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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.

No matter how busy you are, you do need to keep your living space at university clean. This will be good for your mental and physical health, prevent arguments with roommates, and mean you’re always able to find what you’re looking for. Here are some tips to maintain a tidy space.

1. Clean Before You Move In

Before you start unpacking, disinfect surfaces, door handles, and light switches. Clean the floors, and spray the room with your favourite air freshener to make your new home smell welcoming.

2. Keep Clutter Under Control

Assign every one of your possessions a place in your apartment. When clutter starts building up, put items back where they belong.

3. Do Basic Cleaning Tasks Daily and Weekly

You’ll find it much easier to keep your apartment clean if you do certain tasks every day. This should include making your bed, washing dishes, and generally tidying up. On a weekly basis, throw out expired food, do your laundry, and sort out any papers you’ve accumulated from your classes. All these activities only take a few minutes and will save you from needing to dedicate a large amount of time to cleaning in the future.

4. Create a Cleaning Schedule

Share cleaning tasks for common areas among roommates by writing down what each of you needs to do and putting it into a schedule. Being able to hold someone accountable should ensure that all the cleaning gets done and you avoid disputes. Make sure you include vacuuming or sweeping and mopping, taking out the trash, dusting, and washing the windows.

5. Organize a Thorough Clean at the End of Each Semester

The best time for a deep clean is at the end of each semester. If you’re going to your parents’ home for the break, this will mean you return to a clean apartment that puts you in the right frame of mind at the beginning of the new semester. Even if you’ll be staying in your apartment, it’s a good idea to organize a thorough clean. You can coordinate with your roommates to turn it into a regular event. Use the chance to clean all the appliances, including the fridge, oven, cooktop, microwave, and coffee maker. After you’ve emptied the trash, wash the cans. It’s also worth moving furniture to vacuum underneath. In your own room, you may like to completely empty your closet to vacuum the floor.

It’s easier to keep your home clean when you at least have your own bedroom. This means moving out of on-campus housing and into student apartments. Oshawa students can rent a flat or townhouse suite at Foundry Simcoe. You’ll have an ensuite bathroom and you’ll only share the living room and kitchen with two or four other students. Plus, monthly housing is available to reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do yourself. Sign up now to take advantage of the lowest rate of the year.

Whether you’re unorganized or you just don’t know how to effectively prepare for your finals, you may find that you end up cramming the day before a big test. Unfortunately, this is a bad idea for a number of reasons — including the following.

1. You’ll Soon Forget the Information

You may be able to retain the facts long enough to pass the exam, but most of the information will never enter your long-term memory. Whereas this is less of an issue for general education courses, it’s a problem for material related to your major. It could mean you struggle with later classes, at grad school, or in your career.

2. It’s Ineffective

It’s impossible to concentrate for long periods of time — and cramming usually involves spending many hours studying without a break. After the first hour of cramming (or often less), your attention will start to wane and you’ll no longer be absorbing the information. At this point, you’ll just be wasting your time.

However, if you spread out your study time, every minute you spend preparing for finals will be time well spent.

3. It’s Tiresome

Whereas it’s true that studying for finals is far from the most fun part of the university experience, it shouldn’t be something you hate. If you leave studying until the last minute, you’ll need to cover the same material until you’re sick of it. However, switching from preparing for one exam to another will keep your mind engaged.

4. Your Stress Levels Will Rise

Cramming tends to make students anxious and stressed. This leads to nausea, loss of appetite, and forgetfulness — which just adds to your anxiety. You may find that your mind goes blank on some questions and you worry about the answers you do give. This stress may persist after the test and can impact your performance on other finals or even mean you stay feeling anxious until you receive your results.

5. You’ll Be Exhausted

If cramming means you only sleep for a few hours before the exam, you’ll likely be too tired to concentrate. This will slow you down and make it more difficult to process questions, especially when the wording is not exactly what you expected.

