Family & Supporters Guide

The academic advising team on campus consists of Academic Advisors and Faculty Advisors. Academic Advisors are like high school guidance counsellors and provide guidance on degree program requirements, policies, and procedures. Faculty Advisors are experts in your student’s specific program or specialization and can help students with career opportunities, graduate programs, and much more.

This calendar has an overview of all the important dates and deadlines for your student’s academic year. This calendar also provides more information on rules, regulations, and policies for the University of Guelph. View the calendar.

Enrolment Services provides services to students such as student records, transcripts, confirmation of enrolment, grades and course selection.

Hospitality Services is responsible for the meal plans on campus, the campus cards, dining on campus, and much more.

The Library provides many resources, workshops, and one on one appointments to support students in their academic journey while at UofG.

The Off-Campus Gryphons Nest is a Microsoft Teams Page specifically for those commuting to UofG and not living in Residence. Students will have access to Gryphons Nest Facilitators who will host office hours, events, and answer questions.

The Student Financial Services Parent website was created specifically for new students and parents. It provides a checklist of that Student Financial Services has created to assist new students and their parents.

Student Housing Services has designed this website to provide you information on how you can assist your student with their transition to University.

Student Wellness Services provides services and resources to support students’ mental health, physical health and accessibility needs year-round:

• Counselling Services: Individual counselling and group therapy
• Student Support Network (SSN): Peer support daily drop-in
• Health Services: Acts as your family doctor on campus
• Health & Performance Centre (HPC): Physical therapy and injury clinic
• Student Accessibility Services (SAS): Accommodations for students with disabilities
• Sexual & Gender-Based Violence Support & Education: Supports for survivors and consent education
• Wellness Education & Promotion Centre: Student-led programming to promote wellbeing, skill-building and making connections

Stay up to date with all of the latest news and events by visiting the UofG news website.

The startuofg.ca website is the central hub for all new students. It has information on a variety of topics such as; Academics, Finances, important dates and deadlines, etc. If you or your student has a question we encourage you to email start@uoguelph.ca

Leading up to the start of University, students are both excited and nervous for the start of the semester. They may experience excitement and anxiety about leaving home and their support network.

There are plenty of resources to help students prepare for their semester ahead:

• Direct your student to visit the new student website; startuofg.ca and to participate in START U of G sessions!
• Ask them to visit the Shine This Year website to hear stories from upper year students about their transition to U of G, and for an overview of mental health supports and programs both on and off campus.
• If your student has a disability and needs to register with Student Accessibility Services, they can begin that process before they step foot on campus!
• Explore Student Wellness Services! This is the on-campus resource for all things mental and physical health, including Health Services, Counselling, Accessibility Services, Wellness Education & Promotion, and Sexual Violence Support.
• Does your student have a disability and require academic accommodations? Make sure they are registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as soon as you are able, to ensure accommodations can be arranged prior to the start of fall classes. Students are also invited to attend START Accessible Orientation Events.
• Understanding consent when it comes to relationships and friendships is important for new students. Have your student complete the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Awareness Training Module on Courselink before the come to campus.

Important Dates:

June 2025

• June 2 - Deadline for Domestic & International students to accept their offer of admission
• June 2 - Deadline to apply to live in Residence and pay the Residence Deposit
• June 15 - Deadline for Domestic and International students to pay the Registration Deposit. For more information and fee amounts please visit the Deposits webpage.

July 2025

• Early July - Course Registration for New Students
• Mid-July - Semester bill (tuition & fees) anticipated posting on WebAdvisor
• End of July – Meal Plan selection opens on WebAdvisor

August 2025

• August 18 – In-person Family and Supporters Welcome
• August 20 – Virtual Family and Supporters Welcome
• August 27 & 28 – START International
• August 28 & 29 – START Indigenous
• August 28 & 29 - START Accessible
• August 29 - First day of residence move-in
• End of August - Meal plan selection closes on WebAdvisor

In September, your student will be experiencing many new things and trying to establish a community on campus. They might also be feeling homesick, anxious about the adjustment, or struggling to meet new people – all of this is very normal!

There are plenty of resources to help your student adjust to university life:

• Orientation Week is a week full of activities to help your student adjust to the campus, academic expectations, and to find a new community on campus. Encourage your student to download the I Am A Gryphon App to view and check out Gryphlife.ca to view all the events and activities.
• Fall Semester payment is due in mid-September. Check the Student Financial Services Dates & Deadlines page for more information. Students should refer to their WebAdvisor account to see their financial statement. Students can look into financial aid to help pay for their time at university or explore employment opportunities.
• Is your student needing to take care of their physical health? Our Health Services team can provide all medical care that your student would normally receive from their family doctor. Did you know that we also have a pharmacy, optometrist, dentist, dietitian, and more right on campus?
• Does your student just need to talk to someone who understands what it’s like being a student? The Student Support Network offers peer-to-peer drop-in counselling provided by student volunteers who receive extensive training in active listening and communication skills who are here to help those who are struggling.

Important Dates:

September 2025

• August 30 - September 7 – Orientation Week for all new students
• September 4 – First day of classes
• September 12 – Fall semester tuition payment due

In October, students are exploring all aspects of being a student. This can look like getting more involved, learning to balance academics and social life, as well as preparing for mid-term season. During this month, students may also begin to struggle more with their academics and mental health. October great time to check-in with your student and ask how they are doing, now that the hustle and bustle of September has settled down.

