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Electives offer a great chance to take your education in a new direction. You can use electives as a way to learn about a subject that’s always intrigued you, take a break from a demanding major, or gain skills that could benefit you in your personal life or career. The best way to achieve any of these is to consider some of the most unconventional electives.

1. Group Music

Electives like group piano or group guitar tend to be aimed at students who have never learned to play an instrument before. If the instrument you learn doesn’t end up being the right choice for you, at the very least you’ll have learned to read music, which is knowledge you can transfer to another instrument.

2. Personal Finance

Many students find managing money challenging when they start university — and it only becomes more difficult after you graduate and have more responsibilities. Instead of learning through mistakes, you can acquire all the financial management knowledge you need to use credit cards, avoid debt, and save money through a personal finance elective.

3. Graphic Design

All businesses require some kind of graphic design, which means this elective could make you a more desirable hire. Knowing how to make graphics and design websites could also be useful if you decide to launch your own company one day.

4. Screenwriting

Taking screenwriting as an elective will mean you see TV series and movies in a completely different light. Plus, if you enjoy writing in your free time, screenwriting will teach you a new way to use your talent. Best of all, you can apply what you learn about writing dialogue and story progression to just about any type of fiction writing.

5. Film Production

If you’re more interested in bringing your stories to life, film production could be the ideal elective for you. The class may have an element of screenwriting, along with cinematography and video editing. You’ll learn how to create everything from social media posts to short films. It’s a great way to explore your creativity and develop a marketable skill.

6. Film Studies

To learn about film from a more academic point of view than a creative one, film studies is the elective for you. This class is bound to be fun because it involves spending a lot of time watching movies. You’ll then discuss everything from the meaning of the film to its production with your classmates.

7. Physical Education

You may be put off by the idea of choosing a physical education elective due to unpleasant experiences during grade school. However, you’ll find that these classes are completely different at university. For one thing, you’ll be able to pick an activity you enjoy — perhaps discovering a new way you like to stay fit. Since you should try to work out regularly anyway, this could be a great way to add some exercise to your schedule.

8. Acting

It may not be immediately obvious what you can gain from an acting class if you’re not seeking a career as an actor. However, there are actually numerous benefits, including building your self-confidence, improving your public speaking skills, and learning how to better express yourself. The great thing about acting as an elective is that you’ll be in a class with other students who also have no experience and who will be there to support you.

9. Dance

Learn to perform on stage at the same time as staying fit with a dance elective. Not all your classes will involve dancing yourself — there will likely be lectures about dance around the world and throughout history as well as about the role of dance in society.

Another way to enrich your university experience is to live in an off-campus student community. For Queen’s University student housing, you have Foundry Princess. On site, you’ll find everything you need to relax and make friends, including BBQ areas, an outdoor swimming pool, and a clubhouse. Apply now before all the rooms are taken.

It can often take some time to readjust to being at university, even when you’re returning just from a break between semesters. Instead of seeing the new semester as a challenge, view it as an opportunity to do better than ever before.

1. Commit to Becoming Organized

From the first day of the new semester, start becoming organized by filling your planner with your class schedule, due dates for assignments, and all your commitments. You should also schedule time for essential activities, such as reading, working on papers and projects, and preparing for exams. Finally, make a note of when your professors have office hours and when there are other drop-in opportunities.

2. Settle on a Study Spot

Whereas you may like to change where you study occasionally, you should still have a go-to place that you use most often. The logical choice is the desk in your bedroom, but other options include your favourite café, a spot in the campus library, or a study area in your student housing. Choose the right place for you by figuring out what helps you focus — some people prefer quiet, whereas others like some background noise.

3. Train Yourself to Study

It’s important to realize that you can’t will yourself to be great at studying. Like with every skill, you need to work toward your goals. Begin small by committing to stay focused for just a few minutes before you take a break. As the semester progresses, you can increase the intervals you spend studying and take fewer breaks.

4. Join a Study Group

It’s often more motivating to study with others. Find out if any of your classmates are forming study groups that you can join to discuss the material and clear up any doubts. You may even like to organize social outings to get to know the people in your classes better or to explore sites related to the topics you’re studying.

