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By on June 1, 2015 in Academic Life
Image by Shawn on Flickr

Image by Shawn on Flickr

One of the best tips to help you finish your semester strong, and graduate with all your goals met, is to remind yourself why you’re in school in the first place. It’s easy to lose sight of the big picture and the stress of end of term papers and exams can take a toll. Nearing the end of a semester is crisis time for many. The following tips can help motivate you onward to a strong finish.

Stay Inspired
There’s a reason you chose to attend college. That reason is just as important today as it was yesterday. Your inspiration is the fuel that can drive you toward life success and beyond. Write your inspiration for attending school down and keep it where it can easily be seen. Out of sight often means out of mind and you don’t want your end goal to just be a piece of paper.

Ask for Help When You Need it
Never allow fear or pride to stand in the way of getting assistance if you need it. If you’re behind on a project or your studies, don’t hesitate to let your instructors know. Asking for help now is always better than asking for help later. Instructors are usually more willing to help if there’s a chance you can make up for lost time and better understand the concepts you’re learning.

Avoid Procrastination
One of the best ways to stay on track is to start and finish your assignments and projects on time. If you are working toward a math or engineering degree you can’t afford to get behind on assignments, and for degrees in the arts your big projects should be ongoing throughout the semester. Getting things done on schedule allows you to avoid stress. Being proactive is also a good habit to form – one that can benefit you in every area of life.

Stay Healthy
Exercising and eating healthy are always important for your wellbeing and education. While in school, it’s easy to get into the habit of eating junk food, staying up late, and overlooking the need to exercise. Unhealthy habits may appear to have no effect on you now, but it’s a given that they’ll catch up with you down the line.

Form a Dependable Research Group
Classmates, if they’re serious about their studies, can be a tremendous help in setting a standard for study. A study group provides an excellent opportunity to share ideas, quiz each other, and simplify complex topics. You can pace each other in a more collaborative environment.

Sleep
While not everyone needs eight hours of sleep, having a refreshed body and mind can go a long way toward putting forth your best efforts. Well rested, your mind and body will function much better in the classroom. Your attention span will be longer and sharper.

How you finish your semester is how you’re likely to begin the next one. Finish strong, and celebrate. Then prepare to get back to business.

Information Credit from Ohio University.

This article was contributed by guest author Brooke Chaplan.

By on April 24, 2015 in Academic Life, Our Stories
Image by GotCredit, Flickr

Image by GotCredit, Flickr

  1. Readings will pile up – fast.

    2. Between attending lectures, tutorials, extra-curriculars, and writing essays, readings were sometimes pushed aside in my first year. However, I realized the importance of readings, not only for refreshing my memory, but also to help supplement the lecture material. It’s important to stay on top of readings – it really helps with studying. Plus, I paid for all my textbooks, so I decided I may as well get the most out of them.

  2. Many opportunities and resources will become available.

    3. University is full of different opportunities. The first few weeks, I was overwhelmed by the number of clubs and resources available. I took advantage of the writing centres on campus, which help to organize and edit essays and assignments. I also joined a mentorship program for first generation students as a Mentee. I participated in many learning and social events and met frequently with my Mentor. Through dedicated participating, I will be a Mentor-in-Training for next year, which I am extremely excited about!

  3. Balance is key.

    4. Between all the opportunities I took and the school work I had to do, balancing life was sometimes a struggle. Creating a schedule became my solution. I planned out when I had time to study before, between or after classes, and when I had free time for some fun. Sometimes one area of my life took over more than others (have I mentioned that time I had four essays due in the same week?). But as I said, balance is key.

  4. Budgeting will lessen financial worries.

    5. First year brought many expenses for me, from tuition to textbooks to transportation. I was lucky to win a few scholarships that helped to cut down on some of the costs, but budgeting throughout the year was helpful for the rest of my expenses. I took advantage of student discounts – there are thousands out there! I also planned out how much money I should be spending each month and which expenses were necessary. For example, although it’s awesome to eat out, bringing lunch to school is much cheaper.

  5. Being hard on yourself will get you nowhere.

    6. I thought that I could juggle absolutely everything this year. I was so excited to take advantage of every opportunity and to learn as much as I could in subjects I loved. When I started to get overwhelmed with everything I was doing, I wondered if there was something wrong; but it just came to realizing that I’m not superhuman. I learned to say no when I didn’t have time to help out with extra-curriculars. My first year of university has been the most thrilling experience for me. After reflecting on my year, I’m ready to take on second year!

