Dorm room decorating guide

Home environments can often have an impact on mood, and interior design plays a notable but frequently underappreciated role in fostering a sense of comfort and calm at home. For students, bedrooms and on-campus housing also typically double as sleep and study spaces, necessitating a setup that maximizes productivity and focus. This article provides practical tips for students when it comes to interior design, including a short quiz to help students identify their interior design aesthetic.

Getting back into a sleep schedule

Student sleep schedules tend to be a bit erratic, often with inconsistent sleep/wake patterns. Many students face challenges getting back into a healthy routine after summer break when they’re used to staying up late and sleeping in. This article explains why sleep schedules are important for students and guides them on establishing a sleep schedule that will help them stay alert and refreshed for those early morning classes.

Life hack: How to fold a fitted sheet

Laundry is a fairly simple yet onerous task that most students have to deal with. Folding fitted sheets in particular is a common struggle, especially because they take up valuable storage space when bunched into a ball and tossed into the closet. This “life hack” video teaches students how to fold a fitted sheet neatly, so they can make this chore easier and save room on their shelves.

Cognitive distortions

Cognitive distortions are biased thought patterns that lead people to believe that their negative, irrational, or intrusive thoughts are in fact true. Therapists frequently use cognitive distortions as a tool to help their clients break cycles of negative thinking about themselves and their relationships. This article outlines common cognitive distortions with an infographic describing each type and how it might sound as a corresponding thought (e.g., “I got a bad grade on one assignment, so I’m going to fail out of school”), and provides simple solutions to overcoming these cognitive distortions both on one’s own and/or with the help of a therapist.

Roommate lifestyle clashes 

Living with others can be a challenge, especially when you have two very different personalities and lifestyles. This can result in different approaches or preferences in specific living situations. Perhaps one roommate likes having friends over while the other prefers a social-free zone to unwind; or one may prefer watching TV at night to fall asleep while the other needs complete silence. When these different preferences clash, interpersonal issues can arise that may make the living situation uncomfortable. Studies have shown that roommate conflicts can affect students’ mental and emotional well-being, as well as their grades. This article includes examples of roommate clashes and provides advice on how students can find common ground.

Ask the finance expert

Our resident finance expert answers the student question: “What is a cosigner (when applying for a loan or apartment), and how can I get one?”

Why the snooze button is ruining your sleep

Students frequently look for ways to improve their sleep routine—especially when it comes to methods that allow them to get more sleep. Hitting the snooze button to squeeze in a few extra minutes of shut-eye might seem tempting, but what students might not know is that doing this can cause more harm than good. This article explains the downsides of the snooze button (e.g., sleep inertia, disruption to REM cycles) and provides actionable tips for students to improve their sleep hygiene.

Break up guide 

At some point, most students will experience the end of a romantic relationship. Breakups can cause significant emotional distress—and not only for those on the receiving end. As such, there’s a need to help those who want to initiate a breakup do so in a way that’s both kind and compassionate. This article will guide students through the breakup process, from preparation to managing the aftermath, so that they can be better equipped to deal with the emotional and mental impact that comes from the end of a relationship.

Supporting males with sexual trauma

This feature outlines the issues facing male survivors of sexual assault and abuse in the context of societal norms and expectations, and how to support them. The piece addresses some of the common misconceptions about male sexual abuse and barriers that men tend to face when reporting and recovering from sexual assault.

Ask the career advisor

Our resident career advisor answers the student question: “Is settling for a ‘boring job’ OK? I literally have zero career plans. My only goal is to work a job that isn’t too stressful and make enough money to live.”

Ways to live a more spiritually fulfilling life

Spiritual wellness involves finding a sense of purpose and peace in life. Yet it’s also one of the most overlooked aspects of one’s personal well-being—especially for those who don’t follow an organized religion. The good news is that spirituality can take many forms, from spending time in nature, meditating, and practising yoga to volunteering, attending a religious institution, and more. This article outlines ways students can enhance their spiritual wellness by helping them discover what form spirituality takes for them and providing tips on how they can incorporate it into their daily lives.

