Getting the Most out of Post-secondary Life

Written by Ontario Newsroom on 31 August 2014

Tips and Tools to Support Ontario Students

Ontario is offering postsecondary students a variety of tips, programs and resources to help them save money, stay healthy and make the most of their experience as they return to campus this fall.

“A postsecondary education continues to be one of the most important investments people can make in themselves and their future. We’re proud of our students for taking up this challenge, and we’re pleased as a government to offer a variety of supports to help them thrive as they pursue their passions and learn valuable skills.” Reza Moridi. Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

Students can use these handy tips to help them make the most of the year ahead:

Take care of administrative requirements like registration, enrolment and fee payments as early as possible.
Set a budget and keep a record of your expenses. Buying used textbooks is a great way to save money.
If you’re moving to a residence, pack appropriately for a small space. If you’ll be sharing a room, be a considerate roommate.
Create a routine and stick to it — and don’t cut classes! There are plenty of electronic tools you can use to get organized and stay that way.
Stay socially connected — make new friends at orientation and get involved on campus.
Keep stress in check through good work habits, a healthy diet, exercise and sleep. Make time for leisure and relaxation. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out and ask for help.
The province’s colleges and universities provide many on-campus services to help young people succeed, such as student centres and counselling, health and career services.

Ontario also offers a number of supports, including:

Good2Talk, 1-866-925-5454, is a province-wide, bilingual mental health help line for college and university students that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Tools and resources to help students understand their skills and make decisions about next steps: Ontario Skills Passport, SkillsZone, Guide to Education and Career/Life Planning in Ontario.
OSAP, the Ontario Student Assistance Program, is a flexible grant and loan program to help students pay for a college or university education.
30% Off Ontario Tuition Grant provides non-repayable grants to eligible students attending a public college, university or private career college.
Many programs offer financial help for students in special circumstances.

Supporting Ontario’s postsecondary students in every aspect of life is part of the government’s plan to invest in people, build modern infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.

Quick Facts

Ontario is supporting 20 projects at colleges and universities that are researching ways to improve access to mental health services, identify mental health issues and quickly connect students to support when needed.
Good2Talk is operated by Kids Help Phone on behalf of the province and is a free, confidential and anonymous service that provides professional counselling, mental health information and connections to local resources.
Ontario launched the Youth Suicide Prevention Plan to provide training, tools and funding to help communities come together to prevent youth suicides, including a unique Aboriginal approach.
There are over 170,000 more students enrolled at Ontario colleges or universities than there were in 2002, an increase of over 43 per cent.