Blog Posts

The Pros & Cons of Attending a Big University

Choosing the right university for you requires thinking about many factors. As well as whether the university offers your preferred major, what extracurriculars are available, and the location, you should consider the size of the university. There are some significant advantages of attending a big university — but also some downsides. Assessing the pros and cons will help you decide if a big university is right for you. Pro: You’ll Meet More People A larger student body means more people for you to meet and a higher chance of finding friends with similar interests — perhaps even lifelong friends. Plus, more people tends to mean greater diversity, which will give you more opportunities to learn about different cultures and be exposed to a wider range of opinions. Con: The Distance Between Classes Can Be Greater Bigger universities have large campuses, meaning classes are a great distance from each other. You’ll need to think carefully when creating a class schedule to avoid leaving yourself with too little time to make it from one class to the next. Although this can also be a problem at small universities, it’s definitely more of a risk at big universities. Pro: It Could Pave the Way to More Career Opportunities Access to more people could also mean more career opportunities, such as through your professors and other faculty members. In addition, big universities have the budget and contacts to invite guest speakers, hold large job fairs, and connect with top companies for internships. Con: Competition for Leadership Positions May Be Fierce Becoming president or gaining another leadership role in a campus organization gives you valuable experience. At a small university, it is easier to gain these positions because there’s less competition. Having said that, if you are able to win a top role in a campus organization at a big university, it will look that much more impressive on your resume. Pro: You’re Likely to Have More Choice Big universities tend to offer more variety in terms of academics and extracurriculars. For instance, if you’re interested in a specific major, you may need to go to a large school. In addition, you’ll have more choices for classes in general. As for extracurriculars, large universities not only have more options, they tend to have more funding. This means you’ll have access to better equipment, supplies, and resources. It’s important to bear these differences in mind when comparing two universities of diff erent sizes . Con: Class Sizes Will Be Larger Some students thrive when class sizes are small because they’re able to participate more and it’s easier to develop relationships with professors. Since class sizes are likely to be large at a big university, you’ll need to put extra effort into making sure you speak up during discussions. You should also take advantage of office hours to ensure your professors know who you are. If you decide the pros of attending a big university outweigh the cons, a top choice to consider is University of Alberta. Bear in mind that the large number of students attending means high competition for housing. The good news is you can find apartments near University of Alberta at 1Ten on Whyte. Located just 10 minutes from campus, all our suites are fully furnished and rent is all inclusive. Book a tour to see the facilities before you move in.

9 Summer Jobs That Pay the Best

It’s usually easy to find a summer job as a student, but many jobs only pay minimum wage. To refine your search from the start, it’s helpful to know what kinds of summer jobs typically pay best. 1. Child Carer Parents who work full time need child care for kids who won’t be at school over the summer. If you have experience (which could include babysitting or even taking care of younger siblings), you can charge a decent amount per kid. This kind of work is particularly ideal for anyone majoring in early education or who wants to work with kids in the future because you’ll gain some valuable experience to put on your resume. 2. Bank Teller Not only will you earn more than minimum wage as a bank teller, you’ll learn useful skills, including handling money and customer service. Plus, you’ll be working regular business hours, meaning you’ll have evenings and weekends free. Banks often offer positions to university students who can show they’re trustworthy and reliable. 3. Server or Bartender You can pick up a large amount of work over the summer by working as a server or bartender. Although the pay tends to be low, you’ll make plenty in tips. Since shifts tend to be in the evenings, you could even have a second job during the daytime, especially if earning a large amount over the summer is important to you. 4. Landscaper To spend the summer outdoors and improve your fitness, nothing is better than landscaping. There’s almost no work available other than during the summer, meaning demand suddenly surges. If you know how to weed gardens, trim hedges, and mow lawns, this could be the perfect job for you. 5. IT Specialist If you’re majoring in computer science or IT, you can start gaining experience over the summer. The easiest way to find jobs is by looking for freelance contracts. This will allow you to take just as much work as you need, potentially keeping a couple of long-term contracts when the semester starts up again to keep earning an income. Plus, since you can set your own rate depending on your skills and experience, it can be lucrative. 6. Freelance Writer Another option for freelance work is as a writer. If you’re an English or creative writing major, you can easily create a portfolio of your university projects and use it to find clients on freelance platforms. 7. Camp Counsellor Whether you loved going to camp as a kid or you always wanted to go but never had the chance, becoming a camp counselor could be a great option for you. Since you’ll be on the clock for many hours at a time, you’ll be compensated well for your time. You may be able to work for just a few weeks to save money for other things, such as for traveling over the summer or to have spending money for when you return to university. 8. Intern Gain relevant experience for your future career by working an internship over the summer. You can do this at any point during your time at university, but you’ll need to apply early. 9. Ice Cream Shop Worker Although working at an ice cream shop will likely pay minimum wage, patrons tend to tip, which can bring up your income. However, it definitely helps to be living in a tourist town. If you’re searching for a job in your university town, you’ll need to find housing, as the dorms on campus will likely be closed. You can find rooms for rent near University of Alberta where you can continue living when fall semester starts at 1Ten on Whyte. After a long day of work, you can unwind in your private room or bachelor apartment or even head to the onsite gym. Book a tour to check out the facilities for yourself.

