Academic success begins with SOAR

For first year students, the transition from high school to University is a new and exciting time. The realities of academic learning in university which involves thinking at higher levels, managing personal actions and behaviour, and understanding what is expected on tests, essays, and assignments can create a steep learning curve.

Summer Orientation for Academic Readiness (SOAR) is an 8-week online program that aims to prepare new McMaster undergraduate students for the changes they are about to experience in their academic learning.

The program is comprised of blog posts, videos, online chats and success tips from various departments across the University including Faculty professors, upper year student leaders and academic advisors.

The program addresses challenges that students may encounter and provides them with the resources to help them succeed academically. All the learning material gets posted to the SOAR webpage, accessible through the Student Success website.

SOAR schedule:

July 6 – 12: Your Journey Begins
July 13 – 19: Time Warriors: Making it all Work
July 20 – 26: Learning in Lectures
July 27 – Aug. 2: Academic Reading Strategies
Aug. 3 – 9: Research and the Pursuit of Knowledge
Aug. 10- 16: Writing Right for University
Aug. 17 – 23: Making the Grade: Studying and Exams
Aug. 24 – 28: Fit, Fed and Smart

Participation in the SOAR program is not limited to first year students. All McMaster students are invited to participate. The information on the SOAR site will remain accessible for the duration of the academic term.