dash.The NIC term, at a glance
The dates NIC students ask Dash about most, from NIC's academic calendar. Dash turns the ones that matter to you into heads-ups.
October
November
December
- Thu, Oct 15Fall exam schedule postedcalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Fri, Oct 30Last day to withdraw from Fall classes without academic penaltycalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Wed, Nov 11Remembrance Day — college closedcalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Thu, Nov 12Fall Study Break begins — most programscalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Fri, Nov 13Fall Study Break ends — most programscalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Tue, Dec 1Winter NISU Health and Dental Benefits opt-out period beginscalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Fri, Dec 4Last day of Fall classescalendar.nic.bc.ca
- Mon, Dec 7Fall final exams begincalendar.nic.bc.ca
Where things live at NIC
The tools and offices you'll need, so you don't have to dig. Ask Dash and it sends you to the right one.
Brightspace
Courses, assignments, announcements. Sign in once on Dash's secure page and your deadlines stay in sync.
Early Assist
Free help connecting with financial aid, career advising, counselling, tutoring and other campus or community resources. Email earlyassist@nic.bc.ca or submit a referral through NIC's Service Desk.
Office of the Registrar
Service requests for student records, admissions, registration, student billing and grades. A general request form is available for additional help.
Accessible learning services
Contact campus Student Services for information about accessible learning services, academic advising, registration and transcripts.
Student Technical Services
Help with student email, Wi-Fi and learning platforms such as Brightspace. Student technical guides cover myNIC access and account troubleshooting.
- NIC CounsellingFree, professional and confidential support for registered students, offered online, in person or by phone. Book through Student Services. Includes crisis intervention, academic success coaching and referrals.
- Vancouver Island Crisis LineCall 1-888-494-3888 if experiencing suicidal thoughts and counselling services are not immediately available. For immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, call 911.
- Here2Talk — 24/7 counsellingFree, confidential, single-session counselling and referral services for BC post-secondary students by app, phone or online chat, available 24/7, as reported in April 2020.
- Financial Aid and AwardsAdvisors help with student loans, grants, awards, budgeting and emergency assistance. Financial aid advising appointments can be booked through myNIC.
What it's like to text Dash
Text it like a friend. It works over iMessage and SMS, and it asks before it does anything for you.
Deadlines, handled
• lab report, wed 11:59pm
• reading quiz, fri
you're ahead 😌
From your syllabus, or Brightspace once you sign in on Dash's secure page.
NIC, answered
Straight from NIC's own pages, linked.
Done, after your yes
Rooms, appointments, emails to profs. Always asks first.
NIC, in short
North Island College, founded 1975, in Courtenay, British Columbia.
- Founded in 1975, NIC began as a small network of learning centres.nic.bc.ca
- NIC used the Samarinda II, a former whaling vessel, to bring education to coastal communities inaccessible by road.nic.bc.ca
- NIC reports an average class size of 18 students.nic.bc.ca
- NIC’s convocation paddle stand was built from local fir harvested on the land where its student housing now stands.nic.bc.ca
- Q̓ə pix ʔidaʔas, Campbell River’s Indigenous Gathering Place, offers space for cultural celebrations, events and art displays.nic.bc.ca
- The Indigenous Gathering Place houses the Elders in Residence program and student support services.nic.bc.ca
- NIC opened its new on-site student housing, tul’al’txw, in September 2025.nic.bc.ca
- At convocation, certificate and diploma graduates wear stoles, while bachelor’s degree graduates wear academic hoods.nic.bc.ca
Questions NIC students ask
Short answers from NIC's own pages.
What learning system does NIC use?
North Island College uses Brightspace (mycourses.nic.bc.ca). Dash can read your courses and deadlines there once you sign in on Dash's secure page; Dash never sees your password.
When is fall break at NIC?
NIC's fall break is Nov 12–13, according to the school's academic dates. Dash can text you a heads-up the week before.
When is the last day to withdraw from a course at NIC?
Last day to withdraw from Fall classes without academic penalty (Friday, October 30, 2026). Always confirm the deadline for your own courses with the registrar.
When are final exams at NIC?
Fall exam schedule posted starts Thursday, October 15. Dash builds study plans around your own exam dates once it has them.
How do I contact the registrar at NIC?
Office of the Registrar: Service requests for student records, admissions, registration, student billing and grades. A general request form is available for additional help.
Where do I get financial aid help at NIC?
Financial Aid and Awards: Advisors help with student loans, grants, awards, budgeting and emergency assistance. Financial aid advising appointments can be booked through myNIC.
Is Dash affiliated with North Island College?
No. Dash is an independent AI sidekick made by Dash Inc. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by North Island College.
How do NIC students start using Dash?
Text Dash from textdash.ai and tell it you're at NIC. Dash sets you up over text right away, no app to download.
Nearby campuses
Students across British Columbia text Dash.