Category: Campus Life

By Tiffany Chang

As students progress through school, their familiarity with longer written work continues to grow. Whether it’s an expository essay for English or a history report, they remain necessary parts of academia and what everyone is used to.

But have you considered other forms of writing you can engage with?

Do you enjoy writing? Have you ever wanted to write something else, like the online articles seen on this website perhaps, that can also showcase your talents/skills?

If so, and you’re looking for some advice, here’s a guide on how to go about writing one:

Know Your Audience

The first step of writing an article is knowing the demographic you’re catering towards. This, in turn, will help you determine your writing approach. For instance, if you’re a website that publishes articles providing information concerning a specialized area for the general public, not everyone will understand its associated terminology. Therefore, the writer’s best approach would be using common language and maybe including definitions in these articles to effectively communicate this information.

Establish Your Tone

Tone can be described as the attitude in regard to the reader as well as the message’s focus. Carefully consider your topic of choice. Does it appear as though it should be light-hearted, or would a formal tone seem more appropriate?

An example might include describing ways on how to relax. For an article offering this type of emotional relief, one may likely use a light-hearted tone. If you’re writing about a current issue such as climate change, you would want readers to take this topic more seriously, thus going with a formal tone.

Write with Clarity and Conciseness

Although a sense of formality is important when writing an online article, keeping your writing clear is also crucial. Excessive wordiness can distract from meaning and remains unnecessary in most cases.

Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Say you wanted to learn more about a certain topic and intended to find an introduction to it. Would you read an article with overcomplicated writing? Or would you prefer one that’s more understandable?

In terms of writing concisely, articles typically range from around 500-1,000 words (evidently it could be more or less, depending on the specific parameters given to you). This count ensures writers stay within the word limit while further getting their points across. As you write, remember that having more words does not necessarily equate to better work. One should focus on quality more so than quantity.

Editing and Proofreading

After you’ve completed your article, read it over carefully. Like submitting any written assignment, it’s important to indicate that you write with professionalism and put care into your work.

Does your writing flow well? Do you notice any run-on sentences that are able to be broken down? Are there spelling, grammar as well as other easily fixable errors?

Writing an article for an online platform can be an exciting process. It allows you to put on a different writing hat, discuss a subject you’re interested in/are passionate about, as well as have your work published and read by others. If you encounter an opportunity to write an online article and currently considering it, I encourage you to do so.

 

References

Purdue Owl. “Tone in Business Writing.” Tone in Business Writing // Purdue Writing Lab

 

 

It is not uncommon to start your post-secondary experience without a specific major in mind. In fact, 20-50% of all students entering post-secondary are undecided about their major. This is so commonplace that post-secondary institutions will expect students that are still contemplating their major.

Some schools will have “undecided” programs set aside for first year students for this reason. For example, University of Guelph, University of Alberta, and York University are just a few schools with these programs. These programs allow those students to explore their options without needing to pick a major immediately.

Education is not a race, and everyone’s experience will be different at the start and the end. Here are some pieces of advice for new post-secondary students studying without a decided major.

1. Self-Reflection

Going to post-secondary is a new start! While in your new environment, take a moment to think about what you want to do there. It can be hard to think about yourself – it is certainly not a pleasant thing to be faced with life decisions – but here are some examples:

• What do I want to achieve in my time in post-secondary?
• What do I value in obtaining a certificate, diploma, or degree?
• What kind of environment do I prefer?
• What kind of skills do I want to develop?

These questions do not need answers right away, nor are these questions easy, but they can provide a pathway to discovering more about yourself and what your education path can entail.

For example, narrowing down what kind of environment you prefer, such as an office environment, will help you figure out which field(s) would be better suited for you.

2. Explore Electives

Your time with an undecided major is an opportunity to explore. While a major needs to be declared eventually, the addition of electives makes the process more manageable by showcasing students the possibilities of what they can study.

