2020 Student Perspective in The Globe and Mail

Perspe ctive

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PLANNING

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Tuition, Room and Board Costs in Canada. Start a Plan.

Real Life Examples About Choosing a School

Students Can Eat Healthy While at School

How to be certain deciding on the right school in uncertain times.

Every fall, high school seniors turn their attention to making their postsecondary choices. College and university recruiting staff visit Ontario secondary schools to make pitches for their institutions to groups of students, and thousands come to the Ontario Universities’ Fair (OUF) and the Ontario College Fair (OCF) to see the range of their choices all in one place.

Thousands more pour onto campuses all over the province to take tours, and meet with faculty, staff and students in program open houses.

But we all know 2020 is unlike any other year. Recruiters are not taking to the

road, the OUF was cancelled, the OCF has gone virtual, and the vast majority of on-campus tours and events have shifted to online.

Here’s a guide for students and families planning to make post-secondary choices in the uncertainty of this extraordinary pandemic year.

Start early Everything is different in this school year but don’t let that postpone your decision-making process. Application deadlines remains the same: Jan. 15 for Ontario universities and Feb. 1 for colleges.

“We feel students are delaying the research process this year,” said Brent Krmpotich, director of enrolment management and international operations at Algoma University. “We didn’t have the typical kickoff with the Ontario Universities’ Fair being cancelled, but students still need to start the research early on.”

Some in-demand college programs fill up right away, so be sure to meet application deadlines says Scott Charitar, student recruitment officer-digital at Seneca College.

Sean Van Koughnett, dean of students and associate vice-president students and learning at McMaster University, suggests that Christmas break is a good time to submit applications. Then use January and February to zero in on choices.

Get organized Understand that this year will require a much more proactive outreach from students and their families, says Van Koughnett.

Wading through a vast amount of information now online requires a structured and organized approach.

He suggests developing a checklist or chart to keep track of key information and dates.

Connor Koch, liaison coordinator at Laurentian University, says parents, especially those who didn’t attend post-secondary themselves, often don’t know how to support their kids during this process.

“We offer a step-by-step process to help with the research. It’s a decisionbased flow chart with different suggestions based on Yes or No answers.”

Find your fit Take inventory of what you want out of a post-secondary experience, says Krmpotich. Do you lean to a university theoretical education or to the handson and practical of college? Do you

Perspective

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1464 Cornwall Road, Suite 5 Oakville, ON, L6J 7W5 1-866-779-7712 info@perspective.ca perspective.ca www.studentperspective.ca Publisher & CEO: Steve Montague Vice-President: Ed Martin Editorial: Meredith MacLeod & Sheetal Pinto Student Perspective was produced independently of Ontario Colleges. Contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of Perspective Marketing Inc. The publisher is not liable for the views expressed in the articles and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or Ontario Colleges.

want to study close to home or far away? Are you looking for a small university or a big one? Big-city or a small town? Historic or modern? Is an integrated work term important? What about athletics and clubs?

There is so much more choice out there in terms of program offerings and parents are often surprised by that, says Van Koughnett. Some programs are offered at dozens of universities in the province, so understanding what is important to you in an institution is critical.

“No matter where you go, you’ll end with a degree that has value. It’s a big decision, but there are no bad choices.

It’s just finding the best fit for you.”

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How to be certain deciding on the right school in uncertain times.

Virtual tours

Reach out directly

Colleges and universities have rolled out interactive campus tours that offer a chance to take a look at classrooms, labs, common spaces and outdoor settings. They also offer an opportunity to connect with students, recruitment staff and alumni.

Reach out directly to campus recruiters to set up an appointment to meet virtually at a time convenient for you.

There are many more opportunities for one-on-one contact than in the past.

Algoma University’s virtual tour includes linked blogs from students that offer a sense of the university experience.

Remember that many students, including those from abroad or on the other side of Canada, have made successful choices without being able to visit a campus in person. It requires a lot of research, but it can be done, and never have there been more virtual tools to make a great decision.

Open houses Many colleges and universities are offering virtual open houses, both campus-wide events and those geared to individual faculties and programs.

Algoma University, for instance, is holding a week-long open house Nov. 9 to 15 and Seneca College is hosting prospective students on Nov. 21.

McMaster University is presenting Month of Mac during November, including webinars, virtual tours and plenty of opportunities for students and families to connect with staff and faculty.

Find out if your program of interest is holding an open house or webinar where you can connect with faculty, students and alumni. That will give you deep insight into what you can expect.

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“Those conversations will show you so much about what an institution is all about,” said Krmpotich. “Those opportunities to connect are still there and students should take advantage of them.”

Seneca College is providing one-onone virtual counselling to answer questions and provide supports, says Maria Wallin, executive director of marketing. It’s also building live-chat

capability into its presentations, which are live-streamed and available on demand, too.

ALWAYS ALGOMA A quality university experience with in-demand programs in a location that’s right for you.

Algoma University’s Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton and Timmins campuses serve distinct communities, providing access to education for each student and their unique journey, in a caring environment focused on ensuring their success. Whether online or in class, in a regular or accelerated program, Algoma provides a safe and supportive learning experience.

Take a closer look at

algomau.ca

“We are doing whatever we can to bring the campus to our prospective students and their families.”

As well, recruiters are offering virtual drop-in sessions at high schools.

Inquire about the schedule at your guidance office.

Seneca staff will meet with students in any way that meets their needs, says Charitar. That includes virtual meetings, calls, emails or live chat.

