From a Small Town to a Big City University

What may appear to be a giant undertaking, can be the best decision you’ve ever made!

As you search for the university or college to spend your next four years, you may be feeling overwhelmed especially if you are used to small classes and communities. The University of Calgary will put these worries at ease through countless support programs, clubs, and a strong sense of community that is evident across the university’s 5 campuses. The University of Calgary’s main campus alone, occupies more than 200 hectares, making the campus larger than Calgary’s downtown. This size should not deter you, but rather, pique your interest as there are endless ways to enhance your degree and find your sense of community within the university.

A common decision people from small towns make when choosing their post-secondary institution is to have an adjustment period by starting at a smaller institution for two years and finishing their degree at a larger institution such as the University of Calgary. Although this is a viable option, what is important to understand is this is not a necessary step to take once you graduate high school. There are several resources on campus that can help with your transition and provide you with a support network and a sense of community. Some examples include:

• UCalgary offers multiple programs through the Student Success Centre such as the Writing Centre. Depending on your program, the sizes of your courses will vary, nevertheless, The Writing Centre is available for all students. The Writing Centre offers free half-hour individual writing tutorials for students at all levels who want to improve their writing. Many professors will also offer office hours, so students can ask questions and get additional academic support for that class.
• Faculty Advisors are available and are very knowledgeable about your faculty and can help you get the most out of your time at the University of Calgary.
• Another way to feel connected is through clubs. The University of Calgary offers over 300 student clubs, 50 intramural sports and countless performing arts events.UCalgary also offers a range of Student Service supports such as the Wellness Center, The Q Centre, the Women’s Resource Centre, the Writing Symbols Lodge, the Faith and Spirituality Centre, Student Accessibility Services, and International Student Services. To learn more, click here

If you are ever uneasy about if the University of Calgary is the right fit for you, find out more from our Instagram; @choose.ucalgary, on Facebook @ University of Calgary Future Students Facebook, on Pinterest @chooseucalgary, our YouTube @ Choose UCalgary or through our Choose UCalgary podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

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