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Category: Campus Life

  • Taking Your G2 or G Road Test? Here are Some Tips to Help You Prepare

    Taking Your G2 or G Road Test? Here are Some Tips to Help You Prepare

    Driving makes me nervous, so you can imagine that anxiety skyrocketing when I was behind the wheel with a stranger who was watching and judging my every move. Talk about nerve-wrecking! It’s normal to feel some nervousness before—and during—tests. The key to not let your nerves take over is to prepare as much as you can.

    Identify and practice your weaknesses

    Make a list of all the maneuvers and techniques you will be required to demonstrate during your road test. Now honestly review your abilities and mark down the ones that you are struggling with. It’s also a good idea to ask your driving instructor (or family member or friend who has been helping you) for their input as well. Once you have a clear idea of your weaker areas, focus on practicing them.

    PS- Don’t ever text and drive!

    Practice driving in the neighbourhood around your test centre

    In Ontario, you are free to select any drive test centre and any available date or time for your road test. Road tests take place close to the test centre, so once your test is paid and confirmed, you know exactly where you need to practice. It is important to be familiar with the possible test area and routes because you don’t want a hidden stop sign or an odd intersection to trip you up during the road test.

    Use the same car you practiced in

    If you have been practicing in your instructor’s car, arrange to use it for your road test. If you have been practicing in your parents’ car, use that for your road test. The bottom line is, you should use a car you are familiar with for your road test. The last thing you want to happen in front of the test examiner is uncertainly about where the front windshield wipers are.

    There is no shortcut to passing your road test. The key is practice: the better prepared you are, the less nervous you will be.

    References:

    1. http://find-a-driving-school.ca/road-test-tips-ultimate-guide-passing-driving-test/
    2. http://www.wheels.ca/top-ten/3-secrets-to-passing-your-g2-test/
    3. https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/wise-words-from-a-nervous-novice/article19428438/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&
  • Finding Affordable off-Campus Housing

    Finding Affordable off-Campus Housing

    Finding housing during your post-secondary career can be a serious challenge – especially in major cities. Competing with hundreds of thousands of people for a very limited amount of housing isn’t easy, to say the least. Even worse, all that competition means that you are probably going to have to pay a higher price than what you might have been expecting. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to save both you and your wallet some stress.

    View.it

    If you haven’t already heard of it, view.it is a website that allows you to browse for rentals within a specified area. You can filter and refine your search so you are only viewing rentals that match your price range and what you are looking for. This is a great tool (and one that I’ve used) for finding places that match your criteria. Even better, you can often take virtual tours of the property, or at least see some pretty in-depth pictures. It’s real-time, so you are only viewing rentals that are available. This website has been getting pretty popular recently, so you have to be quick. Make sure that you’re ready to move and have all the necessary funds/paperwork while you’re looking, just in case you see “the one” and have to snag it quickly.

    Move out with friends

    This one has to do more with your wallet than your rental. Moving out with friends can save you A LOT of money. Three bedroom apartments are significantly less expensive per bedroom than one or two bedrooms, and that price difference only increases the bigger the place. Moving out with some of your friends is a great way to save money and have fun. If that isn’t an option, consider searching on kijiji, craigslist, or another similar website for people looking for roommates, or post an ad yourself. Remember to always use discretion though, because at the end of the day they’re going to be strangers at first. Either way, however, moving out with one or more people can save you a significant sum of money.

    Hostels

    This one might seem a little strange, but living in a hostel during your semester isn’t actually all that crazy. Lots of hostels turn into student housing during the semester, and they usually offer really good rates too. At some hostels, however, you might have to do some volunteer community service, but it usually isn’t more than a couple hours a month. Plus, this is a great way to meet people that you might want to move out with later. The only downside to this is that it isn’t exactly a permanent residence, but it’s perfect for those who go back home after the semester.

