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Tips for Life in a Room for Rent: Oshawa Near OTU Navigation

How to Get to Know Your Campus When you start university, everything is new and unfamiliar. As well as figuring out how things work at your school, you’ll need to find where things are on campus and how to get from one place to another. It helps to learn where the most important places on campus are as early as possible to avoid getting lost and start building your confidence. There are a few ways to do this. 1. Acquire a Map You’ll likely receive a map of campus with your student orientation package. If you don’t, ask at the new student registration office or search online for one you can keep on your phone. If you receive a physical map, make sure you keep it with you at all times. Having any kind of map will be a lifesaver when you need to find a place you’ve never been to before. 2. Learn to Recognize the Landmarks Pick out landmarks around campus to remind yourself exactly where you are. For instance, these could be distinctive buildings or sculptures on the grounds. Use these landmarks to place key areas on campus, such as the library, campus bookstore, student union, and administration building. 3. Join a Tour Many universities offer students a tour of campus during orientation. Find out when tours are taking place and join one — it could reveal places you missed when exploring on your own. Be sure to ask questions if you need any clarification, such as for the name or purpose of a particular building. 4. Walk to Your Classes in Advance Find all the lecture halls, labs, and classrooms you’ll be using before your first day of classes. Walk to each in order, using your map for guidance. This will not only mean you know you’re in the right place when you arrive for class, it should also eliminate the risk you arrive late! 5. Attend Events You’ll feel more comfortable on campus if you start participating in events like parties, sports games, and concerts early. Attend events for new students, especially those held by clubs you’re interested in joining. 6. Ask for Directions If you ever do get lost, there’s no need to panic. Ask students who look like they know where they’re going for directions. Since everyone was new once, they’ll be able to relate to your situation and should be happy to help. You’ll also need to figure out how to get from your student housing to campus. This will be much easier if you live nearby. This starts with finding a great room for rent. Oshawa, near OTU, has Foundry 1805. You’ll be living just steps from campus, meaning you’ll have no difficulty figuring out your route to classes. Plus, there are many great amenities on site, which will prevent you from needing to search farther afield for things like laundry facilities and study areas, and a number of restaurants and shopping options just across the street. Apply for the fully-furnished private, semi-private, or shared room of your choice while immediate move-ins are still available.

How College is Different from High School: A Durham College Residence Guide

7 Ways College Is Different from High School Everyone knows that college is completely different from high school, but you may be unaware about exactly how the two vary. Learning about the differences can help you prepare for the change. 1. Hours in Class At high school, you have back-to-back classes throughout the day. This results in about six hours of classes a day, 30 hours a week. In contrast, you’ll only take around 12 to 16 hours of classes a week at college. Plus, there could be long gaps between classes, especially if you take some classes at night. 2. Style of Teaching Teachers give classes at high school. They often write down information for students to copy into their notebooks and may work on activities with you during class. The lectures at college are completely different: they’re given by professors or graduate assistants and only provide you with key information about the topic. You’ll need to be taking notes throughout the lecture. There may also be opportunities to join in discussions or answer questions, but this depends on the professor. 3. Class Sizes The maximum class size at high school is about 30. At college, class sizes depend on what school you attend and what classes you take, but they can be anywhere from 20 students to a couple hundred. 4. Homework Requirements You receive regular homework at high school and your teachers are always checking your progress. Homework tends to be task based, with no more than about two hours of reading. At college, your professors may assign readings and other tasks or you may need to rely on the course syllabus to find out what you need to do. You’ll be required to study about two or three hours in your own time for every one hour of class — and you’ll likely struggle to understand lectures if you fall behind schedule. 5. Self-Management At high school, there’s always someone checking that you’re on track and making note of your attendance. Teachers and school administrators will reach out to you or your parents if you seem to be struggling or falling behind. At college, managing your time is up to you. Depending on the class size, your professors may be unaware if you skip class — and they definitely won’t know if you’re on track to submit a project or paper on time. If you’re finding a class difficult, it’s up to you to pay the professor a visit during office hours. For academic skills, you can receive additional support from student services. 6. Tests Regular tests at high school check your knowledge and reveal gaps in your understanding. If you fail a test, you can usually retake it without any negative consequences. Tests are far less frequent at college — each class may have just two or three per semester. This means that tests cover a much larger range of topics and you’ll need to prepare sufficiently to gain a good grade. It’s also rare that you’ll have the chance to do a makeup test. 7. What You’re Graded On High school assesses your understanding of material and your ability to solve similar problems to those you covered in class. You may also receive a higher grade if your teacher knows that you put in a large amount of effort for a subject you find difficult, or you could have the chance to gain extra credit to improve your grade. At college, professors grade on your ability to apply your knowledge to new problems or situations. Tests can contribute considerably to your grade and there tend to be few opportunities to gain extra credit. Another major difference between high school and college is that you’ll be living away from home, which means you’ll be responsible for finding your own housing. Foundry 1805 is a great alternative to Durham College residence. You’ll receive a spacious suite, fully furnished and with plenty of storage. Our student housing is just steps from North Oshawa campus and has great onsite amenities, including study rooms, a large parking lot, and laundry facilities. Sign a lease now to benefit from our early bird pricing.

