Imagine, plan and achieve your goals this new year. These events and resources can help.
Welcome back! Whether you want to improve your grades, develop new work habits, gain experience, find a job or build more of a sense of community, January Reset features a bit of everything to support your goal-setting and go-getting. Each week will feature a different theme to help you connect with the appropriate support and resources, prepare for the new semester and more.
This time of year, it’s important to focus on your mental health and well-being and keep ties with your community. Remember, you’re not alone in your university journey. The Student Wellness Centre offers mental health resources that can help.
Follow @MacSSC on Instagram for updates and surprises
Did someone say free beverage giveaways? And follow @MacSSC on Twitter and @MacStudentLife on TikTok while you’re at it.
The new semester and new year are a chance to reset — let’s start new positive habits and set goals for your success
This week, make a plan and get ready to take action on your goals. Explore programs and services, gather information, access resources, plan for deadlines and more.
FEATURED EVENTS
Career Café
January 11, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET (The Grind/TwelvEighty)Career counsellors and employment experts can provide guidance in your career journey:
- Try our Challenge Mindset Demo: Find out what topics matter to you and how you can apply this to your career.
- Ask A Career Counsellor: Ask questions or try our role-play activity (literally!). Pick an occupation out of a bowl and with our career counsellors, discover what it might be like to work that role.
- Skills Card Sort: Learn about the skills you already have and sort the ones you would like to develop.
- Pick up a copy of our Career Planning Notebook: Authored by our career development team, this resource can help you make sense of what’s available at McMaster.
- Plus, enjoy great food and beverages, with even better company.
McMaster Exchange Program: Final Boarding Call
January 12, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET (Gilmour Hall 110)Through the McMaster Exchange Program, you can embark on a global experience while also earning credits toward your degree. This is the final boarding call for the McMaster Exchange Program before the program deadline on January 20, 2023. McMaster Exchange Program, Mac’s Money Centre, Faculty Offices and Aid & Awards will be available to answer your final exchange questions.
UPCOMING AWARD AND OPPORTUNITY DEADLINES
McCall MacBain International Fellowship
Application deadline: January 10, 4:00 p.m. E.T.The McCall MacBain International Fellowship aims to enable globally-minded young Canadians to develop strong intercultural competencies and ties to different regions of the world, and to cultivate creativity, resilience, independence, critical thinking and the ability to “stretch” outside of their comfort zones.
For one year, make the world your classroom and live in a new country.
- Learn a new language
- Work in a new culture
- Step out of your comfort zone
- Up to $30,000 per fellowship
- 10 fellowships available
Renaissance Award
Application deadline: January 15The Renaissance Award is designed to give you a chance to explore and lead an 8- to 12-month project that you propose, and that is outside of your degree program. The award emphasizes experiential learning and creates transformative experiences for students from all Faculties and programs, including undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. The award provides up to $25,000 each year, depending on the project budget.
This award’s open to students who’ve completed at least one year of their undergraduate, graduate or School of Medicine program with a cumulative GPA of 10 or more.
Wilson Leadership Scholar Award
Application deadline: January 30Become the leader you’d like to be through mentorship, interdisciplinary learning about national issues and the chance to develop and lead a community project. The award is open to students in their second-last year of an undergraduate program or in any year of a graduate program with a 7.5 or higher cumulative GPA.
- $12,000 in direct funding and up to $2,000 in experiential funding
- Up to 10 awards available each year
- Each cohort will include both undergraduate and graduate students
McMaster Exchange Program
Upcoming deadline: January 20You don’t need to wait until you graduate to travel and explore your options abroad. Through the McMaster Exchange Program, you can gain a global perspective while earning credits and staying on track to meet your goals.
- Immerse yourself in another culture while continuing to earn credits toward your McMaster degree.
- Develop skills in problem solving, resilience, interpersonal communication and adaptability.
- We offer more than 100 opportunities with leading universities around the world.
