Before classes begin
A bit of advance planning always pays off. These preparations will help you start your first term feeling organized and ready.
Here's how to prepare for a successful beginning of term
Get a window into what's ahead on your CU journey by following CU Student Experience. Meet your future classmates before classes start by connecting with student associations in your faculty.
Connect with like-minded students
No matter what program you're entering, there's a student association where you can begin making connections with your future classmates. Find associations on social media before the term begins to find out about kickoff events.
Connect with student mentors, take a virtual tour and get to know some of your peers through the Homeroom program.
Meet Welcome Crew mentors
Welcome Crew mentors are here to help you transition easily into your first year of university. You can reach them via email or video chat to talk about anything from the course registration system, to where to meet new friends.
Drop by the Student Service Station
Connect quickly with academic advisors and other staff to get the answers you need, on the spot, as part of the Student Service Station.
Take a tour
Explore key locations on both campuses via a virtual tour. You can also take a campus tour as part of Orientation.
Attend Orientation events
Orientation is your chance to meet your vibrant Concordia community and get informed as you prepare for the start of term.
For Indigenous students
First Nations, Inuit and Métis students can access academic and community resources at the Otsenhákta Student Centre.
For Black students
The NouLa Centre for Black Students provides services and resources for Concordia students from Black communities.
For francophone students
Tissez des liens avec d’autres personnes étudiantes francophones qui entreprennent des études postsecondaires en langue anglaise pour la première fois au Centre pour étudiant·es francophones.
For international students
The International Students Office supports Concordians from outside Canada.
For students with disabilities
The Access Centre for Students with Disabilities promotes equal access to education and an inclusive campus community.
Useful links
Your student ID card and OPUS transit pass will help you get around town. Consider renting a locker and getting set up with DPrint.
Student ID card
Your student ID card allows you to access the Concordia shuttle, get a student-rate OPUS transit pass to take public transit and access certain campus buildings.
Renting a locker
Some students find it helpful to rent a locker. You can select which building your locker is located in. Rental periods last for a year and payment is made by credit card.
DPrint account
Another useful service: DPrint allows you to print and make photocopies at Xerox machines located around campus. You can add funds to your DPrint account online, which is linked to your student ID card.
Book Stop
Before the start of the semester, start checking out which books are required for your upcoming courses. Professors may have already made the course outline, which includes book lists, available on Moodle.
You may also find your personalized student book list by checking the Concordia Book Stop web page, where you can order or rent print or digital books.
Useful links
Whether by car or bike, on foot or by metro/bus, here's what you need to know to get around Montreal.
Transit pass
If you plan to take public transportation in Montreal, you may want to buy a monthly OPUS card. To get a reduced student rate, you must have a Quebec home address saved in your Student Centre and be registered full-time for the current term.
Bicycle
Biking is a quick and convenient way to get around and the SGW Campus is located right on the Maisonneuve bike path. BIXI is Montreal's seasonal bike-sharing service, with a discount for Concordia students.
Shuttle bus
The campus shuttle connects the downtown SGW Campus with Loyola Campus and is free for Concordia students (just show your student ID as you board). The shuttle departs approximately every half-hour from both campuses.
Parking
Parking permits are available for students on the Loyola Campus and hourly parking is available first-come first-served in several locations at the SGW Campus.
Useful links
Before classes start, ensure your schedule is aligned with your academic program. Consult the Undergraduate Calendar, your offer of admission or speak to an academic advisor for support.
Contact your program advisor
All students are also assigned a program advisor who can help with understanding and planning your course sequence, program requirements, registration and more. You'll find their contact information in your Student Centre.
You also have access to academic advisors in your faculty, who help with understanding general degree requirements, faculty rules, transfer credit and more.
Undergraduate Calendar
Check the Undergraduate Calendar anytime to make sure you are taking the required courses for your program and to read course descriptions. It's the definitive source for understanding academic rules and regulations as well as which courses you’ll need to complete your degree and program requirements. You can also consult your academic requirements report. Remeber that your department may also have first-year course planning worksheets.
Be sure to review any information related to transfer credits, exemptions, deficiencies or minimum program length (measured in credits) indicated in your offer of admission. This information may affect your first-year course selection.
Useful links
To help foster a safe environment for all of us, every Concordian must complete mandatory training.
It Takes All Of Us is a sexual violence awareness program that everyone at Concordia, including faculty, completes every year as part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a safe and respectful environment. It covers topics such as consent, bystander intervention and supporting survivors. You must complete your training within six weeks of starting your first term.
Access the training or check your completion status via the Mandatory training section of My CU Account in the Student Hub.
Useful links
Ready for the next phase?
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No matter where you are in the process of becoming a Concordia student, we're ready to help.
