From August 29 to September 2, Prep Week will introduce you to the people and places you’ll encounter in the UM community, and give you information that will set you up for success in university. This week-long event will consist of sessions and workshops to help you settle into student life at UM.

All Prep Week Sessions are delivered virtually. Find the Zoom links in the Prep Week UM Learn course.

These are just some of the examples of what you’ll find on the Prep Week schedule:

• Morning Meetups: Start each morning in a virtual meet up group with students in similar courses. Connect with your future classmates while meeting other students in higher level classes!
• Workshops: These online sessions will help you develop the skills and habits that can help you achieve academic success. From time management techniques to academic writing skills and maintaining wellness as a student, you’ll hear practical advice from seasoned students and professionals.
• Special Lectures: Have you ever been in a university lecture setting? Join virtually via Zoom or in person (room 290 Education Bldg) as a real UM prof offers a snapshot of what a UM lecture is like. Learn what professors expect students to take away from a lecture, tips on how to study the content best, and how you might be tested on class material.
• Faculty Sessions: Faculties and departments will present information on the resources, supports and opportunities offered to students in their programs. This is a chance to broaden your horizons and learn about what’s out there!
• Student Communities: Use these virtual sessions to meet other students with similar interests and backgrounds to build your network of peers. The social aspect of the university experience is a unique part of your life, and we’re proud to have such a diverse student community.

We’re here to help you make the best of your first year! Be sure to register for as many sessions as you want. Stay updated with Prep Week to see registration details, the full schedule and any important announcements. All new students who have registered for the fall term have been added to the Prep Week course in UM Learn. Returning students, or anyone who has not been added to the course can contact Orientation@umanitoba.ca to be added.

Prep Week is only one of the many opportunities and events available to new students! Visit UM Commons for everything related to the first year experience.

While it was launched this summer, the online course contains useful information that students can refer to any time during this academic year. Much of the content may become more meaningful to students as they navigate studying, assignments and exams while trying to maintain a healthy and balanced life outside of class.

Whether you’ve already completed the course or if you haven’t started yet, here are a few highlights from UM Essentials that will be helpful at this time of the term:

• Academic Integrity in the Important Information module offers a reminder on the University of Manitoba’s tips and policies as students dive into papers, tests and midterms.
• The Becoming a Successful Student module has proven methods on staying organized and how to best use study time, as well as in-person and online options for help with assignments.  
• Your On-Campus Experience would also be a good module to visit for students looking to enrich their university experience. Research consistently indicates that students who are involved in campus recreation, volunteering and other activities perform better and are more likely to complete their degree. 

UM Essentials is available through UM Learn.  All new UM students have been automatically enrolled, and all other students can self-register at any time.

 What made you decide to shake things up?

Melissa: In the past, the U of M had a set of events and offerings that were intended to ‘orient’ students to the U of M, but they weren’t being presented cohesively.  Because of this, incoming students were taking part in certain events and not others, and not everyone was getting the same experience. We got feedback from students who had participated in our programming in the past, heard what worked and what didn’t, and made some changes.

Ali: We can’t expect these students who are coming fresh out of high school to just get with the program in a single day of Orientation right before they start classes.  We want them to take the summer, participate in our different programming, and think of Orientation as a process.

How is UM Orientation 2019 different from what’s been offered in the past?

Ali: We decided to change the focus of some of our previous events, and add some, so we can really meet the needs of the students.  This year, we are offering three main on-campus events, and a new and improved online component, called UM Essentials, plus smaller workshop-type offerings.

Melissa: The three on-campus events are: What’s Next? (June 1, 2019) which is taking the place of Head Start, and focusing more on what students told us they wanted at this phase of the process: course planning, registration, and exploring their faculty options. Then on July 17, we’re adding an event called Making the Grade! which will get students on campus mid-summer to get them comfortable, maybe get some of the administrative stuff out of the way, and show them all of the different options they’ve got for student support and getting involved. That way, when it comes to Welcome Day (September 3), they can focus more on socializing and making friends, rather than spending hours in line to get their Student ID Card.

Tell us more about UM Essentials.

Melissa: We wanted to find a way to include students who can’t necessarily take part in the on campus summer events, and also lighten the load of information we tend to throw at students in our typical fall Orientation day. UM Essentials is available to all incoming students on UM Learn starting in June, and it offers information on things like academic integrity, getting involved on campus, and also familiarizes students with some of our crucial policies on substance use and sexual violence. The idea is to give students a way to learn all of this important information in a digestible, understandable way.

 What should be the first step in getting the most out of the new UM Orientation?

Ali: Register for What’s Next? – it’s going to be a really great day on our Fort Garry campus. Students and their families are welcome to come check out their future campus home.  They’re going to learn a lot, and it’s a great opportunity to get more comfortable with this next stage in their life.

For more information, and to register for all upcoming UM Orientation 2019 events, click here.