Reasons You May Want to Consider Getting a Part-Time Job in University

Many people work while at university. Still, it’s no easy choice to make. The time you spend working is time you could be studying. At the same time, though, working does have a number of benefits. Before you decide to start a job search, consider the top reasons to seek employment while still at university to figure out if it’s the right decision for you.

1. Have Greater Financial Freedom

The main reason for working is, of course, to earn money. If you are struggling to stay within your budget, you are worried about paying off your student debt, or you just want to be able to do more, a part-time job could be ideal. You’ll owe less when you graduate and you’ll be able to afford extras now, like eating out or going to events.

2. Experience the World of Work

If you’ve never had a job before, it can be difficult to know what you excel at and where your passions lie. Trying out a job related to your field of study will show you if you’re on the right path. You may even realize that you want to pursue a different career.

3. Develop Contacts

In the case you’re lucky enough to find a job you like and you decide to continue working in the same industry after graduation, your part-time job will provide you with your first contacts. Even if you take a completely different route, the likelihood is that you’ll meet plenty of new people during the time you’re working. The more you can expand your network, the more chances you have at connecting with someone influential.

4. Graduate with Experience on Your Resume

Graduates with no experience often struggle to find work straight out of university. A part-time job while studying gives you something to put on your resume and shows employers that you possess the key skills needed in the world of work. You will also be able to provide references from employers, rather than just professors.

You may decide that working part-time would be too much on top of studying (especially if you want to have time to socialize). If your main motivation is to save money, an alternative option is to move from University of Waterloo housing to an off-campus apartment. Student rentals in Waterloo tend to be far less expensive than on-campus rooms and they’re much more comfortable.

Exam Study Tips for University Students

There’s only one thing worse than taking exams: studying for them! Luckily, it is possible to remove some of the pain of studying — all you need to do is learn study tips that work.

1. Create a Study Routine

Create a study plan not just for a single day but for every day leading up to exams. Stick to a routine where you study at the same time of day and same day of the week. This will enable you to create a schedule that fits with your classes and other activities while keeping you motivated.

When drawing up your schedule, there are a few things to take into account. First, your schedule needs to include how much time you’ll spend on each subject. It’s a good idea to switch to something easier right after you study something hard. Second, include breaks and rewards in your schedule. Lastly, when you finish studying for the day, decide which topics require more focus and program them for next time.

2. Have a Plan to Prevent Procrastination

During study time, don’t allow yourself to do anything else. This means ignoring alerts on your phone and quashing the temptation to check social media. If you can’t seem to stay focused, aim to study for a shorter period. Over time, you can build up to longer amounts.

3. Find a Place to Study

Surrounded by noise and distractions, it can be difficult to concentrate in your room if you live on campus. A better option is to use the library or another place designated for study. You’ll likely have an easier time if you live in student apartments in Waterloo. Students who live off campus can choose between studying at home or heading to the university library. Either way, you should find a quiet environment.

4. Keep Your Mind and Body Healthy

It is extra difficult to study when you’re in poor health. Figure out how much sleep you need and make sure you get enough. It is not worth staying up late to study, especially right before exams — you’ll be too tired to focus properly. You can also keep your mind fresh by taking care of your body. This means exercising and eating well.

Prepare for the exam season ahead of time by seeking a room for rent in Waterloo. Students can find premium housing at King Street Towers. Here, you can study for exams in your suite or in one of the group study lounges — whatever you find more comfortable.

Tips for Living Off Campus

For many college and university students, there’s little more exciting than living off campus. It offers freedom, independence and an introduction to adulthood. But in some cases, little is more stressful and confusing than living off campus. Taking on so much responsibility can quickly become overwhelming. Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to help any student survive this experience. Below are a few of these tips and tricks.

