Author: dorob

How to stay healthy and active while at home

staying active

 

Staying at home and keeping physical distancing is the best thing we can do right now, but we all agree that this has not been the easiest task some days.

Two of the things that will help you go through this time are: eating well and exercising. Not sure how to do that? Here are some tips for you:

Go for walks

As long as you maintain physical distancing, you should take some time to exercise. Going for a walk is a great way to clear your head and get some fresh air.

“We know the benefits of exercise. Exercise causes all sorts of positive chemicals to be released into the body and we are designed to move, we are not designed to sit down all the time”, says Wayne Boucher, who was the Fitness and Wellness coordinator at Algonquin College for over 15 years.

Do body weight work out

There are tons of body weight exercise programs available online, and 20 to 30 minutes of exercise will get some sweat going and will make you feel revigorated!

Boucher says that body weight exercises are also safer to try if you have not been working out lately.

“Because we are working with our own bodies, there is very little risk of injuries and we do what we can. Everybody has a different fitness level. Somebody may not be able to do 100 body weight squats in a setting, but they might be able to do 10 today, 11 tomorrow, 12 the next day.”

Cook a healthy meal

Eat as healthy as you can and if you have fresh vegetables at home, take the time to make your lunch or dinner and even try a new recipe.

“Students can make fabulous inexpensive food if they are cooking at home,” says the coordinator of the Food and Nutrition Management program at Algonquin, Jane Pearl.

Check out this recipe from one of Algonquin’s students who is in the culinary management program.

Stay connected (virtually)

You have to keep physical distancing, but there are still many ways you can be connected to your friends and family over the internet! It is important for your mental health to take time to socialize, even online.

You can also take time to call that friend of family member you have not seen for a while because of your busy schedule!

Things to do before starting a new semester

The following was produced by ACX; a group of student storytellers that give an honest and fresh take on all things Algonquin College.

1-Find a job or volunteer

Once school is done, summer is the ideal time to find a job or volunteer. You’ll also have an opportunity to save money, meet new people and most important of all, gain new skills.

Here are some helpful links.

2-Find ways to save money

Whether that’s creating a budget or not buying takeout every week, finding ways to save your money is always a good thing. Perhaps make a list of things you need to buy instead of things your favorite celeb is wearing. Small steps can add up!

3-Book a campus tour

It’s never too early to start mapping out your classes or thinking about where the best eating spots are. Algonquin College offers tours year-round, ranging from virtual tours to group tours. Check out this link for more!

4-Research your program of choice

If you’re undecided about what you what you’re interested in, no problem. The summer gives you an opportunity to research your program. Read up about the programs online or reach out to students and professors for any questions!

5- Read books

Finding a great book doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy them. Find the time to read. (Reading Instagram captions, don’t count). Go thrifting for a great book or visit your local library to catch up on your favorite authors.

6-Join Facebook groups

Depending on your program, the requirements such as textbooks may vary. Check out Facebook groups to hunt for cheaper deals on textbooks. Groups are also helpful if you’re looking for housing near campus as well.

7-Explore Ottawa:

During the summer, there’s no crunch for time for assignments, tests or all-nighters. The summer in Ottawa is packed with outdoor activities from the Ottawa Blues Festival to the Festival of India. Gatineau Park also offers amazing sceneries for that perfect Instagram post.

ACX

Affordable and nutritious recipe for students!

Jessica Kendall

 

Jessica Kendall is in her first year of the Culinary Management program at Algonquin College. We asked her to make an affordable and healthy meal for students, and she chose a very yummy recipe!

“A tartine in French just means open-face sandwich, so it is a very versatile recipe, you can use a variety of ingredients, whichever you really like,” says Kendall. ” The foundation of the recipe is a piece of toast and from there you build on that, so you can add cheese, you can add vegetables, you can add bacon or meat if you prefer. It is really up to you and what your taste buds like.”

