start programs to return to school in less time.

  • Choosing A Post-Secondary Institution

    Choosing A Post-Secondary Institution

    So many colleges and universities to choose from, so hard to pick just one! 


    When entering the final year of high school, sometimes earlier for students eager to plan their post-secondary studies and reach their educational goals, it’s time to start thinking about where you will continue your education.

    With what feels like countless schools fighting for your application, it may feel overwhelming and laborious to find the one suited to your needs, but it doesn’t have to be. Take advantage of school visits, academic calendars, and individual institution websites to start investigating the options available to you.

    It’s important to prioritize and determine what you need most from your post-secondary education. You’ll likely already know if you’re interested in attending college or university, based on your program choices throughout high school, but there are plenty of other things to consider. 



    Would you like to stay at home instead of dealing with the added stresses of paying rent, living in residence, or moving away? Does the institution you’d like to attend offer a program suited to your interests and future career goals? Do you require additional services and supports during your studies? Are you interested in participating in varsity sports or other extra-curricular activities? Will you be searching for on-campus employment?

    By knowing what you want, you have a clear checklist to keep in mind when speaking with recruiters or tackling the mountain of academic calendars. If you’re having difficulties determining a program suited to your interests and career goals, meet with your high school guidance counsellor for additional assistance.

    It is important to also keep in mind that you’re not restricted to applying to only one institution. If you’re stuck between a few institutions or have a few programs that have piqued your interest, you have the opportunity to apply to more than one. Having more opportunities to choose from and more schools offering you admission into their programs is never a bad thing.

    Regardless of your future goals, there’s a post-secondary institution certain to meet your needs. By taking the time to research and understand your priorities, you’re sure to reach success wherever you go. 



  • Writing A Scholarship Application Essay

    Writing A Scholarship Application Essay

    Getting a scholarship at any leading college or university requires immense preparation for students. One of the most challenging jobs is to submit a well articulated scholarship essay. Admission officers consider this as an integral part of the scholarship grant process. However, things have changed for the better with many websites being launched which publish numerous sample essays which can be used as a baseline for students who are applying for scholarships. Let us quickly see what these websites have to offer and how we can use the services to come out with world class scholarship essay.

    For starters, these websites ask students to create their profile. After the profile is created, students can submit any number of essays that they want. At any given point, website visitors vote for the essays after which the best five essays are shortlisted. The best among the five essays get a prize of varying amounts depending upon the website’s policies.

    Students are diligently using the services of these websites. They can read essays which they feel are closely related to their requirements and use these as a baseline to write their own original scholarship essay. Some of the websites have video tips which help the students to get better ideas of how to write a scholarship essay. Many sites also have message boards where students can come together to provide tips to each other.

    The essays which are submitted to the site are stored in the database for future reference. The concept is new and, as a result, finding lots of acceptance among students. Most of these websites have different sections which highlight the recently submitted essays and also the most popular sample scholarship essays. As we move forward we will see that there will be many more websites which will offer essay scholarships. Students are expressing their happiness at the launch of these sites. Different sections of the education fraternity have also expressed their support for many of the leading websites.

  • WSIB: Seven Things You’d Better Know

    WSIB: Seven Things You’d Better Know

    1. What you don’t know can hurt you…
    There are hazards in every workplace and you – the young and inexperienced worker – are especially at risk.

    2. What you do know can save your life…
    You need to be able to identify the hazards in your workplace.

    3. The Law Protects…
    You have the legal right to protect your health and safety.

    4. The Law Expects…
    Your employer, your supervisor(s), and you all have legal responsibilities to make sure the workplace is healthy and safe.

    5. You Can Expect…
    Your employer and your supervisor must ensure you have the information or required training and equipment you need to protect yourself.

    6. You Must Report…
    If you are injured or become sick at the workplace, you must report it to your supervisor.

    7. Don’t gamble with your health and safety…
    It’s not a game. You need to protect yourself.

    Tell Me More…
    Information on applicable laws, WHMIS, joint health and safety committees, and more can be found on the WSIB (Workplace Safety & Insurance Board) YOUNG WORKER AWARENESS PROGRAM website.

  • Diploma vs. Degree – What’s Best For Me?

    Diploma vs. Degree – What’s Best For Me?

    Deciding where to continue your educational journey after high school can be difficult.

    With countless options available, including different credentials, areas of study and employment prospects, it may feel like there’s no right choice. Proper research, knowledge, and contemplation can ease insecurities by guiding you toward your best option.

