UNDERGRADUATE DALHOUSIE EDITION, 2019–20 student success guide A book of student support services and resources at Dalhousie We know the transition to university can be overwhelming. Navigating resources, meeting new people, and facing new academic challenges are all part of the experience. But have no fear! The faculty and staff at Dalhousie are here to support you as you make your way through your first year and beyond. Use this guide as a resource to learn about the supports that are available to help you succeed at Dal and beyond. 5 TIPS to continue on your track to success Create experiences that help Immerse yourself in the #1 to connect what you're doing #4 university culture, and SET GOALS academically with your future EXPAND understand what it means goals. The more interested you are YOUR to be a citizen of Dal. Our in something, the more motivated HORIZON values are focused around you’ll be! being an inclusive and diverse • Create short- and long-term environment. Expand your academic and career goals. horizon and take part in a • Engage with your faculty. Join study abroad experience. an academic club or talk to your TAs about their experiences. Successful students understand #5 expectations and excel in Students who are more involved HONE YOUR study strategies like time #2 on campus are more likely to do STUDY management and note taking. GET better academically. Join a club SKILLS • Use your course syllabus. INVOLVED or society. If you’re in Arts or It has important information Science, join a First-Year Interest like your professor’s office Group (FIG). Explore different hours, the grading scheme, research areas and connect with and what you need to do to faculty as early as possible. be successful in the course. Use this guide to understand the resources and services available to #3 For student life hacks ASK FOR you, and don’t be afraid to ask for and much more: HELP help. That’s what we’re here for! • Visit your professors during office hours. • Check out free academic resource centres like the Writing Centre and the Math Resource Centre. www.dal.ca/studentlife WHAT'S INSIDE HEALTH & WELLNESS GET INVOLVED 6 Services 34 Opportunities on campus Everything from a health clinic and From student government and societies counselling to bike rentals and tasty, to volunteer positions and part-time jobs, healthy food. Dal has a ton of ways to get involved on campus and beef up your resumé. 9 Get active Our fitness facilities and programs, 40 Get recognized clubs, and intramurals will keep you The Co-Curricular Record tracks all your happy and healthy. extracurricular activities and the Impact Awards celebrate everything you do at Dal. 11 Safety Dal Security, a free shuttle service, and COMMUNITY & CULTURE the DalSAFE app help ensure a safe 42 campus. Community connections Our support services meet your diverse personal, social, and cultural needs. ACADEMIC SUPPORT 14 Services & resources 45 Solving problems Dal has everything you need to be a If you face problems of any nature, there successful student in the classroom: from are supports available to you on campus. advisors and tutors, to incredible libraries and study abroad opportunities. 47 FINANCES 24 CAMPUS MAP Look for this symbol to help you find service locations. JOBS, CAREERS AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 28 Services & resources Get support to help plan your future career. For a full searchable list of services available to Dal students, 30 Gaining valuable experience Leadership programs and co-op click on the “Current Students” tab opportunities give you great experience. at the top of www.dal.ca. USEFUL DAL APPS DalU Campus info, campus maps, news, events, + more. DalSAFE Security Services, Tiger Patrol, interactive maps, INFO FOR NEW campus notices, parking STUDENTS info, + more. www.dal.ca/newstudents Campus maps www.dal.ca/maps Dal Student Life www.dal.ca/studentlife Events on campus www.dal.ca/studentevents Family & Friends www.dal.ca/familyfriends Financial tips and help www.dal.ca/moneymatters Helpful tips www.dal.ca/helpfultips Important dates www.dal.ca/dates Parking on campus www.dal.ca/parking Services & resources www.dal.ca/campuslife 4 SETTING YOUR GOALS Writing down your goals is a great way to work towards achieving them. CREATE A VISION… These are the three goals you’re going AND DREAM! to prioritize. Use the goal-setting worksheets to create a plan to map Make a wish list: if you could have them out and how you plan on getting anything, be anything, or do anything, there. Try to make your goals as specific what would it be? Write down as possible. Set timeframes for each everything that comes to mind. Be as one, and include both short- and long- specific as possible. Don’t worry about term plans. Break each goal into chunks being realistic. Just write. so it’s more manageable. Think about your short- and long-term Next, brainstorm what you need to make your goal happen. If your goal goals. What do you want to accomplish is to get a 3.0 GPA at the end of first in the next 4 months, year, or 4 years? term, you might want to meet with an For each time period, circle one goal advisor to create a plan, go to a study that would have the most positive skills workshop, or meet with your TA. impact on your life. Write down any roadblocks you think you might face. This will help you push through them. Use our goal-setting worksheets on pages 12, 26, and 32 to help you meet your health, academic, and career targets. 