Blog Posts

Does Going to Grad School Pay Off?

As you near the end of your time studying toward an undergraduate degree, it’s important to start thinking about the next stage of your life. An alternative to beginning a career is to continue your education by going to grad school. But is it worth the investment? That depends on what kind of work you want to pursue and your other goals. There are a few things to keep in mind when making this decision. How Long You’ll Be in School How long the program will last depends on whether you’ll be studying for a master’s degree, a PhD, or a professional doctorate. A master’s degree typically takes between one and two years, whereas a PhD or doctoral degree could take three to five years. Many students opt to do a master’s degree first, but it is possible to apply for some PhD and doctoral degree programs straight after a bachelor’s degree. Your Reasons for Going to Grad School There are many reasons why you may consider going to grad school. You may need a particular qualification for the career you want to pursue, you may want to stay in education for longer (particularly for the opportunity to study at another university, perhaps with a semester abroad), or it could be a personal goal you want to meet for the sense of achievement. If you have a compelling reason, attending grad school is definitely something to consider. Can You Earn More with a Graduate Degree? Students often decide to continue their education for the chance to receive higher pay. Even some jobs that don’t necessarily require a graduate degree may offer a higher salary to candidates who are better qualified. In some cases, the pay stays the same, but candidates who have graduate degrees are more likely to receive invitations to interviews. Finally, you may be able to avoid entry-level jobs and enter your field at a slightly higher position. Would Grad School Be Worth It for You? There’s no clear-cut answer as to whether grad school is worthwhile — you need to figure out whether it would be worth it for you. This means weighing the benefits (like job opportunities, the sense of achievement, and the experience) against the costs. We don’t just mean financial costs: there’s also the time commitment, stress, and need to balance studying with other commitments, such as a job. When to Attend Grad School Lastly, you need to decide when you’d like to go to grad school. Waiting a few years could mean you’re more financially stable and have some experience in your field. It will also mean you can take a well-deserved break from your education. However, attending immediately after you finish your bachelor’s degree could be useful for preventing a loss of momentum. If you decide grad school is worth it, you’ll need to decide where you’d like to attend and find nearby housing. Since you won’t want to live on campus, you’ll need to search for off-campus student housing. Ottawa has 1Eleven — it’s ideal for undergraduate and graduate students alike. You can live in a shared suite with roommates or have your own bachelor apartment. Book a video tour to see the facilities before you sign a lease.

6 of the Most Influential Books to Read at University

Starting university is a major life change, followed immediately by another: surviving in the real world. Many students feel unprepared for both. One way you can learn how to succeed is to read books. Everything from self-help books and guides to novels and memoirs can provide you with valuable information to help you thrive. 1. The List That Changed My Life A great choice if you’re looking for a break from studying is The List That Changed My Life. Olivia Beirne’s debut novel follows protagonist Georgia as her life is suddenly transformed when her sister is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Previously lazy and risk-averse, Georgia now has just months to help her sister complete all the items on an ambitious list before she turns 30. 2. 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College It’s also worth making your own list of things you want to do. Wherever you are in your university journey, 175+ Things to Do Before You Graduate College by Charlotte Lake will give you plenty of ideas. Instead of expecting you to work through the entire bucket list, the book will help you figure out what matters most to you and suggest activities to enrich your time at university. 3. The People We Keep It’s particularly rewarding to read stories you can relate to. One that fits the bill is The People We Keep by Allison Larkin. The novel follows April Sawicki, who (failing school and working shifts at a diner) leaves her dad’s motorhome behind to pursue a career as a songwriter. The themes of finding your own way in the world, discovering your passions, and fighting for your dreams are all ones that will resonate with university students. 4. The Greatest College Health Guide You Never Knew You Needed Leading a healthy lifestyle should be a priority for all students, as it’s easy to develop unhealthy habits now that could be difficult to break later. The Greatest College Health Guide You Never Knew You Needed is packed with tips from coaches Jill and Dave Henry about how to manage all aspects of your physical and mental health — from diet and exercise to stress and sleep. The graphics, anecdotes from the authors, and additional advice from students make this a fun, as well as an informative, read. 5. Educated You may have read the award-winning memoir Educated by Tara Westover already. If you haven’t , make sure you do while you’re still at university. Raised by survivalist parents, the author only began a formal education at age 17, but she taught herself enough to be admitted into a top university. This coming-of-age story is likely to be the polar opposite of your own. Nonetheless, the topics of self-invention and fitting in are universal. 6. Life Beyond College If you’re nearing the end of your time at university, make sure to pick up Life Beyond College: Everything They Didn’t Teach You About Your First 10 Years After Graduation. Author Kevin P. Coyne is a senior teaching professor who has seen countless students reach the point where you are today. He offers advice for the personal, financial, and legal challenges you’ll face after graduation. Reading this book now will arm you with the information you need to avoid some of the most common mistakes recent gradua tes make. Another way to make the most of your time now and to feel more prepared for life after university is to gain more independence. Moving into an off-campus student community will mean you have much more freedom, but you won’t miss out on the experiences of student living. Ottawa students can find the perfect housing at 1Eleven. You’ll be around other students (you can even have roommates, if you wish) and you’ll have access to some great onsite amenities (including a fitness centre and games room), all while being just steps from campus. Book a tour to see the facilities for yourself.