    One of the first decisions to make regarding post-secondary education is whether to pursue a diploma, degree, or both. It’s important to first understand the difference between the two credentials.

    In Ontario, for example, there are two types of diplomas – a two-year Ontario College diploma and a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma. A diploma program helps develop the foundational knowledge and skills required for success in a variety of applied positions by utilizing hands-on, real-world experiences.

    Diploma programs cover a wide-range of subject areas including Dental Hygiene, Broadcasting, Human Resources, Computer Programming, Web Development, Lab Technician, Culinary Management, and more.

    Colleges also offer apprenticeship certificates, one-year introductory or general certificates, and graduate certificates, which offer accelerated hands-on learning for applicants with previous education or significant work experience.

    Universities offer a variety of undergraduate degree-completion opportunities for students entering direct from high school, including a Bachelor degree, three years, and an Honours Bachelor Degree, four years.

    A three-year Bachelor degree helps develop a broad theoretical knowledge in at least one area of study. An Honours degree, four years in length, allows students to build a more specialized knowledge which can be applied toward research studies and final papers and projects.

    Examples of university programs include Kinesiology, Business Administration, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Anthropology, Astronomy, Psychology, and more.

    Following completion of a Bachelor Degree, students can enter the work force or continue to earn a Master or Doctoral degree.

    Some colleges also offer Bachelor Degrees, but they are generally offered in more applied areas that a university does not typically offer programming in, such as Interior Design, Advertising and Fashion.

    Most areas of study can be offered at both a college and university level. To investigate the best option for you, research career prospects and investigate what credentials are required for your desired career. You can also visit job boards and fairs or speak with people in the industry.

    One of the biggest differences between post-secondary studies at a college or university level is cost. Tuition typically ranges from $3000 to $4000 per year in a college compared to $5000 to $8000 per year at a university.

    To overcome the obstacle of finances and stand above the competition in the job market, many students pursue both a diploma and degree through established agreements developed between colleges and universities. This means transferring their completed diploma to receive advanced standing with a university, ranging from several courses to more than a year. This allows you to earn both a diploma and degree in less time than normal and at less cost.

    There is no generic right answer. To choose whether a diploma or degree is best for you, research the options available and know that you’re never stuck. You can always pursue further credentials.

  • Can Anyone Get a Scholarship?

    Can Anyone Get a Scholarship?

    Sometimes when we are thinking about who does and doesn’t get a scholarship, we begin to hypothesize that it is only “brainiacs” who get them. We start thinking that you have to be a genius and exceptional in some way in order to get your hands on one of these monetary gifts. This is entirely false! You don’t actually have to be exceptional in any capacity to get a scholarship. In fact, the most important things are to be dedicated, persistent and organized. If you set goals at the beginning of the year, and put in consistent effort to achieve these goals, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to land yourself a scholarship. In this situation, we must refer ourselves to the SMART goals formula. We want to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed goals. By setting goals before the time starts to perform, we are able to really get down to work without getting distracted or forgetting what it is that we are doing.

    An example of a SMART goal related to getting yourself a scholarship is to fulfill all the requirements by the end of the year. This is a smart goal because it specifies exactly how many of the requirements you want to fulfill – all of them. It is measurable because you are specifying how many requirements you want to fulfill – you can count them. It is achievable and realistic because you have read through the requirements and know that you are able to do what is asked. Finally, it is timed because you want to fulfill all of the requirements by the end of the year. When we set goals in advance, we are better able to tackle the requirements ahead of us. We know what we want and we can work steadily towards attaining that end.

    An important thing to keep in mind with goals and getting scholarships is that there will always be setbacks whenever we are attempting to achieve anything. If you think that it will be easy and a piece of cake, you are probably kidding yourself. There will be times when you will want to give up, and it is at these times that you need to remember to persist and, if necessary, make some changes. There will also be setbacks which can come in the form of failures and/or losses. This is a natural part of the process and the important thing is to keep on going, stay committed to your goals and try for the best outcome.

    Getting a scholarship is like playing soccer. Think of yourself as the lead forward; You are trying to score as many points as is possible. You may set a goal to get 8 goals, and you will try as hard as you possibly can to get 8, but if you end up with 6 or 7 you will still have done a great job. The important thing to remember is that setting goals before we begin a task will help enormously to secure a positive outcome. Good luck!

