thriving academically
Welcome to week 1!
DWIB Thrive Guide Week 1 - Copy 2.mp4Tip #1: Learning About Courses/Course Requirements
Tip #2: Transitioning to an In-Person Environment
Tip #3: Using Campus Academic Resources
Tip #1: Learning about courses/course requirements
Overall summary of first year requirements (both commerce and non-commerce required courses) and qualifying for second year can be found here:
Academic calendar website for brief descriptions of courses, prerequisites, and program requirements can be found here:
Some tips for navigating the Academic Calendar:
Take a look at the requirements for IBH/Honours Commerce with and without internship
Commerce elective vs. open elective vs. non-commerce electives - make sure you have enough of each!
Ensure you select the right year (ex. If you’re in first year, select the “started in September 2021 or later" option) while looking at programs - they have changed in the last few years
Take a look at some information about minors
For electives, see the list of electives available to business students on the DeGroote website:
Tips for choosing electives:
Don’t take “bird” courses - you'll be more successful if you actually enjoy the courses you're taking
Take electives in areas that will help you with your career ex. political science courses if you plan to go to law school
DeGroote course outlines:
On the DeGroote website, course outlines can be found. These typically tell you about what you’ll learn about in the course from week-to-week, the assessments and exams in the course, and the prerequisites required to take the course. You can find this website here:
Looking at these are a great way to see what you might be interested in for if you eventually choose to specialize in third year
In addition to taking the required courses in the Commerce or IBH program, if you are interested in pursuing a designation, ensure that you plan ahead and take the appropriate courses during your undergrad!
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) Courses
Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Courses
Business Technology Management (BTM) Courses
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
If you’re interested in pursuing the CFA designation, be sure to look into the details of the designation as well as the CFA scholarship procedures CLICK HERE
Tip #2: Transitioning to an In-Person Environment
Prepare what you need for the class physically and mentally:
Use the slides professors provide to make notes during the lecture and then create a more in-depth summary after to nail what you learned and what you are confident about and what you still have questions about
Put your phone away
Sit where you feel your learning will be optimized
Use in-person opportunities to build connections with your professors and TA’s - if you need help do not be afraid to approach them after class or if you just want to chat
Plan your day out wisley
If you are not a morning person try to avoid taking morning classes, if you thrive in the mornings plan accordingly
Bring snacks to help fuel your energy between classes and at study spots
Get familiar with where your classes are and find a place to study
On-campus places to study:
Peter George Centre for Living and Learning
Health Sciences Library (silent)
Thode Library (great variety of study spaces)
Mills Library (lots of windows and natural light, great variety of study spaces)
McMaster University Student Centre: 2nd and 3rd floor spaces are open to all students 24/7
McMaster Students Union Grind Cafe (basement of McMaster University Student Centre)
Tip #3: USING campus academic resources
Important Forms:
MSAF - missing assessments under 25%
Academic Accomodation for RISO (Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observance)
Deferred exams
Link to the DeGroote website: https://ug.degroote.mcmaster.ca/forms-and-resources/
Key Resources:
Finance electives and career choices
Reading your advisement report on Mosaic
Pass/Fail courses and no credit courses
Professional designations
Link to Mosaic: https://mosaic.mcmaster.ca
Softwares:
Zoom Premium
Microsoft 365
Linkedin Learning (hundreds of courses to help you learn both hard and soft skills which will be used in your courses but you have full access to all courses on the platform)
Student toolkit on the DeGroote website:
DeGroote’s communication to students
McMaster supports and policies
Student experience
Starting your professional life
Link to the website: https://ug.degroote.mcmaster.ca/start-up-toolkit/