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How to Build a Professional Wardrobe on a Student’s Budget

You may need to start acquiring professional clothing while you’re still a student. Although you might be able to manage with just one outfit if you only need something to wear for job fairs and interviews, you’ll need a complete wardrobe if you land an internship. This may be challenging while you’re a student, but there are ways to gain everything you need while staying with your budget. 1. Incorporate What You Have Begin by checking what you already have that may be suitable for a professional wardrobe. If your workplace is relatively informal , you may already have many pieces of clothing you can use. This is especially likely to be the case if you tend to gravitate to neutral colours like gray, black, and navy, which are easy to pair with other things. 2. Make a Shopping List Consider what your wardrobe is currently lacking, and add these items to a shopping list. This is a better approach than heading to the stores to see what you can find, as it will ensure you only purchase items you need. In particular, think in terms of forming outfits with the clothing you already have. 3. Build a Capsule Wardrobe If you’re unable to afford much at the moment, work on building a capsule wardrobe with items you can mix and match to create different looks. If you’re working a paid internship, you may be able to use some of your earnings to expand your wardrobe over time. 4. Invest in Quality For some items, it’s worth paying more to ensure you receive high quality. This includes things like shoes and a suit. Picking fast fashion items may mean you need to replace items within a year, which could end up being more expensive. Just make sure you choose things that are timeless rather than trendy. 5. Buy Budget When It Makes Sense Not all the items in your wardrobe need to be the highest quality. If you want plenty of variety in your wardrobe, inexpensive clothing may be the way to go, particularly for basic tops and bottoms. Just make sure that whatever you choose coordinates with the rest of your wardrobe. 5. Accessorize to Create More Outfits An easy way to create several difficult outfits with the same clothes is to change things up with accessories. Things like belts, scarves, watches, and eyeglasses can make the same suit look different. If you’re working over the summer, you’ll also need to think about your housing, since you won’t be able to live on campus. You’ll find University of Alberta off-campus housing at 1TEN on Whyte. We’re located just a 10-minute walk from campus in the main arts and entertainment district in Edmonton — the ideal spot to find many opportunities for internships. Book a tour to visit us before you move in.

7 Tips for Preparing for Grad School

Choosing the right grad school program is quite different from picking a university and major for your undergraduate degree. Know exactly what to expect to ensure you come to the right decision and improve your chances of being accepted to your top choice. 1. Decide on Your Goals It’s important to have a clear reason why you want to attend grad school. It may be that you have a deep interest in a particular subject and want to advance your knowledge. Alternatively, you may want to continue studying to be able to have a particular career. Identifying your goals will help you decide on the right program for you, including whether you should pursue an academic or professional program. 2. Learn the Requirements for the Programs To narrow down your options to just a few programs, find out the admission requirements to check if you qualify. You may need to have completed certain types of coursework or have a particular research background. In addition, most grad schools require applicants to have at least a 3.0 GPA, but you may need a higher GPA if the program is particularly competitive. 3. Make a Note of Deadlines Create a spreadsheet where you make note of deadlines to complete particular tasks and key dates for applying to programs. This may include preparing materials like statements and letters, taking examinations, attending graduate school fairs, and applying for funding. 4. Connect with Faculty Members It’s worth reaching out to faculty members at the university before you apply. This is a great way to learn more about the program and ensure it’s something that will interest you. If there are several possible programs , faculty members will be able to advise you about which would best meet your goals. They can also give you advice about what to include in your application to improve your chances of acceptance. 5. Find Out About Research Opportunities If the program you want to take is not research based, you may want to search for opportunities to participate in research during your time at grad school. Find out if this is a possibility by talking to faculty members and looking for information on the university’s website. 6. Take Some Campus Tours If you’re considering attending grad school at a different university than where you are currently, pay the campus a visit. This is worthwhile even if you visited the campus before, back when you were at high school. Not only will it refresh your memory, it will give you the chance to visit facilities specific to the grad program and find out about the resources available for grad students. 7. Talk to Students During your campus tours, ask graduate students questions about their experiences studying at the university. Find out what life is like for graduate students and what they think about the academics , support, and research opportunities. An important consideration for grad school is where you’ll live. You’ll likely want your own space in student housing. Edmonton students who live at 1TEN on Whyte can choose between a private bedroom in a shared suite or their own bachelor apartment. As well as being close to campus, it’s near some great spots in Edmonton, including many stores and restaurants. Apply now.

