For students starting university, learning to manage your time on a day-to-day basis is a major priority. It can be hard to juggle courses, homework, social activities, and maybe even a part-time job. Fitting it all in can be quite the puzzle, especially for young adults. But with effective organization and a few helpful tips, you can find the balance you need to succeed without running yourself ragged.
Here are a few tips for optimizing your time to study, work, and play smart.
Get organized at the start of the year
Effective organization is essential to avoiding overwork and stress, especially once deadlines start to pile up.
Start planning when the semester starts: Take the time to put all your important dates—like exams, deadlines, and social events—into your calendar. This allows you to visualize your semester and get organized before busy periods.
Incorporate flexibility: Don’t overschedule yourself! Make sure you can still get your projects in on time and attend planned events, even if something unexpected crops up.
Take note of your productivity flow: Do you work better in the morning or the evening? Plan your study sessions for when your focus is best.
Task management tools go a long way
Countless apps and tools can help you stay organized and manage your tasks. Here are just a few options:
Calendar apps: Input your classes, appointments, and deadlines into a digital timetable like Google Calendar. Automatic reminders can help you stay on top of your obligations.
Task management tools: Apps like Trello and Todoist can help you prioritize your tasks using daily to-do lists that help you visualize what needs to get done. You might even feel a sense of accomplishment to check off finished tasks!
Prioritize important tasks: Distinguishing between urgent and non-urgent tasks is an important skill. The Eisenhower Matrix can help you to prioritize by dividing your tasks into four categories depending on their urgency and importance.
Find balance with studying, leisure, and work
Many students work part-time to make ends meet, but that can make it all the harder to balance studying, leisure, and work. Here are a few tips to consider:
Limit your work hours: Try not to work more than 15 to 20 hours per week so your job doesn’t interfere with your studies. Look for a flexible job that lets you plan your hours around your academic needs, like with the library or food service on campus.
Find a job suited for students: Some jobs are better for students than others. Working as a library assistant, residence advisor, or student services employee can involve flexible hours. At some jobs, you might even be able to study during quiet periods.
Techniques to improve productivity
Now that you’ve organized your busy schedule, streamline your productivity to make the most of your study time.
Try focused work intervals (Pomodoro Technique): The Pomodoro Technique consists of 25 minutes of work followed by a five-minute break. After four intervals, take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes. This method can enhance concentration during study sessions while still providing enough breaks to keep fatigue at bay.
Choose an appropriate work environment: Find a place to work where you can devote total concentration to your tasks. This may be a quiet library, a café, or a dedicated space at home. Minimize the distractions around you to maximize your concentration.
Limit digital distractions: Disable your phone notifications or use apps like Forest to discourage phone use during study sessions.
Optimizing time management is an essential component of academic success and a balanced lifestyle. These tools can improve productivity and help you find a happy medium between obligations and fun. Whether you’re juggling studies with part-time work or just your social life, staying organized is a great way to get the most out of your university experience—without unneeded stress.
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By Moira MacDonald
No kidding – there has been a whirlwind of changes to Canada’s study permit program for foreign nationals since late 2023. Among these is a limit over the next two years on the number of new study permit applications that the federal government will process as of Jan. 22, the date the change was announced. At the time of the announcement, the cap was expected to result in about 360,000 approved study permits, a 35 percent cut compared to 2023.
If you are a student from outside Canada who has had this country on your list of potential university study destinations, you likely have a lot of questions. “For students, question number one is, ‘Does Canada remain open?’ And the short answer is, ‘Yes,’” says Larissa Bezo, CEO of the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
However, after massive growth in this sector over the last decade and concerns about meeting the country’s obligations to international students, Canada’s federal immigration department said it had to step in to protect the system’s integrity and ensure students are treated fairly. No target for the processing of study permit applications in 2025 has been announced and the number is to be re-assessed at the end of 2024, the government said. This is the first time that a limit of this kind has been set by Canada.
“To be absolutely clear, these measures are not against individual international students,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller said at the Jan. 22 announcement. “They are to ensure that as future students arrive in Canada, they receive the quality of education that they signed up for and the hope that they were provided in their home countries.”
What does this mean for you, dear prospective international student? Sector experts say Canada remains a good bet for a quality university education that is well-recognized globally. But you should take some time to understand the details of the recent changes and how they affect you, including whether your planned course of study is even impacted by the cap. If it is, find out what the additional requirements are, including the all-important “provincial letter of attestation,” and what to expect around timing for the processing of your study permit application.
