Nobel Prize winner Professor Donna Strickland (bottom right) from the University of Waterloo was the keynote speaker at ESEC 2021. She is seen answering student questions during the Q&A.
What is ESEC?
The Engineering Science Education Conference, or ESEC, is a unique annual conference held every January just for Engineering Science students. The goal of ESEC is for you to expand your horizons: you will start to see the many opportunities open to you with an EngSci degree. You’ll hear firsthand from professionals who’ve taken a wide range of (sometimes surprising!) career paths broadly related to the subjects you study in our program.
In the past, we have had highly accomplished speakers like Donna Strickland (Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics 2018), Anna Goldenberg (AI Canadian Institute For advance Research (CIFAR) Chair and Senior Scientist in Genetics and Genome Biology program at SickKids Research Institute), and Geoffrey Hinton (Vector Institute, U of T).
On top of attending remarkable talks, EngSci students are given the unique opportunity to chat one-on-one with the speakers and ask them anything in informal settings. And there’s a festive reception at the end of the day and you are invited!
While ESEC has been held online for the past two years, we hope to be able to run the conference in-person this year!
One of the most amazing things about ESEC is that it is run in part by upper-year EngScis for younger EngScis. This student exec team works hard to find speakers for the conference and bring the student perspective to the event’s planning.
Engineering Science at the University of Toronto is a world-class program. And that’s saying a lot: the world is a big place! It’s almost too bad that you have to pick just one place in the world to study. But what if you didn’t have to?
The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering is incredibly excited about offering students opportunities to study and research abroad, with a number of different programs, destinations, and time spans available. In fact, the Dean of Engineering, Chris Yip, has recently been moving towards creating global opportunities for all U of T engineers. His eventual goal is to have every single U of T Engineering student participate in a study abroad opportunity before graduation. “It really is about building a global community and experience for everyone,” says Dean Yip. In fact, in 2018, U of T received $1.4 million in funding, to be allocated over three years, to provide international opportunities to students. There has never been a better time to become a global student than now.
But what is the advantage of studying or working abroad? The first and most obvious is that it’s just a cool thing to do. Traveling abroad will broaden your horizons and give you different perspectives from around the world. It will almost certainly be out of your comfort zone – and that’s great! Being out of your comfort zone is the only real way to create meaningful change in yourself. Most students don’t have the same perspective, or view their education the same way, after coming back from studying abroad.
Moreover, studying abroad will allow you to gain some global competence – the ability to appreciate and understand different global perspectives and cultural diversity in a way others cannot.
Finally, as globalization increases around the world, having some worldly experience is advantageous professionally. If you were a global conglomerate who needed to do business around the world, who would you rather hire, with all else being equal: an engineer who had never left their home country, or one who had traveled through three continents? Past surveys show that 83% of hiring managers in Canada agree that employees who have traveled, understand the global marketplace, and have knowledge of other cultures are more competitive applicants.
International opportunities for U of T Engineering students
ESROP – Global
ESROP – Global is a summer research opportunity at a university abroad and is unique to Engineering Science students. Successful applicants will get to choose one of many research universities around the world partnered with EngSci, then spend the summer traveling to this destination while helping conduct research with the university. To find out more, check out our ESROP blog post.
The Centre for International Experience’s Summer Research Exchange Program (SREP)
Your Professional Experience Year is an incredibly good time to take an opportunity abroad. Many non-Canadian companies consider U of T PEY students when hiring for internships, so as a U of T engineer, you have the potential to take your year of co-op almost anywhere in the world. In the 2023-2024 PEY year, twenty-one students are working in positions outside of Canada. This is a particularly good option if you intend to enter industry after graduation. PEY abroad is also a great option if you want to spend more time abroad and immerse yourself more deeply in other cultures. During this 12-16 month PEY, you could even become fluent in a new language!
Engineers Without Borders
For the highly-adventurous engineer, a good option to get abroad is Engineers Without Borders. EWB is a Canadian non-profit organization focused on improving life in Sub-Saharan African countries. They tackle a wide variety of problems, from social injustices to business development to improving water and sanitation access for communities across Africa. As an undergraduate student engineer, you can apply for EWB in a Junior Fellowship. A junior fellowship can mean helping with EWB work locally or traveling with the organization to Africa to help cultivate social development. If you are looking to help people with your engineering skills while learning about life in developing nations, this could be the way to do it. Find out more on the EWB website.
