Ten terms every U of T student should know

The first few months at the ��Ƶ can be a confusing linguistic transition for new students. You’ll learn to navigate the unique U of T vernacular soon enough, but in the meantime here’s a glossary of must-know terms for anyone new on campus.

To enrich your burgeoning U of T vocabulary, check out the video Terms U of T Freshmen Must Know by second-year U of T Mississauga student Samina Batyrova. She outlines several of the terms below in the video and more, creating a list designed to make you fluent in U of T jargon.

1. ACORN

The Accessible Campus Online Resource Network, or ACORN, is an online hub for everything you need in order to navigate and manage life at U of T. This student information service is where you enrol in courses and programs, access academic transcripts, pay your tuition and more.

2. Quercus

U of T’s Learning Management Engine is called Quercus, pronounced “qwhere-kis” – yes, your professors are saying it wrong. “Quercus” is actually the Latin genus for oak tree (which is featured on U of T’s coat of arms), though more practically it is the one-stop web interface for all your U of T courses, offering access to course readings, announcements and discussion boards.

3. TCard

Your TCard is your official student ID during your time at U of T. It is also where you can find your student number when you forget it for the umpteenth time – the number is located on the front of the card, next to the photo. Flash it proudly and get free admission into the student-geared nightclub Dance Cave, discounted movie tickets at TIFF Lightbox, entry into U of T gyms and plenty more on-campus deals.

4. U of T time

All U of T classes (and as a result, many U of T club meetings and events) start 10 minutes after the hour. This means you’ll likely spend the first 10 minutes of every class wondering where your prof is or panicking that you’re in the wrong classroom. But don’t worry – soon enough you’ll be in sync with the rest of the U of T student body (and chronically 10 minutes late to everything not U of T-related).

5. CCR

Your co-curricular record (or CCR) is a document that lists your university-certified experiences and skills. Many U of T organizations will give CCR credit as a verification of your involvement, so choose your co-curriculars wisely and curate a job interview-worthy CCR.

6. OSAP

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is an excellent student resource for financial aid and provides loans and grants that help finance hundreds of thousands of students’ post-secondary education. U of T also offers financial aid programs, grants and work-study opportunities for students in need of financial assistance as well as scholarships and awards.

7. Breadth requirement

Many U of T students falsely assume that because they’ve completed their program requirements, their degree requirements are also being met. Do not fall into this trap – every student needs to complete a series of breadth requirement courses unrelated to their program, a practice intended to diversify your educational experience beyond your program of study. The requirements differ between the St. George campus, U of T Scarborough and U of T Mississauga, but regardless of your campus it’s crucial to plan breadth requirement courses into your schedule.

8. CR/NCR

The CR/NCR (credit/no credit) option allows you to gain a course credit without displaying the final mark on your academic transcript. It’s a useful safety net tailor-made for breadth requirements, electives or any other nonessential course you’ve deemed a liability to your GPA.

9. Quad

What does it mean when someone asks you to meet in the Trin quad? Quads are four-sided courtyards fenced in by buildings that serve as idyllic outdoor study spots. There are gorgeous quads across all three U of T campuses, with many of the quads at the St. George campus affiliated with specific colleges (such as the Trinity College, or Trin, quad).

10. POSt

Be wary when asking another student what they study – it’s rarely a one-word answer. You may assume you’ll be choosing a single Program of Study (POSt) – but be prepared for an unexpected wealth of choices. At U of T you can choose between a specialist degree, a double major or a major with two minors.

#UofTBTS16: Co-curricular record helps boost your U of T experience

ullahnor — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 19:14:17 +0000

#UofTBTS16: Co-curricular record helps boost your U of T experience

ullahnor Thu, 09/15/2016 - 15:14

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(Photo by Ken Jones)

Arthur Kaptainis

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Arthur Kaptainis

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As you work on a university degree, keep in mind that academics may not always be enough.

A co-curricular record can help complement what you do in the classroom with workplace experiences and skills.

The co-curricular record (CCR), which began in 2013, is an online centralized directory of activities for which students on all three campuses can get formal recognition for everything from work study jobs to volunteer work, regardless of whether they are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

“It’s a validated document, from the university, and signed by the vice-provost,” says David Newman, U of T’s senior director of student experience.

There are now more than 10,000 students at U of T with co-curricular records.

Look through the directory and learn more about the program

The program allows students to track and showcase their experiences, contributions and skills. And Newman says it’s the kind of thing employers and admission officers for graduate and professional programs like to see.

Listen to a U of T student talking about the program

The paid and unpaid opportunities that can qualify a student for a formal co-curricular record include orientation coordinators, resident dons and mentors. Work-study jobs are on the list as are membership in a Varsity sports team and titled positions with student clubs. Click here to find a link to your campus’ co-curricular program.

“It’s a great way for students to show that they have been engaged not just in the academic side of the university,” says Susan Froom, a Trinity College philosophy and political science student in her fourth year who is vice-president of the association of part-time undergraduate students.

Pier Angeli Taruc, a third-year Woodsworth College life sciences student is working this year as an ASKme orientation consultant, a position that is recognized for a co-curricular record. She hopes the range of activities will be expanded, in her case positions that will help with getting into medical school.

Along with searching for positions that could fit a potential career choice, keep in mind that first-year students are encouraged at orientation to subscribe to Blueprint, a series of workshops related to health and wellness and academic success. Completing the Blueprint program is recognized by CCR.

So are activities for Alternative Reading Week, organized by the Centre for Community Partnerships.

“It’s a really robust program,” Newman says of this initiative. “We go into about 25 community organizations with about 300 students, generally first- or second-year students.”