For many of us, balancing academics and extracurriculars while taking care of our physical and mental health can be a steep learning curve. When there’s a wide range of campus services available to give students a helping hand, this challenge doesn’t need to be tackled alone.
Academic support
From needing another opinion on an essay to wanting to connect with other first-generation students, the Chancellor Cuthbertson Student Success Centre (SSC) is a one-stop hub for academic support. The centre offers writing assistance, learning support, academic strategy workshops and peer mentoring to help students build confidence inside and outside the classroom. The SSC also provides programs tailored to specific student communities, including first-generation students and neurodivergent students.
If you have questions about course registration or degree requirements, academic advisors in your faculty can help you plan your program and connect you with further resources.
Health and wellness support
University is not just about academics. Taking care of your wellbeing is just as important as preparing for your next midterm.
The university’s Student Wellness Services (SWS) offers various mental and medical health services. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or need someone to talk to, students are able to book appointments with counsellors free of charge. The peer support program can also connect you with a trained student volunteer for support.
Staying active and building a social community are also important factors in maintaining your health and wellbeing.The variety of fitness facilities, student clubs and campus events is something to take advantage of.
Accessibility support
If you have a disability, chronic health condition or temporary medical condition that affects your learning, Student Accessibility Services (SAS) can work with you to develop academic accommodations that support your success. Accommodations may include exam arrangements, note-taking support, assistive technology or other individualized services depending on your needs. Students are encouraged to register with SAS as early as possible since arranging accommodations can take some time.
SAS also offers programs such as neurodiversity advising, peer support and a sensory-friendly student lounge located in Macewan Student Centre room 450.
Affordable food on campus
If you’re worried about where your next meal is coming from, here are some places you can visit for support.
The SU Campus Food Bank, located in Mac Hall room 255, provides emergency food relief through hampers. Additionally, the Good Food Box program, run by the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, allows members of the campus community to access fresh produce at affordable pricing.
The university’s Campus Food Hub also offers a variety of programs for those looking for affordable food. Groceries at the Campus Food Hub Affordable Food Market are subsidized by the SU Quality Money Program, making good food more accessible to students.
The Campus Food Hub also runs the Ladle UP! program, serving soup and a bun for $2 to students every Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m. On Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Breakfast Club offers $3 smoothies and $2 Grab and Go bags with items like fruit, toast, egg bites and overnight oats.
University can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. If you’re unsure where to start, reaching out to a student services office can help connect you with the right resources and support.
