Post-secondary is a great time to gain some serious knowledge about your field of interest, but you’re also paying a ton of money for your education, so you should probably leverage the opportunity to get as much as you can out of the experience. So many students go to class and leave, forgetting about all…
When you’re in Grade 12, it seems like there are millions of programs at millions of schools, each offering unique, appealing benefits – trust me, I know how overwhelming it can be! Two years ago, when I was in my senior year of high school, I chose the University of Toronto (St. George Campus), and…
High school always goes by faster than you think it will. For me, I was a part of the infamous Class of 2020, better known as the “pandemic graduates”. As you can guess, Grade 12 went by even faster for me. The pandemic definitely altered some of my decisions, however, even if it had not…
First of all, congratulations on getting this far! If you are reading this article, you are likely at a point in your life where you are grappling with how to decide which university is the right one for you. Now that you have been accepted into different schools, it is time to choose which offer…
As you journey into college and university, a lot of people (family, profs, and even peers) will start making a lot of assumptions about how things are going. And if you thought answering all the same questions and hearing the same comments over and over again was annnoying, just know that every student goes through something…
1 in 4 students drop out of university. That is a staggering statistic, but one that perhaps isn’t all that surprising. There’s a great emphasis placed on the importance of attending university and getting a post-secondary education after high school. But here’s the thing… University does indeed have its benefits for many young people in…
When you’re in first year, you might be hustling to get to your next class on the other side of campus, confused about saying “professor” instead of “teacher,” or already behind a mountain of readings. But amidst the chaos, you carry the same interests and hobbies from high school—maybe you love dancing, photography, or playing…
Picking my third choice school, despite getting accepted into my top choice for university, was a big turning point for me. Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 but is a good reminder to consider all the factors when accepting or rejecting an offer from your top choice university or college. I wanted…
No, but seriously, WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME THIS?!?!?!? (Insert a hundred more exclamation marks.) There are a lot of things I wish I knew before going into first year. I learned them the hard way so you don’t have to. If you’re reading this, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the 9 Things…
Ok, listen up. I have a message for the students of Canada and I hear this is the place to get it read. Editor’s Note: This is one of our favourite articles from years past. And considering how frustrated everyone has been with the school year, it seems like the perfect time for a sneak…
Editor’s Note: This article on popular school myths was originally published in 2014. Some of the links and stats have been updated to reflect how common these myths still are. As a first-year student transitioning from high school to university, I am faced with a brand new world when it comes to how school works…
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 so while it doesn’t account for what pisses of professors via Zoom, it’s still a very good resource for staying in the good graces of the person ultimately responsible for your fate in class. Sometimes you have to go straight to the source. A professor of…
You can switch programs in your first year too. It’s not the end of the world. Promise. Plopping (read: slumping) into my usual seat near the back corner of the lecture hall, I braced for yet another hour of unintelligible murmur. It was a casual, fleeting thought. Harmless enough, right? But somehow, it persisted and…
“College is going to be the best years of your life,” they say. Well, that’s simply not true for everyone. Here’s what they don’t always tell you about the realities of post-secondary school. 1. Being single is actually the bomb Embrace it instead of despising it. Trust me here. Plus, dating during a quarantine is…
frosh week n. a period before the start of an academic year at a university or tertiary institutions. A variety of events are held to orient and welcome new students during this period. Other names include Orientation Week, Welcome Week, or Freshers’ Week. No matter what you call it, it’ll be looking different in 2020.…
When I was getting ready for my first year of university, I was extremely excited but also very unsure of what to expect. I didn’t have any older friends who could show me the way. I didn’t have siblings to give me tips, advice, or precautions to take as I entered my first year of…
Starting college/university can be terrifying. You’re tossed into a new world after having your hand held all throughout high school. The campus is massive compared to the building where you spent the last four years, and you have no idea what to do (or where to go). So how do you find your place (literally…
University tours in New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual university tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles…
