Author: threshold

Heading off to college is a time of mixed emotions. You’re likely to be excited about starting this next chapter of your life, but you’ll also miss the family and friends you’re leaving behind. This often leads to homesickness — and it can hit you unexpectedly. Luckily, there are several things you can do to cope.

1. Recognize That You’re Feeling Homesick

The first step is to recognize that what you’re experiencing is homesickness. It may manifest itself as grief or feelings of loss — after all, you’ve lost your sense of belonging, familiar places and people, and the comfort that comes from having a regular routine. Although you may not realize it, you’ll be craving stability, predictability, and consistency. For this reason, homesickness may strike particularly hard at certain times of the day, such as when you’re usually engaged in a particular activity.

The good news is that homesickness is not a clinical diagnosis. It tends to be short lived — and it’s within your power to overcome it.

2. Start New Rituals

To regain a sense of security and regularity, it helps to begin establishing new routines. You can do these routines alone or with friends, but they should start almost as soon as you wake up and end right before you go to bed. If there are certain times of the year when you find that homesickness returns (such as around a particular holiday), create new traditions or share ones from home with your roommates.

3. Prepare Your Favourite Meals

It’s comforting to eat meals like those you often have with your family. Ask your parents for recipes and learn to prepare these dishes yourself. Cooking will be a useful skill to have all your life, as you’ll be able to whip up your favourite foods whenever you’re feeling low.

4. Explore Your Surroundings

Making your new home familiar will also help reduce homesickness. Learn where to find various places on campus and search for interesting spots around your college town, such as parks, coffee shops, and hiking trails.

5. Chat with Friends and Family

Arrange to have regular calls with friends from your hometown and family members. Friends who are attending other universities will also be feeling homesick, meaning they’ll benefit from a chat just as much as you.

6. Make New Friends

Try to resist the urge to rely heavily on people back home, though — it’s also important to start making new friends. Attend events, join clubs, and volunteer to expand your social circle and meet people with similar interests.

7. Talk About Your Feelings

Since your friends are likely going through the same, don’t be afraid to talk about your homesickness. You may also have siblings who have already been through the experience who can give you advice about what worked for them.

8. Reach Out for Support

If homesickness causes your anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues to worsen, reach out for support from a professional. Your college likely has counselling services available to students.

You’ll suffer less from homesickness if you find an apartment that you love. Most people find it uncomfortable living on campus due to the limited privacy and cramped space, but having your own room in student housing can lead to a great college experience. An alternative to Niagara College residence is Foundry Lofts. You’ll be able to meet and hang out with other students in places like the games room, movie theatre, and fireside lounge or you can relax on your own in your spacious bedroom and living room. Contact us to join the waitlist.

Your classes are just one educational resource you’ll receive at university. To improve your understanding of material, enhance your academic skills, and prepare for your graduation, there are a number of other resources on campus that you should be taking advantage of.

1. Tutoring

Never feel that you must struggle with a difficult class alone. If you need extra support to understand the material or apply the skills you’re learning, a tutor could be just what you need. Ask about tutoring services on campus to find the most cost-effective options. You may even be able to choose between one-on-one tutoring and group sessions.

2. Careers Support

It’s worth thinking about what you want to do after you finish university a while before your graduation date approaches. Head to the careers centre on campus to discuss your options. You can also use the services to search for openings, fine tune your resume, and ace interviews — for jobs or internships now and after you graduate.

3. Writing Centre

Most universities offer academic services to help students with their writing skills. You can find support for writing all kinds of papers, starting with creating an outline and ending with proofreading your work before you submit it. Students who are nearing the end of their degrees tend to find the writing centre particularly useful for preparing their thesis or research project, as it can be difficult to know where to begin, how to structure the different sections, and how to fit everything together.

4. Academic Advisors

Whenever you have a question about your education, turn to the academic advisory team. Advisors can help you with things like creating an appropriate class schedule, dropping a class, switching majors, and meeting your academic goals.

5. Office Hours with Professors

Your professors are another top source for academic advice. They can help you with doubts and questions related to a specific class — all you need to do is pay them a visit during office hours. Plus, office hours are a great way to connect to your professors on a deeper level, which could be useful if you’re looking to pursue research in a similar field or you just want to start building your professional network.

