Blog Posts

Life in Shared Accommodation: Oshawa Students’ Tips for Transitioning to College Life

5 Tips for a Smooth Transition to College Life Starting college is a big life change. You may have concerns about making friends, keeping up academically, and being away from your family and hometown friends. However, even though it is a major adjustment, there are ways to make the transition a smooth one. Here are some tips to consider. 1. Have a Positive Attitude It’s common to feel a mixture of emotions when you start college, but it’s important to try to stay positive. Be open to meeting new people and trying new things. In addition, stay positive in regard to your classes, even if they seem difficult at first or you’re unsure about your professors. 2. Participate in Campus Activities A great way to start growing your group of friends and to feel like part of your college is to go to activities on campus. There are likely to be many at the start of the semester, which will give you the chance to meet a wide range of people. You should also explore extracurriculars, such as clubs, organizations, and sports teams. You may be able to find an extracurricular for a passion you already have or discover a new hobby. 3. Go to Your Classes College gives you a large amount of freedom and independence. Whereas you may gain credit for attendance for a few classes, most of your professors likely won’t even take note of who attends. However, this shouldn’t mean you see your classes as optional — they’re critical for your academic success. By attending, you’ll feel more confident when you complete assignments. Besides, going to class means you’ll be taking full advantage of the expensive education you’re paying for. 4. Take Care of Your Health Another way students often struggle with their newfound freedom is staying healthy. Whereas you may enjoy eating whatever you want, staying up late, and going to every party you’re invited to, you’ll soon feel exhausted and be unable to focus on your schoolwork. Setting healthy habits from the start will make it easier to adjust to college life. This means preparing balanced meals, sticking to a bedtime to ensure you’re well rested for your classes, and making time for exercise. 5. Develop Healthy Relationships The large number of people you can meet at college means you shouldn’t need to worry about making friends. It’s particularly important to avoid toxic friendships and to find people who value you for who you are. In addition, make sure to stay in contact with close friends back home as well as family members. 6. Decide on Your Priorities The huge number of opportunities you have at college will mean you need to prioritize what matters most to you to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Strike a balance between studying hard, socializing, and perhaps earning an income through a part-time job. The key to a smooth adjustment to college life is finding a comfortable place to call home. Since it’s lonely to have an apartment to yourself, your best option is to search for shared accommodation. Oshawa students can look no further than Foundry 1805. You’ll have a private or semi-private bedroom in an apartment with three to five roommates. Plus, you’ll have access to a range of great community amenities, including study rooms, a wellness centre, and laundry facilities. Book a tour to pay us a visit.

Take a Break from OTU Residence with These Road Trip Ideas

5 Road Trip Ideas for Your Summer Break There’s no better way to spend your summer break than with a road trip. You can make this kind of trip fit any budget, fill it with the types of activities you enjoy the most, and — best of all — bring along your closest friends. Canada is made for road trips due to the multiple routes that are perfect for several days (or more) of driving. Consider one of the following options for an unforgettable experience. 1. Georgian Bay Coastal Route If you want plenty of beaches in your road trip, the Georgian Bay Coastal Route is a great choice. It covers more than 2,000 kilometres of shoreline, taking you to some of the most popular sites of natural beauty in Ontario, including Bruce Peninsula, Killarney Provincial Park, Manitoulin Island, and Wasaga Beach. If you want a longer trip, take the Chatham–Kent Corridor from Toronto to Amherstburg. It’s best to arrange a trip for either the beginning or the end of the summer, as there are many tourists during July and August. 2. The Viking Trail If you want a road trip packed with great food, music, and history as well as outdoor adventures, head to Newfoundland. There are many possible options, but the top choice has to be the Viking Trail. It begins at Gros Morne National Park, where you may be able to spot wildlife like caribou and moose. You can go hiking through forests, up mountains, and even along the Earth’s mantle — it’s the only place in the world where this is possible. From the national park, the Viking Trail will take you to Saint Anthony at the northernmost tip of Newfoundland. This has to be a summer trip because the 1,000-year-old Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows is closed during much of the rest of the year. 3. Prince Edward Island If you choose Prince Edward Island as your destination for a road trip, you’ll be spoilt for choice of where you can go. One option is the North Cape Coastal Drive, where you’ll have the chance to learn more about the Mi’kmaq culture. A second option is the Central Coastal Drive, which has stunning views of red cliffs, white sands, and rolling farmland. Finally, there’s the Point East Coastal Drive — ideal for its beaches, seafood, and walking trails. 4. Lake Superior Circle Tour If you want to leave the country during your road trip, consider the Lake Superior Circle Tour. It’s also possible to take this tour and remain just in Canada by doing a half circle around the lake. Either way, it’s the perfect choice for anyone who enjoys scuba diving and hiking. 5. Trans-Canada Highway For the ultimate road trip, take the Trans-Canada Highway. You’ll travel from Victoria to St. John’s, visiting all 10 provinces on the way. Technically, you can do this route in as little as seven days if you only stop to sleep, but it’s definitely worth extending your trip to at least a month. This will give you time to visit places like Banff National Park, Alberta Badlands, and Fundy National Park and spend time in many of the cities you pass through, which include Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal. If you want to make the trip longer still, add a few more weeks to visit the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. In addition to traveling, make sure you dedicate some of your summer break to searching for better housing for when you return to university. You can find an alternative to OTU residence at Foundry 1805. You’ll have a private or semi-private bedroom in a fully-furnished suite just steps from campus. Request to share with friends or ask us to match you with roommates. Apply now to secure a lease for when you return from your road trip.