College tours in New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual college tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles…
University tours in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual university tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Québec, or Atlantic Canada.) Students…
University tours in Alberta are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual university tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec, or Atlantic Canada.) Students are…
University tours in Québec are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual university tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Atlantic Canada.)…
University tours in Ontario are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual university tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Québec, or Atlantic Canada.)…
University tours in British Columbia are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual university tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Ontario, Québec, or Atlantic Canada.)…
College tours in Alberta are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual college tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Québec.) Students are understandably concerned…
College tours in Saskatchewan and Manitoba are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual college tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, or Québec.) Students are understandably…
College tours in Québec are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual college tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, or Ontario.) Students are…
College tours in British Columbia are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual college tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Québec.) Students are understandably…
College tours in Ontario are getting cancelled due to COVID-19. Many are now turning to virtual tours to help students choose a school for next year. (This is part of our series on virtual college tours across Canada. You can click to view the articles for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba & Saskatchewan, or Québec.) Students are…
‘Tis the season for breaking out the fuzzy sweaters, warming up with a cup of hot cocoa, and unboxing the holiday décor. Unless you’re a student. Then, tis also the season for stress breakouts, overnight cram sessions, copious amounts of caffeine and desperate internet searches that somehow end in hours of mindless scrolling. It is…
It’s already January and I know you’re prepping for exams… so you might not have considered applying for a study abroad program. Or maybe the thought of being an exchange student has crossed your mind but there’s something you’re just not sure about. Ever since I first started university, I knew I wanted to go…
By Lauren Stewart Does the thought of writing an essay horrify you? If someone asks you to name some of your best qualities, do you shudder to your very core? Is the weight of university applications starting to crush you? Fear not, your saviour has arrived. To the stressed-out upperclassmen reading this, I’m right here with you. Applying to…
By Ron Marken “Fjelstad Hall, 4:30 a.m., April 1, 1958 – another Tuesday” Firstly, every professor posts office hours. She doesn’t do this in an attempt to prove she really works when she’s not teaching. The post means she would be happy to talk with you. In my experience, fewer than 15% of students take…
Extracurricular Activities for General Students By Alex Fancy Extracurricular activities can make an important difference in the life of any student, as they offer a break from the routine of study, contribute to a balanced lifestyle, and allow students to develop interests, talents, and viewpoints that they would otherwise be unable to pursue. Or that…
Electives and Minors for Chemistry Students By Glen Loppnow Chemistry is known as the central science. This is not a boast, just a recognition of the fact that chemistry connects in some way to all other sciences. Therefore, one possibility for electives and minors is to take one of the other science courses. However, many…
By Dave Berry Many students fear science programs because of the heavy demand for scheduled activities, specifically time in the lab. I won’t deny that labs take away from the flexibility in a student schedule. However, it is perfectly possible to be a fully committed athlete and complete a science degree in a reasonable timeframe.…
By Diane Spivak An undergraduate application may ask students to submit a short piece of written work and the topic most often requested is a “personal statement” — an essay that requires students to reflect on their life experience and intentions for the future. What’s the Purpose of an Undergraduate Application Personal Statement? The essay…
By Teresa Cooney “Anyone know if it’s better to take the AP exam or redo the course in university? I am pretty sure I can pass it, but is Chem 12 really important basics (I love chem, and get really high marks usually)?” (J. Malone) Taking the AP exam for your Chemistry course would afford…
By Janice Newton Why a Small School? Big schools may give you greater choice in courses and contact with a greater range of faculty members. But the larger classes can overwhelm some students and make it hard to make friends. A small school may give you more individualized attention, smaller classes, closer contact with faculty…
