#UofTBackToSchool: 12 things every new student should know
Published: August 23, 2019
It’s easy to get caught up in the fast pace of life at the University of Toronto, especially as a new student. Be sure to brush up on these 12 essential campus supports and services ranging from health care to gender diversity before beginning the school year.
Safety
οprovides , including instructions to register for U of T’s 24-hour emergency alert system. οalso provides , as well as student food banks on the , and .
You can also visit the for information, resources and workshops. If you are a victim of sexual violence or assault, you are encouraged to .
Health and wellness
It’s critical to practise self-care throughout the school year. There are numerous on-campus options for health care. Check out the university’s health and wellness centres for prescriptions, medical care and check-ups.
These centres are also excellent resources for mental health support. All three campuses offer services, including individual psychotherapy, group therapy and same-day counselling. If you need immediate help, you can call the , the or one of many .
Other mental health resources include a that offers drop-in counselling to students and is located only a 10-minute walk from the St. George campus.
Accessibility
οis proud to provide a host of student accessibility services in and out of the classroom. Learn more about the diverse array of accessibility services offered by U of T.
Gender and sexual diversity
For LGBTQ resources, workshops and events, visit the tri-campus ’s website. To get involved in the community, check out οinitiatives such as and or explore more specialized programming such as .
The is an excellent resource for intersectional feminist programming, as well as for providing a safe and harassment-free space for women and trans individuals. Trans students can find essential resources and information, such as how to change your name on official οdocumentation or the locations of all-gender washrooms on campus, .
Indigenous students
Students hoping to explore and connect with their Indigenous identity can visit and the for supports, events and resources. All members of the οcommunity are welcome.
Check out the οMississauga or the οScarborough for unique programming such as weekly smudge ceremonies, Indigenous film nights and moderated nature walks.
All three campuses offer Indigenous learning opportunities and celebrations accompanied by the knowledge and support of an on-campus Indigenous Elder-in-Residence.
Equity services
As the largest university in the world’s most multicultural city, οhas taken many strides toward maintaining a diverse, equitable and representative campus, such as its initiative to in research and innovation. For more information about supports and resources, visit U of T’s or one of its tri-campus .
Multi-faith services
The university offers several , as well as on-campus and resources for .
For multi-faith prayer and meditation space, faith-based counselling, research opportunities, information on religious retreats and more, visit one of the tri-campus Multi-Faith Centres.
International students
Whether you came from abroad to study at οor are a domestic student hoping for an international study opportunity, supports and services regarding your international experience are readily available at all three campuses.
Financial services
Between scholarships, bursaries and grants, οoffers a wide range of financial services and supports to students. Learn more about getting or securing a , many of which are offered through your .
Academic success
Slogging through piles of readings or writing a 3,000-word paper may seem like lonely work, but you don’t have to do it alone. Head over to the Sid Smith Commons to join a at the St. George campus or a Facilitated Study Group at ο or and ace your next test with the help of your peers.
Alternatively, tackle that seemingly impossible paper at one of U of T’s 14 located across all three campuses. For more resources and tools for refining your study skills, improving time management and more, visit one of the tri-campus centres for academic support.
Family services
οis devoted to meeting the needs of its diverse network of students and families through its , which offers resources such as and suggests options near campus. οprovides further on-campus resources for students with children, such as Robarts Library’s family study space. Resources are also available for .
Stay in the know
The easiest way to stay connected with οnews, events and up-to-date information is by following οon social media.
, or (Tri-campus)
, or (οMississauga)
, or (οScarborough)
If social media’s not your thing, find one of the many around campus or consult anyone wearing an orange “ASKme” shirt. If you want a question answered without leaving the house, ask any U of T-related question or explore other resources such as the ο, οMississauga’s or οScarborough’s .
You can also stay in the know by picking up a copy of a campus newspaper such as , or your college or faculty’s newspaper.
Also, be sure to check out οNews for the latest news about the university.
Read more about Back to School at U of T
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