How to Be a Great Roommate

Sharing an apartment always comes with some challenges — no matter if you’re living with people you know or complete strangers. The best thing you can do to make your living situation as comfortable as possible is learn how to be a great roommate. 1. Come to an Agreement About Ground Rules Soon after you move in, set some rules that all your roommates are happy with. For instance, you could discuss standards for cleanliness, use of common spaces, and sharing food like condiments. It’s also worth creating a cleaning schedule to ensure everyone knows who is responsible for what chore. 2. Clean Up After Yourself Be respectful of your roommates by cleaning up your own mess, such as washing your dishes, keeping shared bathrooms tidy, and mopping up any spills. It’s not fair to make extra work for the person who needs to clean because you’re careless or untidy. 3. Communicate About Guests Let your roommates know if you want to have guests over, especially if you’ll be using the living room or kitchen. Even a large apartment can become cramped if you all decide to invite people over on the same day without telling each other. Furthermore, if you know that one of your roommates likes to go to bed early or needs quiet to study in the evening, put in the effort to keep the noise down. 4. Get to Know Each Other If you’ve never met your roommates before, it’s great if you can become friends — or at least acquaintances. While there’s always the possibility that your roommate becomes your best friend for life, this is actually quite rare. Don’t have too high expectations, but do at least try to get to know a few things about your roommates and hang out occasionally. You most likely have at least a few things in common — and it will be more comfortable living in your apartment if you have someone to talk to when you come home. 5. Bring Up Small Issues Before They Become Big Problems Never expect small issues to simply resolve themselves if you don’t communicate the problem with your roommates. Avoid being passive aggressive or expecting your roommate to take a hint. Instead, talk about a problem before it gets out of hand and you can no longer stand living with each other. Of course, it’s important to consider if your roommate’s behaviour is actually a problem or if you’re being unreasonably picky. If the issue is something minor, a better solution may be to decide not to let it bother you. Remember that you all come from different backgrounds and what may be annoying to you could be normal to someone else. 6. Share Emergency Contact Information Make sure you have phone numbers for your roommates’ close family members in case of an emergency. The last thing you want is to have no idea who to call. It’s much easier to be a great roommate when you at least have your own bedroom. This means moving off campus and searching for student apartments. Ottawa students can live at 1Eleven. Unlike with many off-campus apartments, you’ll have your own lease and there’s no need to find other people to share with — we’ll match you with roommates who have a similar study style to you. Book a video tour to check out the facilities.

5 Ways to Get Out of a Slump at University

Going through a college slump is normal - and is something to be expected, even. Even the most motivated students among us get unmotivated. The good news is that you don't have to spend the rest of your university life in this state. Once the going gets tough, these time-tested and foolproof ways can help you get out of a rut and enjoy your semester once again . Acknowledge and accept. Being in a slump might make you feel that there’s something wrong with you, or that you’re a failure. If you’re having a hard time, remember that you’re studying at university in the midst of a pandemic. These unprecedented times will definitely take their toll on you, both physically and mentally. Acknowledging you have a problem is already half the battle won, while denying it will only get you nowhere . Give yourself grace. Some people will say not to dwell on the negativity and to focus on positive vibes only. When positivity is used to cover up a problem or to dismiss an experience, it becomes toxic. While you don’t want to dwell on your current state, it certainly helps to give in to what you’re feeling. You’re allowed to have a safe space for your feelings. Take care of yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in your classes, study groups, and part-time jobs. On top of that, you need to get enough sleep and maintain personal relationships. Doing these things can be exhausting, so make sure to set aside time for quality rest and relaxation. You’ll be surprised at how a Netflix binge, a full body massage, a bubble bath, or a good book can instantly pick up your mood. Make sure to get moving, too. Exercise releases endorphins and gives you that quick energy boost to help you get through t he day . Shake things up. Do something drastically different from what you’re used to. It could be something as simple as running in a different route, joining a new study group, or enrolling in a cooking course. Doing new things could ignite that spark and make you feel alive again. You’re also living in a new city that is vastly different from where you grew up, so take advantage of it. Round up your friends or go on a solo trip - do anything that will make you get out of that bachelor apartment. Ottawa has plenty to offer to tour ists. You can visit Parliament Hill, stroll along Rideau Canal, and wander around ByWard Market . Ask for help. If the darkness gets too much and you feel you’re being pulled in, don't be afraid to seek help. Talk to friends and family about what you’re going through and seek professional counseling. Both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University offer counseling services to help you get through the tough times. By keeping in mind these tips and asking for help when needed, you’ll soon be able to get over your slump and be ready to conquer the world again.