On to some myth-busting and question answering …
Is Canada banning visas for foreign students?
No. Canada’s immigration department is reducing the number of new study permits it will process for international students in 2024 and 2025. For 2024, it has set a limit or “cap” of processing 606,250 study permit applications for affected programs.
Are all incoming international students affected by the study permit cap?
No. International students pursuing master’s or doctoral studies, or those headed into elementary or secondary school programs are not included in the cap. Students who already have study permits and those seeking renewals are also not affected. Students coming to Canada for six months or less are not required to have a study permit and are also not included in the cap.
Are Canadian universities still interested in international students? Is it even worth trying to come to Canada?
Again, the answer is yes. Canadian universities are still very interested in having international students at every level. “Universities are still accepting applications from international students and now’s a great time to apply,” said Graham Barber, assistant director, international relations at Universities Canada, which advocates on behalf of Canadian universities. Graduate level students are not impacted at all by the study permit restrictions. This has been viewed by some immigration observers as a signal that Canada is particularly keen on students at this level of study. If you are in this category and have a letter of acceptance, there’s no need to delay your study permit application.
How will the cap affect my chances of getting a study permit and how will it be applied?
While fewer permits will be approved than last year, the cut brings the numbers close to where they were around 2022 (407,000 for all levels of study ), which remains substantial. Each of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories has been given a share of the 606,250 study permit applications that will be processed for the capped groups, based on their population. Each jurisdiction will then decide how it will distribute its share among universities, colleges and other affected “designated learning institutions.”
Significant cuts were expected for more in-demand provinces such as Ontario – 50 percent or more.. British Columbia reported an allocation of 83,000 study permit applications, below the 97,000 it saw in 2023. However, other provinces that have received less attention from international students in the past may have room to grow their study permit approvals under their allocations.
Has anything changed around the application for a study permit? What is this “letter of attestation” that I have been hearing about?
The biggest change is that every application for a permit under the cap now requires a provincial “letter of attestation” also known as a PAL. This PAL means that the application has been verified by a province or territory as falling within its study permit application limit, or allocation. Study permit applications for affected programs received after the Jan. 22 announcement must include this PAL. However, those students whose study programs are not covered by the cap – master’s, doctoral , elementary and secondary school programs – do not need a PAL in their study permit application.
A previous announcement by the immigration department also increased the proof-of-financial-support amount that all study permit applicants must provide. That amount is $20,635 per year, not including tuition, for a single person. This applies to all study permit applicants, regardless of whether or not they are covered by the cap.
Where can I get an attestation letter?
The best advice is to check with the university where you have applied or have been accepted for the most up-to-date information. Provinces and territories have until March 31 to develop their systems for issuing and managing these letters of attestation.
Quebec was already able to issue this document as of Feb. 13 by modifying its existing Certificat d’acceptation du Québec. CAQs issued before this date do not include the modification; an updated CAQ is required in this case if the application is submitted after Jan. 22. Alberta said its system was operational March 1 and British Columbia’s system began March 4. These provinces are issuing the letters of attestation to post-secondary institutions. The institutions then send them to international students. Where a province has not yet announced anything, “I would encourage [students] to be in direct conversation with the institution where they intend to study to get clarity in terms of timing, etc.,” said Larissa Bezo of CBIE. But be patient in the run-up to March 31 – “If an institution says ‘We don’t yet have that information as to when the [provincial letter of attestation] will be available,’ they sincerely mean they don’t have that information,” Bezo added.
I heard that under this cap, Canada will limit its intake of international students by country. Is that true?
The federal immigration department has responded that: “[a]ll study permit applications are assessed equally and against the same criteria, regardless of the country of origin.” Individual institutions do their own student recruitment and some have been trying in recent years to broaden the number of countries where students are coming from. However, it’s not clear how the cap will be applied by universities facing a cut in international student study permits.
I heard that certain programs will be favoured under the study permit cap, such as students in medical schools. Is that true?
Here’s what the federal immigration department has to say about that: “Medical schools are considered to be undergraduate programs or professional programs and would therefore not be exempt from the cap. Provinces and territories will determine how their allocation is shared among [their] designated learning institutions.” Setting priorities for how to distribute a province’s cap allocation would presumably only apply in high-demand provinces facing a study permit cut – Ontario, for example — but there is no information on that yet.
