Blog Posts

11 Gifts for Graduating Friends

Seeing your friends graduate college is exciting. As well as being thrilled for them, you’ll be able to imagine yourself in their position in just a few more semesters. To celebrate this huge milestone, you may like to give each of your friends a small gift. If you’re stuck for ideas, consider the following. 1. Neon Sign Help your friends bring some glamour to their new homes with a neon sign. Choosing a customizable sign will mean you can choose the colour and message. Pick something significant to you and the recipient, such as an inside joke or catchphrase. 2. Succulent A classic housewarming gift that’s ideal for any friends moving straight into a new apartment is a houseplant. A succulent is a top choice because it requires minimal care to keep alive. 3. Travel Jewellery Case If you have friends who will be doing some traveling after they graduate or who will be working in a position that requires them to take regular trips, consider gifting them a travel jewellery case. This will enable your friends to bring a few accessories along with them to look smart for conferences and evenings out. 4. Ice Globes Gift your friends some ice globes to help them practise at-home cryotherapy. These are ideal for relaxing and for removing puffiness from under the eyes, such as before a job interview. 5. Face Masks Another way to encourage friends to practise self-care is to gift them some face masks. If you have several friends graduating at the same time, giving each person a face mask or two is a great way to ensure everyone receives a gift without breaking the bank. 6. Cupcakes If you’re a good baker, consider preparing a batch of cupcakes for all your graduating friends. Decorate each cupcake individually to reflect your friends’ different personalities. 7. A Cookbook Graduating means becoming completely independent. For instance, your friends will no longer have the cafeteria on campus to rely on for their meals. Help them learn to prepare food at home with a cookbook. Choose a book aimed at your friends’ current abilities or that will help them prepare their favourite types of food. 8. Notebook An attractive notebook is an inexpensive but thoughtful present. Your friends can use their notebooks to write to-do lists to stay organized, to jot down ideas when they’re feeling inspired, or for journaling. 9. Mug A budget present that may mean a lot to your friends is a mug. Find some for new graduates or in designs you know your friends will love or order customized mugs with your own designs. 10. Sleep Mask Help your friends get a good night’s sleep before important meetings with a sleep mask. Weighted sleep masks are best, as they apply gentle pressure to relieve stress. 11. Candle A candle is a long-lasting gift that will remind your friends of you every time they light it. This is also the ideal present for any friends who lived in dorms throughout college and were never allowed to have candles. Your friends’ graduations are a reminder that college eventually comes to an end. Enjoy your remaining time to the fullest by moving into a better apartment. For Niagara College student housing, there’s Foundry Lofts. You can request to live with up to four friends or ask us to match you with roommates. You’ll also have the chance to hang out with friends and meet new people in places like the games room, movie theatre, and fireside lounge. Contact us now, while we still have leases available for September.

6 Advantages of Taking Summer Classes

There are numerous ways you can use your summer break. One of them is to not take a break from your academics at all but to continue your studies with summer classes. Since summer classes don’t last the entire break, you’ll still have the chance to rest, recover, and do other things. However, you’ll also be able to take advantage of several benefits that summer classes provide, including the following. 1. Fulfill a Prerequisite Requirement You may discover that some of the classes you would like to take in the fall have a prerequisite you haven’t fulfilled. The summer is the perfect time to take these classes. 2. Graduate Sooner Taking summer classes may push your graduation date forward. This is particularly useful if you’ve fallen behind due to having made a mistake in your class scheduling or if you needed to drop a class because your workload was too heavy. You may even be able to use this strategy to lighten your workload for future semesters while avoiding the need to push your graduation date back. 3. Gain Another Credential The classes you take over the summer may allow you to gain an additional credential when you graduate. For instance, you may be able to use the credit to declare a double major or a minor or you may earn a supplemental undergraduate certificate. Whatever you are able to achieve will look great on your resume and make you a more appealing candidate for employment or graduate school. 4. Enjoy Smaller Class Sizes Fewer students take summer classes than enroll during the rest of the year, which results in smaller class sizes. There are several benefits to this, including more chances to participate in debates and ask questions as well as getting to know both your professor and the other students better. 5. Tackle a Difficult Class Smaller class sizes are particularly useful for difficult courses. In addition, you’ll have few (if any) other classes at the same time, meaning you can give the challenging class your full attention. 6. Try Graduate-Level Classes If you’re unsure whether you want to continue to graduate school, you may like to use the summer to try out some graduate-level classes. This will also give you a better idea of what you may like to study and help you develop the specific skills you need at this higher level of education, such as writing for various purposes, reading in a foreign language, or conducting research. Depending on the options available at your school, it may be possible to earn a graduate certificate or similar credential for yo ur efforts. If you do decide to take summer classes, you’ll need to find somewhere to live, as the dorms on campus will be closed. You can find Brock University off-campus housing at Foundry Lofts. Our student community provides you with a spacious suite equipped with everything you need, including laundry facilities, fibre internet, and stainless steel appliances. Plus, you’ll be in a great location : within walking distance of campus in a neighbourhood with plenty of restaurants and stores. Apply for your spot now whi le there are still spaces available.

