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Laurier 101 Blog: Your Guide to Becoming a Golden Hawk
Welcome to Laurier, Golden Hawks!
Ella here - one of your Laurier 101 Hosts. I know you have lots of questions about starting at Laurier, and I have the answers! I'm here to share my experiences as a senior student about things I wish I knew when I was in first year.
Before You Get to Campus
Dear Golden Hawk,
The first-day jitters can be a lot to deal with, especially when you’re trying to navigate a new city, new friendships, and a new stage of life. The good news is that most other first-year students are in the same boat as you. So, take a deep breath, tell yourself “I can do this!”, and check out my list of six tips for managing the first day jitters.
1. Plan to attend your classes.
On the first day of school, your professors will review your course syllabi in detail, outline expectations for the term, and give you tips for success in their courses. It can be tempting to skip a few classes to hang out with friends or attend an event, but these classes will help you feel prepared for your first semester.
2. Locate the lecture halls in which you have classes.
Even if you have had the opportunity to tour campus before the first day of classes, come to campus early so that you can get a sense of where you need to be throughout the day. If you get to campus during orientation week, there will be upper year students on-campus to help you do this. If not, you can always ask an upper-year student for help!
3. Read each course syllabus in detail.
Your syllabi will tell you everything you need to know about each of your courses: what textbooks you need to purchase, what topics you’ll be covering in lecture each week, which course readings you should have completed prior to each lecture, assignment deadlines and instructions, and your professors’ contact information. Although you won’t need all this information right away, it is helpful to remember where it is so you can go back to it.
4.Determine your preferred note-taking method.
It’s a good idea to have a sense of how you like to take notes prior to the first day of classes. Although your first year of university is a time for exploring new learning strategies, including new note-taking methods, you’ll want to decide ahead of time if you’re going to bring a notebook or laptop with you on the first day. There is always time to change this method later if it doesn’t work for you. Booking an appointment with a Learning Consultant or Peer Academic Coach through the Student Success Portal is a great idea if you are looking to switch up your note-taking strategy.
5. Prioritize self-care.
As you navigate your first day of university life, remember to take care of yourself. Try to remember the things you did before university and see if you can incorporate them at Laurier. Using some of the methods you used before university can help make it feel a little less scary and unknown. Some of my favorite self-care practices are a workout class, reading a book, or watching Friends (my comfort TV show!).
6. Remember to have fun.
University is an opportunity for both academic and personal growth. It’s hard to grow as both an individual and a student if you don’t enjoy the experience. There will be lots of events to meet other students and try new things so you can really make university feel like a place for you. You’ve made it so far this summer, and you should be proud of yourself for successfully preparing for university!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and certified first-day expert)
Dear Golden Hawk,
At Laurier we believe all students can achieve academic success with the proper supports in place. It can be stressful to transition from one learning environment to another without knowing what your support might look like, but we’ve got you covered.
Students who register with Accessible Learning prior to the start of the academic term are guaranteed accommodation for key academic deliverables (e.g., midterm exams, in-class tests, assignments). If you have a disability, or a suspected disability of any nature (e.g., mental health, medical, learning, attention, physical, hearing- or vision-related, etc.), I encourage you to register with Accessible Learning before fall so that you can receive the support you need to thrive throughout the academic year. If you are beginning your studies at Laurier in winter or spring term, register before the start date of your first term to ensure that the Accessible Learning team has adequate time to arrange your accommodation(s).
Once you are registered, you’ll be able to meet with one of our specialized support staff who will help to come up with a support plan tailored to your needs. Once in place, you will be able to renew this support plan every semester, or for as long as you determine with your support staff, to ensure you are supported for your entire university adventure!
To register with Accessible Learning, follow the steps outlined on this webpage. You can register with Accessible Learning at any point during your time at Laurier; however, it’s best to register at the start of an academic term to ensure that the Accessible Learning team has time to arrange your accommodation(s) before a term begins. There is no guarantee that late applicants will be able to get their supports in place before a specific test or assessment.
Examples of academic accommodations could include:
- Classroom Accommodations
- Audio-recorded lectures
- Extended time on assignments
- Participation
- Presentations
- Exam Accommodations
- Extended time for exams
- Memory aid
- Reader
- Scribe
Remember, we want you to thrive during your time at Laurier, so if you require support, we’d love for you to reach out with any questions you have. You can email laurier101@wlu.ca or contact the Accessible Learning team directly at accessible_learning@wlu.ca with general questions.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and believer that everyone can thrive in a university classroom!)
Dear Golden Hawk,
There is no ‘typical’ day in the life as a Laurier student; we all go about our days differently, depending on what works best for us, our schedules, and our preferences. Since university learning is much more independent than high school, it’s best practice to set a schedule that meets your needs at the start of each academic term and stick to it so that you don’t find yourself feeling overwhelmed. Each week (usually on Sundays), I fill out a Weekly Schedule Template with all the relevant items for the week ahead.
Here’s what a ‘typical’ daily schedule looks like for me:
8:30 a.m. – Wake up & get ready
9 a.m. – Eat breakfast and check my calendar for the day
10 a.m. – Attend lectures
1 p.m. – Lunch break
- Pro-Tip: Lunch is a great time to catch up with friends, go for a walk, hit the gym or even practice some self-care! I like to dedicate this chunk of time to myself, rather than spending it on course work.
2 p.m. – Go over course readings or study for upcoming assessments
4 p.m. – Head home and study some more
- Pro-Tip: Find some spots where you feel most productive. For me, That’s on campus or in my living room, but I know that if I try to get work done in my bedroom, I will simply end up taking a nap.
6 p.m. – Prepare and eat supper
- Pro-Tip: This is a great time to watch your favourite T.V. show or scroll through social media. Do something that doesn’t require a lot of brain power and gives your mind a chance to slow down and recover.
7 p.m. - Extracurricular time
- Pro-Tip: Get involved on your campus or in your city! This time looks like either a dance class, spin class, craft night or sometimes something independent like reading. Having activities outside of your courseload is a great form of self-care and can do wonders for your mental (and physical) health.
9 p.m. – Call a friend or family (or talk to them if they live with you)
- Pro-Tip: Keeping in touch with your friends and family back home is a great way to stay connected and avoid feelings of homesickness.
9:30 p.m. – Self-care and getting ready for bed
10:30 p.m. – Go to bed
Remember, we all have different daily schedules. Take some time to explore what works best for you at the beginning of fall term and adjust your daily schedule accordingly. If a schedule works for you to accomplish your goals and take care of yourself, then it is a good schedule, even if it is different from other people. You’ve got this!