RESOURCES
Digital Challenge Cards
The Digital Challenge Cards can help you get inspired about your career direction and take action to build the career you want. If you need some support in creating an action plan, our team of career counsellors are here to help! Whatever stage you’re at in the career planning model, this tool is available to inspire and help you consider what type of impact you want to make.
Learning Skills Inventory
Your skills are essential to your personal, professional and academic growth throughout university and beyond. Take the Learning Skills Inventory to find out if you’re on track to succeed at university based on your skills and habits. It should take roughly 30–40 minutes to complete. Then, review specific recommendations to develop your skills based on your scores.
OSCARplus is a great tool — here’s how to make it work for you
This week, we encourage you to get to know OSCARplus. Learn how to find and register for events and workshops, apply to job postings and more.
How to Navigate OSCARplus
January 19, 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET (online)Attend a live OSCARplus overview session to learn how to make the most of the platform. We’ll review how to:
- Navigate OSCARplus
- Book appointments
- Register for events and workshops
- Find work opportunities
One-on-one appointments
Whether you’re a new first-year student or returning upper-year student, navigating all the campus resources available to you can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already in need of support.
Check out this post for an overview of some of the one-on-one appointment types offered through the Student Success Centre. Discover specific supports to help you meet your goals this year.
FEATURED EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Mac Leaders Peer Community
Check OSCARplus for upcoming workshopsBeing in a leadership role doesn’t always mean that you feel prepared, even if you’ve completed mandatory training. This workshop series can help.
- Conflict Management
- Demonstrating Leadership in Equity, Diversity, Anti-Racism, Critical Thinking
- Managing Imposter Syndrome
- Getting Buy-In at University
- Giving and Receiving Feedback
- Communicating Effectively When Your Buttons Are Pushed
Career Possibilities: Thinking Outside the Box
January 18, 11:30 to 12:20 p.m. ET (Gilmour Hall 110)In this session, we flip the question from “what job do you want” to “what kind of impact do you want to make in the world?” Thinking about your career as an opportunity to spend time doing what’s important to you and setting aside the narrow focus on job titles opens the door to career possibilities that you may not have considered or didn’t know existed.
Join us for this one-hour session to get curious about yourself and how you can use information about what is meaningful to you to guide your way to a fulfilling career path.
Spicy Sauce Challenge and Trivia Night (International Students)
January 18, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET (The Phoenix)Attention, fans of spicy food: We invite you to take on the spicy sauce challenge!
Join us for a tasting of some of the world’s spiciest and most delicious sauces along with some fun food trivia. Each participant will get a serving of chicken (halal) or cauliflower wings paired with a sample tasting of six savory and spicy sauces. Beat the heat and answer trivia to win prizes.
Note: This event is open to international students only.
Prepare to Dream: Set Your Financial Goals
January 18, 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ETThe goals you have set for yourself should reflect what’s important to you, and setting financial goals that support these efforts is crucial.
This workshop is a hands-on, interactive experience where you’ll get to explore how to take an idea, turn it into a specific goal and ensure that it’s actionable. Learn how to use SMART goals (and some interesting twists on this practice) and how they can support your success.
Life After Mac
January 19, 11:30 p.m. to 12:20 p.m. ETAre you graduating this year and wondering what happens next?
In this interactive session facilitated by the Student Success Centre’s alumni career counsellor, you’ll explore your options, consider your priorities and learn about resources to help you develop a plan.
The "Who You Are Matters" Game
January 20, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ETThis interactive approach to career exploration will help you explore your unique skills and interests in a casual and fun way. You will finish the 90-minute workshop with a career statement that outlines your strengths, interests and career values that you can use to guide your career or education decisions. A professional career counsellor will guide you through the game in an informal and supportive environment.
TIPS AND RESOURCES

