Blog Posts

How to Start the New Semester Off Right with Your Roommate

A challenging aspect of starting a semester in new housing is learning to live with new roommates. If you live on campus, the likelihood is you’ll share a room with at least one other person, meaning you’ll have no private space. This can be quite the adjustment. However, with the right strategy, you can prevent serious disagreements and other problems. 1. Reach Out to Your Roommate in Advance Some colleges tell students who they’ll be sharing with ahead of time. If you only have a name, you’ll need to search on social media. If you’re lucky, though, your school will provide you with your roommates’ email addresses. Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know them. This will make things much more comfortable when move-in day comes around. Don’t feel intimidated about reaching out to your roommates. In fact, if they don’t reach out first, it’s most likely because they feel just as anxious as you. Start with some small talk, such as asking about where your roommates live at the moment or what they think of the university. Try to keep the conversation going by finding out if you have any interests in common. It’s best of all if you move away from text messages and have a brief video chat instead. Alternatively, if you live near each other, see if you can arrange to meet up. 2. Set Some Ground Rules Your roommates will immediately dislike you if you start reeling off a list of rules you expect them to follow. Nonetheless, it’s essential that you communicate any basic expectations you have. For instance, you may need to set standards for cleanliness, decide how you’ll divide the space, and agree to when each of you can have guests over. It may happen that one roommate bothers the others without realizing it — for example, by keeping the light on too late at night, listening to music without headphones, or even hitting the snooze button repeatedly in the morning. Instead of silently stewing and growing resentful, it’s important to address such issues politely when they crop up. 3. Spend Time Together Doing activities together as roommates will help you develop a bond. This is important because you can’t just expect to bond naturally — it’s possible to live with someone an entire semester or more and still feel like strangers. In those first few days, you may like to decorate your room, tour the campus and its surroundings, or attend events together to start meeting new people. 4. Don’t Expect to Be Best Friends It’s rare for randomly-assigned roommates to become best friends. In fact, it’s great if you can become more than just mere acquaintances. Make sure you still put in the effort to meet plenty of other people, such as at clubs and organizations where you can find friends who share your passions. One way to avoid roommate problems is by renting an apartment for college students instead of living on campus. Although you will still share some living spaces, you’ll at least have your own private bedroom. At Foundry First, you’ll receive a suite that you’ll share with just three or four other people. Plus, we’ll match you with roommates who have similar interests and lifestyles to reduce any risk of conflict. Schedule a tour to check out our student housing for yourself.

6 Themes to Consider for Your Next College Party

Everyone loves a themed party — and you’ll probably be invited to numerous during your time at college. At some point, you may also like to throw your own party. Make it one to remember by choosing from some of the top themes. 1. Decade Party Go back in time with a decade party. As well as picking a decade, you can set a specific theme to make your party unique from any other you’ve attended. For instance, an 80s party could have a neon-clothing or Ghostbusters theme. Whatever you choose, you’ll need to play tunes from the era all night. In the past, decades parties were mostly 60s, 70s, and 80s, but now the 90s and early 2000s happened long enough ago to also be possibilities. Alternatively, you could also go further back in time — roaring 20s parties are particularly popular at the moment . 2. Graffiti Party In a graffiti party, everyone comes wearing a white T-shirt and marker. You write messages and draw doodles on each other’s T-shirts throughout the course of the night. It’s even better to use highlights and black lights, as you won’t be able to see what’s on your T-shirt unless you’re under a black light. It can be particularly fun to have a graffiti party right before graduation, as it will mean everyone ends up with a memento from their time at college. 3. Disco Party If you want to make the focus of the night dancing, opt for a disco party. There’s no need to feel limited to just disco music, though — anything with a danceable rhythm is fine. 4. Toga Party A classic at college is the toga party. If no one has thrown one already, it would be great to do it yourself. Unlike with many other types of costumes, it’s easy to throw together a toga — you only need a plain white sheet and sandals. To complete the evening, make sure to plan some party games that have a Greek or Roman twist. 5. Anything But Clothes Another option for inexpensive costumes is an ABC party: anything but clothes. Get creative by putting together an outfit made from trash bags, cardboard boxes, towels, lampshades, or anything else you can think of. 6. Pajama Party For a more intimate party with just your closest friends, consider a pajama party. You can watch movies, eat snacks, and gossip — all in your pajamas. At the end of the night, everyone crashes at your place, and then you make breakfast together in the morning when you wake up. It’s sure to bring back some high school memories. To throw any kind of party, you’ll need to be living in an apartment that has enough space to host guests. Foundry First is offering student accommodation in London, Ontario. You’ll be living steps from Fanshawe College in a student community where you’ll have a spacious suite to entertain your college friends. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet plenty of new people in places like the lounge and theatre. Schedule a tour to see what makes our housing facilities unique.