Need some help or guidance? Book with a peer academic coach through the Student Success Portal and they can help you get started!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and schedule lover)
Dear Golden Hawk,
One of the best ways to prepare for university is to research study strategies that best suit your needs and learning style. Check out my list of study strategies below to help get you started:
1. Write and talk out loud.
For courses where you need to memorize definitions or concepts, try writing out definitions/meanings and repeating them out loud a few times to improve your chances of remembering what you’ve studied. You can even ask a friend to listen to you explain a concept out loud, so you can be sure you’ve got it down.
Study Strategy Spotlight: Talking to the Duck
A great way to practice talking things out is to talk to a rubber duck. If you can explain your concept to the duck with confidence, it is a good indicator that you are likely ready to explain said concept during a test. Here at Student Success, we have many-a-duck to give out, so keep your eyes peeled for our booths!
2. Take regular breaks.
Break your study sessions into chunks (by lecture, chapter, or week) and give your mind time to recharge before moving on to the next chunk of content. Two popular structured study methods are the Pomodoro Technique and the Power Hour.
3. Practice problems multiple times.
For problem-based courses, complete recommended homework multiple times to ensure that you understand the steps required to get to the correct solution.
4. Leave your bedroom.
Entering a new study environment is a great way to remove distractions from your study space and increase the overall productivity of your study sessions. It can also improve your chances of recalling the information!
5. Study in front of others.
Find a space on campus where other students are being productive and join the crowd! (Note that studying in front of others doesn’t necessarily mean studying in front of friends.)
6. Count to three.
If you want to complete a task you’ve been procrastinating on, count down from three and force yourself to start.
Study Strategy Spotlight: Eat Your Frog First!
Picture this: you're given the task of eating an entire frog before the end of the day. There are two options here. You could stare at it all day and have it takeover your thoughts until you finally eat it at the last second, or you could simply eat it first thing in the morning and get it out of the way. Clearly, the second option is the way to go here, and the same can be applied to your to-do list. If you have a big or overwhelming task (or even just something you don’t want to do), it’s best to get it over with first, so you don’t have to worry about it any longer!
7. Throw your phone away.
Don’t throw your phone in the garbage; do ask a friend to hide your phone so that you don’t feel the need to constantly check it. Out of sight, out of mind!
8. Remember what you did in high school.
Chances are if a method worked for you in high school, it will be helpful to you in university. If your study methods weren’t helpful in high school, now you know that you need to try something different. If you're looking to level-up your high school strategies, chat with a learning consultant or peer academic coach.
If you try all of these and none of them seem to be working, don’t panic. There are still lots of other strategies you can try. These other study strategies include elaboration, concrete examples, retrieval practice, dual coding, and interleaving.
In the end, learning and studying looks different for everyone. What works well for you might not be what works well for your friends, and that's okay.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who’s BFF is the rubber duck she keeps in her backpack)
Dear Golden Hawk,
There’s no better way to start your time at Laurier than to stock up on some purple and gold merch. Your best bet is to check out the Hawk Shop website.
The Hawk Shop is your one-stop shop for everything you’ll need to thrive as a Golden Hawk. You can purchase Laurier-branded clothing to show off your Golden Hawk spirit, swag from your program, giftware, technology, course materials, school supplies, and so much more!
If you’d prefer to go in-person (which I usually do), you can find the Hawk Shop in the Fred Nichols Campus Centre (Waterloo) or the Research and Academic Building (Brantford). This is a great way to see the new selection and really get a feel for the merchandise – literally! For incoming Milton students, the Hawk Shop website is the place for you!
When it comes to classes, your personalized booklist will be published on the Hawk Shop website in mid-August. Order your textbooks for fall term once your booklist is published by following the steps below:
- Go to the Hawk Shop website.
- Select Login, next to Register.
- Select Login with Laurier Single Sign-On.
- Use the handle of your @mylaurier.ca email address (e.g., smit1234) and your Laurier password to login.
- Select Welcome *Your Name*, then find your Fall 2026 booklist and start shopping!
Laurier offers new, used, and rental textbooks, as well as access codes to digital content. Your booklist will automatically make price comparisons with other online venues selling your textbooks so that you can get your course materials at the best price available.
You can choose to have your textbooks delivered to your home, or you can pick them up on campus once you receive an email from the Hawk Shop stating that your order is ready. It’s best practice to check your @mylaurier.ca email daily for updates on when your booklist is going live. You can also book a Student Experience Tour with a Laurier101 Summer Host to explore the Hawk Shop in person before classes start in September. with a Laurier101 Summer Host to explore the Hawk Shop in person before classes start in September.
DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more questions about Laurier!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and Hawk Shop regular)
Getting Involved
Dear Golden Hawk,
Firstly, I want you to know that those feelings of nervousness are experienced by many first-year university students. I just finished my fourth year at Laurier, and I still feel nervous when it comes to living my best life as a student and social butterfly.
University is a balancing act, and the idea of maintaining a good work/life balance can feel overwhelming for first-year (and even fourth-year!) students. Try to imagine your university experience as a seesaw. If you overload one end of the seesaw with course work and leave the extracurricular side empty, you’re going to have an imbalance, and the side you’re on – the overloaded side – will plummet. If you overload the extracurricular side and neglect the course work side, that side will also plummet. University is about getting that balance right so that your seesaw doesn’t tip too far in one direction.
Maintaining a good work/life balance may seem overwhelming at first, but I can assure you that it is doable. Check out my tips below to maintain a good work/life balance so that your time at Laurier stays golden:
1. Book an appointment with a peer academic coach or learning consultant from Student Success to upgrade your time management skills. to upgrade your time management skills.
One of the best ways to start university off on the right foot is to set monthly, weekly, and daily schedules for yourself after you’ve gotten your course syllabi. Your syllabi will outline which textbooks you need to purchase, which readings correspond with each lecture, assignment deadlines and expectations, and your professors’ contact information. Once you get a sense of your workload for each course, it’s a good idea to connect with Student Success to set up those schedules.
The Student Success team will assist you in scheduling sufficient time for self-care and any extracurriculars you’re interested in signing up for.
2. Check out the clubs and associations offered by the Students’ Union and pick a few that interest you (P.S. Don’t sign up for all of them! It’s better to just pick one or two, so that you don’t spread yourself too thin). During the Get Involved Fair at Orientation, you’ll have the opportunity to explore all the clubs and associations on your campus.
Getting involved is great, don’t get me wrong, but it can become a burden if you sign up for too much. My advice is to start with one or two clubs or associations and then add more later if you feel that you have the capacity to do so. You have four years to get involved at Laurier, so you don’t have to do it all during your first year as a Golden Hawk. Prioritize the extracurriculars you value the most, and you’ll be golden.
3. Ask yourself: Will I be working during my studies? Will I be volunteering?
Many students work a part-time job and/or volunteer during their time at Laurier. I’ve done both for two years of my degree, and I can confirm that you are able to be active in your community and stay on top of your schoolwork – it doesn’t have to be one or the other. However, as with joining clubs and associations, it’s important to keep in mind that you also need to make time for yourself. Start with a little bit and then add more if you’re feeling good about your workload.
