Month: July 2020

10 cool gadgets and office supplies that will make your study space more fun

We know that studying at home can be tricky at first. Not everyone has an extra room in the house that can dedicate to their studies, but get a nice desk, a comfortable chair and with a personal touch you can make your study space more fun and welcoming. Check out some gadget ideas:

1-Mini desktop vacuum cleaner

This ladybug vacuum is cute and useful! You can use it to easily remove the dirt caused by an eraser or dust.

2-Snack box

Who doesn’t like to snack while studying? There are a few companies who ship snack boxes right to your door and some of them have healthy options on the menu!

3-Cool sticky notes

They help us highlight and remember things and they can be fun too, right?

4- Fun mouse pad

Why not choosing a mouse pad that will make your study space more fun and personalized?!

5-Inflatable balance disc

This is great for people who have to stay seated for long periods. It strengthens the core and improves posture! The disc can also be used for exercises.

6- Drink holder

Do you like to have your coffee or tea by your side? The drink holder saves you some space on your desk and also help you to avoid spilling it!

7-USB fan

For those hot days of Summer, nothing is better than having your personal fan right in front of you!

8-Your own personal fridge

Pack your favorite cold drinks or your favorite fruits and have them right beside you in one of those cute little fridges. That will also keep you healthy and hydrated!

9-Foot hammock

This will let you rest your feet in different positions while sitting at your desk all day!

10-Desktop basketball

This is the cutest basketball game you will ever see! For when you need a break but cannot leave your desk!

Finding — and maintaining! — your work–life balance

When you’re learning remote, it can be a challenge to figure out how much time you should spend studying. If you’re juggling studies with work, family or other commitments, it can be even harder.

One thing to keep in mind is that, when it comes to overall well-being, you can’t take shortcuts. It’s very easy to fall victim to the idea that the more you do now, the less you’ll have to do later. But the nose-to-the-grindstone approach inevitably leads to burnout, creating even more work further down the road.

The fact is, when people are tired and overworked, they become less productive and less creative. They’re more likely to make mistakes, which take time to go back and correct.

People are also more susceptible to sickness. When life is busy, the last thing you need is to spend a week in bed with a cold! What you need to do is work better, not longer.

Academic Balancing Act

To establish a sustainable approach to remote learning, you need to find your balance. Human beings need the right blend of work, leisure, sleep and activity to stay happy, healthy and productive. So how do you achieve that?

Master time-management

Time is your most precious commodity; learn to invest it wisely. Prioritize what you need to accomplish over the days and weeks ahead. Then come up with a schedule, and stick to it. Don’t let extraneous activities get in the way of what you need to get done each day.

Set realistic goals

Plan your workload accordingly so you can achieve excellent results without compromising your physical or mental health. Your schedule should factor in breaks, as it is a mistake to try to cram in everything at once. To prevent student burnout, try alternating between focused work and less intellectually demanding activities. And don’t shortchange sleep!

Eat well (by planning ahead)

For some remote students, one of the pitfalls of learning from home is the constant lure of the kitchen. To avoid binging on “quick fix” foods that are high in salt or sugar, keep your fridge stocked with healthy meals and snacks. It helps to plan each week’s meals in advance so you don’t have to interrupt your studies to prepare food every day.

Keep moving

Our bodies weren’t built to remain stationary all day. Take exercise breaks to loosen your limbs and strengthen your joints. You might be surprised at how much it improves your ability to study. If you already have a regular exercise routine, do your best to stick to it throughout your studies. If you’re new to exercise, don’t sweat it; you don’t have to sign up to run a marathon. Exercise can be as simple as a half-hour walk through your neighbourhood. The important part is to get moving.

Let your mind wander

While you’re letting your body out for some fun, give your mind a bit of playtime, too. This isn’t licence to spend hours a day on social media. In fact, it’s just the opposite; it’s about unplugging from your devices and seeing where your mind takes you. Daydreaming has been shown to help the brain organize thoughts and come up with new, subconscious ideas. Some of our best ideas come to mind when we aren’t actively trying to think of them. So if you’re stuck on how to tackle an assignment, switch gears. Work on something unrelated to your studies or take a quick break from work altogether. Think of it as defragmentation for your brain!

When it comes to finding your balance, the main thing is to find what works for you. Remote learning, whether it’s completing a program or simply taking a course you’re interested in, it is about improving your life for the long-term. Take steps to ensure that the learning process does the same for you now, in the short-term.

How to make the most out of learning from home

Remote learning offers many advantages, such as being able to select a course load that fits your schedule, and being able to study from home, the office or even a local café. But the key to successful remote learning lies in knowing how to structure your space — and your day — so you can do your best work.