Do Student Loans Affect Your Credit?

Most people need to take out student loans to be able to afford tuition at university. In addition to considering how you’ll pay your loans back, you need to know how they’ll impact your credit. This is important because your credit score will influence everything from whether you receive approval to rent an apartment, take out a mortgage, or receive a loan to buying a car or starting your own business. Here are a few things you need to know about how student loans affect your credit. Paying on Time Around 35% of your score is based on your payment history and whether you pay on time. Making most or all of your student loan repayments on time will result in a high credit score. In addition, around 30% of your score is based on your debt-to-credit ratio, meaning you can boost your credit score by keeping your debt to no more than 30%. Missing a Payment If you miss a payment, your credit score will drop. You usually have 30 days before the lender reports the late payment to the credit bureaus. Defaulting on Your Loans If you stop making loan repayments entirely, the lender will report that you’ve defaulted on your loan to the credit bureaus. You typically have 270 days before a lender considers you to have defaulted on your loan. This will have an even bigger impact on your credit score. The lender will send your defaulted loan to a collection agency. This will remain on your credit report for six or seven years (even if you do pay back the loan in full). During this time, you’ll have an R9 credit score, which is the worst rating. How Student Loans Improve Your Credit Score The severe consequences of failing to pay your student loans on time most months mean you should do everything in your power to make repayments. However, it’s important to note that student loans also improve your credit score — just the fact you have loans will boost your score over time. This is because your credit history accounts for around 15% of your credit score. As the years pass, your credit history becomes older, which has a positive effect on your credit score. Types of Student Loans Whether you already have a credit score may influence what types of student loans you’re able to take out. You won’t need a credit check to take out a government student loan, unless you’re a mature student (aged 22 or above). Since these loans have a fixed interest rate, they are your best option. Private student loans, in contrast, are typically only available if you have a good credit score — a low or no credit score tends to mean you disqualify, unless you have a cosigner, such as a parent. In addition, private student loans have different interest rates. The better your credit score, the better the rate you’ll be able to secure. Tuition is non-negotiable, but you can save money in many other aspects of your life. One key way is to find an affordable room for rent. Edmonton students can find a home at 1TEN on Whyte. Our suites are fully furnished, the rent is all inclusive, and you’ll be within walking distance of the University of Alberta, meaning you’ll also save money on furniture, utilities, and transport costs. Apply for your spot now.

