Tips for new students

Top 10 tips for a successful first year

  1. Know your program – understand what courses you are taking and what you will be learning about.
  2. Be sure to read your course outlines! They include what to expect with course requirements, assignments, and exams.
  3. Plan to pay – understand your student fees and look into scholarships and bursaries.
  4. Get involved – attend events, volunteer, or join clubs.
  5. Make new friends – through Faculty of Health events, through programs like weCONNECTu, or in your residence.
  6. Maintain a work-life balance – take time to relax, be active, and connect with friends.
  7. Make the most of your learning experience – reach out for support and use the campus resources available to you. This will help you to succeed academically in your first-year courses.
  8. Get to know both UWaterloo campus and the City of Waterloo – get information from the TurnKey Desk in the Student Life Centre.
  9. Take care of yourself – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
  10. Last, but most important: if you are struggling or have concerns, seek help! Don't wait to reach out.

Advice from current Faculty of Health students

  • Get to know your peers! If you live in residence, get to know the people on your floor. Whether you live on or off campus, come to Faculty of Health events to get to know more Health students.
  • Your professors may seem scary but they are approachable and happy to help because (yes, it’s true!), they want you to succeed.
  • Be proactive. Check out the Learning Resources made available by the Student Success Office early on in the term.  You may not think you need help right away, but you will be happy you read through the resources when your courses get busy.
  • When you're on campus - don’t be scared of the undergrad lounge. It is a great place to meet other students, get important information and hang out or study between classes. Think of it as the living room of the Faculty of Health; everyone is welcome!
  • Use the bus and ION light rail transit to explore Waterloo Region outside of campus.
  • Get involved! There are lots of different groups to be a part of. Make sure you know what the commitment is before you sign-up.
  • Participate in Orientation, both as a first year student and as a leader.
  • Intramurals are a lot of fun! Sign-ups happen during the first week of classes.
  • Have an idea for an event or initiative to improve student life? Faculty of Health students contribute to the Applied Health Sciences Endowment Fund (AHSEF) each term - you can submit a proposal to fund your idea!