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Category: College Bound

  • Frosh Week 101

    Frosh Week 101

    Frosh week can also be known as orientation week, and it is a universal rite of passage for all incoming post-secondary students. As the name suggests, it is a week of events organized by upper-year students, with the aim of introducing you to the school, the campus, and your future classmates. During the week, you will likely be in the same small group of students, led by one or two really enthusiastic orientation facilitators.

    From personal experience, frosh week is one of those experiences that the uninitiated look forward to (I blame movies)—but once you’ve experienced it, it becomes rather bleh. I went through two frosh weeks, one at a major Canadian university and one at a small college. Here are my major takeaways on the experience:

    1. There will be a lot of awkward conversations.

    At some point in your heavily scheduled frosh week, there will be an awkward ice-breaker. If you’re particularly (un)lucky, there will be multiple such experiences. Any extrovert will thrive in these situations, while an introvert may find these situations excruciating. My advice to you is to embrace the awkward! Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your future spouse during frosh week.

    1. Frosh week is not free.

    That T-shirt and goodie bag? Not free. Pizza lunch and bubble tea? Not free. One way or another, you are paying for these events and giveaways. Some colleges and universities add the cost of frosh week to your tuition and ancillary costs bill, but other schools will ask you to pay separately. Look for an email from your registrar’s office in early summer. The ticket to frosh week can be surprisingly expensive. If you cannot afford the cost of frosh week, speak to your registrar’s office or financial aid office to see what options you have.

    1. Familiarize yourself with the campus and surrounding neighbourhood.

    Both weeks I attended included an urban walk. The organizers usually make it into a fun competition, but it essentially meant your group leader would take you around the campus and neighbourhood. This point is especially important for any students who are living on residence and/or not familiar with the area, such as international students. Even if you don’t fall into these categories, it is important for all students to be aware of where the gym and library are, as well as where are the best places to eat and drink. This kind of info is best from an upper-year student.

    Frosh week is an inescapable universal in universities and colleges across Canada. Rather than dreading it, take advantage of what benefits it can provide you. You will have multiple opportunities to meet and befriend new people. You will get what amounts to insider information from your orientation group leaders. These pros are worth it!

  • Raindrops keep falling on my head—why do I feel like the world is out to get me?

    Raindrops keep falling on my head—why do I feel like the world is out to get me?

    It goes without saying that university can be a very stressful time. And true to the old saying…when it rains it pours. Problems never seem to come one at a time, but rather all at once. Being under academic pressure comes with side effects that can reach out to your personal and professional life. But other times, nothing seems to be connected and yet numerous things are wrong. So why is the world out to get you? The truth is, it’s not. But your attitude and the campus setting can seriously affect the results of day-to-day life. So what can you do?

    Ask for help

    You never have to be alone. Even if one of the problems is that you feel lonely and like it is just you against the world. Every school provides free counselling services and there are support groups. If it is a problem with studies and getting assignments completed your professors are there for you. In fact, it’s their job to give you advice and help. Use them. When the problems pile up, you have to put aside your pride and reach out to friends and family and anyone else that can help you. In the end, you will realize who is there for you.

    Focus on one problem at a time

    Yes the problems are piling up—but the truth is that there is no possible way they can all be handled at once. Make a list of everything that is going wrong from smallest to largest (or easiest to hardest), and try to tackle the more important of these first. If that is too daunting and you just cannot bring yourself to do it, pick the one you can solve the soonest and that will get the ball rolling. The success of solving a problem will feel amazing.

    Wait

    If what is wrong right now requires no action but rather time…wait. This too shall pass, and sometimes waiting is not being passive but rather being patient. Sometimes all you need to do is wait out the storm. In the meantime, find ways to envision a good outcome and calm yourself down through exercise, meditation and friendship.

    Tackle your anxiety

    Does the world feel like it’s out to get you because you’re anxious and constantly expecting the worst? Identify what makes you anxious and research ways to fight it. Envision your worst fears and then understand that your worst fears truly never often happen. Oftentimes it is our own insecurities and fears that contribute to the chaotic state of our lives, not outside events.

