Living on campus may be the easy option, but it’s rarely the best option. Although it takes less effort to ask your university to find a room for you, there are several downsides. It will end up costing you more, you’ll need to follow dorm rules, and your personal space will be limited. With off-campus housing, in contrast, you can find a place that suits you, share with whomever you want, and learn how to live independently — a skill you’ll need for the rest of your life. To make sure you find the best possible housing, take into account the following considerations.

1. Your Budget

Student housing varies widely in terms of cost. To figure out how much you can afford to spend on housing, calculate your monthly income and subtract all your other expenses. Try to spend no more than about 30 percent of your total income on housing and remember you’ll need enough left over for the security deposit and utilities.

2. The Right Roommates

Your closest friends may not necessarily make the best roommates — it’s more important to choose people with similar lifestyles to you. For instance, your roommates should have similar budgets, expectations for entertaining guests, and ideas about how clean your home should be. If you don’t know anyone who you feel would be a great fit (or you’re just starting at university), you can always connect with potential roommates over social media or inquire about roommate matching services.

3. How You’ll Get to Class

Determine where exactly to search for apartments by deciding how you’ll commute to campus. If you want to walk, your home should be a few blocks away at the most. However, if you have a bike or car, you can look farther afield — although you will need bike storage or parking. If you want to use public transit, consider how late the bus or train runs, especially if you plan on taking night classes.

4. The Earlier You Start Looking, the More Options You’ll Have

All the students attending your university who want to live off campus will be searching for housing in the same area as you. To avoid being left with places no one wants and apartments far away from campus, start your search as early as possible.

5. Extra Perks

If you start looking when there are still plenty of options on the market, you can search for amenities that will make your stay in student housing that much better. For instance, you may be able to find an apartment with high-speed internet, an onsite gym, and modern appliances, such as a washer and dryer.

6. Types of Housing

Be aware of the options for student housing in your city. As well as independent apartment buildings, many university towns have dedicated off-campus housing for students. These tend to be near schools and you may have the option of only leasing a bedroom, rather than needing to pay for the entire unit and utilities.

7. Your Gut Feeling

Only commit to an apartment when it feels right. If you’re unsure about the neighbourhood, if the building is rundown, or if anything feels off, search for somewhere else. At most places, you’ll need to sign a lease for a year — the last thing you want is to be stuck somewhere you dislike or need to break your lease and lose your security deposit.

Want to take the stress out of finding a room for rent? Kingston students can find a home at Foundry Princess. You’ll have access to a range of luxury amenities that you won’t find elsewhere, including a rooftop patio, a swimming pool, and free coffee. Apply now to secure your place while units last.

Starting university is the perfect opportunity to make the most of your education. It’s a time of change, excitement, and new opportunities. You’ll meet new people, discover your passions, and explore a whole new world.

But do you know that university life is also a great time to set yourself up for career success? Aside from a quality education, university can also equip you with the skills and attributes you need to transition into the real world—but it may take a little thought and preparation on your part.

Here’re some tips for setting yourself up for professional success while at university.

Scrub Your Social Media Presence

Employers are increasingly using social media to check out potential employees. A recent survey found that 91% of employers use social media to screen potential hires. So, if you want to land a job, it’s essential to clean up your social media profiles.

Remember that you must make your digital footprint look more professional and mature to increase your odds of landing a good job. As such, you must remove your questionable and unprofessional social media posts, tweets, and pictures. Also, be sure to populate any accounts that are visible to the public (especially LinkedIn) with professional content.

Start a Blog or Website

A personal blog or website is more than just product reviews and “what I eat in a day” posts. You can use your blog or website to share your personal and professional achievements to show potential employers that you’re a serious candidate. Moreover, you can use it to reflect your interests and show how you work around different challenges.

It’s also a good idea to create a portfolio section on your website to present your best work. For example, if you’re skilled or interested in graphic designing, you could upload your samples to your website and attract potential employers.

The best part is that starting a blog or website is much easier and cheaper today than some years ago. For example, you can now create and run your website from your on-campus residence or off-campus rooms for rent in Kingston Ontario. All you need is a computer and internet service.

Keep in mind that your blog or website represents you and your best work, so make it look professional and interesting.

Engage in Extracurricular Activities

While your coursework is important, extracurricular activities are just as essential. Student resumes with a good number of extracurricular activities reflect good balance and signal a well-rounded personality.

