for students

Essential Tips for Online Learners

How many times a day do you think you check your phone? 50? 100? 200? With the countless distractions and notifications that are constantly popping-up, staying focused on your work and classes requires a lot of self-regulation. This is especially true if you are an online learner. Without anyone around to keep you accountable, it’s a challenge to avoid going down the internet rabbit hole. We’ve got some helpful tricks and tips to help you succeed as an online student.


Establish a schedule

Grinch reading his schedule

While taking College classes online allows you to have a very flexible schedule, this unstructured time can lead to many challenges. To make things easier, try creating a weekly timetable for yourself like you would have in a real classroom setting. Dedicate certain days to specific classes and budget at least one hour of homework for every hour of class time. Try to spread out activities so you don’t get overwhelmed, and make sure you leave enough room in between for downtime.

Here’s a template you can download to make your timetable and instructions on how to create a weekly schedule using software like Google Calendar or Outlook.

 

Set blackout periods

Woman looking for phone

Studies show that you can lose up to 40% of your productivity by task-switching. To prevent this, turn phone on Do Not Disturb mode and block distracting websites on your browser to avoid temptations for set periods of time throughout the day. Make sure to be realistic when you set your blackout periods so that you can actually stay committed. For example, tell yourself that after every three hours of studying you will reward yourself with one episode of your favourite Netflix show. If you are too strict with your rules, you are bound to crack and break them.

 

Find a dedicated study area

Eating Chips in Bed

Whether it’s a coffee shop, your local library, a home office, or your kitchen table, it’s important to have a designated study area where you feel comfortable with limited distractions and a strong internet connection. Although it is tempting to do work in your bed or on your couch, your “quick power naps” can very easily turn into hour-long slumbers. Instead, pick one room or area to study in and stick with it. Over time, you will get used to the space and you’ll have less new stimuli for your brain to process.

 

Use a notepad

Kermit typing fast

Taking notes by hand can seem cumbersome, especially when all your courses are on your computer anyways. But just because you can type faster than you can write, doesn’t mean it’s the best alternative. In fact, you will be more likely to absorb the material when you are taking notes by hand and summarizing as you go, rather than typing 100 words a minute and retaining none of it. Studying your handwritten notes can also help reduce the eye strain that results from too much screen time.

 

Socialize with peers

Lonely Pablo Escobar

Just because you are studying online doesn’t mean that you should do it alone. To avoid isolation, try to participate in online discussion groups with other students who are in the same course or program as you. Make a conscious effort to plan activities and get-togethers with friends throughout the week. Socializing will help your brain engage in new ideas and can help reduce stress levels.

 

More resources

Check out more resources for online learners including our program guide and upcoming info sessions.

5 TED Talks Every Student Needs to Watch ASAP

From stories of the Instant Gratification Monkey to multipotentialite superpowers, these TED Talks will teach students ways to lead a more positive, productive and empathetic life.

1. Inside the mind of a master procrastinator by Tim Urban

If you ever find yourself thinking “meh… I’ll do this tomorrow”; and then tomorrow turns into the next day, and then the next week, and then the next month… You may have a procrastinating problem. But you’re not alone. According to this speaker, we’re all procrastinators. Listen to how Tim Urban explains his problem and how it can affect your life.

2. The power of introverts by Susan Cain

Introverts have long been misunderstood. Seen by extroverts as being standoff-ish or anti-social, in reality introverts are just deeper thinkers and listen more than they speak. Understanding how different people think and share ideas is important for dealing with other students in group projects or living in residence. In this TED Talk, Susan Cain explains why the world needs introverts and how the loudest person in the room isn’t always the one with the best ideas.

3. The danger of hiding who you are by Morgana Bailey

At some point in all of our lives we have been scared to be ourselves – out of fear of being ridiculed or punished. In college and after graduating, you will encounter hundreds of people, each with a different story to tell and set of challenges they face. What’s most important is that we try not to judge others. In this brave TED Talk, Morgana Bailey makes the decision to finally reveal who she really is and why she urges everyone to take the leap of being more authentic.

