Sunday, December 20, 2015

How Can You Know That A Child Care Centre Is Good Or Bad For Your Child?

Every parent should be particularly cautious when selecting the right day care facility. As much as these centres have the potential of providing immense benefits to your children, selecting the wrong centre could cause harm to your child that would last for a long time.

The negative impact of a bad day care centre is highlighted in a study carried out at the University of Minnesota. In this study, it was revealed that bad care practises such as intrusiveness of care providers and over-controlling behaviours, led to elevated cortisol levels (a stress hormone) in about 40 percent of the affected kids.

From such findings, you can clearly see why free play is so important for young kids. Hence, when evaluating the right facility for your child, you must check whether they have ample opportunities for free play. It would definitely be a plus if the centre has both indoor and outdoor setups.

Perhaps, if you have already enrolled your chid in a facility and you still doubt how well they are caring for your child, you can check on certain signs which will help you figure out if anything is amiss. The University of Minnesota study revealed that young girls in poorly run centres exhibited an anxious and vigilant behaviour. On the other hand, young boys became aggressive and angry. Hence, if you see such signs, you should definitely check in on the centre just to see how things are being run.

The necessity to take action as soon as possible cannot be overstated, considering the fact that the adverse effects on your child may last for a long time, even up to his/ her teenage years. This is an issue that was highlighted in a study published in the Child Development Journal, whereby children went on to exhibit impulsive behaviour and risk-taking at 15 years of age. This was related to the fact that the particular group of teens had spent much longer hours in day care, something that didn't occur with children who spent fewer hours in day care.

A good facility for your child would always exhibit a supportive environment with all care providers showing affection and warmth to the kids. This is necessary in building up the emotional and psychological growth of young kids. This would be complemented by an environment that provides sufficient cognitive stimulation.

A Child Care Centre Is Just As Good For Moms As It Is For Kids

If you thought your job was tough, try raising a child. Well, perhaps you already knew that. But scientists went even further to actually prove this.

In a 2012 Gallup poll, it was revealed that stay-at-home mothers who weren't employed experienced far more depression than both employed mothers and employed women without children. Actually, the unemployed mothers fared worse than the other two groups in literally all emotional measures, including anger, stress, sadness and worry.

So What Does This Have To Do With Child Care?

Well, if you do have the opportunity to go back to work and your child can join a day care facility, it would definitely be a God-send opportunity that would benefit both you and your child. Just makes sure that you enrol your child only in a well-organized facility run by well-trained personnel.


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If you want a centre that will adequately prepare your child for a smooth transition to the 'big school', visit http://www.madchildcare.com.au/centres/beacon-hill/centre-page/ the right place for your child. This centre is located within Beacon Hill Public School grounds, sharing regular activities together.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Child Care - Developmental Needs Of A Child

Child care services are gaining more importance since they are more in demand today than ever before. The pressures of life are pushing families to seek the services of child care centers. Some parents have to work, others have decided to go back to school, and others have other activities they need to attend to. It is for this reason that centers offering quality services in child care have come up. All you need to do is take your time to identify a center that will cater to your needs.

Childhood programs

Most childhood programs are mainly focused on both care and education. The educational component was added to child care programs due to many studies that were conducted. The studies found that the early experiences of children have a great impact on how they develop and even on their future academic success. A center that is offering quality in child care should have programs that include activities and materials that take care of the cognitive, social/emotional and physical developmental needs of the child.

Physical development

The best indicator of physical development in a child is the growth of the child. A healthy and nutritious diet is important for the growth of the child, while genetic factors also have a role to play. Motor skills are physical actions that are learned by a child to produce movements that are well organized and coordinated. Gross motor skills are larger and include walking, running, crawling and rolling. Fine motor skills include hand and eye coordination, drawing and coloring. The care center you select should have activities that will develop the motor skills of your child, as well as providing a healthy diet.

Cognitive development

The cognitive development of the child has to do with the development of language skills and the ability to evaluate a situation and determine action. The child is able to recall past experiences and can retain information and make comparisons. A small percentage of cognitive skills come from within the child; however, most of the cognitive skills have to be learned.

Cognitive development should take place naturally and in a healthy environment. If this does not happen, a child will develop a shortfall in cognitive skills which are difficult to correct at a later stage. A quality child care center will have a program that encourages experimenting, discovering, listening and speaking skills.

Social/emotional development

Caregivers have a good opportunity to enhance the healthy social/emotional development of your child. Positive social experiences in early childhood result in emotional maturity in later stages of the child's life. A child may forget their childhood experiences; however, these experiences still play a big role in influencing the child's emotions, personality and social/emotional health as she continues to mature.

Care centers should ensure that children work in groups that are not too large so they can interact comfortably with their peers. They should help the child in developing decision making skills, and provide an environment that allows them to grow and learn.

Decision

It is important to select a center that addresses all the developmental needs of your child in order to give them the best start in life and prospects for academic and social success in the future.


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Carolyn Leis is fully dedicated to helping children prosper in every area of development. She offers the best care in Making a Difference chidcare centres. Whenever you visit MAD child care centres you're sure to be impressed by how well children are taken care of. To learn more about Making a Difference Child Care in Frenchs Forest, please visit http://www.madchildcare.com.au/centres/frenchs-forest/centre-page/ .

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Child Care - What You Need To Know

It is a great joy for a parent to watch a child grow from infancy to a level where they can communicate verbally and are actively involved in different activities. The proper development of your child does not happen by accident, but it is the result of the environment in which the child is growing.

If you have to take your child to a child care center, it is important to ensure that the center's environment will encourage his or her personal development. You should ensure that your child will get the level of attention and care that they need to develop skills that will be used throughout their lifetime.

Early learning

Learning has been known to be most effective when it starts when a child is young, and it should continue into adulthood. Care and education for your child can be offered at a child care center. Early learning should have the loving, nurturing aspect but should not leave out learning experiences that will promote your child's physical, cognitive and social/emotional development.

Child development

The physical development of your child has to do with the child's growth and the development of motor skills. A child's proper growth can be enhanced through a healthy and nutritious diet. Motor skills involve the proper coordination of movements by the child. These can be developed through activities like drawing, coloring and sufficient play time. Cognitive development involves language skills and problem solving skills; the child care center should have activities that encourage your child to experiment and discover. The child should also have sufficient time to practice their listening and reading skills.

Social/emotional development is where your child is able to relate with familiar adults and peers in an appropriate way. Your child should be able to interact with peers in a group and should be able to express themselves well without causing any harm to objects, themselves or others. A child care center should provide a healthy and favorable environment for your child to enhance his social/ emotional skills. These early experiences will go a long way in shaping his personality and emotions throughout his lifetime.

Selecting a center

Finding a child care center that is suitable for your needs can be a challenging affair. It is therefore important to start hunting for a care center early enough so you will have time to make an informed decision. One of the best places to start is by asking your family and friends to recommend child care centers that they have used and were happy with. You can also get a list of child care centers that will be suitable for you from child care experts in your area.

Center details

You need to visit potential centers and find out the adult to child ratio. The less the children per adult, the more attention your child is likely to get. You also need to find out the qualifications of the caregivers, who should have specialized training in child care. In addition, find out whether the center offers lesson plans so you can know what your child will be up to the whole day. A lack of structure may be detrimental to your child's development.


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Proper child care services will have a positive effect on your child that will last a lifetime. Please visit http://www.madchildcare.com.au/centres/frenchs-forest/centre-page/ to learn more about a center that offers the best child care in Frenchs Forest.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Academic Excellence Isn't The Only Benefit Of Child Care

Modern society tends to place greater emphasis on academic and financial excellence, with less concern on social and personal development. In fact, from such a perspective, you would assume that academic and financial excellence would easily make up for any deficiency in social and personal development. However, this is not the kind of lop-sided perspective that you would find in a professional child care facility.

