Author: WOW_Gail

Although spring break is often synonymous with travel, taking a trip is far from your only option. If you’re unable to travel this year, there are several alternatives that can make for a fun or productive spring break.

1. Revisit Your Fitness Goals

If you had ambitious fitness goals at the start of this year but haven’t followed through with them, you still have the chance to get back on track. Start a workout routine you’ll be able to continue during the semester. You could hit the gym, search for fitness classes to attend, or create a workout you can do at home. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s something you’ll enjoy to keep the momentum going.

2. Invite Someone Special to a Picnic

Take a picnic with someone who also stayed behind for spring break. This is a great opportunity to catch up with a close friend or have a romantic date. There’s no need to go far or do anything extravagant — just grab a blanket and some tasty nibbles and head to your local park.

3. Spring Clean Your Apartment

Spring cleaning is essential when you’re a student — and there’s no better time for it than spring break. Go through all your belongings to see if you have things you no longer need, organize your desk, and do a deep clean of your entire apartment. Having a tidy home will make you feel better and improve your focus.

4. Reach Inbox Zero

It can also feel refreshing to clean up your digital life. Delete all the emails you no longer need and assign those you do still need to folders, until there’s nothing left in your inbox. Finally, unsubscribe to any promotional emails you don’t want to make it easy to keep your inbox empty.

5. Search for Volunteer Opportunities

If you’re unable to commit to volunteering on a regular basis due to other commitments, search for projects happening just over spring break. For instance, you may be able to volunteer with kids or participate in a charity event. Not only will you feel satisfied that you’re using your time for good, you’ll have something to add to your resume.

6. Watch, Read, or Listen to Something New

Find a new way to keep yourself entertained when you have some downtime over spring break. You could start watching a series everyone has been talking about, pick up a book you’ve been meaning to read for a long time, or try a new podcast on a topic you find interesting.

7. Spend Time with Family

If you’re able, try to visit your family over spring break. Even if you can only go for a day or two, spending time with parents, siblings, grandparents, or cousins is always worthwhile.

8. Make a Vision Board

A vision board is a great way to think about your goals for the rest of your time at university, your future career, and all the other things you want to achieve in life. Create a collage of pictures and words that express your ambitions and hang the board above your desk where you’ll see it whenever you start feeling demotivated about your studies.

Another way to spend spring break is to search for better student rentals. St. Catharines students can find the perfect home at Foundry Lofts. Our four- and five-bedroom apartments are fitted with modern furnishings, stainless steel appliances, and in-suite laundry facilities. Apply now to secure the floor plan you want.

The end of spring semester is a milestone. You’ve achieved a lot over the past few months — now you just have one semester left before the end of the school year. There are a few things you should do as spring semester winds down to make your return to classes stress free and to prepare for success.

1. Sell Your Textbooks

The most organized students will already be looking to purchase textbooks for next semester. Sell any you no longer need to gain some extra spending money for spring break and to reduce clutter in your apartment.

2. Get Rid of Clothes You’ll Never Wear Again

Go through your closet to find clothes that are no longer your style. Throw out any broken clothing and donate the rest. An alternative to taking clothes to your local thrift store is to see if any other students would like them — perhaps you could even organize a clothing exchange.

3. Reorganize Your Bedroom

Rethink the layout and storage in your bedroom to make it more convenient going forward. There may be a more logical way to have your belongings that helps you study, clean, and stay organized.

4. Refresh Your Resume

Unless you’ve updated it recently, your resume is likely now out of date. It may not reflect the classes you’ve taken, the projects you’ve completed, or the volunteer positions you’ve held over the last few months. Make sure you include all your relevant experience and skills.

You’ll be glad you did when the time comes to apply for summer jobs and internships or if your campus holds a job fair next semester and you need a resume to give to employers.

5. Check How You Appear Online

Potential employers won’t rely on your resume alone when considering you for a position — they’ll also search for your name online. Run a search yourself to see if the results are what you want people to know about you. As well as checking for things you should delete, think about what you could add. For instance, you may like to update your LinkedIn profile or create an online portfolio.

