Blog Posts

A Guide to Cleaning Your Student Living Space

University life is challenging because you have to juggle your academics, social life, and other responsibilities all at the same time. Unfortunately, once your McMaster student housing accommodations have been neglected, your academics and relationship with flatmates could suffer too . One way to achieve order in this busy time is to spot clean your living space regularly. Below are some steps you can take to clean up your student accommodations , all of which can be done in an hour or two. Before you start, be sure to have a basic stash of cleaning products on hand, such as bleach, disinfectant, baking soda, wet wipes, paper towels, and garbage bags . Make the bed. Your bed is the focal point of your room. Aside from being a place to sleep, it also serves as your lounge and study area. Making your bed first thing in the morning will help you stay on track through the rest of the day. It’s also a simple and easy chore to do that makes the whole space look tidier. If beddings have not been changed for a long time, replace them with new ones. Make it a point to change your sheets and pillowcase every week . Wash the dishes. Tired of all the dishes piling up in the sink? Load them up in the dishwasher. For tougher stains, fill up your sink with soapy water and let the dishes soak before cleaning . Wipe down your dining table, countertops, microwave, and refrigerator. Check the fridge and pantry for expired food and throw away the kitchen trash. Dust all around. As a general rule, start dusting from the top then work your way down. Start with the ceiling, then work your way down to the walls and shelves. This way, you won’t spread the dust around. You’ll need to dust more frequently if you or your flatmates suffer from allergies. Vacuum the floor. Once all the dust has settled into the floor, it’s time to bring out the vacuum. Run the vacuum over your rugs or carpet, as well as into tight nooks and crannies. To make sure all the dust has been removed, you can follow it up with a quick mop . Clean the bathroom. Clean the toilet, sink, shower, or tub with detergent, then let it soak for five minutes before rinsing. Scrub harder to get rid of water stains and soap scum. Make sure to get rid of hair on the shower and arrange all the toiletries and makeup on the counter. Share the chores. More often than not , the person who can’t stand the mess ends up doing most of the cleaning. This shouldn’t be the case. You should share the household chores equally among flatmates . Rotate tasks weekly so everyone gets the chance to clean each shared space. Spot cleaning will keep the clutter and dirt away from your student apartment. It will also make deep cleaning easier, which is something you should do once a month.

Should You Have a Car While at University?

Going away to university can be stressful, especially if this is your first experience being away from home. You’ll want to bring all the necessities and conveniences that will make life easier, which may include your car. Before you decide whether or not to take your vehicle with you to university, here are some important factors to consider. Maintenance costs Even if your car is relatively new , it will incur maintenance costs that you’ll need to shoulder. Aside from fuel, you also need to pay for car insurance, maintenance, and repairs. You’ll also need to pay parking fees as you take your car from one place to another . Is there room in your budget for all of the expenses that come with keeping a car at university? For instance, can your wallet handle the regular oil change and routine checkups? Campus parking regulations It’s also important to take note of whether parking will be an issue on campus. McMaster University offers daily and monthly student rates which you should take into account when making a budget. Also note that some parking lots on campus have waiting lists and eligibility criteria. Campus distance If you live off-campus, you’ll probably need a car if your university is far from where you live. The good news is that there are lots of nearby student apartments. Hamilton is a great city where there is plenty of student housing available within reasonable distance from McMaster University. Distractions Having your own car is convenient, but it can also work against you. When you have access to a car, you can go out every night or drive to nearby destinations over the weekend. But if your means to get around are a bit more limited, you may find yourself with more time to study and explore Hamilton on foot. Knowing one’s limits The college years are some of the most popular times to experiment with alcohol. If you’re the type to drink when socializing, then you’re better off without a car. Like with everything else in life, alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation. Drunk driving is a dangerous but prevalent activity on campus. Even if you’re just pleasantly buzzed, one or two drinks can seriously impair your ability to drive. If you know you can’t say no to a drink, then you shouldn’t be driving. Environmental impact The exhausts from a car emit carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and other greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming. To reduce your carbon footprint, leave the car at home and choose more environmentally-friendly alternatives. Less load You already have enough to deal with while attending university, such as excelling in your classes, making new friends, and meeting family obligations. Bringing a car means having a high-value item you’re responsible for. Your car could be subject to theft, vandalism, and malfunction if it’s not properly taken care of. Alternatives to car ownership If you can’t afford the additional expenses or don’t want the additional responsibility, there are other alternatives to having your own car. You can get your body moving by choosing to walk to your next class. You can also take a bike, arrange for carpooling, or use public transportation to get to your destination.