Figure Out the Bills

Living in your own apartment (even if you live with roommates) means paying the bills. While paying bills is synonymous with adulthood, it’s also one of the most stressful parts of adulthood. And this stress is only compounded when you don’t know how to pay the bills. Unbeknownst to many, the secret to low-stress bill paying is creating and maintaining a monthly budget. This budget should include your rent, utilities (gas, electricity, cable, etc.), mobile phone bill, groceries, household products, and entertainment (if applicable). Of course, bills become more affordable and budgeting may become easier when you live with roommates. However, you won’t have to worry about the cost of utilities if you move into Waterloo student housing rentals like those offered by King Street Towers, as their rentals are all-inclusive.

Plan to Clean

Not much cleaning or cleaning expertise is required when you live in a single room. Most college and university students go from living in a room at home to living in a room on campus. So, having to clean an entire apartment can be shocking. But, creating a chore list and/or cleaning plan can help reduce some of its shock value. Just remember to buy plenty of cleaning supplies, and invest in a good broom, vacuum, duster and mop. Additionally, buy plenty of laundry supplies, including detergent, fabric softener, bleach, collapsible laundry baskets (for easy handling, transporting and space-saving capabilities), hangers, a garment bag and more. Make sure your room and the main living area is cleaned and organized every day (e.g. make your bed, vacuum, remove clothing from floor, etc.), wash or place the dishes in the dishwasher after every meal (always put them away too) and clean the entire bathroom and do the laundry at least once a week.

Move Close to Campus

Although off-campus Waterloo student living can offer immense freedom and independence, you should remain as close to campus as possible. Proximity to campus can decrease your commute to class, the campus library, etc., help you stay connected to the school and your peers, and help you save money on transportation. If you move to off-campus student housing like King Street Towers, you’ll have these conveniences and more. In fact, their properties are so close to the University of Waterloo that you could walk to class every day.

Common Pitfalls for University and College Students — and How to Avoid Them

Starting college or university can be a difficult adjustment. A major reason for this is that students are prone to making a few common mistakes. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you avoid them, increasing the chances that your college experience is a positive one.

Missing Class

Before university, there were immediate consequences of skipping class. Now, it’s down to you to be disciplined; if you’re not, you may fail. Resist the temptation to stay out late when you have an early class the next day — or even hold off partying entirely until the weekend. If you know that you’ll likely struggle to make it to school early, opt for classes that with later start times, whenever possible.

Falling Behind

Even if you do make it to all your classes (and on time), there is still the possibility that you may fall behind. This is because simply attending class is not enough: you also need to study in your own time. If you find it hard to stay focused when you’re on your own, form a study group. If, after this, you are still finding it difficult to keep up, consider hiring a tutor.

Rushing Into Your Housing Decision

With so many choices to make related to your education, it may seem simpler to just opt for University of Waterloo housing instead of shopping around. Some students are happy living on campus, but many find it more comfortable to rent an apartment, as living in independent housing gives you the chance to choose your roommates, provides you with more space, and makes it easier to study well.

Trying to Do Too Much

There’s no way to avoid the homesickness at the beginning of your first semester — it’s a natural consequence of being away from family and friends. Instead of filling all your time with activities to distract yourself, accept how you feel. Give yourself time to settle in and to relax by yourself. Decide how many classes you can reasonably expect to manage, and limit yourself to no more than one or two clubs or sports teams in your first year.

Most of the above pitfalls involve just simple fixes, the exception being finding the right housing. If you believe that you’ll be happier living off campus, start your search early for student rentals in Waterloo. University students have it easy — they can find a home at King Street Towers.

Best Ways to Save Money As a Student

Becoming a student comes with a lot of freedom. However, if you’re not used to managing your finances, this can be a difficult adjustment. The likelihood is that you’ll only be working part time (if at all), which means you’ll need to be careful to save money. Luckily, with a simple plan in place, you can ensure that you never exceed your budget.

Spend Sensibly

It may be tempting to purchase something that catches your eye or throw a few treats in the shopping cart when out grocery shopping. Always think twice before you buy anything — this includes eating out when you planned to cook. For big purchases, wait a while before buying or at least shop around to see if you can find a better price.

