Join the MacStart team and your fellow incoming classmates for a fun and relaxing evening where you will have the opportunity to meet the MacStart team, get to know each other, and learn more about the weeks ahead.

This workshop empowers you to take charge of your learning by mastering the art of asking clear questions. Using the Right Question Institute’s simple but powerful process, you’ll learn how to turn confusion into clarity by creating and choosing effective questions. Through hands‑on activities, you’ll practice identifying what matters most to you, communicating confidently with professors, and advocating for yourself in academic settings!

Upper year students with disabilities invite you to “ask us anything”!
These panelists will share their secrets to success in university, answer your questions about what it is like using academic accommodations, and share about the supports they have used at McMaster!

In this session, you’ll learn about alternative format textbooks, accessible library materials, and the many resources that Library Accessibility Services provides to support you. We’ll show you how to request what you need, who’s eligible, what’s available for both research and fun reading, and where to find welcoming study spaces on campus.

Join Student Accessibility Services for an online webinar designed for parents and supporters of students with disabilities! Gain valuable insight into your new role, learn about practical tips and essential campus resources that are available to support your students’ successful transition into McMaster. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our staff to ask questions and receive guidance and encouragement.

This interactive workshop will teach you lecture notetaking strategies and assistive technologies that support your unique way of learning! Participants will explore the purpose of notetaking and learn practical strategies for preparing, capturing, and making sense of class content. Whether you’re new to lecture notetaking or looking to build on your strengths, this workshop will help you start your post-secondary journey with confidence!

This interactive workshop will teach you time management strategies and assistive technologies that support the unique way you learn! Participants will explore the purpose of time management and learn practical strategies for overcoming executive function challenges, including planning, organizing, and prioritizing tasks effectively. Whether you’re new to using time management strategies or looking to build on your strengths, this workshop will help you start your post-secondary journey with confidence!

Procrastination affects us all, and it can be a challenging cycle to break. As a student, your to-do lists can feel never-ending and just the thought of locking in can be exhausting. Join us for Command Your Calendar to break the cycle and make a plan to stay on track with your academics! Command Your Calendar is about building practical systems and habits that reduce stress and help you feel in control — with help from some tools and resources recommended by our writing and academic skills experts.

Your syllabus is basically a success guide hiding in plain sight! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use the syllabus to uncover what professors really expect, how to spot the most important details quickly, and figure out how to stay ahead of deadlines before they sneak up on you. By the end, you’ll feel confident navigating any syllabus and using it to stay organized, prepared, and in ready to succeed this term!

Wrap up your MacStart journey and get ready to turn the page to an exciting new chapter! This session is your chance to reflect on what you’ve learned, ask questions about what to expect in residence, and get a sneak peek at what Welcome Week has in store.

Did your high school teachers warn you that university professors are scary? Not sure if you should buy textbooks? Join this session to get insider insights from professors, students, and academic advisors at McMaster to have some common academic myths dispelled!

What does it mean to be a university learner and set yourself up for success? Attend this session to explore differences between high school and university, manage independence and learn what it takes to succeed inside and outside the lecture hall.

Have you transferred to McMaster from another university? Will September be the first time you’ve been to McMaster’s campus? Do you have questions about transfer credits? Join this webinar to learn about orientation programs that are available for transfer students, how transfer credits work, tips to help you discover what McMaster has to offer, and resources that can support you throughout your first year here.

The one thing you’ll hear the most from upper-year students is that they wish they knew how to manage their time, stop procrastinating and find a balance earlier. In this session, our experts will share proven ways to get it all done and have time left for fun!

Feeling overwhelmed about balancing school and your well-being? Join this session to learn more about all the campus resources to support your wellness on campus!

Notetaking might be a new skill for you — and that’s okay. Come to this session to learn different note-taking strategies for university and how to use your notes while studying and reviewing content. This is always one of the most popular sessions. We will be joined by a McMaster professor who will be doing a mock lecture, so students can practice note-taking methods.

Not sure if you qualify for academic accommodations? You’re not alone. This workshop unpacks what Student Accessibility Services provides, what qualifies as a “disability”, what types of accommodations are available, and how to register. Whether you had an IEP in high school, or are still figuring things out, this session is for you! We’re here to help answer your questions and provide a path forward to support your success.

As a student preparing to come to university, you probably have a lot of questions. What is an academic advisor, and how can they help? How is my GPA calculated? Who can help me study better? Join a panel of academic support staff from across campus to learn where and who to turn to for help during the year.

Come learn about how to meet university expectations for university writing. Experts from the Library and Writing and Academic Skills will guide you through finding and evaluating scholarly work, incorporating and properly citing sources, and making the best use of research and writing resources at McMaster.

What if I’m not smart enough? What if I don’t make new friends? What if my cover is blown? Together, we will explore strategies to navigate common doubts and fears you may have about surviving and thriving at McMaster. This workshop will be a space where folks are encouraged to be vulnerable and discover tangible ways to build community, overcome imposter syndrome and embrace uncertainty.

Join this webinar to learn how the Student Success Centre’s employment and experiential opportunities can enhance your academic journey through work-integrated learning opportunities (paid and volunteer), career exploration activities and more. These experiences will help you learn and develop in-demand skills that employers value.

Starting university as a varsity student-athlete? This session is for you! Get tips on balancing school and sport, meet the team that’s here to support you, and connect with fellow Marauders who know what it’s like to compete and succeed at Mac.

Creating a functional student budget can empower you to navigate the financial challenges of student life successfully. Join us to learn more about how to begin building toward financial independence in your undergraduate journey.

Not sure what Welcome Week is and if you should go? Don’t know what to bring to your first day of classes? Join this session led by upper-year students at McMaster to find out what helped them in their first month of being on campus!