Blog Posts

How to Make Sure You’ve Chosen the Right Major

Some students know exactly what they want to major in while they’re still at high school. For others, there are several possibilities to choose between. The right major for you will depend on a large number of factors, including your strengths, your interests, the career you want to pursue, and how much you want to earn after you graduate. Asking the following questions will confirm you’ve chosen the right major. 1. Where Do You Excel Academically? Think about where you’ve gained the best grades during high school and what this says about your abilities. For instance, are you good with numbers, creative, or great at solving logic problems? 2. How Difficult Will the Coursework Be? Find out what other students say about how difficult a particular major is. A good indicator is how many hours per week the average student spends preparing for classes. Typically, the most time-consuming majors include architecture, chemical engineering, and aeronautical engineering, whereas the least time-consuming majors are software engineering, computer science, and astronomy. 3. What Are Your Interests? You’re likely to do better at college if you’re interested in your classes, even if they do occasionally push you out of your comfort zone. If you have some ideas of what you may like to do after you graduate, consider what majors are related to those fields. Alternatively, consider what interests you academically and use that to lead you to possible jobs . 4. What Will Lead to a High-Paying Career? Many students decide to pursue a college education to improve their chances of making a good salary. You may like to research the average earnings of possible careers to compare your options. Even if this isn’t a significant factor for you, it’s useful to know that the field is not overly competitive and that you’ll be able to earn enough to have the lifestyle you want. 5. What Matters Most to You? Whereas all the above are important, it’s likely that one or two of these factors matter most to you. You may need to decide whether you’re willing to work extra hard to follow your interests or if you’d rather choose a major that plays to your strengths to graduate with a high GPA. Plus, you may want a major that paves the way to many job opportunities with good salaries, or you may prefer to pursue your passions. 6. What Does Your Academic Advisor Suggest? Before coming to a final decision, talk with an academic advisor. He or she will have worked with countless students before you and may be able to give you suggestions you hadn’t considered, such as choosing a double major, declaring a minor, or designing your own major. Whatever major you end up choosing, it’s important to maximize your chances of success by making academics your main focus at college. Key to this is having somewhere you’re able to study in peace. Foundry First is offering student accommodation in London, Ontario, with private bedrooms in spacious suites. As well as the desk in your fully-furnished apartment, you’ll be able to use the bright study rooms on site. Apply now for your lease.

University Fashion: 5 Tips for Navigating Thrift Stores

You want to be fashionable at university, but you also need to save money. The solution is to turn to thrift stores. To ensure you find items that match your style, there are a few things you need to do. 1. Know What You’re Looking For Before you head to the store, have some idea of the kinds of clothes you want. Large thrift stores will have many racks of clothes — trying to look through all of them would be endless and exhausting. Decide what items you want to buy in advance to be able to head to the right sections. This will save you time and avoid you purchasing things you don’t need that may push you over your budget. 2. Check Different Stores Every thrift store you visit will have its own style of clothing and price points. The first time you go shopping, you’ll need to check out several stores to figure out which cater to your needs. For instance, some stores may sell only vintage pieces, which may be just as expensive as new clothes. Others may sell second-hand clothes in the latest fashions, which may be exactly what you want. However, if you need to save as much money as possible, you may prefer thrift stores that sell all types of clothing — there are often some great finds to be had in these stores. It’s also worth checking out thrift stores that sell more than just clothing. You’ll have fewer options to choose from, but these stores tend to be the most affordable. You may even stumble across some underpriced items, as the staff may be unaware that the clothing is worth much more. 3. Sell Your Clothes to Thrift Stores Another way to save money is to search for places that will give you store credit for your own clothes. This is great if you have many items you no longer want, such as if you like to refresh your wardrobe often. Bear in mind, though, that the stores may be picky about what clothing they accept and the store credit you receive will be a fraction of the value of your clothes. 4. Examine Items for Damage Before purchasing from thrift stores, always check the clothing thoroughly for rips, holes, and stains. If something seems like a great deal, it may have some hidden damage. Think about whether it’s worth purchasing anyway, such as if you can fix the damage to make it unnoticeable. 5. Enjoy Yourself Thrift shopping is all about having the right attitude. It can be a fun adventure where you search for treasures — but there may be days when you come away with barely anything after hours of searching. As you learn what stores cater to your needs (and the best times to visit them), your shopping trips will become more fruitful. Bringing friends along will also ensure you have a good time , even if you don’t find much. Another area to save money is on student housing. Students looking for rooms to rent in London, Ontario, can live in style at Foundry First. In addition to a fully-furnished suite, you’ll have access to endless amenities, including a commercially-equipped fitness center, bright study rooms, and a state-of-the-art movie theater. Apply now for a lease. SEO title: How Students Looking for Rooms to Rent Can Save Money on Fashion

