SEAD’s goal is to help connect students with the right people and places to get more involved in the UM community. Often, students limit themselves to academics and miss out on the enormous variety of experiences that can help them develop in all areas of their lives. When students think of leadership on campus, they usually think of executive roles in student groups, but that’s only one example. Geoffrey Pagcaliwagan, a coordinator at SEAD, is encouraging more students to get involved and rethink what “leadership” means to them. “How I see it is that leadership shouldn’t be associated with a position. It should be kind of like a set of practices that you do.”

One of SEAD’s pillars is to be a centre of knowledge about the opportunities for involvement across UM so that any student can come in and be pointed in the right direction. Whether you have specific ideas or don’t know where to start, SEAD can suggest resources and groups on campus to meet your interests and needs. These opportunities could include participation in student clubs and associations, volunteering, one-off workshops, or a workshop series. Groups and workshops can centre around a variety of topics, from academic programs to wellness and cultural identity.

Pagcaliwagan emphasises how SEAD can help create a “customised” experience for students, based on the different routes students can take to get involved and the different levels of commitment. “I think of it as kind of like a spectrum,” he says. “There are many alternatives to achieving the same thing […] It doesn’t necessarily have to be like one hundred hours or zero. It could be like two hours, and then if you find that enjoyable, it can be another two hours.”

One of the programs SEAD offers to help students on an individual level is Peer Involvement Advising. You can set up a one-on-one appointment to discuss your unique interests and goals for getting involved in leadership. Tyler Big George is a Peer Involvement Advisor and explains what advising can look like: “So, the typical appointment if a student doesn’t exactly know what they’re looking for will be me showing them the different resources to help them get involved […] and I’ll talk to them about why those are important.” What are those resources? Big George highlights the Experience Catalogue, where you can find a list of student groups to join; the Experience Record, where you can track your previous involvement at U of M; and different student group pages online, such as those on social media.

Have you considered getting involved in new experiences and leadership roles in university? Get in contact with SEAD! There are a few ways they could lend you a hand. If you haven’t visited Student Affairs’ new Connection Desk on the first floor of UMSU University Centre, check it out and they can get you connected with SEAD! Alternatively, you can email the office directly at sead@umanitoba.ca, or visit their office at 225 UMSU University Centre. Want to know more first? Check out the main SEAD website or the Peer Involvement Advising page.

BEFORE EXAMS START

Know your schedule. You can find your exam schedule in Aurora under ‘My Exams.’ If you have any exam conflicts, make sure to contact the Registrar’s Office or an academic advisor in your home faculty as soon as possible to make arrangements.

Confirm your location. Prior to your exams, it’s important to know where you will be writing and how to get there. Visit the location in advance so you know exactly where to go on exam day.  

Talk to your Professor.  Make sure you know the exam format (i.e., multiple choice, long answer, essay) and how much time you’ll have to write. Confirm if there are specific materials you are, or are not, permitted to have in the room. Review sample exams if your instructor provides any.     

Study Smarter, not Harder. Find lots of useful tips for studying here. Use proven and effective techniques to make the most of your study time. Organize and stick to a schedule, then test yourself with a variety of practice problems. Don’t forget to practice self-care while you study and on exam days. Be sure to find supports you can use and check out  Prepping for Finals to learn more about exam prep strategies! 

ON EXAM DAY

Exams can be stressful but being ready and present makes a big difference. Don’t forget these important steps to avoid stress on the day of your exam.

• Show up. It seems obvious, but exams are easier to miss than you think. Set your alarm and leave plenty of time to get to campus and to your exam room. 
• Bring ID. During in-person exams, students must present photo identification. Bring your student ID card or another piece of photo identification with you and place it on top of your table before starting your exam.
•  Show your integrity. Be sure to review the Academic Integrity expectations.  The best way to avoid academic misconduct is to do the actual work. Students often report that they resorted to cheating because they felt unprepared and still wanted a good grade. Avoid cheating by studying smart and ahead of time. Here are a few more tips to help avoid an allegation of misconduct.
  • • Do not have any unauthorized materials on your desk. You are only allowed materials that are approved by your professor. Having unauthorized material can lead to an allegation of cheating.
    • Do not sit beside your friends. This can lead to temptation to communicate and any talking in an exam is considered academic misconduct…even if you’re just asking to borrow an eraser! Only communicate with exam invigilators during an exam.
    • Protect yourself. You are obligated to protect your work and permitting access to your exam is considered cheating. Don’t give someone the opportunity to copy from you during an exam!

Following these steps won’t guarantee you a perfect grade, but they sure will make getting there a lot easier! Need help creating a plan? Visit an academic advisor in the First Year Centre or your home faculty.   

Lee, who is the key contact for the undergraduate pharmacy program, was selected for her wide-reaching contributions to the college and its students since 2008.

“Cheryl connects with students even before they’re admitted,” says Lavern M. Vercaigne, associate dean (academic). “She helps organize our recruitment events and many of our students initially apply because of an interaction with Cheryl Lee.”

Once they are admitted, pharmacy students quickly come to know Lee as their go-to person.