Such a well-organized facility would always have a balanced emphasis on all aspects that are pivotal in all-round development of young children. Indeed, proven research has clearly shown the indisputable link between emotional development and financial/ professional success. This is clearly seen from a study by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) that shows just how powerful this aspect of emotional development is, to the extent of being even more valuable than IQ and experience.

As you can clearly see, an early learning centre must provide a conducive environment for all-round development of all kids. This means that ample opportunities must be created for children to socialize and build their personal and social skills, apart from receiving well-organized academic training.

Don't Feel Guilty About Taking Your Child To Daycare

For working families, early learning facilities would offer a much-needed service. It would definitely be a challenge for both parents to remain committed to their jobs while taking care of their kids.

Moreover, such child-minding facilities are so well-organized that your kids would derive even more benefits from them as compared to what you might be able to offer within your own home. The exposure to a social environment, combined with educational guidance by professionally trained personnel will ensure that your child gets the best start in life.

Considering all these benefits, you shouldn't feel guilty as a parent having to take your child to such a facility. You might feel that you have failed your child in some way by not being the one to guide your child in his/ her early years; however, you should realize that the trained professionals may offer your child much more than you are capable of. Hence, instead of being a sign of failure, it would be the best thing to do for your kid.

Daycare Is Super-Flexible

Just because you've decided to place your child in the care of someone else, doesn't mean that you wouldn't have any way of influencing exactly how your child is treated or the experiences he/ she goes through. On the contrary, there are a whole host of things that you can do to ensure that your son or daughter gets exactly the kind of care you want him/ her to get.

If you don't really want your child to spend whole days in daycare, you can actually look out for facilities that offer flexibility in the hours children spend under their care. Perhaps, you just need your child to be there only in the afternoon or morning hours, or you might not want it to be a daily arrangement. This might be the case if you normally have your child under your care, but would need a bit of help once-in-a-while if you happen to get some appointment.


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Making a Difference Child Care, Northern Beaches is fully dedicated to the well-being of your child. We believe that every child is unique and special; hence, we ensure that our learning environment fosters development of your child's special abilities. Contact us at http://www.madchildcare.com.au to learn more about our services.

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Day Care Center - Nurturing And Educating Your Child

A day care center is a place where you can take your children to be watched while you go to work, school, or attend to other activities. You may need a center where you can drop off your children early in the morning and pick them in the evening, or you may just need the day care services for a few hours per day. It may even be that you only need the day care center occasionally when you have something you need to attend to. Whatever your needs are, the day care center you choose should provide you with quality care for your children.

Early Education

It has been established that early childhood education should have a loving and nurturing component, together with learning experiences which enhance your child's physical, cognitive and social-emotional development. Quality early education for your child will be determined by the caregivers, the quality of the program offered to the children, and the teaching approaches used.

Quality Of Caregivers

Caregivers should be well qualified and should have specialized training in child care. They should also be creative and nurturing in order to accommodate the individual needs of the children. It is important for you to find out the adult to child ratio at the day care center. A small adult to child ratio is preferred since your child will be able to get sufficient attention.

The turnover ratio of caregivers should be low since a high turnover may mean that the caregivers are not well compensated or they may not be working in a positive environment. It is important that your child has the same caregiver for at least a year since children take time to adjust to new caregivers, which slows down their learning process.

Teaching Approaches

The teaching approach that is offered in a quality day care center should provide a curriculum that has learning goals for the children that are specific. The curriculum should also include aspects from current research on early childhood education that may be relevant to the children. Planned activities for the children and the materials used should promote the development of the children.

The physical development has to do with the growth of the child and the development of motor skills. Cognitive development is the development of problem solving skills and language skills while social-emotional development is the ability of the child to interact appropriately with others. A quality day care center should have a program that enhances all the development aspects.

Selecting A Center

A good place to start when you want to identify a good day care center is to talk to your family and friends who can recommend to you centers that they have previously used. You can also get a list of quality day care centers from child care experts in your area. You will then need to do a background check of the potential centers to identify one that will cater for your needs.

A good day care should have structure and you can request to see the lesson plans for the children. You can also find out the level of education of caregivers and if you will be allowed to drop in anytime to check on your little one.


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Carolyn Leis and her team of early childhood educators will guide your child in developing all his/her intellectual, social and cognitive skills. To get in touch with a day care center in Narraweena that offers the very best in child care, please visit http://www.madchildcare.com.au/centres/narraweena/centre-page/ .

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Day Care - Making The Right Choice

The importance of day care in this day and age cannot be underestimated. More and more women are going out to work and families are increasingly seeking these services. Identifying a day care that will cater to your needs will enable you to have peace of mind as you attend to other duties that need your attention. There are many day cares offering services even in your locality, and here are a few pointers to help you identify a quality day care for your child:

Physical Development

A quality day care center must ensure that the activities the children engage in are all focused towards the personal development of the child. There are three areas of development that a child goes through. Physical development is the growth of the child and one of the main contributors of proper growth is a healthy and nutritious diet. Motor skills also form part of physical development, and have to do with the child producing coordinated movement. Gross motor skills include walking and running, while fine motor skills include drawing and coloring.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development involves language skills and the ability to solve problems. The development of cognitive skills enables your child to make comparisons and remember past experiences. Cognitive skills can be inherent within your child, but majority of them are learned. The day care should ensure that their programs involve discovering and experimenting, and should also have sessions for practicing listening and reading skills.

Social/Emotional Development

Social/emotional development of your child is the ability for her to interact appropriately with others in a group setting. The experiences that your child goes through in her early years will result in the shaping of her personality and emotions into her adult life. A quality day care will provide your child with a positive and healthy environment to grow in that will give her a strong personality and the ability to control her emotions as she grows up. The experiences your child goes through in early life have a great impact on her future, even though she may end up forgetting the experiences themselves.

Centre Based Care

Centre based care is also known as long day care and is a service provided in a building designed to be used as a child care centre. Most day care centres open their doors at 7.30am and close at 6.00pm. Child care is offered to children aged from a few months to six years. The children are normally cared for in different rooms depending on their ages. Some day care centres are open the whole day; others offer services only during morning sessions, while others are only available in the afternoons.

Most centres prefer to provide the children with meals, but some do not offer meals and you will be required to pack food for your little one. Long day care centres have programs with an educational element that enables your child to learn as they are being watched. Most long day centres are child care services that have been approved. If you use their services, you may be eligible for the Child Care Rebate or the Child Care Benefit.


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Carolyn enjoys each moment she spends with children. She has a passion to see them prosper and flourish. To learn more about a day care centre in Northern Beaches that will offer your child the best quality care, please visit http://www.madchildcare.com.au/ .

Monday, November 23, 2015

Day Care - Identifying The Best Center

If you are a parent, a day care is a very important part of your life. This is because a day center will allow you the flexibility to carry out other activities even when you have a child. Much as a day care centre will help free up some time, a day care that does not offer your child a safe and healthy environment to grow can be detrimental to your child's development. It is therefore important to take the time to identify a day care that will take good care of your child.

Policies

Before you commit your child to a day care center, it is important to find out the policies of the center. Finding out the policies of the day care will enable you to know whether you share the same parenting values with the center. You can find out the type of discipline that is used on unruly children and how they put babies to sleep. Find out about meal times and the types of foods that are served to the children.

Health and safety also plays an important role in the development of your child, and you can find out how the center deals with changing diapers and washing hands. You need to know how sick children are dealt with and what symptoms should keep the child at home. The caregivers at the day care should have skills in first aid and CPR which they can use to attend to children in the event of an emergency.

