Lou Hofer, a 2nd year graduate student in the Faculty of Education, recognized what their blind spots were when it came to academic success based on past experiences. “I wanted to be a more efficient student. I came to UM having had a very difficult time asking for help in my first degree,” says Lou. “Something I really struggled with was citations.”

Having these ideas in mind, Lou decided to talk with their professors who offered guidance and suggested resources. “This time around I made sure to look at the syllabus and note our course’s citation standards. In my last degree I struggled with asking for help, but this time around I did more research on resources and connected with my professors.”

“If you’re struggling, go to your prof and ask if there are any additional resources that they would recommend.” One such resource, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) was another aid in their journey. “The ALC has citing guides on the website that helped me,” Lou adds. “If you don’t know where to start, contact the ALC. Whether it’s content you’re struggling with or creating routines, they have strategies for academic success.”

Likewise, Krish Bhalala, a third-year computer science student, had faced a different kind of struggle in his first year at UM. “My first-year grades weren’t as good as I wanted and I was taking this stats course for data science but my prof didn’t always attend office hours. I was struggling with the assignments.”

At the time, Krish was still looking for resources that could help him succeed. “I asked the TA how to improve in the course and that’s where I learned about the Stats Help Centre where my TA was a Help Centre Leader. Once I went to the Stats Help Centre things started to click,” Krish says with enthusiasm. “The Help Centres aren’t limited to one topic either. They’re interdisciplinary. If the content you’re learning has a topic that is covered in that course, you could go to either the Stats Help Centre or Math Centre.”

Both students now encourage others to use campus supports early and often. Krish says, “Look for one entry point if you’re struggling. You can reach out to your professors and ask how to succeed in your course or for appropriate resources based on your needs.”

At the UM, asking for help isn’t weakness it’s wisdom. During Student Success Month, we aim to celebrate students like Lou and Krish who remind us that asking for help isn’t the end of the road, but the beginning of a greater journey.

Iman, now a 4th year student in the Faculty of Science, remembers the culture shock that came with transitioning from secondary school to university in her first semester. “In high school you know everybody and then you come here and feel almost paralyzed. I think a lot of that comes from now knowing what’s out there.” An opportunity for connection arose when Iman applied to the Qualico Bridge to Success program.

“The program is catered toward first year Indigenous students. Some students in the program come from places where they’re close to their communities and coming to UM can be a big culture shock,” she says. “The program helped build community and connections, and with transitioning into that first year as smoothly as possible.”

Iman has always loved the idea of helping other students. As an upper years student, she feels fulfilled getting to act as a peer mentor for other first year students in the Bridge to Success program.

Luke, a 4th year of his Computer Science degree, faced similar challenges with building a sense of community in his first semester. “In my first and second year I was really hungry for that community experience,” he explains. “I didn’t really know anybody at UM, but connecting with TAs in my courses was really helpful. Getting involved in student groups was huge for me.”

A conversation with one of his TAs introduced him to the Prairie iGEM Team. “It was a great opportunity to learn and meet students in other departments. It really opened my mind to what is possible—it’s one thing to go to school and learn whatever it is you’re studying, but it’s a totally different thing to try and build a project out of those skills. Community was a big part of iGEM, it was a way to meet people you wouldn’t have otherwise and make some friends.”

Both Luke and Iman have attended UM events that furthered their sense of involvement in the campus community. Iman volunteered for Welcome to the Herd to give new and prospective students tours of campus. “This opportunity was a game changer for me. I like playing an active role in the community. That volunteer experience had an impact on me and led me to the mentoring life.”

Likewise Luke discovered that events are readily available if you look for them. “There was a poster up in Armes that said ‘come see this talk’ and I signed up! The event had a local CEO as the speaker. It was a useful way to understand the industry that I’m heading into and a really good experience to meet other students.”

If you’re looking to gain a sense of community at UM, Iman offers these words of wisdom: “Building connections, going out and trying new things, are all investments for your future and your mental health. We’re all in it together.”
Student Success Month reminds us that wellness and connection isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s through campus events or joining a student group, the journey to finding belonging begins with one small step.

Building confidence through support can make all the difference when it comes to academic success.

Senuki is a third year international student studying electrical engineering who was nervous about academic writing. “I was nervous about starting my second year and academic writing is a skill I was still developing,” she admits. “I didn’t take any courses before where I had to write academic essays.”

Lou Hofer, a 2nd year graduate student in the Faculty of Education, had already completed their first degree in social sciences when they came to UM. Managing their time effectively and overcoming procrastination as a neurodivergent student presented an opportunity to learn new strategies to be successful.

Unsure of where to begin, these students set their sights on the Academic Learning Centre (ALC).

