November is filled with all things autumn, including pumpkin patches, apple cider, and Thanksgiving! We’re super excited for the start of the holiday season and have some great events to put you in the holiday spirit. Come to our Friendsgiving feast this month and participate in our There’s Always Something to Be Thankful For event by posting in our study lounge what you are most thankful for. Also, as we come closer to the close of the semester, don’t forget to utilize our 24-hour study lounge and business center so you can crush your final exams!
Special Highlight
Renewal season is back! Don’t forget to renew your lease to secure your same bed space and apartment.
Finding it hard to talk to your roommate about issues in your apartment? Remember, our Community Assistants are trained and fully equipped to help you mediate conflict. Don’t hesitate to contact our Community Assistants for help.
We have a new Assistant General Manager, Q’Unique! Make sure you drop by and welcome her to the 21 Oaks community.
Reminders and Updates
The printer in our business center is free for your use, but you must bring your own paper.
If you’re putting up decorations for the holiday season, string lights are not allowed! They use a lot of electricity, and they are a fire hazard.
If you have an emergency work order, you MUST call it in instead of submitting online. Water intrusions, power outages, and HVAC systems are examples of emergencies.
All checks that you drop off must include your first and last names, along with your apartment number and bed space.
If a car gets towed from our parking lot, you must contact City Garage & Body Shop at (803) 765-9780.
Glass bottles and pets are not allowed in the pool area as they could be health and safety hazards.
Building a Career in College
College is such a busy, crazy time for many people that focusing on the here and now is all most can do. Well, good news! There are several ways to incorporate career building into your everyday busy life. By taking the following steps, you’ll be on your way to creating a successful future for yourself:
- Check out the Career Success Portal. Did you know that your community offers you 24/7 access to millions of jobs and internships along with many tools to improve your resume and interviewing skills? Check out CareerSuccessPortal.com and create an account today!
- Visit your university’s career center. Employers are focusing more and more on experience and skills rather than just good grades. Get in touch with organizations through the career center to branch out and participate in different activities you normally wouldn’t have. This gives you a chance to explore your major and others, and see what you’re truly passionate about.
- Evaluate yourself. Your future employer will want to know why you’re a good fit for their company. College is about finding your strengths and weaknesses — take time now to figure out your skills, values, personality traits, and interests. Learning about yourself will help prepare you for interviews when you’re hit with the question, “What do you think you will excel at the most in this position?”
- Challenge yourself. The more you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone, the more likely you’re to overcome your weaknesses. Apply for the part-time job at your apartment complex you normally wouldn’t apply for, or take that theater class you’ve always wanted to take. By challenging yourself, you’re building important skills and personality traits that will help you rise within your field.
- Take your work seriously. Whether you have a part-time job or volunteer, take the experience seriously. You can use previous supervisors for references when you are beginning your career. It will pay off in the long run to succeed in the workplace by building useful skills that you’ll have for life.
- Find a mentor. Find someone who is doing what you want to do. You can search on LinkedIn to get connected and network with others in your field who are also passionate about what they do. Talk to your professors and pick their brains as to why they chose the career they did. Once you find a mentor, everything can change. You become more motivated to succeed in something you love doing because you have someone who makes the experience a million times better.
Did you know you can build your credit history just by paying your rent? A strong credit history can help you with achieving personal and professional success. We have partnered with RentTrack to offer you the opportunity to have your rent payments reported to all three credit bureaus! Participants in this program have seen their credit scores go up an average of 51 points! Get more details and enroll today at renttrack.com/campus-advantage.
Community Events Calendar
Sandwich Bar — November 4 from 1–4 p.m. — Need a midday snack? Join us in the office to create your own sandwich.
Veterans Day Cards — November 7 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. — Come show your gratitude to our local veterans by saying thank you with a card.
Pumpkin Painting — November 11 from 4–6 p.m. — Get festive by painting your own pumpkin to bring in autumn.
Friendsgiving — Date TBD — Join us for a delicious pre-Thanksgiving feast!
There’s Always Something to Be Thankful For — November 18–29 — Come write on the board in the study lounge about what you are most thankful for.
21 Oaks Spades Tournament — November 18 from 5:30–7 p.m. — Grab your best spades partner and join us in a competition!