Hello, welcome to the second part of of this write up (Please Read Part 1 first). I hope the first write up has helped someone out there.
Sorry for being away for a while, keeping a balanced life style is no easy task.
Now to the rest of the write up.
- After you make your way passed the consular officer with the necessary documentation;
* Get some Canadian funds in case you intend to get a taxi. A bureau de change should be around some where, just ask the airport information desk.
*Buy a calling card - Your family will need to know you have arrived safely first. You can either call them when you arrive your residence or just use the airport pay phone. If your phone has a WiFi capability, you could use the airport's free wifi to call your family via Skype.
*Remember to have your address handy for the cab driver again if you intend to take a cab. If you ever get lost in the airport look for the closest airport staff they will be glad to assists you.
If you plan to live off campus make sure you choose a place as close as possible to campus so you can save money on transportation and commute time. I never bought a single bus pass in school ($70 savings monthly). I used to live 15mins walk from campus and didn't have to take the bus for any reason, except for grocery shopping a few times. Besides the bus was always packed with students during peak hours. I enjoyed walking from home to school without having to worry about the crowd. The down side is on cold days you will have to dress really warm (in layers). To search for places for rent close to your campus type in " places for rent close to (name of my school)" on google.com You should see a list of places close to campus. Choose the closest place if you can see it on a map.
- It is important to inform campus residence or your landlord/guardian when you will be arriving so they can be around to help you move in. Missing this step can be problematic if you don't have their phone number or a working cell phone handy.
- Once you are settled and have called your family, you want to get to know your new environment so transportation is next.
* Get a map or perhaps use Google maps to find out the proximity of your school, the hospital, the grocery story, etc. Ask your campus residence/landlord lots of questions about getting around.
* Learn how to get around by your self. Take a bus and learn how to use the bus schedule. If it is just a walking distance then master your walk routes correctly especially before classes begin. Also take time to know your way around campus. Sometimes, the size of the campus can be overwhelming. Know your lecture halls, university center, food court etc.
- If there is an international student center in your school make sure to drop by and say hello. They will have a lot more specific instructions on how to adjust to your knew environment so take it seriously. By the way, ask them how to go about getting your student health card.
- Get to know your student groups and join which ever appeals to you; remember you are in a new country and need to make friends, so in the words of James Brown -"Get involve" .This is a good way of getting to make new friends. In some of these student groups you will get to meet students from different backgrounds. Please pay attention to the older ones or the locals who have been around the university as they might just be able to help you adapt quick with information.
- Get to know your professors and where their offices are located. Also look up your professors on www.ratemyprofessors.com. That web page really help prepare me for what to expect from a professor based on some student's personal evaluation. That being said, a student's personal experience with a prof. might not be the absolute case for everyone. Get to know your professor your self.
- Make sure you look up text books you will need for each class. Some classes might not require a text book but make sure to confirm with your instructor first. Before classes begin make sure you take advantage of the school's used book store or websites like www.abebooks.com for a bargain on text books. If you can also get in touch with students who have previously taken a certain class. They might sell you their text book at a discounted price than the school's book store.
- If you are not living on campus residence then you will either have to make your own food or eat in restaurants. Remember simply learning how to make your own food regardless of gender will help you save a tonne of money. If you intend to cook your meals make sure you make a grocery list and buy enough food so you don't have to make frequent trips to the grocery store every weekend. Remember time will be of essence as you progress and you might not have time due to the overwhelming course work loads.
- On the first day of class the instructor will give the course break down which will include names, locations, dates, office hours and what is expected from you as a student. Be sure to mark your calendar for specific dates and also write down the names of the teaching assistants and perhaps laboratory or tutorial time slots.
- If you can please get to know your class mates from day one. I always noticed in each of the classes I attended they were all kinds of students. The A+ ones to the not so serious ones. Be sure to choose carefully.
- Don't forget you are in a new country. The weather, culture, the people and environment might seem a little challenging while you are also trying to study so don't give up on yourself if you don't do so well in your first year of study. Think goals instead of some new year resolution and grade yourself personally as you progress. See your instructor and teaching assistants for help if you need help in any area of your study. Also make 'good' study group friends.
- Also keep an eye on www.cic.gc.ca. The immigration laws do get changed or updated all the time. Please know what you can and can't do with your student status while you study. Some people who have broken the rules have been deported or simply removed before graduation so please take extra care. Again mark your calendar for the expiry date of your study permit and passport.
- While you study keep an eye out for Canadian work experience in your field (especially as your approach 3rd year of study). If you gain some work experience as you study it might help you understand some principles taught in class a little better or perhaps help you gain full time employment after graduation.
Ok folks that is all for now. I can't promise a part 3 just yet but if it comes up it will be more focused on what to do just before and after graduation. Hope you enjoyed the write up.
