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Life in Student Rentals: Kingston, Ontario Students’ Guide to Making Friends

Tips for Building a New Friend Group One of the most daunting things about going to university is starting from scratch with making friends. The likelihood is you won’t know anyone on campus — but the good news is everyone else is in the same boat. Plus, there’s a huge number of people for you to meet, any of whom is a potential new friend. All the same, it’s worth having a strategy in place, as this will mean you establish a new friend group faster. 1. Spend Time with Your Roommates When you arrive at university, the first people you meet will be your roommates. Even if you and your roommates never become more than acquaintances, it’s worth spending time with them during the first few days to have some company. Plus, they may introduce you to people who do become your close friends. 2. Attend Campus Events Your campus will likely hold frequent events, particularly at the start of the fall semester. These are a great way to meet other students, especially when you attend events that match your interests. 3. Talk to Your Classmates Strike up a conversation with people from your classes. You could use something that came up in the lecture as an icebreaker or just ask students how they’re finding the class. You’re particularly likely to have possible talking points with students in classes that are a requirement for your major, as the students will often have similar career goals to you. 4. Join a Study Group Find out if the students in your classes are forming any study groups you could join. As well as meeting people who may end up being your friends, this will help you gain better grades for the class. 5. Go to Club Meetings The more involved you are with extracurriculars, the more likely you are to make friends. Choose a couple of clubs or organizations to join according to your current hobbies and based on activities you think you may enjoy but have never had the chance to try before. 6. Find Places Where Students Hang Out When you have a break during the day, head to a place where students hang out. This could be the cafeteria, the quads, or a student center. This will give you the opportunity to meet people you may otherwise never have encountered. You may even find a whole group of friends at once. 7. Apply for a Job on Campus If you want to earn an income while studying, working on campus is ideal for several reasons. In addition to lacking a commute and having an employer who is understanding about your schedule, you’ll be able to interact with other students while you work. Chatting with coworkers and customers could easily lead to friendships. Often, students decide to live in a dorm to start making friends as soon as they arrive on campus. However, you’ll meet just as many people if you live in student rentals. Kingston, Ontario, has a student housing community at Foundry Mack. We can match you with roommates who study like you or you can choose to have a one-bedroom apartment to yourself. Either way, the chances are you’ll meet plenty of other people, including in places like the outdoor lounge and recreation area. Book a tour to see why you’ll love living here.

Life in Student Rentals: Kingston, Ontario Binge Drinking Considerations

The Risks of Being a Binge Drinker & How to Avoid Them Binge drinking is strongly associated with college life. It’s common for students to drink a large amount in a single night without thinking much about it. However, if you’re consuming four to five drinks in a two-hour period, you could be at risk for various long-term health problems and could suffer other consequences. Immediate Dangers Drinking so much that you become cognitively impaired can put your safety at risk. For instance, you could have an accident due to a lack of balance. You may also suffer from sickness that lasts into the next day, impacting your capability to study, attend classes, or engage in other activities. Long-Term Health Risks Regular binge drinking can put you at risk for several serious health conditions in the future. These include cancer, stroke, a suppressed immune system, liver disease, and malnutrition. You may also find that any health conditions you currently have become worse, particularly acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In time, you could also suffer from serious digestive disorders. It’s not just your physical health that’s at risk when you binge drink, however. Although drinking can help you cope in the moment with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, it ultimately makes these problems worse. Other Consequences Poor decision making can lead to various long-term consequences. If you or someone you’re with decides to drive, you could suffer a serious accident, hurting yourselves and perhaps also an innocent bystander. Alternatively, you may engage in other behaviors you’d never normally try, such as using other drugs or risky sexual activities. Impaired judgment makes these more likely than you may think. How to Avoid Binge Drinking If you’re questioning whether you may be drinking too much, you likely should cut down. This is particularly true if alcohol is already affecting other aspects of your life. You may even be struggling to stop drinking on your own. In this case, the best thing to do is reach out to support services on campus or in your community. Working with a professional can help you develop a strategy to avoid binge drinking — or drinking entirely, if that’s what you need. You may also need to rethink some of your friendships. True friends will never pressure you to binge drink, especially if they know that drinking has become a problem for you. It’s important to find supportive people in your life, which may mean hanging out in different circles. Another option is to find activities that don’t involve any drinking as an alternative to parties — to separate yourself from all temptation. Where you live can make a big difference to your lifestyle in college. Being around others who often binge drink may encourage you to do the same. One solution is to move into student rentals — Kingston, Ontario, students have Foundry Mack. You’ll be living in a community of students, but you’ll have your own private space. Choose between a room in a shared suite or your own apartment. Join our waitlist to reserve the floor plan you want.

