Taking Flight: Your Guide to Becoming a Golden Hawk

My name is Grace, and I am a Laurier 101 Summer Host. I support incoming undergraduate students in transitioning to university by answering questions about life as a Golden Hawk.

Think of me as your one-on-one coach. DM @laurierstudentsuccess on Instagram with questions for me to answer, and I’ll get back to you by writing a blog about whatever it is that you’re wondering so that you feel confident when you step foot on campus in September. Stay Golden!

Getting Involved

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 250 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 Nest. 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.

(Note that new club registration is closed for fall 2024, but you can always create new clubs during your senior years at Laurier!)

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,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

Dear Golden Hawk,

Firstly, I want you to know that those feelings of nervousness are experienced by many first-year university students. I'm a fourth-year student, 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:

Book an appointment with a peer mentor or consultant from Student Success 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.

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!).

During the Get Involved Fair at Orientation you’ll have the opportunity to explore all the clubs and associations on your campus. You might be tempted to sign up for as many as you can, but I urge you not to sign up for everything. When I was in my third year, I made the mistake of signing up for way too many extracurriculars. The result wasn’t great – I ended up really burnt out, and I struggled to succeed in my courses.

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.

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 it is doable 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,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

Dear (Milton) Golden Hawk,

How excited are you to be part of Laurier Milton’s inaugural cohort of students? Not only are you making Laurier history as we speak (what an opportunity to flex!), but you’re also laying the foundation of the Milton student experience for all Golden Hawks who study there in the future (way to go, trailblazers!).

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.

There is one spot available for each of the following executive positions: Council Chair, Marketing and Communications Executive, and Events Executive.

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.

There are two to three representative positions available for both psychology and computer science students. Representatives support the Milton Student Leadership Council by offering insight into the sorts of programming that would best support psychology and computer science students, 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.

DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with any questions about #laurierlife.

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

Grace's Golden Tips

Dear Golden Hawk,

At Laurier we believe all students can achieve academic success with the proper supports in place. Students with disabilities (or suspected disabilities) who register with Accessible Learning prior to the start of the academic term can recieve accommodations for key academic deliverables (e.g., midterm exams, in-class tests, assignments, etc.). 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 as soon as possible and before the start of the Fall term so that you can receive the support you need to thrive throughout the academic year. If you are beginning your studies at Laurier in the Winter or Spring terms, register before the start date of your first term to ensure that the Accessible Learning team has adequate time to arrange your accommodation(s).

To register with Accessible Learning, follow the steps outlined on their webpage. It’s best to register sooner rather than later, as Accessible Learning doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have the accommodation(s) you need in place if you register after the term has commenced.

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.

Examples of academic accommodations include:

Classroom Accommodations
1. Audio-recorded lectures
2. Notetaking
3. Extended time on assignments
4. Participation
5. Presentations

Exam Accommodations
1. Extended time for exams
2. Memory aid
3. Reader
4. Scribe

If you do not have a disability or a suspected disability but are interested in getting involved with Accessible Learning, consider becoming a peer support volunteer or notetaker for the students in your classes who require support with notetaking.

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.

DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more burning questions!

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

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.

Plan to attend all 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.

Locate the lecture halls in which you have classes.

Even if you haven’t 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.

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.

Determine your preferred note-taking method.

It’s a good idea to identify a note-taking method that works best for you 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 still need to decide ahead of time if you’re going to bring a notebook or laptop with you on the first day.

Prioritize self-care.

As you navigate your first day of university life, remember to take care of yourself. You’ve made it so far this summer, and you should be proud of yourself for successfully preparing for university!

Remember to have fun.

University is an opportunity for both academic and personal growth. It’s hard to grow as both an individual and student if you don’t enjoy the experience. So, be kind to yourself, be adventurous, and, as always, stay golden!

Make sure you DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more questions!

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

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. 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.

Here’s what a ‘typical’ daily schedule looks like for me:

6:30 a.m. – Wake up & get ready

7:30 a.m. – Eat breakfast and schedule my day

8:30 a.m. – Attend lectures

11:20 a.m. – Eat lunch and go for a walk

Noon – Go over course readings or study for upcoming assessments

3 p.m. – Grab tea and a snack from a campus coffee shop with a friend

Pro-Tip: Schedule time for socialization and self-care. While your academics are important, your social and emotional well-being are also priorities.

4 p.m. – Work on writing assignments

Pro-Tip: Find the time of day when you’re most productive and dedicate that time to working on course assignments.

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. – Finish any tasks I planned on finishing earlier in the day but didn’t complete

Pro-Tip: Remember to set realistic goals for yourself. I’ve fallen into the trap of expecting too much of myself far too many times, and the result is always burnout and exhaustion. Even if some days aren’t your best days, accomplishing something is a success.

8:30 p.m. – Call a friend (or talk to a friend if they live with you)

9 p.m. – Read for pleasure or watch a movie

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. You’ve got this!