Take this time to try out courses from varying disciplines that you are curious about. Time at high school might not give students the chance to try more diverse subjects like archaeology, linguistics, or criminology. If you want, these options allow you to test the waters for what fits.

Post-secondary institutions offer many more subjects than high schools can offer, so it can be hard to be know if something is the right fit if you have not had the chance to experience it.

Even if you take an elective and end up disliking it, disliking a subject is just as useful as knowing that you like it – every step during this period of discovery is an important one.

3. Talk with Academic Advising

Post-secondary institutions have academic advisors for a reason: everyone’s educational path is different, and they are here to help you navigate any questions and uncertainties you may have.

Academic advisors will help a variety of education-related topics, such as course planning and career planning. They can help you have a clearer picture of what you want your education path to be.

One use of academic advising is to help find your major. Even if you do find one, it might change – and that is completely okay! 50-70% of students change their major at least once during their time in school. The journey in post-secondary is constantly about exploration and revelations about oneself. It is natural for things to change as time goes on and more experiences are felt.

4. Connect with the School Community

Studying is important, but it is not the only reason to be at school. Campuses offer many opportunities for students to connect with each other and the school itself. Majors can help students find like-minded peers, but clubs and school events are other great ways to meet peers.

One other benefit of clubs is that they offer an opportunity for students to have a leadership position in a low-risk environment. Clubs can still have obligations like workplaces, so students can learn how to manage tasks as if they were in a workplace.

Studies have shown that participation in all types of post-secondary clubs is correlated with success factors like improvements in critical thinking, personal development, and academic growth. Clubs not only strengthen bonds with other peers, but also strengthen one’s own skills.

 

Sources:

“Choosing Your Program | Career Centre.” University of Toronto Mississauga, https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/career-planning/career-planning-year/choosing-your-program. Accessed 12 Jan. 2022.

“How to Choose Your Program.” UniversityStudy.ca, https://www.universitystudy.ca/plan-for-university/how-to-choose-your-program/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2022.

Miller, Benjamin. “Campus Clubs Offer a Profound Learning Experience Outside the Classroom.” University Affairs, 31 Aug. 2016, https://www.universityaffairs.ca/features/feature-article/campus-clubs-offer-profound-subtle-learning-experience/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2022.

Scully, Allison. “Advising the Undecided: A Model for Engaging Students in the Major Exploration Process.” Advising in Canada, 24 Mar. 2020, https://advisingincanada.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/advising-the-undecided-a-model-for-engaging-students-in-the-major-exploration-process/. Accessed 12 Jan. 2022.

“Undecided Major | Future Students | York University.” York University, https://futurestudents.yorku.ca/program/undecided-major. Accessed 12 Jan. 2022.

“Undeclared – Programs – University of Alberta.” University of Alberta, https://apps.admissions.ualberta.ca/programs/sc/sc010/undeclared. Accessed 12 Jan 2022.

“Undeclared | Undergraduate Admission 2022.” University of Guelph, https://admission.uoguelph.ca/bcom/und. Accessed 12 Jan. 2022.

With its grey skies, and frosty weather, winter can be a rather gloomy period for many of us. Winter comes in at an odd time of year; if you’re in school you’re probably fresh off your winter break, trying to get back into the swing of things. However, this is a process that has only been made more strenuous by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve endured this pandemic for over 2 years now, and many of us are still fully operating online. As a result, the line between work and relaxation has been blurred out as our days are filled with seemingly never-ending online meetings. Feeling burnt out is now much more common than it used to be. As such, finding motivation can be extremely hard to come by. After numerous lockdowns and restrictions, we are used to them, but that doesn’t make them feel any less isolating. In the midst of this worrisome and stressful period, it can be easy to feel apathetic. Sometimes when we’re locked in, constrained to the four walls of our homes, we feel as though life comes to halt. But it doesn’t. We must go on and find it within ourselves to stay motivated.

