Welcome to GBDA Advising!
The hub for all GBDA-programming information. We encourage all students to familiarize themselves with the information presented to help ensure they remain up-to-date on important GBDA and Academic policies as well as support their success in the GBDA program.
Your Academic Advisors are here to support you! We can assist you with connecting to UW resources, academic programming, meeting degree requirements and creating meaningful and realistic academic goals.
As a student, we ask that you remain diligent in your academics by using the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar, and take responsibility for your learning path by being proactive in your studies, goal setting and asking for help when you need it.
We encourage you to hold yourself accountable by regularly communicating with your GBDA Advisors to ensure you stay on track academically.
If you are unable to find the answer to your question here, please contact us at gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca
Meet and Contact Your Advising Team
Your GBDA Advising team prioritizes supporting GBDA students in a way that is authentic to them! We understand not every student is the same, nor will their time at Waterloo be the same. We aim to support each student individually to reflect their diverse needs, experiences and goals.
Your success is important to us, and we are constantly seeking innovative ways to ensure you get the most out of your time in the GBDA program.
We are available to all GBDA students to assist them with anything academic related – if we can’t help you, we will always find someone who can.
Summer Rashed (She/Her)
Academic Administrative Supervisor
Contact For:
- Advising Appointments
- GBDA Program Planning and Academic Progression
- Referrals to on-campus services and supports
- Exchange Abroad
- Co-op & Internship Questions
- Student Advocacy
Linda Kelly
Student Services Support Coordinator
Contact For:
- Advising Appointments
- GBDA Academic Questions
- Course Enrollment Support
- Referrals to on-campus services and supports
- Exchange Abroad
- Student Advocacy
Book an Appointment with a GBDA Advisor
To schedule an in-person or virtual appointment, please complete the Online Appointment Request Form
Academic Help
The University of Waterloo offers its students free academic-related support. Students are welcome to access these resources at any time throughout their program.
We encourage GBDA students to utilize these services as needed. If you are unsure what support may be right for you, please contact your GBDA Academic Advisors at gbda.advising@uwaterloo.ca
First-Year Course Support
Your Course Instructor and/or Teaching Assistant should be the first point of contact if you are struggling with course material.
Check your syllabus for your Course Instructors or TA contact information and office hours on Waterloo Learn.
Non-Academic Support
Clubs and Extracurriculars
GBDA students are encouraged to participate in clubs and extracurriculars both on the Stratford campus as well as the Waterloo campus.
Clubs can help you explore other interests, build skills, and provide you with an opportunity to build a community outside of the GBDA program.
- WUSA: With over 200+ clubs, there are many opportunities to connect with other UW students, and explore other interests. Examples of clubs include: The Cheese Club, African Student Association, Animal Rights Society, etc.
- GBDA Society: GBDA-related club. Acts as the representative study body for Undergraduate GBDA students.
- Creator’s Collective: GBDA-related club. Student-run initiative that supports the creative communities at University of Waterloo.
- Athletics: Information related to exercise classes, intramural sports, men’s and women’s sports, and facilities hours.
Wellness Support
All wellness supports available through the University of Waterloo are free to GBDA students.
We encourage GBDA students to prioritize their physical and mental well-being by connecting with any of the below resources, if needed.
GBDA Advisors are not certified mental health counsellors, and if you need mental health support, we will refer you to the correct resource.
- Physical Health
- Wellness Centre: They provide wide-ranging services related to healthcare visits with medical professionals, vaccination appointments, nutrition services, lab work, etc.
- Mental Health
- Counselling Services: Private, and confidential counselling service for all registered UW students.
- If you are in crisis, feeling unsafe, or worried you might hurt yourself or others, please immediately call one of the below services:
- Good2Talk — call 1 (866) 925-5454
- Here24/7 — call 1 (844) 437-3247
- Crisis Services Canada — call 1-833-456-4566, or by text 45645
- Empower Me, Mental Health Resources — call 1-833-628-5589
GBDA Ambassadors
- The GBDA Ambassador program connects upper year GBDA students with first years to help build community within the GBDA program itself, and at the Stratford School.
- Ambassadors hold gatherings on main or Stratford campus throughout the term as a way to meet fellow students.
- You can contact your Ambassador via the MS Teams group!
Support for International Students
Immigration Counselling
https://uwaterloo.ca/student-success/international-student-resources/immigration-consulting
The University of Waterloo has an experienced and dedicated team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who are licensed with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). The consultants are happy to assist you during your time at university. All consultations are free and confidential. The consultants discuss with one another, but do not share your information with anyone else on or off campus without your permission.
Immigration Consulting can be contacted when making changes to your schedule, degree (i.e., moving to part-time studies, extending your studies, changing your program) to help determine the impact on your Study Permit.
International Student Resources
- International Peer Community
- UWinterloo
- Breakfast Seminars
- International Student Advisory Committees (ISAC)?
- English Conversation Circles