“We are conscious of the need to be flexible and that includes offering services in the evening and on weekends. We are meeting students and families wherever they need us to be.”

Seek out other students Online presentations often include the voices of current students and graduates. But try to connect directly, too.

Laurentian in Sudbury is offering physically distanced campus tours led by student ambassadors who offer a first-hand look at what the university has to offer.

Use your personal networks or social media platforms to connect to current student or graduates of the post-secondary institutions you are considering. Ask about academics, social life, athletics, the arts, the food and anything else that is important to you.

Go to the Ontario Colleges Virtual Fair For the first time, the OCF is virtual this year. The Nov. 4 and 5 free event will include all 24 colleges set up in a traditional convention booths, which participants navigate through as an avatar. Visitors can

search programs of interest to find colleges to explore, head into auditoriums for presentations and workshops, and can use audio or text chat to speak directly with college recruiters, faculty, students and alumni. Participants must pre-register and must download software to take part in the interactive event.

Visit (safely) in person Colleges and universities may not be holding formal recruiting events, but that doesn’t mean curious prospective students can’t come for a visit. Wander the campus, take in the atmosphere, and where possible, pop into buildings to look inside, but be sure to follow public health rules.

Nothing quite replaces being there, says Van Koughnett, who encouraged his own daughter to visit a campus she is considering.

“There is just an intuitive feel you get when someplace feels like home. No matter how effective virtual tours are, they never quite replace the benefit of being there.”

Some institutions are offering small in-person tours as well. Often open houses and preview days are most important for parents, says Koch at Laurentian.

“I’ve found that one of the most powerful motivators to reassure a parent that their student is going to be OK away from home is being able to imagine the places their child is taking classes, eating lunch, or spending their free time. This is an incredibly difficult feeling to recreate virtually.”

Virtual Tours Open H ouses

Top Sc hools

Sign up for email newsletters, follow on social media If you’ve narrowed your choices of colleges and universities, sign up for their email lists (you can do that directly on ontariouniversitiesinfo.ca) and follow those institutions on social media. That will keep in the loop of important events and deadlines, along with scholarships and financial aid.

A first step Yes, it’s a big decision to make and the pandemic is making things more uncertain and perhaps adding to the anxiety.

“Know that there is support there, even if it seems like there isn’t,” said

Koch at Laurentian. “Reach out to the recruitment and student services teams at the schools your student is interested in. We are always here to help, that’s what we love to do.”

And remember that this is just the beginning of your journey.

“Make the best decision you can right now but understand that it does not bind you for life,” said Krmpotich.

“There is a lot of flexibility as you move through your post-secondary career.”

That includes switching programs, transferring to another institution and moving from college to university and vice versa.

“Use this time to explore, take a look at different subjects, try out internships or co-op,” said Van Koughnett. “You don’t have to already have your path determined. This is the time to find it.”

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Aniket Kandhari, Student, Electromechanical Engineering Technology – Automation

APPLY NOW

YOUR to create the future.

In a world that’s changing faster than ever, Seneca’s degrees, graduate certificates, diplomas, microcredentials and courses equip you to thrive and meet any challenge.

Now is your time … to push it further, to question everything, to dare NOW IS YOUR TIME — that’s the theme of Seneca’s Challenge Accepted campaign this year. We chose it because of the time we live in right now.

In this world, change is inevitable. All around us, the ground is shifting and evolving at new speeds. Sometimes, it might feel like you have no control.

But the truth is: you do.

You do because it is your time to decide how you will move forward. Will you dare to take your future further? Will you dig deeper? Will you rise to take on challenges in our new world?

Right now, what you do makes a difference, because what happens after high school is up to you.

You have an opportunity to make an impact. This is your chance to carve out your future. And through it all, Seneca will support you.

And you can too.

Our degrees, graduate certificates, diplomas and courses will prepare you for the path ahead.

Starting right now, our recruitment team is available to guide you in making your choice. We offer online advising and virtual events that will help you plot your course. We know how hard it can be to plan when there is so much uncertainty — that’s why we’re here to help.

We’ll welcome you into the Seneca community — a community that believes in supporting students and graduates to continually perform at their best.

And when you start your career, you will be confident knowing that Seneca prepared you to make a positive impact.

Now is your time.

Get started at www.senecacollege.ca and join us for our Virtual Open House on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about our careerfocused programs, services, campuses and more. Connect with program and service experts, attend interactive sessions and take a virtual campus tour.

When you choose to study with Seneca, we’ll help you reach your education and career goals. We have a range of resources available to guide you on your journey.

There are so many Seneca students before you who chose to make a difference. We featured some of our amazing graduates in our latest Challenge Accepted campaign. We visited some of them at work and went behind the scenes to showcase how they are making statements in their fields.

Recent International Transportation & Customs graduate Karina Perez, is now an Air Exports Co-ordinator with DSV Global Transport and Logistics.

These are Seneca graduates committed to making a difference … to innovating … to growing … to leaving their mark.

They are relentless, pushing forward, adapting to whatever lies ahead.

Our graduates accepted the challenge.

They took their Seneca education and hit the ground running.

Neil Hetherington’s Seneca education has led to executive positions with Habitat for Humanity and Dixon Hall. Today, he is the CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank.

Pre-COVID, Seneca hosted Open House events at the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, Newnham Campus.

This fall, Seneca’s Virtual Open House will take place Nov. 21.

