Month: July 2022

An exciting part of moving into student accommodation is the chance to decorate your apartment however you like. If you’re unsure where to begin, try incorporating some of these ideas.

1. Display Some Photos

Bring a piece of home to your new apartment by decorating with photos of friends and family. You’ll be able to turn to your favourite moments from high school and family vacations whenever you’re feeling homesick. There are several ways to display photos, although top ideas include creating a collage and hanging photos on a clothesline.

2. Soften the Lighting with a Lamp

An overhead light can be too intense in the evenings. For softer lighting, install lamps next to your bed and beside the couch in the living room. It’s best of all to choose one that allows you to adjust the level of brightness.

3. Hang Some Fairy Lights

Another way to improve the lighting in your bedroom or living room is with fairy lights. Hang some strings across one wall to make an accent wall or around your photo collage to make it the centrepiece of the room. You can even find lights that change colour in sync with your music.

4. Buy Some Potted Plants

Plants can instantly add life to your apartment, lifting your mood. Choose low-maintenance plants that won’t die if you forget (or if you’re unable) to water them for several days.

5. Update Your Bedding

Instead of bringing the bedding you have already, treat yourself to some new sheets and a quilt. You can find some in a style you love to welcome you back home in the evenings.

6. Give Your Bed a Headboard

If your bed doesn’t already have a headboard, it may be worth purchasing one. As well as adding to the aesthetics of the room, it will make your bed more comfortable if you want to sit there to read, watch a series, or scroll through social media.

7. Throw Around Some Pillows

Make your bed even more comfy with some more pillows. Choose fun designs that match the style of the rest of the room. Don’t forget to also bring a few pillows for the living room couch.

8. Warm the Floor with an Area Rug

A thick plush rug can make getting out of bed for your early classes more bearable. In the living room, it can give your guests a place to lounge comfortably on the floor. Plus, area rugs come in all kinds of colours and designs, meaning you can find one that matches your style. You could even make your own shag rug using yarn, a latch hook, and a rug canvas.

9. Create Seating with Ottomans

If you want to invite friends over often, it makes sense to have seating. An ottoman is ideal because it doubles up as storage. You can fill it with things like extra bedding, textbooks, or just odds and ends.

Before you get too excited about decorating your new home, remember that you still need to find an apartment! Foundry Simcoe is the perfect choice for Durham College student housing. You’ll have a private bedroom and bathroom in a suite with two roommates or a townhouse with four other people. Our apartments all come fully furnished with modern fixtures, including stainless steel appliances, a wall-mounted TV, and a large couch. Sign a lease now to take advantage of our early bird pricing.

Your first day at university can feel a bit daunting. You’ll need to figure out where to go for classes, talk to a bunch of people you’ve never met before, and generally navigate a whole new life. This can lead to anything from mild jitters to full-blown anxiety. Wherever you fall on this scale, there are certain things you can do to ease your nerves.

1. Remind Yourself That Everyone Feels Like You

Although some students are better at hiding their feelings than others, almost everyone will be anxious on their first day. It will take a while before faces become familiar, but you’ll find that the conversations gradually become more natural — and you’ll be making friends before you know it.

2. Find All Your Classes Beforehand

Never wait until right before a class starts to figure out where you need to go. A good strategy is to walk around campus a couple days beforehand, figuring out how to get from one class to the next. You’ll feel much more confident knowing that you’re unlikely to get lost or arrive late.

3. Ask Your Professors What You Need for Class

To avoid wasting your money, it can be worth waiting to buy textbooks until you’re sure that you’ll need them. The downside of this is that it’s anxiety-inducing to even contemplate the fact that you may neglect to bring something you do need. The solution is to message your professors in advance to ask them what books and other materials to bring. An added advantage to doing this is that you’ll also have introduced yourself to your professors before you meet them.

4. Remember That You Can Drop Classes

It’s often difficult to know what to expect from a class by its description alone. If you turn up to a class only to discover that it’s not what you expected, consider dropping it. Do this by the deadline and you may even be able to switch to a different class without incurring any fees. If you’re unsure how to drop a class, reach out to your academic advisor — student services exist to help you navigate university and ensure you have a positive experience.

5. Set a Bedtime

Sleep is an excellent way to calm you down. Aim to go to bed by a certain time on your first day of university — it will mean you feel better prepared for the second day. In fact, it’s a good idea to stick to a bedtime every night (or at least on weeknights) to stay healthy. Getting enough sleep regularly will work wonders for preventing anxiety over the long term.

It’s easier to settle in at university when you have a comfortable home to return to at the end of the day. An alternative to Ontario Tech University residence is Foundry Simcoe. You’ll have your own bedroom, an en-suite bathroom with either a shower or deep soaker tube, and high-speed internet to complete your homework in peace. Book a tour to check out where you could be living when you start university.

University can be expensive — and not just because of tuition fees. Here are a number of expenses you need to add to your budget that you may have neglected to consider.

1. Books

One of the major expenses for university students tends to be books. To save money, purchase secondhand books from other students or rent through a textbook service. If you decide to buy your books, you can also gain back some of your investment by selling them when you’ve finished your classes.