4. The happy secret to better work by Shawn Anchor

In this hilarious and fast-paced talk, Shawn Anchor unveils the truth about our brains and how positive thinking is the secret to being a more productive and creative worker. Rather than thinking that once you are rich and successful then you will be happy, Shawn argues that instead you should focus on the reverse. Once your brain is able to think more positively, then you are able to be achieve far more.

5. Why some of us don’t have one true calling by Emilie Wapnick

Whether you are someone who tried university but it just wasn’t your jam or you’ve been working for a couple years in a job you don’t love, college is the perfect opportunity for you to follow a new dream. In this inspiring talk, Emilie Wapnick challenges society’s attempt to pigeonhole people into their “one true calling”. She encourages you to embrace your many passions and to pursue as many new interests as possible, as each one is a lesson that will help you on your next adventure.

Free Apps You Need to Survive First Year

Food

Screenshots of Tasty Mealime Eat This Much

via Buzzfeed, Inc., Mealime Meal Plans Inc. & Eat This Much, Inc. June 2019 (Click to enlarge)

Tasty/Eat This Much/Mealime

If you’re someone who enjoys cooking, apps like Tasty are full of delicious and dorm-friendly recipes that you can easily whip up between classes. For a healthier alternative, Mealime and Eat This Much have a collection of nutritious recipes and meal prep ideas so you can avoid that famous Freshman 15.

Ritual/Skip the Dishes/Uber Eats/Foodora/Door Dash

For when you’re in the mood to #TreatYourself, you need to check out these apps that connect you to restaurants around Ottawa.

Ritual allows you to order and pay ahead of time so your food is ready for pickup as soon as you get to the store. The app also lets you make group orders and earn rewards with each transaction.

When you’re too lazy to even go to the store, Skip the Dishes, Uber Eats, Foodora and Door Dash all deliver your favourite meals straight to your home and/or campus. Perfect for long study sessions or when you don’t want to get out of bed.

Money

Money

via Splitwise Inc. June 2019 (Click to enlarge)

Splitwise

Anyone who has ever lived with roommates knows how difficult it can be to keep track of who owes what. Tools like Splitwise aim to simplify this by allowing you input shared expenses and keep a running total over time. Now you can settle your balances in one big payment so you don’t have to feel petty chasing after people for $6 for laundry detergent.

Mint

If spreadsheets aren’t really your thing, then Mint is for you. The personal budgeting app connects your account to your banking institution(s) so you can have a better view of your finances. You can set limits for yourself and receive alerts when your spending habits are higher than usual.

Flipp

Flipp gets you one step closer to becoming an Extreme Couponer. You can explore weekly flyers at local retailers, find coupons to save on everyday items, sync your shopping lists, and much more. At first it may seem time consuming, but you’d be surprised at how quickly those couple of dollars in savings add up over time.

Groupon

Before spending money on any activity, the first thing you should always do is check Groupon. From exercise classes, to paint night, to three-course meals, you can always find a bunch of great deals on local goods and services.

School

Trello preview

via Trello, Inc. June 2019 (Click to enlarge)

Trello

As the popular saying goes, there is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time. The same concept holds true when it comes to college. Between exams, placements and assignments, it can be overwhelming to keep your head above water. One way to overcome this is by breaking down each task step-by-step. Project management tools like Trello help you stay on top of your game by organizing your school work into to-do lists by subject or deadline.

Brightspace

Most professors use Brightspace to post digital material, allow communication between students and faculty and conduct assessments. Although you can use Brightspace on any laptop or computer, it’s a great tool to have on your mobile device so you can stay up-to-date on the latest assignments and access course material from anywhere.

WhatsApp/FB/Google Hangouts/Skype

No matter what you are studying in College, you are bound to have at least one group project where these apps will definitely come in handy. Whether you are #TeamiPhone or #TeamAndroid, you and your teammate can share files and have group text/video calls – even if you don’t share the same type of smartphone.

