One of the best things about moving into a student apartment is the chance to decorate your home however you like. You’ll want to create a space that expresses who you are and looks fantastic for Instagram photos, but the concept also needs to be easy and inexpensive to achieve. Certain types of décor meet all these requirements and are particularly ideal for students.

Wall Space for Storage

To gain more storage, take advantage of the walls. For instance, you can install floating shelves in your bedroom, hooks in the hallway for coats and keys, and a ladder shelf above the toilet.

Storage Baskets

Another great way to gain storage is with baskets. This looks much more attractive than fabric storage bags, meaning you can keep them out in full view.

If you have the space, you can also push some baskets under your bed and into your closet. Use these baskets to store things like clean sheets, blankets, out-of-season clothing, and laundry. In addition, smaller baskets are ideal for anything you use frequently in the bathroom.

A Coffee Station

The likelihood is you’ll be buying a coffee maker for your student apartment. With a coffee station, you can turn this into the centrepiece of your kitchen. Install it either on a countertop or bar cart along with everything else you’ll need to make the perfect cup of coffee, including pods or grounds, mugs, spoons, sugar, and creamer.

Decorations Around Your Desk

You may decide to put personal items on your desk to motivate or inspire you. The downside is they’ll create clutter and make it more difficult to study. You’ll soon find that you’re pushing things out of the way and your desk looks a mess. To avoid this, a better option is to decorate around your desk. Again, you can use the walls, but you can also take steps to make the space more comfortable, such as with a cushion on your chair.

Fairy Lights

Brighten up the walls in the rest of your bedroom, and perhaps the living room, with fairy lights. As well as simple strings of tiny bulbs, there are fun shapes and colours to choose from.

Mirrors in Every Room

Mirrors make rooms appear larger and brighter. Nail small mirrors to the walls, hang one over your closet door, and prop up a floor mirror where it will reflect light from a window.

Floor Poufs

A classier version of a beanbag is a floor pouf. These add style to your living room and provide you with a more affordable type of seating than expensive furniture like chairs and couches. Plus, when no one is sitting on them, floor poufs make great footrests.

Temporary Wallpaper

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy to apply and you can remove it without damaging the wall when you move out. Find a vibrant design and add it to just one wall to create an accent wall.

Plenty of Plants

Plants always make your home welcoming — and you can put them just about anywhere. If you’ve never taken care of plants before, choose some easy ones that require minimal care.

Before you can start planning how you’ll decorate, you need to find the perfect student apartment. Receive a room for rent near Georgian College, Barrie, at Foundry Georgian. You’ll have your own bedroom and an en-suite bathroom to decorate however you want, along with a living room and kitchen you’ll share with four other students. Contact us today to secure your spot before all the leases are taken.

Although it’s normal to feel homesick when you start college, homesickness can become a problem if it starts to interfere with your capability to live a normal college student life. You may constantly be checking in with old friends instead of trying to make new ones. You may prefer to stay in your room than go to events and sign up for extracurricular activities. The good news is there are tactics you can use to overcome homesickness and feel at ease at college.

1. Live Like a Tourist

Spend your first few weeks at college as if you were a tourist, exploring the area to discover what’s around. Check out local cafés and businesses and find places nearby where you could spend time on the weekends, such as hiking trails and parks. As you start making friends, you can introduce them to the great places you find — they’ll definitely be impressed.

2. Eat Your Favourite Meals

Make college feel like home by preparing meals you normally eat with your family. If you’re not the best cook, search for restaurants that prepare those dishes. You could even request a delivery and have a meal at your new home with your roommates.

3. Join Clubs

A major part of homesickness is the sense of isolation. You can combat this by trying to meet people straight away. Since it can be difficult to make friends in your classes, a better option is often to join clubs. This will allow you to connect with people who have the same interests as you while you’re also exploring your own passions.

Don’t wait for others to approach you — strike up a conversation and see where it takes you. Many other students are likely feeling shy or uncomfortable and may be waiting for someone to say something to them.

4. Become a Student Volunteer

One of the best ways to cope with homesickness is to help others. When you shift your attention away from yourself, it’s easier to forget about your own problems. In addition, you’ll gain a sense of wellbeing from doing something useful. There will be many ways to get involved on campus, including volunteering at events and joining committees.

