About U-Start

U-Start 2022 activities have now concluded.

If you are a new admitted student, you can find helpful information for transitioning to university life in the college resources below and on the new students' web page.

May 19-June 17, 2022
All session times are in Central Standard Time (Saskatchewan Time).

Are you a newly admitted undergraduate student? Our U-Start pre-orientation can help you make your transition to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) easier!

Check out the schedule of virtual and in-person activities below and sign up today for college and student services sessions that can help you kickstart your student life at USask. And be sure to check out new student resources and college resources designed to help prepare you for university!

Have you accepted your offer?

All admitted undergraduate students are welcome to join U-Start activities, but you must have accepted your offer of admission to

  • Access your USask email account
  • Access students-only channels in PAWS discussed at U-Start
  • Be eligible to sign up for Learning Communities or register for classes.

College sessions

As a new admitted undergraduate student, your college's virtual or on-campus activities can help you learn important information and connect with your classmates and advisors.

Select the drop-down menu for your college and click on the session link to register for our U-Start activities -- all are hosted in Central Standard Time (Saskatchewan Time).

Capacity for our in-person events is limited and we are not able to accommodate additional guests during the U-Start on-campus activities.

All faculty, staff, students, and visitors are required to wear approved masks in all indoor spaces on USask campuses.

In-person activities

  Date Time Location
College of Agriculture and Bioresources On-campus Day May 28 12:45-4:30 pm CST Saskatoon campus (Agriculture Building)

On-campus day

At our U-Start On-campus Day, our AgBio Student Services staff and faculty will show students around the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. Students will participate in three hands-on activities led by professors in soil science and food and bioproduct sciences. Join us for the chance to meet some of our faculty, connect with college advisors and discover how you can grow your future in the College of Agbio. We look forward to welcoming you to the college!

Online activities

Date Time Location
College of Agriculture and Bioresources Instagram Live May 26 5:00-5:30 pm CST @agbiousask
College of Agriculture and Bioresources Online Session May 31 12:00-1:00 pm CST Online
College of Agriculture and Bioresources Online Session June 2 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online
College of Agriculture and Bioresources Online Session June 7 8:30-9:30 am CST Online

College of AgBio online sessions

Come join AgBio Student Services Staff as we show you how to choose your classes, build your schedule, prepare for registration and everything else you need to know. We’re here to help you Grow Your Future in the College of AgBio! 

AgBio Learning Communities sessions

Date Time Location
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 13 5:30-6:30 pm CST Online
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 16 12:00-1:00 pm CST Online

The Learning Communities (LC) sessions are an opportunity for students signed up for LCs to complete their LC course registration in a low-stakes atmosphere with the support of the LC staff. We’ll also be able to answer any questions about the LC program in your college. 

Not signed up for your LC yet? Sign up now through the Learning Communities webpage.

In-person activities

  Date Time Location
College of Arts and Science On-campus Day May 28 12:30-3:20 pm CST

Saskatoon campus (Arts Building)

College of Arts and Science In-person Group Advising Tuesdays 2:00-3:00 pm CST

Saskatoon campus (Arts Building)

College of Arts and Science In-person Group Advising Thursdays 5:00-6:00 pm CST

Saskatoon campus (Arts Building)

On-campus Day

At our College of Arts and Science On-campus Day, you will attend one of two large group sessions to learn about the degrees and certificates you can pursue, how to register for classes and learn about the student supports available to you. Next, you will be randomly assigned to one of five mini mock lectures led by one of our college's award-winning faculty members, where you will experience a real  university class! You will finish our On-campus Day at our group advising session to learn all you need to know as a first-year student.

Please note that if you are unable to attend our On-campus Day, you can access the recording of our sessions via the College of Arts and Science U-Start Canvas space. If you have not received an invitation to join Canvas via PAWS by May 17th, please send your NSID to erin.delathouwer@usask.ca.

Arts and Science in-person group advising

Missed the group advising session on May 28 as part of our On-campus Day? During the summer you can still register for in-person group advising sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, or sign up virtually on Mondays and Wednesdays (see "online activities" section below).

