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Category: Campus Life

  • Teen Make-Up 101

    Teen Make-Up 101

    It wasn’t until I was 14 that my father would even allow the sight of lip gloss on me, and only on special occasions. As I started to flirt with makeup throughout high school, I learned just how tricky these magic wands of beauty could be. Raccoon eyes to smudged lips, I could have saved myself a lot of embarrassment learning these tricks sooner;

    Softer is better – Your best intentions for recreating that bold and glittery Kesha look-a-like can leave a smudged, clumpy mess that even lunch period isn’t look enough fix. Trying too hard with your makeup is a lot like trying too hard with a guy. A disastrous mess that everyone can see. Instead, try for a softer, natural look. Think Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez. Freshen yourself with a little eye shadow, a shade of colour to your lips and maybe some mascara to highlight the look.

    Tailor to your features, not your clothes– You might think sparkly blue eye shadow would be the perfect thing to accent that new blue sweater, but going too matchy-matchy will only age you – all the way back to the 90’s. Instead try warm browns for blue eyes, mellow greens or gold for brown eyes and lavender for green eyes. Lipsticks and stains should only be one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour. Otherwise things can get a bit….dramatic. Case and point, that great-aunt of yours.

    Keep it Clean– Nothing, not even that 1200 word essay in history, can spoil the week faster than a full pimple break out. You may think caking foundation on will make those unsightly pimples disappear, but in reality they will be setting up shop. Invest in a good facial soap and clean off your makeup every day after school. And never, ever, EVER go to bed wearing makeup; a stained pillow will be the least of your worries.

    It’s OK to ask for help – Learning all this at once is a long and bumpy road, so why not cash in on others’ experiences? Older sisters, friends and even class mates may have a gold mine of experience to spark up your look. Don’t be afraid to ask around. Once you get your artistic flare rocking, they might be asking for tips from you!

  • Coping with Jealousy

    Coping with Jealousy

    Jealousy occurs in most human relationships at one time or another. Whether your relationship is an intimate one, a friendship or even co-workers.

    For most teens there will come a day when you realize that one of your friends is jealous – whether it be of who you are, what you’ve done or something you have – and that this jealousy is hurting your friendship. Sometimes, when this happens, it feels like there is nothing you can do. But the good news is that there is! Don’t let jealousy spoil your relationships. Confront the problem and you may find your relationship will be back to normal much sooner than you think.

    Confront Your Friend
    You may find it difficult to walk up to your friend and ask them what the problem is, but if you want to save your friendship you’ll have to do just that. Don’t approach them and ask why they are jealous of you (unless of course you want to appear totally conceited), just take some time alone with them and let them know that you’ve been feeling like there’s something that has been coming between you and that you cherish their friendship. If they refuse to respond, then use the opportunity to explain how you have been feeling. Chances are that something you say will strike a nerve and your friend will open up as well.

    Find a Solution
    When you figure out what is freaking your friend, ask him or her what (s)he thinks would make the situation better. If, for example, (s)he say that (s)he feels like (s)he doesn’t get to spend any time with you because you’re off with your new friends from the swim team, then maybe you could invite them along the next time or block off one day a week for just the two of you. Remember that whatever solution you decide on needs to be a compromise. Don’t limit your own talents or opportunities simply because your friend is unhappy. Try instead to include him or her in your new life and see how that works out.

    Practice Your Patience
    Even if you do get to the bottom of your friend’s jealousy, you’ll probably need to remain patient while (s)he works out their own emotions. Even if you can think of a compromise to help get your friendship back on track, you can’t do the emotional work of getting over jealousy for your friend. You may even find there will be troubles up ahead, and you may need to chat with your friend about it again. If it turns out to be the same issue, tell your friend that you feel you have been sticking to the compromise. It may be that your friend is unable to see that, or (s)he didn’t really commit to the compromise and wanted you back all to him or herself. If this is the case, then there’s not much you can do about it besides reiterate your offer to meet him or her half-way.

    Even the best of friendships can be affected by jealousy. This destructive emotion is rarely productive and can turn best friends into worst enemies. Before taking drastic action, chat with your jealous friend to see if the two of you can work out a compromise. If you can’t, be prepared to know exactly how far you will go to keep your friend – and how far you won’t.

