Preparing for Your University Success

There are student supports and services available just for you. Get to know them!

You don't have to wait for the start of a new school year to begin preparing for success.

Taking the time to become familiar with all of the student-focused services a university has available can help make your back-to-school experience much more enjoyable.

While exact resources will vary between institutions, here are a few key areas you'll find at most universities that are worth looking into.

Orientation for new students

Starting at a new school can be a little overwhelming, but attending an orientation event can help make that transition easier. Think of orientation as a big, warm welcome to university life. It's an opportunity for you to become familiar with campus, meet some of your peers and build confidence in starting your studies.

At Mount Royal University, attendees of New Student Orientation (NSO) are supported by student leaders who are passionate about the campus community. Through a combination of training and personal experience, they are able to answer questions about living on campus, accessing financial support, understanding university expectations and more.

Check your university's website for upcoming orientation events.

Academic advising

If you have any questions related to navigating your degree, it's worth looking into academic advising services. Advisors are academic specialists who can help you understand degree and program requirements as well as develop and implement a plan that aligns with your educational goals.

They can speak to a broad range of topics like course registration, tracking degree progress and transferring credits. When meeting with an advisor, you can also discuss different ways to customize your degree, such as possible majors, minors, honours programs and work integrated learning experiences.

Campus library

For studying and research help, visiting the campus library is an obvious choice. What you might not know is just how much more a library can offer beyond its books. For example, Mount Royal's Riddell Library and Learning Centre is a transformational learning and research environment with a 360-degree Immersion Studio, 3D printers, laser cutters and treadmill workstations.

A list of services can usually be found online, and it never hurts to do a thorough tour once you're on campus. You never know, you might also discover your new go-to study spot.

Clubs and student associations

Almost all universities have some form of student association or student union. These groups are run by students for students, and have a strong focus on providing support and resources for an enhanced university experience.

The Students' Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU) has a number of services to help students navigate university life. These include the SAMRU Peer Support Centre, Pride Centre, Cultural and Indigenous programming, food security program and student health benefits. There are also over 80 student clubs available to join so you can make valuable friendships while pursuing your passions.

Whether you're ready to jump into a leadership role, need a little extra support from your peers or want to meet new people with similar interests, student associations are there to help.

Get curious!

While the above areas are a good starting point, they're only the tip of the iceberg. Get curious and spend time navigating all aspects of a university's website. And of course, don't be afraid to reach out and ask as many questions as you need.

University is a big step, and you deserve to feel confident that you're being supported and have access to the tools and resources for success.