…so get out and experience it! One of the most fantastic things about going to school in a big city? The countless resources available. Make sure you take advantage and insure your extracurricular education is as fulfilling as the one you’re getting in the lecture hall.

TORONTO
The NFB Cinematheque is the place to go for amazing films you can’t find anywhere. And for those days when you just can’t leave your dorm room, you can stream fantastic documentaries and animated films from the website. The Harbourfront Centre has amazing programming, from free films and concerts in their fantastic outdoor theatre to crazy cultural festivals (jerk-making competition, anyone?). Bring a cooler and some speakers to The Toronto Island for an amazing day by the lake, or hit up Cherry Beach on Sundays to dance with a crowd who’s been out since 11 pm on Friday. Half-price Fridays at The ROM are a good financially viable way to experience this cultural institution. Wednesday evenings are the free night at the Art Gallery of Ontario -go for the Frank Gehry architecture as much as the art.

MONTREAL
The Musée des Beaux Arts (1380 rue Sherbrooke Ouest) is a Montreal must-see, and admission is always free, though it is appreciated if you give a donation. For special exhibitions like the upcoming J.W. Waterhouse or Tiffany Glass exhibits admission is half-price Wednesday nights. Visit the National Film Board (1564 rue St-Denis) to watch over 9, 500 Canadian films on site–it’s only $3.50 for 2 hours of personal viewing for students. Hint to film students: this is an amazing resource! For excellent cheap movies near campus, check out Cinema du Parc (3575 ave du Parc). Buy a card to see 5 movies for $25. A little farther away, head out to the Dollar Cinema at Namur Metro where admission, popcorn, drinks and candy are all only $1.

VANCOUVER
The Grouse Grind is a must-do for anyone new to the city-just don’t take a date. Wreck Beach is fantastic for sunny days-walk down the many, many stairs through a Jurassic forest to a beautiful, secluded nudie beach where a hippie man will sell you samosas and magic mushrooms. The Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery , on the UBC campus, has great exhibits which sometimes feature 3D glasses, and movies at The Norm Theatre in the Sub are cheap and fantastic. Also, it’s worth taking a film class just for access to UBC’s on-campus film library, where you can watch your DVD at a personal viewing station in the comfort of your own chair.