A tradition continues during exams: fun yet...salty?!

Well, it’s that time of year again…final EXAMS.

Although you may shudder at the thought of writing 4 to 6 three-hour exams in the span of two weeks, exam season is a very exciting time around campus. For example, McMaster's upper year engineering students will get together and hand out saltine crackers to the first years as they enter their exam sessions in order to calm their nerves and settle their stomachs.

It’s so much fun cheering them on and getting them pumped up to write their exams! And the University provides lots of support for students who need a little extra help. You can always visit the Student Success Centre or Student Wellness Centre for counselling, academic and peer support.

Check out some photos of all the goofy Redsuits in their element, handing out crackers. We all remember how it feels to be an 'Engineering I' student going through our first set of final exams. As you can see, our Redsuits are here to greet new students arriving in September, but they continue to welcome the new members of our Mac Eng community throughout the year. This is just one of the many established traditions we value and continue to bring to life! Check out our McMaster Engineering Society website page dedicated to our traditions.

 

Happy Thoughts...

With the end of exams comes the beginning of summer! The sun is shining and the weather is (finally) clearing up. I can tell you that makes it very difficult to study indoors.

However, I’ve got to power through and study for these last few exams in order to enjoy my summer. Then it’s nothing but fun and frolicking all summer long! Maybe I’ll have time to get some work done in there…

Hope everyone has an amazing summer.
Cheers! ~Genna

A Different Resolution than 800px x 600px

Happy New Year! I hope your 2013 will be your best odd-numbered year to date!

Many of you have probably made some type of New Year’s Resolution. Maybe you want to try a new sport, or lay off the chocolate. Maybe even hit the gym once in a while.

As for me, and quite a few fellow students I know, our goal for 2013 is to improve academically. This could mean develop better study habits, get help when you think you need it and make sure you stay on top of your work.

The funny thing is, most resolutions we make are goals that we think we must do individually – that we have to “go it alone”. We tend to forget about the support system that exists for us; whether it’s friends, family, or your institution.

Here at McMaster, the Faculty of Engineering offers many ways to support your academic goals:

• 'Profs':

Your professor is there to teach you. He or she even schedules hours for you to go ask them questions. Many students do not take advantage of office hours – don’t let that be you!

• Study Sessions:

The McMaster Engineering Society has set up study sessions with ‘upper years’ to help ‘first years’ prepare for tests and exams. How sweet is that? You can work with people who have already been through what you have! You can always set up a study group of your own with your friends as well.

Some people prefer to study in groups.
These Eng girls studying in  Thode, the Engineering and Science Library.

•   Eng I SUCCESS:

It is a great time to be a first year at McMaster! New this year is something called the ENG I SUCCESS Initiative, where first years that may have not done so hot in their term one courses have an opportunity to upgrade their marks and improve their study skills!

And if these options don’t get you where you want to be, there are  academic advisors in Engineering Student Services to help you out. University may seem like an intimidating place on the outside, but there is a huge network and support system waiting for you.

Good luck this year! Keep sticking to your resolutions to find your way to success!

Later days,

~ Daniela