Horizon Residence

Your student housing is where you’ll spend the majority of your time. It is essential that you are comfortable and happy there. If this is your first time living away from your parents, choosing the right University of Alberta residence may feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. By taking just a few simple tips into account, you can find the perfect home. 1. Figure Out How Much You Can Afford To calculate how much you will have to spend each month, subtract what you need for food, essentials, and fun. It is best to overestimate how much you’ll spend, as it’s always better to have money left over than to go short. Also consider that you need to have an emergency fund at all times. The amount that is left is your budget for housing. 2. Decide How You’ll Get to School If you’re planning to walk or bike to school, your apartment will need to be quite close to campus. Think about how the journey will feel in the winter months. A car gives you more freedom in terms of dis...

Choosing between electives can be overwhelming if you don’t do your homework. Thinking about what you like, what you’re passionate about and what you want to learn can make the process much more straightforward, maybe even enjoyable. Check out our tips to help streamline your search for electives that you will not only enjoy but that will be of benefit to you and your learning experience, overall.   Remember Your Passions When choosing electives, it's important to consider what it is that you're passionate about. Taking courses in subjects that interest you can make your course load feel lighter and more enjoyable. That said, it doesn't mean you should shy away from trying new things. Courses that challenge or push you outside of your comfort zone could provide motivation and a chance to discover a new talent or interest. Choosing electives is also a prime opportunity to explore subjects you’re interested in but were never able to learn. You might develop a new p...

For students, the future is paved with possibilities, but you will need academic prowess and certain skills to reach your full potential. A college degree and even a strong resume isn’t always enough to impress employers. You will need to demonstrate or prove that you can demonstrate the skills of a stellar employee. Things like strong leadership, self-discipline, good teamwork, excellent communication and organization, are all skills that employers look for and value. Plus, the stronger your skills, the stronger your performance. Here's how new graduates or those who will soon be graduating can demonstrate these skills to potential employers. Demonstrating Strong Leadership Truthfully, employers want their employees to succeed. And the most successful employees are those who are strong leaders. Not only do leaders make the best employees, they also help take pressure off management and are generally strong assets to a company. If you’re a leader, you will eventually be given...

Your college or university years are exciting, full of new experiences and challenges. Living away from home for the first time, learning new skills and meeting new people are just some of the many things you're set to experience, but they all come with a price tag. There's no doubting it, post-secondary can be expensive, and so learning how to budget your money will be key. Take a look at some of the proven tips you can put into practice as a student this year:   Minimize Dining Out Eating out on a regular basis can add up quickly and may not be the healthiest choice. Purchase a meal plan if you live in residence, or prepare your own meals in your off-campus apartment or home. Learn some quick, simple recipes, create a meal plan, prep or cook in advance, and freeze your leftovers. Travel with snacks to avoid splurging at vending machines or purchasing fast food, and be sure to purchase your groceries at actual grocery stores, as they’re much more affordable th...

College and university come with a lot of new responsibilities, including academic and financial demands. For many students, working while attending school is a necessity, but failing to manage or to find a good balance between school and work can negatively affect academic performance and even mental health. Finding ways to balance school and work will not only leave you feeling less stressed and in a better position academically, but happier overall, as well. Below are a few tips that can help you strike and maintain this balance. Get a Flexible Work Schedule Many employers offer flexible positions and work schedules to college and university students. Some of these positions can be found at restaurants, retail shops, grocery stores and your own college or university. Flexible work schedules can be created around your course schedule, and it’s often as simple as attending school in the mornings and afternoons and working in the evening or on the weekend. Work/study pro...

A big decision before heading off to university is whether or not you should bring a car. Your choice will influence factors like where you can live, how you get around, and how much you’ll spend. To make sure you choose right, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. Do You Need a Car? A car may make traveling between home and school much easier, especially if you live in off-campus University of Alberta housing . Owning a car may also be necessary if you want an off-campus job or internship. Can You Afford a Car? When you evaluate how much it will cost to have a car, be sure to take gas, parking, registration, and repairs all into account. If it’s not strictly necessary to have a car, you will be able to use that saved money for other activities. Even if you need to take public transportation sometimes, this will likely be cheaper than maintaining a car. Will a Car Be a Help or a Hindrance? It may seem like having a car could only help yo...

Moving away to school is exciting and comes with many new responsibilities and experiences. Choosing where you will live is one of these new responsibilities, and it's something that you will want to give a great deal of consideration to. Where you live can have a big influence on how well you do in school and your happiness overall. If you haven't already, you will soon discover that you have many options for student housing. While some students prefer to be on campus, like in a University of Alberta residence , others prefer the freedom that comes with living off-campus. Another major decision is whether you will live in a furnished or unfurnished apartment. There are pros and cons for either choice - let's take a look: Unfurnished Apartments at a Glance Some students can't wait to move into an apartment and to decorate it according to their style. Being able to choose your colour scheme, the furniture and kitchen essentials that you will want and need can ...