Blog Posts

Move-In Day Tips for Student Apartments

Moving into a new apartment is one of the big milestones in your student journey. However, if you don’t plan ahead of time, move-in day can be more stressful than exciting. For this reason, it’s worthwhile to start making preparations a couple months in advance. 1. Write Your Move-In Date on Your Calendar As soon as you know your move-in day, make a note of it. This is your deadline for finishing your preparations! Plus, you most likely want to ask a couple people to come with you to help, and you’ll need to let them know the date as early as possible. In addition, find out the protocol for moving in. There may be no curbside where you can park, in which case you’ll need to find parking nearby. Also ask if there’s an elevator in the building or if you’ll need to carry things up the stairs. Factors like these influence how long it will take you to move in. 2. Request a Floor Plan A floor plan will tell you the dimensions of your apartment, which helps you determine how much will fit in each room. It should also show you what furniture the apartment already contains . 3. Make Your Packing List Write down everything you’ll need to bring with you. To make sure you don’t overlook anything, it’s worth searching online for checklists specifically for college students. Create a personalized list on your phone and add items whenever you think of anything else. 4. Contact Your Roommates Whether your roommates are your friends or people you’ve never met before, it’s important to coordinate with them. You all need to know what the others are bringing to avoid duplicates and missing essentials. You may need to split the cost of certain items between you. 5. Limit Yourself to True Essentials It’s easy to go overboard and bring too many things to your apartment. If your living quarters are small, filling the space with belongings will make it cramped and uncomfortable. Think about what you actually need and will use. 6. Decide What You’ll Buy When You Arrive Your car has even more limited space than your apartment. Of course, you could pay for a moving container to ship your belongings (this may even be necessary if you’re moving across the country), but it’s often easy to free up space simply by purchasing items when you arrive. This is a good idea for items that you don’t already own and that are easy to find, such as cleaning equipment and notebooks. 7. Bring Clothing for the Season If you’ll be heading back to your parents’ home between semesters, it doesn’t make sense to bring clothing you won’t be wearing in the upcoming months. Clothes like winter coats take up a huge amount of space that you could be using for other outfits in the warmer months. 8. Pack Everything in Storage Bins Even if your bedroom comes with a decent-size closet, storage is likely to be an issue. Avoid the need to purchase furniture by packing your belongings in storage bins that you can repurpose once you’ve settled into your apartment. This is also a better solution than boxes because there’s no need to dispose of them when you move in and then find new ones when the time comes to move out. Moving in is much less complicated when you have a fully-furnished apartment. For Waterloo off-campus housing, students have Preston House and Bridgeport House. In every suite, the kitchens are fully equipped with all the appliances you need and the living rooms have large flat-screen TVs. All you need to bring are personal belongings for your private bedroom and en -suite bathroom. Book a tour to see the housing for yourself.

How to Pass the Time Between Classes

If you’re a college or university student, chances are you're spending most of your day on campus and have plenty of free time in between your classes. Some on-campus days are super busy, while others are comparatively relaxed. As such, you likely have time to do some productive activities instead of just chasing the clock. But what type of activities can you do to pass the time between classes? The good news is that there are several on-campus activities to choose from, whether it’s a quick workout or attending campus events. Here are some activities you can do to pass the time between your classes: Learn a Skill Sure, you're studying hard and waiting to start your career. But does that mean you don't have to learn in-demand skills? The world has incredibly digitized, and there are many different skills you can learn online and build your resume even when you're a student. Consider learning in-demand skills like coding, graphic designing, social media marketing, email marketing, online teaching, and copywriting. There're many free and paid courses and resources available on platforms like Udemy, Udacity, and Coursera. If you’re saving your money, you can even learn new skills through YouTube for free! Plan Your Tasks For The Week Whenever possible, it’s also good to plan your tasks for the week during the free time between your classes. For example, you might have 30 minutes off between classes. You can use that time to sort out and prioritize your activities for the entire week. Besides your coursework, you could plan grocery visits, bill payments, walking the dog, doing exercise, and meeting with friends during your free time. The key here is to assign time to each task, so you don't miss anything important. Do Your Homework This is by far the best use of the free time between your classes. Instead of scrolling through social media, get up and do your homework while you're at school. By doing your homework on campus, you'll have sufficient free time after school. No more skipping meetups with friends because you’re bogged down with assignments! Roam Around the Campus Physical activity improves our energy levels. But if you aren't in the mood to hit the gym, roam around your campus. You can either track your footsteps or do it aimlessly, but walking is always a healthy activity. Attend Campus Events Most university and college campuses, including the University of Waterloo campus, are buzzing with events. Attending these events while waiting for your next class is a great way to pass the time, as you could wind up making friends or developing a new interest. Events with fun activities are great for killing boredom and refreshing yourself. But if the campus events don't interest you, you could always head over to your Waterloo off-campus housing to take a nap when you’re feeling tired. Visit the Auditorium/Entertainment Center Auditoriums are always fun, and you'll love the content and atmosphere in the entertainment centre . Check online or on a campus billboard to see if there are any events taking place, then visit the auditorium to entertain yourself and have fun during the free time between your classes. Go to the Campus Gym/Sports Club What better way to pass your free time than to engage in healthy physical activities like workouts and sports? Physical activities not only keep your body in shape but are also good for your mind. In addition, exercises improve your focus and reduce stress, which can help you with your academic performance. The best part is that most universities in Waterloo have on-campus gyms and sports clubs. Final Thoughts University life can be draining, but you do get free time between classes. Study hard and spend the time between classes doing something you truly enjoy ; it could be reading a book, walking, exercising, napping, watching fun videos, or writing a blog. No matter what you choose, try to spend your on-campus time wisely and make the most out of it!

