Professional tone

Write in a way that portrays you as a respectable and intelligent professional. Strive for a tone that is confident, courteous and sincere. E-mail is used in all sorts of correspondence at work or play, but cute abbreviations such as “LOL” used with friends aren’t appropriate in the more formal business context. Understand who your audience is and what exactly you wish to achieve from your message before even beginning. Use plain English in short, declarative sentences, and be specific. Address the reader politely and don’t be overly familiar – sign off with “Best” or “Regards.”

Get to the point

Business documents are often read in a hurry and since time is money, be as concise and efficient as possible. Your focus should be clear from the first sentence and supported by the body of the text. Avoid passive voice. Statements like “Medical concepts were demonstrated during healthcare courses” are generally less effective than direct, active sentences like “Healthcare courses demonstrated medical concepts”. Making a brief outline before writing can prevent excessive content that distracts from your main point.

Write from the reader’s perspective

To achieve your objective, you need to persuade your reader to do what you want but in a way they can understand. You need to speak their language to make them see the benefits for doing what you want them to. For example, proper medical office assistant communication places emphasis on what the client wants to know with a positive focus that shows appreciation for their efforts. Most business communication is meant to accomplish a purpose so include a firm call to action, preferably something the reader can do right away.

Write once, edit twice

Proofread immediately after you write, and ideally again after some time has passed. Use the spell check but don’t rely on it to catch everything. Be careful with using the right “you’re” or “they’re”. Even if your manager in business training uses slang, jargon and clichés, strive to avoid them in print. If it is an important document, try getting a friend or coworker to give it a reread. Good communication makes everything easier!

Own your social capital

“Social capital” broadly refers to the intangible resources accumulated through relationships with others, goodwill generated from sharing information that can fulfill personal goals. Social networks provide the bridge that makes building social capital far easier than in the past. Developing and maintaining relationships on social networking sites can serve to supplement and enhance existing face-to-face interactions. It is integral to any business training as it encourages increased collaboration without requiring constant physical meetings.

The line between personal space and work is blurred in the social media world, so it’s advisable to communicate in your authentic voice and promote only what you would personally endorse in the “real world.” Be sure to update your privacy settings on any site you use and think twice before posting content in public spaces. Unless you are using an alias for your online avatar, something that seemed like a good idea on a silly whim years before could reappear at the most inconvenient time.

Control your social media image

Before Facebook was used by everyone and their grandmother, it was exclusively a communication tool for college students. It’s not just about pictures of your lunch or funny cat videos – it can be used to share genuinely informative articles or insights that relate to your education. Instant messaging can be a time waster or it can give you the last minute help you need to complete assignments. It takes extra discipline to stay on task and it’s probably best to use Facebook as a reward for after you have finished your work. Remember that everyone from recruiters to border guards have been known to perform background checks by viewing your profile and there are many cases where thoughtless posts have cost students big time.

Professional resources

Career-focused graduates have found LinkedIn beneficial to expand their professional network.Students can do advanced searches using their program and college as keywords to identify people who may help in finding internship or job opportunities. Some students have used YouTube to upload virtual CVs conveying professional personas. There are many online discussion groups in subjects like healthcare training that can deepen understanding and develop contacts. You can create online study groups using conference call tools to interact instantly at specified times. The web is an immense global network that, used correctly, can greatly complement and enhance your education. It’s all about how you use it!

For a Limited Time Only, we’ll be offering a promotional Afternoon/Evening course that covers an introduction to Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Windows XP. This course is completely free and can be done on hours that meet your schedule. All you have to do is call the campus number to book an in class assessment to find out what options can best suit your needs.

In addition to the after hours computer course, our school also offers over 30+ Full Diplomas and Individual Certificates, with morning, evening, and weekend hours available. So call or e-mail us with the contact info above, or drop by the campus to take advantage of this amazing offer, we hope to see you soon.

Academy of Learning Career and Business College

I would like to thank you for helping me improve my studying techniques throughout my course. It was a beautiful experience, and I enjoyed my time here. It would be my pleasure recommending your school to all of my friends and family.

I am truly grateful for the assistance provided by your wonderful and experienced facilitators, Mrs. Jessica Mejia and Mr. Carlo Melarango, who guided and assisted me throughout this new journey.

Thank you for your support and commitment during this time, and for improving the quality of my new life.

Respectfully yours,

Ms. Mina Tahmasebi

Forming a group

Before you join or form a study group, be aware of what you hope to achieve from the experience. It is important that each member shares similar expectations and can commit to contributing to the group’s collective goals. Don’t just stick to your friends – team up with motivated students who may each bring different strengths to the table. For example, other students in your accounting courses may have interesting perspectives based on previous job experience. Effective study groups tend to have three or four members, enough to carry on if somebody can’t make it but an optimal size for participation and discussion. Choose a regular time and place that works for everyoneand try to stick to it.

Preparing for sessions

Decide in advance what concepts should be studied for each session and ensure that everyone comes prepared. A meeting agenda can help to stay on topic and set a limit of two or three hours at a time. Choose a group leader or facilitator, perhaps rotating duties each week, to keep discussion on schedule and send out reminder emails with meeting details and relevant information. Establish ground rules at the first meeting to clarify expectations. Slackers showing up unprepared will impact the overall group effectiveness and should be avoided.

