Blog Posts

6 Simple Student Apartment Hacks

Since your student apartment is the place you’ll be spending the most time at university, it’s important to make it somewhere you can call home. The good news is there’s no need to invest much nor risk your security deposit. These simple hacks can transform your space to make it more comfortable, convenient, and attractive. 1. Hang Shoe Organizers on Doors Gain more storage space in places like your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen by hanging shoe organizers on the backs of doors. You can use the organizers for much more than just shoes — they’re ideal for holding cleaning products, toiletries, snacks, and anything else that needs a home. Choose between fabric shoe organizers to keep items hidden and clear plastic ones to make finding what you’ve stored in each section easier. 2. Warm Your Space with Throw Rugs Instantly bring warmth to your apartment by adding some throw rugs. They’re ideal for next to your bed and near the couch in the living room. Remember to add some non-slip rug pads if you’re putting the rug on top of hardwood flooring. 3. Decorate Your Walls with Decals The walls in your apartment may not be your favourite colour — and, unfortunately, you’re not allowed to paint them. Add a fun design that shows off your personality with decals. These stick to surfaces like walls and windows without the need for adhesive. Some are even reusable, meaning you can rotate between a few different designs to suit your mood or the season. 4. Use Command Hooks and Strips You may be prohibited from using nails and thumbtacks in your apartment, as these damage the walls. In fact, even if your lease doesn’t specify that they’re not allowed, you should avoid anything that pierces the wall to ensure you’ll keep your security deposit. However, you’ll still want to hang things like photos, posters, and fairy lights. The solution is to use Command hooks and strips. These are strong enough to hold virtually anything you could want to hang on the wall and you can remove them without damaging the paint. 5. Keep Your Drawers Neat with Silverware Organizers It’s impossible to keep your drawers organized if you fill them with small items that become jumbled together. An easy solution is to purchase silverware organizers. These are ideal for holding stationery, spare change, keys, makeup, and more. 6. Secure Cables with Binder Clips When your cables are not plugged into any devices, they may drop to the floor and form a tangled mess under your desk. Keep them within reach by attaching some binder clips to the side of your desk and threading the cables through. You’ll never need to search around for the type of cable you need and you’ll reduce damage to cables that mean they need replacing sooner. Of course, it helps to live in an apartment that is already stylish and comfortable when you move in. You’ll find just such apartments at Foundry Princess. Our Queen’s University housing offers fully-furnished suites in multiple layouts. All the floor plans are spacious and attractive, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Units with en suite washrooms and deep soakers are also available on request. Apply now to secure your spot while there are still spaces available.

Student Discounts 101: Where to Find the Best Deals

Being a student is expensive. In addition to costly tuition and textbooks, you have all sorts of living expenses — and no time for more than a part-time job, if that. To make university more affordable without needing to take out additional loans or keep to a strict budget, you need to look for deals. The good news is there are many great deals for every facet of student life. 1. Transportation You may need your own car while you’re at university. Save money on auto insurance by searching for a carrier that offers discounts to students with good grades or to young drivers who have had no accidents or traffic tickets in recent years. If you’re leaving your car behind, you’ll need to rely on other means of transportation, especially when returning home or traveling over breaks. Some intercity bus services offer student discounts, as do some travel programs for cheap flights and other services. 2. Grocery Discounts Find out if your local grocery store offers discounted rates for students. In addition to reduced prices for membership, many stores offer free or discounted delivery, which is especially convenient if you don’t have your own mode of transportation. 3. Streaming Services Some streaming services are making it difficult to share a subscription with people outside your household, meaning you’ll need to purchase your own subscriptions when you leave home. In addition to limiting yourself to just a couple platforms , you can save money by checking if services have any discounts for students. This goes for music streaming as well as TV and movies. 4. Clothing Several clothing brands offer student discounts, including athletic and everyday fashion clothing. You’ll also need to make sure you have a business casual outfit for interviews, job fairs, and networking events. Since this may be a big expense, make sure you search for discounts before you hit the stores. 5. Software Many software brands (including Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe) offer reduced rates for students. Some of these are lower monthly or annual prices, whereas others allow you to make a one-time purchase rather than needing a subscription — something you should definitely consider taking advantage of. Find out what you’ll need for your classes before you make any investments. 6. Electronics In addition to a laptop or tablet, you may want a monitor, an external hard drive, a portable charger, and decent headphones. Many electronics companies offer discounts for students, but the offers may only be available at certain times of the year. 7. Cell Service Many cell carriers have special plans for students. Before purchasing a plan, consider how much data you’re likely to need, as there may be fast WiFi around campus and in your student housing, meaning you can opt for less data. It is also important to save on big expenses, like student housing. Kingston has affordable apartments at Foundry Princess. To help you save even more, rent includes gas, heat, water, and internet, all the units are fully furnished, and you’ll have access to the range of exclusive amenities on site, including the bright study spaces, a fitness center, and our outdoor swimming pool. Contact us to apply for a lease.

