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How to Start Preparing for a Career During University

Preparing for a career during university can seem like an uphill battle. You may not know what to do, where to turn for information, or even what career you want to pursue after you graduate. On top of that, you might also be contending with the stress of getting ready for final exams and passing your classes. Rather than waiting until the last minute to begin your job search, take a proactive approach and start thinking about your career options as soon as possible. Whether you're just in your first year or a few weeks away from graduation, here are a few tips to help you prepare for a career during university. Consider experience-based learning The first step you can take towards preparing for a career is to look for apprenticeships and internships. Think of them as an opportunity to develop the skills you've learned about in the classroom. Start your search by looking at your university's job board — chances are you'll find several companies in your area loo...

Tips for students who plan to rent housing

Too broke to buy a house, but too old to stay at your folks’ home: this is the great paradox of a young student. The solution? Rent your own housing. You’re not bound to a long-term commitment, but you’ll still enjoy the thrill of living on your own. Understandably, for many students, this will be their first time renting a house. Here are a few tips for newcomers to ensure everything goes smoothly. Research different neighborhoods Use websites like Trulia, PadMapper, Zillow, and other services to gauge what a neighborhood is like. Find out how far of a commute it is from the apartment to school. Locate any nearby restaurants, grocery stores, laundromats (if necessary), and transportation. The value of a residence is determined greatly by the number of close points of interest. Develop a budget, then a list What is the maximum you’re willing to pay for an apartment, each month? Whatever the number, lower it by $200 so you have some grocery/food spending money. Take off anoth...

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...