9 of the Hardest Majors If You’re Looking for a Challenge

If you’ve always found school quite easy, you may like to give yourself a challenge at university. Picking a difficult major can pay off, since you’ll show potential employers that you have a great work ethic — plus, these majors often have excellent career prospects. Nine majors in particular stand out as being the most difficult of all. 1. Architecture On average, architecture majors are the students who spend the most time preparing for classes. The reason architecture is such a challenging major is that you need to learn both design techniques and architectural history. To create designs that are feasible , you’ll also need to understand physics and calculus as well as design theory and processes. The history side of your degree will cover everything from buildings and urban centres to art history as a whole . 2. Aerospace Engineering Two majors fall under aerospace engineering: aeronautical engineering (which is about aircraft ) and astronautical engineering (which covers spacecraft). It’s hard to say if either one is more challenging than the other. In addition to covering aircraft or spacecraft structure, you’ll study aerodynamics, propulsion, and gas dynamics. 3. Cell and Molecular Biology Although it’s called biology, when you go down to the cellular and molecular level, the discipline is more biochemistry than pure biology. To understand cell and molecular biology in practice, you’ll likely also take classes in ecology, marine biology, and immunology. 4. Neuroscience Another major that appears to be biology but is actually more interdisciplinary is neuroscience. You’ll cover all aspects of the nervous system, which means you’ll need to take classes in chemistry, psychology, and physics as well as anatomy and physiology. 5. Bioengineering Combine your interests for engineering and biology into a single major by studying bioengineering. You’ll learn how to create products for all kinds of biological applications. One type of bioengineering major is biomedical engineering, in which you specifically consider how to develop devices for health care and medicine. 6. Physics Since physics covers the very large down to the very small , it has a huge range of applications in the real world, making it a useful major to choose. It may take you time to fully grasp the concepts of thermodynamics, magnetism, gravity, and waves, which is why this major is such a challenge. 7. Biophysics You can also combine physics with biology in biophysics. This is a great major to take if you have an interest in learning about the role of physics in all kinds of organisms. You may be able to specialize in an area like cell biology, neurobiology, physiology, or evolution. 8. Astronomy A major that sounds instantly appealing to many students is astronomy — but don’t expect this to be anything close to an easy ride . You’ll take many of the same classes as physics students, in addition to calculus, computer science, and cosmology. Expect to learn about different types of celestial objects and other phenomena that’s out of this world. It will all help you gain a better understanding of the universe. 9. Chemistry Your university may offer various majors in chemistry — all of which are among the most challenging choices. General chemistry looks at how matter functions and behaves, including how different types react with each other and the energy involved in these reactions. You will take specialist classes along with your general chemistry courses if you decide to major in something like chemical engineering or biochemistry. To succeed with one of these challenging majors, you’ll need a place to study where you’re able to focus — and you won’t find that living on campus. At Foundry First, we’re offering student accommodation with a modern twist. Like living on campus, you’ll be surrounded by other students. However, you’ll have your own private room in a furnished suite as well as use of our onsite parking, theatre, gym, and much more. Check out the floor plans to apply for the one you want.

Which Laptop Is Best for You?

A crucial piece of equipment for all college students is a laptop. However, choosing the right one can feel like an overwhelming task — there’s a huge range on the market, all with different features and price points. To make sure you pick the right one for you, here are a few factors to bear in mind. 1. RAM A modern laptop will have at least 4 GB of RAM, which is enough for most basic tasks. However, if you know you’ll be running multiple programs at the same time or using software that requires a higher amount of memory, it will be more comfortable to have 8 GB of RAM. In fact, if you can afford it, purchasing a laptop with 8 GB of RAM is the better move, as it will mean there’s less risk you’ll need to upgrade in the near future. 2. Processor The processor is a key component of the laptop. Most students find they can manage fine with a mid-level processor like an Intel Core i5 or even an entry-level processor like an i3. However, if you’ll need a greater amount of power (such as for tasks like graphic design), you may want a high-level processor like an Intel Core i7 or i9 or an M1 or M2 processor (these come in the latest MacBooks). 3. Battery Life A typical laptop will have a battery life of 10 to 14 hours. You may decide you can manage with a battery life of just 8 to 10 hours if you’ll usually plug in your laptop while using it and you’ll only be using your laptop unplugged for short periods of time. It is possible to find laptops that offer 12 to 17 hours of battery life, but this often means a tradeoff in processing power. 4. Size You need your laptop to be lightweight enough to carry between classes, the library, and labs and from campus back home to your apartment. However, you also need a large enough screen to work comfortably. For example, computer science majors will want to see plenty of lines without needing to scroll. In addition, some students may want to split the screen when working on two applications at the same time. You’ll need to decide how to strike a balance between screen size and portability in a way that makes s ense for you. 5. Operating System You may have a personal preference for one operating system over another. In addition, there are a couple key things to bear in mind. First, laptops running Windows are available at a wide range of price points whereas MacBooks are all high end . Second, there may be some differences in ease of carrying out specialized operations. For instance, students who need to do video editing may prefer MacOS. Purchasing a new laptop for college can take a large chunk out of your budget. If you need a top-of-the-line laptop, you may need to find ways to save money while at college. An easy way to do this is to find an affordable apartment. Foundry First is offering student accommodation in London, Ontario. We have a range of floor plans available, meaning you can find a unit within your budget. All our suites come fully furnished, and we have a large number of modern amenities to make your time at college extra s pecial. Book a tour to see our housing for yourself.