    When you look back

    The truth of the matter is that when you look back on these hard times, you may actually forget what caused them or what was happening. Oftentimes all these disasters that make university a hell at the time actually seem mundane down the road. Again, this too shall pass.

  • What to Do When You Feel You Have No Career Path

    What to Do When You Feel You Have No Career Path

    By Gavin Mercier

    Committing to a career path is a big deal, and one of the bigger choices that you will make in your life. “The rest of your life” is a long time, and finding a career that you will enjoy for it is a big decision. For some people, this decision might be an easy one – maybe you’ve known what you want to do since you were young. For others, however, it might be a little harder. Maybe you don’t know what you want to do, or maybe you feel like you can’t. In either case, it’s important to take a step back and take a look at what you like to do.

    Take a step back

    Sometimes you just need a break. Take a little bit of time to yourself and think about what you really want to do. Relax a little bit and let your mind settle before making decisions like this. When you feel ready, then you can begin to look. Start by looking at the jobs that really appeal to you, no matter how unrealistic they may be. If for some reason, you can’t do what you would like to, look at things that are similar to it. For example, if you want to be a chef but can’t get in, try starting small. Look for opportunities in the same field, because chances are you can cross over and become what you really want to be.

    Take a look at your hobbies

    Your hobbies best reflect what you like. Anything that you willingly do in your free must be appealing to you at least a little. So, look at the things that you enjoy doing, then look at jobs related to that activity. You’d be surprised what kind of jobs are out there, all you have to do is look. Say, for example, that you like to paint miniatures. Someone has to design those miniatures, so why can’t that someone be you? The same applies for all sorts of things, all you need to do is look.

    Look at what you like to do

    This might sound a lot like your hobbies, but it isn’t. Just look at the things that you enjoy doing. Things like driving, writing, painting, taking pictures, and etcetera. There are so many things that you can do with an interest. Just think a little bit outside the box. If you love to paint, you don’t have to be an artist. You can be anything from a house painter to an air brusher doing custom paint jobs on cars. The possibilities are endless, you just have to be a little creative.

    Picking a career path is a tough choice, and it’s even tougher when you don’t know what you want that path to be. However, by taking a step back and looking at what you like doing, what interests you, and what you can really see yourself doing, hopefully that path will become a little clearer.

  • Why We Need Laughter During Stressful Times

    Why We Need Laughter During Stressful Times

    At some point in your life, your stress level will be extremely high. There are some easy, quick, and readily available ways to bring yourself back a more calm state of mind. If you’re still having issues after trying the options I’ve mentioned previously on this site (hobbies, games with friends), please consider talking to a therapist or a mental health hotline. Bell Let’s Talk campaign (January 25th) is very timely: http://letstalk.bell.ca/en/get-help/ . You are not alone. There are people and organizations willing and able to help you.

    For now, I’m speaking in general terms: laugh during stressful times. It’s not only the best way to change the mood when you feel several things coming at you at once, whether they’re related to dating, school, family, or work.  Switch to something that you consider upbeat. It could be a funny movie, laughing at something that just came to you, a humorous fiction novel, cat videos on YouTube, or even TV or online shows specifically centered on a comedy of errors.

    Laughter is good for you for several health-related reasons. It’s the reason why advisors keep recommending leaving a job (if possible) if it’s causing you stress that has physical implications, such as feeling run down and staying in bed for long periods. By taking the time to look after your mental health, you can also look at your physical well-being, by easing the impact of stress on your heart and immune system.  This can also help you become healthier as compared to those people dealing with major stress. This is another reason why health professionals encourage more fun activities for you to enjoy.

    There’s also another source of laughter: your friends. If you surround yourself with positive energy and upbeat personalities, it can lift your mood considerably as compared to others who are generally more negative. It’s not a bad thing: everybody sees the world differently, but since you’re looking to help yourself in stressful times, keeping this interaction towards ‘negative’ friends can be helpful to keep to a minimum, until another time.

