My Best University Experience

In January of this year, I had the privilege of travelling to Winnipeg, Manitoba, with three of my classmates. We entered into the Asper School of Business Business and Accounting Students Case Competition and Conference (BASC). It was a three day conference that involved travel, networking, fun events (including a gala and wine and cheese social), and of course a two-round competition.

Our team wrote our cases in our hotel room, and if I remember correctly, we had two hours to read, write, and prepare our case for presentation. We re-configured our entire room just so we had room to spread out, write, and prepare our case. We were so elated to advance to the second round, where we had to complete a case (a different one, of course) again the next day. This case was a bit different – we had to present in front of all the other contestants and the judges. It was nerve-wracking but exhilarating.

Going to this competition made me realize just how much we learned at Lakehead. It also taught us what great friends we had made. When we were finished our presentation, other students even approached us to say what a great job we had done. We met some great people and made connections with people all across Canada that we still maintain today! Between dinners and dancing and networking, the entire competition was a blast. I wish I could go back with those same people and do it all over again, even if the competition was a little nerve wracking!

My teammates and I were sent to this competition with all expenses paid. As members of the Lakehead University Accounting Club, we raised money through bake sales and donations, and the Business department covered the rest of the entrance fee, hotel, and flight. Another testament to how great being in a small school is. We got to travel, make friends, and show Canada what Lakehead business students have to offer!

After the two-round competition and a lot of networking, the gala was at the evening of our final night in Winnipeg. Safe to say we were amazed and elated when it was announced that our team had won first place! We received a trophy, prize money to share between ourselves, and a lot of hugs. I think the highlight of that entire trip was when we walked off that stage and did a group hug. It was a testament to the fact that we were a team in every sense of the word – we worked hard, and we had a blast. I couldn’t have asked for a better team to compete with, a better University to represent, and a greater experience. Even if we hadn’t won (that was just the icing on the cake, I suppose!) it still would have been a phenomenal experience.

Lakehead University sends its students every year to a variety of competitions – engineering and business are the most prominent, I think. We almost always do well, and some of these competitions are even international! It is so exciting to be able to have this experience as a student, and it truly was the highlight of my university experience!

If you want to read the official article, you can find it at this link!
If you want to learn more about the competition we attended, information for the 2017 competition can be found here.

I can’t wait to see what Lakehead students will be up to next!

How To Run a Small Business & Go To University

Let’s face it… University can be rough and stressful. It can also be very expensive.

A few years ago when I first started my nursing degree I started to paint. I started off by painting little welcome signs and birdhouses, mainly for my family and some enjoyment. Little did I know that one program change later and four years, I would have made my artwork into a little business! Not only it is a great stress relief now, but it’s also helping me to save up some money!

One thing that I learned from running my own small business is that the Thunder Bay community is that they are very supportive. No matter what you are selling, if you stick a post in one of our local Buy And Sell Facebook groups, or on kijiji, you’re bound to find a lot of people interested in your product! For almost three years I sold my paintings, welcome signs, and eventually dreamcatchers on Facebook groups. I did custom orders and sizes all while I was a full time University student!

Here are my tips to you if you are looking to start a small business in Thunder Bay, and be a university student at the same time:

• make yourself a Facebook, Instagram and/or LinkedIn page and spread it. Put posters up on the bulletin boards at the University, and post your link all over social media. We are a small community and the market isn’t so saturated here, so you’re bound to find someone who is interested!
• manage your time wisely. Sometimes I would be up until 4am working on a paper after finishing up a custom order that was due to be picked up the next day.
• look into local events. If you’re selling handmade or home business items, you can sell at the hundreds of craft shows and markets we have every year (especially around Christmas). I’ll be doing a craft yard sale soon, and I’m super excited!
• build your client base. Be friendly, kind, courteous. Good customer service goes a long way.
• open up an online shop if you have the means and the inventory. About a year and a half ago I started my own Etsy shop and it’s been taking off! You’ll need to make sure you have enough inventory and be able to figure out your shipping, but it’s really not that hard. Bonus tip: the University bookstore sells stamps and shipping supplies. When I’m in a pinch, they are my go-to! Local post offices can also give you a hand.
• chat it up with people in your classes or on campus. Do you make jewelry, do nail art, or sell bath bombs? Flaunt them around campus (or at least smell nice). People are bound to ask. Make sure you keep some business cards (or even printed pieces of thick paper) with your contact information on it. You can all put your business cards up at local businesses with bulletin boards downtown.
• If you want to get super serious, try taking a few business classes – accounting and marketing could be super helpful if you want to grow. There is an entrepreneurship class that is also offered by our Business faculty!

