Carter 0:03 Welcome to the New Student Essentials video series. I'm Carter, I'm a theatre student, my pronouns are he/him, and I'm also a transfer student. Patricha 0:10 And I'm Patricha. I'm an international graduate student from Denmark and my pronouns are she/her. Carter 0:15 In this video, we're going to talk about how to build your academic toolkit, you'll learn what to expect in your classes and how to access the many different academic and learning supports that exist at UVic. Patricha 0:24 I'm excited about this one. Are you ready? Carter 0:26 Let's do it. Patricha 0:27 Let's start out by going over some of the terms that you should know. Carter 0:30 UVic divides its school year into sessions. The Winter session is from September to April, and the Summer session is from May to August. Within sessions are terms for example, September to December is one term, and January to April is another. Most UVic students study just during the winter session but summer is a great time to pick up extra classes. Patricha 0:49 Next one: full-time versus part-time status. Now this information is for undergraduates specifically, so graduate students hold on tight. Carter 0:57 You're considered a full-time student if you're registered in at least 12 units in the winter session, or four courses per term. A typical course is 1.5 units, but some are three units. Patricha 1:07 It's important to know this definition because you will need to be registered in a full course load to receive funding and to access certain student services. Carter 1:14 Now, if you're living in residence, registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning, have a study permit, a student loan are a varsity athlete, a scholarship student, or receiving band funding, make sure to check what your minimum or full time required course load is. Patricha 1:29 And what about part time status? Carter 1:30 Part time means being registered in less than 12 units in the winter session and not in a co-op work term. Patricha 1:35 Every programs bachelor's degree is worth 60 units, which works out to taking a full course load for four or five years. Carter 1:42 Now, many students may consider taking a reduced course load and extending the completion time of their degree to five years or longer. It's okay to adjust your course load throughout the term. Just watch for the add and drop deadlines and the academic calendar so you're not hit with any additional costs. Patricha 1:56 That's important advice. And be sure to note your program's course requirements. They're the courses you'll need to complete in order to graduate. Carter 2:04 Now to plan out what required courses you need to take each year, I'd recommend using a program planning worksheet. Patricha 2:10 If you have questions about any of this or you're wanting to change your program, you can meet up with an academic adviser. I'd recommend meeting up with an academic adviser at least once a year, especially if you've changed or dropped any of your courses. Carter 2:24 And if you're a transfer student coming to UVic, like I was-- Patricha 2:27 Shout out to transfer students! Carter 2:29 It's a good idea to check in with an adviser as soon as you can to ensure that your transition is as smooth as possible. Patricha 2:34 University can be such an exciting time, but it can also be challenging. It's your responsibility as a student to ensure that you're taking the right courses at the right time. However, there's some flexibility within your program and your courses. So don't stress too much. Carter 2:51 Supports are available through your academic advising or your department if you have any questions. Patricha 2:56 If you're a graduate student like me, it's your turn. Now, let's go over what full time status is for you. Carter 3:02 So full time is defined as being registered in three or more units a term. Patricha 3:05 If you have any questions about your courseload or program, make sure you connect with the Graduate Adviser in your department – they know all about your program requirements. Connect with them, and your supervisor, to talk about your game plan as a grad student. If you have questions about how your grades might affect your academic standing or your scholarships, connect with your Adviser and the Tuition office in the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Carter 3:30 Nicely done! Patricha 3:31 Yeah, I know! We're crushing this. Carter 3:35 For all students, grad or undergrad, the classes you'll take will most likely be lecture style. But you may also have studio classes, labs or seminars, which are smaller class sizes and more discussion based. Most classes are held in person but there are some online options too. So check your timetable when you register. Patricha 3:52 Your instructor will use a platform called Brightspace to house course information, class discussions, assignments, submissions and online quizzes. You will need a UVic login called your Netlink ID in order to access these course sites. Carter 4:06 Let's go over what to expect in your first class. Patricha 4:09 Make sure to attend your first class. It's important for a few different reasons. You'll learn about your professor's teaching style, and you will receive your course syllabus. This will have your professor's contact information, their office hours, required course materials and much more. Carter 4:23 Speaking of office hours, can we talk about how