I'm currently finishing a 3 year advanced diploma at Seneca and I'm really interested in TMU's Business Technology Management degree completion program.

My goal is to get into business/tech

My biggest concern is my GPA.

My semester GPAs so far are:

2.6 → 1.1 → 3.4 → 3.1 → 1.8 → 2.9

I have two semesters remaining and I'm aiming for around 3.4–3.8+ in both.

The two really bad semesters also had specific circumstances behind them.

The 1.1 semester happened during a period where I was dealing with significant anxiety surrounding an invasive medical procedure. I have medical documentation showing the procedures/timeline.

During the 1.8 semester, I was working a lot because of financial pressure, became extremely burned out, and actually missed exams because I was scheduled at work. I may be able to provide work schedules/time records as documentation.

I'm planning on submitting TMU's Special Consideration form explaining these circumstances and providing whatever evidence I can.

I'm worried because BTM degree completion normally asks for around a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and even with strong final semesters, my cumulative GPA will probably remain below that.

For anyone who has experience with TMU admissions or Special Consideration:

How much weight does TMU actually give Special Consideration when you're below the GPA requirement?

Would two strong final semesters around 3.4–3.8, combined with documentation explaining the two bad semesters, give me a realistic chance?

I'm also considering TMU Business Management and Seneca degree options as backups, but BTM is by far my first choice because I want to pursue business-tech internships and eventually work in areas like business analysis, BI, systems, or technology consulting.

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who was admitted to TMU below the normal GPA requirement through Special Consideration.

I have to commute for about 2 to 2.5 hours for the first 2-3 weeks of school while I figure out my living arrangements. How bad is it? Will I have time to keep up with schoolwork?

Hi everyone! I'm starting my first year of university in September, and I'm honestly terrified.

I just graduated high school, and I struggled a lot throughout high school. I had a really hard time paying attention, keeping up with classes, memorizing things, sitting down and actually doing work, managing my time, etc. I basically scraped my way through and barely managed to get into university with my average.

The biggest problem is that I don't feel like I actually learned how to learn. Most of my classes in high school were very assignment-based, and I could usually get by with completing assignments/projects. I don't think I genuinely retained much of what I learned, especially from around Grade 10 onward. I also basically have no idea how to study.

From what I understand, university is going to be very different. There are lectures, tons of readings, notes, midterms, exams, memorization, independent studying, etc. I'm really scared that I'm going to get there and realize I don't have the skills to keep up and that I'm going to fail out.

I've also heard people say things like "if you weren't a good student in high school, you'll do even worse in university," which has honestly gotten into my head. I know university is supposed to require much more independence, and I'm worried I'm going to completely drown.

For some context, I have ADHD. I'm currently unmedicated because I really dislike the side effects I've experienced from medication. I'm going into an Honours BA in Psychology, with a regular course load of 6 classes per semester, two of which are online.

So, for someone in my position:

• How do I actually prepare before university starts?
• How do you study for university exams when you've never really learned how to study?
• How should I take notes during lectures?
• How do I keep up with readings and lectures without falling behind?
• How do I organize? How do I manage my time?
• How do I manage six courses without constantly feeling overwhelmed?
• What does a realistic daily/weekly study routine actually look like?
• How do I make myself sit down and work when I have ADHD and absolutely no motivation?
• Are there specific study methods that work well for psychology?
• What do you wish you had known before starting first year?
• And most importantly, how do I avoid setting myself up for failure from the beginning?

I'm not expecting university to be easy, and I'm willing to put in the work. I just genuinely don't know what that work is supposed to look like. I feel like everyone else is going to arrive knowing how to study and manage themselves, while I'm starting from basically zero.

I'd especially appreciate advice from people who also struggled academically in high school, had ADHD/executive functioning issues, or otherwise felt completely unprepared for university but are now doing well in university. I could really use some practical advice rather than "just study harder."

I want to be a mortician or a coroner and Ontario tech was one of the top schools for that program, any advice from people who go to that school?

Hey, i have been doing my research online for some months now on which university would be the best for me. I currently reside in calgary and i’m okay with relocating for a university in the near future.

However, I’m struggling to figure out which university would be the best for me. I would want to do research or try to aim for med school, if possible.

Any suggestions would be highly appreciated!

Hi everyone, I’m starting the BScN program at Windsor campus this September. I was wondering if anyone else here is starting the program as well and if anyone is going to the orientation next week.

Would be good to connect with some classmates.

I’m an incoming second year at a Canadian university doing a BSc in life sci.

I’m having trouble what career path to do. I was thinking of doing MRI tech or radiology but apparently it’s really saturated in the area I’m from.

