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Category: College Bound

  • What You Can Do with an English BA

    What You Can Do with an English BA

    It takes a simple Google search to see just how many people search what to do with an English degree. For the most part, people already think that the arts is more of a hobby than anything else, English included. Apparently, reading is for the bath and long commutes. “What are you going to do with that?” “Are you planning on becoming a teacher?” “You know, English majors don’t really get anywhere.” “Only one in a million writers make it.” You don’t even need to be an English major to hear these things; just the thought of it welcomes unsupportive opinions.

    Well, as an English major, I’m here to tell you that that there are plenty of things you can do with an English degree besides being a teacher. If you have some inkling as to where you’d like to go for university of college, they usually have a list of jobs available for each program. For example, I graduated from the University of Toronto and if you head over to their website, they have a list of career options available for my degree. Some of the job suggestions include print journalist, fundraiser, editor, marketing researcher, director, insurance broker, lawyer, and librarian. The list includes dozens of suggestions.

    There are also plenty of people who have written about their experiences online to give you some inspiration that yes, it’ll be tough, but you also won’t be unemployed and wishing you had done what your parents suggested. Selloutyoursoul.com is a great blog that has been updated recently to include more positions for those enrolled or recently graduated from the humanities. News reporters, copywriters, public relations, and corporate blogger are just a few of the suggestions available. The suggestions also come with good tips for breaking into specific fields. So, if you’re looking at journalism, the blog suggests: “before getting a job you need to understand the principles of journalism. And being a smart writer with interesting ideas for articles helps. Be sure to get some writing samples together.”

    It may seem a little disheartening to know that so many people have researched what to do with an English major, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get a career with a degree in English. A lot of people before you have wondered the same thing, which is why there are so many options available for researching your future career path.

    It’s important to do your research. It’s important to speak to someone to who has the experience not only in your field but also as an English major. One piece of advice I would give is that you should get some experience in as early as you can. I was on my student paper for five years and it may not seem like much but it’s such a great stepping stone for bigger things. You don’t just learn journalistic practices either. You learn marketing, team management, event planning, administrative techniques, and copy editing. Even if you were to volunteer with a club on campus that’s designed for writers or English majors, you’re bound to learn something from them as well like how to work well with a team, plan events, coordinating events, and being a part of a community that has similar interests.

    But, hands down, the most important thing is to do your research. Speak to someone who graduated from an English program. Speak to someone in the field. Read about people who made something of themselves. You might surprise yourself with how many options are available.

    Sources:

    http://www.selloutyoursoul.com/2011/12/19/jobs-for-english-majors/

    https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/english

    https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/careers-by-major-english

  • Misconceptions About Getting a Job Right Out of Post-Secondary School

    Misconceptions About Getting a Job Right Out of Post-Secondary School

    So, you’ve got that shiny new degree from university or college, and now you face the task of getting that first job that will lead to the career that you always wanted; however, there are a few things you should know before you head off on that career path…

    These days, finding a full-time job is rather difficult. You’re more likely to get part-time or freelance contractor opportunities than full-time. (If you do manage to find full-time work, consider yourself incredibly lucky.) Some sectors are more difficult to get a foot into the door than others. As a result, that belief that you are “guaranteed” a job within a year of graduation, isn’t entirely true. It requires some luck, some negotiation, and a lot of reality checks. You may be required to move away from home, or get a second part-time job to in order to make rent.  In addition, you may have to consider returning back to school in order to make yourself ‘more’ employable.

    Pay ranges do not often meet the level that new graduates might expect. Most likely, you will not make as much as you expect because you are now entry-level, a freshman within the company; and for that reason, you will not be paid as much. The more experience you gain, the more amount (at least in theory, this can change due to changing jobs). Benefits may be low, and health insurance probably non-existent. It depends on the company: bigger companies tend to offer better benefits than smaller ones.  So, if you do have a job offer, and are looking for job benefits, focus on what you can get from the job in terms of personal growth, instead of what you have heard or what you thought you would get after graduation. Are you getting the benefits you wanted? Are you on a path where you can learn from your experiences to move towards the career you want? (I say this because you may not find yourself in the career path you would prefer, but if there is some opportunity to use your skills or learn new ones, it can still be beneficial). You may also be able to acquire the skills that employers value by taking additional training or classes – this also works for your benefit as well through expanding your résumé.