6. Financial Aid Office

It’s possible that your financial situation will change during your time at university. Besides, it’s always worth seeing if you qualify for new scholarships and grants to save money. Visit the financial aid office if you ever want information about what support you qualify for or to manage your current loans.

7. Library

Even though you can gain a vast amount of information online, your campus library can be important during your time at university. It’s somewhere you can focus on your studies in peace, collaborate on a group project, or ask librarians to help you locate the information you need to complete a paper.

8. Sport Facilities

If you’re not an athlete yourself, you may have neglected the sports facilities on campus. This means you could be missing out on the opportunity to use the gym or attend fitness classes to get in shape, stay healthy, and reduce stress.

9. Mental Health Services

Many universities offer counselling services at low prices to help students manage their mental health, cope with negative emotions, and deal with anxieties. You’ll likely also have access to hotlines you can call if you want confidential support or need to talk to someone during a crisis.

10. IT Department

If you’re unsure about how to perform a particular IT task or your computer suffers a crash, reach out to the IT department. Someone will likely be able to help you over the phone to resolve the issue.

Another way to receive great resources that enhance the student experience is to live in student housing. For Brock University off-campus housing, there’s no better option than Foundry Lofts. In addition to your private bedroom in a suite, you’ll have access to onsite amenities like a study zone and fitness centre. Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when a space opens up.

Living on campus is often the default when you start college — but most students quickly realize that it’s far from ideal. Typically, staying in a dorm means sharing a small room with a stranger (and other areas of your housing with a large number of students), adhering to strict rules, and being stuck with a meal plan. If you’re wondering whether you should move off campus, the answer is probably yes for a few main reasons.

1. Save Money

Even though you don’t receive much more than a simple room when you live on campus, dorms tend to be much more expensive than renting your own apartment. This is because you’re paying extra to be close to your classes and to receive meals. As a result, though, more of your budget goes to housing and less to enjoying student life. You can find housing to fit virtually any budget when you live off campus. To spend as little as possible, find an apartment where utilities are included and that has many bedrooms to split costs with a large number of roommates.

2. Choose Your Neighbourhood

Proximity to classes does have its advantages, particularly if you’re taking many morning classes. However, there’s often no need to live on campus — you’ll find it’s just as convenient to be a short commute away. The added advantage is that you are able to choose from a variety of neighbourhoods to find somewhere safe and close to the kinds of services you want, whether that’s grocery stores, restaurants, nightlife, or your part-time job.

3. More Freedom

You likely started college with ideas about how much freedom and independence you would have, only to find out that living on campus can often resemble being at your parents’ house. There are many rules to follow, including periods of quiet during the lead-up to exams and perhaps even a curfew. There are far fewer rules when you live off campus — you just need to be respectful of your neighbours and keep the apartment in good condition to avoid losing your security deposit.

4. Great Amenities

College dorms are scarce in terms of amenities. For instance, you usually don’t have more than a mini fridge and a microwave. In off-campus housing, a full-size kitchen is standard. Plus, you’ll share a bathroom with far fewer people. Some buildings even have extra perks, including a gym, study areas, and lounges where you can meet other residents.

5. The Option to Have a Car

It can be difficult to have your own car when you live on campus. Often, there are no reserved spaces, which is a big problem when there’s insufficient parking for everyone. When you live off campus, you may be able to request a space on site or at least find parking nearby.

6. Privacy and Personal Space

Many students find making the adjustment to being around other people almost all the time quite exhausting. Plus, your personal space is extremely limited. Moving off campus will allow you to maintain an active social life, but you can also spend time alone whenever you choose.

7. Stay Over the Summer

It may be more convenient to continue living in your college town over the summer, such as if you want to take summer classes, continue working, or find an internship nearby. You’ll likely need to find off-campus housing if you want to do any of these things, as dorms tend to shut for the summer. In fact, even if you want to spend all or some of your summer at your parents’ home, it will be more comfortable to leave most of your belongings behind to avoid another big move in the fall.

You can find Niagara College student housing at Foundry Lofts. Receive your own bedroom in a spacious suite equipped with stainless steel appliances. In addition, you’ll have access to exclusive amenities, including fitness facilities, a games room, and a movie theatre. Sign a lease now to take advantage of the lowest rates of the year.