In the end, being a small business owner and a University student is tough. It’s a lot of work but for me, I’m doing what I love – so it’s well worth it! A lot of people don’t understand that they can make a business work in such a small city. What they don’t realize is that there are so many resources here, and because we are small, our markets aren’t so saturated. Honestly, it doesn’t hurt to try. So get your name out there, do what you love, and make good money while still getting your education!

 

Where I’ve Been!

Hey there everyone… long time no see! I tend to drop off a bit here and there, and after leaving my job at the Lakehead University Undergraduate Recruitment office (I graduated!), I stopped writing in this blog.

However, recent changes in my life – and a whole new slew of visitors to this blog – have pushed me to update you guys on what’s been going on.

I graduated from Lakehead University this June with my Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a concentration in Accounting. My last semester was probably one of the greatest I’ve ever had; great friends, amazing professors, and of course the end being near. I was blessed to have been awarded the Dean’s Scholar Award for the Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree, indicating that I graduated at the top of my class. Considering all the long nights and study sessions I endured, this was an awesome accomplishment. I was so happy to stand beside all my fellow students on that stage and finally say “we did it!”. Such intelligent, friendly, bubbly, and amazing people I got to meet along this journey. Grad was an amazing experience… they even gave out yellow and blue donuts (Persians, from a previous blog post!) after the ceremony.

Wolfie was with us for all four (or in my case, five!) years.

They always say that life really changes when you step off that stage, and those are wise words. My peers are all working full time jobs now, some of them are buying houses, and a few are even having kids. It’s an exciting and changing time, that’s for sure! Unfortunately, the full time job I mentioned in my previous blog post didn’t work out… at no fault of my new employer, of course, but more because of a personal limitation of my own. I’m hoping to chat about this topic a little more in an upcoming blog post. A lot of individuals have been finding my blog when looking for mental health resources or stories, and I really want to show my experience at Lakehead University through another blog post or more. I have been very hard on myself, and mental illness has unfortunately really gotten me down.

Luckily, I have a new plan. After I switched out of nursing (if you want to hear more about my switch from nursing to business, it’s in an earlier blog post), I learned that things don’t always take the path that we intend. Five years ago I wanted to be a pediatric nurse; now I’m an accountant. Luckily because of that experience I’m a bit better at adapting at changing circumstances and most of all, reaching out for help.

In my most acute mental illness phase, I ended up going to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center and seeking out counselling. Though Lakehead University offers great counselling services right on campus (literally right beside the dorms!), my situation was a little more acute. With the help from a psychiatrist, my counselor, and my professor, things have been looking up. Words can’t even describe how lucky I feel to have graduated from, and made connections within, my University. One of my phenomenal professors suggested that I pursue the Masters of Science degree program at Lakehead. Involving 1-year of full time studies and a full research project, the prospect was both daunting and exciting. I have decided to pursue this path, and believe that it will help me to not only advance my career, but my own personal happiness. I will be concentrating in both business (accounting) with bits of education in the mix.

This is a big change in my path and my life, but I am grateful to have this amazing opportunity. Going forward, however, I know I need to give myself some advice. I spent most of my university life worrying, having panic attacks, and losing sleep over single percents on exams and even small quizzes. Here are a few tips I’m giving myself going forward, and if you’ve found that mental health has stopped you from enjoying your post-secondary life, they might be able to help you, too!

1. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Marks aren’t everything. Sure, some employers will look at them when deciding who to hire, but if you’re great at an interview or even just have a great resume overall, marks probably won’t be a make it or break it. Take it from me – no grade is worth your mental health!
2. Take breaks. Do something you love. I love to paint and craft. When I get overwhelmed or anxious, I revert to that.
3. Don’t overstress. Trust me when I say you don’t need to re-read that paper for the tenth time. One spelling mistake that may or may not be in there isn’t worth staying up until 2am. Also, give yourself some slack in group projects; these can be stressful because you have to worry about group dynamics and getting a good grade. Try not to control the whole thing. You’ll burn yourself out.
4. Have a good support system. Whether it by on-campus (Student Health and Counselling) or off-campus (hospital and outreach programs) nurses and counsellors, your own family, friends, or even your pet, have something or someone you can talk to about your troubles. I know there is a bit of a stigma out there about counselling (I even didn’t like the idea at the start), the help I have received has been phenomenal.
5. Take care of yourself. Whether that makes taking a shower when you’ve been curled in your dorm room for the entire weekend, or getting a healthy (but yummy!) snack from local cafes or our own cafeteria (salad bar, anyone?!), take care of your body. It will nurse your mind.
6. Money isn’t everything. We think grades = job = money = happiness. I’ve learned (the hard way) that happiness is the start of all. Flip, move, and change that equation. Start there, and you’ll never be led astray.

I am so elated to have started this new leg of my journey at Lakehead. I honestly didn’t even consider going anywhere else for my Masters degree; I have such great mentors and supports here in Thunder Bay, and the research opportunities here are unending. If you are interested in discovering more about Lakehead University’s Masters programs, click here. If you have any further questions about these programs, please contact Lakehead’s Graduate Studies department at gstudent@lakeheadu.ca!

I Got A Full Time Job!

This year is absolutely flying by… it’s hard to believe that in just seven months I will finished my undergraduate degree and graduating from Lakehead University! This realization didn’t really hit me until I started to apply at local accounting firms here in Thunder Bay… and I got a full time position starting in May! I will be a Junior Staff Accountant at one of our local firms, and I’m still in shock. With today’s economy and job prospects, getting a job (whether you have a degree or not) can take some time. I am blessed to be able to be in a program and an industry that hires you before you graduate.

It’s definitely a huge burden off of my shoulders! Accounting firms in town tend to weigh grades pretty heavily when hiring. I’ve been busting my butt to get good grades my last four years at Lakehead. Now that I’ve been hired, a long of that stress has been lifted off of me. That being said, of course I can’t just give up and not try hard anymore. My marks are still important to me and I am so glad to know that my hard work (finally!) paid off. But now some of that edge to get a certain level of marks is off me. I feel like I can breathe again and don’t have to stress as much over exams and marks!

The awesome part about my new job is not only that it’s directly in my field of study, but that they are also paying for me to continue my education. If you know anything about being a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant), it’s a 30-month process of exams and practical experience, on top of an undergraduate degree. The exams can get very expensive, and I’ll likely actually be coming back to Lakehead University for a semester so that I can get ahead in the CPA path. The awesome part about this new job is that they are going to cover the costs of this – including costs of exams and student membership dues!

It’s truly a blessing and I feel so happy to have gotten this position. I can chalk getting this job not only to my marks, but also to my hard work and constant networking (which is often easy to do in Thunder Bay considering our small size)! I start in May… I feel like a “big girl” now!

Here’s my five biggest tips to landing a job after (or before!) graduation:

• Network, network, network. This is important in all disciplines. The more people you know and the more connections you make, the more likely that one of those people could help you land a job! Almost all faculties are involved in our career fairs, and chatting with employers is a great way to get your name known.
• Work hard. I’m not sure about other industries, but in business, a lot of entry-level applications will ask for your transcript and/or GPA. Obviously having a high GPA shows a degree of persistence and drive, making you look good!
• Get to know your professors. I bet they know about a few open positions, and if you’re lucky they might even offer to be a reference on your resume!
• Apply early. A lot of people say “I’m only going to apply after exams when I don’t have to worry about school.” Considering that’s likely what everyone else is doing too, employers are going to be swamped with resumes come May and June. Make yourself stand out by searching for positions early and applying. They will appreciate your initiative and you’ll likely be in a much smaller pool of applicants!
• Apply to do co-op. A lot of co-ops lead to work after graduation. Make a good impression on your co-op organization and you could land a full time position there! PS – co-ops are paid too!

Only In Thunder Bay…

When coming to Thunder Bay there are a few things that you should know about. To someone like me, who has lived their entire life in Thunder Bay, a lot of things are just the norm… and sometimes we forget that people from other areas don’t quite know what we are talking about! Here’s a couple of things that you will see and/or hear only in Thunder Bay!