Questions?
If you have questions about exchange programs and research abroad, please contact Don Newton, Engineering Science Curriculum and Research Officer (curric.engsci@utoronto.ca).
As an EngSci student you’ll have access to many networking events and mentorship programs. Not sure why you should join?
All of us have wrestled with difficult choices in first year. Sometimes, it is hard to know whether you should apply for a certain job or join a specific design team. It can also be daunting to write a cover letter for the first time or reach out to professors about research positions. Talking to an upper-year or alum who has gone through it can really help!
More generally, getting just the right expert advice can open many doors. From upper-year peer mentors to engineering alumni and industry representatives, there are a ton of people who want to support you. Whether you’re looking for practical tips for getting through first year, job connections, career advice, help with job applications, info on grad schools, or advice on any other topic, there’s a mentor or network waiting for you. Below are just a few places you can tap into. Don’t be shy, they’re a friendly and supportive bunch!
NSight
NSight mentorship program is a student-run club just for EngScis! They will pair you up with an upper-year mentor throughout the year and your mentor can provide social, academic, and personal support. NSight also organizes seminars and fun get-togethers where you can interact with other EngScis while learning about how to succeed. It’s a learning and networking opportunity, all rolled into one!
You’re Next Career Network (YNCN)
From YNCN’s website: “You’re Next Career Network is a multi-disciplinary team of over 50 student volunteers. Our goal is to provide opportunities to students through career development programs, as well as corporate and startup career opportunities.” YNCN can help with resume-writing, interview prep, PEY advice, and more. The club also hosts career fairs (among the largest in Canada) where you can meet employers from different fields.
Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
U of T’s student chapter of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) is a community of advocates for gender equality in STEM. The club holds networking events like WISE & Cheese, organizes an industry mentorship program, and holds an annual National Conference. Last year’s conference included talks by prominent individuals, workshops from companies like Intel and Qualcomm, Q&A panels; and a career fair. You can check out previous year’s speakers and workshops here.
U of T Women’s Association (UTWA)
The U of T Women’s Association “seeks to unite self-identifying women across all programs by offering equal opportunities.” They organize Q&A panels with research and industry professionals from different fields, and have also held a LeadHERship conference in the past.
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) U of T Collegiate Chapter is dedicated to the academic growth and professional development, as well as the personal growth, of its club members. This club focuses on marginalized groups within the U of T space and continually partners with different companies in STEM to provide students with the opportunity to connect and network with them.
Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering (CUBE) Mentorship Program
From the CUBE website: “CUBE (Club for Undergraduate Biomedical Engineering) is a student-run club whose mandate is to promote biomedical engineering at the undergraduate level.” The club hosts career fairs, information sessions on research, fireside chats about career paths, among other things. They also have a mentorship program that pairs current undergraduates with biomedical engineering alumni. You can learn about their experience in the field and get valuable advice on resume building and job searches. The best part is that you can join as a first-year, even if you are not otherwise involved with the club.
U of T Engineering CONNECT
Once you arrive in September, you’ll be able to join U of T Engineering CONNECT. It’s our online community exclusively for engineering students and alumni. You’ll have direct access to thousands of engineering grads working in a huge range of jobs and companies around the world. Here you can find mentors from different EngSci disciplines who are willing to connect and provide career and research advice.
“Since 2005, the Alumni Mentorship Program has fostered valuable relationships between Skule™ alumni and students. Alumni Mentors share their knowledge and experience and provide students with the encouragement and insights they need to get a great start to their careers and begin to set a course for the future. They enhance students’ educational experience and give back to their alma mater in a unique and rewarding way. Mentors often also learn from their bright young student mentees as they help them navigate important decisions at a critical time in their lives.
The program is open to undergraduate (including Professional Experience Year internship participants), graduate students (MASc, MEng and PhD) and alumni who graduated more than one year ago. Matches meet at the program’s kick-off event held at the beginning of the fall semester. From October through March, mentors and mentees connect informally as they wish, and all matches gather at several program events planned throughout the year.”