To work out a budget for your time at college, you need to know how much you’re likely to spend on supplies. Whereas this depends on a variety of factors, including where you’ll be studying, your major, and where you purchase supplies, it is possible to make a reasonably accurate estimate.

What Supplies Will You Need?

Tuition accounts for around one-third of college-related costs, housing about 40 percent, and food about 15 percent. After this, your biggest expense is likely to be course materials. The supplies you’ll need include textbooks, lab books, notebooks, and stationery. Depending on what classes you take, you may also need things like a calculator, art supplies, and specialist software — you can find out what expenses you’ll incur by reading more about your class requirements. All this adds up to an average of about $800 per year.

However, costs do vary quite considerably for students taking different majors. Typically, though, the most expensive majors in terms of course materials are business, criminology, and psychology. In contrast, the least expensive majors are computer science, math, and music.

Other Expenses

Many college students already have a laptop when they start classes. If you don’t (or if your laptop lacks the capabilities you need for your classes), this will be another expense. You can purchase a basic laptop for a few hundred dollars, but if you need a particular model, you may need to spend up to a couple thousand dollars.

How to Reduce Costs

Whatever supplies you need, there are strategies you can use to reduce costs.

Buy Second Hand

Usually, there’s no need to buy new books. Since students who have completed a class often have no more use for their books, there tend to be many second-hand course materials available for purchase at the end of the semester. As well as buying from students at your college, you can find used books for sale online.

Rent Your Books

An alternative to purchasing books is to rent them. Just make sure you won’t need to refer to a book later and that you can keep it in good condition.

Use Your College Computer Lab

If you’re struggling to afford a laptop, software, or tech equipment, you may be able to find what you need at your college computer lab. Often, the equipment is available to use 24 hours a day.

Avoid Wasting Supplies

Prevent the need to purchase all new stationery and notebooks each year by keeping everything organized. If you need to move out of your housing at the end of the year, pack up your supplies to reuse them instead of throwing them out.

Pick Up Items from Free Bins

It’s common for colleges to set up free bins at the end of the year. Here, students can dispose of items like stationery and clothing that others may want.

You’ll also spend less if you live in off-campus housing rather than in a dorm. An alternative to Niagara College residence is Foundry Lofts. We have four- and five-bedroom suites available, both furnished and unfurnished. Book an in-person or virtual tour to check out the facilities.

While night classes are most popular with students who also have a full-time job, they’re actually open to everyone. Whether there’s a class you’d like to take that’s happening at night, you’re considering taking night classes just for the experience, or you’d like to free up some time during the day, it’s important to know the pros and cons before coming to a decision.

Pro: Hear Different Perspectives

Since it’s mainly mature students who take night classes, you’ll hear completely different viewpoints. This can lead to engaging discussions in the classroom and can enrich group projects. Since some students may already have jobs in a related field, you’ll also gain insights into what it’s like to work in particular industries.

Con: A Restricted Social Life

Mature students and others working full time will often be less available to socialize. Plus, your classes may take place at the same time as other activities on campus, meaning you could miss out on some other opportunities.

Pro: Free Up Your Schedule

When taking classes at night, it’s up to you how to use your time during the day. It can be particularly useful to study: doing homework right before a night class can be helpful for remembering more details, meaning you’ll be able to participate more in class. It can also be useful for reminding you that you need to ask the professor any questions you may have. Alternatively, night classes could increase your availability for shifts, which will mean you’re able to work more hours and increase your income.

Con: Reduced Access to Campus Services

Services like the financial aid office, careers services, writing centre, and perhaps even dining and the campus library may only be open during the day. If you’re taking night classes to be able to work, you may need to request time off to access these services.

Pro: Expand Your Network

You’re likely to meet students at night classes whom you would otherwise never have met. This is great for developing a network of people who could be useful contacts after you graduate. In addition, you’ll often find that adjunct professors are teaching night classes. They often come from more diverse backgrounds than tenured professors and may have more real-world experience.

Con: Long Hours

Combining night classes with morning and afternoon classes can lead to long days. You’ll need to be disciplined enough to ensure you use your time between classes productively and avoid distractions like social media. If you want to take just night classes for the chance to work during the day, you may find that you become exhausted, which will make it more difficult to concentrate in class.

