University is expensive. In addition to paying for tuition, you need to buy all the things that will make your student apartment comfortable. The good news is it’s possible to find everything you need, even if you’re on a tight budget.

1. Stick to the Essentials

Create a list of everything you’ll need for college — and purchase only those things. It’s easy to make impulse buys when you’re excited about the prospect of leaving for university, but this could push you over your budget.

If you’re unsure about what counts as essential, search for packing lists online and assess what you’ll need. It’s also worth talking to students who are already at university about what they ended up needing and what they could have done without. Finally, talk to your roommates to find out what they’re bringing to avoid multiples of items you can share.

2. Shop in Stores Offering Student Discounts

Many stores offer discounts of at least 10 percent if you can show a student ID. You can use this for all sorts of purchases to see some big savings. Find out if a store provides a student discount before you even start looking at what it has to offer.

3. Avoid Products Marketed at Students

Some stores (particularly those that offer student discounts) may target some of their items as being for students. These items tend to be more expensive than products marketed toward the general public and have no real benefits. Bear this in mind and make sure you comparison shop to secure the best deals.

4. Consider Quality

Purchasing the cheapest items you find can backfire later when these products wear out and need replacing. If you’re unsure about what kind of quality to expect, read reviews. In addition, secondhand items that are still in good condition are often cheaper and more durable.

5. Choose Multipurpose Furniture

You can save money and prevent wasted space by purchasing furniture that serves more than one purpose. For instance, it makes sense to choose a coffee table and bedside table that comes with storage.

6. Borrow Items

Many items may become useless after you graduate, so it may be worthwhile to rent these things instead of purchasing them. The possibilities range from appliances like microwaves to textbooks.

7. Make Your Own Décor

Depending on your artistic abilities, there may be several types of décor you can make yourself. For instance, you can create artwork for your walls (this could be as simple as a photo collage, which is not difficult to do at all), sew some pillow cases, or decorate a box to keep your jewelry organized. You can also repurpose old furniture — often, a fresh coat of paint is all it needs.

8. Buy from Stores in Your College Town

Purchase as much as possible (especially big items) from stores near your student housing to avoid costly moving fees. If you buy from a big-name brand, you may be able to place an order to pick up the item from the store of your choice.

You can save even more money by searching for affordable student rentals. Kingston, Ontario, students can find a home at Foundry Princess. Choose between furnished and unfurnished suites with one to five bedrooms, according to your budget and preferences. Join our waitlist to be the first to hear when units become available.

A new semester is a great time to start fresh and make improvements in your life. To succeed, though, you need to set goals. Since one of the most important aspects of being a student is gaining good grades, it makes sense to set several goals related to studying. When deciding on your goals, take into consideration a few things that are likely contributing to your bad study habits.

1. Class Attendance

Whereas many classes at university are technically optional, you’ll be missing out on a full education if you choose to skip them. If you try to teach yourself from your books, there’s a risk you could misunderstand something. Attending class, however, gives you the opportunity to get detailed explanations from your professors to help you fully understand the material. Stop seeing classes as optional and attend all of them, unless you have an excellent excuse.

2. Reviewing Your Notes

You take valuable notes when you attend class — or at least they could be valuable. It helps to check your notes soon after you write them, as some parts may be unclear and won’t make sense later. In addition, you should review your notes on a regular basis to remind yourself of the key points. That way, you won’t be relearning information when you study for an exam, but just reminding yourself of the fine details.

3. Required Readings

University is different from high school in several ways, including the emphasis on studying in your own time. You cannot expect to succeed if you just attend classes without first properly reading (rather than just skimming) the assigned readings. In addition, you should be familiar with what the readings cover long before the exam. Spend the period right before an exam reviewing your notes and revisiting any points you need to clarify, but not reading in depth.

4. Procrastination

Procrastination is an easy habit to fall into, but it’s one that should be avoided. Deadlines for assignments are often long, which can make it tempting to forget about them until a few days before the due date. However, you’ll never do your best work if you leave papers to the last minute. The same goes for studying for an exam: it’s much more difficult to retain information if you stay up all night rather than spreading out your studying over a longer period.