6. Take Time to Relax

Spring semester can be hectic. Even though you’ll have the chance to rest soon, go easy on yourself during the weeks leading up to spring break to ensure you don’t burn out. For instance, spend some nights in watching movies with friends and make time for self-care.

7. Fit Workouts into Your Schedule

No matter how busy you are, it’s important to focus on your health. Find time to exercise on a regular basis — it’s a great way to clear your mind.

The end of the semester is also the ideal time to think about your housing situation. If you’re still living in a dorm, consider moving into an apartment. Foundry Lofts offers the ultimate Brock off-campus living experience. In addition to our spacious suites, we have some great common areas, including a movie theater, outdoor courtyard, and fitness center. Secure a lease before spring semester is over.

One of the biggest problems you face when studying is distractions. The people around you may be making noise or want to talk. You may receive a notification on your phone and want to know what it is. Even your own thoughts could take your attention away from what you should be focusing on. Whatever the case, there are ways to reduce distractions to improve your productivity and make the most of your study time. Here are a few strategies.

1. Turn Off Notifications on Your Phone

It can be tempting to look at your phone for just a few minutes in the middle of a study session. It’s extra difficult to avoid looking when you hear an alert. To prevent your phone from becoming a distraction, set up a study mode that will silence all your notifications and block you from opening apps unrelated to your studies.

2. Find a Suitable Place to Study

Experiment with different study locations until you find a place where you can study without becoming distracted. You may feel most comfortable at home or you may prefer to have activity around you, such as at a coffee shop. If you like company but want silence, your campus library could be ideal.

3. Use Noise-Canceling Headphones

If you have no option but to study where there are distractions, block out the sound around you with noise-canceling headphones. Some people find they’re able to concentrate best with white noise, whereas others prefer to listen to music. Figure out what works for you.

4. Keep Your Desk Clutter Free

If you’re studying at the desk in your bedroom, create an environment that helps you focus. Remove all your clutter — this means any objects you don’t need while studying. File away papers, throw out all sticky notes, and only have the notebooks, textbooks, and stationery you need at hand.

5. Create a Study Schedule

It’s easier to ensure you’re on track if you set an aim for what you want to achieve each day. Having a study schedule means you’ll assign a certain amount of time to a particular task — this could be working on a paper, preparing for a test, or completing a required reading.

Consider what time of day you’ll be able to best focus on this kind of activity and block the time on your calendar. Creating a schedule will also help you avoid forgetting something important and prevent you from focusing on the most appealing activities when you have more urgent tasks to complete.

6. Divide Large Projects into Small Tasks
Large projects can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to even begin. Figure out how to split projects into tasks that will take no more than about 45 minutes. After you’ve completed one task, you can take a 10-minute break before moving on to the next.

7. Give Yourself a Reward at the End of a Study Session

Once you’ve finished studying for the day, reward yourself for staying focused with a small treat. Give yourself a bigger reward when you finish an entire paper or project.

You’re much more likely to face distractions when you live on campus than if you have your own room in an apartment. For Brock University off-campus housing, you have Foundry Lofts. You’ll be able to study in your fully-furnished apartment as well as in our private and group study spaces. Plus, when you need to take a break to relax or want to reward yourself for your hard work, you can head to the movie theater, games room, or fireside lounge. Book a tour to check out all the great amenities.

One option after you graduate is to continue your education at grad school. This may seem less intimidating than entering full-time work because it’s more of what you’re used to. Nonetheless, there are some major differences between being an undergrad and a grad student that you should be aware of before you decide to go that route.

The Focus of Your Studies

As an undergrad, you’ll take classes covering a wide range of subjects to meet your general education requirements. At grad school, however, you’ll focus on a specific field that may pave the way for just a few potential careers. You’ll need to have an idea of what you’d like to do to ensure you choose the right program.

Personal Statements for Applications

When you applied for college, the emphasis in your personal statement was on showing you’d be able to manage a heavy course load, achieve good grades, and bring value to the institution. As well as academics, you may have talked about your experiences volunteering, in extracurriculars, and in other areas of life.

