When it comes to choosing your university, the place you will be spending some of the most important and exciting years of your life, the endless options available can make this decision feel almost impossible to make. Because each university offers such a uniquely rounded experience, it is important to do your research, and trust which university really resonates with you. Maybe you are lucky enough to be one of those people who have always known exactly where they want to go to school, or, perhaps you are like me and had absolutely no idea where to begin looking. Unfortunately, for those of us who are clueless as to what we are looking for, there is no plain and simple way to know where the right university may be, and if we will end up choosing somewhere that can meet or exceed our expectations. An effective approach to ease this decision requires breaking down each aspect of university to examine yourself beside the different universities in the top areas concerning most students. Getting in touch with current or former students, attending local university recruiting events, reading view books, and searching through details on university websites, are some of the best ways to get accurate info about different universities. To help get a better understanding of what is important to you, look through the following list and write down what you are looking for in your university experience. After you do the research necessary to understand the dynamics of each university, it can be easier to see exactly where will be the best fit for you! Choosing Your University Location Although the geographical place you are learning in may not seem as important as the quality of education itself, the diversity in locations will be a major contributing factor to your overall learning experience. It is important to realize that where you go to university is where you will most likely create that new feeling of comfort where you will form life long friends, and future business networks and job opportunities. Others may see relocating at this time as an opportunity to travel and live in a destination you may not otherwise have the opportunity to live again, which can be fun if you are looking for adventure. If you are more comfortable being in a familiar environment where you already know you have people to count on, don’t force yourself to leave your family and friends during this transition, if you feel the need to have a strong support system nearby. After you know how independent you are willing to be, you can look at the different pros and cons of different locations such as climate, culture, landscape, and population size. Cost Going in to university, everyone has a unique financial situation to consider, to ensure making the best possible decision when investing in your future. Comparing all living expenses, including transportation, housing, food, and extras, as well as tuition and book fees, is a great place to start to find [...]
Choosing Your University
Quebec Student Strike
As someone that blogs extensively about the post-secondary student experience, and specifically about the Canadian scene quite often, I have tried to stay away from the contentious issue that is going on right now. I’m talking about the Quebec student strike. For those of you that are not familiar with the situation, many Quebec students have taken fairly extreme activist stances in regards to a proposed tuition increase over the next few years. Here are a few facts about the situation (all taken from various Globe and Mail articles on the topic): • Quebec has by far the cheapest tuition this side of Scandinavia (currently the average sits about $2500 per annum) • The original deal seen a phased in 5 year increase, of $325 per year. Premier Charest as now amended this to a more gradual phase in over 7 years. • Even after the full phase in, Quebec students would still have the cheapest university tuition in Canada at TODAY’s rates (not 2017’s rates). • Over 200 hundred students have been arrested in protests since this tuition raise was announced. • An extra $1.5 million worth of police efforts has been needed so far. • Quebec announced a $3.8 billion deficit. • In inflation-adjusted terms, today’s Quebec students pay less for a degree than they did in 1968. • Quebec post-secondary graduation rates are amongst the lowest in Canada. Quebec Student Strike – Excellent Ambassadors I think the Quebec student strike is one of those issues that it is tough to feel neutral about (or even write neutrally about for that matter), so I’m not even going to try. I think what is going on in le belle province is atrocious. It is a black eye on students, a black eye on the province (although one that has had so many, I guess they’re used to it by now), and actually a black eye for Canada on an international stage as well. I mean, is there really any better example of entitlement that has run amok? The blatant disrespect to a Premier that is trying to make concessions and balance his responsibilities is disgraceful, and the violence directed at police officers is blatantly criminal and should be treated as such. Education Is Free, a Degree/Diploma Isn’t I’m currently a graduate student, and I was an undergrad not long ago. I am also a teacher. In any of these capacities, one might think I sympathize with the plight of students – and I do, but the reaction to this gradual increase in tuition has been too extreme to even label ridiculous. People like to argue that education is a right, and that school should be free. My response (which has been hardened as I watch the news on the Quebec student strike and see students attacking police officers who are just doing their jobs) is that education is a right – you should have the right to read whatever you want, discuss whatever you want, and get into study [...]