Session structure

Each member should walk into a study session with specific goals to be accomplished and help each other to stay on track. Study groups should be used to review material, test understanding and discuss difficult concepts. It’s natural to want to focus on homework problems, but the best groups dig deeper to understand the underlying concepts while sharing learning perspectives. In healthcare courses, this may mean communicating openly to view all aspects of patient care. Exchange study tips and divide course material to develop study questions, ensuring everyone understands the material before moving on.

Listen thoughtfully to each member’s prepared insights, building on accumulated knowledge for a greater comprehension. Use the opportunity to bounce ideas and experiences off your peers, even collaborating on potential entrepreneurial projects beyond business school. The last ten minutes can be used to summarize the session and plan tasks or responsibilities to address for the next one. Make it fun and interactive but remember that you are there to study!

Planning your Study

To study most effectively, you should first figure out how much time and effort you will need to cover the relevant material. Compare the quantity and difficulty of material to your time available and plan accordingly. For example, if you have a tight schedule and know you have only a limited number of hours to study for one of your graphic design courses, research suggests that spacing study into shorter blocks is preferable to one marathon session. Look at the big picture of main concepts that will be covered, then develop a study guide, writing out important ideas and references on a page that can be reviewed often. The process of making the guide will help the material sink in.

Before the Exam

Treat yourself well and your mind will prosper. Get a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast before test time to give yourself the energy and focus to succeed. Even if you’re playing catch-up the night before, get at least three hours of sleep and set a back-up alarm to ensure you arrive early. Prepare beforehand the materials you need so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. A little stress can be a good motivator but panicking can sabotage your efforts.

Taking the Test

Find a good position to sit for your test – be relaxed but alert. When you first get the exam, skim through the whole thing to begin budgeting your allotted time. Write down straight away any tricky rules or keywords you’ve been struggling to memorize, such as formulas from your accounting courses, so you can reference them later. Consider how much each question is worth and pace yourself to finish ten minutes before the end to allow some time to check for mistakes and skipped questions.

Read directions carefully and be strategic in answering questions – start with the easiest ones to build confidence then go for the ones with the most point value. Skip questions you don’t know and go back to them later but to save time, generally try to answer questions in order. Be as clear and concise as possible in your answers to make it easier for markers.

If you have extra time be sure to quickly review your answers to correct careless errors and add anything you missed. Although first answers are often correct, don’t be afraid to change your original answer if, for example, another question helps you remember some information from your healthcare training. Throughout the entire process, a positive attitude will keep you motivated and calm, with the right mindset to ace your tests!

Be organized!

Be properly prepared for each class. Start by completing the suggested readings and familiarizing yourself with the material so you don’t waste time copying items already in your study material and are aware of areas that may require further clarification. You will then be able to better understand the instructor, focusing on the key concepts.

Develop a note-taking method that works best for you. Using a three-ring binder will allow you to rearrange notes and papers, removing relevant notes for specific review, or inserting out-of-class notes in the right order. Keep notes for one class separate from other classes, perhaps using a different binder for each of your courses. You may want to start each lecture on a new page, underlining the date and subtitling subjects for easy sequential organization. Leave some blank space for later clarifications and additions.

Be alert!

Make a conscious effort to concentrate. Listen carefully, particularly towards the end when key content may be crammed in or main points summarized. Try to organize ideas into your own words, thinking a moment to decide what is most important. Take notes consistently, but selectively, throughout the lecture.

Summarize information in shorter forms, keeping pace with the instructor so you don’t miss important ideas. Some programs, such as accounting courses, are filled with very long technical terms that can be shortened – for instance “A/R” for Accounts Receivable. So make sure you abbreviate whenever possible with whatever symbols are understandable to you. If the material is really coming too quickly, you may want use an audio recorder to listen again to parts you missed. This tool will be part of everyday life as a medical office assistant, so it can be a great skill to learn right away. Just make sure your transcription is legible enough and you will be able to understand it later.

Review and compare

Review your notes the very same day. Research indicates that 80% of new material can be recalled if you review your notes within 24 hours. So try to review your notes the very same day you have taken them, and then again, later that week. Highlight passages that are most important and note down thoughts or connections to other parts of a course. This will save you a lot of time during exam times.

Compare your notes to fellow students. Some healthcare courses require that you take notes while paying attention to what the instructor is showing. This can be challenging. If you miss something just leave a dash and space to fill it in later through reading, questioning or asking classmates. Comparing notes will help you ask yourself new questions, fill in gaps, and revise for clarity. Making your notes as comprehensive as possible early on will give you a valuable study resource so you can ace your exams!

Plan Ahead

Before you even begin, make sure you have access to all the tools you will need. Obtain all the necessary workbooks and resources before the course begins and don’t hesitate to start familiarizing yourself with the material. At home, create an ideal study space with a minimum of distractions so you can really focus when reviewing your class material.

