Blog Posts

A Guide to Using LinkedIn to Your Advantage

Whether you’re already looking for a job or you just want to be ready as soon as you graduate, LinkedIn can be a huge help. However, the way you use the platform can have a big impact on your success. Use these tips to make the most of LinkedIn. 1. Complete Your Profile Dedicate time to filling out all the fields on your profile. In particular, write a descriptive headline. If you’re not yet working, mention what you’re majoring in and your career goals. You should also include all your past work experience and education, detailing your job duties, the projects you worked on, and the skills you learned. Finally, upload any certificates or credentials you’ve earned. 2. Ask Your Contacts for Help Make sure you’ve added everyone you know as a connection on LinkedIn, including people from university, your part-time job, and other areas of your life. If you need help with your job search, contact these people through the platform. Instead of scrolling through your list of connections (which may be long), use the advanced search function to find people who will be relevant to your needs, such as by searching according to location, industry, or job title. Even if the people you message are unable to help you find a job right now, they may at least be able to give you an endorsement for your skills or write you a recommendation, which will make you a more appealing candidate. 3. Reach Out to Second-Degree Connections If you don’t have contacts who may be able to help you, reach out to second-degree connections. Find your most well-connected contacts and search their networks. Save five to 10 people and message them, using your mutual contact as a way to introduce yourself. 4. Add Calls-to-Action to Your Profile Make it clear what you’re trying to achieve through your profile by adding calls-to-action. For instance, you may want users to check out your online portfolio, read an article you’ve written, or download your resume. 5. Message People Who View Your Profile LinkedIn allows you to see who has viewed your profile recently, but the feature is limited if you have the free version of LinkedIn, only showing you a few users. If you are nearing your graduation date, are looking for an internship, or want to start working now, it may be worth paying for LinkedIn Premium. This will let you see everyone who views your profile as well as the profiles of all other users on the platform, rather than just your first-, second-, and third-degree connections. Whenever users view your profile, send them a message. Most of them will be interested in finding more about you. Send them a short, personalized message using details you learn about them from their profiles. Another way to improve your chances of career success is to have a quiet place where you can study and work remotely. This means moving into off-campus housing. Ottawa has THEO. In addition to the desk in your fully-furnished bedroom, you’ll be able to use our two conference rooms and 12 study areas, which come in three styles. Book an onsite visit to see where you could be living.

7 Must-Have Student Apartment Essentials

One of the first things you need to do when you move into student housing is to make your new apartment feel like home. This involves acquiring a few essentials to jazz up your space and make it more functional. 1. Lamp There may be times when you want something softer than your overhead light. If you’re sharing a room, this could even be a necessity if one of you wants to stay up later than the other. It’s a good idea to have a lamp desk to avoid straining your eyes when studying and perhaps one for your nightstand for when you want to read at night. 2. Throw Blanket You’ll find you love having at least one throw blanket to wrap around you when the weather is cold — even if the heating is up high. It will feel comforting when you’re curled up on the bed with a good book , watching movies on the couch, or sitting at the desk doing a late-night study session. 3. Reed Diffusers A great alternative to candles for infusing your apartment with your favorite scent with reed diffusers. Place some on your desk, the coffee table in your living room, and the counter in your bathroom. Whenever you notice the scent starts to diminish, just flip the reeds. 4. Storage Baskets You’ll need plenty of storage in your student apartment. Add to the aesthetics by using baskets. You can use them for all sorts of things — from shoes and clothes to linen and small items that don’t belong anywhere in particular. They’ll also be useful for transporting belongings between your student apartment and your parents’ home. 5. Mirrors As well as being functional, mirrors help your space feel larger. Install a full-length mirror in the bedroom to check your outfit before you go out, a stylish wall mirror in the living room, and maybe a vanity mirror in the bathroom (this will be useful if you wear makeup). 6. Drawer Organizers You may think you’ll be disciplined enough to keep the contents of your drawers organized, but they will quickly become cluttered when you’re rushing to class in the morning. Drawer organizers will force you to stay neat. Plus, they will make it easy to see if you’re starting to run out of clothes and need to do a load of laundry. 7. Bookcase Keep your textbooks accessible by installing a small bookcase in your bedroom. You can also add all the other books you read during your time at university — displaying books you read for leisure is ideal for showing some of your interests. No matter how much you try to infuse them with your personality, dorm rooms will always be cramped and uncomfortable. However, it’s easy to transform the right off-campus student housing into your new home. You’ll find apartments near uOttawa that you’ll definitely be able to call home at THEO. We have a range of modern floor plans to suit your preferences in everything from bachelor apartments and shared suites. Book a tour to pay us a visit.