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VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, November 22 10 am – 2 pm

Discover why Centennial graduates are prepared to lead. centennialcollege.ca/virtual-open-house

How Can You Make the Most of Online Learning?

Online learning — for better or worse — has become routine since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even after the health crisis passes, the impact on your college and university education will endure.

How can you make the most of online learning at the post-secondary level?

These tips can help you develop a routine and better absorb course material served up online:  Create a dedicated learning space  Research and compare several online colleges and universities

Cost of Online and Distance Learning According to EduCanada, costs vary widely depending on whether you’re seeking a diploma, certificate course, bachelor’s, or graduate degree. It also depends on which Canadian college or university you choose to attend.

The choices can quickly become overwhelming. Fortunately, the government site has a search tool to help you compare the costs and other attributes of online learning programs.

Language and Academic Requirements

 Use available technology

Most Canadian online universities and colleges conduct courses in French or English. To succeed in an online degree, it’s important to have good oral and written language skills. Check out the language and other entrance requirements prior to applying. This helps ensure that you can understand and process the information in an online environment.

Create a Learning Space at Home

How Important Is Taking Notes?

You may find it easier to establish a routine if you study in the same place every day. Do what you can to make the learning environment productive.

This may mean choosing a space that’s free from distractions. Also, keeping it separate from your bed or couch helps create a clear distinction between work and relaxation. That way, when you take breaks from studying, you are physically separating the various areas of your home, dorm or student apartment.

Online classes typically consist of recorded lectures and videos you can consume in your own time. This is one of the greatest benefits of the format.

However, not everyone learns well from merely watching videos. Even though courses may come with notes and summaries, taking your own notes can help you process the information on a deeper level.

 Ensure that you have the appropriate language skills  Take notes and engage in active listening  Upgrade your internet assets

Active listening is critical. For best results, take notes as you watch the

material and include any questions that you have. You can send a note to the professor to get clarification. Many online classes also have forums where you can talk to other students to get their take on concepts and discuss the course material.

Consider Upgrading Your Internet Access If you rely on the coffee shop down the street or the public library for internet access, you’ll need to rethink your strategy to succeed in online college courses. Tuition and school-related expenses may take up most of your budget. However, reliable technology greatly relieves the strain of taking online courses. Consider a reliable internet connection part of the cost

of attending school. Include it in your budget to help ensure you always have access to your e-learning environment.

Use Available Technology Occasional technology glitches are unavoidable. If your computer crashes at 3 a.m., do you have a backup plan to save the day? Backing up your work to Google Docs or Dropbox allows you to access your work quickly. If you need to use another device to access classes for a few days, you will be grateful you did.

Online learning has some challenges but also many benefits. To succeed in your online courses, through school, college, or university, remember to follow the tips above.

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UNEXPECTED COMPLEXITY. UNBRIDLED OPPORTUNITY. Learn how to collaborate, think critically and problem solve creatively so you can navigate a possibility-filled world with confidence.

This is your turning point. Find your calling at sheridancollege.ca

Build a Career in Designing Experiences Design Experiences.

Create Connections.

If you’re drawn toward interactive installations, intrigued by hands-on museum and art exhibitions or curious about creating exciting experiences with Instagram-worthy moments, Sheridan’s new Honours Bachelor of Experiential Design may be the degree for you.

“Like a choreographer, an experiential designer determines movement through space and develops possible narratives and interactions within a physical environment using all the senses,” explains Angela Iarocci, the program’s coordinator. “It’s an emerging field that takes a holistic approach to improve and augment people’s experience of places.”

It’s so emergent in fact, that Sheridan’s four-year degree in Experiential Design is the first of its kind in Canada, developed in response to industry demand and new directions within

design practice. As technology advances and socio-cultural changes take hold, it’s forcing design disciplines to evolve. With its over 50-year legacy of delivering ground-breaking arts and design education, Sheridan is well positioned to respond to these shifts.

The curriculum focuses on key areas of the field including wayfinding, exhibition design, placemaking, themed environments and events. Experiential Design students will take courses that blend theoretical and hands-on training, integrating aspects of architecture, interaction design, and graphic design.

Faculty include experienced designers with a range of specializations and industry connections to mentor students throughout the four years. They’ll provide expert guidance in courses like Site & Space, Communication & Narrative, Multisensory Experiences, Public Space & Placemaking, Experiential Design Theory and more.

Graduates will be current with qualitative and quantitative research methods focused on critical experiential design issues. They’ll be able to employ a variety of design strategies to develop solutions that integrate knowledge of materials and physical space as well as create multi-sensory experiences through interactive media.

They will have the ability to integrate principles of human-centered design, sustainability and inclusive design with problem-solving methodologies aimed at experiential design solutions.

“The profession is eager for welltrained graduates who can rise to the challenges of experiential design,” says Iarocci. “And it’s not only ‘hard skills’ in arts and design that are required. Experiential design is a highly collaborative discipline - so teamwork, integrative thinking and creativity are equally important.”

A 14-week co-op opportunity in the upper years of the program will give students hands-on experience in the field, provide them with leads to industry pathways and a chance to build their portfolios and network before graduating. Students will also complete a thesis project for which they’ll delve into a specific area of experiential design. These projects often become the cornerstone of graduates’ portfolios.

In addition to pursuing a job as an experiential designer, graduates may also find employment in roles like exhibition designer, wayfinding strategist and designer, environmental graphic designer, digital experience designer, design researcher, themed and branded environments designer, and project manager/coordinator.