Monitor Your Buying Habits

It’s impossible to know that you’re staying within your budget if you fail to keep track of purchases. Write down everything you pay to see where your money is going. Then, you can decide how much you can afford to designate to each activity. In addition, make sure that you frequently check how much you have in the bank, just to confirm that you’re not overspending.

Travel Cheaper

Whenever you can, walk or bike. It’s cheaper and it gives you exercise. If you’ll need to travel farther, see if public transport is an option. You may be able to avoid bringing a car to college entirely.

Buy Second-Hand Books

There’s no need to buy all your books new — a better option is to purchase them from former students. If you keep the books in good condition, you can even sell them once you graduate and regain what you spent.

Avoid Late Payment Charges

When any bills arrive, pay them immediately, or at least as soon as possible. This will prevent you from needing to pay late charges, which often adds a large amount to the total.

Live Off Campus

You may be able to find significant cost savings by searching for apartments near University of Waterloo. Typically, you can pay less living off campus, even when you add in the cost of utilities.

A great option for high-quality yet affordable Waterloo student living is King Street Towers. It’s almost as close to University of Waterloo as living on campus, but costs a fraction of the price. Best of all, the apartments are all inclusive, meaning you won’t need to worry about budgeting for bills nor paying for a gym membership.

Should You Live with a Roommate in University?

The fact is: some people prefer living alone whereas others prefer to live with a roommate. When you’re heading off to university, you need to decide which category you fall into. This will help you determine whether you’d be more comfortable living on campus or in off-campus student housing. It can be difficult to know if you’ve never lived with a roommate before, but thinking about your personality and habits can help you figure it out.

Will You Be Lonely?

Some people feel lonely living alone. Even when your roommate is only an acquaintance, having someone around to talk to at the end of the day can help you avoid feeling homesick.

Do You Value Your Privacy?

On the other hand, if you enjoy spending long periods of time alone, you may struggle to adapt to living with someone else, particularly in such close quarters.

Are You a Neat Freak or Very Messy?

People of either extreme tend to find it difficult to live with someone else if their habits don’t match their roommate’s lifestyle. Consider if you’d be willing to make an effort to change or be more adaptable.

Do You Know Someone You Want to Share With?

If it’s your first year of university, the likelihood is that you know no one yet, meaning that if you choose to live on campus, you’ll be assigned someone at random. There is the chance that you’ll end up being the best of friends with your roommate, but there is also the risk that you’ll find your roommate difficult to live with. For instance, this may be the case if one of you likes to stay up late to socialize whereas the other wants the room to be quiet for studying and likes to go to bed early.

If, however, you already have friends at the university, you may be able to pick someone to share with. Choose carefully, though — not all friends make great roommates, especially if you have distinct lifestyles.

It is possible to have the best of both worlds: you can have your own space and still be around other people with a suite in student housing. The Waterloo rental apartments at King Street Towers provide you with a space to share with just a few other students. Better still, if you don’t know anyone yet, you’ll be matched with people who have similar interests. Plus, you can have your own room or share a bedroom — whatever you prefer.

Finding an Apartment That’s the Right Fit

Looking for the right student apartment could be very challenging, especially when one decides to study outside their hometown and move to an unfamiliar city. Planning is essential in order to find an apartment that fits one’s lifestyle, as well as using effective means to finding student housing options. One way to do so is by turning to student focused property management companies which can provide a short list of housing rentals that would fit one’s needs and preferences.

When choosing among student housing options, there are a few things to consider to ensure that you are making the best decision:

Convenient Location

One of the most important considerations when looking for off campus residences is location. Living near the university grounds makes things much easier for college students, eliminating the need to commute back and forth to school every day. It is also ideal to choose off campus communities, such as Waterloo student housing rentals, that are located near other establishments, like grocery and retail stores, so you spend time going to these places and use your time doing more important things.

