How Do I Prepare For University?

The thought of university can sometimes feel like the be-all, end-all of everything. After all, the past twelve or so years of your life have been leading up to this moment, but the way to campus life and co-ops can sometimes seem a little shaky. If you need a roadmap for your to path university, no matter where you are in your journey, here's your pit stop.

For Grade 11 students:

It's never too early to get started on your post-secondary journey. Get a head-start to optimize your student portfolio!

  • Attend the Vision and Goals Workshop to have a clear roadmap of your educational journey. 
  • Complete the Founder's Worksheet to track your past and current volunteer and leadership experiences.
  • Before your senior year, prepare yourself with a Head Start on Grade 12!
  • Focus on your grades and solidify good study habits. An upward trend and/or consistent high grades will highlight your proficient academic ability.

For Grade 12 students:

How's the pressure up there? The heat is on in Grade 12, but keep your cool with these guidelines.

  • Prioritize your grades—almost all university admissions are grades-based, with a focus on your Grade 12 transcript.
  • Find the universities that offer the program(s) you want. For an overview of the top 12 universities in Canada, look no further than our toolkit!
  • Unlock the admissions algorithm and prepare for the tsunami that is application season (October-March).
  • Track your schools here to have full visibility on the financial aid opportunities that your educational institution offers.
  • Track your scholarships, grants, and bursaries and their deadlines using your Tracking Sheet. Input specific tasks and deadlines to work on your applications in your calendar.

The Summer Before Your First-Year:

You're free! Kind of. There are still a number of steps you should take to set yourself up for success before the First Year starts.

  • RELAX. University is a big commitment so you need to prioritize unwinding during your vacation.
  • Review what classes you need to take in the first year. Typically, universities recommend what classes to take during your first year so you don't have to trouble yourself with pre-requisites. You can often find the class structure universities recommend to students in their Academic Calendar.
  • Check when you can enroll in your university classes. Mark these important dates in your calendar because classes fill up at the speed of light. Enroll in classes early!
  • Craft a perfect resume using our Resume Creator and join our How to Make Your Resume Standout Workshop for jobs/internships you may pursue. Already have a resume? Our essay editors can review and give you recommendations to further optimize it.
  • Research your chosen university. Find what opportunities they have for students that you can be involved in (i.e Research, Student Unions, Volunteer Placements, Student Groups, Support Groups, On-campus jobs, Co-ops, etc.)