Attending a group advising session will help you jump start your success as a first-year student. Our academic advisors will share important need-to-know information, including:

  • Planning your first year of study
  • Navigating degree requirements
  • Picking your courses and tracking your progress
  • Understanding important dates and deadlines
  • Finding resources and supports

Online activities

Date Time Location
College of Arts and Science Online Group Advising Mondays 12:00-1:00 pm CST Online
College of Arts and Science Online Group Advising Wednesdays 5:00-6:00 pm CST Online
College of Arts and Science Unibuddy Live Q&A May 31 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online
College of Arts and Science Unibuddy Live Q&A June 8 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online
College of Arts and Science Unibuddy Live Q&A June 14 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online

Arts and Science online group advising

Unable to attend our in-person group advising sessions with our academic advisors? We'd love to see you sign up and join us online on Mondays and Wednesdays and learn important need-to-know information for first-year students.

Arts and Science Unibuddy Live Q&A

In this session, you will have the chance to ask current students and staff anything and everything about the College of Arts and Science. They'll answer questions about registration, PAWS, Canvas, courses, programs, student supports, and the Arts and Science First Year Handbook. This is your chance to get to know the college, and find out what it's really like to be a university student! 

Arts and Science Learning Communities

Date Time Location
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 13 5:30-6:30 pm Online
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 16 12:00-1:00 pm Online

The Learning Communities (LC) sessions are an opportunity for Arts and Science FLEX LC and Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP) LC students to complete their LC course registration in a low-stakes atmosphere with the support of the LC staff. We’ll also be able to answer any questions about the Learning Communities programs in your colleges. 

Not signed up for your LC yet? Check the Arts and Science Learning Communities webpage.

On-campus activities

  Date Time Location
College of Education On-campus Day May 28 10:30-11:30 am CST Saskatoon campus (Education Building)
College of Education On-campus Day June 11 10:30-11:30 am CST Saskatoon campus (Education Building)
College of Education Drop-in Advising June 13-June 17 1:30-5:00 pm CST Saskatoon campus (Education Building, Room 3350, third floor)

On-campus Day

Join us at our Education On-campus Day for a guided tour of PAWS—including registration, courses, and program requirements. We recommend bringing a laptop computer to follow along. There will be a Q&A session to follow, as well as an optional campus tour led by a College of Education representative starting at 11:30 am. Tours are approximately one hour in length.

Students are encouraged to have their NSID and password to log into PAWS for this session. If you cannot access PAWS, please contact IT Support at itsupport@usask.ca or 306-966-2222.

In-person drop-in advising 

From June 13 to June 17, come and meet us on campus for drop-in advising (1:30-5:00 pm CST daily). Bring all your questions about your new journey as an Education student!

Online activities

Date Time Location
College of Education Online Session May 25 12:00-1:00 pm CST Online
College of Education Online Session May 30 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online
College of Education Online Session June 2 12:00-1:00 pm CST Online
College of Education Online Session June 4 10:30-11:30am CST Online
College of Education Online Session June 7 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online
College of Education Online Session June 10 Cancelled Cancelled
College of Education Drop-in Advising June 13-June 17 1:30-5:00 pm CST By phone (306-966-7654)

College of Education Online Sessions

Join our online sessions for a guided tour of PAWS—including registration, courses, and program requirements – we recommend bringing a laptop computer to follow along. There will be a Q&A session to follow.

Students are encouraged to have their NSID and password to log into PAWS for this session. If you cannot access PAWS, please contact IT Support at itsupport@usask.ca or 306-966-2222.

Drop-in advising by phone

From June 13 to June 17, call us at 306-966-7654 for drop-in phone advising (1:30-5:00 pm CST daily). Ask all your questions about your journey as a new Education student!

On-campus activities

  Date Time Location
Edwards School of Business On-campus Day May 28 1:00-3:00 pm CST Saskatoon campus (Edwards School of Business)
Edwards School of Business On-campus Group Advising June 16 7:00-9:00 pm CST Saskatoon campus (Edwards School of Business)

On-campus Day

Join us on campus for the Edwards School of Business On-campus Day to learn more about the next steps to prepare for university such as navigating program requirements and registering for classes, and have your questions answered. During this session you can also learn more about the Edwards School of Business Bachelor of Commerce degree and the six majors available to you. We will help you feel prepared for your first year (student loans, exams, student wellness, etc.), and familiarize yourself with the services offered at Edwards School of Business.