Earning Money in Student Rentals: Kingston Job Hunting Tips

9 of the Best Job Ideas for College Students Many students choose to work while at college to cover their living costs, have some extra spending money, or even start paying off their student loans now. To suit a college student’s schedule, jobs need to be quite flexible — both to fit around your classes and to give you enough time to study leading up to your finals. Jobs should also be low stress, as your academics need to take priority. Finally, it’s ideal if you can find a job that relates in some way to your career goals. The job could be in the same industry as you want to work or develop skills you’ll need. With this in mind, the following nine jobs are among the best for college students. 1. Caregiver Seniors living at home often need support with daily tasks like personal care, food preparation, cleaning, grocery shopping, and getting to appointments. It’s often possible to find someone who requires support at times of day when you’re available. 2. Restaurant Host Restaurant work is popular with students because many of the shifts are during weekends and evenings. One position you should consider applying for is as a host. You’ll greet diners at the door and either add them to a waitlist or take them straight to their tables. You’ll also be in charge of organizing servers (such as assigning them to different tables) and overseeing table sections. 3. Camp Counselor If you want to work with children, becoming a camp counselor is a great option. There are opportunities over the summer as well as after-school programs. You’ll be responsible for leading activities with children and you’ll often need to come up with new ideas to keep the kids engaged. 4. Lifeguard If you’re a strong swimmer, being a lifeguard is a great way to make an income. You’ll need to complete some training to start working, which will include a lifeguard course and a first aid course. These will teach you about signs of danger to look out for when monitoring pools and how to provide care to someone in an emergency. 5. Swim Instructor An alternative option for swimmers is to become an instructor. You can teach small groups or give private lessons, often to children but occasionally to adult learners. 6. Library Clerk You may be able to find a job at a public library or your campus library as a clerk. The job involves assisting librarians in tasks like returning books to the right place on the shelves, helping people find the materials they need, and checking out books. 7. Transcriptionist A flexible job for a fast typist is as a transcriptionist. This involves transcribing speech in audio recordings and videos into text. You’ll need to invest in a foot pedal and decent headset to ensure you type efficiently and accurately. You can search for jobs independently (such as on freelance platforms) or through an agency. It’s common to be paid on the basis of how many minutes you transcribe, meaning you’ll earn more as you increase your speed. 8. Retail Sales An evening or weekend shift at a retailer can be ideal for a college student. You’ll learn plenty about customer service and may have some duties related to cash management and inventory. Sometimes, the opportunity to show your creative side may arise by designing new displays. 9. Customer Service Rep Another way to work in customer service is as a representative. Jobs can be over the phone, answering email support tickets, using live chat, or in person. Come home from school and work to an apartment you love by searching for the perfect student rentals. Kingston students have no need to spend all their hard-earned cash on accommodation: Foundry Mack is a fun, safe, and affordable student community located right near campus and downtown. Apply now before all the units are fully leased.