    Finding a place to live is hard – really, really hard. It’s way easier to talk about than to do it. However, with diligence, commitment, and enough money, there’s no reason that you shouldn’t be able to snag that dream rental.

  • Pros and Cons of Living in Dorms

    Pros and Cons of Living in Dorms

    Living in a dorm is the cornerstone of a stereotypical post-secondary experience. You can’t watch a movie or show about university without seeing dorms. But media often glosses over the less savoury part of living in dorms, and doesn’t capture the real fun of it. Here are a few real pros and cons about living in dorms.

    Pros

    One of the biggest pros for living in a dorm is the cost. Typically, living in a dorm is much less expensive than living off-campus, especially in high population areas like cities. Also, most of the time you get a meal plan included with the cost, so you don’t have to worry about shopping for groceries and cooking your own meals every day.

    Another great thing about living in dorms is the people you meet. Being in dorms is a great way to make new friends, and introduces you to people that you may want to move out with once your time in the dorms are up. Just don’t be shy! Everyone there is in the same boat as you. The social environment of living in a setting like dorms is very relaxed and fun (albeit distracting at times) and can provide you with an easy way to unwind after writing a stressful paper. There is a sense of community among your flatmates, and having friends that can help you push through some of the harder stretches can be a real blessing.

    Cons

    While the social environment of dorms is immersive and fun, it also doesn’t leave room for a lot of privacy. In most dorms, there is a good chance that you will be sharing a room with at least one other person as well as sharing a bathroom with your floor. Don’t let that put you off too much, though. Male and female bathrooms are still almost always separated, and university/college schedules are so non-uniform that there’s a good chance that your morning routine will still stay private. Another con is that even if you don’t like your roommate or someone on the floor, you’re stuck with that person for the rest of your stay, and you’re probably going to see them a lot, too. Finally, although the social atmosphere is fun, it can get to be distracting. The constant partying isn’t great if you’re trying to wake up for an early class, and it can be distracting if you are trying to get work done.

    Living in a dorm is a really solid idea, especially for first year. Meeting people in your first year can be hard, but if you live in a dorm you should have no trouble making friends. More than just the social aspect, though, is the sense of community with your floor mates. It’s really a unique feeling, and I would highly recommend spending at least a year in a dorm, even just for the experience.

  • How to Get Better in English Studies

    How to Get Better in English Studies

    If you had to name your most important subject in school, you might name something like math, computers, or science. They can lead to good jobs in programming, research, or other well-paid fields. Still, you would never be able to manage in those areas without your English studies.

    People often think that English studies are less useful than other subjects because they rarely lead directly to jobs, except possibly in teaching or writing. However, a good grasp of the language is extremely important for most other jobs, and even studying literature or grammar can help with communication skills that people need every day.

    Suppose that you want to become a doctor. Learning to treat a broken leg or a fever might seem more important than reading or writing. However, you still need to read other people’s articles to learn more about new treatments, and you will also need to write about your own special knowledge. The same is true in many other fields, such as mathematics, engineering, and teaching.

    People have different ways of improving their English skills, and you should find the ones that work best for you. The most important thing you can do is read. Reading poetry, fiction, and non-fiction can help you learn different styles of writing and how they affect the audience. Trying to read a bit above your normal level of understanding can also be good, but not all the time. Finding a good mixture of high-, medium-, and low-level reading is best for most people.

    Even though almost any kind of reading can be helpful, you should try to make sure to include at least a few of the classics, such as Shakespeare or Dickens. These works still have a lot of good insights into life, and they have influenced many modern writers. If the originals are too long and difficult, you can find simplified versions of them to read instead, such as Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare.

    The same is true of writing. Your school classes probably give you the chance to try different types of writing, but you can also experiment with it on your own. Try writing instructions for putting together a toy or a machine, or write a poem or short story about any subject that interests you. Even if your writing is bad at the beginning, it will improve with practice.

