Blog Posts

How to Take Advantage of the Blue Mind Theory

Everyone has those days where nothing seems to go right. Maybe you received a bad grade on an assignment, had a fight with your friend, or can’t seem to get on with your manager at your part-time job. When you’re feeling down, it’s important to seek healthy ways to improve your mood. Options include exercise, journaling, or taking some deep breaths. However, one solution seems to beat all of these: spending time by the water. This is Blue Mind Theory. Blue Mind Theory Explained If you’ve ever noticed how much more relaxed you feel when you’re close to water, you’ve experienced Blue Mind Theory for yourself. It refers to the sense of calm you gain from being in or around water. Just looking at the water is enough to ease your worries and make you happier. Blue Mind Theory has been trending recently, but it’s not a new concept. Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols first explored the idea in his best-selling book Blue Mind back in 2015. In the book, he discusses how being near, in, on, or under water improves health and happiness. He looks at cases of people who are top of their fields (including athletes, artists, and scientists) to show how being close to water improves performance, lowers anxiety, and is the key to success. How to Use Blue Mind Theory The great thing about Blue Mind Theory is there are many options. Even spending 20 minutes near water may be enough to put your problems into perspective, reduce your stress, and get you back on track to achieve your goals. However, if you’re in serious need of some blue time, try to immerse yourself, such as through a day trip (or even a longer vacation) to a body of water. This is effective if you go alone or with others. If your friends are also stressed, you may like to go together — for instance, you c ould make it a regular event right before exams. Possible options to take advantage of Blue Mind Theory include: Taking a trip to the beach Going to a lake Walking along the riverbank Sitting next to a fountain in the park Swimming in a pool — or even just dipping your toes in Practising water sports, such as kayaking, sailing, rafting, and jet skiing Once you’re near the water and enjoying a specific activity or just relaxing, don’t feel like you need to do anything else. Let the water do its magic — you’ll feel a weight being lifted from your shoulders. You may not always be able to reach water when you’re stressed. For these occasions, the next best thing is relaxing in your student rentals. Ottawa has the perfect housing at THEO. Choose between your own apartment, a private bedroom in an apartment with roommates, or a shared room — whatever matches your lifestyle and budget. When you need a blue fix, you’ll be able to take the short walk to the river. Plus, you’ll also be able to blow off steam in the rec room, movie lounge, and the basketball court. Con tact us for details about special promotions for immediate occupancy.

9 Cybersecurity Tips for Students

Cybersecurity is a concern for everyone — from businesses to individuals. Even if you think you’re digitally savvy, you could fall victim to a scam . Protect yourself with these cybersecurity tips. 1. Check Your Bank Accounts Download the apps for all your bank accounts and turn alerts on. This will notify you if your accounts have any activity and mean you can take action if a transaction wasn’t you . 2. Consider How You’re Using Public Computers You may sometimes need to use a public computer, such as on campus. Avoid logging into your accounts unless it’s necessary (and then make sure you log out when you finish) and delete any files you created from the computer. 3. Keep Your Security Systems Updated When you receive an alert for a new security update on your laptop or phone, download it as soon as possible. It’s important to have recent versions of operating systems and software to prevent malware and viruses from being able to infect your devices. 4. Use Legitimate E-Commerce Sites Try to purchase only from e-commerce stores you already know. If you want to purchase from another store, research it before you provide any details. 5. Learn About the Latest Tactics Most people encounter scams on a regular basis. Protect yourself by staying in the loop about the latest methods that scammers are using. For instance, you should never pay a ransom if a hacker (or someone claiming to be a hacker) is threatening you. 6. Backup Your Files One way hackers may try to force you to pay a ransom is by gaining access to your files and encrypting them. Backup all your most important work to avoid losing anything. This is also critical to prevent losing data in other ways, such as if your device breaks. 7. Follow Password Best Practices Make all your passwords unique and impossible to guess. Storing all your passwords in a reliable password manager will mean you don’t need to remember anything, which will avoid you needing to write them down anywhere. For the most important accounts, set up two-factor authentication. 8. Keep Your Devices Safe Avoid leaving your devices out of your sight whenever you’re not at home. Put a password or biometric authentication on your phone and laptop. If they’re available to you, take advantage of additional security features, such as Stolen Device Protection for iPhones. 9. Think About What You Share It’s a good idea to post updates about your life to social media after the fact. Wait until you’re back home before posting pictures from your vacation or a night out. This will mean you avoid advertising that your apartment is empty. To protect yourself from data compromise ploys, it’s important to live somewhere that has a secure internet connection. Unfortunately, you likely don’t have access to a secure network if you’re living in student residence. Ottawa students have another option , though: the off-campus housing at THEO. We have everything you need to be safe and comfortable, including 24/7 onsite staff and security cameras. Plus, we’re just a short walk from campus. Book a tour.

