Category: College Bound

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

May 29, 2017
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.

May 29, 2017
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.
April 30, 2017
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!

April 24, 2017
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

April 24, 2017
Introvert on Campus

My first few months on a university campus were surreal. The cozier class sizes of high school gave way to the massive behemoths that are lecture halls. Not only were there a plethora of pupils sitting beside me, but I also did not know a single one of them. The naturally sociable have an easier time navigating this labyrinth. The notion of an introvert in such a situation brings about images of a lonely soul on the side, awkward hellos, and excessive alone time filled with sorrow. There is far more to introversion than there seems, and it is far from a life sentence of solitude.

Introversion is often lumped together with social anxiety. The latter comes with its unique challenges to be overcome. Introverts, on the other hand, often enjoy socializing and do not necessarily experience significant society in situations such as large classrooms or parties. Whereas extraverts feel energized from spending time with others, introverts often need alone time in order to recharge. This can be difficult for other people to understand, but it is by no means a reason to feel ashamed.

Social events can be a great place to make new friends and connections, have good times with current ones, and relieve some stress. This is true for both introverts and extraverts. Even if you are one of the former and find these gatherings can be exhausting, a few simple parameters can help you get the most out of them. If you are feeling reluctant to go, agree with yourself to stay for at least one hour. If after that hour you are still having a good time, promise yourself that you will remain for another hour, and so on. You can also decide on a set time to leave, and simply let others know you are heading off to get some work done. Going with a good friend can make it easier to not only make the most of the event, and but also leave early if you depart together.

Finding good friends is crucial for study partners, emotional support, and the building of long-term connections. Discard any preconceived notions that we all should have hundreds of friends. Seeing social media profiles with thousands of connections and pictures with hundreds of likes have set up expectations that simply do not align with real life. A few close friends will always offer much more fulfillment than a few dozen acquaintances.

A campus can be filled with events of many sizes, as well as volunteer and work opportunities. Colleges and universities are brimming with activities that you can sign up for and participate in. These can include more solitary group activities, such as yoga classes, as well as creative art endeavours that you can explore during your alone time. It is definitely possible to utilize your introversion to allot for more study time and practice. In doing so, you will excel in more strengths and graduate with an enriched skillset. Regardless of what others think, be proud of who you are and do not look at your introversion as a weakness.

It is not only okay to be an introvert on campus, but it can often be a very wonderful thing. By utilizing your existing positive attributes, while also ensuring you do not stray too far into seclusion, you can achieve a very healthy and rewarding balance. You do not have to be the life of the party; instead, make socializing a part of a fulfilling life.

Sources:

Acquaviva, Allison. “An Introvert’s Guide to Succeeding in College.” Utica College. http://www.utica.edu/student-blogs/an-introverts-guide-to-succeeding-in-college-2/

O’Halleron, Lauren. “How to survive college as an introvert.” Campus.ie. http://campus.ie/surviving-college/personal/how-survive-college-introvert

April 24, 2017
Majors and Minors: How Do I Choose What is Right for Me?
Choosing your undergraduate major can feel like a major decision. Majors and minors are programs of study that determine what courses you will take during your four years of university. For example, a student majoring in astronomy would be required to take a certain number of courses (both introductory and upper-level) in this field and ultimately, he or she will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in astronomy.

On the other hand, a student wishing to complete a minor in astronomy will take only a few courses in astronomy. Another crucial difference is that you must declare a major while minors are optional. This statement comes with an asterisk though: different schools will have different rules. For example, University of Toronto undergraduates must be enrolled in either two majors or one major and two minors.

I would be doing you a disservice if I did not mention that the University of Toronto offers a third program option called specialists. This is like a more specialized major. The chart below indicates how many credits a student needs in order to fulfill each type of program. (A credit is earned after passing a course, but note that some courses earn you one full credit while others earn you half a credit.) As you can see, enrolling in a specialist program in astronomy means that over half of all your courses will be in astronomy.