A Guide to Coping with Back-to-School Stress

Although many students look forward to returning to university — to see their friends again, restart their extracurriculars, and perhaps begin some classes they’ve been looking forward to — the new semester does come with its share of stress. One of the best ways to cope is to practice mindfulness. This will mean you are able to deal with any challenges university life throws your way. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the coming semester. What Is Mindfulness? Before you can practice mindfulness, you need to know what it is. The concept is all about understanding yourself, including your thoughts and feelings. You can then relate this understanding to the external world. By taking the time to acknowledge your emotions, becoming more accepting of yourself, and trying to be more curious, you’ll be able to be more present and positive. Why Practice Mindfulness? As a busy student, you may wonder if it’s worth making the time for mindfulness — after all, you already have a full schedule. However, it’s always important to do things that improve your health. By practicing mindfulness, you’ll feel immediately better and be less likely to suffer from chronic stress. You’ll also learn about yourself, which will give you confidence and help you be more decisive. Finally, you’ll see improvements to your physical health, especially if your mindfulness involves exercise and reminds you to make better choices about what to eat. This will lead to benefits including better immunity, a healthy heart, and improved sleep quality. Tips for Practicing Mindfulness The good thing about mindfulness is it doesn’t require a huge amount of time — you can fit it into your day at various intervals. To ensure you remember to practice mindfulness, you may like to choose a particular cue. For instance, every time you carry out a particular action ( perhaps walking into a classroom), take a few moments of stillness. Simply stop, take a deep breath or two, and pay attention to how you’re feeling, your sensations, and what you’re thinking. Mindfulness for Anxiety You can also employ mindfulness tactics whenever you experience a negative emotion, like disappointment, or when you’re feeling anxious. This is ideal if an assignment is taking a toll on you, you’re stressed about an upcoming test, or you’re in a situation that makes you nervous, such as attending an event where you don’t know anyone. In these circumstances, it may be helpful to dedicate a bit more time than usual to mindfulness. Some options to try include a short meditation, some stretches, a workout you enjoy, or even listening to music. Find a quiet place where you can be alone, such as your apartment, a secluded spot in the library, or somewhere outdoors. Focus on being kind to yourself and thinking positive affirmations. Another way to make the transition back to school less stressful is to find a comfortable room for rent. Edmonton students can move into the community at 1TEN on Whyte. Our affordable, all-inclusive student rentals range from bachelor suites to three-bedroom apartments. This gives you the chance to live around other students without sacrificing your privacy. Apply now for the type of suite you want.