Manage your time

A study calendar is a great way to give yourself structure, filled with course deadlines, family and social obligations, and more. First, determine what time of day you think you’ll be most focused on your studies, then stay committed to that reserved time. Allow some flexibility so you’re not overwhelmed but designating specific times for class participation, readings and assignments will allow you to successfully integrate your studies with other responsibilities. Your class syllabus is the road map to keep you on track so keep it close and look ahead to plan for big assignments that will require more time.

Leverage resources

Make the most of your college’s integrated learning resources. Understand which learning style works best for you, utilizing workbooks, online media and tutoring services to maximize your potential. Students tend to be hesitant to ask for help but remember the instructors and facilitators are there for you. Ask questions! Initiative and assertiveness are necessary qualities to stay on top of your studies – go deeper into the subject matter to make it more understandable. Clarify course material in the virtual classroom and find a “study buddy” to work with before tests. Take good notes and apply new concepts to what you already know.

Motivation

Balancing studies with work and family obligations can be challenging but when focusing on school work, try shutting out all other distractions. For example, try setting aside 30 minutes or an hour dedicated to reading for your graphic design courses before taking a break. The discipline, commitment and organization skills you develop now will serve you well throughout your career. Think of what you have already invested in this education and envision the opportunities that this education will open up for you and your family. You can promise yourself a big gift once you finish!

Prepare before each lesson

Woody Allen famously noted “eighty percent of success is showing up.” Punctual attendance is not only a sign of respect for your instructor but of obvious benefit for your education. Information presented in the lesson usually contains the central concepts of the course with emphasis on the material most likely to be tested. Prepare beforehand by completing assigned readings, briefly reviewing material that has been covered and the subject to come. Organize your previous notes and anticipate specific material that may require clarification. A thorough preparation can be especially useful during your IT training, as it will allow you to recognize key diagrams that don’t need to be duplicated so you can listen more intently.

Team up with your instructor

Remember that instructors want what you want – for you to learn the material and earn a good grade. Your success reflects well on their efforts, encouraging their pride and enthusiasm. Work together for mutual success by participating during class and consulting with them afterwards. For instance, developing a working relationship with your business school instructors not only improves results in your course but may also open doors for future internships and job recommendations.

Listen Actively

Don’t simply copy down everything your instructor says. Active listening means having a dialogue with your instructor in your notes, focusing so well that you could repeat the ideas expressed in your own words. Think about what is being said to identify the content most important to remember, paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal clues to learn it right the first time. If you are enrolled in healthcare courses, this is especially important as you are building essential listening skills for a career in healthcare.

Ask questions

Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification – other students are probably feeling the same way. If you do not fully understand the lesson, do not hesitate to repeat it before moving on to the next one. Remember, each lesson contains a clearly defined objective and tests the understanding of the content. Make good use of the facilitators – they are available at all times for any questions.

Take notes

Take understandable notes and review them often. Ask the questions now that will make your notes more meaningful later on. Copy your notes over while the material is still fresh in your mind. This will help you organize them. The more you learn now, the better you will be able to effectively retain valuable information and succeed in your studies!

Follow your heart

Being an entrepreneur means devoting significant time and resources to making your idea work, and this becomes a lot easier if you’re doing something you love. Align your business with your own interests. Don’t be afraid to try something so new it shakes up an existing market but whatever it is, have a clear vision of how your product or service will make a difference in someone else’s life.

Make the most of training

You may have knowledge in a particular field, but don’t be afraid to brush up on accounting training or organizational skills by enrolling in business school. Attend entrepreneur seminars, participate in workshops and read through all the resources you can find. Try working or volunteering with a start-up company to understand the trials that other small businesses face. Being a student means there are abundant learning opportunities all around you so get involved in organizations and take a leadership role. Organizing projects can give you the experience of becoming a business owner and provide no shortage of challenges and new ideas.

Know your resources

As you are likely the first investor in your company, have a clear idea of your personal finances and never invest more money than you are willing to lose. Many of the most successful entrepreneurs have failed a few times before getting it right and have learned from their mistakes. Have patience, listen to constructive feedback and adapt proactively to change.

Reaching out

Many strong partnerships are formed in school so be open to collaborating with class colleagues and consulting with professors. Get your name and idea out there and you may find discover new partners, investors, ideas and other unexpected connections. Provide services to the community to gain credibility and experience and share samples or demonstrations to market yourself. Social media is an effective and inexpensive way to secure your brand and develop your online reputation. Taking some web design courses will help you understand how to showcase your brand through digital design. Crowdfunding is an increasingly popular source of start-up capital and an immediate customer base.

Balance your workload

Starting your own business while going to school requires excellent time management. Stay on top of class assignments with a calendar and don’t get ahead of yourself in rushing into the exciting entrepreneur’s life. By starting with a solid business plan and thinking about unglamorous items like taxes and insurance you will be setting yourself up for long-term success.

Author Thomas Frey, appearing in the CBC documentary “Generation Jobless,” outlined how the job market has and will continue to change. He cautioned that, in order to prepare for the future, workers will have to be constantly upgrading their skills to stay on top of the needs of our new economy.  In essence, post-secondary schools must recognize the demands of the current job market in order to provide necessary training to ensure students develop the skills that today’s businesses need.