Nurturing

When you visit a potential day care, you should pay attention to how the caregivers handle the children. A good sign would be a caregiver that is on the floor playing with the children and holding them on their laps. This is because at an early age, warm, nurturing and loving care is important to enhance the development of the child. A good adult to child ratio will allow your child to get the attention that she needs, and you can find what this ratio is at the potential centers you visit.

Turnover

It is important that the day care center you select has a low turnover of caregivers. A low turnover will indicate to you that the caregivers are motivated and that your child will be in a stable environment. On the other hand, a high turnover indicates that your child will have to keep adjusting to new caregivers that takes a lot of time and effort. This will cause her development to be slowed down. The same caregiver should watch your child for at least a year for her healthy development.

Structure

It is important to identify a day care that has put in place a proper plan for the children. You should be able to have access to the lesson plans which will show you what your child will be doing during the day. Children feel safe in an environment that has structure and a well-organized day care will offer your child an environment that will trigger healthy development. The day care should be focused on development and learning. You should be able to notice materials and toys at the center meant for the children's development.


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Carolyn and all other teaching staff will offer a learning experience customized to each child's needs. If you are looking for expert care for your child, please visit http://www.madchildcare.com.au/centres/beacon-hill/centre-page/ to get in touch with a quality day care in Beacon Hill.

Monday, November 16, 2015

How to Keep Yourself Safe Living in a Small Student Community

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

Student communities do have their own fair share of safety concerns. Students have electronics and gadgets that are pretty expensive and targeted by criminals. To keep yourself safe, you need to take some precautionary measures.

Always tell someone where you are going

If you are planning on meeting someone you don't know or visiting a place you've never been to, make sure you tell one of your friends. Everyone is vulnerable to crime and it's important to keep people on the loop in case of anything.

Use safe means of transport

Using your own car in a small student community can be costly and inconvenient which is why most students use public transport. However, if it gets late, don't over think about the cost of a taxi because your safety is more important especially if you've visited a place you are not familiar with.

Know what's happening around you

You need to always be on the lookout for any signs of danger or security concerns. Listen to the buzz around campus to familiarize yourself with common criminal activities and how to keep yourself safe. Beware of the people around you and do not invite strangers into your apartment while you are alone. This applies to fellow students as well.

Don't show off

You might have the latest electronic gadgets in your apartment but nobody needs to know. Make sure you position these items in such a way that they can't be easily spotted from the window. Don't leave money lying around in your apartment especially when you have friends coming over.

Keep your spare keys safe

Leaving your spare keys under the mat or close to the window is a huge security risk. In fact, your spare keys should never be left outdoors. Have one of your close friends keep one for you and do not attach a tag on the key that reveals your name and phone number. Criminals can connect the dots and find their way into your house.

Lock all doors and windows

Leaving your doors and windows open when you go for classes can be a huge risk. In fact, many burglaries can happen during the day when most students are out for their classes. If your doors or windows cannot lock properly, call for maintenance services to be done as soon as possible.

Get insurance for your valuable stuff

Student insurance is quite cheap and you can be able to protect your most valued assets from theft. Keep photographs of all your stuff that you want insured together with their receipts and serial numbers. It's going to be easy for them to be found if they are stolen.

Consider secure storage when you are away

If you cannot manage to travel with your valuables when you are going home for the holidays, arrange for a storage company to keep these items for you. You can enjoy your holiday in peace; resting in the knowledge that your valuables are safe.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/

Saturday, November 14, 2015

5 Tips to Make Student Community Living a Great Experience

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

Living in a student community can turn out to be the best experience you ever had. Not only do you enjoy more independence compared to living on campus but also learn how to become a responsible adult by managing your bills and everything around you.

From noisy neighbors to anti-social behaviors, you are certainly going to experience some of these things when living in a student community. But depending on how you choose to handle them, you will love the entire experience. Here are some key things to note when living in a student community.

Be a good neighbor

There's nothing wrong with saying hello to your neighbors when you meet them outside. Create these social relationships with people around you because you never know when you'll need them. Make an effort to become part of the community in which you live by taking part in certain activities that help you to know your neighbors better.

Plan your apartment well

Consider the way you organize your room or house so that you don't cause any disturbance unknowingly. For instance, you may want to position your TV away from the walls because noise travels easily along walls. If you have noisy neighbors, then you'll want to keep your doors and windows closed at all times and also avoid adjoined rooms.

Notify your neighbors when planning a party

It is common courtesy to have your neighbors know that you are planning on throwing a party. Let them know in advance when you are planning to start the party and also at what time it's likely to end. Avoid noisy equipment that will cause disturbance and advertise your party only to your group of friends unless you want to end up with more guests than you expected. Most importantly, avoid throwing parties on weeknights for your neighbor's sake.

Clean up your mess

Don't get into the habit of leaving a mess outside your house especially after parties. Remember that it's a student community and everyone has a responsibility to maintain a hygienic environment. Get rid of trash and keep your environment clean.

Keep your car at home

University parking can be pretty expensive and you may not need a car if you live close to campus. Don't bring a car if you study in a heavily congested city because it will be a great inconvenience to you. It may be a lot cheaper to use public transport and you will also be contributing to a cleaner and greener environment.

The best way to enjoy your experience off-campus is to make wise choices and take measures to protect yourself at all times. When you get into your apartment, lock your doors and windows before you go to bed. Get a house that is comfortable and offers maintenance when needed. Interact with your neighbors because there is a lot that you can learn from them about living in the community. Most importantly, take your time to enjoy the whole experience because time flies and you'll soon be out of college.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Thursday, November 12, 2015

7 Things to Check When Viewing a Student Apartment

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

If you are planning on renting a student apartment, you need to take your time to choose wisely. Start by understanding your budget and needs so that you can find something that is comfortable for everyone especially if you are planning on having a roommate. Most importantly, look out for the following when viewing an apartment.

Check the walls and ceilings for any signs of dampness. You will see patches of black mold forming especially on the cardboard ceiling. Make sure you look for signs of water damage in other areas like the wardrobes. The dampness can cause diseases and needs to be addressed before you move in.

You also need to look out for signs of pests' infestation. Students can be really messy and you may end up in an apartment that was used to having piles of trash and hence has rodents and cockroaches all over. Make sure they do something about these nasty invaders before you move in.

Consider the location of the student apartment. An apartment that is close to the bus stop or your university is most convenient. Some of the nicest homes for students may not be situated very close to campus so you'll have to spend a lot of time and money commuting. Consider what's more important for you: a nice looking apartment or one that is close to school?

Make sure there is adequate supply of water to the apartment. During viewing, make sure you turn on the taps to see if the water comes out with adequate pressure. You might also want to check the toilet and bathroom to ensure there are no water issues.

The other import thing to check when viewing the student apartment is the security. The construction of the house itself shouldn't compromise on your safety. Check whether the apartment has alarm systems, safe doors and window locks. If you have any concerns in regards to security, communicate it to the landlord and find out what measures they have put in place to make the apartments safer for students. You may also consider speaking to a few people in the community around to find out how secure the area is.

Check the electrical components to ensure that you are not at risk of safety hazards. You don't need to be an expert to tell if a building has basic wiring issues. If you see hanging electrical wires, loose cables or poorly installed plug sockets, they should be a cause for concern. If the apartment has appliances, make sure the size and type present will work for you.