  • Interview Do’s and Don’ts for 2013

    Welcome to your job interview 2013. As we all know, it is getting harder to get jobs and fighting for that position will make you feel like a gladiator. It is important you don’t sabotage your opportunities by saying or doing the wrong things during the interview process.

    Do’s

    Practice your greeting in the mirror and be realistic. This means friendly eye contact and a good hand shake. If you are not comfortable with eye contact, practice it. It shows confidence and attention and will make the difference between landing and losing the job.

    Use professional body language. It is 2013 and all fields are competitive – so sit up and show some interest. If this rings a bell for it’s probably because you’ve been asked to sit up before in school as it shows the teacher you are taking interest.

    Dress to impress! You may have heard the phrase, “Dress for the job you want – not the job you have”. This is definitely true in an interview situation! Dress well and pay attention to little details, like your hair and make-up. Do not go overboard on cologne or perfume as the interviewer may have an allergy to it.

    Be prepared to answer a variety of questions. “What makes you an asset to our company?”, “How do you handle stressful situations?”, “Why THIS company?”, “ What would you say your weaknesses are?” Some of these questions are hard to answer on the spot. Make sure not to advertise
    any insecurities or doubt. Research a bit about the company you’re applying with and prepare for some of these questions.

    Shake and smile as you leave and do a follow up. You can follow up through email or by phone 24 hours later, reinforcing your interest for the position. If you have worked through an employment agency it would be a good idea to call them and express you interest in the job as well.

    Don’ts

    Say” I don’t know”. “I don’t know” may just be the most unintelligent thing you could ever say after “whatever”. To not know implies that you are clueless or haven’t given it any thought.

    Blast former employers. We all have past employers who we don’t think fondly of but this interview is not the time to express it. Consider it a test. When asked why you left your last job be vague, if it was for negative reasons.

    Ask about sick days or days off. Whether you mean it or not, it will imply you are irresponsible and that the employer will expect you to call in sick within your first month of being hired. If you are sick, get a doctor’s note.

    Never look at your phone. To an employer it’s a smack in the face. If you can’t not look at your phone for ten minutes during an interview it shows lack of interest and that you are not taking the interview seriously. Turn the phone off.

    Have anything in your mouth. Gum, toothpick, attitude – none of these things should be in your mouth.

  • Why Choose a School Far Away From Home?

    Why Choose a School Far Away From Home?

    Discerning where to continue your education after high school is a major life decision. The first question to ask yourself is whether you want to stay home, close to the comforts of your current lifestyle, or if you are willing to take a bold step and move elsewhere. When you attend a university or college far from home, the majority of what you learn happens outside of the classroom.

    Maturity
    At a university or college far from home, you will be away from the watchful eyes of the parents or guardians who led you through high school. You will face new kinds of peer pressure and have the freedom to choose how to balance your social life with your school life. You will be free to stay out all night long celebrating on weekday nights with your friends and you alone will have to face the consequences of your actions.

    Sociability
    Moving away from home means you will have to temporarily leave your circle of friends behind during the school year. The distance will not only make you appreciate each other more, but it will also mean your classes will be filled with new faces, all of whom are potential new friends.

    Respect for others
    Whether the stranger you share a dorm room with becomes one of your closest friends or drives you completely crazy, you will still have the perfect opportunity to learn how to share a space with another person. You might discover you have a whole host of new pet peeves, but you might also learn quickly how to successfully deal with them.

    Health consciousness
    Establishing a healthy and balanced diet can be just as important for succeeding in post-secondary education as studying for your exams. If your new school provides an “all-you-care-to-eat” buffet-style meal hall, you will need to learn how to have discretion in your choices.

    Time-management
    Or perhaps you choose to cook for yourself. Sometimes you will have to squeeze in three classes, two labs, a trip to the grocery store and time to cook dinner all into a single day. And that’s before you hit the books and get through all the readings you will have to have done for the next day.

    The first year of post-education can be arguably much more difficult than later years because that is when students transition into their new lifestyles. The learning curve is sharp and the work load is heavy. Many first year classes act as introductions to topics so there is often a huge amount of daily readings and assignments for students to do. But always keep in mind that the harder a challenge is, the more satisfying it will feel to overcome it.