5. Enough Sleep

Even if you don’t procrastinate, you’ll retain less if you lack sleep. On weeknights, you need to have a bedtime to ensure you sleep between six and eight hours.

6. Your Study Spot

If you’re struggling to stay focused when you study, it could be because your study area is uncomfortable or full of distractions. It’s important to experiment with what works for you — some people focus better when they’re alone, while others perform better when they’re in a room with other people. Commit to finding a few places (perhaps the desk in your bedroom, the couch in your living room, the campus library, and a favourite coffee shop), since switching things up can help you retain more.

A goal for next semester unrelated to your studies should be to find better housing, such as by moving out of your dorm and into student rentals. Kingston students can live in luxury by moving to Foundry Princess. We have a broad range of amenities for students, such as group study rooms, a swimming pool, outdoor BBQ kitchens, and a fitness centre. Join our waitlist to be first in line for a suite when a spot opens up.

Although many people say their time at university is one of the most enjoyable experiences of their life, it’s no secret that college can also be quite stressful. You’re suddenly away from your family, you’re adapting to a different lifestyle, and you need to be responsible if you’re to succeed with your classes. All this can be quite stressful. While there’s not always an easy fix for stress, there are some effective tactics you can use to relax.

1. Work Out

Dedicate at least a short time each day to exercise. Experiment with the different activities on offer at your university — the likelihood is there are a variety of clubs and groups you can join, including for sports you’ve never practiced before. Alternatively, you may like to join a gym to use the machines or swim. The important thing is you find something you enjoy; otherwise, you’ll struggle to stay motivated.

2. Sleep Enough

When you’re physically active, it’s easier to sleep well — which is another way to beat stress. Set a bedtime and put in the effort to stick to it as often as possible (at least weeknights). Staying up late to study or socialize and then trying to catch up later with naps in the afternoon is no good: your body needs a regular schedule and functions much better when you sleep during the night.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Sugar can give you a boost in the moment, but when the effects wear off, you’ll feel worse than ever. A balanced diet of healthy carbs (like whole grains) and plenty of fruits and vegetables will ultimately make you feel better, even if that’s not what you’re craving. Plus, eating a balanced diet means you’ll find it easier to maintain your optimal weight — one less thing to be stressed about.

4. Keep Up with Your Hobbies

You may feel like you have no spare time for anything but schoolwork, but if you create a weekly schedule, you should find that you can make time for hobbies. Continue with something you’ve always enjoyed or search for opportunities at your college to try something new.

5. Vent to Someone

It’s always useful to have someone you can talk to about whatever is making you stressed. Call a family member or an old friend on a regular basis, or find a professional counsellor — your university may be able to put you in touch with someone affordable.

6. Learn to Say No

You will have a huge number of opportunities while at university — for extracurricular activities and volunteering as well as classes. It’s crucial to know your limits. If your schedule is too overloaded, drop something. If you’re exhausted and someone invites you to yet another event, allow yourself to say no.

7. Find Healthy Ways to Relax

You may feel relaxed after a few drinks, but the stress will remain under that temporary sense of euphoria. Plus, if you regularly drink to relax, there’s the risk you’ll become dependent on alcohol every time you feel stressed. Healthy tactics to use instead include breathing exercises, stretches, or a massage. For instance, if you find that your muscles are often becoming tense, book a massage with a professional or purchase a massager for your neck and shoulders.

You’ll find it much easier to avoid stress entirely if you have a comfortable home to return to at the end of the day. At Foundry Princess, we give you more than just comfort: our Queen’s off-campus housing allows you to live in luxury.

We have everything you need to destress on site, including a clubhouse equipped with games and a large-screen TV, a fitness centre, and a swimming pool. Plus, we’re right by Queen’s University — you can be at campus in minutes. Apply now to secure the floor plan you want.