Our #ACvolunteers started the year strong by welcoming students to Algonquin at Winter Orientation, making delicious meals for the community, and much more! Here’s a look back at a few of the ways our volunteers made a difference this January… Continue reading
Ottawa
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
This Reading Week, Algonquin students and employees will be participating in service-learning trips abroad as part of Global Projects. Check out the priority items that are needed by our partner volunteer organizations and see if you have items to donate. Continue reading
Some of the best memories are made while making a difference – just ask Prerana Malik, one of our Community Project volunteers. For Prerana, volunteering at Ronald McDonald House was an opportunity to experience a new tradition while giving back to our community.
Having seen many movies where people decorate trees for the holidays, Prerana always wanted to decorate one herself. She got the chance to do that for the first time at the Ronald McDonald House Community Project, where volunteers came together to help make the house festive in time for the holiday season. “It was an amazing experience,” she says. “I had a lot of fun while setting up the tree, putting up the lights, ornaments, and finally the angel.” 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!
The Snowsuit Fund
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 →
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
In October, we launched an exciting new Community Project partnership with Just Food Farm, treated the animals at Big Sky Ranch to some TLC, and said “thank you” to the disaster relief volunteers in Dunrobin. Check out the highlights below!
Just Food Farm
Local food was at the heart of this exciting new Community Projects partnership. Our volunteers lent a hand by harvesting, cleaning, and organizing freshly picked crops at Just Food Farm – where people and projects come together to model and inspire small-scale, viable agriculture initiatives in the Ottawa region. More Just Food Farm photos →