Author: threshold

Finding the right student housing for you will make a big difference to your experience at college. It will influence how much you spend, whether it’s easy to arrive to classes on time, and what people you meet. Although this is a major decision, you can easily narrow down your options by figuring out what you want from your housing. Here are some considerations to bear in mind as you make your decision.

1. Dorm Room vs Independent Apartment

There are two main types of housing to choose from: a dorm room on campus or an independent apartment, including one in a student housing community.

Living in a dorm means you’ll have a shared room on campus. Whereas this does mean you’ll be close to classes and around other students, you won’t have much privacy, the housing is often noisy, and it’s unlikely you’ll have facilities to prepare your own meals — instead, you’ll need to pay for a meal plan.

In contrast, there are many advantages to renting an independent apartment. For instance, you’ll have your own room, a kitchen where you can cook, and a variety of other facilities you won’t find on campus. The main issue when you start college is you either need to find people to share with or rent a room in a house — which means you may not be around other students. The solution is to live in a student community, where you’ll be paired with roommates. This also means you’ll only be responsible for your own lease. Plus, it’s more likely that the rent will include utilities and furniture.

2. Consider Your Budget

Counterintuitively, it tends to cost less to live in an independent apartment than on campus — even though you’ll have a private bedroom and much more space. To figure out what you can afford, calculate your budget, taking into account expenses like food, bills, and entertainment. If you find a nicer place you can’t quite afford, consider if you have options to increase your income, such as with a part-time job or gig work.

3. Find a Safe Building

If you decide to search for independent apartments, make sure you stick to safe neighbourhoods. You’ll often be carrying many personal belongings with you between campus and your apartment, including a laptop. Neighbourhoods close to campus are likely to be safe, but you should still listen to your gut. In addition, check the security features of the building itself. Do the windows and doors have secure locks? Are there security cameras? How will you access your apartment?

4. What Amenities Do You Want?

Finally, you should consider what kinds of amenities you want your housing to have. You certainly need fast WiFi, but you may also want to have laundry facilities in the building and useful services nearby, such as cafés, restaurants, or a gym. If you’ll be living off campus, you may like to search for an apartment with an en suite bathroom, balcony, or parking.

Most students decide the best option is to search for rooms for rent. Oshawa students don’t need to look far: you can find a home at Foundry Simcoe. You’ll have your own room in a comfortable suite or townhouse located a short distance from campus. All the apartments are furnished and have full-size appliances, including a washer and dryer. Apply now to secure your spot.

Houseplants can add a vitality to your student apartment that will make your home feel welcoming and even improve your mental health. The problem is plants can be difficult to keep alive, particularly if you’ll occasionally be away for a weekend or longer. The good news is some houseplants are easy to care for — and still look impressive. If you’ve never had plants before and know you’ll find it difficult to stick to a strict watering schedule, these are the ones you need to consider for your apartment.

1. Spider Plant

There’s nothing easier to grow than a spider plant. Better still, you can start with a small one and it will quickly grow into a large plant if you water it just once a week. As it becomes bigger, it will produce spiderettes, which you can leave hanging from the plant or cut off — either to have more plants for your apartment or to give to friends.

2. Paddle Plant

Succulents are great because they require a minimal amount of care. However, they can look boring when they all have the same fleshy green leaves. Paddle plants will bring some colour to your apartment — their leaves range from red tipped to almost entirely red with just green at the base.

3. Inchplant

Another choice that has stunning colours is the inchplant. It has striped leaves in shades of green and purple. It requires a little more watering than some of the lower-maintenance plants — at least every three days. If the leaves begin to turn yellow, though, you may be watering it too much. The plant also needs plenty of sunlight. All this may sound like quite a bit of effort, but it’s definitely a plant worth having because it’s sure to impress.

4. Laceleaf Anthurium

For a plant with flowers, you may like to opt for a laceleaf anthurium. Both its bright red flowers and dark glossy leaves are heart shaped, which results in an eye-catching plant. You can keep it in top condition by watering it just once a week.