On-Campus Group Advising

Join us for the Edwards School of Business On-campus Group Advising Session to learn more about the next steps to prepare for university, and have your questions answered. This group advising session will briefly introduce you to the six majors available through Edwards School of Business. The focus of this presentation will be to prepare you on how to register for classes and determine what courses you need to take. By the end of this session you should have a tentative schedule built for the upcoming year.

Online activities

  Date Time Location
Edwards School of Business Online Session May 26  5:00-7:00 pm CST Online
Edwards School of Business Online Session June 2 5:00-7:00 pm CST Online
Edwards School of Business Online Session June 7 5:00-7:00 pm CST Online
Edwards School of Business Online Session June 15 5:00-7:00 pm CST Online
Edwards School of Business Online Group Advising June 9 5:00-7:00 pm CST Online

Edwards School of Business Online Session

This livestream will walk you through the Bachelor of Commerce degree and each of the six majors. We will also help you feel prepared for your first year (student loans, exams, student wellness, etc.), and familiarize yourself with the services offered at Edwards School of Business. Our advisor will walk you through how to search and register for classes and build your schedule. You will review required first-year courses and get an idea of potential electives to take. There will be a few live feeds:

  • Student Life: This is an opportunity for you to connect with current students and staff from Edwards School of Business to ask questions on things such as student groups, co-op, volunteer opportunities, career services, etc.
  • Electives: This is a space for you to discuss potential electives you are interested in taking, and learn about Certificates offered in other colleges that you can complete as a B.Comm. student.
  • Transfer Credit Questions:This live feed is specifically for students entering into Edwards School of Business with some transfer credit (AP/IB credit, 1+3 or 2+2 agreements from Saskpoly/SIIT/Lakeland, etc.)

Edwards School of Business Online Group Advising

Join us online to learn more about the next steps to prepare for university, and have your questions answered. This group advising session will briefly introduce you to the six majors available through Edwards School of Business. The focus of this presentation will be to prepare you on how to register and determine what classes you need to take. By the end of this session you should have a tentative schedule built for the upcoming year.

On-campus activities

  Date Time Location
College of Engineering On-campus Day May 28 1:00-4:00 pm CST Saskatoon campus (Engineering Building)

On-campus Day

Join us at the College of Engineering and come see what your degree will be like! Get some hands-on experience in our labs, learn about your degree during our mock lecture, and meet your classmate during our activity to help you learn about the Engineering Building and campus.

Online activities

Date Time Location
College of Engineering: Academics in RE-ENGINEERED Online June 1 7:00-8:30 pm CST Online
College Life and Co-op Internships with USask Engineering Online June 7 7:00-8:30 pm CST Online

College of Engineering: Academics in RE-ENGINEERED Online

Learn about academics, our new grading system, course registration, your classes, tech requirements, and how to be successful in first-year engineering!

College Life and Co-op Internships with USask Engineering Online

Learn about our co-op internship program, the different majors we offer, student groups, and what it's like to study at USask Engineering!

On-campus activities

  Date Time Location
College of Kinesiology On-campus Day June 4 11:30 am-1:00 pm CST Saskatoon campus (PAC)

On-campus Day

Find out everything you need to know about being a first-year Kinesiology student. We will show you what classes you should be taking, how to look up classes and how to register. We will also provide you with helpful hints and information useful as you start your first year. You will meet your Kinesiology Student Council (KiSS) and get a tour of the PAC.

Online activities

  Date Time Location
College of Kinesiology Online Session May 26 4:00-5:00 pm CST Online

Kinesiology Online Session

Find out everything you need to know about being a first-year Kinesiology student. We will show you what classes you should be taking, how to look up classes and how to register. We will also provide you with helpful hints and information useful as you start your first year.

Kinesiology Learning Communities

Date Time Location
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 13 5:30-6:30 pm Online
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 16 12:00-1:00 pm Online

The Learning Communities (LC) sessions are an opportunity for students signed up for LCs to complete their LC course registration in a low-stakes atmosphere with the support of the LC staff. We’ll also be able to answer any questions about the Learning Communities programs in your college. 

Not signed up for your LC yet? Check the Learning Communities webpage.

Online activities 

Date Time Location
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 13 5:30-6:30 pm Online
How to Register in Your LC Course Block Online Session June 16 12:00-1:00 pm Online

The Learning Communities (LC) sessions are an opportunity for AgBio LC, Arts and Science FLEX LC, Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways (ISAP LC) and Kinesiology LC students to complete their LC course registration in a low-stakes atmosphere with the support of the LC staff. We’ll also be able to answer any questions about the Learning Communities programs in your college. 

Not signed up for your LC yet? Check the Learning Communities webpage.

Online activities

Date Time Location
Prince Albert Campus Live Q&A Session June 8 2:00-3:00 pm Online

Prince Albert Campus Live Q&A Session

Join this online session to learn more about the next steps to prepare for university, and have your questions answered in a Live Q&A. If you are planning on attending the Prince Albert Campus session, be sure to review the Prince Albert Information video, and we will answer your questions regarding Prince Albert campus during the session. We look forward to seeing you! 

Student services online sessions

Connect with USask student services to learn the supports available to you as a student. Select the session link to register. All session times are listed in Central Standard Time (Saskatchewan Time).

Usask Residence Information Session

Date Time Unit Location
Usask Residence Online Information Session May 25  2:00-3:00 pm CST Residence Services Online

USask residence is not just a place to live. It's a community where students develop life-long relationships and enjoy the academic and peer support only offered through the residence experience. USask residences provide safe, welcoming, and convenient undergraduate and graduate living accommodations within walking distance of many campus amenities. In this session, we will walk you through the advantages of living in residence, the application process and answer any questions you have. We hope to meet you very soon!

General Student Services Session

Date Time Unit Location
General Student Services Session May 26 11:00 am-12:00 pm CST Aboriginal Students' Centre, Access and Equity Services, Retail Services, Student Central, Library Services Online

Join us as we guide you through the various student services available on campus! There will be a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A session! Find out information from student services like Access and Equity Services, Student Central, Library Services, Retail Services, the Aboriginal Students’ Centre, and more!

International Students Live Chat

Date Time Unit Location
International Students Live Chat May 27  7:30-8:30am CST International Student and Study Abroad Centre Online
International Students Live Chat May 27 12:30-1:30pm CST International Student and Study Abroad Centre Online

Join this Live Chat to learn more about the next steps to prepare for university as a new undergraduate international student. In this live Q&A, you will be able to ask our staff from the International Students and Study Abroad Centre, any questions about arrival, transition and cultural supports available to them as they prepare to start their program at the University of Saskatchewan. This will be a live chat with our representatives and you can come and go during the hour. There will be no formal presentation.

Campus tours

If you missed the live broadcast or in-person tours during U-Start, don't worry. You can access the tour video on Instagram and YouTube.

We are also continuing to offer tours throughout the summer. Be sure to check back as tour listings are continually added.

U-Start virtual campus tour

  Date Time Location
U-Start Virtual Campus Tour May 19 12:00-1:00 pm CST Instagram 
YouTube

Thank you for joining us on our live broadcasted tour from our main Saskatoon campus kicking off our annual U-Start pre-orientation activities!

Prize winners who were announced by a member of the USask pack during the broadcast will be contacted by email. 

The draw is open for eligible students residing in Canada, admitted to an academic program for the 2022-2023 year, registered for the tour prior to the tour broadcast date and tuned in during the tour.

In-person campus tours

  Date Time Location
USask Campus or Student Residence Tours (morning) May 28 11:45-12:45 pm CST Saskatoon campus (registration required)
USask Campus or Student Residence Tours (afternoon) May 28 3:30-4:30 pm CST Saskatoon campus (registration required)

Campus tours

Want to know what it feels like to be part of the pack? Join us on campus for an optional campus tour for an opportunity to experience what USask has to offer with one of our student ambassadors as your guide. By exploring our study, academic, and social spaces, you will get a better sense of where you’ll spend your time on campus and learn more about USask’s illustrious history.

