Congratulations on becoming a Marauder! We’re excited to welcome you to our McMaster community
MacStart is a free summer program designed to help you transition to university learning. Our goal is to support the needs and interests of incoming students with disabilities.
This orientation program is offered in a choose-your-own-journey style. This means that you register once for the whole program and attend only the workshops that interest you. Through this program, you will have a chance to make connections and become acquainted with like-minded peers before you even start classes.
MacStart is offered in partnership between the Student Success Centre (SSC) and Student Accessibility Services (SAS). If you are seeking academic accommodations for the school year, you must register with SAS. You don’t need to register with SAS to participate in MacStart.
For questions about participating in MacStart, contact sastransition@mcmaster.ca.
Lets start your transition to McMaster with a giveaway
Register for the MacStart program and follow us on Instagram @SASMacU for the chance to win one of two prize packs, including a LiveScribe Echo 2 pen, McMaster merch and more! Learn more about the giveaway here.
This giveaway is only open to first-year McMaster students and will close on Tuesday, August 6 at 12:00 p.m. Winners will be contacted via Instagram DM to verify eligibility and provide more details.
MacStart Welcome!
August 6, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Zoom)Congratulations! You are offically enrolled in the MacStart transtion program. This is your first offical class (but don’t worry, books are not needed). Join the MacStart team and your fellow incoming classmates for a fun and relaxing evening where you will have the opportunity to meet the MacStart team, get to know each other and learn more about the weeks ahead.
Recipe for Wellness and Intro to the Student Wellness Centre
August 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Zoom)Explore the concept of wellness as you prepare for your transition to university life. Join a health promoter from McMaster’s Student Wellness Centre to discover the array of health and wellness resources available. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the essential ingredients for your own personal recipe for wellness. Together, we will reflect on various approaches to support your well-being during your time at Mac.
Navigating Academic Research with Integrity
August 9, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Zoom)Join Ariel Stables-Kennedy, First-Year Librarian, to learn about academic research and citation best practices, the value of academic integrity and what it looks like in practice. Learn how to create credible work you can be proud of and discover the resources available to help you.
Organizing Lecture Notes with Microsoft OneNote
August 12, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)Join our Microsoft OneNote workshop with Angela Harrison, Assistive Technologist Consultant, to learn how this tool can support organization and note-taking. Angela will introduce you to OneNote and guide you through its features, including creating and organizing notebooks, inserting content and reviewing materials.
Reading and Writing with Assistive Technology
August 13, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Zoom)You know how to read and write, but do you know Read&Write? Join Angela Harrison, Assistive Technologist Consultant, to learn how this literacy tool supports everyday tasks. Angela will introduce you to Read&Write, and guide you through its customizable features for reading text aloud, writing with predictive text or talk-and-type and consolidating key information with collecting highlights.
Academic Skills and University Writing
August 15, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Zoom)Do you want to boost your academic performance and refine your writing abilities? The academic skills and writing team is here to help you excel! This comprehensive workshop is designed for students and who want to develop essential academic skills and become more effective writers in university.
Managing Your Time with Microsoft Outlook
August 16, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)Get ready to maximize your time with Microsoft Outlook + To Do. Join Angela Harrison, Assistive Technologist Consultant, to learn about tools and strategies for time management. Angela will introduce you to Outlook + To Do and guide you through how to use these tools with strategies including task analysis, time blocking and productivity journaling.
Art of Advocating
August 19, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Zoom)Everyone should be able to access what they need. Learning how to advocate for yourself, ask for help and advocating for yourself is a valuable skill. Join the MacStart Peer Mentors and Maccess to talk about what self-advocacy is, tips and tricks for advocating for yourself at university and the resources you need when you need support.
Introduction to MySAS Portal
August 20, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Zoom)Join this session to learn how to use MySAS Portal – your personal accommodation platform that you will use throughout your time at McMaster. Whether you are registering with SAS, booking appointments with Program Coordinators or scheduling accommodated tests, MySAS Portal will be the place to go. This session will include a walk-through of the portal and Q&A at the end.
Navigating Your Financial Journey with Confidence
August 21, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)We all know that tuition and life can be expensive for students. Not only are you starting a new academic experience, many of you will also be managing your own money for the first time. The goal of this workshop is to INSPIRE your financial well-being. We will do some self-reflection about this responsibility and discuss strategies such as; goal setting, budgeting, minimizing debt, saving tips, tax benefits and getting the most about your tuition. We will tell you all about Mac’s Money Centre and leave you with some great resources and actionable items.
MacStart Wrap-Up and What To Expect at Welcome Week
August 23, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Zoom)Join us to celebrate the end of MacStart and get ready for Welcome Week. Reflect on your experiences, connect with peers, ask any last minute questions about move-in and Welcome Week and learn about the exciting events ahead. Gain valuable tips to make the most of Welcome Week and start your academic journey strong.
Empowering Transition: Supporting Your Student with Disabilities
August 7, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Zoom)Join Student Accessibility Services for an online webinar designed for parents and supporters of students with disabilities! Gain valuable insight into your new role, learn about practical tips and essential campus resources that are available to support your students’ successful transition into McMaster. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with our staff to ask questions and receive guidance and encouragement.
Navigating Your Financial Journey with Confidence
August 21, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)We all know that tuition and life can be expensive for students. Not only are you starting a new academic experience, many of you will also be managing your own money for the first time. The goal of this workshop is to INSPIRE your financial well-being. We will do some self-reflection about this responsibility and discuss strategies such as; goal setting, budgeting, minimizing debt, saving tips, tax benefits and getting the most about your tuition. We will tell you all about Mac’s Money Centre and leave you with some great resources and actionable items.
Weekly Mentorship Drop-in
Mondays, 3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The SAS MacStart peer mentors, Sidney and Kaylinda, can answer your questions, share their experiences as a student and help you get connected to resources on campus.
MacStart Avenue to Learn course
In addition to our workshops, we’ve designed an online course for you to learn about academics, campus life, resources, services and more. In this course, you’ll meet your transition team, get tips on talking to professors and making friends, study advice, self-advocacy tips and a chance to become well acquainted with Avenue to Learn (A2L).
This course will be delivered asynchronously, meaning that there are no live events and it is up to you to review the weekly content at your own pace and on your own time. Use your MacID and password to login and access the course.
Avenue to Learn is the primary learning, course delivery and assessment platform at McMaster. Check out the MacStart course on Avenue to Learn for general tips and resources on life as a McMaster student. Use your MacID and password to log in and access the course.
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.
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 MacStart Sessions.
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