How to Practice Mindfulness at University

You’ll encounter many stressful situations at university, ranging from homesickness when you first arrive to coping with exams and assignments. Mindfulness can help you through all of it. The practice shifts your focus to the present by pushing you to notice what you’re thinking and feeling. It’s all about accepting and acknowledging without judgment. Mindfulness is ideal for helping you concentrate, increasing your productivity, and improving your general wellbeing. Here are several ways to practice mindfu lness. 1. Meditate It’s worth making time every day for meditation. A session only needs to take five minutes, but it’s worth spending longer meditating whenever you’re able. Make meditation part of your regular routine by doing it at the same time each day, such as right when you wake up or before you go to bed. You may also like to add a ritual to put you in the mood, such as by lighting a candle or smelling an essential oil. There are various types of meditation you can do. You could simply sit still and focus on your breath, noticing how it flows in and out, or you could do a body scan meditation, where you pay attention to the sensations in each part of your body. If you’d like to try different meditations to keep things interesting, download an app of guided meditations. 2. Breathing Practice Before a stressful activity (such as a quiz or important sports game) or something that requires focus (like a lecture or study session) take a moment to practice mindful breathing. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and clear your mind. 3. Work Without Distractions When you’re doing homework or reading, strive to avoid all distractions. Determine how long you can maintain your focus and set a timer. After the timer goes off, allow yourself a short break. 4. Exercise with Mindfulness You can even use mindfulness in your workouts. Pay attention to sensations, such as how your feet hit the ground or your muscles strain, the sounds around you, the breeze on your skin, and the regularity of your breath and heartbeat. If other thoughts crop up, just bring your mind back to these sensations. Mindfulness during workouts will improve your performance and help you gain more of the mental health benefits of exercise. 5. Be Mindful in Other Activities Start incorporating mindfulness into other areas of your life, such as cooking, eating, and practicing hobbies. This will allow you to fully appreciate tasks, reduce the risk you make mistakes, and give you the same sense of calm you gain from practicing mindfulness at other times. Have a refuge where you can relax and practice mindfulness by moving into off-campus housing. Ottawa students can find a home at THEO. You’ll be able to socialize with others in places like the movie lounge, rec room, and basketball court or be alone when you want time for yourself. Plus, we have a variety of floor plans to suit your preferences and budget. Apply now to secure the kind of apartment you want.

6 Lessons uOttawa Students Should Know

The adjustment from living at home and attending high school to heading off to university and being independent is a big one. However, you can make transition easier by bearing in mind these lessons from uOttawa students. 1. Balance Your Studies with the Rest of Your Life Although it’s important to prioritize your studies, there’s much more to the university experience. Organize your schedule to give yourself time for extracurriculars, self-care, and a social life. 2. There Will Always Be More Social Opportunities Never feel like you need to say yes to every invitation. If something doesn’t sound appealing or you just don’t have the energy, give yourself permission to say no. You’ll find there are a huge number of opportunities for social events during your time at university. This means if you miss something the first time around, you’ll likely still have the chance to try it later. Furthermore, whereas it’s a good idea to step outside your comfort zone occasionally, it’s still important to have fun and not feel pre ssured. 3. Make True Friends Since you’ll meet countless people at university, it doesn’t make sense to spend time with people who don’t value you. If your initial group of friends doesn’t end up bringing positivity to your life, search for new friends. Joining clubs for your interests will introduce you to people who like the same kinds of things as you and will make it easier for you to spend your free time doing activities you enjoy. Your time at uOttawa is short, so be sure to surround yourself with good company. 4. Stay in Touch with People Back Home It’s equally important to maintain relationships with friends and family back home. These are the people who have always been there for you and want the best for you. Even if they live far from Ottawa, you can send messages back and forth, have video chats, and even spend the occasional weekend together. In fact, inviting your hometown friends to visit you at university is a great way to bridge the gap between your old life and your new life. 5. Morning and Evening Routines Are Crucial At university, your health and wellness will be yours alone to prioritize, so you’ll want to be sure you’re taking care of yourself. Establishing morning and evening routines can ensure you focus on both your physical and mental health. For instance, you can use them to have a regular bedtime and wake-up time, practice some breathing exercises, and incorporate something you enjoy into every day, such as a favourite hot beverage. 6. Mistakes Are Normal No matter how prepared you are, you will make some mistakes. Try not to stress — just move on. The likelihood is these mistakes won’t affect your time at uOttawa in a big way. One more thing uOttawa students should know is where to find the best off-campus housing. There are apartments near uOttawa at THEO. We offer much more than just accommodation: there’s blistering-fast WiFi throughout the entire building, we have common areas like a movie lounge and basketball court, and social events happen regularly. Contact us to secure the floor plan you want.

