Transitioning to university-style learning can be a big change for some students. Whether you are coming directly from high school, transferring from another college or university or getting back to academics after some time off, studying in university may be different than your previous experiences.
Laurier 101 is a program that provides content to you and your supporters to prepare you for the time you’ll spend at Laurier both inside and outside of the classroom.
Get started with Laurier 101 by selecting your start date below:
WLIC is your undergraduate pathway to Wilfrid Laurier University.
The WLIC incoming student support guide will provide you with the information you need to be prepared for university studies and have a smooth transition to Laurier.
Remember, you are in control of your own academic success. Making smart academic decisions like attending all of your classes, completing all assignments (on time) and taking advantage of campus resources is up to you! But… you are not alone.
From homework help for your calculus course, to supplemental instruction for Biology, Business or Chemistry, or working with a time management coach to develop a weekly study schedule, our Student Success Services are ready to help you with your transition to university.
Getting a strong start in your first term can set you on the path to success for all of your years at Laurier.
Your first term can sometimes be a little rocky as you adjust to university-style learning. Don’t get discouraged if you are finding that things are not going as smoothly as you had hoped. Check out some of the tips below to find out what you can expect for your first term at Laurier.
Log in to MyLearningSpace on your first day of classes to access your course syllabi and find out everything you need to know (and do) for your classes this term.
Explore the campus to find study spaces, ways to connect, and department locations and contacts.
Review campus resources. Get to know your wellness, student success and student affairs teams.
Explore extracurricular opportunities and reach out to campus clubs and student associations.
Don't forget to attend your classes! The first day is an important time to meet your professors, and to learn about course resources and plan for the term.
Review your course outlines (again) and make sure you are logging in to MyLearningSpace daily.
Create a term schedule that include all due dates, test dates, activities, work or volunteer time etc.
Be sure to leave room in your schedule for breaks and down time as well and remember – staying caught up is easier than playing catch-up!
Practice your note taking skills and review your study habits to see what works best for each course.
Make an appointment with a First Year Coach or Time Management expert if you are feeling overwhelmed and need help planning out your time.
Take advantage of the many academic resources available to you – the strongest students are the ones that ask for help early and often!
Regular review is an important part of learning in university but can be challenging to fit in to an already busy schedule.
Take time to assess your study habits to ensure they are working for you. Make an appointment with a Learning Strategist using the Student Success Portal.
Avoid cramming whenever possible! Using Effective Study Strategies throughout the term can help you stay on top of your course work so you feel more prepared for your first set up final exams.
Seek help if you need it! Ask your Professor, TA, an Academic Advisor, the Student Wellness Centre, the Dean of Students’ office, or your First Year Coach! We are all here to help you!
There are many academic supports and services to help in your transition to your new Laurier learning environment.
If you're looking for assistance in Preparing for Calculus courses at Laurier, check out the Laurier TriAGe program offered this summer and fall!
TriAGe is a non-credit course designed to help you prepare for an entry-level university calculus course by reinforcing fundamental skills in Trigonometry, Algebra, and Geometry.
If you have a documented disability that requires academic accommodations, review the GOAL: Golden Hawk's Orientation to Accessible Learning program information.
Register early with the Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) team to ensure your accomodations are in place for September.
The ALC will be available for consultations and appointments for registered students both in-person and remotely.
The Academic Preparation Certificate is your chance to get a head start on preparing for courses. Through a combination of modules and activities you will be encouraged to think about your current study habits and how well they fit with a university learning environment.
The certificate can be completed all at once or over a series of visits and can usually be completed in under three hours giving you lots of flexibility.
The certificate is set up as a ‘course’ on MyLearningSpace which also gives you a chance to explore Laurier’s learning management system before your course content is available.
When you successfully complete all of the certificate activities you can add the accomplishment to your Laurier Experience Record.
The Student Success Portal is your home for booking time with our student success team. Whether you are looking for a one-on-one writing appointment or want to attend a virtual study skills workshop you will find a variety of resources when you log in to the portal.
Our study skills teams are here to help you assess your study skills and habits and help you upgrade your study strategies when needed. From time management and exam prep to note-taking and reading strategies we can help you stay on track and avoid procrastination when the term gets busy.
With peer tutors and professional writing consultants offering individual appointments as well as general writing workshops, the writing services team aims to help you develop your writing skills and prepare for course writing assignments. You can visit them to help you get started, get feedback before submitting and assignment or book a time to review a past writing assignment to you grow as a writer.
If you are taking a math or quantitative course (like economics or computer science) we encourage you to check out the resources available through Mathematics and Statistics Learning Support (MaSt). With peer-led homework help, directed study sessions, mock and exams, one-on-one appointments, and group mentoring, the MaSt team is busy making sure you have all the support your need to be successful in your courses
First Year Academic Coaches offer peer-to-peer support to help you navigate the transition to university.
Our coaching team is made up of successful senior students that want to help you get off to a good start. Connect with a coach to help you build a study schedule, discuss note-taking methods, learn effective study strategies and more.
Coaches are available for one-on-one appointments and host workshops on popular study topics. Your coaches can be found in residence or hanging with your LOCUS community, so don’t be shy to ask about what works for them and how they survived first year!
The First-Year Career Development Certificate Program is currently not offering any sessions. The program is typically offered in the summer months. Check back for future offerings.
Join your classmates to learn about career planning, resumé writing, job search opportunities and more in a small group workshop setting over the summer. Led by a career consultant, these session hope to leave you motivated and hopeful about your career options while also introducing you to all that the Career Centre has to offer.
Limited space is available. Contact Susan Malcolm, Career Consultsant, at smalcolm@wlu.ca to register.