“I was browsing the ALC website because I wanted to find more resources and that’s when I learned about the Reading to Write program,” Senuki explains. “The program is a distance course, but it explained what academic writing is and made it easier for someone who has never done it before. The exercises taught me how to integrate sources and quotations. And there are ALC tutors who grade your papers. It’s helpful for all students who are taking writing courses, especially if you’re new to academic writing.”

Lou met an academic coach. “She helped me build so many incredible strategies for my ADHD. If I was struggling with task initiation or time management, she really helped me develop a couple different strategies that have worked a ton.”

“There are a lot of things on the ALC website like tip-sheets for different struggles that you may be encountering. I’ve used many of those so many times,” Lou says. “I’ve also listened to the ALC podcast quite a bit, it helped me with reading for academic writing purposes. The workshops are also really good, I attended one on tackling procrastination and it really changed how I do things in this next degree.”

Today, these students are not only surviving the semester but thriving in their studies. Senuki is involved in the Women of Manitoba Engineering Network (WOMEN) and works as a content and study skills tutor in the ALC. Lou is now an academic coach with the ALC and is actively involved in community events in the Faculty of Education.

Lou offers a few words of advice for students who are seeking new opportunities to succeed. “Some of the most important learning opportunities are the ones that happen outside of class, get connected to the resources and workshops that are out there, especially at the beginning of the Fall term.”

Whether you’re an international student mastering a new skill or an experienced student who is refining their learning techniques to better suit their needs, UM student supports have your back to turn struggle into strategy.

Luke, a fourth-year student in Computer Science, is eager to explore the University’s wellness resources this Student Success Month.

“I’ve become more interested in the wellness part of things recently,” he says. “This upcoming year I’m more interested in looking into mental health supports than I was previously. I think this last year I’ve learned that mental health supports are useful and important. I’m interested in learning what we’ve got here at the UM.”

Student Success Month is more than just academic support. It’s also geared toward building connections and a sense of belonging. Paulyn De Leon, a first-year student in the College of Pharmacy, reflects on the sense of excitement and community that the Fall term brings. “During the start of a new Fall term, I like the vibes of the campus. It just feels like a community,” says Paulyn. “When I come in for the Fall, I enjoy seeing all the people. I feel like it motivates me, and I look forward to that.”

Throughout October, students can participate in a variety of workshops and events focused on:

• Academic writing and study skills workshops
• Research support and library services
• Career development sessions
• Mental health and wellness resources

Events are hosted across both Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses, online and in-person. From study tips to self-care, take a look at the events calendar and find what fits your goals this Student Success Month!

As the Fall Term picks up speed, many students begin to feel the weight of academic and personal responsibilities. Whether you’re navigating your first year or returning with new goals, October is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and recharge with the support of UM’s Academic Learning Centre (ALC) and campus-wide resources.

Dr. Monique Dumontet, Director of the ALC, shares her excitement on the month ahead.

“Student Success Month is a celebration of learning, growth, and community. We’re thrilled to offer workshops and events that empower students to take charge of their academic journey and well-being,” she says. “We want every student to feel confident and supported.”

Throughout October, students can attend in-person and online workshops on topics such as:

• Academic writing and study strategies
• Research skills and library services
• Coping with stress and building resilience
• Career planning and professional development
• Navigating transitions and building community

Whether you’re a first-year student or finishing your final term, Student Success Month is your opportunity to build the habits and connections that lead to long-term success. Visit the Student Success Month calendar to explore all events and register today.

Academic integrity is the commitment, by students and the university, to upholding a set of six values explained defined by the ICAC.

Many students understand academic integrity as simply avoiding plagiarism. While properly citing sources is an important aspect of maintaining honesty in the university, academic integrity encompasses behaviour as well. Showing respect to peers and faculty, for example, is integral to academic integrity. The goal, ultimately, is to create an environment where ideas can be shared freely and developed in a way that students have the opportunity to learn.

UM has a procedure for academic misconduct which seeks to uphold academic integrity amongst the student population. The policy identifies forms of academic misconduct, disciplinary action, and the investigative procedure if academic misconduct is suspected. The university defines academic misconduct as “any conduct that has, or might reasonably be seen to have, an adverse effect on the academic integrity of the University,” which includes plagiarism, cheating on quizzes, tests and exams, inappropriate collaboration, duplicate submission, and academic fraud. For complete definitions please consult UM’s student academic misconduct procedure.

