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Skills Development

Skills Development

  1. Home
  2. Academic Skills
  3. Skills Development

When it comes to developing your academic skills, you may not know where to start. You may also need help identifying which skills you need to work on. Our skills development workshops, services and resources can help you work toward academic success.

This page will help you:

  • Get motivated
  • Invest in your skills
  • Improve your academics

Get adjusted to university academics

Getting adjusted to the university learning environment can take some time, as class participation, studying, assignments and the feedback process may be different than what you’re used to. This may be especially true if you’re coming from high school. However, we can help you build your academic skills so that your transition is as smooth as possible.

Academic Prep Series (first-year students)

Our online academic program for first-year students will launch in July as a six-week program. Participate in mock lectures, chat with upper-year students, attend webinars and more.

Get online started

 

Summer Writing Program (first-year students)

Develop your writing skills this summer and get familiar with one of McMaster’s online learning platforms, Avenue to Learn, before classes begin.

Get online started

Online learning

For online courses, we can help you adopt new strategies and develop your academic skills so you can succeed in an online learning environment.

Get online learning support

Invest in your academic skills

By taking the time to invest in yourself and your academic skills, you’ll improve your confidence and grow to become a better learner. Our workshops and services can help you improve the skills you need to succeed at university.

Workshops

If you need help with skills development, our academic skills team offers workshops to help you improve specific skills, including:

  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Note-taking
  • Test-taking
  • Study strategies
  • Time management
  • Overcoming procrastination
  • Being an online learner
  • And more
View Winter 2021 workshops
Register on OSCARplus

Virtual study sessions

Attend a virtual study session to learn and practice active studying strategies, either individually or with a small group. Throughout the year, we’re offering both general and course-specific sessions. To view upcoming sessions and register, go to OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Events.

Register on OSCARplus

Academic Skills Animated Series

Even if you’re an A+ student, you can benefit from learning new tips, tricks and strategies for writing, reading, communicating and managing your time! Check out the Academic Skills Animated Series get started and learn how our team can help.

Videos

  • Introduction to Academic Skills
  • Note-Taking
  • Academic Writing

English-language learning

If you’re an undergraduate or graduate student seeking English language support, the McMaster Office for the Development of English Language Learners (MODEL) is a free service that can help you develop skills.

English-language training and workshops

Get English-language support from experts who are certified in English as a second language (ESL) and English for academic purposes (EAP). MODEL offers workshops on the following subjects:

  • Writing, speech, reading and listening
  • Interacting with students, instructors and teaching assistants (TAs)
  • Understanding assignments, studying and taking tests
  • Adjusting to Canadian culture and dealing with culture/language-induced stress and anxiety

One-on-one advising

Check in with a student advisor who has ESL and counselling training to discuss your personal, social and academic concerns.

Language assessments

Take a language assessment to learn how you can improve, figure out what type of support would benefit you and create a customized action plan.

Learn about MODEL

Skills development support

You may want to improve your academic performance, but you may feel unsure which skills you should work on to achieve this goal. These resources and services can help you get started and point you in the right direction to meet your skills development goals.

One-on-one appointments

If you’re seeking personalized support, book a one-on-one appointment with our academic skills experts. We can help you identify which skills you need to develop to succeed in university. Then, we can help you create an action plan by connecting you with strategies, services and resources to support your skills development.

Academic coaching

Academic coaching appointments are 30 minutes long, and you can book as many appointments as you need in a semester. At this time, all appointments will take place online using Zoom. After you register on OSCARplus, you will receive a link to connect with your session.

Learn more
Book an appointment

Writing advising

Writing advising appointments are 50 minutes long, and you can book up to 10 appointments each term. At this time, all appointments will take place online using Zoom. After you register on OSCARplus, you will receive a link to connect with your session.

Learn more
Book an appointment

Library resources

If you want to improve your research, information management skills or media skills, the library can help. Some valuable library resources that can help you with skills development include:

  • Research consultations: Meet with an information expert who can help you with research questions, keyword selection, search strategies, databases, citations and more.
  • Media help services: Learn how to use media creation tools, specifically software (i.e. audio, video or photo editing programs) and technology (i.e. cameras). These services are offered through Lyons New Media Centre.
Access library services

Academic advising (Faculty-specific)

If you need help developing program-specific skills, meet with an academic advisor from your Faculty to discuss program requirements and get advice on skills development. Academic advisors can also support you if you need to add or drop a course.

Learn more

Digital Skills Series

We partnered with Lyons New Media Centre to create a Digital Skills Series for students and recent grads. This series introduces some multimedia basics and how these can be used in both professional and academic settings.

Episodes include:

  • How to take LinkedIn headshots with your smartphone
  • 45 second photo editing challenge
  • Transform your resume with Word
  • Logo design with Adobe Illustrator
  • How to take better video with a mobile phone
  • Video pre-production tips
Watch the series

 

Academic Skills Animated Series: Introduction to Academic Skills

Watch Academic Skills Animated Series: Introduction to Academic Skills on Youtube.

Recommended reading

Person typing at a laptop with a notebook to their right side.

Student Success Centre responds to Fall Experience Survey with resources and supports for instructors

Feb 9

Building on the results of the MacPherson Fall Experience Report, released in November 2020, the SSC’s academic skills team has responded with expanded online resources and services, individualized peer-to-peer support, and creative solutions to help staff and faculty connect students with further supports.

Journey

Tory Dockree

Being an online learner

Welcome to the final Monday Blog and the final week of the Academic Skills Prep Series! September is quickly approaching, and with it comes the beginning of classes. As many of you may know, the upcoming term is going to take place online. While this will likely be a new experience for many of you, know that the skills you have developed during in-person classes are going to help you be a successful online learner.

Read the Journey about Being an online learner
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Student Success Centre

Location Details

GH 110, 1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Contact Information

Phone: 905-525-9140 Ext. 24254
Email: studentsuccess@mcmaster.ca

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