Living Learning Communities

Two students at a white board figuring out a problem.

Campus Housing offers Living Learning Communities (LLCs) which have dedicated upper-year Peer Leaders who are focused on enhancing your experience and helping you to achieve your goals while you are living in residence.  

Living Learning programs are offered by both Campus Housing and the University Colleges. To learn more about University College Living Learning programs, visit United College and Renison University College.  

What is a Living Learning Community? 

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) in Campus Housing are communities that bring together students in the same program or faculty to help enhance their social and academic experience while in residence. By being placed in a Living Learning Community, you will be able to participate in activities such as:   

  • One-on-one goal setting with your Peer Leader  
  • Academic programming such as study sessions, de-stress events, faculty meet and greets as well as career planning  
  • Community building events with other students who are in your program or faculty  

What is a Peer Leader? 

Peer Leaders are dedicated upper-year mentors that are in the same program/faculty as students living in LLCs. Peer Leaders lead fun and educational programming, all while helping you to achieve your goals while you are living in residence.

Living Learning Communities in Campus Housing

If your academic program does not have a Living Learning Community, you can still enhance your academic experience through Drop-In Tutoring and utilizing the study spaces in residence.  

Living Learning Communities help students to excel in the three following areas: 

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Make connections with peers

Living Learning students attend events that are planned specifically for students in their program or faculty. You will have the opportunity to get to know other students that you can go to class, study, and socialize with during your first year and beyond.  

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Experience a smooth transition to university

Knowledgeable upper year students in your program/faculty are available to provide resources, answer questions, and help you settle into university. 

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Build a sense of belonging to Faculty / academic program

The community provides opportunities to access engaging academic and Faculty programming that helps students with many of their academic needs in first year!  

LLC Housing Options

When you join a Living Learning Community (LLC), you can participate in the same programs, events, and supports no matter where you live. The main difference is where you’re housed on campus. 

Option 1: Clustered LLC (Live Together) 

Best for students who want to live with others in their academic program 

  • You’ll live in a designated residence community with other students in your LLC 

  • Some of your neighbours will be in the same academic program  

  • Easy access to peers, study partners, and LLC events right where you live 

Option 2: Non-Clustered LLC (Live Anywhere in Campus Housing) 

Best for students who want housing flexibility 

  • You can live in any Campus Housing residence 

  • You’ll participate in LLC programs, events, and activities alongside clustered students 

  • Ideal if you want to live with friends in another program or in a different residence style 

Living Learning Communities

GLOBAL BUSINESS AND DIGITAL ARTS (GBDA)

This Living Learning Community is open to students in the Global Business and Digital Arts program.  

For information on the amenities and room offerings, you can have a look at our Campus Housing Residences. LLC residence buildings and room offerings are subject to change. 

Activities and Events  

As a Living Learning student, you will have access to events that enhance your classroom learning and further develop skills to help you succeed in the GBDA program such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking.

We know the GBDA program is unique, so our Living Learning events are tailored to help first years understand and get the most out of the program. Past GBDA Living Learning Community activities include:   

  • Building a Portfolio Info Night  
  • Living in Stratford Upper-Year Panel   
  • Study sessions for core GBDA courses   
  • Stratford Campus Orientation   
  • Halloween Movie Night at the Stratford Campus

The thing I value most about having a Peer Leader is having a upper year mentor who's already been through this experience. I enjoy having roommates and neighbours in the same major as me. It is a great bonding experience having everyone near by!

Chrisandra, First-year GBDA student 

The most enjoyable thing about living in an LLC is how easy it is to make friends and special connections with people within my program. Studying with a group of people within my program has given me a sense of ease and encouragement to do the same work in a collaborative environment.

Emma (she/her), First-year GBDA LLC student 

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCES (SPHS)

This Living Learning Community is open to students entering the Public Health or Health Sciences programs from the School of Public Health Sciences.

For information on the amenities and room offerings, you can have a look at our Campus Housing Residences. LLC residence buildings and room offerings are subject to change.

Activities and Events 

Your Peer Leader mentor will connect you with opportunities that will enhance your classroom learning, support building connections within your program and faculty, and help you understand more about the Health field. Examples of Living Learning activities include:  

  • Group study sessions for core Health courses (From HLTH 101 to BIOL 130, and beyond)   
  • Stress buster events with other Living Learning students to encourage social well-being 
  • Academic study skills and course content workshops   
  • Organized events with faculty such as Meet and Greets with professors, and course selection workshops to on keep on academic track with the program 
  • Participation with clubs and societies within the Faculty of Health community, including AHSUM and weCONNECTu  

I enjoy having a peer mentor that has experience in their first year to help us navigate the high-school to university transition, especially with health courses. Prospective students can look forward to connecting with other students in the same faculty and/or program, so they know familiar faces in their classes and gain a new social circle.

First-year SPHS LLC student

My Peer Leader feels an older sister. She makes herself available at all times and answers every question I ask. She's helped me academically and socially. My favourite memory was when she held a check-in event with us just to see how we were doing. It really feels like she cares.

First-year SPHS LLC student 

KINESIOLOGY

This Living Learning Community is open to students entering the Kinesiology program.

For information on the amenities and room offerings, you can have a look at our Campus Housing Residences. LLC residence buildings and room offerings are subject to change. 

