4 Student Affairs supports you need to know

Picture this: It’s 10 years after convocation and you’re finding success in your career. As you think back on where much of your professional and personal development started, you reflect on your time at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). What do you imagine?

Maybe it’s the clubs you participated in where you found your group of lifelong friends. Perhaps it’s memories of your unforgettable first-year Orientation, where you put yourself out there and discovered a newfound confidence. It could be that essay you went above and beyond for, or the internship placement you achieved. It could be a combination of these, something different, or much more.

I know, it seems like a cliché to say it, but it’s true and worth repeating — your university years have the potential to be incredibly memorable and consequential. The biggest determiner of the value you acquire from your time at TMU is you.

In this post, I’d like to introduce you to Student Affairs, a service area that’s part of the Office of Vice-Provost, Students (OVPS). I’ll cover a few of their support areas so you can start thinking about how you’ll make the most of your time at TMU!

Career, Co-op & Student Success

It’s never too early (or too late!) to be future-focused. Specializing in equipping students with the skills to grow and develop professionally, the Career, Co-op & Student Success Centre provides workshops, career development resources and one-on-one career advice appointments. The Centre can also help you find and apply for co-op placements and jobs on and off campus. The various types of appointments you can book include:

• Career advising
• LinkedIn photo sessions
• Mock interview/interview tips
• Resumé/cover letter advising

While mapping out your future might seem daunting, with Career, Co-op & Student Success, it can — and should — be exciting and inspiring. Want to explore the Career, Co-op & Student Success office? Visit them in-person at POD-60 in the Podium Building, or check out the stop on TMU’s virtual tour (opens in new window) .

Student Life & Learning Support (SLLS)

Want to live out the student experience you’ve seen in the movies? Student Life & Campus Engagement has got you covered. From first-year Orientation, to year-round TMU events (opens in new window) , or getting funding for your own campus initiatives, Student Life provides you many ways to get involved and make connections.

SLLS is not just fun and games; Learning Support offers you opportunities to succeed in your classes through programs dedicated to improving your academic skills. You can get matched with a tutor or book an appointment for Math and Computer Science, Writing and English language, Study Skills Support and more. There’s also the Tri-Mentoring Program, where you can get matched for support with peers, groups and professionals from the industry you’re working toward joining.

Housing & Residence Life

If you’re interested in living on campus, check out Housing & Residence Life to explore if residence is an option for you. The 3 residence buildings include Pitman Hall (PIT), the International Living/Learning Centre (ILC) and the Daphne Cockwell Complex (DCC). Take the virtual tour (opens in new window)  to explore the 3 residence buildings. Residence is given on a priority basis to incoming first years, starting with those who live furthest away from campus. Housing & Residence Life also offers off-campus resources, including housing listings, budget planners and useful information for first-time renters.

Consent Comes First

Nothing’s more important than knowing that you’re safe and well-supported while you’re at TMU. Student Affairs’ Consent Comes First (CCF) office is an initiative dedicated to providing confidential, healing-centred support to TMU students affected by sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence. The work that CCF does to create a safer environment on campus is another example of Student Affairs’ mission to bring you resources focused on your wellbeing and helping you excel.

However you might choose to go about it, taking advantage of what Student Affairs offers will enrich your university journey. You have the opportunity to gain so much more than the knowledge from the content of your lectures. You can make professional strides, grow your leadership skills, develop a social circle with like-minded peers and much more.

Until next time,
Ido, your student ambassador