5. Talk to Your Student Advisor

If you’re struggling to beat homesickness on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for support. Your student advisor can provide you with further guidance, such as advice to navigate the complexities of student life. Plus, your advisor may be able to put you in touch with a mental health professional. This can be helpful, since it’s often easier to talk about personal issues with a counsellor than with your friends.

You’ll beat homesickness much faster if you live somewhere you can truly call home. If you want your own space but you’d still like to be around other students, the best option is student rentals. Barrie has Foundry Georgian, located just 10 minutes from campus. You’ll be able to relax in your fully-furnished suite (complete with high-speed internet) or meet other students in the clubhouse, fitness centre, and outdoor area. Apply now to move in by next semester.

Living in a student apartment offers independence and flexibility, but it’s important for those freedoms not to result in disarray. Between classes, socializing, work, and any other responsibilities you may be juggling, it’s easy to overlook another important task: cleaning your apartment. Fortunately, the task doesn’t have to be stressful or drawn-out. Here’s what you can do to get your living space clean and tidy.

1. Make a List

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when your whole place is messy, but by making a list, you can determine everything that needs to be done and stay on track. Plus, as you cross tasks off, you’ll enjoy a feeling of accomplishment. Consider going from room to room to see what needs to get done.

2. Coordinate with Your Roommates

It’s everyone’s responsibility to clean the apartment. Leaving the majority of the work to just one roommate is a great way to lose friends fast. Plus, if word spreads, you may struggle to find roommates next year!

If any of your roommates slack on their responsibilities, sit down with them and find out what’s going on. Approaching the subject in a way that’s non-accusatory is best, as your roommate may simply be feeling overwhelmed. Offer to take on their tasks this week in exchange for them picking up yours next time. By supporting one another, you’re likely to maintain a good relationship and a tidy living space.

3. Work from the Top Down

It makes sense to begin at the top of rooms and work your way down. Otherwise, you may end up creating more work for yourself. Start with the ceilings, paying particular attention to cobwebs in the corners and dust on the light fixtures. Next, move on to the walls: check there is no damage more significant than small holes where you nailed pictures, wipe the light switches, dust the windowsills, clean the windows (at least on the inside — the outside may be too dangerous for you to do yourself), and polish the door handles.

Only move on to the floors once you’ve cleaned everything else. Leaving this until last will mean you remove any dust or grime that falls on the floor while you’re cleaning other areas. If the apartment has carpets, vacuum them and use spot remover on any stains.

4. Pay Particular Attention to the Kitchen and Bathrooms

The most challenging rooms to clean are the kitchen and bathrooms. However, they’re extra important because they’re also the places where germs are most likely to dwell.

If you’re doing a deep cleaning of the kitchen, start by cleaning out the cupboards. Search for spills and splatters you could easily miss, such as on the ceiling and down the sides of appliances. You’ll also need to clean inside appliances (including the refrigerator, freezer, oven, and microwave), cabinets, and drawers.

As for the bathroom, cleaning mainly means scrubbing the sink, shower, and tub to remove stains from soap and hard water. Don’t forget the faucet and mirrors. Finally, make sure the drains are clear of hair, clean the toilet, and wash the floor.

Cleaning an entire apartment can be overwhelming. You can limit how much you need by — instead of looking for an entire apartment — searching for rooms for rent. Barrie students can rent a room in a townhouse at Foundry Georgian. You’ll share your home with four other students, but you’ll only be responsible for making sure your private bedroom and bathroom are clean. Apply now for a lease before all the available rooms are gone.

As a college student, your free time is limited while you juggle classes, studying, extracurriculars, and maintaining a social life. The free time you do have may be unequally distributed throughout the week. You may be lucky and have some days when your classes are more or less back to back. On other days, though, there will be breaks in your schedule that you need to fill. Here are several ways to use breaks of all lengths more productively.

1. Find Out What Campus Has to Offer

If you’re a new student, use those first breaks you have between classes to explore campus. See what’s on offer in various buildings, including options to eat. You likely already saw the library on your group tour, but take the chance now to explore it properly — perhaps to find a place you’d like to use for studying.