As a remote student, you’ll receive a course outline and clear guidance from Algonquin College facilitators. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to interact with fellow online students. Still, it’s important that you be self-directed, independent and organized.

Here are a few tips to help you maximize the benefits of remote learning and avoid the pitfalls of distraction and procrastination:

Create a designated study space. Having a study space that’s separate from personal everyday activities, like sleeping or watching movies, goes a long way toward getting you in the right mindset for studying. It can be as simple as a desk, a chair and a computer. Just make sure the study space has good ergonomics, so you don’t strain your wrists or wind up with a sore neck or back. And keep it tidy; clutter gets in the way and can be distracting.

Set a schedule. Having regular working hours helps you stay on task and ensure that you don’t fall behind. Don’t forget to schedule breaks for exercise or a snack. In fact, you should make sure your schedule includes breaks; even a short walk around the neighbourhood will help you stay productive and motivated — not to mention, feel happier and better balanced.

Respect your study environment. That includes asking others to do the same. If you have a partner, children or housemates, let them know when you’ll be studying and that you expect not to be disturbed. You should also tell your friends about your study hours, so they don’t assume you’re always available to chat.

Show up ready to work. Remote study is serious business, so treat it that way. Before sitting down to study, get dressed and make a cup of tea or coffee. Try to create a clear transition between personal activities and the start of your workday. You might be surprised by how much it sets the tone for more focused, effective learning.

Minimize distractions. When you’re studying from home, make an effort to tune out anything that will interrupt your focus. If you have pets, keep them away from your study space or put them in a crate. And don’t feel the need to answer the door or pick up the phone. Just because you’re home, it doesn’t mean you’re available. You should also resist the temptation to check texts or emails while you’re working, unless they’re related to your studies. Save the socializing for your breaks!

Get to know your online community. Algonquin College offers a rich learning environment designed to enhance your studies as well as your personal fulfillment. Make use of the many resources at your disposal to create a learning experience that meets your needs. Reach out to fellow students and course facilitators; visit discussion boards and forums, or send emails and instant messages. Learning from home doesn’t have to be isolating, so don’t let it be!

Overcoming the digital overload

If you have taken online courses before, you’re probably familiar with the advantages of learning remotely. You can choose where and when to study, and progress at your own pace. But if this is your first time having remote classes you might also be trying to adjust to the new routine.

Although online learning offers several benefits, too many digital advantages can become digital overload. Here are some tips on how to make the best use of digital tools in your life and study routine.

The Dangers of Too Much Digital Exposure

Odds are good that you go online for more than just studying. These days, social media and the Internet are a big part of staying socially connected. And if you’re fitting in your studies around an office job, you’re likely spend a good part of your workday online as well.

All of that can add up to too much of a good thing. When people spend hours every day staring at screens and texting or emailing, it has the potential to create a number of problems, including:

Increased anxiety. Many people feel compelled to respond instantly to emails and messages, creating a hair-trigger response whenever they hear those all-too-familiar pings and tones.
Disrupted focus. Constantly stopping your studies to check messages or scan social media interrupts your concentration, making the learning process inefficient and less productive.
Inadequate sleep. If you use a tablet, smartphone or other electronic devices too close to bedtime — or worse, in bed — it can negatively affect your sleep, leading to further distraction during the day.

Online addiction has become so pervasive that people might not even be aware of how often their focus strays from the task at hand.

If you think you’re susceptible to digital overload, or are already feeling its ill effects, there are steps you can take to reclaim control over your online habits.

The Five-Step Program to Better Online Health

Designate time for focussed learning. Carve out a few hours, either every day or each week, to fully concentrate on your readings and assignments. During that time, you should study without stopping to check your phone or email. Multitasking is often hailed as a competitive advantage, but it can interrupt concentration and often diminishes overall efficiency and productivity.
Turn off platforms that aren’t related to your studies. Frequently looking at texts or social media while studying will slow down your progress. The best way to combat the compulsion to answer texts and messages right away? Don’t get the alerts in the first place. You can always log-in between study periods. But by turning off the alerts, you decide when it’s time to check your messages — not the audio cue on your device! Another option is to leave your phone in a different room altogether.
Take regular breaks. It’s important to unplug throughout the day, even if only for 10 minutes at a time. Make it part of your regular routine to go for a walk or step away from your workstation, and be sure to leave your mobile devices behind.
Set a digital curfew. Staring at screens just before bedtime can have a detrimental impact on your sleep. They’re bright and stimulating — the last thing your brain needs when you’re trying to wind down. Even devices as small as a smartphone give off enough light to confuse the sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to fall asleep. Late-day screen time has also been shown to reduce the overall quality and duration of sleep, leading to daytime drowsiness. Give yourself enough time between turning off all devices and getting ready to sleep. The ideal time varies from person to person, but you should aim for at least one hour; two hours is even better, and if one hour isn’t realistic for you, power down at least half an hour before going to bed.
Plan technology vacations. When your study and work schedules permit it, don’t be afraid to unplug for a few days or a weekend at a time. You’ll come back refreshed, not behind. You may even have a renewed appreciation for the digital world!