The pandemic began when I was in grade 11; I am now in my first year of university. In high school, I specifically remember being able to go to school, be with my friends, come home, do work, and relax for a little. In other words, there was a set division between my life as a normal teenager and my life as a student. The pandemic changed everything. Because of it, I found myself working up to ten hours a day, with very minimal time for relaxation or connecting with friends. In the beginning, this didn’t feel that bad. But after doing it for so long, I hadn’t realized how much I was burning myself out. For a long time, I found it difficult just to get myself to sit in front of my computer and do work. Of course, I didn’t have much of a choice but to keep going. Accordingly, I had to start making some changes and take whatever steps that I could in order to motivate myself and make my days feel just a little bit easier. Below, I have included my three main tips for staying motivated during this COVID-19 winter.

Keep in Touch: Personally, one of the main things that makes me feel detached and unmotivated is not being able to see my friends or family – my support system. One thing that allows me to stay motivated in these trying times is keeping in touch with them so that things don’t feel so unusual. Many streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ have settings so that you can do a group watch; set up a movie night! Set up group calls, and take those five minutes to text someone and catch up. I know it seems like there isn’t much to talk about because our lives in isolation are relatively fixed, but it is still so important to keep in touch and maintain your relationships.

Develop Productive & Healthy Habits: The pandemic has added a significant amount of auxiliary stress and anxiety. In trying times as such, it can be easy to neglect our self-care and to become impulsive. It can be easy to procrastinate and avoid tasks that may cause us stress; after all, it’s only natural. Therefore, it is important to try to develop some habits which can help you to stray away from that. These habits can be anything from creating a to-do list or making a point to take frequent breaks. In fact, research shows that taking time to relax is essential for your brain as it increases focus and concentration. It also helps tremendously in reducing stress. Personally, a healthy habit I like to do is at the end of the day, I write down three good things that happened that day in my journal, even if the day didn’t feel so great. It reminds me that even in the dark times, I still have so much to appreciate and be thankful for.

Stay Organized: Sometimes when you’re feeling disoriented and all over the place, it can feel like there is more to do than there actually is. So, it is highly important that you find ways to keep yourself organized. In my own experience, I have found that creating a schedule and having a rough outline of what I would like to accomplish in the day has been helpful with orienting myself and my work better so that I can make some room for down time.

 

Sources:

Khidekel, Marina. “Wondering How You’ll Get Through a Pandemic Winter? Try These 9 Tips to Stay Connected and Motivated.” The Muse, Daily Muse Inc, 2022, https://www.themuse.com/advice/microsteps-self-care-success-coronavirus-pandemic-winter.

Meilleur, Catherine. “Motivation: a Driving Force for Learning Engagement.” Knowledge One, Knowledge One, 3 Oct. 2019, https://knowledgeone.ca/motivation-a-driving-force-for-learning-engagement/.

Terada, Youki. “Research-Tested Benefits of Breaks.” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 9 Mar. 2018, https://www.edutopia.org/article/research-tested-benefits-breaks.

In 2021, British Columbia experienced some of its worst weather ever. The town of Lytton burned down, while fires burned in the province, and other areas experienced extreme heat that killed many people. Next were floods that destroyed even more of the province.  For anyone who has been watching the news, the past year has shown that British Columbia is in a climate crisis. Urgent action is necessary to help avoid complete disaster from this kind of extreme weather.

The weather varies from year to year, but 2021 was worse than anything people have ever seen. The World Weather Attribution organization, which studies trends in weather, reported that BC’s heat wave was a highly unexpected event in current climate conditions, likely to happen only once in a thousand years. If global temperatures rise by two degrees, however, this kind of heat wave could happen every five or ten years.

Heat can badly affect people, animals, and plants. In this case, berries dried up, animals died in overheated seawater, and birds left their nests, trying to find cooler spots. As the land dried up, fires started around the province. One of the worst cases was in the town of Lytton, which burned to the ground, but many other fires forced people from their homes.

