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Benefits of Living Off Campus

Deciding where to live will have a major impact on your life after school. On-campus housing is always a popular choice, but if you prefer independent living and want to make the most out of your university experience, then off-campus housing is the answer. Here are some reasons why living off campus is the better option . Have lots of privacy There’s no room for privacy in a dorm where anyone could barge in at any moment to disrupt study time . Renting an apartment is better because they’re quieter and have fewer distractions. There’s also room for socialising if you want some company . Enjoy more space Can’t breathe in that cramped dorm room? Now is the perfect time to transfer to a student apartment. Most University of Waterloo off-campus housing accommodations come with private bedrooms, living area, kitchen, and storage. They also come in multiple floor plans, so you can select one that best fits your needs. For example, King Street offers 3, 4, and 5-bedroom apartments that all have spacious bedrooms and common areas . Finally, you’ll be able to bring all of the books you left home, or restart your prized collection without worrying about storage space. Check out King Street’s floor plans for more information. Take advantage of amenities Another benefit of apartment living are amenities not found in dorms. At King Street, you have access to study lounges, yoga studio, laundry space, bike storage, parking, and on-site maintenance . Choose a roommate Choosing whom to live with in a university dorm is next to impossible. So if you room in with someone who has a completely different personality could make things uncomfortable for both of you. You have more flexibility with off-campus housing, where you get to room with people you know you’ll get along with. If you don’t know anybody, King Street currently has a roommate matching service to come up with the perfect match for your roommate. Enjoy freedom Dorms are notoriously known for their restrictions and curfews that you have to follow to the letter. There’s also a resident advisor that will enforce and ensure you’re following rules. While apartment living isn't as restrictive as dorm life, you still need to keep the noise level down and be considerate to your roommates . Explore life outside Living on campus doesn’t give you a lot of options, while off-campus housing has everything you want just across the street. Our University of Waterloo off-campus housing is very near restaurants, coffee shops, supermarkets, parks, and various establishments so you won’t have to go very far if you want to explore a new place to eat or shop for essentials . Learn important life skills Apartment living comes with responsibilities that will teach you life skills that are useful later on in life. You’ll learn to clean up after yourself, cook your own food, share expenses, and pay bills on time. You may even learn something new about yourself in the process, like how much you enjoy developing and perfecting your own recipes, or how talented you are at decorating the house . Living off-campus enriches your university experience, and will help you prepare for life after you graduate.

9 of the Easiest Electives to Consider

If you major is especially difficult, electives can provide a welcome break while still earning you the credit you need to graduate. Many of the easiest electives are also fun and will help you develop skills that could be useful for your career. Here are a few electives in particular to consider. 1. World Music Expand your understanding of music and discover new styles you never even knew existed by taking world music. This is a less-demanding elective than one that requires you to play an instrument — and it’s open to anyone, regardless of musical skills. As well as being a favourite among music lovers, this elective is a top choice if you’re interested in other cultures. 2. Foreign Languages Another way to immerse yourself in another culture without leaving home is to study a foreign language. Although learning languages to any degree of fluency is certainly difficult, an introductory class is unlikely to be too challenging. Armed with the basics, you’ll be prepared for trips — and you’ll increase your employability. Plus, if you find that you enjoy learning the language, you can always continue learning at university and beyond. 3. Anthropology Alternatively, you could take a more historical view of culture by taking an anthropology elective. Whatever your major, you’ll find this useful for understanding how society arrived at where it is today by looking at the formation and destruction of ancient civilizations and the lasting impact they have on us. 4. Photography Most of us take photos every day and would love to be able to see better results. Whether this skill could be useful for you at work or in your personal life, this is an elective you’ll definitely find beneficial. You’ll be amazed at how much your photos improve when you know a little about framing, lighting, and editing. Plus, you’ll be able to use all those additional features on your camera. 5. Film Production If you prefer making videos to taking photos, film production could be an elective for you. The class will cover all the stages of making a film, including screenwriting, shooting, and editing. You’ll also have the chance to put what you learn into practice by making some of your own shorts. 6. Screenwriting You may be able to take screenwriting on its own as an elective. You’ll learn how to write dialogue, develop characters, and keep your audience engaged. This is great if you have an idea for a story for a TV show or movie — you could even team up with a film production major to produce it later. 7. Creative Writing To learn a more diverse set of writing skills, take a creative writing elective. This can be valuable if you like to write stories or poetry in your free time, or if you want to pursue a career where written communication is important. In fact, just about anyone can benefit from creative writing because of the emphasis on giving and receiving constructive criticism. If you can handle the feedback without becoming stressed, you should find this elective easy due to the freedom you receive to do almost whatev er you want in your assignments. 8. Sign Language It’s much easier to learn sign language than you may think. After completing this elective, you’ll be able to hold a basic conversation in sign. As a result, you may find you’re able to make new friends and develop connections with people you would never have spoken to before. 9. Painting There’s no need to be artistically inclined to do well at a painting elective. When you learn proper technique , everything becomes much easier. Plus, an introductory painting class is a great way to relax, especially if most of your classes are heavy going. Another way to gain more from the university experience is to find great housing. Since you’re unlikely to find this on campus, many students search for rooms for rent. Waterloo has King Street Towers, which provides you with a spacious suite, plenty of places to hang out with other students, and an onsite grocery market. Book a tour to see how you could enrich your time at university.

