/R E P E A T -- George Brown College's Top 10 Tips for Students to Keep Their New Year's Resolutions/
TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Making New Year's resolutions is the easy part. But sticking with them throughout the year can be tough. Here's a list of common student resolutions and tips from student experience experts at George Brown College on how to make them stick.
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Improve Your Grades - Every college has student support and tutoring services available to
help manage academics. The Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Centre at
George Brown College, for example, provides study tips, hosts workshops
and offers free drop-in services to help students discover their
learning style. Also consider joining (or starting!) a study group with
classmates.
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Get More Sleep - Increasing the amount and quality of sleep you get can be as easy as
exercising more and getting rid of afternoon naps. Not only will you
feel better and be more alert for early classes, but you'll also help
curb addictions to energy drinks and coffee.
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Be More Health Conscious - Take advantage of your school's fitness facilities. Fees tend to be
low, or already included in student benefits. Family physicians can
also be a great resource to help students identify a fitness/nutrition
plan that works best for their lifestyle.
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Broaden Your Horizons - A great college experience is about finding balance. Of course,
studying hard, excelling in your courses and gaining workplace-ready
skills is essential. But it is also important to make friends,
experience new things and have fun. Seek out opportunities to get
involved through student leadership programs, athletics, clubs or
student associations, which can contribute to a rewarding and unique
college experience.
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Money Matters: Find Financial Stability - Financial resources shouldn't be a barrier to education. That's why
colleges provide financial assistance resources to help students pay
for their education. Create a reasonable budget for each month,
considering everything from tuition and textbooks to entertainment,
food and savings. Apply for scholarships, awards and bursaries that can
help subsidize education endeavours. Students should also review their
finances annually and set achievable goals for the year. Ask a
final-year business student for help if you want on-going assistance.
Don't just make a budget - stick to it.
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Get a Part-time Job - Contact your school's career services office for information about
part-time work on campus. They often provide networking events,
resources for finding jobs, interview skills counselling and training
in the "soft skills" employers value (such as customer service and
communication). It's also a good idea to start looking for a summer
internship/co-op placement now so you can relax later in the semester
when you're busy with term papers and exams, and have less time to
devote to a summer job search.
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Learn New Skills - Take an elective course, or find a club with like-minded individuals
to enjoy new experiences and develop new skills. For those who have
left school behind them, George Brown College offers continuing
education courses in 200 subject areas. Find classes to indulge your
love of learning, expand your skills or sample different types of job
activities.
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Find Balance - Schedule time for study, fitness and entertainment. A little fun and
a lot of balance will help you feel energized and less stressed, and
you'll be less likely to procrastinate.
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Volunteer - Not only does it feel great to contribute to your community, but
volunteering also looks great on a resume. Look for opportunities to
donate your time and talents through your student association or
student services office. Some colleges even plan group community
service activities for student volunteers, so you can make new friends
in the process.
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Make Plans for the Future - While in college, you're constantly making major decisions that will
have an impact on your future, as you plan for further education, apply
for jobs and evaluate relationships. It can feel overwhelming. Try
focusing on one decision at a time, researching and evaluating your
options to make informed decisions. Student support and advising are
often provided by colleges, so take advantage of the experts at your
disposal and plan for your next life stage.
"Attending college is about more than going to class and studying, it's about gaining the skills needed to land a job, establish a successful career and maintain a positive lifestyle," says Karen Thomson, Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Enrolment Management, George Brown College. "One of those critical skills is learning how to set goals and meet expectations. Setting achievable New Year's resolutions and keeping them is a perfect way for students to begin developing that skill."
About George Brown College
Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three main campuses located across the downtown core, including its newest location at the Toronto waterfront, which opened in September 2012. George Brown offers 148 full-time programs and 1,600 continuing education courses across a wide variety of professions to a student body of approximately 64,000 (including those enrolled in full-time, part-time and continuing education programs). Students can earn diplomas, post-graduate certificates, industry accreditations, apprenticeships and four-year bachelor degrees. www.georgebrowncollege.ca
SOURCE: George Brown College
For further information:
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jodi Salem
George Brown College
jsalem@georgebrown.ca
Office: 416.415.5000 ext.3767
Cell: 647.296.5634