By Dr Mike Atkinson Let’s work on making our classrooms green. Whether you believe that global warming is one of the most serious challenges we face in the 21st century or that it is wildly exaggerated, the fact remains that dumping endless tons of CO2 into the atmosphere is not good. Sure there are natural…
If the Post-Secondary School Fits Finding the right post-secondary school is like trying on a shoe. Cinderella didn’t have to force her foot into a glass slipper, so why should you? I volunteer for my Alma mater. One of my favourite activities is to offer school tours for prospective students, parents, and guests. I went…
When you’re considering graduate school, there are hundreds of articles about how to do it best. Thousands of articles deciding where you should apply and why. Others will tell you what to do before and after applying, what to avoid doing, and what to consider. The financial aspect of graduate school will then add a…
Go through this checklist to see if grad school is the next step for you! Have you been mulling over the idea of going to grad school but aren’t sure if it’ll be worth it? This grad school checklist is bound to help you decide! From what I’ve seen—and of course, there are more—there are…
Not sure which classes to choose during course selection? Ask yourself these questions so you can set yourself up for success AFTER school. Think about what you want, so you can get what you want in the future. How do you decide between classes during course selection to land the moneymaking job you want? First,…
Almost 4 years ago, I entered my final year of high school and internal panic set in. “What the HECK do I want to do when I grow up? What university program is right for me?” These questions haunted my thoughts daily, both while at school and at home. It caused me sleepless nights with the…
This step-by-step guide will help you narrow down your options and choose the program that works for you! Deciding which school to attend is no easy feat. With so many potential career goals and factors to consider, you can get lost in the sauce and not know where or how to begin. Fortunately, your girl…
I started thinking about applying to grad school in the summer before my fourth year of undergrad. I knew I wanted to gain some sort of postgraduate education. And after meeting with professors, figuring out what I really wanted, and weighing my options, I started looking at grad school. I have since finished school and…
Thinking of applying to grad school? Here’s a rundown of the main differences between grad school and your undergrad experience. Less Classes Whereas undergrad programs have a standard five courses per semester, I was only required to take three courses in grad school. This made it easy to plan my week and place a lot…
When I tell people that I was an English major, the first thing they ask is, “But what can you do with that?” The second is, “Say something in Shakespeare!” From my experience, there seems to be a general consensus that English literature or Art students aren’t studying anything important, so they evidently have no…
Navigating a big university/college campus can be daunting and a little tricky your first year, especially when it feels like your classroom could be anywhere. I remember when I first arrived at Western—there were SO many buildings, I was sure I’d never find my classes. But I did thanks to these tricks: Get To Know…
Now that you’re entering post-secondary school, it’s time to grow up and make those big decisions you’ve been dreading. Sorting out your entire life at 18-years-old seems tough. Unfortunately, no one else can make these choices for you. You’re becoming responsible, which means it’s time to start thinking about the future. YOUR future. And that’s…
We compared your three choices for post-secondary pathways. This is for busy students who need a quick but helpful comparison to make better post-secondary decisions. I’m going to list some harsh-reality pro’s and con’s of each of these three pathways in a really easy to read format. Make sure to check out the notes section…
U of T, basically: Big school. Big choices. Big opportunities. I asked three current or former students at the University of Toronto to collect a short list of things a Grade 12 student should know before accepting their offer to U of T. I’ve sifted through the responses from these stellar students to pull out the…
Economic value is the maximum amount that a consumer is willing to pay for an item in a free market economy. If you want a degree in economics from a Canadian university, you’re going to want to maximize your economic value to employers. That means you should go to the best school for economics. An…
Let’s get real for a minute. You’ve spent 4 years working your butt off for this day. You’ve invested tons of your time and money towards receiving this diploma or degree. And while graduating is a HUGE milestone—congrats!—it can be terrifying. For 4 years, you’ve had to attend classes, maybe work a part-time job, and…
While they might just seem like grade-boosters to lighten the load of a heavy semester, creative writing classes offer a wealth of benefits for all students. Providing a chance to practice a variety of skills that everyone can benefit from, creative writing classes aren’t just for the English majors. My own institution, in fact, began…