Through the early 1900s the Engineering faculty focused primarily on preparing practical engineers and held the belief that the instruction of pure sciences should be separate. That was until a few physics professors came up with the idea of a new program that would combine mathematics, physics, and engineering.
EngSci grad classes from past decades, including the very first class (3T8) when the program was still called Engineering Physics. (If you squint you’ll find a photo of our external relations officer, Christina Heidorn, in one of the photos). [Source]
This new program, called Engineering Physics, was officially founded in 1934 and later renamed to Engineering Science (EngSci) in 1962. The EngSci program from its beginning has had two main founding principles which still exist today: a strong focus on physics, math, and science as the core of the program, and offering unique specializations after two years of fundamental courses. New majors were introduced throughout the years to respond to emerging fields of research and technology.
Interestingly enough, there are two EngSci traditions which still apply today. Firstly, EngSci is not a department, it is a division. EngSci has only four faculty members who are directly appointed to our Division. Professors Asare, Carrick, Guerzhoy, and Hooper are cross-appointed between EngSci and another departments, and teach exclusively EngSci courses. For the rest of our courses, we draw instructors from across U of T Engineering and a few departments in the Faculty of Arts & Science. This is why different professors may have taught the same course over the years. Secondly, EngSci has two foundational years where students learn math and science through the lenses of a variety of engineering disciplines, such as materials science, civil, computer, and so on. In their third and fourth years, they are offered unique majors often involving multidisciplinary skills.
We currently have over 6000 living alumni all around the world in diverse and interesting fields. Click here to learn more. You can also read more about the history of Engineering Science.
Hello, my name is Sophie. I’m an EngSci 2T4 + PEY majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). I’m born and raised in Toronto. I love to hike, run, and make fermented foods (kombucha, kimchi, sourdough etc.)
Why did you choose U of T EngSci?
Like many other students I chose EngSci because I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to study. Coming out of high school, I barely knew what engineering actually meant. I wanted the opportunity to meet people with somewhat different interests and career paths while also keeping multiple doors open for me to explore, and EngSci let me do that!
How did you find your transition from high school to university? Do you have any tips for incoming high school students?
The transition from high school to university is truly different for every individual. I was fully remote my first year due to COVID, which definitely provided a different set of challenges.
One thing I struggled with and still struggle with is not tying how much I enjoy something to how well I did. In high school, I liked that I was good at sports, academics, and clubs. In university, I was suddenly surrounded by a larger group of students where a lot of them were also good at those things. Suddenly, I couldn’t be the best at everything and I started disliking things that interested me but I was bad at.
So one tip I would give is to try not let things like grades and results take away from how you felt during the whole experience. A bad test, or even a bad class might happen but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to explore an area if it interests you. While it can feel scary, it’s normal to be bad at things that excite you or good at things that you don’t like. Don’t chase something just because it seems easy right now, find things that you are curious about and excite you.
What extracurricular activities are you part of? How do you balance academics, hobbies, and social life?
Currently I’m one of the co-presidents of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) – U of T Chapter, and a member of the competitive dragon boating team at U of T, Iron Dragons. Previously I was a part of Brew of T, Blue Sky Solar Racing, and F!rosh. My strategy for balancing multiple aspects of my life is to regularly reevaluate how I’m spending my time and identify if I’m having regrets about those choices. Most things are trade-offs and everybody has different priorities so I don’t think there is a hard and fast rule about how to balance everything. Sometimes school might take priority and other times your hobbies or social life. If the way you are spending your time reflects what goals you are currently working towards, I think that’s the right balance for you.
What is one piece of advice you would tell yourself in first year?
Don’t be afraid of change. One piece of advice I would tell myself is to be really curious about the world around you. It’s normal to have plans for how you want your life to go, but you change and oftentimes what you want changes. Be open to new experiences, learn from the people and about the opportunities around you, and oftentimes you find yourself on a totally different path than where you started.
You did some research in the past at UHN and U of T. Can you talk a little more about your experience with research and advice you have for students interested in research?