Proper insulation is also very critical in any apartment you choose. Look for features such as double gazed windows and a reliable heating system. Check out the exterior of the building as well and inspect the roof to see if there are any signs of missing tiles or poor flashing. These roofing issues may present insulation problems.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

What to Expect From Off Campus Student Housing

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

Once you have been accepted to college, you need to start making arrangements for where to stay. You can choose to stay in the college dorm rooms, rent out an apartment or choose off-campus student housing communities. College dorm rooms can tend to be quite noisy and crowded with very little space while renting an entire apartment is very costly for a college student. Off-campus student housing communities provide the ideal living environment for college students. You should expect the following:

Close proximity to the college

Most off-campus student housing units tend to be within a walking distance from most colleges or universities. This allows you to stay in touch with the latest from the college while still enjoying your own privacy and spacious accommodation. You do not need to worry about commuting or spending money on gas driving to school every day since you can easy walk a block or two.

Short term and long-term individual leases

Even if you end up sharing a housing unit with other college mates, you still get your own individual lease. You can even lease for as much as 12 months. If you get a job near the campus during college vacations, you do not have to worry about how to find new accommodation with such a lease. You enjoy access to affordable accommodation all year round.

Tenant portal access

Most student housing communities are in tune with the latest demands for technology. You can even have a portal access where you can check your lease details if you need to, contact management for maintenance or even pay your rent and track your payments. This makes is a lot easier to organize your activities.

Ample parking

If you have a car or motorcycle, you are going to need free and safe parking. Off campus, housing offers ample parking areas for their residents. You do not have to worry about paying parking fees or your car getting towed.

Furnished kitchen

Kitchen appliances can be very expensive but you do not have to worry about buying new ones because most of these student-housing units are furnished with everything you need. You will find kitchen stoves, microwaves and refrigerators making it extremely easy for you to prepare your own meals.

Private baths

You can never underestimate the value of a private bathroom until you have lived in a college dorm where the bathrooms are communal. When you rent off campus, you can enjoy the privacy of your very own shower and toilet, which is also good for your hygiene.

Security

The housing communities often have security guards on patrol and a security office. So you know you are safe even when you live off campus. They will assist in solving disputes, identify and prevent potential threats as well as ensure that other tenants adhere to the regulations for the housing community.

Swimming pool

If you are lucky, you can find off campus accommodation with a pool. Granted, the college has its own swimming pool but you may be restricted on when and how you can use it.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Friday, September 25, 2015

6 Reasons Why You Should Find Accommodation Off Campus

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

Going off to college or university is often the first step of leaving the nest for most young adults. Besides getting your education and degree, college also has a lot to teach you about independent living. There is no better way to learn vital life skills than living off campus. There are many campus housing options around most colleges and university so you do not really have to start from scratch when looking for an apartment. The following are some good reasons why you should choose off campus living:

It is affordable

Living in off-campus accommodation is not as expensive as it sounds, in fact, it may be much cheaper. So many service providers set up housing units specially designed for college student's right outside their campuses. The housing units are cozy and you can share the rent costs with other roommates. They also provide various amenities inclusive of the rental costs such as gaming areas, swimming pools and free Wi-Fi among others.

Get some privacy and get away from the distractions

Sometimes focusing on your studies may need you to get away from the noisy and often crowded college dorms or residential halls. You will probably be crammed up in a tiny cubicle with a roommate who may not have your kind of study-ethic. Living with a roommate in such a small space also brings up the challenge of how to share the space, personal privacy and even maintaining hygiene in the room. All these distractions can greatly affect your school work and that is not something you need when trying to get your degree.

Learn to be responsible

You may know how to solve a polynomial function but have no idea how to make a simple "mac 'n' cheese" dinner let alone pay your utility bills. While you are in college is the perfect time to make mistakes and learn from them. Living off campus teaches you many adulthood responsibilities like making sure the utility bills are paid on time, budgeting for your spending, making your meals and cleaning your apartment. These are all essential skills that will be indispensable in the future.

Learn how to rent

Once you have lived off campus, you tend to develop a knack for choosing great apartments to live in. When you are looking for a second apartment after you graduate, it will be easy to choose a great apartment with good rental lease terms.

Year round housing

One of the problems with college dorms is they are closed during major vacations and you need to find somewhere else to stay in case you want to take summer classes or if you find a part time job around your college. Off campus, accommodation is available all year round and you do not have to make a move every time the campus closes for vacation.

Diversity

Leaving off campus will allow you experience such a huge diversity in the kind people you interact with on a daily basis. You can end up living next to students from other campuses, next door to families or working individuals who may have a huge positive impact on your life with time.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

How to Enjoy Living Off Campus

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

If you have found yourself living off-campus, you might be wondering how you are going to survive during the semester, especially if you had not originally planned on living in off-campus housing. A lot of students find themselves faced with the difficult option of getting accommodation outside of campus grounds, either due to limited spaces in on-campus accommodation or other reasons. The good news is that there are steps you can take to ensure that your off-campus lifestyle remains pleasant, and maybe even enjoyable. Here's what you need to do:

Find conveniently accessible housing

If you are going to live off-campus, the first thing you should consider when choosing an apartment is how accessible it is from campus grounds. The last thing you want is to spend hours commuting from campus to apartment. If you can get housing that is within walking distance, not only will you cut back on hours that would have been spent on transport, you will also minimize transportation costs.

Consider your security

Only go for off-campus housing that guarantees your security. You do not want to live in a place where you are constantly fearful of attacks. It is a good idea to ask what security features are in place, and who is allowed access to the housing community. If anybody can come and go as they please, you are better off seeking accommodation elsewhere.

Get a good roommate

A roommate is capable of making your life in an off-campus housing community terrible or amazing, depending on the type of person/roommate they are. Therefore when deciding who you will live with, choose someone that you get along with and someone who will make it easy for you to love outside of campus. Constantly wrangling with your roommate will make your off-campus living a nightmare.

Choose to enjoy the experience

Sometimes, you have to make the conscious decision to enjoy an experience, however unexpected it came about. So even if it was not in your plan to live off-campus, do your best to enjoy this new experience. Make use of the facilities offered in your off-campus housing community. Say hello to the other students and make new friends. Join in the fun activities that students in the housing community organize. Purpose to have a great time.

Be accountable to yourself

Unlike on-campus living, off-campus living comes with minimal supervision, if at all. It is much easier to get lost along the way when living off-campus, since there is no one constantly watching over you. If you really want to enjoy living off-campus, take this as an opportunity to live independently and answer to yourself. Do what is expected of you, and on time. Pay your bills on time. Clean and cook when needed. Don't make your life hard by fighting with the natural order of things.

Living off-campus is a great experience that comes with many perks. However, you must be prepared to take the necessary measures to ensure that you enjoy this experience. Many years down the line, once you have graduated from college, you will be able to look back at your off-campus living years and smile.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Questions to Ask your Potential Off-Campus Housing Roommate

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

You have decided that you wish to live with a roommate in your off-campus housing unit. The problem is, you do not know of any close friend who wishes to live in the same area. This leaves you with the option of choosing a roommate from the sea of strangers who are looking for similar accommodation. How do you decide that a certain roommate is suitable and another is not? Here are some questions you should ask your potential roommate to determine whether they're a good fit.

Are you able to pay for the lease upfront?

This is a crucial question, because you do not want someone who is looking to sponge off your lease. You are taking in a roommate, not a dependent. As such, you must clearly establish whether the said roommate is able to meet their financial obligations as far as the lease is concerned. Do not get into agreements that will leave you in debt afterwards.

What's your ideal way of unwinding?

Depending on whether your potential roommate says, relaxing with a friend over a game of chess or throwing a huge party, you'll know what kind of troubles await you in the near future. Of course, there's nothing wrong with someone who likes to party. However, you must consider whether you will be okay with having parties and multiple friends crashing at your apartment, courtesy of your roommate.

Have you had roommates in the past? What was your experience living with someone?

Most people who are eager to get roommate status will lie about this. But if you are asking these questions in person, you will be able to tell when the truth is being stretched. It is necessary to find out whether a potential roommate can actually share a space with another person. If it seems like they cannot, proceed carefully.