6 Steps for Meeting an Online Connection Safely IRL

In addition to meeting people in your classes, at clubs, and around campus, you may make friends online. You may connect over a shared interest or just strike up a conversation in a group one day and end up becoming close friends. Eventually, you may decide you’d like to meet up in real life. Most of the time, this ends up being a great experience . However, it is important to take steps to ensure your safety. 1. Confirm Your Friend’s Identity If you’ve only ever communicated with your friend on a single platform, make sure you cross-check the person’s identity before you arrange to meet. For example, you could follow each other on social media or have a video chat. If your online friend is unwilling to share socials, refuses to have a few video calls before you meet, or does anything else you find suspicious, it’s better to cancel your in-person meetup. 2. Choose a Public Place To stay safe (and ensure your friend feels comfortable, too), propose to meet in a public place. If you’re meeting when there’s a convention for a fandom or a concert for a band you both love, you can arrange to see each other at the venue. Otherwise, you’ll need to pick somewhere suitable. A coffee shop is great if you want to have a chat, but you could also consider going to one of your favorite places in the city. 3. Consider Transportation It’s important to be able to leave whenever you want. This means you should either come in your own transportation or by public transit. Don’t rely on someone else dropping you off and picking you up. 4. Discuss Your Plans Make sure your friend is clear about what you’ll be doing when you meet. For instance, you may like to mention how long you expect to hang out and should mention any boundaries you have. 5. Think of Topics of Conversation If you’re used to chatting online, having a conversation in person may feel quite different. Most of the time, the awkwardness soon passes. Nonetheless, it still helps to come prepared with topics of conversation, especially if you’re not typically the most talkative person. Think about things you’d like to know about your friend, have some ideas for anecdotes to share, or prepare some icebreakers related to your shared interests. 6. Consider Bringing Someone Else Along You may feel more at ease if you bring someone along whom you already know in real life. It’s ideal if this person shares the same interests as your online friend or is just more outgoing than you. Tell your friends about each other before you all meet to help the conversation flow. If you’d prefer to meet your online friend alone (such as if none of your university friends share your common interest), an alternative is to just let someone know where you’ll be. You may like to share your live location. That way, you can send your friend a message to come over if you feel uncomfortable and need an excuse to leave early. You’ll have the chance to meet plenty of new people and have a place to hang out with all your friends when you live at THEO. Our uOttawa student housing gives you much more than just a bedroom — we’re a student community. Chill in the movie lounge or rec room, get fit in the gym or at the basketball court, or meet with your study group in one of our conference rooms. Contact us for information about short-term leases and special promotions for immediate occupancy.

7 Single-Serve Meals to Cook Between Classes

When you’re looking for recipes online, you typically find meals large enough for whole families and that require a bunch of ingredients you don’t have at home. It can be difficult for students to find ideas for single-serve meals they can whip up quickly between classes. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of ideas that will satisfy your hunger and help you eat a balanced diet. 1. Mediterranean Grilled Cheese A grilled cheese sandwich is fast to prepare, but it’s not particularly healthy — and it may even become boring after a while. To switch things up, include more vegetables in your meal by making a Mediterranean grilled cheese. Simply switch your regular cheese to feta and add some red onion, tomato, black olives, and kale. 2. Pesto Pizza You can make your own pizza at home by using naan or pita. Instead of pizza sauce, spread some pesto on the bread. Then, add a layer of mozzarella. You can choose whatever toppings you like, although especially good options include avocado, arugula, prosciutto, and spinach. 3. Omelet An omelet is one of the fastest single-serve meals you can make. Simply whisk up two eggs and combine them with the filling of your choice. Some great options include roasted red peppers, feta cheese, green onions, and spinach. Either fry your omelet in a pan or pop it in a mug and cook it in the microwave. 4. Shakshuka Another dish with eggs is shakshuka. Unlike an omelet, it feels less like a breakfast or brunch, making it suitable for any time of the day. To prepare shakshuka, sauté some onion, garlic, and bell pepper for a few minutes and then add either crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce as well as some tomato paste and cumin. Once it’s cooked, transfer the mixture to an oven-safe skillet. Make an indentation in the mixture and crack one or two eggs into the middle. Bake the dish until the egg whites have set. 5. Eggplant Parmesan Although it looks impressive, eggplant Parmesan is easy to prepare. Simply coat slices of eggplant in beaten egg and then dip them into a mixture of bread crumbs , Parmesan, and the herbs of your choice. Fry the pieces until brown. Then, place half of the eggplant pieces in a single-serve baking dish and cover them with mozzarella cheese followed by tomato sauce. Repeat to create a second layer and top with Parmesan. You’ll need to bake the dish for around 30 minutes. 6. Quesadillas One of the fastest meals to whip up during a break between classes is quesadillas. All you need is tortillas and a cheese that melts, such as taleggio, cheddar, or mozzarella. To make your quesadillas healthier, it’s worth also adding some spinach. 7. Apple Oatmeal Ideal as a breakfast, as a brunch, or even for later in the day, apple oatmeal is fast to prepare and inexpensive. Start by baking the apple to soften it. Place apple slices topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon in a bowl with a little water and bake them in your oven or microwave. Then, prepare the oatmeal by heating together half a cup of oats and a cup of either water or milk (or half a cup of each). To make your meal extra delicious, stir a spoonful of peanut butter into the oatmeal before you top it wit h the apple. You have far more options for meals when you have a full kitchen than just a microwave in your dorm at uOttawa. Off-campus housing provides you with everything you need to prepare meals. At THEO, you’ll have a kitchen, dining table, chairs, and plenty of cupboard space. You can share your apartment with other students or have a one-bedroom apartment to yourself. Contact us to apply for the type of apartment you want.

