Blog Posts

DIY Gifts for Students in Durham College Residences

DIY Gifts for Everyone on Your List If you’re on a tight budget but you still want to give all your friends and family members gifts they’ll appreciate, it may be best to go down the DIY route. Not only will this save you money, but you’ll also make gifts that recipients are sure to treasure more than anything you could buy in the store. 1. Decorated Coffee Mug It’s much easier to make a DIY coffee mug than you may think: you just need a plain mug, some sharpies, and perhaps some glitter glue. Decorate your mugs in any way you please — draw a picture or write a message that will have meaning to the recipient — and then bake the mug in the oven for 30 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. 2. Succulent Garden Plant a succulent or two in a bowl and cover the top with sand. Draw patterns in the sand with a stick to complete the garden (you can always add some extra objects or pebbles if you wish). Although succulents are a low maintenance plant, you can always use artificial ones — this may be a good idea if the recipient is known for having a poor track record with plants. 3. Bath Bombs The basic ingredients to make bath bombs are cream of tartar, citric acid, baking soda, cornstarch, and your choice of essential oils for colour and scent. There are various recipes you can follow from simple to quite complex. Make several bath bombs at the same time to check a number of people off your list at once. 4. Jewelry Organizer There are multiple ways to create a jewelry organizer using items you can find in any thrift store. For instance, you can use an old picture frame with hooks or pieces of fabric, hang chunky bracelets around a glass bottle, or create a jewelry tree from a wide range of objects. This is a great gift for anyone who owns even a small amount of jewelry — especially if that jewelry tends to end up in a tangled heap in a box or on a dresser. 5. Rice Heat Packs An ingenious way to stay warm in the winter is with rice heat packs. Simply sew two squares of fabric together leaving one side open and then divide the bag you’ve created into six equal segments. Fill each segment with rice and sew up the bag. Heat the pack in the microwave for just one to two minutes and it will stay warm for around 20 minutes. This is much safer than an electrical heating pad that you must make sure you turn off before you fall asleep. 6. Small Gifts in a Mason Jar Gifting someone stationery, cookie cutters, cosmetics, or another set of small items may be uninteresting. However, you can transform these simple gifts with the right presentation. Mason jars are excellent for this purpose. Choose some attractive ones at the dollar store, tie a ribbon around them, and you’ll have the perfect packaging for any small gift. 7. Reindeer Bottles Instead of simply giving friends a six pack of their favorite soda or beer, turn the bottles into reindeers. All you need is pipe cleaner for the antlers, googly eyes, pom-poms for the nose, glue, and the beverages of your choice. Another way to save money is to move into off-campus housing. An alternative to Durham College residence is Foundry 1805. We have better amenities at more affordable rates than you’ll find elsewhere. Apply now while places are still available and you’ll be able to move in immediately.

