Here’s to the start of another great year! Horns up!

Michael Benarroch, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor

Ready to Roam provides new students with an idea of what to expect in their first days on campus in the fall. This year, the event took place on July 30, with over a thousand students attending! New students familiarized themselves with the environment by joining tours, got a feel for classes with a Mini Lecture, learned academic success strategies, and broke down the differences between high school and university.

UM Essentials is a set of online modules that new Bisons can complete at their own pace, from home. The content features a wide array of topics, so students will discover strategies for taking on their first classes, university resources to help them succeed, wellness advice, tips on getting involved in student life, and the values and guidelines that keep the university a respectful and safe community. All incoming students are automatically enrolled in UM Essentials in August, so they can complete it at any time and refer back throughout the year. The online resource is also a great way for new students to familiarize themselves with the UM Learn interface, as the site also hosts all course homepages.

Prep Week is the best way to immerse yourself in the campus community! On August 26 and 27, all new students are invited to the Fort Garry campus where they can participate in university skills workshops, attend a special panel presentation, play games, and meet peers! The main component of Prep Week is a series of workshop sessions led by Student Affairs staff who specialize in supporting students by building their academic skillsets. Topics will include writing, academic integrity, study tips, and self-care. The panel discussion, titled “What I Wish I Knew,” features upper-years students providing the advice they would’ve liked to have when they started their journeys at UM. Additionally, there will be a Zoom webinar on August 28 about essential research and writing skills.

Welcome Day is the day before the start of classes, and it’s the grand finale of our orientation programming! To start, students are assigned homerooms for the day. Next, students will make their way to the Pep Rally to celebrate joining the herd! In the afternoon, students can enjoy the Carnival with new and old friends. Look forward to food, inflatable games, a photo book, a DJ, and more! If students still have questions before starting classes the next day, there will still be campus tours running through the afternoon, and they can stop by the Welcome Day Info Fair for more information on campus resources.

Are you starting your university journey with us this September? Ogechi Agba, Transition Events Coordinator, has a few words of advice:

“This is your first year at UM! Make the most of orientation by taking part in opportunities that have been created just for you. Meet new people with common interests and get an advantage by becoming familiar with the expectations and resources available to you.”

Participating in orientation programming is the best way to start off the new academic year on the right foot. That means knowing your way around, strengthening your academic skills, discovering resources to support your success and wellness through the year, and getting to know your peers. Check out the Fall Orientation website to discover more programming details and register for the events!

We are so excited for new Bisons to join the herd!

Student Affairs is seeking volunteer tour guides to help at Preparing for University, the first event of the UM Orientation series. The event will take place on May 4, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Fort Garry campus.

To join the team, volunteers must:

• Be current UM students
• Be outgoing and comfortable sharing their experiences in groups
• Have a basic navigational understanding of Fort Garry campus
• Have a basic understanding of the essential UM services on Fort Garry campus
• Be physically capable of standing and walking for up to a couple hours at a time
• Be an enthusiastic member and advocate of the UM community

Kareem Sowid is an example of the type of students who make perfect orientation volunteers – friendly, well-spoken and invested in helping others. He was first drawn to a volunteer recruitment posting in his first year because he saw value in supporting new students at what can be a confusing, stressful time. Sowid explains, “Getting to meet new students, seeing their faces when they first walk into university, and getting that first impression – it really made me think, ‘wow, that was me two years ago when I first walked into university, and I was this nervous.’ So, when I volunteer, I genuinely always try my best to accommodate the students and I always let them know that there are no embarrassing questions or stupid questions.”

As much as new students benefit from the help of orientation volunteers, volunteers derive many personal benefits for themselves, too. For instance, volunteering is a great way to meet students from different faculties who you might never encounter in your classes. “It was very nice to meet people with different interests,” Sowid reflects, “I met a lot of my friends from the planning for university and I think it was a very good experience.” Furthermore, Sowid recalls how the experience left him feeling valued by his community, both at the event and long after.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tour guide, Student Affairs encourages you to apply. Start by filling out the 2025 Orientation Volunteer Application Form and choosing a 30-minute interview timeslot (if you’re a new volunteer). Successful applicants will need to attend a training session the week before the event to understand the structure of the event, learn the campus tour script and route, and cover any additional information they will be expected to know or convey to new students.