How To Use Your Liberal Arts Degree To Get a Government Job
I have been someone negative about the job prospects out there for people like me with a liberal arts degree before. While it is still not what I recommend for most people coming out of high school, it can be a valuable tool in your career tool belt if leveraged correctly. With so many people out there today wondering what to do with a liberal arts degree, and such poor job prospects for people under 25, I thought I might share a few insights about one place where a liberal arts degree can be pretty valuable – the government. Big Government Can Always Get Bigger Now, on a philosophical level, I would argue that having too many people in government is a bad thing, but on a practical level, I would recommend that everyone out there with a degree and no job take a hard look at the thousands of government positions that are open coast-to-coast in Canada. Working for the government is a perfect example of a huge organization that can bring you many different places and present many different experiences once your foot is in the door. For many, that liberal arts degree that the private sector is laughing at is the perfect ticket to get in the door and start building a career within government. While it is true that not many people get rich while working for either Provincial or Federal Governments, many live very upper-middle class, have unparalleled job security, and have superb benefits their whole lives from finding little places to hide from roles to fill within government. That certainty probably sounds pretty good to a lot of recent graduates, and it is also a great springboard into working out a side gig since the hours are usually pretty set, and the job security is so great. Here Is The Pack… and Here I Am! So how do you get your tiny, fragile foot into that hulking, crushing door? You don’t merely list your degree on your resume, and you don’t sit bank on that mediocre-to-slightly above average GPA doing it for you either. Instead, you present the skills you learned while doing your liberal arts degree. This is the stuff that will make you stand out from everyone else with a BA and can help employers understand why they should hire you. There are probably some buzz words that these guys hear all day when doing interviewing, so try to give specific examples of how you honed your research skills while pursuing a history degree, or how your political sciences background has allowed you to become experienced at synthesizing information from a variety of sources. Bachelor of Arts degrees are perfect for claiming that you are adaptable to many different fields, that your education is well-rounded (as opposed to those dumb scientists who got “non-well-rounded degrees” in fields that are in high demand), and that you know how to communicate in many diverse types of circumstances and scenarios. If your liberal arts degree didn’t teach [...]
How to Stand Out in the Scholarship Process
Like many other aspects of the transition from high school to university, applying for scholarships is another way it can be easy for students to become overwhelmed and easily discouraged. Unfortunately, many of us have the tendency to ignore anything which involves more thinking and paperwork that isn’t mandatory, despite our teacher’s and parent’s best efforts to install the importance of applying for scholarships into us. Although the attitude of, “why bother,” takes less time and effort than dedicating yourself to create an outstanding essay and application package, the possible reward for this small price is more than worth the risk. After all, the only way to eventually stand out is by taking the first steps to apply. How To Stand Out? - Don’t Give Up Before my English teacher directly handed me the information for an undergraduate scholarship worth $75,000, I had completely tuned out the idea of applying for such a prestigious award, thinking only unrealistic overachievers won scholarships of such value. I figured the only money I had a chance at winning was through the smaller local scholarships available through the school, which all involved a much easier application. I asked how could I stand out on such a large stage. It wasn’t until after reading more about the incredible history and other opportunities that came with the financial aspect of this award that the idea of even having the chance to win eventually motivated me to apply. Half way through my application, I reached a point of frustration trying to properly gather my ideas and words that made me decide it wasn’t worth the trouble and call it quits. After taking a long break from the process and getting encouragement and input from others (hence the importance of starting weeks before deadlines) I was able to push myself through the final steps and ended up receiving more than I could have ever hoped for! As it turns out, these scholarships aren’t only for the magical people you only read about, but for normal people like me as well! Although there are so many factors which play into whether or not you receive different scholarships, I believe these are some of the major things I did right throughout the process. Anyone can follow these steps to better their chances of ending up with the same amazing opportunity! Start Early When most people think of starting the scholarship process early, they are probably picturing applying for scholarships during the beginning months of their grade twelve year; however, my definition of starting early begins the moment you enter high school. Of course this does not literally mean begin searching and writing for scholarships in grade nine (although this probably wouldn’t hurt) the idea of starting early involves beginning to build skills through extracurricular involvement and academics as early as possible. The lessons you take away from volunteer and extracurricular involvement are priceless, regardless of whether you are lucky enough to receive financial reward for your contributions. Welcome a Challenge While [...]
Now Introducing…
Hello Readers! My name is Bridgette Stevenson, I’m seventeen years old, and am currently in the middle of making that much anticipated transition from high school to university! After graduating high school a semester early to have the freedom to do some travelling and make extra money before attending university, I moved from my small rural community to temporarily join my sister in the city during this time. Growing up on a farm has come with limited opportunity in terms of education including course options, academic challenges, and making strong connections with diverse people. Although I can’t think of a more comfortable environment to grow up in, I am looking forward to the endless options I will have the chance to consider in university. Throughout my years in high school, I always kept busy with extracurricular activities including athletics, student government, volunteering at numerous community events, and enjoyed the lack of competition that allowed me to take on leadership roles. Over the next few years, I hope to continue having fun in these areas of the residence experience while taking on the new academic challenges. After being fortunate enough to receive a major scholarship for my undergraduate studies at any Canadian university, my small plans have expanded to moving far out of province to make the most out of this incredible opportunity. Although it is far too early to determine a long term career, I am planning to start with a degree in environmental design from the University of British Columbia. I am excited by the first couple years of general studies this degree includes, which will allow me to explore different areas while having the option of coming out with a more career focused base in the area of architecture. Because everyone has such diverse core beliefs, personalities, and ambitions, I cannot bring myself to seriously take or give advice, but do enjoy opening the possibilities which come from sharing ideas through discussions. I hope some of my writing will help aid in the transition from high school to university, while simultaneously enriching my own experience. TM: Thanks for taking some time to write for us Bridgette. While I am technically still a student, I’ve noticed that between JB and I we are having a tough time channelling our inner 17/18 year old selves; consequently we think your perspective as a young student will be invaluable to your peers and their parents. It has also been not-so-subtly suggested that we should get a female’s perspective here on MUM. I have to tell you that I will probably sabotage your articles from time to time so that our limited writing skills are not consistently shown up by a freshman!
Free Expense Tracking Software
