I swear there is always that one instructor out to get you. You can sit down and study the material for five hours a day... only to be awarded between 74–76% on EVERY evaluation. This is honestly so upsetting, especially when you read from many peers on the professor’s Rate My Prof that they only award B letter grades.
Side note: we need a rant flair.
Writing this at approximately 6:30 a.m. I was asleep on campus, and the fire alarm began going off everywhere in the building. I choked on a massive cloud of smoke while getting out.
I will upload more pictures in the comments, but the police are directing everyone away from the area. They have so many fire trucks and police are blocking off the roads.
The SLC is on fire and burning yall😭
This post is mainly intended for first-years, but it applies to all students.
Bad professors, confusing course policies, and unexpected grading decisions are merely part of university. At some point, you'll likely disagree with a course instructor, receive an unfair grade, or run into an administrative issue. My biggest piece of advice…
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!
Seriously. When you have your first awful instructor, you will thank yourself.
Here's what I recommend:
Why does this matter?
Because not every situation will be straightforward—some instructors are arrogant, entitled, and just genuinely difficult to deal with.
Having documentation protects you from dealing with any BS down the road.
If a professor agrees to accept late assignments, confirms accommodations, changes deadlines or makes an exception—get it in writing. Sending a quick follow-up email to confirm the conversation can save you a lot of trouble later.
Don't assume professors will remember even a lengthy conversation (ridiculous, I know), or that every “promise” made verbally will be honoured. Protect yourself by creating a paper trail. I was put onto this advice by a university advisor who has seen students get screwed over far too many times.
It’s as simple as this. A professor agrees you can write a deferred exam, following a personal conversation. They forget, now requesting that you submit an Academic Consideration Request; however, it is outside of the three business days of the exam. You can no longer submit an ACR, and you fail the course for not taking the final. This is a prime example of instructor incompetence.
You don’t need to expect the worst from people, but being prepared if things don't go as planned is crucial to staying on track and protecting your academic success.
Whether you're submitting a grade appeal, requesting academic consideration, filing a retroactive fee appeal, or dealing with a group project dispute, the university's first request is and will always be—documentation. The paper trail has saved me more than once, and it can do the same for you.
University decisions are made strictly on evidence. Treat every important conversation with a professor as if it never happened until it's in writing.
Don't let anyone convince you that your concerns don't matter. Advocate for yourself, and let the documentation speak for itself.
Hopefully you'll never need any of it. But when push comes to shove, you will wish you had kept proper documentation.
By documenting, you won’t automatically avoid these problems, but you sure as shit will be able to prove what happened. So...
DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!
I am a current student at Toronto Metropolitan University, where students are recommended to register in five courses per term (full course load).
I have consistently taken eight courses for my program. Currently, I am in 13 courses—they have all been going well; however, I did not receive funding for six of these courses.
For the upcoming term, I will be registered in 13 courses again. This is a 260% course load, but the maximum I am able to enter is 150%.
Would I need to contact my OSAP advisor to adjust my tuition fees?
Edit: Before people recommend that I drop courses, I have ~4.00/4.33 cGPA, and I am a senior preparing to begin my upcoming master's. This course load allows me to retake easy first-year courses that I slacked off in.
For those who are financially independent and out of work—how do you support yourself through school?
I am a recipient of OSAP, but the loans barely cover tuition. I am unable to receive bank loans due to not having a co-signer (I'm 19).
Has anyone had experience receiving a student line of credit through the university or other financial opportunities? Unfortunately, OSAP recalculations still won't cover living expenses.
I don't want to enter the upcoming term sleeping on the streets. I'm an incoming senior, and I want to graduate on a high note. My grades are extremely important to me, as I am currently completing my graduate applications.
im coming from toronto for my exams from july 26-30 and aug 11. gotta take the train to ottawa, and need somewhere to sleep on campus. i dont have the funds to book an accommodation. fss and crx have historically kicked me out of the building at closing. any suggestions?
My parents have no association with me after I had a non-consensual encounter with a 40-year-old man (as a man). I would typically never ask for anyone's hard-earned money, but I could never live with myself if I lose my kitties.
I refused to start a GoFundMe or share my story for months, but I need a safe home for myself and my fur babies. Please don't donate if you're a fellow student, but share if you're able to. Thank you!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-homeless-student-stay-in-school-and-rebuild-stability-hfgxz
My babies aren't too satisfied with being on a uni campus, but I'm trying!
I refused to do this for months, but I need a safe home for myself and my fur babies. Please don't donate if you're a fellow student, but share if you're able to. Thank you!
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-homeless-student-stay-in-school-and-rebuild-stability-hfgxz
title thanks
DM me
I can't quite understand her, but I am trying my best to learn for my homework sheet. Please help!
(Not requesting a translation, just the Arabic words)
im kinda homeless and left my suitcase on campus while i was running away from a 38 year old who was chasing me across the city (i was in contact with police and counsellors after)
it had all my clothes, a phone, my showering products, and a textbook for one of my classes
does anyone know if a suitcase was found missing? i contacted security, the library i left it in, and the lost and found... no where seemed to have it.
this happened a few weeks ago. i have no clothes now, except the outfit on my body and one that i had in a locker 😭
this year has been a struggle
I missed my beginner Arabic lecture today, which covered connecting basic letters. I am struggling immensely as I do not know any Arabic, and I can't find any relevant solutions online. Please explain/help!
I'm registered in 12 courses for the Spring/Summer term, and I'm wondering if anyone has experienced this workload? Just trying to figure out how manageable it will be, I have been able to successfully complete 8 per term without any issues.
