Centre for Student Development and Counselling

Misconceptions About Loneliness

• It's a sign of weakness or immaturity (NOT TRUE)
• There's something wrong with me if I feel lonely (NOT TRUE)
• I am the only one who feels that way (NOT TRUE)

What To Do About It

• Evaluate and if necessary change some attitudes.
• Recognize it as something that can be changed
• Recognize it as a common experience
• Recognize that it is not permanent
• Recognize that one cause of loneliness is unmet needs
• Recognize that appropriate action can deal with these unmet needs

Evaluate, Change Behaviour, Take Action

• Look for ways to get involved with others - eat with others, rotate seats in class, find study or exercise partners
• Put yourself in new situations
• Discover campus resources
• Follow a balanced lifestyle (sleep, exercise, nutrition)
• Use alone time to get to know yourself
• Don't put the label "lonely" on yourself
• Do some things alone and enjoy them

Don't wait for your feelings to get you going,
Get going and good feelings will catch up to you.

RYERSON

• Bulletin Boards
• Eyeopener ON CAMPUS Page
• Ryersonian
• CKLN Radio Station
• Course Unions
• Ryerson Student Union (and Handbook)

Toronto

• Ontario Travel Information Centre (Atrium on Bay @ 20 Dundas St. West)
• Ryerson Library Information Centre (2nd Floor)
• Toronto Life (available at Library Information Centre)
• Toronto Star Newspaper
• NOW Magazine (free in boxes on many street corners)

Safety and emergencies

• Metro Toronto Emergency (911)
• Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Services (416-979-5000 ext. 5349)
• Ryerson Security and Emergency Services (416-979-5000 ext. 5040)
• Centre for Student Development and Counselling Crisis Interventions Services: www.ryerson.ca/counselling/resources/crisisservices/index.html

Sight-seeing Musts:

• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Harbourfront
• Metro Reference Library
• Ontario Science Centre
• Ontario Place
• CN Tower
• Royal Ontario Museum
• Skydome
• Toronto Islands
• Toronto Zoo

Saving Money

• Goodwill Thrift Shops
• Honest Ed's
• Salvation Army Thrift Shop
• Food Basics Grocery (238 Wellesley Street East)
• Discount Books - look for posters around campus
• Look for store signs advertising student discounts
• T.O.Tix: Half Price Tickets (Yonge & Dundas Square)
• RSU's Community Food Room
• Rainbow Cinemas (cheaper movie tickets)
• Valdi Discount Foods (Valdi's)

Some places offer free admission on certain days or times of the week. For instance, the Royal Ontario Museum (416-586-8000) has free admission during the last hour of every Wednesday from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Also, there is free admission for full-time post-secondary students on Tuesdays if you present your Student Card and a picture ID.