Advising and Counselling

Colleges and institutes offer academic advising and counselling services to assist students with program selection and completion, as well as career counselling services to facilitate job entry. Many institutions also have Learning Centres or peer support programs offering flexible support services tailored to the needs of immigrant students.

Advising Services

Academic Advisors in colleges and institutes provide information on education and training programs, assist students with program selection and planning and entrance requirements, and address academic problems. These services are often available in group sessions and through individual appointments, and include:

• Information on courses and programs offered at the college or institute;
• Guidance regarding application, assessment and registration procedures;
• Clarification of assessment results for admissions to the college or institute;
• Assistance with career and educational research;
• Referral to educational and career counseling; and,
• Referral to other College services and resources, as well as to community resources.

Counselling Services

Colleges and institutes provide prospective and enrolled students with confidential counselling services from professionally-trained counsellors who offer personal and educational support to help students deal with situations that affect school performance. Counsellors can offer guidance and advice in the following areas:

• Educational Counselling to provide information and support regarding coursework expectations, academic prerequisites and learning and study skills. This includes Student Success instruction on a variety of topics including skills, stress and time management, communication skills and job search. Workshops may be offered as part of scheduled class time or during non-class time.
• Personal Counselling to provide emotional support and problem-solving assistance for a variety of academic, emotional, personal or social concerns. Common issues students identify are: feeling worried, anxious or depressed, having relationship problems or underachievement in their studies.
• Financial Counselling to provide information and referral for sources of financial assistance.
• Career Counselling to help students nearing graduation make the right choices by offering help with labour market research, resume writing, interview skills and career strategies.

Colleges and institutes also have close working relationships with local immigrant settlement organizations and collaborate with these organizations when immigrant students are in need of specific counseling related to cultural adaptation and settlement issues.

Learning Centres

College and institute Learning Centres offer free, flexible support services for students enrolled in courses and programs. The services provided through Learning Centres can help newcomers address some of the challenges they face in adapting to the Canadian academic environment. Some support services that could be of interest for immigrant students include:

• Academic support and tutoring in areas such as ESL, Reading, Writing, Math, Science or Study Skills;
• Self-help materials;
• Access to computers for the preparation of assignments;
• Short courses and workshops that address identified needs.

Peer Support Programs

Many colleges and institutes offer services through Peer Helper, Mentor or Language Partner Programs to support immigrant students. The Counselling Department of the college or institute will pair an immigrant student with Peer Helpers, Mentors or Language Partners - Canadian students trained by the college or institute to provide special services to immigrant students. This program can help immigrant students make friends, get to know the Canadian culture a little better and offer help with translation, referrals, applications and language applications.