Looking for a Job? Try working on Campus!

Being a student today is expensive and unless you've got Donald Trump financing your education chances are you'll probably be working at some point during your time at university. I don't know about you, but I HATE job hunting! Having to go out and hit the pavement looking for somewhere to work is daunting and time consuming. When I started at York I figured that working retail was my only hope for financing my education then I found out about ON CAMPUS JOBS!!! Have I piqued you're interest???

What are on campus jobs?
--At York there are over 1000 jobs just for York students. That means you won't have to compete for jobs with students from Ryerson or UofT, it's just fellow Yorkies! There are 4 types of on campus jobs available for students:
1. Research At York (RAY): These are research jobs which allow students to work alongside professors and grad students working on research experiments. They're great for people that want to gain more research experience and get PAID!!
2. Work Study: Most common type of on campus jobs, these students work in various positions all over campus gaining workplace experience.
3. College Life At York (CLAY): These jobs focus on student working within the college system at York developing student community and engagement on campus.
4. York Engaged Student (YES): These jobs focus on students that are actively engaged with campus life, these positions are mostly peer mentoring, ambassador and advising position.

**For more info about these types of jobs check here!**

How many hours do you work?

9-5? Nay Nay!

--Best part of working on campus is that fact that you cannot work more than a maximum of 15hours per week! Some jobs make you work early in the morning or late at night, or work a ton of overtime. Working at York though you probably won't be working too early in the morning and if you're working in an office you won't be on campus too late. Some jobs make you miss classes or sacrifice your study time to work a shift. On campus jobs fit around your class schedule and they always let you take time off to study, since they understand that you're a student first!  

Money, Money, Monneeyyy

How much do you get paid?
--I know you might be thinking... "Only 15 hrs per week! I need to make more money than that!" well maybe the fact that all on campus jobs are paid more than minimum wage will make up for that?? Yeah!! It's true! All our jobs range from $11.50-16.00 per hour depending on the job you have. Hopefully that will make these jobs EVEN more appealing than they already were :D

What are the benefits of working on campus?

I met these great ppl at work ON CAMPUS

--Working on campus has a few great benefits! First of all it's SOO convenient. You're already on campus for school so the commute from class to work is almost non-existent! Secondly on campus jobs are a GREAT way to meet other York Students, Staff and Faculty! Networking and making new friends are a great way to become even more involved with the York Community! Finally on campus jobs make a
FANTASTIC reference! Since employers know that students are going to move on to further education or
other jobs after they're finished at York they provide students with great references! References and experience are important for your first job as well as to make your application to grad school or professional schools stand out!

I hope that this has made working on campus sound more appealing to you. If you want to find/ apply for on campus jobs be sure to check out the Career Centre website! They have an online job portal with all the on campus jobs listed, all you have to do is upload your resume and cover letter and click APPLY for the jobs that are listed!

If you have any questions about what I've talked about here, feel free to comment below!

Until next time, remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole 

$5 in your pocket...looking for a quick Snack?

In case you haven't noticed, February is my month of $5.00 meals. I have taken on the challenge to find meals on York's Keele Campus that are within $5 including a tax, the meal must also include a drink. Last week I covered Breakfasts and this week I'm tackling SNACKS!

Have you ever found yourself Running around campus, RAVENOUS? Looking for a quick snack that you can grab between classes?? Well I've got you covered!

Sooo....Let's Talk about where you can go to get a $5 snack on York's Keele Campus!!

Option 1: Central Square Cafeteria

Small Coffee and
Butter Croissant

--There are many snack options at the Cafeteria however trying to find an option that fits into my strict $5.00 budget that also includes a drink is not an easy task to accomplish. So remembering the rules, I came up with the following option:

---Small Coffee and Butter Croissant = $4.05
I am sad to say that the fact that the rules required a drink to be included in the budget kept sending my snack costs over $5. However this option did come with a drink and it came in under budget so this option fulfills the requirements of the rules. However when it comes to value for money this option suffers. I guess since this is a snack and not a full meal this option is alright, but I'll leave that judgement up to you.