Grammarly

Grammarly helps correct your spelling and grammar while you work and makes suggestions on how to kick your writing up a notch. Although this tool is best used on desktop, you can use their keyboard integration on mobile to make sure you are always putting your best foot forward.

Getting Around

Bus Buddy preview

via BusBuddy – My Appatory June 2019 (Click to enlarge)

BusBuddy/Ottawa Transit/MyTransit/Route 613

Almost everyone in Ottawa can agree that waiting at a bus stop for five minutes in the middle of winter can feel like an hour. Two hours if you are also running late for a class or exam. Do yourself a favour and download one of these apps so you can track the location of your bus in real time. That way you can wait for the bus inside and plan your trip accordingly.

Lyft/Uber

If you are an international student coming to Ottawa for the first time, you may not know of the ride-sharing apps that the nation’s capital has to offer. Lyft and Uber both –offer discounts for first time riders and Uber allows you to split the cost of the ride with your friends to make carpooling easier.

College is a huge life transition, but you have the power to make it easier at the tip of your fingertips. By reading this list, we hope you discovered new ways on how to save money, time and stress. We’ll see you on Campus!

How to Prep For a Career While in College

Starting Early: Make it A Habit, Setting Yourself Up For Success

You’ve found a profession you’re passionate about, and you can’t wait to dive into the industry? Glad to hear it! Attending college is the first step to success, but it’s never too early to prepare yourself for your future career. Here are a few practical tips that are sure to help you go far in the future.

Learn to study

Good study habits can make a huge difference in the workplace. Your future employer will be impressed at your organizational, and time management skills. You’ll be sure to wow them with how quickly you learn new things.

Studying doesn’t have to involve a busy library and countless hours of taking and memorizing notes. If that works for you, more power to ya, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Keep it interesting, get more study tips here.

Have fun with it, write up some flash cards, compose a song, draw pictures, get your friends involved, make it a game. There are so many ways you can make studying a more enjoyable and effective use of your time. If you tailor your study sesh to meet your specific learning needs, you’ll retain information way easier.

If you really hate studying, try summarizing your notes after class. It’s a great way to ensure that you understand everything you were just taught. Pro-tip: this is super helpful for meetings too. You’ll spend less time studying because you’ll be more familiar with the subject matter. Bonus!

Osmosis – Probably not the best study tool.

Studying teaches you how to find and focus on the important aspects of a project. Studying will help you become more reliable, focused, and responsible. It hones your ability to think critically, work efficiently, and remain organized. These are all excellent qualities that’ll make you stand out in a crowd. Become a good worker before you even start working.

Get involved

Nothing looks better to a potential employer than genuine passion. Getting involved in your industry before graduating is a great way to get an early start on your career. If you’re an English major, attend some writer workshops. If you’re studying advertising, check out some agencies or participate in the Ontario Colleges’ marketing competition. If you’re in the trades, go to a home and garden trade show to network and hand out resumes to potential summer employers. Try to go out and experience the industry and develop real interest in the things you’re studying.

If you have questions about life in the field, who can answer them better than someone who actually works in it? Try to snag some informational interviews. Interviews don’t always have to be about getting an internship or a job. A simple conversation over coffee, picking someone’s brain for 15 minutes, or even just a phone call can make all the difference. Get the As to all your Qs. It shows that you’re hungry for knowledge, and it makes the person you’re interviewing feel important. Win-win, right?

Not only does all this show that you care about the field you’re going into, but it’s a great way to start networking. Make lasting connections with people in your industry. Having friends in your field is a great tool to have in your belt. Who knows if you’ll need a favour one day?

Get to work

Get your name out there. Start looking for internship opportunities during the summer. Don’t let yourself forget anything you learned. It might be tempting to chill out during the summer, and forget about school for a bit, but getting a head-start in your field will look better on your CV. Gain real-world experience. Improve your portfolio. Set a goal and do whatever it takes to achieve it. Potential employers will recognize your efforts and you’ll be rewarded for it. It’s hard work but, it’ll be well worth it when you have a job straight out of college.

