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Top tips for saving time

Here’s a list of ways to streamline your schedule at the busiest time of year

Source: University Communications Services
Back to school: Top tips for saving time

The first day of classes is fast approaching. Whether you’re a new or returning student at Concordia, you’ll have to take care of things like paying your tuition or buying your textbooks before you can begin tackling your school work.

We’ve compiled a few tricks to help you get these essentials dealt with as easily and efficiently as possible.

“Don’t wait to come and see us if you’re confused or unsure about where to go or what to do,” says Lorraine Toscano, manager of the Birks Student Service Centre. “We are here to help you navigate your university environment.”

Mentors at the Student Success Centre — fourth floor Henry F. Hall Building (Room H-481) — are also there to help guide you to a wide range of resources. There’s an office in Room AD-103 at Loyola campus, too. New students who attend orientation are also assigned a mentor for their first year at Concordia. Don’t miss out!

1. Pay your tuition

The quickest way to pay your tuition and fees is online, and there are several options for this. Visit the Methods of Payment web page for more information.

Tuition and fees can also be paid in person at the Birks Student Service Centre. Accepted methods of payment include a personal or certified cheque, money order, bank draft or debit card (Interac). If you choose to pay in person, remember that the closer you get to the payment deadline, the longer the wait time will be.

At various times on weekdays from Monday August 24 to Friday September 25, the Frontline Administrative Service Team (F.A.S.T.) will offer enhanced services in the atrium of the McConnell Library Building and in the Birks Student Service Centre to deal with the additional volume of students needing help.

On top of assisting you with tuition payment and creating your Student ID card, F.A.S.T. team members can help sort out various administrative issues related to your student record, such as accepting and verifying Quebec residency status and getting permanent code documents, as well as negotiating payment arrangements for outstanding balances.


2. Get your student ID card

While you’re at the Birks Student Service Centre, be sure to pick up your student ID card. You’ll need it to borrow materials from the libraries, take the shuttle bus and prove your identity at final exams.

In order to receive your card, you’ll need to present a piece of photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) and your Offer of Admission or class schedule. (To use the schedule to obtain your card, you must have registered for your courses at least 24 hours beforehand.)

F.A.S.T. team members are also equipped to issue IDs, so make sure to get there early.


3. NEW – Order your OPUS transit card online

Planning on taking the bus or metro to school? If you’re a full-time student, you may be eligible for a reduced fare OPUS transit card from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). Certain criteria apply.

Skip the line!

Proof of eligibility used to require a visit to the Birks Student Service Centre — but a new arrangement with the STM now allows eligible Concordia students to renew or order the reduced fare card online and have it sent by mail.

Log into the MyConcordia portal, click on Student Services and then click Online Opus Card Requests. If you meet the criteria for reduced fare, which includes having a valid student ID, then you can follow the instructions to order online. You will be charged a $15 fee.  Find out more.

 

 4. Get to know your self-service portal

In January 2015, Concordia launched a new Student Information System (SIS) that includes a self-service portal for students to perform dozens of tasks from registering for classes and viewing grades to managing your accounts – all from one place called My Student Centre.

The SIS information page on your Student Hub includes over 50 how-to guides for using the wide range of features in the self-service portal. Take some time to get familiar with registering for classes, paying tuition and other early-term tasks now.

Remember the Did Not Enter (DNE) deadline to drop classes is September 21. If your name is on any waitlists in the system that you no longer want, be sure to remove yourself from the list since automatic enrolment in classes can happen last minute while other students are dropping courses before this deadline.

Access the My Student Centre dashboard by logging into the MyConcordia portal using your netname and password to get started.

Sign up for text messaging, too

Why get up early if your class is cancelled? Concordia’s personalized messaging service, available via the portal, will send texts to your mobile phone or email account alerting you of class cancellations, and will inform you when there’s an emergency situation on campus.

To sign up, log in to the MyConcordia portal, select messaging and text the appropriate commands to 62424.


5. Buy your textbooks

Concordia has two bookstores: the Sir George Williams Campus bookstore on the main floor of the J.W. McConnell (LB) Building, and the Loyola Campus bookstore in the Communication Studies and Journalism (CJ) Building. Find out more about the options that are available to you.

The bookstores are very busy places at the beginning of the term. Beat the rush by registering for your classes early. 


6. Take the shuttle bus

Concordia offers a free shuttle service between the two campuses. Check out the shuttle web page to learn more about the service and to download the latest schedule. Pay close attention: the schedule changes a few times a year.

Minimize the time you spend waiting by using the shuttle bus tracking system. This real-time map that displays the GPS location of the buses can be accessed by computer, smartphone or tablet at shuttle.concordia.ca.


7. Find a home, and a job

If you’re still looking for a place to live this term, or a way to earn a little extra income, a good resource HOJO, the Off-campus Housing and Job Bank, run by the Concordia Student Union.

You’ll need to register for the website, and only Concordia University students can access all the posts, including part-time jobs available on campus, and rental listings.

The HOJO website also contains loads of helpful tips and information, such as neighbourhood descriptions, and information about the rules governing rental properties in Montreal. The HOJO office, open Monday to Friday, offers a place where students can conduct their searches, as well as a variety of resources.


Learn about all the services available to students through Student Services.

 

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