“Cheryl connects students with the help they need which, at times, has truly been lifesaving,” says Vercaigne. “She provides direct support to the entire student body and refers to other members of our university community when additional help is required.”

“My number one priority in my position has always been to put student needs first,” says Lee.  “I’ve seen students dealing with many difficult problems over the years and some life-changing situations, but I always want to ensure they feel supported and know who they can turn to. I do whatever I can to help make their lives a little bit easier.”

Lee’s efforts go far beyond advising. When the new PharmD program launched in 2019, she was instrumental in helping assemble the new curriculum. She worked with faculty to ensure evaluations were spaced out, contacted banks to discuss increased loan amounts for students in need and ensured the increased course load still allowed for breaks. When the pandemic hit, Lee helped transition courses to a virtual format and facilitated regular virtual meetings between student leaders and the Dean’s Office to keep students informed.

“Although the students and staff in the College of Pharmacy are the direct beneficiaries of Cheryl’s insights, abilities, and energy, so also are the larger advising and student populations,” says Brigitte Wiebe, University Advising Services coordinator. “The entire university is enriched by the strengths she brings to her role.”

Recipients of the Advising Excellence Award receive $300 to put towards professional development.

1. Changing your goals or being undecided is okay!

Academic advisors see many students who change their minds about what career they want to pursue or are undecided about what program they want to target. We recognize that this is a major life decision and students can feel a lot of pressure. It’s important to reflect on the past year and to dedicate time to explore your career and degree options. The answers will not magically appear, but there are resources that can help you make these decisions. For starters, we recommend visiting Career Services and meeting with a Career Consultant to discuss your interests, volunteer opportunities, career pathways, and various experiential learning opportunities. Your instructors are another excellent resource. We encourage you to ask your professors questions about their field of expertise, and to build on these relationships throughout your studies. They just might have some interesting opportunities for you to get involved and get some hands on experience. All of these things can help you explore your options. 

2. Needing to enhance your study skills and grades is very normal 

Maybe you didn’t achieve the grades you wanted to, or maybe you didn’t take the right courses. Academic advisors recognize that as a first year student, you have likely been dealing with many adjustments and it is common for students to hit some speedbumps along the way. This is an excellent time to reflect on what worked (or didn’t work). Academic advisors are available to guide you through your specific situation and make recommendations on your study habits, course planning and explain the potential outcomes of some of your choices.

An academic advisor can also connect you to dozens of free resources on campus and refer you to workshops, tutors and Student Help Centres that can help you to achieve your goals in your second year. Contact an academic advisor in your program when planning your courses to learn more about what resources might help you succeed!

3. You may need to make some decisions this Summer Term, and we’re here to help.

Depending on how many credit hours you have completed and what program you are in or targeting, there may be some decisions you need to make this summer. For example, if you are in University 1 with at least 24 credit hours, you may have options to Transit to the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Science beginning June 10. Or you might already be in a faculty and thinking about declaring a major. Regardless of your situation, academic advisors can help you figure out what might be best for you. We strongly encourage you to meet with an advisor in May or June to discuss your options. 

Remember that every student’s situation and experiences are different, and that academic advisors are here to guide you along the way. We know how much hard work and dedication it takes to get through your first year. We would love to talk to you more about your plan as you transition to your second year.

Have a great summer!

Tina Riggs & Chiedza Chando, Academic Advisors, First Year Centre

You’ve taken a few classes, or more than a few, and it hits you: you want to change your program of study. This is actually pretty common. Believe it or not, that’s good news. Changing your mind means you’re still exploring. This is the time to get knowledge, gain experience and gather your options. Meeting with an academic advisor can help you answer important questions and explore different opportunities so you make the best decisions for you.

Some things to think about when exploring your academic degree options:

What are you interested in?

Take the time to consider your interests and values. This will help you set academic and career goals. What you like to do, what you like to learn about, and what feels important to you are all indicators of what will give you a sense of achievement and purpose in your work. 

Being aware of your interests and values will also help you select better course options, make connections with the materials learned in class and identify areas where you can build specialized skills.

What academic requirements do you need?

Find out what is required for degree programs you’re interested in, such as prerequisites, the course load each year, or summer session options. Knowing more about your program expectations can help you discover courses that are suited to your goals and skill development needs.

You can also explore degree requirements on individual course level to find out where different subjects and programs cross paths. Some courses are useful in multiple different degrees and there could be alternative routes to your intended career path.

 What related experiences do you need?

The job market is continuously evolving. With ever-changing job descriptions, technology and skill requirements, it’s more important than ever to take your education outside of the classroom. Connecting with student groups, co-op programs or participating in exchanges and service-learning opportunities are all experiences in which you learn, develop and utilize transferable skills. This will help you to be adaptable and versatile in a changing marketplace. As a bonus, these experiences will look great on your resumé.

Academic advisors are your go-to resource for exploring and expanding your degree options. Ask the questions and explore the answers – it is one of the best ways to use your time on campus!

Academic advisors at the University of Manitoba can be found in each of the faculties and units on campus. Review the advisor list to find out who to contact.

Lesley Friesen is the undergraduate program manager in the Faculty of Arts and has been providing academic advising service to new and returning students for over 15 years.