Blog Posts

A Guide to Splitting Costs in Your OTU Residence

Should You Split Grocery & Household Supplies with Roommates? When you move into your student apartment, something you need to decide from the start is how you’ll divide costs for groceries and household items. There are a few ways to approach this — the important thing is you come to an agreement and the terms are clear to everyone. Option 1: Each Buy Your Own Groceries The simplest option is to buy all your own food and share nothing. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid surprises like running out of something you need for a meal or having nothing left in the kitchen you can eat due to your dietary restrictions. You’ll need to use a labelling system to ensure no one mistakes your food for theirs. Alternatively, you could assign each roommate a different shelf in the pantry or a section of the fridge — and you’ll also need to make sure visitors are aware of this system. The main downside to this option is you’ll need to buy small quantities, rather than bulk, to avoid food waste. However, nothing is stopping you from asking your roommates if they want things you’re unable to use by the expiration date. Option 2: Split Everything The other extreme is to split everything with your roommates. This tends to work best when your roommates are your friends and you all have similar tastes. You’ll need to agree to a weekly budget and create a shopping list. Check discounts by using a grocery app to stretch your money as far as possible. You’ll then need to decide how you’ll do the actual shopping. You could all go together, but this will mean finding a time when you’re all available. It likely makes more sense to add grocery shopping to your chores and have a different person or pair of roommates go each week. There are several benefits to splitting everything, including that you’ll be able to cook meals to eat together, you’ll never have disputes about someone eating something that belonged to another roommate, and you’ll have just one set of cleaning products. However, you may end up spending more with this option, especially if one of your roommates eats more than the rest of you or someone frequently has guests over who also eat your food. Plus, it will mean you’re contributing to food you barely eat (or may not eat at all). For these reasons, it tends to be the least fair option. Option 3: Split Some Things Your final option may seem like the most complicated, but university students often find it’s the one that works best. Each of you will buy the food you want for your own meals and snacks to stay within your personal budgets. You’ll do your own grocery shopping whenever it suits you. However, everyone will contribute to common items (such as condiments) to avoid having multiples. You could even use this method just for cleaning supplies and other household items but buy all your own food, if you prefer. Figuring out groceries is just one concern when you have roommates: even splitting rent and utilities can be problematic if someone in your household is prone to paying late. When you live at Foundry 1805, however, you’ll receive an individual lease, with utilities included in the price of the rent. Our alternative to OTU residence gives you the full student experience without all the downsides of living on campus. Apply now to take advantage of our promotions.

Life in Shared Accommodation: Oshawa Students Learn About Therapy Dogs

How Therapy Dogs Help Students Cope in Class Universities know that students often struggle to keep up with the demands of their studies due to high levels of stress. One solution many schools are now implementing is therapy dogs. The chance to pet an animal that will provide unconditional affection is helping students in several ways. Reduce Stress Before a big test, tensions often run high. Anxiety about the exam can make it difficult to study, leading to a vicious circle of stress and worry. One of the most effective ways to reduce stress is to spend time with a therapy dog. In fact, students can benefit from therapy dogs when they’re stressed for any reason, including if they feel overwhelmed or they’re struggling to manage a heavy workload. One study found that levels of cortisol (the hormone linked to stress) decreased significantly after just 10 minutes with a therapy animal. Dealing with Homesickness and Loneliness Some students find it takes a long time to settle into university. It’s tough being surrounded by strangers and away from the people you’ve known all your life. Plus, you may not feel comfortable sharing your feelings with someone you barely know — but a dog is another matter. Physical contact and the chance to bond can help students feel less alone and even remove some of their inhibitions about developing close friendships with the people they meet. A Stand-In for the Family Pet A major reason for homesickness is often missing the family pet. Whereas therapy dogs can never be a replacement, they can be a great stand-in for students who may be unable to go home for several weeks or months at a time. Free Therapy Universities often provide some low-cost counselling services, but therapy dogs tend to be free to access for all students. Universities can choose from different programs to meet the needs of their students. Some programs are casual, with dogs coming onto campus a few times each semester. Students are typically able to spend up to an hour with a dog, either on their own or in a small group. Many universities go a step further and provide students with regular therapy: they’re assigned a particular dog and have regular sessions with the animal and handler. Forget About Your Studies In particular, students report enjoying time with therapy dogs because it’s an excuse to stop thinking about their studies. In addition, the sessions push them to schedule time in their day just to relax. The even-better news is that the dogs seem to be just as positive about the experience. Many dog owners who participate in the programs say their pets are excited about going to campus — and are happier still when they arrive and start interacting with students. Another way to destress is to live in more comfortable shared accommodation. Oshawa students can distance themselves from the hectic life on campus by moving into the student community at Foundry 1805. You’ll have a private space where you can relax on your own or hang out with new friends after a long day of classes. Apply now to secure the unit of your choice.

