I found my SDS buddy to be incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. She also respected my schedule which was much appreciated. She wasn't pushy whatsoever and just knowing she was there if I had any questions was very helpful. She even offered to let me study with her study group!
The transition to university can be stressful; there are a number of campus resources and program requirements to learn about, a new set of courses with unfamiliar content to take, dozens of deadlines to keep track of...not to mention the challenge of meeting new friends in the process.
The SDS Buddy Program was established in 2019 to facilitate peer-to-peer connection within Social Development Studies through pairing new students with current, upper-year students in the major. These students serve as a "first point of contact" for questions, tips, resources, and social support. The match is effective for the associated academic year (e.g. September 2020 - April 2021/two terms).
NOTE: While geared towards those starting in a Fall term, students who begin in a Winter term may still have an opportunity to be paired with a Buddy. If this applies to you, please email the SDS Department.
- NEW STUDENTS: Learn more about what your SDS Buddy does and how the process works!
- CURRENT STUDENTS: Learn how to get involved as a Buddy!
What does an SDS Buddy do?
| SDS Buddies can... | SDS Buddies cannot... |
|---|---|
|
Share knowledge, skills, study tips, and personal stories about their experiences Take an active interest in your academic performance and overall wellness Offer an empathic ear if you're having trouble and refer you to appropriate resources Provide a casual social support avenue and potentially become a new friend! |
Provide direct psychotherapy or immediate crisis support Advocate on your behalf with campus units (e.g. professors, services) Give you their class notes or tell you what to take for your degree Access your personal information/student account |
How do I get an SDS Buddy?
The SDS Buddy Program aims to ensure every new student has the opportunity to be paired with an upper-year student. All new students will thus be matched unless they email the SDS department (by a specific deadline) to opt-out of the match process.
-
STEP ONE: COMPLETE THE MATCH FORM OR OPT-OUT
- You will receive an email to your application email from the department in mid-July with introductory information on the program.
-
This
will
include
a
link
to
fill
out
a
simple online
form,
which
helps
us
tailor
a
match
for
you
along
such
criteria
as:
- method of entry into the major (e.g. student direct from highschool, college or university transfer student, mature student with no post-secondary experience, online-only student)
- current career plan (e.g. Teacher, not sure yet, etc.)
- current interests or hobbies (e.g. hiking, playing video games, makeup, etc.)
- hometown (e.g. Toronto)
- It will also include instructions on how to opt-out of the program, if desired. Please note the emailed deadline to submit either option.
-
STEP TWO: MATCHING
-
This
will
be
done
by
the
SDS
Department
in mid-August
and
you
will
be
notified
of
your
match
by
the
end
of
the
month
via
email
to
your
uwaterloo
account.
- All future communications will only use this UW account and no longer go to your application email - so be sure to start using it!
-
This
will
be
done
by
the
SDS
Department
in mid-August
and
you
will
be
notified
of
your
match
by
the
end
of
the
month
via
email
to
your
uwaterloo
account.
-
STEP THREE: MEET YOUR BUDDY!
- You should receive an email from your Buddy in the first week or two of September. This will be done through UW email initially, but you and your Buddy can then determine what method and frequency of communication works best for you (e.g. email, text, social media, virtual meetings, etc.).
- NOTE: your Buddy may be matched with more than one new student. They will not share your personal information with this student (and vice versa) without your explicit consent (e.g. if both new students agree to meet/learn about each other, you could potentially meet a new friend in your cohort and/or participate in group activities; otherwise the relationship will remain between you and your Buddy).
Calling all Current SDS Students!
Are you interested in being an SDS Buddy and helping a new student transition to university? We'd love to have you!
-
STEP ONE: SIGN-UP
- Keep an eye on your uwaterloo email in March and July. Initial recruitment emails for the following Fall term come early, but another round of recruiting happens mid-summer.
- These emails will link to a similar online form to gather match information - submit the form to sign-up.
-
STEP TWO: SCREENING INTERVIEW
-
After
submitting
the
form,
you
will
be
contacted
by
the
SDS
Department
in
early-to-mid
August
for
a
phone
screening
interview*
(~15mins).
This
lets
us
to
get
to
know
you
a
bit
more
and
answer
any
questions
you
may
have.
- *if you participated as a Buddy previously, you will not be interviewed again.
-
After
submitting
the
form,
you
will
be
contacted
by
the
SDS
Department
in
early-to-mid
August
for
a
phone
screening
interview*
(~15mins).
This
lets
us
to
get
to
know
you
a
bit
more
and
answer
any
questions
you
may
have.
-
STEP THREE: RESOURCES AND MATCHING
- After your interview you will be sent more information on your role as an SDS Buddy via the SDS Buddy Handbook.
- You will also be added to an email list specifically for upper-year Buddies, where you will receive additional news, event invites and resources throughout the year.
- You will be notified of your match(es) at the end of August and provided next steps. Expect to be paired with 1-2 new students, depending on cohort demand and your comfort level.
-
STEP FOUR: MEET YOUR BUDDIES!
- More information provided is given in the Handbook, but we recommend emailing your matches first-thing in September to introduce yourself and establish communication preferences/expectations.
FYI: The SDS Buddy Program is optional and not required to graduate for any student.
My SDS buddy made the experience very personal. She introduced herself as a friend rather than an older university student who knew everything, was so kind and still keeps in contact with me and the other buddy in our group...(through the program) I was able to make a new friend who has all the same classes as me next semester!