Student Friendly Area

When looking for rooms for rent in Waterloo University, students are better off choosing rentals that are within student housing areas, so you are able to collaborate on projects and hang out with your peers more easily. This also ensures that you avoid any issues with non-university neighbors, who might complain of noise from time to time. Being in a student friendly community provides the support you need, and it allows you to be yourself and feel comfortable as you go about your everyday life as a university student.

Safe Neighbourhood

Safety should also be one of your priorities. When moving to an off campus student housing, you need to make sure that you are living in a safe community. Do your own research and inspect the neighborhood before deciding to enter into a lease contract. Aside from choosing a neighborhood with low crime rates, you also want to choose a housing rental that offers security, such as 24/7 on call staff, individual locks, and CCTV cameras.

The Right Atmosphere

Not all students are alike, and so are student housing communities. While some may prefer to live in a more casual setting, where the residents are free to have their friends over, some students may want to stay somewhere quiet. Take a tour of your off campus student housing options and get a feel of the place. Check if there are separate facilities for binding with peers and for study, and choose the one where you know you would feel comfortable.

Looking for a student apartment can be an ordeal, but it’s one that you definitely need to plan for so you can find the right place for you, so take note of these helpful tips. Always remember that aside from having a place to stay after your classes, this is going to be your home away from home, so you need to make sure that the decision you make is the best one. 

Reasons Students Choose to Move into Residence or Off-Campus Apartments

Many students choose to live in residence during their first year of university to meet new people and make friends. Others, however, prefer to find a room or local apartment to save money and maintain privacy. As both options have their share of benefits, you’ll need to decide what is most important to you.

Moving into Residence

If you live in a University of Waterloo residence, you’ll immediately meet plenty of people. It will be easy to make friends, as you’ll be around people of a similar age who are in the same situation as you. This can help reduce any feeling of homesickness.

Another major benefit is convenience. You’ll be back home straight after class and you can sleep in the morning almost right up until you need to go to class. Plus, everything you need will be in one place, including study resources, food, and activities to take part in.

Finally, you’ll have almost as much freedom as living off campus. You’ll still have your own space and, for the most part, you can do whatever you want. There will be some rules, but no curfews or anything too strict.

Choosing an Off-Campus Apartment

The main advantage of an off-campus apartment is improved privacy and a lack of distractions. This gives you the chance to socialize only when you want to. The rest of the time, you can enjoy peace and quiet. You’ll also avoid sharing a bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen with too many people. It will be much more comfortable having your own — and far less frustrating.

Another advantage is that you’ll likely spend less. Off-campus apartments tend to be cheaper, but you’ll also see monetary savings by buying groceries and preparing your own food. Plus, you’ll eat better meals and start learning how to take care of yourself.

Lastly, there are fewer rules with an apartment than on campus. For instance, there’s no need to be silent when exams are taking place and there are no restrictions as to who can stay over.

If you want all the above — to meet new people, save money, maintain a sense of privacy, and easily reach school — your best option is student apartments for rent near University of Waterloo. Student housing at King Street Towers, for instance, gives you the opportunity to meet other students in places like the onsite fitness center, recreation center, and group study lounges. At the same time, you can be on your own and focus on your studies whenever you want.

A Quick Guide to Moving to University

Starting university can be stressful, frightening and confusing. In fact, much of the stress and confusion begins with the moving process. Most freshman don’t know what to pack, how much to pack, what to expect, what to do or where to go. However, there are some basic tips that can help every freshman successfully move to university. For example, you could use social media to connect with your roommates before the school year begins. You could also inquire about what furniture, household or other items the university provides, such as a toaster, a microwave or storage items. But the most important steps to take are the simplest ones, including packing, organizing and moving in.