    Remember, don’t limit your own talents or opportunities simply because your friend is unhappy.

  • The Value of a College Graduate

    The Value of a College Graduate

    Let’s face it; the professional world is incredibly fast paced. Because of this, employers are looking for new ways to keep up. One resource they are turning to is the infinite pool of recent college graduates. Mass amounts of qualified graduates hunt for entry level jobs that they can begin immediately following graduation. Employers are finding that young college grads can bring specific skills to the table that some experienced veterans can’t.

    Young people fresh out of college are hungry for success. They have spent years absorbing the knowledge and skills they need for their specific career path, and they can’t wait to put what they learned to use. The eagerness and enthusiasm of a young graduate could possibly outshine the experience of someone who has been in the professional world for a few years. In interview situations, sometimes personality and attitude determine whether or not a company will hire a candidate. Experience is good to have under your belt, but most college grads are trying to land their first big job, and therefore lack the professional experience the position may be requiring. In the competitive professional world, it is important to show employers all of your best attributes, which includes your personality, and make a good first impression.

    Another positive skill that new graduates have is their ability to grasp and apply new information. While in school, students are constantly learning, processing, and logging new information. Because graduates have just left that environment, they will carry on those skills to their new place of employment. This means that as new employees, graduates will be able to learn quickly and shorten a company’s valuable time spent training a new employee. Also, because of a new graduate’s professional blank slate, they can be molded to the company’s specific policies and standards. They don’t come with any bad habits or negative baggage from another company that needs to be changed.

    Of course big companies may not want to admit it, but many new and innovative ideas come from recent college graduates. This concept makes sense because graduates have been taught the most updated information, and they are used to using critical thinking skills. Their motivation to succeed eliminates their fear of speaking up, and they are eager to contribute their ideas. Seasoned veterans of a company may be so used to current procedures that they are unable to think outside of the box and contribute new ideas. This is where the fresh new ideas of recent college graduates come into play.

    Employers that utilize the talents of new graduates are setting their companies up for success. Companies who are willing to hire and fine-tune graduates are companies worth working for. The enthusiasm of a young employee can’t be beat, and has been proven to contribute to company success and growth. The potential and value of a person with a college degree, even those who are fresh out of college, should never be underestimated.

  • The Salary Question

    The Salary Question

    When pondering career options in a world where career insecurity and market fluctuations dominate, it is important to look at salaries for the professions that you are interested in pursuing to ensure you are building yourself a career that will allow you to enjoy a good quality of life. Just like selecting a university major, selecting a career path can leave you feeling satisfied or it can leave you feeling disappointed, based on your success in your major and your career of choice. Salary comes into play when you are planning your career because it will determine what kind of life you lead. If you neglect to look at salary with romantic ideals that money is meaningless and just pieces of paper, you may be left in the dust, struggling to pay for your overlooked comforts and even necessities.

    Looking at salaries can be more complicated than it sounds. With a lot of websites out there claiming to give the most accurate information, it is important to remember that not every site on the internet offers sounds advice. When looking at salary information, be sure to select a website that slims down your search results to at least time period and place. When you know how recent the information is, you are able to examine the claims much more critically. Similarly, when you know where the results are showing from, you can determine whether the results are applicable to you or not. For example, looking at results for teachers salaries from the year 2000 in California is not going to be of much value to you. Try to select a website that will allow you to narrow your results to time and place, and if possible, select a website with actual job postings as opposed to estimated salary ranges for the particular jobs. When you can look at what actual job placements are offered in your selected career you will be able to get an idea of what will be available five years from now when you are navigating the job market and looking for a suitable job.

    Determining what kind of salary range will be appropriate for you can be discovered by taking a look at your existing budget and where your priorities lie. Also, having a look at the housing market in areas where you are considering living in the future is a good idea. This information is readily available on your favorite news websites. Often comparing what kind of lifestyle a certain salary can afford you compared to another salary can help you to choose the right career for you. Good luck!

