In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, there can be a lot of pressure on relationships, and expectations on partners. There is one way to ensure you are truly happy this Valentine’s Day, and every day after that – by dating yourself.
College Life
Congrats, you’re officially one month into the semester! We hope that you’re getting more comfortable on campus and settling into the groove of your classes. With this in mind, it is a perfect time to explore some of our services that can complete and support you during your time here. Continue reading
Eating on a budget as a college student can be challenging. Whether you are living in Residence or off-campus, learning to live on your own and manage a budget is a transition we all face at one time or another. Check out these our top 5 tips to help you stay on track! Continue reading
Each new term may present its own academic challenges. We want you to succeed! Student Support Services offers a variety of resources to help students excel during their time at Algonquin College. Whether it’s your first-term or you are close to graduating, check out these supports to help you achieve your goals!
Happy new year! Can you believe it is already 2020? The start of another year and the start of another semester – and we are especially excited about this one!
You may have heard of the phrase “work-life balance” or “school-life balance”, but this term is a little dated now. With the accessibility of laptops, availability of wifi, the Brightspace App, and emails coming into our phones, the various facets of our lives have never been more integrated. Introducing the updated phrase: “school-life blend”. Wondering what’s available on campus to enhance your school-life blend? Student Support Services has got your back! Continue reading
The holiday season can be a joyous and celebratory time! When academics finish, you have more time for reconnecting with family and friends! Student Support Services is here to help you stay safe with harm reduction tips!
You did it! You’ve gotten through your semester, and you may be headed home for the holidays, or hanging out around Ottawa. Follow these harm reduction tips to celebrate safely!
1. If you’re going out, remember to eat and hydrate well!
Food in your stomach helps prevent rapid intoxication and hydrating ensures that you stay safer and feel better—both while you’re out and while recovering the next day.
2. Be prepared!
Whether you’re home alone or heading out this holiday season, make a plan to stay safe:
- Set a limit on how many drinks you’re planning to have, and space the drinks out over a period of time rather than consuming all of your alcohol at once.
- Make an exit plan: know how and when you plan to leave.
- Plan to have substance-free days.
- Charge your phone before leaving so that you can call friends or family in case of an emergency.
3. Heading to a holiday party? Don’t drive your sleigh (or car) tonight!
Stay on the nice list by handing over the reins to a sober friend, OC Transpo, Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.
4. Consent is everything!
When the lights are turned way down low, or you’re standing under the mistletoe, remember, consent is essential every time you hook up. Learn more about consent here!
5. Don’t mix your substances, including caffeine!
If you’re heading out this holiday season, stick with one substance at a time.
6. Measure your drinks to know exactly how much you’re consuming.
Do you know how much one standard drink is? Learn more from Ottawa Public Health.
7. Choose the least harmful method of use.
For example, when it comes to cannabis, eating cannabis or using a vaporizer or smoking a joint (with a rolled-up cardboard filter) is safer than using a bong and some pipes. If you use other substances, injecting a drug carries more risk than smoking, snorting or swallowing it. (If you do inject drugs, avoid the neck area.)
8. If you experience distress, please seek help.
Algonquin College Student Distress Helpline
613.727.4723 ext. 7300
Call during regular business hours to be immediately connected to Algonquin College’s Student Support Services.
Connex Ontario
1.866.531.2600
24/7 health services information for addiction, mental health, and problem gambling.
For additional resources, please see our Crisis Supports.
9. Staying sober this holiday season, or know someone who is?
The AC Umbrella Project shares relapse prevention tips for getting through the next few weeks. View all 5 tips here.
10. Thinking of quitting smoking or cutting back?
Algonquin College is a smoke-free campus. Check out these Clean Air resources to help you quit or cut back on smoking!
Looking for additional resources? Check out the Umbrella Project and Project Lighthouse for more available in-person and online supports.
From the Umbrella Project, Project Lighthouse, and the Student Support Services team, have a safe and happy holiday season!
You’ve made it to December! With the end of the semester in sight, some of us may be wondering what to do during the holiday break. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Check out these FREE events in Ottawa, Perth, and Pembroke in December! Continue reading
Do you often find yourself losing track of your to-do lists, find it hard to plan ahead, or generally want to be more organized? If so, we’d say you’re like most people. Luckily, we’ve found a flexible, customizable solution: the Bullet Journal. Continue reading
The Fall Mid-term Break is approaching! What does that mean for students?
Historically, Algonquin College has offered a Mid-term Break for students to catch up on their studies and assignments, check-in with themselves, seek out supports to help them succeed, and take a break from the day to day class schedule. This year marks the first time this break will be offered every term, including the Fall.
What You Need to Know:
The Fall Mid-term Break is October 21 – 25. This means that for most students at all three campuses, there are no classes during this time. If you are unsure if your program has a Mid-term Break, please check with your Program Coordinator.
Set Yourself Up for Success:
Staying in Ottawa over the break? Check out what’s happening around campus during and after the Mid-term Break!
Services
All Student Support Services will be open during regular hours to help support students. Student Support Services offers a variety of supports including help with academics, career and employment, mental health, accessibility, and more!
Events and Programs
On-going: Volunteering Opportunities
There are many opportunities for you to get involved in! Community Projects are an initiative between the AC Hub and not-for-profit organizations across Ottawa, where students donate their time and give back in a variety of capacities. At Algonquin, we encourage students to be active citizens who are engaged not just with their school, but also with the community around them. Volunteer opportunities available outside of the College are shared on the volunteer database.
October 21: RISE to Success Student Conference
Falling behind? Worried about your academics? Want to ace the rest of the term? Joinref=”https://www.algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/?post_type=algonquin-event&p=13319&preview=true” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”> RISE to Success, a one-day student conference to help you soar to your potential. The day will feature study-skills workshops, self-reflection, goal-setting exercises, and more! Learn something new and set yourself up for the rest of the term.
October 28: AC Re-Connect
The AC Hub wishes you a warm welcome back to campus after the Mid-term Break. Find your groove with mini-workshops, pop-up activities, and your favourite fall treats at AC Re-Connect
Beginning or returning to college is such an exciting time in your life. New classes, classmates, and maybe even a new city. With so much going on at Algonquin, it can be a lot to take in, and maybe even a little overwhelming – and that’s ok! I’m here to break down the top 4 things I wish I knew before starting college. Continue reading