Through a series of in-person events and online modules leading up to Prep Week (August 29-Sept. 2) and Welcome Day (Sept. 6), UM Orientation provides some of the first interactions for new students. These events provide an orientation to university life with academic sessions, workshops, resource guides, campus tours and opportunities to connect with other new students.

This year, the Orientation team is looking for Welcome Leaders to support in-person programming that will assist new students in their transition to learning on campus. Welcome Leaders will have the opportunity to practice interpersonal communication skills and gain leadership experience by volunteering at one or more Orientation events throughout the summer and early fall. Volunteering offers the opportunity to meet new people and share your Bison pride, and volunteers who participate in 10 or more hours cumulatively will be granted a notation on their Co-Curricular Record (CCR).

After volunteering for Orientation in 2021, Eugenie Whan Kan, a third-year Asper School of Business student, returned this year as an Orientation Team Leader, helping lead other volunteers. Eugenie found volunteering to be a fulfilling experience. She says, “I am an international student, and being a volunteer gave me a sense of community and showed me that I could help new students despite being new to Canada.”

Alex Risbey, a fourth-year Science student, echoes Eugenie in encouraging other students to get involved with Orientation 2022.  Alex says, “As a volunteer, I really enjoyed being a part of a team and working together to help new students become a part of the U of M community.”

Students can sign up now to help with Welcome Day (Sept. 6) We’re looking for volunteers to help with sessions, wayfinding and set up/take down. 

All volunteers will receive training in a fun, relaxed, and supportive environment. There are lots of other perks to getting involved too, like meeting new people and fun volunteer appreciation events.

Visit the orientation volunteer page for more information on how to sign up as an in-person Orientation Volunteer!

Academic advisors are a great resource when you have questions about your options in university. Advisors will assist you as you enter university, as you navigate the choices that open up to you, and work with you to develop the skills and abilities that will help you make the most of your time at UM. Specialized advisors are available in each faculty, program or unit.

There are also other tools and resources that answer common questions from students, such as those related to course selection, registration difficulty, and more:

• New students: If you haven’t done so already, watch a video replay of one of our Get Ready to Register sessions which will show you how to use the First Year Planning Guide to select and register for your first-year courses. Be sure to browse UM Commons for all things related to the first year experience.
• Returning students: Run a degree audit on UM Achieve. Doing so will lay out your progress, show you how courses you’ve completed will fulfill requirements for your degree, and which courses you need to take in the future.
• Reach out to the Virtual Advising Help Centre (VAHC) for general questions about UM. The VAHC team consists of Student Service Navigators who can point you in the right direction and will help you find answers, seven days a week!
• These videos on How to Register Using Aurora outlines step-by-step instructions on how to create a timetable, register and waitlist for courses.
• Important registration tips and details including dates, as well as solutions to common registration errors are also provided by the Registrar’s Office.

If you still can’t find the answer you need, reach out to your advisor and follow the contact information in the links provided. A combination of virtual and in-person options are available to meet with an advisor. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use your @myumanitoba.ca account for all communication with UM staff.
• Include your name, student number and a phone number where you can be reached.
• Be as specific as possible as you explain your questions or concerns. Describing as much detail as you can will help advisors give you the best answer.

Please remember to be patient. Academic advisors are happy to help you sort things out, and they want to see you succeed just as much as you do! Re-sending your email or emailing multiple people doesn’t help, instead it adds to the volume of inquiries to get back to and increases wait times.

Be sure to take advantage of the online resources listed above as your questions may have been answered there first.

 Welcome Day (September 7) 

Join us on September 7 to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year virtually. You’ll start the day by being officially welcomed to UM by the President, Chancellor and others at the Welcome Ceremony. Then you’ll meet with your Welcome Day group to hear about what you can expect as you begin your first year of university studies. In the afternoon, connect with your faculties or gain advice from students who were in your shoes last year. 

Join Welcome Day now

Prep Week (August 30-September 3) 

Start your day by meeting up with your classmates and upper level students for a morning check in before you start your day. 

Check out the Prep Week schedule, and identify the sessions you want to register for. Here are just some examples of what will be offered: 

• Get tips for skills-based learning, including strategies to master online learning, time management, planning study sessions, working well in a group, academic writing, tutoring, and much more. 
• Learn how you can have the best student experience, including a session with Bison Sports, tips on staying active while studying remotely, and introductions to various student communities where you can make connections and meet new friends. 
• Find out more about the many student supports and services available to you, including spiritual health, sexual violence awareness, accessibility, and more. 
• Get familiar with your faculty community at one of the faculty-led sessions. 
• Attend special lectures from UM Professors, like one about the history of comics and Indigenous representation in the medium  

This is your first year at UM! Make the most of it by taking part in opportunities that have been created just for you. Meet new people with common interests and get an advantage by becoming familiar with the expectations and resources available at your new school.   

