HEAD START
SESSIONS: *All sessions feature hands-on presentations and simulated classroom experiences by teams of course instructors and senior students.
REGISTRATION is now OPEN!
This is a FREE program, restricted to UTM students only and designed in collaboration with Faculty, Librarians, and staff at UTM, to give you the head start you need. Each session will be 2 hours long, with plenty of time devoted to questions and answers.
PLEASE CLICK THE LINKS UNDER THE SESSION TO CONFIRM REGISTRATION :
SESSION 1: Introduction to University Expectations, Part One: Creating A Goal Orientated Approach to Study
This first session provides an overview of the Head Start Program and features an in-depth discussion by a panel of course instructors and senior students on the experiences common to first-year students. Specific topics include:
✓ High School vs. University Expectations: Defining Success
✓ The Ingredients of a University Course
✓ Recognizing and Building Your Academic Skills
This session is available to all new students and is recommended as a foundation for the other Head Start sessions.
click here to download the session handouts
SESSION 2: Exploring the Geography and Environment Program at UTM
No matter what program you are in, this session will give you WORLDS of information that will help you find your way to the best possible university experience.
✓ Where in the World: A Geography Challenge
✓ Surviving the Tsunami (of University Lectures)
✓ Research in Motion: A Map is NOT Just a Picture
✓ From Here to There: Navigating Your University Experience
This session is intended to introduce students to Geography and Environment courses, but is also recommended for any new student to attend.
SESSION 3: Exploring the Biology Program at UTM
Attend this session and you will have the chance to hear from your first-year professors, experience sample university lectures, and meet students who have found success in the Biology program. Specific topics include:
✓ Experience a typical first-year biology lecture
✓ Interact with Your Biology Instructors and Meet Senior Students
✓ See How the Lectures and Tutorials are Designed to Ensure Your Success
This session is intended to introduce students to Biology courses, but is also recommended for any new student to attend.
click here to download the session handouts
SESSION 4: Introduction to University Expectations, Part Two: Your Role in the Scholarly Conversation
This first session provides an overview of the Head Start Program and features an in-depth discussion by a panel of course instructors and senior students on the experiences common to first-year students. Specific topics include:
✓ The Top Ten Academic Things You Need to Know
✓ Making the Top Ten Work for You
✓ Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism
This session is available to all new students and is recommended as a foundation for the other Head Start sessions.
SESSION 5: Secrets of Success in the Chemistry & Physics Program at UTM
Attend this session and you will have the chance to hear from your first-year professors, experience sample university lectures, and meet students who have found success in the Chemistry & Physics program. Specific topics include:
✓ UTM and the Astronomy Program
✓ Explore What Physics Has in Store for You
✓ Explore What Chemistry Has in Store for You
✓ Careers in Chemistry
This session is intended to introduce students to Chemistry & Physics courses, but is also recommended for any new student to attend.
SESSION 6: Secrets of Success in the Commerce and BBA/ Management Program at UTM
Attend this session and you will have the chance to hear from your first-year professors, experience sample university lectures, and meet students who have found success in the Commerce and BBA/Management programs. Specific topics include:
✓ Are You Smarter than a 12th Grader? Test Your Calculus Readiness
✓ Inside the Coffee Wars: Examining Starbucks’ Bottom Line in Challenging Times
✓ Beating the Banker: the Economic Ingredients behind Deal-or-No-Deal
✓ Make a Note of That! Student-led Demonstrations on Note Taking Skills that Work.
This session is intended for students in the Commerce and BBA/Management programs, but is open for any new students to attend.
click here to download the session handouts
SESSION 7: Setting Your Program and Career Goals to Enhance Your Academic Experience
A team from the Office of the Registrar, the Career Centre and the UTM Library will host this session featuring a discussion by a panel of senior students and alumni on enhancing your academic experience from the perspective of program and career goals. Specific topics included.
✓ Ways to Navigate through Your University Career
✓ Developing your Career and Program Tool-kit
✓ If I knew then what I know now...An Insider’s Perspective.
