We are just about a month into our first fully-online term, Lions! Whether you’re a first-year student just about to start your York journey, or a final-year student preparing for the term ahead, now is the perfect time to refresh your knowledge of the key resources and services available to you at York.
Check out our top ten list below for some of the best virtual resources York has to offer and expect some student favourites!
1. Academic Advising
Academic Advising gives you with the opportunity to work closely with a knowledgeable expert who can help you make thoughtful choices about your academic pathway and learn all about:
- Faculty and academic policies
- Your program and degree requirements
- Degree options (major/minor/certificate)
- Electives and general education courses
- Your graduation status
- Your Degree Report and academic standing
- Peer mentoring and study groups
- Referrals to academic and campus services/resources.
You can visit your Academic Advisor as many times as you need at any point throughout your studies. However, it is recommended that you meet with your Academic Advisor at least once a year for a periodic degree update to ensure you’re on the right track towards graduation. Check out our #YUBlog post, “Academic Advising at York” for some more information.
2. The Learning Commons
The Learning Commons unites various learning services across campus to better support students’ academic success. This includes guidance from York Libraries, the Writing Department, Learning Skills Services, the Career Centre and more. Most of their regular services, resources and workshops are available online for you to enjoy from home!
Be sure to access these services early in the term to ensure you get the help you need to complete your assignments. What’s more, if you are looking to brush up on, or learn some new academic skills, then the Learning Commons is the place for you! For more information, you should check out our Remote Learning 101 Series!
3. The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre is available to all students during any stage of their writing processes. The Writing Centre offers numerous virtual services, from virtual one-on-one sessions and drop-ins to online workshops and writing support designed to help you enhance your written assignments and your writing abilities.
Success Tip: If you book a one-on-one appointment, bring your assignment outline with you so your instructor can review the assignment expectations and offer the most useful and personalized advice as possible.
4. The SPARK Academic Toolkit
SPARK, the Student Paper & Academic Research Kit, is an e-learning resource designed to help students produce successful written academic assignments. Each of the 13 modules focus on the development of academic skills, such as research and writing, and are intended to teach you about the process of completing a written assignment.
Most students use SPARK throughout their studies at York to learn about and review these important concepts – it’s never a bad idea to brush up on effective reading strategies or essay structure!
5. The Career Centre
The Career Centre has an amazing amount resources available online if you are looking for a job, wondering what you can do with your degree, thinking about further studies, or are ready to kick-start your career. It supports students from all Faculties and programs of study from their first year up to two years after graduation.
You can access a range of support services through the Career Centre, such as the Career Lounge where you will meet our friendly and knowledgeable peers, Job Search group activities, Career Fairs, Employer/Alumni Events and Individual Appointments with Career Educators and Career Counsellors.
So, be sure to pop into the Career Centre for a chat, check out the Students & New Grads webpage and stay tuned for our preview of the Career Exploration Guide on Thursday!
6. Student Accessibility Services (SAS) and Student Counselling & Development (SCD)
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) strives to make the campus more accessible for students with temporary or permanent disabilities. Once you register with SAS, you will be in contact with an Accessibility Counsellor who will support you throughout your studies.
Student Counselling & Development (SCD) aims to help York students realize, develop and fulfill their personal potential so they can make the most of their university experience. SCD offers individual short-term counselling, group counselling and couples counselling. All of their services are available online and they have put together an easy-to-use webpage on available COVID-19 wellbeing resources at the University and within the community.
If you require immediate assistance due to emotional distress during regular office hours, you can contact SCD’s Crisis Intervention Services at 416-736-5279. In the event that there are concerns about your immediate safety or the safety of others, call 911 to request that they attend.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with SAS or SCD for any assistance or support you may need.
7. Centre for Aboriginal Student Services (CASS)
The Centre for Aboriginal Student Services (CASS) offers a variety of culturally appropriate support services to Indigenous York students. These programs incorporate Indigenous world views and ways of knowing represented within the diverse on-campus Indigenous population and the values of York University.
CASS also collaborates with the broader York Indigenous community, including faculty members and student groups, to ensure a viable Indigenous presence on campus. For example, the co-hosting of the All Nations Pow Wow & Gathering with the Aboriginal Students Association at York and the opening of Skennen’kó:wa Gamig (formerly The Hart House) was a collaborative initiative to enhance Indigenous spaces at York.
Visit the CASS webpage to learn more!
8. Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students (ACMAPS)
Coming back to university after a long break can be both exciting and daunting under normal circumstances. We understand how doing this during a pandemic presents unique challenges. That’s why York’s Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students (ACMAPS) has you covered! In today’s #YUBlog post, we are sharing York’s top resources for mature students.
ACMAPS provides numerous support services for mature students as they enter a new chapter in their life. They offer programming and events catered to mature students, including orientation sessions, virtual workshops, mindfulness meditation sessions and more. Read our post “York’s Top Resources for Mature Students” to learn ore about ACMAPS and other great opportunities for mature students at York.
9. York’s Student Engagement Team
York’s Student Engagement Team is a peer-to-peer transition program that normally operates out of the kiosk at the centre of Vari Hall, but they have moved online during COVID-19.
Got questions about student life at York? The Student Engagement Team can help. Visit the Student Engagement web page and the Live Chat icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the page when the Student Engagement Peer team is available. Just click on it to chat.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
10. York International
York International (YI) is here to assist all international students, as well as domestic and international students who wish to study or work abroad.
View the York International Events Calendar for the full Virtual Coffee Break weekly schedule. YI’s daily Virtual Coffee Breaks are an online space for international and domestic students from across programs, Faculties, countries and cultures to connect and get to know each other! Student Leaders are on Zoom every weekday with different fun and interesting topics. When you sign up, a confirmation email with the zoom link will be sent to you upon registration.
YI supports all visiting international students with a range of information, including:
Bonus: The York U Safety App
We are safer together when we stay informed. The York U Safety App lets you receive community safety updates and stay connected with all of York’s safety resources, including a direct line to campus security, counselling & support (including SCD) and more. Download the safety app today.
These York resources are definitely some of the most valuable and commonly used services on campus. We hope that this list puts you on the right track to find any support you may need!
Do you have any other go-to York resources? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @YorkUStudents!