Tartine

Mushroom & Egg Tartine

Serves: 4

Prep & Cooking time: 15 minutes

1 tbsp of oil

4 slices of bread

4 eggs

2 shallots (or 1/2 onion)

20-24 white or cremini mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup of cheese (optional – Gruyere, swiss or cheddar)

4 cups of spinach leaves (optional)

2 tbsp parsley (optional)

Salt & pepper

Directions:

-In a medium non-stick frying pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, shallots and garlic. Cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

-Add spinach and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir to combine. Cook for a minute until spinach has wilted, remove mixture from the pan and keep it warm.

-Toast your bread. While bread is toasting, crack an egg into the frying pan. Cook until the white is set and the yolk is cooked as desired. (A runny yolk makes a delicious “sauce” for this dish, but cook the yolk as you prefer.)

-Place toast on a plate. Place cheese on toast. Spoon mushroom and spinach mixture over cheese, then add fried egg on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and parsley to garnish.

Recipe notes:

Use white, cremini or an assortment of mushrooms.

Vary the cheese – try Cheddar, Havarti, Monterey Jack, or your favourite type.

Vary the greens – try coarsely chopped Swiss chard or kale. They may need to be cooked a little longer than the spinach.

Serve with a poached egg instead of a fried egg.

Garnish with chopped fresh herbs e.g. parsley, thyme, chives, tarragon.

Algonquin students make a difference through applied research programs

The reforestation Rover was created by students in the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician program

The reforestation Rover was created by students in the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician program

Haidar Al-Aubiydy’s father, who has Parkinson’s disease, was by himself at home when he fell and almost got hurt. Luckily, he had a phone close by and was able to call his son. That was the second time he fell. On that day, Al-Aubiydy knew he had to do something, not only to help his father, but also others who might be going through the same challenges.

“There is a lot of people in the same situation and we thought: what about developing something that can help people like this?” says Al-Aubiydy.

That was how the Tink Rover was created, a personal assistant to monitor the elderly and people living with disabilities. The prototype is able to recognize faces and can call 911 in case a person falls. The robot was part of a project in the Computer Engineering Technology program at Algonquin College.

Al-Aubiydy says that what he likes the most about his program is the hands-on experience. “I learn best by doing, not by just reading.”

Jesse White and his teammates were thinking about sustainability when they came up with the Reforestation Rover. The autonomous robot was created to put seeds at pre-set depths and areas, contributing to the reforestation process.

“Typically, the seeds are strewn on the top of the soil and they can be taken by animals, squirrels and birds and the likes, so ours ensures that it gets to the proper depth,” says White.

The robot was part of the Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician program, and White and his teammates hope to continue developing the prototype.

Algonquin College has been recognized as a national leader in applied research. At Algonquin, students get to be innovative and use what they have learned in the classroom to create a product or a service that will make a difference in the community. Check out some of the other projects our students have created.

Five cool jobs on campus

Five cool jobs on campus

 

Work and study can be tough, but we know many of our students need to work while in school. In that case, working on campus can be a great option. You save commuting time, and jobs on campus take into consideration student’s timetables.

We have selected five very cool jobs at the Ottawa campus. These positions give students the opportunity to learn different skills, while also making money to help pay for school.

Check out what students in these positions have to say about their own experience!

Student Navigator

Do you like meeting new people? If the answer is yes, this position is for you! In the role of student navigator, you will be assisting people on how to get around campus, while also partnered up with a new student to help them navigate Algonquin College.

What Deborah loves the most about the position is feeling the satisfaction of helping other people. Take a peek at what she shared with us!

SA Promo Street Team

In this position, students will work with Algonquin Student’s Association to help promote facilities, services, building a brand presence on campus and much more!

Check this out if you enjoy working in a team environment! Sophia has made friends and has learned how communication skills are important. Click below to see more about her experience:

Client Service Associate at the Fitness Zone

In this job, you have to enjoy talking to people! It is a fun position at the Fitness Zone on campus. The client service associate performs duties such as greeting costumers, membership and merchandise sales, providing assistance to the Athletic Department staff and much more! AnnaMaria says that one of her favorite parts of the day is coming in to work. She has met so many people and loves the vibe. Check out this video to see a bit of her routine:

Student Printer Supporter Technician

Through the College Student Employment Program, full-time students at Algonquin are able to find jobs in different departments on campus. One of the positions in the program is the student printer supporter technician. In this part time position, students are responsible for ensuring that printers throughout the campus are up and running at all times. Other responsibilities include monitoring printer lab print activity, assisting students with downloading and installing print software and drivers and much more.

