4Rent – Rentals4Students – April 22, 2023

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Carolyn Porteous carolyn@mediaclassified.ca

Terry Buhay terry.buhay@mediaclassified.ca

Gina Pappas

Gina.pappas@mediaclassified.ca

GROUP SALES MANAGER

Randi Segal randi.segal@mediaclassified.ca

MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES & SERVICE

Marilyn Watling marilyn@mediaclassified.ca

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Leo Racioppo leo@mediaclassified.ca

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

John Racioppo john@mediaclassified.ca

ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES accountingteam@mediaclassified.ca

CIRCULATION INQUIRIES distributionteam@mediaclassified.ca EDITOR

Amanda Pereira

DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA

Lauren Reid-Sachs

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ASSISTANT MANAGER

Alicesa Pullan

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Johannah Lorenzo

All submissions from interested parties will be considered. Please submit to the editor at editorial@mediaclassified.ca

2023 PPMA Advertising Award Of The Year

By Amanda Pereira

This school year rise+shine on time

hate waking up early. There, I said it. There are some people who are naturally early risers; I am not one of them. Getting up before the sun could have saved me a lot of grief when I was in university. Chasing after a departing bus was a regular occurrence for me but often meant a prof or two admonishing me as I was slipping into their lecture late.

This could have been easily avoided had I not stayed up so late the night before watching Gossip Girl (I’m aging myself here, leave me alone.)

To avoid being me, here are some tips to get you in the swing of things for the upcoming school year:

GO TO BED EARLY

I know, this seems like common sense, but you would be surprised how long it took me to realize how vital this step was. Going to bed at midnight won’t do you any good if you’ve got an alarm set for 5 a.m. to make it for your 8 a.m. class. If you’re someone who requires eight solid hours of sleep, aim to be in bed by 10 p.m. at the latest. A good night’s rest requires five-six complete sleep cycles.

MOVE YOUR ALARM CLOCK

I am the queen of the snooze button – it is not uncommon for me to hit it six times at a minimum. To curb my penchant for snoozing, I moved my alarm clock into the kitchen. Now, I have to get out of bed. The movement and turning on all the lights are enough to not only rouse me from my sleep, but also get my body moving.

PLAN YOUR DAY THE NIGHT BEFORE

Most life coaches say it’s important to have a plan. The night before, make a list of the top five things you wish to accomplish the next day and rank them by order of importance. Treat your tasks like an avalanche method with the most difficult tasks taking precedence over the smaller ones.

What’s another advantage to waking up early? You’ll get to check out any new listings that have popped up for a student rental for the year before anyone else.

Remember, just like getting up in the morning – you should always start your rental search early. Good luck this school year!

More than an apartment, we’re a community! With 10 uniquely designed amenity spaces open to all residents, Vibe Lofts inspires a new way of living and coexisting. Our Studio, One, and Two Bedroom suites offer 11 feet exposed concrete ceilings, sleek and modern design elements, in-suite laundry in every unit, and various layouts

come feel the VIBE for yourself!

1 BEDROOM SUITES

MacEwan University is less than a 4 block walk away. These spacious 1 bedroom suites all include dishwashers and gorgeous stone fireplaces.

• Heat, water and parking included

• Access to MacEwan University, NAIT, University of Alberta, Concordia College & Norquest College

• Close to grocery, restaurants and easy access to public transit

PLEASE CALL 780-566-9361

With NAIT located a mere five blocks away, The Amherst is a great choice for students. Residents enjoy great access to shopping centres such as Kingsway Mall.

• Heat, water and parking included

• Access to NAIT, University of Alberta, Concordia College, MacEwan University & Norquest College

• Close to grocery, restaurants and easy access to public transit

When is it time to get help for your mental health?

anadians’ perception of mental health has come a long way. Far from the stigma that once made people feel ashamed to admit to experiencing mental health issues, nowadays it’s common for people to seek out supports and treatment. Professional services benefit those struggling with mood and emotions, substance use, life changes and, especially in the past year and a half, feelings of isolation and anxiety during the pandemic.

Here are some signs that it’s time to seek help:

IT’S AFFECTING YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the thought of returning to your pre-pandemic life, or fearful to even test the waters with what you are comfortable with, it might be time to seek professional help. A healthy dose of fear is normal, but when it’s preventing you from functioning in your daily life, it’s a good idea to find out why.

YOU’RE FEELING EXTREME EMOTIONS, OR NOTHING AT ALL

Anxiety, fear, hopelessness and anger are all perfectly acceptable, especially during hard times. But if you’re feeling overcome with too many emotions and your mind is racing a hundred miles per

minute with stress, it can lead to serious health concerns.

At the same time, losing interest in the activities and hobbies that brought you joy and feeling unmotivated can also be indicators of something much more serious.

YOU’RE WITHDRAWING FROM FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

Spending time alone is normal and can be therapeutic and calming. Introverts might even feel energized from spending some time solo. But if you’re withdrawing from your social circles altogether or feel nervous about reaching out to your friends and family, you might need some extra support. Therapy can help you understand why you’re dealing with these feelings, and help you get set on the right foot in reclaiming your social and mental health.

