Blogs

7 Self-Care Tips for Balancing School with Extracurriculars By Leah Jackson, University Student Representative from St. Francis Xavier University Student (Teale, 2025) Getting involved in extracurricular activities is often encouraged as part of the university experience. Whether it is joining societies, volunteering, serving as a student representative, athletics, or participating in leadership roles, these opportunities can be incredibly rewarding. They help students build connections, develop skills, and feel more engaged on campus. At the same time, balancing extracurriculars alongside coursework, exams, and personal life can quickly become ...

You’re Not Behind. You’re Just on Your Own Timeline. By: Kadija Rauf, Student Network Representative from Toronto Metropolitan University (Set Forward Thinking, n.d.) As a new year begins, it can feel like there is pressure everywhere to be more, do more, and have everything figured out. I find myself feeling that way as well, setting big goals, big plans, and big expectations. While setting intentions can be motivating, it is easy to get caught up in goals so large that they quietly turn into disappointment when life does not unfold as we imagined. The truth is, progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it seems like ...

Learn How To Cook: Recap the Rewards of Developing New Skills, Healthy Habits and Cultural Connection By: Samantha Leonetti, Student Network Representative from Toronto Metropolitan University Food is at the centre of our world. It’s needed for survival, basic function and overall wellness. Therefore, over the years and many generations, humans have found unique ways to manipulate various ingredients to create fascinating end results. As nutrition students, we are well-versed in the importance of human nutrition in order to function at our best, but if we go a different direction, how we get food in front of us is an extremely important aspect ...

My 5 Game-Changing Study Hacks (No All-Nighters Required ) By Leah Jackson, Student Network Representative from St. FrancisXavier University If you’ve ever thought, “I just need to study more,” you’re not alone… but what if the secret isn’t more time, it’s a better strategy? I used to think success came from endless hours of cramming, until I learned how to train my brain smarter. These study hacks helped me boost my grades, cut my study time, and actually enjoy learning again. Pinterest. (n.d.). Golden hour | Ilham verici, Manzara, Havalı odalar [Image]. Pinterest. golden hour Hack #1: The Blur Test → ...

Navigating Student Life: Balance and Organization Strategies By Erika Lewis, Student Network Representative from St. Francis Xavier University Balancing school, volunteer work, and employment is a valuable yet challenging aspect of student life, requiring intentional organization, planning, and self-awareness. Here are a few ways I stay organized and manage my workload without feeling overwhelmed during the semester. Shutterstock. (March 5, 2023). Kid doing homework — cute school girl. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/kid-doing-homework-cute-school-girl-2271033957 1. Starting Each Semester with a Clear ...

Nightcap or Nightmare? The Science Behind Alcohol's Impact on Sleep By Sam Chapman, Student Network Representative from St. Francis Xavier University Alcohol and Sleep Patterns: A Review of Mechanisms and Consequences Sleep is a fundamental component of physical and mental health, underpinning processes of memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and physiological recovery (Irwin, 2015). The use of alcohol is often perceived as a quick route to sleep. However, mounting evidence indicates that even moderate drinking can disrupt sleep architecture and impair the restorative functions of sleep. This post reviews how alcohol ...

Healthy Eating During Vacations By: Jillian Doiron, Student Network Representative from the University of Manitoba Vacations are all about relaxation, exploration, and, of course, indulging in delicious food! But if you’re trying to maintain a balanced diet, it can be tricky to navigate restaurant menus, buffets, and local street food without overdoing it. The good news? You don’t have to choose between enjoying your trip and eating healthy. Here’s how to strike a balance: 1. Plan Ahead Before you go, research restaurants and local dishes that offer nutritious options. Packing healthy snacks like nuts, protein bars, ...

How Social Bonds Can Support Your Healthy Eating Journey Written by: Marie-Eve Nault, the Student Network Representative from McGill University Why do I want to talk about this? Winter is harsh in the eastern part of Canada this year. It is cold and very snowy. Montrealers like me know that it can be hard to leave the house with this weather. I tend to stay inside, feel low-energy, and isolate myself a bit more from my friends and family. This year, however, I had a revelation after attending my first ever Superbowl party (I know, I’m late). I realized those events are more about being with friends than being the biggest football fan. It ...

Came across this invite-only event that is open to RDs, it is a great way to meet the farmers and learn about our food system. Greetings, You are invited to attend an exclusive farm tour designed to highlight food and farming. This invite-only event is open to Registered Dietitians, Professional Home Economists, food writers, bloggers, chefs, culinary instructors and other food industry professionals. There is no charge to attend. WHEN: Thursday, October 3. With travel, this will be a full day excursion (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., approximate) This tour will be hosted by Farm & Food Care Ontario, an agricultural outreach organization ...

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