Minor Major Specialist Number of credits needed to graduate

4.0 credits 6.0 to 8.5 credits 9.0 to 16.0 credits 20.0

Now that you have a better of idea of what majors and minors are, the next question is naturally how to choose. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Start with your interests and strengths.
The first thing you should do is read through the list of undergraduate fields of study, from A to Z. Make sure to read through the program descriptions. The goal of this step is to create a long-list of possibilities based on your interests and strengths. If the list is really long, divide this list into two lists: subjects you are passionately interested in and subjects that you have a more passing interest in.
1. Familiarize yourself with your school’s selection instructions.
Not every field of study will be offered as a major or minor (or specialist). Some subjects are only offered as a specialist, while others may only be offered as a minor. For every subject on your list above, indicate if they are offered as a major, a minor, and/or a specialist. A subject you are really interested in, you will probably want to major in it.

Prerequisites are something else to research. Do not assume there are none. If you are interested in a particularly competitive major, you may even be required to complete an application. This is something you need to take into consideration, and it is naturally a good idea to have back-up choices for your major.
1. Consider what you will do with your major after graduation.
This is a really complex issue. Because the workplace now may be quite different in four years when you graduate, it is difficult to say that a certain major will lead to a more promising career than another. It definitely helps to speak to third- and fourth-year students in a major you’re interested in—ask them what they feel their job prospects are like.

Or you may be considering graduate studies after your undergraduate degree, so you’re not immediately heading into the workplace. When selecting your major, you may want to meet with an academic advisor or mentor. These individuals have a wealth of experience and expertise in these matters.

Choosing your major is not an easy task. For some students, the choice is easy; for others, you can be stressing over this for months. The good news is that nothing is set in stone, you can change your major later. Also remember that you can probably double-major, so if you’re agonizing between computer science and zoology, why not major in both?

References:
1. https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar/academic-support/how-choose-minor-major-or-specialist-subject-post
2. https://www.washington.edu/uaa/advising/academic-planning/majors-and-minors/choosing-a-major/
March 27, 2017
How to Get Your 40 Hours of Community Service

At first, getting your 40 hours of community service might seem like a chore. But over the course of 4 years, 40 hours might just be achieved from your everyday life: helping siblings at their sports practices, participating in school events, helping out your neighbours, or even just by working with your parents. If you portion it out over the course of your entire high school career, this shouldn’t be a challenge. Even if you put it off until your last year, getting 40 hours shouldn’t be too hard. There are always places looking for volunteers, and some of them can actually be a lot of fun.

Animal Shelters

Animal shelters take in stray or lost dogs from the community and take care of them until a more suitable home is found. Oftentimes, this includes rescuing dogs from the street or even unfit homes. If you love animals, this is the perfect way to get your hours in. Animal shelters are always looking for volunteers, as they are typically non-profit. Take a look around your community for any local animal shelters or rescues and see if they need help. Chances are, they do. Working at an animal shelter is a great way to give back to your community and help out some animals at the same time.

Homeless Shelters

Homeless shelters provide a safe haven for the less fortunate on our streets. These shelters often open up their doors every day and offer a hot meal to those that may be unable to get one otherwise. Another great way to help out your community is by volunteering at homeless shelters or soup kitchens. These places are almost always looking for volunteers. Also, these places are likely to give longer shifts, meaning that you can finish your hours in a shorter period of time.

Check Online

There are plenty of resources online to help you get your 40 hours. If you are in Ontario, check out “Youthconnect.ca”. It is a government website that lists all sorts of other websites and opportunities that are available to students in Ontario. Each province should have a similar website that lists what sort of volunteerism is available in the area.

Help Out Your School

Another easy way to get your hours is to simply volunteer at your school. Helping out events or teachers is an easy and sure-fire way to pick up some hours. Especially if your school has lots of clubs and events, you could use this method to get all 40 hours. Ask your teacher and principals if there is anything you can do to get some volunteer hours – chances are, they’ll help you.

Getting your 40 hours can be a chore, but only if you put it off until the last minute. If you take a little bit of time, you should be able to get those 40 hours no problem.

March 1, 2017
Career Profile: Cardiovascular Perfusion
Cardiovascular perfusion is probably one of those health care professions you have never heard of. These individuals are an integral member of open-heart and thoracic surgery teams. Now let’s dive into the details of what cardiovascular perfusionists do and how to become one.

What is the role of a cardiovascular perfusionist?

