Jump right in.
Communicate love.
Be flexible and creative.
These were a few of the values that our #ACGlobalProjects team embodied as they set off for the volunteer experience of a lifetime in the Dominican Republic this Reading Week. Our volunteers joined the Algonquin Students’ Association and Outreach360 in Monte Cristi, a scenic fishing town home to a vibrant community. Continue reading
A student who creates change.
A volunteer who always goes above and beyond.
A leader who inspires those around them.
Does this sound like you or someone you know? If so, nominate yourself or a fellow student for one of our Student Volunteer Awards! These annual awards celebrate students in the AC Hub volunteer network who create change on campus or in their community.
Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show you care for that special someone – yourself! Loving yourself goes hand-in-hand with self-compassion – the practice of turning inward, accepting yourself, and honouring who and where you are in this moment.
Self-compassion means understanding that you are good enough as you are, not just because you have a particular trait or possession. It means treating yourself with kindness, particularly your mistakes or what you consider shortcomings.
With the first month of Winter term under your belt, you’re starting to hit your stride on campus – you’ve picked your go-to study spot, filled your agenda with upcoming events, and know the warmest routes to all your classes. As you settle into a routine, it’s a perfect opportunity to explore the services that can help make the most out of the semester, and bring you confidence on campus. Continue reading
‘Tis the season to be jolly… It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Happy holidays… you’ve heard them all, but what if you don’t feel jolly, merry, or happy? Perhaps, for you, the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year.
Know that you are not alone in this. Many college students face a number of stressors at this time of year – dealing with final exams and assignments, having to travel home in inclement weather, or not being able to go home. Some of us deal with loneliness, and others feel the stress of managing many social engagements. To add to this, the days are shorter and less bright, which can also cause us to feel sad or down. So how can you cope?
Self-care is a critical component of managing stress. Taking the time to “recharge your battery” is especially important at this time of year. Calming your body can be a great way to calm your mind – think warm baths, deep breathing, massages, comfy blankets, and so on. Soothing your senses can also help ease stress and lighten your mood: essential oils, teas, listening to music, and seeking out humour are all great ways to cope. Continue reading
The Third Thursday Speaker Series sparks ideas and creates community at Algonquin College. Every third Thursday of the month, we bring in local experts and innovators to share stories that inspire and empower listeners. Here’s a look back at the latest talk.
Between Final Assessments and the holiday season, December can seem like one of the busiest times of the year. But December can also be a time of reflection, a chance to check in with ourselves, and an opportunity to imagine our future. To help us do that, our Third Thursday speaker, Transformational Life Coach Taryn Watts, talked to us about finding purpose and balance in this busy world. Her presentation left us with plenty of food for thought (and I’m not just talking about the famous Third Thursday donut wall!).
Above all, Taryn makes it clear that it’s vital for us to check in with ourselves. As we get older, the “noise of the world,” as she calls it, can get really loud and lead us to lose ourselves. In fact, the average person in North America receives more stimuli in one week than our ancient ancestors did in their entire lifetime! No wonder we get lost.
To help bring ourselves back, find balance, and quiet down the noise of the world, we need to ask ourselves the “big picture” questions, such as Who am I as a person? What truly matters to me? and What do I value? Continue reading
In November, our #ACVolunteers worked on many exciting projects such as Rogers Hometown Hockey which took place at Algonquin College, and helped the community get into the holiday spirit. Check out highlights below!
At this annual Community Project, volunteers served clients and stocked snowsuits in the warehouse for The Snowsuit Fund. This Ottawa-based charity raises funds for the purchase and distribution of snowsuits to children in need, 15 years and under, in our community. More Snowsuit Fund photos →
Kimberly Kennedy is a student in the Police Foundations program at the Pembroke Campus. Her goal is to become a military police officer. She participates in a variety of on- and off-campus volunteer opportunities, including her involvement with the Canadian Cancer Society, the Royal Canadian Legion, the local Fun Run, and cancer runs in her community.
In 2019, Kimberly will expand her impact overseas by travelling to Kenya as part of AC Global Projects. She is looking forward to helping the ME to WE community build while learning about Kenya’s culture.
Kimberly finds inspiration in the words of Helen Keller: “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.”
Kimberly on what motivates her to volunteer:
“When I was a kid, I was always interested in a career that involves helping people. … Now I am a mother and want a career that helps people, gives me the chance to travel and help people around the world, but also be at home and be present in my daughter’s life. I volunteer to help others, but I also want to teach my daughter to be kind and compassionate toward everyone.”
Overall wellbeing requires us to take care of our mental, physical, and social health. When one of these areas is not strong, the others are affected too. It can be hard to find balance and prioritize your self-care when you’re busy. But what if I told you that you can give all three aspects of your wellbeing a boost with just one activity? And getting started is as simple as unrolling a yoga mat. Continue reading
We’re more than halfway through the semester – and I don’t know about you, but it’s around this time that my study habits could use a tune-up. When you want to hit ‘refresh’ on your routine, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily, the Library has lots of helpful (and free!) resources to help you own the rest of your semester. Continue reading