OTU Residence Life: How to Decline a Job You Don’t Want

How to Decline a Job or Internship That Isn’t the Right Fit It’s good practice to apply to several jobs or internships to ensure you do receive an offer. If you’re lucky enough to receive offers from several companies, you’ll need to turn down all the ones you don’t want. It could be that you landed your top choice, or perhaps you realized a position wasn’t right for you as you progressed through the interview process. Whatever the case, you’ll need to be considerate in informing employers that you’ll be declining the offer. By using tact and being timely in your reply, you can maintain a good relationship with the employer and keep open the possibility of working at the company in the future. 1. Thank the Employer Start your response by thanking the employer for offering you the opportunity. The company will have dedicated a large amount of time to interviews and the decision-making process and then chose you over the other options. Make sure you acknowledge that you are grateful the employer held you in such high regard. 2. Make Your Intentions Clear Above all, it needs to be clear that you’re declining the position. Not being direct wastes everyone’s time and ruins your chance to maintain a good relationship with the employer. Vague language may confuse the employer, who will need to message you back — and this will result in an uncomfortable situation for you both. Plus, it means you’ll delay the employer offering the position to someone else. 3. Recommend Someone Else It’s possible that no one else the company interviewed was suitable and that the hiring manager will be conducting another round of interviews. If you know someone who would like the position, now’s your chance to make a recommendation. Employers often appreciate this, as it gives them another candidate without them needing to advertise, and your friends or classmates will definitely be happy if you put in a good word for them — especially if one of them ends up with an offer. 4. Stay in Touch Tell the employer that you want to stay in touch — and be true to your word, as maintaining a connection with the company could work in your favour. Set a reminder to send another email around six months from now. You could use the chance to highlight the fact that you’ve now gained experience and would be qualified for a more senior position. Alternatively, the job or internship you do accept may not turn out as you expected or your career goals could change. 5. Message Individuals at the Company Your initial email will likely go to the hiring manager. However, if you met others at the company or there was anyone who helped you gain the interview in the first place, make sure you reach out to them as well. Thank them for their time and let them know you want to stay in touch. They may be able to let you know about other opportunities in the future, either at the same company or elsewhere. Working a job or internship on top of your studies can be tiring, which is why it’s crucial you have a place that you can call home. An alternative OTU residence is Foundry 1805. You’ll have a room in a spacious suite along with great amenities, including a secure entrance, elevator access, study rooms, and onsite laundry facilities. Sign a lease now to secure your spot before you start working.

Studying in Rooms for Rent: Oshawa Students’ Tips

8 Ways to Strengthen Your Memory While Studying It’s frustrating to feel like you’re not remembering the information you’re studying. The good news is that you can strengthen your memory over time, which will help you retain knowledge for much longer. Many tactics involve making changes to your study routine, but they don’t require you to spend any extra time studying. Here are some ideas to get you started. 1. Pay Attention You won’t just passively retain information — you need to pay attention while you’re learning. Whenever you’re studying, make sure you’re taking in what you’re reading. This means you need to turn off the TV, listen only to calming background music (if anything at all), and ask your roommates not to talk to you. 2. Never Cram When preparing for a test, spread out studying over several weeks. If you try to cram, you’ll only be able to focus for the first hour or so, after which you’ll find it difficult to concentrate and you’ll retain very little. 3. Use Mnemonics Find mnemonics that already exist or make up your own to remember key concepts. For example, it becomes much easier to remember that “oxidation is loss, reduction is gain” when you use the mnemonic OILRIG. 4. Use Visuals If you’re struggling to remember details, it could be because how the process works is fuzzy in your mind. Watching videos can help, but you could also go a step further by creating your own visuals. For instance, you could draw a mind map or flowchart to show how ideas are linked. 5. Create Links with Existing Knowledge Give new information meaning by thinking about how it relates to concepts you’ve already studied. This will instantly stop new knowledge from feeling unfamiliar and help it to fit into a framework you already understand. 6. Read Difficult Passages Aloud If you’re struggling with a particularly difficult area of the materials, stop and read out loud. This will help you slow down to prevent skimming and give you the extra time you need to understand the information. Only when you fully understand the concepts will you be able to store them in your long-term memory. 7. Mix Things Up Feeling frustrated or bored with your studies can make it harder to retain knowledge. The solution is to change your routine in some way. You could switch the order in which you study for different classes over the day, go somewhere like a coffee shop, park, or library to study, or come up with a new approach. For instance, you could start each day by reviewing whatever you covered the evening before. 8. Sleep Enough Memory is closely linked to sleep. You’ll find it much easier to remember everything you learn if you consistently sleep enough. If you’re ever unable to get sufficient sleep, taking a nap can help — especially right after a class or study session. You’ll find it almost impossible to strengthen your memory if you lack a place where you can study without distractions. Since it’s best if you can study at home, you may need to search for better rooms for rent. Oshawa students can receive a fully-furnished suite, complete with a desk and chair, at Foundry 1805. We even have suites with dedicated study areas available. Apply now to secure your spot!