People might have thought that the weather had finally returned to normal once the fires were under control, but they were wrong. In mid-November, a storm brought torrential rains to the province. The water caused landslides that tore up highways and trapped people in their cars. People had to use ferries to take supplies to farms and homes because the streets were covered with water.

These weather disasters helped people realize that they needed to take action. The British Columbia government held public consultations to find strategies for dealing with floods. For example, research organizations will improve early warning systems and expand research into the climate. Vancouver will invest in better infrastructure such as sewers, while getting the public involved in tasks like clearing leaves away from storm drains. Planting more gardens and building permeable sidewalks that let the water through could also help.

Governments can change systems and infrastructures, but ordinary people can also make a difference. Growing gardens, taking the bus instead of a car, and helping to clean up garbage are simple actions that people can take. You can urge your family or school to adopt better practices to help save energy. For example, installing better insulation into buildings can help reduce the use of heaters that create greenhouse gases. Energy-efficient lightbulbs can also benefit the environment. Urging city governments to improve transit systems can also reduce the use of personal cars that can use large amounts of fuel.

Urgent action is necessary to deal with the effects of climate change. You might not feel that you have much power or that your small actions make a difference. However, a hundred or a thousand people making small changes can make a big difference. The summer and fall of 2021 have shown that people cannot wait to respond to climate change. We all need to act quickly to avoid another year like the past disastrous one.

 

Bibliography:

Carman, Tara. “Climate Change in BC: Here’s How 2050 Could Look.” https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/climate-change-in-b-c-here-s-how-2050-could-look-1.4146580.

Cruikshank, Ainslee. “After a Year of Climate Disaster, BC Grapples with the Urgent Need to Adapt to Its Dangerous Future.” https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-climate-disasters-2021/.

Duncan, Scott. “British Columbia at the Epicentre of Climate Change-Fuelled Weather Extremes.” https://www.euronews.com/green/2021/11/19/british-columbia-at-the-epicenter-of-climate-change-fuelled-weather-extremes.

Moon, Jenna. “Urgent Climate Change Action is Needed or Else Canada’s Extreme Heat and Severe Weather Will Worsen.” https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/08/09/urgent-climate-change-action-is-needed-or-else-canadas-extreme-heat-and-severe-weather-will-worsen.html.

Province of British Columbia. “Climate Change.” https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change.

By Hareem Ahmad

The Covid-19 pandemic has not been particularly kind to fitness enthusiasts. Keeping people inside their homes while closing gyms due to safety concerns is a recipe for disaster. Despite regularly working out and maintaining a healthy eating schedule, I found myself constantly overeating out of boredom. In addition, the holiday season is no help. It brings in more sugary foods and large, albeit delicious, meals to the table. This combination of ingredients results in many of us carrying a few extra pounds around, but all is not lost. With these helpful tips, you’ll be able to start losing weight regardless of what fitness level you’re at.

Tip 1: Track What You Eat with MyFitnessPal 

Any weight loss journey must begin by looking at what you’re eating and the number of calories you consume per day, and determining the actual number of calories you need to lose weight.

Luckily, MyFitnessPal can do all of this for you. The basic services you need are free and easy to use. Once downloaded, create an account and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your profile. By picking weight loss, MyFitnessPal will show you the exact number of calories you should be consuming per day in order to be in a calorie deficit. This number is specific to you based on your body and lifestyle characteristics. Once you’re in a calorie deficit, you will be burning more calories than what you’re consuming, thus resulting in natural weight loss.

Tracking your food with this app is easy since you can either scan the barcode of the item you ate or search it. After, select the portion size, and the app will automatically deduct it from your daily calorie goal. In addition, the app also breaks down the amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats and other nutrients you should be eating to reach your desired fitness goal.