I submitted my application after January 22. It has been returned to me because I didn’t have a letter of attestation. Does that mean I am rejected?
The federal immigration department calls these applications “unprocessed” rather than rejected. Applicants can try again – just make sure all the required documents are there, including the letter of attestation if it applies to you.
I submitted my application for a study permit before January 22 but it was still being processed when the cap was brought in. How will this affect my application?
Those students who submitted their study permit applications before the Jan. 22 announcement do not need to take any further action as a result of the new requirements, the federal government has said. Their applications have continued to be processed, along with applications from international students whose programs are exempt from the cap.
I submitted an application for a study permit before January 22 but it was returned because I was missing a document. Do I have to include a letter of attestation when I re-apply?
Yes.
My study permit is ending this summer. Does that mean I will need to get a provincial attestation letter to renew my permit? Will the cap affect my ability to renew or extend my existing study permit?
I have been accepted into a university program for spring or summer 2024 but I still don’t have a study permit. What happens now?
If you did not apply for a study permit before the Jan. 22 announcement, this means you will be included in the cap (unless you fit one of the exemption categories mentioned already in this article), and you will have to get an attestation letter once they become available in the province where your university is located. Check with your university for more instructions. Bear in mind that study permit application processing time was running at about 10 weeks as of early March once all those documents are submitted, including the attestation letter. That does not include time to submit biometrics, if you are required to do that. The federal immigration department also says that processing times can vary depending on things such as how easily information can be verified.
Am I still eligible for a post-graduate work permit (PGWP)? I heard something about international students not being eligible for this anymore!
International students enrolled in Canadian university undergraduate and graduate programs remain eligible for PGWPs. As well, graduates of master’s degree programs that are eight months or longer are eligible for a three-year PGWP if they meet all other existing criteria, as of Feb. 15, 2024. What has changed is that new students enrolling in private college programs that have curriculum licensing agreements with public colleges are no longer eligible for PGWPs. International students at Canadian universities are not affected.
How does this affect my eligibility to work in Canada while I am at school ?
There have been no recent changes to international students’ ability to work in Canada during their studies. Consult the federal immigration department’s webpage for details. However, there have been changes affecting the ability of an international student’s spouse or common-law partner to work. Only spouses and common-law partners of international students in graduate and professional degree-granting programs (such as law, medicine, education, engineering ) will be eligible for open work permits.
If I am already in Canada on a visitor visa or work permit, do I need to provide a letter of attestation when I apply for a study permit?
Foreign nationals who are in Canada on a work permit do not need a PAL when applying for a study permit. Some categories of temporary residents are also exempt – but not all. Make sure to check the federal immigration department’s website for details so your study permit processing is not delayed.
In conclusion …
In the short-term, changes to Canada’s international student immigration policies do create confusion and anxiety for students and institutions alike. Nevertheless, there has been general consensus that changes were needed so that international students have as positive an experience as possible. “Each institution is trying to reassure students and applicants that we’ll get answers in time for them to make a decision and that we’re still a welcoming country in which to study,” said Annik Gélineau, chair of the Association of the University and College Registrars of Canada.
In the meantime dear international student, take a deep breath and carry on with pursuing your goals. It’s always wise to be clear about your motivations for choosing any study program and place, and how these match up with your interests and longer-term plans. “Get to your ‘why’s’ and then make a checklist,” advises Lou Janssen Dangzalan, an immigration lawyer and vice-president of Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association. “Make sure it aligns with your goals and with what’s available out in Canada.” Giving yourself options in terms of programs and universities is also a good strategy to follow for any student, adds Graham Barber of Universities Canada: “Make sure you’ve got a couple of programs in mind,” he says. “Keep your options open, apply early and make sure you’re checking all the boxes and meeting all the requirements.”
This document is prepared by Universities Canada and provides important information to help international students navigate recent changes to study permits in Canada. It covers various topics, including the new study permit cap, updated financial requirements, working hours, and documentation needed for study permit applications. Additionally, the document outlines new policies related to the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), post-graduate work permit eligibility, and spousal work permits. These updates aim to ensure students are informed and prepared to meet the requirements for studying and working in Canada.
Does the study permit cap affect my application to a university?
The study permit cap refers to the number of study permit applications that will be processed Canada. The cap does not affect the assessment of individual applications.
Proof of Funds
When applying for my study permit, do I need to provide proof of funds?