    Ignore the ideal picture of your first day of work and learn to accept what you can negotiate, and what you are more likely to earn as an entry-level position. I would strongly encourage you to keep believing in yourself and your abilities – there will be a job available for you that is a perfect fit for you and your career.

  • Decorate Your Dorm Room for Comfort and Function

    Decorate Your Dorm Room for Comfort and Function

    It’s true that a lot of dorm rooms have a bit of an institutional feel – cinderblock walls, plain white paint, unexciting carpet.  And you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your room studying, even though overall it’s only a temporary living space each year.

    So, if you want your new home-away-from-home to feel like home, then it’s time to figure out what you need to set up and decorate your room to be both comfortable and functional.

    There are four main points to consider when deciding how to arrange and decorate your dorm: room style, lighting, workspace, and storage.

    Room Style

    The type of dorm room you have will affect what you can do, and how much space you have to work with.

    To start with, if it’s possible to move furniture around, try out a couple different arrangements to see what works best in the space.  If your room is a single, you will have a bit more flexibility than if you’re sharing a double room with another student.

    Next, what kind of walls do you have – cinderblock, plaster or drywall?  This will affect what you can hang or attach to the walls, such as posters or shelving.  There’s also a good chance you won’t be allowed to paint or install anything using nails or screws, so sticky hooks and freestanding shelves will be your best friend.

    Most dorms will have a bed, desk, shelf and dresser, but in some cases only a bed is provided and students have to bring any other furnishings they need.  This information should be readily available from your school upon making residence arrangements, so be sure to ask!

    Lighting Needs

    Obviously, your dorm room will have at least one window, but depending on the size and the arrangement of the room, this may not provide enough light during the daytime, and you will need light at night.  If the ceiling light in your dorm isn’t enough for you, assess the space you have to find a lamp that will fit and still provide enough light for studying at your desk or reading in bed.

    Work Space

    If a desk comes with your dorm, take some time to arrange it to ensure you can work comfortably.  If you need to provide your own work space furniture, get something that suits the way you prefer to work, such as a comfy chair if you like to curl up and work on your lap, or a cafe table and chair for a coffee-shop feel.

    Storage

    What you need will depend on the furniture your dorm already has.  Many dorms come with a closet and built in shelves; others may provide dressers.  Baskets and boxes that can fit beneath beds and desks, or on closet shelves, will help keep you organized.

    Think about what you own, and plan your storage needs around that.  Lots of books? Maybe get an extra shelf.  Lots of shoes? Hanging pockets or shoe racks can maximize closet space.

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to get creative!  Have fun with setting up your space and decorating: try out some funky curtains, colourful storage boxes, and fun or unusual artwork and posters, to make the dorm room your own.

    SOURCES:

    https://www.newswise.com/articles/making-the-most-of-home-away-from-home-the-dorm-room

    http://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/20-chic-and-functional-dorm-room-decorating-ideas-pictures

  • Post-Secondary School Stereotypes

    Post-Secondary School Stereotypes

    Nothing about college life is truly stereotypical. It will never go the way you think it will. There are certainly stereotypical tropes that you can get lost in at the beginning, but you will soon find that post-secondary is your personal journey and you’ll stray from any preconceived caricatures of post-secondary life. Let’s address some typical college stereotypes that have both elements of truth and hyperbole to them:


    Cramming

    Oh, you will cram. You will cram a lot. There will always be people on campus who come off as being prepared and well read, but you never know what happens outside the class. While university is packed with classes, assignments, and social opportunities, many students feel that they have a lot of free time. They think that there is plenty of time to read those chapters in class—‘I can get caught up,’ they think. ‘I’ll just read an extra chapter next time’. Time mismanagement is one of the biggest problems in university and everyone runs into it. While you may spend most of university cramming, you will get better at time management due to lessons learned; you learn from experience.