Visitors interacting with an exhibit at Alberta’s Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology Learning Lounge designed by Reich + Petch in Toronto

“It’s a tremendously exciting field to be in, rich with opportunities for

Photo by Touann Gatouillat Vergos.

application in a variety of sectors.

Ultimately, it’s about connecting people, places and content in meaningful ways”, says Iarocci.

The attainment of future-proof, 21st century skills is integral to Sheridan programs, and the Bachelor of Experiential Design is no different.

Approximately 50 students will be accepted into the inaugural cohort of the Honours Bachelor of Experiential Design degree, which begins in September 2021.

Applications are now being accepted. If you’re interested in learning more about the Bachelor of Experiential Design program and application requirements, you can participate in Sheridan’s Virtual Open House on November 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit openhouse.sheridancollege.ca to register for Virtual Open House and xd.sheridancollege.ca for program details.

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Words of Wisdom Real life examples of how they decided where to study.

If only we had the opportunity to go back and offer words of wisdom and advice to our younger selves, especially our younger selves about to embark on one of life’s great transitions – moving from high school to college or university.

But since time machines have yet to be perfected, we will rely on the words of those who have recently been through it. What would current college or university students or recent graduates tell high-school students thinking about their post-secondary choices and the journey ahead?

Randeep Mandar Every time a university recruiter came to visit her high school when she was in grades 11 and 12, Randeep Mandar collected university program brochures.

“I meticulously went through them all.

I put a lot of time into narrowing down my choices.”

Ryerson University was an easy choice.

She liked the big-city setting and it was the ideal distance from her hometown

in Waterloo, Ont. But picking the program was harder, she says.

She eventually settled on journalism and fast forward five years and Mandar, 22, has earned a four-year degree and will embark on earning a graduate degree in a year.

She advises incoming students to take part in every faculty event and to get to know their instructors.

“Take part in the opportunities that you have. It’s part of the experience.”

As for what she would do differently if she had to do it all again, Mandar says she should have more seriously considered attending college. She says she succumbed to family pressure to go to university.

“I was hyper-focused on university, but I actually think I may have been better to do two years at college first,” she said.

“My advice would be that if you don’t feel ready for university, look at college. There are a lot of options out of college. Don’t limit yourself to what you think others want. Focus on what makes you happy.”

Nikolai Laganin Nikolai Laganin had little idea what he might want to study as he approached the end of his school years at a Burlington, Ont. high school.

His mother Bojana Maric worried that he wouldn’t find his way. She urged him to try technology or computers, but he wasn’t convinced. He listened to the presentations of college and university recruiters who came to his high school

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and came home with half a dozen brochures.

But nothing really captured his interest.

He applied to five different programs at several colleges, including computer technology and cybersecurity, but Laganin, 18, who likes cars and working with his hands, decided Mohawk College’s aviation maintenance program was a good fit for him.

He says it’s the best decision he’s ever made.

“I honestly love it. My classroom is in a hangar with helicopters and airplanes,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier with the program. Every day I’m learning something new.”

Maric hoped he would choose Mohawk, since she had such a great experience there in the 1990s, studying office administration and then computer systems.

Now her son is texting her pictures with captions that read: “Mom, I’m under a plane right now.”

In January, Laganin and his classmates will move into a new facility at the airport with state-of-the-art classrooms and hangar space to work on aircraft.

“I look outside and there is a constant arrival of cargo planes. It’s just so cool.”

Laganin’s advice to high school students is simple: “Find a program that suits you. It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you like it.”

Maryse Belleau When Maryse Belleau was choosing which university to attend, her choice was rather simple. As a Francophone, she knew she wanted to learn in French and wanted to stay in Ontario. That left her with Laurentian University and the University of Ottawa.

A visit to the Sudbury university campus made her decision for her.

“I’m not a fan of big cities. My high school was about 90 minutes away from Ottawa, so I had visited the university there a number of times. My father convinced me to go visit Laurentian. The second I arrived, my decision was made.

I loved it.”

The natural, outdoorsy northern setting and the relatively small size of the campus suited her, says Belleau. An upper-year student conducting the tour

painted a picture of university life that resonated, too.

She graduated in June 2019 with a bachelors in geography. She’s now in the second year of a French education program with the goal of becoming a teacher. Belleau is also a senior liaison ambassador at Laurentian, overseeing the students who conduct tours.

Looking back, Belleau says she should have done more research into her university choice, even though it has all worked out for her.

She urges all high-school students making a post-secondary decision to visit prospective campuses, even if tours aren’t available right now. Connect with student ambassadors who can answer your questions and give you a student perspective, she says.

Spend time on virtual tours and take advantage of all the online resources

The START of YOUR CAREER IN HEALTH CARE

post-secondary institutions have created to help students make a decision.

though I knew in first year health wasn’t for me.”

Belleau advises new students to take as many electives in areas of interest as they can. She discovered her initial choice in health sciences wasn’t for her, but a geography elective showed her a new path.

Belleau also urges students to participate in all the clubs and events that interest them. When she arrived to Laurentian, she was a shy first-year student five hours away from home. Extra-curricular activities helped her make friends and feel a part of the university community.

“I wish I had known earlier it was OK to change my mind. I didn’t switch programs until third year, even

“Delve in campus life as much as you can.

It will be over before you know it.”