To find employment and volunteer opportunities on or near your campus, check out Navigator.
Remember, a huge part of the Laurier experience is getting involved with the Golden Hawk community. You don’t have to do everything, but I encourage you to try anything, including accessing support from campus resources to help you live your best life at Laurier.
DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with any questions about #laurierlife.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who loves a good club event)
Dear Golden Hawk,
There are many opportunities to work and volunteer on campus. The Career Centre has an online resource called Navigator to help you find employment either on- or off-campus. If you’re looking to apply for on-campus positions, keep your eye on Navigator. You can also use Navigator to locate volunteer opportunities both on- and off-campus.
By using Navigator, I was able to apply to become a Peer Academic Coach with Laurier’s Student Success department. I have loved my time working with them, and getting the opportunity to support fellow golden hawks in a peer-to-peer environment! I have also held other on-campus roles like a dance instructor, and a teaching assistant. Working on- campus is a very unique opportunity, and I encourage you to explore the positions available on your campus.
Some of the more popular on-campus volunteer positions are working with the Students’ Union (sometimes referred to as SU) to provide various supports to students like a nightly walk-home service (Hawk Walk), or with emergency response at campus events (Emergency Response Team). The Students’ Union is a great place to start exploring volunteering on campus.
If you’re interested in finding even more volunteer positions than the ones listed on Navigator, have a peek at the SU website and consider joining clubs and/or associations offered by the Students’ Union that are of interest to you. While you may initially want to join as a general member, you can always enhance your on-campus involvement by attaining a leadership position later in your degree. This is a fantastic way to improve your CV and Experience Record during your time at Laurier. And remember, if there isn’t a club that adequately represents your interests, you can always sign up to start your own club through the Students’ Union.
Pro Tip: lots of clubs hire a first-year representative during the first few weeks of school. If there is a club of particular interest to you, this may be an opportunity for you to join the executive team!
That’s all for now! Can’t wait to see you working on campus soon, Golden Hawks!
Ella – Laurier 101 summer host (and on-campus employment expert)
Dear Golden Hawk,
Joining a campus club or association is a great way to start off your Laurier experience! The good news is that the Students’ Union is home to more than 300 clubs, so chances are that you’ll find a club that piques your interest.
To find out more about the clubs offered at Laurier, check out the Students’ Union website. Here you’ll find a variety of clubs and associations on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses, ranging from discipline- and faculty-specific to advocacy- and interest-based groups.
As a Laurier student, you can create clubs based on your interests. This means that you aren’t limited to the existing clubs on The Nest. If you feel that we need a cheese club on your campus (shoutout to the Laurier Brantford Cheese Enthusiasts!), I encourage you to apply to the Students’ Union to create a cheese club. Whatever floats your boat, go for it! Just make sure that your club adheres to the Students’ Union guidelines.
When it comes to choosing a club and/or association to join, it all boils down to you. What are your interests? What are your values? What drains you and what fills you up? During Orientation, you’ll have the chance to attend a Get Involved Fair, where you’ll learn more about the different clubs and associations on campus. You may feel the urge to sign up for all of them, but I encourage you to be selective so that you don’t overwhelm yourself with extracurriculars. You can always check out more clubs and associations throughout your time at Laurier; you don’t have to do everything in your first year, but it’s a good idea to be willing to try anything.
And remember, we want your Laurier experience to be the best it can possibly be, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more burning questions!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who is obsessed with the Brantford Cheese Enthusiasts)
Golden Tips
Dear Golden Hawk,
The feeling of homesickness is something that most (if not all) first-year students are familiar with. It is totally normal to miss home, but there are also ways of making Laurier feel a bit more like a second home. Check out my list of tips below to help you feel more at-home when you’re away from home:
- Get involved: There are so many ways to discover what you enjoy outside of classes, and joining a club is a great place to start. Whether you're exploring a new interest or diving deeper into something you already love, student groups can help you build connections and feel more adjusted to university life.
- Find your people: Getting involved will help with this. Step outside of your comfort zone, introduce yourself to your classmates, and you’ll soon find yourself part of a community.
- Set a routine: As hard as it is to keep to a schedule, following one will help you adjust to university life.
- Explore your campus and/or the city in which your campus is located: If you’re feeling brave, ask other first-year students to join you. Or better yet, if you have a class with a senior student, ask if they’ll be your guide.
- Give yourself permission to feel whatever you’re feeling: Don’t be too hard on yourself. Have some self-compassion.
- Don’t be afraid to check-in with home: A quick facetime with family or friends does wonders for me, and reminds me that even though I’m not physically at home, I still have the support of loved ones surrounding me. Just because you’re trying to adjust to university life doesn’t mean that you can’t call home weekly or even daily if you’re anything like I was during my first year at Laurier.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who still calls her family at least once a day)
Dear Golden Hawk,
If you feel like an imposter masquerading as an intellectual, you are not alone. Many students experience similar feelings and struggle to negotiate the difference between reality and the distorted fears of their inner critic.
Even after finishing my fourth year, I still have days when I feel like I don’t belong in academia. Fortunately, feelings are not always factual. Just because you feel like a fraud doesn’t mean that you are one. In fact, as Dr. Catherine Harmon notes in her TedTalk, you only become an imposter when you begin to act like one. In recent weeks I’ve had to remind myself daily to focus on what is rather than act on what ifs. To combat your inner critic, focus on facts (evidence of your intelligence, such as being in university to begin with!) rather than fiction (stories about your supposedly subpar intellect conjured by your inner critic). Keep a journal of your successes. Remind yourself daily of everything you’ve accomplished – and accomplished well. Call your critic out whenever it attempts to convince you of your so-called inadequacy. This will feel silly at first, but talking to your inner critic will prove helpful in overcoming debilitating self-doubt.
Always remember that you were chosen to be a part of the Golden Hawk family when you were admitted into your program. You belong at Laurier, my friend, and we’re so glad to have you here.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who belongs at Laurier, just as much as you do!)
Dear Golden Hawk,
Networking with professors is arguably one of the most important aspects of the university experience. You’ve likely heard this before, but I’m reiterating it now to give you a sense of the why behind the push for students to network with faculty.
1. Most graduate programs require a faculty reference letter.
If your professors don’t know you on a personal level, the letter they write for you will be generic and less likely to positively influence your admission to graduate school. (Yes, this is thinking ahead, but it’s important to remember as you progress through your undergraduate degree.)
2. You’ll develop interpersonal skills and professionalism.
Think of your professors as fountains of both academic and professional knowledge. Soak up what they have to offer you. Whether you decide to pursue a graduate degree or enter the labour force following graduation, you'll benefit from having cultivated relationships with your professors. (Sometimes knowing a professor is the difference between getting your dream job and not.)
