Transition Resource Guide

Prepare yourself for a successful start at college or university by joining EYES-ON-PSE. This course will help you to be more prepared, informed, and confident as you begin your post-secondary studies! The course is NOW OPEN! You can join EYES-ON-PSE at any time and complete it at your own pace!

Learn more about the course and how to register on the TRG: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/eyes-pse-post-secondary-prep-course

You've visited campus, accepted your offer admission and started choosing your courses. Now what?

Register for EYES-ON-PSE to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills required for a successful start to college or university! This free, online, asynchronous course can be completed at your own pace throughout the summer. The course will remain open during the school year for students to refer back to during your first year!

The course is now open! Register by completing the survey linked on the TRG: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/eyes-pse-post-secondary-prep-course

Like and share this post with friends or fellow students starting post-secondary this fall!

Are you heading to college or university in the fall? Want to set yourself up for a successful start? Register for EYES-ON-PSE, a free online transition program for any student entering post-secondary school in Ontario! This course was created by the team behind the Transition Resource Guide, and features tons of useful information and activities to help prepare yourself for this next step!

Head to the TRG website to learn more about the course and to register! https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/eyes-pse-post-secondary-prep-course

Congratulations to everyone who celebrated a graduation recently! If you plan to start college or university in the fall, be sure to check out the Transition Resource Guide this summer. The TRG can help you learn what you need to know to be ready for this next step!

If you are looking to set yourself up for a successful start to your first year, register for the TRG's new transition course, EYES-ON-PSE! More information on the course and how to register can be found on the TRG.

https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/eyes-pse-post-secondary-prep-course

Do you have a learning disability? Are you currently attending or are planning to attend post-secondary in fall 2022? If so, be sure to apply for the Justin Eves Foundation Scholarship!

It is awarded to several students every year, and applications are still open! The deadline to apply is June 30th, 2022.

More info and application forms can be found at: https://www.justinevesfoundation.org/application-process

Conestoga College is our ! As it is , we will be highlighting some of Conestoga College's mental health services and supports.

Conestoga offers confidential, one-on-one appointments with counsellors who can help students work through issues affecting mental health. Appointments have no cost and can be in-person, virtual or via telephone.

Peer Support is a mental health and substance use service provided by individuals who have lived experience with these subjects. It helps students build connections and learn wellness tools and strategies.

Conestoga College also offers The Breathing Space, a quiet, student wellness space to take a break or attend wellness-focused, drop-in groups. How amazing is that?!

Want to find out more mental health resources available at Conestoga College? Check out https://studentsuccess.conestogac.on.ca/myWellness/mentalhealthsupport or visit their page on Transition Resource Guide! https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/colleges/conestoga-college

"I found the adjustment to university life quite challenging to balance academics with physical health, mental health, and social involvement."

College and university is about more than just academics. Hear more about Jeremy's transition to post-secondary school and the importance of finding balance and maintaining wellness on the TRG: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/transition-stories/jeremy-university-student

Mental health disorders can have big impacts on mood, thinking, and behaviour and significantly affect daily functioning. In moments of wellness, students have the opportunity to participate equally in school whereas, when they are not well, students may have difficulties attending class or processing information, and academic performance can be affected. As such, students with mental health disorders may require some type of accommodation in college or university.

To learn more about mental health and accommodations at post-secondary, please visit: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/learn-about-accessibility/specific-disability-information/mental-health-disorders

Our is McMaster University! Offered through McMaster's Student Accessibility Services (SAS), MacStart is a free orientation program for incoming students with disabilities to help them prepare for their first year. The program includes a series of interactive workshops facilitated by students, professors, and SAS staff. This program provides students with resources, tools, including assistive technologies and learning strategies to support students during their time at McMaster!

Find the link to McMaster's Student Accessibility Services, the MacStart program and more on the TRG! https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/universities/mcmaster-university

What are accommodations?

Accommodations are the services and supports required for students to have an equal opportunity to access educational programming! To receive accommodations at college or university, students are required to register with their Accessibility Services office.

To learn more, check out the TRG's Frequently Asked Questions section on accommodations and support services: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/learn-about-accessibility/faq

Have you heard about the Bursary for Students With Disabilities (BSWD)?

The BSWD is a grant (which means you do not need to pay back this money) for students with permanent disabilities who have disability-related educational costs for services or equipment that are required for post-secondary participation.

