Tips for First-Time Renters

As if you didn’t already have enough to worry about, starting college also means searching for rooms to rent in Peterborough. Students are often first-time renters, which makes the process that much more difficult. Luckily, if you know what you’re looking for, it’s easy to find the perfect place.

Calculate Your Budget

Before you start your search, you need to decide how much you can afford. Take account of how much you will be receiving from student loans and from your part-time job and decide how much you are willing to spend on housing. Remember to also include utilities and other essentials in your budget — and set aside an amount for having fun.

Note Down Your Criteria

The more flexible you can be, the better. However, you likely have some requirements. For instance, you may want to live alone, you may need parking (if you have a car), or you may want to be walking distance from campus.

Choose the Right Roommates

If you are happy to share, make sure to choose your roommates well. Your best friends may be incompatible as roommates, especially if you have different living styles. Think about factors such as how organized you are, your study habits, and whether you prefer to socialize or spend more time alone.

Visit Potential Apartments

Pictures can never tell you everything. Always visit a place before you decide to rent it. Only by being physically in the apartment will you be able to tell how much natural light the rooms have, whether there is any damage, and how clean the apartment is.

Don’t Get Scammed

Scam artists prey on inexperienced college students. As well as a landlord refusing to show you the place before you sign a contract or pay a security deposit, there are a couple of other scams to be aware of. For instance, if the price is much lower than other places in the area, there is probably something wrong with the apartment. Another red flag is a landlord asking for too much personal information, such as your bank account or credit card details.

Take the struggle out of looking for apartments for rent — Peterborough, Ontario students can live in off-campus housing at Severn Court. There are affordable options whatever your budget. Plus, you’ll be able to share your fully-furnished suite with a friend or take advantage of the roommate matching service.

How to Decorate Your Off-Campus Housing on a Budget

The chance to make your living space truly your own is one of the great things about living in off-campus student housing in Peterborough. Students moving into new apartments have little money to spend on luxuries, but (at the very least) you need to decorate the place to make it feel like home. However limited your budget, there are things you can do.

1. Focus on the Floor

Rugs are a great way to add comfort to your home. Plus, you can find them in any design and colour imaginable, which makes them an excellent choice for expressing who you are. Best of all, though, is that when you purchase cheap rugs, they’ll provide protection for your floor. This can help you avoid stains and other damage to the flooring, lowering the risk that you lose your security deposit.

Some places to have a rug include under your desk to keep your feet warm while you study, next to the kitchen and bathroom sinks, and in any areas that experience heavy foot traffic.

2. Invest in Multipurpose Furniture

It is difficult to find furnished apartments for rent in Peterborough. Students who aren’t lucky enough to snag a place with furniture should consider buying multipurpose items. For instance, a futon is ideal if you want both a bed and a couch in your room. An ottoman is useful for storing small items and also having a seat.

3. Hang Homemade Art

Avoid wasting your money on expensive artwork. Instead, make your own or ask one of your artistic friends to create something for you. There’s no need for homemade art to be anything spectacular. A collage of photos or a simple painting is ideal. Alternatively, you could hang something on the wall that you already have, such as a silk scarf or a flag.

4. Decorate Your Bookshelf

As a college student, you’re going to need a bookshelf. Just remember, bookshelves are not just for books — they are also ideal for holding personal belongings that say something about you. Use your bookshelf as a place to display trinkets or make it more functional by storing attractive items like hats, purses, or perfumes.

You can save money on decorating by finding a place that already feels like home. Severn Court offers students fully-furnished suites, equipped with everything you need. All that’s left is to add a few finishing touches to infuse the place with your personal style.

Tips for Saving Money in College

Even students who are working a part-time job find college life expensive. If you have no source of income, it can be extra difficult. Whatever your situation, you need to find as many ways to save money as possible without cutting out all the pleasures in life.

1. Buy Used Textbooks

New textbooks have a high sticker price. The good news is it’s often unnecessary to purchase them new. Students who are graduating or finishing a class no longer have any need for their textbooks and are often looking to sell. In fact, you may be able to save all your money by borrowing books from another student or from the college library.

2. Pay in Cash

Paying in cash makes it easier spend less. If you do need a credit card, never spend more than what you have in the moment and make sure you always pay off the balance in full each month.

3. Find Cheaper Housing

One of your biggest expenses is student housing in Peterborough. Students looking to save money should move off campus into rented rooms and apartments. This is almost always cheaper, even when the rental is right by campus.

