Get the one-on-one support you need this year

Off-campus students

Archway is a program that supports all off-campus first-year students at McMaster.

• Microsoft Teams: You can message your Archway mentor on Teams at any time to chat.
• Scheduled one-on-one chat: You can set up a time for a one-on-one chat (in person or virtual) with your Archway mentor.

If you aren’t sure who your Archway mentor is, You can email archway@mcmaster.ca if you need help connecting with your Archway mentor.

On-campus (residence) students

Residence Life: On-campus students, your Residence Life community advisor is here to support you. You can contact them throughout the year in person or through MS Teams.

• Success coaching: Moving to a new country can be exciting, but it can also leave you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. Our one-on-one success coaching appointments can help you find answers so you feel confident and ready to explore McMaster.
• International Student Buddy Program: To help you get settled and overcome any barriers in your first-year transition, you’ll be paired with an upper-year mentor who can give you advice and welcome you to McMaster. Email iss@mcmaster.ca for more information.
• In-person drop-ins (no appointment needed):
  • Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET (MUSC B118 )

• Academic peer mentoring (30 minutes): Our academic peer mentors are upper-year students who are trained to help you develop skills in areas such as note-taking, studying, test-taking, time management, creating study schedules, goal setting and more.
• Academic coaching (50 minutes): Meet with a staff member with an extensive educational background. Coaches take a collaborative approach to supporting you to meet your academic needs.
• Writing advising (50 minutes): Our certified writing advisors are trained graduate and upper-year undergraduate students who can help during any stage of the writing process. You can book up to 10 appointments each term.
• Writing drop ins: Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET (Mills Library L215)

Support is available for new students with accessibility questions. Get navigation guidance and help in registering for accommodations through Student Accessibility Services.

Book a Transition Support appointment using Microsoft bookings.

Email sastransition@mcmaster.ca to connect with the transition program coordinator.

The Spiritual Care and Learning Centre (SCLC) is a multicultural network of community leaders and groups working in collaboration to provide spiritual care services. At the SCLC, we value each individual as a person (mind, body and spirit) deserving of love and care. We acknowledge the importance of community in our daily lives and the significant role it plays in our larger sense of identity, whether that identity is religious, secular, spiritual or otherwise.

If you’re in need of guidance, support or community related to spiritual care, the SCLC leaders are here to help! You can book one-on-one appointments with the leaders by email.

• Virtual drop-ins (15 minutes): Get quick answers to your questions about careers, job searching, further education and more. Access the virtual drop-ins on the Brazen platform. 
• In-person drop-ins (20 minutes): Visit us in the Student Success Centre in Gilmour Hall 110 to ask questions and discover resources. Check in at the front desk. 
  • Tuesdays, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET (GH 110)
  • Thursdays, 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. ET (GH 110)
• Career counselling: Meet with supportive and collaborative counsellors who can help you make career, education and life decisions.
• Career Access Professional Services (CAPS): These services are for students and alumni who identify as a member of an equity-deserving group or have barriers to employment. The CAPS team provides individualized support to assist with all aspects of career development including exploration, preparation and the building of skills and confidence.
• Job search coaching: Ask questions about how to conduct your search effectively, including how to find suitable opportunities, how to prepare a successful application and more.

• Fin Lit Peer Appointments: Meet with a peer, ask questions and discuss resources and strategies to help meet your financial needs and goals. 
• Money Coaching Appointments (crisis situations): Meet with a qualified professional to review your needs. Contact money@mcmaster.ca.

• Experience building: These appointments help get you connected with experience-building opportunities that work for you, regardless of your current experience or skill level.
• Volunteer connections: Get support with all your volunteer questions, including searching for opportunities, developing skills and applying your experience to future career goals. These appointment are run by an experiential learning-certified staff member.
• Work-integrated learning support: Speak with an experiential learning-certified staff member about preparing for your opportunity. Learn how to create learning objectives, facilitate check-ins with your supervisor and more.

Appointments (15 minutes): Meet with staff members who can support your experience and help you explore options. Appointments are virtual or in person, based on your preference.