Category: Campus Life

Canada is known for being multi-cultural, and that’s certainly proven by this interesting fact from Statistics Canada from a study released in July 2018 — 17.5% of the Canadian population, or 5.8 million individuals, use at least two languages at home. And while it is a common scenario for those who do speak more than one language to utilize their native tongue at home, these days, it is becoming more widespread for some companies to go for professionals who speak two or even multiple languages.

Whether you’re currently on a job hunt or stuck in a job rut and you feel you’re hitting humps and bumps here and there, consider learning a foreign language. While It is not a mandatory skill, it will certainly give you an edge over other candidates, open you to more promising job opportunities, or expand your potential. Let’s look into this further below.

It’s all about soft skills

During your job search efforts where you had to customize your resume and cover letter per each posting, you’ve probably come across the term soft skill and hard skill. Hard skills are the abilities that can easily be quantified like coding or proofreading skills. On the other hand, soft skills are the abilities that gear more towards “people skills” or “interpersonal skills” like flexibility and communication skills.

While knowing multiple languages is by itself is a proof of one’s proficiency, it also demonstrates your adaptability, which is one of the critical soft skills for 2020 according to NYC-based career strategist Carlota Zimmerman. Being adaptable means that you are able to seamlessly adjust to your workplace environment or culture and that you’re open to new ideas and change. In a fast-changing world, this is a vital quality for employees everywhere.

It also goes without saying that learning a foreign language also allows you to learn more about cultures and traditions other than your own. And if you can easily adapt to an office environment and possess a wider knowledge of world views, you can easily blend in with your peers and managers, communicate better with them, and establish stronger relationships with them. This then ties back to being armed with the soft skill of communication skills.

A skill enhancer

Studying a foreign language also strengthens your current abilities. Because you’re using your brain power to know new words and unfamiliar phrases, you improve your memory and sharpen your mind in the process. You’ll notice that you’ll be more alert as well and you develop your strengths in thinking in your feet.

Furthermore, since you’ve conditioned yourself to use different languages depending on the scenario you’re in, you also enhance your abilities to multi-task, which is something employers wouldn’t say no to. In fact, if you can make it evident that you are able to juggle important tasks, you’ll likely to gain more bonus points.

Globalization mindset

Of course there’s the obvious advantage of being able to speak a foreign language – you get to have an expanded audience. You make yourself appealing to companies with global offices or even those with a global vision. They will see you as someone who can definitely add value to the team.

In addition, for companies who are committed to professional development and additional training for their employees, you’ll be among the first on the list for out-of-the-country locations because they already know you’ll be able to adjust to a foreign environment easily. So better prepare yourself as loads of travel opportunities may be in store for you.

In the same vein, if a company is planning an expansion or looking into expanding to other locations worldwide, you’ll likely be on the top of the list given your ability to speak a foreign language.

Don’t underestimate the power of possessing foreign language skills. It can be a huge career booster as long as you know how to take advantage of it.

SOURCES:

https://www.careeraddict.com/second-language-benefits

https://bilingua.io/benefits-learning-a-foreign-language-career

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-no-1-soft-skill-you-need-to-compete-in-todays-job-market-2020-01-10

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-314-x/98-314-x2011001-eng.cfm

Everyone goes through difficult times- it’s a part of life. To get through it, we need lots of support from friends and family. Think back to when you went through a difficult time; who was there for you? Remind yourself of the kind things that person did for you. Nobody wants to be alone, especially in tough situations when we need someone to be there for us, to support us, to love us. That’s what makes us come out of the dark times. If a friend is experiencing this, you need to be supportive and kind to them to help them through a tough time.

In my experience, friends need all the support they get. Whether they’re having a tough time at school, at home, at work, or something else, support means more than you think. Just simply being there for them, asking if they’re okay, what you can do to help means a lot to them. Try imagining what their going through and their perspective on the things that they are facing; this helps you to understand how they’re feeling and how difficult it must be for them.

Often people just need someone to listen to them without judgement. Unless your friend asks for advice, try to avoid giving it out freely. Your friend may feel as though you are judging them rather than supporting them, so it’s important to listen to your friend. If they ask for your advice, give them your honest opinion based on what would be best for the situation they’re experiencing.