This role is a great way to get some experience while you are still in school and build your resume. Marconi has been in the role for the past two years and he says that the experience has helped him land a great co-op job!

Usher

This is a front-of-house casual/part-time position at the Algonquin Commons Theatre. Algonquin student Alex Schadlinger has been in the role since May 2019. Schadlinger greets people at the door, checks if people have the right ticket and shows them to their seats. It is also his job to make sure everyone is following the rules according to the theater.

He says that this job has taught him how important it is to be on time. “I wasn’t punctual before, but punctuality is something that they respect as well. So, there’s that learning experience, especially with shows, like, you have to be on time.”

For Schadlinger, one of the coolest parts of his job is being able to watch so many different shows. “There’s so many different varieties in terms of music and the type of dance that you see, the tempo, everything.”

Five cool jobs on campus

 

Check out what Schadlinger has to say about being a student while working at the Algonquin Commons Theatre:

Interested to hear more options on how to make earn some money/AC cash on campus? Check this out!

10 best places to study on campus

1. The Student Commons

It’s not called The Student Commons for anything: This spot (in E-Building) is perfect for getting together with study groups and discussing ideas out loud. There’s a variety of couches and tables, it’s just a matter of what suits you. And Starbucks too.

Student Commons

2. The AC Hub

On the second floor from the Commons, is the AC Hub. Although this space is usually designated for monthly events and workshops, it holds multiple booths and tables for a great study session.

AC Hub

3. A-building

A-building, near the Salon and Spa. It may be a little far depending on where you’re walking from it, but it serves as a quiet space for quick study sessions.

A Building

4. T-building

In T-building — there are some little study rooms that you don’t need to book and some end tables near classrooms.

T Building

5. Clubs & Community centre

Clubs & Community centre (on the same level as AC Hub). This view overlooks the Student Commons and it’s a quieter space too. There are vending machines, for the convenience of snacks, as well as a room for various campus clubs.

Clubs and Community Centre

6. Bridge

Bridge en route to C-Building. Here, there are cornered off study sections as well as study rooms that students can book and use.

Bridge

7. Algonquin library

The second floor of the Algonquin library space. This space is usually quiet but fills up quickly during the day. Grab a coffee and make your way here early to reserve a spot.

Library

8. P-building

The lounge area in P-building is also a great study space. It might be slightly loud, but it makes for a great space for group work.

P Building

9. The high chairs

The high chairs opposite Bits & Bytes is ideal for a quick rundown of notes or a place for some downtime. Plus, with a great view and snacks-to-go, what could be better?

High Chairs

10. E-building

E-building (behind Starbucks), is also a great place to study. It may seem big, but it’s a cornered off area that’s usually quiet for solo or group study sessions.

E Building

Find out if living in residence might be a good choice for you!

When Andrew D’Alessio moved to Ottawa from a small town in Ontario he did not what to expect. Two years from that first day in residence he says that living on campus was the best choice he could have made. Do you wonder what it is like to live in residence? D’Alessio let us inside his residence room and showed us a bit of his routine living on campus.

Apply early for more chances to get into the program you want

February 1st is Equal Consideration Date and you will want to mark this day in your calendar!
When you apply by February 1st you have more chances to get accepted into highly competitive programs.

Algonquin student Courtney Allison knew that the program she wanted was one of the most competitive ones. She applied early and is now enjoying her experience in the Aircraft Maintenance Technician program. Check out this video to see what she has shared!

Are you applying to a competitive program?

If the answer is yes, mark February 1st on your calendar. Students that apply before this date have more chances to get into the program they want. Want to know why? Check out this video!