Download Link: Android – iOS

Tip 2: Cardio is the Name of the Game

Once you’re in a calorie deficit, you will naturally begin burning the excess calories your body has stored as fat, but you can increase the rate of burn by doing cardio exercises. Your options are plentiful when picking what type of exercise to perform. The traditional options include walking, running, biking, or swimming. With any of these options, your aim should be to do it for at least 30 minutes. However, if this is not possible, feel free to break the 30 minutes into smaller intervals depending on your fitness level.

Don’t worry if these exercises are not possible due to a lack of equipment or cold weather since other viable options are available. Exercises such as jumping jacks, jump rope, burpees, squats and push-ups can be done at home and still burn calories. You can find zero equipment full body workouts by clicking this link. This PDF includes 100 workouts of different difficulty levels and can be done by both men and women regardless of age.

Tip 3: Drink Water (It’s That Easy!)

Not only is water essential for a healthy life, it can also help you lose weight in ways such as: suppressing your appetite, boosting your metabolism, and making exercising more efficient (HR NewsWire, 2020).

By drinking water before you eat and throughout the course of the day, you are sending signals to your brain indicating fullness (HubatWork, 2020). Hence, you will not feel as hungry and when you do, because of the water in your system, you will eat less. Moreover, water has zero calories, so drink away.

To know how much water to drink per day depends on your sex, age, and weight.

However, a simple way of knowing if you are meeting the required amount is if you rarely feel thirsty and if your urine is colourless or a light-yellow colour. (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2020).

Tip 4: It’s Bed Time 

Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. One study found that men who got 4 hours of sleep compared to 10 hours had increased ghrelin and decreased leptin levels. Ghrelin is a neurotransmitter that promotes hunger while leptin promotes the feeling of fullness. Therefore, people who suffer from a lack of sleep will have a dysregulation of these neurotransmitters and not only eat more, but feel less full causing weight gain. (Newsom, 2020). So after a full day of weight loss activities, finish the day right by getting a restful night of sleep.

 

Work Cited

HR NewsWire. (2020, January 15). Yes, drinking more water may help you lose weight. The Hub. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from https://hub.jhu.edu/at-work/2020/01/15/focus-on-wellness-drinking-more-water/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020, October 14). How much water do you need to stay healthy? Mayo Clinic.
Retrieved January 18, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-

Newsom, R. (2020, October 9). Why is sleep so important to weight loss? Sleep Foundation. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/weight-loss-and-sleep

By Tiffany Chang

Grade 12 can be an exciting but also challenging year for students. From making sure you’ve completed all your graduation requirements to figuring out what your next steps are after high school, everyone’s preparing to begin a new chapter of their lives.

For some, a new chapter might include deciding which post-secondary school to go to.

Choosing a post-secondary school involves venturing into different, more self-directed territory as you continue your journey with academics. I myself experienced difficulty when making this decision and found that it was an intimidating process.

If you’re having similar difficulties, here are a few tips:

Do Your Research

Familiarize yourself with the programs available at your prospective post-secondary schools that interest you. You can do so by reading up on these programs online. It’s important to know what their specific admission criteria are and to ensure that you meet them.

Whenever you can, attend any events universities and colleges have for Grade 11 and/or 12 students. For example, Simon Fraser University holds webinars for those who’re considering their school.

Some have presentations at high schools, which can act as great introductions. Also, I highly recommend booking campus tours to get a feel for where you’ll potentially study. They’re a great way for attendees to directly interact with school representatives and ask questions.

(Concerning in-person gatherings, stay up to date on COVID-19 restrictions and what each school is doing in terms of safety measures.)

Avoid Giving Into Peer Pressure

Dealing with peer pressure isn’t easy either. Often times, the people giving you their input want what’s best for you. I’m not suggesting that they’re giving bad advice nor saying you shouldn’t take their opinions into consideration, but if you haven’t already, learn to trust your own instincts. Looking back at my personal experience with choosing a post-secondary school, though initially deciding to attend a school that others encouraged me to go to, I ended up where my gut told me to go. Remember: this is your journey of pursuing a higher education, not theirs. It’s up to you to steer yourself in the right direction.