View Prep Week 

 UM Commons: Live

If you are on campus Sept. 8, 9, 10, feel free to stop by UM Commons: Live in the Quad (look for our signs) and say “Hi!”. Students, faculty and staff from Student Affairs and other units will be on hand to answer questions, provide tours of campus and provide other helpful information.  

 Stay in Touch

For everything you need to know as a first year student, visit UM Commons, an online hub where you can get connected to your classmates, participate in events, find a mentor and more. Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @umfirstyearcentre and @umstudent. 

First and foremost, encourage your student to participate in First Year Programming. Doing so introduces them to crucial information that will help them feel prepared and supported in their journey. Remind students to check the email address used in their application as well as their @myumanitoba email address (after claiming their signUM account) to keep them up to date with important communications regarding welcome events, preparation resources and information about the year ahead.

UM Commons is an online hub specifically created to connect new students with the UM community and tools and information they need to make the most of their first year. The First Year Planning Guide and the advising team in the First Year Centre are also great resources to assist your student with exploring and selecting courses necessary for the first year in any UM undergrad program. Additionally, the Virtual Advising Help Centre (VAHC) consists of a team of students who you can chat with live about the UM experience, including on evenings and weekends.

Students’ most important cheerleaders

Receiving support from family members, friends and other caregivers significantly impacts a student’s academic success, even more so through this pivotal point in their life. While you may not always agree with your student’s academic choices, it is important to remember that showing respect for their choices is key to their success.  Show support by doing things with them, not for them, such as researching programs, meeting with advisors and registering for courses. This not only encourages them to direct their own path, but also empowers them as they make these decisions with you by their side.

Showing a genuine interest in what they are studying and getting involved with on campus is a great way to build stronger connections with your student. Additionally, discussing information from lectures, textbooks and other course materials helps them comprehend and recall course content, and can even inspire them to discover the parts of their education that interests them most.

It is most important to remind your student that asking for help is normal and part of every student’s experience. Here are just a few of the many places where all UM students can find support: 

• Financial Aid and Awards connects students with scholarships, bursaries, and award opportunities.
• The Academic Learning Centre helps students strengthen their studying, writing and research skills.
• Career Services helps with career planning, effective job search techniques, and looking for work-integrated learning experiences.
• Student Accessibility Services provides students with disabilities with alternative in-class learning resources, test and exam accommodations, and campus access.

Maintaining both physical and mental well-being has never been more important. This is especially true for new students who are learning to balance a post-secondary workload with work, family obligations and extracurricular activities. Students can access support from many units at UM, including but not limited to the following:

• University Health Service provides primary care services on campus, such as physical examinations, diagnosing and treatment of health concerns, immunization and so on.
• The Student Counselling Centre offers free and confidential workshops, individual and group counselling programs.
• The Health and Wellness Office is a safe, inclusive and judgement-free space for all students to access programming and information on personal health and well-being.
• Recreation Services helps students stay active with recreational programming on campus and virtual options for workout sessions.

Expectations and the limits of sharing

There are certain boundaries to parent and caregiver involvement at UM. Regardless of age or who is paying for a student’s tuition, the Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act (FIPPA) prevents the university from releasing information about a student to anyone other than that student.

First Year Experience Programming and other important dates

Orientation events for new students will be delivered online. Right now, students should be working their way through UM Essentials, an 8-module course intended to help your student prepare for studies at UM. Prep Week kicks off August 30. New students have the chance to sit in on virtual lectures, learn strategies for academic skill development, connect with other students and meet important support staff and faculty members, all dedicated to your student’s success during their first year at UM. Welcome Day will be held on September 7, 2021, with UM community leaders officially welcoming new students as they begin their first year.

Course registration is well under way, but upcoming important dates and deadlines include:

• First Day of Classes for the Fall Term – September 8, 2021
• Course Drop Date: The last date to drop a course with a refund for Fall term and Fall/Winter term spanning courses – September 21, 2021
• Course Add Date: The last date to add a course for Fall term and Fall/Winter term spanning courses – September 22, 2021
• Fall Tuition Fee Payment Deadline – October 6, 2021

Additional dates and information for International Student Orientation are available, covering topics related to Canadian culture, Indigenous history and reconciliation, rental housing in Manitoba, managing finances for newcomers, and more.

