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Your guide to student services at the university

Check out these resources for students heading into the fall term
August 27, 2021
Photo of people walking around campus, with surrounding trees.

The fall term will be a transition period; here’s how to access resources on campus, whether it’s virtually or in-person. Photo: Alyssa K. Faoro.

September is just around the corner and fall classes will be starting in no time.

While students prepare for the upcoming term, there are many services available to help them navigate their educational journey. Here’s what you need to know.

Navigate RU

First-year can be a challenging time but it’s also an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth. This year, the First-Year Experience (FYE) team within the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students launched Navigate RU to help first-year students make the transition to university. The initiative includes a centralized online hub and six-module program to teach first-year students how to navigate their university experience so they can get more out of curricular and co-curricular opportunities.

The Navigate RU website provides essential information catered to first-year students  including how to get started, advice from upper year students, resources that align with the Navigate RU Program and direct contacts for support. For those returning to Ryerson, RU4U is another resource that connects students to programs, services and support. 

Student Success Navigators and the RU Prepared Quiz

First-year students will have received a personal invitation in their RU inbox during the first week of orientation for the RU Prepared Quiz. The quiz will help students gauge how ready they feel about their first year. After taking the quiz they will receive a personalized report with their results, including suggestions about relevant resources on campus that can help boost their success. Students who complete the quiz will be entered into a prize draw for an RU Bookstore gift card or the grand prize of Apple AirPods. Quiz closes September 10.

To further help students adjust to university life, a new team has been created in Student Affairs: Student Success Navigators. Student Success Navigators will be an important point of contact for students who may need help understanding the wide variety of support services and programming available on campus. They will be available both online and on-campus, stationed at the Student Learning Centre, throughout the year to offer support. Students can get in touch with a Student Success Navigator through  (google form) this contact form (external link) 

Learning assistance

Students navigating their learning journey at Ryerson can access many different supports to enhance their experience.

Student Life and Learning Support

Student Life and Learning Support (SLLS) helps students learn essential academic skills and study techniques. Students can access workshops on topics such as time management, learning from lectures and obstacles to writing. Students can connect with their peers and a learning facilitator virtually. To book a one-on-one appointment, visit the Student Life and Learning Support website.

Academic Accommodation Support

Academic Accommodation Support helps students with disabilities at Ryerson by creating and implementing individualized academic accommodation plans so students can more fully participate in their studies. For more information, visit the accommodation support site

Tri-Mentoring Program

The Tri-Mentoring Program offers peer, career and group mentoring across all faculties. Learn more about the Tri-Mentoring program on the Student Life and Learning Support website

Student Wellbeing

Student Wellbeing encompasses a variety of health, wellbeing and academic supports that foster wellbeing and academic success. There are many tools available at Ryerson to help students with their wellbeing and overall health such as physicals, mental health assessments, and assessments for common medical problems. 

Centre for Student Development and Counselling (CSDC)

The CSDC offers free, confidential counselling services in a professional and friendly environment. Services are provided by a team of psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists and counselling interns. Counselling is  being offered remotely via telephone or video. To book an appointment, contact 416-979-5195 or email csdc@torontomu.ca

Ryerson Medical Centre

The Medical Centre offers quality health services to current students, staff and faculty administered by a team of family physicians, psychiatrists and medical trainees. It is currently offering a limited number of in-person appointments and virtual appointments by telephone or video conferencing. To schedule an appointment, call 416-979-5070 or email medicalct@torontomu.ca.

ThriveRU

The ThriveRU initiative provides training and resources to help students develop skills that will serve them throughout their university career and beyond. There are many resources available online including the  (PDF file) student weekly workbook and  (PDF file) four seasons workbook.

Career and Co-op

As students begin the fall semester and are thinking about how to shape their future careers, they can access career development support at the Career and Co-Op Centre

The centre will be offering in-person drop-in advising appointments for students on campus throughout the fall, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other services will continue to be offered virtually. Students can book an appointment or sign up for a wide range of virtual events or workshops (external link) .

Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services (RASS)

Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services provides a culturally supportive environment to promote academic excellence and serves as a place to balance academic learning with traditional teachings and culture. To learn more about the many resources and support systems available, visit the RASS website.

Any students, faculty, staff and visitors accessing campus are required to use the RyersonSafe health screening process via app or web browser prior to accessing campus. The university will also require all students, faculty, staff, contractors and visitors coming to campus to attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status. This is in addition to requiring all students living in residence and student-athletes competing on varsity and competitive club teams (external link)  to be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada or World Health Organization approved COVID-19 vaccine.

For COVID-19 updates, visit the COVID-19 information and updates page.

Consent Comes First

Consent Comes First (CCF) provides free, confidential, trauma-informed, healing-centred support to Ryerson community members affected by sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence. It doesn't matter when, where or how the violence occurred, we are here for you. CCF creates opportunities for people affected by violence to cultivate safety, healing and leadership on their own terms. Together with campus partners and the broader community, CCF provides education, programming and advocacy to foster a world free from gender-based violence.

Student Care

Student Care works collaboratively to support students with complex needs and students who are in distress. They also help address challenging behaviour of students through formal processes. They use a holistic approach to support students and to reduce strain on impacted students, faculty and staff. Student Care seeks to be a partner in building a caring community at Ryerson. Community members can contact the office at any point to discuss a student they are concerned about at studentcare@torontomu.ca

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