Budgeting apps

Money management can be a source of confusion and stress for students—it can even make or break their ability to remain and excel in school. There are a variety of apps and tools out there that can help students more easily manage their finances, and allow them to use the time that would have been spent worrying about money to study and focus on self-care. Choosing the one that’ll work best for them without breaking the bank can be a challenge. This article lists several free or low-cost budgeting apps and tools students can use to manage their finances.

Ask the doc

Our resident physician answers the student question: “How can one prevent snoring?”

Dating apps and emotional health

Online dating is incredibly common among student populations—in a CampusWell survey of Canadian students, more than 27 percent said that they’ve used online dating apps. There are positives and negatives to online dating, however, recent research suggests that using swipe-based dating apps like Tinder may be associated with increased emotional distress, anxiety, and depression. This piece provides students with tips from experts and peers for protecting themselves from the emotional pitfalls associated with dating app use, as well as recommendations for taking care of their mental health.

How to file taxes

Taxes can be confusing for students. They often find themselves lost and anxious when tax time rolls around. This article will guide students through the ins and outs of tax prep, so that they can feel confident enough to file their taxes on their own, knowing they won’t miss any important benefits or claims.

Cannabis concentrates

“Dabbing” is a term for inhaling cannabis concentrates in the form of oils, waxes, and extracts (called by a variety of street names such as shatter, budder, rosin, etc.). These forms of cannabis contain higher concentrations of the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and are typically made in a lab setting or at home by processing the cannabis flower to extract particular compounds such as THC and cannabidiol (CBD). The concentrates are then typically consumed via vaping, dab rigs, or dab pens that heat the concentrate and create a vapour that can be inhaled. This piece covers what we know so far about the potential risks of cannabis concentrates in relation to how they are made and consumed.

Ask the trainer

Our resident physical trainer answers the student question: “How do you know when to stop during a workout?”

Relationship OCD

Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) is a condition characterized by intrusive doubts, preoccupations, or compulsions that appear within the context of romantic relationships. ROCD can lead to substantial emotional distress, and for some students, may hinder academic performance or cause social isolation. This article explains ROCD and its impact on romantic relationships, and provides methods for managing and/or reducing symptoms related to relationship-related stress and ROCD.

Substance use recovery

Substance abuse and addiction can affect anyone at any time. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto estimates that 6 million Canadians will experience addiction in their lifetime, and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) estimated that, between 2016 and 2017, 1 in 205 Canadians were in treatment for substance abuse. This article includes a personal story of one student’s struggle with addiction and her recovery process. It also examines the key factors that contribute to recovery, including social support, reintegration into societal obligations, and accessing professional help.

Passive studying vs. active studying (fluency illusion)

When referring to how students study, fluency illusion is the mistaken belief that you know something well and you don’t. Students who use passive studying techniques, such as rereading their notes, may feel as if they know the material but struggle to recall the information during an exam. This article introduces the idea of fluency illusion and offers suggestions for active studying practices that may be more effective in helping students prepare for exams.

Academic integrity and AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already played a significant role in education over the last two decades. AI is employed in chat features, assessment tools, gamified learning modules, and adaptive learning technologies, among other things used by educational institutions. However, as AI becomes more advanced and a more prominent part of our culture, it’s important to evaluate the ethical implications and pros and cons of its use in an academic environment. This piece looks at how AI may affect factors such as academic integrity, creative thinking, and soft skills for the job force, as well as considerations for AI’s role in education in the future.

Making money as an influencer

Social media influencer and influencer marketing has become a legitimate career choice in today’s online landscape, especially for the younger generations. Many students follow and trust influencers—and they may wonder if perhaps becoming one themselves is a viable way to generate income. While being an influencer may look “fun,” it does come with its drawbacks. This article explores the pros and cons of being an influencer, including the psychological impact associated with being in the limelight. It also outlines what, exactly, social media influencers do, where their income comes from, and how much time is spent developing their following.