4. Work Hard to Graduate on Time

Spending an extra semester in college will add to your expenses. You will not only need to continue paying for tuition, you will be missing out on the opportunity to work full time and start paying off your student debt. Do whatever it takes to pass classes now, even if it means more expenses in the short term, like tutoring.

5. Make Full Use of Campus

There are plenty of free resources and activities on campus. Check these out before seeking paid options. For instance, your college may hold free movie nights, social events, and fitness classes.

6. Buy a Coffee Maker

If you can’t manage without your morning coffee, purchase a coffee maker for your room or apartment. You could share with friends to split the cost and make it even cheaper. Even if you need to pay for the whole machine yourself, this is much cheaper than buying coffee on a daily basis.

The place to save the most money is likely accommodation. This means seeking out better student rentals in Peterborough and students can find off-campus residence in Severn Court. The housing is just for students, includes everything you need, and offers flexible lease options to help you save even more money.

How to Deal with a Difficult College Roommate

For most college students, living with a roommate is an inevitability. Unfortunately, some students may also find themselves eventually living with a difficult roommate. Oftentimes, you aren’t allowed to choose your own roommate in college or university. And while roommate preference sheets can be used to help place you with a compatible roommate, sometimes you can run into issues. Thus, you may find yourself living with someone you don’t like (or who doesn’t like you), don’t get along with and don’t share the same living standards. However, there are always ways to deal with difficult people, especially roommates. Below are a few of these ‘ways.’ 

Ask the Resident Advisor (RA) for Help

Difficult roommates are usually called such because they’re disrespectful, inconsiderate, irresponsible and unwilling to make or follow any rules. Report the situation and ask for advice on what actions to take or how to best remedy the situation. Most likely, the advisor will refer you to the housing department or a counselor. Just keep in mind that it’s okay to seek help and take advice in difficult situations. It could prevent major problems, extreme stress or a dangerous situation. 

If you’re looking for rooms to rent, Peterborough offers Severn Court Student Residence, where you can live with chosen roommates or be matched according to your lifestyle preferences and more.

Set Ground Rules

Ground rules can help make sharing a space as easy and pleasant as possible. They’re also the perfect way to express your personal values, living standards and expectations for sharing a space. Sit down with your roommate and set rules at the beginning of your residency. Make sure these rules include:

• ·         Expectations for cleaning and cooking (if applicable)
• ·         A chore chart, cleaning schedule and/or expectations for keeping your room neat and tidy
• ·         Guidelines for having guests
• ·         A schedule for studying, as well as guidelines for noise levels, visitors, etc. during these times
• ·         Preferences for curfews and sleeping hours
• ·         Statements on pet peeves, dealing with annoying habits, etc.
• Setting ground rules could be essential for getting along with an incompatible roommate, as long as they’re willing to respect and follow them. It can also be useful in all roommate situations, including living off campus and sharing one of the student apartments for rent Peterborough offers.

Be Upfront with Issues and Confront Them Head On

Passive aggressiveness can be counterproductive, frustrating, disrespectful and unnerving. So, if your roommate creates an issue, has bad habits or does something you don’t like, confront them head on. State your feelings about the issue and suggest working together to find a solution. Moreover, be patient and sure to present your feelings and approach him or her in a calm, respectful manner – learn your cultural and/or personal difference and practice understanding. Try to avoid leaving passive aggressive notes or messages and addressing him/her when you’re not in person. Most importantly, if you notice an issue, bring it up and talk about it right away. Allowing things to build up or fester can breed anger and contempt, possibly leading to explosive confrontations and/or more problems.

Tips for Success in College

Almost everyone finds a certain aspect of college tough. For some people, it’s the academics; for others, the social side. Whatever challenges you face, there are ways you can ensure your success.

Attend All Your Classes

Poor attendance makes it difficult to pass classes. Not only will you have missed out on lessons but teachers often grade according to commitment. On the flip side, if you always attend and are active in class, you’ll build a rapport with your teachers, which will help you build contacts that could be critical after graduation.

Take Advantage of Everything

Classes are just the start of what college has to offer. You also have a library for study material, academic advisors, tutoring services, and other support — and this is just the academic side. If you’re finding it difficult to meet people and make friends, check out the activities, clubs, and sports teams on offer.

Set a Study Schedule

You’re expected to be independent at college. Schedule some of your free time to study what you covered in classes and to review your notes. Experiment with different study techniques to discover the best methods for you.

Find a Comfortable Place to Live

Being happy where you live will impact all facets of your life. Remember, living on campus is only one option — many students prefer to search for rooms to rent in Peterborough. Those students who do choose to live off campus need to make sure that they live close enough to Fleming College to make it to class on time.