If you do decide to take night classes, it will be extra important to live near campus. For Brock off-campus living, there’s Foundry Lofts. At just one kilometre from campus, it’s a 10-minute walk, six minutes by bike, and three minutes by bus. Plus, you’ll have a range of great amenities on site, including a fitness centre, study lounge, and in-suite washer and dryer. Apply now to secure a unit for next semester.

All sorts of companies offer students the chance to take summer internships. If you know exactly what you’d like to do after you graduate or what company you’d like to work for, it may be obvious what type of internship is right for you. However, if you’re still exploring your options, it can be particularly difficult to know what to look for. Whatever your goals, there are certain characteristics you should always search for in an internship.

1. Something That Will Strengthen Your Resume

Think about what kind of internship you would like to be able to list on your resume when applying for jobs and talking to potential employers at a careers fair. The experience should gain you relevant skills that mean you’re better qualified for the kind of position you want after you graduate.

2. The Chance to Explore Your Options

Depending on how well defined your career goals are, you may like to find an internship in a particular role or just in a certain industry. You may like to search for something that resembles your dream job or discover one of several possibilities for after you graduate. Whatever you pick, make sure your internship gives you plenty of opportunities to work on real projects and gives you a taste of what it would be like to work permanently in a similar position.

3. Great Contacts

Internships can sometimes lead to full-time jobs in the organization after you graduate. However, even if you decide to look elsewhere for work, the internship should provide you with useful contacts in the industry. These people may be able to recommend you other opportunities, provide you with references, or even become your mentors. To gain the most valuable contacts possible, search for internships where you’ll be in direct contact with executives at the company.

4. An Enjoyable Experience

Ideally, you’ll enjoy your internship. The type of work you’ll be doing will have a big impact, but you should also search for an organization that has a positive work culture where other people enjoy their jobs. This can have benefits beyond providing you with a great experience over the summer: it will also show you what the world of work can be like and help you make better decisions about what you’re willing to settle for later in life.

5. Work You Care About

The internship will be more meaningful to you — and look more impressive when you’re applying for jobs — if you work on projects that have an impact in the real world. Often, the best way to find out what the internship is likely to involve is to research what work interns did in previous years.

A final consideration is where you’ll live during your summer internship. Many students choose to stay near their university and find an apartment where they can continue to live when the fall semester starts. For Brock University off-campus housing, there’s Foundry Lofts. You’ll be able to stay connected with WiFi throughout the building, relax in your private bedroom in your spacious suite, and meet other students in places like the TV lounge, game room, and movie theatre. Apply now while there are still a few places left.

If some of your friends will be graduating soon, you need to start thinking about gifts. You want something special, but you also need to stay within your budget — especially if several friends will be graduating at the same time. The good news is you have plenty of options for gifts you can pick up easily for a decent price.

1. A Candle

A scented candle is great as a personalized gift, as you can choose different fragrances for each friend according to their preferences. Your friends will be able to burn the candles when they move into their new homes — and think of you.

2. A Mirror

Another option that doubles up well as a housewarming present is a mirror. Mirrors are less expensive than other decor, and you can find ones with trendy frames or in interesting shapes to suit your friends’ tastes.

3. A Planner

For friends who need to improve their organizational skills, there’s no better gift than a planner. They can also use the planner to make a note of the goals they want to achieve after graduating.

4. Hydrating Masks

Encourage your friends to take some time to relax after all that hard work by gifting them a couple hydrating face masks. This could be just what they need to feel prepared for an interview or the first day at a new job.

5. A Long-Lasting Tote Bag

Most tote bags are not made to last: you use them a few times and they start to tear or look tattered. One that’s both durable and stylish makes a great gift.

6. A Photo Album

Give your friends somewhere to store memories of their time at university with a photo album. You could even start the album with a few polaroids or prints of your own.

7. A Journal

If you have friends who love to journal — or would like to start — gift them an attractive notebook where they can jot down their thoughts. This will feel much more special than using a spiral notebook.

8. Sunglasses

You can never have too many shades! Pick out some that will allow your friends to graduate in style.

9. A Desk Organizer

Any friend who will be working a desk job can benefit from an organizer. It’s ideal for keeping clutter in check.