• IMAGING • MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES • PRIMARY & CRITICAL CARE • MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES

US JOIfoN r our

VIRTUALSE U OPEN HON R E @ MICH E , 2020 November 14

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE!

Join us for our virtual admissions information sessions.

Sign up and submit your questions in advance. weblinks.michener.ca/Information-Webinars

MICHENER.CA/GLOBEANDMAIL

Find us at these online high school and university events: weblinks.michener.ca/HighSchool_UniversityVisits

Transforming hands-on learning for a digital landscape at Durham College Durham College is proving that hands-on learning can be rewarding and effective in both physical and virtual classrooms.

Durham College (DC) enables students to develop the career-ready skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market by connecting them with expert faculty and offering more than 140 quality full-time programs, including nine apprenticeship and two degree programs.

With a focus on experiential learning through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads have the skills and knowledge employers need.

In March 2020 the world changed almost overnight as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. To ensure the health and safety of their communities, many colleges and universities transitioned traditional in-class instruction into a new, digital environment.

At DC, faculty and administrators were able to pivot immediately, calling on innovative digital tools already in practice in many of DC’s programs so they could continue delivering the same excellence in education and fulfilling hands-on learning DC is known for.

These digital educational tools seamlessly transformed physical classrooms into virtual ones, allowing students to continue learning complex theoretical material, take part in engaging class discussions and online simulations, and participate in virtual experiential learning opportunities.

Faculty members adapted, developing new applications and approaches, like a computer-aided online dispatch system

for 911 Emergency and Call Centre Communications students that simulates call-taking and dispatching. Others leveraged educational tools to create interactive activities in trades courses, or enable virtual internships locally and internationally – connecting students with employers around the world.

With a focus on social connectedness, DC’s expert faculty and dedicated employees found new ways to ensure a unique and supportive student experience. From online Q&A sessions and guest speakers in virtual classrooms to delivering student services in a virtual environment, DC continues to find new ways to support students on their postsecondary journey.

Find out more at our

DC IS LEADING THE WAY! Exceptional academic experience.

Career-focused programming.

Real-world learning.

Job ready grads.

durhamcollege.ca/openhouse

DC’s blended approach of digital and hands-on learning has seen students from all programs adapt and excel as they continue to experience transformative learning.

As the future takes shape, DC continues to offer exceptional academic experiences and rewarding experiential learning opportunities that allow students to develop job-ready skills and knowledge needed for in-demand careers in an ever-evolving market.

With hands-on opportunities, robust learning environments and more than 450 pathways to further their education after graduation, DC prepares students to seize whatever opportunities the future may bring.

To a Degree and Beyond

such as health, business and technology.

It will allow them to apply their current skills and deepen their knowledge of the rapidly growing field of digital health.

Mohawk College is offering its first stand-alone degree, along with a postgraduate certificate, in Digital Health.

“This is a major milestone for the college and it’s so appropriate that the first degree is in Digital Health, because Mohawk has such deep expertise in that space,” said Jeff McIsaac, Dean of Applied Research.

“This is a really important test case for Mohawk in launching a degree program that blends experiential and classroom learning, with industry-applied research.”

The degree program, which is embedded in the School of Engineering Technology, combines computer science, health and business disciplines and will culminate in a capstone project. It will prepare students for careers as software developers and networkers for healthcare providers, business developers and data analysts for health tech companies, and as entrepreneurs.

“The digital health field is rapidly growing and it’s a well-established area of excellence at Mohawk College.

It makes sense to develop a degree to provide synergies in research, faculty teaching and student learning that really builds on our strengths.”

States Joe Varrasso, Professor of Electrical and Computer Science.

“As digital and sensor technology expands, the number of healthcare applications will continue to increase.

Remote digital monitoring will provide medical professionals with faster, better information to improve the patient experience. And wearable technology will improve workplace health and safety,” said David Santi, Dean of

Pictured: Wendy Lawson, Dean of Health and Community Services, Jeff McIsaac, Dean of Applied Research, and Joseph Varrasso, Professor of Electrical and Computer Science

Engineering Technology at Mohawk.

“Our Digital Health students will be at the forefront of those developments, as they support Canada’s healthcare sector during this period of revolutionary change.”

The postgraduate certificate program will welcome students with a prior credential in a wide variety of fields,

The development of the Bachelor of Digital Health (Honours) involved five deans and the co-design of courses and learning outcomes involved multiple program areas. The first students will begin their studies in September 2021.

“To see this level of co-design is unusual but there is so much value in beginning these conversations,” said Wendy Lawson, Dean of the School of Health and Community Services.

“I expect this kind of thing will happen more often because there is much crossover of the skills needed to be successful in this employment landscape.”

Learn more at mohawkcollege.ca/ DigitalHealth

NEW! Starts September 2021

Bachelor of Digital Health (Honours) Degree Design and develop IT healthcare solutions to improve patient care.

In this new four-year bachelor’s degree at Mohawk College, combine computer science, health and business to support and create new solutions to emerging health care challenges.

Apply today at mohawkcollege.ca/DigitalHealth

Leading-edge augmented reality marketing course receives top innovation award

By Jocelyn Titone Brock University’s new augmented reality (AR) marketing course has been internationally recognized.