How to Succeed in Group Projects

Many students dread group projects. Unfortunately, they’re often a requirement for classes and may even have a big impact on your final grade. Professors include group projects in their syllabi because there’s a good chance you’ll need to collaborate with other people on projects after you graduate. Take advantage of the opportunity to improve your skills and do just as well on group projects as you do on individual assignments by keeping some key advice in mind. 1. Know Exactly What the Project Will Entail Before jumping into the project, spend time carefully reading the instructions. This will prevent you from making mistakes that you’ll then need to spend time correcting. Most important is to check how much time you have to complete the project, as this will determine how often you need to meet with your group. In addition, find out how the project is graded, including whether you’ll all receive the same grades or if your professor grades each of your efforts individually. 2. Create a Schedule for Completing Tasks In addition to creating a schedule for when you’ll meet with your group, set deadlines for completing each of the tasks the project will involve. Bear in mind that you’ll complete some of the tasks while studying with your group, but other tasks will be more suitable for doing in your own time. Consider this when creating your schedule, as you may need to use your time to study together to check each other’s work and provide suggestions. 3. Assign Everyone Roles Assigning each person in your group a role is crucial for two reasons. First, it ensures everyone will do a fair share of the work. Second, it means you won’t have two people accidentally carrying out the same task. A role every project needs is a leader. This person will be in charge of making sure you’re on track with tasks and checking everyone knows when you’re meeting and where. For this role, choose someone who is organized, has good time-management skills, and is willing to listen to what others have to say. The remaining roles will depend on the type of project but may include researchers, writers, an editor, and a presenter. If it is a particularly large undertaking, these roles may change over the course of t he project. 4. Sign a Group Project Contract Some professors provide students with a group contract for everyone to sign. If this is not the case in your class, create your own contract. It should specify each person’s responsibilities, deadlines for completing tasks, and the consequences for failing to fulfill the contract, which could be anything from owing everyone in the group coffee to being expelled from the group. The key to a successful group project is meeting regularly to collaborate. The place you choose for your meetings needs to be near enough to campus to be convenient for everyone, have enough space for the whole group to work comfortably, and have high-speed internet access. The student housing at THEO meets all these requirements. Our apartments for rent near uOttawa are in a community just for students, meaning you’ll have all the amenities you’ll need to succeed with your studies. For instance, you’ll hav e 12 study rooms and two conference rooms that are ideal for group projects. Right now, we’re offering short-term leases and special promotions for immediate occupancy. Contact us for details.

Common Student Sleep Challenges & How to Address Them

The sudden freedom you have when you become a student could lead you to develop some negative habits. One in particular is not maintaining a healthy sleep routine. It’s often tempting to stay out late because you want to attend social events. You may also be working late shifts at your part-time job. The problem is it’s also common to have early classes throughout the week, which may mean you’re unable to sleep enough. Over time, this may lead to stress, decreased academic performance, and mental health problems. The good news is most students suffer the same challenges, and there are simple solutions to addres s all of them. The Challenges to Sleeping Well at University Likely the biggest contributor to poor quality sleep among students is their overuse of technology. Many students find it difficult to put away their phones and tablets until right before they go to sleep. The problem with this is the blue light that screens emit disrupts their circadian rhythms, making it harder for them to fall asleep. Another major factor is stress about academics. If you’re worried about your classes or feel like you’re not gaining the grades you want, you may struggle to sleep due to spiraling thoughts. When you do sleep, you may suffer from bad dreams. Solutions to Improve Your Sleep The first thing you need to do to improve your sleep is stay away from screens for at least an hour before bedtime. Find other activities to help you wind down, such as reading a paperback book or working on an art project. Another way to improve your sleep is to incorporate meditation into your daily routine. This is a great activity to do right before bedtime because it will help to relax you and it doesn’t involve looking at a screen. If you want to do guided meditations, look for an app — there are free options as well as paid subscriptions (often with student discounts available) if you want more variety. You may also like to use essential oils. Choose a scent that is known to benefit sleep and that you find pleasant. Some top options include lavender, cedarwood, and chamomile. Either put the oil in a diffuser ( perhaps at the same time as you start your meditation practice) or add a few drops to your pillow. Over time, you’ll associate the scent with sleep, which will help you fall asleep faster. Lastly, make your bedroom somewhere you’re able to relax. Dim the lights before bedtime and play some soothing sounds, such as white noise or nature recordings. Make your bed as welcoming as possible with high-quality pillows and a comforter. It’s easier to sleep when you at least have comfortable student accommodation. Ottawa students can find an apartment that suits their lifestyle and budget at THEO. We have one-bedroom apartments for students who want complete privacy, private rooms in shared apartments for those who want roommates, and shared rooms in shared apartments for the greatest savings. Apply now to secure the type of room you want — there’s only a limited number of each floor plan.