Head to the TRG to learn more about financial aid at post-secondary, the BSWD, as well as other disability related grants and scholarships: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/plan-your-journey/financial-aid

Collège Boréal is our ! Collège Boréal is a francophone College of Applied Arts and Technology with multiple campuses across Ontario. Did you know Collège Boréal offers a free, one-week transition program for students with a learning disability and/or ADHD? You can learn more about the program and how to register here: https://www.collegeboreal.ca/services/service-daccessibilite/transition-vers-le-college

Did you know the TRG is a bilingual resource? View Collège Boréal's page on the TRG in French here: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/fr/research-schools/colleges/college-boreal

April is National Stress Awareness Month so today we are sharing a few simple ways to deal with stress.

1. Try deep breathing
2. Take a break
3. Connect with others
4. Enjoy your hobby
5. Listen to music

If stress becomes overwhelming and managing it becomes difficult, reaching out to counselling services can be helpful. Most colleges and universities have these services available to their students. You can easily find the link to each school's counselling service by selecting a school from the "Research Schools" section https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools and looking under the "Support Services Available" drop down. Being equipped with strategies to manage stress and knowing where to go to get support is helpful when making the transition to post-secondary!

What strategies do you use to help you when you are feeling stressed? Let us know in the comments below!

April is National Stress Awareness Month!

We know that times of big change, like the transition to college or university, can be stressful. Sometimes this stress comes from the all the unknowns around the transition...What school should I go to? What will my classes be like? How do I set up my accommodations? Where can I go to on campus if I need help?

The TRG helps students navigate some of these unknowns, provides the information you need to know to prepare for the transition to college or university and make it less stressful. Check out this video to learn more about the TRG https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO1erZmk9Sk, or head to transitionresourceguide.ca to begin learning more about accessibility at post-secondary school, planning your journey and researching schools!

Our is Laurentian University!

Laurentian University offers a transition program for students at their Sudbury campus. The Partners in Accessibility at Laurentian (PAL) program helps incoming students learn about support services, learning strategies, experience a mock lecture, participate in a student and faculty panel discussion, and receive support with accommodation planning. Students who register for the program also have the opportunity to move into residence early!

Want to learn more about the services and supports Laurentian offers? Visit their page on the TRG here: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/universities/laurentian-university

Today is . On this day, take a moment to prioritize your physical and mental health and wellness!

Colleges and universities offer numerous resources to support physical, emotional and mental health. From student health centres where you can walk-in or have appointments with family physicians and nurses, to counselling services, to recreational facilities and organized sports, there are many supports available to contribute to student health and wellness! Take a moment to explore what the different colleges and universities have to offer, and which schools have the supports you need to be successful and healthy at post-secondary.

https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/learn-about-accessibility/support-services-available-post-secondary

Good time management is an important skill to have as a post-secondary student! Being able to balance academics, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, personal responsibilities and self care requires being able to manage your time effectively! Time management, like other skills, can require practice to develop. Given the importance of time management to success in post-secondary, many learning or academic strategies offices will offer resources, workshops or advising to help students develop this skill.

Want know what learning and academic support services are offered at the schools you are interested in or are planning to attend? Find your school on the TRG's "Research Schools" page to learn more: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools

Our is Centennial College! Centennial College offers the SMART Start program, which helps students prepare for success at college. The program starts before the beginning of each semester and helps students learn academic skills and self-care strategies, complete a virtual campus tour and learn about the supports available to students with disabilities.

Want to learn more about Centennial College? Head on over to the TRG to easily navigate their services and supports, and be taken directly to their webpages from the links provided on the TRG! https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/colleges/centennial-college

How comfortable you feel at a college or university campus is one of many factors to consider when deciding which post-secondary institution to apply to or attend. With March Break being this week, now is a great time to plan a visit to the schools you are interested in attending through March Break Open House events or by booking a campus tour!

What schools are you planning to visit this week? Let us know in the comments below!

Want to easily find the contact information for all of the publicly funded colleges and universities in Ontario? Head on over to the "Research Schools" page on the TRG. https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools

Our thoughts are with those who continue to be affected by the invasion of Ukraine. Today we would like to share some organizations and charities providing support to the people of Ukraine, including those supporting people with disabilities, if you would like to donate:

Fight For Right (Supporting Ukrainians with disabilities in crisis): https://eng.ffr.org.ua/

Inclusion Europe (Helping Ukrainian people with intellectual disabilities and their families): https://www.inclusion-europe.eu/help-ukraine/

Ukrainian Red Cross: https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation?context_form_id=form_b3c4871eefc9230b8da009dbff2b6bb2_6217f7b63ee410.77625343 -error

