Help is available! Whatever the problem or struggle, don’t ever feel that you must deal with it alone. Our services are here to support all of your needs outside of the classroom to make your Bishop’s experience the best it can be.

Did you know that Bishop’s University has a Community Cupboard to help students in need of support with food security. The Community Cupboard offers grocery orders, emergency food cards, tips and tricks on how to make your money last longer when purchasing food.

You can also speak with a counsellor. Bishop’s has several professionals available to support student transition to university. You can contact studentservices@ubishops.ca or, check out our social media for hours of service.

You can also contact Empower Me Mental Health and Wellness Support for 24 hours, 7 days per week for free confidential counselling support at 1-833-628-5589.

You’re not the only one! There are many things that can help if you’re feeling homesick.

If you live in Residence, you can:

  • talk to your RA
  • talk to a Counsellor in Residence located in Paterson 100. They have scheduled appointments or drop-in hours.

If that is not helpful or if you live off campus:

  • Speak with a counsellor. BU has several professionals available to support student transition to university. You can contact studentservices@ubishops.ca or, check out our social media for hours of service.
  • You can also contact Empower Me Mental Health and Wellness Support for 24 hours, 7 days per week for free confidential counselling support at 1-833-628-5589.

The transition to university can be confusing for many. You are not alone. BU has many Academic Support Services at your disposal:

The Student Success Centre (SSC) offers students the services and support necessary to enhance their academic experience at Bishop’s. Through the Peer Academic Mentors and the Student Success Manager, we’re here to guide students through the world of academics.

Other supports on campus include:

Academic Coaching helps students form individualized strategies for overcoming whatever challenges they might face on their academic paths, such as adjusting to university life, time management, stress management, and academic skill development (often pertaining to exam preparation, note-taking and organizational skills).

Academic advisors can answer your questions regarding your program of study and general questions about regulations and policies. For more detailed information on degree requirements, you can contact the Chair of your department or program of study.

In addition to academics, Bishop’s University offers a rich and varied social experience. A vibrant arts scene, a dynamic athletics department, and more than 100 clubs, teams and student organizations ensure Bishop’s is a place where you’ll find outlets for creative expression and athletic competition. From our art gallery, theatres and restaurants to our observatory, libraries, laboratories, classrooms and stunning new sports and recreation centre, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

There are several ways in which you can get involved in campus life:

  • The SRC offers several opportunities to get involved. Check out their website.
  • Keep an eye on your emails and University social media! There are always different opportunities available year-round!

Academic Coaching helps students form individualized strategies for overcoming whatever challenges they might face on their academic paths, such as adjusting to university life, time management, stress management, and academic skill development (often pertaining to exam preparation, note-taking and organizational skills).

Campus life is indeed busy, but we sometimes need an opportunity for rest and solitude.

Some options on campus include:

The Labyrinth on Bishop’s Campus – Labyrinths have been around for over 4000 years and are found in just about every major religious tradition in the world. They have been an integral part of many cultures such as Native American, Greek, Celtic and Mayan. Like Stonehenge and the pyramids, they are sacred geometric forms. While there are three basic designs – seven, eleven, and twelve circuit – the most common design found today is the seven circuit. Ours is a seven circuit Cretan labyrinth.

BUnited Peer Support Centre – The BUnited Peer Support Centre is an on-campus community space for students to gather both virtually and in person to support one another in a safe, and confidential environment. BUnited is located in the Student Union Building, (in the International Centre) with its own external access door, next to the Mailroom and Printshop.

The students working at the Peer Support Centre have been trained in active listening, appropriate boundaries, and confidentiality to provide healthy emotional support to their peers.

In addition to 1:1 peer support, the centre hosts weekly Wellness Wednesday lunch time activities between 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., and Community Events every Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, the space is open from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. and Sundays from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. for socializing and support.

If you have any questions, please contact BUnitedPSC@ubishops.ca or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Check out our Off-Campus Housing page.

Bishop’s and Champlain Student Health Service is for all full and part time students who have paid their student services fee. Whether you have a health emergency, an injury, a chronic illness, a bad case of the flu or you want information on various health topics, you can expect excellent care from our competent staff.

You can find job opportunities both on and off campus on the Job Postings web page of Career and Transition Services.

Bishop’s University Career and Transition Services (CATS) supports students with career development, job search and internships by offering professional and specialized services focusing on career planning and counselling, as well as workshops, events, comprehensive job posting service and extensive career resources.

When students arrive at BU, they should already be thinking about their departure. CATS supports and empowers students to explore possibilities, opportunities and critically engage with their future.

Your parents are not always wrong! Bishop’s University Career and Transition Services (CATS) supports students with career development, job search and internships by offering professional and specialized services focusing on career planning and counselling, as well as workshops, events, comprehensive job posting service and extensive career resources.

When students arrive at B.U., they should already be thinking about their departure. CATS supports and empowers students to explore possibilities, opportunities and critically engage with their future.

Explore Career and Transition Services

Bishop’s University is proud to be an institution that welcomes and supports a diverse student body and strives to ensure that students have equal opportunities and equitable treatment to take full advantage of their education.

Bishop’s University is committed to providing support for students living with disabilities, and provides reasonable accommodations to students in a supportive, accessible, non-discriminatory, to create an equitable learning environment.

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Accessibility Office at accessibility@ubishops.ca or check out our website.

Student Accessibility Services

Feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, especially in the first year of university, is totally normal but it is difficult all the same. You can meet with one of our professional counsellors to discuss options and make a plan. BU has several professionals available to support student transition to university. You can contact studentservices@ubishops.ca or, check out our social media for hours of service.

You can also contact Empower Me Mental Health and Wellness Support for 24 hours, 7 days per week for free confidential counselling support at 1-833-628-5589.

There are many different ways in which you can address these types of concerns. You can start by speaking with your professor, department chair or Dean. If after that point you still feel that the situation is unresolved, you can either make an appointment to speak with the Dean of Student Affairs.

The campus Ombudsperson is also available. The ombudsperson can listen to your problem, provide an opinion about the merits of your case, provide you with information about university policies, procedures, or regulations, and provide advice to help you solve your problem or organize your appeal.

You can contact the Dean of Student Affairs or University Ombudsperson for more information.

At the sports complex you can access gyms, fitness rooms, a pool, squash courts, and an indoor track. In addition to these amazing facilities, we offer a full schedule of recreational and intramural activities that run throughout the year. Check out gaiters.ca for more.

Counselling FAQ

Some of the most frequently asked questions regarding our personal counselling services are as follows:

No, our services are strictly confidential, within provincial limits of confidentiality and professional ethical codes.

No one can be given any information (including whether you have ever made an appointment) without your knowledge, approval and expressed written consent.

As long as you are a registered Bishop’s student, there is no fee for any of our counselling services.

Most students have found counselling to be a helpful tool in coping with the academic, social and personal challenges associated with university life.

Some students are initially hesitant, for different reasons (fear, uncertainty, etc.). Most find, once they meet one of our counsellors, that talking out their feelings and concerns makes a big difference. They often learn new ways to cope or handle a situation and discover helpful resources.

You are most welcome to address any suggestions or concerns to the Dean of Student Affairs, or to the University Ombudsperson.