header image for information regarding your first year at York

"Welcome to York" Handbook

Tips, Terms & FAQs

Tips
View video advice for students on Making the Transition to University.

Too large to download? Try "transitions" in packaged parts:

Find your way around
Check out this full colour map showing buildings, residences, parking lots, sports and recreation facilities. Printable PDF version also available.

Terms — Building Acronyms
Don't understand all the building and room acronyms listed next to your courses? No problem. Here's a decoded list.

Glossary of Terms
You’ll be learning a lot of new words and terms specific to university, such as "transfer credit" and "conditional admission". Check our Glossary of Terms for definitions to this new vocabulary.

Ready for First Year?

York University is all about transformation and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. More than just academics, the York experience is equal parts surprising moments, unexpected paths taken and expanded horizons.

You'll find professors, staff and students ready to help you transition to university, get involved in campus life and find the services you'll need to stay on top of school work and plan for the future.

RedZone

Easy Transition and Success in First Year

Enter York’s RED Zone (May to August)
Get a head start on your first year at York. In York's RED Zone, you’ll meet current students for “inside” advice and find information about parking & transportation, College affiliation and College-hosted events, Orientation activities, intramural sports, on-campus jobs, parent FAQs, your student account and answers to financing questions including bursaries, scholarships, RESPs and OSAP.

Orientation

Orientation & student welcome (August to September)
Orientation will give you a great start, academically and socially. Your academic orientation will give you the skills you need to tackle research, lectures and note-taking. Social Orientation will make York your own. Meet friends, get familiar with the campus and dance through YorkFest!

Fall Co-curricular Week (Second week of October) is a mid-term pause from your traditional class schedule that offers a wide array of academic and personal development opportunities at both the Keele and Glendon campuses. First-year students, in particular, find Fall Co-curricular week a great way to help make a smooth transition to university studies and to find ways to connect to the campus community.

Offerings include workshops/sessions dealing with:

learning skills (e.g. note-taking and exam preparation),;
writing and research skills;
academic advising;
career-planning; and
a variety of social and networking opportunities.

All are designed to help you grow personally, succeed in the classroom and to make the most of the York experience. Be sure to put Fall Co-curricular Week in your schedule!

Skills for success
Take advantage of first-year student learning skills services and one-to-one counselling to improve your likelihood of early and continued success. You can also learn practical approaches to manage your time and achieve school/work/life balance and discover your personal learning style and study strategy. The Glendon Counselling & Career Centre offers a range of services to students, from personal and career counseling to support for students with learning, mental health, physical, sensory and medical disabilities. Find out more on the Glendon Counselling & Career Centre website.

Peer support
York’s strengths are in its students, where you’ll find enthusiastic and understanding support and guidance. Upper-year students lead programs to assist other students throughout the year.

Peer Mentorship helps new students make a smooth transition to university life.
Peer Mediation facilitates resolutions in dispute situations.
Peer Health Educators answer your questions about staying healthy and direct you to the resources you may need.

Find out about more Student Services.

Atkinson Centre for Mature & Part-time Students
The Atkinson Centre for Mature & Part-time Students (ACMAPS) is a resource for mature and part-time students. ACMAPS staff are available to assist you in your transition to university studies and to support your success throughout your York experience. The Centre also provides a place where mature and part-time students can meet to share their interests and experiences.