Discover resources curated by SSC experts
We review our resources each term to make sure you have access to the most accurate and relevant information and support possible. All our resources are designed to meet accessibility standards.
Tools
Your skills are essential to your personal, professional and academic growth throughout university and beyond. Use this tool to find out if you’re on track to succeed at university based on your skills and habits. The Learning Skills Inventory is based on key academic skills assessments used at post-secondary institutions across the country. The SSC academic skills team refers to these skills in their one-on-one coaching with students and skills development programming.
Chances are, you’ve probably taken an online quiz to find out which Harry Potter character you are, which dog breed represents you or which Fall beverage fits your personality. Well, the Student Success Quiz is a bit different — but it’s just as short and easy to complete. Take the Student Success Quiz to check in with yourself and find out how you can improve in your academic, personal and professional life. Then, review specific strategies to help you meet your specific goals, courtesy of Student Success Centre experts.
Tip sheets
Explore more tip sheets on the McMaster University Library’s Research Guides database (LibGuides), listed under “Academic Skills (Student Success Centre).”
Academic Skills Animated Series
Introduction to Academic Skills
Note-Taking
Academic Writing
Procrastination
Online Learning
Tools
A career isn’t something you find — it’s something you develop and manage over time. The Career Planning Notebook can help you work your way through this process. Based on our career development model, this notebook will guide you to…
- Reflect on your interests and identify your personal skills.
- Explore your career and education options.
- Connect with people and opportunities.
- Develop skills and gain experience.
In addition to expert advice, student experiences and valuable resources, the Career Planning Notebook contains customizable year-by-year plans so you can track your progress, stay motivated and check things off as you go — because we know how satisfying that can be!
Big Interview is a comprehensive interview practice tool that will help you build confidence and develop your interviewing skills. Choose from a large database of interview questions to create your own practice sets that fit with the opportunity, occupation or interview type you’re preparing for. Take advantage of Big Interview to prepare for work interviews, professional school interviews, clubs, volunteer opportunities and more.
What’s in the cards for your career? Narrowing down your career options isn’t always as easy as matching your interests to a career. Don’t worry — the Digital Challenge Cards tool is a career assessment that can help you discover and consider your career options based on what has purpose and meaning for you. All you have to do is think about which challenges you want to explore.
Tip sheets
- Create Your Side Gig (PDF)
- Experience Building: Career Conversations (PDF)
- Experience Building: Career Treks (PDF)
- Experience Building: Find Opportunities on OSCARplus (PDF)
- Experience Building: Getting Involved (PDF)
- Experience Building: Get Involved and Get Experience (PDF)
- Experience Building: OSCARplus (PDF)
- Experience Building: Working Virtually (PDF)
- Finding Volunteer Experience for Medical School (PDF)
- Operate and Promote a Successful Side Gig (PDF)
- Volunteer Applications: Police Checks (PDF)
- Volunteering on Campus (PDF)
- Volunteer: Places of Interest (PDF)
- Why Volunteer? (PDF)
- Why Volunteer Online? (PDF)
- Applicant Tracking Systems (PDF)
- Cover Letter Tips (PDF)
- How to Prepare for a Company Information Session (PDF)
- Interview Workbook (PDF)
- Job Searching for Remote Work (PDF)
- Job Search Strategies (PDF)
- Job Search Weekly Schedule (PDF)
- Networking and Elevator Pitch Workbook (PDF)
- Networking and Informational Interviews (PDF)
- Part-Time Job Search Tips (PDF)
- Resume Sample (PDF)
- Resume Tips (PDF)
- Resume Workbook (PDF)
- Salary Negotiation Tips (PDF)
- Summer Job Search Tips (PDF)
- Top 10 LinkedIn Tips (PDF)
- Virtual Career Fair Prep (PDF)
- Virtual Interview Tips (PDF)
- Virtual Job Search (PDF)
Digital Skills Series
Transform Your Resume with Word
A partnership with Lyons New Media Centre
How to Take LinkedIn Head Shots with Your Smartphone
A partnership with Lyons New Media Centre
Design a Logo in Adobe Illustrator
A partnership with Lyons New Media Centre
Video Pre-Production Tips
A partnership with Lyons New Media Centre
How to Edit Videos with Adobe Premiere
A partnership with Lyons New Media Centre
45-Second Photo Editing Challenge
A partnership with Lyons New Media Centre
Mac’s Money Centre is a wealth of financial knowledge
You’re going to have money questions in university and beyond. Visit Mac’s Money Centre to get the information and guidance you need to start building a foundation for your financial wellness. Your future self will thank you. Plus, you’ll find that money management isn’t as scary or challenging as it might seem, and financial concepts like investing, taxes and credit aren’t so complicated.
Go to Mac’s Money Centre for information on…
- Paying for school
- Budgeting (and sticking to it)
- Saving and investing
- Big financial decisions (buying a car, home and more)
- Credit and debt
- Taxes (fear April no more!)
- Life after mac (job offers, pay cheques, insurance and more)
- Money psychology (curious about your money personality?)
- The list continues…
Financial management is about more than using spreadsheets — although we have those, too. At Mac’s Money Centre, you’ll find informative pages, blogs, videos, interactive resources and more.
Mac's Money Show
Money and Food
Featuring Chef Leigh Laidlaw and Liana Bontempo, McMaster University Hospitality Services, and Jennifer Chan, student and #HamOnt food Instagrammer (@jenlovesham)
Money and Confidence
Featuring stnce, an organization that inspires women to confidently take ownership of their finances
Money and Fashion
Featuring Emily Hynes, events and marketing associate and Simran Gill (@intosimscloset), recent McMaster Communications and CCE Marketing graduate
Money and Entertainment
Featuring Scott Robinson, former MSU vice president of finance
Money and Travel
Featuring Liz Enriquez from Ambitious Adulting and Sam Bhuvanendrarajah, registered nurse
Student Questions
Featuring questions from McMaster students
Planned Happenstance: Global Opportunities
Kathlyn's exchange in Autstralia
Get to know Kathlyn Bequilla as she recounts her experiences at the University of Adelaide in Australia for the full year.
Kayleigh's exchange in the Netherlands
Get to know Kayleigh Oliver as she recounts her experiences at Tilburg University in the Netherlands during the winter term.
Ariana's exchange in France
Get to know Ariana Hurley as she recounts her experiences at the Grenoble Institute of Technology in France during the winter term.
Momina's exchange in Germany
Get to know Momina Qureshi as she recounts her experiences at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany during the winter term.
Emerson's exchange in Spain
Get to know Emerson Amorim as he recounts his experiences at the University of Barcelona in Spain during the winter term.
Tip sheets
- Canadian Workplace Culture (PDF)
- Canadian Workplace Rules (PDF)
- Career Treks (PDF)
- Value of Volunteering (PDF)
- Volunteer Requirements and Opportunities (PDF)
iCent: An app just for international students
All new and returning international students must sign up for the iCent app. This ensures that we have the proper information to support you and help you make the most of your time at McMaster.
How it works
- Download the iCent app (available at the Apple Store and Google Play Store). If you’re unable to download the app, visit the iCent web version.
- Select “Canada” as your institution country.
- Select “McMaster Undergrad Programs” as your institution name.
- Follow the “email and PIN” button.
- Enter your McMaster (@mcmaster.ca) email ID. You will receive an email with a secured PIN to log in.
- Enter the secured PIN and go to “continue.”
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“Self-talk (a poem inverse)” (2022 Academic Skills Writing Contest)
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In-person exams aren’t as scary as you think
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