First Year Resource Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/37561113/Your-Compass-to-First-Year-at-Western

Your Compass to First Year at Western

Explore all the resources UWO has to offer

Student Development Services @ new Western Student Services Building behind the UCC! (519) 661-3031 – http://www.sdc.uwo.ca

This place is basically your one-stop shop for all student-related needs. It is designed with your needs in mind, so make sure you drop by when you feel like you need a helping hand. Below are some of the more hidden services of this place that will ease a whole lot of stress off you. Most of these services are on a first-come-first-serve or appointment basis, so make sure you drop by/call the office before going there to seek for help!

Effective Writing Clinic: Worried about your upcoming essays? Not sure if they make sense or not? Make an appointment with one of the Writing Mentors and have them look over your essays! Each appointment is one-hour long, so make sure you have questions prepared for these mentors before your appointment. They will help you with structuring your essay and develop your argumentation skills. Each essay is eligible for 3 review sessions, so if you have time, go see one of these lifesavers!

Study Skills Workshops: These workshops will prepare you for your first exams and essays, and teach you specific skills that you need for effective studying, writing multiple choice and long answer exams, completing your first essay and what profs look for in first year students, etc. An incentive for you to attend is that you will be rewarded with a Certificate of Academic Engagement upon participation in 5 workshops!

Career Centre: This is a drop-in centre that will not only help you with your resumes and cover letters, but also help you discover your passions and suitable career paths. There are also interview prep sessions for MCATs, summer jobs, etc. There are lots of resources to prepare you for the job market, so drop by and consult one of the career leaders for help. For Western’s job postings, visit career.uwo.ca to access Career Central!

Support for Students with Disabilities: This is where you need to go if you require alternate exam accommodations and permissions. The friendly staff there will also help you if you need help with bursaries for students with disabilities and technology grants to ease the learning experience. Transitioning services such as readers may also be available.

Psychological Services : Stressing about school and life? These certified psychologists are determined to help you alleviate your stress so you can focus on studying. Worry not, all information passed to these professions are strictly confidential, so if you feel like you need someone to talk to, go make an appointment with one of them today.

Indigenous Services: This unit offers transitioning services to indigenous students, as well as resources specifically for these students.

The Student Success Centre @ UCC 210 (519) 661-3898– http://success.uwo.ca/

The Centre for New Students provides opportunities to network with upper year students and to get involved with the Western Community. Get started early to maximize your Western student experience!

Leadership and Mentoring Program (LAMP) | http://www.lamp.uwo.ca
Study groups, networking events, stress relievers, we’re here for you! The LAMP Team to is dedicated to make your first year a blast at Western. Come talk to the team, or your respective Peer Mentor, when you need some advice on how to get through the first year.

Western Scholars and Scholars Electives | http://www.scholarselective.uwo.ca
For all you high-achievers out there, here’s a group dedicated to academic excellence. The Western Scholars distinction is awarded to students who are part of the program and have been admitted into the University with a minimum 90% average and have maintained a 80% rolling average over the course of their degree. Scholars’ Electives is a special program that provides students with an opportunity to research into a cause of their choice. For registration details, please speak with your academic counsellor.

Leadership Education Program (LEP) | http://www.lep.uwo.ca
This is a leadership training program consisting of various modules that will help you develop your leadership skills to get you involved in the Western Community. Ranging from personal management, goal setting, conflict management, and team management, these 2-hour workshops are taught by student leaders and faculty. There are 3 tiers to the LEP, 2 of which consist of elementary and advanced workshops, and the last which consists of service learning opportunities for students. Students will be awarded with a certificate of completion at the end of the program. To sign up, check out the website.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) | http://www.asb.uwo.ca
This popular spring break program provides students with the opportunity to volunteer for a cause either domestically or internationally during your Reading Week. Popular destinations include Louisiana for Habitat for Humanity, Dominican Republic for Orphanage Outreach, and Costa Rica for International Service Learning.

Western Serves | http://westernserves.uwo.ca
Keep your eye out for the opportunity to get involved with Western Serves! It is a campus-wide service learning event where each team will be assigned to a non-for-profit organization and will help them fundraise/canvass for the day. It’s a great opportunity to meet people and to volunteer for a cause that you believe in. To sign up, visit Career Central at career.uwo.ca and log in to your student account, then look for Western Serves as the employer.