Getting Started: Orientation Services & Resources
Welcome to college! Your first weeks will be new and exciting, scary and overwhelming all at once. We want to help make your transition as smooth as possible by providing you with all the information and tools you’ll need throughout the school year.
On this page you can access services and resources that will help you with your studies at Algonquin College. The services and resources listed below include important information from the College regarding orientation, the academic calendar, and helpful services such as IT support. The lists below also include services and resources that can help you succeed in your studies. Explore the lists to find the information you need. If you have any questions, you can contact one of the following services:
- Your Academic Advisor or Program Coordinator (for questions about your program)
- Your Student Success Specialist (for general questions about your studies and information about services)
Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL)
The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) provides support to students with visible and non-visible disabilities who self-identify.
CAL Services
CAL offers both virtual and in-person appointments. Students can book an appointment with their Disabilities Counsellor, Learning Strategist, or Assistive Technologist.
If you are a current AC student who is not registered with CAL, and you are seeking accommodations, please see the CAL website for instructions on how to register.
For information on how to book an appointment, visit the CAL Contact Us page.
Co-op and Career Centre
The Co-op and Career Centre provides virtual support and online resources to help students and graduates prepare for job and career success. They offer one-on-one appointments, resources, career readiness workshops, in-class presentations and employer information & recruitment events.
What kind of services are offered through the Co-op and Career Centre?
- Program/job specific resume and cover letter reviews
- Interview preparation including mock interviews
- Job search coaching and strategies
- Labour market information and trends
- LinkedIn profile advising and use
- Access to career readiness workshops
- Employer Information Sessions and Recruitment Events
What kind of virtual tools and resources does the Co-op and Career Centre offer?
- HireAC: Job posting board exclusive to AC students and grads. Look for part-time, summer and full-time work.
- VMock: An online tool to help you improve your resume and interview skills.
- AC Career Platform: Online modules with information on resumes, cover letters, job search and interview skills.
Find out how book an appointment on the Book a Career Appointment page.
Find out more about the Co-op and Career Centre.
Counselling Services
Counselling Services provides caring, confidential, and professional counselling for Algonquin students at no cost.
Counsellors will help you address concerns related to your mental health and wellbeing.
For information on how to book a counselling appointment, see the Counselling Contact Us page.
Course Materials (Connections: The Campus Store)
Connections is the campus bookstore where you get your textbooks and materials required for the semester, including print books, ebooks, and supplies.
You can log in to the Booklist with your student username and password and view the booklist for your specific courses.
You can access your course materials in the following ways:
- Bring your booklist to campus and purchase your books at the campus store.
- Purchase books online directly from your booklist, including print books and eBooks, depending on your choice and the availability of the format. You can pick up books that you ordered online through curbside pickup or in the store, or you can have them delivered to your home.
To find out how to use the booklist, visit the Steps to get your course materials page.
To access the Booklist tool to view your list and purchase books, visit the Booklist page.
To find out how to access e-textbooks, visit the Course Material Services website.
Credit Transfer & PLAR
Credit Transfer vs. Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Do you have prior work, life, or academic experience? If so, you may be able to turn your previous experience into course credit through either a transfer of credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR.)
- Transfer of Credit (academic experience):
- For when you have previous academic experience that is relevant to your current program
- Eligibility is determined using your transcript and the course outline
- If successful, the course will appear with EX (exemption) in place of a grade in your transcript for your current program.
- Student to keep attending classes until exemption granted.
PLAR (life/work experience):
- For when you have previous work/life experience that is relevant to your current program
- Success in receiving course credit is determined using a portfolio, assignment or exam
- You will receive either a letter grade (A through F) or Pass/Fail (same grading scheme as course)
- You must withdraw from the course after PLAR eligibility confirmed
More Information/Contact Us
Transfer of Credit and Course Exemptions
PLAR:
Financial Aid & Student Awards
Financial Aid & Student Awards provides students with financial support and resources over the course of their studies.
Financial Aid:
- Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP): federal and provincial funding to help Ontario residents complete postsecondary studies. (www.osap.gov.on.ca)
- Out-of-province funding: student financial aid through other provinces.
Student Awards:
- bursaries, scholarships, specialty programs, work study program, etc.
Based on your program, you have been assigned a Financial Aid Officer. To find out who your Financial Aid Officer is, please visit the Financial Aid Officers page.
Health Services
Health Services is a medical clinic on campus in Room C141 (Ottawa Campus). They offer medical appointments with a team of nurses and doctors. They have also partnered with The Royal Ottawa to offer psychiatry consults to students who require this care based on physician referral.
To register for the Heath Services clinic or book an appointment, visit the Health Services appointment page.
International Education Centre (IEC)
Information and support for international students. Get all the information you need to start your school year off right:
- Pre-Arrival information for those who are about to leave their home country for Canada
- Orientation information
- Information for current students on academic counselling, study permits and work opportunities. Returning Students, get information on post grad work permits, job tips and information on getting ready for graduation.
Find out more about pre-arrival information and orientation on the Orientation page.
IT Support
ITS provides IT support for students to help you use the technology tools you need at college and fix problems that you experience with your technology. Here are some areas where ITS can provide support:
- Your network account and trouble accessing Brightspace, email, etc.
- Connecting to college Wi-Fi.
- Printer issues.
- College-owned hardware or software
- Installing software.
Library
The Library provides free resources and services to support your learning and research. The Library currently offers the following services:
- Study space on campus.
- On campus at the library front desk
- Online through a live chat service
- One-on-one online research appointments.
- Print books and DVDs
- Digital resources (eBooks, databases, online videos), available 24/7.
- Same-day laptop loans
- Online workshops.
- Subject guides
Registrar’s Office
The Registrar’s Office (RO) provides the following in-person services:
- Assisted self-serve station
- Registrar’s Office document pick-up and/or drop-off
- OSAP Access Number retrieval and password reset
- Schedule a virtual appointment with a specialized service
- Admissions (Domestic and International)
- Financial Aid and Student Awards
- Registration and Records
The RO provides additional services online. To find out about all RO services and hours of operations visit the RO website.
Student Learning Centre (SLC)
The SLC provides the following services to help you succeed:
- Coaching: Free coaching in the fundamentals of math, writing, ESL, computers, anatomy/biology & presentation skills. Coaching is offered online and in person.
- Peer Tutoring: One-on-one help from trained student tutors for course-specific difficulties at $8/hour. Tutoring is offered online through Zoom and in-person.
- Workshops: Free workshops to develop and strengthen skills such as research, writing, digital skills, and study skills.
To ask questions about these services, visit the SLC Kiosk contact page.
To get started, visit the Orientation Website. This page contains the information about what you need to know when you first start at Algonquin College, as well as a list of services and resources at the college. For more support, explore the resources listed below.
Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar contains important academic information regarding refunds, withdrawals, payment due dates and start dates. It’s a great resource to keep you on track.
ACSIS How-To
The Registrar’s Office put together some helpful How To’s to guide you through the most frequently asked questions about ACSIS.
Brightspace Essentials for Students
A brief video outlining how to get started with Brightspace.
For more information, visit the Student Survival Guide: Getting Started
Counselling Apps & Online Tools
Resources and online tools to help support your mental health and wellbeing.
Student Handbook
Flip through the digital student handbook to familiarize yourself with key services, contacts, and policies at Algonquin.
Student Survival Guide
From navigating technology to studying smart, the Student Survival Guide has everything you need to help support your success at Algonquin.
The Learning Portal
The Learning Portal provides shared access to resources from all Ontario Colleges. Improve your study skills, writing, research, math, and more.