Resources for October and mid-term season:

• Being involved on campus can help your student find their sense of community and they are engaged as a gryphon. There are over 200 clubs on campus from interest to identity based. Student Experience offers many resources that can help your student navigate the many ways to be involved on campus.
• When students are looking for mental health support, they often don’t know where to start. That’s why we have Student Wellness Navigators! Students connecting with Counselling Services for the first time will be booked for a 20-30 minute appointment with a Student Wellness Navigator within 24-48 hours of contacting us. The Navigators will clarify what you need and create a plan for support by accessing resources within Counseling, Wellness Education programs, the larger University or even off-campus. Students can call 519-824-4120 ext. 52131 to make an appointment.
• Students can attend "Thriving in Action" workshops, which integrate techniques for building motivation, optimism, and resilience with advanced learning strategies that hone time management, note-taking, and exam preparation skills. In each workshop, students learn and practice both wellness and learning strategies. Students can find upcoming workshops on the Library website.

Important Dates:

October 2025

• October 13 – Holiday – No classes scheduled
• October 14 – Fall Study Break Day – No classes scheduled

In November, some students will still have midterms, while others will turn their focus to final projects and getting prepared for December exams. During this time students may be feeling a bit drained. Students will also start to receive midterms marks back, and may be looking to adjust their academic skills based on how they feel about their grades.

Resources and Supports for November:

• The Wellness Education & Promotion Centre offers a number of different workshops and peer-to-peer programs developed to help students build better habits, connect with peers, learn about health and wellness issues that are relevant to them, and more. Students can view upcoming events on GryphLife and follow Wellness on Instagram for educational wellness content.
• The McLaughlin Library offers workshops and appointments for students on a variety of different topics, such as; procrastination, study skills, time management, and much more.
• Family and supporter encouragement goes a long way towards helping your student stay motivated and uplifted. Check-in with your student on how they are doing, or encourage them to participate in an activity they love.

Important Dates:

November 2025

• November 28 – Last day of fall semester classes
• November 28 – Last day to drop fall semester classes

In December, students are preparing and taking their final exams for the semester. They are also getting excited for the well-deserved winter break, and reflecting on how their first semester has played out. Students may also reflect on their habits from the Fall semester and decide what they would like to keep and change when moving into the Winter semester.

Resources and Supports for December:

• Encourage your student to check out a Stress-Buster event! Many campus services, clubs, and societies run fun events for students to help them take a break from preparing for exams.
• If your student is stressed or struggling with exams, encourage them to explore Student Wellness’ resources and services.
• Your student can review the Library’s resources on preparing for and writing exams. They can also book an appointment with a Library staff member who can provide advice and information on effective exam preparation!

Important Dates:

December 2025

• December 1 - 12 – Final exam period

January is a fresh start for students! Students may be reflecting on the challenges and successes of the previous semester, and how they can adapt and change for the Winter term.

Resources for January:

• Snow Days: Winter Orientation takes place in January to help welcome new students back to campus. These are a great way for students to re-adjust to campus life and explore resources and clubs and societies
• The USHINE Program is a peer mentorship program for students looking to develop lifelong successful habits to boost well-being. Students meet one-to-one with a USHINE Peer Mentor to identify wellness goals and create action plans around topics like sleep, nutrition, exercise, substance use, and more. Students can register at any time by emailing ushine@uoguelph.ca.
• The Bounce Back program is a voluntary peer-to-peer program for students who received grades 65% or lower in the Fall semester. Students are paired with an upper year facilitator who can direct students to academic supports and help students create academic goals.

Important Dates:

January 2026

• January 5 – First day of Winter semester classes

In February many students will be preparing for mid-term exams and assignments. Students will be looking forward to the reading break, and may be starting to think about summer jobs and finding housing for their second year.

Resources for February:

• The Off-Campus Living Team provides a number of services for students, including providing resources and advising for students looking to rent off campus, transit information, and neighbourhood and community information.
• Encourage your student to check out a Supported Learning Group (SLG) for their classes. These are free peer-led study groups help on a weekly basis to help students taking historically challenging courses.

Important Dates:

February 2026

• February 13 – Winter Break begins at the end of classes this day
• February 23 – Winter Break ends and classes resume

In March, students continue to move forward with their academics and continue to think about summer jobs and housing. Many also are getting excited about the end of year approaching. Students may also be feeling the pressure to do well on their final exams.

Resources for March:

• The Experiential Learning Hub (EL) offers many supports and opportunities for students. The EL hub can help students find meaningful co-curricular and volunteer opportunities, and help students prepare for a job search and interviews.
• Students sometimes need support outside of standard business hours. If your student is struggling and needs someone to talk to, there are a number of helplines, websites, and apps available.

Important Dates:

March 2026

• Early March – Summer course selection begins

Like December, students are focused on their final exams in the month of April. There can also be an added layer of excitement and stress as students think about their summer plans. It is important to remind your student of all they have accomplished over the last year as they head into the final weeks of the winter semester.

Resources for April:

• Many campus partners offer StressBuster activities to help students relax, stay well, and be resilient throughout the exam weeks.
• Student Wellness Services remains open throughout the summer semester, and students will still be able to receive support whether they are enrolled in classes for the summer or not!

Important Dates:

April 2026

• April 6 - Last day of Classes
• April 9 - 21 – Winter semester exam period