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.
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.Did your high school teachers warn you that university professors are scary? Not sure if you should buy textbooks? Join this session to get insider insights from professors, students and academic advisors at McMaster and have some common academic myths busted.
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: Finding Balance
July 22, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Feeling overwhelmed about balancing school and your well-being? Join this session to learn more about all the campus resources to support your wellness on campus.
Finding the Right Academic Supports at McMaster
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? Who can help me study better? Join a panel of academic support staff from across campus to learn where and who to turn to for help during the year.
Is SAS Right for You? Exploring Accommodations and Support
July 22, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Not sure if you qualify for academic accommodations? You’re not alone. This workshop unpacks what Student Accessibility Services provides, what qualifies as a “disability,” what types of accommodations are available and how to register. Whether you had an IEP in high school or are still figuring things out, this session is for you! We’re here to help answer your questions and provide a path forward to support your success.
Varsity Student-Athlete Session
July 22, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Starting university as a varsity student-athlete? This session is for you! Get tips on balancing school and sport, meet the team that’s here to support you, and connect with fellow Marauders who know what it’s like to compete and succeed at McMaster!
How to: Take Notes in Lectures
July 23, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Notetaking 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. This is always one of the most popular sessions. We will be joined by a McMaster professor who will be doing a mock lecture so that you can practice note-taking methods.
Myth Busting: Getting Involved on Campus
July 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Have you been told that you should join every club possible? Are you worried that you need to find a work or volunteer position right away? Join this session led by upper-year students at McMaster to learn about their experiences getting involved on campus.
How to: Write in University
July 23, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.Come learn about how to meet university expectations for university writing. Experts from the Library and Writing and Academic Skills teams will guide you through finding and evaluating scholarly work, incorporating and properly citing sources, and making the best use of research and writing resources at McMaster.
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.
Financial Literacy 101
July 24, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.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.
Building Your Resume
July 24, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Join this webinar to learn how the Student Success Centre’s employment and experiential opportunities can enhance your academic journey through work-integrated learning opportunities (paid and volunteer), career exploration activities and more. These experiences will help you learn and develop in-demand skills that employers value.
Mythbusting: Getting Ready for September
July 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Not sure what Welcome Week is and if you should go? Don’t know what to bring to your first day of classes? Join this session led by upper-year students at McMaster to find out what helped them in their first month of being on campus!
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.
How to Support Your Student
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 FAQ
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.
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.