I worked as a software research student at Princess Margaret Hospital for a year after 1st year. Specifically, I worked with consumer-grade neuroimaging devices to build statistical and machine learning models that can collect and classify human brain data. Prior to this experience, I had done a little bit of research in high school but it wasn’t similar. I think if you are looking to get involved with research, don’t be intimidated by cold emailing professors. I went onto U of T’s faculty page and looked for professors that were doing work that interested me and just emailed a few expressing interest to learn more. Especially if you can secure some funding or are looking to do so through programs like ESROP (Engineering Science Research Opportunities Program), it makes it easier for professors to hire you. Sending out those emails was really scary for me at the time, and I felt like I didn’t have any skills to offer. But I’m so glad I did it. I learnt so much from that experience, the professor and team I worked with taught me so much. So definitely if you are interested in research, it’ll likely take a few tries but just reach out to professors and you never know what might happen.
Students commute from various places around Toronto, so here are some tips and advice for how you can make the most out of your commute!
Commuting Tips
Pack a healthy and filling lunch/dinner and bring some snacks. If you do not feel like bringing your own lunch everyday, there are commuter meal plans avaliable from U of T Food Services.
If you are taking public transit to get to class…
Check for service updates on their respective websites and always give yourself extra time to avoid delays or being late (TTC, Go Train, etc.)
Avoid rush hour (rush hour is generally from 8 am – 9am, 3 pm – 7 pm
Know alternative routes to get to your location
Let’s talk time management
Prioritize your travel time, whether it’s listening to music, reading, studying or sleeping.
Practice your time management skills. Schedule your travel time in your calander or agenda, which will help you figure out how much time you have complete school work, study, partake in extracurriculars/hobbies, etc.
Aim to arrive at school at least 10-15 minutes before classes start. You never know what delays can happen on your commute.
During midterms/exams, be sure to plan ahead and arrive early. Before heading out, check ACORN to see if your exam is relocated because it can change last minute.
Become friends with students who live in residence. You can also make friends with students who commute. There might be someone who is on the same train as you!
What Upper-Year Commuters have to say
Pack Well
You will be carrying your backpack around most of the day, so pack light and avoid bringing extra things that are available on campus, e.g., scrap paper. With that being said, you may want to bring snacks in case there is a delay in your commute. If you get a commuter meal plan, you won’t even have to bring lunch. You may want to rent lockers in the common room from EngSci Club, so you will not have to carry everything back home and back to school again. With the extra space, you will have access to items such as chargers, stationery, and extra clothing without having to carry them.
Plan Your Time
Figure out if you want to sleep or work during your commute. If you choose to work, note that reading is easier than e.g., working on a problem set, so plan accordingly. Make sure you can work (or relax!) offline, as WiFi may not be stable. Check bus/train schedules in advance and have a back-up plan in case you miss your bus/train, especially if there is a midterm or exam.
Outside of the commute itself, be sure to plan to get enough sleep. If you want to sleep before twelve, you should probably leave an hour or two before that, depending on commute time. As long as you plan for it, you can still be active in clubs and design teams as a commuter.
Public Transport
Check to see if a monthly pass is cheaper for you. Make sure your Presto card is set up for a post-secondary student discount and remember to tap off for GO buses and GO trains. You may want to download the PRESTO app so you can check your balance and load funds in advance. Better yet, set up autoload!
Bike Share Toronto
If you’re looking for a quick way to get around the city, Bike Share Toronto is available 24/7 and their bikes can be found all across the city. Additionally, Toronto is a bike-friendly city with numerous bike lanes. There’s also a student-run bike shop on campus. If you have your own bike and are living in a residence (I.e., Chestnut Residence), have bike rooms for storing your bike.
As an EngSci, you’ll want to make sure you spend time outside the classroom doing things unrelated to academics. A big part of the university experience is hanging out with friends and enjoying living independently. The U of T campus is filled with fun things to do during your study breaks. Here is a list of some cheaper things that will work for you and your university friends on a budget.
U of T libraries obviously have a huge collection of books, but what might be more surprising is that they also offer board games. They can be taken out for loan for two weeks at a time. You can even look up what games are available online and make a request ahead of time. The board game collection has games for groups of all sizes and not all games require you to sit down at a table for hours on end. They have classic games like Monopoly, Clue, and Sorry which are quick and easy to pick up. They also have well-loved newer games such as Tokaido, Dixit and Catan. Board games are an amazing way to connect with your university friends, and the fact the library gives you access to them for free makes it easy to host an awesome board game pizza party.
