First Year News Feed: Textbooks, Reminders & Timetable Notes, August 27, 2021

For classes that require you to purchase books or materials, here are some options for where to buy, though note that this is not an exhaustive list of options – your instructors may have specific suggestions for where to buy books/materials for their courses, and upper-year students may organize used book sales (check social media for updates from upper-years in September):  

• U of T Bookstore: This is U of T’s main campus bookstore. You can order through their website – log in with your UTORid, and the list of books specific to the courses you’re taking will be listed for you. Some used books and even book rentals may be available here.  
• Engineering Stores: This non-profit store is run by students from the Engineering Society. This year, they will not be selling textbooks but they will be selling other Faculty-approved items like Engineering Notebooks (needed for APS111), calculators and more. Check their website for updates coming soon on how they are managing sales this year.  
• Online Retailers/Other Bookstores: There are many other online retailers and booksellers out there, as well as a number of used bookstores around the St. George Campus where you can find textbooks at bargain prices – but beware, these are not affiliated with U of T, so you’ll need to check your course syllabus carefully to make sure you’re buying the right books.  

• Registration: Did you miss the deadline to register for the academic year by paying or deferring your tuition fees on August 19? If you did not pay/defer on or before the deadline, please contact the Registrar’s Office before September 2 to remain enrolled this year.  
• Timetable Changes: Your timetable should now be available (including location details! See the U of T Map to locate your classes) in ACORN. If you see a conflict in your schedule, are missing a course, or you have a timetable change request of a medical/religious/other important nature please complete our Timetable Change Request Form found here. The deadline to complete this request form is Thursday, September 2 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. More information about your courses can be found in the Academic Calendar. 
• Math Self-Assessment Quizzes: We hope that you have been working on your Math Self-Assessment Quizzes that were sent to you by email on June 22 (if you didn’t receive these, please email the First Year Office), and identifying any areas that you might need to brush up on before classes start. As a reminder, these quizzes are worth 5% of your MAT186H1: Calculus I (or APS162H1: Calculus for Engineers I) grade, and are due by September 13. If you would like some math help, it’s not too late to join our Summer Math Success Program! More information on our Math Preparation page. 
• Online Course Enrolment: If you are a self-motivated, organized student who enjoys online learning, you can consider registering for our fall semester online courses in place of the in-person versions that you currently see in your timetable on ACORN. For more information and a link to the registration forms, please visit our online course website. The deadline to switch from an in-person to an online course is September 17. 

• First Year Foundations Resources: Did you miss our First Year Foundations summer programs, and/or wish to revisit some of the content from sessions like Engineering Study Skills and Academic Orientation? Visit the First Year Foundations webpage for recordings and presentation slides. 
• Engineering Welcome & Family Night Recordings: Did you miss this event on August 18 hosted by the Engineering Welcome Centre & First Year Office? Check out a recording of the session for Core 8 and TrackOne students. 
• 1% Inspiration Podcast: Check out this podcast by upper-year students featuring conversations with fellow Skule students and alumni from U of T Engineering about their research experiences to highlight resources and opportunities available for undergraduate students in research. (If you enjoy podcasts, be sure to also check out the Faculty’s official podcast, Tell Me More: Coffee with Chris Yip!). 
• Immigration Workshops & Info Sessions: The Centre for International Experience (CIE) is hosting a number of upcoming workshops and sessions for international students.  
• Guide to Self-Care Workshop: At this session hosted by the First Year Office, you’ll have a chance to meet the Faculty’s Mental Health Programs Officer and the Engineering Learning Skills Strategist to learn more about what self-care can look like as a first-year engineering student. Tuesday, August 31 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. EDT. Register online for the Guide to Self-Care Workshop.  
• Mature & Transfer Student Welcome: If you are transferring into U of T from another post-secondary institution, or not starting at U of T directly after completing high school, check out one of these welcome sessions on September 7 & 8. Register for these events online in the CLNx (in “Events & Workshops”). 
• Work Study Program: This program offers paid positions working for various University offices. You will work a maximum of 15 hours per week (Editor’s Note: The First Year Office recommends limiting part-time work to a maximum of 10 hours per week while you are transitioning to university). Thousands of positions are available, ranging from lab/research positions to student ambassadors. Applications are now open! Apply through the CLNx on the Work Study job board. 

In addition, given the ongoing pandemic, there are still details and changes regarding facilities, courses, and policies which are being communicated as they are determined. Be sure to monitor your email regularly for official updates, and you should also check
the following authoritative pages regularly for current information:

• U of T Engineering Undergraduate FAQs
• Updates from the Dean at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
• COVID-19 Information for U of T Students from the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students
• UTogether: Your Guide to summer and fall 2021 at U of T