Option 2: Falafel Hut
--Falfel Hut HAS LOTS OF OPTIONS for each meal option! Several people recommended their breakfast to me, and since I was unable to make it there for breakfast I decided to include it in my snack list. So here are your options for SNACKS:

Falafel In a Pita
and Can of Pop

---Falfel in a Pita with a Can of Pop = $4.50
***This is the SPECIAL on TUESDAY'S = $3.91.
--- Top Ten Value Menu with a Can of POP = $4.51
This menu includes: Middle East Potatoes, Rice in Pita, T.L.C in Pits, Cheese in Pita, B.L.T. in a Pita, Hummus in Pita, Tzatziri in Pita and Tuna in Pita. That's 8 different option!! Talk about Choice!!

When it comes to the rules, Falafel Hut gets a lot of points since all the options mention include food and a drink Also when it comes to value for money Falafel Hut does very well again since you actually get a fair amount of food for the price. Additionally it comes in UNDER budget. Also hidden benefit their service is very quick!!


Option 3: Berries and Blooms
--I am using Berries an Blooms as my HEALTHY OPTION for this round of the challenge. Berries and Bloom has a VERY interesting pricing structure when it comes to their menu options, so with that in mind here are your options:

Fresh Fruit
Smoothie

---Fresh Fruit Salad: You can pick and choose from a selection of fresh fruits = $??
---Salad Bar: You can make, mix and match different ingredients and prepared salads: $??
---Fresh Fruit Smoothie (with up to 3 fruits): $3.66
**Since Berries and Blooms sells the first two items by weight the price of your snack will vary from $1.00-8.00 depending on how much or how little you pick up.

So how did we do on the rules? Well if your fruit / salad bar options come in under $5 then you can get a beverage with your fruit or salad. However if your total comes to around the $5 mark then you won't be able to afford it so be sure to keep that in mind. Also if you're not really that hungry but you want a quick snack then the smoothie is a GREAT option. However since it is not actual food you might be hungry again quickly? Technically it does meet the requirement of the rules so be sure to check it out!

UNOFFICIAL Option 4: Cigar Shoppe:
--Since you cannot use your meal plan money at this location I decided to class it as an unofficial option. However it must be mentioned that this option has the GREATEST VALUE FOR MONEY!! They have MANY different "combo" options here and they are all within the $5 budget. So here are your options:

Can of Pop, Chips,
2 Granola Bars &
2 Fruit Snacks

---Can of pop and Bag of Chip: $1.75
---Various snacks (Granola Bars, Chocolate Bars, Fruit Snacks, Cookies and Protein bars) = $1.45-3.75
---Various Beverages (Pop, Water, Energy Drinks, Coffee drinks and Gatorade)= $1.00-3.75
---BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK: Bag of Chips, Can of Pop, 2 granola bars, 2 fruit to go snacks $4.50

Honestly this location has the BEST VALUE FOR MONEY when it comes to snacks. It has the cheapest beverages, cheapest snack foods and super friendly staff members. When I was in my first year an upper year who lived on my floor in res recommended that I check it out since it had some "student priced items" I went their in my first year and now 6 years later I tell EVERYONE I know to check them out!

If you have NO IDEA where it is let me give you some directions: If you're walking from The Student Center toward York Lanes... it's the small connivence looking shop right next to the Student Centre, before you get to York Lanes. If you're on the fence about checking them out take it from me you won't be disappointed!

Well those are the snack options that I put forward for you to try. Feel free to ADD any additional snack options that you have come across that fit within our $5.00 budget. I'd love to hear what other places on campus that you folks like to eat at. So please add any options by commenting below!

Be on the LOOK OUT for my LUNCH Blog coming NEXT Week!!

Remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

Cheap Eats on Campus: Challenge Accepted!

I don't know about you guys but I am constantly finding myself on campus between classes broke and hungry. (I totally didn't mean for that to sound as pathetic as it did!) Knowing that I can't be the only one on campus that experiences this I thought I would dedicate the month of February to finding Cheap meals on campus!

I know that might sound impossible, but for you guys I'll take the challenge!

How am I going to do it?
-I will cover the following meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks and Dinner

-Budget for each meal will be $5 (or as close to $5 as I can get!)

-I'll present you with at least 3 options for each meal
--I'll try to make sure that at least 1 meal is a "Healthy Option"

-Each meal MUST include a beverage

-I'll tell you where you can go to get each option

I know you might be thinking...that doesn't sound hard! Finding places to eat won't be difficult, finding meals for $5 will be a bit more challenging. I'll give it my best shot and hope not to let you guys down.

If you know of a GREAT place that fits the parameters mentioned above let me know about it in the comments section, I'd be more than happy to check it out and add it to the list of places to eat on campus!

Look out for my Breakfast and Snack blog next week!