Follow @umfirstyearcentre on Instagram for content specifically created for first year students, and @umstudent on Instagram to get a glimpse of student life at the university. UM Commons will be updated throughout the summer with information about upcoming programming.

How do I register for courses?

There are tons of resources to help students plan and register for courses: 

• Check out our Get Ready to Register sessions on using the First Year Planning Guide, course timetabling and registration.
• Watch this video, How to Register Using Aurora.
• If you receive an error message when you’re registering for courses, check out Registration Errors. This page has explanations of the error messages you may receive and offers guidance on how you can resolve specific registration issues.

How do I check and pay my tuition fees?

After you register for Fall and Winter courses, you may not see your tuition fees on your Aurora account right away. Typically, you’ll be able to check your fees in mid-August.

To check your tuition fees in Aurora, go to: 

• Enrolment & Academic Records
• Student Records
• View Account Summary by Term

For info on how to pay your tuition fees, check out this page, Payment Options.

 How do I check my booklist and order textbooks?

To view your booklist in Aurora, go to:

• Enrolment & Academic Records
• Student Records
• View Booklist

You can order books online through the UM Bookstore. If you have any questions about ordering your textbooks (especially if you are not currently in Canada), email the UM Bookstore  or call 1-204-474-8321.

How do I access my UM e-mail account (@myumanitoba.ca)?

Before you can use your UM e-mail account, you first have to claim your UM Net ID. An active UM Net ID gives you access to your UM e-mail, UM Learn, online library resources, and more!  

• To claim your UM Net ID, visit umanitoba.ca
• To access your UM e-mail, log into https://365.myumanitoba.ca
• If you have any troubles claiming your UM Net ID or accessing your UM e-mail, you can chat online with IST.

How do I get a Student ID card?

Visit Photo Identification (ID) cards for step-by-step instructions on how to order a Student ID card through Aurora.

How do I apply for scholarships or funding?

Check out Financial Aid and Awards for info about entrance scholarships, bursaries and student loans for first-year students. We especially recommend using the Searchable Awards Database to discover scholarships that you’re eligible to apply for. 

How do I opt out of the UMSU Health & Dental Plan?

If you already have health coverage through your work or family, you can opt out of UMSU’s Health and Dental Plan. You can find more detailed instructions on how to opt out on the UMSU Health & Dental Plan website.  This section also includes helpful information for international students who are not currently living in Canada.  

I don’t have the high school prerequisite (ex. 60% in Grade 12 Pre-Calculus) for a university course. How do I get the prerequisite?

You can upgrade your high school courses through UM’s Extended Education.  Review the Upgrading page in the First Year Planning Guide for more info on upgrading.

How can I book an appointment with an academic advisor?

If you’d like to talk with an academic advisor in the First Year Centre, visit our Contact us page for our booking info. All First Year Centre appointments take place online through Microsoft Teams, which all UM students have free access to.

If you’d like to talk with an academic advisor for a specific faculty, visit UM’s academic advising page. 

Still have questions?

Do you have other questions that weren’t answered by this article? Go to askumanitoba and get answers to the questions most frequently asked by UM students. Be sure to check out their Top 10 Questions. 

Stay in touch

For everything you need to know as a first year student, visit UM Commons, an online hub where you can get connected to your classmates, participate in events, find a mentor and more. Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @umfirstyearcentre and @umstudent.

Last summer, UM created virtual first year programming that helped students connect with their classmates, prepare for the year ahead, and gain tips and strategies to thrive in a remote learning environment. This summer, First Year Experience is back and better than ever to help the newest members of our campus community feel connected to their university and to their peers.

Online events and programming assist in the transition from high school to life at UM, and help students feel ready for the fall, regardless of where they may be studying – here in Winnipeg, outside the perimeter, or anywhere in the world. Students will gain valuable insights and earn chances to win cash prizes that can be applied towards tuition.