Do you consider yourself a clean person?

Again, the answer to this question will be a resounding yes for almost everybody. Again, you might want to look out for indicators such as how well cleaned up they are.

What's your idea of privacy?

Just because someone is living with you does not mean they are entitled to front row seats to all aspects of your life. It is necessary to find someone who understands this; otherwise there will be major clashes along the way.

Are you okay with sharing duties?

Sharing a house means sharing in the cleaning and maintenance work, among other duties. After enlightening your roommate to be on what their duties will be, ask them whether they are okay with that. Do not coerce them to accept their duties, however badly you need a roommate. Find someone who can do what is expected of them willingly. This is the only way you will ensure peaceful coexistence.

College roommates go on to become some of the best friends you will ever make. But this only happens if you select your roommate carefully. So take time to ask the right questions. And if you feel like asking the questions as phrased sounds interrogative, spin them and fix them into casual conversation. The bottom line is that you need answers.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/

Monday, July 27, 2015

Off-Campus Accommodation: Deciding Whether to Get a Roommate

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

If you have decided that you wish to live off-campus during your college years, it is likely that you are wondering whether to have a roommate or not. Off-campus accommodation comes with many perks, including ample parking and the ability to live independently without constant supervision. There are certain questions that you need to ask yourself when thinking of whether to share your room/lease or whether to live alone.

Can you afford it?

This is usually the first question that comes to mind when one is required to live off-campus, and the main reason why people all over the world decide to split rent. Many college students will decide to share their apartments because they need help coming up with the rent. So if you have a feeling that individual leasing is going to be an issue, you might want to get someone with whom you can share these costs. If lease payment is not an issue, then move along to the next question.

What kind of a roommate are you?

If you have a hard time sharing space with someone, you might want to live alone, at least until you can comfortably learn to share space. Sometimes, there are conflicts between roommates not because one is bad, but because two very different personalities met and clashed.

How big is the shared space?

Of course, you might be capable of sharing but it so happens that you are confined to a very tiny space; which makes existing as two separate individuals rather tricky. As such, you must consider how big the apartment you wish to lease is. This way, you can determine whether there will be adequate room for the both of you.

Have you met your potential roommate?

The semester drags on forever if you are living with someone you do not like. It is therefore important to ensure that the person you live with is someone you can, at the very least, get along with. If you can, find someone you are already familiar and friends with to share the apartment with you. This way, there will be fewer chances of nasty surprises along the way.

Are you clear on what your responsibilities will be?

Before you live with someone, it is important to establish what will be required of either party. Living together blindly is the recipe for fights later on. Lay the ground rules early enough even before you are done unpacking. This way, if someone neglects the duties assigned to them, they will be held accountable. And speaking of duties, one more question that you should ask is...

How will you operate-separately or as a unit?

You must decide whether you will carry out certain tasks such as shopping for groceries, cooking, doing the laundry etc. separately or together. This way, you will know whether your roommate expects to find a cooked meal on a certain day, or whether they will bring their own take out, and so on.

Living with a roommate in off-campus housing can be exciting, but only if you prepare yourself well for it.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Questions to Ask when Selecting Off-Campus Student Housing

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

Choosing off-campus student housing can be nerve-wracking, especially when so many options are involved and you do not know where to get started. The trick to selecting the best off-campus student housing is to have a clear picture of what you want, then work towards getting that. Here are some questions you should answer before you choose a particular student housing community.

How far from college do you want to live?

Usually, students want to live as close to campus as possible so they can get to class easily, without even requiring to drive there (that is, within walking distance). You must clearly determine how far is too far and then slowly eliminate the housing options that do not meet this criterion. Remember you do not want to spend lots of time commuting, and you also want an apartment that is centrally located to allow access to other areas as well, including libraries, bookshops, restaurants, theaters and so on.

What kind of lifestyle are you looking for?

Different student housing communities offer different types of lifestyles, based on the kind of accommodation and facilities offered. Some housing communities will offer townhouse living while others will offer single-family homes. It is up to you to determine what you are looking for, then seek a housing community that enables this.

Are you looking to live with someone or alone?

This is a question that is crucial as it determines the kind of lease that is best for you. If you wish to live alone and pay for the housing on your own, go for housing that offers individual leases. If you want to have a roommate, choose housing that has leases for shared spaces.

How important is security to you?

Usually, the best answer to this question is 'very'. However, for some reasons, you may feel that the security features put in place by a particular housing community are not very important to you, maybe because you know the neighborhood to be particularly safe and so on. Both ways, you must decide what you feel about security; and whether it matters to you that a housing community have state-of-the-art security systems or not.

Is there sufficient parking space?

You do not want a housing community that does not provide adequate parking space, as this will pose a big problem later on. Of course, if you prefer to use a bicycle, you should enquire whether bike racks are provided. The bottom line is to ensure your mode of transport is secured at all times.

Are there common areas provided?

Depending on how important socialization is to you, you should find out whether common areas have been provided by the housing community. Common areas include common indoor rooms, outdoor kitchens and even swimming pools. College demands excellence in not just academics but in the social sphere as well; and social interactions begin in these common areas.

Of course, these questions are just guidelines to helping you choose the best housing community. You should have a list of other things that matter to you, to enable you make the best choice for off-campus accommodation.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Tips for Choosing Student Housing

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

If you are just about to head to college, you might be considering living off-campus for whatever reasons. Or it could be that you cannot find accommodation on-campus and have been left with no choice but to find student housing outside of campus. If you are in such a predicament, knowing what to look out for when choosing student housing is important. Here are the things that should matter:

Location and ease of access

You want student housing that is conveniently located to allow you get to classes easily and at the same time access social amenities such as restaurants with minimal hassle. The last thing you want is to spend the best years of your college experience doing hour-long commutes. Not only will you miss out on many hours of sleep, your social life will be compromised as well.

Security

It is paramount that the student housing you choose guarantees your security and that of your property at all times. Make sure you check to see whether there are security features that have been put in place to ensure that no unauthorized persons (read, security threats) get through the gates of the housing community. Surveillance cameras and key-controlled access are features that every student housing community worth its name should have.

Leases

The best student housing is the one that offers flexibility as far as leases are concerned. No one wants to be forced to co-sign on a lease unless that is what they had been planning. It is therefore necessary to go for those housing communities that offer individual leases.

Privacy

You have a right to your privacy, and it should continue even after you have enrolled for college/university. Be sure to check the layout of the student housing and the measures that have been put in place to ensure every student gets the privacy they need. If you have to share rooms against your wish, you might want to look elsewhere. And this also goes for the type of fencing that has been used for the housing community. Does it allow outsiders plenty of view inside? Are you okay with this? These are questions that you must answer honestly.

Parking spaces

There should be plenty of parking space for the students living in the housing community, to prevent conflicts and avoid wastage of time. Bike racks should also be provided for those who use this alternative means of transport. The idea here is to make the lives of the students living here as easy as possible, and you should make sure steps have been taken to ensure this.

Common areas

Common areas such as outdoor kitchens and swimming pools should be provided to enable socialization, especially during those warm months when staying indoors is almost impossible. Remember that college is not just about books, but building relationships and networks too. It is therefore necessary to go for a student housing community that recognizes this fact, and works towards enabling it.

At the end of the day, it is you, the student, who decides what type of housing is best for you. However, with these useful tips, the process of narrowing down to the best student housing will become much easier.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Benefits of Living off-Campus

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

Whether you've just joined college or are returning as a senior, the decision on where to live, be in on or off campus, is one that must be made. Many students end up in off-campus housing simply because on-campus accommodation had limited spaces, only to find out that off-campus living is exactly what they needed. There are several reasons why living off-campus is beneficial to you as a student and as a person as a whole.