5 HEALTH & WELLNESS Taking care of your physical and mental health www.dal.ca/studenthealth | 902-494-2171 LeMarchant Place (2nd floor) The Student Health & Wellness Centre offers an on-campus clinic with a diverse and interprofessional team to support your needs. We offersame-day and booked appointments. Book online at dal.ca/studenthealth/bookonline or call 902-494-2171 to set up an appointment. Our team includes: • nurses • doctors • social workers • psychiatrists • counsellors • psychologists • health promotion expertise If you have questions but can’t make it to the clinic, submit them anonymously Our services include: online at dal.ca/askanurse. • on-call doctor for urgent health issues • medical exams and consultations Student Health & Wellness offersfree • prescriptions programs and workshops throughout • mental health support the year on eating disorders, grief, • counselling anxiety, sleep, resilience training and • sexual health education and support more. • STI and pregnancy testing • immunizations and flu shots Good2Talk provides free, anonymous • gender transition support and trans and confidential telephone counselling health and is available all day, every day. • psychiatric and specialist referrals Call 1-833-292-3698. • learning disability screening and counselling The Q-Life resilience program • navigating resources with our social (www.dal.ca/resilienceprogram) worker helps you better prepare for everyday challenges and stress. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE Booking your appointments online for the Student Health & Wellness Centre is easy and convenient! 6 www.dal.ca/studenthealth/bookonline HEALTH & WELLNESS HEALTH DID YOU KNOW Need a sick note? You may not need to go to the clinic to get one! The Student Worldwide Travel Assistance Canada and U.S.A. 1-800-563-4444 Declaration of Absence Form is available Submit claims, check coverage, find a health professional and Elsewhere in the world in some courses. more on the Member Services 1-506-854-2222 HEALTH & WELLNESS Health & Dental Plan portal or with the Medavie (Call collect) www.dal.ca/studentabsence mobile app for iPhone & Android. Student ID Number:00 medavie.bluecross.ca blueadvantage.ca 000123456 Policy Number: Customer Service: 0091936000 Health & Dental Insurance 1-888-873-9200DSU studentvip.ca/ www.dsu.ca/healthplan Claiming benefits implies consent to Blue Cross Privacy [email protected] Protection Practices. Student Union Building (3rd floor) The DSU Health Plan(s) are mandatory All full-time students are automatically unless you have comparable coverage. enrolled in the DSU Health and Dental Visit the website for information about Plan that provides you with insurance opting out of the plan(s). coverage for medical, dental, travel, accident, vision, and many other services. You need to visit studentvip.ca/dsu to If you’re an international student, you're download your drug & dental plan card. automatically enrolled and billed for the If you're an international student, visit DSU International Student Health Plan, internationalhealth.ca/dsu to download providing coverage for visits with a doctor. your international health plan card. Wellness Room www.dsu.ca/wellnessroom DON'T FORGET Before visiting the Student Health & Wellness Student Union Building (lower level) Centre, be sure to learn about what's included in your health plan, and Need a quiet spot to escape the daily remember to bring your health card with you hustle and bustle? The DSU Wellness to your appointment. Room is the perfect place for a nap, meditation, prayer, yoga, or curling up with a good book. Bike Loans & Maintenance dalbikecentre.ca Studley Gym The Campus Bike Centre is run by the Dalhousie Bike Society, and is the perfect spot to tune up your bike. Drop in to one of the sessions on bicycle repair and maintenance and cycling safety education. Don’t have your own set of wheels? You can borrow a bike on a short-term basis at the Centre in Studley Gym. 7 Eating on Campus www.dalfood.ca /DalFoodServices @DalFoodServices @dalfood Even if you’re not living in residence, you can buy all-you-care-to-eat or one-at- DSU Food Bank a-time meal plans to use in the Howe, www.dsu.ca/foodbank Shirreff, and O’Brien dining halls, or Student Union Building (lower level) simply pay at the door.