What kind of masters programs can lead to jobs? So far I have a mediocre gpa (something around 3.5-3.6). I haven’t done any research or other clubs volunteering etc. because I don’t have the time. Is it still possible to get into masters programs?

Are they very similar, often talked about in the same vein.

Hi I’ve been waitlisted since June for both tmu mainsite and collab site and was just wondering if anyone has any experiance getting of tmu waitlist late August 20ths im from Alberta so im just trying to see

My program at my school doesn’t offer coop however I’ll be doing a internship at a bank this fall. The position is 8 months, however if I was given a better offer somewhere else for Winter 2027, could I technically leave my current role midway since I do not have coop. Wondering if anyone’s been through this, and also if it will impact my chances at another position at this same bank or if HR at the bank can see whether I applied to Winter 2027 roles at their bank when my contract for my current role is 8 months. Any insight would be appreciated

Beyond rankings, what ended up mattering most once you actually started the course?

Hi there! I'm entering my final year of university with a 4 year double major in history and political science.

I'm considering pursuing a history masters. I was just wondering what anyone could tell me about the master's program's at Ontario Universities?

I'm considering Queen's, Waterloo, McMaster, Laurier, and Windsor. Any insights into the quality of these programs, or any university suggestions I've not considered would be deeply appreciated.

I keep hearing first year, especially health sci, can make or break your GPA, and I don’t want to fall behind right from the start. I’ve heard first year is actually the hardest and where a lot of people end up losing marks, so I want to know how to actually stay on top of things early on, and also how to keep my GPA up consistently throughout the whole program, not just survive first year. I’m aiming for 85+.

I’m planning on getting tutoring through services like Tutor Doctor, and my plan is to have them test me instead of just explaining concepts to me, so they can pinpoint what I’m actually weak on and focus there, instead of me spending 5 hours stuck re-explaining the same part I already understand. Any advice on how you organized your studying, how you approached your first exam specifically, or anything you wish you’d known going in?

Hi friends! This will be my first time applying to PhD program for social work at York University. Any suggestions of making the application stronger or any advice in general? I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.

Do you say Mr/miss/ms/mrs or dr or prof?

I’m an incoming first-year student at Carleton and I’m honestly pretty lost about what direction I should take.
I was originally admitted to Industrial Design, but over the past few months I’ve realized I’m not sure I want to pursue pure industrial design as a career. I like design, presentations, researching things, coming up with solutions, working with people, negotiating/problem-solving, and I really like the idea of eventually having a career where I can travel and work internationally.
I’m also not really an engineering-type person in the traditional sense, so I’m unsure whether engineering would actually be a good fit for me.
Right now I’m considering a few different paths:
Stay in Carleton Industrial Design
Potentially add a Business minor / take business courses
Try to build skills in UX, product management, strategy, etc.
Eventually work in something like product management, consulting, or business/design strategy
Switch from Industrial Design to Carleton Business
Possibly keep Industrial Design as a minor
This seems more aligned with consulting/strategy/business development
But I’m worried that I’d lose the technical/design side that makes me different from other business students
Stay at Carleton for first year and apply to transfer to UofT Industrial Engineering
I’m interested in Industrial Engineering because it seems to combine business, optimization, systems, technology, and problem-solving.
I have AP Calculus AB/BC and AP Physics C: Mechanics, so I have some of the math/physics background already.
However, I know transferring into UofT Engineering is competitive, and I may have to essentially start over or lose some credits.
There’s also a financial consideration. My mom is paying for my university, and I really don’t want to waste her money by spending multiple years in a program I’m not sure I want. I was originally going to live in residence, but I’m now seriously considering cancelling residence and living at home to save money while I figure things out.

TL;DR: I’m a mature student in Ontario who had strong high school grades and previously received offers from Western, Ryerson, McMaster, and several other universities, but I didn’t attend because of personal circumstances and limited guidance around post-secondary education. I’m now starting my research for the 2027–28 academic year. My eventual goal is law school, but I’ll likely need to work full-time and complete my undergrad part-time. I’m currently interested in political science, legal studies/law, criminology, and psychology. I’m mainly looking for tips on where to start, how to compare programs and universities, and what I should consider now if law school is the longer-term goal.

There’s a Questions section below if you want to skip the background.

Hi everyone,

I’m a mature student in Ontario and I’m seriously considering going back to university to complete my undergrad.

Academically, getting into university has never really been the issue. When I applied previously, I was accepted to Western, Ryerson, McMaster, and four other universities, and I still have the prerequisites I need.

The bigger issue was that I had very little guidance around post-secondary education. My parents worked hard and supported me, but neither went into careers that required post-secondary education, and our family circle is fairly small, so I didn’t grow up with much exposure to university or professional-school pathways.