Innis College Movie Night
Nestled right in the heart of the U of T campus, Innis College hosts free movies every Friday night at 7pm. It is called the Free Friday Films program, and movies played each week are posted a month in advance on social media. This way, if you’re picky about your movie choices, you can visit on a week where there is a film you will enjoy. Their collection of movies tends to be acclaimed films that really allow you to learn as you watch. To learn more about these movie nights, check out the Innis College Movie Night website.
Sign up for the Innis College mailing list to get updates on upcoming movie nights and events.
Sports
Studying hard is a sedentary activity, but U of T has tons of ways for you to stay active and healthy, and reduce stress. The Athletics Centre offers drop-in sessions (i.e. no booking needed) including basketball, ultimate frisbee, jogging, yoga . You can also book courts for squash, table tennis, badminton, and more. All of these are covered by your tuition. If you don’t have the equipment, you can also rent rackets and balls at the Athletic Centre equipment counter.
Frosh Week and other Skule events will teach you that engineers have a lot of school pride. A LOT. But we don’t just have pride for our Faculty: we also have pride for U of T. One way you can show this pride is by cheering on the Varsity Blues with all your friends. The games are free for students with a TCard, and you can visit their website to find the game schedule. Go Varsity Blues!
Geocaching on Campus
One of the first things you may notice about the U of T campus is that it has beautiful historic buildings as well as lovely greenery. One fun thing to do is to just enjoy the outside nature of the campus by going on nice walks with friends. If you want an extra activity to do while you walk, you can download the free Geocache app. Geocaching is basically a real-world treasure hunting game, and there are a handful of geocaches hiding around campus. Before you head out, make sure to download the app.
Watch a Musical
U of T has a bunch of different musical theatre groups, such as Skule Nite, Trinity College Dramatic Society, and Hart House Theatre. As a student you get discounts on tickets to their shows. Most shows occur during the second semester, and they are wonderful weekend activities!
Enjoy Your EngSci Common Room
Common rooms are designed to be fun places to relax, vibe out, and regenerate. In the EngSci Common Room, you can find Foosball, board games, a pop machine, a Gamecube (which, at this point is mainly a Smash Bros. Melee box), an Xbox 360 and more! If you want to have fun in a relaxed way with your classmates, look no further. The EngSci Club also hosts various events throughout the year, which are held in the Common Room – look out for them in your inbox!
U of T Art Museum
Art Museum located in Hart House and University College [Source]
If you’re an art lover or just want to have a relaxing time looking at beautiful works, drop by the U of T Art Museum! The museum has exhibits located in Hart House and University College. It runs all year round with free admission to all and showcases the wide diversity of art and art history.
Classical Concerts
Are you a fan of classical music? Do you wish you had morezart access to classical concerts? Well we’ve got exactly what you need! The Faculty of Music offers regular free classical music recitals and concerts both live in person and virtual through a livestream on their Youtube channel. These events occur very frequently so if you are interested check the Faculty of Music website for more details.
Example of a double room in Chestnut Residence [Source]
Moving in is one of the very first things you will do as a university student, and we are here to help you through it! Even though the experience can be stressful, it is also very exciting. So, here are some of the things that you can do that will make the transition to residence go as smoothly as possible!
By now, you should have accepted your residence offer. Many U of T Engineering students usually stay at Chestnut Residence, which used to be a hotel that was converted to a student residence. So, you know where you will be living for the next 8 months, what’s next?
Packing List
Below are some of the things that you should have during your first year in residence. Try and bring as many of the recommended items as possible when you move in. You can also purchase some of the items during your first few days on residence. There are many stores nearby, including Canadian Tire and the Eaton Center, where you can purchase some of the necessities. Get them before you get busy!
For the optional items, you can wait until you see your room, residence hall, and laundry facilities to decide if you need the items.
Highly recommended items:
Bedding — check your residence’s website for bed size information!