7 Online Jobs You Can Do From Your Durham College Student Housing

How to Land an Online Job as a Student Many student jobs have traditionally meant working on site and fitting shifts around your classes, personal study, and other commitments. Today, though, there are numerous online jobs you can do from home. These tend to have flexible hours and there are many options even if you have limited experience — although the pay is higher once you do have experience. To land one of these jobs, there are a few ways to prepare. 1. Set Up a Blog If you enjoy writing, a good option for you could be to work as a freelance writer. The first step is to create your own blog. Since there’s no need to request approval to publish posts, this is an easy way to develop a portfolio of work. Whereas it is possible to monetize your blog, you’ll likely find it easier to use your blog as a stepping stone to write for others — either by searching on freelance sites or by reaching out to website owners. 2. Volunteer as an Editor for Your College Magazine If you prefer editing over writing, find out if your college magazine or newspaper is looking for an editor. This is a great way to develop skills and show you have experience editing. It’s also helpful to have contacts in the editing world, as it can be more difficult to break into editing than writing. 3. Learn Basic Graphic Design Skills Graphic designers are in high demand for everything from logos and images to accompany blog posts to brochures. If you’re majoring in graphic design, you already have the skills you need to start working. Otherwise, invest in some software and follow tutorials until you’re able to produce work that’s good enough to sell. Again, you can find opportunities on freelance sites as well as on job boards. 4. Take Courses There are many courses you can take for free or a small fee that will prepare you for all sorts of online jobs. They’ll both teach you the key skills you need and show others that you’re capable. Some types of courses to consider include: Web development Video editing Photography Social media marketing PPC marketing 5. Sign Up on a Survey Site Survey sites are a great way of making small amounts of cash that can add up to large amounts and accumulating gift cards for stores you’d buy from anyway. Sign up on one or more survey sites and fill out your profile. Then you can search surveys you’re eligible to take and complete them whenever you have free time throughout the day. 6. Practice Typing Typing skills can come in useful for many online jobs and may even be a necessity for some. For instance, you need to be able to type reasonably fast and accurately for audio transcription, video captioning, and data entry. You’ll find that there are many jobs available through freelance platforms and agencies. Better-paying opportunities may open up once you have experience. However, if you’re slow at typing, even these may pay too low to be worthwhile. 7. Improve Your Note-Taking Skills Many students are terrible at taking notes and are willing to pay for notes they can use to prepare for exams or write a paper. There’s no need to find these students directly: you can sell your notes to online platforms. As you may need to submit your notes on a weekly basis, make sure you maintain perfect attendance. Furthermore, your notes will need to be particularly high quality, which may mean you need to brush up on your note-taking skills before you’re able to start earning anything. To work an online job, you need high-speed internet and a quality desk. Students who live at Foundry 1805 receive both — and much more. Our Durham College student housing provides you with everything you need to live the college experience in luxury, including a range of great amenities for an all-inclusive price. Apply now before we’re filled up.

6 Winter Essentials for Life in OTU Residence

Winter Must-Haves for University Students Winter can be extreme in Canada, and this can make finding the motivation to go to class tough. You’ll find it easier if you’ve prepared to face the weather with some winter essentials. These will help you brave the snow, ice, and cold temperatures. 1. Thermal Gloves Just sticking your hands in your pockets will mean your fingers freeze every time you need to do something with your hands, like open a door. Some quality gloves are a much better solution. Never choose simple wool gloves, as your hands will be cold if your gloves become wet. You need waterproof, layered gloves to keep in the maximum warmth. Gloves that allow you to use your smartphone screen are best of all, as they avoid the need to remove a glove whenever you want to send a quick message, answer a call, or scroll through your social media feed when outdoors. Touchscreen gloves are far preferable to fingerless gloves, as even exposing a tiny amount of skin can be painful when temperatures are low. 2. Waterproof Jacket Another item of clothing that needs to be waterproof is a jacket. Choose one with a thick lining and in a size large enough to fit over your other clothes to allow you to layer up. If you find a jacket with plenty of large pockets, you may be able to forgo a backpack some days. Plus, this is extra convenient when running errands. 3. Scarf Scarves are some of the best accessories to have in the winter, as they add to your outfit and serve a purpose. Make sure you bring a few with you to university to always have a scarf that complements what you’re wearing. 4. Beanie Even if you’re all wrapped up, you’ll be cold if you neglect your head, particularly when it rains or snows — the last thing you want is to be sitting in class with damp hair. A beanie is ideal because it’s designed to keep the heat in and you can pull it over your ears. Choose a neutral colour to match all your outfits or stand out with something vibrant like red, orange, or pink. 5. Hand Warmers When you need to stay out late, hand warmers can come to the rescue. They’re ideal for activities like attending an evening sports game. If your toes start to freeze, you can also put hand warmers in your shoes. 5. Fuzzy Socks Back in your student apartment, slip into some fuzzy socks. These are excellent for warming up feet chilled from a long day outdoors. Since they come in all sorts of patterns and colours, it should be easy to find a pair you love. 6. Hot Cocoa Have something to look forward to when you return home by keeping a pack of hot cocoa mix in your apartment. It’s much cheaper than buying hot chocolate from a coffee shop and simple to prepare. Add some marshmallows and whipped cream to give yourself a real treat. As well as wearing the right clothing, it helps to live near campus. Foundry 1805 offers OTU residence just steps from campus. Plus, you’ll always be warm and comfortable in your suite — since utilities are included in the rent, you never need to worry about your heating bill. Apply to move in immediately while spaces are still available.

