1. Fresh air, trees and quiet: Green spaces for study
In the middle of the Biosciences Complex, there’s a living courtyard simulation of a young boreal forest with multiple plant species and a pond where you can view American toads as they grow!
What about the Tabaret Hall terrace? When you exit the Desmarais Building, take the stairs across the street to reach a calm, green, Instagrammable place, perfect for study.
Do you like gardening? We’ve got over 50 community gardens where you can cultivate both plants and lasting friendships.
2. Financial resources to discover
Did you know that, in addition to Online Scholarships and Bursaries, which features hundreds of awards to students, there are many other ways to meet your financial needs? Let’s talk about it!
There’s considerable funding for Indigenous students as well as funding for francophones and francophiles in the community.
Should you have an unexpected financial emergency, there’s a UOSU hardship fund to support you, and there are GSAED emergency grants for graduate students.
To support your community projects, take advantage of funding for experiential learning, including microgrants and scholarships and bursaries for international placements. If you’re a graduate student, some faculties offer admission scholarships and funding for your research.
Whatever your level of study, there’s definitely support right for you. Sometimes you just need to know where to look!
3. Places to park your bike
Here’s something that might interest cyclists! There’s an interactive map of the places to leave your bike, even the hardest to find! No need to go around in circles. Save time by finding the best locations in advance.
4. Free, local and organic eats
Did you know you can eat healthy for free on campus? Find out about the Free Food Alert program and free meals from the People’s Republic of Delicious at the Déjà Vu space.
5. Digital secrets: Tech tricks for better study
If you’re not getting the grades you want or it’s taking too long to work with an exam page, think about visiting the Assistive Technology Mentoring Centre. You’ll get individual support to make better use of the tools available to you, including AI, and improve your course results.
6. The Library: More than a place to study
Video games, films and comics, multimedia equipment and archives (useful for creating content)... there are plenty of great Library resources you absolutely have to get to know!
And if you don’t find something, try an interlibrary loan or suggest a library purchase.
7. Improve your language skills
Keep having a hard time practising your second language? Register for an OLBI conversation workshop, where you can improve your French or English in a group of no more than five people. Learn more about conversation workshops.
If you’d like something one on one, book a meeting with a conversation partner, according to your profile and interests, for a 30-minute talk in your second language.
Most of all, don’t be afraid to take some language risks! Tackle daily language challenges with OLBI to feel more comfortable speaking your second language.
8. On-campus pharmacy care clinic
You can consult a clinical pharmacist right on campus! The new Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy care clinic, in the Minto Sports Complex, can deal with your health-care concerns for free or a reduced fee.
9. Roger Guindon Hall nursing room: A safe hideaway
The nursing room, a Faculty of Medicine initiative on the second floor of Roger Guindon Hall, Room 2059, is a private, exclusive space for those who wish to breastfeed undisturbed. You can close the curtains and lock the door to enjoy some peace and quiet.
10. For a break: Spaces to recharge your spiritual batteries
If you’ve got spiritual questions, you can contact the chaplain of your choice for advice adapted to your needs.
The campus also has multifaith prayer and meditation rooms open to those of all spiritual backgrounds. Whatever your beliefs, you’re sure to find a moment to refocus.
11. A home away from home for Indigenous students
The Mashkawazìwogamig Indigenous Resource Centre is a culturally safe space for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Identify yourself as an Indigenous person to get the latest news and meet other community members you can form lasting connections with!
12. Some artistic jewels
We’ve got an art gallery on campus! Gallery 115, on the first floor of 100 Laurier (Department of Visual Arts), is a space where students bring their projects to life before exhibiting them to an appreciative, broader community.
In between classes, change your era completely by visiting our on-campus museum! The Museum of Classical Antiquities, in the Desmarais Building, Room 3104, has collections managed by passionate students and is open to the whole student body.
13. Check out some tucked away passageways and tunnels
What if I said you could go from Marion Hall to SITE or go from Hamelin Hall to the Social Sciences Building without setting foot outdoors?
When the temperature drops, take your map and follow these travel tips to stay warm indoors, taking these hidden routes.
Do you have a hidden gem that we’ve missed that you’d like to share? Email The Gee!