5. Receive Support from Family and Friends

You never need to feel alone when university is tough. Reach out to family members and friends — both those at school with you and those farther afield. Vent about what you’re finding difficult, share experiences, and celebrate whenever you have a success, such as a good grade.

6. Use the Resources Available to You

Your classes and professors are just one aspect of your university education. If you’re struggling with a particular class, find out if you can have a tutor. If you need help writing a paper, head to the writing centre. If you’re unsure about your options, talk to an academic advisor. Whatever it is you need, make sure you address your problems early to be able to take full advantage of the resources available.

You’ll gain more from this new semester if you’re living in a comfortable apartment where you can focus on your studies without distractions. If this doesn’t sound like your current living situation, now’s the perfect time to search for a new room for rent. Kingston students can find a bedroom in a fully-furnished suite at Foundry Princess. Nowhere will you find more great amenities and such a variety of floor plans. Apply now while there are still units available to lease.

Packing for university is difficult when you’ve never lived away from home before. It’s easy to forget to buy something — and only realize you did when it’s too late. The good news is that there are certain items that tend to be overlooked the most. Learn from the mistakes of others by adding these things to your shopping list.

1. Formal Clothing

You should bring at least one business professional outfit, as you may need one for events like career fairs and job interviews. You’ll also need some formal clothing for whenever you want to dress up for a night out with friends, dates at fancy restaurants, and important socials with the clubs you belong to.

2. Spare Phone Charger

It’s a huge inconvenience if your phone charger stops working or you leave it somewhere but forget where. Having a spare at all times will give you a backup and stop you needing to rely on your roommates until you can buy a new one.

3. Planner

Being successful at university means staying organized. A planner can help you keep track of classes, appointments, and clubs as well as due dates for assignments.

4. Can Opener

If you’re unsure whether the kitchen in your apartment has a full range of utensils, bring a can opener. Otherwise, you may be unable to buy any canned food, which could limit your meal options.

5. Scissors

You’ll only realize how much you use scissors when you don’t have a pair. They’re useful for everything from opening food packaging to various study tasks and even cutting thread when sewing a button back on a shirt.

6. Toothbrush

The item forgotten most on all kinds of trips is a toothbrush. Although it’s easy to pick up a new toothbrush if you forget yours, the last thing you want is to go to bed on your first night at university without having brushed your teeth.

7. Swimsuit and Beach Towel

You never know when the opportunity to go swimming could present itself. You may take a trip to a lake, use the swimming pool on campus or at the gym, or even be lucky enough to find student housing that has a pool. Since it will be uncomfortable to go swimming with a bath towel, make sure you also pack a beach towel — you can even use it if you run out of bath towels when you neglect to do laundry for too long!

8. Trash Can

It’s annoying to walk to the kitchen every time you have a piece of trash. You’ll be more comfortable if your bedroom has a trash can. Since this is an item many students are likely to forget, it may be difficult to find one once you arrive in your university town. Add it to your shopping list to buy before you leave home.

9. Pain Medication
Having some over-the-counter painkillers on hand for whenever you need them will be invaluable. The last thing you want is to need to head out to the pharmacy when you’re suffering from a headache.

10. Umbrella

Something else it’s much better to have before you need it is an umbrella. Purchase a small one that can fit into your backpack and carry it around with you in case it starts raining unexpectedly.

11. Laundry Hamper

Keep your room tidy by purchasing a laundry hamper. Otherwise, you may find you end up with a pile of dirty clothing lurking at the bottom of your closet.

12. Suitcase

It makes sense to pack a few belongings in a small suitcase. That way, if you’re invited on a road trip or to spend a weekend out of town — such as to visit a friend at a different university — you’ll be prepared.

You’ll need to bring fewer things to university if you live in a fully-furnished apartment. For Queens off-campus housing, there’s Foundry Princess. In addition to your spacious suite equipped with stainless steel appliances, you’ll have access to onsite amenities like a 24-hour convenience market, fitness centre, and outdoor swimming pool. Apply now while there are still spaces available.

An important aspect of choosing the university you want to attend is the campus visit. This gives you the chance to see how you feel about a particular school and decide whether you can imagine yourself attending. To make the most of your visit, it’s useful to walk around on your own after you’ve received a guided tour. Use the chance to check out the following few key areas.