Life in Shared Accommodation: Oshawa Students’ Last Semester Tips

How to Make the Most of Your Last Semester When you start college, graduation feels so far away that it’s barely worth thinking about. Eventually, though, that last semester will roll around. It’s exciting to move on, but it can also be sad to think about leaving all your friends and your student life behind. Here’s how to make the most of your final semester before you run out of time. 1. Think About Your Future You only have a few months left to figure out what you want to do after university. This doesn’t mean you need to make plans for your entire life, but you should have an idea of what kinds of jobs you’d like to apply for and whether you’ll need any training or qualifications in addition to your university degree. 2. Enjoy Your Free Time Once you’re working full time, you’ll have much less free time. Your last semester of college may be hectic at times, but you should still have the occasional afternoon with no responsibilities. Designate a day to rest and enjoy your freedom, even if that means just binge-watching your favourite TV series or playing video games. 3. Prioritize Your Friends You may never be with all your university friends in the same place at the same time again. Plus, some of your friends may be moving to the other end of the country, which could make it difficult to stay in touch. Take advantage of the time you have left and make memories you’ll treasure forever. 4. Try New Things If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do or a place you’ve always wanted to visit in your college town, fit it into your schedule. This is an especially good idea if you’ve delayed something until now because it means stepping out of your comfort zone — your last semester is ideal for taking risks and pushing yourself to the limit. 5. Ask Someone Out If you’re single, one new thing to do is to ask someone you barely know out on a date. No matter if it goes well or badly, you’ll gain something from the experience. 6. Dedicate More Time to Yourself It’s easy to become overwhelmed by trying to fit too much into your last semester. By now, you should know your limits. Avoid becoming burned out by scheduling plenty of time for your hobbies and for self-care. This is extra important as you near the end of your time at university, as finals and other responsibilities can be stressful. If you’ve given yourself time to relax, though, you’re more likely to gain the grades you want. 7. Appreciate the Mundane There will be many lasts in your final semester. Some of these you’ll be glad are your last — which is something to celebrate! Acknowledge them all, whether good, bad, or something in between: the last class you attend, your last time at an extracurricular, the last assignment you complete, and the last time you receive a grade. Your final semester is also your last chance to share an apartment you love with other university students. There are far better options than on-campus housing for shared accommodation. Oshawa students can live at Foundry 1805. You’ll have a spacious bedroom, a bright white kitchen with granite countertops, and community amenities like onsite laundry. Apply now for an immediate move-in.

Staying Fit in Rooms for Rent: Oshawa Student Tips

6 Fitness Tips for University Students Staying fit at university will help you cope better with stress, improve your focus, and promote good health for the rest of your life. Even though it may feel like your schedule is already full, you should be able to make time for fitness. Just make sure you’re gaining the most from your workouts by practicing the following tips. 1. Combine Cardio, Strength, and Stretching A fitness routine needs a balance of cardio and strength training, plus some stretching to maintain your flexibility. You may like to stretch after every workout or dedicate a couple days to flexibility exercises. Cardio is crucial because it increases your heart rate, which keeps your heart and lungs healthy. It’s also useful for increasing your metabolism, helping you maintain an ideal weight, and improving energy levels, mood, and sleep. You should fit a minimum of two and a half hours of moderate cardio exercise into your weekly routine, such as low-impact aerobics, dancing, or cycling. Alternatively, do at least one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous exercise like uphill biking or hiking. Strength training is what builds your muscles and endurance, helping to keep your bones, ligaments, and tendons strong. Again, this is useful for weight management, but it can also prevent chronic illness and reduce the risk of injury. You should fit at least two sessions of strength training into your weekly routine and make sure you work all the muscle groups of the body. 2. Use Campus Facilities Paying for a gym membership is expensive — even with a student discount. The good news is it’s often unnecessary because your campus likely has great facilities you can use, such as gym equipment, a track, and maybe even a pool. If you need more motivation, find out if your university holds fitness classes. You may be able to join them virtually from home. 3. Exercise at Home There’s no need to wait for live fitness classes to exercise at home. You can find countless results for routines by searching on YouTube or downloading a fitness app. Both are great ways to try out different types of workouts and find what resonates with you. Start with routines that don’t require any equipment and then purchase whatever you need when you’ve figured out what you enjoy most. 4. Stick to a Schedule Unless you create a workout schedule, you may find it difficult to meet your fitness goals. Block out time each day on your calendar for exercise, specifying what kind of workout you’ll do — this will help ensure you strike the right balance and don’t neglect any muscle groups. 5. Pair Up with a Fitness Buddy Hold yourself accountable by working out with someone else. You can agree to attend the same classes, go to the campus fitness centre at the same time, or practise at-home routines together. When you have a fitness buddy, you’ll be letting down more than just yourself if you fail to go to your workouts. 6. Move More It’s better for your body if you’re constantly active than if you just exercise once and remain sedentary for the rest of the day. Simple things you can do to increase how much you move include walking to campus and biking longer distances, taking the stairs, playing sports on the weekend, and going for a walk when you need a break from studying. Since it’s more comfortable to exercise at home when you have your own space, it’s worth searching for rooms for rent. Oshawa students who live at Foundry 1805 all receive a spacious bedroom in a suite with free WiFi. Plus, the community is walking distance from campus, allowing you to fit in some extra exercise every day. Apply now to take advantage of our promotions.