    College students eat unhealthy food

    It’s true that college students are on the run and this often leads to poor eating habits. However, universities and colleges are very progressive in their healthy eating and lifestyle initiatives; healthier food options are becoming more prevalent on campus. When given a quick healthy eating option, many students will take it. Universities are also working with their budgets to make healthier foods more affordable—hence the growing presence of sushi and salad bars on campus. Fast food is no longer strictly unhealthy food. You can now get a balanced snack and/or meal lickity split.

    Too much caffeine

    Something about the routine, comfort and promised buzz of caffeine makes jumping from class to class and cramming more mentally achievable/bearable. But students do begin to find that too much caffeine starts to have the opposite affect on them; they instead begin to crash. Energy supplements like green tea and kombucha are becoming more and more popular on campus. While caffeine will never be more popular with you then in university, you won’t be dependent on it forever. But to cut down on costs in the meantime, buying a French press instead of hitting up Starbucks multiple times a day is advisable.

    Party too much, drink too much

    College is where you make new friends fast, and the sudden freedom from home/family life can lead to some prevalent party lifestyles. However, it does get old fast. While many students party hard and drink to excess in their first year, they soon realize that the lifestyle is not compatible with studying. Hangovers only get worse as the years go on, and as the years go on those term papers and exams get more and more important. You may find that those five beers a night in first year turn to five a week in second. While, in the first place, you need to be of drinking age ( 19 in Canada) to acquire these habits.  Unfortunately, some students start drinking before they are allowed to by law and it becomes a real problem that interferes with progress in school.

  • Leaping into the Post-Secondary Unknown

    Leaping into the Post-Secondary Unknown

    Whether your first day of college or university is looming, or you are deep within the trenches of your first year, remember this universal truth: It is scary for everyone. Yes, the reasons for this differ, including social anxiety, increased workload, and more adult-like responsibilities. Yes, some people will overcome their nervousness quicker than you will. For others, such as me and my own social anxiety and depression, university remains a challenge all the way to graduation. But with great challenges also come great opportunities, and focusing on the latter is the key to quelling those first-year jitters.

    If your first classes are still on the horizon, it is a good idea to visit the campus as much as possible to take it all in. There will be far more students than your high school, varying in ages, and all going about in different directions. All you need to do for your first steps on the school grounds is absorb this environment. The only way past that initial shock is to dive right in, and that is much easier to do if you do not have to rush to class. Student orientations are invaluable, but so is a simple walk about campus.

    I had an awful, confusing, lonely first semester. Yours may be occurring many kilometers from home, far from family and friends, with swirling thoughts of life for the next four years and beyond. You do not have to get comfortable, make friends, and figure things out right away. If anything, that period of confusion allows for introspection that will help you figure out who you are and what actions to take. This is the perfect chance to take baby steps and try different things – new groups, friends, study areas, activities, and more. It is so essential that you try, try, and try.

    Start slow and commit to one or two of the following, and then gradually ramp up to more. Hang out in the cafeteria or common room by your dorm. Go to all the society and group meetings you can find at least once. Join every group that catches your eye. You will likely regularly attend only a fraction of all these, but you can only find the ones that click for you by giving as many as you can a try. Having trouble with schoolwork? Make appointments with your professors, teaching assistants, and counsellors. Socially anxious? Join online groups and Facebook pages for your school. Check out small parties and events; commit yourself to at least half an hour for each and only stay beyond that if you are comfortable.

    The freedom of post-secondary life is at once liberating and terrifying for everyone. High school, for all of its milestones, is much closer to elementary life than colleges and universities. For many, they are a sudden thrust into adulthood, and the jolt is overwhelming. But it was your hard work and skills that earned you a place on campus. These same efforts and strengths can propel you into the wonderful opportunities that await and will help shape the adult you are becoming. Take a deep breath, take your time, and do not be afraid to be afraid.

    Sources:

    Rennison, Joe. “My first day: student accounts of their first moments at university.” National Union of Students. https://www.nus.org.uk/en/advice/freshers-and-settling-in/my-first-day-student-accounts-of-their-first-moments-at-university/

    Webster, Lucy. “Nervous freshers: don’t be scared. University has something for everyone.” The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/07/nervous-freshers-university-shy

  • 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.