Packing for University

Packing is one of the most laborious steps in the moving process – one that many young students don’t know how to or want to do. Plus, packing for university can be a bit of a science. You must pack the essentials, but bringing too much can be overwhelming, counterproductive and lead to major storage issues. Before packing, consider the storage provided by your university, as well as any items they might provide. Additionally, make sure your packing process is as organized as possible. First, declutter, then organize your belongings into “keep,” “throw away” and “donate” categories. Next, throw away and/or donate all unwanted items. Finally, pack the things you’ll be taking with you. Remember to use a “to-do list,” scratch off items as you complete them and label your boxes accordingly. For the sake of space, only take the essentials, including:

•                    A manageable amount of clothing and shoes

•                    Books

•                    A laptop and/or tablet

•                    School supplies (if applicable)

•                    Bed linens and accessories

•                    Hygiene products, e.g. soaps, shampoos and conditioners, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes and haircare and skincare products

•                    Towels

•                    Basic kitchen utensils and dishes

Organise Your Move

Organisation is the key to making your move as smooth as possible. First, organize the packing process, taking care not to overstuff the boxes and storing your boxes in an easily accessible area. Next, arrange to have your things moved in a small truck or sizeable vehicle. Most likely, a small vehicle won’t be sufficient for moving all your boxes. Finally, schedule your move for at least a week before classes begin. Therefore, you’ll have plenty of time to unpack, organize your belongings, meet your roommates and/or dormmates, get settled and decompress before the first semester. This is especially important if you’re moving into Waterloo off campus housing, which may require you to arrange furniture, decorate and more.

Introduce Yourself

Whether you’re moving into a residence hall or one of the rooms for rent Waterloo has to offer, you’ll need to be introduced and become familiar with your new surroundings. Introduce yourself to your new roommate(s) soon after you arrive. Then, take a tour of and get a feel for your new living space. After the tour, unpack and arrange your space to fit your comfort level and style. You should also take this time to set and discuss rules with your roommate(s). If you’re moving into a residence hall, be sure to meet the resident advisor (RA), take a tour of the housing facility, get briefed on the rules and regulations of the dorm and much more.

How to Make a Smooth Transition from High School to a Postsecondary School

Graduating from high school and moving on to postsecondary education is exciting, but it can also be daunting. Many people find it difficult to make the transition due to the numerous changes: the new environment, new people, a new place to live. To ensure that you settle in as quickly as possible, taking advantage of your greater independence while keeping your grades up, you need to have a strategy in place.

1. Maintain Your Good Habits

At high school, there were immediate consequences if you failed to turn up for class or if you missed an assignment. At postsecondary school, it’s all up to you to be organized. You may feel tempted to skip the occasional class, but this puts you at risk of falling behind. There’s also the chance that it will turn into a habit. Either way, you’ll likely struggle to keep up and feel stressed.

2. Have a Social Life

It is equally important that school is not just about studying. You need to make friends and enjoy life to the full if you are going to take advantage of the postsecondary experience. This will also help to keep stress at bay. Find students in your classes that share the same interests as you and who would make good study partners. Also remember to stay in touch with friends who went to other schools — this will help you maintain your sense of self as your life changes.

3. Find Comfortable Student Housing

Look for apartments for rent near Wilfrid Laurier University. Being close to school will help you reach your classes on time. Find a place where you know you’ll be comfortable and make the space your own. This is a great way to start enjoying your independence and avoid homesickness.

4. Talk to Your Advisor

Whenever you have any doubts, head to your student advisor. You can discuss your courses, but also talk about the resources available at your school, especially possible clubs, events, and volunteer work you can join. Participating in activities at school is a great way to meet people, pursue your interests, and improve your career prospects after graduation.

Probably the most important point on this list is finding student housing that makes you feel at home. Check out Waterloo student housing rentals to find the perfect place to live. If you find an apartment where you feel comfortable, you’ll be more likely to succeed with your education.

Tips for a Positive Student Housing Experience

For college students, their choice of housing could affect their student experience. This makes housing a major component of student life. Where and how you live could impact how you perform academically and socially. So, you must be decisive, which will help you gain the most positive student housing experience possible. Plus, there are some tips that can help make your student housing experience a successful one.