As always, remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the Zone!

Nicole

SHO' ME THE MONEY!!!

Higher education is expensive, university students constantly find themselves scraping to make ends meet. Many students they are living pay check to pay check, without much left over for personal use. For some this is the first time that you're living on your own, or managing your own finances. I know for me, it was really difficult to accept the fact that I'm an adult now have to take care of myself.

WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

When I came to York it was the first time I'd ever had to create or follow a budget. Soo I thought it might be a good idea to go over the BASICS of BUDGETING with you, so that you can benefit from my experiences. (Truth be told this is something that I'm still working on!)

Alright so what do you gatta do??

1. When starting out you want to figure out where all your money is coming from and how much you have coming in each month. Knowing how much money you have coming in will help you figure out how to divide up that money. 

2. Write down all of your expenses for each month. Any and everything that you spend money on should be written down. Things like RENT, FOOD, BUS FAIR, etc. Whatever you spend money on every month you should put down. I ALWAYS include "FUN" as an expense, since I like to go out with my friends, and I don't want to spend money that I don't have. 

3. After you have your list of expenses you should divide up your expenses into two sub categories. Category one : Expenses that will remain the same month to month. E.G. RENT, BUS FAIR

Category two: Expenses that will change from month to month. E.G. FOOD, FUN

4. After writing both these things down determine how much each one is going to cost you for a one month period. Then look at how much money you are bringing in for a one month period. If your income is more than your expenses GREAT! If your income is LESS than your expenses, then you'll need to figure out where you can cut back. For my I usually end up having to cut back on my FUN budget.

5. As time goes on you want to review your budget so that you can make adjustments. For example, if you get a raise at work, or you move to a cheaper place to live or your car payments go up whatever. You have to be able to adjust your budget according to your changing circumstances. 

I know it can be overwhelming to deal with making a budget. But don't worry York has got your back. York offers FREE Financial Advising for all students. You can make appointments with a Financial Aid Advisor to help you sort out your finances and make a budget or go to one of their events or workshops!  Check out the Financial Advising website! Also on financial advising website there are links to budgeting assistance websites run by the major Canadian Banks, find your bank and make use of their budgeting tips!

Let me know what works for you in the comments section below. 

Remember mo' Money doesn't HAVE to mean mo' Problems!

So GET out there and start the saving!

Nicole

$$$ Money, Money, Money....MONEYY!! I bet you had NO IDEA how expensive University really is!

School's expensive and times are tough...but no worry cuz you're in LUCK!




I have 3 words for you... STUDENT. FINANCIAL. PROFILE.

Ummm Student Financial Profile? What the heck is that??

Money, Money, Money....MONNNNEEEEYYY!!!

The Basics:

• York University has millions of dollars to give back to students in the form of scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, while bursaries are awarded year-round to students who demonstrate financial need and are Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons. You can access all this simply by filling out an SFP.  

Things you might not know:

• A lot of times students don't try to apply for scholarships or bursaries because they don't know what they qualify for or what the requirements are, and then they just miss out on the opportunity to get some help with paying for school. 
• The SFP is amazingly convenient since it takes all the guess work out of the process. It takes about 10 minutes to fill out, it's an online application and it's super easy! 
• Financial support is customized to your level of financial need, support could include: loans, grants, bursaries and scholarships. 

Where to find the SFP:

• Head over to: http://sfs.yorku.ca/services/sfp/  to fill out the SFP. 

Want an example of a scholarship?

Show me the MONEEYY!!

• York University Renewable Entrance Scholarships
• York University Continuing Student Scholarships

Want an example of a Private Award? 

• William and Nona Heaslip Scholarship
• It is awarded to an undergraduate student who has made outstanding contributions to community life, social action, neighbourhood development or who has demonstrated leadership at York. 
• It is RENEWABLE for two years. 

My tips:

• You never know what you might qualify for...so fill it out. 
• To all my international students out there...we don't qualify for OSAP or the Ontario Tuition Grant... buttt we do have access to the SFP. So fill it out...you never know what kind of help you could get. 

Another GREAT thing about the SFP is that when you fill it out...you become work-study eligible. That means that you can get a job on campus. Working on campus is AMAZING and soo convenient, if you want to know more check out my friend Lindsey's blog: http://yulindseyo.blogspot.ca/ for some totes cool info all about on campus jobs!

If you have any more questions about the SFP feel free to ask me anything in the comments sections!

Nicole