Blog Posts

Breaking Down Different Learning Styles: Finding What Works for You

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to how they like to learn new information and prepare for tests. When you start university, it’s important to know more about what works for you because this will mean you’re able to choose classes you’ll enjoy and find effective study tactics. Most people fall into one of the three following styles of learning. Auditory Learners You’re an auditory learner if you prefer material you can listen to rather than text. You’ll likely enjoy classes where you have the opportunity to discuss ideas with others and without too much reading. If possible, you should record lectures to listen back to them later, rather than relying solely on the notes you take in class. You may also find it useful to read your notes or textbooks aloud. If you join a study group, pick one that has a focus on talking about concepts and asking each other questions. To remember information, use mnemonic devices. When you have tests that require long answers, you may find it easier to imagine telling someone the answer before you write it down. Visual Learners If you’re a visual learner, you’ll prefer to learn using visual information, including images, graphs, and flow charts. Many visual learners use colour -coding to group information into categories. To succeed in class, you should actively take notes. You may like to write bullet lists or draw information into diagrams, such as to show how the different aspects are related. You may also find it helpful to sit near the front of the room where you’re able to see your professors’ facial expressions and gestures more easily. When studying at home, avoid passively reading. Highlight key areas ( perhaps using different colours ), find new ways to represent information visually, and use pictures to help you recall information. Kinesthetic Learners You’re a kinesthetic learner if you absorb information best by actively engaging with it, such as through hands-on practice. The classes you’ll find the most interesting are likely to be those that use real-life examples to explain concepts and teach practical skills. To study effectively, you’ll need a space that’s free from distractions. This means keeping the items on your desk to a minimum and choosing a space in the classroom where you won’t be distracted. Use active study techniques, such as taking notes, drawing diagrams, and using colour . When preparing for tests, try to emulate the exam setting and practice with similar questions to those you’ll encounter on the test. The rest of the time when you’re studying, take plenty of short breaks to move — this will help you maintain your focus. Lastly, it may help to use movement to act out the material you’re studying. Another way to ensure you succeed academically is to have a quiet place to study without distractions. For Brock off-campus living that will definitely meet your needs, there’s Foundry Lofts. In addition to the desk in your bedroom, we have both private and group study spaces. Plus, we’re just steps from campus, meaning it’s extra easy to make it to your classes on time. Sign a lease now to take advantage of our limited-time offers.

The Benefits of Volunteering in College

As a college student, you already have a packed schedule — with classes, extracurriculars, social activities, and perhaps a part-time job. You may feel like it would be unreasonable to fit anything else into your week. Nonetheless, it’s worth looking into volunteering. Whether you volunteer just occasionally, during your breaks, or on a regular basis throughout the semester, you’ll gain some important benefits. Here are just a few to consider. 1. Make a Difference Most things in life, you do for yourself. Volunteering allows you to think of others and do something good for the world. This will give you a great sense of satisfaction and purpose. 2. Improve Your Mental Health Knowing that you’re making a difference is great for your mental health. This is extra important for college students, who are at a higher risk of stress due to academic demands and the challenges of adjusting to a new life away from home. People who volunteer often see improvements to their mental health, including a decrease in depression and anxiety. This even has a knock-on effect on your physical health. 3. Work Experience If you don’t need to earn money while you’re at college, volunteering may be a great alternative to a part-time job. You may even learn more useful skills than you would by working, especially if you’re able to find a volunteering opportunity in the field you want to enter after you graduate. Plus, volunteering roles tend to involve a variety of duties that will teach you skills like leadership, problem solving, time management, and more. 4. Build Connections To succeed in the world of work, it’s also crucial to have the right contacts. Volunteering will introduce you to people who share a passion for the same cause and likely have similar interests to you. There’s a good chance that some of them will be able to connect you with potential employers. 5. Find Your Direction Many college students are unsure about what exactly they want to do after they graduate. Volunteering will show you possibilities you may never have considered. Plus, you’ll discover what kinds of tasks you enjoy doing and which you may like to avoid. 6. Become a More Appealing Job Candidate Whatever career you end up pursuing, employers will see you as a top choice if you have volunteering experience on your resume. Employers prefer candidates who have volunteered because it’s likely they have gained transferable skills. In addition, volunteering may be a good indicator that you’re the right fit for the company culture if you volunteered for a cause that matches the organization’s values. Adding something more into your schedule means it’s extra important to find opportunities for relaxation. This is easier when you have your own bedroom in student rentals. St. Catharines has the ideal housing for students who need to focus on their self-care: Foundry Lofts. After a busy day, spend some time with friends in the games room, fireside lounge, or movie theatre or take some time for yourself in your private bedroom or with a workout at the fitness centre . Contact us for information about leases.