10. A Personalized Mug

Mugs are inexpensive and can make totally unique gifts. Find a service that allows you to print your own design and choose something different for each friend. For instance, you could use an inside joke, a few words of motivation, or a favourite photo from your time at university.

11. A Coffee Tumbler

For friends who need to drink their coffee on the go, a tumbler could be a better option than a mug. Search for a tumbler with a meaningful design, such as something related to the city where you’re studying or perhaps your university logo.

12. A Graduation Card

If you’re particularly strapped for cash and you have a large number of friends you want to congratulate, a card could be enough. Spend one weekend creating handmade cards for each friend or order some funny cards.
Another way to save money while you’re at university is to move into off-campus student housing. St. Catharines students have Foundry Lofts. Our apartments provide you with a comfortable place to live in a great location at an affordable price. Sign a lease now to secure our lowest rates.

When you move into your new student apartment, it can take a while for the space to feel like it’s your own. This is especially likely to be the case if you’ve lived in the same house with your family for several years and had the chance to accumulate many things that express your personality. To start feeling at home at university sooner, try some of these simple decorating tips.

1. A Peg Board

If you find that your desk quickly becomes cluttered, a peg board may be a better alternative than shelves. You can hang up all sorts of small items within easy reach — it’s convenient and it adds to the aesthetics of your room.

2. Fairy Lights

Create ambience without making your room too bright with fairy lights. These are ideal to use with a desk lamp while studying, or on their own when you want to relax, listen to music, or hang out with friends.

3. LED Strips

You may prefer to use LED strips instead of fairy lights. They come in various colours as well as white and produce a completely different effect. For the best results, install them around the edge of a board.

4. A Star Projector

One more option for lighting is to set up a star projector. This is particularly ideal for your bedroom, as it will help you relax in the evening and fall asleep more easily.

5. Posters

Bare walls always look boring. Posters are an inexpensive way to display your interests and add some colour. You could find posters of your favourite albums, movies, or TV shows or even just with a design you like.

6. An Area Rug

Keep the floor warm and make it more visually appealing with an area rug. As long as the rug complements the rest of your decor reasonably well, you can use this as a chance to be adventurous: go bright, fluffy, or contemporary.

7. A Tapestry

You can be even more vibrant than with a rug by hanging a tapestry on your wall. Find a design you love and instantly transform the room.

8. Indoor Plants

Freshen the air in your apartment with a few indoor plants. It’s best to find some low-maintenance plants that will be easy to keep alive, especially if you’ve never cared for plants before.

9. Thrift Store Decor

Pick up some unique items for your apartment by checking out local thrift stores and garage sales. This is great for giving the space a vintage theme.

10. Photo Collages

Print out some of your best photos and stick them together as a collage. You may like to use pictures of friends from high school, hobbies, pets, or something else that reminds you of home.

Of course, you’ll only be able to make your apartment inviting if you find comfortable student housing in the first place. Living on campus means sharing a cramped space you can barely call your own — a better option is to find a student rental. St. Catharine’s students have Foundry Lofts, which has several types of furnished and unfurnished suites to choose from. Contact us now for a lease before all the units are taken.

Even earning a university degree is no guarantee of a great job. However, you’ll increase your chances of steady employment if you enter a career that has excellent job prospects in Canada. Jobs in a variety of industries are in high demand now and are likely to continue to have good prospects in the future.

1. Human Resources Manager

You may think of human resources managers as being responsible for the hiring decisions at a company, but they actually do much more than this. In fact, they’re necessary in every industry for their role in coordinating the administration of organizations. To qualify for the top positions, you should continue your education to a master’s degree.

2. Web Developer

A career in web development can be whatever you make it. Whereas some web developers are self-employed, others work at businesses of all sizes, particularly in the computer systems industry. You may end up developing applications, creating or maintaining websites, or doing another type of programming.

3. Pharmacist

There are great prospects in almost all healthcare jobs, but a career as a pharmacist has to be near the top of the list. You’ll provide patients with medical advice, either while working at a hospital or in a drugstore — you could even establish your own pharmacy. To become a pharmacist, you’ll need to pass an exam after you obtain your degree and meet the specific requirements of your province.

4. Aerospace Engineer

It’s aerospace engineers who are behind the design and function of all aerospace vehicles and systems, including aircrafts, spacecrafts, and satellites. Not only is the aerospace industry growing in Canada, but many current workers are nearing retirement age, which opens up new positions.