If your friend asks you to give them space, you must listen. Whether you understand what they’re going through or not, your friend knows what’s best for them. However, make sure they know that you’re there for them when they’re ready to talk and that you’re fully able to listen.

Another way to easily help your friend is by surprising them by doing acts of kindness. It does not have to be a grand gesture, just any small thing that reminds your friend that you love and care about them. Maybe write a small text reminding them that you’re there for them, or buy them something small like their favourite chocolate bar, or make them a card.

It’s also really important to make sure you’re not making their problems seem easy to go away or that it doesn’t matter; all feelings and emotions are valid! Saying things like, “It’s not a big deal” will make your friend feel as if the problems they’re facing don’t mean much to you and that they are feeling upset when they shouldn’t, but it’s the opposite. Rather, say something like, “It makes sense how you’re feeling that way”. Ask them if they’re okay. If you notice a friend seems to be getting more upset, simply ask them if they are all right. It shows that you care, and it will mean a lot to them. It’s a simple way to let them know that you’re there for them if they need you.

Lastly, if you think your friend is in danger, I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to seek help from a trusted adult. Avoid taking all of the problems on yourself, as it can be a lot of stress on you, especially if you feel like it’s your responsibility to take on what they’re going through, which it’s not. Being there and helping your friend is different than taking on their problems as your own. Talk to your parents first if that option is available to you. If it’s not, contact a neighbour, doctor or family. There are countless hotlines like Kids Help Phone available you can contact; you are never alone. If you seek immediate help, call emergency services in your area. While it’s important to be there for your friend, understand that what your friend is experiencing is not your fault. Try to avoid absorbing their feelings and emotions otherwise, it will result in you feeling down as well.

Keep all of these things in mind while helping a friend having a hard time. Being delicate and respectful of your friends should be priorities, especially when you are helping them through a difficult time.

References:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/7-ways-to-support-others-during-tough-times_b_7270550

https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/how-help-friend-through-rough-patch

https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/how-to-help-friend-going-through-a-tough-time-010919

Graduation is just as terrifying as it is thrilling. Look at how far you have come. Be proud of who you are. But what next? It can feel like your parents, teachers, and high school have been holding your hand up until graduation day, and then suddenly, you are thrusted into the unknown. The sooner you start preparing for this next chapter, the better off you will be. But how do you prepare when you have no idea what it is you want? Sometimes the answer is not figuring out what you want, but rather examining what you do not want and narrowing it down. Even if you feel entirely lost, that is a first step you can definitely take.

While you are still in high school, start noting your options. The myriad of majors and college programs are all under the umbrella of the post-secondary path. Alternatively, you can take a year off to travel, find a job in a field that caters to your interests, or volunteer for something you are passionate about. Colleges and universities will all still be there a year later, and that invaluable experience could help give you a better idea of what you want once you start. It also gives you an opportunity to save money that could go towards schooling. Start considering and researching your options, and do not be afraid to venture outside the status quo.

Perhaps you know you want to continue schooling. Now is a good time to talk to a counselor, job coach, and your teachers about your next steps. Take advantage of being able to apply to multiple schools and submit applications to all the ones that intrigue you. Do not limit yourself to one or two campuses. Also remember that you can start university without having your major selected. The first year or two offer plenty of general courses, meaning you can wait to choose your major without having to backtrack. Finally, take some time to figure out your expenses. Having a budget and ensuring your tuition and living expenses are accounted for will mean one less thing to stress over. By spending less than you make, you can devote more time and energy to figuring out what you truly want.

Some people figure out their passions and dream jobs quickly. For others, it takes a bit more work. Consider your interests and write them down in broader terms, without even listing any specific jobs. Use that as a starting point in finding volunteer positions and jobs within those areas of interest. This will entail some trial and error. You will likely end up quitting positions that are nowhere near as positive as you expected. That is okay. This is the perfect time for experimenting and trying anything that piques your curiosity. Every new experience will either guide you towards what you want to do, or guide you away from things you do not want to do. None of it is wasted time.