8 Goals to Set for Yourself This Summer

During college, summer can be whatever you make of it. You could just use it as a chance to relax — passing the days watching movies and catching up with friends. However, even though you’re likely to need some time for relaxation, dedicating your whole summer to chilling is a waste. A better idea is to use the weeks you have off productively. To do this, you should set goals. Some types of goals are particularly relevant for college students. 1. Keep Learning Ensure your mind stays active over the summer break to make returning in the fall easier. There are a variety of ways you can keep learning, including by signing up for a summer class, taking online courses, or watching tutorials. Choose a topic that will complement what you’re studying at college, a skill you’ll need for work, or just something you want to learn for fun. 2. Take the First Steps Toward Pursuing Your Dream Career Gain experience in your field with an internship. This will give you the skills you need to apply to better jobs once you graduate. If you’re lucky, you may even receive an offer from the company where you intern. In some industries, there are even remote internships with flexible hours, meaning you’ll have enough time to meet your other goals, too. You could even pick up more than one internship if you want to explore two potential career paths. 3. Give Back to the Community Use your time for good this summer by volunteering. This will look great on your resume, especially if you choose something relevant to your career goals. As well as searching for projects near you, consider volunteering abroad for a few weeks to combine doing good with traveling. 4. Finish Some Books Set a target to read a certain number of books over the summer. Add books that will give you insights into some of the topics you’ll be covering in your upcoming classes as well as books you just want to read for fun. 5. Find a New Hobby It’s important to have hobbies you can turn to when you need to destress or take a break from your studies. Choose something you’ll be able to continue when you’re back at college, such as a craft or sport. You may like to consider if your college offers a related extracurricular when picking a hobby. 6. Make Some Money Earn money to start paying off your student loans or to have extra to spend when you return to college. You could look for a temporary job over the summer, pick up gig work, freelance, or even start your own business. 7. Discover a New Podcast Listen to an episode or two of some podcasts covering topics you find interesting until you discover one you’d like to listen to regularly. It’s great to have a few podcasts in your feed that you can play whenever you need to complete a boring task (such as cleaning your apartment) or for your commute. 8. Declutter Your Physical and Digital Life Go through your belongings to see what you could get rid of — clothes you’ll never wear again, old handouts from classes, and other items that are taking up space. Next, move on to decluttering your digital presence. Delete old social posts, stop following people who are now unimportant to you, and update your personal information to reflect who you are today. A final goal for the summer should be to find better housing for when you return to college in the fall. Foundry Lofts offers Niagara College student housing that comes with all the extras you need for the ultimate student experience. Our suites are fully furnished with leather couches, flatscreen TVs, and full-size appliances and you’ll have access to common areas including a games room, indoor atrium, and coffee shop. Apply today to secure your spot.

Try These Products to Help with College Exams

For college students, exams are a dreaded aspect of classes. So much hangs on your performance in the exams and papers you need to complete. Studying for big tests is often challenging, but you can make it easier by purchasing the following useful products. 1. Pens in a Range of Colours When you’re rewriting your notes to remind yourself of the material you covered in class, it can help to organize your ideas by colour . Plus, having pens in a range of colours will enable you to colour -code your agenda quickly to see what you should be working on. 2. Meditation App Take care of your mental health before exams by downloading a meditation app to use on a daily basis. Whereas paid subscriptions typically offer a wider range of guided meditations, you can find plenty of free options if you’re looking to save money. 3. Water Bottle Although you should include regular breaks in your study schedule, it’s easy to cheat and head to the kitchen for some water before you’re supposed to take a break — and who knows what distractions you may encounter along the way. Make sure you stay hydrated without needing to disrupt your concentration by keeping a large water bottle on your desk at all times. 4. Heated Eye Masks If you struggle to fall asleep before a big exam due to anxiety, try using heated eye masks. These are great at helping you feel sleepy. 5. Scented Candle Creating a habit for every time you sit down to study can help put you in the right frame of mind. A scented candle is ideal because the flickering flame is somehow relaxing and motivating at the same time. Plus, you’ll start to associate the scent with studying, which is useful for maintaining your focus. 6. Wall Calendar Check when your assignments are due and the dates for your exams at a glance by keeping a wall calendar hanging above your desk. This will also be a huge help if you’re worried you may forget something important. 7. Plenty of Food Stock up on plenty of food to prepare filling meals. The last thing you want is to need to order a meal when you have little in your budget left for the month or run to the grocery store in the middle of a study session. Choose meals you can prepare quickly and have healthy ingredients to fuel your brain and give you energy. Equipping yourself with the above products is a good start, but you also need somewhere you can go to study for your exams in peace. A desk in your own bedroom is ideal, but you won’t have this if you’re still living on campus. A great alternative to Niagara College residence is Foundry Lofts. As well as having your own room, you’ll only need to share the kitchen and living room with up to three roommates. Plus, you can use our onsite study area — there’s free WiFi throughout the building. Apply today to se cure the type of floor plan you want.

