Acadia University: student life on campus

The 411

Best pizza:
Picasso Pizza—always open late
Best place for a nap:
K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre on a leather couch, fireside
Best place to study:
T.A.N. Coffee, second-to-fourth-floor library, and K.C. Irving Centre houses a gorgeous piano that music students often perform on
Best hangover breakfast:
Wolfville Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings (year-round) will fix anything that’s ailing you
Favourite campus food:
Axe Bar and Grill
Best cheap lunch:
Naked Crepe Bistro, the Rolled Oat
Best bar for hanging out:
The Church Brewing Company and the Library Pub. That way, you can tell your parents that you went to church and the library without fibbing!
Where to live:
Off campus: west of Gaspereau Avenue and east of Westwood are fair game for students. On campus, I would recommend Eaton, Chase Court, Dennis or Christofor Hall.
Weirdest tradition:
A man is paid to cut a section off a massive log with a chainsaw every time the Axemen get a touchdown. You heard me.
Best live music:
Paddy’s Brewpub and Just Us! Coffee Roasters hold open mics; Festival Theatre and University Hall host performers as well
What surprised me most about the school:
The international and out-of-province presence in the community

PROFILE: Acadia University | Wolfville, N.S. | Founded 1838

At Acadia University, students receive support both inside and outside the classroom. Faculty constantly encourage students to visit during office hours for personal academic development, demonstrating their commitment to going the extra mile for students. I overheard first-year students in the second week of September last year walking out of a classroom saying, “When they say, ‘Please come for help,’ they actually mean it. They were happy to see us.” They couldn’t believe their luck—neither can I sometimes. I remember having that aha moment myself when I felt that I was always going to be in good hands.

The small student population is not only good for the student-to-professor ratio, but also ensures students don’t feel intimidated when using resources on campus such as departments’ specialized librarians, the writing centre and other facilities provided to help with accessibility.

The small but mighty community encourages self-development, but also developing others. There are volunteer programs such as SMILE, Girls’ and Boys’ Night Out, and clubs like Community Outreach Acadia.

There is no hiding here at Acadia. You will always be busy with activities like home games and independent movies at the Al Whittle Theatre. It’s heaven for hippies, hipsters, young professionals, advance researchers, artists, activists and athletes. You won’t be able to walk down Main Street without hearing people say hello and “good-n-u?”

After Class
Wolfville, N.S., is in the heart of the beautiful Annapolis Valley, which is within driving distance of some great getaways like the Blomidon Provincial Park, Cape Split Provincial Park Reserve and fantastic beaches. But even if you don’t leave town, you’ll be inspired by the ivy-covered architecture here on campus!

Local Vibe
Being local is the vibe. With a campus and community highly concerned about sustainability, there are many fair-trade vendors, responsibly sourced health food stores, wineries and markets within proximity of the town selling fresh local produce and other homemade goods.

The school is a social and cultural hub for the Valley holding events such as the Devour food and film festival, the Deep Roots Music Festival and the H.T. Reid Lecture Series. Pro tip: If you want to sound like a true local, go to Joe’s Food Emporium and order Scott Skins (get them layered).

More Info
Try Acadia’s student newspaper, the Athenaeum, or the Acadia Student Union website. Or, for inside jokes, visit the Hatchet, a satire paper.