Adapting to academic expectations at UVic can be a difficult transition, but it doesn’t have to be! This post offers some strategies for a smooth and successful first year of studies.
There are lots of resources for students at the University of Victoria who have recently arrived to Canada. Check out:
Tip 1: You are in charge of your learning
Effective participation in your coursework and extracurriculars requires the ability to learn and meet deadlines independently. Instructors may provide guidance, but don’t expect to receive a lot of reminders about assignment instructions, course activities, and due dates. It is also your responsibility to catch up on any readings and activities you miss. Students must engage actively and proactively with their course material, participate in discussions, and seek help from appropriate sources when needed.
Tip 2: You need to attend classes regularly
Students who attend class regularly have more chances to ask clarifying questions and interact with classmates, and therefore perform better on assignments. Make sure you understand your instructor’s attendance policy and email to inform them of your absence if necessary. Most instructors will not require a doctor’s note or a detailed reason for absence if you only miss a few classes throughout the term.
Tip 3: You will uphold the community’s academic integrity practices
UVic has an institutional academic integrity policy, and individual instructors or departments may have additional policies and guidelines about aspects of academic integrity including use of an editor or use of GenAI tools. Each discipline also has a preference for citation style—MLA, APA, IEEE, etc.—and the style guides are available through the library’s website. Use them to format your assignments according to expectations and give appropriate attribution to any sources you use in your work. Make sure you understand what is expected for each course and each assignment, and ask your instructor or the Academic Skills Centre if you’re not sure about something.
Tip 4: You will think critically and make valuable contributions to the academic community
Academic work at Canadian universities goes beyond rote memorization; you will be expected to critically analyze information, question assumptions, and develop your own unique research topics, viewpoints, and academic identity. Not only will you need to understand your course content, but you’ll also need to think deeply about it and form a perspective based on your own unique understanding of the world and of yourself. Don’t be afraid to take a stance for what you believe in!
To learn more about this topic and to get help
Book a free in-person or online appointment with an academic skills advisor at the Academic Skills Centre!