Life in Shared Accommodation: Oshawa Students’ Guide to Arriving to Class on Time

How to Stop Being Late to Classes Although you may find that no one says anything to you if you arrive late to class, it’s certainly not a good habit. Even if there are no direct consequences, it can be embarrassing to become known as the student who always arrives late. Plus, it’s difficult to break such a habit later in life, which could make it challenging for you to maintain a professional image when you start your career. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to stop being late to classes entirely. 1. Sleep Enough You’ll never want to get up early for your morning classes if you’re lacking sleep. The solution is to set a bedtime that will give you enough sleep to function the next day. You may need to turn down some invitations or return home earlier from events, but this should be worthwhile when you consider that you’ll get to take full advantage of your education. Not only will you make it to class on time, you’ll be able to focus, remember information, and even gain more enjoyment from your classes. If there are nights when it’s impossible for you to get enough sleep (perhaps there was an event you couldn’t miss that kept you up late), take a nap during the day to catch up on sleep. You may like to take a nap right before your afternoon class to refresh your mind — just make sure you wake up in time. 2. Create a Morning Routine Another way to make getting up easier is to incentivize yourself to leave your bed behind. Add activities to your morning routine that wake you up in a pleasant way, such as a series of stretches, a five-minute meditation, a tasty breakfast, or your favourite hot beverage. 3. Aim to Leave Earlier Than Necessary If you know it takes you 15 minutes to get to class, aim to leave your apartment about half an hour before class starts. This just means doing everything you need to do to prepare for your class 15 minutes earlier. You should find you arrive at least a few minutes early, which will give you time to relax and chat with your most organized classmates. 4. Attend Classes with a Friend Arrange to go to each of your classes with a friend. That way, you’ll be letting someone else down as well as yourself if you’re late — most people feel much worse about being late if they know someone is waiting for them. You could even have breakfast with your friend (or lunch, if it’s an afternoon class) or you could meet the evening before to remind each other not to stay up too late. Just make sure you don’t choose to attend a class with someone who’s unreliable. Another way to stop being late to classes is to live near campus. To save money, search for shared accommodation. Oshawa students can share a suite but have a private or semi-private bedroom at Foundry 1805. Since our student housing is just steps away from both Ontario Tech University and Durham College’s North Oshawa campus, you’ll never have an excuse to be late to class again. Apply now for an immediate move-in.

Life in a Student Rental: Oshawa Students’ Guide to a Great University Experience

7 Ways to Get the Most Out of University Making the most of your time at university means going beyond just showing up to class and submitting assignments. Since you’re investing a large amount of money into your education and how well you do could influence the rest of your life, it’s crucial to put in the effort to make these years count. Here are some ways to get the most from your experience. 1. Run for an Elected Position University gives you the chance to be a leader by holding an elected position in a club, organization, or sports team. As well as teaching you valuable skills, this will boost your confidence and give you something impressive to put on your resume. Many jobs require acting as a leader in some capacity, particularly as you advance in your career. 2. Work an Internship You’ll increase your chances of being hired if you have practical experience rather than just academic knowledge. An internship is one of the best ways to do relevant work while you’re still a student. Plus, you’ll gain contacts in the industry — and you could even receive a job offer when your internship ends. 3. Collaborate with a Professor on a Research Project If your interests lie in research, there’s no better option than to assist a professor with a project. Like with an internship, you’ll be paid for your work, make useful connections with people in the field, and be able to put what you’ve learned in the classroom into practice. 4. Volunteer in Your Community Another way to gain skills that will be useful after you graduate is to volunteer. Find a cause that matters to you or a role related to the kind of work you want to do. 5. Receive Guidance from an Advisor Never feel like you need to struggle alone at university. Academic advisors can help you navigate your journey as a student to ensure you make the right decisions. If you’re having doubts about a class, your major, or even your ability to graduate, schedule a meeting with an advisor to talk through your options. 6. Take Advantage of Your Campus Library The internet doesn’t mean that libraries are now defunct — in fact, they’re just as important as ever. You should use the campus library whenever you need to do research, have a media project due, or want to receive advice from an expert about searching for reliable information, writing a paper, or creating a presentation. 7. Live in a Student Community Where you choose to live will have a big impact on your time at university. Instead of settling for a dorm room, think about where you’d be most comfortable. For the majority of students, this will be an off-campus student community, as you’ll have more space, privacy, and freedom, but you’ll still be around other students. Whereas some of these tips take time, one thing you can do right away is look for the perfect student rental. Oshawa students can live in the off-campus student community at Foundry 1805. You’ll be able to choose the number of students you’ll share with and whether you have a private, semi-private, or shared room. There’s also the option to have a personal study area in your apartment. Apply now for an immediate move-in.