How to Tell if Your Major is Right for You

Choosing a major is just like choosing the best 1-bedroom apartment Ottawa students recommend. There are several majors being offered at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, and choosing the best one for you can be an overwhelming task. The good news is that you’re not alone. A lot of students go into university undecided on their major, and a good number of them switch their majors later on . If you’re having second thoughts about your chosen major, here are the signs you should watch out for: Academic performance. If your grades are exceptional, then you know you’re in the right place. Bad grades, on the other hand, aren’t really a sign that you’re in the wrong major. However, if you’re already doing your best and you still get mediocre or failing grades, this could be a sign that you need to make the switch . Emotional well-being. Do you still get excited to go to class, or are you bored out of your mind? Even if a particular class is difficult or if the honeymoon stage is over, you should still feel that spark of interest in completing your coursework. If you’re just going through the motions to get a passing grade, maybe it's time to consider other alternatives. Your enjoyment, ambivalence, boredom, or lack of feelings is an emotional barometer to whether or not your major is “the one.” Stress levels. University life is highly stressful, and trying to find a balance among your academic, social, and family life is difficult at first. Feelings of overwhelm are not uncommon, especially during finals week. However, if you dread going to class every single day, and your stress has led to hair loss, sleepless nights, and food binges, then it’s time to check if your stress has something to do with the major you’ve chosen. Plenty (or lack) of foresight. If you are already brimming with ideas on how you would like to contribute to your chosen field, then you are on the right path. But if you can’t imagine yourself working in the same field, or don’t know the type of jobs you’ll land after you graduate, it’s a sign that you need to change into a new major. The lack of vision and dreams could mean that you’re simply doing just enough in order to get by. Reasons for choosing. If your reason for choosing a major is because it is in-demand, or for your parents’ benefit, then it’s time to revisit your priorities and find something else that matches more closely with your passions. Final Thoughts If you experience any of these signs, then it’s time to think about all the other courses that you’re more interested in and to talk to your adviser to explore your options. To choose the right major, listen to your instincts and to what your gut is telling you. You can ask for advice from friends and family, but don’t let them pressure you into taking something you know you will regret later on. After all, you’re the one who knows what’s best for you .

How to Become a Student Blogger

Setting up a blog is easy — anyone can do it. It’s a great way to share your experiences with other students or develop your writing skills to create a portfolio you can show employers when you graduate. Since becoming a student blogger will require a significant time commitment, it’s important to set up your blog the right way to increase your chances of success. 1. Find Somewhere to Build and Host Your Blog Begin by thinking about how you’ll set up your blog. One option is to use a content management system (CMS), the most popular of which is WordPress. The other option is to use a website builder like Squarespace, which allows you to create a website using drag-and-drop tools. There’s no need to have coding skills for either, although you will have more control over the design if you choose WordPress. With a website builder, you receive web hosting automatically, for which you’ll pay annually or monthly. If you choose WordPress, you’ll need to search for your own web hosting — you may be able to find a free or discounted plan for students. 2. Decide What You’ll Blog About Next, figure out what topics you’ll cover on your blog. To decide this, it can help to think about your goals or the purpose for setting up a blog. For example, perhaps you want to use the opportunity to reach people who could prove to be useful connections, to promote an organization at your university, or to demonstrate what skills and knowledge you’ve acquired . Consider who your audience will be and what kind of content they’ll find interesting. It’s crucial that you are qualified to write the content (meaning you must know what you’re talking about) and that you’ll enjoy writing it — otherwise, you may give up after just a few weeks. Finally, check if there are already blogs out there covering the same niche. This could be an indication that a potential audience exists, although you will need to think of how to find a unique angle for your own blog. 3. Give Your Blog a Catchy Name Once you’ve decided what you’ll be blogging about, you can come up with a name for your blog. You’ll need to check that the domain doesn’t already exist and that the name you want isn’t too similar to that of other blogs. For this reason, you may need to spend time brainstorming ideas. When you’ve found the perfect name, register it through a domain name registrar or with your web host or website builder. 4. Focus on the Design The design of your blog needs to reflect your niche. There are plenty of free themes to choose from, no matter if you’re using WordPress or a website builder, although you can pay for a theme if you want something specific. Themes influence the colour palette, overall aesthetics, and layout. To pick the right theme for you, consider whether your blog will feature many images or if it will be mostly text. Next, choose the number of pages you want for your blog. You can add blog posts straight to the home page, but it’s still worth having an “About” page where you can talk about the purpose of your blog and give some background information about you. You may also like a “Contact” page to give people a way to reach you. For instance, your audience may offer to write guest blogs or want more information about a topic. 5. Publish Content With your blog set up, it’s time to start writing posts. You can reach more people by researching what keywords your audience is using to find content like yours. After you’ve published a post, promote it on social media. You’ll need to have somewhere you can focus on writing on your blog posts — such as your own room in an apartment with fast internet. For Ottawa off-campus housing, there’s 1Eleven. Book a video tour to check out all the great amenities and see why you’d love living here.