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. With a large number of changes to your programs and education, CAL staff want to assure you that you continue to have access to support.
CAL Services
CAL offers both virtual and limited 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 email the Centre for Accessible Learning at cal@algonquincollege.com
For information on how to book an appointment, visit the CAL Contact Us page.
Counselling Services
Counselling Services provides caring, confidential, and professional counselling for Algonquin students at no cost.
Counsellors will help you address concerns related to:
- Mental health and Wellbeing (individual and group format)
- Academics
- Study skills
- Time Management
- Program planning and selection
- Career counselling
- Formal career psychometric testing for students
- Career planning process
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.
If you’re a student at the Ottawa, Perth, or Pembroke campus, you can access the list of the books you need to buy using the online Booklist tool. Here’s how you can access your course materials:
- You can log in to the Booklist with your student username and password and view the booklist for your specific courses.
- You can bring your booklist to campus and purchase your books at the campus store
- You can also 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.
Students at the AC Online campus can find their books by using the Textbook Search tool.
Credit Transfer & PLAR
Credit Transfer vs. Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Do you have prior work, life, or academic experience? If so, please watch this video explanation of Credit Transfer and PLAR: two services to help you turn your previous experience into course credit. Info Session: Turn Prior Experience into Course Credit
Credit Transfer/Exemption:
- For when a student has previous academic experience
- Competency determined by student’s transcript and course outline
- Credit transcribed as an EX (exemption)
- Student to keep attending classes until exemption granted
PLAR:
- For when a student has previous work/life experience
- Competency determined through a portfolio, assignment or exam
- Grade transcribed as A through F letter grade or Pass/Fail (same grading scheme as course)
- Student must withdraw from course after PLAR eligibility confirmed
More Information/Contact Us
Credit Transfer:
PLAR:
- Email: plar@algonquincollege.com
- Website: https://www.algonquincollege.com/plar/
Employment Support Centre
The Employment Support Centre (ESC) provides virtual support and online resources to help students and graduates prepare for job and career success. The ESC offers 1 on 1 appointments, career readiness workshops, in-class presentations and employer information & recruitment events.
What kind of services are offered through the Employment Support 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 Employment Support Centre offer?
- HireAC: Job posting board exclusive to AC students and grads. Look for part-time, summer and full-time work.
- AC Career Platform: Online modules with information on resumes, cover letters, job search and interview skills.
- LinkedIn Learning – Professional Soft Skill Development modules.
Find out how book an appointment on the Employment Support Appointment page.
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). It offers virtual care appointments with a team of nurses and doctors and face to face appointments for medical care that cannot be met through a virtual platform. They have also partnered with The Royal Ottawa to offer psychiatry consults to students who require this care based on physician referral.
Registration is required to access medical care in the clinic. For safety reasons related to COVID-19, all appointments with Health Services MUST be booked in advance; Health Services is no longer accepting walk-in appointments.
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.
To contact an International Student Advisor, visit the Support Team page.
IT Support
ITS provides IT support for students to help you get set up and use the technology tools you need at college. ITS provides information on how to get started with college technology including:
- ACSIS (student information and network login information)
- Live@AC (student email)
- Brightspace (Online course platform)
- Zoom (online video meeting tool)
- MyDesktop (a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) that allows you to connect to a virtual computer that has college software installed).
The first day of each semester, ITS offers drop-in support to help you get started. Find out more information on the Drop-in Support page.
Resources to get connected to AC technology:
- Study and Work from Home
- Student Survival Guide – Getting Started Online: Learn how to access ACSIS, login to your student email account, find your courses on Brightspace and more.
- ACSIS How To: How To’s to guide you through the most frequently asked questions.
- Brightspace Essentials Students Course
- Zoom Guide
- MyDesktop: Virtual Desktop Interface
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.
- Assistance from staff via online chat service and one-on-one online research appointments.
- Contact-free book pickup when you place a hold on an item online.
- Library digital resources (eBooks, databases, online videos), available 24/7.
- Online workshops.
Registrar’s Office
The Registrar’s Office (RO) currently provides the following limited 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 in course-specific difficulties at $8/hour. Tutoring is offered online through Zoom and in-person.
- Workshops: Free online 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.
Student Learning Kit
Student Support Services has set-up a student learning kit to help you get ready for remote classes during your studies.
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.
BounceBack – Student Checklist and Tipsheet
A checklist and a tipsheet developed by the Canadian Mental Health Association to help you bounce back from challenges:
- BounceBack – Student Checklist: Some small things you can do straight away to help you better tackle the challenges of student life.
- BounceBack – Student Tipsheet: 10 things you can do right now to reduce anxiety, stress and worry related to COVID-19.
Brightspace Essentials for Students
A brief video outlining how to get started with Brightspace.
Counselling Apps & Online Tools
Resources and online tools to help support your mental health and wellbeing.
COVID-19 Resource Page
A dedicated COVID-19 resource page for Algonquin College students.
Getting Connected with AC Tech Tools
A brief video to help you get your email and network account set-up.
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. We encourage you to start with “Where Do I Begin”