A recent article in the “Brantford Expositor” forecasted the future of post-secondary education in Canada.  Author Rob Rombouts wrote, “The definition of post-secondary education also will have to change to include private career colleges, large publicly funded schools and learning outside of the walls of the school. Even skills or lessons taught through work experience or in online courses could be part of the education system.”

Leading the evolution, Academy of Learning College was the first Private Career College to deliver online virtual classrooms across Canada, to-date specializing in the ever-increasing healthcare sector, with Medical Office Administration and Health Unit Coordinator diploma programs.  AOLC expanded with ministry approval in several provinces this year to additionally deliver Community Service and Addictions Worker Programs.  Furthermore, many of their programs include a work placement, which provides the very opportunity for onsite experience with an employer which Rombouts hypes.

Mirroring Rombout’s sentiment, the Ontario Association of Career Colleges (OACC) issued a press release last year highlighting the cost-effective contribution career colleges make to the delivery of post-secondary education and the development of the province’s labour force.

“Academy of Learning College has been a Private Career College for over twenty-five years.   With programs in business training, healthcare training, and information technology, we are honoured to be a part of the Career College Sector which increases student choice, meets employer needs, and delivers economic growth through tax savings and new tax revenue,” said Heidi Collins, Director of Marketing and Sales.

The complete “Brantford Expositor” article can be read at http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2013/03/27/face-of-post-secondary-education-is-changing.

Building connections is as important as the work you do. This requires developing and expanding a circle of contacts who recognize the skills you can bring to the table, and who can help you find a job or steer you in that direction. Prospective employers value referrals because it can be difficult to choose the best candidate from a pile of applications and portfolios. Communication skills aren’t just important for business school – even if meeting people doesn’t come naturally for you, it is a skill that can be learned. These tips will help.

Break the ice

A good way to help you introduce yourself to prospective connections is by crafting an “elevator pitch,” which is a short introduction of who you are and what you’re all about. Can you sum up your skills and aspirations into one sentence? If you can’t, then you need to work on that. Once you can, you’ll be able to give people an idea of who you are quickly and spark their interest in a moment’s time.

Although you are seeking advice and opportunity, the key to networking is being genuine and honest. Meaningful interactions will take you farther in the long-run than purely instrumental ones will. Strengthen your business connections with people by touching on common interests, and don’t be afraid to mention interesting things that you’ve done or unique skills that make you more captivating. Also, ask questions! Show people that you are interested in what they have to say. Be curious and confident in demonstrating your motivation. A positive attitude makes all the difference!

Define your network

You may be surprised how wide your network is already. Your immediate network includes family members, teachers, friends and acquaintances, all of whom will want to help you if they can. Starting in your comfort zone builds skills and confidence. Practice your elevator speech, asking for career stories and advice, then tactfully request names of other people they know who may have more information. Your network will grow as you meet more people and develop a personal rapport with each person.

Expand your network

Be open-minded regarding where you can meet people and who you would like to add into your overall network. Business events and career fairs will definitely put you into contact with people that share the same career goals as you. But it doesn’t end there. Anyone you meet can be a potential career connection. Casual conversations at the gym, at school, or even just around the neighbourhood can turn into valuable relationships. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and by sharing your time and experience you can forge deeper connections while interacting with people how hold various interests and values.

Remember that asking for advice isn’t a sign of weakness. If anything, it shows that you acknowledge that a person has the insight to steer you in a positive direction. Listen and respond with honest interest to new contacts, perhaps giving a business card, and follow up soon after with a gracious email or phone call.

Network building is a life-long process. The key is developing meaningful relationships with people you respect and admire. Communicating with these people, whether constantly or just a few times a year, is what will encourage you to aspire for continuous career growth.

The following guidelines will help you boost the quality of your student work while also leaving enough energy for the non-school related things in your life.

1. Write things down

It is easy to get bogged down trying to remember the long list of things that need to get done, even if they’re simply chores, like laundry, groceries or buying a book for one of your healthcare courses. The very act of writing down tasks, ideas, and commitments helps reduce the clutter in your brain, letting you operate more efficiently in the same way that closing unnecessary programs on your computer frees up precious RAM.

2. Conduct a personal audit

The word “audit” may make you think of accounting training, but in this case, it refers to taking a good look at how you are currently spending your time. It isn’t always easy to realize how you spend your time throughout the day, but mapping your schedule out will help you pinpoint how much you need to do and how much time you should be spend doing them. Make use of that yearly agenda you have stuffed away in your desk, or download an app or online time tracker to set up your weekly schedule and analyze where how you spend your time.

3. Create an action plan

So, now that you have your agenda ready or app uploaded, how exactly do you start planning? Try to set aside time for the most important things first and then plan everything else around them. Block off your class times as re-occurring events in your calendar, and schedule time for reading and homework. Try working backwards from the due dates of big projects and exams, giving yourself reasonable timelines to complete everything. Don’t forget to include time for family, exercise, social events, and other important aspects that keep you energized and happy.