Technology and the Internet are wonderful tools, and essential to working and studying in the modern world. Find a way to use them strategically to connect with fellow students and course facilitators so you can get the most out of your online learning experience.

Remember, technology is here to serve you — not the other way around.

Tips to follow before choosing a College program

Some say that deciding which career path to take is one of the first decisions of adulthood. Thinking about what you are going to do in the future so far ahead can be scary, but don’t worry, we have selected a few points that will help you make a more informed decision about your college choice!

At Algonquin we offer counselling for prospective and current students. David Glickman is one of the counsellors at the College and helped us putting some tips together:

1 – Explore career options

Let your interests, questions and curiosity guide you. Some great ways to explore an interest you have can be volunteering, shadowing workers in different areas or even taking a class in a program. That way you are able to get more information about that program and test it out to see if the path really fits you. Click to hear more about how to explore career options.

2 – Bust myths

“You only have one chance of picking a career” – A lot of young people say that they want to pick a career for the rest of their lives. Glickman says statistically that is not the way it works for most people. Plan for the first years of you career.

“I want to have a guaranteed job” – Some people whose parents have had the same jobs for over 20 years say that this is what they want for themselves. No program will give you that guaranteed job for the rest of your lives and that is ok!

3 – Stay Connected

If you are not ready to pick a full-time program, don’t get disconnected with the College. You can take a few classes or even enroll in a part-time program. Experiment within the College environment and most important, come to our open houses! And here is a hot tip for you: at Algonquin you can book a session with a counselor that will help you look at career and program options.

4 – Get information about the College

If you have 2 or 3 colleges in mind, do your research about them; what they offer, their programs etc. That will help you make a more informed decision of where you want to study. And again, one more reason to go to open houses! Here is where you can find out more about Algonquin College programs.

5 – Get to know yourself

When choosing a career path, it is important to take into consideration the person who you are, your personality, your preferences. Think about your skills, values and non-negotiables. This video will help you make a self-assessment.

Five ways to earn money/AC Cash on campus!

1. Become a Secret Shopper

Imagine if you could eat a yummy lunch or pick up school supplies and get money/AC Cash to fill out a survey to share your experience? This is exactly what a secret shopper does! Campus Services uses feedback from students about their experience to continually enhance our services, making our campus a great place to be.

After applying to participate in the Secret Shopper program and participating in training, you will receive AC Cash on your AC Card to conduct your shop. After making your purchase in one of the locations on campus, you will then fill out a survey about your experience. Pretty sweet program!

2. Share your student routine with us!

If you follow @ACCampusServices on Instagram, you probably have seen students sharing their day on Instagram stories, right? What you probably don’t know is that they apply to do a takeover and as a thank you, they get $25 in AC Cash! Isn’t that cool? To apply to do a Takeover on Campus Services Instagram account, fill out this form!

3. Sell you used textbooks

Textbooks can be expensive, and we know students are always trying to save money. Did you know The Campus Store buys AND sells used textbooks? You can save up to 25% when buying used books, and as an added bonus, used books are GST exempt!

You can sell back your books anytime, but you will get the most for your books during the buyback period at the beginning of each semester. When you sell textbooks back to The Campus Store, you may receive up to 50% of the current new selling price for your book! Not sure if you could get some money from your book? Visit thecampusstore.ca to search the list of books that are currently eligible for buy-back.

4. Answer our surveys

We want to hear how we are doing! There are survey units across campus to get your feedback. When you answer a survey, you can enter into a draw for a chance to win $100 in AC Cash which can be used at a variety of locations on campus. Easy peasy! Next time you see one of the survey units, take 30 seconds to fill out the survey!

5. Get a seasonal job

Balancing work and school can be challenging! Getting a seasonal job on campus can be a great solution to keep up with your studies and still make some money. If you are interested in working on campus here are some websites you should check out: Campus Services, Algonquin Employment Support Service and Algonquin Students’ Association.

The new skills Algonquin students learned during self-quarantine

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:

Online job interview. How can you ace them?

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

Netiquette: The do’s & don’ts of online behaviour

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.

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