Independence

Living off-campus means that you are responsible for yourself, your rent, your schedule and just about everything. You are liberated to do whatever you wish, without the supervision of RAs. There are no strict rules as is common in college dorms, and you have to set these for yourself.

Privacy

If you choose to live in a college dorm, chances are high that you will be sharing your bedroom with one or two people. In off-campus housing, however, you will have your own bedroom, which translates into more privacy.

More space

A dorm room is usually half the size of a regular bedroom. This means that you will have to share a room that is small in the first place. Off-campus housing allows you to choose a space that is sufficient for all your needs, and you do not even have to share it.

Less expensive

College housing can be very expensive. In fact, in some instances, it is as much as the tuition. On top of that, you may have to purchase a meal plan which only serves to increase your costs. In this respect, off-campus housing is more pocket-friendly.

Fewer distractions

Living in a college dorm comes with a myriad of distractions, what with the constant parties and your roommates' friends who cannot stop coming over! When you live off-campus, you will have fewer distractions and any parties that are held will have to be authorized by the lease owner, namely, you.

Build credit

Paying for rent and utilities using a credit card on a monthly basis is a great way to build a good credit history which may come in handy after school.

Food

When you live off-campus, you are responsible for your food. This means that you can eat healthier as you have control over what makes it to the dinner table.

Roommate

Usually, when living on-campus, you have very little control over who gets to share your dorm room with you. If you do decide to live off-campus, you can choose who becomes your roommate. You can even decide to share your apartment with a close trusted friend, this way you will not be forced to share a space with someone you cannot stand.

Parking space

Off-campus housing communities usually provide sufficient parking spaces for the students. For those living on-campus, finding parking space is usually a hassle. If you are worried about this problem, you might want to explore off-campus living options.

As you can see, there are many great benefits that come with living off-campus. So if you have been feeling down about not securing on-campus accommodation, it is time to embrace the opportunities that off-campus living offers.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Thursday, June 11, 2015

What Defines Convenient Living for College Students?

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

As a student, when choosing where to live, convenience is key. This is more so if you decide to live off-campus. The trick is to find living quarters that are affordable, while at the same time offering the privacy and lifestyle you deserve. There are certain features that you should consider when choosing off-campus living quarters.

Accessibility

Your apartment should be located in an area that allows you to easily access all the facilities that you need. That means, your apartment should be within walking distance of your tuition block, the library, restaurants, shopping areas and other facilities that you will need to access on a daily basis while at college. And even if the apartment is not within walking distance, it should not be further than a few minutes' drive.

Safety

You should choose living quarters where your safety is guaranteed at all times. Be sure to check what measures have been put in place to ensure security before signing the lease of any apartment. Security lighting should be on top of the list of things to look out for. You should also inquire how access is granted, that is, can anybody get in or does one require a key to access the apartment complexes?

Flexibility

If you do choose an apartment and happen to want to move the next semester, this should be possible without too much hassle. Choosing a housing community that offers semesterly leases is a great way to remain flexible. Some apartments for students have a tenant portal access which enables tenants to pay rent online besides making maintenance requests too.

Spacious parking lot

You should never have to worry about parking space while in college. There simply isn't the time to worry about that Calculus test and at the same time worry about where to park your car. It is for this reason that you need to choose a housing community that offers ample parking space for convenient parking.

Common spaces

Many housing communities have shared spaces where you can relax with your friends as you enjoy a night in the outdoors. Such spaces include the swimming pool and maybe even summer/outdoor kitchens. It is always a good thing to have someplace where all your friends can gather after an exhausting week and have fun as you make memories. This is because you may not always be able to entertain everyone inside your apartment.

If you are a college student, or are hoping to become one soon, where you choose to live will have a great effect on the rest of your days in campus, and this goes beyond the type of roommates you will have. Consider the amount of time you wish to spend getting around (to your classes, library, group activities etc.), the kind of privacy you wish to have, the amount of money you want to spend and how much space you need when selecting your living quarters.

Once you are satisfied that the service provider meets this criterion, go ahead and sign on the dotted line.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Monday, June 8, 2015

What Makes Up Good Student Housing?

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

As a student, the place you live in during your days in college is as important as the classes you will take, the friends you will make and even the extra-curricular activities you will take part in. This is because if you live in an environment that is conducive, you will be able to achieve so much more as compared to when you live in an environment that does not encourage productivity. The place you choose should be an off-campus housing community that will offer you the privacy and lifestyle you require.

The community should be conveniently located to ensure that you have everything you need and want in one place. You should not have to spend a lot of time walking or driving to wherever you need to if the community is centrally placed at a location that allows easy access to the University, the stadium and even the shopping and dining complexes. Your time as a student is precious, and you need to live somewhere that allows you to grab everything you need within minutes.

The apartments should also be tastefully designed and finished. They could come with a variety of floor plans and individual leases so that you get to choose the apartment that best suits your needs, to ensure that you get the best out of your experience at the university. And you don't have to stay cooped up in your apartment all day and all night. Some student apartments have a pool and summer kitchen to offer refreshing spots where friends can gather and have lots of fun while enjoying the beautiful outdoors.

There are several features that should definitely convince you that you have chosen the best place. These include:

i. Key controlled access. This ensures that only authorized persons get access.

ii. Convenient easy parking. Because the last thing you should worry about during your college years is where to park your car.

iii. Bike racks. For those who use alternative means to get around.

iv. Individual leases. Because you should not have to co-sign on lease unless that is what you really want.

v. Townhouse living. Make memories during your college years by choosing an apartment that supports the lifestyle you want.

vi. Resort style swimming pool. For those sunny days and warm evenings when you just want to soak in the pool with some friends.

vii. Mail center. For those special moments when mom or dad decides to send you a check, or when you have to correspond with your prospective Grad School.

Security lighting. Stumbling in the darkness is not something funny. Everything should stay illuminated and everybody coming and going should be easily detected, ensuring ultimate security.

Make your time at college even more pleasant by choosing a housing community that understands your needs and ensures the right environment is provided for you. Allow yourself to live well and flourish. College years fly by - live them comfortably and peacefully so that you can create memories for the future.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Saturday, June 6, 2015

Features of a Good Housing Community for College Students You Never Knew About

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

Finding the right housing community as a student is important as it allows you to find a haven where you can retreat to and replenish your energy at the end of a long day at school. Not to mention, a lot of memories will be made at your apartment; memories that you will remember fondly years after you have graduated from college. When it comes to choosing a housing community, it is important to keep in mind certain things. First, the community needs to be strategically located, so you can get what you want with minimum hassle. You should be able to get to class easily, and if you need to grab a bite, you should be able to do so without spending hours on the road. In simple terms, location is key. In fact, one might say that location is everything.

A good housing community offers excellent choices for the student who wishes to enjoy the privacy and lifestyle they deserve while they pursue their university studies. The community will allow you to have the best social and academic experience while you study at the university.

The outstanding features that make a great choice, and indeed a favorite among many students include:

i. Easy access: You should be able to easily walk to class. This is definitely a huge plus, and especially so on those days when you are direly constrained for time.

ii. Key controlled access: This means that not everyone gets access to the apartments, just the authorized persons who have access keys.

iii. Convenient easy parking: This is so that you never have to worry about where to pack your car. It's college, the time to build yourself academically and socially; and not the time to worry about parking spaces.

iv. An outdoor kitchen where you can grill some food with your friends while you enjoy a warm evening outdoors.

v. Individual leases which give you much more freedom of choice.

vi. Security lighting to ensure that everything stays illuminated, and everybody is seen whether they are coming or going.

vii. A mail center that ensures correspondence is received and no checks get lost in the mail.

viii. A resort style swimming pool for those days when you are tired of studying and want to get some much-needed hydrotherapy to get your senses working again.

ix. Bike racks for the bike-lovers who prefer this alternative means of transport.