Getting involved in such activities indicates that you excel in communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving. It also suggests that you’re confident.

Employers may give priority to candidates who have engaged in more extracurricular activities than even the high achievers with no involvement in such activities, so it’s always a good idea to explore options at your university.

Network

Networking in university can make a world of difference in your professional life because contacts are invaluable in the competitive job market. From professors and alumni to family, friends, and peers, be sure to establish good connections with everyone and grow your network.

It may also be helpful to attend industry events and talk to the participants about career guidance, job openings, industry trends, and more. Doing so will leave a good impression on your contacts and help nurture a relationship that may land you your dream job.

Get Help From a Mentor

A good mentor can change your life for the better. If there is one thing you can truly take away from university, it’s good mentorship from a professor. Not only will your professor guide you in professional decision-making and problem-solving, but they may also help you find a suitable job and could even put in a good word for you.

Do an Internship

Internships are crucial, especially for fresh graduates, because they can make your resume stand out against that of your peers. In addition, it shows employers that you have basic experience with general workplace protocols and a good work ethic.

Besides leaving a good impression on employers, an internship allows you to test the waters in your intended area of work. If you enjoy it, you know it’s the right call for you. If not, perhaps it’s time to try out something new.

The end of a university year means one thing and one thing only: summer break. The break is the perfect time to relax and recharge for the next school year. But, while summer is meant for relaxation, it doesn’t mean you should put your brain on autopilot.

Summer break is a time for rejuvenation, relaxation, and renewal. It’s also a time for self-reflection and growth. It takes you out of the everyday study grind, so you can have fun before the cycle of deadlines, exams, and submissions restarts.

If your summer break is around the corner, hang in there because it’ll be worth the wait. You’ll have enough free time to complete that craft project, catch up on some sleep, and connect with your loved ones.

But, if you aren’t sure about your summer break plans, you might waste some part of it procrastinating before you start anything new. Therefore, as a university student, you should have a clear idea of what you’ll do during the break and what you wish to achieve during this time.

Here are some tips for re-energizing and taking time for yourself during your summer break.

Travel & Make Memories

Weekends and short holidays during the semester don’t always give you enough time to travel. But luckily, you have a summer break to cross a new destination off your bucket list.

Whether you prefer solo travelling or wish to take your friends along, just plan it before your summer break and get travelling as soon as the break starts. By travelling during your university years, you’ll create some lifelong memories and have incredible experiences. So, don’t miss the chance to explore new places and meet new people!

Work & Save Money

Summer break is also your best opportunity to work and earn enough money to cover your expenses when university restarts. You can either do an odd job, start a small-scale business, or catch a paid internship to improve your resume.

You can start looking for job opportunities in your surroundings or online before summer break starts, so you don’t have to do it during the break. However, don’t make the summer break all about work. Instead, be sure to give yourself occasional breaks to unwind.

Learn New Skills & Explore Your Potential

So, you’re not up for travelling or doing a job during summer break? Then why not take it as an opportunity to learn new skills or hone your existing skills?

For example, you could learn digital skills or enroll in a course (other than your university curriculum) that supports your interests. Or, maybe you would want to start a DIY project to satiate your inner artist…the possibilities are endless! All these activities can make your summer break more fun and productive.

Have Some “Me Time” & Rest

Life shouldn’t be all about work and studies; your body and mind need some free time to relax and regain energy. So if you’re exhausted by the semester, take this year’s summer break to rest.

Catch up on your favourite shows, write a journal, cook your favourite foods, and relax. Whether you live at home or in student accommodation, Kingston, Ontario has plenty of places where you can grab a cup of coffee and get lost in a good book.

Connect With Friends and Family

Right now, studies keep you busy. And a few years down the road, your work will consume most of your time. For that reason, now is the time to nourish your personal life and relationships.

If visiting your parents or family over the weekends isn’t possible when classes are in session, you can save these visits for the summer break. Or think about some fun friends’ meetups and make unforgettable memories together.

Meeting your loved ones and knowing new people will refresh your mood and help you forget the strenuous study schedule you went through.

Final Thoughts

University students have to work hard to secure good grades and meet challenging deadlines. If there’s something that excites students, it’s the summer break.

Summer break is approaching, and if you aren’t sure how to spend it productively, consider the above suggestions and see if one or more of them meet your interests. Be sure to give yourself some time to rest this summer break and start afresh; cheers!