Author: dorob

From “how to train your cat to use the toilet” to “how to cut your own hair,” an article published by Los Angeles Times, listed 50 life skills people could learn during self-quarantine.

So, we were wondering about how our students were doing during this time. In a poll posted on our Instagram page, we got some interesting answers when we asked What skills our students have learned over the past few months.

Some students have learned more about themselves, how to be patient and have self-love. Others have learned some technical skills such as photo editing and a few have even started playing an instrument.

Karan Sharma, who is in the third semester of the Computer Programming program, is one of those students.

He said that learning how to play an instrument is something he has always wanted to do. He loves musical instruments, specially guitars (acoustic and electric), flute, and piano.

“Growing up, I never really got an opportunity to learn how to play those instruments. During the quarantine time, I had a lot of spare time at home. So, I decided to start checking off stuff from my bucket list and I went for an acoustic guitar.”

Social distancing also brought other lessons for Sharma.

“I learned that spreading positivity helps to cope with a situation like this. Also, I learned that it’s never too late to start learning something new, as I always wanted to learn how to play guitar but never thought I would start playing it at this age in the time of quarantine,” says Sharma.

“On a funny note, I also learned that we all should be careful what we wish for, because we always keep wishing for some time off from our busy lives, and now that we have a whole lot of time to kill, we all are dying to go outside and have fun.”

Check out what some other students have learned:

An American survey conducted in April showed that over 85% of companies are conducting online interviews during their hiring process. When making your first impression virtually, there are some tips to remember that can help you feel more confident, relaxed and make this experience go smoothly! One of our employment officers at Algonquin College, Lindsay Bortot, has shared some of these key tips with us.

1-Have your technology set up

Make sure that before your interview you have all necessary updates installed and, if possible, do some testing with the audio and the camera. Some companies will send you a link with an app or another platform to be downloaded, and it is important to not leave it to be done 5 minutes before the interview. The biggest difference between in person interviews and virtual interviews is the technology, that’s why we always start by making sure it’s set up correctly. When that’s out of the way, you can feel confident and perform at your best,” says Bortot.

2- Get your interview environment ready

Choose a quiet, tidy and well-lit space in your house. “If you have clutter all over your desk and your background is really busy, or there are people walking by and you are not in a quiet space, obviously all of these things can impact your flow and performance,” says Bortot. That will help you concentrate and will also avoid any distraction. If you cannot find a proper space, you can also use a professional looking virtual background.

Remember also too turn off your phone and computer notifications, so they don’t distract or interrupt you or the employer.

3- Dress properly

Getting dressed in a professional outfit, head to toe, will help you be in the right headspace. “You might have to get up or you might have to close the door. If you get up and you are wearing pyjama pants that might not be the first impression you leave the employer with,” says Bortot.

4- Watch your body language

Make sure you are engaging with you audience by making eye contact, which means, looking at your camera. “Your body language and your communication are still important,” says Bortot. Don’t be shy, be transparent and let the employer know in case you cannot hear properly, or you missed something because of the connection.

5- All of the basics still apply

You should still remember to research the company. Think of concrete examples and practice your answers ahead of time. The Employment Support Centre has many helpful tools. We have a tip sheet available to remind you of some of those important points and you can also access the interview module on the AC Career Platform to learn everything you need to know about the interview process.

Algonquin students and alumni can book a mock interview appointment by calling 613-727-4723 or by emailing employment@algonquincollege.com

There is also an online tool called Interview Stream that allows students and graduates to practice, record and review mock interviews.

Visit our website to find out more: www.algonquincollege.com/employment

When you’re studying online, your contact with peers and facilitators will be through web-based forums and discussion boards. It’s worth making sure that you’re coming across the way you intend to and that you’re a positive addition to your online community.

Here are a few Dos and Don’ts of “netiquette” — or online communication practices — to bear in mind the next time you log on or join in.

Do:

Watch your tone

Digital correspondence is notoriously vague and subject to (mis)interpretation. If you’re not careful, you could easily come across as rude, angry or sarcastic, even when that’s not your intention. Re-read your comments before posting them to make sure the tone isn’t negative.

Use emoticons — as appropriate

Emotion icons, such as smiley faces, can help clarify your tone or intention. For example, if you want people to know that you’re joking or emphasize that you’re not upset, a smile emoticon can go a long way. Use them, but don’t overuse them. 

Be generous & collaborative

Don’t chime in only when you need help or advice. Be an active participant in your online community. Take the time to read and respond to other people’s posts, and provide encouragement and information when you can.

Include a subject line

When you post on a forum, use a brief header that clearly indicates the topic you’re asking about or commenting on.

Be friendly

Start your posts with a greeting, and sign off with your name — unless your username makes it clear who you are.

Use good grammar & spelling

No one likes wading through sloppy, incoherent sentences. Also, using proper diction helps make a good impression on your peers, who could well be your future references or colleagues.

Keep it short & sweet

Be clear and concise in what you post.

Don’t:

Use coarse, rough or rude language

It’s off-putting and unprofessional.

Overuse caps

Writing in all caps is generally frowned upon. You might want to use caps to draw attention to something, but many users interpret it as being yelled at or scolded. Instead, try using asterisks surrounding words you want to highlight.

Rely on first person

Using “I” when you talk in person is one thing, but when you do it too much online, it often comes across as self-centred. Make a point of using “we” or “you” whenever you can; they’re more inclusive pronouns.

Flame

Flaming is an online rant. People who flame don’t consider the opinions or feelings of anyone else on the forum. Presenting an informed opinion in a diplomatic way is acceptable; lashing out and forcing your preferences on others is not.

Send spam

Discussion boards, forums and online chat rooms aren’t the place to promote yourself, your products or your own agenda. Keep your comments focussed on topics that are relevant to your courses and program.

Overuse abbreviations

From texts to posts to instant messages, a lot of online communication is about conveying information as quickly as possible. But using too many abbreviations can be irritating, not to mention confusing. Algonquin College’s environment includes people from a wide range of backgrounds and ages who have varying degrees of familiarity with digital trends. A few common abbreviations, such as LOL (laugh out loud), are fine. Just try to minimize them and avoid obscure abbreviations.

1-Contagion

This medical thriller came out in 2011 and made the top of the list for most watched movies on Netflix during the pandemic. While the virus in the movie is many times deadlier than COVID-19, the scenario shows enough to grab the viewer’s attention.

2-Onward

Onward is the first non-sequel Pixar movie since 2017’s Coco. In the film, two elf brothers go to an adventure when they are given the chance to bring their dad back to life for one more day!

The movie was based on the life of the director and co-writer of Onward, Dan Scanlon, who lost his father when he was just a year old.

3-I don’t feel at home in this world anymore

This American comedy thriller was release in 2017 and tells the story of a nursing assistant who returns home and finds out she had been robbed. Ruth reports to the police, but only to be chastised for leaving the door unlocked.

Ruth finds the location of one of the stolen items, her laptop, and starts a journey to try to get her items back.

4-The Lighthouse

This horror film is an international co-production of the United Stated and Canada. The movie tells the story of two lighthouse keepers who get stranded on the remote island where they work after a storm.

The Lighthouse received praise for its unique aesthetics and was nominated for Best Cinematography.

5-Once upon a time in Hollywood

The comedy-drama was release in 2019 and it was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie includes a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie. Once upon a time in Hollywood received 10 nominations for the Oscar.

The movie takes place in the 60’s in Los Angeles and tells the story of a TV actor and his stunt double, in their search for making their names in Hollywood.