When you look back on your college years, many years after graduating, you should not have to regret about the apartment you lived in or the roommates you had. Having a comfortable living space goes a long way in ensuring you remain productive and focused during your years in college. Make the right choice and the years will fly by, the memories will be many and you will be happy about your college years. Choose the wrong living quarters and you will dread going back to your apartment every day.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Off Campus Accommodation: Balancing Between On And Off-Campus Life

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

Deciding on the best place to reside while pursuing studies at the university depends on various factors. Besides finding a house with the right facilities, the rental amount that fits your pocket and where the off campus accommodation is close to essential services, you should also decide on the place you'd like to spend most of your time. This means deciding whether you' like to append a bulk of your time off campus or on campus. The latter will play a major role on where you should rent your apartment.

On campus

If you prefer to be on campus most of the time while studying, then you need to consider searching for off campus housing that's not very far from the institution. This will ensure that you don't waste a lot of time commuting to and from your campus. It will also keep you near the essential services of the campus.

Are you planning to spend most of your time around the campus premises? Then you should get prepared to benefit from the services available at the university. You should consider the following:

Get a good meal plan: Given that you intend to be on campus most of the time, you should think about getting a meal plan. This will save you the energy and time required to prepare food for your campus visits. It will also reduce your spending on groceries.

Buy from campus stores: Most university campuses have computers, pharmacies, dry cleaning, bookstores, postal services and computer cafes. Instead of looking for such services outside the campus, get them on campus because that's where you'll spend most of the time. This will greatly save you the time and effort required to search for such services off campus.

Work on campus: Most colleges offer work study programs to students and so if you're in need of a part time job, you ask around the university campus for the available work study opportunities.

Off campus

If you would like to spend most of your time off campus, then you can widen your options for off campus housing. Instead of worrying about the distance between the campus and your accommodation, you should consider living near retail establishments and other essential services. Spending more time off campus will require that you stay at a place that's within a walking distance to retail stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

Here are the determining factors if you'd like to spend most of the time off campus:

If you have online classes that may not require your presence on campus

If you don't have many lecture hours in the week

If you like studying from home instead of using the library

If you've plans to be going home in between class breaks

If you have plans to stay home on weekends and study

Choosing off campus accommodation depends on whether you will be spending most of your time off or on campus. Therefore, other than the other factors that influence your decision to stay off campus, you should carefully assess where you're likely to spend most of the time while attending the university.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Tips of Finding the Right Student Housing For Your Needs

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

Housing is considered an essential need for college students who go to new cities for their studies. Each student wants a place that has numerous facilities when joining the university and if you are overwhelmed with the available options, then you should know how to choose the appropriate student accommodation that will suit your needs. Fortunately, this article has some handy tips that will guide you in selecting the right accommodation.

Ensure that the house has relevant facilities: Often, most students housing come with common facilities like the kitchen and bathroom. However, what you need to look for is a joint verandah and gallery as these facilities will give you an opportunity to connect with other students who reside in the apartments close to yours. Such facilities are essential for every student because you will need some interaction in addition to your studies.

It should suit your budget: Ensure that the student home you choose falls within your budget needs so you can save for additional expenses such as phone bill and electricity. Before choosing an apartment, you should shortlist several student houses from your favorite location and then take your time to make the required comparisons. This way, you will come across a house that will suit your needs.

Ensure the surrounding is healthy: The last thing you want is to rent a house close to the city's garbage dumping site. Some houses may not be far from bus stops, clubs and railway lines. This can create a very unfamiliar environment for your stay and studies. Therefore, if you come across anything uncomfortable, you should quickly consider another option.

Make use of the Internet: The Internet is an essential resource that will provide you with everything you need to know regarding student housing options in different cities. Therefore, you should pick your laptop or smartphone and begin searching for an appropriate housing. Be sure to search for those houses that you will afford.

Transport options: You should ensure that the location of the housing is not very far from your learning institution. This will make it easy for you to commute and attend classes. If you have a car, you'll save on fuel too. If you choose to use public transport, then ensure this option is available and not very far from your apartment.

Seek professional help: While the internet is a great source of information, do not hesitate to seek professional assistance to help you know whether your selection is the best one or not. Real estate agents are usually available to help in such matters.

Accommodation won't be a problem once you follow the above tips religiously. Another essential thing is that you should ensure you have enough funds to help you stay in the new city without running bankrupt until the visa ends. Once you do that, you will enjoy your stay in college and in the student housing. This will give you peace of mind to focus on your studies and get the best grades.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Sunday, April 19, 2015

6 Tips For Finding The Best Student Accommodation

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

All parents are delighted to learn that their kids are admitted to the university. It's during such times that a child learns to be safe and independent. Despite the importance of letting your child live on their own, you'd want them to get safe, comfortable and affordable housing.

So whether they reside in university hostels or private apartments, your major concern is their peace of mind and safety. Living in a comfortable and secure environment will motivate the student to study hard and excel. Therefore, when looking for the ideal student accommodation, you should consider a couple of things.

1. Safety: The safety of a student is paramount and it is important to ensure that the rental apartments are in a secure and private area. You may need to enquire whether there's adequate security in the area throughout the day or night.

2. Facilities: A student will spend less especially if the apartment has furniture and useful appliances. Therefore, you may need to check whether the apartments are well furnished. Ensure that you move around the house and test various fixtures like showers, toilets, music systems and the likes.

3. Location: The student needs peace of mind while in college. Therefore, the accommodation facilities should not be near clubs, bars, roads, or railway lines as such sources of noise are really distractive. Besides, the hostels should not be very far from the school.

4. Space: Is the student going to share the room with other students? If this is the case then the facility should have spacious rooms to accommodate everyone. This way, a student won't need to wait on the queue for basic amenities yet lectures are underway.

5. Transport: Every college has its own timetable depending on the course one is pursuing. It is good for the student apartments to be near reliable means of transport and particularly public transport since it is very easy to spend a fortune hiring taxis every day. It should be easy to connect from the accommodation facility to the college.

6. Cost: If the apartment has many facilities based on the above mentioned points, it could be slightly costly. Different facilities may cost tenants differently. You may need to check out in different locations and compare the pricing. The other option is to select a hostel that's slightly far away from the learning institution but with available transport. Do not make a decision based on the price alone but you should evaluate the entire apartment and make an informed decision.

There're different kinds of accommodation that students can use. The first one is the college or university accommodation comprised of residency halls and other college owned houses and flats. The other option is the off-campus or private accommodation.

In this type of accommodation, you may get various options such as sharing an apartment with friends or renting your own apartment. Therefore, you need to make a choice that will suit your budgetary needs. Generally, cities with many universities, colleges and other education institutes usually require more student accommodation than other locations.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Benefits of Living in a Student Housing Community

Copyright (c) 2015 Athens Commons

One of the most important decisions you'll have to make when going to college is where to live. Many students prefer to live off campus for certain reasons. Living in a student housing community has its benefits. Let's look at some of the things you may wish to consider to arrive at this decision.

For a start, living off campus gives you an opportunity to become independent and experience adult life. It gives you a chance to pay your own rent, cook, clean and take care of all financial matters in regards to that living space. You get an opportunity to experience the real world even before you leave campus.

Secondly, off campus living also allows you to meet and network with non-students who may be living in the same community. It gives you an opportunity to interact with people you would have never gotten along with. You never know, some of these strong bonds may come in handy in the future. You don't just have to interact with other students; there are lots of people who can offer you great opportunities out there.