Starting January 1, 2024, international students, in all provinces except Quebec, must show proof of at least $20,635 CAD (for a single student) to cover one year of living expenses, in addition to the first year’s tuition and travel costs. For more information, see IRCC Financial Support Guidelines.
During full-time semesters, you can work up to 20 hours per week. You can work more than 1 job to make up these hours if you continue to meet the conditions of your study permit.
During regularly scheduled breaks in the school year, you are allowed to work an unlimited number of hours. However, to be eligible for full-time work during these breaks, you must be a full-time student both before and after the break.
On June 29, IRCC proposed changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulation. One of the key changes includes increasing the allowed working hours for international students from 20 to 24 per week. However, these amendments are not yet in effect. For more information refer to: https://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2024/2024-06-29/html/reg1-eng.html.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
What is a provincial attestation letter (PAL)?
A provincial attestation letter (PAL) is required as part of the study permit application process and serves as proof that you, as an international student, are included in the institution’s allocation. PALs are issued by the university. PALs are issued to students by the institution; this means that the university will issue PALs to students.
The PAL is a new requirement by IRCC. Any study permit application received by IRCC on or after January 22, 2024, that does not include a PAL will be returned and refunded.
What is a Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ)?
The Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) is the Quebec equivalent of the PAL and is required for international students studying in Quebec. It is issued by the Quebec government and must be included in your study permit application. If you plan to study in Quebec, a CAQ replaces the PAL requirement.
Who requires a PAL?
Undergraduate Students: As of January 22, 2024, you must include a PAL with your study permit application.
Exception: Students enrolled in schools in Quebec in a vocational program that leads to one of the following:
a diploma of vocational studies (DVS)
an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS) or
a skills training certificate (STC)
Visiting students: As of January 22, 2024, most study permit applicants need to provide a PAL unless you meet one of the exemptions.
Note: On September 18, IRCC announced new measures to include graduate international students in the cap for 2025. However, this measure is not yet in effect. For more information please visit: IRCC September 18, 2024 announcement.
When do I submit my PAL?
Unless you meet one of the exemptions, you must submit a PAL
with your study permit application, not after
even if you’re applying for a prerequisite course or program, including language courses or programs
for each study permit applicant, even if you’re applying as a family and submitting your applications together
Students applying to post-secondary institutions in Quebec will need to follow the process outlined here to obtain their Certificat d’acceptation du Québec and correctly submit their study permit application.
Am I guaranteed a study permit if I receive a PAL?
Receiving a PAL does not guarantee study permit approval. study permit applicants must still meet all the requirements for a study permit to be issued.
I submitted a study permit application to IRCC with the PAL I received. My study permit application was denied. Do I need a new PAL when I reapply for a study permit?
If your study permit application to IRCC is denied, you can reapply for a study permit using this same PAL until the PAL expires.
Letter of Acceptance (LOA) verification process
What is the LOA verification process?
Applicants must submit a LOA from a DLI as part of their study permit application. The institution will verify the LOA directly with IRCC as part of the application process. This process is called the LOA verification process.
Students are not required to complete any additional steps to initiate the LOA verification process. Please note that the LOA Verification process and the PAL process are different.
How is the PAL different from the LOA verification process?
The PAL process and the LOA Verification process are two different processes.
The provincial government administers the PAL process, while IRCC handles the LOA verification. Both are required as part of a study permit application. If you are not exempt from the PAL requirement, you must obtain a PAL before submitting your study permit application.
IRCC is responsible for administering the LOA Verification process. Students are not required to take additional steps to initiate this process.
I’m applying for my study permit through the Study Direct Stream (SDS). Do I still need a PAL?
Yes. Starting January 22, 2024, all study permit applications submitted through SDS will require a PAL.
Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP)
What are the new requirements for current international students and recent graduates applying for a PGWP?
If you graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program
Language requirements: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
Field of study requirement: All fields of study are eligible. There is no additional field of study requirement.
Program length requirement: If you’re attending a DLI in Quebec, your program must be 900 hours or longer. If you’re attending a DLI in Canada but outside of Quebec, your program must be 8 months or longer.
If you graduated from any other university program
Language requirements: You must prove your English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
Program length requirement: If you’re attending a DLI in Quebec, your program must be 900 hours or longer. If you’re attending a DLI in Canada but outside of Quebec, your program must be 8 months or longer.
Can my spouse or common-law partner work while I study in Canada?
According to the September 18, 2024 IRCC announcement, your spouse’s eligibility for an open work permit depends on when the application was submitted.