Camp: You might refer to it as the cabin or the lake, but if you have a house away from home that you visit in the summer to go swimming, quadding, hiking, and the like, we call it “camp”!

Persian: Nope, not the people, the gulf, or the place. In Thunder Bay, a persian is a delicious cinnamon bun -like pastry with strawberry icing on the top. They are sold at specialty bakeries in town, but you can also get them at local grocery stores, and even in the cafeteria!

Sally Ann: Similarly, the Sally Ann is also a Thunder Bay dessert. Though they are a bit harder to find and less popular than the persian, Sally Ann’s are just as delicious! They consist of a vanilla/chocolate cake filled with buttercream icing, they smothered in chocolate icing. As I write this, I am starting to crave one… (PS – “Sally Ann” also sometimes refers to the Salvation Army thrift store)

Port Arthur and Fort William: Prior to 1970, Thunder Bay was comprised of two smaller cities called Port Arthur and Fort William. On January 1, 1970, the two cities became one – Thunder Bay. However, the northern side is still commonly referred to as Port Arthur, and the south Fort William (and Westfort). If you hear some friends talking about going to either area, now you know they aren’t talking about some far away land!

Pickerel: aka a Walleye, aka a small pike. The actual and correct term is under wide debate, but most people call this freshwater fish a Pickerel. Our cousins over the border in the US call it Walleye more often, which is probably where all the controversy comes from. (Yeah, controversy about a fish… welcome to Thunder Bay!)

Shag: I’ve never heard this term anywhere else but Thunder Bay. Essentially a shag is a big party thrown a few months before a couple gets married; they raffle off prizes, sell food and drinks, and celebrate with family and friends, using all the proceeds to help pay for their wedding. They are very popular here in Thunder Bay, and because they are almost always open to the public, a lot of students like to check them out! Our neighbors in the south like to call them a “stag and doe.”

I’m probably missing a ton of other terms, so don’t think this list is inclusive! Like I said, a lot of the Thunder Bay “lingo” is just normal to me, and I often don’t realize that others don’t always use the same terms we do!

Anyways, I hope you are loving Thunder Bay if you’re here for the 2016-17 year… and if you’re not here yet, I hope you’ll check us out soon!

Go To Lakehead For Free…

Have you heard about Lakehead University’s amazing entrance scholarships? If you haven’t, you should, because these are amazing scholarships that make your decision to come to Lakehead even easier.
Lakehead University’s Entrance scholarships are awarded to students – international and domestic – with no application required! Just by applying to Lakehead you are automatically entered into receiving these scholarships. These scholarships, which can be extremely beneficial to students looking into financial aid or simply not wanting to have to pay for their education, are solely based upon High School marks (in your final year of High School – grade 12 here in Canada).

Here are the levels for domestic (Canadian) students, which can be found in more detail here:

(Yes.. that says FREE tuition…!)

When I graduated from my local high school here in Thunder Bay, I received the second tier (90-94.9%) and it was any amazing help to me. I received $2,500 per year, and that was before my other scholarships. In the end, I ended up paying very little for my first four years at University because of this scholarship and some others that I have received. Of course all of these scholarships do require you to maintain a specific average – free tuition requires you to maintain a 90% average in University throughout your four years, and the others require an 80% average. Unless in high school you were on the very cusp of these averages, I wouldn’t worry too much about losing the scholarship. My grades dropped only about 2-3% from high school to University, and in my upper years, my average only increased. I never really stressed about losing my scholarship, and I only know a few people who lost their’s.

Note that these scholarships are also unlimited – meaning there is no “cap” to the number of students that can receive them. If you got within these averages in high school and are coming to Lakehead, these scholarships will automatically be applied to reduce your tuition amount.

Of course there are options for you international students, as well! Lakehead University international students are also automatically entered in to receive entrance scholarships, however these scholarships are limited in number and are at different amounts than those above. You can find more information on the Lakehead University International student entrance scholarships right here!

The entrance – and other scholarships – I received from Lakehead University were just one of the many reasons that I decided to come to Lakehead. I applied to a few other Universities here in Ontario, and none of them offered such a high value scholarship… some didn’t mention one at all! I am so happy that I decided to come to Lakehead and am so blessed to be able to have the majority of my education paid for (because of my hard work and diligence in applying for other scholarships, of course)!