What to Consider When Planning Next Semester’s Schedule

The freedom you receive at university is certainly a positive thing, but it also comes with a certain amount of responsibility, such as figuring out your own schedule. Although you know you’ll need to sign up for the classes required for your major, you still need to decide what order to take them in and choose your electives. To create a schedule that works for you, there are a few things to consider. 1. How to Fulfill Graduation Requirements It’s useful to make a note of what classes you’ll need to take to graduate. The last thing you want is to graduate late because of poor scheduling. For instance, you could need to stick around for an extra semester if you fail to notice that one class is a requirement for another. Alternatively, poor scheduling may mean you’re able to graduate on time but you need to take an introductory class right near the end, which could be boring. 2. What Your School Recommends Your school may recommend that you take classes in a particular order, as the knowledge you gain in one class could be beneficial for another. If you’re struggling to create a schedule on your own, ask your academic advisor to help you create a plan for the upcoming semester and an outline for the rest of your time at university. 3. The Best Time of Day to Take Classes When you have a choice, it’s worth thinking about what time of day you prefer to take classes. Many people are most alert in the morning. Plus, finishing early means you have the rest of the day to spend however you want, perhaps at extracurriculars or at a job. Bear in mind, though, that morning classes tend to fill up, meaning you’ll need to enroll early. If you know that you struggle to get moving in the morning, it could be better to choose classes at another time of day. Afternoon classes are often more comfortable, especially if it takes you a few hours to wake up and find your focus. They also mean you can work on assignments and prepare for tests right before class. The downside is that they may clash with your other activities. Your last option is night classes. These are ideal for students who are working full time or have other responsibilities besides school. Of course, taking classes at night is problematic if you know you’ll be exhausted or unable to concentrate. 4. A Balance of Study and Rest Use past experience to determine how many classes you can handle this semester, remembering that classes become more difficult as you progress through university. If you take on too much, your grades and health are likely to suffer. To graduate as soon as possible, you can always take electives that allow you to take a break from academics while still earning you credit. Creative and fitness-based electives are ideal for this. 5. The Feasibility of Back-to-Back Classes You may like to schedule back-to-back classes to prevent breaks in your day. However, you should think about the logistics of doing this. Classes that are physically far away from each other on campus may mean you need to run to avoid being late. Plus, you’ll never be able to stay behind to talk to your professors and classmates, even for a few minutes. You should also consider if you’ll be able to cope mentally with several hours of classes in a row. 6. Dates for Finals Lastly, check dates for finals for each of the classes you want to take. Some students find they do better when their finals are spread out. When you live near campus, figuring out how you’ll arrive to class on time is one less thing to worry about. For Waterloo University off-campus housing, choose King Street Towers. You’ll have a comfortable suite and multiple lounges where you can study between classes or you can head to the games rooms and fitness centres to take a break. Book a tour now to check out all the great amenities.

Spring Cleaning Tips for a Tidy Student Apartment

It makes sense that spring should be when you do the biggest cleaning of the year. Not only will it make you feel better to refresh your apartment after the winter, but you’ve also likely accumulated a large amount of junk by this point in the school year. Plus, you need to switch from a cold-weather wardrobe and bedding to the things you need for warmer weather — and moving your belongings around tends to reveal that your apartment is dirtier than you released. The good news is there’s no need to dedicate more than a day to achieve a tidy student apartment with these steps. 1. Wash All Your Laundry It may take a few loads, but it’s worth washing everything in your laundry basket as well as all your bedding and towels. Your apartment will feel much tidier if nothing is still waiting to be washed. 2. Store Winter Clothing and Bedding If you live close to your family home, you could use a trip one weekend to take back the clothing and bedding you won’t need again until after the summer. Alternatively, use storage containers that fit in the bottom of your closet or under your bed. 3. Declutter Go through all the items lying on your desk, floor, and shelves and empty your drawers. Throw out anything you no longer need and find a permanent place to keep items that are taking up space. Once you’ve cleared all these surfaces and the floor, dust with an all-purpose cleaner and vacuum. You may need to move a few more items as you go along to dust effectively, such as your desk lamp, books, and other possessions that belong on your desk, coffee table, or bookshelves. 4. Throw Out Expired Food Check your kitchen for food that’s no longer edible. It’s worth removing everything from the refrigerator and cabinets to wipe down surfaces before you put all the food that is still good to eat back. 5. Empty the Trash If you had a lot of junk to throw out, you may have accumulated several bags of trash at this point. Take them to the dumpster before continuing with the rest of your cleaning. This will help your apartment to start looking tidy, which can keep you motivated to push through to the end. 6. Clean the Bathroom Use your all-purpose cleaner again to clean the entire bathroom. Spray and wipe down every surface, including mirrors to make them shine. 7. Disinfect Other Areas of Your Apartment Roommates and visitors easily spread microbes by touching things like door handles, light switches, and remotes. Give these a spray to complete your spring cleaning. Keeping your living space clean is much more difficult when you’re sharing a dorm room. For off-campus University of Waterloo housing where you’ll have your own bedroom, there’s King Street Towers. We even offer a roommate matching service to ensure you live with someone who has a similar lifestyle to you. Book a video tour to see why living here will make your time at university even better.