Duvet or comforter — main blanket
Mattress cover — goes over residence mattress
Duvet cover — covers main blanket
Pillow(s)
Pillowcase(s)
Towels
Toiletries
Laundry hamper or laundry bags
Laundry detergent (liquid or pods)
Flip flops for shower if your residence has communal showers. Please don’t use flip flops in your Chestnut shower without consulting your roommate first.
Clothes! (Our advice is not to bring all of them; try to pick a diverse range of clothes that work for multiple situations!)
For International students who may not be familiar with the climate in Toronto, check out the pre-arrival page by the Centre for International Experience (CIE) to prepare for all 4 of Toronto’s seasons.
Optional items:
Extension cord/power bar — some residence rooms only have one power socket, or they might not be conveniently placed
Good pair of headphones — residence can be loud, and you have midterms!
Mattress topper —good for making quick changes to your mattress
A dorm room in Morrison Hall at University College, U of T [Source]
What NOT to Bring:
There is a list of items that are not allowed in U of T Residences. If you are renting, you should also check for banned items.
These are only a few items listed, be sure to check with your residence for a more comprehensive list. A packing and moving-in guideline for students staying at Chestnut Residence can found on their Fall Move-In page.
Room Decorations and Designs
So, you have all the basics to make your dorm room livable. But you want more. You are ambitious. You want to have the best-looking dorm room in your residence, and maybe even on campus. But how can you make your room look really good? Here are some ways to decorate a little more.
Lighting – nothing improves how a room looks better than lights. There are many different options and guides on how to light a room well. Here are just a few of the most popular types of lights to add life to your room.
LEDs
Lamps
Hanging lights
Desk lamps
Note: Most of the time, you cannot bring items that have open fire, such as candles. Always check with your residence on what you can and cannot bring.
Be careful with the adhesive LEDs as they may leave marks on walls and cause damage.
Posters: these are a nice way to personalize your room and make the walls feel less bare.
Every September there is a poster sale in the Med-Sci buildings, a 5-minute walk from the Engineering buildings. You can find tons of interesting and fun posters here, which will be sure to add colour and personality to your dorm! Best of all, the posters are almost all $10 or less. (Note: the poster sale is not guaranteed to happen this year)
Although not strictly a poster, a great thing to put up on your wall is a dry-erasable 4-month wall calendar. This will help you keep track of your deadlines throughout the semester. You can also highlight reading week, giving yourself something to look forward to! You can find such calendars at the U of T Bookstore.
Alternatives to Posters: Tapestries
Although there is no tapestry sale on campus, tapestries add colour and take up wall space like a poster. They are easier to pack and bring to second-year residences without worrying about folding or wrinkling.
Posters and lights add a lot to an otherwise standard room. [Source]
Room Tours
Some residences may offer room tours throughout the summer. If you are renting, you should also check out the unit in person, or ask a friend to do it for you, if you are not in Toronto.
Chestnut Residence offers in-person room tours until mid-August at 2 pm. This is a great way to check out what your room will look like and get an idea of some of the items you might need to bring. During these tours, you can also see some of the building’s amenities and get a better understanding of what the building has to offer, so you can make the most out of your residence life experience! There is also a virtual residence tour that can be found on their YouTube page.
Tips for Move-In Day
Here are some tips to make your move-in as fun and rewarding as possible. The main thing to keep in mind is that it is everyone’s first day, so everybody is as excited to meet new friends as you are! On move-in day the goal is to just meet as many people, learn as much as possible about your residence, and have fun!
Introduce yourself to your neighbors. This is the most important thing you can do, as having a good relationship with your neighbors will improve the rest of the year! Also, if you get along with them, they are convenient people to be friends with as they are very close by.
Rearrange your furniture to make your room feel like your own!
Understand that people will be nervous and out of their comfort zones when they first get to university – be accommodating!
Don’t worry about moving in with or without your family. Many students from out of Toronto move in on their own or with friends. Many students move in with their families. Both are valid methods, and there will be help available to carry luggage and move in if you need extra assistance!
As we like to say, the last step is to have fun! Enjoying your move-in experience is all about having a positive mindset.
Toronto is one of the greatest cities in the world! Although much of your time will be taken up with school and on-campus activities, you would be completely remiss to not take the opportunity and explore the city. So, without further ado, here are some of our favourite fun things to do in Toronto, Ontario!
