Experience Guide
Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.
Year-to-Year Experience Guides
The following is a year-to-year outline of the kinds of experiences that work well with your program.
While your Laurier experience will look different in a remote environment, many of the experiences below are being offered virtually. The links below will be updated as virtual offerings are confirmed.
- English Eng Click this tab to view content pertaining to English
- Film Studies Film Click this tab to view content pertaining to Film Studies
- Graduate Grad Click this tab to view content pertaining to Graduate
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take English courses to learn key concepts associated with analysis, elements of literary interpretations, academic and research skills, and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Attend the Meet the Prof Night and get to know your professors.
- Take the Intro to Academic Writing course.
- Consider completing spring/summer courses to get ahead in your studies.
- Live in the Film and Media Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Explore a variety of critical approaches by taking varied courses and ensure you are meeting your category requirements.
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Consider the Creative Writing concentration.
- Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
- Consider registering in a course with a Community Service-Learning component to apply your learning outside of the classroom.
- Take courses in writing, literary theory, British literary tradition, contemporary American literature, Canadian literature, world literatures, genres, special topics or authors as you refine your conceptual, reading and writing skills.
- Explore the option to combine your degree with a diploma in Writing for Film, Television and Games at the Vancouver Film School.
Final Year
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in English.
- Complete seminar courses to build reading, analytical, writing, research, presentation and communication skills.
- Participate in class discussions, deliver oral presentations and conference-style papers on specialized research topics.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Attend a departmental information session.
- Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
- Consider a special invitation for high-achieving students to complete one course in the English master's program.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the English Students’ Association (ESA), Arts Undergraduate Society or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
Middle Years
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Contribute to the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts (LUJA).
- Consider a student representative position on the department or faculty committee or with the Library Council.
- Apply to work as a tutor in the Writing & Learning Lab.
- Attend the What Can You Do With An English Degree series.
- Meet the Edna Staebler Writer-in-Residence.
- Participate in faculty- and student-led creative writing/literary events.
- Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Become an editor or other staff member for the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts (LUJA).
- Take advantage of the Edna Staebler Writer-in-Residence program and refine your writing skills through events, lectures, workshops and one-on-one meetings with established authors.
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Study abroad for an academic term in your third year.
- Consider enrolling in a language course.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities
First Year
- Take Film Studies courses and explore other programs of interest.
- Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
- Attend the Undergraduate Film Symposium.
- Meet with your academic advisor for details about the Vancouver Film School Pathway Program.
- Live in the Film and Media Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
- Earn the Writing Certificate.
Middle Years
- Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
- Attend the Vancouver Film School Pathway program.
- Submit your academic work to the Laurier Undergraduate Journal of the Arts for a chance to be published.
- Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
Final Year
- Submit your work to Film Matters, a magazine for undergraduate film scholars.
- Attend the Society for Cinema and Media Studies undergraduate conference.
- Present at the Undergraduate Film Symposium.
- Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
- Consider the directed study or graduate course option for fourth year.
- Talk to your professors and visit the Career Centre.
- Sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop or book a writing consultation for help with your funding proposals.
Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience
First Year
- Attend O-Week events.
- Join student clubs such as the WLU Film Society, Arts Undergraduate Society, or a special interest club. Or create your own!
- Participate in events and skills-based workshops with your residence or off-campus LOCUS community.
- Explore your interests by volunteering on campus with Accessible Learning's Note-taking Program, Laurier International, Wellness Education, the Sustainability Office and more.
- Join intramural sports or sport clubs, participate in recreational activities and attend varsity games.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils, House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
Middle Years
- Look for volunteer cast and crew opportunities on local productions.
- Share your music taste as a DJ on Radio Laurier.
- Be a student representative on the Film Studies Advisory Group.
- Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
- Get involved with the Grand River Film Festival.
- Learn to write articles, draw illustrations or take photographs with Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord.
Final Year
- Apply for an executive/coordinator position with a student club or committee.
- Volunteer with the Grand River Film Festival.
- Participate in Sandbox workshops and attend the Entrepreneur Speaker series.
- Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to launch an innovative new venture.
- Share your Laurier experience with prospective students at open house events.
Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective
First Year
- Get involved with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you.
- Complete the Intercultural Certificate with Laurier International.
- Engage in training on consent, bystander intervention and disclosure provided through Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention Support.
Middle Years
- Study abroad for an academic term in your third year.
- Consider enrolling in a language course.
- Gather for Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
- Become a Global Engagement Student Ambassador.
- Complete the Diversity Certificate.
Final Year
- Participate in Indigenous Education Week.
- Consider the Alternative Reading Week Trip with Habitat for Humanity.
- Earn your Certificate in Accessibility with Accessible Learning.
Your graduate degree at Laurier will take you in many different directions and prepare you to be a leader in both your field and community. Your Laurier experience includes many opportunities to engage both in and outside the classroom.
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies provides academic leadership, administrative support and program advice to all graduate students. There are also scholarships and financial awards, fellowships and other teaching and research assistantship positions that you can access during your time at Laurier.
Graduate students gain knowledge about professional skill development through Laurier’s ASPIRE program. This program provides a framework for you to design an extracurricular learning plan for navigating your professional journey and entry to the workplace. There are also teaching certificates, career development workshops and other skill development opportunities.
The Graduate Students’ Association provides many services and supports with a focus on wellness. They provide various opportunities to be involved and contribute to the Laurier community.
The Laurier graduate school experience is more than research and scholarship – it’s about becoming an engaged citizen and applying your advanced knowledge to real-world problems.
Checklists
Completing the checklists below will also help ensure your academic, professional, and personal success during your time at Laurier – and beyond.
Academic Success Checklist
- Plan for a successful degree path by meeting with your academic advisor and reviewing your progression requirements on MyDegree.
- Visit your professors during office hours.
- Discover the Library – librarians can help you find and evaluate scholarly information for your assignments.
- Complete the Academic Integrity module in MyLearningSpace.
- Utilize the Online Assignment Planner.
- Book a career consulting appointment to explore career options.
- Complete the Student Awards scholarship and bursary applications on LORIS.
- Access the Wellness Centre for emotional, mental and physical health services.
- Visit the Writing & Learning Lab to further enhance your writing, develop learning skills to become a better student and learn how to be successful with difficult courses.
- Attend the Further Education Fair to learn about postgraduate programs.
- Apply to graduate and attend convocation to celebrate your success.
Experience Checklist
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Foot Patrol, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed in the Career Centre.
- Apply for on-campus jobs (e.g., Library, writing tutor, Athletics and Recreation, Wilf's, Residence, Bookstore, and more).
- Enhance your money management skills and confidence by completing the Money Management Certificate.
- Attend the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Earn your Career Development Certificate.
- Create a profile on Ten Thousand Coffees to connect with Laurier alumni.
- Earn the Wellness Education Certificate.
- Learn to think like an entrepreneur and be a changemaker through opportunities with the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation.
- Feed your curiosity and ideas through exploration in Laurier’s makerspaces.
- Reflect on your co-curricular experiences for your Laurier Experience Record.
- Network with alumni at career events to gain insight into possible career paths.
- Apply to jobs through Navigator for summer, part-time or full-time work after graduation.
Career Opportunities
When you're ready to start thinking about your life after graduation, you should check out the career and postgraduate options for people with degrees in English or Film Studies.