In contrast, the purpose of a grad school personal statement is to show how the program would help you meet your career goals. If the program has a focus on research, you’ll also need to discuss your research interests. For instance, you suggest an approach for the project you wish to undertake or talk about your work experience. It can also be helpful to mention particular faculty members at the university and explain why you would like to work with them.

The Complexity of the Courses

As you would expect, classes at grad school are typically more difficult than at undergrad level. In addition, the way professors approach classes tends to be quite different — there may be fewer textbooks and more analysis of source materials. There’s also more practical study with labs, practicums, and perhaps some teaching. All these opportunities allow grad students to demonstrate that they’re able to apply their knowledge.

Tuition Costs

Shorter graduate programs tend to have tuition fees similar to those at undergrad. PhD students, though, often receive funding — either from the university or from an external source — and may receive a stipend. This is important because they’re unable to work full-time for several years.

Self-Directed Study

Studying at undergraduate level is certainly a big step up from high school. For instance, it’s up to you to attend classes and study in your own time to meet due dates for papers or prepare for tests. The transition from undergraduate to grad school is just as big a jump: professors expect you to take initiative and work toward your own goals.

Free Time

A major aspect of college is the social side, partially because this is a time for discovering who you are. The hours tend to be longer at grad school, which leaves much less time for socializing. In addition, many students work part-time alongside their studies, which limits their free time further still.

To attend grad school, you’ll need to be among the top students during your undergrad program. This means studying hard to maximize your GPA and showing a commitment to your academics.

Having a comfortable apartment where you can study hard but also relax when you need a break is key. You’ll find Niagara College student housing that can provide you with everything you need at Foundry Lofts. In addition to a suite fitted with modern finishings, you’ll have access to a fitness center, movie theater, outdoor courtyard, and more. Start your application today while units are still available.

At university, you may have limited time, equipment, and funds to prepare meals, but you still need to keep your diet balanced and your tastebuds interested. Here are a few things you can do to improve your meals, even in the face of these limitations.

1. Use Your Coffee Maker for More Than Just Coffee

Whenever you need boiling water, turn to your coffee maker. You can prepare the carafe to prepare the classic ramen as well as oatmeal, rice, boiled eggs, vegetables, and much more. You can also reheat meat, fish, and other items on the bottom plate by wrapping foods in aluminum foil.

2. Save Some Ramen Flavouring for Other Meals

Every time you cook ramen, save a little of the flavouring packet. Just around an eighth of a teaspoon is enough to season dishes like pasta and eggs.

3. Toast Dry Ramen to Replace Crackers

One more way college students can use ramen is to fry the dry noodles on the stove. This can be a good substitute for crackers. Make your ramen crackers more interesting by adding some seasonings or sauces.

4. Allow Toasted Sandwiches to Cool Down Before Packing

A toasted sandwich can be the perfect meal to eat on the go, but if the bread becomes soggy, it’s quite unpleasant to eat. The solution is to allow your sandwich to cool down a bit before you put it in a sealed container. Otherwise, the steam will build up inside the container and then condensate into water when it touches the surfaces. The bread absorbs the water and turns soggy. If your toasted sandwich is cool when you pack it, however, you’ll avoid this problem entirely.

5. Substitute Butter and Oil with Mayonnaise

If you have something you want to fry but you’ve run out of butter and oil, turn to mayonnaise. It has enough grease that the food won’t stick to the pan and it adds some flavour.

6. Save Your Orange Peel

There are various ways you can use orange peel, rather than just throwing it out. For instance, you can make fruity tea by boiling orange peel in water for about two minutes. Sweeten the beverage with honey or sugar and add some spices to give it some extra flavour.

Another option is to use orange peel (or any citrus fruit peel, for that matter) as a deodorizer for your garbage disposal. Do this whenever you begin to notice unpleasant smells.

7. Add Fun Patterns to Baked Goods and Desserts

You can instantly make desserts more visually interesting by adding a fun design. Add swirls and lines with objects you already have, like toothpicks and forks. This is a great idea if you’re baking a batch of cookies to share with friends.