How to Form a Study Group & Have Successful Sessions

Study groups can be a great way to enhance your understanding of the material you cover in class. They give you the chance to discuss ideas and explain concepts to other people. However, a study group won’t automatically be a success — you need to put in the effort to find the right people and make the most of your sessions. 1. Invite the Right People Ask people to join your study group who are committed to doing well in your class. Since study sessions should not be a social activity, don’t just invite your friends — this will increase the risk you get nothing done. Instead, choose students who you know will regularly turn up to study sessions and will stay focused. In addition, you need to think about how many people you want in your group. There should be enough participants to keep the conversation flowing, but not too many that it’s difficult for everyone to participate . Between three and four people is ideal. Lastly, one person needs to be the leader of the group — you may like to rotate this role among yourselves. The leader will facilitate sessions, making sure you finish all the tasks within the time allotted. The leader will also be responsible for reminding other members of the next session and let them know how they need to prepare. 2. Create a Schedule The next step is to decide when you’ll meet and how you’ll use your study sessions. The most convenient for group members will be to meet at the same time once or twice a week. You also need to decide where you’ll meet and for how long. Determine what to cover in each study session in advance. You could discuss this in the group chat a few days before you meet or at the end of the previous session. Figuring out what to cover shouldn’t be too complicated — it will often be related to the material you covered in classes leading up to the session. 3. Structure Your Study Sessions Create a structure you can apply to every study session. For instance, you may like to dedicate the first part of the session to discussing doubts any group members have. This will give those who are struggling the chance to improve their understanding and those who are confident the opportunity to explain concepts — which is one of the best ways to test your knowledge. The next part of the session could be completing specific tasks. These could be homework tasks, questions from your textbook, or practice problems you find online. End each session with a review of what you covered and discuss anything group members need to do before the next session. Of course, you’ll be in contact in case anything changes. It’s crucial you have somewhere you can meet with your study group that is convenient for everyone. An ideal option is off-campus housing. Ottawa students who live at THEO can use any of our 12 study rooms and two conference rooms as well as the printers. However, these are just a few of our great onsite amenities — we also have a movie lounge, rec room, gym, art room, basketball court, and more. Book a tour to see all the great facilities for yourself.

5 Things to Know Before Starting Your First Job After University

Throughout your time at university, you’re thinking about what life will be like after you graduate and find a job in your field. Imagining your future self can be particularly motivating when your classes or assignments are difficult. However, when you actually start working, it may be different from what you expected. Here are a few things you should know to avoid surprises. 1. Your Job Shouldn’t Take Up All Your Time It can be tempting to work as hard as possible to impress your boss, especially if you’re hoping for a promotion within the company. However, it’s important to make time for other activities. Leaving university means you’ll no longer be living close to countless other people your own age and you won’t have extracurriculars to pursue your interests. Instead, it will be up to you to seek opportunities to practice your hobbies and socialize. Working too many hours will make this impossible. Avoid taking work h ome with you — if your employer is demanding many hours of overtime, consider looking for a different job. 2. You May Need to Work with People You Don’t Get Along With You’ll encounter people you struggle to get along with throughout your life — undoubtedly, you’ve already experienced this at university. When this happens at work, it can make your job that much harder. The best thing you can do is be professional. Not only will that make your life easier, it could influence the opportunities you have in the future. 3. You Won’t Always Know What You’re Doing Many people experience imposter syndrome at work because they often need to Google instructions or watch how-to videos to be able to complete tasks. In fact, it’s inevitable that your supervisor will assign you at least some tasks you don’t know how to do. When it’s your first job, this may happen all the time. It doesn’t matter that you don’t know how to do certain things beforehand; what will be important to your employer is that you take the initiative to learn and find creative solutions to problems. 4. There May Be Industry Jargon to Learn Completing tasks may be even harder if coworkers use jargon you don’t understand. This may be industry-specific terminology that never came up in your classes. Again, Google is your friend. Alternatively, you could ask someone for an explanation — your coworkers will know what it’s like to be fresh out of university and should be happy to help. 5. It May Take a While to Reach Your Dream Job Although you may have chosen your major with a dream job in mind, it could still take time for you to land a position you love. While you lack experience in your field, you may need to settle for an entry-level job that’s not exactly what you want to be doing. If it puts you on the right career path — such as by developing the skills and building the connections you need — you will eventually be able to apply for positions at your ideal companies. You still have some time before you need to think about starting your first job. Right now, you should be thinking about how to enjoy the last few semesters at university. Your student housing can make a big difference . Find the perfect apartments for rent near uOttawa at THEO. You’ll be living with other students in a modern building equipped with great amenities that enhance your experience at university, including co-working and study spaces, a gym, a basketball court, and multiple hangout areas. Contact us now to secure your spot.