How to Prepare yourself for student life
We know there's a lot to do to get ready for college, which can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Here you'll find the essential resources to take advantage of before you start at George Brown College so your academic career begins smoothly.
Remember, you are not alone! Follow us on Instagram @gbc.orientation for more tips and tools, and if you have questions, reach out to orientation@georgebrown.ca.
First steps
- Reset your password
- Set up your college email
- Set up MFA
- Register for your courses
- Set up accounts & platforms
- Get your student ID
- Bookmark the MyGBC Student Portal
Reset your password
You'll find your student ID number and a temporary password at the top of the invoice you received in your registration package. You should reset your password as soon as possible to keep your account secure and keep it easy for yourself as you'll be frequently logging into multiple accounts soon!
Set up your college email
Your GBC email is where you'll receive important updates from your instructors and program as well as any college-wide news, events or opportunities. You may also be required to use your email to submit assignments. You should get in the habit of checking it often so you don't miss out on anything!
You can access your email through Microsoft Outlook, which you have a free subscription to as a GBC student.
Set up MFA
The college has a required security measure for all GBC students and staff called Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) tied to GBC accounts. You cannot access your email, OneDrive, any other Microsoft programs or school computers without it. Don't stress yourself out with this at the beginning of the semester, and do the quick setup now! Please note: set up requires adding the Microsoft Authenticator app to your mobile device.
Register for your courses
Web registration dates are posted on STU-VIEW, and you can see when you can start to register for your courses for the coming term. This is usually about four to five weeks before the term begins.
Once registered, you can view your weekly timetable on STU-VIEW and in the GBC app. Your courses appear in Brightspace on the first day of class.
Make sure to keep note of important dates throughout the semester as well - such as deadlines to pay fees or make any changes to your courses.
Set up accounts & platforms
Sure, your classes may not have started yet, but we recommend setting up and getting familiar with your GBC accounts and platforms as soon as you can so you avoid any hiccups later.
Get yourself logged in and familiar with these tools before you start classes:
- Brightspace: where you'll find class announcements, content, and links for your virtual classes.
- STU-VIEW: where you'll pay your fees, register for your classes, view class cancellations, and more.
- Office 365 & OneDrive: As a GBC student, you get free access to Microsoft Office 365 and 1 TB of space in OneDrive, which includes your email in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and more.
- AppsAnywhere: a free service that allows you to access certain software you may need for your courses, anytime, anywhere!
Visit our Tech Support page for more info on accounts
At the start of each semester, the Orientation team runs workshops to introduce you to your accounts. Keep an eye on the Orientation Events calendar!
Get your student ID
Bookmark the MyGBC Student Portal
Once you pay your fee deposit, you can access the MyGBC Student Portal at georgebrown.ca/portal! The portal is your exclusive virtual GBC home base, packed with everything you need for your student life. There, you will find:
- Your required web tools and accounts
- Frequently updated important news, reminders, events and opportunities
- Live chat support via the Ask George chatbot
- Online Orientation and Online Learning introduction sites
- The Student Services Directory
- The #MyGBC Podcast and more
You can also access the Portal via the yellow Log In button at the top of webpages on georgebrown.ca. To enter, use your GBC account (your student ID number@georgebrown.ca and your private password).
We highly recommend you make a habit of checking the portal before courses start, you won’t want to miss out on any helpful updates!
Online Orientation
The best way to get started at GBC is through Online Orientation.
Online Orientation covers everything you need to know as a new student, from your immediate to-do list to everything you can access and benefit from the college. You can go through the full virtual course in one go, or week-by-week, whatever is more comfortable! This is a vital step in getting ready for life at GBC!
Online Learning
Prepare yourself for success in your virtual classes!
In our Online Learning site, you'll find helpful modules about the platforms you'll need to use for your studies, how to use Brightspace (where you access your courses), finding the right academic and personal success strategies, a resource hub and so much more! We highly recommend you go through these modules ahead of the semester starting.
Get support at GBC
Accessible Learning Services
Our Accessible Learning Services (ALS) office provides academic support and services for all GBC students with physical, sensory, learning, medical or mental health disabilities. Registering with ALS is simple!
Accommodations will be unique to your specific requirements. Some accommodations include extra time for tests, reduced course load, assistive technology, accessible texts and class note-taking.
Please note, if you already have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) from high school, because it is a confidential document, your school will not send it directly to a college as it may violate your right to privacy. Ask your high school to send a copy of your IEP to you directly. Then, when you register for ALS at George Brown, you can include it in your submission.
We also provide accessible Orientation events. Connect with our team if you plan on attending orientation events and have any accessibility needs, so we can ensure the right supports are available. To start the process, please email us at orientation@georgebrown.ca.
Types of financial aid
While your education can be expensive, it shouldn't keep you from achieving your goals and getting a top-quality learning experience. There are numerous options available for you!
Get ready to start at GBC
Placement assessments
Placement assessments are required for most students entering GBC diploma and certificate programs. You must complete your assessment before classes start because your course placement — college or foundation level — depends on the results! You should have received details about booking your assessment already if required. You are strongly encouraged to book as soon as possible.
Orientation events
We know there's so much information to parse through to prepare for school, so we run helpful info sessions leading up to each semester to walk you through the necessities! Our workshops cover your initial key tasks, navigating STU-VIEW and Brightspace, getting a chance to connect with peers, information for your family and more! We highly encourage new students especially sign up for the Up & Running: New Student Preparation Days that are usually about a month before classes start.
Have questions? Contact us!
Questions or concerns? Please contact the Orientation team at orientation@georgebrown.ca.
Did you know? Ask George Brown has hundreds of FAQs that you can search through, or you can submit your own. You can also use the Ask George chatbot in the MyGBC Student Portal!