There’s no reason to be restricted to the basic facilities you receive in dorms — you can always move into an independent apartment. A top alternative to Niagara College residence is Foundry Lofts. Our suites all have large kitchens, fitted with stainless steel appliances, where you can prepare a wide range of meals. Book a tour to see all the apartments and onsite amenities.

A skill you may not learn in any of your classes is how to write the perfect cover letter. Nevertheless, it’s a skill you’ll definitely need at some point — immediately if you’re applying for part-time jobs, later during your time at college if you want an internship, or once you graduate and enter the workforce. Although your qualifications and experience are crucial, it’s your cover letter that will ultimately determine whether an employer offers you an interview. Writing one may seem intimidating, but it’s actually quite straightforward if you approach it the right way. Here are some tips to guide you.

1. Choose the Right Font

Your favourite font can give your letter a personal touch, but there’s a risk it could distract away from your message or be more difficult to read than a classic choice. If you’re unsure, go with a safe option like Times New Roman.

2. Address Your Letter Appropriately

Find out the employer’s full name — you can search on the company website, on LinkedIn, or even ask a receptionist at the company. In addition, include the company’s address to emphasize that you’ve personalized your cover letter and not just sent the same one out with multiple applications. Finally, double-check all your spelling, especially the employer’s name.

3. Begin with a Formal Salutation

Open the letter with “Dear [title] [surname].” If you’re unsure about the employer’s title, a Google search or asking someone at the company is the solution once again. It’s particularly important to ask about pronouns when someone has a gender-neutral name, as misgendering the employer will certainly ruin your chances of an interview.

4. State the Purpose of the Letter

Your first sentence should state the purpose of your cover letter, even if it’s attached to your resume. Mention what position you’re applying for and where you saw it advertised. If there’s a reference number, include that — the company may have a large number of positions open at the same time.

5. Introduce Yourself

Provide a brief introduction to mention where you’re studying, your major, and any relevant qualifications you have. The first paragraph should be a brief summary to enable your employer to decide whether to keep reading.

In subsequent paragraphs, talk about your experience and skills in more detail. Pick out some qualities from the job description and provide real examples of how you meet the requirements. Avoid just naming characteristics without providing any evidence to back up your claims.

6. Explain Why You Want the Position

Specify why you want to work at the company, such as by explaining how it will help you meet your career goals. For instance, you could talk about the company’s mission or culture — you can find this kind of information on the “About” page of the company website.

7. Include Your Contact Information

Make it as easy as possible for the employer to contact you for an interview. Mention when you’re available for an interview and include a date when you’ll reach out if you haven’t heard back.

You may be able to avoid the need for a part-time job if you cut down on some of your expenses while at college, such as by finding a more affordable apartment. For Niagara College student housing, there’s Foundry Lofts. Choose between four- and five-bedroom floor plans to suit your personal preferences and budget. Apply now to secure a room at our lowest rates.

It’s common to start missing home as the holidays approach. To lift your spirits, take a break from preparing for finals and decorate your student apartment. You can achieve impressive results without spending much at all. Here’s some inspiration to get you started.

1. String Up Fairy Lights

Fairy lights are ideal for creating a warm atmosphere in your apartment after dark. You can string them up in all sorts of places, including around your bed, along the walls, and on the ceiling.

2. Put Reusable Stickers on Your Windows

Reusable stickers won’t leave a mark on your windows and will give your neighbours a glimpse of your holiday decorations. If you add some to the window in your bedroom they’ll be the first thing you see when you wake up and draw the curtains.

3. Scatter Fake Snow

Just a small amount of fake snow is enough to enhance the winter theme throughout your apartment. Scatter it on windowsills and along shelves where you have other decorations.

4. Set Up a Mini Tree

A full-size, real Christmas tree may be too expensive, but an artificial mini tree could be within your budget. Set it up in the living room where it will welcome guests and collaborate with your roommates to cover it in decorations.

5. Hang Christmas Tree Balls

Simple ornaments like Christmas tree balls are inexpensive and can instantly transform your space. If you buy them in bulk, you’ll have plenty to hang on your tree as well as around your apartment.

