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Category: Advice

  • The College Transition

    The College Transition

    As you enter your first year of college, you are bound to encounter personal anxiety over the new place, new home, and new friends-don’t worry, you are not alone. Every college freshman experiences some level of nervousness when they start their college adventure. Here are some tips to make your adjustment to life in the dorms easier.

    1. Remember you are not alone. You are not the only new kid on the block. Every person in your freshman dorm is in the same situation as you. This is a great way to bond with new friends-talk to other freshman in your dorm about your own fears and anxieties. Chances are, they are feeling the same way and will be glad to have someone to talk to about it.

    2. Participate in orientation activities. Every college that has on-campus housing for freshmen has some kind of orientation program for them. Yes, it may seem like a lame thing to do, but it is a great way to meet other new students. The people who run the orientation program are generally upper-classmen who were in your shoes recently-they can serve as an excellent resource for you. Don’t be afraid to go to all of the orientation activities, they are there to make your adjustment to college easier.

    3. Step outside of your comfort zone. When you were in high school, you most likely had a core group of friends who had known you for a long time. The beauty of college is being able to start over with people who you are just meeting as an adult. They don’t know about all the stupid and embarrassing things you may have done in kindergarten; they will only know what you want them to know about you. For this reason, try new things and don’t be afraid to try on new personalities. This is a great time to figure out not only who you are, but also who you want to be.

    4. Use your resources. Your dorm provides you with resident advisors (RAs) or freshman counselors (FCs). Make sure to attend those introductory dorm meetings that your RA or FC plans for you. It’s a good way to see who else is on your floor and to ask questions about dorm life. Your RA or FC is there for you-use him or her to your advantage.

    5. Be safe. Listen to your RA or FC about various safety tips around campus. Remember to stay with friends late at night and to avoid dangerous parts of your new town. When using the shared bathroom most freshmen have, wear shower shoes and try to be cautious about leaving your things in the bathroom, you never know who is going to do what with your toiletries.

    6. Don’t forget to ENJOY it! College is about having fun and making new friends as well as learning new things. Living in a dorm is a great way to do so. You will have friends on hand to order pizza with at 3am and study partners for finals. Do crazy things, take pictures, share funny stories-enjoy yourself. Just make sure you are safe and that you have fun. You are only young once!

    Remember that your friends and parents are just a phone call away and that every person’s adjustment period is different. Take your time getting comfortable and above all else, be yourself. Your new friends will love you for it.

  • Law school applications continue to rise

    Law school applications continue to rise

    As if law school wasn’t hard enough — applying to law school is harder than ever. Universities across Canada are experiencing record-breaking application rates as a weak economy continues pushing graduates back to school.

    “Every year [law school] is in high demand,” Catherine Legault, admissions coordinator at the University of Ottawa, said. She added the law program increased the number of spots from 280 to 300 this year. In previous years, the program only had 230 spots.

    Western has also felt added demand for spots in law school.

    “We received about 2,500 applications last year for 175 positions,” said Michael Lynk, associate dean of law at Western. “We increased our intake by 12 to 15 students over the last two years, but our LSAT scores have actually gone up.”

    Eleven years ago, Lynk arrived at Western’s law school when LSAT averages were around 155. Now he says they’ve jumped to 161, making the program “quite competitive.”*

    Lynk pointed to a weak economy as the culprit for a higher number of qualified applicants.

    “It’s a bad economy, so more people are staying in school after their undergrad rather than going out and working.”

    The competitive nature of law programs doesn’t stop after acceptance, according to Casey Marvin, first-year law student.

    “Avenues that are normally available to all are also a competitive arena, which sucks,” she said.

    While students are encouraged to enroll in first-year clinics, she said some had to turn students down.

    “People were shocked to not get into a clinic that usually lets in everyone,” she said.

    Marvin noted her classmates seemed to be in a league of their own in terms of the calibre of student admitted.

    “A higher proportion of people are mature students and have very impressive backgrounds. Some people are certified accountants or have done mergers and acquisitions, especially people in the economic and business sector that got laid off,” Marvin said.

    Like Lynk, Marvin suspected the depressed economy is the driving force behind increased applicant rates.

    “LSAT scores were significantly higher this year because of the recession. Lots of people have decided to go back to school. They can’t find jobs.”

    A highly qualified applicant pool means younger students will have to compete with mature students — who might be more qualified — when entering the job market after graduation.

    “We want to find jobs for our students, but now that law schools are letting in more students, we are running into a problem of slack economy,” Lynk said. While Ontario sees 1,300 to 1,400 law students graduate every year, Lynk said seven to 10 percent have a problem finding articling positions.

    “There doesn’t seem to be that many jobs for them.”

    Tyler Goettl, fourth-year economics student, has filled out his application but remains uneasy about getting accepted.

