1210212.us16.myftpupload.com Managed WordPress Site

Tag: fun

  • Joining Extracurricular Activities

    Joining Extracurricular Activities

    Whether you’re in middle school, high school, university, or college, getting involved with extracurricular activities is a great way to engage yourself outside of the classroom. It also serves as a great way to network, makes some new friends, and explore any interests you may have. On top of all of this, extracurriculars often make for some great resume and application material. If you’re overwhelmed with all of the choices offered at your school, check out some of the tips listed below:

    •If you’re unsure about where to start, why not try an interest-based club? This could be something fun, religious, artistic, or perhaps something you’ve always been curious about exploring. These types of clubs and organizations serve as great stress-relievers when work starts to pile-up.

    •Career-based extracurricular are those that relate to whatever field of work you intend to purse in the future. It could be anything from the Pre-Medicine Students’ Society to the Model UN. Joining these types of clubs is a great way to network with like-minded students and access helpful resources that the club-coordinators may have. There are often many upper year students involved in these career-based clubs and they’re usually willing to offer up advice on how to succeed in your classes, which courses to take, and those that should be avoided at all costs. These extracurriculars definitely have their academic merits but they can also help you rediscover your passion for the career path that you’ve chosen.

    •Joining clubs that have humanitarian agendas is a great way to make use of your spare time. These clubs may be part of a larger, global organization or they may be focused on community outreach. Simple choose an issue that you`re passionate about out (i.e. poverty, homophobia, human trafficking) and find a club that works closely with that issue. If it just so happens that you`re passionate about various issues, don’t be afraid to join more than one!

    There are likely to be dozens of clubs operating at your school so be sure to have a look at all of them. However, it’s important to pay attention to how much time you’re devoting to these extracurriculars. Before you officially join anything, be sure to ask about the time commitment. Find out how long meeting usually run and how often you meet. Depending on the nature of the club, you may also want to ask if you’ll be required to do anything that will add to your work load. This is especially crucial if you intend to join several clubs.

    Keep in mind that you’re not limited to the clubs offered at your school. There are dozens of youth organizations within your city that may serve your interests. Stepping outside of your school is an excellent way to get involved with your community and perhaps gain some leadership experience in the process. If you still can’t find anything that suits your interest, don’t be afraid to start your own club! The process might be tedious but it’ll definitely be worth it when you’re doing what you love with people that share your passion.

  • What to Do With a Gap Year

    What to Do With a Gap Year

    A gap year is an idea that many may brush off, may overlook, or may not take seriously. Gap years are often thought of as a ‘fallback’ or an alternative if your initial plans fall through. But it can be so much more than that.

    Taking a year off can let you revitalize and focus you. It allows an opportunity for you to grow outside of the school environment and provide a fresh outlook on what you want to do, what is important to you and how you want to continue your studies.

    You won’t be bored, I promise you. There are countless options for how to spend your year. Some may be more practical than others, but they all will (hopefully) help influence your upcoming decisions concerning what it is you want to do.

    Taking more classes is a common option. Working for those extra credits can give you the opportunity to explore those courses you never had the time for before. Maybe you’ve always had a passion for literature? You could try some offbeat English courses. Film? How about a “History of Western Filmmaking”? Taking additional courses allows the opportunity to boost your average and explore some alternative new fields.

    Then again, education is expensive. Working could be a good idea. You could work full-time or part-time either working as a barista or something totally unique. Your choice. Regardless, experiencing the workforce can be a positive and eye-opening experience and a little extra cash never hurt anyone.

    Maybe you want to see the world before heading back to the library? Traveling is an unforgettable experience. It is one that can broaden your mind, allow you to grow as an individual all while putting a good dent in the money you saved up working for the better part of your year off.

    Each can of course be inclusive of the others and each offers the opportunity to learn new skills, learn about yourself, network and hopefully help you decide which path you want to take or any changes you may want (or not want) to make to the one you’re already on.

    Your education is not a race. It’s your life. The decisions you make and route you choose will make a huge impact on your future so be sure to take your time and make the right decisions. Some people dismiss the idea of a gap year as a ‘wasted‘ or ‘lost‘ year but if you do it right and make the most of it taking a year off can be an extremely rewarding and eye-opening experience. You won’t regret it!