Summer Programming

Here are some of the exciting programs new students can participate in:

• What’s Next? Saturday June 5, 10am-1 pm  
  • What’s Next? includes information about financial aid options, career development, and the differences between high school and university. It helps students understand the supports and resources available for them.
• Get Ready to Register: June 10-July 8
  • Get Ready to Register is a three-part series designed to help new students make decisions about target programs, course selection and registration. Each session builds on the next, so students are encouraged to watch each of the three parts. After completing Get Ready to Register, they will have all the tools they need to plan and register for their first year courses.
• Reading to Write: July 2-23 (Register by June 15), July 26-Aug 13 (Register by July 15)
  • Reading to Write is a free three-week online academic writing and reading program offered by the Academic Learning Centre (ALC). Students will practice reading academic texts and complete four basic academic writing tasks while getting feedback from an ALC tutor.
• UM Essentials: July 12 – August 27
  • UM Essentials is an eight-module online course that helps students prepare for their studies at UM. Students will learn what it means to join the UM community including expectations about academic and personal behaviour. Strategies for effective learning will be shared and students will gain comfort in using our online learning platform, UM Learn, to help them prepare for fall course work.
• Summer University Advantage: July 26-August 27
  • With Summer University Advantage, students who have been admitted for the Fall 2021 term have the opportunity to begin their studies in Summer Session and take the first-year seminar course ARTS 1110 – Introduction to University. The course focuses on the principles of learning and memory, critical thinking and academic writing, all of which are essential to success at university.
• Math Boot Camp: August 9 – 27 (Register by August 1)
  • Offered by the department of mathematics, Math Boot Camp helps students strengthen their skills in preparation for university-level mathematics courses. This program strives to make math exciting and give students confidence in their math knowledge.
• Prep Week: August 30-September 3
  • Prep Week is a dynamic, engaging week where first year students can sit in on special virtual lectures delivered exclusively for them, plus learn strategies for academic writing, taking notes, participating in groups and preparing for mid-terms and assignments. Professors, staff and upper-level students will provide key tips for success in first year and information about accessing academic supports, tutors, and student services will be shared. Students can explore the many involvement opportunities available at UM and meet up with other students who share their interests.
• Welcome Day: September 7
  • Welcome Day is not to be missed! Our new Bisons will be officially welcomed to UM by university leaders and some of the key people who will guide them as they start their respective journeys. Welcome Day will be a virtual celebration of the work they have done so far and offer a preview of the exciting year ahead. Programming in the morning will be for all new students and faculty-specific sessions will occur in the afternoon.

 Stay Connected

There are a few ways for students to stay in touch over the summer and get more information:

• UM Commons
  • UM Commons is an online hub that connects new students to the university, their classmates, and the resources and tools they need to excel throughout their first year. From getting the latest information on what’s happening and registering for events, to connecting with staff, services, or peer tutor programs, UM Commons should be every new student’s first stop.
• Email newsletters
  • Students should stay tuned to their emails over the summer for key information about their first year journey. Info will be sent to the email address they applied with, or their UM email address after they’ve claimed their UMnetID.
• UM’s student Instagram accounts
  • Follow @umfirstyearcentre for an account specifically designed for first year students.
  • Follow @umstudent for the student perspective of life on campus.

Through a series of online modules called UM Essentials, and during virtual Prep Week and Welcome Day events, UM’s First Year Experience provides some of the first interactions that new students will have with UM. These events provide an orientation to university life with academic sessions, workshops, resource guides, and opportunities to connect with other new students.

This year, the First Year Experience team is looking for volunteers for the brand-new position of Online Orientation Facilitator. This is a 50-60 hour commitment from May to October that offers student volunteers the opportunity to build skills in leadership and communication by guiding new students in UM Essentials and sharing experiences at FYE events.  Volunteering also offers the opportunity to meet new people, gain Co-Curricular Recognition (CCR), and share pride in the UM community.

After volunteering with First Year Experience in 2020, Mashtura Khan, a second year Biochemistry student, returned this year as an Orientation Team Leader, helping lead other volunteers. Mashtura found volunteering to be a fulfilling experience; she says, “as an international student, volunteering for UM orientation events made me feel like a part of this community and showed me that I could make friends easily even though I was new to Canada.”

Emily Antonio, a second year English & Theatre student, echoes Mashtura in encouraging other students to get involved with First Year Experience 2021: “The best part about volunteering for orientation is knowing that you’ve made an impact on other students!”

All volunteers will receive training in a fun, relaxed, and supportive virtual environment.  There are lots of other perks to getting involved too, like meeting new people and fun online volunteer appreciation events.

Visit the orientation volunteer page for more information on how to join the 2021 First Year Experience Volunteer Team.

Deadline for applications: May 9th at 11:59 PM