Canadian Red Cross:
https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?_ga=2.106648907.993362320.1646853406-834350731.1646750612&_gl=1*1fp0xpd*_ga*ODM0MzUwNzMxLjE2NDY3NTA2MTI.*_ga_376D8LHM0R*MTY0Njg1MzQwNS4yLjEuMTY0Njg1MzQwNy4w

Voices of Children: https://voices.org.ua/en/

Project Hope: https://www.projecthope.org/

Our is Lakehead University! Lakehead University has put together a great "Transition Planner" document for incoming students with disabilities and/or medical conditions. It outlines the contact information required to connect with their Student Accessibility Services (SAS), what documentation is required for students needing accommodations, and the academic supports and training services offered through SAS. View their "Transition Planner" here:https://www.lakeheadu.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/72/SAS%20Transition%20Planner%20July%202021.pdf

Want to learn more about the services and supports Lakehead offers? Visit their page on the TRG: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/universities/lakehead-university

Making the decision about which college or university to attend can be difficult. Using the TRG's "School Checklist" is a great first step to help you learn about and compare the resources available at different schools. Being able to visit schools (in-person or virtually) can help make the decision clearer by allowing you to get a better sense of which campus and program is the right fit for you!

Download the school checklist here:https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/sites/transitionresourceguide.ca/files/files/School%20Checklist%20%28fillable%29_0.pdf

Don't forget to check out the collages and/or universities you are interested in, learn about what open house events and/or tours they offer to prospective students, and book a time to visit their campus!

Today is the first day of March and that means some colleges and universities will soon be hosting march break open house events!

During these events students often have the chance to take campus and residence tours, speak with professors and current students, attend general and program information sessions, and more! This is a great way for prospective students to get a better sense about what school may be the right fit!

For schools that are not hosting open house events, many will offer campus tours during the week of March Break. Be sure to visit the school's websites to learn more about registering for open house events (if they are being offered) or to book a campus tour over the break!

Need to find the contact information for the school(s) you want to visit? Head over to the "Research Schools" page on the TRG to get started: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools

Our is Canadore College! With three campuses in North Bay and one campus in Parry Sound, Ontario, Canadore College serves 3,500 full-time students and 4,500 part-time students!

From health, to counselling and academic supports, Canadore College offers a number of services for their students. Check out Canadore College on the TRG to learn more: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/colleges/canadore-college

Happy Thursday from the TRG! Remember "Our differences are our strength as a species and as a world community." - Nelson Mandela

Everyone has mental health! It is natural to find yourself struggling with your mental health and when that happens, reaching out for supports is important. Supports and strategies to aid in mental wellness are more accessible now than ever, with hundreds of apps to support our mental health right at our fingertips. While these apps cannot replace diagnosis or treatment from a mental health professional (Psychologist, psychiatrist, counsellor, etc.), these apps can be part of your mental health wellness plan. Read more about some great apps to add to your mental health wellness toolkit on the TRG: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/blog/theres-app

Carleton University is our ! Carleton University's Centre for Student Academic Support (CSAS) offers several different services to students, including Peer Assisted Study Sessions and Writing Tutorial Services. To learn more about the services and supports Carleton offers, check out their page on the Transition Resource Guide: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/universities/carleton-university

If you or someone you know is a grade 11 or 12 student in the Kingston area, be sure to check out the OLTS and STOMP transition programs. These programs take place primarily online and are designed to support students with LDs, ADHD, ASD and/or mental health disorders prepare for a successful transition to college and university. We know that the transition to college or university can be overwhelming. Participating in OTLS and STOMP can help you feel more prepared for this next step! Visit https://www.queensu.ca/rarc/transition-programs-and-services/olts-stomp to learn more about the programs and how to register. Registration ends soon, so be sure to check it out and share this post with anyone who may be interested in joining OLTS and STOMP 2022!

The TRG has many helpful checklists and informational documents to aid students in their transition journey. The best part is that all these documents can be conveniently found on a single webpage, making it super easy to find and download what you need. Be sure to check out the important documents page here: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/documents

Our is Cambrian College!

Did you know that Cambrian College is home to the Northern Ontario Assessment and Resource Centre (NOARC)? NOARC provides accurate, comprehensive, and high-quality psycho-educational assessments to English/Bilingual students attending Cambrian College and other post-secondary institutions in Northern Ontario.

Visit Cambrian College's page on the TRG to learn more about their accessibility and other support services: https://www.transitionresourceguide.ca/research-schools/colleges/cambrian-college