Your Choice Won’t Be Set In Stone

Hypothetically speaking, say you choose the wrong post-secondary school. It isn’t the end of the world. You could transfer to another school that you think would be a better fit for you later on. Maybe what you first thought you wanted to pursue doesn’t turn out to be what you want a year or two down the road, and that’s okay.

While making your decision, consider the following: “Which school has the program(s) that best align with my desired career goals?” “Can I see myself going to this school for the next four to five years (or more)?” “Are there any work-related opportunities here that could help me gain relevant experience?”

Overall, if you incorporate what’s said above into your decision-making process, you’ll be well-informed about the post-secondary school(s) you might choose. Do as much research as you can, keep an open mind, and always go with what you think is the right path for you.

References

Simon Fraser University. “Upcoming Webinars.” http://www.sfu.ca/students/admission/tours-events/upcoming.html

By Tiffany Chang

Many job applications require at least two things: A resume and cover letter. With these documents, employers can get an initial look into what your background is. This is why it’s important that people know how to best highlight their skills, talents, previous experiences, and accomplishments.

Cover letters in particular can be tricky. They need to not only explain the above, but also tailor towards the job you’re applying for as well as the organization’s mission.

Here’s some advice on how to craft a cover letter that will create a great first impression:

Design and Layout

All cover letters should be no more than one page in length and have the same headings as their corresponding resumes, complete with your contact information.

The following is listed vertically: the hirer’s role, company name, and it’s physical address.

Then, subject lines should read “Re:” and the title of the position.

A respectful salutation would be, “Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Last Name],”. If it’s unclear who you’re addressing, another formal way to greet the person is: “To whom it may concern,”.

Think of cover letters as short essays. Shorter essays typically have an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. In this case, of course, the essay is about yourself.

Note that everything (other than your header) must be aligned left and there is a space between each section and paragraph.

Content

Since cover letters are not very long, you need to write concisely as well as strategically, while also providing the right amount of information.

Introductions should draw in the reader. Begin specifying that you’re contacting them because the job interests you. Make a general statement on why you’d be a good fit in two to three sentences. What you could include is one or two personal qualities and, if any, relevant experiences with a specific type of work. For instance, if you’ve worked in fast-food and are applying for a retail job, you can mention your enthusiasm and customer-service experience.

The first body paragraph explores certain areas in more detail. Here, you can discuss tasks you’ve done from prior jobs or volunteering positions and give the hirer a better understanding of what you can do. With fast-food, one may describe being responsible for handling transactions while ensuring customers receive their orders in a timely manner.

Second body paragraphs briefly summarize other experiences you’ve had. Reference the roles listed on your resume. Emphasize how they gave you opportunities to apply yourself and what you ultimately gained. For example, a student might cite gaining leadership skills after being given multiple responsibilities during their time as an executive of a school club.

When concluding a cover letter, the last remarks reinforce the reasons why you should be considered for an interview. Directly declare that you think you’re a qualified candidate because “x,” “y,” and “z.” Last but not least, thank the person for their time and attention.

Closing

To have a complimentary close for your letter, say “Sincerely,” followed by your full name typed underneath. At the very bottom, add your signature. If you’re using Microsoft Word, an easy way to include your signature in the Word document is to get a piece of paper, sign it, take a picture of the signature, and send it to yourself via e-mail. You can then save it onto your computer and insert the signature as a photo.

Proofread

Proofread your work to ensure there are no typos or grammar errors. Having an error-free cover letter indicates that you’re a careful writer and pay close attention to detail.

Cover letters should nicely compliment their corresponding resumes. It is essential for you to clearly communicate on paper what you want your potential employer to know about you. If you can determine which experiences and attributes show that you’re qualified and how to shed light on them, you’ve successfully written an effective cover letter.