Pros of Living in Student Housing: Oshawa Student Considerations

Should You Live Off Campus Next Semester? It’s common to move straight into dorms when you start university, but many students end up living off campus. To decide if you should live off campus next semester, you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons. Pro: Rent Is Cheaper Even though apartments are larger, you’ll have more personal space (including the option for your own bedroom), and you’ll share common areas like the kitchen and living room with fewer people, rent still tends to be less expensive in apartments than paying for a dorm room. This is especially likely to be the case when you add in the cost of a meal plan, which tends to either be a requirement of living in residence or a necessity due to the lack of access to a kitchen. You’ll find that you spend much less on groceries than you do on a meal plan. Plus, you’ll have the chance to prepare whatever dishes you like. Con: Housing Costs Can Be Expensive The difference in costs may not always be as great as they first appear. You need to bear in mind that you’ll pay more than just rent when you live off campus. Not all leases include the cost of utilities and internet, and you may need to purchase furniture. Plus, if you’re far from campus, you’ll need to pay for public transport costs and gas. Pro: You’ll Be Independent There are far fewer rules to follow when you live off campus. You can invite guests over whenever you want, you won’t need to tiptoe around during finals, and you’ll generally feel more independent. Con: You’ll Have More Responsibilities More freedom also means more responsibilities. It’s up to you to ensure that your entire apartment is clean, you buy enough groceries, and you prepare balanced meals. While this can feel like a disadvantage to living off campus, it will mean that you develop skills that will be useful in the real world. Pro: You’ll Face Fewer Distractions Other than during finals, dorms tend to be loud places. It’s even worse if your roommate is often bringing friends over or your own friends like to drop by unannounced. Apartments in off-campus housing are usually much quieter, which makes it easier to study or focus on projects and can lead you to become much more productive. Con: You May Be Far from Other Students If you rent a room in someone’s house, you won’t be living with any other students. Even if you rent an entire apartment with friends, you’ll still be around fewer people than you would be on campus. The exception is if you live in off-campus housing where all the residents in the building are students. You can overcome the downsides of living off campus by finding the right student housing. Oshawa students who live at Foundry 1805 receive a fully-furnished suite with utilities and WiFi included in the rent. You’ll be within walking distance from campus and will benefit from services including housekeeping, courtesy patrol, and onsite management. Apply now while spaces are still available for next semester.

6 Beach Vacations to Get Away From Your OTU Residence

6 Affordable Beach Trips for Students Taking a beach trip is a great way to destress after a tough semester — and there are countless options for beach vacations all over the world. Provided you have enough money for the flight (make sure you stay on the lookout for deals), the following destinations are quite affordable in terms of food, accommodation, and activities. 1. The Galapagos Islands Since Ecuador is not a destination that may immediately come to mind, it’s a great place to go if you want something unique, inexpensive, and off the beaten track. The entire coast of Ecuador has great beaches, but the most exciting place to visit has to be the Galapagos Islands. Each island has something completely different to offer — not least the array of wildlife that lives there. In particular, the Galapagos Islands are a top option if you’re taking Spanish classes at university or you’re a zoology major. 2. San Juan Another island destination is San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. The beaches are pristine and often not at all crowded. Plus, there’s a great party scene in the evenings. Since San Juan is a popular choice with students, there are plenty of options for hostels, where you can meet people from all over the world. 3. Panama City There are many beaches you could visit in Florida, but one of the best is Panama City. Although temperatures are high, they’re not unbearably hot — besides, you’ll be cooling down in the water. You have various options for accommodation, although if you come with a group of friends, you’ll likely find vacation rentals to be a cost-effective option. 4. Bali If you have enough for the airfare to reach Bali, you’ll find that it’s inexpensive once you arrive. The island offers many activities for tourists, including snorkeling and beach yoga, and there’s great food available at incredibly low prices. 5. Pogradec For a European beach vacation, a place you may not have considered is Albania. The city of Pogradec has Lake Ohrid — unbeatable in terms of beauty. Its lakeside beaches are particularly popular with locals in the summer. However, the country also has stunning beaches all along its coast, some pebbled, others with pure sand. As more vacationers head to nearby Greece, Albania in general is a great choice if you’re looking to relax away from the crowds. 6. Riga Another lesser-known beach destination in Europe is Riga in Latvia. The capital has much more to offer than just beaches — especially cultural spots, many of which are free to enter. Best of all, you won’t have to spend as much time as you would on a full-blown European vacation. Return from your beach trip to comfortable housing that keeps you feeling motivated for the semester ahead. Leave OTU residence behind and move into the premier off-campus housing at Foundry 1805. Our rentals were designed with students in mind and feature everything you could want from a student apartment, including spacious rooms, free WiFi, and onsite laundry facilities. Book a tour to check out where you could be living when you’re back from your summer adventures.