2. Take a Nap

A nap lasting just 20 minutes can be great for your health. It will stop you reaching for another coffee and you’ll wake up feeling refreshed, ready to take on the rest of the day. If you’re unable to make it back to your room, find a spot on campus. For instance, an isolated couch or a big armchair in the library is perfect.

3. Exercise

On the other hand, if you’re feeling energized, a break can be a great opportunity to fit a workout into your schedule. You may be able to participate in a team sport or take a yoga class on campus. Alternatively, you could head to the gym or even do bodyweight exercises in your room.

4. Review Your Notes

After class is the ideal time to read through your notes, as the material will still be fresh in your mind. In addition to helping you retain information, this will show you if anything you’ve jotted down is unclear or unlikely to make sense later. Plus, you can use this time to tie points together or make a note of any areas where you need further clarification.

5. Use Office Hours

Once you have your notes organized, you’ll know what kind of questions you want to ask your professors during office hours. It can be less intimidating to bring up doubts at office hours than during class. Plus, office hours allow your professors to give you in-depth answers. Make an effort to visit all your professors at some point — especially if your class sizes are large, as this could be the only chance you have to gain a valuable contact.

6. Work Through Your To-Do List

Create a to-do list that you can work through whenever you have spare time. Make sure you always choose tasks according to what is most urgent and fits around your time constraints, rather than whatever is most appealing. Otherwise, you’ll find that you keep putting off the most boring or frustrating tasks.

7. Find Volunteer Work

Dedicate some of your free time to an activity you can add to your resume by volunteering. There are many ways you can give back to the community. For instance, you could join the leadership of a college organization, find a charity in your area, get involved in a political campaign, or help out at a local school. If you’re a health major, volunteering at a hospital is a great option.

8. Seek a Part-Time Job on Campus

If you need to earn an income, find a part-time job. Looking for something you can do on campus is ideal, as managers will be understanding of your schedule and allow you to choose hours that fit around your classes. Talk to an advisor or financial officer about what jobs are available.

It’s easier to make good use of your breaks if you live near campus. For off-campus Georgian College residence, there’s Foundry Georgian. Our brand-new student community is just down the street from campus — less than 10-minute walk. Book a tour to check out the housing for yourself.

Living on campus is a popular student residence option in Canada. But still, so many students choose to live off-campus. So what are the reasons for these students to select off-campus living?

Some students choose off-campus living for obvious reasons, such as to enjoy more freedom and because they don’t want the limited social opportunities on campus. And others decide to live off-campus for safety reasons or for a more homey atmosphere.

Although on-campus living is considered convenient for first-year students, upperclassmen often prefer living off-campus. And rightly so because having personal space is almost non-existent in on-campus housing.

Here’re the main reasons why so many university and college students choose to live off-campus:

Shared Housing Facilities are Affordable

On-campus housing is relatively expensive because these facilities usually charge a per semester amount upfront to cover all amenities you’ll use during your stay. On the contrary, off-campus living is more affordable in many cases, depending on the facilities offered at the property.

With a bit of research, you can easily find affordable student housing. Barrie, for example, has facilities that provide all the amenities you could need without costing a fortune. Also, keep in mind that living with roommates is way more affordable than living alone.

You Gain Independence

On-campus residences have strict rules. While some students are okay with that, others prefer more freedom. Living in an off-campus apartment means you’re free to make your own rules. This allows you to create your own routine, live as you want, and have more fun while focusing on your studies.

Also, living off-campus means you are on your own. As such, you learn to manage your day-to-day life without help. You get the chance to learn to cook, clean, manage finances, do grocery shopping, and more. All of these will help you in your future professional and personal life.

Off-Campus Housing is Better for Working Students

Whether you’re doing an odd job or running a small-scale business alongside your studies, you’ll find that living off-campus is a better option for many reasons.

For example, if you come back from work late, an off-campus student housing property won’t give you any hassle, as its core objective is to give students a comfortable living space.

