Blog Posts

9 Resume Tips for University Students

Unfortunately, just graduating university is not enough to gain interviews: you also need a strong resume. Most people struggle crafting resumes, but it’s even more of a challenge when you’re a student with little (or perhaps no ) work experience. However, there’s no reason to feel intimidated about creating a resume — you just need to know what to include and how to include it. 1. Add the Right Sections The standard format to use for a resume is your name and contact details followed by your education, work experience, and skills. Work experience can include voluntary positions as well as paid. However, if you still don’t have enough information to fill the page, you can also add sections for extracurriculars, certificates, foreign languages, awards, and interests. 2. Create a New Email Address Depending on your age when you created your email, you may have chosen something unprofessional. Sign up for a new account with one of the popular domains using a version of your name. 3. Link to a Portfolio You may have completed relevant work at university that could be ideal for showing an employer your potential. Set up an online portfolio and add a link to your resume. Similarly, it’s useful to provide a link to your LinkedIn profile. The social media platform serves as an online resume and gives you the chance to supply employers with more information about yourself, such as in your summary and through endorsements. 4. List in Reverse Chronological Order Resumes always have education and work experience in reverse chronological order. This means that the most relevant information is at the top and an employer immediately sees what you’ve achieved most recently. 5. Make the Education Section Long When you have more relevant work experience, you’ll be able to shrink down the education section of your resume to just the core details. For now, though, this part likely has the most useful information about you. As well as your major, any minors, the name of your school, and your expected graduation date, use the section to mention the title of your dissertation, other key coursework, and any significant academic achievements. 6. Write Concisely When describing what your work and voluntary positions involved, cut straight to the point by starting every sentence with a verb. This will make your resume snappier. There’s no need to use “I” in front of verbs, since it’s obvious who you’re talking about. 7. Exemplify Your Skills and Achievements Whenever possible, go beyond simply naming skills and provide proof. For instance, you could talk about collaborations on college assignments or improvements the company saw due to your contributions at an internship. Be as specific as possible, such as by using hard numbers to back up your point. 8. Tweak Your Resume for Each Position Create a resume to use as a template and then adapt it in small ways for every job you apply to. Focus on the areas of your experience that are most relevant to the position, decide which specific skills to highlight, and find keywords from the job description to include naturally within your resume content. 9. Mention Experience with Specific Software and Tools Most jobs today require some knowledge of digital tools. Omit mentioning those it should be a given you know how to use, but include any that mean you’re better qualified for the position, such as industry-specific tools and any listed in the requirements for the job description. Another way to find a great job is to network. You’ll expand your circle when you live in student rentals. Waterloo has two great student communities: Preston House and Bridgeport House, where you’ll meet students attending both Wilfrid Laurier University and UWaterloo . Book a tour to visit the building of your choice.

How to Have a Capsule Wardrobe at University

Since you won’t be able to cram every piece of clothing into your suitcase, it’s best to arrive at your Uwaterloo off-campus housing with a capsule wardrobe. But first, what exactly is a capsule wardrobe? As the name suggests, it is a small collection of clothes that can be mixed and matched so you can come up with a variety of outfits. The wardrobe is usually made up of classic pieces in neutral colours that work well together. With a capsule wardrobe, you’ll have less decision fatigue at the start of your day, and more time to do your morning ritual. Building a Capsule Wardrobe Take stock The first step to having a capsule wardrobe is by doing a quick audit of your closet and going through every piece you own. It’s important to choose only the items you love, because you’ll be wearing them again and again for the entire semester. Plan ahead Make a list of activities you’ll do at university, and then come up with a list of appropriate clothes to wear for these activities. Are you an introvert who will be spending most of your days in-between classes and your Uwaterloo off-campus housing? Then you’ll need to invest in comfortable day clothes and loungewear. Will you be applying for an internship or getting a part-time job? Then you’ll need to include smart casual clothes in the mix, and bring in a pantsuit or a blazer-suit combo. Stick to classics Start with basic clothing staples that are versatile, and avoid trendy items that will quickly go out of style. Choose a colour scheme that goes well with almost anything : black, brown, grey, white, or cream. If most of your clothes are neutral, they’ll be easy to pair with almost anything . Pare it down Less is always more. You can implement the KonMari method and donate clothes that you haven't worn in more than a year, or give away items that no longer spark joy. However, you should still have enough clean clothes to last you for at least two weeks. Otherwise, you’ll have to do your laundry once a week, which can be difficult if you have an upcoming exam or paper. Quality over quantity You might be tempted to shop for clothes at highstreet shops because of their affordability. But these will cost you in the long run because their quality deteriorates quickly, and you’ll soon find yourself having to buy clothes again. It’s an endless cycle of ecowaste that can be prevented by investing in a lesser number of quality pieces. If you’re working with a limited budget, you can shop at thrift stores, check out secondhand listings online, or swap clothes with friends . Follow your personal style At this point, you already have an idea of what you want your outfits to look like. If not, you can check your favourite style icons’ Instagram or browse Pinterest for a dose of inspiration . By following these tips, you can start building a capsule wardrobe as early as today. You can add or remove items from your wardrobe as the seasons change and your personal style evolves .