6. Your Test Scores Will Be Lower

Students who cram usually have lower test scores than those who start preparing weeks before their finals. Since crammers are less familiar with the material, it takes them longer to figure out what the question is asking and how to answer. This is particularly problematic for essay questions, as you need to know how to pull together different pieces of information. However, you’re also likely to score lower on multiple-choice tests, since there’s a higher risk you’ll run out of time.

To gain top grades on your finals, you need to start preparing early and use the time you have available wisely. If you want to be able to concentrate on your studies without distractions, it makes sense to search for rooms for rent.

Oshawa students should look no further than Foundry Simcoe. You’ll receive a private bedroom and an en suite bathroom in an apartment with two or four roommates. Apply now to take advantage of our early bird pricing.

It’s easy to become so involved in your studies that you almost forget graduation is just around the corner. You likely have a few last assignments to complete, and it’s reasonable that these are taking up the vast majority of your time. Plus, you need to say goodbye to all the things you’ll miss about university, including your friends, your favourite hangout spots on campus, and the places you love around the city.

However, you do need to make sure that you’re prepared for life after graduation. Although the hard work will be over soon in one regard, the next chapter of your life is about to begin — and that will bring its own set of challenges. In particular, there are a few things you need to do to find success in this early stage of your career.

1. Let Everyone Know That You’re Graduating

Make sure everyone you know is aware that your graduation date is coming up. Even people you think have no connections in the field you want to enter could surprise you. Tell your extended family, friends, coworkers at your part-time job, manager from your internship, and professors. Also let them know exactly what kind of career you’re looking to pursue. They may be able to put you in contact with the right people for an opportunity that you’d never have found on your own.

2. Start Actively Networking

As well as relying on others, engage in your own networking. Since so much is online these days, there’s no need to travel to in-person events — you can find plenty of opportunities to network virtually. In addition, it’s worth scheduling some one-on-one meetings with people who may be able to give you advice or put you in contact with potential employers. In particular, talk to someone at the job centre at your university, your professors, and faculty members. Remember that you are just one of many students and, unless you make the effort to stay front of mind, even your favourite professors may forget about you.

3. Search for Opportunities on LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile is like an online resume that anyone can see. Add everyone you know as a connection to expand your network, including all your friends and classmates. They may be able to connect you to someone useful. You may also like to follow companies that you’d like to work for, just to express an interest. Next, fine tune your profile by uploading a professional headshot, a summary of what you’re looking to achieve, and details of your experience — at university and elsewhere. Finally, you could even start searching for jobs to apply for before you graduate.

Your last few months at university are the most important ones of all. Make them your best yet by moving into the welcoming student community at Foundry Simcoe. Our alternative to Ontario Tech University residence provides you with a comfortable suite equipped with high-speed internet and modern appliances, including a washer and dryer in your unit. Contact us now for an immediate move-in.

To take full advantage of your time at university, you should have plenty of fun adventures. Many students say after they’ve graduated that they regret not spending more time outdoors. Now is the ideal time to discover new places and try new activities, especially since you may not have the same opportunities later. There are several reasons why this is the case.

1. You Have Long Breaks

When you start working, you may only be able to take a few days off a year, whereas at university you have a couple weeks over the winter and spring plus a much longer break for the summer. Even if you have other commitments, such as a seasonal job or internship, or you want to spend time with your family, you should be able to find the time for some outdoor trips.

Many students use their breaks to travel abroad. This opens up even more opportunities, including snowboarding, skiing, and water sports. Plus, you can find hiking trails almost anywhere you go — these are great ways to enjoy the fresh air and take in some scenery.

2. It’s a Great Way to Fill That Free Time

There’s no need to wait until you’re on a break from university to head outdoors. If you manage your time well, you can study just on weekdays, leaving weekends free to spend with friends. You could explore the nearby area, practise sports, or find programs to learn useful survival skills, such as first aid, building a shelter to stay warm, and starting a campfire. It will be easier to do all this now than when you’re older and have responsibilities like childcare.

3. You’ll Destress

It’s not just important to use your free time productively because you’ll have more fun — spending time outdoors will help you relax and get rid of all that pent up stress. Staying active is obviously great for your physical health, but it’s also one of the best ways to improve your mental health. This will mean you’re able to return to your studies with a clear mind and you’ll be more likely to avoid burnout.