3. You’ll open doors to new opportunities for learning.
When you develop relationships with your professors and show interest in their research, you may have the chance to work as a research assistant for them. Not only are opportunities such as this a great addition to your resumé, but they are also a chance to determine if research is of interest to you careerwise.
4. You’ll enjoy your courses more.
When you have initiative enough to introduce yourself to your professors and make them a part of your academic support network from the get-go, you’re guaranteed to enjoy your classes more.
I’ve only listed a few of the many benefits of networking with your professors, but I hope that you’ve at least gained a sense of why it’s so important to do so. Remember, your professors also enjoy getting to know their students, so these connections aren’t just a one-way road.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (Who found her future career path because she networked with a professor!)
Dear Golden Hawk,
As you continue in your transition to university, you may find yourself prioritizing self-care less and course work more. If you experience this shift in priorities, please know that you are not alone.
Unfortunately, too many students think that a commitment to academic success means less of a commitment to self. If they're anything like me, they feel guilty taking breaks and say “yes” to far too many extracurricular and academic activities to upgrade their skillset. The fact is that taking care of yourself is just as important to your academic success as studying is.
Fortunately, self-care can be fun and simple to implement in your daily life. Below, I’ve outlined seven self-care practices that will aid you in becoming your best self at Laurier.
- Set a routine and schedule time daily for self-care.
- Participate in activities you find relaxing (even if you’re not good at them).
- Ask for help as often as you need it.
- Feed your mind and body with nutrients.
- Stay active.
- Get a healthy amount of sleep each night.
- Tidy your room to reduce stress.
When you make self-care a non-negotiable part of your life, you’ll be better equipped to succeed not just in university, but well beyond it. Remember that you can’t pour from an empty cup, so give yourself permission to rest, reset, and recharge.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (Who thrives on at least eight hours of sleep each night)
Dear Golden Hawk,
Believe me when I say that I truly understand the fear of not making friends. Transitioning to university from high school is a big deal, and sometimes it can be difficult to navigate a new home while also navigating relationships with new people. First, know this: it’s okay to feel uncomfortable. In fact, stepping into the unknown often feels that way. But discomfort doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it means you’re growing. The connections will come, especially if you take small steps to put yourself out there.
- Attend as many Laurier101 events as you can before the start of fall term.
- Attend Orientation on your campus.
- Talk to your seatmates on the first day of classes ( trust me, it’s a game changer. This is how I met my roommates for second – fourth year!)
- Get involved!
There are many ways for you to get involved in the Golden Hawk community. You can join a Students’ Union club or association, get involved as a student volunteer (e.g., with Hawk Walk, the Food Bank, etc.), engage with programming in your residence community, and/or participate in events offered by the Laurier Off-Campus University Students (LOCUS) team if you are not living in a Laurier residence building.
It’s not about how much you do, it’s about taking that first step. The more you show up, the easier it becomes, and the more natural those friendships will feel over time!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (Who is so grateful she took the first step in saying hello to someone on the first day!)
Living On/Off Campus
Dear Golden Hawk,
If you are planning on living off-campus and are unsure of how to find housing, check out Places4Students. Here you will find rooms/houses for rent in the city nearest to your campus and information about other students seeking roommates. Facebook groups are also a great place to browse listings!
If you don’t know your roommates on day one of living off-campus, don’t worry! Students in residence don’t always know their roommates prior to move-in day either. You may find that you make friends during your first year who would like to room with you in their upper years, so the roommates you have during your first year at Laurier don’t necessarily have to be the roommates you stick with for your entire degree.
If you are not living in a Laurier residence building, you will automatically be enrolled in the Laurier Off-Campus University Students (LOCUS) program. Put simply, LOCUS is residence without the building. You have access to off-campus advisors (OCAs) to help you transition to university life, social and academic programming, and much more! You may find that the friends you make through LOCUS will be your roommates in your upper years at Laurier.
For more answers to your questions about becoming a Golden Hawk, DM us on Instagram, @laurierstudentsuccess.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who believes that you are going to find the best housemates ever!!)
Dear Golden Hawk,
If you opt to live off-campus during your first year, you will automatically be registered in the LOCUS (Laurier Off-Campus University Students) program. Whether you will be commuting or relocating to the city in which your home campus is located, you will be able to take part in a variety of academic and social events intended to help you make friends with other students from the class of 2030.
If you are a mature and/or transfer student entering your first year at Laurier, you will also be registered with LOCUS. Regardless of how many course credits you’ve earned at a previous institution, so long as you are not living in a Laurier residence, you’ll be eligible for LOCUS.
All LOCUS events are free of charge and are facilitated by off-campus advisors (OCAs). The goal of LOCUS is to give you the same first-year experiences as students living in residence, so you will have many opportunities to make friends with other first-years!
In fact, you might be surprised by how many students live off-campus during their first year at Laurier! I encourage you to strike up a conversation with your classmates during the first week of fall term. Chances are someone will either be or know a LOCUS student.
You are also welcome to participate in all campus events. Regardless of where you choose to live during your time at Laurier, you’re a valuable part of the Golden Hawk family, and we want to ensure that you feel included.
DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more questions!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and LOCUS’ biggest fan)
Dear Golden Hawk,
Depending on whether the kitchenette is in your apartment-style residence or on your floor in a dorm-style residence, the kitchen supplies you need to pack may vary.
For specifics about what kitchen supplies to pack, email brantfordresidence@wlu.ca (Brantford) or housing@wlu.ca (Waterloo). If you are living in an apartment-style residence, you will need to pack your own cookware, dishes, and cutlery for move-in day. Smaller appliances (e.g., toasters, microwaves, kettles, coffee makers) are also permitted. It is recommended that you have a conversation with your roommates on move-in day about who will supply each of the small kitchen appliances you’ll need (please note that you cannot use appliances outside of the kitchenette in your apartment). All appliances must be CSA/ULC approved. Check out the residence website for more information on what to pack for your kitchenette.
If you are living in a dorm-style residence on the Waterloo campus, you may have access to a small kitchenette on your floor. See this list of dormitory-style residences to find out if you have access to a kitchenette in your residence building. For specifics on what you’ll need to pack for the kitchenette on your floor, email residence@wlu.ca.
DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more questions.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who loved making microwave popcorn in her residence kitchenette)
Dear Golden Hawk,
The process of packing for residence can elicit a range of emotions: excitement at moving away from home, fear of not bringing the ‘right’ items, anticipation of meeting roommates, disbelief that ‘this’ is finally real.
Thankfully, to help ease any stress you’re feeling about what to pack, the Residence Office has put together a list of what you can and can’t bring with you on move-in day.
You are also welcome to bring decor to personalize your space. If you’re looking for Golden Hawk swag, check out the Hawk Shop website. Navigate to Classics, then Home & Dorm to find Laurier-branded items for your dorm room.