  • Practicing Time Management

    Practicing Time Management

    Time management is a problem for many people because there are so many distractions in our day-to-day lives that can interfere with whatever goals we have to accomplish that day, week or year. Often we can have a to-do list, but none of the items end up getting done because we get caught up in doing everything but what we are supposed to be doing. Sometimes, when there is too much to do, we feel especially challenged to make the most of our time. When we are short on time and have a lot to do, we must learn to prioritize.

    This means cutting off some of the less important things and focusing our energy on accomplishing what is the most important. Making lists that order your tasks from most important to least important is a really good trick that can save time and keep you on track. The worst scenario, when short on time, is wasting your energy worrying about everything that you have to do. What you want to do is get down to work as soon as possible, as soon as you are finished drawing out what it is that you are needing to get done.

    If, for example, you have 5 assignments that need to get done, focusing on the assignment that is due next week is more important than focusing on the assignment that is due in two months. You may want to create a short list of the tasks that you want to get done and order them by nearest date to farthest date. Think about how long it will take you to accomplish each one of the tasks, and jot this down next to the due date. Create a schedule for when you will start working on the task and how much time you will devote to it. By doing this, you are assuring that you will not forget about one project in favor of focusing on another or getting distracted entirely.

    If you are really crunched for time, you may also want to include what grade you are expecting to get on each one of the assignments so that you can put a little more time and care into the ones that will mean more to get a good mark on. In this way you will not be wasting your time doing too much research on an assignment for which a good grade will not mean much to you, or for which the overall weighting of the assignment is minimal.

    One last way of practicing good time management is to avoid procrastinating. Often, if we have a lot to do, we may be tempted to do anything but what it is that we are supposed to be doing. This is a natural tendency and we all do it at some point. The important thing to remember is that facing your challenge head on will actually facilitate the task and make it that much easier to complete. By making a list and prioritizing what is the most important (and the least important), we face the challenge head on and avoid procrastinating.

  • Study Tips for the New Semester!

    Study Tips for the New Semester!

    Now that 2013 and a new semester are upon us, you may have resolved to be more organized or to get higher grades in your classes. We are here to help, with some handy tips on how to better prepare yourself for educational success this year!

    Take Notes on ALL Readings
    This may come as a surprise to some students, but you should be taking notes on your readings. Some people may not see the point of note taking, but it is necessary if you want to do well on your exams. If you haven’t started already, start as soon as possible. Course readings are usually on the exam. Taking notes on each reading will ensure you have a brief summary that will save you from having to read it again come exam time.

    Start Organizing Study Groups
    Starting a study group is a great way to get ready for exams. Try talking to fellow students and sending out e-mails to see who is interested in joining a study group. A study group allows you to share lecture notes, divide up the chapters and share these notes amongst yourselves, get new perspectives on the material (this can be especially beneficial if you are struggling with certain concepts), and test one another on course concepts. Meeting with the study group may also point out some important course concepts that you have neglected to include in your study notes. Consider asking your Teaching Assistant to meet with your study group and help to facilitate a course review.

    Review and Revise Your Lecture Notes
    Yes, it is early in the course, but it’s never too early to start reviewing your lecture notes. Reviewing your lecture notes ensures you have the opportunity to re-engage with course material before your exams start. You could review your notes after class, later in the week, or while you prepare for next week’s class. The more you engage with the material, the more you’ll absorb and understand. As you engage more with the material and develop a deeper understanding of course concepts, you should revise your notes and focus on concepts that are more difficult.

    Start Researching Papers Early
    As soon as your professor hands out the instructions for your first assignment, you need to start doing preliminary research on your topic. Starting early allows you to find key resources, including books, which may come in limited quantities from the library. It also allows you to approach your Teaching Assistant or Professor about your topic. Both your Teaching Assistant and Professor are there to provide guidance through the research process. They can provide you with vital information that can help you find appropriate resources, ensure you’re on the right track with your assignment, and look over early paper outlines to ensure you have a good grasp of your topic.

    Use the Library
    Many students attempt to do as much research as possible on the Internet. Although you can certainly find many quality sources online, particularly through online journal databases, this can limit the resources used for your assignment. Using the library allows you to not only access major scholarly books that are relevant to your field of study, but also allows you to discuss issues with the librarian, who can give advice on where to look for offline resources, and even suggest some materials you have yet to consider. Most university libraries also host workshops on how to research effectively and how to use the library to your advantage. Explore these workshops and use your library. It will definitely pay off when you get that final grade! Professors and Teaching Assistants like to see that you used a wide-range of resources.