There are resources students can consult to help maintain academic integrity, including those for proper referencing and citations as well as throughout the writing process. Citation Guides are published and maintained by the UM libraries. For students unsure what style to use, consult the course instructor and, when in doubt, speak to the appropriate subject librarian. They can not only help find information, but also ensure it is properly cited. The library also offers numerous drop in study sessions and workshops to hone students’ writing, research, and study skills.
Tutoring and study group sessions available through the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) are collaborative resources that can help students organize their ideas, build skills and increase academic self esteem. The ALC also offers workshops on academic success and academic integrity. All these resources exist to help students, and turning to them early is a good way to prevent a last-minute crunch when meeting deadlines.

What about artificial intelligence? There is a lot of buzz about generative AI in the university, and generally it is discouraged. This includes text and image generators, editing software, paraphrasing generators, and predictive text softwares. Actual policies and procedures will vary from department to department, instructor to instructor. Understanding the ramifications of AI and academic integrity can be complex, especially as the technology continues to develop. UM has a few guidelines to understanding AI use, but when in doubt consult with instructors or professors regarding what is and isn’t acceptable AI use.

For more information on what academic integrity looks like on campus, check out the Show Your Integrity newsletter or contact the academic integrity office at AcademicIntegrity@umanitoba.ca. Other resources can be found through the UM’s academic supports webpage.

Luckily, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) offers a variety of free resources aimed at helping students find success in their studies.

For some of the University of Manitoba’s notoriously challenging courses, peer leaders (students who have previously completed these courses) guide students through free weekly Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions. Noor Imran, a Faculty of Science student, SI leader, and content tutor, shared that, “these sessions […] helped me stay on top of the course material and identify knowledge gaps so I could address them more effectively. It was also a great opportunity to connect with people and see the thought process of my peers.” Other past participants have shared similarly positive experiences from these sessions, including SI’s value for test preparation and improving problem-solving capacity.  As an SI leader, Noor further noted that these sessions can help students better understand how to approach their courses, and university studies more generally, and build valuable study habits and time-management skills.

Content and study skills tutors are available both in-person and online for free one-to-one appointments. These peer tutors can help students address a variety of concerns related to learning and studying. Noor shared that, “Some of the most common things that students talk about are time management, content help, exam preparation, note-taking strategies and additional resources for academic support.” She also explained that “there are students who are not sure why they are not succeeding in their courses. In those cases, our appointments are almost a diagnostic session where I help them discover shortcomings in their study style/strategies that they might need to improve or change completely. I find that those appointments are fulfilling for the students since they end up with a concrete plan on how to improve their strategies.”

The ALC also offers a variety of other resources and workshops designed to help you hone your skills and gain confidence in your learning.

There are many other supports available across campus, too. Noor explained that “The Science Students’ Association (SSA) has a tutoring program… Student clubs like Undergraduate Microbiology Students’ Club (MiSC) and Chem Club provide academic services for students like exam banks and study nights. For help with mathematics-based courses, the Math Help Centre and the Stats Help Centre are also very useful resources.” Try reaching out to your department, faculty, instructors or student group(s) to see what other resources might be available to you.

There are also many strategies you can explore on your own. Noor recommended making a study schedule, finding a study group and trying out some different study strategies. “I recommend the ‘study guide method’ to students, which is something that works for me. The method allows me to re-explain the concepts to myself through re-writing my notes and customize my study guides in a way that will help me remember and connect concepts (e.g. drawing diagrams, making tables for compare and contrast purposes, making flowcharts for mechanism, etc.). I find this method to be more effective and explanatory than making flashcards or passively copying down the slide’s text,” Noor explained.  As you continue on your learning journey, just know that one size does not fit all; it can be challenging, but taking the time to find the strategies that work for you is very worthwhile!

Make sure to take some time to care for yourself while you attend to your studies. Along with the resources for learning and studying, UM offers resources and services aimed at promoting and fostering student well-being. You can find more information at the Student Wellness website.

For students looking to improve their writing skills, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) provides  one-to-one and group tutoring,  and Drop-in Study Sessions. Writing Tutors make suggestions on students’ work and help develop writing skills at any stage in the writing process or any level of writing. Writing tutors help build foundational skills for writing and strengthen existing skills.

Strong writing is more than proper sentence structure, grammar, or spelling. Completing an academic paper requires skills such as note-taking, research, reading, and time management. For those new to university, the writing process may be unfamiliar. “Organization is a big one [writing skill], as many students are accustomed to writing without an outline upon starting university. For shorter and less complex essays at the high school level, this can be a workable approach, but it is almost invariably a bad idea at the university level,” notes Garrett Levacque, writing tutor with the ALC.