5. Peace Lily

Another option for a flowering plant is a peace lily. It’s quite similar in appearance to the laceleaf anthurium, with the difference that the flowers are white and narrow. You only need to water your peace lily when you notice the top soil is dry. Make sure it stays inside to avoid it being exposed to dramatic changes in temperature.

6. Parlour Palm

With a parlour palm, you’ll feel like you’re living in a sunny, coastal town: this small plant has leaves just like a palm tree. To help yours thrive, keep it in direct sunlight and spray it with water every other week.

7. Barrel Cactus

If you want a plant you can just leave to grow on its own, choose a barrel cactus. It needs watering every two weeks at most — if the soil is not completely dry, leave it for longer. Barrel cacti look great on their own as well as in small groups made up of several different species.

8. Swiss Cheese Plant

Native to tropical forests, Swiss cheese plants have holes in their leaves, which gives them a unique appearance. Quite large plants, they’re ideal for a living room. The best way to help yours flourish is to leave it in water for two or three weeks before transferring it to a soil pot. You then just need to water it once a week.

It’s difficult to have plants in a dorm room because you lack the space for more than a couple small pots at most. To be able to decorate your home however you want — with plenty of greenery — you should search for an apartment for rent. North Oshawa has the ideal suites for students at Foundry Simcoe. You can keep plants in your private bedroom, your en suite bathroom (for some feng shui vibes), or the spacious living room you’ll be sharing with just two or four other students. Apply now to secure a lease at the lowest rates of the year.

College is the first time many students need to be financially independent — and many are not ready. Budgeting, taking out loans, figuring out whether you need a part-time job, and saving money may all be new to you. Learning about financial concepts is key to preventing costly mistakes. Here’s a guide to get you started.

Comparing Your Student Loan Options

If you’re unable to afford tuition upfront, a student loan can be the solution. However, there are many different types of student loans — some better than others. It’s important to compare options by considering the repayment requirements and interest rates to ensure you find a loan suitable for your situation.

You may also be eligible to receive financial aid like grants and scholarships. These are preferable to loans because you never pay the money back. Make sure you research all your options and apply to any programs that are relevant to you. To receive more advice on financial aid options, you should visit the financial aid office on your college campus.

How to Budget

By budgeting, you ensure you have enough money for all your essentials. It means figuring out how much you need for each of your expenses (such as housing, food, clothing, school supplies, and entertainment) and setting spending limits. It may take you a few months to accurately calculate your budget because you’ll need to track where you’re currently spending money. Make sure you don’t forget to account for unexpected expenses.

If you have money left in your budget at the end of the month, the best way to use it is to split it into thirds. Use one-third for fun — as a reward for not spending all of your budget. Allocate the second third to debts, such as your student loan. Put the final third into a savings or investment account.

Should You Have a Credit Card?

Credit cards can make budgeting more difficult because they give you access to money you don’t actually have. Since interest rates tend to be high, you’ll end up spending much more if you’re unable to pay off your balance in full each month. Plus, missing a payment can hurt your credit score and have a long-term impact.

Financial Education

Your college may offer financial workshops and other events on campus covering topics like budgeting, credit, investment, savings, and financial aid. Take advantage of these — after all, there’s always more you can learn. Alternatively, you may be able to take an elective to improve your financial literacy while earning credit.

A smart financial choice all students can make is to move off campus. You’ll save money and be more comfortable — for instance, you’ll have your own room and be able to prepare your own meals, instead of being stuck with a pricey meal plan. For Durham College student housing, there’s Foundry Simcoe. Since our suites all are fully furnished, you won’t need to purchase any furniture. Plus, the apartments come with a washer and dryer to avoid you needing to spend at the laundromat and rent includes high-speed internet. Apply now to make your time at college more affordable.

You may think the days of worrying about your GPA are behind you when you start university. After all, you’ve already secured your spot in the school of your choice for the major you want. It’s true you should be focused on absorbing as much information as possible and developing useful skills. Plus, your GPA only reflects your performance on assessments, rather than the true extent of your knowledge. Nonetheless, your GPA is still the best way for other people to see how well you understand the material you’ve learned.