7 Ways to Give Back as a Student

College may broaden your horizons in ways you never expected. Many students find it gives them the desire to make a difference in the world by giving something back. Volunteering is also a great way to enhance your resume, as it teaches you transferable skills that are useful for many positions and tells potential employers more about your values. Here are several ways you can give back while you’re still at college. 1. Community Murals If you’re artistic, you may like to consider organizing a community mural project in collaboration with other students and local artists. Ideally, the mural will have an underlying message, such as celebrating diversity or inspiring others in your community to take action for an important cause. 2. Cleanups Find somewhere in your area that could benefit from a cleanup, such as a park, a riverbank, or even some streets. Organize a team of people to spend a few hours one day removing the trash. You’ll feel good about what you’ve achieved and make a real difference to the environment that everyone in your community will be able to enjoy. 3. Donation Drives Let other students and your neighbours know that you’ll be collecting items for a donation drive. Choose a particular type of donation, such as clothing, non-perishable food, or school supplies. Once you’ve collected enough, present the items to a local charity, such as one that provides support to low-income families or a food bank. 4. Literacy Support Gain experience teaching and working with children by starting a literacy support initiative. Talk to someone at one of your local schools or libraries to find out if you could schedule a time once a week to support children with their reading and writing. By helping kids do better at school, you’ll have a lasting impact on their lives. 5. Animal Shelters If you want to gain experience working with animals, there’s no better option than volunteering at an animal shelter. As well as hands-on tasks like cleaning enclosures, grooming animals, and walking dogs, you could help the shelter with administrative tasks, such as fundraising and adoption events. 6. Mental Health Awareness Work to end the stigma around mental illness by organizing awareness events. Use what you’ve learned at college or through your own experience to provide support and let people in the community know about the resources available to them. 7. Conservation Projects Push your community to become greener by setting up a conservation project. Possibilities include planting trees, starting a community garden, or setting up workshops on an environmental issue that matters to you. It will be easier to get involved in your community if you live in a central location. You’ll find London, Ontario, apartments for students at Foundry First. In addition to being just 49 steps from Fanshawe College, you’ll be able to reach the rest of London by car or public transit with ease. Plus, you’ll be close to London International Airport — which could be useful if you want to volunteer farther afield over your break. Apply for a lease now.

A Bucket List for Your Last Summer Before College

Going off to college will change your life forever — but luckily you still have one more summer to enjoy. Fill the time with seeing friends, creating memories, and preparing for the transition to the next chapter of your life. To make your summer as fulfilling as possible, make sure to add these ideas to your bucket list. 1. Go Hiking Take advantage of the summer weather by going for a hike. Being outdoors and getting some exercise is great for clearing your mind and helping you cope with any anxiety you have about heading off to college. Invite friends and family to go with you for a memorable day out — and remember to take plenty of photos to display in your student apartment. 2. Organize a Road Trip Ask friends to join you on a road trip to visit places you’ve always wanted to see but never had the chance. You could travel for just a couple days or even a week or two. Search for camping opportunities to avoid the trip becoming too expensive. 3. Cook a Meal with Friends If many of your friends are too busy to travel, a great way to do something together is to share a home-cooked meal. If you each bring a dish to share, you’ll have an abundance of food and will be able to chat late into the evening about your hopes and dreams for the future. 4. Agree to Stay in Touch As you all head off to different schools, make a pact with your closest friends to keep each other up to date with what’s going on in your lives. Set up a group chat or schedule regular calls. 5. Donate Possessions You No Longer Want When packing for college, you may come across many belongings you no longer want, such as clothes you haven’t worn in several years. Instead of leaving these things behind to deal with later, donate them to a secondhand store in your area. 6. Finish a Book from Your Reading List Since you’ll be doing plenty of reading in college, you may as well get into the habit now. Choose a book that’s been on your reading list for a long time, a new summer bestseller, or a memoir of someone who inspires you. 7. Start Journalling Journalling can improve your mental health and is a great way to record everything that happens in your life. If you’d like to keep a journal to document your college experience, you may find it helpful to start now. 8. Eat at Your Favourite Restaurant No matter how great the restaurants near your college are, you’ll definitely miss the food from home. Make sure you go to your favourite restaurant in your hometown at least once before you leave for college. 9. Start Learning to Be Independent Make the adjustment to college life easier by developing skills that will help you live independently. Learn how to cook a wider variety of meals, work on your organizational skills, and make sure you know how to clean your apartment. One final thing to do in the summer before you start college is find student housing. You can find a bachelor apartment near Fanshawe College at Foundry First. You’ll be just steps from campus, with everything you need on site as well as some extras to improve your student experience, including a lounge, state-of-the-art theatre, and ping pong table. Apply now for one of the limited spots available after the summer.