Stalking

According to Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety (Victimization), 48 percent of stalking victims are between 15 and 34 years of age. Stalking threatens not only students’ physical safety, but their emotional safety as well. In 1993, criminal harassment, which includes stalking, was added to Canada’s Criminal Code allowing the police to lay criminal charges in stalking cases. This ensured that students could get help if they were being stalked, even if the stalking did not escalate to violence. In this article, students will learn what types of behaviours qualify as stalking, what to do if they or someone they know is being stalked, and what resources are available for victims of stalking (both on campus and off).

Coping with climate anxiety

Climate anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is the distress felt in response to climate change-related events or information. Climate anxiety is particularly prevalent among young people, who may worry intensely or feel hopeless about the future given uncertainties about the state of the planet many years from now. This article provides students with actionable tips on how to manage their climate-related anxiety.

Masking in Autism

Masking is a term used in the autism community that refers to changing or disguising parts of oneself to better fit in with others and minimize the visibility of their autism. This is a strategy that all humans use unconsciously in social interactions, but among those with autism, masking appears to take a much greater toll on their mental health. Autistic people may feel more pressure to hide their authentic selves in order to fit in with non-autistic culture. This piece discusses the signs of masking, its potential toll on mental health, and tips for lowering the mask, finding support, and opening up to trusted individuals to help them understand you better.

Importance of staying hydrated

For glowing skin and lasting energy, the secret superfood is…water? This piece covers the benefits of staying hydrated along with tips on how to make water more exciting so students are more likely to drink it, and also covers foods that provide good hydration.

How to spot fake job postings online

Increasingly in recent years, scammers—and even real companies—post job advertisements online that don’t lead to real jobs. As students prepare for entering the job market, it’s important that they know how to recognize a job posting scam, as well as focus their job hunting efforts to minimize applying to jobs that don’t actually exist. This article covers how to research job postings to ensure they are legitimate, active, and not related to a scam.

First-generation students

First generation college students face amplified transitional, financial, social, family-related, and academic challenges. They are disproportionately drawn from minority and low-income communities who are under-represented on campuses, and their dropout rate is high relative to continuing-generation students. Research suggests that it is helpful for first-gen students to hear from others who have navigated the same challenges. This article highlights stories from first-gen students, identifies the pressure they face, and provides relevant resources. It also helps continuing-generation students understand the experiences of their first-generation peers.

Misconceptions about asexuality

Asexuality is a concept that is often misunderstood. Asexuality exists on a spectrum; someone who is asexual may experience no or low sexual attraction to others. However, people who are asexual may still desire and be in romantic relationships. This article provides an overview of asexuality as it is currently understood and provides answers to common misconceptions about being asexual.
Ask the nutritionist

Our resident nutritionist answers the student question: “What are some easy recipes or general cooking tips for people who struggle to cook because of energy and/or disability?”

How to stay safe in extreme heat

Extreme heat can be incredibly dangerous, sometimes leading to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This article covers the signs of these conditions and what students can do if they or someone around them is experiencing symptoms.

Mental health apps

According to the 2022 Canadian National College Health Assessment, 36.4 percent of students reported that anxiety had affected their academic performance in the previous 12 months, while a whopping 72.2 percent of students reported speaking with a mental health professional about their anxiety at some point in the previous 12 months. With mental health issues on the rise, we need all the tools we can get our hands on to help us cope with life’s stressors. This article provides information and links to mental health apps that incorporate scientifically proven strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

How to write a cover letter

This article explains various techniques for constructing cover letters, including content, format, and presentation. Students will learn what information is necessary to convey and ideal organizational structures. Emphasis is placed on having more than one cover letter in order to tailor applications for specific job listings and to describe skills so that they’re in sync with company requirements. Students will be encouraged to tap into resources such as their campus career centre (in person or online).