A Guide to Applying for Grad School

Attending grad school could put you at an advantage over other candidates in the job market or even open up new career opportunities. However, making the leap to go to grad school is a big decision. You’ll need to prepare in advance to ensure you find the right program for your career goals — and to increase the odds of being accepted by your top choice. Decide When to Apply Many students apply to grad school right after they finish their undergraduate degree, but others wait until they’ve gained some experience in their industry. Depending on the field you want to enter, a master’s degree or PhD may be a necessity before you can start working. Alternatively, grad programs may require candidates to have experience in their field before they apply. You’ll need to do some research to determine what applies to your situation. Narrow Down Your Options There may be numerous schools that could potentially meet your needs — but you won’t want to apply to all of them. Create a shortlist by considering what exactly you want to study and whether you’re more interested in learning in the classroom or conducting your own research. Also consider whether the prestige of the school will matter when you’re applying for jobs. To come to a final decision about where to apply, request more information about each program and perhaps pay some campuses a visit. Make a Note of Dates Create a calendar of key dates for each program you want to apply to. This may include when you need to pay the application fee, send your personal statement, transcript, and application form, and take any entrance exams. Give yourself plenty of time before important tasks like writing essays. Figure Out Funding You’ll need to find a way to pay for grad school and support yourself while you’re studying. Research possible loans and scholarships and calculate a budget to ensure you have sufficient finances. Craft a Compelling Application Grad schools want to see more than just a high GPA. Use your application to explain why you’re interested in the program and how you’ll use your education after you graduate. The admissions officer will often want you to demonstrate your interest in the subject you want to study, such as through work experience, volunteering, or internships. Finding a position as a research assistant for one of your professors can be helpful for this. If you don’t quite meet the program’s educational requirements, it may be worth seeing if you can take some additional classes. Gain Strong References You’ll also need other people to vouch for you through references. Work on building closer relationships with your professors, become part of a professional organization, or seek a mentor. Apply Early There’s no need to wait for application deadlines to approach before you apply for a program. In fact, since most schools use rolling admissions, applying early will mean someone reviews your application as soon as you’ve submitted it, which increases your odds of securing a spot. Once you’ve been accepted to a grad school program, you’ll need to find somewhere to live. Since you won’t want to live on campus as a graduate student, your best option is to search for rooms for rent. Waterloo students can join a community at King Street Towers. As well as a private bedroom, you’ll have access to amenities like a fitness centre and study spaces. Plus, you can request a unit with an en suite bathroom or private balcony. Apply now to ensure you receive the floor plan you want.

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Your Peers

It’s normal to compare yourself to others to an extent. This gives you a benchmark as to where you should be and how well you should be performing. However, getting too hung up on your peers’ academic achievements, social lives, and other measures of success can be harmful for your mental health. It’s more important to focus on your own goals than to dwell on how you stack up to others. Here are a few ways you can do this. 1. Appreciate What You Do Have Instead of feeling envy for what others have, try to be grateful for what you do have. Take the approach of observing the outside world without judgment and spend time reflecting on what you’re glad is part of your life. 2. Write Down Your Goals for After Graduation You need to remember that some of your peers’ greatest achievements — no matter how impressive — may be completely irrelevant to what you want to do. To keep things in perspective, it’s worth spending time writing down your goals for various time frames after you graduate. Writing down your goals will solidify them and help you think about what steps you need to take to reach them. You could even create a checklist of steps to achieve your biggest goals. When you have something like this to focus on, it’s easier to ignore what others are doing. 3. Create a Vision Board For a constant reminder of the above, make a vision board for your bedroom wall. Every day when you return home, you can look at your vision board to banish all your doubts. Creating vision boards can be a great activity to do with friends. It gives you the chance to share your ambitions with one another and see how each of you has a different path in mind, even those who are taking the same major. 4. Receive Guidance or Support If you’re ever feeling down because you can’t help but compare yourself to others, reach out for guidance from the staff at your university. For instance, your academic advisor can help you create an action plan to achieve your goals or even work with you to figure out what you may like to do after graduation if you’re still unsure. Comparing yourself to others could even negatively impact your mental health. If you’re struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, or a lack of self-confidence, it’s worth seeking support from a counsellor. Your university may offer free or discounted services for students with a professional to help you deal with negative emotions. You’ll find it easier to focus on your own life and stop comparing yourself to others if you’re able to spend more time alone. This is impossible if you’re in student residence, but you can have your own room if you live off campus. For Waterloo University off-campus housing, move into King Street Towers. It will be your friends who envy you when they see your spacious suite and all the great modern amenities on site. Book a tour to see how you could enhance your university experience.