Remember you can always email me at emakgaga@gmail.com for any corrections or clarity.
Sorry for being away for a while, keeping a balanced life style is no easy task.
Now to the rest of the write up.
- After you make your way passed the consular officer with the necessary documentation;
* Get some Canadian funds in case you intend to get a taxi. A bureau de change should be around some where, just ask the airport information desk.
*Buy a calling card - Your family will need to know you have arrived safely first. You can either call them when you arrive your residence or just use the airport pay phone. If your phone has a WiFi capability, you could use the airport's free wifi to call your family via Skype.
*Remember to have your address handy for the cab driver again if you intend to take a cab. If you ever get lost in the airport look for the closest airport staff they will be glad to assists you.
If you plan to live off campus make sure you choose a place as close as possible to campus so you can save money on transportation and commute time. I never bought a single bus pass in school ($70 savings monthly). I used to live 15mins walk from campus and didn't have to take the bus for any reason, except for grocery shopping a few times. Besides the bus was always packed with students during peak hours. I enjoyed walking from home to school without having to worry about the crowd. The down side is on cold days you will have to dress really warm (in layers). To search for places for rent close to your campus type in " places for rent close to (name of my school)" on google.com You should see a list of places close to campus. Choose the closest place if you can see it on a map.
- It is important to inform campus residence or your landlord/guardian when you will be arriving so they can be around to help you move in. Missing this step can be problematic if you don't have their phone number or a working cell phone handy.
- Once you are settled and have called your family, you want to get to know your new environment so transportation is next.
* Get a map or perhaps use Google maps to find out the proximity of your school, the hospital, the grocery story, etc. Ask your campus residence/landlord lots of questions about getting around.
* Learn how to get around by your self. Take a bus and learn how to use the bus schedule. If it is just a walking distance then master your walk routes correctly especially before classes begin. Also take time to know your way around campus. Sometimes, the size of the campus can be overwhelming. Know your lecture halls, university center, food court etc.
- If there is an international student center in your school make sure to drop by and say hello. They will have a lot more specific instructions on how to adjust to your knew environment so take it seriously. By the way, ask them how to go about getting your student health card.
- Get to know your student groups and join which ever appeals to you; remember you are in a new country and need to make friends, so in the words of James Brown -"Get involve" .This is a good way of getting to make new friends. In some of these student groups you will get to meet students from different backgrounds. Please pay attention to the older ones or the locals who have been around the university as they might just be able to help you adapt quick with information.
- Get to know your professors and where their offices are located. Also look up your professors on www.ratemyprofessors.com. That web page really help prepare me for what to expect from a professor based on some student's personal evaluation. That being said, a student's personal experience with a prof. might not be the absolute case for everyone. Get to know your professor your self.
- Make sure you look up text books you will need for each class. Some classes might not require a text book but make sure to confirm with your instructor first. Before classes begin make sure you take advantage of the school's used book store or websites like www.abebooks.com for a bargain on text books. If you can also get in touch with students who have previously taken a certain class. They might sell you their text book at a discounted price than the school's book store.
- If you are not living on campus residence then you will either have to make your own food or eat in restaurants. Remember simply learning how to make your own food regardless of gender will help you save a tonne of money. If you intend to cook your meals make sure you make a grocery list and buy enough food so you don't have to make frequent trips to the grocery store every weekend. Remember time will be of essence as you progress and you might not have time due to the overwhelming course work loads.
- On the first day of class the instructor will give the course break down which will include names, locations, dates, office hours and what is expected from you as a student. Be sure to mark your calendar for specific dates and also write down the names of the teaching assistants and perhaps laboratory or tutorial time slots.
- If you can please get to know your class mates from day one. I always noticed in each of the classes I attended they were all kinds of students. The A+ ones to the not so serious ones. Be sure to choose carefully.
- Don't forget you are in a new country. The weather, culture, the people and environment might seem a little challenging while you are also trying to study so don't give up on yourself if you don't do so well in your first year of study. Think goals instead of some new year resolution and grade yourself personally as you progress. See your instructor and teaching assistants for help if you need help in any area of your study. Also make 'good' study group friends.
- Also keep an eye on www.cic.gc.ca. The immigration laws do get changed or updated all the time. Please know what you can and can't do with your student status while you study. Some people who have broken the rules have been deported or simply removed before graduation so please take extra care. Again mark your calendar for the expiry date of your study permit and passport.
- While you study keep an eye out for Canadian work experience in your field (especially as your approach 3rd year of study). If you gain some work experience as you study it might help you understand some principles taught in class a little better or perhaps help you gain full time employment after graduation.
Ok folks that is all for now. I can't promise a part 3 just yet but if it comes up it will be more focused on what to do just before and after graduation. Hope you enjoyed the write up.
Remember you can always email me at emakgaga@gmail.com for any corrections or clarity.
