Experience Guide

Be Inspired: Maximize Your Academic Opportunities

First Year

• Take the two required Psychology courses and explore other programs of interest if you are in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Psychology program.
• Take the Foundations for Community Engagement and Service course if you are in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Psychology program or if you plan to take an upper-level course with a Community Service-Learning component.
• Learn about co-op – apply at the end of your first year.
• Review your program requirements and plan for a successful degree path.
• Plan for any requirements needed to participate in the Community Service-Learning (CSL) component in upper-level courses (e.g., police checks).

Middle Years

• Meet with your academic advisor to make key academic decisions.
• Choose the Comprehensive or Research Specialist stream.
• Explore courses in related areas of study and begin thinking about a minor or an option to complement your degree.
• Consider taking social entrepreneurship or entrepreneurship courses.
• Attend the annual thesis poster presentations in the spring and look at student projects.
• Register for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Subject or General Test after researching if it is required for graduate programs you are considering.
• Approach a faculty member to supervise your thesis project if you plan to do an honours thesis.
• Consider taking a capstone course in Applied Community Research.

Final Year

• Learn about Research Assistantship opportunities in Psychology.
• Enrol in directed studies courses to gain research experience or to complete an undergraduate thesis.
• Attend the Ontario Psychology Undergraduate Thesis Conference.
• Thinking of pursuing graduate school?
  • 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 proposals.
• Submit your academic work to Mind Pad for a chance to be published.

Be Involved: Explore Work, Volunteer and Leadership Experience

First Year

• Join student clubs such as the Psychology Society, Faculty of Science Students’ Association (FOSSA), Society for Undergraduate Research and Outreach (SURO) or a special interest club. Or create your own!
• Participate in residence leadership opportunities or LOCUS events.
• Volunteer in a research lab.
• Contribute to Laurier’s weekly newspaper, The Cord, or submit a creative piece to Blueprint Magazine.
• Explore your interests by volunteering on campus (e.g., Sustainability Office, Schlegel Centre's Innovation Squad, peer programs, Students' Union and more).
• Join intramural sports or participate in recreational activities.
• Live in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.

Middle Years

• Be a note taker through the Accessible Learning Centre.
• Volunteer to be an O-Week Icebreaker and welcome incoming first years.
• Connect with local organizations to learn about volunteer opportunities.
• Register for courses with a Community Service-Learning (CSL) component.
• Seek part-time job opportunities such as Laurier’s Work-Study Program.
• Look for student representative positions on departmental committees.
• Look into the LaunchPad program for the opportunity to discover, validate and launch an innovative new venture.

Final Year

• Apply for an executive position in an on-campus club.
• Attend the Career and Job Fairs to network with employers.
• Join the Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) and/or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) as a student member.
• Volunteer to be part of ongoing research in a professor's research program.

Be Engaged: Broaden Your Perspective

First Year

• Visit the Diversity and Equity Office and become a member of the student service provider groups.
• Visit Laurier International to learn about international options available to you to enrich your university experience.
• Complete the Intercultural Effectiveness Certificate to build your intercultural competence and global perspective.

Middle Years

• Study abroad for an academic term.
• Consider enrolling in a language course.
• Visit Laurier International’s Global Kitchen or Soup Tuesday at the Indigenous Student Centre.
• Consider the Alternative Reading Week trip with Habitat for Humanity.
• Attend the Library Learning Commons Culture Series.

Final Year

• Complete the Diversity Certificate.
• Consider attending the Ashoka U Exchange.

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.