Not sure where to get started? Talk to an AC career advisor. These councilors can point you in the right direction. They’ll show you countless possibilities, and help you lay out your options. Career advisors can tell you how your CV looks, how to network with people, what kind of jobs are out there, and what to say during an interview. This is a powerful tool you shouldn’t forget to use.

Speaking of CVs, is yours looking a little drab? Revamp it. It might seem like a tiny detail, but this is the first thing your future employer will see. It represents your brand and it embodies who you are. If you take the time to make it look nice, it shows that you put care and effort into everything you do. Need help? Try resume.com. This site has dozens of free, stylish templates perfect for your resume.

Change it up

Sometimes we stop caring. Sometimes we forget why we do things. We lose track of our goals, or we lose inspiration. It sucks, but it’s normal. You can counter this in a few different ways.

Have you lost motivation in class? Is it getting harder to take notes? Switch up your note-taking method. Buying a new notepad and pens, or even starting a new Google doc can refresh your brain and help you think more clearly. If you’re having trouble paying attention, sit at the front of the class. You’ll feel worse about watching cat videos if your prof catches you doing it. While you’re at it, make eye contact with your teacher. You’re more likely to pay attention to something if you’re already looking at it.

This will train your brain to be more alert in the workplace, too. You’ll use these skills in future endeavors and it’ll pay off big time. From taking notes in meetings, to asking pertinent questions, your performance will improve. If your boss sees how alert and attentive you are, you’re golden.

Keep at it

Your future career might seem like it’s far away but the best time to get into the swing of things is now! It’s never a bad time to build good habits. Become a better you, and never settle because there’s always room to improve. Your future self will be grateful that you did. You’re going to do great!

Studying Tips: How To Do It Right

Studying is the key to success but man is it hard. It takes discipline and focus to actually commit to the task. Or does it? These super, duper helpful tips will make studying a little less painful. You’ll be doing it like a pro in no time!

Learn to study

Find a good study spot

You don’t always have to camp out in the library. Find a spot that you feel comfortable in. Whether this is your bedroom, a coffee shop, or your mom’s couch; it works if you’re comfy. This will put your mind it as ease. You retain information more easily when you’re relaxed. That’s what studying is all about.

Lady doing DJFind what works for you.

Learning habits

Now that you’ve found a good spot, you need to find a good method. If furiously jotting down notes and memorizing them is your thing, cool. If that technique is getting stale, maybe switch it up a little. Changing things around keeps your brain from getting bored.

Take how you learn into consideration. You know what learning habits work best for you. If you’re a visual learner, draw some pictures, and make it a game. If you’re more an auditory learner, try writing a song or poem to help you memorize things better. Make things more interesting for yourself.

New stuff

Your brain likes shiny, bright colours, the smell of ink on paper, the sound a notebook makes when you crack it open for the first time. Keep this in mind when you’re studying. New stuff is refreshing and you will want to use them. You can check out Connections for any on campus deals.

Taking notes

Taking notes is a great idea, but it’s easy to miss something important if you aren’t paying attention. Try taking point form notes and expanding after class is done. If you summarize your notes later, you’ll spend more time listening in class. Active listening is great way to properly retain information.

You can easily improve your active listening skills in a few different ways. Try facing the speaker and making eye contact. You don’t have to stare them down (that’s weird). Eye contact is a good way to focus on what the speaker is saying. Pretend you’re having an interesting conversation with them. Don’t understand something? Ask pertinent questions. Not only will this show the speaker that you were listening, you’ll also get the answers you need.

When you’re jotting something down, make it count. Cater your note-taking to your learning style. If you’re a visual learner, quickly sketching something you can refer to when studying may work for you. Pictures are an easy way to remember something. You don’t need to be an artist either. Use the sketch as a reminder.

