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Learning Commons Services Information

The Learning Commons is a collaboration between campus partners who provide holistic learning supports and self-directed resources to help students with areas such as writing, library research, citing, time management, study skills, exam preparation, English language support, numeracy and math support, career planning, health education and much more. We support students’ academic success through our on-demand and bookable services, online workshops, self-directed resources and online tutorials, especially SPARK. Connect with us today!

For more information on our learning supports follow the links below:

Libraries

Looking for help with doing your research for assignments? Citing your resources? The Libraries are here to help!

Seeking support from the Libraries early on allows you to get a head-start with your studies. Our services and resources demystify what doing academic research involves and can help you with concrete tips and strategies. From our drop-in research help services, to our consultation services with librarians or archivists, to our wide range of workshops and online learning resources, we've got you covered!

Getting Started at the Libraries

Research Help (Drop-in and Bookable options)

For more information on research help services consult our Ask A Question web site or visit the library hours page.

Workshops

  • Workshops: The Libraries offer a comprehensive workshops calendar on topics such as library research skills, academic integrity, citing, makerspace skills and more. Browse our upcoming listings and register to attend!

Online Learning Resources

  • How-to Videos and More: These short instructional videos and learning tools are designed to help you ramp up with key skills. Areas covered include research skills, citing, academic integrity, finding articles and books in Omni, creating a good search strategy (using AND/OR), evaluating sources, using maps and data and more.

Writing Centre

In-Person and Virtual Drop-In Services

Visit Drop-In Sessions on the Writing Centre's web site, for information about writing instructors' names, times of availability, and Zoom links, to get drop-in help with your writing this Fall term!

The Writing Centre’s Welcome video introduces you to services and programs available:

Other Writing Centre Services

  • Bookable one-on-one consultations: 50 minute one-to-one appointments through online video chat. Make sure to enrol first by registering (first-time users) or logging in, and make sure to check out this handy FAQ with tips on this one-to-one writing support.
  • Online Workshops: The WC will offer online, synchronous workshops on topics such as idea generation, generating a good thesis, and organizing your paper
  • LA&PS Digital Dissertation Writing Group Cafes: This very popular eleven-week Café is designed to help PhD students in LA&PS make writing progress, connect to a larger writing community and stay focused/return focus on their dissertations.
  • Online Resources: Consult this page for Writing Centre resources, such as helpful videos, online guides and tips to help you with writing and researching for academic assignments.

Writing Centre Web Site

ESL Open Learning Centre (OLC)

The ESL Open Learning Centre (OLC) supports multilingual students at York University in enhancing their academic English skills. We provide sessions that are tailored to your needs and nurture your learning and academic success in an interactive, comfortable, and dynamic environment.

Getting Started

Introduction to the ESL Open Learning Centre (Video is 11:36 min.)

To book an online or in-person session with the ESL OLC, log in to our online booking platform with your Passport York credentials, select ESL OLC Writing Instruction and ESL OLC Language Facilitation (for Writing Instruction, Assignment Help, or group workshops). For detailed step-by-step instructions on how to book an appointment and see our weekly schedule, please watch this video:

How to book a session with the ESL Open Learning Centre (Video is 7:13 min.)

For more information, visit our website or contact us at eslolc@yorku.ca.

1-1 Sessions

50-minute appointments (Writing Instruction & Assignment Help), personalized for English language support (writing, reading, listening, speaking, research skills, etc.), and available in-person and online.

Workshops

50-minute group sessions that enhance your academic English skills through interactive collaborative activities. Workshops are available online and in-person. You will be working in small groups of up to six (6) students and one ESL OLC language facilitator. Some of the themes include: Academic Reading & Listening, Writing & Research Skills, Pronunciation, Presentation and Communication Skills, Academic Conventions, and Grammar.

ESL Café: 50-minute informal conversation sessions help you enhance your academic communication and critical thinking skills. ESL Café sessions are available online and in-person. In groups of up to 10 students you will engage in guided academic discussions and debates covering a range of relevant topics of interest.

ESL Open Learning Centre Website

Learning Skills Resources (Online)

Looking for help with time management? Study strategies? Reading and note-taking? Check out the Learning Skills Resources!

Building your skills for learning is a great way to improve the effectiveness of your efforts and to increase your enjoyment of learning at University. Whether you're looking to make great notes in lecture, read with greater comprehension and memory, manage your time, or prepare effectively for tests and exams, the Learning Skills Resources have been assembled with you in mind. The materials take a strengths-based approach and are short, practical, and easy to understand. If you want to be the best version of yourself as a learner, these resources will help you to get there.

Visit the Learning Skills Services website (yorku.ca/scld/learning-skills) to find guides, videos, and downloadable worksheets on a wide range of learning skills topics!

Co-op & Career Centre

The Co-op & Career Centre is here to support you and your career goals! Our goal is to help you graduate with the skills, experience & social capital needed to navigate their careers with confidence. From your first day at York until two years after graduation, you have access to a range of professional development opportunities, like 1:1 career counselling and coaching, job search workshops and resources, employer and networking events, co-op and experiential learning programming, on-campus jobs and more!

Drop-In Services

  • Career Lounge: Career Peer Educators are available on a drop-in basis to answer any career-related questions. Please check our website for lounge hours.

Other Co-op & Career Resources

Co-op & Career Centre Homepage

Student Numeracy Assistance Centre at Keele (SNACK) - Numeracy & Math Help

Drop-In Services

Drop-in in-person or virtually to receive numeracy assistance from one of the Peer Tutors, available to help students with numeracy based courses that include math, stats, coding and Excel.

Other SNACK Services/Resources

Consult this website for information about SNACK workshops, resources and more.

Health Education & Promotion


Health Education and Promotion (Health Ed) supports student learning and academic success by helping build the conditions for students to thrive both personally and academically.  Grounded in the six dimensions of well-being, Health Ed promotes student resilience by helping students develop the skills to make balanced and sustainable choices, enabling them to engage fully in their university experience.

To learn about healthy living & access health and well-being resources, visit:

Link: https://students.yorku.ca/counselling/health-education-promotion

Recovery College
Run in collaboration with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, YorkU’s Recovery College provides health and well-being programming aimed at supporting students in living their best lives.

These courses explore a wide range of topics, including personal growth, wellness, and mental health recovery, and are co-created and co-facilitated by YorkU students. This collaborative approach ensures the programming is grounded in lived experience, making it both empowering and relatable. 

To see upcoming Recovery College Courses and other well-being events, visit our events calendar:

Link: https://students.yorku.ca/counselling/events

The Virtual Well-being Hub

Check out the Virtual Well-being Hub - an interactive portal where students create personalized well-being profiles based on the six dimensions of well-being, unlocking tailored resources to support both personal growth and academic success.

Link: https://virtualwellbeinghub.ca

Other Resources