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10 Effective Ways to Prep for Finals

No time of year is more stressful for students than finals. However, there’s no need to feel intimidated by exams — with the right preparation, you can gain the grades you deserve and that reflect the hard work you’ve put in all semester . 1. Write a Study Guide Summarize everything you’ve covered in class by creating your own study guide. This will give you the chance to reflect on what material you need to know for your finals. It should also reveal any weak areas where you’ll want to focus your efforts. 2. Go to All Your Review Sessions Attend the review sessions for all your classes. These are invaluable for finding out what to expect from each exam, both in terms of the style of the questions and what material the exam is likely to cover. 3. Practise for the Type of Exam You’ll need to use quite different techniques if an exam will have multiple-choice questions than if it will have an essay question. Multiple-choice answers tend to require an understanding of key terms, whereas long answers mean you need to know how concepts relate to each other and you’ll need to be prepared with examples to use. 4. Condense Your Notes A great study tactic for all types of exams is to reduce your notes down to the key points. You could put your notes in bullet points or draw them into a mind map that shows how concepts are linked. 5. Begin Prepping as Soon as Possible You’ll perform much better on your exams if you start prepping several weeks in advance. Pulling all-nighters right before finals is always ineffective — you’ll struggle to retain the information and find that you’re too tired to focus on the exam. 6. Take Plenty of Breaks It’s equally important to space out study sessions when you’re studying during the day, since it’s impossible to stay focused for hours at a time. Take short breaks to allow your mind to rest and longer ones to fit other activities into your day. 7. Clear Up Any Doubts Don’t be afraid to ask your professors questions about the material if you’re unsure that you understand everything. Alternatively, a teaching assistant, your tutor, or another student may be able to help. 8. Study in a Group A great way to seek support and advice from other students is to hold group study sessions. This can bring the material alive, help knowledge stick in your head better, and give you the chance to discuss ideas. Plus, you may find that you understand some concepts better than others in your group, which will give you a chance to explain the information in your own words. 9. Create a Study Calendar Decide exactly which materials you’ll study and when. It can help to divide the information from each class into logical sections to cover. Don’t feel like you need to spend the same amount of time prepping for each exam — give yourself the most time for the material you find the most difficult. To keep yourself motivated, switch between materials from different classes throughout the day. 10. Make Flashcards Quiz yourself on key facts and definitions using flashcards. It’s even better if you use questions similar to those that are likely to come up on the exam. It’s much easier to study for your finals — and study the rest of the year — when you live in a student apartment rather than on campus. Start improving your study practices by finding a room for rent. Kingston students can find a home at Foundry Princess. Choose from a variety of floor plans, all of which give you a fully-furnished , private bedroom and access to great onsite amenities like a fitness centre , grocery market, and swimming pool. Apply now while spaces are still available.

How to Choose the Best Student Housing Option

Where you choose to live is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a student, second only to what university you attend. It will impact how much you spend, your responsibilities and independence, and the amount of privacy you have. Most students find that off-campus housing is the best option , since it tends to mean they have their own bedroom, they’re near campus, and they live with other students. However, since student rentals are all different, there are a few things you need to consider. 1. Location The closer to campus you are, the better. You may even be able to walk or bike. A good alternative is proximity to regular public transport or a short commute by car — and if you are driving, you’ll need somewhere to park your car when you return home. 2. Security You need to feel safe in your home and know that your belongings are protected. The best student housing is in a safe neighbourhood , has security cameras, and features barriers to prevent non-residents from being able to access the building. Ideally, both your apartment and your bedroom will have locks. 3. Fast Internet As a student, you need a reliable internet connection to work on assignments, attend online classes, and just stay connected. Make sure that the housing offers a decent internet speed and a stable connection that won’t cut unexpectedly. 4. Roommates Think about the number of roommates you’d like to have and whether it’s important to you to know the people beforehand. Many student rentals will match you with people you’re likely to get along well with. 5. Bathrooms Consider how many people you’re willing to share a bathroom with. If you feel uncomfortable sharing, search for a room with an en suite bathroom. Also make sure the bathroom is in good condition — with high water pressure, a toilet that flushes properly (and doesn’t clog), and a modern, well-maintained feel. 6. Your Budget You can find student housing at a range of prices. It’s important to avoid stretching your budget too far, as this may mean you lack funds for going out and for emergencies. However, spending too little could mean you end up settling for subpar housing where you’ll be uncomfortable. Increasing the number of roommates you have can always make housing more affordable. 7. All-Inclusive Rent You’ll also save money if you pay for utilities and internet as part of your rent. There will be no surprise charges, and it will be easier to figure out exactly how much you’ll be spending each month. 8. Amenities Most student housing has a range of perks . Consider what matters to you and what will make your time at university fun. For instance, it’s worth finding a place with onsite laundry facilities and a gym, but you’ll improve the student experience even more if the housing has hangout and activity areas. For Kingston student housing rentals, there’s Foundry Princess. You’ll have everything you could want from student housing, including underground parking, a fitness centre , a 24/7 onsite market, and even an outdoor swimming pool. Apartments come in a range of layouts, with two to five bedrooms and one to four bathrooms. Apply now before all the units are taken.