  • The History of Halloween

    The History of Halloween

    It’s the time of year when you can walk down your street and see not only the glorious colours of fall, squirrels gathering nuts for winter, and colourful leaves floating around your head, but also the familiar sights of leering jack o’ lanterns; toothy, grinning skeletons; and sneering, crusty witches.

    What the heck?

    Hallowe’en is the time of year when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at it’s thinnest. It’s believed spirits can cross over from their ethereal world of the non-living and interact with the living.

    Historically speaking, Hallowe’en was a celebration of the end of summer and harvest, and the beginning of winter, be early Celts in Britain, Scotland, Ireland and northern France. 2,000 years ago, this celebration was called Samhain (pronounced Sow-ain) an old Irish word which means “summers end”. The Celts celebrated with bonfires, rituals, and dressing up in costumes to represent the spirits, both harmful and harmless, who were able to cross over. The Druids (spiritual leaders of the Celts) believed the less evil of the spirits could be called upon for divination or predicting the future of crops and weather, since these things affected people’s very existence and survival. For the most part, however, the spirits were feared as unknown creatures who could damage crops and play tricks on humans.

    To the end, Jack o’ Lanterns were carved from turnips with evil faces meant to scare away the roaming spirits, and people wore masks to hide themselves and even scare the spirits away. The turnips, carved and lit, were also carried for the purpose of “souling” which was the act of going door to door offering prayers for the household’s dead in exchange for coins or food. This practice was typically enacted by the poorer folk of the time. From this, our modern trick-or-treating evolved.

    As society progressed, and Christianity started to spread, the Romans realized they could not eradicate such deeply bound beliefs from people over night, so they chose to incorporate their own celebratory days into ones already in existence. For Samhain, this was All-Hallowmass, which was also known as All Souls Day, and was celebrated on November 1, honouring the dead. It too, was celebrated with costumes, although those were representative of angels, devils and saints, and with bonfires and parades too. Eventually this became known as All Hallows Even (evening), and today, Hallowe’en.

    Currently, Hallowe’en is a special day geared for children, for the most part, although adults too enjoy the shenanigans. It’s a strictly secular event now, with costumes of monsters, celebrities, cartoon characters and those costumes are worn not to hide from evil spirits, but to entertain and scare each other. Candy is collected by trick-or-treaters, making this an extremely lucrative time of year for sweets merchandisers and dentists.

    The only thing to fear these days are acts of evil by people around us. Children have been hurt and maimed by razor blades or pins inserted into treats, and in some cases, even drugs have been injected into foods. Parents are urged to check their children’s candy thoroughly after they return home, to hopefully prevent such a tragic mishap, but sadly, this isn’t always enough.

    As in times of old, safety is still a factor in enjoying this event. Making sure to wear reflective clothing, visiting only homes you know, or attending a public event supported by local businesses are ways to protect yourself and your family and have a frightfully good time!

  • I Want to Be A Robot!

    I Want to Be A Robot!

    Miss Inglis’ kindergarten class at Parliament Oak elementary school had to answer a special question this week. The question: what do you want to be when you grow up?

    The study of childhood occupation aspirations has been going on for decades and approached from many different angles. From the psychological transition of fantasy to realistic choices, to gendered influences on the traditional roles children choose.

    In a 1952 Ginzberg study, it was noted that children go through three stages in choosing occupations: “fantasy choices (before age 11); tentative choices (ages 11 to 17); and realistic choices (ages 17 to young adulthood).”

    Parliament Oak kindergartener Jack wants to be a robot. Maddie wants to be a rock star and James wants to be a spy.

    These children’s choices are fantastical. But as the workforce in Canada shifts towards the service industry and technological occupations, even a mail carrier may soon be considered a fantasy career choice.

    However, some career choices will stand the test of time. For example, kindergartener Ciaran wants to be an animal scientist, and Alexander wants to be a doctor. Career choices in science are likely to continue to be in high demand despite rapid changes in technology.

    Gender influences noted by scientists Levy, Sadovsky, Troseth, and Stroeher determined that early in life, especially from ages four to seven, young boys and girls are likely to choose traditionally male or female careers.