A Simple & Restorative Yoga Routine for Your Student Apartment

One of the best ways to stay fit is to practice yoga on a regular basis. The following restorative moves are ideal for when you need a break from studying and are simple enough that even beginners will be able to do them. 1. Prayer Pose Begin your routine by putting yourself in the right mindset with some meditation in prayer pose. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your palms together in prayer position at your heart center. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. This pose is also ideal on its own any time you need to relax, such as if you’re feeling stressed and need to calm your thoughts. 2. Tree Pose Move from prayer to tree pose by placing the sole of one foot on the inside of your other leg. If you’re a beginner, you may initially need to work on your balance by placing your foot next to your ankle. As you advance, you can practice putting your foot higher until it rests against your inner thigh (bear in mind, you should never put your foot next to your knee). You can also work on your balance by holding onto a chair, although eventually you will want to have both hands in prayer position. After holdi ng the pose for a few breaths on one side, switch to the other side. 3. Standing Forward Bend Placing both feet back on the floor, reach down to see if you can touch your toes while keeping your legs straight. This will feel great if you’ve been sitting at a desk all day and need to stretch out your hamstrings and spine. 4. Chair Pose Bring your feet together and reach your arms overhead. Squat down as far as you can while keeping your spine straight. This is an ideal move for toning your muscles in the lower half of your body. 5. Yogi Squat Crouch into a squat, bringing your hands back into prayer position. Drop as low as you can while making sure your feet stay flat on the floor. It may take some practice before you’re able to get close to the ground. 6. Seated Forward Bend Move to a seated position on your mat and stretch out both legs in front of you. Keeping your back straight, hinge forward to grab your shins, ankles, or feet — whatever you can reach. You’ll experience a similar stretch to the standing forward bend, but it will be more intense. 7. Upward-Facing Dog Shift to lying facedown on your mat with your hands under your shoulders. Push yourself up until your entire torso is off the mat and your arms are straight. This will stretch out all the muscles in your back and chest, which is great for correcting your posture after you’ve been sitting at your laptop for hours. 8. Child’s Pose Keeping your hands where they are, shift your weight back until you’re sitting on your heels. Bring your forehead to the floor. Stay in this position for a while, just enjoying the stretch. 9. Lotus Pose A pose to do at the end of your practice is lotus. Depending on your flexibility, you may only be able to sit cross-legged, you may be able to put one leg on the top of the other, or you may be able to place each ankle on the opposite knee. Consider using this outside your yoga practice for meditation — for instance, you could do this first thing in the morning while still sitting on your bed. To practice yoga at home, you’ll need at least enough space for a mat, which may be more space than you have available if you’re living on campus. For spacious rooms for rent near University of Alberta, there’s 1TEN on Whyte. As well as using your private bedroom for your yoga routine, you can work out in the onsite gym, which has state-of-the-art equipment. Book a tour to check out the apartments and other amenities before you sign a lease.

How to Enjoy Parties Without Drinking

The university experience is a mix of excitement, independence, and self-discovery. It's time to go where you want to go, do what you want to do, and be who you want to be. It is also a time to enjoy parties, and most university parties involve alcohol for extra fun. Sure, it's a rite of passage, but drinking isn’t the right choice for everyone. And, while you may think otherwise, the truth is that not everyone drinks at university parties! For example, you may choose not to drink because you have to drive back. Or, maybe it’s due to personal beliefs, health reasons, or just because you’re not in the mood to drink. Whatever the reason, it’s absolutely possible to have fun at a party without getting a buzz. Even if everyone else is drinking, you don't need to feel pressured into doing so just for the sake of keeping up with the status quo. Instead, try some of these tips below to keep the party going without drinking. Pour Your Own Beverages Knowing what’s in your beverage at a party is important for your own safety and self-awareness, and the best way to determine that is by pouring your drinks by yourself. Try to conjure up something tasty like a fun mocktail, or mix up some juice with bubbly water and lime to give you a delightful flavour and keep your hands busy. Besides, when you've got a cup in your hand - no matter if it's alcohol-free - nobody's going to question you on why you're not drinking. The best part: you won't even get a hangover the next day. It’s a win-win situation! Find an Activity You might ask what there is to do at parties if you're not drinking - but think again! There's a ton of activities that you can do without getting drunk or even slightly boozy. How about you play DJ for the night? It's a great way to meet and get to know new people. Or, you could finally muster up the courage to talk to that person you've been bumping into at the library. When you’re sober and have your wits about you, you won’t have to worry about saying something you’ll regret in the morning. So use the opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone and strike up a conversation you might not have otherwise. Stay Away From Drinking Games The pressure to join in on drinking games like beer pong can be immense. So it's actually a better idea to avoid the whole game in the first place unless you want yourself to be caught between explaining why you don't want to drink and warding off the pressure to join in. Unless you have a friend who will drink in your place or unless you are incredibly confident about your willpower, it's better to simply stay away from situations that will make you uncomfortable. Select Your Parties Carefully If the people around you are making you anxious about your decision not to drink, don't hesitate to exit the party. You shouldn't have to experience awkward situations just because of peer pressure. If people call you out on your decision not to drink, realize that it's time to call it a night and find better people to hang out with. You could even throw together your own impromptu party at, say, your student apartment near University of Alberta, with people you like being around. That's actually a party you would enjoy just by being yourself! Be Confident About Your Decision If you make the situation awkward, then it will be awkward. Nobody should have the right to question you or make you feel bad about your choices. And you should be confident in your decision (even if you have to fake it) and make people around you realize that it's not such a big deal . And in any case - it’s your life, and your rules! Just make the whole thing a non-issue and enjoy the party. At the end of the day, you know what's best for you. And if that means keeping a clear head while you’re at a university party, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