  • Don’t Like Your Boss? Be Nice Anyway

    Don’t Like Your Boss? Be Nice Anyway

    The working life can be hard. Poor pay, bad hours, unappealing work and unhelpful co-workers can sometimes seem to follow you from job to job. On top of all that, the presence of a ‘bad-boss’, and whatever that may entail, can make it all the worse. Whether making you work those extra hours on a Friday night or just putting extra pressure on you, the knee-jerk reaction may just be to fire back on all cylinders; to yell, scream or be passive-aggressive to the individual who sometimes seems so comfortable doing the same to you.

    The appropriate response is, however, simpler: be nice.

    It is always important to stand up for yourself but you have to bear in mind that you are this individual’s employee and it is your job to cater to both their needs and the needs of the job, within reason.

    Hopefully instances such as this, where you are forced to deal with an unpleasant work environment, are few and far between, but they do (unfortunately) exist. Many bosses are easy to work with – are even constructive and friendly – but it is important to remember that your boss is your boss, whether amicable or not. They are an authority figure within the confines of your workplace and it is important to do your best to maintain positive relations with them to the best of your ability. Why? A friendly attitude may bring about some better hours in the future but more importantly: the reference.

    The importance of a letter of reference or positive referral from a previous boss cannot be understated when looking for a new job. A glowing letter of recommendation from a past employer may be what it takes to elevate your resume over those of your peers. So be nice to your boss. Do your best to keep a positive attitude during those extra hours at work – what’s there to lose? The worst case scenario is that you’re friendly for no reason. The best case scenario is that you cultivate a good working relationship with your employer, obtain a good referral (or perhaps invitations to come work with them again) and improve the overall working environment of wherever you may find yourself employed.

    So be nice. It can be difficult sometimes, but if you can manage to rise above your negative feelings for your boss or workplace you’ll be enjoying yourself in no time.

  • Following Your Gut Instincts

    Following Your Gut Instincts

    Making decisions can be tough — not only for the very difficult decisions, but also for the easy ones. Sometimes, people can make life-changing choices in a few moments but then spend a very long time deciding what to eat for supper or what kind of chocolate to buy. They might weigh their options carefully or go with their first instincts. How do you make your decisions? Different decisions demand different levels of thought and planning, but your gut instincts might be very good for guiding you into the best choice for your future.

    Trusting your instincts might seem like a very doubtful way of making life-changing choices. If you’re like most people, you’ve probably bought things and then later regretted your purchase or said things you later wished you could take back. Not every impulse at every moment of the day is trustworthy, partly because so many factors can affect thinking. People who are under a lot of stress from work, school, or family can make bad decisions that affect them for the rest of their lives, for example. Similarly, people who usually have very strong opinions might tend to make quicker, if not always better, decisions than people who try to look at issues from all sides. What kind of person are you? Knowing your personality can help you know how much to trust your instincts in decision-making.

    Gut instincts might not always be right, but they are still important because they tell you about your values and preferences. If you love composing stories, for example, you might want to consider some kind of writing as a career, even if the life of a novelist is not for you. If you dislike a lot of noise, you might want to stay away from a career with young children. If you have a strong instinct to help people in need, you might want to consider a career in social work or in writing about social issues and urging the government to respond. You can learn to understand and interpret your instincts to help you make good decisions for your future.

    How can you learn to use your instincts to your best advantage? You need to learn more about yourself and about what keeps you from making good decisions, and you need to know when you can trust your first impulse. Practice is an important factor in following your instincts. When people have worked a long time in their field, they often find that their first instincts are right because they are based on experience. Learning to work with your instincts will tell you when you can trust them.

    The best kind of decision-making is a combination of factors, including analysis, experience, and a natural sense of what might work best. With practice, you can find ways to use all of these different factors to arrive at the best possible decisions for your situation. You won’t always be right, but if you learn how to appreciate your instincts, you can follow them throughout your life.

  • Study More Effectively with Art

    Study More Effectively with Art

    It is a daunting task to study for a multi-chapter unit test. Besides the final exam, those are the tests that every high school student dreads – no matter how good their grades are. Many students have their own tried-and-true methods of study, while many others are still searching for the right method for them. Have you ever thought about using art when you study to help you remember things?