What to Do If You Fail a Midterm

You may fail a midterm for any number of reasons. It could be that the course material never resonated with you, that your schedule is too heavy, or simply that you struggled to study. Whatever the reason, a failing grade can feel terrible. However, even if it does impact your overall grade for the class, it’s unlikely to have dire consequences — and there’s a good chance you can take steps to recover. Assess the Exam with a Clear Mind Before you can understand what went wrong, you need to give yourself space. Do something to relax, such as yoga or breathing exercises, and then come back to the exam. Check carefully to see if there were any areas where you received a particularly low score. You may have misunderstood certain parts of the material, found a specific type of question difficult, or misinterpreted what kind of answer your professor wanted for the assignment. Whatever the case, knowing the reasons for your failing grade should help you avoid similar mistakes in the future. Determine If the Failing Grade Should Be a Surprise If you studied hard and believed you had a good grasp of the material, the grade likely came as a real shock. On the flip side , you may simply have hoped that you wouldn’t fail after putting little effort into studying. Perhaps you only read the summaries of the material or thought the class was easy enough to pass without preparing for the midterm. In either case, you’ll need to come up with a new approach going forward to avoid repeating this experience. Plan a New Study Approach Changing your approach to studying may mean coming up with a new routine — or it could mean actually sticking to the schedule you already have. If you struggle to find the motivation to study alone, form a study group with others. Plus, make sure you attend all your classes and take detailed notes that will be useful later. Finally, if you’re struggling to understand the material, ask questions in class — never just write notes and hope the meaning will become clear later. Ask for Feedback You should start asking questions even before your next class. Pay your professor or TA a visit to talk about the midterm and to clear up any doubts you have about why you failed. Avoid Being Too Tough on Yourself Don’t allow one failed midterm to make you too stressed. Punishing yourself for the failing grade is unlikely to have the desired effect of making you work harder next time. While it’s important to study, it’s also crucial to take care of yourself. If you failed your midterm because you were unable to study effectively, one solution could be to find new off-campus housing. UWaterloo students have Preston House and Bridgeport House. No more sharing your personal space with a noisy roommate or settling for rundown facilities — you’ll have a private bedroom in a suite, access to modern amenities, and the use of dedicated study spaces. Book a tour to see the building of your choice.

Should You Be a Full- or Part-Time Student?

If you want to work while attending university, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you should be a full- or part-time student. Since there are pros and cons of each option , it’s important to think carefully about your situation by considering a variety of factors. How Much Time You Can Afford to Commit Your main consideration needs to be how many hours a week you can commit to your studies. Most full-time students dedicate the majority of their time to schoolwork, meaning they are usually only able to work a part-time job at the most. In addition to accounting for around 12 hours a week in class, you’ll also need to factor in time for reviewing your notes, completing assignments, and preparing for tests. If you’re unable to commit to this many hours, becoming a part-time student may be a better option . For instance, you could take just one or two classes, which will mean finding just a few more hours to study in your own time. In fact, if you do decide to opt for part time, starting out with just one or two classes can be a good strategy for determining how much you can handle. You can always increase later. When You Want to Graduate The biggest downside to being a part-time student is that it will take you longer to graduate. Many students are tempted to create a schedule that will allow them to graduate as soon as possible, particularly if this means being able to start a new career. However, if studying full time may mean your grades will suffer or you’ll struggle to keep up, it could be better to extend your studies by a year or two. Bear in mind that if you’re using a college education for career advancement in your current field, your employer may be impressed just by the fact that you are studying. This could lead to opportunities for promotion sooner than you expected. What You Can Afford The next factor to consider is how much you can afford. Financial aid may be able to cover some of your college fees, but you may prefer to pay as much as possible out of pocket to keep student debt to a minimum. Although studying part time may mean you qualify for less financial aid, it allows you to spread out costs and earn more while you’re at university. On the flip side , being a full-time student can cost more in the near term, but you may be able to find a higher-paying job soon after you graduate. The University You Want to Attend If you want to study at a specific university, you’ll need to find out what kinds of programs are available. Some colleges only offer full-time programs, whereas others have a large number of part-time students and may be able to help you create a schedule that meets your needs, such as by incorporating night classes or summer classes. You’ll find it easier to study while holding down a job if you live near campus. However, on-campus housing can be uncomfortable even for students who have just finished high school — and it’s even worse if you’re an adult student returning to education. A better solution is off-campus housing. Waterloo students can live just minutes from their university by choosing Preston House or Bridgeport House. Plus, you’ll have everything you need on site, including internet access, laundry facilities, and parking. Check out the properties by taking a virtual tour.

