The Life of a First-Year Student - Humanities, Social Science, and Commerce
September
Your first week at Innis is bound to be one of the busiest and most exciting of the year -- between all of the frosh week activities, moving in and preparing for your classes, you’ll have a very busy schedule!
If you are going to be living in residence, the move to Toronto and into residence life can be intimidating, but 
don’t worry -- the residence staff is there to help with your transition. They even have move in helpers (upper year volunteers in outrageously orange t-shirts) to assist you in bringing all of your things up to your new room on move in day! The first night in residence there will be a free dinner and “extravaganza”; a scavenger hunt designed to acquaint you with the building. Take this opportunity to meet people from other houses and programs (you will meet everyone on your floor later on in the week during your first house meeting!).
Frosh week typically begins the day after move in. The orientation coordinators and their exec have worked all summer long to make this the best possible week for new students to meet each other and get to know the university and the City of Toronto. Frosh week is jam packed with activities -- although it may seem impossible to attend them all, make an effort. This is the best opportunity to make friends and meet lots of new people before the academic year begins and everyone gets tied up in their studies.
The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) typically hosts a day of activities to end frosh week. Activities include a concert and a massive clubs fair on back campus where you can check out all of the clubs at UofT -- there is literally something for everyone! Also check out the UTSU booth; your students’ union offers discounted movie passes, Wonderland passes and Yuk Yuk’s tickets (as well as much less exciting things like faxing services!).
September is the time to get involved! Innis has really strong student leaders, and in September both the IRC (Innis Residence Council) and ICSS (Innis College Student Society) will be looking for first year representatives. Consider running. These positions are a great way to meet people, learn new skills, and really have a say in what sort of events and activities your student groups run.
Receiving OSAP? Your forms will be coming to the Registrar’s Office soon- just make sure to defer your fees on ROSI so that you don’t get removed from your courses! Check out the Innis website for some tips and pointers on how to process your OSAP loan.
Once classes start and you are given booklists from your professors, start looking around for your books! Although it’s tempting to run to the bookstore and buy brand new books, you can save a ton of money by buying books used from other students online or through the UTSU’s book exchange.
After classes begin, the UTSU will sponsor a week of homecoming events. These include the first football game of the season as well as pub nights, barbecues and a carnival! So come out and cheer on the Varsity Blues!
October
After all of the social events of September are over and done with, it can be hard to really get into the swing of classes. Now is a good time to double check the pre-requisites for your desired subject POSt in the course calendar and make sure you are aware of any requirements to get into your program!
Finding that you are spending more money than you had initially budgeted for? If you are thinking of applying for a job, check out the career centre for job listing and resume workshops. The deadline to apply for work study positions is also in October!
Having issues with suitemates? Visit your don -- they are there to help you out!
The last few weeks of October can be a crazy time. Even though it seems like your first year has just begun, midterms are here already! Check out the Innis Writing Centre for help with essays and reports. There is also lots of study space available for you! Robarts is open 24 hours a day, or if you feel like staying around the college, check out the Residence Events Room (open to all Innis students 24 hours a day) or the Innis College Café (open from 9am-9pm Monday to Friday).
Need some fun after a stressful October? Why not wear a crazy costume and aim for a prize at the ICSS’s annual Halloween pub night or join one of the many Intramural sports teams Innis offers -- they have everything from ice hockey to inner tube water polo!
November
Not loving one of your classes? Check in with the Registrar’s Office to discuss your options before the deadline to drop an F course.
The second week of November also has a mini, two-day reading break. Take this time to catch up on any readings or classes in which you have fallen behind!
December
Exams, exams, exams! They have a tendency to creep up on you, so make sure you are prepared. Take some extra time this month to review your notes and readings -- you don’t want to leave studying to the last minute. Make sure to attend any review sessions your professor may be holding -- they can be very valuable! Also check out the Arts & Science Students Union (ASSU); they have a past exam database that can be helpful if you are looking for hints as to what kind of questions could be on your exam.
After exams, you will get some time off -- relax and have some fun before the second term begins!
January
The new term brings new classes and a fresh beginning! To start the new term off right, check out the ICSS’s frost week events -- this is the perfect opportunity to catch up with all the people you didn’t see over the break!
January is also the deadline for submissions to the Innis Review. If you have an especially amazing or entertaining paper, consider submitting it!
February
Ah, February! This month, check out the Innis formal -- the highlight of the Innis Social calendar! Formal gives you a chance to dress up, dance, and party with your fellow Innisians!
February is also the month of reading week! Relax, read, whatever -- it's your week! Just remember that the last week of February can be busy (midterms, again!?) So use at least some of the time wisely!
Now is also the time to start thinking about what courses you want to take next year. Check out the course calendar and the anti-calendar, the ASSU’s assessment of courses based on student reviews (yes, those ones you filled out in class!). Still stuck on what courses are best for you? Head to the Registrar’s Office, they are there to help!
March
By March, you should be thinking about your plans for the summer. If you didn’t get enough of UofT during the school year, March/April is the time to sign up for summer courses and summer OSAP. Or, if you are planning to work during the summer months, make sure that you have begun to search for jobs!
April
The end is near! If you have completed 4.0 credits, you should enroll in your subject POSt. If you are considering applying for scholarships, many of the deadlines are in the first week of April, so check the Innis website for info on how to apply!
April is also the time to start thinking about your living situation next year. If you are currently living in the Innis Residence and want to return in September, make sure to complete your re-application form and get it into the front desk before the deadline (usually mid-April.) If you are going to look for off-campus housing, UofT‘s housing service website offers a rental search and other useful info for first-time renters!
Of Course, April is also the month of final exams. Study hard and utilize all the skills you have learned this year!
Congratulations -- you made it through your very first year at UofT! Celebrate the end of a busy year at the Innis end of year pub night, then sit back and enjoy your summer!
- Fourth-year Humanities student
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