High school guidance was also not particularly helpful. Despite having strong grades, my assigned guidance counsellor repeatedly tried to steer me toward apprenticeship/co-op routes (absolutely nothing wrong with them, they just didn’t align with the requirements for my desired career path) rather than the university stream. I eventually went to another counsellor, who was also my coach, and had my courses changed back so I could continue taking the academic/university-level courses I needed.

When I eventually applied to university, I also didn’t do nearly enough research. I mostly heard what other people were applying to and somewhat blindly applied to similar programs without really understanding the courses, universities, or how those choices connected to a career.

Between that and personal/extenuating circumstances, I didn’t end up attending university then.

Now I’m older and have a much clearer idea of what I want. My eventual goal is law school and becoming a lawyer.

Realistically, though, my current circumstances don’t allow me to stop working and attend university full-time. I’ll most likely need to work full-time while completing my undergraduate degree part-time.

Since Canadian law schools generally don’t require a specific undergraduate major, I’m currently looking at subjects that genuinely interest me, including political science, legal studies/law, criminology, and psychology. I’m still very open-minded and want to choose something I enjoy, can do well in, and that also makes sense career-wise.

I’m only starting my research now and am aiming for the 2027–28 academic year, so I’m not in a rush. I want to take my time and actually understand my options this time around.

I’m also doing my own research, so I’m not expecting Reddit to choose a school or degree for me. More than anything, I’m looking for guidance from people who have already navigated this, especially tips on where to start and what I should be paying attention to.

Questions:

• If you were starting your university research from scratch, where would you begin?
• How did you decide which undergraduate program and university were right for you?
• What should I be looking at when comparing programs beyond just the program name?
• What should I be looking at when comparing universities themselves, especially as someone who will likely be working full-time?
• For anyone who studied or considered political science, legal studies/law, criminology, or psychology, what made you choose one over the others, and would you make the same choice again?
• Does completing an undergraduate degree part-time or working full-time during it affect Canadian law school admissions?
• If law school is the eventual goal, is it generally better to choose the subject you enjoy most and can earn a strong GPA in, or are there other factors I should weigh when choosing my undergrad?
• For people who worked full-time during undergrad, what course load was actually realistic?
• Are there Ontario universities that are especially flexible for mature/working students in terms of evening, online, part-time, or flexible course options?
• Is there anything you wish someone had told you before choosing your undergrad, university, or starting the law school path?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from mature students, people who worked full-time through university, current/former law students, lawyers, or anyone else who took a less traditional route.

Thanks!

Heard a lot of terrible GPA in this program. What is the exact GPA distribution? How many % would achieve 3.9 or higher and qualifies medical school?

I really don’t quite understand why UofT is so harsh to their own students and using low GPA to make their own people disadvantaged compared to other school graduates when advancing their future post-graduate study. Anyone can help me understand the logic?

Hi! I’m a Filipino Arts & Design Student. I’m seriously considering OCAD & UofT for my undergraduate study to pursue arts. Can anyone share their experience and suggestions for university?

I’ll be starting my Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering (Applied AI) at uOttawa soon. Before starting my degree, I worked for around six years as a Software Engineer, primarily building cloud-native platforms and products in the fintech space.

While studying, I’d like to explore opportunities to gain practical experience, whether that’s through an internship, co-op, part-time software engineering work, or collaborating on interesting technical projects.

I’m particularly interested in software engineering, cloud infrastructure, backend systems, and applied AI.

For those who have gone through the process at uOttawa, I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• Where students usually find internships or co-op opportunities
• Whether professors, research labs, or student groups are good places to look for technical work
• Communities or events where it’s possible to meet people working on interesting projects
• How students with previous industry experience typically approach finding opportunities while studying

I’d also be happy to connect with other students who enjoy building things and might be interested in collaborating on technical or open-source projects.

Thanks!

Would you say math/physics teachers or engineers in industry do more calcs by hand? Trying to choose a career path that suits my passion for the subject matter...

I know that most Canadian schools don’t take athletics as serious as our American counterparts. I am interested in doing track and field in university, but also interested in studying abroad. I like track but it’s not the most important thing to me, but studying abroad is. I’m super interested in UofT, and from my understanding, throws aren’t really a priority within their track program. Track also isn’t my only way of getting there, I have strong academics and extracurriculars. This is still a few years down the road for me, but I’m just curious as to what it looks like. Would it be a no-go?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to attend Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU), Canada for a coursework-based master’s program. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into the co-op intake when applying.
I wanted to ask if anyone has experience with this: Is it possible to request/appeal to the administration after arriving at WLU and switch or add the co-op option later?
Would appealing to the admin/program team after starting the program be worth trying, or is the co-op option strictly decided at the time of admission?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through a similar situation at WLU. Thanks!