At most off-campus student apartments, you can come and go at your preferred times. But many on-campus residences have strict rules for entering and leaving the premises. That makes them a less attractive option for working students.

Freedom & Fun Go Hand-in-Hand

Whether you’re a party lover or an adventurer, living off-campus offers you more opportunities to have fun. However, on-campus housing facilities have early quiet hours, strict rules, and several limitations that can suppress your fun side.

As an adult, you’d want to focus on your studies and have fun because you understand that life is not all about studies and work. Off-campus life offers you the freedom to go out with friends, enjoy parties, and set your own routine.

You’ll Have Personal Space

Whether you like pin-drop silence or cannot bear an unorganized room, living off-campus allows you to make independent decisions. In collaboration with your roomies, you can make decisions and set rules regarding cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, chores, and more. On top of that, you can organize your room to your liking, have a roommate or live alone, and follow your own schedule.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, living off campus has many advantages. By budgeting and finding the perfect spot for your needs, you can find an off-campus living facility that feels like home.

Even if you’ve already lived on campus, you may eventually want to transition into an off-campus living environment. Many students start on campus and move off campus to gain more freedom in their later college years. No matter your decision, you can find all of the facilities you need to have an enjoyable experience in an off-campus living space.

Making and keeping friendships can be a challenge in university. You get so caught up in your studies, assignments, and classes that you may sometimes forget to connect with your fellow students.

Many students confess to feeling lonely and stressed due to academic pressure, so much so that they struggle with socialization. It’s understandable; you are in a new place, and you are starting fresh. It takes time and effort to meet and make friends with new people.

If you have no idea where to start, here are our eight tips to make the process smooth:

1. Start Socializing

Sure, you’re more comfortable spending most of your free time in your home, one of the off-campus rooms for rent in Barrie Ontario. But if you want to make friends, you have to step outside your living space and socialize.

Yes, we all need a time out between back-to-back classes and work but socializing is an excellent way to unwind and destress. Plus, you get a chance to meet new people, make friends, and have fun.

2. Take a Lead in Starting Conversations

It’s a good idea to take the lead in conversing with a new person every day. It could be someone who lives down the hall, a new fellow student, your local coffee shop barista, or someone you sat next to on the bus.

While small talk can be challenging for some people, it’s not that bad once you get started. Besides, you never know—you might be helping someone who’s having a rough day.

3. Start an On-Campus Job

For most students, on-campus jobs are the best way to meet new people and make friends — especially after you’ve exhausted the social club scene. On top of that, an on-campus job allows you to get professional experience, make a little extra money, and have networking opportunities.

4. Join a Club

No matter your reasons for joining a club and the type of club, it presents you with an opportunity to socialize, network, and make friends.

Just be sure that the club type resonates with your interests. This will lead you to meet like-minded people, opening more doors of opportunities for both parties.

5. Participate in Sports Activities

Let’s face it: We’re less likely to make friends in our class. This is because we’re too busy studying or getting our homework done. But in sports, we’re out there having fun. We’re sweating and cheering and having a good time.

And it doesn’t matter whether you are good at a sport or not because not everyone on the pitch is a professional sportsperson. Most students play sports to have fun, meet new people, and make friends.

6. Start Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, especially if you’re new to a city. It allows you to meet new people and expand your social network.

Volunteering also lets you rethink your priorities and get a break from school, except this break only adds to your credibility. In addition, you get to team up with people and work for a meaningful, common cause together.

7. Join an Exercise Class

Another way to see new faces is to join a fun exercise class! Exercise classes offer you the best of both worlds. It’s super easy to make new friends and have fun while getting in shape.

Exercise classes also offer you the opportunity to find out what everyone likes to do, what their fitness goals are, how they got started with exercise, and so on. The class may involve cardio, strength training, yoga, dancing, Zumba, Pilates, or a mix of all of these.

8. Get Involved in Student Government

Student government can be a significant part of your university experience. It can help you develop important leadership skills and management experience. The best part: you get the chance to meet new people, network, and make friends.

Also, you can get a voice in decisions that affect you, your fellow students, and the overall university life. As a student trustee, you’ll have the opportunity to host events, socialize, work on committees, and vote on major decisions affecting your campus.