Your UWaterloo Life takes shape in between classes, early in the morning and into the evening. It’s where you explore your interests or try something new and make lifelong friends in the process.
From athletics and recreation to arts and culture, life on campus invigorates mind, body and spirit. Here’s where you can join in the fun and find a community that shapes your UWaterloo experience.
Get Involved
Build friendships with similar passions and join or create a student club. You'll find your niche with over 200 different clubs.
Move your body and hone your skills through rec programs such as intramural sports, rock climbing, and open fitness and more.
- Esports and online programming
- Climbing wall, group fitness classes and intramurals
- Facilities schedules
- + more
Build your support network and learn about Canada
Join the International Peer Community (IPC)! A peer-support program aimed at helping international students settle in and feel at home at UWaterloo.
Find your community with Connection Collective
Connection Collective is an opportunity for equity-deserving students to connect through in-person events and virtual Teams chats.
Gather with your Indigenous student community
Indigenous students can access culturally relevant programming, support services, traditional medicines, events and more!
Portal events
Find and register for events and workshops through Portal, available on both mobile and web.
Student Advocacy
We’re all part of building a safer and more equitable campus for everyone. We're committed to supporting you in finding a community where you can belong, thrive and grow.
Take the first step
Join a movement, connect with student run services and find resources that meet your needs.
Your voice matters! Learn more about our student associations advocating for your experience as UWaterloo students:
Self Advocacy
The Office of the Ombudsperson is dedicated to providing confidential, impartial, and independent assistance to students. They work collaboratively to informally resolve concerns and complaints related to university policies, rules, and procedures so that you can advocate for yourself.
What to expect from the Ombuds Office
The team will listen to concerns, explain rights and responsibilities, discuss possible options, and empower students to confidently navigate the decision making process at Waterloo for both academic and non-academic related issues.
Examples of some concerns you can get support with:
- Grievance, petition, and appeals
- Academic and non-academic discipline
- Housing and residence
- Interpersonal challenges
Contact the Ombuds Office
Want to connect? Staff in the Office connect with staff by email, in person, or virtually. If you wish to connect, email uwombuds@uwaterloo.ca to schedule an appointment.
Confidentiality
All visitor information is confidential unless you have given the Ombuds Office permission to share it with a specific party or office. Disclosure may also occur if required by law or if there are compelling circumstances affecting anyone’s health or safety.
Services provided:
- Demystify policy, procedure and regulations for students
- Explore options on how to proceed
- Make referrals where required
- Provide guidance to plan a strategy and promote problem solving
- Empower students to deal directly and effectively with their concerns
- Give sound, practical advice
- Listen and provide objective perspectives
Out of scope:
- Decide who is right or wrong
- Take sides
- Receive complaints unrelated to student life
- Provide legal advice or counselling
- Advocate for an individual case
- Compel actions or overturn decisions
Go Black, Go Gold
Water, Water, Water! Loo, Loo, Loo!
Unleash your school spirit and cheer on your feel Warriors as they battle it out against other top schools.
Wear your Warrior pride on your sleeve
Pick up the latest W Store has to offer:
Living and eating on campus
Find a place to rest your head and connect with your peers.
On-campus housing options are available for fall, winter and spring terms for first-year, upper-year and graduate students:
If you are planning on living off-campus, check out the available listings and resources:
Nourish your body – grab a quick bite or sit down with friends.
- Choose your own food adventure. Check out Food Services locations and hours
- Grab and go from Flock Stop, your 24/7 on-campus convenience store in the SLC
- Maintain balanced nutrition with informed choices
- Make simple and nutritious foods at home or in residence with how-to videos from our chefs
Check out Open Classrooms
Go to Portal Campus Map to find available classrooms for studying and groupwork, available on both on mobile and web.
Adulting 101
Approach your to-do-list with confidence! Check out the three adulting skills that will help you make the most of your time at UWaterloo and beyond.
Turns out adulting isn’t as hard as they say it is!
Get social with us! Follow @uwaterloolife Instagram and join in on the fun.
Apply for an Instagram Takeover
Share your UWaterloo life with us and the rest of campus.
Students selected for a takeover will be compensated for their time with a $25 WatCard top up. To receive the $25, you must be a current UWaterloo student and complete the takeover per our guidelines.