If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before March 19, 2024, they may be eligible for an open work permit if the following requirements are met:
If your spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit on or after March 19, 2024, they may be eligible if you hold a valid study permit and are:
studying in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university, or
completing one of the following professional degree programs at a university:
* Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
* Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
* Doctor of Medicine (MD)
* Doctor of Optometry (OD)
* Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
* Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
* Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
Now that you’ve decided studying in Canada is right for you, what’s next?
Choose an Institution
Determine what you’d like to study and where. UniversityStudy.ca is a good place to begin. It includes profiles of institutions and listings of their programs. You may want to research individual university websites as well. An easy way to access those is through our searchable database of study programs.
It is important to find out as much as you can about the institutions you’re considering, and the communities they’re in, to make sure you make the best possible choice. Don’t be afraid to contact officials who deal with international students at the universities you’re interested in and to ask them questions. Also, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to apply and to get a study permit (see below).
Prepare and submit an application
After you’ve identified your preferred universities, find out on their websites what the admission requirements are and what the application process entails. Application rules vary across institutions, but you’ll need to consider the following:
Are you eligible?
In Canada, each university has its own entrance requirements and will assess you on an individual basis. However, graduation from a secondary school and good academic standing are typically the minimum requirements for undergraduate study.
What documents are needed?
You may need to supply official documents, such as transcripts from secondary or postsecondary school. It may be necessary to have those documents assessed and translated into English or French. Consult your country’s educational authorities or the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (cicic.ca) for more information on degree recognition.
Do you meet the language requirements?
International students in Canada must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French, depending on the university they apply to. Many English-language universities require that you attain a minimum score on a standardized language test. French-language universities usually assess applicants on a case-by-case basis.
If your language skills are insufficient, there is a host of Canadian programs you can enroll in before applying to a university in the country, offered by universities, colleges and private institutions. For more information, go to the Languages Canada website (languagescanada.ca).
What is the application process to study in Canada?
Application processes vary by province. In some provinces, students can apply through a central application service. In others, you must apply directly to the university. You may also want to apply to more than one program or university in case you aren’t admitted to your first choice.
What are the application deadlines?
Deadlines vary, but generally, you should apply at least eight to twelve months in advance. Typical entry points for international students are the September and January semesters. However, many universities have a “rolling admissions” procedure to consider international students throughout the year.
Obtaining a study permit
Once you’ve received a letter of acceptance from a Canadian university, you must apply for a study permit if you intend to study in Canada for six months or longer. You must apply for the permit before you come to Canada.
You can apply online or submit a paper application to the Canadian visa office responsible for your country. Details about study permits for international students can be found on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
To obtain a study permit, you must prove you have enough money to pay your tuition fees, living expenses for yourself and family members who come to Canada with you, and return transportation for you and any family members who come. In some cases, you will also need to pass a medical examination that proves you are in good health.
To study in Canada, you must be law-abiding, have no criminal record and not be a risk to Canadian security. You may have to provide a police certificate.
You also need to prove to the visa officer that your primary reason for coming to Canada is to attend university, and that you will leave Canada at the end of your studies.
Working while in Canada
Since 2014, newly arrived full-time international students with valid study permits have been allowed to work in Canada without a work permit. They can work on-campus for an unlimited number of hours and, if their program lasts at least six months, they can work off-campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in progress, and full-time during study breaks.
International students who wish to work while studying must obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from Service Canada. They can work as soon as they have their SIN.
International students in Canada are also allowed to work as part of a co-op or internship program as long as the work is part of their educational program. Students in these programs will require a work permit in addition to their study permit.
After university: working and gaining permanent residency in Canada
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) allows international students who have graduated from a program of at least eight months’ duration at a Canadian university to get work experience in the country. This permit allows students to work for the same period of time that their university program lasted, up to a maximum three years. If certain criteria are met, a student’s spouse may be able to obtain an Open Spousal Work Permit.
Canadian experience as a skilled worker through the PGWPP helps graduates qualify for permanent residence in Canada through a process called Express Entry, the system through which most immigrants obtain permanent residence in the country. And under new rules introduced in November 2016, getting a degree in Canada also makes it easier to gain permanent residence. With permanent resident status, you get most of the social benefits, including health-care coverage, that Canadian citizens receive. Permanent residents can subsequently apply for Canadian citizenship after having lived in Canada for a predetermined number of years.