The one-of-a-kind course offered by the Goodman School of Business recently placed first in the 2020 Innovation in Business Education Award competition by the MidAmerican Business Deans Association. “The Goodman School of Business is the first and only business school to offer an entire course dedicated to the strategic marketing opportunities of augmented reality (AR),� said Assistant Professor of Marketing Joachim Scholz, who created and teaches Brock’s AR Marketing course. “Students who complete the course will have knowledge and experience driving creative and strategic ideation for a professionally implemented, real-world AR marketing campaign.�

In contrast to virtual reality technology, where everything a user sees is a virtual environment, AR augments a consumer’s physical environment with digital components. For example, consumers might use their phones to visualize how a sofa might look in their living room. The sofa is digital, but everything else is real.

In the AR Marketing course, students explore strategies on how AR can be successfully used to build brands, create customer experiences, and design advertising campaigns that maximize customer engagement and influence purchasing decisions.

The course adopts a virtual agency model to complement and deepen Brock University’s strong focus on experiential education.

A current trend in the marketing services industry, virtual agencies bring together several specialized agencies and external freelancers to collaborate with each other to fulfil a client project.

It allows agencies to be nimble and avoid the large rosters of permanent staff that are usually found in full-service marketing agencies.

For the AR Marketing course, students take on the role of strategic planners and the creative team within a virtual agency, whereas the execution of students’ strategies is completed by a specialized AR development studio on a pro bono basis.

Consultants from a professional creative agency help students conceive campaigns for the client and a pitch consultant from a professional marketing agency helps students communicate their strategy proposals in the most effective way. “It’s an updated version of experiential education that increases the course’s realism and impact,� said David DiPietro, Senior Experiential Education Coordinator, who worked with Scholz on the design of the AR Marketing course. “Students develop their strategic-

thinking, creativity and problemsolving skills by taking on a variety of senior marketing agency roles and by consulting with industry experts to bring the AR Marketing project to life.�

This is not the first year the Goodman School of Business has placed in the Innovation in Business Education Award competition. Last year, Goodman’s Internet and Social Media Marketing course led by Professor Kai-Yu Wang was awarded third place.

STUDYING BUSINESS

is more than balance sheets and bottom lines.

At Goodman, experience matters.

Small class sizes, both in-person and online, encourage collaboration and discussion.

A diverse community of students and professors brings a global perspective to the classroom.

Unique courses, like Augmented Reality Marketing, meet rapidly evolving industry demands.

Class consulting projects and paid co-op work terms offer real-world experience.

Student clubs and case competitions develop leadership skills.

50+ international partnerships allow for exchange opportunities.

GET THERE WITH GOODMAN. START JANUARY 2021.

brocku.ca/goodman

How You Can Eat Healthy While at School The Freshman 15 is a humorous term used to describe the weight gain many students face their first year at college.

If you want to avoid packing on pounds, eat healthy, exercise, and find healthy ways to destress. In this article, you will find tips on forming good eating habits once you leave home.

The Government of Canada has a Food Guide that gives plenty of advice and recipes for staying healthy. In 2019, the government changed its strategy by simplifying the food groups. Meat and dairy have been combined, and Canadians are encouraged to eat more vegetables and less meat and dairy.

Additionally, government literature produced after thorough research and scientific evidence, continues to emphasize the importance of drinking plenty of water and healthy fluids to stay hydrated.

Tips for Healthy Eating at College It’s all about moderation. Based on the key food groups, you can build a diet plan that maximizes healthy eating at school. The following suggestions lay the basis for a balanced diet.

• Dairy: Dairy and dairy substitutes help you build a strong skeletal structure. Try limiting daily intake to three servings of low-fat options, including cheese, milk, and yogurt.

Look for non-dairy alternatives for your beverages, like oat milk, almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, coconut milk, and so on.

• Carbohydrates: You need carbohydrates to provide energy to your muscles and brain. Limit your

intake to carbohydrates such as whole grain pasta and rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and other starchy vegetables.

These should make up 25% of each meal.

• Fats: Fats help you feel full and absorb more vitamins. Olive oil, nuts, avocado, and seeds are great sources of healthy fat.

• Fruits & Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are packed with minerals and vitamins that produce healthy skin, hair, nails, and boost your immune system. Eat 5 servings of vegetables and fruits throughout the day. Consider categorizing by colour to build diversity. For example, you can eat carrots, apples, leafy greens, bananas, and eggplant.

• Proteins: Protein includes beans, eggs, peanut or almond butter, fish, chicken, and dairy products, and you need it for healthy muscles and essential body functions.

Be Choosy in Dining Halls, Food Courts and Restaurants Dining halls and food courts make it easy to get whatever food you’re craving. However, it’s up to you to find and stick to healthy options. Many university dining halls and restaurants post nutrition information on the menus or online. Browse through this information before you choose your meal. That way, you know that you can get healthy food you love. This helps eliminate impulse eating based on cravings alone.

Follow the guidelines below for additional smart eating tips:

• Eat more kinds of food but less of it. All-you-can-eat dining makes it easy to overeat. Enjoy the smorgasbord by taking smaller amounts of each food.

Pro tip: Some students find that using small plates helps them moderate their intake.

• The majority of grains should include whole grains. Whether you eat cereal every morning or would love to pitch a tent next to the sandwich station, eating whole-grain options, such as 100% whole-grain bread, leads to a healthier diet.

• Re-think what you drink. Sugary drinks such as cappuccinos, fruit juices, and canned soda add hundreds of calories to your daily diet. Diet drinks may reduce calories but have other negative impacts. Whenever possible, choose water as your primary beverage. Herbal teas without sugar are great, too.