What to Look For in a Roommate

Most students share with a roommate (or even a few roommates) during their time at university. If you live off campus, you’ll even be able to choose who you have as a roommate. This can make your life much more comfortable — but only if you choose well. Here are a few things to consider when searching for the perfect match. Budget The last thing you want is to settle for housing that’s lower quality than you would have liked or to feel pressured to stretch your budget to the max. Your roommate needs to be looking for housing within the same price range as you. This will not only ensure that you choose an apartment you both like, but it will also mean that neither of you struggles to make rent payments or pay bills. Best Friends vs Friends vs Acquaintances You may want a roommate purely to share your apartment. Alternatively, you may want your roommates to be your closest friends — you’ll be able to hang out together, head out to parties and events as a group, and perhaps eat meals together. Something in the middle is also possible. What’s important is that you decide if you want your roommates to be your friends or if remaining acquaintances is fine. Things in Common Unless you decide to live completely independently from your roommate, it will make sense to have some shared interests. This is unlikely to be a difficult criteria to fulfill: you may both like playing video games, watching a particular genre of movies, or listening to the same music. Matching Lifestyles It’s also crucial that your lifestyles are not too dissimilar. You should want to socialize the same amount and have similar ideas about how often to have guests over. If you like to stay in most evenings to study, your roommate should be happy to keep the apartment quiet. Similar Standards for Cleanliness Think carefully about how clean you want your apartment . It’s easy to exaggerate and say that you want your housing spotless when actually you don’t mind a bit of mess. It’s important to be honest, as this will ensure you share with people who have similar standards to you — and you won’t have arguments about the state of the apartment. A Good Communicator You must be able to feel that you can talk to your roommate when problems do arise. When you move in, you’ll set some ground rules that you’re both happy with, but it’s always possible that you’ll experience some minor conflicts. Good communication will resolve issues and keep your living situation comfortable. It can be a challenge to find the right number of roommates for the number of bedrooms in apartments you may like to rent. The solution is to decide how many roommates you want first and then look for student rentals. Kingston students can choose between suites with two, three, four, or five bedrooms when they live at Foundry Princess. Plus, if you can’t find enough roommates, we’ll pair you with other students. Apply now to secure the floor plan you want before all the units are taken.

10 Areas of Campus to Visit on a Tour

An important aspect of choosing the university you want to attend is the campus visit. This gives you the chance to see how you feel about a particular school and decide whether you can imagine yourself attending. To make the most of your visit, it’s useful to walk around on your own after you’ve received a guided tour. Use the chance to check out the following few key areas. 1. Facilities Related to Your Major It’s critical to visit the department for your major to see what kinds of facilities the university has to offer. Explore the classrooms, labs, and technology for an idea of what activities studying your major will involve. It’s even better if you can see a lecture in action to find out more about the style of teaching, class sizes, and engagement of the students. 2. Spaces for Clubs and Organizations If you’re interested in pursuing a particular extracurricular, pay a visit to these facilities as well. This could be the performing arts department, music rooms, or areas dedicated to a particular student organization, such as the campus newspaper. 3. Dining Area There may be occasions when you lack the time to go home and prepare a meal or you just want the convenience of being able to buy food on campus. Find out what’s on offer, including whether it’s nutritious and affordable. 4. Careers Centre Thinking about preparing for a career may feel far in the future right now, but it will be hugely beneficial to have a high-quality career centre on campus, especially as your graduation date approaches. Ask about the kinds of services on offer, what resources the careers centre provides, and what companies attend campus job fairs. 6. Bulletin Boards Search bulletin boards around campus for a better picture of student life at the university. Packed bulletin boards are a good sign that there’s an active student life and plenty of clubs to join. 7. Mental Health Offerings University can be stressful at times for many students. If you struggle with your mental health currently or have in the past, counselling services on campus may be particularly important for you. The facilities should feel welcoming and services affordable (or even free). 8. Outdoor Areas Simple outdoor amenities can make a big difference to how you feel while on campus. Being able to sit in a garden or take a walk around the grounds can help you destress . 9. Sports Facilities If you want to join a sports team while at university, the sports facilities will definitely matter to you. You may even like to just attend games as a spectator, in which case you should still pay the stadium a visit. Finally, a well-equipped gym and regular fitness classes could make a big difference to your time at university, as this will mean it’s easier for you to stay fit and lead a healthy lifestyle. 10. The Surroundings It’s also beneficial to live in a university town where there’s plenty to do all year round. Your guided tour may include some sightseeing close to campus. If it doesn’t , make sure to take a drive around the neighbourhood to see the surroundings. Checking the prices at stores and restaurants can show you the cost of living in the area, whereas visiting parks and outdoor activities can give you an idea of how you’ll be able to spend your weekends. Once you’ve chosen where you want to attend university, you’ll need to find accommodation — Kingston, Ontario, has Foundry Princess. Our premier housing gives you everything you need to complete the student experience, including onsite study spaces, a rooftop patio, and even an outdoor swimming pool. Book a tour to check it out during your campus visit to Queen’s University.