Sick in Student Housing: Oshawa Student Tips for Feeling Better Fast

How to Beat a Cold or Flu as a Student No one enjoys being sick at the best of times. When you’re a student living away from your family and you need to fend for yourself, it’s that much worse. Plus, it’s important to try and recover as fast as possible to ensure your cold or flu doesn’t impact your academic performance. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to avoid suffering too much. 1. Prepare in Advance Unless you’re only taking online classes, there’s a high chance that you will catch a cold or the flu due to the large number of people you interact with on a daily basis. Prepare for this eventuality by stocking up on things you would need, like food, over-the-counter medication, and throat lozenges. These essentials are always good to have on hand, since you won’t feel like venturing out when you’re feeling under the weather. 2. Receive the Flu Shot Reduce your risk of getting the flu by receiving your annual flu shot. You should find that the vaccine is available at local clinics, pharmacies, and community health centres. 3. Wash Your Hands Frequently Get into the habit of washing your hands every time you come home, before you eat, and whenever you’ve been in contact with other people. Between washing your hands, remember to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. 4. Keep a Distance from Sick Friends If a friend or roommate is sick, avoid physical contact. Disinfect surfaces and any objects your friend touched and don’t share food. 5. Sleep Enough You’ll recover faster if you’ve been sleeping enough. Aim for at least seven hours a night and stick to a bedtime. If you do fall sick, sleep even more — as much as possible until you feel better. 6. Be Careful with Medication The likelihood is your parents chose medication for you when you were sick in the past, meaning you may be unsure of what to buy. It’s best to describe your symptoms to a pharmacist, as it can be difficult to choose products yourself. It’s also worth calling your parents and asking them what worked well for you in the past. Besides, talking to family when you’re sick should help lift your mood. 7. Stay Hydrated You can easily become dehydrated when you have a fever. Make sure you drink plenty of water, juice, or herbal tea. Avoid coffee and alcohol, as these are diuretics. 8. Know When to Seek Medical Attention Most of the time, you just need to rest and wait to recover. However, if your symptoms are severe or long lasting, you should see a doctor. Symptoms that fall into this category include a persistent fever or a fever of more than 39 degrees Celsius, difficulty breathing, pain in your abdomen, ears, or sinuses, a rash, sensitivity to light, and any other painful or persistent symptoms that concern you. Make sure you know where you’ll go if you do fall sick — the last thing you want is to be researching your options when you need immediate care. You’re more likely to catch a cold or the flu when you live in close quarters with other people in student housing. Oshawa students have their own bedroom and share common areas of their apartment with only a few people when they live at Foundry 1805. You’ll also have a full-size kitchen to prepare comfort food if you do get sick. Sign a lease now for an immediate move-in.