8 Summer Jobs for Living in Shared Accommodation: Oshawa Students’ Options

How to Earn Extra Cash This Summer It can be tough for students to find a job over the summer, especially when you’re competing with candidates who will be able to stay at the company longer than the two or three months you have for your break. Besides, you may want the flexibility to fit other activities into your summer, such as traveling, spending time with friends, and perhaps taking some summer classes. The good news is there are plenty of ways to earn some extra cash other than through a formal job. 1. Offer Tutoring Parents who want their kids to have a productive summer may be looking for a tutor. This is especially likely to be the case if their children are struggling with a particular subject at school. You can offer tutoring either in person or online. Focus on subjects you’re confident you can teach, such as something related to your major. Advertise your services in local groups or search for job postings. 2. Provide Childcare Services Parents may also need someone to look after their children during the day while they’re at work. If you have younger siblings, this may be enough experience to land you a childcare gig. Ask around if anyone nearby needs such a service. 3. Walk Dogs If you prefer pets to children, ask your neighbours if they’d like someone to walk their dogs. If the dogs are well behaved and sociable, you may be able to walk several at once to earn even more. Whatever you end up doing, you’re sure to get plenty of exercise. 4. House Sit To look after pets for longer periods of time, search for opportunities for house-sitting. There are likely to be plenty of opportunities over the summer, as many people will be taking vacations. Bear in mind you’ll need to have experience with the types of pets in the house and you may have other responsibilities, such as watering plants. 5. Complete Quick Tasks Online Make a little extra cash whenever you have some free time by signing up to complete simple online tasks. A popular option is to fill out surveys, but you can also watch ads, search the internet, and earn bonuses for shopping online. Platforms often allow you to accumulate points that you can turn into cash or gift cards for stores you likely buy from anyway. 6. Sell Your Belongings Use the opportunity of being back home to go through your belongings to search for things you can sell. You may have some stylish clothing you’ll never wear again, college textbooks, music, or movies. 7. Become a Ride-Share Driver If you have your own vehicle, sign up on a ride-sharing platform. You’ll be able to drive whenever it’s convenient for you — although the times of the week when people are going out will bring in the most money. 8. Do Deliveries Another option if you have a vehicle is to do delivery driving. With a car, you can deliver groceries, whereas you only need a bike or scooter to make food deliveries. Save more of your hard-earned cash by moving into more affordable housing, such as shared accommodation. Oshawa students can receive a private or semi-private bedroom in a suite with other students at Foundry 1805. Rent includes everything you need — from furnishings and utilities to study rooms and onsite laundry facilities. Book a tour to check out where you could be living.

7 Benefits of Traveling Beyond Your OTU Residence

7 Benefits of Traveling as a Student Traveling is not just for having a good time — students can also gain numerous benefits from the experience. From learning life skills to networking, there are a large number of reasons why you should use your breaks for traveling. Here are a few of the most compelling benefits to consider. 1. Become More Confident When you travel, you need to navigate unfamiliar situations, such as when there’s a language barrier or things don’t go to plan. Realizing you’re able to cope and finding solutions will give you more confidence in yourself and prepare you for the challenges you face in your everyday life. 2. Meet New People No matter if you’re traveling abroad or within the country, you’ll have the chance to meet new people. You’re especially likely to make connections if you sign up for a volunteer program or you make an effort to spend time with locals. The people you meet could end up becoming your close friends or valuable contacts for your career. 3. Gain Perspective You’ll have plenty of time for reflection when you’re traveling, including about things you take for granted, your beliefs, and your lifestyle. You may even find that traveling changes your goals and values. In addition, you may miss small things you never acknowledged were important before — it’s common to have a newfound appreciation for what you have when you return home. 4. Improve Your Academic Performance Expanding your mind through travel can help you become more receptive to new ideas when you return to university, which may result in better grades. You’re even more likely to see improvements to your academic performance if you engage in activities related to your studies while you’re traveling, such as through work programs or by practicing foreign languages. 5. Learn Compassion Traveling to another country will introduce you to new cultures and show you how other people live. This will expose you to new ideas and help you understand the challenges people in other countries face. Many students find this helps them develop their sense of compassion in general. 6. Discover Yourself It’s easier to learn about yourself when you’re away from familiar surroundings and a regular routine. Traveling is a way to discover what matters to you and develop as an individual. 7. Develop Your Independence You may have traveled before with your family, but traveling alone or with university friends is a completely different experience because it’s up to you to make preparations and solve any problems that crop up. This is a great chance for you to learn to be independent and survive in the world without your regular support system. As traveling gives you the chance to be independent, you’ll likely find it difficult to return to all the restrictions of living in a dorm room when you come back from your trip. To continue enjoying life and learning about yourself all semester long, move into off-campus housing. Foundry 1805 offers an alternative to OTU residence, where you can relax, study, and socialize. Choose from a range of floor plans featuring private and semi-private bedrooms to match your budget and preferences. Apply now before all the units are taken.

