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I reached out to many advisors and student service professionals around the U of A to get advice – either from their personal or professional experience – on what someone could do to have a great term. 

Their tips are wide-ranging; some of them are very specific things you can do at the U of A. Others are small changes anyone can make in their everyday lives to level up a bit. 

If you’d like to know more about the areas they work in (and the services they provide to the U of A student body), check out the links below their titles, or visit the Campus Life page.

Why you should be at the next Golden Bears & Pandas game.

Connor Hood, sports information coordinator —

There’s something electric about a packed gym or stadium filled with students all cheering for the same team. Varsity sports are more than just games — they’re a chance to come together, show off your school pride and be part of the energy that makes university life unforgettable.

Here’s the best part: student tickets are completely FREE! Whether you’re into football, basketball, volleyball, hockey or any of the other Golden Bears & Pandas varsity sports, all you need to do is show up, bring your friends and enjoy the action.

Attending games isn’t just about supporting our athletes (though they deserve it). It’s also about connecting with your community. You’ll meet new people, celebrate big wins and maybe even start a few chants of your own. Think of it as a built-in social event — loud, fun and full of school spirit.

So next time you see a game on the schedule, don’t scroll past. Grab your hoodie, bring your crew and help turn the stands into a wall of noise.

Sleep Habits Matter

Jason Murray, psychologist — Counselling and Clinical Services

The start of a new semester is a great time to renew your sleep routine, or if you struggle to sleep, to create some positive sleep habits for yourself. One reason: during sleep, the brain actively replays learned information. This plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, which is the process of integrating newly learned information into long-term memory. 

To improve your sleep habits, consider: 

• having the same awake time every day
• giving yourself an hour to unwind before trying to go to sleep
• avoiding devices and other forms of blue light at least an hour before bedtime
• limiting caffeine and other stimulants several hours before bedtime
• avoiding naps when possible 

For more sleep ideas,

A big piece of our mental health is movement.

Shana Dion, assistant dean, First Nation, Métis and Inuit students — Student Success and Experience

Adjusting to university life is overwhelming, so as soon as you can, please get out a digital calendar or a special paper – one for your wall that you designed yourself – then start to schedule out your time day by day, week by week. 

Visualize how you’ll spend your time, then implement it! It's totally fine to be a creature of habit; it can be the best way to care for your well-being. 

Let’s begin with your course syllabus. This is your roadmap that keeps you on track to get you through each course and semester. 

Now, let's schedule in the in-between time that will fuel your success: 

• time for rest (yes we all need time to rest – it’s vital to memory, focus and mood)
• Nourishment is essential, recognizing every student has diverse nutritional needs and equitable access to healthy foods. You can meet with a dietitian to create a meal plan through Fitness Training and Nutrition. You can access the or the , which are integral parts of equitable access to food.
• study (find a few spots where you can truly focus on reading and studying)
• socializing (build healthy relationships – maybe find a new gym partner!)

Now, to what I love the most, which is -- movement! Your ONECard is the golden key to Hanson Fitness & Lifestyle Centre and other diverse fitness facilities such as swimming, tennis, basketball, badminton, track and all of the Campus & Community Recreation programs! 

Wow! You’ve got to just GO! If you’re nervous, join the Workout Buddies!

And please don’t forget the outdoor spaces. Get outside! We have such beautiful campuses to explore. Go and enjoy the fresh air on the trails that surround us and all of the stairs that have been created along the river valley. 

Movement is medicine.

You don't need to have it all figured out...

Emily Gregory, manager, career education —

While you're at the U of A, I encourage you to explore career options. This isn't about choosing a forever job, or a perfect job (which arguably doesn't exist), but about gathering information, trying things out and figuring out what interests you. 

It's okay not to know what you want to do after you graduate, or to not know what career options exist for you. Even if you do know, it's important to learn about your future career and make valuable connections with those working in this field.

At the Career Centre, we're here to help you explore your career options, gain experience and make valuable connections with employers and professionals. I always encourage students to come see us early and not to leave looking for work or exploring their options until the end of their program.

Stay on top of your finances.

Chris McManus, financial support coordinator — Student Financial Support

Start with a budget. If you’ve never made a budget before, now’s a great time to start! A common strategy is to track your spending for a week to see where your money is going, then see if there are any adjustments you want to make. The U of A has a budget template and money management tips if you need a hand.