My biggest tip for you High Schoolers reading this blog and thinking of coming to Lakehead is to try to get your marks as high as possible in high school. Hard work in your final year of high school can have a long lasting effect on not only your whole University life, but your entire life (no loans)! So work hard, keep your nose in the books, and it’ll pay off!

Some other scholarships you may want to consider are listed below. I was blessed to be able to receive the Northwestern Ontario & Simcoe County scholarship when I graduated high school (although the value was different at that time), further funding my education.

Have any questions? Contact Student Awards and Financial Aid! Also, if you’re a current Lakehead student, don’t forget that the In-Course bursaries application is due Oct 15! 🙂

**NOTE: these entrance scholarship amounts and requirements are for the 2017-18 academic year, and details may change, or the scholarship(s) may not longer be available, for other years**

Doing My Master’s?!

Normally I do more generic “here’s Lakehead!” posts, but I wanted to talk about something I have personally been working on and contemplating for the last year or so!

I have always been a “school” kind of girl – I work hard at it, and I really enjoy it. I love learning, working on projects (most of the time), and overall just meeting new people and working on new concepts and ideas. Now that I’m in my final year here at Lakehead University (time flies!) I have been contemplating continuing my education by doing my Master’s degree.

As a Business student that wants to stay in Business, I have two options: the MSc and the MBA. Because I was playing with the idea of one day teaching Accounting/Business at the university or college level and even doing my PhD, I was told I should do my MSc. It’s very research-based, with six months of classes and a year of research on a specific topic that ends in a large report. Many students in Business (and other disciplines) take Master’s programs. I was also offered financial aid by Lakehead’s Business department for doing my Master’s, and that was what really got the idea in my head!

Anyways, I have been talking with some professors and doing some research and what I decided (at least at this point) is that I am not doing to do my Master’s. Not right now, anyways. As a soon-to-be accounting graduate, I am slightly anxious to get into the “real world” and start working. I want to be able to work in a local accounting firm or in industry and learn how accounting works hands-on. There is a big difference between accounting in the books and accounting in practice! Though from what my professor showed me about the research the students do (which is something I really loved) it would be a great fit for me, I also want to pursue my CPA designation. I would ideally like to challenge my exams as soon as possible (Lakehead Business, up until this week, offers “advanced standing” in the program) as well as get my practical (working) hours done as well. Not to mention my peers and classmates will be starting to work at firms this year, and I think it would alleviate a lot of anxiety and stress if I started working at the same time as my peers – as well as doing my exams at the same time. A firm might be willing to take me on part time, but right now and for my current situation, I think working full time and getting into a job as soon as possible is going to be my best decision.

Of course, that’s not saying that I’m not ever going to do my Master’s. In fact, unless my path changes or something else comes up/catches my eye, I’m almost sure I am going to. I would love to teach Accounting or Business someday and getting your Master’s/PhD is a great segway into doing that.

So that’s my decision right now at least. I’ll keep you guys updated on what’s happening, but I just wanted to share how my thought process worked and that doing your Master’s is totally an option for you in almost any program! It’s a great way to continue your education if you’re thinking about it, but it’s also a personal decision, too! I hope that one day I’ll be able to do my Master’s and PhD, but for now, I think I am going to go straight to obtaining my CPA and working!

You can view more about the Master’s programs offer at Lakehead here!

…….But maybe later… 😉

Chancellor Paterson Library

Hi there everyone! Today I decided to take you for a little tour around our main library on campus, the Chancellor Paterson Library! During the school year, the library is usually open until around 1am, and even later during exams. Some of my most memorable University moments happened in this library – particularly sitting until 2:30am with my best friend, drinking orange juice, and plugging away at one of our many tax assignments.

During the school year the basement, first, and fourth floor of the library is bustling. These floors foster social learning with booths, round tables, and study rooms. You don’t have to worry about being super quiet in these areas – no music or being excessively loud, though! It’s still a study area. On the second and third floor there are cubicles which are more conducive to quiet studying. You can literally hear a pin drop up there! On the first and fourth floor there are also computers, printers/copiers on the first, and more study rooms.

So welcome to the Chancellor Paterson Library! This library is located on main campus between Regional Center and the Ryan building.