Fortunately, there are many virtual services you can access from your own space. If you’re ready to get started on your wellness journey, the Wellness Together Canada portal offers free, reliable information and 24/7 support. Here, you can access self-assessment tools or choose to connect with peer support, social workers, psychologists and other professionals via confidential text sessions or phone calls.

Support is just a call or click away. Find more information at wellnesstogether.ca.

down time personal growth can lead to personal and professional growth Creative hobbies

uch has been made of the value of hobbies in providing a distraction from the daily grind. The value of escapism is hard to define, but many successful professionals find that having a hobby that has nothing to do with their profession provides a much-needed respite during those times when work becomes overwhelming.

Hobbies might provide an invaluable escape for busy professionals, but those professionals should know that creative hobbies also could benefit their careers. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that non-work creative activity was positively associated with performance-related professional outcomes, including job creativity.

With so much to gain from engaging in creative hobbies, individuals looking for valuable ways to spend their down time can take up activities such as painting, writing, sculpting, dancing, and/or knitting, among others. It’s worth noting that the value of taking up such activities goes beyond personal and professional growth. According to the experts at Solara Mental Health, creative pursuits such as art

increase brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to grow and change over time. Increased brain plasticity can make it easier to learn new skills and maintain flexibility of thinking into old age. Increased brain plasticity also has been linked to a greater ability to maintain a high IQ.

Creative hobbies are often characterized as a valuable way to blow off steam and reduce stress associated with the many responsibilities of adulthood. Though such characterizations are accurate, the value of creative hobbies extends much further and can positively affect individuals’ careers and long-term health.

– Metro Creative Connection

Affordable ways to create a home

This year’s home must-have is an office space that offers flexibility to go seamlessly from video calls to virtual classroom to everything in between. To help you create a workspace that works for you, Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore colour and design expert, shares three affordable tips to create a stylish office no matter your style or budget.

On video calls all day? You can create an envyinducing backdrop in just one weekend by painting a bookcase.

CHOOSE COLOURS THAT PROMOTE PRODUCTIVITY

Struggling to find focus when working from home? Your environmental colours can help promote a sense of calm and concentration to help you through your busiest days. “Tints and shades of green such as Spa AF-435 or Flora AF-470 can help foster a sense of calm and support your productivity,” recommends Grech.

Giving your home office a coat of green paint is a project you can do yourself, and the increased focus and reduction in eye strain will help you work smarter all year long.

MAKE ROOM FOR YOUR WORKSPACE

If you don’t have a dedicated home office, you can easily create a place where you can focus by making a work area in your home. A floating shelf or a side table can double as a compact desk in small spaces. Once you select where you want to set up your workspace, clean up any clutter that could be distracting. Grech suggests shopping your home for baskets, mason jars and catch-alls to store office supplies such as notebooks, pens and loose papers.

CREATE A CHIC BACKGROUND

On video calls all day? You can create

tips to create a stylish office office that works for you

an envy-inducing backdrop in just one weekend by painting out a bookcase, including the backs of shelves, in one solid hue like Amazon Soil 2115-30. Grech recommends choosing a durable paint designed to adhere to wooden surfaces

such as Advance interior paint for results as professional as your new office. Once dry, position your bookcase, with styled shelves of books and decorative objects, behind you for a put-together background.

– News Canada

The Cottingham Manor

Rental Apartments

Located in the beautiful Cottingham neighbourhood, The Cottingham Manor boasts of comfortable, clean and spacious bachelor and one bedroom rental apartments in an Art Deco inspired boutique style building. Close to U of T and George Brown (Casa Loma campus). We take pride in making The Cottingham Manor a place you’ll want to call home.

These 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites (many with den options) offer many of the luxuries of condo living, but at rental prices. Not only that, everyday conveniences, green spaces, funky coffee houses, London Transit, Budweiser Gardens and more, are practically outside your door.

BUILDING AMENITIES

• Security/Concierge

• Party room available

• Study lounge/library

• Secured underground parking

• Secured bike storage room

• Security cameras throughout

• On-site Super & Management

What students can do to block out distractions in the classroom

n ability to focus in the classroom can go a long way toward helping students achieve their academic goals. But distractions lurk in every corner, making it easier than ever to succumb to a lack of focus. Maintaining focus in the classroom can be difficult in the digital age, but students can try various strategies to block out distractions once class begins.

DISCONNECT YOUR DEVICES

A 2020 report from the nonprofit association

Educause found that the majority of students report connecting two or more devices to campus Wi-Fi each day. Devices often serve as useful tools that augment classroom lessons, but they also can distract students. Students can turn off notifications on their phones and tablets before class begins so that familiar ping does not sound during lectures and lessons. In addition, unless devices are necessary during a class, students can store them in places where they won’t be tempted to check for messages or other alerts when they should be learning. Storing devices in a separate pocket in a backpack or even in a locker outside the classroom can remove the temptation to log on during class.