    Depending on your personality and home life, you may or may not be able to discuss your English studies with your family, but your friends might be available. Finding people who can encourage and help you with reading and writing can make the whole process easier.

    No matter what you end up doing, your English studies will be important. With a bit of extra work now and in the future, you can make sure that you do the best you can in this essential subject.

    Bibliography:

    Fitzpatrick, Katarina. “How to Get Better Grades in English Class.” http://classroom.synonym.com/better-grades-english-class-6373163.html

    Swanson, Beverley B. “How Can I Improve My Child’s Reading?” http://www.readingrockets.org/article/how-can-i-improve-my-childs-reading.

    WikiHow.com. “How to Succeed in English Class.” http://www.wikihow.com/Succeed-in-English-Class.

    WikiHow.com. “How to Get Good Grades. “ http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Good-Grades

    The Wordstream Blog. “16 Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills.” http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/08/07/improve-writing-skills

  • Career Profile: Retail

    Career Profile: Retail

    So you love clothes. Or you love electronics. You get excited about new products in sports, or gardening or books and film. As soon as it’s time to get your first job, there will be a lot available to you. Many of your peers with go to service and retail when it’s time to join the work force, and staying in those genres of employment may be a long-term thing. In truth, retail in particular can become not only a tong term career choice, but also a high paying one as well. Here are some careers in retail that take place on a higher level:

    Supply chain management

    Getting products from the suppliers through distribution centers and getting the products into the hands of the customers. This is an especially difficult job the bigger the retailer is. It’s one of the highest-level jobs you can have in the retail industry without being an owner. It is your job to plan supply routes, find affordable ways to transport goods and make sure that the stores always have the right amount of product.

    Merchandising and marketing

    Making things look pretty! Well, specifically organizing items that your store (or stores if you’re in charge of a chain’s marketing strategies) in a way that is appealing to the customer. In other words, customers are often convinced to buy things based on presentation and the presentation is up to you. This job can also include inventory analysis, planning, buying, loss prevention (preventing stealing) and designing. It’s a very packed job that is creatively rewarding.

    Entrepreneurial

    Create your own store! There is always a demand for products. Humans are—after all—a generally materialistic species. Become your own boss and get out there competing with people that are passionate about the same kinds of things as you. Everyone has something to prove and you could be the best!

    Store management

    The great thing about retail is that there is always somewhere to move up. There is always a higher position out there—you could start as a part-time employee at a clothing store, eventually become full-time, then key holder, then assistant manager and then next thing you know….you’re in charge. But then there’s more! A sign of a good employee is someone who is not going to stay put in one position. Loyalty to a particular company is important if you want to move up in your career—but higher-ups love knowing that an employee on a retail level respects the company enough to want to expand their career within it. Reach for the top! There’s a lot of money and opportunity up there.

  • How Tutoring Can Help You Make the Most out of Campus Life

    How Tutoring Can Help You Make the Most out of Campus Life

    College and university campuses offer great freedom to students. The customized schedule, self-directed study, and access to numerous campus events provide ample opportunities to lead a fulfilling post-secondary life. The choices you make can have a profound impact on the years following your graduation. One of the best ways to capitalize on this unique setting is to offer tutoring services on campus.

    If you are primarily looking for income, tutoring is in many ways preferable to more traditional part-time jobs. Many tutors charge amounts far higher than minimum wage. Sessions with each pupil last one or two hours. It only takes a few clients for this to add up to a healthy weekly income. This is money that can be saved for the future or used to help you with course materials, transportation, and living expenses. Having your own tutoring business also teaches you what it takes to run a company. You will have to set your own hours, which can ideally be placed before or after your commuting to a job.

    All jobs have transferrable skills, but it is easier to demonstrate a connection between tutoring specific subjects and careers in those fields. Whichever topics you decide to focus on, ensure that you have a strong passion for them and credentials to support your choice. No one will be interested in a tutor who can supposedly teach anything. Credentials can include your major, minor, certificates, previous work or teaching experience, and anything else that could be used on a resume. By using the subjects of your major or minor, you will be better focused on your studies. Tutoring others can in turn be a great way to help you perform better in your courses.