Email housing@wlu.ca (Waterloo) or brantfordresidence@wlu.ca (Brantford) with any other questions about residence. It’s also a good idea to read the Operations and Procedures for the Department of Residence before you move in so that there are no surprises on move-in day.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (Who’s theme was pink for everything in her residence room)
Dear (Milton) Golden Hawk,
As a commuter campus, all Milton students will automatically be enrolled in the Laurier Off-Campus University Students (LOCUS) program. The LOCUS program is designed to provide first-year students living off-campus with the same first-year experiences as students living in residence (think of it as residence without the building).
What this means is that you’ll be able to participate in academic and social programming with other first-year students on the Milton campus. This is a great opportunity for you to develop connections and friendships with other students in your cohort and get involved outside of your studies. University is all about getting the balance right between academics and extracurriculars, so make sure you take time to engage in fun activities with other students.
If you’re looking to enhance your leadership skills during your first year, consider joining the Milton Student Leadership Council through LOCUS. The Milton Student Leadership Council hosts monthly events for all first-year students and is run by a team of executives and representatives from the student body.
Please note that just because a position doesn’t align with your degree doesn’t mean you can’t apply for it. If you’re a psychology major and you want to try your hand at being an events executive, go for it. I find that doing extracurriculars that are unrelated to my degree usually makes them more enjoyable for me because it’s a break from routine and it’s an opportunity for me to expand my skillset and upgrade my resumé and CV.
On top of executive positions, there are two to three representative positions available for each program. Representatives support the Milton Student Leadership Council by offering insight into the sorts of programming that would best support their programs, respectively.
If you’re looking to get involved during your first year at Laurier Milton, I highly recommend applying to join the Milton Student Leadership Council and/or participating in the events organized and facilitated by the Council.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (Who is craving a snack from The Hungry Goose)
Navigating Campus
Dear Golden Hawk,
This is a question I’ve asked myself many times during my academic journey at Laurier, and the answer is always the same: 10 minutes seems like a short amount of time, but it’s never been too short that I haven’t made it to class on time.
If you’re worried about not making it to class on time, follow my step-by-step guide below to reduce your anxiety and feel confident when you step foot on campus in September.
1. Locate your lecture halls before the first day of classes.
To avoid a last-minute search for your classes, schedule time during Orientation to familiarize yourself with campus and walk the route(s) between your back-to-back classes. Upper-year students will be around to help you figure all of this out!
2. Pack a beverage and snacks.
To save time between classes, pack a beverage and snack ahead of time so that you can be sure to avoid any unexpected lineups at campus cafés. You can also get your snack before your first class and bring it to your second class.
3. Use the restroom prior to your first class starting.
This may seem intuitive, but trust me, it’s a must-do. I’ve had three back-to-back classes before, each in different locations on the Waterloo campus, and unless I used the restroom right before my first class started, it was a long haul.
4. Keep calm and carry on.
It’s cheesy, I know, but panicking is the last thing you want to do. Your professors understand that you might have a class right before theirs, so if you are delayed in getting to their class, it’s not a big deal. It can be hard to step into a lecture that has already started, but it is better than missing the class!
Again, there’s no need to stress about being late for a back-to-back class. Ten minutes is ample time to travel from one place on campus to the next on all three of Laurier’s undergraduate campuses. Lots of other students will be moving from class to class as well, so you won’t be alone. Follow my four tips, and you’ll be golden.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and cross-campus walking PRO)
Dear Golden Hawk,
It’s normal to experience feelings of nervousness when it comes to walking back to a place of residence or vehicle following an evening class. Fortunately, the Students’ Union offers a safe-walk program for students and staff so that you feel safe taking your evening courses.
Hawk Walk is run by student volunteers who operate in pairs to walk with Laurier students and staff. If you feel uncomfortable walking by yourself, connect with the Hawk Walk team. Two volunteers will meet you where you’re at, on- or off-campus, and will either walk with you or drive you in the Hawk Walk van to your desired location.
If you’re looking to get involved on-campus, you can also volunteer with the Hawk Walk team if you’re interested in doing so. This will allow you to help out other students who may also be nervous about walking late at night. Check out the Students’ Union website for more details.
If you are at any point concerned about your safety, contact the Special Constable Service (SCS) on your campus. Special Constables are civilians who have the legal authority to lay charges and make arrests on campus. They also conduct foot, bike, and vehicle patrols of campus to ensure your safety and are the first responders for any emergency situations on campus. Each constable is there for your safety and can help you out with any concerns you may have.
If you have not done so already, I encourage you to download the SAFEHawk Safety App. It’s free to download, and it’s a quick point of contact with SCS if you require assistance. It also sends your location to SCS when you request assistance. It has both a flashlight and a loud alarm to help ensure your safety no matter where you are.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who has the SAFEHawk App on the home screen of her phone)
t
Dear Golden Hawk,
The concern about getting lost on campus is something that many students struggle with. Many buildings have long names, and it can be hard to remember them all at first. I want to reassure you that all of those long names get a lot easier to remember the longer you are a student, and it is likely that many of them will hold meaning to you as you get to explore all of the awesome spaces Laurier has to offer.
For now, here’s how I’ve learned to overcome my fear of not finding my lecture halls on the first day of classes:
1. Find your lecture halls before the first day of classes.
If you have trouble finding your lecture halls and classrooms, you can always ask someone on campus! Senior students (like me!) don’t mind answering your questions, so feel free to stop us when we walk by. You can also ask an Orientation volunteer to show you around if you’re feeling any first-day jitters.
2. Get used to asking questions.
If you’re like me, you might worry about asking too many questions. As an incoming Golden Hawk, you’re entitled to ask as many questions as you have! All of the students you see on campus were once first-year students just like you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
3. Take time to explore campus during your first few weeks of classes.
If you don’t have time to explore all of campus before the first day of classes, don’t worry. Prioritize finding your classes for the term first, then explore the rest of campus when you have some down time during the first few weeks of classes. Check out the study spaces on your campus, the places you can eat between classes, the best spots to spend time with friends, and the resources your campus has to offer (Writing Services, Math and Course Support, Study Skills, Dean of Students’ Office, Accessible Learning, Academic Advising, Career Centre, Wellness Education, etc.).
Familiarizing yourself with campus resources from the get-go is a great strategy for success at Laurier. No matter where you’re at in your academic and social success, campus resources are there to help you upgrade your skills. Although it can be scary to talk to new people, Laurier’s services have amazing staff that would love to see you stop in and say hello.
Above all, remember that it is okay to get lost or to make a mistake. It is better to walk into a lecture late than not at all, and it is okay to realize you’re not in the right lecture and walk out. Your university experience is there for you, so make the most of it!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who still makes mistakes, and that’s okay!)