    “About one in nine or 10 applicants are admitted. Knowing your chances generally aren’t that great is frightening,” he said. “I’m confident but at the same time there’s a lot of confident people that don’t make it in.”

  • Bringing Bedtime Back

    Bringing Bedtime Back

    In adapting to a fast-paced lifestyle, students have forgotten a basic necessity: sleep! With demanding class schedules, study cramming, and endless party opportunities, the level of sleep deprived Canadian college students is measured at 20 percent and climbing, according to the National Sleep Foundation. But is this a passing trend or organic inevitability? There are some biological reasons that sleep deprivation and college lifestyles exist hand in hand, but it’s still very possible to keep sleep under control. Building healthy sleeping habits even before hitting post-secondary schedules can help decrease your chances of falling into that insomniac bracket, and increase your chances of academic success.
    High school senior Andy Scarfone feels defeated in his efforts to conquer his body clock. “It’s awful trying to get up for school in the morning,” he claims. “My body just refuses to function that early! I’m definitely no stranger to falling asleep in class.”

    Andy doesn’t face this problem alone, and his personal activities may not be to blame. The National Sleep Foundation claims that teen circadian rhythms are naturally different from those of younger children or adults, thus having school hours initially set by adult workers means it’s often difficult for teen bodies to match the schedules laid out for them. No earlier than 11 p. m., adolescent bodies begin producing the hormone melatonin, a powerful sleep-inducer. By 8 a. m., melatonin still hasn’t stopped pumping through their systems. When student sleep patterns are forced to adjust to suit class schedules that vary day-to-day, midnight study sessions, and the occasional party marathon, the instability causes narcoleptic symptoms to arise, hijacking alertness and contributing to failure and dropout rates.

    Sleep-deprived students typically have poorer grades and higher frequencies of health problems than their cozy counterparts. Researchers discovered that activity occurs in the same area of the brain during sleep as it does during learning information; sleep being a crucial step in organizing and strengthening memories. Without these hours of unconscious convalescence, sleep deprived students are prone to falling behind. Sleep deprivation contributes to skin problems like acne, and instigates aggression and depression. Stressed and tired teens reach for fried and sugary foods to boost energy, garnering higher chances of unhealthy weight gain (often the dreaded “freshman fifteen” can be attributed to such behaviour). Lack of sleep also deepens the effects of alcohol, dangerous for college students whose bodies are at an age where consumption is barely legal in the first place.

    So how can we melatonin over-producing, unstable schedule-fighting students find sleep peace? It’s all about making conscious efforts towards being unconscious on a consistent basis. Teens need an average of eight to nine hours of sleep every night! A National Sleep Foundation survey found that college/university-aged students get an average of only 6.8 hours. Freshman students faced the highest amounts of sleep loss due to the stressful transition period between high school and post-secondary lifestyles. Keep that ideal average (eight to nine hours) in mind when watching late-night TV or browsing Facebook for hours on end.

    It is also important to relax your mind when preparing for a full night’s sleep, reducing stress and loosening up after demanding academics and extra-curriculars. That means no 24, Flashpoint, or Call of Duty before bed. Take it easy and read a book or a magazine – this helps your mind unwind and lets you get to sleep more quickly.

    Another way to keep a steady circadian rhythm is resisting the urge to nap. Sleeping for more than 30 minutes during the day can throw off your sleep schedule and do more harm than good, so save up those tired feelings to ensure a full night’s sleep instead.

    As for all-nighters, it is best to avoid them. That exam will be kinder to you if you have a good night’s sleep under your belt than if you stay up all night cramming information into your tired head. Your test will be less stressful and less drool-stained. Once a healthy sleep pattern is achieved, you may be able to absorb the information better in class in the first place.

    When it comes to sleep, every minute counts. By taking small steps, acknowledging your need for sleep, and making the conscious decision to maintain healthy and consistent sleep schedules, you will always be waking up ready to fulfill your potential.

  • Just Say No

    Just Say No

    Yes we can! Or can we?

    Saying yes to too many commitments can lead to overexertion and an inability to complete tasks to the best of your ability. The Obama administration learned the hard way that yes-saying can cause trouble.

    According to Politifact.com, 29% of Obama’s political promises are stalled or in the works. His presidency is promising, but the over-approximation of short-term capabilities has led to a slower than expected change for the United States.

    Let us use this as an opportunity to evaluate how we project goals for ourselves, and how yay-saying attitudes should be swapped for healthier, more realistic ones.

    The truth is that we are capable of achieving our goals, whether they be curing the economic crisis or earning higher academic grades. Yes we can join that club, pass that test, get that acceptance letter, do that favour, or make that deadline. But perhaps not all at the same time, and perhaps some goals aren’t worth the time anyhow.