7 Skills to Hone During College

When you graduate, employers will expect you to have some crucial skills in addition to knowledge related to your major. There are multiple ways you can learn these skills, including by volunteering, participating in campus clubs and organizations, and working a part-time job or an internship, as well as in the classroom. Here are a few to start building now. 1. Time Management You’ll begin developing better time management skills as soon as you start college because you’ll need to dedicate several hours a week to studying in your own time. You also won’t have anyone reminding you to keep making progress on projects to ensure you meet your deadlines. Being able to explain in a job interview how you created a balance between your schoolwork and your social life can help make you an appealing candidate. 2. Digital Literacy Employers will want to know you’re able to perform basic tasks using a computer without the need for any training. You may need to be familiar with specialist software, know how to use shortcuts, and be able to perform internet research. If you’re lacking any of these skills, watch tutorials, take some free online courses, or ask for help at your college. 3. Teamwork Even positions that typically require you to work independently will involve some collaboration. It’s important to be able to show that you will be a valuable team member. This involves listening to others’ ideas, contributing your own thoughts, and working with teammates to meet your goals. You may be able to demonstrate that you possess these skills if you belong to a club or sports team or if you’ve worked on group projects. 4. Communication You need to have good verbal and written communication skills to succeed in the world of work. Your classes will likely give you plenty of opportunity to improve your writing, but chances to practice verbal communication may be more limited. If you feel this is something you lack, join a study group or become more active in your community to gain experience listening to others, asking for clarification, and explaining concepts. 5. Networking More jobs and other opportunities will be open to you in the future if you hone your networking skills now. Push yourself to network with students and other people by attending events where you don’t know anyone and setting an aim to make a certain number of new contacts. 6. Leadership You may have learned to be a leader without even realizing it, such as if you played a central role in a group project. However, if you want to apply for managerial positions after you graduate, it may be worth taking leadership classes or running for student government. These options will teach you more about delegating, providing constructive feedback, and resolving conflict. 7. Global Citizenship Understanding more than just your own culture is important when working for an international company or for a business that has clients all over the globe. You can develop your global citizenship skills by taking electives that will teach you about other cultures, participating in projects with people from a variety of backgrounds, and studying or volunteering abroad. You also need to learn how to be independent — not just for your career but to be able to survive on your own after graduation. To learn this, it’s important to live in your own apartment rather than on campus. You’ll find Niagara College student housing at Foundry Lofts. In your suite, you’ll have laundry facilities, everything you need to prepare your own meals, and fibre internet to keep you connected. Book a tour to check out our student community for yourself before you sign a lease.

A Guide to Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits

Making sure you sleep enough every night and stick to a consistent sleep schedule requires discipline. There will always be other activities available that may keep you up late or prevent you from studying and mean you need to pull an all-nighter to catch up. However, adopting better sleep habits is crucial for your overall health. Rather than just setting a goal to improve your sleep, you need a strategy to ensure you get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Here’s how to start. 1. Create a Bedtime Routine Just as you have routines for other parts of the day, make a routine around your bedtime. At least on weeknights, never allow anything to interrupt this schedule. A few hours before you want to be asleep, start winding down. For instance, you may like to prepare yourself a caffeine-free tea, dim the lights, and find an activity that relaxes you. When bedtime arrives, try using an eye mask or playing some soothing sounds to fall asleep faster. 2. Turn Off Your Devices Your bedtime routine must definitely not involve any devices that emit blue light. This includes your phone, laptop, tablet, and TV. The effects of blue light last up to a couple hours before you try to sleep, keeping your brain awake and alert. This makes it harder to fall asleep and lowers the quality of your sleep. One way to stay away from screens is to schedule homework earlier in the day. You also need to find more activities that don’t involve screens, such as reading, art projects, or gentle exercise. Lastly, you should set up sleep mode on your phone to stop receiving notifications. 3. Have Fun Without Sacrificing Sleep Don’t let your sleep routine stop you from having the full college experience. If your friends want to go out on Fridays or Saturdays, decide if you can give yourself a little extra leeway. This will only be an option when you don’t have activities early the next morning, as may be the case if you’re a student athlete, you work on the weekends, or you have other commitments. 4. Separate Sleep and Studying To keep sleep and studying separate , you should never study while sitting on your bed. However, you may also like to avoid using the desk in your room at times because it may mean you’re spending many hours in the same place. It’s worth searching for other places to study, such as the campus library, your local coffee shop, or a common area in your student housing. You’ll find it much easier to stick to a healthy sleep routine if you at least have your own room. Moving into Foundry Lofts will mean you have a private bedroom in a suite you’ll share with just three or four other students. Our alternative to Niagara College residence also provides you with a full kitchen where you can prepare a delicious breakfast to incentivize yourself to get out of bed in the morning, a games room where you can socialize without screens, and study spaces to give you a change of scener y. Apply today while there are still some units available.