Need some help practicing these tips? The Student Learning Centre holds workshops on study skills and more!

Explain it

If you want to test if you were really listening, try summarize the lecture after class to a friend or family member. Not only will be sure to thoroughly understand what you just learned, you’ll know what to ask about if there are gaps.

Try explaining the lesson to yourself or some friends from class. You should have them explain it to you, too. If all of you are vague on a subject it will be worth bringing it up to the instructor for them to revisit.

Practice

It takes a while for something to become a habit. Studying is no exception. If you need an extra hand, Algonquin College is here to help. There’s a ton of Student Support Services you can take advantage of. This includes studying workshops, tutoring, and lots of other things. You’ll go through a lot of trial and error before you find the right method for your learning habits. Don’t give up. You’re killin’ it, friend! I believe in you.

Paying for College: Easier Than it Sounds

College is a blast. It’s a time to experiment, to make friends, to learn things and to discover yourself. It’s an opportunity to study whatever you want with other, like-minded individuals. It’s being a part of something bigger than yourself. It’s every scholar’s dream. Paying for college, however, is every student’s nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s some advice on how to make and save some money so you don’t have to worry about that anymore.

“Leave Britney a loan!”

Student loans can be great way to start your academic career without having to fork over the cash right away. Just take a deep breathe, relax, and look into OSAP. OSAP has two types of funding: loans and grants. Bonus: you can decline the loans and only accept grants. Some other advantages, you don’t have to start repaying your OSAP until you graduate.

Banks and credit unions also offer student loans. Pro-tip: repayment for banks loans tends to be more aggressive than OSAP, so keep that in mind. Just remember that if you are getting a loan to pay for College, keep that money geared towards your education. Having money leftover after paying for tuition doesn’t necessarily mean it is time for a new smartphone.

“You better work!”

Part-time jobs are the traditional way to pay for college. With a job market as attractive as Ottawa’s is right now, it’s the easiest way too. That’s right! Ottawa has one of the hottest job markets in Canada right now according to the BMO Capital Markets list. We have the highest employment growth, lowest jobless rate, an impressive median income, and so much more.

Work on your CV and send out some cover letters! Take a look at all the possibilities. If you need even more help, look no further. Meet with a career advisor at Algonquin College today. Our wise, and determined councilors will help guide you. The best part? They’ll help you out before you even become a student.

You also have the option of attending an AC Career Clarity workshop. Don’t feel like socializing? They offer one-on-one consultations too. Don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your bed? Check out the interactive video modules. Nowyou have no excuses. Grind, grind, grind, friend!

A Bursary is a courtesy

Who doesn’t like free money? Regardless of whether you qualify for OSAP or not, applying for bursaries and scholarships should be your next move. Check this out to see hundreds of the latest available bursaries and scholarships in Canada.

You can also apply for bursaries and scholarships through your ACSIS. The bursary application opens in August, December, and April. Make sure you apply every semester.

This option requires the least effort out of the bunch. All you have to do is apply, and wait for the cash to roll in.

“Hasta la Visa, baby.”

If you’re eligible for one, opening a line of credit is a quick and easy way to cover all your expenses. You can make monthly payments, and build good credit. Students are sometimes granted a grace period to make the full repayment after graduation, so that’s cool too.

There are pros and cons to everything and a line of credit is no exception. They come with a lot of responsibility. On the con side, you have to make sure that you aren’t overspending, and that you pay the interest while you’re still in school. Also, interest rates are variable, which means they can increase whenever. Opening a line of credit mightalso disqualify you from certain bursaries or scholarships so make sure to read the fine print.

The good news is the you don’t need to have financial need to apply. This is especially great for those who don’t qualify for OSAP or whose parents’ incomes disqualifies them from Government loans. Anyone can open a line of credit. You also have the option of consolidating your debt on your line of credit and pay the interest there rather than on your credit card.