This session is recommended for any students who are interested in building transferrable skills beyond university. Students are also invited to bring laptops to this session and submit their questions to the panel via twitter.
click here to download the session handouts
SESSION 8: Problem Solving at the University Level
Problem solving is an essential human skill, both in and out of University. Problem solving is the skill that allows you to understand and apply information in new settings. This session gives you an introduction to the experience of problem solving, and covers a set of key skills and strategies to help you start on the road to effective problem solving.
✓ The Importance of Problem Solving
✓ “I Understand”: How to Approach Problems
✓ Reasoning and How to Develop it
The skills developed in this session are of benefit to all students but the session is especially recommended for students pursuing courses in computer science, math, the sciences and the social sciences.
click here to download the session handouts
SESSION 9: Enhancing Your Memory and Reading Skills for University Studies
Memory and reading skills are essential human skill, both in and out of University. This session gives you an introduction to the experience of effective reading at the University level, and memory skills that you can use to become an effective learner.
✓ Realistic Memory Techniques for Effective Study
✓ Effective Time Management
✓ Critical Reading Skills
The skills developed in this session are of benefit to all students but the session is especially recommended for students pursuing courses in computer science, math, the sciences and the social sciences.
click here to download Dr. Dax Urbszat's slide presentation
SESSION 10: Secrets of Success in Math, Stats, and Computer Science Programs at UTM
This session provides participants with the opportunity to learn about the tools and resources available to support students in mathematics-related courses. Specific topics include:
✓ The Numbers Game: Assessing Readiness for University Calculus
✓ Math without Formulas: Using logic to solve a math problem
✓ Invisible Worlds: Using Mental Models in Computer Science
✓ Vital Statistics: The Science that Shapes Every Other Discipline
This session is recommended to any students enrolled in any of the mathematical science courses, or whose degree requires first-year calculus.
SESSION 11: Exploring the First-Year Language Studies Program at UTM
The Language Studies Program is not just about languages. It also includes teaching and learning, literature and linguistics. This session offers strategies for studying in first-year language and linguistics courses, preparing for lectures and tests, and making the best use of the academic resources available to you. Specific topics include:
✓ Strategies for effective language learning
✓ The role of Labs, Tutorials and Lectures in Language Courses
✓ Preparing for Written and Oral Exams
✓ The role of Linguistics in the Language Studies Program
This session is recommended for any students taking any introductory language or linguistics course, but is also open for any new student to attend.
click here to download the session handouts
SESSION 12: Writing and Research at the University Level, Part One
Part One of this two-part series focuses on developing writing and research skills necessary for success at the university level. Specific topics include:
✓ Developing an Academic Style: Differences between High School and University Writing
✓ Concept Mapping and the Research Process
✓ Critical Reading for Critical Writing
✓ Going Beyond the "Hamburger" Format: Rhetorical Strategies for Organizing Essay
✓ Constructing Arguable Thesis Statements
This session will be of particular interest to students planning on taking Humanities and Social Science courses that require non-scientific writing.
SESSION 13: Writing and Research at the University Level, Part Two
The second part of this series continues the presentation of research and writing expectations at the university level. Specific topics include:
✓ Paragraph Structure
✓ Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation
✓ Integrating Evidence and Retaining your Own Voice
✓ Citation Styles and Appropriate Source Use
✓ Discipline-Specific Writing: Samples of Writing and Research from Historical Studies and English Literature
This session will be of particular interest to students taking Humanities and Social Sciences courses that require non-scientific writing.
SESSION 14: Secrets of Success in the Culture, Communications & Information Technology Program
Attend this session and you will have the chance to hear from your first-year professors, experience sample university lectures, and meet students who have found success in the Culture, Communications & Information Technology program. Specific topics include:
✓ Getting the Most from University Texts and Lectures
✓ The Role of Labs and Tutorials in CCIT Courses
✓ Preparing for Exams in your CCIT courses
This session will be of particular interest to students taking Humanities and Social Sciences courses that require non-scientific writing.
Please register for this session at: click here
SESSION 15: Your Next Steps: Exploring First-Year Transition Programs at UTM
The last session of the series provides an overview and introduction to transition programs at UTM, in addition to providing an overview of a first-year study plan. Specific topics include:
✓ An Introduction to UTM's transition programs and support for first-year students
✓ A first-year Study Plan for the Whole Student
This session will be of interest to all first-year students and provides orientation for support throughout their first-year of university.
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