Canadian University Guide 2009 - School guide for students looking for information on Canada's top universities
Canada's Universities
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Canadian University Guide 2009 - School guide for students looking for information on Canada's top universities
Canada's Universities
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A glimpse of a better future
There are many decisions to make when it comes down to application time. The Canadian University Guide has teamed up with some experts in the field to get you the information you need on topics such as: common mistakes made during application time, advice on financial assistance, and the people to know at university and how they can help. Not only will you hear from university professors with advice for first year students, but you'll gain relevant insight into what life is really like once you get to university and the important things to know before you get there.


Decisions, decisions, decisions Choosing what to study is half the battle. Figuring out where to go is just as important.

What a great time in your life. You're young, energetic and ready to delve into the exciting world of post-secondary education. The world is your oyster! But before you get caught up in all the excitement of living on your own, laying the groundwork for your future career and entering the wonderful world of personal responsibility, you have two important decisions to make: what do you want to study, and where would you like to go?

Affecting those two decisions are multiple factors, including desired area of study, reputation, campus life, affordability and geographic location. The purpose of this article is not to provide answers for these questions; rather, its purpose is to inspire you to ask more questions, so that you can possess as many facts as possible on your quest to make an informed decision for your future.

What to do
An important question to first ask yourself is: what do I like to do? Your career doesn't have to be something that you have to do, it can be something you enjoy doing. If you enjoy reading and writing, then maybe a career in journalism or Canadian University Guide 2009 - School guide for students looking for information on Canada's top universities communications is in store for you. If you can't stop thinking about the way people think, and why they behave in certain ways, then maybe psychology will be a good fit. If upholding the law and serving the public floats your boat, police foundations or criminology may be the right avenue.

Ultimately, no one can make this decision but you. But asking for help can set you on the right track. Talk to your school's guidance counselor. Guidance offices are stocked with resources designed to help you refine your interests. Talk to teachers, neighbours and employers - all of these people have gone through what you are going through and can offer insights and different perspectives on what may work best for you. Speaking of life experience, your parents can also provide a wealth of knowledge.

Another resource to consider is to speak with members of the business community. If you're thinking about going to college to study marketing, for example, call or email a partner at a marketing firm. Ask what aspects of the profession they enjoy, and which aspects they dislike. Upon graduating from your program, you'll already have your foot in the door with a potential employer. Employers are always looking for proactive individuals to bring their company to the next level.

Most fields will also be linked to a professional association, so it's worth contacting these associations for information as well.

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Eight common mistakes to avoid An expert's opinion on what to consider when applying to university - By Jacqueline Barclay

The university application process can initially seem complicated and confusing. Graduating high school students might feel a slight sense of panic when faced with a multitude of school and program options, leading to impulsive decisions that may be regretted later on. With a little advance planning and research, however, students will face a far easier time when completing their applications, whatever their destination.

Throughout my years of practice as a university and college placement counsellor, I've witnessed a pattern of errors that students are apt to make if they rush into the application process unprepared. Eight of these most common mistakes are listed below, and most importantly, how to avoid making them.

Mistake #1 - Missed Deadlines
Pay attention to the deadlines. You may encounter various application deadlines depending on the schools and programs you wish to apply to.

In Ontario, the fall 2009 semester deadlines for the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) and the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) are different - January 14, 2009, and February 2, 2009, respectively.

Colleges and universities across Canada will also have different deadlines.

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Advice from the experts Canada's top university professors offer insight into what it takes to achieve success in the first year of study

The first year of university can be an intimidating time for many students. Luckily, some professors and instructors have taken on the task of giving you a leg up in understanding what is expected of first-year university students.

For the Canadian University Guide 2009, university professors from across Canada were asked one simple question: In your opinion, what is the most important skill that students need to develop in university and why?

Here are their responses:

Expert Advice from: Karla O'Regan
Assistant Professor, Criminology
Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New BrunswickCanadian University Guide 2009 - School guide for students looking for information on Canada's top universities

It is now becoming something of a cliche to suggest that university is about helping students learn to think critically, but this doesn't make it any less true. Although a great deal of university life is about time and stress management, study skills, organizational tools, and, of course, developing your interpersonal and communication abilities, the heart of any post-secondary education is inquiry. Asking questions, posing alternatives, learning skepticism, and finding ways to approach issues or problems from creative angles are key components to not only a good university education, but also a good life.

Albert Einstein is attributed as having remarked that "the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." The world today's university students will graduate to face is an intimidating one. War, hunger, poverty, AIDS, discrimination, human rights violations, and many other seemingly insurmountable problems pose as formidable opponents, particularly when we "do nothing." A good university education is one which helps students to "do something."

For me, this is one that incorporates some elements of the liberal arts - the study of the world from a wide array of disciplines and perspectives as a means of liberating or freeing the mind. St. Thomas University encourages each incoming student to think for themselves. The accomplishment of such a task is, even in small measure, a true life-changing force and, in my mind, the single most important skill a university can offer its graduates.

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