What do you want? This is a complex, exciting, and horrifying question. Now is the time to start finding the answer. But expect it to be a long and winding journey. You have to devote a good amount of time to researching your post-secondary options, as well as opportunities outside of school. Keep a daily journal of your thoughts, lists, and interests. Seek out volunteering positions and jobs, as well as counselors and adults you can talk to. For many of us, finding out what we want takes great effort. It is an ongoing adventure that continues well into adulthood. By taking the reins now, you will feel more confident and happier in the years to come.

Sources:

Klosowski, Thorin. “Advice I Wish Someone Had Given Me After Graduating High School.” Life Hacker. https://lifehacker.com/advice-i-wish-someone-had-given-me-after-graduating-hig-1573178134

LDSJobs.org. “What Now? A Survival Guide for Life after High School.” https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/articles/preparing-for-life-after-high-school?lang=eng

Peterson’s. “I Have No Idea What to Do: Advice for High School Seniors.” https://www.petersons.com/blog/i-have-no-idea-what-to-do-advice-for-high-school-seniors/

The end of high school and the start of college or university is a major step towards independence for many young people. You have far more freedom in what you are studying and the activities you partake in between classes. For many, it means living in a campus dorm and being on your own for the first time. With that freedom comes the opportunity to have greater control on your carbon footprint and impact on the environment. This is your time to act. Even in a tiny dorm room with little money on hand, there are many steps you can take to live eco-friendly and inspire others to do the same.

The moment you move into your new space, you can start doing little actions that will add up. Be mindful of when you have water running to ensure it is only on when necessary. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, shaving, or doing anything that does not require water. Take time to unplug. Even when not in use, your laptop, phone, and other gadgets are using energy trickling into them when left plugged in. Put your phone on airplane mode whenever possible to use less energy. As you get to know your fellow students on campus, do not be nervous about discussing the environment and eco-friendly measures with them. This does not mean talking down to them or lecturing your friends, but rather encouraging discussion on a vital topic.

As you step out on campus and go about your new independent life, there are many more things you can do to make a difference. Buy yourself a couple of reusable bags and never have to worry about using wasteful plastic bags at the grocery store ever again. Go on a thrifting hunt for second-hand items for your dorm to save on money and waste. Take a close look at the ingredients of the cleaning products and household items you buy to ensure they are eco-friendly. After using your environmentally friendly laundry detergent, hang your clothes up to dry around your dorm instead of utilizing the dryer. All of these lifestyle choices have a smaller impact on the environment and your wallet.

As you continue looking for ways to have a bigger positive impact, continue talking to your roommates and friends about the climate crisis and escalating threats to our environment. All of the aforementioned tips are helpful, but a single person’s actions are not going to surmount to sufficient change up against stagnant politics and corporate greed. As others take similar measures in their dorm, consider starting an on-campus organization or club focused on eco-friendly living. Capitalize on your independence and freedom by reaching out to the community and encouraging action.

We live in a frightening time of unprecedented ecological collapse. As daunting as that is, it means people are more and more willing to discuss these issues and how to solve them. As you venture out on your own in the world, this is your chance to play your part in shaping the community around you. Take those bold first steps in living eco-friendly within the walls of your dorm. Continue doing so as you venture outside. Get the discussion going with your friends and help build a movement. These small steps towards eco-friendly living can truly add up. You will build positive habits that will have a huge impact on your dorm years and beyond.

Sources:

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

Holbrook, Sophia. “10 Ways To Be Eco-Friendly Living In A College Dorm.” Odyssey. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/10-ways-to-be-eco-friendly-living-in-college-dorm

Moreno, Viviana. “How to Be Eco-Friendly in a Dorm with These 30 Easy Tips.” College Fashionista. https://www.collegefashionista.com/how-to-be-eco-friendly-in-a-dorm/

Winter can be a little dreary, due to wind, snow and ice storms and the various types of precipitation, from freezing rain (often called sleet) to heavy snow to absolutely bone-chilling temperatures. But there are still good things to enjoy about winter; it just depends on what makes you happy and how you look at it.