Life in Apartments Near Queens University: Tips for Mastering LinkedIn

Gen Z’s Guide to Effective LinkedIn Networking LinkedIn is a key place to make contacts who can help you with your job search and support you throughout your career. Although it’s easy to find tips about how to network on LinkedIn, some of these may not be relevant to you. This is because Gen Zers are using the platform a little differently than the generations that came before them. One reason for this is that Gen Zers are trailblazers in general and — as the first generation born during the digital age — especially in the internet sphere. Another reason is they have different ideas about work and are putting a greater emphasis on company culture and values. With this in mind, here are a few ways Gen Z should network on LinkedIn. 1. Connect with People You Know Start building your network by adding people you know. It doesn’t matter if they’re not working in the right field — they may have connections you’re unaware of. In addition to adding classmates, professors, and faculty staff, connect with family members, former employers, and coworkers. 2. Search for Valuable Contacts If you only have a few contacts who are likely to be useful in helping you meet your career goals, you should definitely network beyond the people you know. Think about what kinds of connections you need. This could include people who have your dream job, who work at a company where you’d like to work, or who could act as a mentor for you. Do a search on the platform to find these kinds of contacts. If you’re unsure exactly what career you want to pursue, spend some time on the platform exploring job possibilities. Joining groups can also be beneficial for learning more about a particular industry. 3. Send Personalized Messages Once you’ve found some users you’d like to connect with on LinkedIn, send them personalized messages explaining what attracted you to their profiles. You’ll find that many more people accept your invitation to connect if you include a message. Plus, you’ll be able to build a relationship. That way, if there’s a job opening or another opportunity, the person will be much more likely to think of you. There’s no need for your messages requesting to connect to be long. Mention what attracted you to the person’s profile. Perhaps the person posted an interesting article or specializes in a niche area that you also want to work in. Plus, make it clear what you want from the contact. This should be more than a job referral — for instance, you may like to arrange a time to chat to gain advice. 4. Update Your Profile Regularly Other users of LinkedIn are more likely to find you on the platform and see a reason to connect with you if your profile has current information. Update your profile often with new experience you’ve gained (such as work, internships, and volunteering), the skills you’ve learned, and the projects you’ve completed. You may also like to return to your summary to better reflect your career goals as you come closer to figuring out what you want to do after you graduate. Another place where you can network is at your student housing. Foundry Mack is a student community with one- to five-bedroom apartments near Queen’s University. You can meet new people in the outdoor recreation area and collaborate on group projects in our bright study rooms. Book a tour before you secure a lease.

7 Beach Trips for a Break From Apartments Near Queens University

7 Beach Destinations to Consider for Your Summer Vacation The long summers you have when you’re a student are ideal for traveling. Even when you have other commitments, you should be able to make time for a short vacation — and if you have nothing else to do, you could even pick a far-off destination. To make sure you have a memorable vacation, choose one of the following best beach destinations. 1. San Juan, Puerto Rico If you’re taking language classes at university, it makes sense to go to a country where you can put your skills into practice. Spanish learners should consider San Juan in Puerto Rico. The capital is right on the coast, where there are many bars, nightclubs, and casinos. When you want a change from the beach, head into the city to see the colonial buildings, check out the fortresses, and walk the cobblestone streets. 2. Ecuador A particularly safe country to visit in South America is Ecuador — another great option if you want to practice your Spanish. It also has some of the best beaches you’ll find on the continent. The beaches are particularly great for surfing and yoga as well as just relaxing. If you go to the Galapagos, the most popular island for beaches is Santa Cruz, which has Tortuga Bay and El Garrapatero. 3. Panama City, Florida A classic student destination is Panama City, Florida. Since the beaches are often packed in the summer, it’s ideal if you like the party scene. Make sure to check for events before you decide to go — you may be able to make it to a music festival. 4. Albania If you want to go to Europe for a beach vacation, one of the top choices is Albania, which is less expensive than many other European countries. It has fantastic Mediterranean beaches with white sands, set against a backdrop of mountains. When you want to do something other than bask in the sun, you can venture out to the castles and archeological sites. 5. Cambodia To visit Asia on a budget, consider Cambodia. The hotels are particularly cheap, meaning you can stay right next to the beach without breaking the bank. Try to make it over to Koh Rong (also called Monkey Island) — it has a coast of sandy bays, coral reefs, and coconut palms and a center of dense jungle where you can take zip lines, rope walks, and suspension bridges. 6. Indonesia A second option in Asia is Indonesia. Its top beach island is probably Bali, which is particularly inexpensive. You’ll often find fun activities are available at the beaches, including yoga and snorkeling. 7. Portugal A European country that sees less tourism than it deserves is Portugal. Prices are lower than in most of Western Europe and the food is excellent — especially if you like seafood. Although a large amount of the country is coastline, most people agree that the best place for a Portuguese beach vacation is the Algarve. University itself can be almost as fun as your summer vacation. The key is to have great housing, where you live around other students but still have your own space. For apartments near Queens University, move into Foundry Mack. We have one- to five-bedroom suites in a student community, complete with incredible amenities including an outdoor recreation area and study spaces. Apply now before all the leases are taken.

