Education

Nipissing University: Student life on campus

Where to get the best cheap lunch, hangover breakfast, and more

Unofficial school motto: ‘A small school with big benefits’
Best place for a nap: The brand-new student lounge in A131 that just opened early October thanks to NUSU, our wonderful student union
Best cheap lunch: JT Sushi—super-cheap all-you-can-eat lunch deal and a huge selection of food
Best hangover breakfast: Burger World (all-day breakfast, so you can get that extra sleep that you require after a night out)
Favourite watering hole: Club 151
Perks of living in this town: Low traffic and great accessibility of transportation services
Best place to study: If you’re looking to really hit the books, the reading terraces or the silent room in the Harris Learning Library are your best bet. If you’re looking for something more relaxed, the Indigenous Initiatives office is the place where there’s bound to be snacks and pals!
Weirdest tradition: The inevitable tripping up and/or falling down the crooked staircase (which will, in fact, occur for the rest of your schooling). Accept it; embrace it.
Best campus event: The annual Welcome Powwow, and Frosh Week activities
(including the inflatable obstacle course, the Amazing Race, Muddy Olympics, Beach Day, and Shinerama to support cystic fibrosis research)
Best giveaway: Free tuition for first-year students coming in with an average of 90 per cent or higher
Best live music venue: Raven and Republic

PROFILE: Nipissing University | North Bay, Ont. | Founded 1992

University Insider: Amber Howika, 22, Fine Arts and Consecutive Education

When I think of Nipissing University, I don’t think of it as going away to school—I think of it as coming home. With slightly more than 3,000 full-time undergrads, this small community bonds quickly. In any given class, with an average of 24 students, you will be sure to quickly meet some new friends. Our location in North Bay isn’t as far north as many think. We are less than a four-hour drive from Toronto.

All our residences offer incredible support and programming throughout the year. This ranges from bonding activities, such as potlucks and formals, to stress-relievers—including free ice cream and visits from therapy dogs. Yes, you heard right—real pups!

Residence is a remarkable experience. This is my fourth year living in residence, and I have lived in every one of our residence buildings and have been beyond satisfied each time. In fact, I plan on continuing to live here during my years in teachers’ college! Your roommates become your second family, and the bonds you make at this school last a lifetime.

Extras
Nipissing has countless extracurriculars, with all kinds of sports teams and clubs that range from religion, book club, dance and performance, to indulging your inner nerd with League of Legends and the Pokémon fan club.
If you’re the type that likes to keep busy but also wants to make some cash, Nipissing offers a plethora of jobs for students on campus. I have worked as a student proctor, note taker, teaching assistant, and serve as a tour guide and student recruitment assistant. The opportunities are endless!
The outdoorsy type will be satisfied with the sheer beauty of the area. We have endless trails to explore right behind our school, leading up to breathtaking Duchesnay Falls—an absolute must-do adventure! We also have snowshoes that students can take out for a spin in the winter.
Our scholarships are top-notch. They go out to more than 62 per cent of first-year students, many of which are renewable if they keep up their good grades.

Local Vibe
North Bay is full of friendly faces and the atmosphere is very warm, despite the rather chilly climate. The city has many places to discover and offers a shopping mall, bowling, and an array of theatres, art galleries, cruises, restaurants and bars.

The Skinny
Stay up to date with campus and community life on Twitter with @NipissingU and at nugget.ca.

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