First Year Students

Welcome to UTSC! You’ve made a great choice to pursue your academic goals here and we’re here to support you along the way.

Join us for Get Started

Get Started is a fun and interactive one-day academic orientation event created for incoming students to welcome you to UTSC, support you in transitioning to university and help you prepare for selecting your courses. Parents/guests are also invited to attend Get Started, as we have important information and details to share with them as well. 

Before you Begin Classes

In September

  • Familiarize yourself with services and events offered by the Academic Advising & Career Centre and other services on campus…remember, we’re here to help with your academic success!
  • As the end of the second week of classes approaches, critically assess you schedule: class time, study time, part-time job, family responsibilities, extra-curricular activities, etc. Is your schedule realistic? Will you be able to handle the load moving forward? If you are not sure, meet with an Academic & Learning strategist to discuss your situation.
  • Attend study skill workshops to help you develop your weekly schedule and study plan. Consider completing the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) to assess and develop your study skills.
  • Drop by the Experience UTSC Fair to learn about opportunities to work and get involved on campus
  • Get involved in extra-curricular activities (e.g. student clubs and teams) and campus events

During First Year

  • Continue to assess your study skills and academic success, particularly when you receive your first set of midterm grades. Are you achieving the grades you want? Is there room for improvement?
  • Complete the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) to assess and develop your study skills, attend study skills workshops to assist in developing study skills, or meet with an Academic & Learning Strategist to discuss your situation.
  • Book an appointment with a Study Skills Peer Coach to work 1 on 1 with a senior student to assist in developing your time management, reading, note-taking, test-taking skills, etc.
  • Login to the Career Learning Network (CLN) to look for on-campus and part-time jobs
  • Participate in AA&CC workshops and events to work on your resume, cover letter and interview skills
  • Complete the Online Self Assessment to learn more about your career interests, skills and values
  • Attend the Choosing Your Program Month activities in March
  • Select your subject POSt (i.e. if you’re not already in a direct entry limited enrollment program)
  • Visit the AA&CC to work on developing your academic plan

Upper Years

  • Thinking about your career? Attend the AA&CC Summer and Full-time Job Fair
  • Thinking about graduate studies or professional schools? Attend the AA&CC Graduate & Professional Schools Fair
  • Regularly use the online calendar in conjunction with Degree Explorer to track your progress to graduation
  • Be sure to watch when you are enrolling in courses that you meet the pre-requisite requirements and that you are taking courses in the correct order to avoid ending up with non-credit extra courses
  • Always review exclusions when considering taking a course. This is especially important to do when taking courses on another UofT campus.
  • Use the Planner feature of Degree Explorer to plan out your future course selection. If you are uncertain about your progress, book an appointment with an Advising & Learning Strategist
  • Visit the AA&CC to work on your academic plan and to explore your career options
  • Participate in AA&CC workshops and events to improve your study skills and work on your resume, cover letter and interview skills
  • Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired