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.

Explore the concept of wellness as you prepare for your transition to university life. Join a health promoter from McMaster’s Student Wellness Centre to discover the array of health and wellness resources available. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the essential ingredients for your own personal recipe for wellness. Together, we will reflect on various approaches to support your well-being during your time at Mac.

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.

Join Ariel Stables-Kennedy the First Year Librarian to learn about academic research and citation best practices, the value of academic integrity, and what it looks like in practice! Learn how to create credible work you can be proud of and discover the resources available to help you!

Team up with fellow incoming students in this fun and interactive virtual scavenger hunt! This is designed to help you explore key campus resources, student supports and helpful tools for your university journey. Track down virtual clues, and learn about services that are available to support you, with some friendly competition.

We all know that tuition and life can be expensive for students. Not only are you starting a new academic experience, but many of you will also be managing your own money for the first time. The goal of this workshop is to inspire your financial well-being. We will do some self-reflection about this responsibility and discuss strategies such as goal-setting, budgeting, minimizing debt, saving tips, tax benefits and getting the most out of your tuition. We will tell you all about Mac’s Money Centre and leave you with some great resources and actionable items.

Upper year students invite you to “ask us anything”! These panelists will share their secrets to success and answer your questions about SAS and supports available to students with disabilities.

What matters most to you and how does that shape the decisions you make every day as a student? This reflective and practical workshop is designed to help university students uncover your core personal values and understand how those values influence academic and life choices. You’ll explore how values drive your motivation, priorities, and definition of success. Learn how to set SMART goals that are rooted in your values, making your academic and personal goals more meaningful and sustainable! Leave with greater clarity, direction, and a plan to move forward with purpose.

This interactive workshop series is designed to empower incoming students by introducing lecture notetaking strategies and assistive technologies that support diverse ways of learning. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, 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 and clarity.

This interactive workshop series is designed to empower incoming students by introducing time management strategies and assistive technologies that support diverse ways of learning.
In Part 1 of this 2-part series, 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 and clarity.

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.