4. Review and adjust your goals

We need to be intentional about how we allocate our resources or else there’s a natural tendency to follow the path of least resistance. Are you able to stick to your schedule? Identify time wasters that you can improve on and see how your short-term objectives correspond to your life goals. At first, it may seem like you’re putting in more work to apply this sort of planning to your studies, but soon you will find your actions more aligned with the person you want to be, and success is bound to follow!

Win a FREE Surface with Windows ^RT when you register for a Business Administration Diploma.

The Business Administration Diploma program prepares students to obtain support or management trainee positions within business fields such as marketing, accounting, finance, production and operations, and human resources. Students are exposed to an array of business knowledge, management and administration skills, and practical tools that will assist them in dealing with situations in a business-related career.

From March 1 – May 31, 2013, students who enrol in a Business Administration Diploma are entered into a draw to WIN a FREE Surface with Windows ^RT.

For more information, visit your local Academy of Learning College Campus to speak with an Admissions Representative on how you can Spring into Business today!

Contest Rules:

• One Canadian winner will be drawn. Picture and prize (accessories not included) may not be identical.
• Start Date must precede June 14th, 2013.
• Winning student agrees to submit a suitable professional-looking digital photo (head shot) for marketing-related purposes.
• Prize will be presented to the winner 8 weeks after Start Date to ensure a sincere commitment to an education at Academy of Learning College.
• Surface tablet will not be issued if the student withdraws (or is dismissed from the Campus) prior to tablet being issued. 

Training for today’s Business Needs!

WWW.ACADEMYOFLEARNING.COM

Contact Us for Details about the Spring into Business Promotion!

The winning jingle will be heard on our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel!

Here’s how to enter:

1)  Write a 30-second jingle about Academy of Learning College.

2)  Post a link to your audio (and/or video) clip on our Facebook page.

3)  We’ll choose the winning jingle that best represents Academy of Learning College! The number of “Likes” received on Facebook will be taken into consideration. We’ll keep accepting entries until we’ve found our winner. The winning jingle will be awarded $1000!

For more information, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/academyoflearning!

The contest will close when we have a winner.

Harness your brain power

Before even sitting down to study, give your memory a head start by being fully rested.

Treating your body well with a healthy diet and plenty of physical exercise will increase the oxygen flow to your brain and reduce the risk of disorders that can lead to memory loss down the road. Studying in relatively short bursts between breaks for fresh air and switching up your study routine in terms of setting and time of day will also help your long-term recall.

Structure and organize what you learn 

Relating new information to what you already know helps build the connections that aid memory retention. The brain organizes knowledge in related clusters, so for instance, it’s easier to memorize your shopping list if you group items according to what section of the store they are in. Try making an outline of your accounting training notes that group similar concepts and terms together and you’ll notice you’ll have a much easier time thinking of all the terms and concepts right on the spot.

Visualize concepts with mnemonic devices

A mnemonic is something that helps us remember something. For example, associating things you need to know with a little song or rhyme will often help recalling them later. In terms of your course work, create a few mnemonics to help you remember ideas that relate specifically to your discipline. For example, students in business training who need to remember the five qualities that make up a good action plan can jog their memory by linking a quality to each letter in the word SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

Repetition, repetition, repetition

Especially for more challenging concepts, try reading aloud and then repeating the concepts with your eyes closed. You might feel silly doing it, but it really does help your brain retain the information.

You can also teach or explain new concepts that you’re learning to a friend or study partner to deepen your own understanding and recall.

Avoid cramming

While this advice might come a little late if you haven’t yet cracked a book for tomorrow’s exam in one of your graphic design courses, spacing your study time over several sessions is more effective than cramming all your studying into one very intense session. Long study jams reduce concentration and promote fatigue, with new learning often confusing memories of previously learned concepts. Don’t forget to remember!

With rapid technological advances in the competitive job market, the trend towards continuing education is constantly on the rise. Industry professionals recognize the advantages of taking college courses in order to enhance their skills and make them a more valuable asset to the organization they are working with. Adult enrollment is expected to grow 20% by 2016, and this includes both adults who do and don’t have any previous post-secondary education.

From customer service programs to home inspection programs, college training is offered through full-time, part-time, and online learning options in order to accommodate diverse backgrounds. If you are considering going back to school, here are a few tips to help you hit the ground running:

Define your goals: The golden ticket to a smooth student experience is always being aware of your ultimate goal. The investment of time and money amidst can get sometime become stressful, but keeping in mind the diploma or certificate that you will earn and the additional qualifications you are going to gain make all the hard work all the more rewarding.

Surround yourself with support: Keep your family and friends in the loop! Having a reliable support system is the core of any endeavour. Be sure to discuss what you’re learning in your college courses and share your experience with those closest to you.

Stay organized: Managing time effectively while balancing other work and family life is one of the most challenging aspects for adult learners. Make a schedule of what needs to be done when and stick to it!

Apply your experience to your education: Adult learners have the advantage of work experience in the real world to complement what they learn in the classroom. Apply your accounting training to real life scenarios and share your knowledge with your classmates. They will appreciate your particular expertise and can assist you in other ways – help each other out!