    Above all remember that stress and depression are serious issues that can impact your mental health. If none of these simple strategies help you; there is no shame in looking elsewhere for support. The Bell “Let’s Talk” page (see the link above) provides contact info for several organizations (websites and phone numbers) where you can seek further assistance. You are not the only person to feel this way, and you are helping yourself by seeking the help you need.

  • Is it Time to See a Counsellor? How to Realize It’s Time to Seek Professional Help, and Where to Find It.

    Is it Time to See a Counsellor? How to Realize It’s Time to Seek Professional Help, and Where to Find It.

    Sometimes when we hear the word “counsellor,” it can be easy to fall into the misconception that counselling is a helpful resource designated only to those struggling with a mental health illness. While proper counselling is an excellent tool in coping with mental health struggles, that is not it’s only beneficiary use. Someone may want to seek counselling for a variety of different reasons, not all of which involve having a diagnosed mental illness. A sudden tragedy, feeling increasingly overwhelmed or stressed, or struggling to live a sustainable life are a few potential signs it may be time to consider counselling. Acknowledging the need to see a counsellor is an excellent first step in resolving whatever conflicts may be standing in your path, and achieving your desired goals.

    When is it a good idea to consider counselling?

    With today’s students facing incredible amounts of challenges (not to mention all the curve balls life throws your way), it’s easy to see why proper counselling can be so crucial. Whatever the struggle in your life may be, here are a few key signs it may be time to consider seeking professional guidance to help you through it.

    • Your hardship is causing distress in your life
    • You have faced a tragedy
    • You feel lost, hopeless or stuck
    • Nothing you seem to do appears to fix or help the situation
    • You find yourself thinking/stressing about it constantly
    • You feel completely overwhelmed
    • Your daily life is affected
    • You are feeling depressed or anxious
    • It is hard to handle or cope with the situation
    • Someone has mentioned their concerns about you
    • You have concerns about your own well-being
    • You are losing sleep
    • Your work/academic performance is suffering
    • One or more of your relationships is strained

    Would seeing a counsellor actually be beneficial for me?

    You wouldn’t continue playing soccer with a broken ankle, because you know you’d be doing much more harm than good if you did. Instead, you would go see a doctor and receive the right treatment you need in order to heal. The same should be true with your mental health. Let’s compare it the broken ankle scenario.

    • Noticing the signs that something isn’t quite right would be the same as feeling/seeing that you have broken your ankle.
    • Recognizing you can no longer put yourself through this turmoil could be viewed as removing yourself from the soccer game.
    • Seeking proper treatment from a counsellor is just like going to the hospital to receive proper treatment for your injury.

    While recognizing you have broken your ankle and removing yourself from the game are important first steps, you know those that alone will not heal your ankle. The same is true when it comes to your mental health. Noticing the signs and recognizing something must change are excellent first steps to overcoming your adversity, but they aren’t enough to get you completely back on track. Counsellors provide a safe, judgement free environment along with the support, professional guidance and life-long skill development designed specifically to help you conquer your challenges.

    I think it’s time to see a counsellor, but I heard they can be expensive. Is this even an option for me?

    Many post-secondary institutions in Canada offer counselling services to their students, free of charge. To find the counselling services offered by your institution, visit your institution’s official website under services, or visit your on-campus administration services for more information.

  • 7 Ways to Craft a Stand-Out Resume

    7 Ways to Craft a Stand-Out Resume

    With the job market getting more competitive, it’s important that your resume can perform. Here are 7 sure-fire ways to give you an edge on the competition:

    1. Use Keywords and Key Phrases to tailor your resume for the job. With recruiters receiving a deluge of resumes, more companies are using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) to weed out less desirable candidates and save time. Not too long ago only large companies used ATSs; but today, small and medium-sized companies also use them. When you email your resume or complete an online application, it goes through the ATS that stores your resume on a database. When the recruiter enters keywords for a job opening, the system lists the top search results in the same way as when you do a Google search. So, it’s important to include relevant keywords in your resume to increase your ranking in the ATS.
    2. Include SMART Accomplishments. Instead of just describing responsibilities and accountabilities, include accomplishments that contain as many as the following elements as possible:
    • Specific (clearly explain accomplishment)
    • Measurable (use numbers when possible)
    • Action-oriented (start with verb)
    • Results-oriented (how it helped company or customers)
    • Time-specific (how long accomplishment took)

    For example, compare “Reorganized medical filing system.” with “Reorganized 1000 patient files within 4 months to help doctors find information more quickly”. Using SMART accomplishments shows the employer you understand the importance of your job.