There are two important things to always consider: your social life and your mental health. Winter is the time of the year where you lack the intake of Vitamin D (sunshine) because the days are much shorter, and that can have an impact on your mental health. In order to keep healthy, you need to find something to do that helps you stay distracted from your problems, keep in touch with your friends, and to take your mind off school. Winter exams are approaching and if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be at your best. If they haven’t, it’s still a nice break from the hurried studying and practicing test answers (especially if it’s one of those with an essay question or two).

So, what can you do to have a great time during winter? When it’s beautiful, or even very cold and rather miserable to be outside? There are options for both scenarios that you may have not considered.

There are outdoor activities, both around campus and organized by campus clubs or organizations, even by your residences themselves. You don’t need to do all of them, but some are varied enough that you can usually find something you might want to try. There are trips to ski resorts so you can (depending on the rules) choose from downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, tubing, or tobogganing. There may even be skating options available in an indoor arena, an outdoor rink, or even a frozen lake.

These activities don’t have to be entirely focused on sports – there are other options that are available to you. There are generally volunteering opportunities from a church to a community kitchen, to community events that also include students.

And if it’s entirely too cold outside for your liking, you could consider the indoor activities in a way to get to know your friends and/or roommates a little better: anything from video game competitions to board games; even having a movie marathon. In addition, you can share your favourite meals in a giant potluck, especially if you’re one of the late departures due to an examination scheduled late in the month before the holiday break starts; or baking your favourite cookies, such as gingerbread cookies.

There are also other options! Maybe you just want a little time alone – you can do crafts, read a book, or even learn how to knit (or crochet) a scarf that is just perfect in that colour you saw the other day. Whatever option you choose, make sure it makes you happy and content, and ready to face not only winter, but your schoolwork as well.

Every day, people use the skills of workers in the STEM fields. They go to doctors, use technology, cross bridges built by engineers, and use computer programs designed with mathematics. The STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be good choices for people who enjoy precise work in fields that can help people. In Manitoba, several options are available for people who want to study in these areas.

Normally, jobs in the STEM fields require at least bachelor’s degrees, and some might need a master’s degree. For example, civil engineers and statisticians normally need to have at least one graduate degree to be able to get work in their fields. Some jobs might even require doctorates. For example, wildlife biologists and biochemists often need to have doctoral degrees.

The lengths of the programs can vary, but generally a bachelor’s degree takes three or four years. Master’s degrees take a year or two of classes and possibly another year or two for writing a long paper called a thesis. Doctoral degrees focus very much on research that goes into a book-length paper called a dissertation. Getting a doctoral degree, including some time for classes, can take eight years or more.

The best places to study the STEM fields in Manitoba are its universities, located in its major cities. The University of Manitoba in Winnipeg has the most options in these subjects, and it is the only place in the province offering programs in areas like medicine and dentistry. Before getting into some of these programs, students need to get a bachelor’s degree in science. These degrees are available at the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, the Canadian Mennonite University, and Brandon University.

Many technology courses are available at Manitoba’s universities, but another option in Winnipeg is Red River College. The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology is another good place to study in areas such as industrial electronics. Usually, the programs in the trades are shorter than in the other STEM fields, but students might want to combine a two-year technology program with a degree to improve their job prospects.

For students coming from other countries, getting into Canadian universities can be difficult. The Government of Manitoba has various programs to help these students get the help they need for entering the STEM fields. Even if you grew up in Canada, you might have friends or classmates who need this information.

Being good with small details is an essential part of working in the STEM fields. Are you good at this kind of work? Whether you work with complicated mathematical calculations or you diagnose diseases in your patients, you need to know what you are doing. Having a good memory is important, and you should be prepared to study for a very long time.

The STEM fields can be difficult, but they can also be exciting. Can you imagine discovering new fuels, saving people’s lives, or building bridges that people use every day? If that idea interests you, why not consider the STEM fields?

Bibliography:

Brandon University. “Degrees and Programs: Pre-Professional Preparation.” https://www.brandonu.ca/science/degrees/.

Canadian Mennonite University. “Natural Sciences.” https://www.cmu.ca/academics.php?s=sciences&p=programs.

Government of Manitoba. “Manitoba Announces New Immigration Pathways for International Students.” https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/index.html?archive=&item=44725.