8 Tips for Keeping Grades Up

Going to university is one of the most exciting times of your life - you get to meet new people, visit new places , and experience new things. The thrill that comes with the newness of it all can sometimes make you forget about your ultimate goal - which is to do well in class. If you’re running behind in class, here are things you can do to improve your grades and become a better student. Participate in class. Don't hesitate to ask questions and participate in the discussions. This will help you understand the material better, and will retain it in your memory for a lot longer. Manage time wisely. The best approach for an upcoming exam is to divide and conquer. Divide topics into manageable chunks, and start your review ahead of time. This way, you’ll avoid sleepless nights and all-nighters. Arrange your room. Did you know that you can make your Laurier student housing apartment conducive for studying? For starters, there should be a clear separation between your sleeping area and study area. If possible, place your desk away from the bed so you won’t be tempted to lounge in between bouts of studying. Set your desk up for success. If you spend a long time in front of a computer, set up good lighting in your study nook so you won’t end up squinting at your notes. Buy an ergonomic chair and your back will thank you. Declutter your desk, get rid of distractions, and remove notifications from your phone. Invest in a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones to block out distracting noise. Implement a study system. In order to make the most of your studies, you can implement a productivity system. The most famous one is the Pomodoro method , where for each Pomodoro, you study for 25 minutes and take a break for 5 or 10. After 4 Pomodoros , you can take a longer break of 20 to 30 minutes. Another system for procrastinators is called Don’t Break the Chain . For this one, the concept is really simple : for each day you devote a time to study, you get to mark it off in your calendar or planner. The goal here is you don’t break the chain. Use learning aids. Learning aids have a huge impact on how you digest and retain information. Enhance your learning process by using visual aids like notebooks, highlighters, flashcards, and mindmaps . Join a study group. Studying on your own can be boring. With no one to check on you, a study session can quickly turn into a Netflix binge or an afternoon nap. Joining a group study means there will be a set time for you to hit the books, and supportive people to hold you accountable. Get to know your professors better. Take advantage of their office hours to clarify something you didn't understand in class. Let them know if you’re struggling and they will help you catch up with the rest of the class. By the end of the semester, you could end up with a great mentor or a glowing recommendation .