    1. List all Relevant Work Experience. If you don’t have a lot of work experience, you can list volunteer work, school projects or community initiatives and explain how you helped the organization or team. Employers are always looking for people who take the initiative to solve problems or meet needs. If you’re applying for a position where you need a portfolio, use school projects as samples or create samples on spec to demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
    2. Avoid clichés. Clichés are boring because they’re overused. Everyone says they’re an “excellent communicator”, “team player” or have “excellent problem-solving skills”. When a recruiter has to look at over 100 resumes, seeing the same old tired words and phrases can put them to sleep. Show don’t tell. For example, instead of saying you have strong problem-solving skills, demonstrate it by explaining how you solved problems during your summer jobs, internships, part-time jobs, initiatives or projects.
    3. Use a clean, professional design. You may have the best qualifications, skills and experience for the job, but if your resume has too many fancy fonts or loud bullets dancing all over the place, recruiters won’t have the patience to wade through the madness. The average recruiter has less than a minute to scan your resume, so you must help them quickly answer the question “Is this candidate suitable?”. A well-designed resume that answers this question will make the recruiter’s job much easier.
    4. Include a cover letter. Unless specified otherwise, always include a cover letter. Try to find out the employer’s name and address the letter to them. If you can’t find out their name, it’s OK to say “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear Human Resources”. Ensure your letter follows the AIDA formula. Your letter should have 4 paragraphs, each with its own purpose:
    • A is for Attention: Grab the employer’s attention by asking a question or stating an interesting fact.
    • I is for Interest: Explain how your skills and knowledge match those needed for the job.
    • D is for Desire: Mention what you learned about the company to show the employer you’ve done your research.
    • A is for Action: Ask for an interview by suggesting a meeting to further discuss your qualifications.
    1. Check and recheck. A sloppy resume with typos and grammatical errors sends the wrong message. When you finished your resume, set it aside for a day or two, then check it again to ensure it’s error free. Better yet, ask someone you trust to look it over because with being so close to the document, it’s hard to be objective and catch your own mistakes.

    Job hunting is a lot of work. Some people say it’s a full-time job. If you put in the time to craft a stand-out resume, you’ll put yourself on the road to success.

    Giselle Mazurat received her designation as a Certified Resume Strategist from the Career Professionals of Canada. She also writes technical and business content for government and private companies. 

    References:

    8 Surprising Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out
    http://www.inc.com/peter-economy/8-surprising-ways-to-make-your-resume-stand-out.html

    12 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out
    http://www.businessinsider.com/12-ways-to-make-your-resume-stand-out-2014-4

    Create a Cover Letter
    https://www.centennialcollege.ca/mycentennial/students/graduating-students/create-a-cover-letter/

    How to Make Your Resume Stand Out from the Crowd
    https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-make-your-resume-stand-out-from-the-crowd-2063334

    How to Make Your Resume Stand Out When You Don’t Have Job Experience
    http://www.joinkoru.com/resume-checklist-for-recent-grads/

    How to Write a Cover Letter that Works
    http://www.blueskyresumes.com/blog/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-that-works/

    Top 5 Easy Tips For Making Your Resume Stand Out
    https://www.workitdaily.com/top-5-easy-tips-making-resume-stand/

  • Campus Tours

    Campus Tours

    It’s time to decide on your future. It’s time to pick programs, schools and figure out what you’re doing with your life! It can be stressful, scary and down right exciting. Picking schools, let alone programs can be stressful especially if you’re uncertain or in a tie on where you want to go to get your education. School and program research and campus tours are the best pieces of judgement you can use to decide which school is the best for you. Here are a few reasons why you should take a campus tour of your school choices before you accept an offer:

    Get information

    You’re going to be spending the next couple of years here (depending on your program). You should see what programs, activities, services, clubs, sports and surrounding city area your school has to offer. If you aren’t interested in anything the school or city is offering, you might not enjoy your time there. The school has to be a right fit for you and a place that meets your needs.