 

References

Chen, James. “Mission Statement.” https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/missionstatement.asp

HigherEdJobs. “The Do’s of Writing a Spectacular Cover Letter.” https://www.higheredjobs.com/career/CoverLetterDos.cfm

Nordquist, Richard. “The Complimentary Close in a Letter or Email.” https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-complimentary-close-p2-4008435

Dealing with environmental issues can be difficult, especially when progress seems very slow. Many people would like to do something large and spectacular, but those kinds of actions can be too challenging for individuals to accomplish. If you want to make a difference for the environment, you can start with small steps to make your home or dorm room more environmentally friendly.

You might not have thought of it, but your home likely has many features that could help preserve the environment. The first one is under your feet. Carpets and rugs can help keep a floor warm. If possible, you should remove any rugs on the floor in the summer so that the bare floor can help to keep the room cooler. Add rugs to the floor in the winter to help insulate the room from the cold. Even if the carpets are not removable, you can possibly choose a different style of floor covering when the carpet wears out.

A second idea is to unplug your computer, television, and other devices whenever you are not using them. Electronic devices can waste large amounts of power, even when they are not in use. Turning them off and unplugging them whenever possible can help save energy and preserve the environment.

Furniture can also make a difference. Buying used furniture can help to reduce the number of trees that get cut down and factories that are built. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are good places to look, and thrift stores can also have furniture at times. Getting used furniture from friends and family is another good way of making your home or dorm room more environmentally friendly.

Cleaning your place is important, but it can also use a lot of resources. Use rags instead of paper towels for cleaning to reduce waste, since rags are reusable. Combining the rags with an environmentally-friendly cleaning solution can also help. While cleaning, as in the rest of life, preserving water is important. Droughts that occurred in Canada during the summer of 2021 and the previous water crisis in Cape Town, South Africa, show how important it is to preserve the world’s water supply.

Repair dripping taps as quickly as possible. Plumbing can be difficult, and many people may be unable to fix a dripping tap. However, calling an expert to do the repairs is always a good option. If the plumber cannot come for several days, you can put a pail or other container under the dripping tap to catch the water instead of allowing it to go down the drain. Then you can use the water for washing or even making tea.

Food is another area that can have a large effect on the environment. Growing and producing food uses large amounts of energy, from running tractors and other farm machinery to transporting the food to stores. Buy as much local food as possible to help reduce the environmental costs of transporting goods from one part of the country or one area of the world to another. Also, buy only what is necessary and reduce food waste to help keep your home more environmentally friendly.

Use energy-efficient lightbulbs to help save power and money. LED lightbulbs use far less energy than traditional ones.  Even though they cost more to buy initially, they last years longer and cost less overall.

Each house, apartment, or dorm room is slightly different, and you might find other ways of making your home energy efficient.  However, these ideas can help you get started.

 

Bibliography:

Biofriendly Planet. “12 Small Changes to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly.” https://biofriendlyplanet.com/eco-friendly-tips/12-small-changes-to-make-your-home-more-eco-friendly/.

College Basics. “How to Make Your Dorm Room More Eco-Friendly.” https://www.collegebasics.com/blog/make-dorm-room-eco-friendly/.

Just Energy. “Going Green 101: Living the Eco-Friendly Dorm Life.” https://justenergy.com/blog/going-green-101-living-the-eco-friendly-dorm-life/.

Sims, Amanda. “29 Tiny Changes That Will Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly Today.” https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/energy-saving-tips-to-make-your-home-more-eco-friendly.

While the most popular — and most common — workday is the traditional “9 to 5,” this isn’t the only work schedule in existence.  There are many different work schedules, including the overnight shift, which can have benefits for the worker depending on the type of work they do, and the obligations in their personal life.

Often called “third shift,” or occasionally “the graveyard shift,” working overnights doesn’t have to be as dire as the latter implies.  For some people working nights offers flexibility; for others, working overnight is simply part of the job they want to pursue.  Like anything else, working nights isn’t all good or all bad, but there are some important pros and cons to consider when you think about your future career.

