Partnering to Support Your Student
Congratulations on having your student join our family at U of T Scarborough. University is not only a major transition for incoming students, but also for parents and supporters.
The Academic Advising & Career Centre offers special sessions during the student Get Started On Campus programming to specifically answer your questions and provide tips on how you can best support your student’s transition. Students can register their parent/guest when they sign up for one of the in-person sessions. Session dates will be posted to the website in late May.
Family Guide
This guide provides tips and resources to help you communicate with your student about their university experience and support them in their academic and career success.
U of T Scarborough Extended Family To Do List
You are your student’s support system off-campus, and we are here for them on-campus.
Start Planning
- Engage with the Get Started Program. Great first step!
- Support your student in developing their academic plan by familiarizing yourself with the online academic calendar, course timetable and registration guide.
- Appreciate that your student’s schedule may include a combination of lectures, tutorials (labs), practicals and outside classroom activities, as early as 8am and as late as 10pm!
- Recommend that your student consider a variety of courses and programs to allow for flexibility in their academic planning.
Go Explore
- Discuss the importance of exploring and researching potential career ideas and options including further education.
- Suggest to your student that they attend the various career fairs, information sessions and workshops, and take advantage of opportunities such as job shadowing and mentorship programs.
- Promote the importance of gaining career-related volunteer and paid experience, reminding them that they can access work, volunteer and research opportunities via the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx).
Get Involved
- Encourage your student to register for the Student Life and Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) orientation activities in August to make connections and better understand the academic and social transitions.
- Discuss the benefits of getting involved in extra-curricular activities and remind your student to research the various clubs and organizations that exist on campus through the Student Organization Portal. Watch for events in the second week of September!
Be Informed
- U of T Scarborough offers information through the Admissions & Student Recruitment and the Office of Student Experience & Wellbeing websites.
- Ensure your student reviews the academic calendar and takes responsibility for understanding the policies and procedures. if they are unclear, encourage them to seek answers from the Academic Advising & Career Centre and various other departments available to assist them.
- Confirm with your student that tuition fees are paid by the appropriate deadline via the Registrar's Office to ensure that they are fully registered and remain enrolled in their courses.
- Be advised that under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the University may only discuss academic matters, including grades, directly with students.
Stay Connected
- Remind your student of the importance of attending lectures, tutorials and practicals, and talking with their professors.
- Ask your student about their transition to U of T Scarborough. Encourage them to be proactive in connecting with the many academic, social, emotional and health support services on campus.
- Encourage your student to sign up for study skills and career development workshops on the Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network (CLNx).