Building Your Brand in Shared Accommodation: Oshawa Students’ Guide

How to Build Your Personal Brand During Your Job Search When applying for jobs in your field, your personal brand is important. Even if you only have limited experience, branding will help you appear professional and show employers why they should hire you over other candidates. Although it may sound intimidating, there are simple ways you can build your personal brand during your job search, even while you’re still at university. 1. Complete Your LinkedIn Profile In some ways, LinkedIn acts as an online resume. However, the platform allows you to show much more of your personality than a traditional resume does. To make the most of the platform for branding purposes, make sure you complete your profile. This means uploading a professional profile picture and cover image, writing a bio, listing your skills, and adding your education, credentials, and work experience. 2. Create a Portfolio Although some fields lend themselves to portfolios more than others, you should be able to find some way of showcasing your skills. For instance, you may have completed a project, given a presentation, or created a poster on a relevant topic at university. Alternatively, you could include snippets of your best coursework, whether this is writing or images. Upload or add a link to your portfolio on your LinkedIn profile. 3. Be Active Online Setting up a LinkedIn profile and other social media accounts for your personal branding is only the first step: you also need to maintain an active presence online. This doesn’t need to be anything complicated. Just posting regularly about topics in your field, responding to people who comment, and sharing or commenting on other users’ posts can make a difference. 4. Start a Blog or Podcast Another way to share your thoughts, insights, and discoveries is through regular blog posts or podcast episodes. If you want to write a blog, you’ll need to set up a website or create an account on a blogging platform like Medium. You’ll then need to decide on a publishing schedule (aiming for one blog post a week is ideal) and come up with ideas for content. Use the opportunity to show your values, interests, and an understanding of issues in your field. A podcast, on the other hand, is your chance to speak for several minutes (or longer) on a topic. If you have friends who want to enter the same field as you, consider interviewing them or having conversations on the podcast. If you start working while you’re still at university, it’s extra important to have a comfortable space where you can relax and perhaps even do some remote work. It’s easy to find something affordable when you search for shared accommodation. Oshawa students can find a home at Foundry 1805. You can choose between your own room in a shared apartment or a semi-private room. We’re located just steps from campus, across the street from various restaurants and shopping options. You’ll also be able to use our large parking lot if you need to drive to your job. Book a tour to check out the housing for yourself.

How to Find the Right Study Space in or Out of an OTU Residence

How to Create a Productive Study Space Unlike at high school, a large percentage of the time you dedicate to your classes at university involves studying on your own. To make the most of the time you have available for studying, you need to be productive. This means having a comfortable spot where you can focus. Here are several ways to create just such a study space. 1. Choose the Right Location Pick a location that will be your primary study spot. You may like to change things up occasionally — in fact, switching location can be a good idea if you hit a block and need inspiration, such as when writing a challenging paper. Nonetheless, it’s useful to have a principal location that you use most of the time and that puts you in the mood for studying. The right location will be somewhere quiet where you can work undisturbed. If it’s not in your apartment itself, it should at least be near where you live, such as a study room within your building. Choose the right place for you by thinking about whether you focus better when you’re on your own or when you have other people around. 2. Ensure There’s Sufficient Lighting Whether you’re creating your own study space or choosing between existing ones, you need to ensure you have enough light to avoid straining your eyes. Allowing plenty of natural light to illuminate your space during the day is useful, whereas you may need a desk lamp after dark. 3. Store Your Study Materials in One Place Keep everything you need for studying stored in one place. This will mean you can easily find what you need when you sit down to study and you can take everything with you when you’re studying elsewhere, such as if you want to fit in a quick session between classes. 4. Motivate Yourself Add something to your study area that inspires you. This could be as simple as a note to yourself or something more involved, like a full mood board that expresses your desires for the future. Whatever you choose, it should remind you of why you’re studying and push you to keep going when you face tough times. 5. Block Out Distracting Sounds Some people like to study in silence, whereas others find some background noise helpful. Depending on your preferences, you may like to block out sounds that could distract you with white noise, music, or noise-canceling headphones. 6. Create a Study Schedule Decide when to study according to when you know you can be most productive, you’ll have access to your study space, and you can expect the fewest distractions. You may find that certain times of the day are best for certain types of activities. Students often find it impossible to create a productive study space when they live on campus. An alternative to an OTU residence where you’ll always be able to study in peace is Foundry 1805. You’ll have a private or semi-private bedroom, fully furnished with a desk and chair. Plus, if you prefer, you can use one of our study rooms — they’re open 24 hours a day. Apply now while there are still some units available.