4 Tips for Navigating Career Fairs

Universities have all sorts of resources to help you thrive after graduation. One such resource is regular career fairs on campus. These are great opportunities for learning more about what kinds of jobs are available, networking, and even receiving offers for jobs and internships. To make the most of career fairs, there are a few things you need to do. 1. Start Attending Early During Your Time at University You may think career fairs are just for students who are actively looking for internships or about to graduate. In fact, they’re for everyone. By attending from early during your time at university, you’ll gain a better picture of the job market and start thinking about what you may like to do after you graduate. This could influence the classes you take or even your major, especially if you’re undecided. Plus, you may stumble across an internship opportunity for the summer, which will help you start gainin g experience early and perhaps earn some money. 2. Practice Talking with Hiring Managers Job fairs give you the chance to talk with hiring managers in a lower-stakes scenario than in an interview. This is especially true when you’re just attending the job fair for the experience, rather than actively looking for a job. Use the opportunity to practice your elevator pitch and ask insightful questions about the companies, including about the type of work they do and positions that they have open. With practice, you’ll refine what you say and improve your confidence. 3. Gain Contacts It’s never too early to start building contacts. Job fairs are an excellent opportunity to network with people at companies you may like to work for in the future. Remember, the employers at job fairs are there because they want to connect with students and help them become part of the future workforce — take advantage of this. By staying in touch with the professionals you talk to, you may be able to find out about opportunities in the future, receive useful advice, or even gain a mentor. In addition, talking to hiring managers at job fairs will reveal more about what it would be like to work at the company. This may lead you to consider some organizations you were unaware of before or dismiss some companies you had on your shortlist of potential future employers. 4. Adapt Your Resume Use what you learn at job fairs to decide how to present your skills, experience, and qualifications on your resume. Find out what employers are looking for, and make sure you highlight these qualities. To gain this information, you’ll need to ask plenty of questions, such as about what it’s like to work at the company, the duties of an intern or entry-level worker, and the company culture. Another way to prepare for life after graduation is to start living independently. The Kingston student housing rentals at Foundry Princess are perfect for easing you into adult life. You’ll have your own room in a fully-furnished apartment where you can entertain, do laundry, and prepare your own meals. Plus, you’ll be living just minutes from campus. Apply now to secure your spot.

8 Quick Meals to Microwave in Your Student Apartment

Lacking cooking skills is no excuse not to eat a balanced diet at university: there are plenty of meals you can prepare at home with nothing more than a microwave. The added benefit of cooking like this is you’ll have minimal dishes to wash once you’re done! Here are a few quick and easy recipes to try. 1. French Toast You can have a delicious breakfast in minutes by preparing French toast in your microwave. Soak two pieces of bread in a mixture made from one egg, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Microwave the bread for about a minute and a half. Top your French toast with fruit, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. 2. Wrap A fast lunch you can heat in the microwave is a tortilla wrap. Use different ingredients every time to keep things interesting. A combination of deli meat, cheese, and vegetables like spinach and red pepper is ideal. 3. Pasta The next time you go to the grocery store, look for microwaveable pasta. You can create many dishes with this, although one of the easiest options is to use a sauce made from just hummus and salsa. Cook your pasta in the microwave first and then heat it briefly with the sauce. 4. Elote You may be surprised that Mexican street corn is easy to prepare at home with nothing more than a microwave. Simply heat the corn with butter and then add lime juice, chili powder, and cotija cheese. 5. Eggs You can even cook eggs in the microwave. Simply whisk up a couple eggs in a mug with some seasoning and put them in the microwave for around a minute and a half. Once they’re cooked, add salsa and cheese to the top. 6. Grain Bowl A nutritious and filling meal to prepare is a grain bowl. You’ll need to find microwaveable rice (whole grain is best) and follow the instructions on the package to prepare it. Mix the rice in a bowl with your favourite veggies — spinach, canned chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and slivered almonds are all great choices. For extra flavour , top with the sauce of your choice. You could even make your own sauce by blending parsley, garlic, avocado, coconut milk, and cayenne pepper. 7. Pizza Ordering pizza tends to be expensive, but you can make it yourself at home for much less. Knead some biscuit dough to form a crust and add some pizza sauce, cheese, and your choice of toppings before cooking everything in the microwave. 8. Baked Potato Baking a potato in the microwave is much faster than cooking it in the oven — it will be ready in just five minutes. You can make the meal different every time by switching up the toppings, although nothing beats butter, cheese, scallions, and hot sauce . You’ll be able to prepare much more than just microwaveable meals if you have a full kitchen. You’ll typically have access to a kitchen if you live in a room for rent. Kingston students can gain much more than just a kitchen by moving into the student community at Foundry Princess. In addition to stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, you’ll have in-suite laundry facilities and community amenities including outdoor BBQ areas, a rooftop patio, and a swimming pool. Apply now to secure your spot.

