Month: September 2021

Your Guide to the Campus Bookstore!

Connections: The Campus Store is Algonquin College’s Woodroffe Campus Bookstore. Whether you’re looking for textbooks and supplies, or for a fun new sweater to rep your program, Connections has you covered! We’ve compiled a few tips and links that should be helpful as you navigate the bookstore whether it’s in person or online.

Finding Your Textbooks

There are three main ways you can figure out which textbooks you’re going to need for your upcoming semester!

1)You can use the Booklist, which has you log in with your Algonquin ID, select the semester you’re preparing for, and then it will show you a list of all the required texts for your semester.

2)Alternatively, you can look your required textbooks up through the Textbook Search by course. All you have to do is look up the course code for each of your courses and the bookstore will have your list of required texts.

3)Finally, you could instead use your Course Section Information (CSI) provided to you by each of your courses (can be found in Brightspace) which will list the required texts for each course.

Does Your Program need kits or uniforms?

You can get them at the Campus Bookstore! Lots of programs need special uniforms or tools to learn and you can find what you need at the bookstore. Check out the Supplies section of the online store or ask one of the lovely campus bookstore staff to point you in the right direction. Your program instructors, coordinators, or professors should be in touch with you to let you know exactly what supplies are required for your various courses.

Get your AC Swag!

Get connected, feel a part of the community, and rock some of the awesome AC Swag that the Campus Bookstore has available! They have something for everyone! Want to dress up your dorm room? Carry around your coffee or water on campus? Want to dress up your pet? Need to stay warm and still look like the awesome college student that you are? The Campus Bookstore has you covered!

Accessing things Online

You can make all your textbooks, supplies, and swag purchases through the Connections Campus Bookstore website and have them shipped directly to you, you can also pick them up curbside, or even pick them up in-store!

Visiting Connections in Person

The bookstore is open for in-person shopping with limited capacity and COVID safety measures in place. Make sure to have the AC mobile safety app downloaded and that you have completed self-screening prior to visiting campus. For full COVID-19 on-campus safety protocols visit Algonquin College’s Coronavirus Information page.

6 Reasons we’re excited for the new ARC!

We’ve been excitedly watching the construction of the new Algonquin Students’ Association Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre (ARC) and are so pumped for its opening this fall! Here are a few of the activities and spaces that we are most excited to explore!

1)Multiple activity areas to choose from!

Looking to do some cross-fit style activity? There is an entire turf training area! Looking for free weights to build up strength? There is a 10,000 square foot area with everything you can think of! Want to focus on cardio and other training approaches? The second floor has a wide array of equipment to choose from and five difference exercise nodes to work in.

There is something for everyone, and many choices for many different body types and individual’s unique preferences.

2)A 346m Discovery Track

On the second floor of the ARC, you can find a 346m track that winds and inclines around, giving you a bird’s eye view of the entire building! Super great for those of us who prefer not to run, walk, or wheel in one spot, or who want to move our regular activities into the comfort of indoors when the weather isn’t as enjoyable outside.

3) The new Wolves Den Restaurant!

A new on-campus restaurant with food freshly made in-house? We’re in! They are offering pizza, tacos, pub fare, curries, and more! With vegan, vegetarian, gluten-friendly, and dairy free options available.

4) The Wolves Den Games Room

This welcoming space is adjacent to the new restaurant and includes Ottawa’s only 10-pin bowling alley, a high-definition golf simulator, and three pool tables!

5) Fall Into Fitness

Looking for a fitness program to try out this fall to help keep your mind and body active and healthy? The ARC is offering a 12-week virtual fitness program for free for all Algonquin College students, staff, and alumni. This is also a great way to see the facilities as they are showcased throughout the fitness program videos.

6) Climbing and bouldering walls are coming soon!

Looking for a super fun challenge? With a brand new 34-foot Climbing Wall and a 15-foot Bouldering Wall there are ample ways you can challenge yourself and try something new!

Algonquin College will require proof of vaccination in order to attend in-person activities on campuses this fall. Learn more about Algonquin College’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.

Due to COVID-19 and the ongoing restrictions to campus visitors, use of the ARC is only for current Algonquin College students and staff. When restrictions are lifted, the ARC may open to the community.

6+ great social events to kick off the semester!

AC Day 1 kicks off the semester but this year that’s not where the fun and socializing ends! Student Support Services and the Algonquin College Students’ Association have a whole array of social events for all Algonquin Students to check out in the first week of school!