2. Food

If you live on campus, you may receive a meal plan, but you should be aware that this will be more expensive than purchasing your own food. Plus, even if you do have a meal plan, you’ll have additional food-related expenses, such as for snacks and eating out with friends.

3. Utilities

Some student apartments don’t include utilities in the cost of rent. Others include electricity, gas, and water, but landlords expect you to pay for internet services.

4. Clothing

You likely want at least some new clothes for university. It could even be a necessity to update your wardrobe if you’re moving somewhere with a different climate.

5. Tech

A decent laptop is essential for every university student. Depending on your major, you may even need a high-range laptop and some other tech equipment.

6. Extracurriculars

You’ll have numerous opportunities to join clubs, societies, and other activities at university. Some of these may require membership fees and you may incur additional expenses, such as for purchasing equipment, travel, or insurance.

7. Transportation

You may also need to pay for transportation for other purposes. If you live some distance from campus, you may need to pay for public transportation or have your own car, which comes with expenses including fuel, insurance, and parking. You should also think about how you’ll return home and how often.

8. Travel and Study Abroad

You may like to use your breaks to travel farther afield. In addition to flights, you’ll need to pay for accommodation, travel insurance, and other essentials. You could even decide to study abroad for an entire semester. This is becoming an increasingly popular option with students, as it’s a great way to expand your horizons, experience other cultures, and put your language skills into practice.

9. Emergencies

You’ll need to have an emergency fund for any unexpected expenses — and it’s important not to touch this money unless it’s a true emergency. For instance, you may need to repair your car or return home unexpectedly. Running short of spending money for the month, however, doesn’t count as an emergency.

One thing that doesn’t need to be a huge expense is housing — you just need to search for affordable apartments for rent. North Oshawa students can find high-quality student rentals at a price that fits their budget at Foundry Simcoe. Plus, the rent is all inclusive and the suites fully furnished, including with a washer and dryer. This means you won’t need to pay for utilities, internet, furniture, or laundromat services. Apply now to secure your spot for the move-in day of your choice.

Summers at university are long, but they can disappear in a flash if you wile away the days, not doing much of anything. Whereas it’s definitely worth spending some time relaxing and recovering from the last semester, you’ll feel much better about how you spent your summer if you set some of the following goals.

1. Master a Skill

Identify a skill that could benefit you after you graduate or that you’ve just always wanted to learn. Dedicate time every day to mastering this skill, perhaps by taking classes or using online tutorials.

2. Enroll in an Online Course

Stay in a learning frame of mind by enrolling in an online course. You can find a number of platforms offering courses for free. They’re great for enriching the material you covered in university, preparing you for a challenging class you’ll be taking next semester, or just expanding your knowledge.

3. Apply for an Internship

Working an internship will give structure to your summer while gaining you some valuable experience, showing you what it would be like to work in a particular field, and teaching your new skills. Plus, an internship is a great way to improve your chances of being hired by the company in the future. You can find numerous opportunities for internships with a quick search online or by talking to the careers services at your university.

4. Volunteer

Dedicate time over the summer to a cause that matters to you. Like an internship, volunteering enhances your resume, but it can be more personally fulfilling.

5. Work Out Your Long-Term Goals

As you progress through university, you’ll likely be able to form a clearer picture of what you want for the future. Decide on some major long-term goals and then work backward to figure out the steps to reach them.

6. Create a Vision Board

Every student should have a vision board in their apartment. Your vision board represents your hopes and dreams. It’s filled with pictures and ideas that motivate you, show you what you want to achieve in life, and remind you of why you need to study hard. If you don’t have a vision board already, spend this summer making one.

7. Check Off Some Books on Your Reading List

Decide how many books you want to read this summer and pick a few from your reading list. It’s best to create a diverse selection to give yourself a balance of reading for pleasure and reading to learn.

8. Find a New Podcast You Love

Listen to new podcasts whenever you have some free time — this could be when you’re cooking, cleaning, driving, or just having a relaxing afternoon scrolling through social media. Keep your search going until you find a podcast you love and will listen to on a regular basis.

9. Adopt a New Hobby

Explore new possibilities for hobbies — perhaps something you have no idea if you’ll enjoy. It’s ideal to pick something you’ll be able to continue when you return to university.

10. Start Freelancing

Earn an income through a side hustle by freelancing. Consider what skills you have and how you could use them to make money. For instance, you could create stock photos, design websites, or become a virtual assistant.

11. Improve Your Online Presence

Go through your social media profiles and delete anything you don’t want anymore — this includes people you’re following as well as posts. Update your profiles with fresh information. Pay particular attention to LinkedIn, as this is what prospective employers will be checking most closely. Make sure you have a professional photo, a compelling summary, and a large network by adding all your university friends and classmates.

One more goal to set for the summer is to search for better rooms for rent. Oshawa students don’t need to look far: you can live at Foundry Simcoe. You’ll receive a private room where you can focus on your studies, an en suite bathroom, and the option for an apartment with a balcony. Apply now to improve your student experience.