Easy Student Apartment Decor You Can DIY

With the right decor, you can turn a student apartment into your new home. To avoid spending your entire budget for the month as soon as you move in, make your own decorations from low-cost materials. The following ideas are especially easy to make and great for showing off your personality. 1. Customized Clock A clock is an easy fix to make your walls look a little less bare, but interesting designs can be expensive. The solution is to buy a plain clock and customize it yourself. Some colour or a simple doodle can turn a basic clock into a statement piece. 2. Graphic Prints Instead of purchasing artwork, make your own. There’s no need for you to be a great artist — simply adapt an image you find online into a graphic print. Start by choosing a vibrant colour for the background. Then, choose a simple shape in a contrasting tone and layer it on top. The outline of something like a leaf, coffee mug, or animal is ideal. Finally, add a word or short phrase. Print out your picture and put it in a gold frame to create an original piece of artwork for your wall that has meaning to you. 3. Photo Collage Another option for unique artwork is to make a photo collage. Print out your favourite photos of your high school friends, the adventures you’ve had at university, or your pets and arrange them into a collage. You can make more collages throughout your time at university as you make new friends and memories. 4. Homemade Headboard If your bed doesn’t come with a headboard or you want to replace the one it has to improve the aesthetics of the room, create your own. All you’ll need is several cheap frames (you can purchase them from a dollar store) and a foam board to stick them on. You can then decorate the headboard however you wish, such as by spray-painting it the colour of your choice. 5. Hanging Clouds A common type of decor in student apartments is fairy lights. Take this a step further by making some fluffy clouds to create a sense of stars twinkling in a cloudy night sky. To make the clouds, simply hot-glue some Poly-fil (the same material as you find in pillows) to paper lanterns. You may also like to cut out some stars to stick either to the clouds or to the behind around them. 6. Foam-Trimmed Mirror Give a regular mirror a makeover using nothing more than foam spray and paint. Apply the foam spray in a zigzag motion to create a border and then paint it a colour that complements your room. The result will be an irregular frame that gives your mirror a fun feel. Before you can start thinking about decorating your apartment, you need to find somewhere to live. For rooms for rent near University of Alberta, there’s 1TEN on Whyte. Our suites come with everything you need, including a desk and chair in the bedroom, a refrigerator, cooktop, and microwave in the kitchen, and a three-seat sofa or easy chair (in bachelor suites) in the living room. All you need to bring are your personal belongings to infuse the apartment with your style. Apply for a lease now.

4 Apps to Help You Study More Efficiently

Apps can improve every aspect of your life, including your studies. However, the huge number of apps to choose from can make it difficult to figure out what to add to your arsenal. Here are just a few top choices that will make a big difference to how efficiently you study. 1. Evernote As you progress through college, organizing detailed notes will become more important. A great solution is Evernote. It allows you to organize your notes in whatever way makes sense to you. As well as writing text, you can scan images, add information from websites, and attach documents to your notes. This is ideal for making notes for your classes, storing details for research papers in one place, and sending information to other members of your group when you’re working on a project. The basic version of Evernote is free and should be sufficient for most students. It allows you to sync two devices, gives you 60 MB of data per month in uploads, and allows you to create notes of up to 25 MB. 2. Quizlet One of the best ways to learn facts for quizzes and memorize basic concepts is to use flashcards. There are a number of options for flashcards apps, but a particularly popular choice is Quizlet. It allows you to create your own flashcards with multiple choice or true/false answers as well as with open-ended questions. This adds an element of gamification to studying to keep you motivated. The basic version of the app is free for both iOS and Android. 3. My Study Life To keep track of all your commitments — including your classes, assignments, meetings, and exams — download My Study Life. It’s the ideal solution for students who prefer to digitize everything but still want the benefits of having a planner. You can upload your schedule (whether it’s a traditional weekly schedule or a rotational schedule), add information about your classes, manage all kinds of tasks (from quick assignments to big projects), and set reminders for important dates. My Study Life is available for free on iOS and Android as well as a web application for desktop devices. You can sync it across all your devices to ensure you always remember upcoming commitments, whether these are academic, work related, or extracurriculars. 4. Duolingo If you’re a language student or you want to learn a language in addition to the classes you’re taking at university, you’d be hard pressed to find a better app than Duolingo. It has a huge range of languages, meaning it’s likely the one you want to learn is available. You can take an assessment at the start to test your level or begin from the basics and work your way up. The gamification makes language learning fun, whereas features like learning streaks and league rankings incentivize you to practice dail y. There is a paid version (which is ad free and has a few extra features), but you should find that the free version has everything you need. Even though apps are great aids, you need more than technology to maximize your study efficiency. Also key is living near classes in an apartment where you have a quiet place to focus. This means moving out of your dorm on campus and finding a room for rent. Edmonton students can find a new home at 1TEN on Whyte. Our student rentals are fully furnished, including with a desk and chair in every bedroom. You’ll be able to concentrate on your studies in your private bedroom in a shared apartment or in your own bachelor suite. There are also study rooms you can use for a change of scenery and a boardroom where you can host meetings. Book a tour to see the facilities over a video call or through an in-person visit.

