Learn from Peers: New to UBC

 
“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had gone to more office hours. My professors are all very nice and willing to give me advice in regard to my majors, but I did not know this until second year.”

 
“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had pushed myself to explore activities outside of my comfort zone, like taking part in residence theatre productions, applying for part time jobs on campus, since that would have allowed me (as an international student) to establish roots and make more interpersonal connections.”

 
“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had started saving more money on a monthly basis. Currently, I use excel to track my finances. I use it to budget expenses and calculate how long it would take to pay off my debts.”

 
“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had received a heads up on how hard it is to get housing on campus, my advice to you would be to apply for year-round housing ASAP!”

 
“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had known that it’s okay to join clubs and run for executive positions even though I’m not a pro.”

“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had gone to more office hours. My professors are all very nice and willing to give me advice in regard to my majors, but I did not know this until second year.” - Tiffany, Sauder student

Quiz

Approach To Learning: Self Assessment
Everyone has their own way of learning effectively. What's yours?

Time Management: Self-Assessment
Become more familiar with your own time management habits and reach your time management goals!

Chapman Learning Commons

• Online Learners - A comprehensive guide for getting set up for learning online.
• Student Toolkits - Links to student-created toolkits with tips to help you learn, study and more!
• Time Management Kit- Get student tested tips on how to manage your time better.
• Assignment Calculator - Have a calculator plan out when to work on assignments.
• Resource Guides Landing Page - Get information on how to cite, finding images, and more.
• Citing Sources - Get tips on how to cite different resources.
• UBC Library (AskAway) - Chat in real time with a library worker  on your research questions
• Print, Copy, and Scan - Need to print, scan or copy something - find out what you need here.
• Tutoring Resources - Find information on tutoring and get Peer Academic Coaching can be found near the bottom of the same page. 
• Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication -Get writing help!

Guides

• New to UBC Chapman Learning Commons Orientation Workshop Handout (PDF)
• How to Focus Workshop Handout (PDF)
• Balancing Living and Learning at Home Workshop Handout (PDF)
• Time Management when Learning Online Workshop Handout (PDF)
• Online Communication Skills Workshop Handout (PDF)
• Resources for Exam Preparation Handout (PDF)

Blog Posts

• 4 Legit Back to School Tips by Flint
• Aren't you sick of the back-to-school clichés? We know we are! So check out some REAL back-to-school tools here.

“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had started saving more money on a monthly basis. Currently, I use excel to track my finances. I use it to budget expenses and calculate how long it would take to pay off my debts.” - Matheus, Economics student

Blog Posts

• My Journey to Getting Better with Money by Keli
• Learn about how Keli's discovered how to create a budget that works for her.
• Getting Better With Money: Methods and Techniques by Keli
• In the second part of Keli's attempt to get better at handling money, she explores some budgeting methods and techniques.
• Living on a Student Budget by Tristan
• Learn about various sources of income to supplement your student budget!
• 3 Tips for Eating Cheaper without Cooking Every Meal by Minori
• If you have been having a hard time budgeting your food allowance, Minori shares a few tips and recipes that will give you the best bang for your buck!

“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had known that it’s okay to join clubs and run for executive positions even though I’m not a pro.” - Harvey, Sauder student

Videos

Check out our Instagram @ubclearn for Reels about UBC Vancouver campus, or watch them on our YouTube shorts playlist!

Blog Posts

• Connect with the Online UBC (Uni)verse
• There's lots to explore at UBC, even if you're only visiting online - here's a handy guide to get acquainted!
• Strategies to Stake Out the Best Study Spots at UBC by Selina
  • Achieve your study exam dreams. Find out what strategies will help you stake out the best study spots on campus.

If you're feeling lost about course registration, you can take a look at these resources!

Quiz

Course Registration: Self-Assessment
Wondering how to choose the perfect course for you? Take this quiz to learn more about your priorities and how to reflect them in your course selection.

Blog posts

• A Student Guide to Picking Classes by Richard
• Learn more about how to pick the class that's best for you!
• Choosing Courses at UBC Part 1: What Do I Want? by Lina Coming Soon!
• Choosing Courses at UBC Part 2: Considering Online Learning by Sanjana Coming Soon!

“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had pushed myself to explore activities outside of my comfort zone, like taking part in residence theatre productions, applying for part time jobs on campus, since that would have allowed me (as an international student) to establish roots and make more interpersonal connections.” - Minori, MA Children's Literature student

Quiz

Transferable Skills: Self-Assessment
Apply skills from university to your professional development! Identify your talents and strengths with this quiz, and learn how they translate to workplace and more.

Blog Posts

Work Advice

• How to Get the Most Out of Your University Experience Part 1: Involvement and Work Opportunities by Tiffany
• Are you curious about getting involved at UBC, but lost as to where to start? You're in luck! Read all about clubs, jobs, and volunteering opportunities in this week's blog post by Tiffany!
• How to Get the Most Out of Your University Experience Part 2: Academic and Professional Resources by Tiffany
• Have you been wondering about what resources are available to further your academic and/or career goals?
• Why It Is Not So Hard to Earn Some Cash and Experience in Your University Years by Tiffany
• School is busy, but gaining some work experience can be a good idea if you have enough time for a part-time job.
• Why Working on Campus is a Great Idea by Madeleine
• You might be wondering - why would anyone work on campus? This week, Madeleine shares why she finds it so worthwhile, and how you can find a good job to fit your preferences.

Emotional Support for Working as a Student

• How to Recover from an Interview Failure by Ivy
• Your first job interview can be intimidating. For me, my first interview was a nightmare.
• Mental Health and Balancing Student Work Life by Kartik
• In this post we will focus on mental health and students’ work life, focusing in particular on part time jobs students have while studying.
• Balancing Activities with Studying Guide: UBC Version 101 by Tiffany
• Going to university means managing your time all by yourself. In this blog, Tiffany shares her personal tips for balancing activities with studying.

“In my first year at UBC, I wish I had received a heads up on how hard it is to get housing on campus, my advice to you would be to apply for year-round housing ASAP!” - Helena, Sociology student

The Find Housing resource guide shares information on planning ahead for upper year-housing so that you know all of the deadlines, tips and tricks on looking for and securing a spot on campus or off-campus, whichever you prefer!

Resources

• UBC Wellness Centre
• UBC Counselling Services
• UBC Student Assistance Program

Blog Posts

• Homesickness and the Education System as a First Year Student by Miski
• Did September to December go by in a flash? Are you feeling excited and nervous at the same still figuring out where you fit at university?
• Mental Health and Students' Academic Lives by Kartik
• Everyone has mental health. Many of us struggle with mental health problems and some of us will experience mental illness. As a student, your mental health matters. 
• Mental Health and Students' Social Lives by Kartik
• We looked at mental health and its effects on academics in the first blog. This time we will look at mental health and its effects on one’s social life.