Summer is definitely in full swing here in Vancouver, but fall is approaching! Whether you’re looking forward to finally arriving on campus as classes move back in-person, or you’re excited to finish your finals and return to a once-again bustling Main Mall, we’re here to share a mixture of interesting and useful events and resources with you!
Irving K Barber Learning Centre: Booking No Longer Required!
It’s true! You are no longer required to register for a space at IKB to enter; just arrive at the door labelled ‘Enter Here’ on East Mall! The only thing you need to do is complete your daily self-assessment. Opening times are 10am to 8pm Mon-Thurs, 10am to 6pm Fri-Sat (closed Sundays and holidays). Please note that Irving K. Barber Learning Centre will be closed for BC Day on August 2nd.
Individual study rooms on level 2 are still available for booking. You can book these at any time they are available (no longer only 24 hours in advance)! Just go to this link and click ‘Book Study Rooms.’
Event Highlights
From the Chapman Learning Commons
New to UBC Chapman Learning Commons Orientation Workshop – Friday, Aug 13, 2021 11:00-12:00pm PDT
Perhaps you’re entering your first year at UBC, or you are coming to campus after a year of learning remotely! All are welcome to attend this orientation session, where you’ll connect with peers and learn how to access various resources to support your success as a student.
Look out for future workshops to be scheduled on our Events page!
From UBC and Beyond
Work Learn positions for September-April 2021-22 will be posted on Careers Online on August 2nd. Most roles have an application deadline of August 13th. Find out more about the Work Learn program, here!
Learn something new at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum! In the last 2 virtual sessions of summer 2021, join experts in the first session about Metro Vancouver as they walk you through the museum, showcase specimens in the lab, and/or show some great museum video and photos.
In the second session, join Dr. Rick Taylor, Professor of Zoology at UBC and Director of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum’s Fish Collection to learn about the incredible impact of rivers!
Join UBC Okanagan & Opera Kelowna for an evening concert featuring an ensemble of Canadian opera artists, pianist Jennifer Tung, and hosted by Opera Kelowna’s Artistic Director Rosemary Thomson. Enjoy a selection of well-known treasures and hidden delights from across the operatic repertoire. Watch LIVE here!
The Respect, Sincerity & Responsibility: Land Acknowledgements at UBC session is an asynchronous module through UBC Vancouver’s Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT). Recognize why land acknowledgements are an important part of our work at UBC, identify your positionality and responsibility when offering a land acknowledgement, and utilize resources and tools to draft a land acknowledgement.
Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to self-enroll and complete this course through Canvas (approximately 60 minutes) between July 18–August 8. Find out more here!
Resources for New & Returning Students
Learn from Peers: New to UBC by the Chapman Learning Commons
Hear from current UBC students to learn their tips and advice, including choosing majors and things they wish they’d known in their first year! Includes links to lots of essential resources from budgeting to employment to mental health!
New to UBC Guide by UBC Student Services
For all things new students need to know: learning, finance, campus life & support with a handy checklist. Get a head start planning your first few weeks!
For international students, check out the International Student Guide to learn about immigration, covid, health insurance, working, and all the things you might need to adjust to your new surroundings.
Student FAQs
UBC’s Work Learn Program is a great opportunity to gain some experience and professional skills (and money) while working part-time on UBC’s campus. Find out more about Work Learn, here!
Jump Start is a program for incoming first year students, allowing them to arrive and live on campus, or commute to campus, two weeks early. Get to know your classes, peers, and build friend groups before the school year begins for an easier transition into university on-campus life.
If you are interested in beginning your social life at UBC and want to know how you would fit into different courses check out our self-assessment tool here.
The Collegia are physical sites on campus designed for first-year students and Indigenous students who commute, intended to offer an interdisciplinary “home-away-from-home” for them on campus. Designed to complement programming for first-year students in residence, students can access resources to help navigate their transition to university, make friends, and get advice form senior peer mentors and faculty members.
To check your eligibility and to register, visit their website. The deadline to register is Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Imagine Day is a chance to meet some great people including your Dean, some of your future professors, and other students. The experience may be fully virtual or a combination of in person and virtual, and will be confirmed with you during the summer. Either way, it will include a group meet up, faculty welcome, pep rally, and main event with hundreds of clubs and organizations! Best of all, all students are invited to participate in the day's activities!
For help preparing, check out this toolkit and this guide prepared by the Chapman Learning Commons Assistants! They are also happy to assist with academic support and resources over email and Zoom! During your exams, you can get technical support from the Learning Technology Hub here.
Yes! Our equipment lending service has returned! Check out our equipment lending page to book your item.
September 7th is the start of the Winter Session for most faculties, while the add/drop deadline varies depending on course length and type. You can find out more about term dates here, and course change (add/drop) deadlines here!
Blog Posts by UBC Students
Check out what our Irving K. Barber Learning Centre student staff have to say about student life and academics in these blog posts!
- A Student Guide to Picking Classes
- How to Get the Most Out of Your University Experience: Part 1 & Part 2
- A Positive Approach to Facing University
- Mental Health and Balancing Student Work Life
- What Was It Like to Move for University?
- Homesickness and the Education System as a First Year Student
Don’t forget to follow us on social media for handy tips and resources!
IG:@UBCLearn Twitter: @UBCLearn