    Eliminate the schools that don’t interest you

    Let’s be honest; there are schools that are going to excite you, and there and schools that just don’t really interest you. By touring the campus, you are able to eliminate the schools that you absolutely have no interest going to after visiting the campus in person.

    First hand experience

    You won’t know what you do or don’t like until you go and experience it first hand. The dream school you thought you really wanted to go to might not live up to what you thought it would be, or the school you didn’t think you wanted to go to is now your first choice. You have to go out and talk to the students, see the campus and experience it for yourself. Seeing pictures is not enough!

    The atmosphere

    Every place has a vibe to it whether you observe it or not; vibe being the feeling of the place you’re in whether it is a comfortable, uncomfortable, home, etc. Every place you visit has a certain atmosphere and you want to make sure that it fits you and what you’re looking for. The school should have an atmosphere that doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable. You don’t know the feeling of the school until you visit. You can narrow down your school selection by how you feel when you’re on the campus, talking to the students, teachers and residents etc.

    There are various reasons why you should visit and tour the schools you’re interested in going to. Ultimately, you should not make a blind decision about where you want to go. You should get as much information as possible to make an informed decision. Now go and get touring!

  • The State of Journalism and the Media: Positives and Negatives

    The State of Journalism and the Media: Positives and Negatives

    It’s no secret that the newspaper industry has been in a dire situation in recent years. In truth, the industry has undergone a complete reorganization, which has not only impacted news consumers but also specifically employees and perspective young journalist and students. The average weekday combined newspaper circulation, digital and print outputs are steadily falling each year. Unfortunately, digital subscriptions and increased online traffic has not exhibited any real revenue solutions in the grand scheme of things. Yes this does sound negative. But while many are prophesying the death of journalism as we know it, there are new positives on the horizon that will depend on the industry’s ability to persevere, become more entrepreneurial and not hold on too strongly to classic publishing tactics. Lets break the situation down in order to give you an honest look at where things are at:

    Internships and contract positions are either unpaid or very low in wage

    There is not a single writer out there who is not familiar with having to work for free (but very hard) in order to even have the remote possibility of getting ahead in the journalism field. Right now on the landscape of journalism the job security is simply not there, so journalists need to stay on their toes and keep their freelance options open. There is very little possibility of landing a union-protected staff position at a publication or media outlet. This is why, unfortunately, many students considering their futures are heading directly into public relations and corporate communications. The whole news and entertainment-sharing medium is deemed highly impractical.

    Training quality is at an all-time high

    Here’s a HUGE positive: university journalism training is becoming much more thorough and students are being trained on everything from electronic journalism to social media to management to marketing and graphics. The fact of the matter is that one simply cannot hope to succeed in journalism nowadays without a far-reaching collection of skills and knowledge. Know how to do it all and you will have the better chance at landing a coveted full-time job in journalism.

    Budget costs

    Newspapers are shutting down or becoming non-profit, and fast. With the way information is shared and consumed nowadays companies simply do not have the budgets to fund nor can they feasibly value large staffs or really any staff member that does less than absolutely amazing and innovative work. These budget issues are North America wide and require journalists to stand out from the pack and also be able to write in multiple different areas of interest.

    Prioritizing creative fulfillment over job security

    This is not a real thing. Do not do it. Have your creative outlet, but know that the money—for the most part—will always come from high-need areas. Economics, marketing, business writing, social media consulting and managements…this is where the money is at. Understand the needed symbiotic union between artistic needs and economic ones.

    So…

    Do not be discouraged. If you are an aspiring journalist, the field is a challenge that—if conquered—can be extremely rewarding. Just know that these days it demands of you to know more and do more than ever before. These are the jobs that take smart people to brilliant levels through the process of creativity, rejection, perseverance and social change.