10 Quick & Easy Gifts for Your Friends’ Graduation

The likelihood is you have several friends graduating at the same time. Although you want to give them all something special to commemorate their big achievement, it can be time consuming to find the right gifts — not to mention expensive. These ideas will keep things simple and affordable. 1. Coffee Mug Add your own design to a coffee mug to create a personalized gift. Top options include a photo from your time together at college or a meaningful message. 2. Bento Box Your friends will want to save money on lunch when they start working. A bento box is the ideal lunchbox for grownups. The different compartments will allow your friends to pack a balanced meal for the middle of the day. 3. Business Card Holder Give friends a box they can use to carry around their business cards at networking events. The box will ensure their cards stay in pristine condition to enhance their professional image. 4. Potted Plant If you have friends who will be moving into new housing straight after college, a plant is a great choice because it doubles up as a housewarming gift. Choose something that’s easy to keep alive to ensure your friends will have their plants for years to come. 5. Planner Graduating college means a new routine, responsibilities, and dates to remember. Help your friends stay organized by gifting them a planner. Choose a design that has plenty of space for notes and goals where they can jot down their aims for life as a graduate. 6. Peel-Off Face Masks Help boost your friends’ confidence for their upcoming job interviews with some peel-off face masks. These are ideal for revitalizing the skin and treating any blemishes, such as acne. 7. Photo Album Print out some of your favourite photos from your time together at college and put them into an album. You may like to leave space in the album for your friends to fill with pictures from the next stage of their life. 8. Candle A scented candle is a simple gift your friends will definitely appreciate . As a bonus, they’ll remember you every time they light it. 9. Bluetooth Speaker If you have any friends who managed to make it through college without their own bluetooth speaker, gift them one for graduation. It will be ideal for listening to music at the end of a long day of work, for playing podcasts while doing chores, and for parties in their new home — which you’ll hopefully be invited to! 10. Gift Card If you want something extra quick and easy, grab some gift cards. These could be for a store you know your friends buy from or a service like a meal delivery service for when they’re feeling too lazy to cook. Another way to save money while at college is to move into a more affordable apartment. Foundry First is offering student accommodation in London, Ontario. In addition to receiving a private bedroom, you’ll have access to great amenities, such as a ping pong table, a bicycle room, vending machines, and even a movie theater. Apply now to secure a floor plan that matches your budget.

Tips for Boosting Your Credit Score As a Student

A high credit score can benefit many aspects of your life. As well as reducing interest rates and improving the chance you’ll receive credit, it can even help you secure an apartment after university. Since you’ll likely become financially independent for the first time at university, this is the perfect time to work toward a higher credit score. 1. Think About What Financial Aid You Need Taking out a student loan and paying it back on time every month will improve your credit score. However, you should only take out as much as you actually need. It’s better still if you can start paying off loans while you’re at university, which could be a possibility if you find a part-time job. 2. Apply for a Credit Card University tends to be a good time to take out your first credit card. The safest option is a secured card, which is connected to a separate account whose balance is the maximum you can charge to the card. After some time of making payments on time (without the credit card company needing to touch the balance in your account), you may be able to progress to an unsecured card. 3. Become an Authorized User of a Credit Card If you don’t feel ready for your own credit card or your only options are ones with high interest rates, a better option could be to become an authorized user on someone else’s card. A parent or another close family member may be willing to do this. You’ll have your own card, but you won’t be liable for making payments. However, since the named user will be on the hook if you fail to pay, you’ll have an added incentive to be responsible. As well as teaching you good habits for when you have your own credit card, you can use this method to build a credit score. To do this, the owner of the credit card will need to report the account activity to a credit bureau. 4. Take Out a Credit Builder Loan If you want to boost your credit score fast, a credit builder loan could go a long way. These loans are aimed at people without a credit history. The loan amount goes into a locked account, giving you access to the funds gradually . You need to make repayments every month for usually between six and 24 months and you’ll receive back the amount you pay minus interest. 5. Request Rent Reporting There’s one final way to boost your credit score that doesn’t involve borrowing any money: reporting your rent payments. You’ll need to ask your landlord to do this for you — and, of course, you’ll need to make sure you always pay on time. Another way to boost your credit score is to avoid accumulating debt. You’ll spend less if you search for a more affordable apartment. Foundry First is offering student accommodation at a budget rate. Our student housing has all the amenities you need to be comfortable, including spacious bedrooms, WiFi , and laundry facilities. Schedule a tour now before all the leases are taken.