Time flies eh? Soon you will be a post-secondary student, and before you know it, you will be entering the workforce full time chasing your dreams! Enjoy it while it lasts, but also it’s time to start preparing for your transition to post-secondary. It’s a big change from high school, but don’t worry, LEAP’s here by your side to lead you through it. Check out below our all-in-one checklist for grade 12's covering all things post-secondary, from finances to personal & professional development to admissions, and more!

<aside> 💡 For maximum utility, LEAP recommends that you duplicate an editable copy of this checklist!

</aside>

Table of Contents

Pre-First Year (June - August)

• [ ] Guarantee your spot in residence! 🏠 Many schools require you to pay a deposit to ensure you can live on residence in the fall - check your school’s website and mark your calendar!
• [ ] Look into government-based student aid! OSAP for Ontario students, Alberta Student Aid, and StudentAidBC for British Columbia students will soon begin accepting applications. Here you can receive grants (which you don’t have to pay back yay!) or low-interest student loans to help pay for post-secondary! Generally, the deadline is about 6-8 weeks before you begin your studies.
• [ ] It’s almost go time! Start thinking about what you'll need to pack if you're moving away from home in the Fall. There are some great checklists on retail and school websites. Check out this one from Bed Bath & Beyond
• [ ] Consider creating a LinkedIn profile if you haven’t already to assist you in building your professional presence and get a head start on NETWORKING!
• [ ] Follow your "class of ####" accounts on social media to learn more about student life on campus, meet new people and receive insights into some classes you might be considering fo the upcoming school year.
• [ ] Research clubs you want to join at your new school! This is one way you can easily build on your skills and make new friends. Different schools will have a different club culture - talk to upper-year students (coffee chats!) and see what interests you!
• [ ] It's time to enroll in courses! Research courses you want to/need to take for your specific program. Don’t be afraid to reach out to upper years for help! (also a great reason to book a coffee chat!)

Fall Semester (September - November)

September

• [ ] Welcome back to school! Visit your classes early to ensure you know locations, class numbers and the route from where you live. Possibly incorporate this into a morning walk to help get some fresh air while being productive!
• [ ] As the school year begins so does the annual Canada's Luckiest Student competition! Sign up today for a chance at +$50,000 in prizes - no essay required! 👀
• [ ] First week is filled with fun activities and numerous social gatherings. It is important to handle all of your school related affairs like buying textbooks, signing into class websites (Ex. OWL for UWO), and getting all the supplies you need to have a great start to the school year.
• [ ] Club Hunting Time! Nearing the end of the month when everyone starts to get more comfortable is when students will have the opportunity to sign up for clubs. Universities usually organize an event to make the search for clubs easier so stay tuned. Attempt to limit yourself to one/two clubs that you are really interested in. Creating too many commitments can become overwhelming for first-year students.