    Works Cited:

    www.journalism.org

    www.thewalrus.ca

  • The Common Pressures of Millennials

    The Common Pressures of Millennials

    Millennials are a generation so often penned as the ‘start-up generation’ by the media. Yes this often means people think they jump from job to job looking for the next great thing, but this makes them diverse, open and socially liberal. But that is not the whole picture. Sadly there are so many issues possessed by Millennials and pressures they face:

    Not so entrepreneurial

    This is a troubling fact for the economy, with nearly half of Millennials surveyed saying that they believe the best way to advance their careers is to stay with one company for a long time. This makes the portions of people who move from company to company or prefer to create their own company much smaller. It’s possible that there is less of a sense of urgency with this generation. But it can be changed.

    Money issues

    A huge stressor for anyone, money is especially a cause of worry for Millennials as they have entered adulthood after the financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. This, as you will remember, led to financial instability and job loss for many parents and friends, leaving Millennials feeling worried about the future. While many make under $3,000 a month, they are also faced with the extreme costs of post-secondary education. Student loans are a constant looming shadow, and one often leaves university with around $40,00 in debt. Lets not get started on post-graduation job security.

    Degree expectation

    For many Millennials, a college degree is an expected way of life. It is not always a tool to get what they want but rather the blind next step after high school. In truth, many people in the previous generation feel really good about their degrees because it was considered a much bigger accomplishment back than and one was more likely to get a career after. Nowadays that is not the case.

    Solution?

    Make a list of all the things you want to see in your life in ten years. What are the steps you need to take to accomplish this? Millennials often handle high levels of stress with binge drinking, smoking, drug use, overeating and obsession. The concept of quiet time is not a popular one and that can be the best choice. Instead of handling pressures this way, always stay busy and allow yourself failures. These make the success shine brighter. But don’t ever think things come easily. If you  want something bad enough, you will achieve it. Ignoring stereotypes and the social pressures of the world is the best way in forming your own path for the future that suits you- that is what matters.

  • Post-Secondary to Work

    Post-Secondary to Work

    You’ve probably been asked this question countless times during your undergraduate degree: what are you doing after you graduate? The pressure hits hard when we’re younger, though. Students are forced to choose a major and a university or college when they’re still in high school, expected to know what to do with their lives at the tender age of 17-18. Then university rolls around and the same question gets asked. We always need to be one step ahead it seems.

    When I was in high school I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I changed my major at the same time I changed universities and for the most part I’m happy doing what I do (the essays are a bit much). But now that I’m reaching the end of my university career, people see that I’m a writer and immediately wonder what I’m doing with my life. And, to be honest, it’s hard to answer them sometimes.

    However, I can understand the stress placed on students upon leaving university or college so I’m here to give a few quick tips on what I’ve learned from my time here:

    The first thing students should do is start early. Try and get a job on campus, even if it’s not something in your field. Everyone knows someone and you never know who you’ll network with at school. Plus, everything is experience. If you want to focus solely on positions related to your field of study or interest, then you should visit clubs on campus pertaining to your interests. Some offer paid positions and others offer volunteer experience. That’s not a bad place to start.

    Another good thing to do is to make friends professors in your field. Oftentimes they need help in the office or with their research. At the end of the day, you’d be an excellent candidate if you kept on top of your work and showed them that you were dedicated. Not to mention, an added bonus of knowing the professor is that they always know someone. Plenty of my friends have met contacts of theirs through their professors. Plus, getting to know your professors helps when you need reference letters.

    One of the best things you can do when you’re unsure of your next move is to go to your career centre or professors in the field. Professors were students once, like you, and they likely know your struggle and are more than willing to help you. The career centres on campus are also good places to go given that they help you after you graduate. They help you construct resumes, build skills, and help you figure out what you want to do.

    It can be daunting to leave university or college and step into the workforce. But, you should start as early as you can to boost those skills and meet new people because you never know what good karma is waiting for you on the other side.