Places to Eat
Dear (Brantford) Golden Hawk,
Eating is, undoubtedly, one of the most important aspects of university life. I mean, without food, we wouldn’t have the energy to be our best selves – academically or socially!
Check out my recommendations list of on- and off-campus restaurants in Brantford to help get you started on finding your go-to places to eat:
(within walking distance)
- Friday Café (75 Dalhousie St.)
- Hudson Public (93 Dalhousie St.)
- The Chinese Sisters (120 Colborne St.)
- Lonnie’s on Market (42 Market St.)
- From Scratch (42 George St.)
- The Healthy Rabbit (105 Brant Ave.)
(within driving distance – note that your OneCard acts as a bus pass)
- Dairee Delite (10 King George Rd.)
- Sociable Kitchen (45 King George Rd.)
- Mercasa (195 Henry St.)
- Steve’s Tea Company & Tearoom (8-505 Park Rd. N.)
You can use your OneCard convenience dollars at the following restaurants, all of which are in downtown Brantford:
- The Works Burger Bistro (80 Dalhousie St.)
- Nine North Viet-Thai Cuisine (85 Dalhousie St.)
- Boston Pizza (50 Market St.)
- Sunset Grill (50 Market St.)
- Gino’s Pizza (63 Brant Ave.)
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who would eat at Nine North every day if she could)
Dear (Milton) Golden Hawk,
Let’s dive right in and talk about food. Yep, it seems random and maybe a little out of order considering this blog is supposed to be about university life, but to be fair, eating is a huge part of the university experience.
Knowing where to go for some quality grub will not only make your university experience more fun, but it will also enhance your confidence as you take time to explore the Milton area with your Golden Hawk friends.
Check out my list of restaurants below to get you started:
- Bistro on Main (164 Main Street East)
- Pizzaiolo (182 Main Street East)
- The Works (185 Main Street East)
- Coffee Culture Café and Eatery (265 Main Street East)
- Troy’s Diner (295 Main Street East)
- Shawarma Alley (295 Main Street East)
- East Side Mario’s (860 Main Street East)
The Laurier 101 team is always looking for more recommendations, so don’t hesitate to let us know what your go-to is!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who loves a good sandwich of any kind)
Dear (Waterloo) Golden Hawk,
Finding a go-to restaurant or café in a new city can be tricky, especially when you’re a food guru and have high expectations. (Believe me, I get it.)
To make your transition to Laurier and the Kitchener/Waterloo region easier, I’ve compiled a list of restaurant recommendations given my own personal testimony, and recommendations from fellow Laurier101 food connoisseurs!
If you’re looking for a restaurant within walking distance of campus (approximately 10-20 minutes one way), check out the following places:
- Kinton Ramen (31 King St. North)
- Daldongnae Korean BBQ (51 King St. North)
- Chungchun Rice Hot Dog (160 University Ave W)
- Chef on Call (130 Columbia St West #812)
- Poppy’s Bagel and Bakery (35 King St. North)
- The Sobo – Indian Street Food (308 King St. North Unit #115)
- Wildcraft Grill + Long Bar (425 King St. North)
- Mel’s Diner (140 University Ave. West, Waterloo University Plaza)
- Shinwa Asian Cuisine (160 University Ave. West, Waterloo University Plaza)
- D-Spot Dessert Café (14-160 University Ave. West, Waterloo University Plaza)
- Lazeez Shawarma (170 University Ave. West, Laurier University Plaza)
- Pür & Simple (2 King St. North)
- Ennio’s Pasta House (384 King St. North)
- East Side Mario’s (450 King St. North)
- Famoso Pizzeria (15 King St. South)
- Beertown (75 King St. South)
- Four All Ice Cream (75 King St. South) *Fully gluten-free facility!*
- Korner Kitchen (183 Weber St. North)
My personal favorite thing to do when exploring a new city is definitely checking out the unique or even comforting food options! From exploring new cultures or trying out new locations of my beloved home city restaurants, there’s certainly something for everyone. These locations are definitely amongst the top rankings in my books, and definitely have amazing food and are well worth the walk (or bus ride).
If you don’t like any of the above options, you can always hop on a bus and try some other restaurants/cafés, such as the following:
- Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St., Kitchener) *Interactive tables are a must try*
- Smile Tiger Coffee (100 Ahrens St. West, Kitchener)
And of course, there are many places to eat on campus, some of which accept meal plan flex dollars. If you can’t pay with your meal plan flex dollars at a spot you’d like to eat at, you can always use your OneCard convenience dollars instead.
For a full list of food places available on campus, see the OneCard website. Wilf’s, especially, is a favorite among many Golden Hawks – you’ve gotta try the spin-dip!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who should be sponsored by Korner Kitchen at this point)
Dear Golden Hawk,
There’s nothing more comforting than having a ‘regular’ order at an on-campus café during the busiest seasons of the academic year. For me, this is an iced coffee and a blueberry muffin from Franks on the Waterloo campus. Tea lattés at The Belmont and scones are my preferred treat if I ever find myself on the Brantford campus. Whatever your cup of tea is, having a go-to order can be a lifesaver when school gets the busiest.
Check out the go-to orders of other Laurier101 staff for more recommendations:
Waterloo campus
📍1st Floor Fred Nichols Campus Centre
- Seagram wrap
- Honey garlic sauced and tossed chicken tenders
Byte 75 Coffee & Social
📍 52 University Ave W Lazaridis Hall
- Iced Vanilla Latte
- Grilled Cheese (my FAVOURITE!!!!)
- Fresh soup of the day
Brantford campus
📍 One Market, 1 Market St
- BLT sandwich
- Veggie wrap
- Strawberry Danish
- White chocolate cookie
Golden Grounds
📍RCW, 154 Dalhousie St
- French vanilla
- Hot chocolate
- Bagel with cream cheese
Milton Campus
📍555 Industrial Drive
- Veggie samosas
- Pink lemonade
- Iced mango matcha latte
The spin dip at Wilf’s and The Belmont is also a must-try! The naan vs. tortilla chips debate has been a topic of conversation for the Laurier101 team on many occasions. At this point, we are split 50/50 - but I will ride the all chips train for the rest of my life. You’ll have to try the spin dip yourself and weigh in with your opinion!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who suggests you swap the BBQ ranch for the dill ranch in your next Seagram wrap at Wilfs)
Staying Golden
Dear Golden Hawk,
I know it may not seem like it, but trust me, you have accomplished so much already! You’re bound to experience academic, professional, and personal successes during your time at Laurier. It’s important to celebrate them – big or small!
If you’re not sure what constitutes a victory, check out my list of ideas below:
- Receiving a higher-than-expected grade on a midterm or essay.
- Studying for a specified period of time without getting distracted.
- Advocating for yourself with professionalism when you’re unhappy with a grade.
