Living Learning Communities

Living Learning Community students studying together

Live and learn with other students in residence who share an academic or other interest with you.

Living Learning Communities are residence programs that bring students with the same interests together. Each community is assigned an upper-year mentor who offers leadership and support. By joining a Living Learning Community, you'll gain access to great academic programming that will enhance your learning in first year.

Types of communities

Arts, humanities, social science

Arts and Business: In the Arts and Business Living Learning Community, you'll gain access to events and mentorship that enhance your classroom learning and further develop your skills of teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Global Business and Digital Arts: In the Global Business and Digital Arts Living Learning Community, you'll benefit from events tailored to help you get the most out of your program. Previous topics include how to build a portfolio and tips from upper-year students about living in Stratford.

Human Rights and Law: In the Human Rights and Law Living Learning Community, you'll learn from students, professors, and community members while preparing for your future in human rights and law.
Social Development Studies: In the Social Development Studies Living Learning Community, you'll live near peers taking similar classes, receive support from upper-year students, and participate in events relating to creating a more caring and equitable society.

Athletics

Warrior Academic Leadership Community: You'll live and learn with other student athletes in the Warrior Academic Leadership Community in an environment that supports your academic and extracurricular activities. You'll have opportunities to build and practise valuable leadership skills which will benefit you both on and off the court, rink, or field.

Culture and language

La Bastille: In the La Bastille Living Learning Community, you'll live together with students on the same residence floor where everyone tries to speak French at all times. You can also participate in French culture events throughout the year.

Indigenous Residence Community: In the Indigenous Residence Living Learning Community, you'll develop social networks that will help you succeed and participate in activities like Soup and Bannock days, POW WOW, and more.

Engineering

Women in Engineering: In the Women in Engineering Living Learning Community, you'll live with other women-identified first-year Engineering students and gain access to upper-year peer leaders, activities designed with the Faculty of Engineering, and support from trained residence leaders.

Environment

Faculty of Environment: In the Faculty of Environment Living Learning Community, you'll live with other students in the Faculty of Environment, meet senior students and professors outside the classroom, and participate in projects that help better the campus and local community.

Health, wellness, and science

Kinesiology and Health Sciences: In the Kinesiology and Health Sciences Living Learning Community, you'll gain access to group study sessions for core Kinesiology courses, academic study skills and course content workshops, and events with professors and alumni.
Recreation and Leisure Studies: In the Recreation and Leisure Studies Living Learning Community, you can connect with classmates in group study sessions, attend workshops and events, and participate in clubs and societies within the Faculty of Health.

School of Public Health Sciences: In the School of Public Health and Health Systems Living Learning Community, you'll be connected with programs that enhance your classroom learning, support you in building connections within your program and faculty, and help you understand more about the health field.
Science: You'll meet other first-year Science students in the Science Living Learning Community who share classes and academic interests with you. You'll benefit from access to a peer leader who can connect you with academic resources, events, and answer your questions throughout first year.

Honours Mathematics

Honours Mathematics: You'll develop connections with your Honours Math peers in the same classes, meet first-year instructors and advisors in the Faculty of Math, and gain access to tailored academic and social events.

International students

Bridge to Academic Success in English: In the Bridge to Academic Success in English Living Learning Community, you'll be part of the Renison community with students from many different programs! You'll have the opportunity to participate in college-wide intramural teams, events, and leadership opportunities. You'll also receive support for your English language learning and navigating life in Waterloo during your first year of university.

"Living with people from the same faculty/program as you in a LLC creates a sense of belonging and comfort for you to smoothly begin your journey at Waterloo." Gurubaani (she/her), LLC resident

Learn more about Living Learning Communities

Check out your guide to Living Learning Communities
Read what current students have to say about why you should join a Living Learning Community

From the Missing Manual

A Living Learning Community (LLC) is a group of first-year students from the same program or faculty who live together in the same residence. Read our article on...