Levacque highlights the value of meeting early with writing tutors: “Some of the appointments [that] students have implied or said were particularly helpful are appointments at these early stages where the student and I co-construct an outline and work together on developing a thesis statement.” Sometimes students may not know how to start planning their writing. By working with a writing tutor, , getting started can be easier and less intimidating.

There are writing tutors for both undergraduate and graduate students who can help students synthesize and develop their thesis statements, cite and reference, meet deadlines, and improve their editing strategies. For graduate students, writing tutors can help with source integration, reference management and organization of ideas in, complex writing tasks like theses and dissertations.

As students advance in university, writing assignments tend to become more frequent and complex. The ALC’s writing tutors can help students adjust to increased expectations in their writing courses. Levacque remarks that “More experienced university students who have not had to do a lot of writing in earlier years of their degree also frequently seek out writing tutors for assistance, with nursing students being a particularly notable cohort of this sort.” Learning to write is an ongoing process, and both new and experienced writers can benefit from meeting with a tutor.

For all students, an outside reader can provide important feedback on their writing. “As a student, I would almost always have a family member read over my papers for clarity, flow, and proofing errors that I might gloss over while revising independently,” recalls Levacque. “I know that many students don’t have that advantage, and campus-based tutoring that is free at the point of service helps to make for a more equitable academic environment where all students can have an informed second set of eyes on their paper.”

Students can make up to two appointment per week with a writing tutor through the ALC tutoring platform

Some areas in which a writing tutor may help students

• Organizing ideas for a paper;
• Understanding the assignment;
• Setting up a writing schedule;
• Planning and outlining;
• Paraphrasing and synthesizing;
• Editing and revision strategies;
• Referencing and citing.

What can students do to improve their writing skills before and after seeing a tutor

• Organization is key! Make clear, detailed outlines
• When researching, note down more than you think you may need. You never know when extra information will come in handy.
• Plan and schedule so that you have time to write. Always allow more time than you think you need.

Interested in becoming a tutor? The ALC hosts regular tutor training workshops to help prepare students to become writing tutors and help their peers. This training also counts towards Experience Record recognition.

The ALC and can be reached by phone at 204-480-1481 or by e-mail at academic_learning[at]umanitoba[dot]ca and at the Bannatyne Reception Desk, S211 Medical Services Building at the Bannatyne Campus.

Whether you are a new or returning student, ensuring that you have everything you need to be successful can sometimes feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, October is Student Success Month. 

Student Success Month is about providing services and opportunities to get Bisons like you through the term, and year, successfully. Throughout the month, there will be a broad range of in-person and online events and workshops to help you improve your academic, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Visit the Student Success Month Webpage to find the complete list of events during October including topics like:

• Studying for high volume courses
• Coping with stress
• Creating your own career opportunities
• Academic writing
• and more!

Remember, whether you’re a new student hoping to build the skills you need to succeed, or a returning student trying to reflect and improve previous habits, you are not alone. A Bison is stronger within the herd!

Providing free programs and resources to help all students build their learning, writing, studying and research skills, the ALC offers a variety of one-to-one and group-directed services. “All students can benefit from adaptive help-seeking throughout their education,” says Monique Dumontet, ALC Director. “It helps build confidence and the feeling of self-efficacy that makes a student not only do well, but thrive at university,”

Seeking help isn’t a reflection of poor academic performance; it simply means you’re making yourself better. The skills that you gain and develop in university will not only help you with your academic goals but also with your professional and personal success beyond your time as a student.

Learning with and from your peers can significantly help with this process. Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions are weekly group study sessions for courses with well-known challenging curricula. With a trained SI leader, each session fosters opportunities to discuss course content, ask questions, share notes, and work through sample problems together.

“In addition to academic support, the social component of learning is really valuable,” Dumontet adds. Understanding that other students often have similar experiences with coursework helps alleviate anxiety around your own progress, especially when you’re having difficulty with course content or a particular skill.  

Individual tutoring appointments are also available throughout the year. You can benefit from feedback on academic writing, assistance with approaching and comprehending course material and learning new strategies to build your independent study skills.

Last year, the ALC had over 8000 individual tutoring appointments spanning across more than 90 courses and fundamental academic skills. SI sessions also saw over 650 attendees. Dumontet adds: “the Academic Learning Centre is for everyone. It’s as normal as visiting a library, joining a club or other student activities.”

The ALC also provides a multitude of self-directed content for students to access at their convenience. These tip sheets and videos can help familiarize students with problem-solving tools, time management methods, test and exam preparation, reading techniques, citation formats, and more.

Dumontet and other ALC staff are energized now that students are back on campus while still continuing to offer remote support. They continue to redefine what it means to offer accessible and adaptive services to all students. Visit the Academic Learning Centre for more information on services and opportunities offered to students.