Activities and Events 

Your Peer Leader will connect you with opportunities that will enhance your classroom learning, support building connections within your program and faculty, and help you understand more about the Kinesiology field. Examples of Living Learning activities include:  

  • Group study sessions for core Kinesiology courses such as Biology and Chemistry 
  • Social activities with other Living Learning students such to encourage social well-being 
  • Academic study skills and course content workshops   
  • Organized events with faculty such as Meet and Greets with professors, and course selection workshops to keep on academic track with the program  
  • Participation with clubs and societies within the Faculty of Health community, including AHSUM and weCONNECTu  

The most valuable thing about having a Peer Leader is the advice that they can give you as they have already gone through what you are currently going through. Our Peer Leader would host study sessions and gave us extra lab experience that helped us solidify our course knowledge in fun ways.

Sebastian (he/him), First-year Kinesiology LLC student 

It’s a great way to learn new studying tips and transitioning into university, and a super fast way to meet people in your program and make friends. Great way to make friends in your program right away and have people you can go to/from classes with and study together.

Gavin (he/him), First-year Kinesiology student 

RECREATION AND LEISURE STUDIES

This Living Learning Community is open to students entering all Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS) programs including Recreation and Leisure Studies, Recreation and Sport Business and Therapeutic Recreation.

For information on the amenities and room offerings, you can have a look at our Campus Housing Residences. LLC residence buildings and room offerings are subject to change. 

Activities and Events 

Your Peer Leader will connect you with opportunities that will enhance your classroom learning, support building connections within your program and faculty, and help you understand more about the Recreation and Leisure field. Examples of Living Learning activities include:  

  • University of Waterloo campus tour featuring where to go for your first class, visiting friends in outdoor/green spaces, and much more! 
  • Group study sessions for core RLS courses  
  • Academic study skills and course content workshops   
  • Organized events with faculty  such as lunch with your RLS professors, and course selection workshops to keep on academic track with the program  
  • Participation with clubs and societies within the Faculty of Health community, including AHSUM and weCONNECTu  

There are a lot of students who are willing and able to help study. It makes you feel more comfortable about not knowing something and getting one-on-one peer support rather than TA or prof support in specific time slots.

First-year Recreation and Leisure Studies student 

Want to be part of a Living Learning Community? 

Living in an LLC is a beneficial part of the student residence experience and can help make the transition to the academic and social world of university smoother.  

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Step 1: Rank Campus Housing

Rank Campus Housing as your first choice on the New Student Residence Application, a page will be displayed where you can indicate if you are interested in a Living Learning Community. You must apply by June 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 

Step 2: Indicate your interest in an LLC

When filling out your New Student Residence Application, a page will be displayed where you can indicate that you are interested in a Living Learning Community. Ensure that you select Yes from the dropdown box. 

Step 3: LLC Preferences

On the next page, you can add up to 2 LLCs that you are eligible for and interested in. 

You will also indicate whether you would like to be in an LLC cluster or not. In an LLC cluster, some of your floormates will be in your academic program. If you are non-clustered, you will be placed anywhere in residence but can still participate in LLC events.  

Step 4: SUBMIT YOUR NEW STUDENT RESIDENCE APPLICATION

Complete and submit the rest of your New Student Residence Application and pay the $500 non-refundable housing deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I HAVE TO PAY EXTRA TO BE IN A LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY?

There is no additional fee to participate in a Living Learning Community. 

WHAT IF MY PROGRAM ISN’T LISTED ABOVE? CAN I GET ACADEMIC SUPPORT IF I DON'T SIGN UP FOR A LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY?

Students who are not in one of our Living Learning Communities are still able to access academic resources in residence through drop-in tutoring. Additionally, students who are not living in a Living Learning Community are encouraged to connect with their Don (upper-year student who lives on their floor) to learn about ways that their academics can be supported on campus.

IF I JOIN A LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY — DOES THAT MEAN I WILL LIVE WITH 50 OTHERS FROM MY PROGRAM?

No. Students who live in our Living Learning Communities clusters will live with a mix of students who are in their faculty or program as well as students who are in other programs. It's the best of both worlds – having support from those in your own faculty or program while also meeting students from other programs.  

ARE LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITIES LOCATED IN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS?

Our Living Learning Community clusters will be housed in a variety of residence communities in order to provide students with different room type options. Students who are selected to live in a Living Learning Community cluster will be in a residence community with other LLC students from their program or faculty.

CAN I WITHDRAW FROM A LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY AFTER I'VE SUBMITTED MY FIRST-YEAR GUARANTEE RESIDENCE APPLICATION?

Yes, you can withdraw from the LLC. If you decide you no longer want to be considered for the LLC, please contact the Residence Learning team to withdraw. 

You should carefully consider your options before withdrawing. If you live in the LLC, you'll have a high level of support. While you can still participate in residence-led events and access resources, you will give up extra support included with living in an LLC if you withdraw. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IF DON’T GET INTO AN LLC CLUSTER?

LLC cluster spaces are limited and cannot be guaranteed. However, you will still have a guaranteed housing spot as long as you complete the New Student Residence Application and submit your $500 non-refundable housing deposit by June 8 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.  

If you indicated your LLC interest in the New Student Residence Application, you will still be a part of the LLC, but you will not be clustered.   

Questions? 

If you have any other questions about Living Learning Communities, please email our Residence Learning team.