How to Succeed At University--Canadian Edition. Danton O'Day

confirm with the course instructor beforehand. Besides buying used books, another money-saving strategy is to employ textbook rental services provided by some university bookstores and private companies.

      One thing to remember is to apply early. Try to anticipate your financial requirements and borrow only what you will need, knowing that some day that loan will come back to haunt you. I hated paying back my student loan, but I must admit I could never have attended university without it.

      Did You Know?

      Of the students who graduated in 2005, 57% had taken out some type of student loan. The proportion of graduates with only a government-sponsored loan was 52%.⁸

      Your university will also have a large list of scholarships and bursaries that can usually be checked out in the registrar’s office or online. Some of these may only be $100–$200 but you should apply for any and all that you can. Why? Because every little bit helps. More importantly, you will list any awards that you receive on your resume or curriculum vitae. Over time the list may grow to be impressive. Getting one scholarship or financial award often leads to more scholarships since it is common for people to follow the crowd and award scholarships to those who have already received them.

      Did You Know?

      The average undergraduate student paid $5,366 in tuition fees for the 2011/2012 academic year.⁹

      Dropping Out Due to Financial Challenges

      A summary of tuition fees for Ontario universities reveals that the tuition for a basic arts or arts and science degree is between $5500 and $6300. Tuition rates for applied sciences or engineering are higher ($6700–$12,500). This is before the cost of books and simply existing off Kraft Dinner. Over one third of students in Ontario drop out because of financial hardship. The average graduating student owes over $22,000 more than twice what university graduates owed at the start of this century. While watching your budget is one approach to keeping university costs down, for some this isn’t an option. Students who face financial difficulties can look to various sources of financial support. Awards, bursaries and scholarships, as noted elsewhere, are not just for brainiacs—many are available for students who aren’t at the top of their class. As mentioned previously, you should check out the awards specific to your university at the registrar’s office or the university website. For others, you can check out www.scholarshipscanada.com. After registering, you will have access to a large number of award sources most of which you would never have known existed. Opting out of university for financial reasons should only be considered when you’ve exhausted all other avenues.

      Did You Know?

      The Pathways to Education program encourages high school students from low-income communities to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education. This program provides resources such as tutoring, support and financial assistance at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. To see if the program is available in your community, check out the Pathways to Education website at www.pathwaystoeducation.ca.

      Chapter 1 Summary

      1.You can succeed at university if you follow the rules set down in this book.

      2.Develop independence; don’t follow the crowd.

      3.Know your personal strengths and weaknesses; exploit your strengths and overcome your weaknesses.

      4.Don’t limit yourself; keep your options open by selecting a first-year program that is general and versatile.

      5.Develop your powers of communication. If necessary, attend a writing workshop.

      6.Think about your goals. Are they realistic? Are you pursuing an area that genuinely interests you?

      7.Keep your options open so that you have alternative pathways to fall back on should your goals change.

      8.Many possible career and education pathways are open to you during and after your postsecondary studies.

      9.The first year is the hardest. Get on track right away and reap the benefits later.

      10.Learn to deal effectively with your newfound freedom: Know when to work and when to play.

      11.Living in residence can maximize the time you have for study and enhance your social life, but there are dangers.

      12.Grades are important for your future success. Grades are an offshoot of knowledge: The more you know, the better your grades can be.

      13.You have a much better chance of finding a well-paying job if you get your degree than if you don’t. The higher your grades, the greater your chance of getting job.

      14.Your university training will give you skills that will help you succeed in any job whether it is related to your area of specialization or not.

      15.You can augment your educational finances through scholarships, bursaries and student loans.

      Chapter 2

      The Complexity of the University

      Colleges and Universities

      Right now we should consider just what a university is: What does it consist of? How does it function? What is it going to do for you?

      Did You Know?

      Over 1.1 million students were enrolled in Canadian universities during the 2008/2009 academic year.¹

      In Canada, postsecondary institutions with a primary academic focus are called universities while those with a more practical focus are called colleges. Universities usually require higher academic standings in high school than colleges. Similarly, universities typically offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and often Ph.D. degrees while colleges typically offer certificates and diplomas. But this is changing and the lines between universities and colleges get less distinct with each passing year. (In the United States the term “college” often refers to an institution that offers only a two-year Associate of Arts degree [junior colleges] as well as one that offers a four-year Bachelor’s degree program, while a full-fledged university offers Bachelor’s degrees and advanced degrees.) Within each university there may be constituent “colleges” but these are university colleges and offer university degrees. Within the university, each “college” is usually a self-governing educational unit and usually has programs that make it unique.

      Depending on the university, the complexity and diversity of the curricula will vary considerably. Thus some places will offer Bachelor of Arts and/or Bachelor of Science degrees in a limited number of disciplines while other, larger institutions will offer almost the whole gamut of possible programs. If you have any questions about the offerings