Campus Compass

09/22/2026

Heading to a university or college fair over the next week or two?

Here's how to actually make the most of it, not just wander and grab pamphlets.

✅ Before you go: pull up the floor plan and star your must see schools
✅ While you're there: talk to student reps (not just staff), ask about more than academics, and sit in on an info session or two
✅ No official co-op? Ask what experiential learning options exist instead, like internships, applied research, or placements
✅ Don't skip the schools you're unsure about; sometimes the best fit is the one you almost walked past

And it doesn't end when the fair does. Shortlist your top picks within a day or two while it's fresh, then start looking up fall open house dates so you can actually walk the campus before applying.

Use this helpful University & College Fair Game Plan document to keep you organized and make the most of these experiences.

Resources Free resources to help you find clarity in your post-secondary journey. Your University & College Game Plan (for visiting open houses)

09/18/2026

Happening next week!

09/14/2026

What do I do, you ask? Turn chaos into clarity.

One conversation can make the difference.

09/11/2026

Happening next week!

Curious to learn more about Campus Compass?

Come find out what it’s all about in this free online information session for parents and students in grades 10-12.

September 23rd at 5:30pm
No registration required.
Join here: https://meet.google.com/uum-cpcy-bqt?authuser=0&hs=122

09/08/2026

Your feed is full of first-day smiles and fresh backpacks!

But by Thursday? Reality hits. Here are our top 3 tips for surviving (and thriving) the first week back:

1. Lower the bar on day one.
Nobody needs a perfect lunch, a perfect outfit, or a perfect morning. Just get out the door. Everything else is a bonus.

2. Sleep beats everything.
The first week is exhausting for everyone's brain — teens included. An earlier bedtime will do more than any pep talk.

3. Ask about the small stuff.
Skip "How was school?" (dead end, every time). Try "What made you laugh today?" or "Who'd you sit with at lunch?" instead.

Good luck everyone! You've got this. 🎒✨

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Hello, September!

New backpacks. New schedules. New energy.

Whether your teen is walking into grade 9 for the first time, heading into their final year before graduation, or starting their very first semester of college or university — this month is full of possibility. For them, and for you.

Cheers to a season of fresh starts, big goals, and (a little) less chaos.

08/31/2026

Sending a teen off to college is one of the biggest transitions a family goes through. The gestures that matter most usually aren't the expensive ones, they're the ones that say, "I see who you've become, and I trust you."

Make them feel capable and prepared:

✨A "launch box" — pack it with practical items (sewing kit, basic tools, first-aid supplies) each paired with a handwritten note explaining a memory or a piece of advice tied to that item

✨Teach one "adulting" skill together in the weeks before move-in — changing a tire, basic budgeting, cooking three go-to meals — framed as "leveling up," not a lecture

✨Write a letter (or record a video) they can only open during a hard moment — finals week, homesickness, a bad first semester grade

Make them feel seen and celebrated:

✨A memory jar or photo book with notes from family and friends, one for each year of high school or each meaningful memory

✨A "brag box" — print out or write down accomplishments, kind things people have said about them, moments you were proud of them, for when their confidence dips

✨Host a small "launch party" that's less about gifts and more about people sharing what they admire about who the teen has become

Make them feel empowered, not managed:

✨Let them lead the dorm shopping and packing list — parents advise, teen decides.

✨Create a "call me if" list together (not "call me every day") so they know boundaries are theirs to set.

✨Ask them to write their own goals or hopes for year one, seal it, and open it together at winter break.

Small ongoing touches:

✨A care package tradition tied to something specific to them (their favorite snack, an inside joke) rather than generic dorm supplies.

✨A shared photo album or group chat just for sending "thinking of you" moments, low-pressure and not demanding a response.

08/28/2026

Summer always goes faster than we think it will.

The plan was to talk about post-secondary. To explore some options. To have the conversation without the pressure of the school year hovering over everything.

And then suddenly it's the last week of August.

If that's you — you're not alone. And it's not too late.

What's the one conversation you wish you'd had this summer? About school, about the future, about what your student actually wants?

Campus Compass is here to help!

08/25/2026

📌 MARK YOUR CALENDAR— Fall Event Season is Here! 📌

Three can't-miss events for students and families exploring what's next after high school:

🎓 Ontario Universities' Fair
📅 Sept 26–27, 2026
📍 Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Meet with every Ontario university under one roof — programs, admissions, campus life, and more.

🚀 BMO Student Life Expo
📅 Nov 15, 2026
📍 Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building)
Explore university, college, skilled trades, apprenticeships, and career paths all in one place.

🔧 Level Up! Skilled Trades Ontario
📅 Sept 23 – Dec 10, 2026 | Multiple cities across Ontario
Hands-on exhibits and real conversations with tradespeople and employers. Find your city's dates here: 👉 levelupontario.ca

Whether it's university, college, or the skilled trades — these events are where the exploring starts. Mark your calendars and start thinking about your questions now! 💭

Take Your Future to the Next Level with a Career in the Skilled Trades.