Take a Tour of Your Prospective Neighbourhoods

When apartment hunting, it’s tantamount to take a tour of your prospective homes and their surrounding neighbourhoods. This is especially important for student renters. As a student, there are certain amenities you’ll need and want to have access to. For example, local transit, libraries, supermarkets, restaurants and/or bars, laundry facilities, and parks and outside recreational facilities. Access to these types of amenities will make your student life easier and more convenient.

The only way to become familiar with your potential new surroundings is to tour the neighbourhood. Touring the neighbourhood can also help you assess its quality and walkability, while serving as an assurance of safety. Remember a safe neighbourhood and housing facility should be one of your top priorities as a student renter.

Consider the Location

The location of your apartment could affect your academic performance and attendance. The closer you are to the school the better. Unfortunately, student housing near university campuses is often the most expensive and subject to the most competition. Although living close to the school is ideal, it may be impossible for most students. Obviously, the further away you move from the school, the cheaper the housing. This means you could find a great apartment in a great neighbourhood for a fraction of the cost of living in proximity to your campus. Waterloo student living extends way beyond its college campuses. However, a long commute can be exhausting and affect you academically. The solution is to find housing that provides an average commute and reasonable rental rate.

Research the Property Before Moving In

Researching the property before moving in can help ensure you’ll have the most positive housing experience possible. Search for reviews on the property and/or property manager online and (if possible) ask the current tenants some questions about living in the apartment building. Hopefully, they’ll provide information on the quality of the property manager, the building, problem areas or neighbors, maintenance standards and procedures, and so much more. Learning about your prospective accommodations could help you choose the best housing and ensure a good renting experience.

Negotiate

There’s little better than renting a great apartment at a great price. Even the best student housing Waterloo has to offer can be found at a great rate. Places like King Street Towers offer students great off-campus housing at affordable prices. Book a tour to learn more

Tips for Finding Off-Campus Housing

Off-campus housing can be flexible, but that depends on where you live. Not every housing option allows students to move in roommates when they want, do what they want (within reason) or break the lease. So, you’ll need to find a place and a landlord that are as flexible as possible. But, since this is easier said than done, below are a few tips that can help you find “student-friendly” housing.

Weigh Your Options

Some college students turn to off-campus housing because on-campus accommodations just aren’t available. Because of this, you should consider your options before every semester begins. Just keep in mind that a shortage of on-campus housing can put pressure on the off-campus market. This means higher demand for student apartments for rent, resulting in higher rental rates. Whether you’re planning to live on or off campus, explore your options and put in the applications in as early as possible. However, if you can’t secure an awesome off-campus apartment or a University of Waterloo residence, consider subletting or perusing the roommate ads.

Sublet or Find a Roommate

Subletting can help you save time and money. You won’t have to pay a large deposit or sign a lease. But if you’re going to sublet, look for a place before the school year begins. Remember that real estate is “hotter” during the summer; even the subletting market. To find a place, you can check out any third-party listing website. Many of them have listings for sublets and roommates. Additionally, search for a roommate(s) as early as possible – at least two months before the fall semester begins. With a roommate(s), you can share bills, rental costs and other expenses. Just make sure the person or people you live with complement your lifestyle and personality.

Search for Student-Friendly Housing or Landlords

Most landlords don’t like high turnover rates, meaning they don’t like getting new tenants often. However, for many students, they’re academic, work or living situation can change at any time. If this is your case, then you’ll need a landlord that’s flexible or “student-friendly.” Consider housing at a residence like King Street Towers, which is designed to accommodate students, their budgets and their ever-changing lifestyles. Plus, they offer amenities like a gym, yoga studio, study lounges, game rooms, and more. Before signing a lease, be sure it’s flexible, offers a fixed rental rateand allows you to move in roommates, sublet or move out early. As a student, you should never sign a full-year lease unless you’re committed to staying long-term.