1. Facilities Related to Your Major

It’s critical to visit the department for your major to see what kinds of facilities the university has to offer. Explore the classrooms, labs, and technology for an idea of what activities studying your major will involve. It’s even better if you can see a lecture in action to find out more about the style of teaching, class sizes, and engagement of the students.

2. Spaces for Clubs and Organizations

If you’re interested in pursuing a particular extracurricular, pay a visit to these facilities as well. This could be the performing arts department, music rooms, or areas dedicated to a particular student organization, such as the campus newspaper.

3. Dining Area

There may be occasions when you lack the time to go home and prepare a meal or you just want the convenience of being able to buy food on campus. Find out what’s on offer, including whether it’s nutritious and affordable.

4. Careers Centre

Thinking about preparing for a career may feel far in the future right now, but it will be hugely beneficial to have a high-quality career centre on campus, especially as your graduation date approaches. Ask about the kinds of services on offer, what resources the careers centre provides, and what companies attend campus job fairs.

5. Bulletin Boards

Search bulletin boards around campus for a better picture of student life at the university. Packed bulletin boards are a good sign that there’s an active student life and plenty of clubs to join.

6. Mental Health Offerings

University can be stressful at times for many students. If you struggle with your mental health currently or have in the past, counselling services on campus may be particularly important for you. The facilities should feel welcoming and services affordable (or even free).

7. Outdoor Areas

Simple outdoor amenities can make a big difference to how you feel while on campus. Being able to sit in a garden or take a walk around the grounds can help you destress.

8. Sports Facilities

If you want to join a sports team while at university, the sports facilities will definitely matter to you. You may even like to just attend games as a spectator, in which case you should still pay the stadium a visit.

Finally, a well-equipped gym and regular fitness classes could make a big difference to your time at university, as this will mean it’s easier for you to stay fit and lead a healthy lifestyle.

9. The Surroundings

It’s also beneficial to live in a university town where there’s plenty to do all year round. Your guided tour may include some sightseeing close to campus. If it doesn’t, make sure to take a drive around the neighbourhood to see the surroundings. Checking the prices at stores and restaurants can show you the cost of living in the area, whereas visiting parks and outdoor activities can give you an idea of how you’ll be able to spend your weekends.

Once you’ve chosen where you want to attend university, you’ll need to find accommodation — Kingston, Ontario, has Foundry Princess. Our premier housing gives you everything you need to complete the student experience, including onsite study spaces, a rooftop patio, and even an outdoor swimming pool. Book a tour to check it out during your campus visit to Queen’s University.

Most students share with a roommate (or even a few roommates) during their time at university. If you live off campus, you’ll even be able to choose who you have as a roommate. This can make your life much more comfortable — but only if you choose well. Here are a few things to consider when searching for the perfect match.

Budget

The last thing you want is to settle for housing that’s lower quality than you would have liked or to feel pressured to stretch your budget to the max. Your roommate needs to be looking for housing within the same price range as you. This will not only ensure that you choose an apartment you both like, but it will also mean that neither of you struggles to make rent payments or pay bills.

Best Friends vs Friends vs Acquaintances

You may want a roommate purely to share your apartment. Alternatively, you may want your roommates to be your closest friends — you’ll be able to hang out together, head out to parties and events as a group, and perhaps eat meals together. Something in the middle is also possible. What’s important is that you decide if you want your roommates to be your friends or if remaining acquaintances is fine.

Things in Common

Unless you decide to live completely independently from your roommate, it will make sense to have some shared interests. This is unlikely to be a difficult criteria to fulfill: you may both like playing video games, watching a particular genre of movies, or listening to the same music.

Matching Lifestyles

It’s also crucial that your lifestyles are not too dissimilar. You should want to socialize the same amount and have similar ideas about how often to have guests over. If you like to stay in most evenings to study, your roommate should be happy to keep the apartment quiet.

Similar Standards for Cleanliness

Think carefully about how clean you want your apartment. It’s easy to exaggerate and say that you want your housing spotless when actually you don’t mind a bit of mess. It’s important to be honest, as this will ensure you share with people who have similar standards to you — and you won’t have arguments about the state of the apartment.

