Get introduced to university life at Mac101
Welcome to McMaster! This summer, join students, staff and faculty for Mac101, a series of sessions, discussions and activities to ease your transition to university life. Learn about strategies, skills, programs, tools and campus resources to support your success at McMaster.
All sessions will take place online.
Registration and more information coming soon
International Student Panel Q&A
July 21, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Learn from upper-year international students about their experience at McMaster during this interactive webinar. There will be lots of opportunities to ask your questions.
Your First Year at McMaster
July 21, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Meet the team who’s here to make sure you’re supported throughout your first year at McMaster! Join this webinar to learn more about what you can expect during your first year, how you can stay connected to your upper-year peers and how you can make friends and thrive during your first year and beyond.
Myth Busting: High School vs. University (Academics)
July 21, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.More information coming soon.
How to: Be a University Learner
July 21, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.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.
Transfer Student FYI
July 21, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.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.
How to: Get It All Done
July 22, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.One of the things upper-year students will tell you 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.
Myth Busting: Balance, Student Wellness
July 22, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.More information coming soon.
Meet Your Academic Advisors
July 22, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.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? How can I transfer out of my program and into another program? Join a panel of academic advisors to get answers to your questions.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Session
July 22, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.More information coming soon.
English Language Support at McMaster (International and Exchange Students)
July 23, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Virtual)Living and studying in an English language environment can be challenging. If English isn’t your first language, join us to learn about supports, resources and tips to enhance your language abilities during your time at McMaster.
Student Affairs Panel
July 23, 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.University is about more than just academics. Come and meet a panel of upper-year McMaster students from a range of campus services, academic programs and student groups. Learn more about the McMaster community so you can discover opportunities to make connections at Mac.
Writing and Academic Skills Session
July 23, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.More information coming soon.
Myth Busting: Getting Involved on Campus
July 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.More information coming soon.
How to: Write in University
July 23, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.More information coming soon.
You Belong at Mac: Yes, You! (Access Program)
July 23, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.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.
Studying at a Canadian University (International and Exchange Students)
July 24, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.Is university different than high school? Learn about the undergraduate classroom experience, how to be a successful student in Canada and ways to access valuable resources and support.
Budgeting Session
July 24, 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.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.
Careers and Experiential Learning Session
July 24, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.More information coming soon.
How to: Write Lab Reports
July 24, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.In this session, experts will cover the purpose, structure and components of lab reports. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding of what to expect when you receive your first lab report assignment.
Supporting Your Student: Information for Parents and Families
July 26, 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.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.
Financing Your Education
July 26, 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.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.
Residence FYI
July 26, 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.Come meet staff from Housing and Conference Services who will be sharing information for students living in residence this year and answering your questions.
OSCARplus is your appointment, registration and job posting system
OSCARplus is an online platform you can use to engage with Student Success Centre services. These services include events, appointments and workshops to support your academic, personal and professional development and success. You will need to register for each Mac101 session, through OSCARplus.
McMaster Zoom account activation
Follow the instructions below in order to activate your McMaster Zoom account. You will need to use this account to access any McMaster events hosted on Zoom, including Mac101 sessions.
Step 1: Go to the Zoom sign-in page. Click “SSO” (Single Sign-On).
Step 2: Type “McMaster” into the company domain.
Step 3: Enter your McMaster email.
Step 4: Enter your password.
Step 5: You have now activated your McMaster Zoom account. Please ensure that you are signed into your McMaster Zoom account when attending all Mac101 sessions.

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Discover more options to help you prepare for university
Transitioning from high school to university is exciting, but there can also be a lot of adjustments. We offer orientation and transition programming to help you adapt to university life in the classroom and beyond. Discover how you can get started in the summer before classes start. Then, you’ll know how to get involved and seek support throughout your university journey.