If you’re considering opening a line of credit, check this out to see which bank suits you best

“Everyday I’m hustlin’.”

If you’re already doing all this and you’re looking for more, first of all congrats, that’s awesome. Secondly, maybe you should consider a side-hustle. Side-hustles are essentially just jobs you do for fun. You basically get paid to do your favourite hobby.

A wise man once said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” Or maybe that was Joker from that one Batman movie? Either way, find something you’re good at and start charging people.

Become a tutor. Open an Etsy shop and sell something. Have a bake sale. Sell some clothes on online, or at a consignment shop. Babysit. Collect recyclables and bring them to a recycling center. Rent out a spare room for storage. Become a tasker – complete other people’s basic tasks like groceries, or yard work. Dabble in voice acting on Fiver. Become an Uber or Lyft driver. With the Gig economy on the rise, there’s lots of money to be made. The possibilities are endless really. Get creative.

Don’t freak out

The most important part of growing up is facing your problems head-on. It’s time to do just that. College is supposed to be an exciting time. You’re going to learn and experience so many life-changing things! How are you going to enjoy any of it if you’re too busy stressing over tuition? Use this helpful advice, take a seat, kick back, and relax. You got this, pal.

Gentleman smashing the pig bank

You don’t need to break the bank just to go to college.

Chelsie McHugh is a third-year Advertising and Marketing Communications student. She’s a funny, fiery redhead with a passion for writing.

Tips and Tricks: Saving Money – Make Your Cash Last

Listen, friend, we all struggle with money problems. If you’re having a hard time relating to Cardi B’s Money, here’s what you should do.

Budgeting is key

This is probably the most challenging tip on our list, but it’s easily the most effective. It’s all about perspective and discipline. Little changes can make a big difference. Bring your lunch to school or work, make coffee at home, shop with coupons (download the Flipp app to make it easier), live with roommates or your parents, buy things you need rather than things you want.

If you need more budgeting resources, check this out or snag a free template.

Another great trick is the 10% trim method. This is when you find one expense and figure out a way to reduce by 10%. For example, if you buy a specific meal every week, maybe you can save 10% of your money by learning to cook it yourself. Eliminating 10% of your expenses from specific line items will really start stacking up.

Remember, you don’t have to do this all at once. Start by taking baby steps, and it’ll become a habit in no time. Get creative but stick to your budget.

Coupons, discounts, points, loyalty cards…

If retail therapy is harder to quit than you anticipated, we suggest asking about student discounts. Certain stores like Adidas, ASOS, Champion, and even IKEA can take up to 30% off your total. Check out the full list here. No student discount available? Don’t forget the tried and true method of cutting out coupons.

If shopping online is more your style, take a look at the Honey plug-in to make your life a little easier. Honey will find discount codes for you and apply them to your cart at check-out. It’s an easy way to save, and feel a little better about spending your cash.

Don’t forget about groceries! Shopping with coupons is one thing, but why not sign up for rewards programs? These are great opportunities to save money on things you were going to buy anyway. Take PC Optimum Rewards for example. The more points you collect, the more money you save. You can even redeem your points for free groceries!

Man showing his coupons

Take advantage of discount cards, and loyalty programs. If it saves you money, it’s a good idea. A lot of stores accept the SPC card. These nifty, little cards can score you discounts on things like food, clothes, and so much more.

Put your money to good use

You actually need to do something with all the money you are saving. Anytime you cut from your budget you should transfer that cash difference to a high interest savings account (1-2%), tax free savings account (TFSA), or debt payment. Pay off your credit cards, and bills. Buy some decent kitchenware that’ll last you a long time. Get a Costco membership. Invest in some nice business attire you can wear to future interviews. The choice is yours, but be sure to make it a wise one.

Take it easy

With any skill, practice makes perfect. The same goes for budgeting. It’s really, really hard to make your money last. We get it. That’s why we want to help. Life is supposed to be fun, and though you should focus on budgeting, don’t forget to live a little. You’ve got this.