A Good Communicator

You must be able to feel that you can talk to your roommate when problems do arise. When you move in, you’ll set some ground rules that you’re both happy with, but it’s always possible that you’ll experience some minor conflicts. Good communication will resolve issues and keep your living situation comfortable.

It can be a challenge to find the right number of roommates for the number of bedrooms in apartments you may like to rent. The solution is to decide how many roommates you want first and then look for student rentals. Kingston students can choose between suites with two, three, four, or five bedrooms when they live at Foundry Princess. Plus, if you can’t find enough roommates, we’ll pair you with other students. Apply now to secure the floor plan you want before all the units are taken.

Where you choose to live is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a student, second only to what university you attend. It will impact how much you spend, your responsibilities and independence, and the amount of privacy you have. Most students find that off-campus housing is the best option, since it tends to mean they have their own bedroom, they’re near campus, and they live with other students. However, since student rentals are all different, there are a few things you need to consider.

1. Location

The closer to campus you are, the better. You may even be able to walk or bike. A good alternative is proximity to regular public transport or a short commute by car — and if you are driving, you’ll need somewhere to park your car when you return home.

2. Security

You need to feel safe in your home and know that your belongings are protected. The best student housing is in a safe neighbourhood, has security cameras, and features barriers to prevent non-residents from being able to access the building. Ideally, both your apartment and your bedroom will have locks.

3. Fast Internet

As a student, you need a reliable internet connection to work on assignments, attend online classes, and just stay connected. Make sure that the housing offers a decent internet speed and a stable connection that won’t cut unexpectedly.

4. Roommates

Think about the number of roommates you’d like to have and whether it’s important to you to know the people beforehand. Many student rentals will match you with people you’re likely to get along well with.

5. Bathrooms

Consider how many people you’re willing to share a bathroom with. If you feel uncomfortable sharing, search for a room with an en suite bathroom. Also make sure the bathroom is in good condition — with high water pressure, a toilet that flushes properly (and doesn’t clog), and a modern, well-maintained feel.

6. Your Budget

You can find student housing at a range of prices. It’s important to avoid stretching your budget too far, as this may mean you lack funds for going out and for emergencies. However, spending too little could mean you end up settling for subpar housing where you’ll be uncomfortable. Increasing the number of roommates you have can always make housing more affordable.

7. All-Inclusive Rent

You’ll also save money if you pay for utilities and internet as part of your rent. There will be no surprise charges, and it will be easier to figure out exactly how much you’ll be spending each month.

8. Amenities

Most student housing has a range of perks. Consider what matters to you and what will make your time at university fun. For instance, it’s worth finding a place with onsite laundry facilities and a gym, but you’ll improve the student experience even more if the housing has hangout and activity areas.

For Kingston student housing rentals, there’s Foundry Princess. You’ll have everything you could want from student housing, including underground parking, a fitness centre, a 24/7 onsite market, and even an outdoor swimming pool. Apartments come in a range of layouts, with two to five bedrooms and one to four bathrooms. Apply now before all the units are taken.

Whereas it is important to study hard to gain good grades, no one has time to study all the time. It’s crucial for your health (mental and physical) to take a break from your books now and then. College is about meeting new people, trying new activities, and enjoying life at the same time as earning a degree. You can make time to socialize and do all the other things you enjoy, but still have enough time to study, by following these tips.

1. Find a Source of Motivation

Search for a reason why you want to do well at each of your classes. Just the thought of receiving good grades could be enough, but you may also be intrigued by the topics you’re covering and want to learn more. Alternatively, your long-term goals could be your driving force: a class could be a requirement for your major, in which case you could think about why you want to graduate. Whenever you’re struggling to find the willpower to study, remind yourself of what you want to get out of the class and why it’s worth studying now.

2. Set Goals

It’s also useful to have some specific, short-term goals. These could be to do slightly better on your next assignment than the last, improve your grade average each semester, or increase the amount you study each week by a few minutes. Make sure your goals are realistic — and think about how you’ll reward yourself when you reach them.

3. Stick to a Study Schedule

A study schedule will both prevent you from going overboard and ensure you do enough to gain the grades you want. Beyond blocking out time on your calendar, make a note of what you want to do in every session to ensure you use your time productively. You could use sessions to prepare for an exam, work on a section of a big project, read a particular chapter of a textbook, or review an aspect of the material you found particularly difficult.

