How to be a University Student — August 22-26, 2022

Skills and habits for success!

How to be a University Student is a five-day, on-campus course for incoming university students who want a strong start in their university studies. A blend of lectures, readings, and workshops will teach students evidence-based strategies for success in university, with an emphasis on how to develop strong academic skills and habits. Students will apply their new knowledge through in-person, interactive workshops led by skilled upper-year university students.

This is more than just a week-long course: we provide structure and accountability to help students throughout their first year of university. Following completion of the summer portion of the course, students will have materials and a plan to make the most of the upcoming year. Students will also have the option to meet up with our team throughout the year to discuss their academic progress and learn more about additional campus resources if needed.

Topics Include:

  • Study skills and habits assessment
  • The transition to in-person learning
  • Forming and maintaining habits
  • Managing stress
  • Predicting interests, challenges, and strengths
  • Advanced goal setting: What’s a WOOP?
  • How learning works: Learning styles and other learning myths
  • Reading & writing for university: No more 5-paragraph essays
  • Academic self-concept, metacognition, growth mindset
  • Collaboration skills for higher education

This non-credit course is coordinated by Carleton University’s Centre for Initiatives in Education, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Public Affairs.

Is this course for you?

After years of online studies, the transition to in-person learning can be exciting — but also a little daunting. This course gives students a head start to university. Students will develop study skills and establish habits for success, while meeting new people and becoming familiar with Carleton’s campus.

Dates and Fees

This course is in-person from August 22nd to August 26th. Registration will open with time tickets in July and students can enroll through Carleton Central, as they would a credit course.

The fee is $250 including HST.

How to Register

Registration for “How to Be a University Student” academic prep course can be done through Carleton Central when your registration time ticket opens. Follow the below instructions to register:

  1. Sign in to Carleton Central with your MyCarletonOne login and password
  2. Under Registration, click on “Build my Timetable” and select Fall 2022 from the drop-down menu
  3. In the Course Number field, type in CIED 0999 and press search at the bottom of the page
  4. Select the box on the left-hand side of the course and click “Proceed to Worksheet”
  5. You should see that CIED 0999 Academic Prep has been added to your worksheet
  6. When your time ticket opens for registration, return to your worksheet and click on “Proceed to registration” and press “Submit” to enroll yourself into the classes that are included on that worksheet
  7. The Academic Prep course should be added to your timetable and the fees will be included in your fall tuition.

We highly recommend building your timetable in advance of your registration to try and avoid any technical issues and allow for you to ask any questions you may have before your time ticket opens.

Withdrawing from the course

If you have registered for “How to Be a University Student” academic prep course and need to withdraw, you must do so before August 15th at noon in order to avoid being charged for the course. Failure to withdraw before then will result in full charges remaining on your account for the Fall semester. Follow the below instructions to withdraw from the course:

  1. Sign in to Carleton Central with your MyCarletonOne login and password
  2. Under “Registration” click on “Add/Drop classes”
  3. Select the Fall 2022 term and click on submit
  4. Find CIED 0999 in your listed classes
  5. In the drop down menu, select “Withdraw W FEE Reassessment”
    1. Note: If it is after the August 15th cut-off period, the option provided will be “Withdraw NO FEE Reassessment” and you will be charged the non-refundable cost to your student account.
  6. Select submit changes

For further questions about the registration and withdrawal process, please contact us at AcademicPrep@carleton.ca.

Course Designer and Coordinator

Dr. Rachelle Thibodeau specializes in university student retention and success, peer-supported learning, and the psychology of teaching and learning. She is a coordinator of Academic Support, Program Evaluation, and Research for the Centre for Initiatives in Education, and a founding member of both the Centre for Initiatives in Education and the Enriched Support Program.

Assistant Coordinator

Sam Kwok is a graduate of Carleton University’s Bachelor of Arts program with a major in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She has 6 years of experience as a Facilitator, Team Leader, and Academic Coach in the Enriched Support Program, and is pursuing a Master’s in Education. Outside of her academic life, Sam organizes and runs Dungeons & Dragons sessions and practices Japanese jiu jitsu.

Questions?

Please email us at AcademicPrep@carleton.ca.