What Is a Good GPA?

To determine whether your GPA is up to standard, you need to know what is a good GPA at university. This is important because it may differ from what you considered good at high school.

Typically, a GPA of 3.0 is considered good, whereas 3.5 is very good and 4.0 is excellent. A GPA of 2.5 is satisfactory and below this is poor.

Eligibility for Financial Aid

To stay eligible for financial aid, you need to meet certain academic standards. The exact GPA you need will depend on the program, but 2.0 is typical. For scholarships awarded for academic performance, you may need to maintain an even higher GPA, such as 3.0 or above.

Admission to Graduate School

If you want to go to grad school after you finish your degree, you’ll also need a high GPA. Most universities only accept candidates with a GPA of at least 3.0. If you’re applying for competitive programs, an even higher GPA may give your application an edge.

How to Increase Your GPA

To gain a higher GPA, studying needs to be your priority over everything else. Of course, you should attend all your classes, but you may also need to cut back on social events to dedicate more time to writing papers, completing the required readings, and preparing for exams. Managing your time will make a big difference, as you may find you do have enough time in your schedule for academics and extracurriculars if you stop procrastinating.

If you’re struggling, seek support. Take advantage of the academic services on campus, such as the writing centre, tutors, and advisors. For instance, an academic advisor can help you choose the right balance of classes to give you the best chance of gaining high grades each semester and can tell you when it may be a good idea to retake a class to improve your grade.

Finally, you may need to take things slower. Although the idea of graduating as soon as possible may be appealing, this could mean your GPA suffers. Taking fewer classes one semester may ultimately be the best move, especially if you have problems with your family life, finances, or health.

If you’re serious about improving your GPA, you need to live somewhere you can study in peace without facing constant distractions. Move out of Ontario Tech University residence and into off-campus housing at Foundry Simcoe. You’ll have your own room and en suite bathroom in a three- or five-bedroom suite. We make it easy for you to study hard by providing all our residents with free high-speed internet. Plus, we’re right by campus, meaning you’ll always be able to make it to class on time. Apply now to take advantage of the lowest rates of the year.

Most college students spend a large amount of time on social media. It’s where you connect with friends, take a break with some entertainment, or just kill time. However, using social media constantly can have a negative impact on your life in multiple ways. If you’re spending the majority of your free time on social media, cutting down with a social media cleanse could bring the following benefits.

1. Improve Your Mental Health

You may not immediately feel better when you stop spending time on social media. In fact, you may initially struggle with the temptation to constantly open your favourite apps. Over time, though, a reduction in social media use should increase your sense of happiness and decrease your feelings of anxiety. It’s important to acknowledge that this is due to a lack of social media — otherwise, you may return to bad habits!

2. Gain Back a Sense of Control

When social media becomes an addiction, you stop consciously choosing to check your feeds and just do it automatically. By actively deciding to limit your social media usage, you regain control and start to only open apps when you actually want to look at something or send a message.

3. Focus on Your Hobbies and Interests

Social media can suck time away from the things you care about. By committing to spend less time on social media, you’ll have more chances to pursue your interests and practise your hobbies — perhaps even to explore new passions.

4. Improve Your Relationships

When you’re always glued to your phone, you neglect the people around you — plus, chatting over text is not the same as having an in-person conversation. Talking more with the people you see every day will strengthen your relationships and help you make closer friends at college.

5. Reduce Negativity in Your Life

People almost always post about the best things in their lives. This can make it seem like your friends are doing much more exciting things than you are, which can lead to negative emotions. The situation is worse still if you follow influencers: their entire job is to show how great their lives are. Turning off social media will allow you to focus on the real world. When you stop comparing yourself to everyone else, it’s easier to enjoy life.

Another way decreasing your time on social media reduces negativity is by preventing interactions with trolls. Since people are far less likely to say mean things to each other in person, real-world interactions are, as a rule, more pleasant — including with strangers.