    This was a very common theme in Mrs. Inglis’ class; Oskar wanted to be a soccer player, Brian a policeman, Sophie a hair stylist, and Katherine a bride. However, social psychologists Garrett and Tremaine reported, “as children get older, they tend to be more flexible in choosing non-stereotyped careers”.

    An interesting aspect of these studies done in the 1970s is that boys reported to have double the amount of fantastical career choices than young girls. Garrett and Tremaine’s research noted, “girls learn early on that few adult vocations are open to them.”

    Today, we are living in the crossover effect of male/female college enrolment rates. According to the Population Reference Bureau organization, it officially occurred in 1993 and now leaves males seven percentage points behind females when it comes to college populations.  This change improves the likelihood of female success in the workplace and increases their vocational opportunities.

    Mrs. Inglis’ class did not reflect that change, with boys and girls averaging at very similar amounts of choices. The students are set to graduate this week, and it will be neat to see what they will become, and who will find success in the workforce of the future. My money is on the robot kid, but only time will tell.

  • Getting Involved with School Clubs

    Getting Involved with School Clubs

    During your first year of post-secondary education, youʼre going to want to experience different things, gain new friends, harness your academic and social skills, and perhaps get your mind off all that schoolwork.

    One of the best ways of doing this, outside of your classes, is by joining one of the many clubs on campus. There is bound to be a club that suits your needs and interests, and it may be as simple as going online to see what is available for you.

    A club is an excellent way to have fun while learning new skills that are relevant to your career path, and sharing your passion with other like-minded people.

    In my time at Brock University I joined three clubs.  One of them was the writers club – where students would join up after their classes to share poetry and prose. In a small seminar room, usually with under 20 students, we would discuss each others work in turns, pointing out our strengths and weaknesses.

    Sharing my work with others and receiving their criticism helped me grow as a writer. But clubs are not limited to just seminar discussions.

    Another club at Brock, called Guinness Brock,  is based around trying to break world records. If you need volunteer hours to put on your resume or application form, you may benefit from a club like this.  Being part of a club also helps out with scholarships, since most look for a candidate with strong extra-curricular achievement. Last year Guinness Brock broke the world record during their freshmen week for most people air soloing. They also attempted to break the record for worldʼs largest dodgeball game.

    More than just being rewarding, joining a club can help lead to other opportunities.  For example, the previously mentioned Guiness Brock club helped Brock student Sohail Ahmed climb his way to the top of Brock Universityʼs student council, becoming the acting president for the upcoming semester. Sohail founded Guiness Brock, not only to create a club that he would enjoy, but also to create something that would allow him to gain management experience that could lead him to other opportunities on campus. As a result, Sohail not only created a lasting impact in Brockʼs club society, he also created an opportunity for himself.

    As much fun as clubs can be, try and select clubs you’re interested in wisely and make sure they fit your academic schedule. Happy clubbing – and yes, there are probably dance clubs as well!

  • Getting a Head Start on Your Future Career

    Getting a Head Start on Your Future Career

    The concept of career planning can send some students into nervous fits, rocking in the corner, curled into the fetal position. It isn’t pretty. For others, it means spending countless happy hours on the Internet, excitedly researching every job they’ve ever been interested in. Regardless of which category you fall under, it’s always a good idea to weigh your options early. Getting a head start will not only help you build experience, but it’ll help you make a solid decision when it comes to planning your career.

    1. Make a list of potential career options. Base them on things that you’re already good at and enjoy. Do you like to write? You could consider journalism or creative writing. Are you good at math? You could investigate engineering or maybe finance. Do you love sports? Think about coaching or even teaching physical education. Don’t limit yourself to one “type” of job; keep the ideas flowing and options open.

    2. Investigate your options. Google is your friend; a wealth of information is literally at your fingertips. Research job descriptions to get a general idea of what your career options involve. Do they still appeal to you? Take a look at job postings. Do the lists of responsibilities make you excited or do they make you cringe?

    3. Work on your skills. If writing is your objective, work on it. If math is your goal, work on it. If sports are your aim – you guessed it – work on it. Now is the time to hone your skills so that later you’ll be that much farther ahead in the race for professional positions.