PREPARE FOR CLASS IN ADVANCE

Organizing before class can help students stay focused when a teacher is lecturing,

explaining classroom material or engaging students in a discussion. Students who can’t readily access their notes, books or assignments may be forced to spend valuable class time looking for such materials, thus distracting them from the lesson.

BRING QUESTIONS TO CLASS

Students who jot down questions about a subject prior to class are more likely to be engaged once class begins. Students can ask their questions during the lesson and listen intently to hear if their teacher or professor is answering their questions during their lecture. Either way, bringing questions to class and going over them before class begins can help students narrow their focus to the subject at hand, reducing the likelihood that they’ll succumb to distractions.

SIT IN THE FRONT OF CLASS

Students who are having trouble focusing can try sitting in the front of class. Sitting in the front ensures students can hear their teachers or professors, and sitting so close might subconsciously compel students to perk up so they’re not caught wandering. Devices and other distractions can easily compromise students’ focus in the classroom. But various strategies can help students focus so they can perform better academically.

Vibrant Communities

Easy Access to Public Transit

LRT, OC Transpo Buses

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

BACHELORS, ONE, TWO, AND THREE BEDROOM ALGONQUIN |UOTTAWA|CARLETON *Prices subject to change without notice Spring/Summer 2023

Self-control avoid these mistakes

How students can avoid ‘senioritis’ S

enior year of high school can be a whirlwind of activity. The early months are spent wrapping up standardized testing and applying to college. Since many colleges and universities ask for mid-year transcripts for students to aid with class placement and/or make final admissions decisions, students also need to maintain their studies and grades throughout the fall and winter.

Come the spring, when graduating seniors have already picked a college, students with their eyes on the finish line may feel like pulling back a bit. According to Southern New Hampshire University, the term “senioritis” refers to a common condition reflecting a lack of motivation by students who are reaching the end of their coursework. While it occurs in high school seniors and college and university seniors, those in trade schools or other programs also can experience senioritis. It’s important not to let senioritis set in to the point that students’ academic futures are suddenly compromised.

CONSIDER THE REPERCUSSIONS

According to the University of the People, many colleges have a policy that incoming freshmen must maintain a certain GPA to become students at their institutions. Letting grades slip can ruin chances of attending the school you worked hard to get into, even if you’ve already been accepted.

SCHEDULE BREAKS

Take advantage of time off from school and on the weekends to engage in fun activities. Respites from schoolwork can help you return to studies fresh and ready to engage anew.

HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE

Get together with a close group of classmates to inspire one another to continue to study and maintain good grades. Accountability to another person can serve as motivation.

ASK FOR HELP AND SUPPORT

It’s common for seniors to want to slack off if they’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed. If various factors in your life are causing you anxiety, reach out to your parents and friends for help.

ESTABLISH STRONG HABITS

Learning to stay focused even throughout the spring of senior year can help set the course for good habits that spill over into college, like time management and focus.

Avoiding a case of senioritis can be challenging, but it is in students’ best interests to stay focused on their work until they don their caps and gowns.

– Metro Creative Connection

1Eleven

Find the ultimate off-campus student living experience at 1Eleven – Ottawa’s favourite all-inclusive student apartments community! Enjoy premiums like the study lounge, gym/yoga room, concierge-style front desk, and more!

1Eleven is a short walk to the University of Ottawa, grocery stores, shops, and the Byward Market, and a quick bus ride to Carleton U.

Modern fully furnished 1–4 bedrooms suites. 6 appliances. Amenities: music studio, basketball court, art room, free bike rental, 14 study rooms, movie lounge and gym complex. For housing there is nothing like THEO in the heart of Ottawa.

Theo – The Newest Residence In Ottawa

Healthy cupcakes

for a colourful snack

Tired of the usual salads and avocado toast? Try adding some Latin American twists to your table. This exciting recipe is sure to remind you of your last holiday – it’s a healthy bite combining the creaminess of avocados from Mexico with the energizing flavours of a piña colada. It’ll level up your snack time and brighten up even the greyest day.

PIÑA

COLADA CUPCAKES

Prep time: Cook time: Serves:

Ingredients:

Cupcakes

Directions:

Frosting

Optional garnish:

Church Hill Apartments

Want to be surrounded by the beauty and excitement of downtown Halifax? With a Walk Score of 98, Church Hill Apartments is a walker’s paradise. The Historic Halifax Waterfront, shopping, entertainment, restaurants and so much more is at bright bachelor and one bedroom units. Call us today to book a tour of your new home at Church Hill Apartments.

life hacks

Laundry cheat sheet

Laundry isn’t just a rite of passage; it’s an essential life skill that will come in handy for the rest of your life. Before you go tossing all your clothing into the washer/dryer, stop and read the label. Unsure what all those symbols mean? This cheat sheet is guaranteed to help you make sense of it all and, hopefully, have you classroom ready in no time.

If you see these symbols:

MORE DOTS = MORE HEAT

with these codes:

MORE BARS = MORE GENTLE

then you know how to clean your clothing.

EXAMPLES:

FOUR TIPS ABOUT DOING LAUNDRY:

Sort Wash Dry Fold Repeat