Life at Sask Polytech

All students at Sask Polytech are expected to abide by our:

• Academic Progress 
• Student Conduct policies.

Be sure to review this policy and check with your instructors if you are unsure if what you are doing (or want to do) contravenes this policy. Breaking this policy could result in a failed grade or expulsion from the program. Be sure to attend the Academic Integrity workshop hosted by International Education for an explanation of what this policy means to you as a Sask Polytech student.

Each campus has a Campus Store.

Classroom courtesy helps build good relations between the student and the instructor. Here are a few suggestions:

• Be on time for classes and appointments.
• In the first class the instructors will give you a handout describing the course requirements. If you miss the first class, be sure to see the instructor so that you know what is expected of you.
• Call your instructors, Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss followed by their family name, unless you are given permission to call them by their first name. You may find that classroom interactions with your instructors are more informal than you may be used to and it is not uncommon for instructors to have you address them by their first name.
• If you have a special name you would like instructors to use, you may tell them so. Otherwise, you will generally be called by your first name.
• On the first day of classes instructors usually tell students their office hours so students may meet with them to ask questions about classwork. Don’t be shy to ask your instructors for information and guidance.
• If you wish to ask questions in class, raise your hand.
• If you wish to record a lecture in order to help you to understand the subject, check with the instructor before bringing a recording device to class.
• If you are late for class, enter quietly without knocking and sit where you will not disturb anyone. If you are very late, explain after class.
• If for some reason you must leave early, tell the instructor before the class begins.
• Except for large lecture classes, inform the instructor ahead of time if you know you will be late or absent from class.
• If you are absent from class, either send a note or call the instructor or the department and leave a message. Be sure to catch up on what you missed.
• Identify yourself at once when calling an instructor. Specify what class you attend.
• If you are unable to keep an appointment with an instructor, call before the appointed time and excuse yourself.
• You will be expected to attend classes regularly, complete all the assignments and readings and take all the exams.
• Eating and smoking are prohibited in the classroom.

Please let us know whenever you move. It is important to update your address and telephone number every time you move. This is the only way Sask Polytech and the International Education office can reach you with important information or in case of an emergency.

.You can notify Sask Polytech of your new address online by accessing your personal student information on mySaskPolytech. You can also fill out the change of address form (pdf) and submit it to Enrolment Services or email to us and we will forward for you. 

Each Sask Polytech campus has its own library branch. The library provides service to all Sask Polytech students, faculty and staff. Each campus library includes a learning commons, study space and comfortable seating. Our friendly and professional staff members can assist you in person, by email, telephone and instant message. The library has developed a series of videos that may assist with using the library at Sask Polytech. 

 mySaskPolytech is your access to online services at Sask Polytech. You can check your Sask Polytech email, review your grades, print an unofficial transcript, connect with your instructor, make payments on your account, catch up with what’s new on your campus, and more. 

 If you want to withdraw from a program or course, you must notify Enrolment Services of your intention to withdraw. Non-attendance is not considered notification of your intention to withdraw from a course or program.

Please ensure that you are familiar with our refund and withdrawal policy. 

 

Each campus has a students' association that provides peer support, services and organizes student activities and clubs.  Every Sask Polytech student pays a student association fee which entitles them to the services and supports the students' associations provide.

International students at Sask Polytech have their own informal association where they share information, resources and news and connect with one another. The hub for their interactions is their own Saskatchewan Polytechnic International Students Facebook page. Note that this is an unofficial page and does not have any affiliation with Sask Polytech or Sask Polytech International Education. While some Sask Polytech staff, including your International Education advisors and manager, the Business program head and a few Communications and Marketing staff follow the page, we do not respond to Facebook messages or emails on this page. You can continue to contact us at international@saskpolytech.ca. Occasionally we will update the page with time-sensitive information, especially pertaining to CIC or SINP updates or changes.

