New to YU

Getting Started

As you begin your studies, it is important to set yourself up for success. Along with the following tips be sure to complete all student orientation activities along with any orientation materials unique to your program.

  • Be sure you understand the technologies you will need to use at Yorkville University. This article is a great start, but may not include software unique to your program. Contact your Admissions Advisor, or Program Advisor, with any questions.
  • Check your @YorkvilleU  email, every day. If you have decided to forward this email to a personal account, remember that some messages may not get forwarded making it important to still check school email regularly.

Use a calendar to help you manage your time and tasks. Be sure you block out time, every day, to participate in course activities, connect with classmates, work on assignments, and attend to other school activities. Depending on the course and program, you should expect to spend 20-30 hours, or even more, each week engaging in activities related to school.

Access to Courses

Students will have access to their courses for about four weeks after the last day of the term. After this four-week period, old courses will not appear on the online campus and students will not be able to access old lectures, assignments, etc. It is strongly recommended that students download and save any material they wish to keep such as assignments, projects etc.

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. – Pele

Access Your Allies

You are expected to be an independent learner: motivated to learn, ready to commit to your studies, able to manage time effectively, and willing to reflect on your learning struggles and successes. But successful independent learners are not alone – you have important allies.

At school, your allies include:

Small class sizes, interactive discussions, and engaging learning activities create meaningful and supportive connections with each of your instructors. The following tips will help you benefit from those connections.

  • Tell your instructors who you are. In the Moodle learning management system, use your profile narrative, photo, and introductory post to share a little bit about yourself. When on campus, be prepared to introduce yourself during first week of classes, each term.
  • Know your instructors. Whether on-campus or online, many instructors will schedule office hours. If office hours are not officially scheduled, consider requesting a meeting or phone call. These sessions are great for asking questions, exploring your instructor’s area of specialization, getting feedback on your preliminary ideas for an upcoming assignment, or requesting additional support. Take every opportunity to meet with instructors outside of class time.
  • Recognize that instructors grade your work to help you learn, not simply to give it a mark. For instructors, providing feedback on assignments is one of the most important things they do and they put much time and thought into the feedback. Carefully review your assignment feedback and follow-up with your instructor if anything is confusing or if you want to learn how you might improve your grade on your next assignment. And be sure to integrate feedback into future assignments; repeated mistakes can make it look like instructor feedback is being ignored.

Participate in class activities and discussions: offer insights, extend the conversation, ask questions. Whether you are participating online or on-campus, share your experiences and ask instructors to share their professional expertise. This adds depth to every discussion and helps instructors remember you, which will be especially important when you need an academic letter of reference in the future.

Your peers can be important allies, providing a different perspective on course discussions and activities, supporting you through challenging times, and offering feedback on your work. Take every opportunity to build connections.

  • Participate in class discussions. Many students reduce time spent with peers in order to focus on other priorities, such as assignments. Strive to be an active participant in course discussions, whether online or on-campus. Don’t ignore the value of these important activities to your overall learning.
  • Link professional accounts. Your profile in the learning management system (Moodle) is a great place to share your professional accounts, inviting peers to connect with you on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Use the Student Lounge. Online students have access to a student lounge on the Faculty home page and in each course. Use this space to meet your peers on a more personal level, to start a study group, or to share resources. On-campus students often have many areas to connect outside of class time. Take time to meet up with your peers rather than arriving just in time for class, and leaving right after.
  • Update your Profile Photo. Within Moodle and your Office 365 account, upload a recent and clear photograph. It really helps to put a face to a name.
  • Connect in the Community. Remember that not all connections need to happen during school time, at a campus, or via Moodle. Consider forming study groups within your community, making it easier to meet with peers. Remember to always meet in public spaces, especially at the start. Do not give away your home address and don’t meet people you don’t know in private places.

Make Time to Network. You may never be surrounded by so many people with similar interests again, sharing the same experiences again. Now is the perfect opportunity to build your professional network.

Program Advisors are your first line of communication. They are always available to point you to resources, provide information, and, generally, to assist with any challenges you may be facing. Program Advisors can explain your plan of study, provide options that will help with work-life balance, and connect you with other supports.

To connect to your Program Advisor, submit a support ticket.

In addition to your instructors and program advisors, the Student Success Unit offers a wide range of supports related to mental health and wellness, academic accommodations, tutoring, and career services.

Contact

Accessibility and Accommodations Office

Email a Specialist

Email us to speak to an Accessibility and Accommodations Specialist.

Book an Appointment

Book a confidential appointment through PHIPA compliant software.

Are You in Crisis?

If you are…
• feeling desperate and hopeless
• worried you might hurt yourself, someone else, or commit suicide
• alone with no one to talk to

Please reach out to a Support Hotline in your region immediately for help.

Support Hotlines


911 – Canada Wide

Emergency responders and the 9-1-1 call centres who dispatch them fall within the jurisdiction of provincial, territorial and municipal governments.


Canada Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) – 24 Hour Hotline

Call 9-8-8 for 24-hour crisis support via phone or text. Resources offered for individuals in crisis,
those unsure if they need help, and people worried about someone else.


First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness

24-Hour Hotline: 1-855-242-3310


Trans Lifeline Canada

Monday-Friday, 1PM-9PM Eastern: 1-877-330-6366


Ontario

Connex Ontario 24-hour Helpline: 1-866-531-2600

Free and confidential health services information for individuals experiencing issues with
alcohol and drugs, mental illness, or gambling.

Good2Talk 24-Hour Hotline: 1-866-925-5454 or Text GOOD2TALKON to 686868


Quebec

Quebec National Crisis Line – All Ages: 1-866-277-3553


PEI

Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line: 1-833-553-6983


Alberta

Alberta Health Services Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642


Manitoba

Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line: 1-877-435-7170


New Brunswick

Addiction and Mental Health Help Line: 1-866-355-5550

 


British Columbia

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC: 1-800-784-2433

Here2Talk, 24/7:  1-877-857-3397


Newfoundland and Labrador

Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-737-4668


North West Territories

NWT All Ages 24/7: 1-800-661-0844


Nova Scotia

Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line: 1-888-429-8167


Nunavut

Nunavut Line – All Ages, 24/7: 1-800-265-3333


Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Crisis Line – All Ages: 1-306-525-5333


Yukon

Reach Out Support Line: 1-844-533-3030


USA

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 9-8-8

Trans LifeLine – U.S.A.: 1-877-565-8860

The Trevor Project Lifeline: 1-866-488-7386


India

Jeevan Aastha Help Line: 1-800-233-3330
Aasra: 91-9820466726


China

Lifeline China: 400-821-1215 (10AM-10PM, 365 days a year)
The Samaritans Emotional Support Services: 852-2896-0000