Grad Schools.com. “Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Graduate Programs in Manitoba.” https://www.gradschools.com/programs/math-science-engineering?in=manitoba.

The PIE News. “Canadian province offers residency to STEM grads.”

https://thepienews.com/news/canadian-province-to-offer-stem-visa/.

University of Manitoba. “Undergraduate Program Options.” http://www.umanitoba.ca/student/admissions/programs/.

University of Winnipeg. “Faculty of Science.” https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/science/.

Everyone is aware of the struggle of gift buying. However, we are all ignoring the most important thing that we should be focusing on; the environment. With everything we do, we should be aware of the affect it has on the earth. This needs to be our main priority, even when it comes to simple things like gift shopping. When people are going about their daily lives, they don’t think about their carbon footprint, but we need to start thinking about this even in small daily tasks in our lives in order to help our earth.

Many families have a tradition of giving and mailing out Christmas cards. However, due to the large number of cards being mailed out each year, it can become very harmful to the planet, especially if they choose to order them through a company that prints your photos on plastic paper. There are great solutions that are easy and affordable. By ordering these cards through eco-friendly companies that use recyclable, biodegradable paper, you are saving yourself the guilt of contributing to global warming this holiday.

Another simple yet great gift to give this year is cute, fun soap! In hotels alone, 182,500,000 shampoo bottles are used each year. Recently, industries and businesses have turned to using soap bars and shampoo bars rather than wasting unnecessary, useless plastic. Why would you purposefully spend your extra, hard-earned money on a plastic bottle when soap bars last longer and they come in fun shapes and colours? This is a simple yet fun gift, and most importantly, it’s eco-friendly!

Companies such as tentree, United by Blue and Amour Vert are all environmentally friendly, reasonably priced clothing stores. Depending on your style or the person you’re shopping for, there is most definitely an eco-friendly store out there for you. People tend to shop at the stores that are the most popular or trendy, but smaller, greener companies are still out there! There’s no harm at all in researching the companies you’re shopping at before you buy. You may be surprised at how badly your favourite stores are treating the environment- do your research!

There are countless gifts available to you. They may be slightly more expensive than regular items, but in reality, it’s a small price to pay to help our planet become greener.

Lastly, buying reusable kitchenware or containers is a way to get your friends to help the environment as well. Stores like Earth Easy sell various eco-freidnly products such as bamboo toothbrushes, beeswax candles, reusable sandwich bags and socks, any of which would serve as a great gift this year.

Consider briefly researching the items you buy and the companies they come from before you purchase an item. You’d be surprised at how many companies treat their workers cruelly, test their products on animals or release an extreme amount of chemicals that harm our planet. By avoiding the purchase of these products, we are supporting companies that promote positive, eco-friendly businesses.

Sources:

1. https://www.tentree.ca/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-4nuBRCnARIsAHwyuPquq4MnDAkOpoc2IjmRf0lA7YQjb2c93cJA_6bXrZxaNutyx07fNlQaAgMtEALw_wcB
2. https://unitedbyblue.com
3. https://amourvert.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=amour%20vert&utm_campaign=g_search_brand_NCA_exact&utm_content=227787257502&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-4nuBRCnARIsAHwyuPo0YBzkP-dCWN4QpZouNlISX1D6JP0nFkkrp-EB1abq3I0AqqbrbvkaAnWMEALw_wcB

https://eartheasy.com/gifts/

Sleep deprivation is never a good thing. It can be managed for a short time, but it can get worse and have serious impacts on your long term health. It happens often in high school, and very frequently in college and university, and the workplace. You need to take care of yourself because prolonged sleep deprivation can not only affect your academic performance in various ways, but also negatively impacts your physical and mental health.

Your academic performance suffers most if you are sleep deprived. A consistent lack of sleep results in a lack of concentration and energy; both of these are very important.  Not paying attention to your teacher for important information can translate into lower grades – school work, tests or group assignments. A lack of energy can affect doing sports or even just hanging out with your friends can be a hard task.