    Once you have committed to the idea and selected your areas of expertise, prepare a pitch for your services. This is not all that different from a cover letter, and must succinctly explain what you are offering to teach, why you are qualified to do so, and how students can benefit from your services. This is not the time for modesty; feel free to include your grades, achievements, and testimonials from previous students or teachers. This advertisement can be placed online using sites such as Craigslist, Kijiji, university forums, and Facebook groups. Many campuses, coffee shops, libraries, and community centres have notice boards and will allow you to post your printed advertisement.

    All of this requires greater initiative compared to handing your resume to a company for a part-time job. However, there are many benefits to reap from tutoring on campus. The ideal location, flexible hours, great pay, and valuable experience make it unique from other part-time work. You can easily schedule your students so that you can engage in other events and activities on campus. The experience can be crucial in helping you acquire work after graduation. Tutoring while in college or university is a fantastic way to utilize the opportunities your post-secondary years have to offer.

    Sources:

    Butler, Jake. “How to make money as a private tutor.” Save the Student. http://www.savethestudent.org/make-money/make-money-as-a-private-tutor.html

    Sloane, Cathryn. “Why tutoring is one of the best part-time jobs for students.” USA Today. http://college.usatoday.com/2012/11/09/why-tutoring-is-one-of-the-best-part-time-jobs-for-students

  • It’s Okay to Be an Introvert in College/University!

    It’s Okay to Be an Introvert in College/University!

    Some people love to be with others and to talk and laugh with them. They get their energy from being around people and enjoy going to parties and other events. These people are extroverts, and much of the world is designed for them. Even university and college can be easier for extroverts than for introverts, and introverts might be tempted to try to change their personality types to fit in. Still, university and college can be good even for introverts if they know how to get the best from their studies.

    People use the terms “extrovert” and “introvert” in somewhat different ways, depending on how they understand the words. An extrovert is not always sociable and an introvert is not always shy, but that is how many people think of the two personality types.

    The more accurate way to think of the difference between the two is that extroverts get their energy from being with people but introverts get their energy from being alone. Both might go to a party and have fun, but the extrovert will want to be with people afterwards while the introvert will probably want to be alone. They also process their thoughts differently. The extrovert might think something through by talking about it, but the introvert will normally think about it before speaking.

    Many university or college instructors seem to prefer extroverts over introverts. They often give marks for speaking up in class, and they assign group projects which require several people to work together to get their grade. This can be very difficult for introverts, who have a natural tendency to prefer listening rather than speaking and working on their own rather than working with others.

    However, introverts can still find ways to be successful at university or college. The first thing is to try to choose classes with limited requirements for group interaction if possible. Many introverts are good public speakers, and they can try to choose courses with individual presentations rather than a lot of group work. Even if working with others is impossible to avoid entirely, having at least one class that acknowledges the introverts’ strength of concentration and dedication can help make the others less stressful.

    Social life is another area that can cause a lot of anxiety for introverts. It might not be a good idea to avoid a social life entirely, but introverts can make it less stressful by choosing to go to one person’s home for supper rather than to a party or by limiting the amount of time they spend with others. Trying to be an extrovert will just cause stress that could badly affect an introvert’s grades and enjoyment of university or college.

    Are you an introvert? Post-secondary education might scare you, but if you make good choices about how and where to interact with others, you can make it work.

    Bibliography:

    English, Sarah. “Surviving University as an Introvert.” http://www.studentpowered.ca/surviving-university-as-an-introvert.

    Lawrence, Daina. “Seven Ways Universities Can Work for Introverted Students.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/7-ways-universities-can-work-for-introverted-students/article21186974/.

    Osterrieder, Anne. “How to Be an Introvert on Campus.” https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/how-be-introvert-campus.