Cut costs on essentials. There are many ways you can save money on items like textbooks and food. For textbooks: ask your professor if the textbook is necessary before buying, go secondhand (there are numerous online Facebook groups for selling textbooks) or see if the has free versions of the books. 

For food, you can plan meals and bring lunches to school instead of eating out, use the if needed, and snag deals on apps like . Websites like have a lot of affordable recipes if you need ideas.

Enhance your well-being through connection.

Tiffany Sampson, community social worker — Community Wellness

Why does human connection matter? Time and time again, research shows that connecting with others has positive benefits to our overall physical and mental well-being, which is essential in pursuing academics as a student. Not only does it improve your well-being, but it can also positively impact your academic performance. Connection is not a one-size-fits-all.

For some students, joining a faculty association or student club (there are over 450 student clubs at the U of A), participating in intramural sports or attending a drop-by badminton game through Campus and Community Recreation are some ways to meet and interact with others. 

It could also be saying “Hi” to your neighbour in class, asking what they thought about the last assignment or forming a study group with classmates. 

Signing up for a tea time with a friendly Unitea host or joining a group tea time to meet other students to chat over a complimentary tea/coffee can boost your social connection while learning about ways to get connected.

Whether it's an hour-long conversation with a new friend or a 5-minute chat with a classmate, every moment counts towards your well-being.

Find your community.

David Chio, retention and events coordinator — Residence Services

If you live in residence, you already have a head start, being surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals, both academically and socially. Residence Life staff are also here to offer support and help you get connected. Attending events or even just greeting someone in the dining hall can be a great way to get to know your neighbours.

Of course, you don't have to live in residence to find your community. Start by exploring clubs and student groups that match your interests. Whether you're into gaming, debate or volunteering, there’s a group out there for you.

Yes, YOU can do undergraduate research!

Crystal Snyder, team lead — (URI)

Getting involved in research is a great way to explore potential career options, gain hands-on experience, develop your professional networks and support your academic growth -- all while tackling real-world problems! 

Undergraduate research experiences take many forms (credit, non-credit, paid, volunteer, etc.) and there are many possible pathways to involvement, regardless of your program/discipline, year of study, GPA, research interests or career goals. 

You don't need to be an expert in your field or know a lot about research to start -- all you need is genuine curiosity and a willingness to try something new. URI can help!

Grow all parts of your life.

Jason Murray, psychologist — Counselling and Clinical Services

Attend to the things that bring you joy and health, like: good relationships, moving your body, feeding yourself food that is physically and emotionally nurturing, time with a pet, reading for pleasure, sports, engaging in activism, art and music, prayer and other faith activities, creative pursuits and so on.

These activities will fuel your spirit and help keep you motivated when under stress!

Wellness is made simple at the U of A.

Marienoel Nwungang, social worker — Wellness Supports

Taking care of your wellness as a U of A student doesn’t have to be complicated. Small things can enhance student success and experience, like taking a few deep breaths between classes, noticing your surroundings for a mindful moment or stretching and moving around your campus. 

Staying connected with friends, joining clubs or study groups and participating in low-pressure campus events can help you feel grounded and supported. Keeping a simple daily routine that balances classes, study, meals and downtime, along with celebrating small wins, can also boost your wellbeing. 

Remember, the U of A offers plenty of support through Wellness Supports, Peer Support, Accommodations and Accessibility, Career Centre, Counselling and Clinical Services and online resources. 

Getting help? That’s actually a power move! Reaching out takes courage and shows resilience.

Just ask!

Courtney Rippin Kaufman, director,

As you begin this new and exciting chapter at the U of A, remember: You don't have to navigate it alone. 

University life can feel overwhelming, but you’re not expected to have all the answers. There’s a vast network of support and resources to help you succeed. Whether it’s a quick question about financial support for the Student Service Centre, a deep dive into your academic path with your faculty's advisors or a discussion about academic support and accommodations with Student Success and Experience (SSE), there’s a dedicated team of professionals ready to support you. 

Stay on top of scholarships, grants and bursaries — and check in with advisors to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table. If you have any questions about the U of A’s financial support resources, you can reach out to the Student Service Centre.

Not sure where to start? Visit the Student Service Centre on the second floor of University Commons or uab.ca/ask. 

We all want you to thrive, so if you're ever in doubt, just ask.