• Load your plate with fruits and vegetables. You can have moderate amounts of sandwiches, eggs, pizza, and other starchy carbs, but moderate these choices with fruits and vegetables in a variety of colours. Find creative ways to introduce veggies into

your diet. For example, use fewer eggs and throw in veggies from the salad bar when you get to the omelet station.

Have fun finding new ways to eat healthy at college. You can limit desserts to a special treat and cut back on sauces to reduce your calorie count.

Dine and dash — the longer you stay in the dining hall, the more you will eat.

When you finish your meal, leave the hall, and go for a walk around campus before your next class.

Practice Moderation Not Deprivation If your friends like to order wings and pizza, you don’t have to deny yourself.

Take half a slice of pizza or a couple of wings, just don’t eat the whole pie or basket of wings. Love fries! Choose sweet potato instead of regular fries and skip the poutine and cheese! Keep healthy snack options such as fruit or whole grain energy bars in your dorm or student apartment to avoid unhealthy food cravings.

With a little effort, you can get into healthy eating habits at school. If you want to surprise your parents, bring home better grades, not extra weight!

17

Creative: STCstorytellers.com

Photo: JonesFoto, inc.

Amal, President of Women in Engineering, chose Windsor. uwindsor.ca

Costs to go to university or college in Canada Tuition, Room and Board fees – Create an Education Plan A post-secondary education is an investment in the future, but it comes with significant upfront costs.

Many students have to rely on multiple streams to fund their education – parental savings, part-time jobs, student loans, and scholarships and bursaries.

Average university tuition in Ontario was $6,463 in 2019-2020, while college diplomas cost about $2,400 a year.

Factoring in room and board, food, transportation and books and supplies, the price tag for four years of postsecondary can easily reach $80,000 or more.

Here are some ways to pay those bills.

Government help Federal or provincial student loans come with a six-month interest-free period after graduation.

Depending on need, some students will qualify for grants that don’t have to be repaid. As part of its pandemic response, the federal government has broadened financial aid eligibility and doubled maximum grants.

Apply for government financial aid at least four months before you plan on starting school because it is a long approval process.

Private student loans In cases where students are deemed ineligible for government student loans but still need financial assistance to cover the costs of education, private financing options can fill the gap.

In most circumstances, private loans come with higher interest rates than those offered by governments that’s not always the case. Almost all Canadian banks offer a line of credit specifically for students.

Scholarships and bursaries Most universities and colleges offer scholarships based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, or other distinctions, along with bursaries based on those factors combined with financial need.

Many employers offer scholarships for education, as do community and service organizations.

Scholarships Canada highlights nearly 100,000 scholarships worth $200 million every year. Many of them go unclaimed because no one applies.

The majority are not tied to marks or financial need, rather they are targeted to specific fields of study, interests, volunteer experience, and location of study.

Some of these awards require only filling out an online form, while others must come with a portfolio and references. It requires work and persistence, but that can pay off handsomely.

Parental savings: The Registered Education Savings Plan RESPs are an effective way to save for a post-secondary education, allowing for monthly or weekly automatic deposits, and for the addition of gifts from extended family and friends.

Contributions to an RESP are topped up by way of a Canada Education Savings

Grant from the government, which will equal 20 per cent of the amount you contribute to a maximum of $500 for each year ($7,200 in a lifetime for each student). Setting $2,500 a year for a student from birth to age 18 maximizes the government top-up.

Part-time jobs Earning a steady income while studying lowers the burden of student debt.

There are a range of on-campus jobs available at every post-secondary institution that will be more understanding of a student’s workload and schedule than off-campus jobs.

Consider tutoring if you have specialized expertise or excel in a certain subject, or take a job delivering food or driving for a ride-share service. The benefits are that these gig economy jobs can be tailored to class obligations.

In upper years, paid co-ops may be available that will provide invaluable experience. Start looking for those opportunities in first year.

19

EDUCATION WITH PURPOSE SEE HOW WE’RE TRANSFORMING BUSINESS AND SOCIETY Learn more about DeGroote’s BCom and Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) programs on November 9 -14. degrooteschool.ca/month-at-mac

Algoma U Advances Expansion Plans in Downtown Brampton to Address Growing Student Need As the post-secondary sector continues to navigate the unprecedented challenges brought on by the current global pandemic, Algoma University continues to expand academic programming and student facilities in the “heart of downtown Brampton” to support the needs of students within the fast growing community and beyond.

Algoma University prides itself on providing a quality student-centred approach to learning that supports the academic success and experiential learning needs of today’s students at campus locations in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins. “My experience at Algoma has been everything I had expected and more.

No matter how big or small the issue, there is always someone willing to help,” notes Emma Hill who is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with a specialization in Accounting. “All the professors at the School of Business and Economics are genuinely here to help you achieve your goals.”

The Algoma University campus lies in the heart of historic downtown Brampton creating a perfect setting for students to study, work and play within a small urban campus environment. Just steps away, the downtown offers access to city and regional transit. Students enjoy great restaurants, shops, arts, entertainment, recreation facilities, parks and culture. Garden Square, located directly beside Algoma U’s Brampton campus, offers free entertainment for all ages throughout the year including many events and festivals. Algoma University also offers campus locations in Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins, Ontario.

This is an exciting period for both the City of Brampton and for Algoma University who are working in partnership, along with other stakeholders, to expand postsecondary options for the citizens of Brampton, the region of Peel and international student markets.