Considering teacher education?
We know exploring career options and making plans for your next steps after your degree can be confusing, so we...

Considering medical school abroad?
The following information is a guide for undergraduate students who are considering medical school abroad. Basic information to apply to...

Considering medical school?
The following information is an initial guide for undergraduate students who are interested in a possible career as a medical...

Virtual interview tips
Virtual Interviewing can feel awkward at first because most people are used to making their firstimpression in person. Though trends...
Change up your old routine and try a new approach to achieving your goals
This week, why not try something you’ve never done before? Or, take a new approach to achieving your goals.
FEATURED EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Reflecting and Resetting for Success with Dr. Kajiura and Friends
January 23, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET (Mills L215)Led by Dr. Lovaye Kajiura, the conversations will focus on identifying academic and personal goals, support and strategies.
Dr. Kajiura and her team are excited to work with you, acknowledge how far you’ve come and help you thrive this term.
Make Every Dollar Count
January 24, 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ETHow you spend money ought to be about what you value and what brings meaning to your life. Everyone’s different, so every spending and saving plan should reflect our personal needs and wants.
Join us at this session to learn how to make your own personalized spending and saving plan and get in control of your finances and future.
Summer Job Peer Panel
Rescheduled: February 1, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET (Gilmour Hall 110)No matter your experience level, there’s always value in continuing to develop skills, references and networks through new opportunities. A summer job is a great way to get started. Attend this panel event to learn from students about their experiences, how they got their job, which skills they gained and how all these elements benefitted their career plans.
Experience Ventures National Hackathon
January 26 to February 10 (apply by January 19)Do you pride yourself on being an innovator? A changemaker? A leader of the future? Join students from across Canada in the Experience Ventures National Hackathon (EVNH). Participate to develop innovative solutions that have the potential to improve food security for all Canadian post-secondary students. Community innovators will have roles as judges and coaches.
Well-Being Learning Hub: Winter Co-Design Course
Join us at Student Accessibility Service’s Well-Being Learning Hub this winter to co-design mental health and well-being courses for the next term.
The Well-Being Learning Hub is a peer-to-peer mental health and well-being learning centre. The program is led by students, individuals with lived experience and professionals with mental health training. The Hub offers free courses that aim to empower you and your peers.
McMaster Athletics & Recreation: Instructional Classes
We invite you to get moving and try something new with McMaster’s instructional classes for dance, karate, yoga, pilates, fencing and squash. The first week is free to try!
RESOURCES
Volunteering, experiential learning and more
How do you get on-the-job experience when most entry-level jobs call for at least a year of experience in a related role? We can connect you with experience-building opportunities that work for you, regardless of your current experience or skill level.
The Forge: Entrepreneurial office hours
Do you want to talk to someone about entrepreneurship, innovation, starting your own business or working at a startup? Schedule a meeting to chat about your goals and learn about how The Forge can help you accomplish them.
A Guide to Work-Integrated Learning
Complete at your own pace on Avenue to LearnWork-integrated learning’s a chance for you to get on-the-job experience so you can develop skills and learn what working in the field’s actually like.
We designed this guide to help you learn about the benefits of work-integrated learning, how to prepare, how to make the most of it and more.
Remember, every experience contributes to growth in your university journey
This week, we invite you to make connections based on what you’ve learned throughout the month, celebrate successes and keep the positive momentum going throughout the rest of the semester.
FEATURED EVENTS AND PROGRAMS
Experiential Opportunities Fair
January 31, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET (virtual)Your experience beyond the classroom are also a part of your learning. This online chat will connect you directly with employers from the comfort of your home, office, smartphone or tablet. Our online, cloud-based platform makes it easy and fun for you to participate. After signing in, you’ll be able to explore the available information and opportunities, and participate in 1-on-1 text-based chats with representatives from participating organizations. Share your background and experience, and get all your questions answered.
Winter Term: Improve Your Grades
January 31, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mills L215)In this session, you’ll be learning strategies and support to help you through academic, wellness, careers and finance stressors.
Career Planning Essentials
Complete at your own pace on Avenue to LearnThis online program is designed to help you build more self-awareness, reflect on what is important for you and explore your career options.
At the end, we’ll help you pull together everything you’ve learned and develop an action plan.
Job Search Essentials
Complete at your own pace on Avenue to LearnThis comprehensive, self-directed job search course will give you the tools you need to know to land a job in this competitive landscape. Each section covers a different aspect of the job search from identifying your marketable skills to negotiating a job offer and everything in between.
Work at your own pace to build a stronger understanding of what hiring managers want while strategizing your job search to reach your goals. At any point during the program, follow up with our career professionals for an individual consultation.
RECOMMENDED READING

Level up your education and well-being with communities of learning
When I was an undergrad and I got stressed out by my workload, I’d retreat. I’d study by myself until...

Volunteer to join the 2023 Tax Squad
Each year, Mac’s Money Centre and campus and community partners come together to support the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program...

Get the one-on-one support you need this year
Types of appointments and support Browse all the appointment types to find out how you can access support. Then, book...

What you need to know about contract cheating as a university student
Contract cheating, the process of hiring a third-party company to complete your assignment, is a growing business scam. Companies target...