Unofficial school motto:
‘Drake was here’
Best place for a nap:
Bean bag chairs on the sixth floor of the Student Learning Centre
Best cheap lunch:
Fried chicken steamed bao from Banh Mi Boys
Best hangover breakfast:
Peanut Butter Cup pancake breakfast from Denny’s
Favourite watering hole:
The campus pub, Ram in the Rye
Perks of living in this town:
Never running out of things to do
Best place to study:
The library (now that everybody is over at the SLC)
Weirdest tradition:
Karaoke competitions between programs
Best campus event:
Winter Week of Welcome
Best giveaway:
Random things at Yonge-Dundas Square
Best live music venue:
Danforth Music Hall
University Insider Report – Erica Ngao, 21, Journalism
For university students, 8 a.m. lectures are never fun. But on this commuter-heavy campus, waking up early is just part of the routine. While complaining about public transit is many a Ryerson student’s favourite pastime, I’ve found commuting gives me the opportunity to explore and appreciate more of this vibrant city. (I grew up in the suburbs.) Nestled between high-rise condos and the flashy billboards of Yonge-Dundas Square, Ryerson has grown along with Toronto, transforming itself from post-secondary underdog to nimble innovator. Now that the Student Learning Centre is open, construction has started on a $104-million health sciences complex that will include a residential tower with room for 332 students, and a new 30-storey student residence for another 593. Still, the campus is small enough to bump into someone twice, building a sense of community within Canada’s largest city.
As a commuter, I feared I would miss out on forming a connection to the school outside of academics. But as I quickly came to discover, there’s no shortage of school spirit. What is lacking in typical university traditions like homecoming is made up in the number of student groups. Whether you come from, or are interested in, Albania, Africa, Armenia, Bangladesh or Bulgaria (and those are just some of the As and the Bs), there is a community waiting for you. I joined the 90-member Dragon Boat Club, one of the largest teams on campus. Aside from being an intense physical challenge, it provided great training in co-operation and sportsmanship.
Ryerson has never been a traditional university and that’s what makes it unique. Here, learning goes beyond lecture halls into labs, internships, innovation hubs and sometimes even the city itself. Just keep your head up and walk fast.
Extras
When you need a break from the traffic and concrete, the campus’s hidden green spaces provide an oasis. The Kerr Hall “Quad” is ideal for picnics and games of soccer. Students can volunteer to tend the rooftop garden atop the engineering building, which supplies produce to the cafeteria and the farmers’ market. The therapy-dog program offers cuddly companions to help relieve stress.
Local Vibe
For the price of a transit ride, explore the diversity of the city through its neighbourhoods—one of my favourite spots is the food paradise at St. Lawrence Market. From the paparazzi-filled Toronto International Film Festival to more low-wattage affairs like the Fringe Festival, there’s no shortage of things to do. The arts and culture scene is particularly affordable on a student budget, with discounted tickets or free admission. For the adventurous, head down to Harbourfront for seasonal activities such as skating and canoeing, or hop the ferry for the Toronto Islands.
The Skinny
Bookmark Studentlife.Ryerson.ca for a comprehensive guide to life on campus.