Alt text - A woman standing on the left of a red and white 'York U' sign.
It all started with a little research in Spring’23 when I decided to study another course in Canada. I stumbled upon the Digital And Content Marketing program at York University School Of Continuing Studies. The next step in my research was to speak with the alumni and read reviews about the university. The reviews were decent and the graduates from York University told me that the program is definitely worth it. However, I was still torn between a few options I had in my hands. I was looking for the top colleges in Canada for international students so it could be feasible for me in terms of the cost and joining a community. I searched for ‘the list of top colleges in Canada’ and found a few articles which ultimately led me to York University, again. York University acceptance rate was slightly high compared to the colleges in Toronto. I finally made the decision to pursue my postgraduate certificate in digital marketing at SCS.
Few things that I have noticed since the time I have joined the university:
- Orientation week:
In the winter of 2024 (January 8th week).
Alt text - 0.5 x view of York University SCS building.
My first week at York University was surreal. I had no idea how big the campus was until I entered the buildings and the hallways were never-ending. There were so many other students on the campus that I spoke to and learnt so much about their cultures and where they came from. Afterall, York U is known for its diversity.
They also introduced us to the student learning softwares that are most commonly used. York U Moodle allows the students to view the courses, assignments and its deadlines.. Making it very convenient.
Another thing that struck me during the orientation was the amount of restaurants and cafes nearby. There were so many places to eat and just hangout with friends. From Tim Hortons to Chipotle, from Burger King to Insomnia Cookies, there were all kinds of snacks, coffee and meal options.
- Navigating York University Campus
Alt text - York University campus map.
An app called ‘York U Maps’ is essential to get around campus and know which buildings and courses are part of your program. It is available on the App Store. That app helped me a lot with learning the best spots on campus and the places to go to. All you have to do is download it and get into your account with York University student login.
I especially loved the design and its user friendly features. On my first day at campus, I was finding it really hard to spot the SCS building but thankfully, the app made it really easy for me. Introverts, this one’s for you if you don’t like asking for directions!
- Academic Life
Alt text - a group of 5 girls sitting around a Macbook and smiling.
Few of the courses that I had in this program are Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, Content Creation and Planning and Analysis for Content Marketing. The program also helped me in studying more about social media marketing, email marketing and affiliate marketing that is used a lot in the real world! These courses have helped me immensely in the real world during my internship and in my part-time job as a marketing associate. Timothy Smith, Andrew Temes and Rovena Aga are some of the notable professors and the ones who will make sure your class is as engaging as it is educational!
- Favourite Study Spots On Campus
Alt text - York University library with 3 storeys and with plants on each floor. The staircase is on both sides of the image and there are people on the ground floor walking by.
There are many study spots on campus but my #1 study spot on campus would definitely be my class itself. Sometimes, even when the in-person classes are cancelled, I like to sit in class and work on the assignments because it helps me focus. Another favourite study spot on campus would be the York University library where it is so quiet and the entire library is designed so beautifully.
- Balancing Work and Study:
Alt text - a view of the York U hall from the top floor with windows on the left and blue tables and chairs kept on the top right floor. There are orange chairs kept on the ground floor with students everywhere.
During my tenure at York U, I was working as a part-time marketing associate and as a content writer intern. Though the internship was fully remote, I still had to dedicate 20 hours for that. The part-time job required another 20 hours and my classes required 12 hours per week, plus time for the assignments if any.
One thing that really helped me with time management is writing everything down that was due. Every Monday, right before I would go to sleep, I would make a list of things that were due for the week. It helped me stay on top of things and also keep myself focussed.
Overall, I had the most amazing experience at York University for the 8 months that I was there. From the best professors to like-minded people, I am glad I got the chance to meet some wonderful individuals in such a short period of time. If you are thinking of going to York University, I would 10/10 recommend it!