- Completing and submitting an assignment on time.
- Attending a lecture instead of sleeping in.
- Getting offered your dream student job.
- Participating in a workshop series offered at Laurier.
- Networking with a potential future employer.
- Making it through a tough day (Yes – this counts too!)
Whenever you have success – even if you think it’s minor - take time to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. If food motivates you, have a treat nearby and reward yourself with some of it when you accomplish something you set out to do. If you enjoy running, go for a run when you achieve a goal.
The important thing is that you don’t forget to balance your reward system with your need to get work done. In other words, don’t spend more time rewarding yourself than doing your schoolwork.
That said, even if you have other course work you could be doing, remember that you need to acknowledge your successes by taking breaks and treating yourself. Trust me, it’ll make a world of difference to your university experience if you celebrate your victories. You’ve got this, Golden Hawk!
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who’s current small wins are answering your questions through these blog posts!)
tDear Golden Hawk,
Self-awareness is a powerful tool for success in university and beyond. Not only will it aid you in determining which study habits and learning styles best suit your needs, but it will also enhance your understanding of you - what makes you tick, what doesn’t, and how to negotiate between the two.
Self-awareness is having insight into yourself – your thoughts, emotions, values, beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, limitations, and goals. It sounds intuitive but can be harder than expected!
Here is an example of self-awareness in practice: If you’re self-aware, you’ll realize that the anger you direct at your roommate for not keeping your dorm tidy stems from the stress you’re feeling because of midterms and not actually because your dorm is untidy.
Self-aware students typically have a growth mindset, which means that they adapt after experiencing setbacks. In other words, they don’t allow their setbacks to keep them down. They get back up, dust themselves off, and try to determine what went wrong so that they can make improvements.
Having a growth mindset is crucial to success in academia. There may be times when you receive a mark lower than you anticipated on an assignment, or when you feel let down by your performance on a midterm. By having a growth mindset and recognizing that trials are opportunities for growth, you'll thrive at Laurier.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who tries to remember that setbacks are what help us learn and grow)
Dear Golden Hawk,
The transition from high school to university is often overwhelming. This is a totally normal feeling – we've all been there! It’s important to have something in your back pocket to help you through these instances of stress or overwhelm. It’s important to practice self-compassion as you journey through your first term at Laurier and beyond. Simply put, self-compassion is a combination of self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity (Neff, 2003).
- Self-kindness: Grant yourself the same grace you would extend to others. Rather than beating yourself up for ‘missing the mark’, assure yourself that perfection is unattainable, and that you shouldn’t waste time or energy striving for it.
- Mindfulness: Reflect on the emotions you’re feeling without ruminating on the negative ones. Ask yourself why you’re feeling negative emotions, choose to accept them, and then implement a growth mindset to overcome them.
- Common humanity: Understand that your experience at of university is a shared experience. You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Other students – senior students included – feel overwhelmed at times, too.
It’s easy to talk about self-compassion but practicing it can be much more challenging. What you need to understand is that setbacks are a vital part of your undergraduate experience. Without them, you wouldn’t grow as a student or as a person. As such, it’s essential for you to practice self-compassion as you navigate whatever bumps in the road you encounter.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who still needs to be reminded to have self-compassion at times)
References
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032
Dear Younger Me (and incoming Golden Hawks!),
Forget about memorizing every fact and perfecting every paper. Focus less on making the grade and more on enjoying the learning process. You will never know all the answers, but asking questions is a good place to start. Prioritize clarity and concision in writing over verbosity and academic speak. Draw on your knowledge when writing papers and contributing to class discussions. (Enrich your schoolwork with your cultural perspective.) Break down large tasks into small, doable goals (e.g., write 100 words each day for a 1,500-word paper). Ask for help. Repeatedly. Almost every day. Connect with your professors and ask them about their research. (Doing so may just earn you a research assistantship.) Verbalize your thoughts during class discussions. (You’re shy, yes, but you’ve got a bold intellectual inside you. Give yourself free reign). Take electives unrelated to your major and don’t be afraid to change your major after exploring other options. Volunteer in your community. Attend workshops on professionalization and network-building at the Career Centre. Find your writing space. (I bet you can guess what it involves: a latte, a blanket, and a cozy chair.) Become a peer academic coach. (No, really, become a Peer Academic Coach. You’ll love it). Demonstrate self-compassion. Persevere. Find that balance between academics and your personal life. Make a schedule and stick to it. Remember that you’ve got this.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who wishes her first-year self could see her now!)
Dear Golden Hawk,
If you aren’t always able to afford groceries, don’t worry! There are resources on campus to ensure that you receive the food support you need.
1. The Food BankThe Students’ Union operates a Food Bank on Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses, through which you can collect up to five parcels of food and hygiene items per term.
Parcels generally contain enough food to last for a week, and most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
2. Emergency Food Support
If you require emergency food support, contact the Dean of Students’ Office to learn more about Laurier’s emergency food support program.
The Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG) provides free groceries and essentials (e.g., hygiene items, cleaning products, school supplies) to those of you who are experiencing food insecurity.
4. The Free Store
For free household items, check out the Free Store on your campus! The Free Store is run by the Dean of Students’ Office, in partnership with the Sustainability Office, to both equip students with much-needed resources and reduce waste going to landfills.
5. The Mini Market
Located at the bottom of King Street Residence (on the Waterloo campus), the mini market offers a sliding scale market of various produce, grains and other food items. Take what you need, and pay what you can without any judgement or questioning.
6. Grocery Store Discounts
It’s also a good idea to scan weekly flyers for deals, use coupons when possible, and price-compare as much as you can to save money on your groceries. Some grocery stores offer a student discount (often 10%) on certain days of the week, as well.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier101 Summer Host (who has a points card for every Waterloo grocery store)
University Academics
Dear Golden Hawk,
To help you avoid the initial uncertainty of how to communicate with professors, follow my guide below:
- Refer to your professors as Dr., Instructor, or Professor unless they state otherwise.
- Maintain a professional and respectful tone both over email and in-person.
- Use clear and concise subject lines when emailing your professors (Make sure you include your course code in your subject line!).
- Open your email with an appropriate salutation (e.g., “Hello,” rather than “Hey!”).
- Include a courteous statement at the start of your email (e.g., “I hope you’re well”).
- Dive right into the purpose of your email (i.e., be concise and to the point).
- Always indicate what you have already attempted to do to resolve the problem.
- Conclude by thanking your professors for their time and assistance.
- Let them know who is writing to them (include your full name and student number at the end of your email).
Recognize that you may need to wait a few days before you receive an answer via email. Although some professors respond immediately, others are bogged down by emails from their colleagues and students from their other courses, so be patient and take steps to consider identifying a solution to your concern in the meantime.
