10 Things No One Told You At Orientation

 

 

How to save money on your commute and top-tier study spots

Sheridan alumni and SSU President, Kyle Budge makes two student leaders laugh with his quirky pose. The three of them are standing under a tent and behind a table.

Welcome to Sheridan! We’re glad you’re here! -Kyle Budge, SSU President

As a new student, going to orientation can help you learn where things are on campus, what services and resources are available to you, and what supports you have for your academic journey. But it can be hard to learn everything you might need to know in just a few hours. The SSU is here to share some additional information you’ll want to save for later, along with some stories of what students wished they knew before starting at Sheridan.

I remember at my orientation, I was so confused. Partly because it was my first time coming to college outside of my country (I’m an international student), but even domestic students can be confused too.
— Maja, Social Media Assistant

Orientation is at the start of the school year and is always a lot of fun, but what if during the year you find yourself in need both of fun and support? Where do you go for that support? You’ll learn that Student Advisement is a great resource, and so is the SSU! We have supports for almost everything you might need, and if we can’t solve the issue we can put you in direct contact with someone who can.

Did you know that many members of the SSU team are students just like you? With perhaps a few more years under their belts, they’ve gone through student life and have plenty of tips and tricks. We reached out to our student leaders from all campuses to hear about what they’ve learned over the course of their Sheridan experience.

Here’s what your fellow Sheridan students wished they knew during orientation: 

Quote from Livia. I wish someone told me to check on-campus job posts early, and also wish that someone told me about student perks from the SSU! (my orientation was online)

You can study, dream, and work on campus!

When the term starts, it’s only natural to be super focused on your academic life. Keep in mind, that there’s tons to explore at Sheridan! Check out the current postings for on-campus jobs, as well as student perks provided by the SSU!

Quote from Valentina: I wish someone told me what extra activities there are besides class, and where I can meet new people. And I wish I knew the most interesting places to be on campus

Any returning student will tell you that there’s more to life than textbooks and exams. Get out there and find your people!

Looking for something to do outside of class? Find balance in your student life by meeting new people, getting involved with clubs, and attending SSU events!

Quote from Leia: My favourite study spots on HMC campus are the Quiet Room, the silent study spaces, and also the study rooms!

Leia, your VP of International Affairs, enjoys a quiet place to study and get her work done.

Ever wonder where your student leaders choose to study? You’re sure to bump into them around campus!

Quote from Madushen: I like to study at the row of tables next to the electronics labs in the B wing at the Davis campus

Madushen, one of your Clubs Coordinators, prefers to complete assignments at a specific row of tables at Davis.

Whether you study alone or with friends, there’s a perfect study space on campus for you! You can get serious in the dedicated Quiet Room or meet with your group at the Student Centre!

Quote from Miranda: My favourite study spot on campus is somewhere I can draw quietly or with friends. I usually book a study room in the TRC learning commons.

Who says you can’t use study spaces for activities like drawing and making crafts?

Ask any returning student, and they’ll tell you that there are glimmering hidden gems all around Sheridan. Whether it’s their favourite place to play cards, meet up with friends after class, or a peaceful place no one else knows about, everyone has their spot. Who knows—maybe they’ll let you in on the secret!🤫

 

Bonus tip:

An important place that isn’t covered on campus tours is the location of your professor’s offices. It’s crucial to know how to contact your profs when you need them and where to find them.
— Kyle Budge, SSU President
 
Three student leaders smile and pose with thumbs up in front of an SSU poster board

Another hidden gem: the poster boards around campus. There’s always something interesting on there!

 
At TRC, there’s the top of the stairwell near the bridge between the C and B buildings. It’s a nice place to have lunch because you get a view of the path that goes through campus. It’s really peaceful and usually very warm because it’s sunny there. Great to sit there for some quiet time lol
— Cally, CSR (TRC)
There’s the “Purple Pit” located at the back exit of the A-Wing, but I also find that the first floor of the C-Wing is a gem that many end up knowing at the end of their program. There, you can meet new people, study, eat something, and even just hang out with your friends.
— Valentina, DCC
There are so many little spots around each campus to sit outside. There’s a spot looking over the lake at Davis that’s particularly pretty. I’d recommend taking advantage of them while the weather’s nice!
— Miranda, DCC

With all this said, there’s one more area you should keep in mind as a new or returning student: how you’re getting to campus! Get into the swing of things when it comes to your commute. Our advice is to always use a bus pass, check your Presto account before you leave the house, and get a monthly pass so you don’t need to worry about reloading it all the time! You can even get a discount on your Presto card! Along with walking and biking, carpooling is a great option as well. Save money and use your time wisely!

Plan ahead with choosing your bus routes—always give yourself more time than you think you’ll need!

And that’s it! Now that you’ve got an idea of where to find student support, the best spots on campus to check out, and some advice on how to make the most of your life at Sheridan outside of academics, the rest is up to you! Go forth and take advantage of all the resources available to you. Until next time, Bruins!