Future Students

Early morning classes can be challenging when you’re not a morning person. It’s not always easy to wake up and make it to class on time, especially if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before. But do not worry! With some creative thinking and a few clever techniques, you can learn how to master those early morning classes.

Read on for some tips that will help you make it through the week without missing an assignment or showing up late.

VIU’s main campus is in the harbourside city of Nanaimo. If you’re new to the area, it’s a good idea to spend some time exploring the city. One of the most helpful ways I dealt with homesickness as a new, international student was by familiarizing myself with the places around me. Even simply learning the names of a few key streets or taking long, aimless walks helped me better understand my new environment and feel a little less lost. Here are a few places to explore in Nanaimo.

As you start university, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the unique language and terminology used in academia. Let’s demystify the common terms and phrases you’ll encounter at Vancouver Island University. By the end of this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to converse fluently in university-speak, making the most of your time and the opportunities at VIU.

Whether you’re just embarking on your journey at Vancouver Island University or you’re about to start your final semester, the year is filled with so many opportunities to engage in unique experiences, create lifelong memories and immerse yourself in campus life. To help you make the most of your time at VIU, we’ve compiled a bucket list of must-do events that showcase the best of what our University has to offer.

Living in Student Residences at VIU is an exciting and enriching experience, offering opportunities for personal growth, academic success and lifelong friendships. To help navigate the ins and outs of life in residence, we asked Kayla Passmore, a former Residence Community Leader, to share some advice.

Bruce Barnard has been renting rooms in his home to students since 2014. Before that, he owned the Painted Turtle Guesthouse in downtown Nanaimo, providing accommodation for 110,000 guests from around the world. He says renting to students is a great way for him and his family to learn different perspectives and meet new people. He’s currently looking for another long-term student. Bruce shares some of the benefits of hosting students and breaks down stereotypes about student renters.

Are you new to Vancouver Island University? Here are a few things you can do before classes start to get a head start on prep for university life! 

Read the financial aid checklist

VIU’s Financial Aid Office has created a checklist to help you explore options for paying for university. Need more help? Reach out to the Financial Aid team.

Kelsey Moore was working as a forensic drug analyst when she decided she wanted a career that gave her a greater connection to community and nature. She enrolled in VIU’s Resource Management Officer Technology (RMOT) diploma. The program prepares students for careers related to the protection and management of Canada’s fisheries, wildlife and park resources.

Paul Wu received one of Canada’s most coveted scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing STEM studies ­– the Schulich Leader Scholarship.

He received $100,000 to study at Queen’s University, one of the 20 partner universities involved in the program. Every high school in Canada can nominate a graduating student to apply for the scholarship and each year 1,500 students compete for the scholarship and only 100 are awarded.