6. Make Snowflakes

You only need paper and scissors to make snowflakes. Hang them around your apartment with string or tape them to a wall. Creating some with roommates can be a fun activity to decorate your apartment together.

7. Holiday Cards

Make a display of all the holiday cards you receive. You could purchase a card holder to hang them on the wall or set them up on the coffee table in your living room.

8. Throw Pillows

Find some throw pillows with a festive theme for your couch or bed. If you already have plenty of throw pillows, buy just the covers.

9. Block Letters

Having a set of block letters is always fun. You can use them to create a seasonal message now and change to something else later.

10. Stockings

Hang a stocking for yourself and each of your roommates in the living room. Before you leave for winter break, you may like to all drop a few treats inside each stocking for each other.

No matter how much you decorate a dorm room, it’s unlikely to ever feel like home. Now is the perfect time to think about where you would prefer to live in the new year and start searching for student rentals. St. Catharines students can find modern apartments at Foundry Lofts. Not only will you receive your own bedroom in a spacious suite, you’ll also be able to take advantage of our onsite parking, movie theatre, fitness centre, and outdoor courtyard. Apply today before all the rooms are taken.

Making the adjustment to living with a roommate can be a new experience for many students. Even if you turn out to be great friends, you’ll likely have different ideas about how you expect to share your living space. To avoid stepping on each other’s toes, it’s important to set boundaries. Here are some strategies to try.

1. Avoid Doing Too Much Together

When you start university, your roommate may be the only person you know. You may like to go to events on campus together just to avoid going alone. However, as you start meeting new people — in classes, at clubs, and just around campus — it’s important to spend less time with your roommate and have your own hobbies and friends, too. Otherwise, you may end up struggling to make a wider circle of friends.

2. Decide on Rules for Guests

Discuss how comfortable you are having guests over to the apartment, including significant others. You may decide to set a limit to the number of guests and only have visitors on certain days at certain times. This will ensure the apartment is quiet enough for you to study during the rest of the week. You should also consider other implications of frequent visitors — for instance, they may use shared food and supplies and you’ll likely need to clean the apartment after any large gatherings.

Since you and your roommate may have quite different ideas about guests, you’ll need to be willing to compromise. The important thing is to arrive at a set of rules you can both agree on.

3. Talk If You’re Unhappy About Something

No roommate will ever be perfect — that’s something you’ll just have to accept. However, if your roommate is crossing boundaries, you need to address the issue as soon as possible. Expecting your roommate to just know you’re annoyed is unlikely to change anything and will only lead to resentment. For example, if your roommate is breaking any rules you set together, not doing a fair share of the chores, or being too loud when you’re trying to sleep, talk about it and figure out how you can come to some sort of resolution.

4. Own Up to Your Mistakes

It’s just as likely you’ll annoy your roommate as it is that your roommate will annoy you. When you make a mistake, own up to it, apologize, and commit to doing better next time. Being mature will develop trust and mean your roommate is much more likely to yield to your requests.

You can avoid many problems with roommates by having your own bedroom. As this is rarely an option on campus, you’ll need to search for an independent apartment. Foundry Lofts offers Brock off-campus living for students who want to experience having roommates without the discomfort of sharing all their personal space. Our apartments have four or five bedrooms, two bathrooms, and large communal living areas. You’ll also be able to meet more students in the games room, movie theatre, fireside lounge, and fitness centre. Apply now to secure a lease.

You may feel like you’re the only one struggling when you see your peers handing in assignments early, never requesting extensions, and taking paper writing in their stride. The truth is, though, that many students find writing papers to be one of the most difficult aspects of college. In particular, there are a few challenges that can make finishing a paper a nightmare — but the good news is there are ways to overcome all of them.

1. Poor Time Management

When a professor assigns you a paper, it’s common to underestimate how much time you’ll need to write it. If you’ve been attending all your classes and studying hard, the question may seem quite straightforward. As a result, you may put off getting started to spend more time with your friends or to attend events on campus.

However, once you sit down to write the paper, it’s likely you’ll find it takes significantly more time than you were expecting. This can easily lead to disaster. Luckily, there’s an easy fix: start working on your paper almost immediately. There’s no disadvantage to finishing early, and the end result will be much better.