By on February 10, 2014 in Academic Life
Image by Elvert Barnes, Flickr

Image by Elvert Barnes, Flickr

Writing an academic paper is a regular activity at school and it’s a way for students to showcase their abilities in gathering data, writing, and more. Writing an excellent paper is one of the goals of every student because they get to improve their knowledge, acquire better grades and develop certain skills that will be able to help them in their studies. However, it seems that only a few students are able to accomplish such a feat. Getting an “F” is the last thing a student wants to see on their paper, but if you don’t put the effort in, you can’t expect great results. As a student, it’s your responsibility to excel at your studies no matter what, and you have to find out what’s causing the problem. Here are a few examples of the problems that you should prevent before it’s too late.

  1. Getting easily distracted

    2. There’s certainly no way you’ll be able to write a great paper if your mind isn’t in the right place. Being unable to focus is the result of boredom taking over and you won’t be able to finish if you allow it to continue. Distractions are pretty much everywhere and you’ll have to avoid them as much as possible. Work on your paper in an isolated place like the library or your own room provided you’ve cleared away anything that can cause distractions. Be sure to turn off your Internet connection, laptop and your phone while you’re at it.

  2. Experiencing “writer’s block”

    3. If you can’t seem to write anything, then it’s a clear sign you have a writer’s block – the worst thing that could happen to you while writing. Forcing yourself to think will only make things worse, as your brain isn’t working with you. You’re pretty much doomed to fail, unless you do something about it. According to some studies, exhaustion can cause writer’s block, which is why you should take enough time to recover from your mental and physical fatigue so you’ll be able to write without any problems.

  3. Taking the easy way out

    4. Most students aren’t fond of spending too much time on their papers, which is why they’re doing everything they can to shorten the amount of time needed to write. Copying articles word for word is one of their usual strategies, which is obviously a form of cheating, as is getting someone else to write it for you. Writing a brilliant paper will take some time because you’ll need to do proper research to write a compelling argument on your topic. Remember that your patience and effort in writing can eventually pay off in the form of an “A+”.

  4. Getting information from a single source

    5. There are many reliable sources of information that can be used, but the problem is that most students are narrowing their search into a single medium. They have a great dependence on the Internet since information is easily accessible in seconds, but it might lack on some areas of their topic. Aside from the Internet, try reading books or asking knowledgeable people about the subject so that you’ll be able to cover more ground, and that would greatly reinforce your arguments.

  5. Writing at the last minute

    6. Tardiness is very common among students nowadays and it could have a negative impact on your study habits. Working on essays or assignments at the very last minute is a good example of something that can result in a paper truly deserving of a failing grade. You need to set your priorities straight if you want to gain positive results from your efforts, and writing your assignments should take precedence once you get home. It won’t be easy, but it’s definitely for your own good.

There you have it! Hopefully, you’ve learned what to avoid when you’re writing academic papers. Good luck!

This article was contributed by guest author Sophia Jennings.

By on February 6, 2014 in Applications, Colleges, Universities
Image by University of Salford, Flickr

Image by University of Salford, Flickr

An MBA degree is considered to be the ultimate ticket to success. It is a highly coveted qualification in the realm of business management and can give your career a major boost. However, pursuing an MBA isn’t as easy as some students think it to be. The following article will offer advice to students who are researching admission to MBA colleges in Canada. The given tips will help you join a respectable business school and productively utilize your time spent there.

A management program in Canada can offer a plethora of opportunities, boost your earning potential and help expand your network. It also increases your employability across the globe. Those students who wish to study management courses in Canada and succeed in life can seek guidance from the following tips.

Chalk Out a Plan and Set Career Goals

An MBA aspirant must begin his/her professional journey by deciding where to go. Young professionals who are seeking to build a strong career or who wish to change their career path can opt for an MBA. But before you make up your mind, it is better that you define your long-term as well as short-term career goals. You should first decide where you want to be in the future and consider the different kinds of jobs and industries where you can seek employment after completing your course. Knowing what you want will help you prepare better and ultimately strengthen your applications.

