Your experience in the Faculty of Mathematics goes far beyond the classroom. From the moment you arrive on campus, you’ll become part of a vibrant academic and social community that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and balance.
First-year Math students can take part in a wide range of opportunities, such as joining clubs like MathSoc, attending events hosted by the Math Undergrad Office (MUO), and participating in hackathons, volunteering initiatives, math and computing competitions, and celebrations like our annual Pi Day event on March 14 at 1:59pm (3.14159…)! Whether you’re exploring new interests or deepening existing ones, there are countless ways to shape your first year at Waterloo and a wealth of experiences waiting for you to explore.
Living in Waterloo
Student life is shaped just as much by where you live as what you study. At Waterloo, you’ll find a welcoming campus and a city designed around student life. You can live on campus in a traditional-style or suite-style residence, or you can live off campus in your own student housing.
If you choose to live on campus, first-year students can choose from a wide range of on-campus residence options. Living on campus offers convenience, built-in community, and easy access to classes, libraries, dining halls, and support services. Residence life also includes social programming and peer support to help you settle into university.
Waterloo Park is a 5-minute walk away from campus featuring animals in the summer and festival lights in the winter, with lots of bubble tea shops, restaurants, and student activities in the surrounding area. There are two major malls with transit access to do all of your shopping. Movie theatres, dance halls and even a ping pong lounge are located in UpTown Waterloo.
M-Sections
M-Sections group first-year Math students into shared cohorts for their core Math and Computer Science courses during their first academic term. This structure helps students see familiar faces in class, making it easier to form study groups, build friendships, and feel connected within the faculty.
By creating a consistent academic community in the first term of study, M-Sections support a smoother transition to university and lay the foundation for connections that often last well beyond first year in university.
First-year orientation
Orientation is your introduction to life at Waterloo and in the Faculty of Mathematics. Through a mix of social events, academic sessions, and campus tours, orientation helps you meet other first-year students, connect with upper-year leaders, and learn how to navigate university life with confidence.
Orientation activities are mainly designed to help ease your transition, introduce you to campus resources, and help you start building friendships before classes begin.
Clubs & societies
Getting involved outside the classroom is a key part of the first-year experience. Within the Faculty of Mathematics, students can participate in clubs and initiatives supported by the Mathematics Society (MathSoc), which are designed specifically for Math students and reflect a wide range of interests.
Beyond the faculty, the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) supports over 200 student-run clubs across campus, from cultural and creative groups to academic, recreational, and professional organizations.
Have a specific interest or a new idea? Students are encouraged to start their own clubs as well, making it easy to turn passion into community.
Athletics & sports
Staying active is an important part of student well-being, so Waterloo offers a wide range of athletic opportunities, including intramurals, athletic clubs, instructional classes, and drop-in sports. Students can participate individually or as part of a team, supporting both physical and mental health.
For those interested in competitive athletics, varsity sports provide opportunities to train, practice, and compete under the guidance of experienced coaches, all while continuing to prioritize academics.
E-sports and gaming communities are also available, offering competitive and social options for students who prefer virtual play!
Get involved in the Faculty of Mathematics
There are many ways to take part in faculty-specific opportunities that complement your academic experience. From student leadership roles to peer programs and faculty-run initiatives, the Faculty of Mathematics offers spaces for students to contribute, connect, and grow throughout their degree.
To explore these opportunities in more detail, visit our "Get involved" page!