Explore Kensington Market
Kensington Market is one of Toronto’s most famous neighbourhoods. With a rich and diverse culture, bars, restaurants, shopping, music, events, and an incredible atmosphere, the market is definitely worth a visit. In short, if you want an evening out, some delicious food or an interesting and vibrant place to explore with friends, look no further than Kensington.
Yonge-Dundas Square is in the heart of Toronto, located about 20 minutes from campus and steps away from Chestnut Residence! Here you can shop at the famous Eaton Centre, visit restaurants, watch amazing street performers, or just enjoy the bustling downtown atmosphere. This is a fun space to go if you enjoy the fast pace of Toronto, bright lights, and the vibes of a metropolitan city.
Toronto is world-renowned for its sports teams. So, if you are in Toronto, set aside some time and go watch a/an Argonauts (Americal football), Toronto FC (football/soccer), Blue Jays (baseball), Raptors (basketball), or Maple Leafs (hockey) game! Attending a Raptors 905 (basketball g-league) or Marlies (hockey AHL) game is also a fun and more affordable option.
Skating in Nathan Phillips Square is a quintessential Canadian activity. Deep in downtown Toronto, Nathan Phillips Square is a large open space with the famous “Toronto” sign! There is also a fountain that freezes over in the winter and becomes a skating rink. The square is about 15 minutes away from campus and is literally steps away from Chestnut. You can rent skates for $10 for two hours. This is a very fun activity to do with friends. Skate rentals close at 10 p.m., but the rink is open 24/7. So, if you are feeling adventurous, go to Nathan Phillips late at night or early in the morning and you will likely have the rink all to yourself! Make sure to get a few pictures with the iconic Toronto sign too!
There are also other outdoor skating rinks located throughout the city including one by Harbourfront and at College Park.
The Distillery District, located near Front St and Parliament St, is part of Old Town Toronto. It used to be a large whiskey distillery and has now become a very artistic neighbourhood. It houses artisanal stores, small coffee shops, outdoor sculptures, and more. There’s also an amazing chocolatier, but we’ll let you explore the area for yourself!
The Distillery is a cool, calm oasis of pedestrian walkways and brick buildings – perfect for escaping the city’s bustling atmosphere without leaving downtown. It might get busy on weekends, but it is enjoyable nonetheless. In the winter, the Distillery hosts a Distillery Winter Village which is fun (but it can get crowded).
Try multicultural cuisines!
Toronto is a very multicultural city and has countless restaurants with international cuisines. You can try out authentic dishes at most restaurants. Check out the following places:
Kensington Market
Bordered by Spadina, Dundas, Bathurst and College, Kensington market is a unique neighbourhood where you can find amazing Neapolitan pizza, tacos, empanada, and so on. Check out the cafes too!
Chinatown
Chinatown is centred around the intersection of Dundas and Spadina, and extends along both streets. Located just minutes from campus, this is a great spot to grab cheap and tasty food for lunch and dinner.
Other Food Hubs
Finally, you can also go for amazing Middle Eastern food on Yonge Street, get some delicious Greek food on the Danforth, explore the Gerrard India Bazaar for South Asian treats, and more. There’s a lot of good food in Toronto!
The Toronto Islands are a set of islands connected by bridges and pathways in Lake Ontario, just a 10-15 minute ferry ride from the downtown Toronto lakeshore. The islands have beaches, cafes, countless parks and green spaces, bike rentals, canoe rentals, and more! If you have a free day before school starts and are hoping to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city without going too far, the Toronto Islands may be the destination for you!
Nuit Blanche
Nuit Blanche is a unique and fun Torontonian event that will definitely confuse you the first time you hear about it. Here’s the premise: one Saturday night in Fall, artists place artwork all over downtown Toronto. For the whole night (right through to the early morning), event-goers walk through downtown Toronto, observing and taking in the pieces while exploring the city. If you make a night out of it with some friends, Nuit Blanche can be a fun and fascinating use of a Saturday. This year’s Nuit Blanche is on September 23.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
The Toronto International Film Festival is an annual film festival that occurs every September. If you are at all interested in watching new films, attending Q&As with actors and directors, and potentially seeing or meeting actors and directors, a film festival is a super unique and fun opportunity. You can also volunteer for TIFF if you would like to be more involved!