    When I was in grade eleven, one of my teachers had us make study guides. They were to include everything we needed to remember for each unit test. We were allowed to put whatever we wanted on it, as long as it fit on one side of a piece of paper. The first one I ever made was a work of art: it was probably the most colourful non-art assignment I’ve ever turned in.

    I came to realize that with that method of study, I was remembering more than ever. Suddenly, memorizing pages of vocabulary, trying to remember the parts of a diagram, and writing out textbook definitions word for word seemed boring. Limited to the space of one page, I quickly had to learn to condense information.

    I eventually came up with a system in three parts: replacing words and phrases with symbols, using illustrations to replace paragraphs, and colour coding the parts that I did wind up writing.

    Use a set of symbols that are meaningful to you. Not only will it be less boring when you are reviewing your notes, but the extra brain power you use to remember what the symbols mean will help you to recall that information in the future. The more complicated, but definitely more fun, part is the illustrating.

    Do not let a lack of faith in your artistic abilities stop you. No matter how well you can draw, even if it is just stick figures, you can use illustrations effectively. After all, they are there for your benefit. As long as you understand the concept, you have done what you have set out to do. If a few arrows and a vaguely-drawn map of North America help you to remember where vital battles took place? Excellent. A few scribbled lines and some swirls to show how ocean currents work? Wonderful! When you draw it out yourself, you are far more likely to retain the information you have put down than if you had stared at it on the page of a textbook.

    Next comes highlighting. Since you will need some words in your notes, why not come up with a colour-coding system? In my study guide, I would put a small legend on the side containing not only the above-mentioned symbols, but also what each colour meant.

    Try using a different colour for headings and subheadings, vocabulary words and definitions, and concepts you have difficulty remembering. Everything will be a lot easier to find when you know what colour to look for.

    Try it out sometime. Use it for the next big test you have. You might discover some hidden talents, and maybe even find studying enjoyable. You may realize that merely creating the study sheet is enough and never refer to it again. Maybe that unit test won’t be so daunting after all.

  • Study What Interests You

    Study What Interests You

    Going to college or university is a pretty big deal and the program or courses you choose can impact your future success, both financially and in terms of doing something that excites you.

    You may already know exactly what you want to major in, or you may not. Either way, don’t panic. Many students begin college or university without a clear idea of what they want to study or what kinds of jobs they’ll be qualified for at the end of their studies.

    The perfect mix
    We take courses to expand our knowledge, hopefully in things we’re interested in, so we can find ways to enjoy what it is we do for a living – however far on the horizon that may be.

    The perfect job covers three main points. It’s: 1) something you’re good at, 2) something other people will to pay you to do, and 3) something you’re interested in or excited about. The sweet spot is right at the center of all three.

    Study what you’re good at
    If you’re good at something, it may be because you’ve spent a lot of time doing it because you enjoy it or simply because it comes naturally to you. Either way, taking courses where you’re likely to get good marks can beef up your transcript and you may find that these courses lead to new opportunities. They may be requirements for another course, or you may discover new aspects of the course that lead to something you’re more interested in.

    Study what other people will pay you to do
    Long term, you probably want a career you’ll enjoy where you have opportunity to do new and interesting things, but there are few jobs available playing video games or ultimate frisbee (though they do exist).

    Check out career fairs and look online for jobs related to what you like to do and see how other people are able to make money in related fields. You’d be surprised by the variety of jobs available, and it helps to have something to work towards.

    Study what you love
    School’s expensive, both in money and the time it takes to complete the coursework, so you might as well spend it doing something that you find inspiring. The best courses are sometimes the most difficult because that’s where you find room to grow, expanding your knowledge and skills.

    You may be able to take electives in subjects that are outside the scope of your larger program, but ones that are fun and teach you things you never knew you were interested in. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these opportunities when they arise.

    Explore your options
    Look for programs or courses that complement your strengths, attributes and interests – it can make all the difference. Choosing a path you feel comfortable with, that builds confidence and challenges you to accomplish more, can be incredibly rewarding.

