Answering my mom’s questions about attending TMU
When I first accepted my offer for Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) English program back in 2021, my mom (like most parents) had a lot of questions. Even though I didn’t completely understand her nerves at the time, I now realize just how nerve-wracking the thought of sending her daughter to a university in the middle of downtown Toronto was. It was a pretty big adjustment from the small neighbourhood that I grew up in, so we both weren’t really sure what to expect.
My mom and me at my high school graduation.
Now I’m in my fourth year (and final semester!) of my program, so I’ve pretty much mastered how to navigate day-to-day life as a TMU student. I decided to ask my mom to reflect on the questions she had about TMU before I started my first semester. I think all parents share similar questions about sending their kids off to university in a big city, so to help ease their worries, I decided to answer them!
My program
What will you learn in the English program?
My mom always knew how much I loved reading and writing, so she wanted to make sure that my program was aligned with my passions—and thankfully, she was right. As an English student, I’ve spent the past four years reading and analyzing different types of literature, including novels, poems, graphic novels, films and digital content. The goal of this program is to equip students with the writing skills that they can use to advance the world of communication in a variety of industries. Through assignments such as essays, research projects and seminar presentations, you’ll learn how to apply literary theory to a variety of texts and connect literature to real-world issues. Students also have the opportunity to double major in either English and History or English and Philosophy after their first year. So, if you love to read and write, then this is definitely the place to be.
What will your class schedule look like? Is it customizable?
Since I commute to campus, having a flexible and customizable schedule is really important. I was automatically enrolled into my courses in my first year, but had the opportunity to swap courses and move around my schedule to my liking. I remember being really surprised at the flexibility TMU offered me. Besides my required courses, I could explore electives outside of my program, which students in other programs can also choose from. This provides students an opportunity to figure out what they’re most passionate about, and also lays a pretty solid foundation of what the next four years will look like.
My class schedule for my first semester of my first year (due to the pandemic, my classes were virtual at the time).
What can you do with your English degree after graduation? Will you have lots of career options to choose from?
One of the first questions that my mom asked me when I told her that I was interested in TMU’s English program was what I could do with it after graduation. At the time, I remember telling her that she was thinking too far ahead, but now I realize that it’s important to ensure that your degree will help you meet your post-grad goals.
An English degree is one of the most diverse pathways you can take, and the skills that you learn through your courses can be applied to practically any industry. For example, many graduates have gone on to work within various fields such as communications and marketing, teaching, library science and law. Other graduates have pursued master’s and doctoral degrees. I’m personally interested in working within communications once I graduate. Either way, being a strong reader, writer and communicator can take you far!
Campus life
Are there lots of spots to get food on campus? What about close by?
TMU is surrounded by countless food spots on and nearby campus. After all, being in the heart of downtown Toronto gives you a pretty big advantage when it comes to finding good food. While students in residence have access to dining halls, there’s also the Hub Café in Jorgenson Hall (JOR), Balzac’s (external link, opens in new window) , Starbucks at the Student Learning Centre (SLC), Oakham Café (external link, opens in new window) and the DCC Market. There are also lots of spots nearby, such as Chipotle (my personal favourite), Shake Shack or the Urban Eatery in the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, which is connected to the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) building.
I’ve been spending a lot of time at Balzac’s this semester (especially before my morning classes).
How will you meet friends? Are there any clubs or student groups you can join to meet people?
Attending all of the events during Orientation Week will give you the opportunity to get to know students inside and outside of your program. I’ve also met a lot of great people through on-campus writing groups and student publications such as Her Campus (external link, opens in new window) , New Wave Magazine (external link, opens in new window) and the White Wall Review (external link, opens in new window) . I would recommend checking out the TMSU Student Group Directory (external link, opens in new window) to find a student group or organization that aligns with your interests. It might feel scary at first, but I learned that putting yourself out there is the key to meeting new friends on campus.
You should get a job! Can students work on campus?
My mom was thrilled when she learned that I could get a job on campus. Thanks to the Career Boost program, I was able to work full-time during the summer and part-time during the fall and winter semesters. Previously, I worked as a Co-op Program Assistant at the Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre, and now I work as a Content Writer for the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students (OVPS) where I get to write lots of exciting content for all of you future TMU students. Depending on their program, students can also participate in an internship or co-op placement for credit.
Working on campus allowed me to gain valuable work experience and also helped me get a better idea of what career I’d like to pursue after graduation. I highly recommend that incoming students take advantage of these opportunities when they officially become a TMU student. While it looks great on your resumé, it also provides you with the skills and experiences that are key to navigating the professional world.
Commuting
How will you get to campus? Will your commute take a long time? I hope you don’t get lost!
When everything’s running smoothly, it’ll take me a little bit less than an hour to get to campus. The GO train usually takes about 45 minutes to get me to Union Station. From Union, I’ll take the subway to Dundas Station, and then my walk to campus only takes me around five minutes. Having a Presto (external link, opens in new window) card makes my commute easier, since I only have to tap my card on and off. Plus, you can get a student discount to help you save money. You can also avoid getting lost by keeping your TMU campus map handy.
I’ll usually spend my commute listening to music or catching up on an assignment.
What are the pros and cons of commuting?
While I enjoy commuting (it can be pretty relaxing), sometimes it can be difficult to plan out your schedule effectively so you have enough time to relax in between classes. I try to always bring my headphones and a good book with me to campus so I have something to occupy my time with. You also have to plan your schedule around your commute time, which can be challenging. That’s why it’s so important to learn how to manage your time and stay organized throughout the semester. With proper planning, you can organize your schedule so you’ll get the most out of the university experience. I think learning how to schedule your day is key to a successful semester!
Thanks, mom, for the great questions! I hope my answers have eased some of your worries, but it's important to remember that having lots of questions is totally normal when you’re making a big life adjustment such as starting university for the first time. To have the rest of your questions answered, make sure to attend our upcoming Open House where you can find out everything you need to know about your future at TMU!
Chat soon,
Claire