10 On-Campus Resources to Be Aware Of

Your classes are just one educational resource you’ll receive at university. To improve your understanding of material, enhance your academic skills, and prepare for your graduation, there are a number of other resources on campus that you should be taking advantage of. 1. Tutoring Never feel that you must struggle with a difficult class alone. If you need extra support to understand the material or apply the skills you’re learning, a tutor could be just what you need. Ask about tutoring services on campus to find the most cost-effective options. You may even be able to choose between one-on-one tutoring and group sessions. 2. Careers Support It’s worth thinking about what you want to do after you finish university a while before your graduation date approaches. Head to the careers centre on campus to discuss your options. You can also use the services to search for openings, fine tune your resume, and ace interviews — for jobs or internships now and after you graduate. 3. Writing Centre Most universities offer academic services to help students with their writing skills. You can find support for writing all kinds of papers, starting with creating an outline and ending with proofreading your work before you submit it. Students who are nearing the end of their degrees tend to find the writing centre particularly useful for preparing their thesis or research project, as it can be difficult to know where to begin, how to structure the different sections, and how to fit everything together. 4. Academic Advisors Whenever you have a question about your education, turn to the academic advisory team. Advisors can help you with things like creating an appropriate class schedule, dropping a class, switching majors, and meeting your academic goals. 5. Office Hours with Professors Your professors are another top source for academic advice. They can help you with doubts and questions related to a specific class — all you need to do is pay them a visit during office hours. Plus, office hours are a great way to connect to your professors on a deeper level, which could be useful if you’re looking to pursue research in a similar field or you just want to start building your professional network. 6. Financial Aid Office It’s possible that your financial situation will change during your time at university. Besides, it’s always worth seeing if you qualify for new scholarships and grants to save money. Visit the financial aid office if you ever want information about what support you qualify for or to manage your current loans. 7. Library Even though you can gain a vast amount of information online, your campus library can be important during your time at university. It’s somewhere you can focus on your studies in peace, collaborate on a group project, or ask librarians to help you locate the information you need to complete a paper. 8. Sport Facilities If you’re not an athlete yourself, you may have neglected the sports facilities on campus. This means you could be missing out on the opportunity to use the gym or attend fitness classes to get in shape, stay healthy, and reduce stress. 9. Mental Health Services Many universities offer counselling services at low prices to help students manage their mental health, cope with negative emotions, and deal with anxieties. You’ll likely also have access to hotlines you can call if you want confidential support or need to talk to someone during a crisis. 10. IT Department If you’re unsure about how to perform a particular IT task or your computer suffers a crash, reach out to the IT department. Someone will likely be able to help you over the phone to resolve the issue. Another way to receive great resources that enhance the student experience is to live in student housing. For Brock University off-campus housing, there’s no better option than Foundry Lofts. In addition to your private bedroom in a suite, you’ll have access to onsite amenities like a study zone and fitness centre . Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when a space opens up .

How to Handle Homesickness When You Go to College

Heading off to college is a time of mixed emotions. You’re likely to be excited about starting this next chapter of your life, but you’ll also miss the family and friends you’re leaving behind. This often leads to homesickness — and it can hit you unexpectedly. Luckily, there are several things you can do to cope. 1. Recognize That You’re Feeling Homesick The first step is to recognize that what you’re experiencing is homesickness. It may manifest itself as grief or feelings of loss — after all, you’ve lost your sense of belonging, familiar places and people, and the comfort that comes from having a regular routine. Although you may not realize it, you’ll be craving stability, predictability, and consistency. For this reason, homesickness may strike particularly hard at certain times of the day, such as when you’re usually engaged in a particular activity. The good news is that homesickness is not a clinical diagnosis. It tends to be short lived — and it’s within your power to overcome it. 2. Start New Rituals To regain a sense of security and regularity, it helps to begin establishing new routines. You can do these routines alone or with friends, but they should start almost as soon as you wake up and end right before you go to bed. If there are certain times of the year when you find that homesickness returns (such as around a particular holiday), create new traditions or share ones from home with your roommates. 3. Prepare Your Favourite Meals It’s comforting to eat meals like those you often have with your family. Ask your parents for recipes and learn to prepare these dishes yourself. Cooking will be a useful skill to have all your life, as you’ll be able to whip up your favourite foods whenever you’re feeling low. 4. Explore Your Surroundings Making your new home familiar will also help reduce homesickness. Learn where to find various places on campus and search for interesting spots around your college town, such as parks, coffee shops, and hiking trails. 5. Chat with Friends and Family Arrange to have regular calls with friends from your hometown and family members. Friends who are attending other universities will also be feeling homesick, meaning they’ll benefit from a chat just as much as you. 6. Make New Friends Try to resist the urge to rely heavily on people back home, though — it’s also important to start making new friends. Attend events, join clubs, and volunteer to expand your social circle and meet people with similar interests. 7. Talk About Your Feelings Since your friends are likely going through the same, don’t be afraid to talk about your homesickness. You may also have siblings who have already been through the experience who can give you advice about what worked for them. 8. Reach Out for Support If homesickness causes your anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues to worsen, reach out for support from a professional. Your college likely has counselling services available to students. You’ll suffer less from homesickness if you find an apartment that you love. Most people find it uncomfortable living on campus due to the limited privacy and cramped space, but having your own room in student housing can lead to a great college experience. An alternative to Niagara College residence is Foundry Lofts. You’ll be able to meet and hang out with other students in places like the games room, movie theatre, and fireside lounge or you can relax on your own in your spacious bedroom and living room. Contact us to join the waitlist.