Visiting an art gallery in Toronto is a must! A great example is the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). It is one of the largest art galleries in North America and houses a wide diversity of creative pieces. You’ll find art from old Masters to Indigenous artists to modern provocateurs. The gallery is just a few minutes’ walk from campus (7 minutes away from Bahen) and admission is free for everyone 25 and under. So if you enjoy admiring the work of great artists or just walking around in a peaceful area, you should visit the AGO.
Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto is a 135,000 square feet facility with over 5.7 million litres of water filled with over 20,000 fish and other marine life ranging from Stingrays to small fish. It houses a plethora of interactive exhibits as well as the longest underwater aquarium tunnel in North America! The aquarium is located next to the CN tower in downtown Toronto. So if you would like to explore sea life while staying in the city, check out Ripley’s Aquarium!
The CN Tower is located in the heart of downtown Toronto. It is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere at 553.3 meters tall and belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers. In the CN Tower you can find a revolving restaurant, observation decks and a general entertainment area. You can also go on the CN Tower EdgeWalk where (just like the name) you walk along the edge of the tower. Don’t worry, you are harnessed and secure during this walk!
Explore!
Toronto is a massive city with literally countless opportunities for fun and exploration. If you hear about or see something in the city that looks enjoyable, don’t hesitate to try it. For more information about events in Toronto including city festivals, perrades and recreational activities, visit the City of Toronto Website.
If you take time to explore the city then by the time you graduate EngSci, you will have a whole collection of fun memories of your time in Toronto.
As an EngSci student, you will get to select a major to specialize in by the end of second year. There are a total of eight majors that are very diverse and cover a plethora of engineering disciplines. The decision on which major to pick is often difficult and can be stressful. This is why we created this page to provide more information on and debunk some myths about how the selection process works. Hopefully this can provide more clarification on how EngScis select their majors!
As first years it is absolutely not necessary for you to know or be certain of which major to choose; however, we realize that many of you have given the subject some thought. Throughout your first two years, you will have the opportunity to learn more about each major and figure out what areas of engineering excites you the most. There will also be Major Option Talks given by the Option Chairs for each major to help you decide in second year!
Myth: “I won’t get into the major I want”
Some students believe that they will be gated from specific majors based on limited spaces and the popularity of the major. This is untrue; all EngSci majors are open to all EngSci students provided they maintain good academic standing as per U of T guidelines. You do not need to compete with anyone for major spots.
Myth: “This major will set me on a specific career path”
Many students believe that their choice of major will firmly dictate their career path for the rest of their lives. EngSci’s Academic Advisor for Years 3 & 4, Brendan Heath, calls this phenomenon the “golden straightjacket”. This is absolutely not true!
Each major provides students with the knowledge and skills to work in a specific field. However, the shared knowledge from the two EngSci foundation years alongside the transferable professional skills developed throughout your degree (i.e. the desire for learning, time management, organization, etc) open the door to really diverse engineering-related jobs. Many EngSci graduates have put their training to work in ways you might not expect, or have even gone on to become lawyers or doctors, or completely change their academic field. Examples include:
An aerospace engineering grad who worked for Hollywood and launched a video game company
EngSci physics and aerospace grads whose startup aims to transform how we access our own medical records
Some graduates have even gone on to law, medical, or business school, or have stepped into different academic areas. Read about more of our alumni here.
For more information on the EngSci foundation and upper years check out the EngSci Overview.
Myth: “I can’t switch out of the major I choose”
Some students may want to choose a different major after the selection deadline. Although most students have an idea of what major they want to choose before the deadline, there is the option to choose one of the other majors after the deadline. It is recommended that changes be made as early as possible – changes made before the start of third year are often possible. If you do end up switching majors into year three, note that it might take more time to complete your degree. Contact your academic advisor or the chairs of the majors to learn more about the majors and choose one that is best for you!
![[Source]](https://future.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/UofT13675_20170915_UniversityCollegeSummer_002-edited-scaled.jpg){kind=link}
![[Source]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dangerous_Lagoon_-_Sharks-9.jpg){kind=link}