Welcome to UWaterloo campus: Student Resources

Friday, September 3, 2021

This September, we are happy to welcome over 1200 first year students to our science community, as well as our many second year students who may also be coming to campus for the first time!

We know that coming to university can be stressful or a big change for some students, so to alleviate some of that stress, we’ve collected a few useful links to help you get started navigating our campus and resources.

The basics:

  • COVID-19 information: Your source for all information about the University of Waterloo’s COVID-19 policies, including our mandatory vaccination policy if you are coming to campus.
  • Our Interactive campus map, and all of campus’s building floor plans can help you find your way to your classes.
  • Connect to our campus Wi-Fi network, Eduroam, to stay connected.
  • Your WatCard is your campus student ID, and is used for many services around campus and Waterloo Region, including as your bus pass for Grand River Transit.
  • Our guides for New Undergraduate Students and New Graduate Students also include many helpful resources to help you transition to UWaterloo.
  • There are many great food options around campus through UW Food Services. Some of our favourites include the Starbucks in STC, and CEIT Café in EIT. The Science Undergraduate Society also runs the Science Coffee and Donut shop (CnD) during normal academic terms. Keep an eye on their website and social media for updates when they will reopen.

Academic Resources and Support:

  • The Science Undergraduate Office supports our first year students, as well as all students in Honours Science and General Science. Upper year students in other programs are supported by program specific Academic Advisors.
  • The Writing and Communications Centre offers a variety of services such as online workshops, virtual appointments, and writing groups for undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and staff members.
  • Drop-in tutoring hosted by Campus Housing and is available for all UWaterloo students, and covers many first year science classes.
  • Check out the Faculty of Science’s Undergraduate Wellness and Academic resources and Resources for Graduate Students webpages for more helpful links.
  • AccessAbility Services is the University’s centralized office for the management of academic accommodations for all students with a wide range of disabilities.

Wellness Resources and Support:

  • Visit the Campus Wellness website for the most up-to-date information on medical health services, mental health resources including counselling services, and health promotion across campus.
  • Health Services’ resources include a student medical clinic, medical insurance, nutrition services, and more, and is also the campus location for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
  • To explore campus’s mental health resource options, see the “Explore your Options” pathway created by Campus Wellness.
  • The Science Student Transition Coach is a resource to help with adjusting to university as well as life in Canada.

Career and Work Resources:

  • The Centre for Career Action has resources for all students (undergraduate, graduate, co-op and regular stream) as well as alumni, faculty, and staff to help you achieve your career goals. Supports include one-on-one appointments, group workshops, and online resources.
  • Waterloo’s Co-operative and Experiential Education website has information about co-op terms, and resources for co-op students.
  • Waterloo EDGE is an experiential learning certificate for regular stream (non-coop) undergraduate students to develop professional skills and explore career options.
  • There are many options for part time jobs on campus as you study. Places to start your search include Waterloo’s Work Study Program, LEADS, Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association, W Store, Waterloo's Libraries, Campus Housing or as a Student Ambassador.

More Resources:

  • Waterloo’s libraries are more than just books and study spaces (although they’re great for these too!). With multiple locations across campus, the libraries offer subject specific research help, borrowing textbooks, an IT help desk, equipment loans like phone chargers, and more!
  • Get involved with some of the 200+ clubs on campus! In addition to the clubs across campus, there are also science clubs. Undergraduate students can join the Science Society, and many departmental clubs. Graduate students can join the Graduate Student Association and department based student associations.
  • More resources from across UWaterloo campus