2. Writer’s Block

Of course, you could start working on the assignment when you have plenty of time to spare only to find that you’re unable to think of anything to say. This tends to happen when you’re overthinking the paper — it becomes this huge, important thing in your mind, whereas it’s actually just one more college assignment. Reminding yourself that it’s not such a big deal can help. If the due date is still far in the future, you can afford to just jot down some ideas for now. You may be pleasantly surprised to find these ideas quickly become fully formed and you make decent progress almost immediately.

3. A Lack of Literature

Another issue may be that you’re struggling to find literature from credible sources to support your arguments or to provide the facts and statistics you need. Improving your time management can help with this: by starting early, you’ll be able to spend longer searching for appropriate literature. If you remain stuck, remember that the librarians on campus are there to help you. It may be that you’re not using the right keywords or you’re dismissing something that would meet your needs. Whatever the problem, a librarian can help.

4. Drifting from the Question

It’s easy to become distracted by an interesting fact or idea you encounter while researching your paper and end up taking the assignment in a completely new direction. However, if you fail to answer the question, your grade will suffer. This is especially likely to happen when you’re new to writing long papers — you’ll learn how to stay on track as you gain more experience. For now, though, the best way to overcome this challenge is to regularly return to the question and think about whether what you’re writing is relevant.

Possibly the most important factor when it comes to writing papers is having somewhere quiet where you can work undisturbed. You can find just what you’re looking for at Foundry Lofts. Our alternative to Niagara College residence provides you with a private bedroom in a fully-furnished apartment with just three or four roommates. If you need a change of scenery, you can also head to one of our private study spaces. Book a tour to check out all the great facilities.

One thing you may not learn at university is how to negotiate. However, this is a skill that is often crucial throughout life, particularly when you enter the workforce. For instance, you may need to negotiate to gain good terms of employment or your job could involve negotiating with clients or vendors. Negotiating skills may also come in useful now, such as if you want to secure a better deal on a purchase or snag an interesting role on a group project at university. Learn how to negotiate better by following these tips.

1. Prepare in Advance

Whenever you know you’re going to be in a situation where you’ll need to negotiate, come up with a strategy ahead of time. Determine what outcome you’re hoping to achieve, where you’d be willing to compromise, and how you’ll make your case. Finally, consider how the other person could answer and how you, in turn, will respond.

2. Figure Out Alternatives

Think about what you’ll do if the other person denies your request. You should have ideas for alternatives you can ask for instead. Another option could be to find what you want from another source.

3. Take Things Slowly

When you’re anxious, it’s normal to rush through a negotiation — but this is unlikely to lead to a good outcome. Instead, deliver your argument calmly, take the time to listen to the response, and, if you don’t receive the answer you wanted, give yourself time to consider any counteroffer.

4. Value Yourself

It’s impossible to negotiate well if you lack self-confidence. Believe in yourself: if what you’re asking for is reasonable, you should feel that you deserve what you’re requesting. In fact, you may like to start the negotiation by asking for slightly more than you think you deserve — just in case the other person values you more highly than you do yourself!

5. Make the Deal Worthwhile

Instead of simply asking for what you want, explain why the deal would be beneficial to the other person. If you’re unsure about what you could offer in return, ask.

6. Accept a Refusal Graciously

If the person you’re negotiating with refuses your request and has nothing you’re willing to accept as an alternative, you may need to concede that what you want is not going to be possible. When it’s clear that this is the case, the best thing to do is move on — begging and pleading will only lead to resentment. Learn from the experience and consider how you could approach a similar negotiation in the future differently to see better results.

One occasion when students often feel the need to negotiate is securing a lease on rooms for rent. St Catharines students, however, are in luck — you can find affordable housing at Foundry Lofts. Our leases are all inclusive, meaning the rent covers furnishings, utilities, and internet. Plus, we have a wide range of excellent amenities to sweeten the deal, including a movie theatre, onsite parking, a fitness centre, and an outdoor courtyard. Book your tour now.