You will need to address why you’re not sleeping well. Are you stressed about a test or the senior grades in high school required to get into the college or university of your dreams? You can get extra tutoring or extra assignments from your teacher or a classmate so your grades can improve – which means less stress on yourself. Stress can affect your health, especially at night if you are consistently worried about several things all at once, and can’t fall asleep. It can still be visually seen on your body as well – particularly bags under your eyes. If someone comments rather innocently that you look tired, try not to take offense – they just recognize a change in you from your normal self. Take it for the concern it was intended to be, and try to take steps to sleep better, not just longer.

I say sleep better, not longer, because that’s what you need to do. It’s not about the hours you sleep, but how deeply you sleep (sleep takes place in cycles). This doesn’t always happen, so don’t worry too much about it, but take the information and see what you can do with sleep phone applications or wearable technology to see what techniques or strategies you can use instead.  And it’s always better to turn off the electronics well in advance before settling in for the night.

Plan accordingly, and consider strategies that help you relax and or stay asleep. Exercises such as yoga include breathing exercises that help people relax before they fall asleep. There are playlists everywhere full of calming sounds – such as birds chirping or a gentle rainfall, which can help as well. Humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air fans, or scent diffusers can also help. There are even weighted blankets that help you stay still so you can wake up feeling refreshed. There are many strategies to help you fall (or stay) asleep, it’s just a matter of finding what works best for you and your budget.

So hopefully these pieces of advice and finding the right strategy help you sleep well, as it helps with your health in multiple ways.

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question that everyone’s heard before. When you’re younger, the question doesn’t really mean much. But as you get older, the question becomes something of great importance and great stress, especially if you don’t exactly know the answer. As you get older, you have to make choices that’ll bring you closer towards what you want to be. However, it’s much easier said than done. What if you have multiple passions and can’t choose a single one that you want to pursue as a career? What if you can’t think of anything that interests you enough to pursue as a career?

It’s easy to fall into a rabbit hole of worrying about the future and what kind of career you’ll end up in. People will tell you that it’s what you’ll be doing for the rest of your life, so you better make a good choice and you better make it before you graduate high school or else you’re bound to have an unhappy future. There’s always this intense pressure to know what you’re doing, to have a game plan and stick to it. But the reality is: there’s no rush.

Try New Things, Learn New Things

If you’re completely unsure of what you want to be, the best thing to do is try a lot of different things. That way, you’ll get a better sense of what you enjoy doing and then it’ll be easier to find some overlap between what you enjoy and what you can pursue as a career. You should also try to find out what kinds of jobs are out there. There are probably plenty of exciting jobs that you don’t know about and researching different careers broadens your options.

If you’re particularly worried about your potential career, you could always do some career counseling, in person or online. After graduating high school, one of my friends took a year off to work and figure out what career they want to pursue. They told me that they decided to do some career counseling and it really helped them narrow down their choices, so it doesn’t hurt to get a little help with figuring things out.

Passion or Paycheck?

What if you know what you’re passionate about, but you’re not sure if it’s something you want to do as a career? For example, if you like doing art or acting you’ll probably come across people who’d advise you to choose something else because they think it’s not a stable career. After all, it’s one thing to know what you want to do and it’s another thing to make money off of what you want to do.

Some careers are inherently more risky than others. Some careers also don’t bring in as much income as others. These are things to take into consideration when deciding on what you want to do as a career. It’s really up to you and your values. However, make sure the choices you make, especially choices concerning your future, are purely your choices. In other words, you shouldn’t let other people, like your friends, parents or teachers, make your decisions for you. They’re not the ones who will be living with those decisions.

You Have Time

You have now until the rest of your life to figure out what you want to do. Life isn’t a race. It’s completely fine if it takes a longer time for you to know what you want to be. Some people jump from career to career, trying new things until they eventually get bored and move on to the next new thing. It’s normal if you decide one day that you want to pursue a certain career and then eventually change your mind a different day. I’ve talked to a lot of teachers who told me that they’ve had another career before teaching. Some of them said that they never planned on becoming a teacher but life just turned out that way. It was a career that they sort of fell into and ended up liking. So even if you don’t exactly know what you want to be, sometimes life will surprise you and next thing you know, you’re already what you want to be.