Residence tours

Want to know what it feels like to be part of the pack and to Live with Us? Join us on campus for an optional tour of the USask student residences and explore residence options. We offer safe, welcoming and convenient undergraduate living accommodations within walking distance of many campus amenities. We look forward to seeing you!

How to join online sessions

Online sessions are hosted via Zoom, Unibuddy and Canvas. Read more information about how to join below.

Students are encouraged to have their NSID and password to log into PAWS for U-Start college sessions.

If this is your first time joining a Zoom meeting, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app when you click on a link to join sessions that are hosted on Zoom. You can download the app if you want, but you do not need the app or a Zoom account to join a webinar or meeting. You can join any Zoom meeting during this event from your web browser.

Both the College of Arts and Science and Edwards School of Business are offering sessions through Unibuddy, a platform designed to connect you with current students.  

To connect to Unibuddy sessions, be sure to first set up your Unibuddy account by visiting the Chat with an Arts and Science Student webpage or the Chat with Edwards Students and Staff webpage in advance of your scheduled college session. Each Unibuddy session can be accessed via the event links provided in when you register for these sessions.

You can also download the Unibuddy app to connect comfortably from your mobile device. Unibuddy is available on Google Play and Apple Store

The College of Arts and Science will offer a recording of its U-Start sessions through Canvas.

Canvas is the USask platform that you will use when you are enrolled in a course to be in touch with your instructors and other students  to share content, engage in discussions, collaborate, submit assigments and receive marks.

To access the Arts and Science Canvas space:

  • Login to PAWS using your NSID and password
  • Search for Canvas in the search bar, and click on the Canvas link under Academics
  • Click the button called My Courses where you will find the course called Arts and Science U-Start 2022 starting May 16th

NOTE: If you do not see this course under My Courses by May 17th, please email erin.delathouwer@usask.ca with your NSID.

For support with PAWS and Canvas please visit our tech tips page. 

College resources

Check out your college's online resources for new students.

Welcome to the College of Agriculture and Bioresources! Whether you're entering your first year or have transferred from another post-secondary institution, our academic advisors offer personalized and confidential guidance to help you succeed. In the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, academic advising is carried out by AgBio Student Services and AgBio faculty advisors. 

Congratulations on starting your academic journey in the College of Arts and Science! We have an incredibly diverse range of academic options for you to explore, and our caring community of faculty and staff are here to ensure you get the absolute most out of your time in our college.

New to Arts and Science page

Welcome to the College of Education! We're excited to help you get ready, explore teaching area options and choose your classes.

Watch our ten video segments on our 'New to Education info' page and also check out the Dean's message, next steps, student responsibilities and more.

Welcome to the Edwards undergraduate business program! As a new Edwards student, you probably have a lot of questions about how to create your schedule, register for classes and pay your tuition and fees. We encourage you to check in to ensure that you are prepared to begin your studies. 

Welcome to the College of Engineering! As a new student and as you work through your degree, make sure to check out the resources on our first-year students page below.

Academic advisors in the College of Kinesiology are here to help prospective and current Bachelor of Kinesiology students with questions about admission, registration, course selection, program planning, learning communities, degree completion, scholarships and bursaries and more!

We're here to help you determine the best path to degree completion and support you on your journey through the program.

Welcome to St. Thomas More College and the University of Saskatchewan! We hope that your first year will be exciting, challenging and rewarding. There are a few key things that you need to do in order to be successful at university. Check in with us to ensure you have a smooth start to your studies.

If you are planning to take classes outside of Saskatoon-including at our Prince Albert campus, at a regional college, at another off-campus site or through distance education-you will be supported not only by your college, but by local advisors and through distance education supports.

New student resources

Visit our new students webpage for everything you need to know about starting university.

Visit our classes and registration webpage for instructions and video tutorials on how to register for classes.

Questions

If you have any questions about U-Start, please contact us at ustart@usask.ca.