If any of you are interested in becoming an administrator of the page, please let us know and we will put you in touch with the international student administrators. They are always looking for new students to assist with the updates. 

Services and supports to assist you during your studies include:

• Counselling services
• Health services

As a Sask Polytech student or employee, you can access a registered nurse conveniently and confidentially at any of our main campuses.

Whether you're feeling stressed out, need treatment or support or require specific health information, come and see us. Please walk in at your convenience or make an appointment to fit your schedule.

Health services include:

• • Health information and counselling
  • Health promotion activities
  • Immunizations
  • Minor first aid
  • Referrals to health professionals
• Learning services
• Student awards
  • International students are eligible for most of the same scholarships, bursaries and awards as our domestic students.  Note that some awards are reserved for Canadians or other equity groups. Please investigate and apply for anything that you believe you may qualify for. Do note, however, that most awards are typically in the $500 to $1000 range. You would still need to fund the majority of your tuition and living expenses yourself.  
• Students' associations
• Tech Services
• And more... just browse in the student services section of the website.

Class discussions and seminars

• Speak up in class. Do not be intimidated by Canadian students who are used to the often lively exchange among students and instructors. Remember, participation in class discussions may be part of your grade.

Examinations

• Keep up-to-date in your studies and make sure you are really learning and not just memorizing. In problem-solving courses, practice solving problems. You cannot learn everything the night before an exam. Review your notes, returned tests and quiz papers. Before you start writing answers, read each question carefully to be certain you understand what is being asked of you. Plan your examination time; avoid spending too much time on one question. If you have difficulty answering a question, go on to another question and return to the difficult one later.
• Sask Polytech is a polytechnic which means we engage in technical, hands-on training so some of your examinations will involve an assessment of practical skills. Remember, Sask Polytech training is a blend of practical and theoretical and you’ll be tested on how you can apply what you’ve learned.

Lectures

• Take notes. Write down the main points. Use key words and phrases and itemize whenever possible.

Papers

• Researching, organizing and final writing of papers takes time. Be sure to learn to use the Sask Polytech libraries. Plan your time and begin early.

Reading assignments

• Read every day. Reading lists can be long and, again, you must plan your time wisely. Keep your reading current with lecture topics.

Support and workshops

• Some international students who have done quite well academically at home are very upset when they find themselves struggling to keep up with new assignments. There may be very good reasons for this such as differences in language, differences in learning and teaching styles, classroom climate, cultural adjustment, etc. DO NOT BE ALARMED! Try some of the following strategies:
  • Talk to your instructor; ask for guidance. They are there to help you.
  • Discuss the situation with other students in the class, compare notes or study together.
  • Consult learning specialists in Counselling Services or the learning centres.
  • If you do not know who to talk to, contact an international student advisor for advice.
• Learning and study strategy workshops are offered by Student Services to help students become more successful students. The workshops are offered by study skills specialists who will give useful tips geared to improving your academic performance. Here are just a few examples of the workshops offered:
  • Exam anxiety
  • Exam preparation
  • Math skills
  • Study skills
  • Time management
  • Writing skills
• For more information and advice visit the Learning Services at your campus or Counseling Services. 

Many of you may have credits or classes that you would like to transfer. However, as Sask Polytechincorporates both theory and practical hands-on learning into its curriculum, international students often do not receive as much transfer credit as they were anticipating.

It is up to you to apply for transfer credit with your program head. You will have to match your previous study with the particular class at Sask Polytech. Please note, however, that as an international student it is very important to maintain full-time status while at Sask Polytech, not only to keep your visa up-to-date, but to take advantage of work opportunities both during your studies and upon graduation.

If you are interested in applying for transfer credit, familiarize yourself with the Recognition of Prior Learning: PLAR and Transfer Credit policy (pdf) and complete the transfer credit request form (pdf).

Get involved with the Sask Polytech community. We host a variety of events for international students, both online and in person, throughout the year.