    The earlier you begin, the easier it is to create a map of where you want to go. And don’t worry about making wrong decisions; you can always change track if something more suitable comes up.

    While the sweet spot may be where these three things collide, also consider courses which only hit two of these points. Take a look at course catalogues for different universities and see what’s out there.

  • A Career as a City Planner

    A Career as a City Planner

    According to Wikipedia, city planning is a technical and political process concerned with the control of the use of land and design of the urban environment, including transportation networks, to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities. It concerns itself with research and analysis, strategic thinking, architecture, urban design, public consultation, policy recommendations, implementation and management.

    Being a city planner can be a very exciting career choice that has many rewards, such as working on a team, having an impact on the physical world
    around you, and getting a chance to try and help build a sustainable community. In order to be successful as a planner, a solid education from an accredited institution will be your best foundation. After high school, you will have to go to University for an undergraduate degree followed by a Masters degree in Planning. Your undergraduate degree can be in Environmental Studies, Geography, Political Science or other related discipline. Getting good grades will be important to ensure you are able to gain admission to the Planning Masters program.

    There are many great schools in Canada that offer programs in city planning. Dalhousie University in Eastern Canada has several options at the undergraduate level with a Bachelor of Community Design and a Major in Environmental Planning. Other options include a major in urban design studies, environmental studies or community design and sustainability. If you are looking for something out in western Canada, you could try UBC’s programs in Community and Regional Planning as an Arts degree or as a Science degree. Their School of Community and Regional Planning is one of Canada’s oldest schools, being established in 1952. McGill University in Quebec offers a Masters in Urban Planning for those looking to add a little French to their lifestyle.

    As a city planner you can expect to make a good salary and to work alongside engineers and other professionals under the umbrella of government and private organizations, such as Scheffer Andrews Ltd. in Edmonton and Calgary. According to payscale.com, the salary outlook for a career in urban planning can have you earning between $39,991 and $85,110 with an average income of $58,141. Depending on the company you get hired on with, you can expect to have medical and dental benefits and a pension plan. As with all occupations, the more senior you become in your position the more you can expect to earn.

  • Study As You Play

    Study As You Play

    Well here we are again, getting back into the school routine. Early nights, early mornings, lots of studying, and a whole different mindset. Some of us like the busy schedules filled with endless studying, but others like myself would rather be doing many other things then studying for hours a day. If you’re into sports, video games, or your favorite TV shows and movies and would much rather be spending your time with them, let me help you study as you play.

    I’m a sucker for video games-I’m addicted. Studying was nonexistent in my middle school and early high school years, just video games. I would come home from school, grab some food and sit down for hours mashing through games. It’s what I loved to do, and at that point studying never crossed my mind. However, as the years went on and my marks started to fall, I realized I needed to change. The conventional way of sitting at a desk with my head stuck in a book wasn’t going to work for me.  I couldn’t focus, or remember important dates and names that way. So I gave up and went back to my games, and that’s where it hit me.

    I was playing a game called Rock Band (an interactive music game) and found myself saying important history dates to the rhythm of the songs I was playing. Usually I count the notes in my head, but this time I used dates, places and names. This may sound crazy, but it worked. What I started doing was looking over a section of my notes, and replayed it over and over in my head as I played games. I wasn’t able to focus on the work by just sitting there and reading it, but I was able to focus on the material while doing something else.

    This doesn’t just work for video games, this works for TV and movies as well. In English we always had to read books and know all about each characters personality traits. Let’s be honest, some of the books we’ve had to read were just terrible. So what I did was connect the book characters to TV show or movie characters. This will help you remember who each character is, what they do, and their personality.

    These are just my examples, what helped me through the long and important studying process. The main point of this is to tell you that studying doesn’t have to be dreadful. Try to connect or combine it with things you love to do. If you do that, you’re going to be more positive about studying. Make studying a part of your daily schedule, but do it your own way. Every bit of studying will help you, and I can guarantee you’ll see a difference in your school performance. What you have to study, and how much you have to study will only increase, so start making up a routine now-one that works for you. Let’s take this into our own hands, and study as we play.