    4. Test the waters. If you still aren’t sure what you’d like to do, try a few different things. Start volunteering or even working part-time. If you volunteer for just one hour each week, you can try several different things without eating up too much of your time. This will help you to decide which options to eliminate and which you should explore further.

    5. Try new things. Don’t limit yourself to one particular career option, especially if you aren’t sure what you’d like to do. Get involved in a few different areas – for example, you could volunteer at an animal shelter, an environmental non-profit organization and a municipal government office at the same time. The best part about volunteering is that you aren’t signed up for life; you’re free to explore and find out what working feels like.

    Don’t feel pressured to pick a career right away; instead, think of high school as an opportunity to explore your options. Without the obligations of a full-time job, you have time to try different “jobs” in a relaxed and fun way.

  • Myth: I Don’t Need Money – My Parents Pay For Everything!

    Myth: I Don’t Need Money – My Parents Pay For Everything!

    Many young students might think that having their parents pay for their school tuition, shelter, transportation, food, clothing, hygiene products, entertainment and anything else would provide them with enough money to survive university. But this is a myth! The reality is that money is more than something that is used to purchase the things you want and need. Making money is more than just having money in your pocket, it is building your path to independence and self-sufficiency. Making your own money on top of whatever amount your parents are giving you is a great way of creating independence for yourself. This is hugely important because when you are not dependent on others for every aspect of your material survival, you can feel empowered and able to make your own choices. Having the feeling that you control your own life and are not dependent on your parents will inevitably allow you to see your life more clearly and to see exactly how your own decisions affect your life.

    Working is valuable for gaining money and for experience that can be used in different areas of your life. When you work you are taking on responsibility and people are depending on you to do the job. Having people depend on you instead of constantly depending on others is empowering and reinforces your independence. Additionally, building your work experience looks great on a resume and will help you later in life when looking for a job and for getting through your day-to-day life tasks that inevitably require some taking on of responsibility.

    Having your own money also allows you to have a little fun and minimize the guilt you feel when you spend the money your parents give you. If you want to go on a trip to Wonderland with your friends, get your nails done or even buy some new shoes, having your own source of income will allow you to make these little trips and purchases that make life worthwhile. When you have your own money, you are more in charge of the direction that your life will take. Overall, money enables you to be independent and to make choices better suited to you than you would if you were dependent on your parents.

  • The Importance of Hobbies

    The Importance of Hobbies

    Between lectures, labs, essays and exams, the importance of constructive hobbies will quickly become evident within a post-secondary environment. Some turn to the arts, some to athletics, some look to develop skills that compliment their degrees and others choose hobbies that are as far from their individual programs as possible.

    Regardless of your hobby of choice, the need and importance of such activities will become clear. Soon you’ll be working hard at your degree, trying to balance your social life with work while trying to maintain some semblance of the evasive “you time”.

    Hobbies facilitate this. By dedicating yourself to a specific pastime you are making a promise to yourself to step back and breathe from the various pressures present in post-secondary education while, hopefully, allowing yourself to grow as an individual. Whether spending an hour on the treadmill, playing a video game, learning an instrument or sitting down to read a book, every hobby encourages the development of a new set of skills, allows you to meet a new network of individuals and, perhaps, allows a welcome escape from the stress of real life.

    A hobby is a good reflection of the ideals, characteristics and interests of an individual and, if you spend enough time on it, it will do so positively. Eventually you may be known as the guitarist of the group, the writer or maybe the athlete. Though such labels can be daunting, they can be positive as well. Soon people will be reaching out to you for music suggestions, writing tips or for advice on their new workout schedule.

    Such questions will only increase your standing within your community while allowing you to develop the skills and interests that will make you stand out as an individual. All the while giving you a welcome, constructive break from the strains of student life.

    The university atmosphere is also a perfect opportunity for the development of such hobbies. As with the academic quality unique to the post-secondary environment, you will find yourself surrounded by a new community of like-minded individuals, all of whom are eager and interested in developing their skills, meeting others with similar interests and sharing their expertise with one another.

    So go learn an instrument! Go join a sports team! Constructive pastimes are extremely beneficial to a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle and will allow you to grow as an individual, meet new people and develop new hidden talents.