6 Months Before Start (Around April)
1. Confirm Your Acceptance
- Review Your Offer: Ensure you have officially accepted your offer of admission to TRU. If you haven’t yet done so, check your email for instructions.
- Pay Deposit: Some programs require a deposit to confirm your spot. Pay this if applicable.
- Scholarships & Financial Aid: Apply for scholarships, bursaries, and student loans. TRU has a variety of funding options, so make sure you apply before deadlines.
2. Plan Your Housing
- On-Campus Housing: If you plan to live on campus, apply for residence as early as possible. Visit TRU’s Residence page to choose between available residence options.
- Off-Campus Housing: If you’re looking for off-campus accommodations, start your search now. Websites like Kijiji, Craigslist, or university-specific Facebook groups can be good resources.
3. Register for Classes
- Check Timetables: Review your program’s requirements and course options. If registration is open, try to select your classes early to ensure availability.
- Meet an Academic Advisor: If you have any questions or concerns about your course selection, schedule a meeting with an academic advisor to ensure you’re on the right path.
5 Months Before Start (Around May)
1. Prepare for Travel
- Plan Your Route: If you’re coming from out of town, book travel to Kamloops early to get the best rates. You might need to arrange for a ride from the airport or bus station to your accommodation.
- Check Health Insurance: Make sure you have health insurance coverage, especially if you’re an international student or coming from out-of-province. TRU offers an international health insurance plan, or you may have private insurance.
2. Start Organizing Finances
- Create a Budget: Break down your expected expenses (tuition, rent, food, textbooks, etc.) and create a budget to manage your finances during the school year.
- Open a Bank Account: If you haven’t already, consider opening a local bank account at a branch near TRU for easy access to funds.
3. Connect with TRU
- Join Facebook Groups or Forums: Look for TRU student groups on social media to connect with other incoming students. It’s a good way to meet people and gather tips.
- Orientation: TRU often offers an orientation program to help new students get familiar with the campus. Look out for any emails or announcements about this.
4 Months Before Start (Around June)
1. Finalize Housing Details
- Confirm Residence: If you’re living on-campus, confirm your move-in date and other details (e.g., what you need to bring, check-in times).
- Off-Campus Move-In: If you’re moving into off-campus housing, arrange for your lease and move-in date. Begin packing non-essential items.
2. Review the Academic Calendar
- Important Dates: Make sure you’re aware of the start and end dates of each semester, holidays, and deadlines for course add/drop periods.
- Textbooks & Supplies: Start looking for textbooks, or consider using online resources to save money (e.g., e-books, rental options).
3. Health and Wellness
- Visit the Doctor: If you need any vaccinations, prescriptions, or health check-ups, get those done early.
- TRU Health & Counselling Services: Familiarize yourself with TRU’s student health services.
Stay tuned for part two!
Written by Future Student Ambassador, Kayla Hermiston (2024).