How to Maximize Your Internship Experience

Landing an internship in a field you’re passionate about is a great first step. Next, you need to make sure you maximize the experience to gain valuable skills, contacts, and even the opportunity to work at the company in the future. Here are some tips to guide you. 1. Ask for Feedback Although no one enjoys receiving negative feedback, the only way to improve is to learn from your mistakes or to find out where you could do better. Asking for feedback and acting on it will also show your manager that you want to do your best, which makes a good impression. Plus, it’s likely that much of the feedback you’ll receive will be positive, which will give you a confidence boost. 2. Volunteer to Be More Involved Your manager may be careful not to give you too much work. If you feel that you can handle more, ask for the chance to be involved in more activities. You may want to observe meetings, or there could be a project that interests you that you’d like to play a role in. 3. Meet Other People at the Company Use the time at your internship as a chance to network. Go beyond building relationships with the people you work with by also reaching out to other people at the company. It may even be worth setting up meetings with some of these people to ask them if you can provide them with any support. Doing this, you’ll have many useful contacts that could lead to opportunities in the future by the end of your internship. 4. Make Your Goals Clear If you’re interested in working for the company after you graduate, make this clear. Since not all students want to work at the places where they intern, your employer won’t know that this is your goal unless you communicate it. Before you finish the internship, ask about job openings or even present your case as to why you’d be a top choice for a position you know is available. 5. Save Some of Your Earnings If you’re lucky enough to find a paid internship, take advantage of the opportunity to build up some savings. Decide how much you’ll let yourself spend (to ensure you still have a fun summer) and keep the rest. You could create an emergency fund, pay off some debt, or save money to have extra to spend next semester. One way to ensure you don’t overspend is to choose a couple of activities you enjoy the most and cut down on expenses that are less important to you. Most students take internships over the summer. Although this means work won’t interfere with your studies, you will need to find somewhere to live, as the dorms on campus will be closed. You can find Queens University student housing at Foundry Princess. When you return home at the end of the day, you’ll be able to relax in your private bedroom, spend time with other students in places like the community clubhouse, or cool off in our outdoor swimming pool. Apply for your spot now.

How to Spend Your Summer Break as a University Student

The end of a university year means one thing and one thing only: summer break. The break is the perfect time to relax and recharge for the next school year. But, while summer is meant for relaxation, it doesn't mean you should put your brain on autopilot. Summer break is a time for rejuvenation, relaxation, and renewal. It's also a time for self-reflection and growth. It takes you out of the everyday study grind, so you can have fun before the cycle of deadlines, exams, and submissions restarts. If your summer break is around the corner, hang in there because it'll be worth the wait. You'll have enough free time to complete that craft project, catch up on some sleep, and connect with your loved ones. But, if you aren't sure about your summer break plans, you might waste some part of it procrastinating before you start anything new. Therefore, as a university student, you should have a clear idea of what you'll do during the break and what you wish to achieve during this time. Here are some tips for re-energizing and taking time for yourself during your summer break. Travel & Make Memories Weekends and short holidays during the semester don't always give you enough time to travel. But luckily, you have a summer break to cross a new destination off your bucket list. Whether you prefer solo travelling or wish to take your friends along, just plan it before your summer break and get travelling as soon as the break starts. By travelling during your university years, you’ll create some lifelong memories and have incredible experiences. So, don't miss the chance to explore new places and meet new people! Work & Save Money Summer break is also your best opportunity to work and earn enough money to cover your expenses when university restarts. You can either do an odd job, start a small-scale business, or catch a paid internship to improve your resume. You can start looking for job opportunities in your surroundings or online before summer break starts, so you don't have to do it during the break. However, don't make the summer break all about work. Instead, be sure to give yourself occasional breaks to unwind. Learn New Skills & Explore Your Potential So, you're not up for travelling or doing a job during summer break? Then why not take it as an opportunity to learn new skills or hone your existing skills? For example, you could learn digital skills or enroll in a course (other than your university curriculum) that supports your interests. Or, maybe you would want to start a DIY project to satiate your inner artist...the possibilities are endless! All these activities can make your summer break more fun and productive. Have Some "Me Time" & Rest Life shouldn't be all about work and studies; your body and mind need some free time to relax and regain energy. So if you're exhausted by the semester, take this year's summer break to rest. Catch up on your favourite shows, write a journal, cook your favourite foods, and relax. Whether you live at home or in student accommodation, Kingston, Ontario has plenty of places where you can grab a cup of coffee and get lost in a good book . Connect With Friends and Family Right now, studies keep you busy. And a few years down the road, your work will consume most of your time. For that reason, now is the time to nourish your personal life and relationships . If visiting your parents or family over the weekends isn't possible when classes are in session, you can save these visits for the summer break. Or think about some fun friends' meetups and make unforgettable memories together. Meeting your loved ones and knowing new people will refresh your mood and help you forget the strenuous study schedule you went through. Final Thoughts University students have to work hard to secure good grades and meet challenging deadlines. If there's something that excites students, it's the summer break. Summer break is approaching, and if you aren't sure how to spend it productively, consider the above suggestions and see if one or more of them meet your interests. Be sure to give yourself some time to rest this summer break and start afresh; cheers!