When you first walk into the library you will find the Research and IT Support desk (where you can get help finding certain articles, setting up your internet, and get general troubleshooting assistance) and the Circulation Desk (where you can take out books and course reserves, get your student card, and load your printing account). To the very far left of this photo is a little cafe with coffee, drinks, baking, and sandwiches.

On the first floor there are a lot of places to study – tables, booths, and computer desks. The booths are my personal favourite because they are cozy, well lit, and have plug-ins for your chargers and laptops. Even though I wasn’t taking any classes this summer, I came to the library today to work on some business things and have a quiet space.

Another favourite spot of mine is on the North-East wall, which is covered in windows. They just added a ton of new Macs to this area for those of you that prefer to use a Mac! Lots of round tables and comfy chairs in this area for some group study!

Can’t find a computer on the floor? There is a whole computer lab on the first floor, too! We don’t hold classes in this room anymore, so there’s never a worry you won’t be able to find a computer to print something off.

Wondering where all the books are? The first floor houses only our collection of Encyclopedias – the rest of the books are on the remaining floors. I only took some photos of the first floor for this post, but if you want to see the upper floors and basement, feel free to let me know!

The library is also connected to our tunnel system. There is a staircase going down in front of the main floors. These tunnels connect you to the agora and cafeteria, as well as the majority of the buildings on main campus. This is great for those super cold and snowy days!

Well, that’s it for my tour of the library! I’m glad that you stopped by to check it out.

5 Things You Should Do During The First Few Weeks…

With classes starting up quickly and the summer coming to an end, it’s easy to stay in the habit of not wanting to do much… especially when the first week or two or so of class can be uneventful! Here is my list of 5 things you should do during the first few weeks of class… before things get too crazy!

1. Print off the course outlines/syllabi, read them carefully, and highlight any important dates or information. It’s a lot easier to look back into your binder for how much your exam is worth than to go searching through your phone or course website for it. You can usually find your course outlines on MyCourseLink (login with your MyInfo information), or your professors will distribute one during class.
2. Stock up on supplies. You don’t need anything fancy. Having a pencil case with some pencils, pens, an eraser, a calculator, and highlighters is sufficient. Don’t forget lined paper/notebooks and a binder, too! Most office supply stores have good sales going on (like 15 cent notebooks and lined paper!) during the beginning of the school year. The LU bookstore also has a ton of LU branded and regular stationary if you need it in a pinch!
3. Try to get to know your classmates and your professors. Even turning to the person next to you and saying “hey, are you in first year Business too?!” is a great way to make friends (been there, done that). No one likes to be scrambling to find a partner or group, and getting to know someone ahead of time is an excellent way to get groups or study parties together. Getting to know your professor early on, even if that means just answering questions, is also a great way to get yourself known (that’ll come in handy later when you need assistance or have a question!).
4. Buy an agenda or a calendar and write down all your important dates including project due dates, days off class, and midterm dates. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re too busy to be riffling through all your papers! The LU bookstore sells this awesome dry erase wall calendar that a lot of students use!
   
5. Don’t fall behind. Even during the first week of school professors can give readings or small assignments. Some more compressed or strenuous programs may have projects and papers. The last thing you want to do is fall behind the first weeks of school. To be honest, I would try to get ahead if you can. Try reading a chapter ahead when things aren’t so hectic with midterms and exams… you’ll thank yourself for it later!

My final tip, which extends all the way into October, is to get outside. You’ve probably heard that winters can get pretty cold in Thunder Bay, but for the first month of classes the weather is still beautiful and warm. Sit outside with your lunch between classes, or even just do a loop around campus! It’s the perfect weather and a nice way to get to know the University!

I still can’t believe that the summer is already over and I’m about to embark on my last year of University. Time flies! I hope that your first month of classes goes great, and that things don’t get too hectic too fast! 😉

Talk to you soon!
Sarah

10 Things To Bring To University

With the summer quickly ending and the new school year quickly upon us, I figured I would offer some advice on what you should be bringing to Lakehead University with you! Whether you’re travelling to Lakehead from across the province or across the globe, here’s a list of 10 things to bring to University.

1. Laptop or Tablet: Having a portable computer with you is extremely helpful for taking in-class notes, working on homework or projects in the library, or doing open-book exams. You don’t need anything fancy unless your faculty suggests you buy a certain model. I have the HP G6, which I purchased almost 5 years ago during my first year! It’s still going strong and works like new. It’s about a 50/50 mix of students with PCs to students with Macs.