    Robinson, Kerianne. “How to be an Introvert at University.” http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/karianne-robinson-/how-to-be-an-introvert-at-uni_b_9728776.html.

  • Dealing with a Loss in the Family

    Dealing with a Loss in the Family

    A loss in the family, unexpected or otherwise, can happen anytime, including during post-secondary. There are many different ways to help cope with the loss, just as there are ways to grieve. All of these following tips are suggestions – try to find the best way that helps you.

    There are usually five steps in the process of grieving: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Some people jump steps, and others repeat steps. There are many different ways to mourn the loss in your family.  None of them are “right”.  One thing that is ultimately true about loss, is that it takes time to heal from it.

    In the case of school, you may need to consider things like:

    • If there’s an essay, paper or group project coming down the line, let your professor know that you’re going to need some time. This depends on the professor, but you can get 24 to 48 hour extensions at times. Do not abuse this privilege, and explain the situation: that there’s been a loss in the family and you need some time away from your schooling. This can also be explained if you have to travel a fair amount of distance to attend a funeral.
    • Exams are a little different and complicated: you should speak to your proctor or the person who is supervising your exams. You will most likely still have to write these exams, but they will understand if you do a little worse than usual as a result.
    • For general classes, let the professor know that you will be absent, and arrange from a friend or a classmate if you can borrow the notes from the classes you missed. It’s best to get at least two classmates so you can get a combination of notes and get the best notes possible for the class(es) you missed.

    For help with coping:

    • Seek comfort with another family relative, a friend or roommate; or your student advisor.
    • Know when you cannot work on schoolwork or otherwise, and manage your time wisely. (Sometimes it can help to get your mind off things for a few hours.)
    • Allow yourself to cry – it’s perfectly healthy. You’re dealing with a loss, and you’re going to miss them a great deal.

    The point is: you will always miss them. But it can help to know how you can also help yourself, through grief, and through your current studies.

    Remember that this is a part of life.  Not a pleasant one, but a normal and natural one.  There’s nothing wrong with needing help at times like this.

    There are no right answers here.  It’s happened to almost everyone, and while people can offer advice and support (and that’s a good thing), remember that it’s happened to friends and family too, and you will get through it.  Trust yourself and your feelings.

  • Is Travelling While You Are Young All It’s Cracked Up to Be?

    Is Travelling While You Are Young All It’s Cracked Up to Be?

    You’ve heard it all before; travel while you’re young! It seems as though people are constantly telling you now is the time to travel. Why is that? Wouldn’t it make more sense to travel when you’re older? Wouldn’t you have more money saved up, your schooling would be completed and you will have more experience under your belt, right? While these are good points, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better to wait until you’re older to travel. Let’s talk about why this is.

    Money:

    There is no doubt you have more of an opportunity to be more financially secure later in life than while you’re young. However, with more money tends to mean more responsibility. As we grow older and have more financial stability, many people begin to make large life-investments. These may include things such as a house, a new car, wedding expenses and supporting children. So, while you may have more money, you may very well have more debt to pay as well, taking away from your travel funds. While saving up to travel while you’re young may seem challenging, it is possible, and it’s important.

    Tips on how to make it happen?

    Take a little bit of money out of each paycheck and put it in a travel fund. Before you know it, your travel account will have grown before your eyes!  Another tip is to cut unnecessary costs. While eating out and splurging on shopping sprees may be fun while you’re young, it all adds up. Try cooking at home and only buying essential items. Put your extra money away into your travel account, and soon you’ll be able to just sit back, relax, and book your trip! Another reason? The exclusive deals! Some travel companies offer deals to younger travellers. So, save more and travel sooner rather than later! Check out these travel companies for more info.