Instead of opening up a social media app, spend your free time meeting people and practicing self-care. As well as joining activities on campus, you can make friends at your student housing — provided you choose the right rooms for rent. Oshawa has the ideal student housing at Foundry Simcoe. You can meet other students in the common room, make friends with your new roommates, or relax in the bedroom of your fully-furnished apartment. Apply now and you could secure a unit with a balcony.

If you’re majoring in anything to do with computers, you may have a bright future ahead of you. There are numerous information technology (IT) careers to choose from, and workers are in high demand. It’s a good idea to start thinking about what kind of IT career you would like to pursue, as some are quite specialized whereas others require a broad knowledge of IT in general.

1. IT Support

You have a variety of job options if you want to offer IT support, including as a desktop support technician, IT associate, or service desk supervisor. It’s common to start in a general support role and later specialize in a particular field, such as networks or cybersecurity. The other option is to remain in general IT support but become a manager or supervisor.

2. Cybersecurity Professional

If your interest lies in cybersecurity, there’s no need to start with general IT — you can jump right into a career in security. In fact, this is a great choice because the field is expected to grow more than any other in IT. Jobs in cybersecurity involve making sure that systems and devices are secure as well as helping companies avoid unauthorized access and breaches of sensitive data. Entry-level careers tend to be in analysis and engineering, whereas experts can often find work as ethical hackers.

3. Cloud Computing

The only IT field with projected growth close to cybersecurity is cloud computing. It’s common to enter this field as an engineer or programmer and then move up to become an architect or consultant. It’s important to have specific knowledge of the cloud, which you may be able to gain by choosing appropriate classes at college and through additional certifications.

4. Web Developer

As a web developer, you’ll build and maintain websites or apps. You may choose to focus on front-end, back-end, or full-stack development. Since employers prefer knowledge over credentials, it’s important to supplement your learning at college with real-world experience.

5. Software Engineer

Another way to utilize your IT development skills is to become a software engineer. This is a great way to move into a specific industry you find interesting, such as video gaming, finance, or tech. You should have an in-depth knowledge of all the main coding languages and a good understanding of the type of software you want to develop.

6. Network IT

Working in networks or IT systems can lead to a diverse set of careers, making it a great option if you’d like to grow as you gain experience. In fact, if you work at a small company, your job may involve a wide variety of duties. Entry-level jobs tend to be in administration or analysis, whereas you may be able to find work as an engineer, senior administrator, or architect as you advance.

Studying for a qualification in IT is hard work. It’s important you find a place where you’ll have your own bedroom to study in peace and a good WiFi connection when looking for apartments for rent. North Oshawa students can find housing that meets all their requirements at Foundry Simcoe. Suites are fully furnished with modern fixtures and you’ll have access to high-speed internet throughout the building. Apply now for the lowest rates of the year.

Professors do much more than deliver classes and grade assignments. For instance, they’re the ones you’ll ask for letters of recommendation and they may even offer you the chance to participate in a research project while you’re still at college. However, if you never reach out to your professors, the only thing they’ll know about you is how well you did in class. The good news is there are numerous ways you can develop stronger relationships with your professors.

1. Find Out More About Them

Search online to see what you can find out about each of your professors in terms of their research and academic achievements. Places to look for information include your college website and LinkedIn. If you find that any of your professors share the same interests as you, definitely put in the effort to cultivate a relationship.

2. Introduce Yourself

Armed with the above information about your professors, you’re in a better position to strike up a short conversation after your first class. Introduce yourself and mention what you’re looking forward to. However, don’t expect professors to remember your name the next time you meet — they have a huge number of students every semester. You’ll need to interact with your professors a few times before they’ll put a name to your face.

3. Stay Engaged During Class

If your professors encourage students to speak up during class, make sure you do contribute (at least occasionally). The rest of the time, make sure your body language shows that you’re paying attention — this is something professors notice. Lastly, complete even optional homework assignments, and do your best. Although the homework may not count toward your final grade, it will shape your professor’s impression of you.