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

Living On/Off Campus

Navigating Campus

Staying Golden

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. It’s not easy, and I’m not going to pretend that it is, but when push comes to shove, you have to choose to set aside distractions (mentally and physically) and focus on the task at hand.

So what does this look like in action? For starters, study in a space that is minimally distracting (in other words, don’t study in your room unless you’re one of those ultra disciplined people who can somehow stay on task in their room). Hide your phone, or better yet, hand it over to a trusted friend to keep for you until you’ve accomplished what you planned on accomplishing in your study session. Count to three and then (forcibly) redirect your thoughts to your course readings or an assignment that’s due at midnight (remember to prioritize what needs to get done now rather than prioritizing what can wait).

I could keep giving you suggestions on how best to stay on task, but I think you get the point. It’s really not about doing any particular thing; it’s about choosing to get work done in a timely and efficient manner. You have to make the choice. 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? Nope. Priorities, my friend. Think about priorities.

Stay Golden,

Grace - Laurier 101 Summer Host

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!).

Check out this resource for more information on developing effective subject lines.

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.

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, get in contact with Writing Services.

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

Dear Golden Hawk,

We've all been there! Did you know there's actually a department on campus dedicated to helping you discover what study skills work best for you? I recommend booking an appointment with a Peer Academic Coach or Learning Consultant if you want to beef up your study skills! You can also attend an ASk Workshop to get started too!

While we're here, though, check out my list of study strategies below that I've developed throughout my studies to help get you started:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Count to three.

If you want to complete a task you’ve been procrastinating on, count down from three and force yourself to start.

Start early and just start.

Getting over the initial hump of starting can be challenging, but it’s a must-do to be productive.

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.

Rewrite your notes.

Rewrite your notes repeatedly until you can write them without looking at the original copy.

Other study strategies include elaboration, concrete examples, retrieval practice, dual coding, and interleaving.

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

You hungry?

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 from other Laurier 101 Summer Hosts.

If you’re looking for a restaurant within walking distance of campus (approximately 10-20 minutes one way), check out the following places:

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)
Champa Kitchen (21 King St. North)
Philthy Philly’s (247 King St. North)
Ennio’s Pasta House (384 King St. North)
Famoso Pizzeria (15 King St. South)
Beertown (75 King St. South)
Four All Ice Cream (75 King St. South)
Korner Kitchen (183 Weber St. North)

Although I’m no expert on cuisine in Waterloo, my fellow Laurier101 Summer Hosts assure me that these restaurants 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:

East Side Mario’s (450 King St. North)
Graffiti Market (137 Glasgow St., Kitchener)
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 on campus, you may be able to use your OneCard convenience dollars instead.

For a full list of food places available on campus, see the OneCard website. Veritas and Wilf’s, especially, are favourites among many Golden Hawks – you’ve gotta try the spin-dip at Wilf’s!

DM our Instagram account, @laurierstudentsuccess, with more questions!

Stay Golden,

Grace – Laurier 101 Summer Host

Taking Flight: Your Guide to Becoming a Golden Hawk

Getting Involved

Q: What if I want to join a campus club? How do I choose which one(s) to join?

Q: I’m nervous about balancing my course load with extracurriculars. Is it possible for me to succeed in my courses and get involved?

Q: I'm attending the Milton campus, how do I get involved?

Grace's Golden Tips

Q: I had an IEP in high school. Is there a way for me to continue receiving that support once I start at Laurier?

Q: What if I have trouble making friends?

Q: How do I manage my first day jitters?

Q: Where can I buy Laurier gear?

Q: What does a day in the life of a Golden Hawk look like?

Q: What advice would you give your younger self based on what you now know about university?

Living On/Off Campus

Q: I'm living off-campus. Can I still participate in campus events? How will I make friends?

Q: What should I pack for residence?

Navigating Campus

Q: I have 10 minutes to travel across campus between classes. What if I don’t make it to my second class on time?

Q: I have a class that finishes after 7 p.m., but I’m nervous to walk back to my residence, apartment, vehicle, etc. alone. What should I do?

Q: What if I can’t find my lecture halls on the first day? What if I get lost on campus?

Staying Golden

Q: What is self-awareness, and how will it help me succeed at Laurier?

Q: I'm homesick. What can I do?

Q: What do I do if I can't afford groceries?

Q: I'm having trouble staying focused on school tasks. What should I do?

University Academics

Q: What are lectures like?

Q: How do I talk to my profs?

Q: I'm not enjoying class, but it's a requirement for my program. What should I do?

Q: My study strategies from highschool aren't cutting it, what do you recommend?

*NEW* Q: I don’t feel smart enough to be here. What should I do?

*NEW* Q: What should I do if I fall behind in my courses?

You hungry?

Q: What are the best places to eat in Brantford?

Q: Where do you recommend eating out in the Milton area?

Q: What are the best places to eat in Waterloo?

Q: What is the best order at the on-campus restaurants?