Guide to Taking a Mental Health Day at University

University life can be hectic, with tight schedules and heavy workloads. As such, keeping up with everything and functioning at your optimum level can be overwhelming. Sometimes you need a break from the demanding and stressful university routine. That's where mental health days come in. No, not the kind you take from your job to go to the spa. We're talking about the sort of break you take from your university life to focus on your mental health. A mental health day is a day entirely devoted to self-care. You might use this time to go back to your room, catch up on sleep, or stay in bed and read a book. You might also use it to do something fun that you've been putting off. Here are four signs you need a mental health day at university: 1. You're Exhausted Mental exhaustion or burnout is a genuine and recognized threat to university students. University culture has normalized laboring hours over assignments, committing to a demanding job, participating actively in extracurricular activities, and maintaining a social life. While you may successfully manage all of these initially, being engrossed in the same exhausting cycle for months may lead to burnout. Extended burnout periods can even cause depression and anxiety – all of which may collectively damage your health, your relationships, your grades, and more. A mental health day can help you prevent or recover from burnout. A day or two off your tiresome routine can help you rewire your brain and your body. 2. You Feel Burnout Coming On Burnout may present itself in different ways . For instance, you may feel tired all the time, but you force yourself to commit to your strict daily routine. You might also feel overwhelmed with your workload, yet you manage to submit everything by its set deadline. You could also be missing out on ample sleep to maintain attendance at university and work. At any given moment, you have tons of things to take care of, and while it may seem okay on the outside, you know on the inside that you’re becoming increasingly tired and exhausted. If you resonate with these feelings, you may just be on the brink of experiencing burnout. It's time to hit pause! Take a break to prevent complete mental and physical exhaustion, and just relax. 3. You Get Sick More Often Stress and illness are interlinked. According to the American Institute of Stress, 77% of American students reported stress-induced physical symptoms. Stress can take its toll on the body. It weakens the immune system, exacerbates any health conditions, and makes it hard to get a good night's sleep. Prolonged stress can contribute to severe conditions like depression, anxiety, asthma, diabetes, and more. Stress may even hinder recovery from minor ailments like the flu. If you’re struggling to recover from a cough or a cold, try to assess the stress you experience daily and take a break from study and work. Doing so can give your body the time and energy to recover. 4. You Have to Deal With Personal Problems As a university student, you're probably already juggling enough stress day-to-day. But the added drama of a personal issue can really throw you off your game. Sometimes it's tough to know what to do when a problem has you feeling down. You may have a breakup, a problematic relationship with a colleague at work, or an ailing loved one back home. In such situations, it is crucial to take a mental health day because nothing is as important as your well-being. How to Spend Your Mental Health Day? So, you have decided to take a mental health day at university! That's great, but how are you going to spend that day? If you don’t have a plan, here're some simple activities to unwind, relax, and recharge your mind and body: Chill in bed. Exercise a bit. Take a walk around University of Alberta off-campus housing. Call a loved one. Catch up on sleep. Meditate. Take up a DIY project. Watch a movie or spend time outdoors. Journal your thoughts. Take a short trip to the park Cook and eat a delicious meal. Sometimes, a mental health day may be just what you need to go back into your routine feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever lies ahead. Of course, it’s best to only skip a day of classes if your attendance has already been great, you’re not missing any important deadlines or exams, and you know someone who can share notes with you. Otherwise, missing class might only compound your stress, so be sure to plan a time when your coursework is lightest.