Essentials

Montreal is renowned for its culinary treats, and features a restaurant to suit nearly every taste. From Afghan to Tibetan, from its famous smoked meat to its celebrated bagels and poutine, Montreal offers an eclectic array of reasonably priced foods that are not to be missed.

Before purchasing a cell phone, check out the McGill Classifieds, as students are often looking to sell their old cell phones or transfer their contracts. This can help you both find an inexpensive phone and avoid costly activation charges.

Once you arrive in Montreal, you may want to set up a local bank account near either the Downtown or Macdonald campus, to facilitate the handling of your expenses and other financial affairs. Most banks offer student accounts, but make sure to do your research. Take the time to ask bank representatives any questions or concerns you may have regarding service fees, transaction quotas, free services (i.e.

Finding a grocery store in downtown Montreal can be tough. Keep this list handy when you set off in search of food.

Find an apartment, a bank, and more

Moving to a new city involves more than just hunting down a place to live — you may need to find a bank, a daycare service or even your neighbourhood post office.

DriveSafe

Drivesafe was created by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) to help decrease drunk driving among students. Event organizers must register for this service, which provides rides home anywhere on the Island of Montreal, the South Shore and Laval.

You may want to consider getting a locker in your Faculty building, as you may find it handy to a have a secure spot to leave your books, coat, boots, etc. Lockers are available on both the Downtown and Macdonald campuses.

Your course books are an integral part of your university learning experience and can form the start of your academic library. It is important to have them for your courses so you can do the required readings and get the most out of your courses. Professors typically give a list of required texts on the first day of class. There is also an index available in the basement of the McGill Bookstore that lists the required books for each course.

Your McGill Identification Card is an absolute necessity. You will need it to write exams, take out library books, use student services on campus, and even get student discounts at local retailers. You can get an ID on both the Downtown and Macdonald campuses, and must wait 24 hours after registering for at least one course to be eligible. Replacements for lost or stolen ID cards are available as well.