Whether you’re in accounting training or starting a home inspection programs, most of you deal with the same sorts of issues. Being a student can be stressful, especially when you’re juggling multiple responsibilities or when exam season rolls around. Luckily, there are ways to help you maintain full control over your academic responsibilities no matter what else you have on your plate. Let’s have a look:

Be on time all the time: Arriving to class on time is absolutely necessary. For one, you have to make sure you don’t miss any lectures or discussions. But beyond that, punctuality really represents how serious you are about doing well. Showing up to class late is like saying that performing well in school is not a top priority for you. If class means something to you, and you want to do well, keep the right attitude in mind and show up on time.

Whether you’re taking a few healthcare courses or have signed up for web design courses, being punctual will also serve to be very beneficial in your future career. This type of quality is not overlooked by employers, and shows that you are serious about your job.

Be the master of asking questions: Asking questions is a sign of curiosity and the desire to learn. If you don’t know something, or are simply just completely lost in the course material, then ask! This is important not only because it’s how you will find an answer, but it also shows that you are willing to reach out to the people around you for the sake of moving forward, And that’s exactly where questions will take you: forward.

A lot of people don’t ask questions because they are embarrassed or too shy, but you have to think of it as a golden ticket to the land of knowledge. If you’re shy, start slowly by seeing your instructor after class or during office hours. Eventually, you will feel more comfortable and will be able to ask the questions during class time.

Don’t forget to lean:  Life can get pretty hectic, and every now and then all the work and deadlines can get a bit overwhelming. One way to help you get through the tough times is by leaning on your friends, family, or anyone you feel provides you with the emotional support you need. Something as simple as going out for a movie with a buddy or taking a stroll with someone can help you clear your head. Friends and family can be the perfect escape from your stressful schedule.

The fact that we are immersed in a digital world makes it all the more important to make sure we are taking care of our health while we’re getting all of our work done. One way to do this is by practicing ergonomic habits. Ergonomics is the science of proper posture and positioning in relation to your environment.

The diagram above maps out the proper seating position when working at a computer desk. If you notice that you’re in pain or are feeling aches in your back, shoulder or neck, try to apply this posture and check out these three essential tips. Before you know it you’ll feel more comfortable while working long stretches on the computer.

1. Right angles:

A major cause of eye strain, neck ache or back pain is sitting and moving at bad angles. An easy trick is to just remember one key principle: Stay at 90 degree angle. Your elbows and knees should be bent at a 90 degree angle, and your chin should be parallel to the floor. You shouldn’t have to lean forward or squint to feel comfortable.

Bonus tip: Do you wear bifocals? You may be having trouble seeing the screen through the right half of your glasses. Optometrists now make flipped bifocals for people who spend a lot of time on the computer.

2. Good keyboard skills:

Arm placement relative to your keyboard can help prevent long term wrist problems. Your wrists should be straight, not bent and your arms should not be tightly folded. Still a problem? You might want to try getting a wrist pad to go in front of your keyboard that’ll help you support your wrists and keep your arms at the right angle.

3. A comfortable chair:

It’s surprising how many us actually don’t know how to sit properly. This can cause back problems, which leads to a lot of other related aches. To simplify what proper seating posture looks like, your legs should not be curled up, and your back should be flat with the back of the chair. Ideally you should have some sort of support in the small of your back (the “lumbar region” for you anatomy experts earning your healthcare diploma) as indicated in the diagram. Don’t underestimate the chair. It’s the holy grail of proper computer posture.

In his Ontario PC Caucus White Paper, released February 2013, the Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in Ontario, stated that Career Colleges are among our provinces most efficient paths to employment.

The document, entitled “Paths to Prosperity,” discusses long-overdue and necessary changes in the education sector. Mr. Hudak applauds Career Colleges, saying that they offer what traditional college and university systems cannot; they provide the kind of intensive training required by today’s employers in our adapting economy; they aid in the development of our Canadian labour force. Mr. Hudak praised, “Career Colleges are perfectly positioned to help Ontarians adapt to these changes as quickly as possible.”

Mr. Hudak’s White Paper recognizes that Career Colleges in Ontario alone train over 60,000 students each year. His document calls for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MCTU) to “treat those institutions with a long track record of success with the respect they deserve… These Career Colleges do not require funding to build classrooms… From the perspective of a cash-strapped government, this should be considered indispensable to the province.”

According to the economic impact study conducted by OACC, “The Career College sector in Ontario currently offers more than 5,000 programs at over 600 campuses in 70 communities. It employs 12,000 staff, and annually produces approximately 50,000 skilled graduates at a minimal cost to taxpayers, due to the fact that Career Colleges receive no direct operating funds from the government. By choosing to study at Career Colleges, those 50,000 graduates save taxpayers more than $1 billion per annum. At the same time, the Career College sector generates more than $94 million in business and payroll taxes.”

The White Paper summarizes its view on the Career College Sector in “Path 13,” by saying that Career Colleges “…with strong, proven track records, should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience on a regular basis so that they can be freer to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.”