4. Take Full Advantage of Your Classes

In addition to attending all your classes, pay attention. Sit at the front of the room where your professor can see you — this will mean you won’t be able to chat and it will be obvious if you’re distracted by something on your phone or laptop.

Take detailed notes you can use later. To ensure your notes are clear, review them soon after class is over. This is a good chance to highlight key points and organize your notes in a way that makes more sense. Plus, this practise will help the information stick in your head.

5. Ask Questions

If you have any doubts, always ask for clarification. This could mean asking questions during class, dropping your professor an email, or utilizing office hours. You’ll be unable to gain top grades if you’re still struggling to understand something.

6. Stay Healthy

You have much higher chances of succeeding academically if you’re healthy. It’s better to sleep than to stay up late studying, as you’ll be unable to take in information and perform well the next day. You’ll also feel prepared to tackle your studies if you eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and spend time relaxing without screens, especially before bedtime.

It’s important to spend your study time productively. This is easier when you don’t face countless distractions every time you sit down to study. The solution is to move off campus and into student rentals — Kingston, Ontario, students have Foundry Princess. You’ll have your own room in a suite, but you can also study quietly in the community study rooms. Either option is equipped with pure fibre internet. Schedule a tour to check out our luxury student housing for yourself.

Textbooks take up a big chunk of your budget — and you tend to only need them for a single semester. Reselling textbooks once you’ve finished a class is a great way to regain some of your investment. Plus, since you’re surrounded by students, you have no shortage of potential customers. To maximize the amount you receive from old textbooks, there are a few things you need to do.

1. Avoid Your Campus Bookstore

The most obvious place to sell old textbooks is actually one of your worst options: your campus bookstore. Since the bookstore wants to make a profit, the amount you’ll receive will be much lower than what the next student will pay. Plus, bookstores don’t want to incentivize students to return their books because it’s in their best interests to sell new (rather than used) textbooks.

2. Advertise to Students

A much better option than your campus bookstore is to sell textbooks directly to students. Find ways to reach students who are taking the class next semester — either by advertising in the appropriate building on campus or through social media. Your university may have a social media group dedicated to buying and selling textbooks. Alternatively, search for groups for the class or subject.

3. Research Pricing

Make sure you’re asking the right price for your books. If the price is too high, you may end up needing to wait another semester before you’re able to offload your books. The best way to find out how much to ask for a book is to research online. Check ecommerce sites for the same textbooks in a similar condition to your own.

4. Use Buybacks

Another option is to use a textbook buyback program. Find out what retailer websites are offering and decide if this is better than what you could receive selling to students. To take advantage of these programs, you’ll need to send off your textbooks as soon as the semester ends — if not before. Also bear in mind that some retailers want to receive books around the last week of finals. You’ll need to determine if this is feasible for you.

5. Keep Your Books in Good Condition

Wherever you decide to sell your books, you’ll gain the most money if they’re in great condition. Don’t feel like you need to be so careful that your textbooks are like new when you’re finished with them — using your books to study and do well in your classes needs to be your top priority — but you should avoid unnecessary damage. This means you shouldn’t write in the margins, highlight text, or fold corners to bookmark pages. All of these will be off putting to the next student, as they make your textbooks less effective study aids.

Another way to save money is to move into less-expensive student housing. For Queens off-campus housing that won’t break the bank, there’s Foundry Princess. Apply now for your spot in our engaging student community.

No time of year is more stressful for students than finals. However, there’s no need to feel intimidated by exams — with the right preparation, you can gain the grades you deserve and that reflect the hard work you’ve put in all semester.

1. Write a Study Guide

Summarize everything you’ve covered in class by creating your own study guide. This will give you the chance to reflect on what material you need to know for your finals. It should also reveal any weak areas where you’ll want to focus your efforts.

2. Go to All Your Review Sessions

Attend the review sessions for all your classes. These are invaluable for finding out what to expect from each exam, both in terms of the style of the questions and what material the exam is likely to cover.

3. Practise for the Type of Exam

You’ll need to use quite different techniques if an exam will have multiple-choice questions than if it will have an essay question. Multiple-choice answers tend to require an understanding of key terms, whereas long answers mean you need to know how concepts relate to each other and you’ll need to be prepared with examples to use.