4. Activities Are Less Expensive with Student Discounts

It may also be more difficult to experiment with outdoor activities later because prices will increase. Student discounts can be significant, covering everything from transport to equipment and instruction. If you look out for discounts, you may even be able to purchase equipment that is usually prohibitively expensive for a good price.

You’ll need a home base from which you can start your outdoor adventures and return after a long day or extended trip. Your best option is to find a student rental. Oshawa students can receive a suite at Foundry Simcoe, complete with a private bedroom and spacious living room where you can plan your next excursion with friends or roommates. Plus, there are great places nearby for various outdoor activities, including Niagara Park and Kedron Dells Golf Club. Apply for a suite now and you may still be able to grab a unit with a balcony before they’re all gone.

Productivity advice often talks about starting the day early and immediately jumping into tasks that require high focus while you have the most energy. But what if you’re a night owl? Just the idea of getting up early likely makes you want to cringe. The good news is night owls often thrive at college, not least because you can set your schedule to be active later in the day.

1. Focus in the Evenings

Many students try to study in the evenings just because it’s convenient. If you’re a night owl, this is actually the best time of day for you to study, as it’s when you have the most energy. Choosing to study when you feel energized means you’ll retain more of what you’re learning and produce better work. To use this to your advantage, do your homework right after class while everything is still fresh in your mind.

2. Avoid Interruptions

Studying at night also has the advantage of providing you with a quieter environment. You’re much less likely to face distractions, such as a friend dropping by, a roommate needing to ask you something, or even your phone constantly buzzing with notifications.

3. Choose Afternoon and Night Classes

If you know you’ll struggle with morning classes, avoid them. You could even opt for night classes and leave the day free for other activities. Since both afternoon and night classes tend to fill up later than morning classes, you should find you also have more choice.

4. Lead an Active Social Life

Plenty of the student experience has nothing to do with academics. Parties, events, and some extracurriculars take place in the evening and at night. Morning people may be too exhausted to take full advantage, whereas you will be fully alert. This puts you in a prime position to have fun and build real connections.

5. Take Risks

Studies have found that night owls are more likely to take risks. This is also an indication that you’re cut out to be an entrepreneur. Many students start their first business at college to make an income without holding a traditional job — it’s definitely something worth considering.

6. Benefit from Your Creativity

Another common characteristic of night owls is creativity. You’ll likely do well if you’re taking a creative major, but you may also like to consider choosing some creative electives to see where your skills could take you.

7. Succeed at Academics

Finally, night owls often score high on inductive reasoning tests, which are good indications of general intelligence. This is why night owls often succeed academically — although they find it easier to perform well when exams are not scheduled for the early morning.

A risk of living on campus is you may be paired with a morning person and find that your routines disturb each other’s sleep. An option for Durham College off-campus housing is Foundry Simcoe. You’ll be living with a community of students right near campus, but you’ll have your own room in a suite or townhouse. Sign a lease now and, even as a night owl, you can take advantage of our early bird pricing.

It’s common to receive poor grades at college simply because you struggle to write good papers. You may have a good grasp of the material but find it difficult to express yourself in writing. If this is happening to you, here are a few things you can do to improve.

1. Understand the Assignment

Before you start working on your paper, make sure you know what you’re trying to achieve. Reread the question a few times, highlighting the key words and jotting down some ideas. Check how long the assignment needs to be, whether you are restricted to using particular sources, and if there are other criteria you need to meet.

2. Introduce and Develop Your Argument

Instead of writing down everything you know about the topic, figure out what argument you want to make. Use the first paragraph to introduce the argument and subsequent paragraphs to expand on each point. Tie everything together in the conclusion — this final paragraph shouldn’t include any new information; it should just summarize what you’ve already covered.