While targeting business schools, you must ensure that the companies you wish to work for will come to the select colleges for campus recruitment. If they don’t, it is wiser to reconsider your choice. It is a drawback to study in a college where your dream company does not visit for recruitment. Most business schools judge your application based on the following criteria – 70 per cent and above in graduation, GMAT scores, TOEFL, group discussions and personal interviews. A candidate must also have relevant work experience.

Take a Quantitative Course

There are certain aspirants who may not have quantitative knowledge due to a non-commerce background. Such applicants can put in extra efforts by taking up additional coursework. You can take additional classes for finance, calculus and statistics. It does not matter where you take these classes; you may take them online or join a community college. If you have a particular management institute in mind, you can check the course subjects with them and seek recommendation so that you are prepared for the quantitative tryst of the MBA program.

Socialize to Build Long-Term Networks

Interestingly, most MBAs reveal that the network they developed at their business schools are the most valuable and fruitful. You should begin building associations right at the beginning of your program. It is even better if you start doing so while applying for management colleges. Many MBA institutes conduct networking events to allow potential candidates to interact with school representatives. You can move on from collecting the basic information and interact with the guests present. View it as an opportunity for connecting with the MBA community that you shall be joining for life. Most of these relations will go beyond the admissions procedure and classroom bonding and will eventually help you in the long run when you are looking for new jobs.

Be Confident and Believe in Yourself

As you come across other MBA candidates hailing from business backgrounds, you may begin to second-guess your caliber. When you meet an applicant from a commerce background (like a BBA), it is evident that they will know more as they have already studied the same concepts for their graduation. However, what you need to do is stop thinking and focus on your own strengths, skills and attributes. Tell yourself that you will be an asset to the MBA community and are meant to excel in this field. All management institutes in Canada receive applications by people from different walks of life, but that only makes them distinct and special because MBA colleges encourage diversity.

Like you, there will be several more candidates who are striving to get into a reputed Canadian business school. Do not fear competition or lose hope. If you think business management is your calling in life, begin to feel more confident and aware. Only then will you be able to prove yourself and further impress the admission panel at later stages of admission.

This article was contributed by Devika Arora.

By on January 28, 2014 in Academic Life
Image by Celestine Chua, Flickr

Image by Celestine Chua, Flickr

I bet all of you have started the Winter semester motivated and on the front foot. Typically, the first month of classes is when students actually keep up with readings, assignments, lectures and whatnot. Towards the tail end of the semester though, when the assignments and exams start to really pile up, all the motivation is gone. All you want to do is to get across that finish line somehow. So, I thought I’d compile a list of tips to help you stay motivated through the semester:

  1. Manage your time

    2. This is the most important tip. You’d be surprised how many issues can be minimized by just one step – proper time management. Don’t slack. I know it gets harder as the semester progresses, but you have to manage your time and get stuff done. Don’t get lazy and put off those readings till tomorrow; tomorrow never comes.

  2. Prioritize

    3. Do you really need to watch that YouTube video right now? Do you really need to go through 9gag? It’s prioritizing not just that fun stuff, but also going out and work. You are choosing something over the other at all times. Choose your priorities carefully, and keep in mind the opportunity cost (see what I did there?). Point is, the less you tire yourself out, the better for you.

  3. Take time to relax

    4. Most students have a schedule crazier than Barack Obama’s, with classes, club events, work, networking, and schoolwork crammed into a single day. After all that, you’ve got Facebook, YouTube, and your favourite TV series to keep you up until late into the night. Doing this on a regular basis will definitely result in a major burnout. Take time to relax. Listen to some music, go out for a walk, read a book (not a course book, obviously). Take some time off.

  4. Socialize

    5. Despite your schedule, make time to go out with some friends at least every other week. Studies show that just focusing on work and school and not having any frequent informal interaction outside of these leads to anxiety and potentially, a burnout. Aaaand, you don’t want that. So make time to go out; I’m sure you can find a couple of hours at least once a week. (That time for the YouTube videos? Use it here.)

  5. Keep your eyes on the goal

    6. There is a reason you are here. Every time you start feeling lazy or start procrastinating, remind yourself about what you want to achieve. Lazy people don’t get anywhere; you have to work hard to be successful. No one said it was going to be easy.

So that’s pretty much it! I hope we all can benefit from these tips, and have a wonderful semester!

This article was originally posted on the Schulich undergrad blog. See it here.