Month: November 2021

7 things to consider when selecting a college!

Once you’ve figured out which college program(s) you’re interested in, it’s time to choose a college! Part of selecting the right college is figuring out what your biggest priorities are. We’ve compiled a list of potential things to consider when making your selection. Every item will matter differently to each individual, so figure out which areas are most important to you and make sure to be investigating and comparing those aspects between your colleges of interest.

Cost

Finances are super important to keep in mind when selecting a college. What’s the difference in cost between the colleges that offer your program of choice? Are there extra fees to consider? Is it worth selecting the one that would be significantly more expensive?

Reputation

Get to know the colleges you are considering! Do some research and see what others have to say about their experience with the college. Does this match with your expectations for college?

Campus Vibe

Feeling like you belong can make a big difference in your college experience. What kind of vibe are you looking for? Do your potential colleges match that feel?

Grades

While requirements vary between colleges and programs, you need to make sure to consider your high school grades. Some programs can be very competitive and it’s important to make selections for colleges where you meet the requirements or would be competitive in your application.

Learning Format

How do you want to learn? In class, hands-on, online, virtually. There are a variety of ways to learn and to attend college, knowing which one works best for you can help narrow down the best college option based on what it offers.

Work Experience

Many jobs are looking for applicants to have job experience in the field they are applying to, even after graduating college. If you don’t yet have work experience, especially in your field of study, consider applying for a program that offers co-op experience. Co-op ties directly into your learning but also helps you build connections in your field, get experience for you resume, and sometimes it even leads to employment after graduation!

Location

Are you interested in living in a big city or do you prefer a smaller one? Do you want to stay closer to home or are you looking for opportunities to explore somewhere new?

Selecting a college can be a big decision, so take your time and figure out what the best choice is for you.

For more information about Algonquin College and its programs, visit our Explore page https://www.algonquincollege.com/future-students/explore

4 Questions to ask yourself when choosing a college program!

So, you want to go to college but maybe you’re a little overwhelmed by the options and the idea of choosing something specific. Some people know exactly what they want to do, and that’s great, but many of us struggle in figuring out what we want to study and work at in the future. If you’re one of those people (I definitely was, and let’s be honest still kind of am) we have some questions that might just help you figure out what you want to do next and what areas you should look at when selecting a college program.

What do you like to do?

Think about your favourite subjects in school or work/ volunteer experiences you have really enjoyed. What do you love learning about? What do you want to know more about? What would get you excited to enter the workforce?

When you’re selecting a college program you want to find something that ticks those boxes so that you’re motivated to keep going and learning. If you’re not interested in something before you even get started it’s going to be a big struggle to motivate yourself through your program.

What are you good at?

Take some time to identify your strengths. Try out career quizzes, talk to guidance counsellors, teachers, friends, and family; the people around you can help you identify where you really shine and can offer up suggestions of areas you might want to pursue.

If you’re having trouble with this take some time to try new things; join clubs, get a part-time job, volunteer, try new hobbies or activities and see if anything comes really easily or if there is something that you really enjoy doing.

What would you like to do in the future?

Do you have a clear vision of what you want to do? Stellar, that can really help you focus on finding the perfect program to get you there! Not completely sure what you want to do in the future? That’s completely okay (I’m not sure either). You don’t have to know what you want to do for the rest of your life, or even five years from now, but think about what you would be happy doing for the next year in school and then what you think would make you happy to do the year after. You are not stuck in one job or career forever, and with most programs they can open a wide variety of doors that can offer you lots of opportunities to explore.

If you are interested in applying to Algonquin College but want some career guidance and support selecting a program, the college offers Career Advising Meetups for prospective students.

What kind of potential is there in this area of study once you graduate?

You want to be thinking about what happens after college when you’re selecting a program, that’s the whole point, right? Explore what the job market looks like and what kind of career opportunities and earnings potential could be available after you graduate. Do those things sound interesting to you? Does this align with your goals for the future? Many college program websites will offer up some information about what areas of work their graduates have gone into after graduation, check those out and make sure it’s a good fit for you.

For more information on college programs available in Ontario, check out the Ontario Colleges website. For more information on programs available at Algonquin College, head over to the programs page.

10 reasons why your next on-campus meal should be at Restaurant International!

Located in H Building, Restaurant International is Algonquin College’s culinary teaching restaurant and a hidden gem of the Woodroffe Campus.

The restaurant offers a wonderful on-campus dining experience while giving students a hands-on learning laboratory that allows them the opportunity to practice and apply the skills they learn in their programs. Menus are created by students and faculty from culinary and hospitality programs in the School of Hospitality and Tourism, and food preparation and dining services are facilitated by students as part of their studies.

The ACX Team had the chance to visit Restaurant International recently and we have 1o very good reasons why you should make it one of your go-to spots on-campus to grab a meal!

1)The prices are unbeatable

Where else can you get an appetizer, main, and dessert for lunch for only $18? Or a three-course dinner for between $20 – $27. Most of the time you’re looking at more than $12 for fast food these days, or even $15 + for a main dish at a local casual restaurant. The value of what you can get at Restaurant International is really hard to beat.

2)Students get 25% off

That’s right! Not only are the prices already incredible for what you’re getting, you also get 25% off as a student!

3)It’s delicious!

Seriously! So good! It can easily be compared to the quality you would find at a casual fine-dining restaurant. Our ACX Team made sure to try a wide variety of the options available, and we were all so impressed.

4)Dietary restriction and allergy friendly!

If you have dietary restrictions this is the place to go! The restaurant takes dietary restrictions very seriously and can make accommodations and adaptations of many of their menu items.

5)You’re helping students learn

This is one of the ways that culinary and hospitality students get real world experience and can practice their skills before entering the workforce. By visiting the restaurant and eating tasty food you are supporting the learning process, so you can pat yourself on the back for your good deed 😊

6)Great for date night & special occasions

Restaurant International recently made some lovely updates to their dining room and paired with their exquisite food and lovely service, makes for a great option for a nice date night or special occasion. If your family comes to visit from out of town, this should be your go-to spot, it’s certain to impress your guests!

7)Also great for everyday

While it’s the perfect spot on-campus for date night, family visits, or special occasions, it’s also relaxed enough for an everyday visit. It doesn’t feel too formal, and the restaurant offers a nice ambiance to grab a tasty meal with a few friends during a break between classes.

8)Lots of healthy food options

If you’re looking for healthy food options, the restaurant has you covered! Get in your servings of vegetables and proteins to help fuel your studies! Being a student is hard work and your brain needs all the fuel it can get! Meals at Restaurant International are made completely from scratch so you can count on them avoiding pesky preservatives and other ingredients that you might find in more processed or pre-prepared food purchases.

9)Local and seasonal ingredients are utilized

The restaurant takes advantage of the wealth of options and suppliers when it comes to sourcing their ingredients. You can always count on seeing seasonal ingredients in meals in addition to some locally sourced products.

10)Dark Chocolate Lava Cake

Four simple words but a scrumptious dessert that alone is worth the trip to the Restaurant. Seriously, get the Lava Cake.

Restaurant International has limited hours in order to fit within timetables and student class times so make sure to check out their website and make a reservation to guarantee your table. Currently, they are open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday lunches and Wednesday through Saturday evenings. When attending Restaurant International, guests need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination along with a photo ID.