3. Avoid Plagiarism

If you commit plagiarism, you will get caught and the consequences could be severe. Universities have sophisticated plagiarism software that reveal if you’ve copied chunks of text from another student, or even if you’ve just used the occasional sentence you found in another source. Software can also detect if you’ve made minor changes to word order or used synonyms.

Remember that it’s also plagiarism if you copy something but add a reference to the source. You should only include quotes when this is necessary for the assignment. Otherwise, put information into your own words.

4. Be Concise

Cut unnecessary adjectives, adverbs, and other filler words and think about how to make your sentences more concise. This will gain you points for style. If you’re struggling to meet the word count, adding fluff won’t help. It’s likely that you’ve neglected some important points. Go back to the assignment instructions and figure out what you’ve missed.

5. Stick to Simple Language

Your professors are not interested in your expansive vocabulary — they want to see that you understand the material and can express the ideas in your own way. A paper is no place to try out new words you’ve recently learned, unless they relate to the topic. There’s too big a risk that you’ll misuse a term, which will lead to a weaker paper.

6. Proofread Your Paper at a Later Date

Come back to your paper an hour or more after you’ve finished — it’s better still if you wait a full day. This will help you see your writing in a new light, meaning any areas for improvement and typos will be more obvious. Make sure to proofread your paper several times before you decide it’s finished. It can also help if you read it out loud to check the flow.

7. Ask for Support

If you’re still having trouble writing papers, use the academic services at your university. For instance, you may be able to receive writing support or find a tutor who can read your papers and give you tips on how to improve.

Even when you follow all the above tips, you’ll struggle to write great papers if you’re unable to focus at home. Your best course of action is to leave your on-campus housing and search for apartments for rent. North Oshawa has fully-furnished suites, designed with the student lifestyle in mind, at Foundry Simcoe. Apply now while there are still spaces available.

Studying can be a lonely activity, but it doesn’t have to be — all you need is a study buddy. In fact, everyone should have a study buddy for the following benefits.

1. Never Forget an Important Date

Many students find the jump from high school to college particularly challenging because no one is checking up on them. Your professors are less likely to keep reminding you of an upcoming test or project. If you tend to be forgetful, you could miss a due date and end up receiving a failing grade. However, it’s less likely that two of you will forget, especially if you’re preparing for the quiz or assignment together.

2. Quiz Each Other

Flashcards are a great tool for making sure that you’re clear about key facts and concepts, but it’s more engaging when someone else quizzes you. Plus, when you and your study buddy each come up with your own flash cards, you’ll have twice as many questions, which reduces the risk of overlooking something crucial.

3. Proofread Your Papers

Before you hand in a paper, you can ask your study buddy to take a look and give you feedback. This is a great chance to proofread your work and eliminate any typos you hadn’t noticed, but also talk about things like whether your calculations seem correct, whether you’ve fully answered the question, and if your argument flows well.

4. Research Together

You’ll find information for your assignments twice as fast when you work together and share the results of your searches. In addition, you’ll likely use different methods, which will increase the richness of the results.

5. Improve Your Motivation

You’re much less likely to procrastinate studying when you’ve agreed to a session with a partner. Plus, you should find that you look forward to studying more, since it will also be a chance to socialize.

6. Look at Problems in New Ways

It’s common for one person to find a section of the material difficult whereas someone else may understand it immediately. Explaining concepts to each other does more than help the other person: it’s a great way to solidify your own understanding. Alternatively, you may be able to share resources you’ve found that help explain ideas in a new way.

7. Share Notes and Materials

If you need to miss class one day, you can rely on your study buddy to keep you up to speed. In fact, you should consider sharing notes on days when you both attend — just to ensure you picked up on all the key information. Furthermore, if you ever turn up to class only to realize you’ve forgotten a notepad or for your last pen to run out of ink, you’ll have someone who can lend you whatever you need.

You’ll need to have somewhere to study with your partner. Your student apartment is a great option, especially if you have your own room and you live near campus. You’ll have both of these things when you live at Foundry Simcoe. Our Durham College student housing gives you a room in a suite at a student community near campus. Apply now for an immediate move-in or to take advantage of our early bird pricing.