    Saying yes to every request and opportunity that comes along is dangerous and unwise. You will be able to better focus your efforts and garner more overachievements than shortcomings if you kill your inner “yes-man”.

    The simple plan of attack: be prioritized, be organized, and be selfish.

    In prioritizing, you must decide what is most important or most valuable, and cater to that. Priority number one should always be your own health and safety. This means that if you are asked to do something and you have already taken on so much that your sleep is being deprived, don’t say yes. If you can’t find time to eat because you have too much on your plate, don’t say yes. If your responsibilities are already taking a toll on your mental health and well-being, don’t say yes. Usually following your health on the chain of priorities is your education, then extra curricular commitments and social matters, but each person will have their own list of priorities and you must decide what is most important to you. Try to keep both long and short-term goals in mind when making these decisions.

    Your “yes-man” can also be overcome through organization. Sometimes yes is the answer, when you can thoroughly understand your personal capabilities and organize yourself accordingly. If you have that knowledge, you can give honest responses when asked to do something because you know of the amount of time and resources you are prepared to give. The answer can be yes with stipulations that suit your schedule, or yes because your have the time management and organization skills to take on more responsibility.

    Lastly, be selfish in choosing to say no. Your life is yours alone, and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.  With a solid list of priorities and the organizational skills to carry them out, you are fully equipped to make decisions that you feel are best. Your opinion matters most, but public opinion of you will probably rise too, when you over-achieve in a few choice aspects instead of coming short in many. Like that yay-saying presidential campaign advertised, it’s time for a change. This can happen by giving your life the focus and control that comes with saying no.

  • Trick of the Trade

    Trick of the Trade

    With so much attention brought to the business and management industries during Canadaʼs rekindling economic climate, many core fields of work are being overlooked by the students; one of these being the trades.

    The skilled trades are a growing field of work that is in constant need of well-trained workers.

    What exactly is a skilled trade? It can be defined as an expertness of a specific skill, usually attained through years of training and commonly related to construction and repair. The skills that are considered “trades skills” range broadly from carpenter, electrician, automotive technician, plumber, pipe fitter, welder and much more.

    There is a common misconception that the trades are considered “blue collar” jobs done through informal training. In reality there are a plentitude of academic institutions that provide education and preparation in the trades.

    Although it is common to get into the trades through practical training, it doesnʼt mean you will be making less money than someone who attended university. Tradespeople are some of the highest paid employees in Canada.  Not only is a customer paying for your knowledge about a trade, but they are also paying for expert performance.

    If you enjoy learning new lessons everyday and arenʼt afraid to be challenged, a career in the trades might suit you. Trades jobs are considered demanding and will put your mind and body to the test daily. If you enjoy a hands-on work environment, and are interested in how things work, this field may be what you want to look at.

    There is an increasing shortage in the skilled trades. According to careersintrades.ca, 67% of young adults choose university over a college education in the trades because it was encouraged more by friends and family. There were also instances in which a lack of information about the trades swayed students away from the sector.

    So, what exactly are the steps to take to become a tradespeople? The most efficient and reputable manner to becoming certified in the trades is an apprenticeship. This way, you are getting one-on-one experience with a master in the trade who can help you further your knowledge and skills. Many college programs that deal with the trades have their own apprenticeship training programs. So go and check out your local college to see what they offer, or look on Jobs People Do to see what colleges offer certain apprenticeships.

    The best thing to do in your early years of education is to look at high schools that provide introductory training of a trades skill you are interested in. Julian Finbow Westlane graduate, claims that:

    “Taking the refrigeration course at such a young age was extremely beneficial for the jobs I am interested in.”

    Julian is looking to develop his trade skills in refrigeration, and is planning on either taking a apprenticeship or going to college.

    Become involved and research trade skills you think will peak your interest. It may be beneficial to shaping your career path! So put on that thinking cap (or hardhat for this situation) and immerse yourself in the trades.

  • Ignore that “beep”

    Ignore that “beep”

    “Ignore that “beep” until your car is turned off and you are safe to check your text message!”

    As Teena is driving, she hears that familiar “beep” from her cell phone and guesses that it must be her friend responding back to the text she had just sent her, asking if she wants to meet up for a coffee.  Teena had sent that text just before she left her last class for the day and now she needs to check the message, as that will determine whether she is going to go home now or drive straight to Tim Hortons.  Finally, a red light, so Teena presses the brake and quickly checks her phone which has been sitting right in her lap.  She knows she has about two minutes at this light, so she reads the message “sure, lets meet up at Timmy’s but are you okay for 5:30P bc I have 2 go 2 store first, quick stop”.  Now Teena has to respond, but just as she is about to initiate the keypad on her phone, she hears a horn behind her..Oops, she says to herself, the light is now green, and she is feeling irritated as she had wanted to text back, but will wait for the next light.  But even waiting until the car stops to text message with your phone, is against the law.  Teena is aware of the law that the use of hand held electronic devices while driving, is banned in Ontario, but continues to take the risk of texting while driving as many drivers do.