Practical Move-In Day Tips for Student Apartments

Moving out of your parents’ home and heading off to university is exciting — but it also requires a great deal of preparation. You’ll need to make sure that you bring the right things, arrive at an appropriate time of day, and recruit someone to help you carry your belongings. Here are a few things to do to ensure move-in day goes smoothly. 1. Decide What to Pack Create a list of everything you’ll need to take with you. Base this on what you know about your apartment — for instance, its size, whether it’s furnished or unfurnished, and what exactly is included. To make sure you don’t forget anything essential, use the list your school provides, search for packing lists online, or ask friends what they’re taking. 2. Figure Out What to Leave Behind Just as important as making sure you bring everything you need is leaving behind the things you don’t need. If you’re going home between semesters, you should leave behind any clothing you won’t use this season. In addition, decide what you can purchase when you arrive, such as stationery, cleaning supplies, and groceries. Add these to a shopping list and head to a nearby store soon after you move in. 3. Reach Out to Your Roommates Your roommates may be your friends or they could be people your student housing has assigned you to share with. In either case, it’s worth setting up a group chat where you can coordinate your move-ins. One thing to talk about is what each of you will bring to the apartment. For instance, you’ll be able to share between you things like a coffee maker, microwave, and vacuum cleaner, meaning it doesn’t make sense to bring more than one. You should also decide when each of you will move into the apartment. If all of you will be arriving on the same day, at least make sure you come at different times — as all of you trying to move your belongings in at once could be a challenge. Bear in mind that it may take y ou a couple hours to finish moving in, especially if you’re bringing furniture. 4. Bring Help Ask a parent, sibling, or friend to come with you on move-in day to help you carry your belongings. Don’t bring too many people, as this will mean you have less space in the car for your possessions and may even make carrying belongings into your apartment more difficult. However, do make sure you have enough helping hands to carry heavy items. 5. Avoid Boxes The problem with boxes is they create a large amount of waste that you need to find a way to dispose of. Storage bins are much more practical, as you can use them to keep your apartment tidy once you’ve moved in. Plus, they make moving out easier — whether that’s when you find better housing or after you graduate. Before you even start thinking about move-in day, you need to have accommodation lined up. The most convenient, comfortable, and affordable type of accommodation is student rentals. St. Catharines students can find off-campus housing at Foundry Lofts. You’ll have your own room in either a furnished or unfurnished apartment with three or four roommates. You’ll also be able to meet other students in places like the games room, fitness facilities, movie theatre, and fireside lounge. Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when a space opens up .

Full- vs. Part-Time College: Which Is Right for You?

A major decision when you start college is choosing between full- and part-time study. Enrolling as a part-time student will mean you have more time available for other activities, whereas full-time students spend more time in classes and dedicate a large amount of the rest of their time to studying. To figure out what would be right for you, it’s important to compare the advantages of both options. Advantages of Full-Time College The main benefit of studying full time is that you’ll graduate earlier, which means you’ll be able to start working in your desired field sooner. Whereas you may be able to find a related job now, it’s likely that your dream job requires a credential. Another advantage is that there will be a greater range of scholarships available to you if you maintain full-time status. If you’re awarded one of these scholarships, you may significantly reduce how much you pay in tuition. Finally, being a full-time student may be a requirement for your family to receive certain tax breaks, which would save you even more money. Advantages of Part-Time College An obvious advantage of being a part-time student is you’ll have a flexible schedule. You can create a class schedule that works for you, perhaps by having a couple classes a day or by packing a few classes into the same days and keeping the rest of the week free for other activities. This will increase your availability for work — and with a decent job, you could earn enough to pay for your tuition and other expenses while you’re still studying, meaning you graduate without debt. For this reason, studying part time can be a good option for students who receive a good job offer or are unable to receive any substantial scholarships. Combining the Two Options There’s no reason why you can’t switch between being a full-time student and a part-time student. For instance, you may like to take an opportunity one semester that means you’ll be unable to study full time (such as a research position, internship, or volunteer work). You could also end up becoming a part-time student if you find that one of your classes is particularly challenging and you need a lower workload or if you decide to drop a couple classes after it’s too late to sign up for others instead. On the flip side , you could decide to take just a few semesters full time to push your graduation date forward. Full- and part-time students alike find it more comfortable to live off campus. Look for housing that’s near campus, has great amenities, and will provide you with your own bedroom. For Brock off-campus housing that meets all these criteria, there’s Foundry Lofts. Our student community is a 10-minute walk from campus and features spacious apartments with either four or five private bedrooms. On site, we have restaurants, a study zone, a games room, a fitness centre , and much more. Contact us to join the waitlist to secure a unit as soon as one becomes available.