2. Blankets/Comforter and Dorm Decor: You’re going to be spending the next seven to eight months in your dorm or townhouse. Make it your own with a nice comforter, some posters, and some cute dorm decor! Keep in mind that Thunder Bay has a lot of stores where you can purchase these items – Wal-Mart, Home Outfitters (they have lay away!), Superstore, the campus bookstore, and Sears, just to name a few.

3. A Printer: This is totally optional (the library has printing – both black and colour) but it’s a nice convenience if you need to print something last minute. Keep in mind that Campus Tech, our on-campus tech store, sells printers and ink. Same goes for the laptops mentioned above. It’s all student priced, too.

4. Winter Coat/Boots: Winter is long and often cold here in the North. Expect to be doing lots of outdoor activities like skating, skiing, and snowshoeing! Even if you’re not into sports, it’s still an icy trek to classes. A good pair of boots (I suggest Sorels) and a heavy winter coat are a must here in Thunder Bay. You should also get a good pair of mitts and a hat to keep yourself warm!

5. An Agenda: Keep yourself organized and on top of all your projects, tests, and exams with an agenda or planner. You can get a cute one from Chapters bookstore or Wal-Mart, or pick up a FREE agenda downstairs in front of the LUSU office! PS – even you don’t use an agenda, I suggest grabbing one from LUSU anyways… there are valuable coupons in there, a campus map, and some other helpful resources. The bookstore also sells this great dry erase wall calendar that is very popular among students!

6. Mattress Topper: Unless you’re driving down to Lakehead, this is likely something you’ll need to buy in town… however, a mattress topper is a great way to make those dorm beds a little more comfortable! You can buy them at Wal-Mart or Superstore for under $30, and they are basically an extra foam cushion that goes over your mattress!

7. Stamps, Envelopes, and Packing Supplies: Of course you can pick up the phone and chat with your family and friends at any time, but sending a letter or package (for birthdays or Christmas if you aren’t going home!) is extra special. It’s cheap to mail letters in Canada, and most mailing supplies you can purchase at the campus bookstore. I bet your parents would love to receive a surprise letter from you, or send some maple syrup back home!

8. A Mini Fridge: A mini fridge is included in all dorms, and obviously you have a big fridge in an apartment/townhouse. However, some students in the townhouses and apartments want to have their own fridges for medication or late night snacks. You’re more than welcome to bring your own mini-fridge on campus!

9. Shower Caddy: If you’re staying in a dorm, you’ll be sharing a bathroom with your floor. Having a shower caddy, which is basically a plastic bin, is a great way to carry all your hygiene items with you to and from the bathroom. They are purchasable at most big box stores!

10. Your heath card, driver’s license, passport, and social insurance card: Time for your parent’s to relinquish hold on these cards and bring them with you to University. You’ll obviously need your driver’s license (if you have one) to drive here, and your health card to access health services on and off campus. It’s also a good idea to have your passport with you in case some friends want to take the 45 minute drive to the American border! PS – taking copies your social insurance card and health card could also work.

And here are a few things NOT to bring with you to Lakehead University:

• Excessive amounts of shorts, dresses, and summer outfits. Fall hits here in mid-September, so you won’t get much wear out of these.
• Hot plates, microwaves, space heaters, candles, or elements. These are not allowed in on-campus housing.
• Old textbooks or books that might help. Trust me, you’re unlikely to use these unless there is something you know you’ll go to. Chances are you’ll be able to find the same information at the library, on a database, or online.
• High heels. Ladies, bring one or two universal pairs – not twenty. Trust me, you’re going to want to be rocking winter boots around these parts.
• A version of Microsoft Office. Don’t buy it. You get a free version of MS Office 365 with your Lakehead e-mail account. Click on this link to download (LU e-mail required) or head to Campus Tech in the tunnels to get your copy!
• Pets. Need I say more? You CAN have a little fish, though! 🙂

I hope that this list helped a bit… and remember, there are TON of online resources for you to use and get ideas. Keep in mind that you aren’t moving to another planet, and if you forget anything major, there any lots of stores near campus to grab what you need! Residence also has a valuable list of things to bring and not to bring, which is of course a bit more inclusive than what you see here!

Can’t wait to see you in the fall! 🙂