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Study Tips — That Really Work!

Sick of getting study advice that fails? If you're dreading test and exam preparation and are struggling to get the marks you want, the problem could be in your approach to studying. Whereas common study tactics are helpful for some people, they may not do you any good. What you need are methods that are scientifically proven to work! Let's take a look: Test Yourself There’s a reason flashcards are so popular — they work! Flashcards provide you with a quick and easy way to test yourself on facts that you know will be in exams. Find questions at the end of books to use on your flashcards or write down key information as you look over the material you covered in class. This technique is also great for studying as a group. Spread Out Your Studying You’ve probably heard that it’s a bad idea to cram, but maybe you continue to do it anyway. What you need to realize is that it’s impossible to retain a large amount of information the night before your exam. Never feel guilty a...

A Guide for Student Renters

Making the right decisions when it comes to student rentals can have a big impact on your quality of life. Unlike living in University of Alberta student housing , you’ll need to consider aspects like the condition of the apartment, the terms of the lease, and even who you live with. However, this will definitely be worthwhile, as you’ll have more freedom and space. By drawing up a plan before you start searching, you can ensure that your home life is comfortable and problem free. 1. Create a Budget Decide how much you can afford before you plan any apartment visits. That way, you can rule out anything that is too expensive. Calculate your budget for rent by taking into account how much you’ll receive in income each month and subtracting a portion for food, transportation, and entertainment. If utilities are not included in the cost of rent, add this expense to your calculation. 2. Choose Your Roommates Wisely Closest friends don’t necessarily make for the best roomm...

Tips for Living with People You Don’t Know

One of the toughest things about being a college student is that you need to live with people you don’t know. This is true whether you live on campus or opt for a room in an apartment rental Edmonton residents are friendly enough people, but you’ll make the transition even easier if you have a plan in place to avoid disagreements. 1. Meet Each Other Before You Move In If possible, find out who you are going to be sharing with before you move in and take the time to meet your roommate. If you are unable to meet in person, at least communicate online. This will give you the chance to discuss any ground rules you want to set, determine how you’ll share common areas, and even find out what you have in common. 2. Spend Time Together It is surprisingly easy to live with someone and never spend any time together. Put in the effort to socialize with your new roommate, whether in the apartment or out. If you’re going to meet a group of friends or attend an event, why not invite your...

Tips for Finding Places to Live When You’re at University or College

Searching for a place to live is always a struggle for college and university students. There are plenty of rooms for rent in Edmonton , but only some will be suitable for your needs. To ensure you end up with a great place to live, you need to know what you’re looking for and how to find it. 1. Start Your Search Early The sooner you can begin looking for housing the better. If you start your search early, you’ll be able to visit a greater number of places and you’ll have a clearer idea of what is available. You’ll also increase your chances of landing the perfect apartment — remember, you’re competing with other students in Edmonton. 2. View Several Places You may love the very first place you visit. Still, it is best if you view at least a couple more apartments before you make a final decision. The landlord should never pressure you into agreeing to rent a property on the spot. In fact, a pushy landlord is a red flag. Once you’ve searched for a while, narrow dow...

3 Tips for Finding Off-Campus Student Housing

There’s a huge number of benefits to living off campus. For instance, housing costs less and you have more freedom in terms of who you live with, what you eat, and who you invite over. Plus, you gain greater privacy, which becomes extra important after your freshman year — your workload will increase and you’ll need your own quiet place to study. Still, not all off-campus housing is created equal. You need to ensure that you pick well. 1. Distance from Campus Only look at apartments near University of Alberta . Living farther away may seem appealing for the lower costs, but it will ultimately cost you more in time and effort. Whether you plan to walk, bike, drive, or take public transit, the journey should be simple and take no more than a few minutes. Anything longer and you risk being late to classes or becoming exhausted by your daily journey. 2. Quality of the Building Depending on your budget, you may have to settle for something less than the best. However, you should n...

Quick Tips to Help You Find the Best Student Housing

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...

Tips for Choosing the Right Electives

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...