Fall Activities in Accommodation: Kingston, Ontario Ideas

Fun Fall Activities for Students on a Budget Fall is a time of year almost everyone looks forward to. The weather is still pleasant enough to spend time outdoors and there are many activities happening. If you’re a student on a budget, though, you may feel that everything is too expensive and that you’re missing out on chances to have a social life. In fact, there are plenty of low-cost activities in the fall that your friends will be excited to try out with you. 1. Haunted Attractions A staple of Halloween is haunted houses. Some of these may be pricey, but it’s often possible to receive a student discount on certain nights. Not only does this make the haunted house much more affordable, it also means the attraction will be full of other university students seeking thrills, which is extra fun. 2. Movie Night Another classic way to spend Halloween is to watch scary movies with friends. All you need is a TV, the login for a streaming account, and some tasty treats. In fact, this idea works throughout the fall — just with regular movies instead of exclusively scary ones. 3. Corn Mazes and Hayrides If you hate being scared but you still want to participate in the Halloween fun, a corn maze or hayride may be a better choice for you. Corn mazes are always great exercise (especially if you get lost for hours!), whereas a hayride allows you to enjoy the changing fall colours. Plus, these are two more options that may offer student discounts, and admission tends to include other fun activities. 4. Fruit Picking Farms that offer corn mazes and hayrides often give you the chance to pick fruit like apples and pears. You’ll also be able to purchase some fall vegetables to take home and prepare into dishes that remind you of your childhood. 5. Pumpkin Patches One thing you definitely need to pick is a pumpkin. After each of your friends has chosen the perfect pumpkin, take them back with you and have a carving party to see who can come up with the best or most original design. Be sure to keep all the pulp and seeds — you can use the flesh in all sorts of recipes, whereas roasted seeds are a delicious snack. 6. Sports Games If any of your friends are college athletes, show your support by attending their games. Alternatively, you could host a watch party for a big sporting event in your apartment. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon and the perfect excuse to invite friends over. 7. Hot Chocolate in the Park If you’re looking for first date ideas that are perfect for fall, nothing beats hot chocolate in the park. Prepare a flask at home or head to a café beforehand. You can then take a stroll in the park and get to know your date. This is also a great activity if you just want to chat to a friend and need a change of scenery or want to enjoy the fall leaves. 8. Bonfires Another outdoor activity that’s perfect with hot chocolate is a bonfire. Bring marshmallows to roast as well and some blankets to stay warm. You’ll find that conversation flows when you’re all comfortable around a fire. Fun activities are only one of your expenses as a student — you’ll also need somewhere to live. Since on-campus housing is expensive, a better option is to search for affordable accommodation. Kingston, Ontario, has Foundry Mack: student housing with amazing amenities at a price you can afford. Join our waitlist to be first in line for a lease. SEO title: Fall Activities in Accommodation: Kingston, Ontario Ideas SEO description: 8 Autumn Activities to Try While Living in Student Accommodation: Kingston, Ontario Local Tips