What to Expect

Post-secondary study can be quite different from your secondary school experience. Here’s what you can expect:

• A full-time work load at BCIT is very demanding and usually consists of six to eight rigorous courses per semester
• Instruction is often lecture-style
• There is a significant lab component to some courses
• Many assignments are completed as group projects, where team skills are developed in preparation for employment
• There is less contact and supervision with instructors and less individual feedback
• You need to be able to use the library effectively
• You will be expected to take greater responsibility for your own success, and actively seek student supports as needed
• There are more students in some classes than in secondary schools
• Your progress may not be monitored as closely by instructors as in secondary school
• Grades are often based on only two or three test scores
• Attendance is critical to success
• Be aware that you may not receive all the accommodations that you request, or that you have previously received in high school or at any other educational institution
• Accommodations are designed to “level the playing field,” not to guarantee success; it is up to you to decide whether or not you wish to use the accommodations for which you have been approved

Students are encouraged to work closely with Accessibility Services to meet their needs and to achieve satisfactory academic progress.

All BCIT students should be aware of their rights and responsibilities.

As a BCIT student who is registered with Accessibility Services, you are also responsible for:

• Meeting program and course prerequisites and maintaining institutional standards for academic achievement
• Identifying yourself as a student with a disability when requesting accommodation or seeking assistance
• Managing your own learning needs and goals, and determining how to apply your learning
• Maintaining your own schedule and attendance
• Developing and utilizing effective organization, communication, and time management strategies
• Providing documentation of the disability to Accessibility Services
• Following BCIT’s policies and procedures
• Self-advocating for your rights and needs
• Requesting accommodations through Accessibility Services in a timely manner:
  • New students are encouraged to contact Accessibility Services when applying for admission
  • New or returning students requesting accommodations are required to contact Accessibility Services at the beginning of each term to complete an Individual Accommodation Plan (IAP)
  • Students whose health status changes significantly should contact Accessibility Services at their first opportunity

While post-secondary students are expected to take greater responsibility for their education, there are many resources available to help you. Whether or not you are registered with Accessibility Services, you are encouraged to explore BCIT’s Student Services for support with academics, personal concerns, financial needs, and much more.

In addition, make sure to stay connected through the Student Success Hub, a central resource for all BCIT students, designed to make the many sources of information and support easier to find and navigate.