Pros to Working the Night Shift

1. Better Pay and Easier to Save

Overnights aren’t the most popular choice, so many night shift jobs pay a premium when hiring in order to attract more candidates. This will, of course, depend on the job and the workplace.  But if you are looking for a way to build your savings quickly, spending some time working nights can help fill your bank account.  Along with a pay bump, it’s also easier to avoid spending too much on entertainment or unnecessary purchases when you are working while most stores are closed.

2. Flexibility for Education or Family

Depending on the job, the overnight shift can be quiet and provide you with a moderate amount of time that you can use for other tasks.  Education is one of the most common examples. Many students in college or university will take on overnight shifts in order to have their days free to attend classes and have the ability to study during quiet times at their night job.  Other people need their days free to accommodate the needs of their family, such as caring for children or other family members.

3.  A Better Commute

It’s not always possible to find a job you love that is also conveniently located a five-minute walk from your home.  One of the advantages to working nights is that you are typically heading to work long after the evening rush hour, and heading home again before the morning rush begins.  This can make an hour-plus rush hour trip into something less than half that time, as well as removing the stress and frustration that a difficult commute can create.

4. Build Your Skills with Additional Responsibilities

Since overnight shifts usually have fewer staff on site compared to the daytime, many night shift workers will wear multiple hats, and have the opportunity to cross-train with multiple responsibilities and tasks.  This can be a great way for younger workers to build their skills quickly with a wider variety of work.  Night shift workers also learn to work independently with minimal supervision, and may have job opportunities that are not available on the day shift.  Even if you don’t want to work the night shift forever, you can take the range of skills you develop and use them to find your dream job.

Cons to the Overnight Shift

1.  Potential for Health Problems

Being a night owl is one thing, but humans are not built for a long-term nocturnal lifestyle.  It is well established that working nights for long periods of time can lead to health problems, and regular night shift workers need to be vigilant about paying attention to their health in order to balance this against their work schedule.  Overnight workers can find themselves unable to sleep adequately during daytime hours, which can lead to moodiness, exhaustion, and difficulty concentrating.

2.  Lack of Social Life

One of the most noticeable impacts from working the night shift is the impact on your social life.  If you are working nights when everyone else is working days, it can make spending time with family and friends much more difficult.  You may have to miss big events like parties or day-long activities that occur during your sleeping hours, and it can be hard to find time for smaller meet-ups.  Even if you do attend an event, you will likely be tired and groggy.

3.  Boredom

The same flexibility that can be useful for a productive activity such as studying can also lead to boredom during your shift, especially if your job involves a lot of time alone without coworkers to talk with.  Depending on the job, you may find yourself with a lot of hours but not much work to do.  This can make the job much less enjoyable, especially for people who thrive on social interaction and keeping busy.

4.  Hard to Advance Your Career

A significant part of career advancement is related to the connections you forge with your coworkers, customers, and managers.  Working nights can reduce your opportunities for networking within your company, as well as make it difficult for you to attend work-related conferences and social events with coworkers.  While missing all the meetings that happen during the day can seem appealing, it also reduces your opportunities to share your ideas and have the higher-ups notice and get to know you.

Ultimately, whether you want to work nights will depend on your personal lifestyle and the job you want to pursue.  The important part to remember is to assess both the good and bad sides before deciding to take on the night shift.

 

Sources

JobCluster. “Working in Night Shifts: To Be or Not To Be.” https://www.jobcluster.com/career-advice/working-in-night-shifts-to-be-or-not-to-be-41

Night Shift Life. “Pros and Cons of Working a Night Shift Job.” https://nightshiftlife.com/pros-and-cons-of-working-a-night-shift-job/

Phillpott, Sion. “The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working Night Shifts.” CareerAddict. https://www.careeraddict.com/10-advantages-and-disadvantages-in-working-night-shifts