4. Go to Office Hours

Aim to attend two or three office hours with any professor you want to get to know better. Office hours are ideal for when you have a doubt about something you’re studying, you want more detailed feedback after a test, or you need support before you submit an assignment. During one of your office hours visits, it’s a good idea to talk about your career goals. Ask the professor for advice about what you can do to meet your targets.

5. Ask for a Letter of Recommendation Early

Instead of waiting until you need a letter of recommendation, ask your professor for one as soon as you finish the class. This will mean your professor still remembers you well — and the letter will reflect this.

6. Stay in Touch After Class

Save your professors’ emails to ensure you’re able to drop them a message in the future. For example, you may notice that an employer you’d like to work for is connected to your professor on LinkedIn. Having a mutual contact could help you gain an introduction.

You’ll have more opportunities to connect with professors and work with them on projects if you live near campus. For Durham College student housing, your best option is Foundry Simcoe. Our welcoming community is just steps away from the North Oshawa campus. You can hang out in the common room or study at the desk in your private bedroom — all the suites have high-speed internet. Apply now to secure a spot for an immediate move-in.

Most students have minimal financial responsibilities before university. Then suddenly, you need to manage your own money to ensure you’re able to cover essentials, have enough for fun activities, and avoid going into debt. Be aware of the most common mistakes to ensure you manage your money appropriately.

1. Misusing Credit Cards

You may like to have a credit card to build a credit history. However, it can be tempting to use your credit card to put off paying until later something you want now. You should only take out a credit card if you know you can trust yourself to be responsible. This means only using it for purchases you’ll pay off as soon as the bill comes — as if you can’t afford to pay the balance in full, you’ll incur a high interest rate.

If you’ve never had a credit card before but you want one for the credit history, use it just for recurring payments like subscriptions. Set up autopay for payments — and never even take the credit card out of your apartment. This will make it impossible to misuse your card.

2. Spending Your Entire Budget

Although spending all your money before the end of the month isn’t quite as bad as going into debt with a credit card, it’s still a bad habit. You have unlimited opportunities to spend at university, but you need to set restrictions for yourself. Turn down invitations to activities that are too expensive or after you’ve already spent all your fun money for the month. There will almost always be free events taking place on campus that make great alternatives.

3. Thinking Scholarships Are Not for You

A misperception many students have is that scholarships are only for those at the top of their class and star athletes. In fact, there are most likely a few scholarships out there that apply to your situation — you just need to look for them. You’ll need to dedicate time to researching and applying to scholarships, but this can pay off big time.

4. Only Searching for Jobs in Obvious Places

Whereas it’s worth considering jobs on campus and nearby that pay an hourly rate, these are far from your only options. Turning to entrepreneurship will allow you to start work related to the career you want to pursue. It’s also likely you’ll enjoy your job, and the experience will enhance your resume in a way that a standard job never could. Plus, the options are endless: you could offer landscaping services, help locals move, do freelance web design, provide childcare, or sell your own branded university merchandise. Provided you possess the necessary skills and there’s demand for the service, you can turn an idea into a profitable business.

5. Waiting Until Graduation to Apply for Jobs

Unless you’re going on to study a master’s degree, it’s best to have a full-time job lined up for as soon as you’ve graduated. It’s likely that your university offers support for finding a job, such as by holding regular job fairs and publishing job posts aimed at recent graduates. Be sure to take advantage of these resources.

6. Living on Campus

Student housing can be one of your biggest expenses at university. Whereas living on campus may seem like a logical choice, it’s certainly not the best decision financially. Not only is the rent lower when you live off campus, you’ll also save money by preparing your own meals compared to paying for a mandatory meal plan.

An alternative to Ontario Tech University residence is Foundry Simcoe. Our student housing will give you a room in a fully-furnished suite or townhouse located just steps from campus. Plus, to help you save even more money, rent includes high-speed internet and a washer and dryer in your unit. Apply now while immediate move-ins are still available.