    This law came into effect on April 22, 2009.  “This law is about keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel” Transportation Minister Jim Bradley stated at a new conference in Toronto on June 22nd.  Ontario’s distracted driving law prohibits drivers to talk, text, type, dial, or email using hand-held devices. Calls to 911 are an exception. It is also illegal for drivers to use electronic devices such as a laptop or a portable DVD player while driving.  The use of hands-free cell phone talking is allowed and drivers can purchase a Bluetooth kit or a hands free device to use in their car.

    The practice of texting while driving has been viewed by many people and authorities as dangerous. Texting while driving leads to increased distraction behind the wheel. In 2006, Liberty Mutual Group, conducted a survey of more than 900 teens from more than 26 high schools nationwide. The results showed that 37% of students found texting to be “very” or “extremely” distracting. A study by the American Automobile Association discovered that 46% of teens admitted to being distracted behind the wheel because of texting.

    If caught texting while driving, Teena can receive a fine of up to $500.  In addition to this fine, she will receive a ticket from the Police for “distracted driving” and this can cause her insurance rate to increase significantly.  Teena is not only risking getting a fine, but she is risking her life and the life of other drivers on the road.  Sergeant Cam Woolley, of the Ontario Provincial Police Highway Safety Division which processes about 22,000 traffic accidents a year in the Greater Toronto Area, says that his division is seeing more collisions involving younger drivers using wireless devices. “They’re brought up on text messaging and they don’t recognize the risks as much,” Sgt. Woolley said. “There is the perception that they can multitask safely when they can’t. Combine the overconfidence with inexperience…and it kind of spells disaster.”

    Hopefully, Teena will not be another statistic under the dangers of text driving.  There are too many Teena’s out on the road, that still continue to text message while driving, and the law around the dangers of “texting while driving” needs to be strongly enforced just like the message of “do not drink and drive”.  Texting is a great tool but when used responsibly and safely, and this does not mean that you should stop at a light and then use your phone, as Teena did, as your eyes are on your phone in those moments when they should be on the road at all times! “Beep”…it must be your phone, but that’s okay, when you get to your destination, then turn off your car and check your phone.  The few seconds of checking while driving is not worth your life.

  • Conclusion: Laughing your way thin

    Conclusion: Laughing your way thin

    Having gratitude for what you have.

    By increasing your awareness of gratitude it stops the merry-go-round of always needing “more” to feel satisfied. Continuing having gratitude for what you have has the amazing benefit of making it possible to get and keep more of what you want.
    We all make the mistake of taking for granted the things we truly value, and focus instead on all the things we do not yet possess. Focusing on what we do don’t have makes us distressed and miserable. When you want more fun in your life you begin by celebrating your wins and enjoying what you already have because that will make you weight loss and other achievements, lasting and real.
    Smiling will fool your body and attract fun. Taking yourself lightly releases you from the oppression of your impractical expectations. Staying focused teaches you to use food for nourishment rather than fun. And having gratitude for what you have allows you to fill your emotional void with fun and gratitude rather than food.

    Dr.nancemacleod@gmail.org
    www.thewellnessdiva.org

  • 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 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 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 your off with your new friends from the swim team then maybe you could invite her 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 again, remember to stay calm . 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

     

  • G Where are you? Finding yourself

    G Where are you? Finding yourself

    Imagine your life as a timeline graph, from birth to present to future.

    Write down all of your major goals in your life that you feel you want to achieve. In turn, write down the events in your life that have already happened that you believe have affected you and have made you who you are today . This isn’t an exercise in wallowing but one about clarification and identification of issues that might be hampering your present potential and the blossoming of your true sense of self.
    Spend a little time writing with clarity about the past in your timeline.  As much as where you’re headed is important, so is making peace with the past. A timeline is an incredibly objective method for marking down past occurrences in your life that you consider to have been major. You can look at them as formation blocks and as changing experiences along your timeline without imbuing them with too much emotion (as you would  within your personal diary) . Keep it simple, real and condensed to the major effect or lesson learned from each past incident.

    When analyzing negative past experiences, look to the positive learning message in it and don’t dwell on the mistakes or the negatives. Everyone has these blips in their timeline but pretending they are either worse than they were or non-existent, won’t do you any favors. Instead, recognize that if it had not been for those past experiences you would not be where or who you are today. If there has been an abuse situation, remember, abuse thrives when kept a secret , telling someone it the antibiotic.

    Finding yourself is an enlightening experience and you become self sufficient . It  is a time of harmony because you develop that philosophy or belief system that will carry you throughout the rest of your life. When you love yourself and who you are, you will savor and enjoy both life’s pain and pleasures.