Rental Tips for Students

Many students are concerned about living off campus simply because of potential problems. After all, you’ll need to take extra steps to stay safe and avoid disputes with your landlord. However, these are minor challenges to overcome, especially when you consider all the advantages of living in student rentals in Waterloo. In fact, with the right planning, there is no reason you should experience any issues at all.

1. Avoid Becoming a Target for a Break-In

Take measures to prevent your home from becoming appealing to thieves. When you go out, draw the curtains of any windows with a street view or at least keep valuables out of sight. Always confirm that windows and doors are securely fastened — including when you are in the house.

2. Stay Alert

Be on the lookout for anyone in your neighbourhood acting suspiciously. Take extra care when arriving home late in the evening.

3. Never Hide Keys

Leaving a key under the doormat or elsewhere in the entranceway is all but inviting thieves into your home. If you worry about getting locked out, give a spare key to a trusted neighbour.

4. Prevent Fires

Check your smoke alarm on a regular basis. Avoid accidents by never leaving the oven or dryer on when you leave home, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Unplug items like hair straighteners as soon as you’ve finished with them.

5. Report Maintenance Needs

Confirm what your responsibilities are and what are the responsibilities of your landlord by reading your lease. For instance, you may be required to shovel snow and keep the yard in good condition. However, your landlord should carry out repairs to appliances and fixtures. If you need any maintenance, inform your landlord as soon as possible.

6. Take Out the Garbage

It is crucial that you take out the trash regularly. Letting it build up will attract pests ranging from flies to rats, which could cause damage to your unit.

7. Be Respectful

If you are renting a room in your landlord’s apartment, go a step further. Keep common areas clean, avoid making too much noise, and obey the rules of the house.

You can eliminate the headaches that come with renting off-campus University of Waterloo housing by staying in a student rental like King Street Towers. Staff are on call 24 hours a day to resolve any problem you may face, only people who live in the building are allowed to enter unattended, and you have no need to worry about repairs — simply submit a maintenance request for whatever you need.

Tips for Keeping Your Student Housing Clean

When you lived at home with your parents, you most likely did at least some light cleaning. Still, nothing can prepare you for maintaining an entire apartment. The situation only becomes more complicated if you live with roommates, as you’ll need to ensure that everyone contributes their fair share. By having a plan in place (that you all agree to stick to), you can ensure that your home stays organized and clean.

1. Clean Up in the Moment

Mess always starts with one neglected chore. If you notice that something needs cleaning, do it as soon as possible. Of course, there will be times that a chore has to wait, such as when you’re rushing to class or you arrive home late and are too exhausted to do anything. However, these occasions need to be the exception.

Put things away when you’re done with them, wash dishes right away when you’ve finished eating (you can even wash some as you cook to make clearing up your meal easier), and just strive to be tidy in general. Not only will this speed up how much time it takes to clean, it could even help you avoid problems like pest infestations, stains, and other damage — repairs for which will come out of your security deposit.

2. Replace Cleaning Supplies Immediately

You won’t be able to clean if you run out of supplies. If you notice that a cleaning product is running low, add it to your shopping list. Then, once you have everything you need, store supplies in logical places. The last thing you want is to become frustrated when you are unable to find the cleaning equipment you need.

3. Designate Different Areas for Different Activities

Spreading activities around your apartment is a great way to create mess. Prevent such disorganization by always eating at the kitchen table, studying at your desk, and relaxing on your couch. In particular, avoid using your bed for multiple purposes. Otherwise, you’ll likely find random items strewn on the floor around your bed.

Student apartments in Waterloo are a challenge to keep clean, as they have many common areas and it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for what. For this reason, a better option may be a room for rent in Waterloo. Off-campus housing like King Street Towers is especially ideal, as you are only responsible for keeping your area of the suite clean and there is no need to worry about maintenance.

How to Be a Successful Student

With your newfound freedom, a heavy workload, and plenty to distract you, it can be difficult to be a successful student at college or university. It is important that you have a game plan if you are going to ace your exams and graduate on time.

1. Organize Your Time

Dedicate certain times of the day to schoolwork. During these periods, turn off your phone notifications and don’t allow yourself to do anything unrelated to your studies.

2. Focus on One Thing

Pick a single activity and give it your undivided attention. You may believe that you can multitask, but if you try to do more than one thing at once, the quality of your work will suffer.

3. Set Realistic Goals

As a rule, projects take longer than you would expect. Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need to complete the work. In addition, plan to work for reasonable amounts of time. Spending too long studying will only make you exhausted, and you’ll be unable to absorb all the information.

4. Take Breaks

Include breaks in your schedule. It’s best if you can use your breaks to be productive. For instance, regular exercise will make it easier to concentrate.

5. Get Enough Sleep

Another way to give your brain a break is to sleep enough at night. Figure out how many hours you need and make sure you never sleep less than that.

6. Create a Study Space

Assign a space just for studying. This needs to be away from the view of the TV and other things that may distract you. It should also feature a comfortable seat. Use the space just for your schoolwork — this will help put you in the right mindset.

7. Study with Others

Studying with others will keep you motivated. It also gives you the opportunity to discuss any material you are struggling with and to explain concepts to others — if you are able to explain something, you definitely understand it.

It is impossible to be a successful student if you lack a quality Waterloo student living space. You’ll be able to focus much better on your studies if you move off campus and seek out Waterloo student housing rentals. Your best option is a place like King Street Towers. Designed just for students, the rooms are furnished suites with comfortable beds. On site, you’ll find lounges for group study, a fitness centre, and a recreational centre where you can relax with friends.

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.