1) Virtual Field Trip with Little Ray’s Reptiles!

Get a rare, up-close look at animals with this virtual field trip! Meet snakes, lizards, alligators, caimans, sloths, and more. Little Ray’s Reptiles animal expert will travel through a few different habitats and environments covering information on the animals, their diets, and interesting facts along the way. Event will take place Wednesday, September 8th from 12pm – 1pm.

2)Dirty Bingo!

Meet new people, laugh, and have fun with Dirty Bingo hosted by the fabulous and famous drag queens Krystal Caring and Zelda Marshall! Enjoy some naughty hilarity and play for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Venus Envy. Presented by the Students’ Association this event will be hosted on Wednesday, September 8th from 8pm – 9:30pm. Register to get the link to your bingo card.

3)Food tips to fuel your studies.

Four-minute cooking demos to help fuel your body and brain to academic success? Sign me up! Learn about some nutritious, affordable, and simple options in this event from Health Services. Event will take place Thursday, September 9th from 10 am – 10:30 am.

4)Mindful Breadmaking

Get into the practice of mindfulness before the semester ramps up, plus learn to make something tasty. Learn grounding techniques and to create food with intention with Counselling Services on Thursday, September 9th from 1pm – 2pm.

5)Dealing with roommate conflict

Living situations can get tense no matter who you live with! Learn to work through this conflict and ensure clear communication between everyone with two guest speakers who know a lot about it! Join in and chat with Kiefer Collison and Phil Paquette from Big Brother Canada on Thursday, September 9th from 4pm – 5pm.

6)What to do in Ottawa this Fall!

Whether you’re new to Ottawa or have been a resident for years, Nina Near and Far has some great tips for getting out and experiencing all the fun that Ottawa has to offer in the Fall. Drop in and chat about all the great experiences to be had during one of the best times of year! Event is taking place Friday, September 10th from 11am – 12pm.

These are just a few of the great events coming up this week! You can also get tips on getting job ready, learn about NFTs, get Naloxone Training, and learn about the variety of academic resources available to students. Head on over to the Let’s Get Social webpage for the full schedule, details, and the register!

Let’s learn and have fun, with AC Day 1!

It’s almost time for AC Day One!! Coming up September 7th, 2021, AC Day One is Algonquin College’s (currently virtual) orientation day! It includes program orientation for new students to learn about classes and virtually meet professors as well as a multitude of virtual social activities and events for new and returning students!

There are useful information sessions, interesting workshops to attend, live local music, plus great activities where you can even win prizes!

Here are a few of the fantastic opportunities available during Fall 2021 AC Day 1!

Get Social!

Throughout the day there will be an AC Day 1 Discord Server up and running! Join the Algonquin College server for one day only – available from 9:00am until 5:00pm. Looking to make some new friends? Check out The Social Room! Connect with other AC students from across the world. Pop in anytime, introduce yourself, and chat with your peers. Everyone is welcome! Enjoy the live music by local artists and even a motivational speech to start your term off strong.

Workshops

Hobbiesville, Entrepreneurship & Pokémon

Join in a discussion with Logan Fournier, owner of Hobbiesville, as he speaks about his journey to entrepreneurship that started with a search for his old Pokémon collection in his parents’ basement.

Bonus: Win 1 of 3 gift cards to Hobbiesville during this session!

Let’s Get Nerdy About Nature

Ross Reid of Nerdy About Nature will be speaking on using his skills in filmmaking and communication to spread awareness about the environment. During this session, we will chat about the importance of learning to communicate with others, learn cool facts about nature, and discuss the intricate role that humans play within the ecosystem.

Other events include: Trivia, an Escape Room, Comedy Show, and Stretching and Sketching. Register Today!

Information Sessions

Don’t forget to check out the super useful information sessions on how to use Library Resources and Brightspace, details on Health & Dental Plans, and of course your program orientation!

End the day with a BANG!

AC Day 1 Fireworks Live Stream

And finally, close out the evening and celebrate the beginning of a new academic year with a fireworks display. Hosted by the Algonquin Students’ Association (SA) and Algonquin Student Support Services, the firework display will take place on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 9:00 pm. Watch this live stream event with loved ones under the stars, or if you are located in the area, step out on your balcony or front lawn and be united by this beautiful display.

Sign up today for AC Day 1 and start your semester off right!