In response to current needs, Algoma University now offers programming in Computer Science and Psychology in addition to a range of degree and certificate programs in areas such as accounting, human resource management and marketing, previously established by the School of Business and Economics. The University is also offering new interdisciplinary project management certificate and degree options aimed at addressing needs in the labour market.

Algoma continues to develop the academic and non-academic programming elements of a new Centre for Social, Cultural & Economic Innovation (CSCEI) currently under development at its expanded campus footprint within the Brampton Innovation District. Each program at Algoma University’s CSCEI has been hand-picked to align with the City of Brampton’s goals to retain talent, attract industry, develop its social capital – and, ultimately – to become a strong, vibrant community.

The University anticipates continued expansion will include the introduction of undergraduate offerings in Law and Justice as well as Environmental Studies in time for Fall 2023 intake. Students at Algoma University’s Centre for Social, Cultural & Economic Innovation will obtain an education that prepares them to make significant contributions to the Brampton community and beyond.

The development underway supports current and anticipated enrolment growth that will see Algoma’s student body grow to over 1250 students by 2023-24, building upon record

enrolment of over 800 students in 2019-20.

Given the global pandemic, Algoma has temporarily transitioned program delivery to a high-quality virtual learning environment. “Although Algoma continues to adjust planning due to the current pandemic, we commenced the academic year with considerable positive momentum as we’ve expanded our virtual learning presence utilizing Ontario-based D2L in partnership with PowerEd by Athabasca,” noted Craig Fowler, Algoma University’s VP Growth, Innovation and External Relations. “The response by both students and faculty has been outstanding.”

Algoma is busy preparing for a return to “normal” campus operations through continued facility development, including construction of additional state-of-the-art classroom space, study rooms, a student life centre, a newly designed welcome centre, and the creation of the Centre for Social, Cultural and Economic Innovation.

Construction will be completed in two phases, with the current phase scheduled to be complete by December 2020 and a final stage commencing in May 2021. In addition to a $27 million investment by Algoma University, current campus development efforts have been generously supported by funding provided by the City of Brampton that will see a total of $7.3 million invested in the full project.

Further information on the Brampton campus of Algoma University is available online at www.algomau.ca/ brampton.

21

Career-ready: Real-world learning opportunities at Humber Whether it is through online learning, specialized handson training or a combination of the two, Humber College is committed to providing a polytechnic education that will prepare students for exciting careers in anything from automotive manufacturing to social work.

Even during a worldwide pandemic, Humber is focused on helping students navigate a global, knowledge-based economy and the ever-changing technology and tools they will encounter in the workforce.

Partnerships with employers and industry have helped to build strong programs that respond to industry demand and connect students to a network of professional contacts and opportunities.

A new Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronics degree was developed to address a shortage of engineers in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, food production, pharmaceutical, energy and healthcare. Thanks to a partnership between Humber and Sault College, the program will be delivered simultaneously at Humber’s North campus in Toronto and Sault College’s Sault Ste. Marie Campus through a blend of in-person, classroom and lab learning, combined with video conferencing. The innovative delivery allows students in Northern communities a chance to learn without leaving their region.

Facilities including the North Campus’ Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation offer state-of-the-art equipment and learning spaces that support skills development, research and opportunities to solve real-world industry challenges.

22

Culinary students who returned to campus for some hands-on learning in Humber’s Baking and Culinary labs have strengthened community ties by creating meals destined for shelters and food-security initiatives, working with established chefs and culinary partners.

Other work-integrated learning opportunities range from internships to Applied Research projects, which help build a professional portfolio and network prior to graduation.

As travel and in-person socialization restrictions continue, Humber has created innovative new international learning experiences, connecting students from a variety of programs, faculties and partner institutions.

Over the summer, Beyond COVID-19: Global Systems Gap Challenge brought together almost 400 students from 26 countries to identify systemic issues in business, education, social innovation and health and wellness.

They were supported by Humber faculty, staff and industry partners who volunteered as mentors. For many of the students, the challenge also counted toward work placement requirements.

Humber graduates are recognized as career-ready across many sectors.

One Electromechanical Engineering Technology alumna finished her studies in the Spring, when manufacturing jobs

became scarce due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as a result of her hands-on skills and extensive extracurricular activities, she was hired on the spot by a company in the industry.

Extra-curricular opportunities like Humber’s Mechatronics Skills Varsity team helped her build on skills learned in-class and challenged her to apply her growing expertise to real-world problems.

Now she is surrounded by university graduates at work where she continues to advance her career, branching out into new roles.

Many Humber College alumni report similar experiences and 87 per cent of graduates are employed within six months of graduation.

Humber College offers more than 240 full-time programs, including a growing list of degree programs delivered by instructors with experience in the field.

Students can also choose to enroll in Humber’s foundation and pathway programs for recent high school graduates, mature students, people returning to education after years away or students who are unsure what program they should start with.

These programs are about building the skills to succeed in post-secondary and enabling students to explore college life and focus on the program stream that is best for them.

To learn more about all Humber has to offer, visit Humber’s Fall 2020 Virtual Open House on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or watch for the Spring 2021 Open House. Students will have the chance to learn more about Humber campuses, programs, and faculty, as well as connect with staff and student ambassadors about choosing Humber. Humber’s website is www.humber.ca.

Virtual Open House

Learn about our programs, pathways and supports in our live chats and interactive sessions.

FALL 2020 Saturday, November 14, 2020 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

SPRING 2021 Saturday, April 10, 2021 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join Us! humber.ca/openhouse

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