Other than that, living in a student housing community allows you to take time away from the school environment and just enjoy your own privacy. Staying in campus can be a little stressful and especially if you have a roommate who you don't get along with. But staying in your own apartment where you don't share a bedroom with anyone else is actually nice.

In many cases, living off campus can be less expensive. Most college housing demands that you pay for the accommodation together with a meal plan which can be quite costly. To avoid this, you may want to look for accommodation off campus that costs much less and without the many limitations that come with living inside campus.

On top of that, having a place in a community outside campus can present fewer distractions. You don't have to contain the noisy roommates and students who are constantly throwing parties in campus. It gives you time to focus on your studies and stay away from distractive habits. At the end of the day, you get an opportunity to perform better in school.

The other main advantage of living off campus is that it builds your credit history. The sooner you start paying your own monthly bills the higher your chances of security credit in future. So long as you don't mess up your credit by failing to settle these bills on time, you will be recognized as a responsible individual even before you leave campus.

Most importantly, living off campus gives you so many choices in terms of the type of living space you want. You can rent any kind of home you want based on what you can afford. However, you need to consider other factors such as location and security when choosing a place to stay. Unlike the halls of residence in campus, you don't have to settle for a living space you don't like. You've got so many options when it comes to living off campus.


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Athens Commons offers student housing across the street from the University's Business School. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Athens University offers. http://athenscommons.com/

Friday, March 13, 2015

How to Get Your Apartment Repairs Done in a Timely Manner

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

Renting an apartment should be a smooth experience. If something stops functioning properly, you expect the landlord to step in instantly and order the necessary repairs. But in many cases, you'll have to wait for longer than you anticipated for the landlord to finally send someone to fix the issue. So what should you do? If you've been having trouble with little issues that require fixing in your apartment and the landlord doesn't seem to be in a hurry to fix them, we'll give you a few tips on how to get the management or landlord to send someone to fix it.

Complain in writing

Sometimes, complaining to your landlord by word of mouth simply will not cut it. You just have to do that in writing and they'll pay more attention to it. If they have a complaints box in the building then write something brief and drop it there. You could get a response immediately. You may also write a formal letter to the management if you are not dealing directly with the landlord. It may get them to consider your apartment repairs urgent.

Withhold rent

Withholding rent because certain repairs are yet to be done in your apartment may work in some cases. But in case the case gets serious and you have to go to court to justify your actions, you need to show evidence that you had tried to contact the management to do the repairs but they still failed. So make sure you have written a formal letter requesting the repairs and also take pictures of the conditions which you can present to court. But hopefully, they will make the repairs soon enough because you don't want the pressure of dealing with a court case while still in school.

Do the repairs yourself

If you consider yourself a handy person then you can always do the repairs yourself. Before doing the repairs, get an estimate and present it your landlord and request them to send someone to have the work done. If they end up ignoring your request then you can do it and then deduct it from your next rent check. This approach may or may not work in some cases depending on your landlord. Don't be surprised if your landlord ends up sending you to court.

Move out

Moving out should be the last resort but it's still worth considering. There are certain repairs that may endanger your health and even security if they are not done fast. Instead of putting yourself at risk and the landlord is taking ages to send someone over to do the repairs, you can consider moving out to a better apartment. There are lots of students' apartments that provide quality service. Before moving in, check with the other students to ensure you will not encounter the same problem. Find out if the repairs are done in a quick and effective manner in the new student rentals you are about to consider.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/

Tips for Living in Student Housing Communities

Copyright (c) 2015 Hayden Commons

Living in an off-campus community can be so much fun. It gives you an opportunity to embrace the whole college experience and still maintain your privacy. While it's not the same as staying in a residence hall in campus, you still have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and enjoy certain school activities. Here are some tips to enjoy living in a student housing community and take full advantage of its benefits.

Study the available options

You don't have to settle for the first housing community you come across without looking for other options. There are certainly communities that have a reputation for certain things so it's wise to check with the older students and get an idea of what people think about certain neighborhoods.

Consider the space when moving with items

You need to consider the things you are going to move with based on the space that is available. Even though most of these housing communities are designed to be spacious, some of them may be really small. Check out the space before you start moving items to avoid creating clutter in your new found home.

Know your surroundings

Get to know what's happening around you soon after you move in. If possible, visit the place and decide whether the environment is good enough for you. Is it close to school? How about any recreational facilities you'll need to access while in campus? A community that is very far from school and slightly isolated from many areas may not be a suitable place for you to live in if you are still new.

Know the rules

Rules are certainly everywhere whether you live in a residency hall or off campus. At the end of the day, these rules are meant to protect you and every other student while making sure everyone has a good stay. If you end up violating any of the rules, you might be evicted from the house. Confirm with the landlord about the policies and procedures that all students must follow.

Get a roommate

Getting a roommate is not only a nice way of cutting back on expenses but may also be great for company. But you'll need to find a good roommate if you expect everything to run smoothly. Work out how you are going to handle things like chores so that living together doesn't become a problem for any of you.

Be patient

It's very important to be patient especially when living with a roommate. If you have issues regarding their habits, talk to them in a calm manner and try to understand issues from their point of view. If things get way out of hand, you may want to consider looking for a different place to stay.

Most importantly, take all the necessary measures to stay safe while living off campus. Always keep your doors locked and don't give your keys to just anyone. Do not travel alone during night hours and check with the student housing community management for further security advice.


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Hayden Commons offers student housing for the FSU campus. We take pride in managing our property to ensure our residents have the opportunity to enjoy the great social and academic experience Florida State University offers. http://haydencommons.net/

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Renting Your First Student Apartment

Copyright (c) 2015 College Park Apartments

As a first time campus student, you still have a lot to learn. One of the most intriguing experiences you'll encounter while preparing for your stay in campus is renting an apartment. First, you'll have to do some serious apartment-hunting to find a nice place to settle down. Depending on your needs, finding a suitable student apartment can be easy or tough. It's nice to find a place near your school, one that you feel safe and can afford. Here are a couple of tips that will help you in your search.

Set a reasonable budget

Student apartments can be pretty cheap or very expensive depending on the neighborhood, size, proximity, amenities and many other factors. You need to start by setting your budget and know what you can afford. As soon as you set your budget, avoid viewing apartments that are beyond this price range unless you are looking to book the apartment with a roommate.

Look for a roommate

During the first semester or year, living with a roommate may be a very smart idea because it will help you to cut costs. But this presents another issue of finding the perfect roommates. You'll need to do some thorough screening. Being roommates with your close friends may not always work out if there's no mutual respect. Find people who are responsible and ready to handle the cost, chores and other issues when you live together.

Ask the right questions

Before you sign any document, make sure you know all the details about the student apartment you are about to book. For instance, find out if there is a possible rent increase so that you can plan ahead. Will you be paying an extra amount for things like electricity, heat and cable? Don't assume that these simple utilities are free just because the rent is high. Even though most highly priced student apartments include utilities, just make sure you confirm.

Be ready to make payments

In many competitive markets, student rentals move very quickly. That's why you need to have the money to pay for security deposit and the first and last month's rent when you are house hunting. You will be expected to make these payments in full so have them ready if you are serious about renting an apartment.

Work with a broker

It's going to be tough for you to find a suitable student apartment if you don't work with a broker. A broker will basically take you to view some of the apartments that are within your budget and specifications making it easy for you to secure a place within the shortest amount of time. If you are looking for an apartment when everyone else is going back to school then make sure you contact the broker early enough. Remember that they are likely to charge you a certain fee so include it when deciding on the budget.Don't just factor in the monthly rent because there are all these expenses which need to be catered for.


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College Park Apartments is a student based Community.Our complex is offered to Darton State College students.Each building has a parking lot for convenient parking for our residents.College Park Apartments offers a 10 month lease and a 12 month lease. http://collegeparkapartments.net/