Tips for Email Signatures for Students in an OTU Residence

A Guide to Setting Up Your Email Signature for University First impressions can shape how someone thinks of you forever. When reaching out to someone new, it’s crucial to make the best impression possible. Often, some of your initial interactions will be through email. Whereas the actual content of your emails will differ every time, something that remains constant is your email signature. You can use your signature to convey a large amount of information that will be relevant to all the people you’re messaging, including other students, your professors, potential employers, and recruiting managers for internships. 1. Start with Your Basic Information If you check the emails you’ve received from professionals, you’ll notice that most of their signatures include basic information like their full name and phone number. You should emulate this in your own email signature. 2. State Key Academic Details Make it obvious that you’re a student by providing your academic details in your signature. This will also mean you can avoid including the information in the body of your emails — unless it’s important to be explicit. You should mention the name of your school, the year you expect to graduate, and your major and minor. 3. Name the Positions You Hold Show that you’re using your time at university to gain experience beyond academics by listing your involvement in campus organizations. This is especially useful if you hold an elected position, but just being a member of a club in a field related to what you want to work in is also relevant. In addition, include any volunteer or internship positions — past and current. In all the above, just write the title and name of the organization. 4. Include Links to Social Media If you want recipients to be aware of other ways to contact you, it’s worth adding links to your social media profiles. Choose just those where you make posts related to your academics or future career, such as LinkedIn and Twitter. 5. Link to Your Personal Website If you have a personal website, such as a blog or online portfolio, make sure to include a link to it in your email signature. However, make sure to mention the website within your message as well if you specifically want the recipient to check it out. 6. Find a Fitting Quote You may like to end your email signature with a quote that expresses who you are or your values. When choosing a quote, think about what you want people reading your emails to know about you or how you want to present yourself. Good choices are inspirational, meaningful, or insightful, such as from great leaders, thinkers, or experts in your field. Armed with the perfect email signature, you’re prepared to start networking. As well as classes and clubs, a great place to network with other students (who could become great contacts in the future) is at your student housing. Foundry 1805 offers an off-campus alternative to OTU residence with onsite laundry, a large parking lot, and free WiFi. Contact us to secure the room of your choice before they’re all sold out.

SEO title: 11 Ways for Students in an OTU Residence to Enjoy Fall

11 Ways to Have an Incredible Autumn There’s no need to feel down that summer is over — autumn brings a huge number of opportunities when you’re at university. In particular, here are a few things students can do to have an incredible autumn. 1. Prepare Homemade Hot Chocolate You’ve probably noticed that the instant hot chocolate you make at home tastes nothing like the beverages you find at coffee shops. However, it is possible to prepare delicious hot chocolate yourself. Instead of the packets you mix with water, you’ll need cocoa powder, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and your favourite toppings. It takes barely any effort to make the drink — and it will definitely become something you look forward to at the end of the day. 2. Enjoy the Autumn Colours There are many ways to enjoy the changing colours of autumn. If there’s a forest near you, a nature walk can be a great way to spend the weekend. Alternatively, you could head to a farm where you can observe the autumn leaves as you take a hayride. Farms also tend to have other activities, like corn mazes, apple picking, and pumpkin patches. 3. Host a Movie Marathon A cold day when you and your friends would rather not venture outside is ideal for a movie night. If it’s near Halloween, a scary movie marathon could be perfect. 4. Attend a Blood Drive Vampires are not the only ones who want your blood: there are always blood drives taking place that could benefit from a few more volunteers. Commemorate Halloween this year by donating blood, and consider signing up for alerts about when the blood drive is back in your area. 5. Knit Something If you don’t know how to knit, now’s the time to learn. You could start with something simple like a scarf and give it to a family member or friend as a Christmas gift. 6. Have an Autumn Cleaning Instead of waiting another six months until spring, give your apartment a deep clean now. You’ll be changing your wardrobe anyway — you may as well sort out the rest of your belongings. Throw out old papers you no longer need, sell textbooks from classes you’ve completed, and donate any clothing you’re unlikely to wear again. 7. Discover a New TV Show You’ll likely be spending more time indoors over the next few months. Find a new show to watch when you need a break from studying. 8. Start a Craft Project Another way to use your downtime is on craft projects. You could even make something to decorate your apartment for the autumn, such as a candle, wreath, or artificial flowers. 9. Press Autumn Leaves While out on an autumn walk, pick up any particularly attractive leaves you find, take them home with you, and press them. You can use them in your art projects, make greetings cards, or just frame them as pictures for the wall. 10. Bake Some Treats Baking is an ideal autumn activity because the heat of the oven makes your kitchen extra cozy. Top options to make are cookies, pie, and pumpkin bread — or you could even attempt caramel apples. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be popular with your friends. 11. Learn the Thriller Choreography You need to stay fit in the autumn, even when it’s cold or rainy out. A fun way to exercise at home is to learn the Thriller dance. If you start practising the choreography early, you’ll be able to show off your moves at Halloween parties. To make not just autumn incredible but the entire year, move into a suite at Foundry 1805. Our alternative to OTU residence has everything you need for the ultimate student experience, including spacious bedrooms, study rooms, onsite laundry, and a wellness centre. Contact us to lease an updated apartment.