Get Ready for Your Winter 2025 Term

View all winter dates.

Getting ready checklist

To do now

• Your winter 2025 fee bill is available in Quest. Complete your payment in full or your Promissory Note in Quest. Watch the instructional video on how to become Fees Arranged.
• Conduct a termly verification of your personal information in Quest and update as necessary.
• Log in to WatIAM to enter an external password recovery email address so you don't get locked out of your University accounts.
• If you have a known or suspected disability, condition, illness, or injury, or if you are experiencing impacts from trauma, apply online with AccessAbility Services to develop your academic accommodation plan.
• Download the new emergency safety app, Regroup Mobile. Regroup Mobile is an advanced emergency notification system that delivers fast, accurate, and consistent messages across multiple communication channels.

To do in January

• Finalize and confirm your class schedule in Quest. You have until January 17 to add or swap classes.
• Did you make changes to your schedule? Review your tuition and fee bill to see if those changes had any impacts on your bill.
• If you have not picked up your WatCard (student identification card) yet, apply online and pick it up in The Centre (first floor, Needles Hall) when you are on campus.
  • For fully online students, request a PDF version of your WatCard through the online form.
• Review your course syllabus/outline to determine your textbook requirements for the winter term.
  • Visit W Store's Course Materials page for information on print and digital textbooks, course kits, and access codes.
• Log in to the Library's Course reserves for access to selected readings for specific courses.
• Log in to LEARN on or after January 9 to see what courses will be using this platform.
• January 1-31: Winter term opt-out window for the Grand River Transit (GRT) Universal bus pass if you will not be in Waterloo Region for the term.
• January 6-24: Annual opt-out window for health and dental insurance coverage if winter 2025 is your first academic term in 2024-2025.

Accessing your online classes

Registered for an online course?

• Reliable internet access will be required.
• Tools such as a webcam may be used in your course.
• If your instructor is using LEARN (the web-based learning management system):
  • Before classes start, check your technology to ensure you can successfully participate in online classes - see LEARN's system and software requirements.
  • Find technical support on the LEARN help website or send an email to learnhelp@uwaterloo.ca.
• If instructors are using other platforms, you can expect:
  • An email from your instructor, no later than Friday, January 10, to your @uwaterloo.ca email address.
  • After January 10, if you still haven't heard from your instructor, reach out to them via email.
• Have an online class while on campus? You can use available computer labs, libraries, open study spaces, and empty classrooms.

Need support? Learn more about the Student IT Services available to you.

Study spaces & resources