Even if you’re not sending an email and you just want to connect with a professor before or after class, always keep in mind that a professional and respectful tone can go a long way in getting you the support you need. Attending office hours is a fantastic way to get one-on-one support, and it’s also an opportunity to build connections with faculty who would perhaps be willing to act as a reference for you in future years.
Although it may seem scary at first, communicating with professors is definitely worth it in the long run. For more tips and tricks on communicating with professors via email, or in-person, have a look at this resource from Writing Services.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who loves the courteous statement “I hope you are enjoying the sunny weather!” when spring rolls around)
Dear Golden Hawk,
When you registered for courses, you may have noticed that you have a lot of ‘free time’ on your schedule. This is because most of your learning occurs independently in university, so what looks like free time is actually space for you to complete weekly course tasks.
Even though a lot of your learning will occur outside of the classroom, it’s still important to attend each of your lectures so that you don’t miss out on the information your professors share. During lectures, your professors will go over your course readings for the week and provide you with key knowledge on the course subject. (In other words, don’t skip or you’ll miss out on learning what you need to know.)
Lectures typically have one of three formats: three 50-minute, two 80-minute or one 170-minute session(s) per course per week. If your lecture has a required lab or tutorial component, the amount of time you spend in lecture may be shorter than it is for your courses without a lab or tutorial (you may have a 120-minute lecture paired with a 50-minute tutorial, for example).
Sometimes your lectures will be interactive, and you’ll have the opportunity to share your thoughts on the topic being discussed; other times, your lectures will be more traditional, with your professor covering ground in the syllabus and ensuring that you’re equipped with the knowledge you need to succeed in all your course assessments.
We generally encourage students to devote as much time to school as you would for a full-time job (40 hours/week, 8 hours/course), then take time to get involved on campus, spend time with family and friends, and practice self-care. Remember that balance is key.
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (who’s preferred course format is two 80-minute lectures per week)
Dear Golden Hawk,
To prevent falling behind in your classes, start course readings and assignments early in the term. In other words, don’t put off starting your independent work until the second or third week of school. (By that time, you’ll likely already be gearing up for midterms.) Get your head in the game early on, and you’ll be golden.
If you do fall behind in your courses, check out my list of tips below for catching up:
- Create realistic daily, weekly, and monthly schedules and stick to them.
- Write out all your deadlines and put them into your calendar or planner so you can visualize your workload ahead of time.
- Prioritize what needs to be done now (e.g., this week’s readings on which your professor is planning on quizzing you) and what can be done later. (Note that this could get tricky if your course is scaffolded, and you need to know content from a prior week in order to understand this week’s content.)
- Reflect on your study habits and modify what’s not working.
- Book an appointment with a learning consultant or peer academic coach for help with upgrading your time management and study skills.
- Attend your professors’ office hours to let them know where you’re at in each of your courses and to access additional support if required.
- Build a support network with friends, family, support services at Laurier, and faculty. (Attending office hours will help you with this.)
- Prioritize your wellness.
Remember that you have access to ample support services at Laurier. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! You can do this, my friends :).
Stay Golden,
Ella – Laurier 101 Summer Host (and believer that a focused day can get you back on track!)
Dear Golden Hawk,
You are definitely not alone. In fact, many students dislike a course at some point in their university career. Even I have had a few courses where the content was not for me, but the important thing to remember is that the feeling is temporary. (Note: If you dislike all of your courses, connect with Academic Advising.) The good news is that, if you are enrolled in the right program for you, you’ll still enjoy most courses you take at Laurier.
If you dislike a course, don’t despair! Instead, try to find an area or theme from that course that interests you and, if possible, focus your assignments on that topic. Many first-year required courses lay the groundwork for upper-year courses, so try to see the bigger picture. Even if the content isn’t your favorite, the habits and skills you build, like discipline and critical thinking, will benefit you in the long run.
Here’s an example of what this looks like in practice: I disliked one of my first-year requirements so much that I dreaded attending the twice-a-week class. But when it came time to write my final paper for the course, I focused on one topic we’d discussed in detail that was of interest to me and ended up loving writing my essay!
The moral of the story? Finding and focusing on what you do enjoy in a course you dislike can make all the difference. You’ve got this!
Stay Golden,
Ella - Laurier101 Summer Host (who did in fact make it through the course she didn’t like despite feeling like they would never end)
Dear Golden Hawk,
As hard as it can be to force yourself to take breaks, you need to give your mind and body a rest. The moral of the story is that taking breaks isn’t bad. In fact, it’s a necessary component of university life. If your brain isn’t recharged regularly, it’ll most definitely run out of juice. Think of your phone after using it for a full day. The battery will eventually hit zero if you’re not careful. The same is true of your brain. It needs juice to function well, and taking breaks will help to restock that juice.
Here’s a (doable) list of tips to help you overcome those feelings of guilt:
- Schedule time for you, just as you would schedule time for assignments (hey, if it’s on the schedule, you’ve got to make time for it).
- Think of areas in your academics that would benefit from greater efficiency (and work to be more efficient in those areas so that you have more time for you).
- Attend workshops offered by Wellness Education to help you understand the importance of your wellbeing and how to sustain it.
Stay Golden,
Ella - Laurier101 Summer Host (who likes to spend her breaks watching an episode of a sitcom)
Dear Golden Hawk,
It can be difficult to focus on schoolwork when all you want to do is curl up with a blanket while sipping on a pumpkin spice latte and binge-watching your favourite T.V. show. I get it. I really do.
Unfortunately, your assignments can’t always wait. With deadlines looming and Reading Week on the horizon, maintaining focus on your schoolwork is a must-do. But how do you focus when your mind is travelling in 100 directions simultaneously, you’re tired, and the cliffhanger ending of that last episode of your binge-worthy T.V. show is driving you crazy?
My answer to this question is annoyingly simple: just do it. I’m not trying to go Nike mode on you, but the reality is that you have to choose to focus in order to focus well. The hardest part is getting started, but once you do, the rest often becomes much more manageable. Open the textbook. Write the title of the assignment. Read just one paragraph. It’s not about tackling the entire task all at once. It’s about building momentum, one small action at a time.
Choose to put yourself in the right environment. That might mean studying somewhere other than your bed tempting as it is—unless you’re one of those ultra-disciplined people who can somehow stay on task in their room. It could also mean hiding your phone or even giving it to a friend to hold onto for a bit. Then, take that small first action. You’ll be surprised how often that leads to the next step… and the next
Focus isn’t just something that magically happens, it’s a decision you make, moment by moment. And when you frame it that way, it becomes a lot more doable. Can Grey’s Anatomy wait? Yep. Can an essay that’s worth 25 percent of your grade and is due at the end of the week? Definitely not.
You’ve got this! Just take that first step
Stay Golden,
Ella - Laurier101 Summer Host (who knows that studying in her bed will result in nap time, not productivity)