Start your term right
Have you gone to Birks to pick up your student ID? Registered for your classes, paid your tuition and bought your textbooks? Found a place to live? Planned your finances?
Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie, there’s a lot going on right now — but once the essentials are taken care of, it’s time to figure out how to make the most of your term.
Here are 10 quick tips.
1. Get acquainted
The beginning of the year is a great time to just take a look around: to talk to people and ask questions. Hop on the shuttle bus, take a walk — explore a bit.
For campus newcomers, the Student Success Centre offers a variety of orientation activities, including tours led by its savvy student mentors. There is also a key Discover Concordia event at the end of August: it takes place on August 27, 28 or 29, depending on your faculty. Download the Discover Concordia Orientation Newsletter for a complete list of events, sessions and seminars.
The Concordia Student Union (CSU) and the university’s many clubs and faculty associations also have a load of fun activities planned. Check their websites for more information.
2. Get connected
Concordia’s social media pages are a great place to find out what’s going on around campus. Follow @concordia on Twitter, or join the Concordia Facebook page for hot tips from the social media team. There’s also a Facebook group for new students.
Individual departments, faculties, student associations and clubs have Facebook pages where you can find out about upcoming events. Members of the CSU and journalists from the university’s two student newspapers, The Link and The Concordian, are also very active on social media.
3. Get involved
Why not stand out as a committed volunteer or student leader? If you want to acquire new leadership skills, or find out how to lend a helping hand, two good places to go are the Dean of Students Office and the Leadership Initiative and Volunteer Engagement (LIVE) Centre.
4. Get a job
If you’re looking to offset the cost of your studies, there are plenty of places to find part-time work at Concordia — including the very popular work-study program offered by the Financial Aid and Awards Office.
Another helpful resource is Career and Placement Services (CAPS), which provides advice, workshops and career events, plus an online job bank.
The International Students Office also facilitates the process of finding work both on and off campus for international students.
5. Get into Co-op
Did you know that Concordia has 30 different academic programs that offer opportunities in co-operative education?
There are currently more than 1,200 students registered in programs that combine real, paid work experience in a professional environment with undergraduate studies. To find out more visit the Institute for Co-operative Education.
A student exchange is another great way to broaden your horizons and take learning outside of the classroom. Visit Concordia International to find out more.
6. Get sweaty
Through its many intramural leagues, the Department of Recreation and Athletics offers an easy, inexpensive way to play your favourite organized sport and make a few new friends along the way.
For a workout, head to Le Gym on the Sir George Williams Campus: the staff will happily walk you through the available equipment, programs and classes.
7. Get in the game
Concordia also offers a wide-ranging Canadian Interuniversity Sport varsity program, as well as club teams that compete in other leagues — the fall calendar is full of opportunities to cheer on the Stingers.
8. Get the help you need
Student Services offers a vast array of resources, including health services, education and career counselling, and information on financial aid and awards, among many others. These services are offered year-round.
9. Get into a group
Intrigued by astronautical engineering? Keen to connect with Latin-American students, or to join a sorority? There are dozens of cultural, religious, social, departmental and special-interest student groups at Concordia: check out the ever-growing list on the Dean of Students web page.
10. Get rolling
Are you living close enough to walk to class? Is there a viable cycling route to campus? Do you want in on a carpool? Find out everything you need to know at Allégo Concordia, the university’s hub of efficient, sustainable transport.
If you’re planning to use public transit, you may be eligible for a discounted student OPUS transit card from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). To obtain one, you’ll need to provide proof of full-time student status.
Getting this proof used to require a visit to the Birks Student Service Centre — but now you can simply log into the MyConcordia portal and click on “Attestation Letters.” Eligible students will see an STM-OPUS Card letter; print it out and take it to the STM to get your discounted transit pass.
Related link: