As a parent, you understandably want to help your student be successful in their post-secondary education. Whether your student is considering St. Thomas University or has already chosen to attend, the information below is meant to help you help your student make informed choices about a university education and be successful once they have made that decision to pursue it.

It is a good idea to explore our website to familiarize yourself with St. Thomas University. Many of the questions you may have can be answered readily by following the links given below. For information on:

• Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Applied Arts, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Social Work and our certificate degrees, please visit Programmes
• Academic departments (ie., faculty, courses), please visit Academic Departments
• Scholarships and bursaries, please visit Scholarships
• Tuition and residence fees, please visit Financial Matters
• Residences and residence life, please visit Housing & Facilities
• Course registration, exam schedules, and access to the Academic Calendar and various forms required for course registrations, please visit Registrars Office
• Important application and academic dates, please visit Dates & Deadlines
  

Contact Us

To receive specific information about St. Thomas, please contact Request for Information. We will send you the information you need and/or put you touch with the appropriate department or service. Feel free to contact us in person, as well. We welcome visits to campus. Use Campus Visit to arrange a tour.

To contact an Admissions Officer, please email at admissions@stu.ca or call (506) 452-0532 or toll free 1 877 788-4443.

Supporting Your Student

Your student ought to be aware of the vast number of services and opportunities available to them at St. Thomas. And if you are aware of them, you can encourage your student to take advantage of these opportunities to make the most of their academic career.

We urge you to explore Student Services and Student Life. There you can find information pertaining to:

• Housing and Facilities
• Academic Advising and Support
• Health and Wellbeing
• Employment and Careers
• Accessibility to Learning
• International Students
• Campus Ministry
• Recreation & Athletics
• St. Thomas University Students’ Union

Preparing for and Managing Transitions

Students enter St. Thomas as adolescents and graduate as adults. The university years are not only a time for learning but also a time for maturing. For this reason, the university is committed to nurturing and respecting your student’s independence and growth. We are not permitted to discuss or release information to parents regarding their student’s academic progress, attendance, grades, finances and health information.

Parents and supporters are urged to address any academic, health or social concerns directly with their students. At times, you may become frustrated by a seemingly uncommunicative student, but you can keep abreast of the services and activities ongoing at St. Thomas through this website.

Over the Summer

In the few months prior to September you and your student might like to discuss your student’s new life as an independent person. It will be constructive to establish ground rules on things like finances and expenditures, calls and visits, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, tending to one’s personal safety, dealing with change, and applying oneself academically. You and your student will have expectations and it is important that you are each clear and agreed upon what the other expects.

Coping with pre-University Anxiety

The transition from high school to university is a critical time in a young person’s life. There have been many studies conducted on this important life phase change. If you are particularly concerned about your student’s transition you might consider conducting a “Google” search with the keywords “Transition from High School to University”.

Most students are likely to experience excitement, some anxiety and perhaps a sense of loss. If at all possible, arrange a tour of the campus before the academic year begins. It will help to eradicate the fear of the unknown. Now is also a good time to increase your sensitivity and support, especially if you note emotional changes in your student in the months between high school graduation and the first days of classes at university. Your student may become moody or short-tempered and may take these feelings out on members of your family. Your increased sensitivity and support will help matters. While your student may be excited about coming to university, they may also be mourning the perceived or real loss of friends and a lifestyle that they have known for a great long time. Reassure your student often that St. Thomas is a caring community with staff, faculty and students who are here to make your student feel comfortable and supported.

Keep An Eye on the “Big Picture”

Many students choose a university education for career reasons. They hope that their post-secondary education will result in a rewarding and sustaining career. Students come to St. Thomas with a variety of career goals; some know they want to become teachers while others have no set idea at this point of what their career options are with a liberal arts education. Regardless of the circumstance under which students arrive at St. Thomas, it is not uncommon for career goals to shift. At times, some students will flounder with their goals. It is important to recognize this since motivation to study is often attached to a sense of purpose.

Career and academic guidance is available to your student. First-year is not too soon to consider career options and to seek information about career planning. Advise your student to seek help early and not wait until their final year to address career concerns. You can also play a role in career counseling your student.

Please see Student Employment for a special section for parents. You will find helpful information on career exploration and decision-making, as well as career development ideas and opportunities.