8 Innovative Study Techniques to Try

If you’re losing the motivation to study but still have exams to prepare for, chapters to read, or homework to complete, you need to get creative. Trying some innovative study techniques should help you maintain your focus and keep things interesting. 1. Make Flashcards Create a set of flashcards you can use to quiz yourself when you have free time or take to your study group sessions. Make a physical set of cards or use a flashcard app — many allow you to add equations and images. 2. Write Summaries Find different ways to summarize key information. One option is to turn the chapter title into a question and write the main concepts as the answers. Another is to write the main takeaways into your own words on sticky notes that you post all around your apartment. 3. Draw Images Instead of writing your notes all the time, use pictures. There are various ways to do this, including drawing pictures to represent the answers on your flashcards, creating diagrams of key concepts, or even making a storyboard to remember a sequence of events. 4. Use Creative Writing If you’re more into using words than pictures — but still tired of writing dry notes about whatever you’re studying — try a creative writing exercise. Write a short story about the events (you could be a main character) or compose a poem to help you remember the key facts. 5. Read Aloud You may find you absorb information better if you read your textbooks aloud. Avoid a monotone voice, instead speaking as different characters. You’ll remember their voices when you need the information later, which will help with recall. 6. Turn Studying into a Game Gamifying your material is a great idea if you have someone to study with, such as the members of your study group. Some simple options to try include Jeopardy (use the answers on your flashcards or study guide) and Around the Word — face off with other members of your group until you get a question wrong, at which point a new person should take your place. 7. Explain What You’re Studying to Someone Else Being able to explain concepts to someone else means you understand. Take turns to do this in your study group or meet up with friends who are all taking different classes and have each person explain to everyone else what they’ve learned that semester. 8. Sing the Material If you’re struggling to understand something, turn it into a song. It may be that the wording is confusing, but singing may make it clear. Singing also works well for remembering lists, as you’ll be able to sing the list back to yourself later. Something else that will help keep your motivation high is to have a comfortable place to study away from distractions. At Foundry Princess, you’ll be able to study in a private bedroom in your fully-furnished suite or in one of our multiple study areas. Plus, our Queens off-campus housing has great options for when you need to take a break, including an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, rooftop patio, and BBQ areas. Join our waitlist now.

Tips for Pursuing a Career in AI

Many people are concerned about AI replacing the need for workers — but it’s also creating more job opportunities. If you are passionate about this technology and want to use it to make a difference in the world, you might consider pursuing a career in AI. Here are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare. 1. Have Confidence in Yourself Remind yourself that a career in AI is not out of your reach. It may feel daunting, especially if there are many things you don’t know yet. However, you have plenty of time to learn everything you need to know. Besides, AI is developing so rapidly, there are always new things for everyone — not just you — to learn. Don’t allow imposter syndrome to make you feel like you don’t belong. 2. Search for Mentors and Role Models One way to increase your confidence is to seek support from a mentor. Reach out to someone who is working with AI in the same kind of capacity as you would like to or someone who has a similar background to you. In addition, it’s worth searching for role models. Follow these people on social media and listen to their podcasts to learn more about what they’re doing now and how they reached that point. 3. Familiarize Yourself with the Terminology Be in a position to involve yourself in discussions about AI by learning the basic terminology. Familiarize yourself with the key definitions and the differences between the main types of technology and applications. You may also like to start exploring what areas interest you the most to learn about these in more detail. 4. Use More AI in Your Daily Life Make AI a regular part of your life by trying out different tools. There’s a good chance you’re already interacting with AI without thinking about it (such as through recommendations on streaming services and the posts you see on your social media feeds), but you should also actively seek out AI. For instance, you could use a tool to create a travel itinerary for your next spring break, experiment with virtual try-on features on e-commerce sites, or draft cover letters for internship applications. 5. Understand the Ethical Challenges With every application of AI, ethics are central. If you’re going to pursue a career in AI, you need a good understanding of these issues. This is true for all types of technology, but it’s especially important for AI due to the speed the field is moving and the kinds of applications it has. Read opinion pieces, check out what’s included in the terms and conditions of AI tools, and come up with your own ideas for ethical concerns and ways it may be possible to overcome them. You still have some time left at university before you need to think seriously about your career. Enjoy the remaining semesters you have to the max by moving into better student rentals. Kingston has premier student living at Foundry Princess. You’ll have everything you need on site, including a 24/7 convenience market, a community clubhouse, multiple study areas, and a monthly in-suite cleaning service. Contact us for a lease.