5. Electrical Engineer

Another engineering career path that has great job prospects is as an electrical engineer. You could be responsible for designing, manufacturing, or testing electrical systems. Most of the work takes place in an office environment, but some jobs require you to visit equipment in the field.

6. Financial Advisor

If you have a head for numbers and you’re interested in investing, you could find a fruitful career as a financial advisor. Jobs are available at banks, where you will advise clients about the products your institution offers, or you can work on a freelance basis, helping individuals to manage their money.

7. Business Development Manager

For a role in business where you’re actively responsible for helping the company grow, consider a career as a business development manager. You’ll be working closely with the sales team, finding opportunities for sales executives and building relationships with potential clients. The best positions will become available when you have experience or if you earn a master’s degree.

8. Veterinarian

With more people becoming pet owners or expanding their families to include more animals, the demand for veterinarians is increasing. You’ll need to major in pre-veterinary study at university and then attend an accredited veterinary college. However, the few additional years of education this career requires should be worthwhile if you love animals and want to work with them every day.

9. Accountant

Accountants are critical for businesses and individuals who need support with their finances. Most accountants specialize in a particular area, such as auditing, payroll, or taxes. After you achieve your degree, you’ll find it invaluable to complete the certification to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

10. Registered Nurse

Nurses are the glue that hold the healthcare system together, but there’s currently a shortage in Canada that needs to be filled. As a registered nurse, you’ll be responsible for coordinating patient care and educating the public about health.

To pursue one of these careers, you’ll need to study hard. However, it can be difficult to obtain the best grades when you live in a university residence — it makes more sense to search for off-campus rooms for rent. St Catharines students have Foundry Lofts. You’ll receive your own bedroom in a spacious suite as well as access to great amenities like a fitness centre, lounges, and a quiet study zone. Apply now to take advantage of the best rates of the year.

One of the biggest challenges students face when they start university is being fully responsible for their finances. This means learning to budget. It’s important to stick to a budget to live comfortably and participate in activities until the very end of the month. Plus, improving your budgeting skills now will be beneficial for the rest of your life. Here are some strategies to practise.

1. Calculate Your Income

To figure out how much you have available to spend each month, you need to know your income. This may include the amount you receive for living costs from your student loans and funds from grants. If you feel that your income is too low for your needs, consider searching for a part-time job, picking up gig work, or starting your own business at university.

2. Find Scholarships

Another way you can increase your income is to find scholarships. If you search enough, you should be able to find several that are relevant for your situation. It may take some effort to apply to them all, but it can pay off in the long term by significantly increasing your income.

3. Track Where Your Money Goes

Your budget should be about more than how much you can afford to spend: you need to allocate funds to different activities. The best way to determine how much you can assign to each is to track your current spending habits with a budgeting app. Bear in mind that some expenses will be the same each month, whereas others will vary. It’s the variable ones you need to be most careful about, as these can push you over budget.

4. Include Credit Card Payments in Your Budget

You’ll quickly build high-interest debt if you use your credit card frequently and only make minimum payments. It’s best to pay off your balance in full each month — but to be able to do this, you need to include credit card payments in your budget.

If you use your credit card responsibly, you can start building a good credit score. However, make sure you do your research before you choose a credit card. Rather than applying for the first one you come across, find one that will benefit you.

5. Aim to Spend Less Than Your Income

You should never set a budget that uses 100 percent of your income. There’s always a chance you’ll face an emergency — and if you have no funds left, you’ll need to add a payment you can’t afford to your credit card. Avoid debt by consistently spending less than your monthly budget.

6. Save Whatever You Can

It’s better still to allocate some of your budget to savings. You can use these funds in an emergency, for purchases that are too large for your monthly budget, or just to start developing good financial habits.

7. Set Financial Goals

It can help with your motivation to budget to have long-term financial goals, such as paying off your student loans by a certain time. To reach these goals, you’ll need to have some short-term targets that relate to your everyday budgeting.

One way you can free up more funds in your budget is to move into an affordable apartment. Foundry Lofts offers Brock University off-campus housing to suit any budget. Choose between a furnished or unfurnished suite with three or four roommates. Apply now for the floor plan you want before they’re all sold out.