4 Tips for Finding the Perfect Roommate for Next Semester

Anyone who has had a conflict with a roommate in the past will know that choosing who you want to share an apartment with is an art form. Even your closest friends are often not the right choice, especially if you have very different lifestyles. Instead of basing your decision on who you normally like to be around, come up with some criteria and search for roommates who fit the bill. 1. Specify Some Key Qualities Just a couple factors tend to influence how well you’ll be able to live together: cleanliness and noise. Think about how much it matters to you that your home is clean. If you’re not the neatest person, you shouldn’t live with someone who wants the apartment to be extremely tidy — and vice versa. In addition, decide if you want to throw parties and play music at a reasonably high volume or if you’d prefer to keep your apartment quiet to be able to study. 2. Ask Friends and Acquaintances Compare your own habits and lifestyle with those of other people searching for roommates. As well as friends, talk to acquaintances and friends of friends. Remember that there’s no need to become close with your roommates — being able to live together harmoniously is far more important than hanging out. 3. Search Online If you’re unable to find anyone to live with after talking to friends and other people you know, turn to the internet. Look for social media groups for your college and local area. Since you’ll be talking to strangers, it’s extra important to be honest. For instance, mention if you’ll want silence in your apartment after a certain hour to focus on schoolwork or if you’ll often be coming home in the early hours of the morning after a party. Also make sure to discuss your thoughts about inviting guests over, sharing food, and dividing up chores. 4. Post Flyers If your online search yields no good results , revert to old-fashioned print advertising. Create flyers to stick in places around campus asking for roommate applications. Include key information about what you’re looking for to filter out unsuitable candidates. If you feel uncomfortable including contact information like your social media handle or phone number, create an email address purely for the purpose of finding a roommate. Choosing the right roommate can be stressful. Students who have had a bad experience with a roommate in the past often decide to rent on their own instead, but this tends to be much more expensive and could be out of your budget. An ideal alternative to a bachelor apartment near Fanshawe College is a suite at Foundry First. We’ll provide you with a private bedroom in a spacious apartment that you’ll share with three or four other people. To ensure you get along great with all your roommates, we’ll use roomm ate matching based on the personality profile from your application. Apply early to ensure we’re able to pair you with the perfect roommates in time for next semester.

5 Tips for Becoming a Tutor as a Student

Many students need the support of a tutor at some point in their education. If you’re succeeding academically, you could be one of those tutors. The advantages of such a venture include that you’ll be able to choose what kind of support you want to offer students, what you’ll charge, and how many clients you have, which will allow you to fit tutoring around your own studies. Plus, you may find that tutoring helps you develop a better understanding of your own course material. To create a successful business , there are a few things you should do. 1. Search for Opportunities in Your Community Advertise your tutoring services in local networks, such as among students who are about to take a class you’ve already aced and with high school students in your area. Also, tell teachers and lecturers that you’ll be offering tutoring services, as they may be able to recommend you to any of their students who are struggling. 2. Look for Online Jobs You can find even more opportunities to tutor if you look online. You could respond directly to job listings, but you’re more likely to have success if you sign up with a tutoring agency that will match you with students. Alternatively, you could use freelance platforms, as the jobs on these platforms tend to pay higher rates — although you’ll likely need to start off charging a lower-than-average rate until you’ve gained experience. 3. Ask for Reviews and Referrals Keep growing your business by asking current and former students to recommend you to their friends and family members. It’s also worth building reviews online — all you need to do is create a page on Facebook or Google My Business for your tutoring service. These two things will help you grow your reputation and increase your client base. 4. Market Yourself Setting up a page for tutoring services and gaining some reviews is a good start, but you should also dedicate some time to marketing yourself. Be specific about the services you provide. It can be tempting to offer a broad range of services to gain as many clients as possible, but students will prefer to see that you’re offering exactly what they’re looking for. Attract people to your social media pages by posting interesting content that relates to the subjects you’re tutoring and presents you as an exper t. 5. Highlight Your Relevant Experience If you’ve never tutored before, you’ll need to think about what other experience you have that will make people willing to pick you. Grades, qualification, and awards in the subject you want to tutor are a good start. You may have also worked or volunteered in a role that involved some kind of teaching or homework support, such as babysitting or as a camp counselor. If you’re struggling to find your first clients due to your lack of experience, you could always offer prospective students a free trial sessio n before they commit to paying you. With the extra income you generate from tutoring, you’ll be able to afford much better housing. For instance, you can find places to rent in London, Ontario near Fanshawe College at Foundry First. You’ll live right next to campus and have access to great amenities like a gym, free WiFi , and a state-of-the-art theatre. Find the floor plan for you before all the units are taken.