Tips for Travelling Home Safely on Holiday Breaks

After several months of being away at university, the prospect of returning home for the holidays is exciting. Although you may want to rush home as soon as your last class is over, it’s important to remember that driving can be particularly dangerous due to poor weather conditions and heavy traffic. To avoid accidents, bear the following safety advice in mind. 1. Check Your Car Ensure your car will be able to make the journey by running some basic tests. In particular, check your battery, cooling system, tire pressure, wiper blades, and wiper fluid. Keep the gas tank at more than half full to prevent freezing. If you haven’t done so already, switch to winter tires or make sure your all-season tires still have a deep enough tread. 2. Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit You may have prepared an emergency supply kit for your car before you left for university in the fall. Now is a great time to check it to see if anything needs replacing. At a minimum, the kit should contain a spare tire, jumper cables, some basic tools, a flashlight, a first aid kit, drinking water, and snacks. 3. Sleep Enough the Night Before It’s a good idea to start your journey early to avoid some of the traffic. However, it’s even more important that you’re well-rested before you begin the long drive. If you end up sleeping for fewer hours than you hoped you would and wake up feeling tired, it’s worth sleeping more to ensure you’re fully alert while driving. 4. Drive Sober Another possibility is that you may still be under the influence of alcohol when you wake up after a night of drinking. This is a risk if you had a final party at college before everyone went home for the holidays. Again, sleep it off, making sure enough hours have passed since your last drink before you get behind the wheel. 5. Wear a Seat Belt at All Times There’s no excuse for not wearing a seat belt, even if you’ll just be in the car for a few minutes. After all, it takes mere seconds to buckle up. Accidents can happen at any time — and you’re much more likely to be seriously injured if you lack a seat belt. 6. Never Look at Your Phone There’s a high chance you’ll be receiving many notifications while driving — perhaps from friends wishing you happy holidays or family asking where you are on your drive. Don’t allow yourself to even glance at the screen to see what the message is about, let alone send a response. Being distracted for even a short time can easily lead to an accident, and cell phones are one of the biggest causes of distractions. You may feel quite homesick when you return to university after spending the holidays with your family — especially if you’re moving back into cramped, uncomfortable accommodation. However, you’ll definitely look forward to returning to university if you have great off-campus student housing. Waterloo students can choose between Preston House and Bridgeport House, both of which have a pool table and ping pong table, ensuite private washrooms, and dedicated study spaces. Secure your spot for after the holida ys while there are still units available.

9 Ways to Pass the Time When You’re Snowed In

A heavy snowfall can make it impossible for many students to reach campus, leading classes to be cancelled. There are plenty of ways to take full advantage of your snow day. What you choose will depend on whether you want to be productive or enjoy your time off. 1. Do Some Chores When you’re snowed in, there’s no excuse to keep putting off your chores. You could do a couple loads of laundry, make a head start on your other chores for the week, or even tidy your bedroom. A snow day is a great time to sort through all your old papers and other items you’ve accumulated. If you listen to music or a podcast while cleaning, it could even be a pleasant task. 2. Play Outside If it’s possible to get outside, playing in the snow is a top option . Connect with your inner child by making a snowman or having a snowball fight. Just make sure you wear plenty of layers — or you’ll soon feel uncomfortable and want to head back indoors. 3. Catch Up on Homework You may find that, without classes, your mind is fresh and you’re able to focus on your homework. Your future self will thank you for making progress on your assignments — and the result will likely be better than if you leave them to the last minute. 4. Have a Movie Marathon A relaxing way to spend a snow day is to watch movies. Invite friends over or use the chance to hang out with your roommates. Search the kitchen for snacks and fill the living room with blankets to make it extra cozy — there’s no need to even get dressed. 5. Decorate Your Apartment Snow days that happen before the holidays give you the ideal opportunity to decorate your apartment. You may even be able to make your own decorations with things you already have at home. 6. Call Friends or Family Being a busy student often means you go weeks just texting family members and friends. Now’s your chance to have a proper chat. For instance, you could call someone else who’s snowed in or on a lunch break. Even if you talk for only a few minutes, this is a great way to reconnect. 7. Take an Extended Nap College can be exhausting, even if you put in your best effort to go to bed on time and avoid all-nighters. Use a snow day to catch up on some sleep and re-energize for the rest of the semester. 8. Read for Pleasure When you’re at university, it’s common to struggle to find the time to read anything beyond the required materials. Being snowed in with no responsibilities is the perfect excuse to read whatever you want. Remind yourself that reading can be fun by picking something that quickly absorbs you. 9. Do Some Baking Experiment with your creative side by baking some treats. Find a new recipe or use an old favourite that reminds you of home. If you share your creations with your roommates or friends, you’ll definitely be popular. It’s much more fun being snowed in when you’re surrounded by other students and there are things to keep you entertained in your apartment building. When you live at Preston House or Bridgeport House, you’re part of a community. Our Waterloo student housing provides you with a spacious apartment, fast internet, and modern amenities like a pool table and ping pong table. Take a video tour to see why you’d love living at either location.