Where to learn something cool outside the classroom: Lots of Toronto museums are free or cheap for students. The Art Gallery of Ontario boasts one of the best collections in the country, while the Gardiner Museum has tons of chic and antique ceramics. Hit up the Aga Khan Museum Wednesday nights and snag a glam Insta shot against the minimalist building.
When you can’t drop $100 on concert tickets right now: Head to the Baby G bar in Little Portugal on Sunday for the Happy Sundays live-music series. All kinds of bands play, from winsome folkies to synth-wave acts.
When you’ve already watched every single true-crime doc: The Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema is the world’s first and largest documentary-only movie theatre (and the only one in Canada). Folks 25 and under can get a free bronze membership, and during the Hot Docs festival, daytime screenings are free for students.
Where to take in some greenery after seeing the inside of lecture halls all week: Head to the Allan Gardens Conservatory to check out six greenhouses packed with lush tropicals, pretty palms and weird cacti.
Where to snag the perfect Insta photo to show off to friends and family back home: Pose among the pretty stonework of Guild Park and Gardens. From there, you can rent a Bike Share Toronto bike to cycle over to the spectacular Scarborough Bluffs.
Where to eat when you tire of your meal-card options: Discover one of the city’s most delicious deals at Loga’s Corner in Little Tibet, where you can eat a pile of momos (dumplings) for $8. Or try the outdoor World Food Market (10 Dundas St. E.) at Toronto Metropolitan University, where you can gorge on everything from vegan comfort food and Korean-style hotdogs to churros and falafels.
Where to get a fun workout when the campus gym is too crowded: Rollerskating is in again! Try it for yourself at the adorably retro Scooter’s Roller Palace, close to the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus. Most nights cost between $15.50 and $17.50 and include skate rental.
Where to go for prime people-watching in between classes: Get a feel for the downtown vibes at Trinity Bellwoods Park on Queen West, the jewel of the West End. Pack a picnic and observe the drum circles, zipline walkers, and tons of cute pups, or score some free samples of everything from cold drinks to dry shampoo by the Queen West entrance gates.
Where to head when you need cheering up after flunking an exam: One of the world’s funniest cities, Toronto is filled with free open mic shows where you can catch the next big comedy stars before they drop their first Crave special. Try the Comedy Lab on Brunswick Avenue, the city’s first Black-owned comedy club, which features diverse — and hilarious — lineups Wednesday through Friday nights.
Where to stretch your legs after a week cramming in the library: Journey to the East End and wind your way down the charming Beach boardwalk. Finish up at the rolling green hills of the imposing R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, star of many movies and TV shows.
When your parents change the Netflix password and don’t tell you: Catch a movie at one of Toronto’s beautiful old repertory theatres. The Revue in Roncesvalles, the Royal in Little Italy and Fox Theatre in the Beach all host fun screening series featuring everything from high-fashion films to martial arts flicks.
When you need to come up with something creative for your Tinder date: Check out a Superkick’d in Liberty Village show for some rollicking wrestling matches, featuring fighters of all shapes, sizes, races and genders battling it out in the ring ($30). Or check out Zed*80 on the Danforth for an evening of old-school arcade fun.
How to feel fancy for a night: Attend a National Ballet of Canada production. Students can buy DanceBreak tickets for $45 or do standing room for just $12.
Where to get jacked on caffeine after hours: Café Pamenar in Kensington Market is a nice place to hit the books and is open until midnight or 2 a.m. most nights. Boxcar Social has multiple locations and ample table space and stays open until 10 p.m. or midnight several nights a week. Voodoo Child is an espresso and cocktail bar, so you can celebrate with some booze once you finish up your study session.
What to do when funds are low, but you want to get off campus: Head out on one of the Tour Guys’ graffiti walking tours and explore the incredible art on display in our back alleys and laneways. All you have to pony up is a ticket booking fee and tip for your guide.
Where to make copies of that English paper after 5 p.m.: Head to the Printing House, which offers 24-hour printing services on weekdays. You can even send a file ahead of time and pick it up when you arrive.
When you need a sugar high to get you through writing a paper: Run to specialty snack spots like Trap Mart on Queen West and Snack Town in midtown, where you can stock up on favourites like Dunkaroos, Fruit Gushers and Nerds.
When you and your pals tire of playing Catan: Venture into a Snakes & Lattes board game café in Little Italy and take your pick from more than 3,000 board and card games ($8 admission, plus $15 in food).
Where to study when you need a change of scenery: Lait Night offers a bevy of bevvies to keep you going, including bubble tea and smoothies, plus Asian-inspired treats. Best of all: it’s open until 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. every night.
Where to get the next round: Bistro 422 — a.k.a. the Beast — has been serving dirt-cheap drink specials to several generations of students. Mixed-drink personal pitchers and double-size pitchers of sangria go down easy at just under $15. Wide Open has great specials every night, whether it’s the $2.75 mixed drinks from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays or $8 doubles all day Saturday. Beer fans can spread out on the back patio at Done Right Inn, where bottles of domestic are $4.50 and some pints are just $6.
How to maximize your post-class happy hour: Buck-a-shuck nights have grown increasingly rare, but Bar Neon on Bloor West is still slinging oysters every day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., for a dollar each, with the purchase of a drink.
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