5 Spring Cleaning Tips for Student Apartments

Before the first real signs of warmer weather even emerge , one task should be at the top of your to-do list: spring cleaning your apartment. Not only is spring cleaning a great time to make your apartment feel fresh, but you can also use the opportunity to switch your closet to warmer weather clothing and get organized for your upcoming finals. Here are some tasks to complete. 1. Sort Through Papers Without a filing system, the amount of papers you acquire from all your classes quickly becomes an overwhelming mess. Use your spring cleaning as a chance to put your papers in order, discarding those you no longer need. You’ll find this invaluable whenever you come to write an assignment or need some documentation at short notice. 2. Declutter Surfaces The biggest mess in student apartments tends to be on surfaces, such as your desk, nightstand, shelves, and coffee table. Clear these surfaces completely and think about where you want to keep possessions to prevent clutter. You may find you have things you no longer want that you can throw out, give away, or donate. 3. Clear the Floors Another place clutter may have accumulated is the floors. The problem is this kind of clutter makes it impossible to clean properly. After you’ve put these items where they belong and thrown out any junk, you’re likely to find dirt and debris in the corners and behind furniture. Use a vacuum or broom to do a thorough cleaning. Removing dust and pollen from your apartment will be a big help during allergy season. 4. Wash All Your Laundry If you’re in the habit of only doing a load of laundry when it becomes absolutely necessary , you may have linens, towels, and clothing you rarely wear sitting at the bottom of your hamper, lining your closet, or lurking in other places around your apartment. Now is the perfect time to wash it all. As soon as you notice that a machine in the laundry room is free, take everything you have to get clean. Once you’ve done your laundry, you can store any clothing and thick blankets you won’t need again until next winter. Put these items in storage containers that fit under your bed or in your closet. 5. Clean the Bathroom One of the most important places to clean in your apartment is the bathroom, since mould and bacteria can start to grow wherever there’s lingering dampness. As part of your spring cleaning, throw out any toiletries you never use, check the contents of your cabinets, and wipe down shelves. If you share the bathroom with a roommate, it’s worth setting up a regular cleaning schedule to take turns to do things like scrub surfaces and mop floors. If you’re struggling to find enough space to store all your belongings during your spring cleaning, consider moving into an alternative to student residence. Waterloo students receive a large suite equipped with modern amenities in a building just a short walk from campus when they live at Preston House or Bridgeport House. Book a tour to see the property of your choice.

Healthy Energy-Boosting Ideas for Students

One of the major limiting factors for how much you can do as a student is your energy level. Worse, low energy levels often mean your performance drops, you struggle to control your mood, and you’re at a higher risk of suffering an accident. The good news is you can boost your energy in the following healthy ways — without needing caffeine and other stimulants that will only make you crash later. 1. Eight Hours of Sleep a Night Without enough sleep, other energy-boosting tactics will have much less effect. It’s important to sleep eight hours every night to keep your circadian rhythms in check, to have plenty of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (which helps you form memories to retain everything you’ve learned in your classes), and to be able to function throughout the day. 2. A Daily Workout Although exercising requires energy, it ultimately boosts your energy levels. A daily workout is particularly useful for increasing your mental energy, since it helps you control stress. You’ll also fall asleep faster, meaning you need to be in bed for less time to gain a full eight hours of sleep. 3. At Least 10 to 15 Minutes of Sunlight Try to spend some time in the sun every day. You need a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes a day — this should be achievable even on short winter days. Sunlight is your best source of vitamin D, which is essential for several body processes, including for maintaining a good mood. 4. Breaks Between Studying You’ll become exhausted if you try to study without a pause. It can be tempting to keep going and finish everything as soon as possible, but your mind will be unable to work tirelessly without a break. Spending just a few minutes on a relaxing task to break up your study session will reenergize you and prevent burnout. 5. Meditation Through meditating, you focus on your breath and keep your mind in the present. This makes it impossible to dwell on worries and reduces anxiety, helping you feel that you have more energy. You could practise meditation on a regular basis or use the techniques before stressful events, such as tests. 6. Listening to Music Any music you enjoy can give you energy. Music can be a great pick-me-up at the start of the day, on your walk to class, or during chores. You may also like to play music while studying — some students find it helps to concentrate, but others find this too distracting. 7. A Healthy Diet Since energy comes from food, it makes sense that a balanced diet is key to boosting energy. Sugary foods will give you energy in the moment, but the effects will soon wear off. You’ll see a long-lasting impact if you eat foods that give you a slow release of energy, such as grains, fruits, and vegetables. You’ll also have more energy if you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. 8. A Daily Routine You’ll exert less energy if you stick to a routine. This is because when you start acting on autopilot, there’s no need to find motivation. Begin your routine by waking up at the same time each morning and eating a healthy breakfast. Schedule regular study sessions, noting down what you’ll cover and perhaps where you want to study. You should find that this keeps you on track, meaning you never need to stay up late to meet a due date. You’ll also have more energy if you’re able to relax properly when you come home at the end of the day. This is difficult when you’re sharing a cramped space on campus, which is why many students prefer to find a room for rent. Waterloo students can find the ideal housing at Preston House or Bridgeport House. You’ll have a private bedroom for when you want to be alone and communal amenities like a pool table and ping pong table for when you want some company. Book a tour to visit the building of your choice .