How to Make the Most of Your College Experience

College only lasts for a few years, but it’s packed with new experiences and opportunities. It’s important you make the right decisions to ensure you have no regrets and avoid mistakes that could cost you in the future. 1. Sort Out Your Finances Making poor financial decisions can leave you with unnecessary debt. For instance, you should only borrow what you need in student loans. You’ll need to pay back everything you borrow with interest — it’s not free money. You may like to consider working a part-time job to have some extra spending money or to start paying back your student loans as soon as possible. 2. Seek Help When You Need It Your college undoubtedly has a huge range of resources to help you. At the writing center, you can learn how to improve your papers, whereas tutoring can improve your grades in a class you’re finding difficult. The financial aid office can provide you with advice about paying for college, counsellors can provide you with mental health support, and your academic advisor will help you make the right decisions regarding your classes. 3. Choose Classes with Your Career Goals in Mind One major could lead to a variety of career options, meaning it makes sense to pick something you enjoy. Nonetheless, if you have a particular career in mind, you will need to make sure you’re choosing classes that will lead you to your goals. Ensure that you’re taking any prerequisites you’ll need and that you have the right academic experience to make you an appealing candidate for any graduate qualifications you’d like to pursue. 4. Join Clubs You may be worried about having enough time for clubs, especially if you have a full schedule of classes and a part-time job. However, extracurriculars are a crucial part of the college experience. You may not have belonged to any clubs at high school, but college is different. Clubs are your chance to meet people, develop skills you won’t learn in the classroom, and become a more well-rounded person. You’ll have the option to join clubs that match your current interests or explore new potential hobbies. 5. Find Ways to Destress Belonging to clubs is one way to reduce stress, but there are plenty of other things you can do as well. Practicing self-care is critical — whatever that involves for you. Options include exercise, meditation, working on art projects, or even watching your favorite series. 6. Work an Internship An internship may be a requirement of your major. Even if it’s not, you should definitely do one because it will help you later in your career. For example, you’ll gain useful contacts (you may even receive a job offer if you intern in your final year of college), learn skills you can add to your resume, and figure out if a certain career is right for you. 7. Network You have a large number of opportunities to network at college — take advantage of all of them. Develop relationships with your professors by attending office hours, strike up conversations with classmates and people at clubs, and try to talk to as many people as possible at your internship. All these connections will be important after you graduate, as finding a good job is often about who you know. You’ll have a better college experience if you live off campus. Find rooms for rent near University of Alberta at 1TEN on Whyte. You’ll be living with other students (either in your own bachelor apartment or in a private bedroom in a shared suite) just 1 kilometre from campus. We also offer a range of great amenities to enrich your time at college, including a state-of-the-art gym, study rooms, a courtyard, and many common spaces. Book a tour to see where you could be living.