important this is? Patricha 4:26 Sure. Carter 4:27 Office hours are a designated time for your professor to see their students. You don't need an appointment you can just drop by. Patricha 4:33 It's definitely not as scary as it may seem. As you're figuring out how to navigate your courseload and life as a student, you might receive a lower grade than what you're used to. At university academic environments, grading standards and assignments can be different from what you used to. It's not unusual to see a change in your grades and I promise it's not the end of the world. Carter 4:56 Absolutely. You're worth more than your grades, and learning as you go is an important part of this whole university experience anyway, and there are lots of supports to help you. What are some other tips and tricks we can share? Patricha 5:06 The UVic Libraries will often have copies of course materials, like textbooks, available to borrow for short periods of time. Carter 5:14 There are also ebooks and subject librarians who can help you find research materials. And depending on your learning style, the library has silent study and group study floors. Patricha 5:21 It's really really nice to have both options. Carter 5:24 In the Mearns-McPherson library, you'll find the Learning Commons, which houses lots of different academic supports like the Centre for Academic Communication. Patricha 5:31 Look, the Centre for Academic Communication is an incredible resource for students. I cannot stress this enough. They have free, one on one appointments and workshops to help students with reading, writing, speaking, academic expectations, time management, goal setting, studying tips, and much more. I can highly recommend this services, especially if you're an international student working in a second language. Carter 5:56 One workshop I went to help me prepare for a class presentation. I'm getting much better at public speaking, as you can see. Patricha 6:02 You're doing such a good job. Carter 6:03 Thanks. Patricha 6:04 If you're taking a math or stats course and you need some help, there's also the Math and Stats Assistance Centre. Carter 6:11 This can be found in the Elliot Building and in the Mearns-McPherson Library. Patricha 6:15 You can find a full list of resources as well as a bunch of free workshops on the library website. Carter 6:21 Another resource that's available to students with a disability or chronic health condition is the Centre for Accessible Learning. So for example, if you're a student with a documented learning disability, ADHD, physical or sensory disability, mental health or chronic health condition and experience barriers to your education, you can register with the Centre for Accessible Learning to request an academic accommodation plan. Patricha 6:40 Some accommodations include things like extended time for exams, notetaking help and adaptive technology. To register, you'll first need a medical documentation of your diagnosis, and then you'll submit a pre intake form. All the info you need to register can be found in Centre for Accessible Learning's website, which is linked below. Carter 7:01 There are additional aids for students who may not have access to that formal medical diagnosis. Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation provides learning strategies and resources for all students, and the Society for Students with a Disability in the Student Union Building, also has some supports available for students who self-identify as having one or more disabilities. Patricha 7:20 So I think we've actually done a pretty good job at highlighting all the academic support to campus, don't you think? Carter 7:26 Absolutely. Patricha 7:26 My advice to any incoming student is this: use them. They're there for you. Carter 7:32 And my advice is you can also find academic support from your fellow classmates. I love a study buddy! Patricha 7:37 Me too. Making friends in your class is a great way to stay on top of your coursework. The library has bookable study rooms, and there are lots of spots on campus to meet up and study together. Carter 7:48 Community is such an important part of academics, and I don't think it's talked about enough. Patricha 7:53 No, I agree. University can be hard and having a community is such an important part of your wellbeing. Carter 7:59 Yes. Your well being is super important. Make sure to incorporate movement, breaks, sufficient rest, and nourishment into your study routine. Patricha 8:08 One of my favorite things to do during exam period is to get a warm drink from the BiblioCafé and then go for a stroll in Mystic Vale. It's a really nice way to break up my studying. Carter 8:17 We're surrounded by so many beautiful green spaces on campus. Patricha 8:20 Very true. Taking care of you is so important. Being a student in an academic space can be tough sometimes, and you'll definitely learn a lot during your time here at UVic-- Carter 8:31 Both inside and outside the classroom. Patricha 8:33 But in this video, hopefully you've learned some different ways to ensure you're getting the most out of your academics, where to go for help when you need it, as well as some tips for taking care of yourself along the way. Carter 8:44 Thanks for watching, and don't forget to check out the resources below for more information on what we've shared. Patricha 8:49 And be sure to check out the rest of the New Student Essentials video series. Bye!