When asked for her reaction to Mr. Hudak’s press conference, Heidi Collins, Director of Marketing and Sales, said, “Academy of Learning College is honoured to be part of the Career College Sector which increases student choice, meets employer needs, and delivers trained workers for a new economy. We are thrilled that someone of Mr. Hudak’s stature has finally spoken up for our sector’s efforts.”

The complete White Paper can be read at http://ontariopc.uberflip.com/i/108917.

Quick Tips for Search Engines

1. Search for Exact Quotes:  By placing the word you type in quotation marks “like this” your search engine will bring up only pages that use that exact phrase. This is good if you’re getting a lot of results that are off topic. Try ir for yourself: First search for medical office assistant jobs and then search for the same words in quotations marks. Notice a difference? The first few hits will be the same, but as you read the results you`ll notice that there are new hits on the first page of results.

2. Search a Specific Website: Many web pages put a search engine right into their site, but if they didn’t, you can limit your web search to a particular web page by adding the word “site” to the web address where you want to look. For example, typing in “graphic design course site: http://www.academyoflearning.com “ will cause the search engine to bring up results that direct to the Academy of Learning website. This will help you limit your search to the specific website you want to find information on.

3. Use Special Search Engines: Google, Yahoo! and Bing are the big names in the search engine business. However, there are actually many more specialized search engines for finding certain sorts of data. Do you have a research project? Try Wolfram Alpha for facts and figures, while scholarly articles can be found through Google Scholar or JSTOR.

Most of the search engines also include instructions on how to get the best use out of them and offer all sorts of customized features. So go ahead and start searching! You’ll notice that researching for school will become a lot easier!

Here are four tips on how to make the most of your internship:

1) Take it seriously. Not only are you representing yourself to your future employers (a high number of internships and practicums turn into a first job!) but you’re also representing your school. Dress like you mean it and be prepared to act professional, including all the important things like punctuality.

2) Network and follow up. Get to know who works in your office. Get their contact info and follow up with people who mentor you. A thank you email will take you only a few minutes and can pay big dividends when it comes time to look for references for your first job search.

3) Don’t fear menial work. As an intern you’re here to learn, but sometimes you may feel like you aren’t getting to put all the cool stuff you learned in your accounting courses to work. If the boss is sending you to get coffee, don’t see it as beneath you. Instead, see it as a chance to make sure the boss knows you can be reliable. More responsibility will follow.

4) Ask questions. Fair internships know that you come at a lower salary because your main purpose for being here is to suck up as much knowledge as you can like a sponge. If it’s been a couple of months of stapling and coffee making and you’re still not using your office administration college education it’s time to ask to promote yourself to something that’s more of a challenge. Sometimes showing initiative is precisely what office managers and directors look for promoting interns.

Al-Khabaz, a twenty-year-old computer science CEGEP student in Montreal, discovered a serious security flaw in Dawson’s student web software, Omnivox. The flaw in question was an unprotected pathway for even basic users to gain access to private student information, including SIN numbers, transcripts and home addresses.

Eager to do the right thing, Al-Khabaz brought it to the attention of Skytech, the company that makes Omnivox. A couple of days after explaining the issue to Skytech, Al-Khabaz took it upon himself to check to see if the problem was cleared up by running a few tests. Skytech immediately noticed Al-Khabaz’s activity and accused him of trying to perform a cyber-attack.

Skytech threatened Al-Khabaz with notions of criminal punishment, which ultimately convinced the student to sign a non-disclosure agreement with the company. Al-Khabaz then attended a closed internal discipline hearing, involving a vote from computer science instructors, which led him being expelled from Dawson College. The entire ordeal prevented Al-Khabaz from completing his courses, which has left him with a transcript full of failing grades, not to mention having to pay back thousands of dollars in student funding and facing the emotional difficulty cause by the entire situation.

The reason why this case received so much attention is because it still isn’t clear what is and isn’t okay when it comes to accessing computer networks, and what sort of reaction is appropriate. Cyber law is still in development, and convictions for even low stakes crimes like unauthorized access can carry harsh penalties.

“I felt I had a moral duty to bring it to the attention of the college and help to fix it, which I did,” said Al-Khabaz. “I could have easily hidden my identity behind a proxy. I chose not to because I didn’t think I was doing anything wrong.”

Skytech has since clarified their position. They never wished for Al-Khabaz to be expelled and have since offered him employment and a scholarship at another institution, presumably another IT school to continue his training.

From Dawson’s perspective, the secondary unauthorized access attempts were the difference between notifying someone their door was unlocked and trying to break into their house to test their risk for burglary. However, Dawson student associations feel differently, considering Al-Khabaz a hero and petitioning for his reinstatement.

Regardless, if you’re in IT technician training or taking a few web design courses, it’s important to consider cases like Al-Khabaz’s as we all think about the ethical components that are developing in the digital world.

1)      Establish schedules.

A set way of handling things, from ordering supplies to processing paperwork, means that when mistakes happen it’ll be much easier to back track, which in turn help you save and manage time. Schedules and set calendars are also a key indicator as to where to find information, because everyone in the office will be able to tell when something was done and by who.

