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The benefits of being on a sports team
Many children are enrolled in sports at a young age in hopes of keeping them active. While this may be seen as the most common benefit of team sports, it is far from the only positive these activities provide. According to an article by the University of Missouri Health Care, “Fighting for a common goal with a group of players and coaches teaches you how to build teamwork and effectively communicate to solve problems.” Figuring out what is required to win and learning how to get around problems on the fly is a valuable skill that can be carried over into life outside of sports, such as work or personal…
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From club to career
Throughout elementary and high school, there are many clubs and extracurricular activities available for students to join. They range from sports to music and many others in between. These activities are available for students to have fun and meet new people, but they can have a greater impact than one may suspect. According to an article by Learning Cubs, “School clubs are beneficial for children of all ages. Whether they’re making new friends and burning off energy or they’re getting through some difficult maths homework, there is a place for every child in an after-school club.” In fact, clubs and after-school activities may play a huge role in future careers.…
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How to save for the future
As teenagers, we often overlooked the significance of money and rarely considered the need to save. Our parents may have given us money, or perhaps we worked our first job, and instead of saving what we earned, we spent it all. This may be because no one explained how important it was to save for the future. After high school graduation, many students are faced with the realization that they need a lot more money than they have. An article by Embark states, “Based on data from Statistics Canada, the average cost of a four-year university degree starting in 2022 is $96,004 for students in residence, or $48,074 for students…
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How to make it as a freelancer
What do you want to do when you grow up? Although a seemingly harmless question, it may be quite daunting as young adults contemplate their future goals. Even if one knows what their career path may be, this might not make the journey any less stressful, especially if one’s dream job is to be a freelancer. According to Indeed, freelance work is one of the most popular ways to make money in Canada, accounting for 15 per cent of the country’s workforce. However, an article from The Globe and Mail notes, “The number of self-employed workers has flatlined since 2021, and is down roughly seven per cent since the pandemic…
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Creating a positive environment
Maintaining positive mental and physical health plays a major role in living a happy and healthy life. However, while our physical environment plays an equally important role in this achievement, it is often a forgotten part of the conversation. Many factors in our personal environment directly impact our health and well-being. Creating the right environment can be an important part of changing lives positively. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify a positive or negative environment. A good way to start is by attempting to eliminate bad habits. A common bad habit found in children, teens and young adults is bad posture. An article by the National Institutes…
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Heat rising
Addressing the current global climate crisis According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth’s overall temperature has risen by 0.18 C each decade since 1981. That may not seem like a lot, but it takes a large amount of heat to affect Earth’s temperature. Global warming is often not given the attention it needs, despite the ongoing climate crisis. There are already noticeable signs that the planet is being heavily impacted by rising temperatures. The most significant being the melting polar ice caps. An article by the World Wildlife Fund says the planet is losing “Arctic sea ice at a rate of almost 13 per cent per decade.” Younger…
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Focusing on the positive
People often try to think positively but can sometimes fail to do so. An article written by SkillPath states, “The human brain has a natural tendency to give weight to (and remember) negative experiences or interactions more than positive ones – they stand out more. Psychologists refer to this as negativity bias.” Regardless of the kind of person someone is, people can tend to think negatively more often than not. If someone is regularly told how well they are doing, but something negative is brought up, they will likely focus on the negative. That’s why activities such as gratitude journals can help someone focus on the positive. Gratitude journals are…
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Fitness for all
150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous weekly exercise, is ideal, according to University Hospitals. Being physically fit improves physical health, prevents disease and makes everyday activities easier to practise. Despite its importance, many people don’t exercise. According to Statistics Canada, only 16 per cent of Canadian adults are achieving the recommended weekly exercise. One of the main reasons is money. Buying gym memberships or even at-home equipment can be expensive. Many are discouraged by the cost and may avoid exercise entirely. However, exercise doesn’t necessarily require a major financial investment. There are a variety of workouts and activities that can be done from home or…
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Studying to succeed
School has been difficult for students the past few years. Continuously switching between online and in-person classes and a lack of social interactions have impacted students’ focus on their studies. All these changes may have also affected the way students study or prepare for school-related assignments. This article provides a variety of tips to get back on track and advice from students and principals regarding the following strategies. Notes They might not be everyone’s favourite, but notes will always play a part in success. Colin Halsal, the vice-principal at Vimy Ridge Public School in Ottawa, said he believes notes are a must. “I need to be writing while I listen,”…
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Collaborating successfully
Throughout life, one is faced with a wide range of assignments. Some are done alone while others require a team. Working with others is something everyone has to do, whether it’s for school or work. But how can it be completed effectively? The answer is dependent on preference, since there are plenty of ways to collaborate. However, there are certain things everyone should strive to do or look for when working with others. For starters, things like getting a second opinion on work can be a collaboration. Having a second set of eyes can be very efficient, even if it’s just to spot spelling mistakes. Overall, having someone look at…
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Navigating depression and anxiety in youth
According to researchers at Youth Mental Health Canada, around 1.2 million youth in Canada suffer from mental illness. Only about 20 per cent receive appropriate treatment such as support from mental health services. Statistics Canada also reports that Canadians aged 15 to 24 have the highest rate of depression. Roughly a quarter of deaths in this age group are caused by suicide. Depression and anxiety are among the most common disorders that affect youth. In more severe cases, either can lead to consequences like isolation or death. In fact, most of those affected don’t receive proper help. Options like exercising frequently or talking to a therapist can be inaccessible and…