    Free and Easy Traveler: https://www.freeandeasytraveler.com

    Contiki: https://www.contiki.com/ca/en

    Life Before Work: https://lbwtravel.com

    Your priorities may shift:

    Remember those wedding and family costs we just talked about? Well it isn’t just the financial part that may keep you in your hometown. As we get older and our own family grows, our moral responsibilities grow, too. This means the time for living strictly for yourself is coming to an end, as it’s time to focus your time and attention on someone else; your children. While this is an incredible and unique part of life, it usually means backpacking across Europe for six months is a no-go. Your youth is essentially the only time available when you can live your life strictly for you. On top of that, your priorities may shift. Meaning, while learning about new cultures may have been important to you while you were young, it may be swept off your priority list as you get older. So, optimize this opportunity and explore the world! Besides, sharing stories about the places you’ve been is way more interesting than talking about the places you wish you visited.

    It’s perfect life experience:

    Learning about and interacting with other cultures is an incredible way to learn about the world around you, and how to understand and accept cultural differences. The life-experience you will take home with you will be worth more than you can possibly imagine, and will give you a completely new perspective. Travelling while you’re young allows you to learn incredible life-skills you may have never thought possible that will shape and develop the person you are for the rest of your life. After all, the best way to understand something different is to experience it for yourself.  So, do your future self a favour! Learn about different ways of life, experience new cultures, and allow this life experience to strengthen your future. So, what should you do now? Research, save up, and travel!

  • Protesting Today

    Protesting Today

    A lot of people are under the impression that a protest doesn’t accomplish as much as one might hope. This shouldn’t be too big of a surprise given that so many people avoid voting for the same reason: we’re only one person. How can we possibly make a difference?

    Let’s take a look at the Women’s March for example. Millions stormed the streets to protest Trump’s new legislation. Though, despite the overwhelming numbers, Trump went ahead and cancelled funding to Planned Parenthood anyway. It’s possible to perceive the Women’s March as a failure but this would be incorrect. Women throughout Washington protested Trump’s reign and while he may have ignored their voices, millions gathered in support of one another and became more politically aware. According to Harvard University, this is exactly what makes protests a success.

    While it may be hard to believe, there have been several studies and articles published detailing just how effective a protest can actually be. An analysis from Harvard believes that protests work in the sense that they get people politically engaged. While it may be difficult to know for sure if a protest worked, the amount of people involved gets previously aloof people to take interest in something they want to see changed.

    Though, a protest on its own isn’t enough to convince people. You need to put in the work, which was suggested by Professor Abhinav Gupta in 2015. According to a Bustle article, “Do Political Protests Actually Change Anything?” Gupta suggested that people become educated on their protest’s agendas and on their government’s policies in order to prove that they know what they’re talking about.

    Like anything, though, there are problems with protests. When street protests get out of hand or lead to violence, things are less likely to change. But when protests take to the streets in a peaceful collaboration, change is more likely to come about or show politicians that people are upset and want to see things change.

    A 2014 Atlantic article titled “Why Street Protests Don’t Work” mentioned how no obvious leaders and a mishmash of people equated zero change in some cases. A 2009 study by Anders Colding-Jørgensen was also mentioned. He created an experimental group protesting the demolition of the Stork Fountain. Two weeks later 27,000 people joined the group but nothing else was done. His experiment drew attention to just how easy it was to create a social media group even if nothing came of it.

    Additionally, the Bustle article also discussed how people’s ideas of “change” will vary. So, while one person might think that Trump complaining means something is changing, others want immediate change.

    It might be hard to pinpoint whether or not a protest will actually work. Though, the inclusion of people who may have otherwise ignored politics is a step in the right direction. Immediate change is pretty difficult but when more people educate themselves about various political issues, we become more knowledgeable and can become advocates for change of the future.

    Sources:

    https://qz.com/901411/political-protests-are-effective-but-not-for-the-reason-you-think/

    https://www.bustle.com/p/do-political-protests-actually-change-anything-29952

    http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2017/01/protest_works.html

    https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/04/why-street-protests-dont-work/360264