We can’t wait to get to know you! Let’s meet up each morning before the sessions start so you can make friends with other first-year students and get prepared for a great day.

Let’s get ready to transition to university learning. Attend this session to find out the main differences between secondary school and university. Plus, learn ways to manage independence and what it takes to succeed inside and outside the lecture hall.

Note-taking 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. Dr. Krista Howarth from the Faculty of Science will lead a mock lecture on the topic: “Can exercise help improve your grades?” This is a great way to start practicing and developing your skills before classes start in the fall.

Time management is key in achieving your goals in university and beyond. Join this session to discuss how you can manage your short-term and long-term goals by staying motivated and avoiding procrastination. Plus, learn some practical tips to manage your time so you can find time for fun, too.

Academic writing in university is different than in high school. Come to this workshop to learn the requirements and expectations for university-level writing. Learn how to craft a thesis statement, structure an argument and write clearly and concisely. We’ll also talk about finding and integrating sources.

You probably know about the structure of paragraphs, and you might even have practice with integrating sources, but how do experienced academic writers actually write? How do they get through long papers? Join us for a discussion with two upper-year students to talk about the reality of academic writing in Humanities and Social Sciences. There will be short presentations and time to ask questions.

You probably know about the structure of paragraphs, and you might even have practice with integrating sources, but how do experienced academic writers actually write? How do they get through long papers? Join us for a discussion with two upper-year students to talk about the reality of academic writing in STEM. There will be short presentations and time to ask questions.

Have people told you that exams in university can be difficult? Well, there are strategies that can help you prepare. Most students find that they need to change the way they study, since university assessments test much more than your memory. Come to this session to learn how to move from passive to active studying. Find out how to make content memorable, find connections and make the most of your studying time.

Are you nervous about working with others on group projects in university? Don’t worry! Come to this session to learn strategies for effective communication and collaboration techniques. Discover practical tools that will ensure your group succeeds.

Will you be writing your first university lab report in the fall? Don’t worry! Come to this workshop to get a sense of the overall structure of lab reports and the writing skills you’ll need to succeed.

Let’s be honest, browsing websites and reading to learn about campus services isn’t the most fun way to discover your support network at McMaster. Come to the Student Services Open House to meet the people behind the services and explore how you can get support during your time at Mac. Swipe your student card at each booth to get points for your chance to win Mac swag, t-shirts and campus store gift cards. You can track your points on the Presence app.

Faced with piles of textbook readings and journal articles throughout the semester, you’ll need effective ways to stay on top of course content. Come to this workshop to learn strategies for reading faster and more efficiently. Get the most out of each reading while saving time for other assignments, studying and fun.

Join administrators for a panel discussion and live Q&A session where they’ll discuss how McMaster is prepared to help your student thrive in university. We invite you to share your questions and comments when you register.

Parents and family members of international students are encouraged to attend this session.

There are many resources at McMaster to help you finance your education, in addition to your personal and family contributions. Join this session to learn about government aid, scholarships, bursaries and campus work opportunities. Our financial experts will share the many resources available at McMaster to help you along the way.