A review of What2DoCampus: Making plans without the hassle of multiple searches
What2DoCampus helps you reduce the time spent searching for campus events. A few practical improvements could make it a regular stop for UTM students.

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Finding events to participate in on campus can take more effort than it should. It is easy to miss something you would have enjoyed. Personally, I don’t want to spend my breaks going from one Instagram account to another just to find out what is happening that afternoon.

That is why I liked What2DoCampus, a free platform launched by fourth-year student Aria Zheng with support and funding from UTMSU. The website gathers campus event information and lets users browse by interest or locate activities on a map. After several uses, I find it to be a handy tool for making plans on campus.

Its interface helps. It has soft colours and an endearing deer avatar. More importantly, I didn’t have to spend a long time figuring out where to go. The event categories are clearly marked, so you can narrow things down instead of scrolling through endless information.

Once I opened a listing, the information I needed was there, including when and where an event was happening. I don’t have to track down other sources for details.

I especially liked being able to navigate the campus map and see what events might be happening in each building. Learning about activities nearby is useful between class breaks. You may not have time for much, but the quick search allows you to drop into some events.

Using the map on a cellphone, however, could be frustrating. I found it much more comfortable to use on an iPad or laptop. A larger screen provides room to view the full map of the buildings and take full advantage of the platform’s controls. 

The “Discover” page is an easier option on a small screen. The “Next 7 Days” section puts upcoming events in a list, which is what I would use if I were checking between classes. 

Being able to browse through events also introduces other event opportunities. In the “Community” section, groups such as the Pakistani Students’ Association and the UTM Art Club appear alongside academic societies, with categories that let you explore different interests.

This feature addresses one of Instagram’s limitations where users are often required to know what they are looking for beforehand. On What2DoCampus, you can discover a club you hadn’t thought to search for.

Features like “Saved Items,” “Followed Communities” and “Viewing History” also allow users to revisit information about their interests. It is a small convenience, but a welcome one. 

Hiring was the tab I was most glad to see. Sometimes, I find CLNx difficult to navigate.  Having opportunities clearly marked on a platform I already use makes sense to me. For example, I saw listings for TEDxUTM and a haunted-house volunteering. I would like to see more paid part-time positions that are listed separately from volunteer positions.

I also question how current some of those job listings were. When I checked the platform in November, several postings were for events held in October. Those dates alone don’t establish whether recruitment had ended, but it left me unsure whether the opportunity was still available. A visible deadline or an indication that applications remain open would help.

My other wish is for fuller coverage of events held by the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC). Recreation is part of campus life, and I would appreciate being able to discover sports activities as easily as club events. For now, I feel the need to check the athletics website separately. UTM’s drop-in sports page says its schedule is updated daily, so keeping that information accurate on What2DoCampus would be helpful. Even a link to the RAWC’s timetable would be useful.

Other campus platforms offer useful ideas about what to make easier to find. Wat2Do, a separate service that began at Waterloo, features tags for price and registration requirements. UBC’s AMS Club Events directory includes recurring gatherings, with some listings explaining whether membership or an RSVP is needed. 

I would appreciate this kind of detail consistently on What2DoCampus. Knowing that an event exists is a start; knowing I can afford it and turn up without being a club member makes it more welcoming to join.

I would definitely use What2DoCampus again. There are things I would like to see improved, especially for its interface and usage on a cellphone. But overall, I liked how little effort it took to find campus activities that interested me.

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