4. Condense Your Notes

A great study tactic for all types of exams is to reduce your notes down to the key points. You could put your notes in bullet points or draw them into a mind map that shows how concepts are linked.

5. Begin Prepping as Soon as Possible

You’ll perform much better on your exams if you start prepping several weeks in advance. Pulling all-nighters right before finals is always ineffective — you’ll struggle to retain the information and find that you’re too tired to focus on the exam.

6. Take Plenty of Breaks

It’s equally important to space out study sessions when you’re studying during the day, since it’s impossible to stay focused for hours at a time. Take short breaks to allow your mind to rest and longer ones to fit other activities into your day.

7. Clear Up Any Doubts

Don’t be afraid to ask your professors questions about the material if you’re unsure that you understand everything. Alternatively, a teaching assistant, your tutor, or another student may be able to help.

8. Study in a Group

A great way to seek support and advice from other students is to hold group study sessions. This can bring the material alive, help knowledge stick in your head better, and give you the chance to discuss ideas. Plus, you may find that you understand some concepts better than others in your group, which will give you a chance to explain the information in your own words.

9. Create a Study Calendar

Decide exactly which materials you’ll study and when. It can help to divide the information from each class into logical sections to cover. Don’t feel like you need to spend the same amount of time prepping for each exam — give yourself the most time for the material you find the most difficult. To keep yourself motivated, switch between materials from different classes throughout the day.

10. Make Flashcards

Quiz yourself on key facts and definitions using flashcards. It’s even better if you use questions similar to those that are likely to come up on the exam.

It’s much easier to study for your finals — and study the rest of the year — when you live in a student apartment rather than on campus. Start improving your study practices by finding a room for rent. Kingston students can find a home at Foundry Princess. Choose from a variety of floor plans, all of which give you a fully-furnished, private bedroom and access to great onsite amenities like a fitness centre, grocery market, and swimming pool. Apply now while spaces are still available.

Although most students take time off during the summer, there’s often an option to continue taking classes. This can be a great opportunity to gain the additional credit you need to graduate, but it does mean you will need to sacrifice some (or all) of your summer break. To decide if this is the right option for you, consider the following pros and cons.

Pro: Summer Classes Tend to Be Short

You’re often able to achieve credit for a summer class in a shorter amount of time than it would take you to complete the class during a normal semester. At most universities, summer classes run from four to six weeks, although they can be as short as two weeks and as long as 10 weeks.

Con: You’ll Lose Some of Your Summer

The main disadvantage of taking summer classes is that you’ll lose out on at least some of your summer break. If the class is only two weeks, this is less of a big deal. However, if it lasts for most of the summer, you’ll miss out on the chance to rest and recuperate, which you may need to prevent burnout. Taking summer classes can also mean you’re unable to pursue other opportunities, like internships, seasonal work, and travel.

Pro: Graduate Earlier

If you’ve fallen behind, such as because you needed to drop a class or you were unable to study full time, summer classes can help you catch up. This will mean you’ll graduate sooner without needing to take more classes than you feel you can handle next semester. It’s always useful to graduate as early as possible and start searching for a full-time job in your field, as you’ll start earning an income to improve your living situation and start paying off student loans that much sooner.

Con: Your Scholarship May Not Cover the Costs

It’s common to need to pay for summer classes yourself, even if you’re using a scholarship to cover the costs of your education, which can be expensive. One possibility is to look for a cheaper option to earn credit, such as at a nearby college. Just be sure to confirm with your university that the credit is transferable.

Pro: Finish Less Interesting Classes

Summer is a particularly good time to take general education classes that don’t relate to your major. You’ll be able to complete the classes in a shorter amount of time to avoid spending an entire semester on material you don’t find interesting.

Con: The Intensity Can Be Too High

You need to be prepared to focus on a single class for several hours a day. If you struggle to learn this way, you may find it overwhelming, especially if you find it hard to connect with the material.

If you decide that taking summer classes is the right choice for you, the next step is to find off-campus housing, since dorms are unlikely to be available. For Queens University student housing, you have Foundry Princess. With a rooftop patio and outdoor swimming pool, it’s the perfect place to spend the summer. Book a tour to see the suites and facilities.