2)      Handle records correctly.

As anyone with accounting training will tell you, legal obligations require you to keep track of tax paperwork from previous years. The same goes for an office. You may need to keep track of licencing, permits and even old invoices for the office supplies. A sensible filing system is a blessing, and it will help you maintain an efficient and dependable work flow.

3)      Make sure everyone understands their job.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but any office with multiple employees is going to have a team of people who work on specific projects and tasks. Aside from everyone knowing what they have on their plate, it is also crucial for office administrators to know who is assigned what in order to know who has free time to take on something new or to delegate.

4)      Proofread everything.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a small note in the office coffee room, or the content in a new brochure; take the time to ensure everything is as it should be. Taking the necessary time to check (and re-check!) every word that you submit is what will allow you to grow as a reliable professional.

As you can tell, Office Administration college is preparing you for some serious management responsibilities. Keep these tips in mind and start practicing! By prioritizing good habits, career success will follow.

Administrative tasks can be one of the hardest parts of having a business. The paperwork can be very overwhelming if you’ve never done it before, or even if you have done it, paperwork can be daunting and subject to error after putting in long days at work.

A good way to learn administrative skills and strategies is by enrolling in a few courses at a business school. If you’re going to run your own business and actually turn a profit, you’ll need to understand small business law and even spend some time getting accounting training. Administrative and logistical knowledge like this will help you in almost every stage of the business process, whether you’re just paying yourself out of your earnings, or are managing employees and their payroll.

You will also want to promote your business. It`s one thing to create and establish an incredible business idea, but what good is it if no one knows about it? You’d be giving yourself a one-up by taking a course or two in sales, marketing and customer service programs.  Understanding the concepts that exist within these business sectors will help you bring in new clients while having the old ones come back again and again.

The other nice thing about investing in yourself is that courses can be a tax deductible business expense. Much like how your work space and tools have a different tax status than regular purchases, a need to help small businesses thrive means that if you are your own boss your education is seen as just another part of running a company.

Please come and check out the new location!

For a lot of people, a fresh start means a new career. Whether you just finished high-school or have been working for decades, establishing a new career can be a difficult step. But the hard part is not in the work or the studying: The hardest part of the entire process is narrowing down your choices. You know what you like, but how exactly do you turn that into a career? The first step if to look at your options.

We’ve put together a short list of career options based on certain domains and interests. Whether you’re a desk-job kind of person or if you’re someone who prefers to work from home, there is a career path that is just right for you. Let’s take a look:

THE BUSINESS LEAN

The beauty about a business career is that it can sprout out into almost any industry. If you love fashion but are not much of a designer, why not pursue a Marketing or Administration position in a fashion company? Or, if you like working directly in the community, why not become an Event Planner for a local organization? The options are endless. The idea is to take your strengths and talents and place them in a work environment that motivates and inspires you.

Here is just a short list of the types of roles you can pursue in your industry of choice:

• Business Management
• Conference and Event Planner
• Human Resources Administration
• Marketing Coordinator
• Project Administration
• Sales Associate

Browse our Business programs for more ideas on the types of Business careers out there.

DEDICATION TO HEALTHCARE

Dedicating your life’s work to helping others is one of the most admirable ambitions. From doctors to hospital room housekeepers, every healthcare professional plays a vital role in ensuring our medical system run smoothly and effectively.

Many think that becoming a doctor or nurse is the only option they have if they want to work in the healthcare industry, but this just isn’t true. There are countless different healthcare career options out there for anyone who has that passion to spend every day with the goal to help people live healthier lives.

Here is just a small list of our Healthcare Diploma programs that lead to possible career choices.

• Dental Administrative Assistant
• Health Unit Coordinator
• Medical Receptionist
• Personal Support Worker
• Pharmacy Technician

THE COMPUTER WHIZ

Computers are a part of our everyday lives, but for most of us, our knowledge doesn’t go past the basics: scrolling, blogging, emailing, even making videos have all become standard knowledge for the average person.

But what about all of you that have a knack for the more complex computer details? Without skilled IT technicians, all of the networks, coding, computer programs and software wouldn’t do what we actually need them to do. In today’s technical marketplace, IT experts are the lifeline of productivity.

There are a growing number of IT Technician Training careers out there, including:

• Computer Service Technician
• Help Desk Support Analyst
• Network Administrator
• PC Support Specialist
• Certified Systems Engineer

DREAMS OF DESIGN

Web design is an increasingly expanding profession, and it looks like it’s just going to keep growing. But what does being a web designer actually entail? Do you necessarily have to work in a company, or can you work from home? Will you have creative liberty in a corporate setting? If you prefer working freelance, how can you be sure you will get enough work?

These are tough questions, and unfortunately, there are no definite answers. Figuring these things out takes time. The direction in which you take your web design career is up to you, and often times it is best to dabble in different industries and settings until you find which works best for you.

The first step, of course, is to explore Web Design programs and be sure that your knowledge and skills are up to par.

The staff and students enjoyed a Christmas Potluck