Create Goals and Rewards

Set realistic, measurable goals. Keep pushing yourself to work a little harder and to achieve a little more every semester. When you do meet your goal, reward yourself to maintain your motivation.

Manage Your Finances

You’re on a tight budget that needs to cover your living expenses, food, books, and entertainment. Keep a close eye on your expenditures to ensure that you always have enough money for emergencies — as well as for opportunities that arise to have fun with friends.

Finding a comfortable living arrangement is one of the most important tips on this list. When you’re happy at home, it’s easier to study, relax, and socialize. For most people, this means finding off-campus student housing in Peterborough. Students have the option of Severn Court, where they can live in an affordable suite, surrounded by other people with similar interests. Best of all, the housing is walking distance from Fleming College.

How to Deal with a Difficult Roommate

One of the things many students fear about living in an on or off-campus  Fleming College residence is that they may be assigned a roommate who, given the choice, they would never associate with. In fact, even if you get along, you may run into problems due to different personalities or just the need to live in such close quarters (especially if you aren't used to sharing a room). To make your living situation bearable, you need to have a strategy in place.

Talk About What Bothers You

It may seem like the best solution is to ignore all the small things that bother you. However, the danger of this approach is that everything upsetting you could gradually build up until it causes a major fight. Plus, you’ll have to grin and bear it every time your roommate does something you dislike.

A far better option is to talk about things before they become a big deal. You may need to agree to a compromise, but at least you’ll have cleared the air.

Have Real Conversations

It’s always better to talk to your roommate in person than sending a text. As you live together, you should have plenty of opportunities. By talking, you can have a proper conversation and both of you will have a chance to speak. Plus, there is a lower risk of misunderstandings if you can hear each other’s tone of voice.

Involve No One Else in Discussion

Even if the problem is about someone else — such as if your roommate’s friend is the one bothering you — involve no one else in your talk, at least initially. Adding extra participants increases the likelihood of an argument. Similarly, don’t bring your own friends to the discussion. Your roommate could feel attacked and will be less willing to change.

Seek a Mediator

If you are unable to resolve the problem alone, you can bring in someone to help, but it must be a neutral third party. The best choice is your resident assistant, as RAs are trained and experienced in dealing with these cases. Plus, if the situation can't be resolved, having made your RA aware of the problem early on will improve your chances of being able to switch roommates.

You can eliminate the risk of a difficult roommate entirely: instead of living in residence, consider student rentals in Peterborough. Peterborough students can have the same on-campus experience by choosing Severn Court. This housing is just for students and it’s directly across from campus. The difference is you’ll have your own bedroom in a fully-furnished suite.

Things You Should Do in Your First Year of College

Your first year of college should be an exciting time, reasonably free from the stresses that tend to become more frequent as you near your graduation date. This should be true whether you live off campus or in student housing in Peterborough. Students in all types of living situation should expect to enjoy (at a minimum) all of the following.

“Me Time” in Your Room

Your bedroom or apartment should be a sanctuary — a place you can come back to after a long day of classes and a spot where you can chill at the weekends. You should never feel uncomfortable where you live. Heading off to the library every time you want to study or seeking out other places when you want to relax is a warning sign that something’s wrong.

Socializing at Home

It’s fun to head over to your friends’ dorms or apartments to hang out, but your friends should feel equally welcome at your place. It’s normal for one friend’s room to become the main hangout spot at college, but you should still expect to entertain at your place at least sometimes. Similarly, you should be able to bring your dates back to your room as often as you go to theirs.

Enjoying the Occasional Culinary Treat

When school starts feeling overwhelming, an easy way to take the edge off your stress is with your favourite food. Unfortunately, this is only possible if you know that your groceries are safe from stealing hands. There should also be space in the kitchen for you to cook whenever you want, with no need to clean up someone else’s mess, first.

Studying in Peace

If you live on campus, it’s unreasonable to expect quiet all the time. You’re going to hear noise coming from others’ rooms — people are going to want to play music and talk on the phone, for instance. The problem is when it’s in your own room and the noise is too loud for you to focus. College should be about having fun, but it’s also essential to study hard if you’re going to graduate. This means finding peace whenever you need it throughout your first year.

If you’re missing out on any of the above, you may have a roommate problem. It’s time to start looking for apartments to rent in Peterborough, Ontario. Those students should check out Severn Court Student Residence. You’ll have your own space, but you’ll also be able to continue the college experience by living around other students.