The primary responsibility of cardiovascular perfusionists is to operate a heart-lung machine (1). In open-heart and thoracic surgeries, these machines take over breathing and blood pumping for the patient, whose heart needs to be stopped in order to be operated on. In addition, cardiovascular perfusionists monitor the patient’s breathing and circulation. If anything is irregular, they must take the necessary corrective actions. The scope of practice of cardiovascular perfusionists also include administering intravenous fluids, blood products, and anesthetic drugs.

Where do cardiovascular perfusionists work?

Cardiovascular perfusionists work in hospitals, specifically ones that perform open-heart and thoracic surgeries.

How do you become a cardiovascular perfusionist?

This is a rather specialized health care profession, so currently Canada only has three training programs, offered by the Michener Institute of Education at UHN, the University of Montreal, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. You should check the specific details of each program, but generally, they last two years and require applicants to have at minimum a Bachelors of Science degree. Registered nurses and respiratory therapists can also upgrade their skills using one of these programs.

Now that you know more about this health care profession, you should consider the field of cardiovascular perfusion if you are interested in health care, especially surgery, cardiology, and physiology.

References:
March 1, 2017
Millennial Madness

Do you feel overwhelmed? Growing up is, and always has been, a stressful experience. The culmination of technological advancements, economical circumstances, and societal evolution has resulted in a very unique situation for millennials. If university and the road ahead are overwhelming you, you are far from alone.

The American Psychological Association has found that financial concerns have remained the top stressor for young people for over a decade. According to the Canadian Federation of Students, student loans across the nation totalled $15 billion in 2013, while the youth unemployment rate was at 14%. Pressures exist to excel at school and in the career to follow. Coupled with ever-rising post-secondary expenses and a job market flooded with high-quality applicants, those pressures are skyrocketing. This has led to a slew of physical and mental repercussions, from high blood pressure to anxiety and depression.

This has been evident not just in Canada. The National Alliance on Mental Health found that over five million college students in the United States struggled with mental health, with more than a quarter having a diagnosable condition and receiving treatment. Dr. Gordon Flett of York University has noted this is a result of the “epidemic of perfectionism.” Millennials feel pressure to keep their grades up, engage in many extra-curricular activities, and emerge from school ready to change the world.

Unhealthy coping mechanisms abound. Millennials are more likely to binge watch entire seasons of a series, browse the Internet aimlessly, and sleep longer hours than other generations. The advent of social media allows for connectivity unlike never before. But it comes at a price. We scrub out negativity in our social media profiles and present our best selves to friends and colleagues, resulting in our instinctual desire to compare ourselves to one another to be conducted through false lenses. We compound external stressors with self-driven pressure.

As technology creates new opportunities while making many old jobs obsolete, and as income inequality stretches well beyond reason, millennials face challenges unlike those of previous eras. There may not be a World War or famine. If you go back three or four generations, it is likely your ancestors were struggling to farm the land in brutal conditions. Many immigrants came to North America to escape that harshness, and in doing so removed many of obstacles for their offspring. Like them, however, millennials are tasked with coping with the circumstances dealt to them and forging ahead.

There are hints around us of what that entails. More and more young people are eschewing mortgages and embracing the freedom and cost-effectiveness of renting. Universal basic income is gaining traction as an offset to the jobs that will be lost to automation. Depression and anxiety are losing their social stigma, with treatment options such as therapy and medication gaining acceptance. Youth are protesting, engaging in activism for many causes, and taking more and more interest in preserving the planet for future generations.

There is hope amidst the madness.

Sources:

Chai, Carmen and Allison Vuchnich. “Young Minds: Millennials facing increased rates of stress compared to other generations.” Global News. http://globalnews.ca/news/548478/young-minds-millennials-facing-increased-rates-of-stress-compared-to-other-generations/

Heck, Laura. “A generation on edge: A look at millennials and mental health.” Vox Magazine. http://www.voxmagazine.com/news/features/a-generation-on-edge-a-look-at-millennials-and-mental/article_533c1384-fe5b-5321-84ae-8070ec158f17.html

Loria, Kevin. “It’s official: millennials are the most stressed-out generation.” Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-are-the-most-stressed-out-2015-2

February 28, 2017

Minor	Major	Specialist	Number of credits needed to graduate
4.0 credits	6.0 to 8.5 credits	9.0 to 16.0 credits	20.0