Saint Mary's

Explore SMU’s diverse course offerings, while completing the Basic Arts Requirements.

Aim to achieve a B or higher in ACST 1000.

Develop strong fundamental knowledge in the history, culture, and economy of Atlantic Canada that will become the basis of further work in Atlantic Canada Studies.

Explore your options for majors and minors by attending the Programs Day across faculties in February.

Register for classes as soon as registration opens. Classes fill early!

Visit your Academic Advisor or Program Advisor to be sure you have the right courses.

Gather information on Cooperative Education opportunities.

Develop critical thinking skills: Work on constructing and sustaining a thesis by identifying an argument, collecting evidence, and considering alternative points of view.

Explore the complex factors that have contributed to the present state of the Atlantic Canada region.

Improve your writing skills at the Writing Centre. Get expert feedback and incorporate it into your work.

Develop research skills by navigating online databases and the stacks at the Patrick Power Library. Take a .

Build a résumé at a Résumé Seminar, to prepare for internships, scholarships, and summer jobs.

Start your Co-Curricular Record. Document your acquired skills from on- and off-campus activities and volunteer work.

Attend Welcome Week. Make friends. Meet classmates, faculty, and advisors at academic orientation. Attend a session about a culture of safety and respect at Saint Mary's.

Introduce yourself to your professors after class or during office hours.

Visit the Societies Fair. Explore student societies, including those culturally-based, before deciding which to join.

Try , a program where international students practice speaking English.

Stay Active. Explore SMUfit, campus sports, exercise, and recreation opportunities.

Apply for a scholarship. There are more than 260 available!

Need help with time management, organizational, or presentation skills? Book an Academic & Life Skills Coaching session.

Learn to budget your money. Attend a Financial Literacy workshop or get advice from Financial Aid and Awards.

Check-in with Career Services to start discussing your career goals, related to your program. Experiment with different classes to see what you like.

When facing a personal crisis, get help from the Counselling Centre.

Consider courses with global themes for your electives.

Need a job? Create a HireSMU account to find available jobs.

Not from Halifax? all our cultural opportunities and have fun.

Keep current with local events. Read Pride in Your Shared Neighbourhood newsletter.

Travel while studying. Investigate travel options beyond Canada (2nd or 3rd year) at International Activities.

Obtain or update your passport in preparation for possible international travel.

Not from Canada? Browse Services for International Students for available support.

Attend International Night—an annual banquet showcasing SMU’s many cultures.

Begin working towards Group A and Group B Atlantic Canada Studies. Aim to achieve a B or higher in 2000- level ACST courses such as ACST 2342, ACST 2380 and ACST 2400.

Learn how historical events, and previous ways of behaving and thinking, continue to influence social and cultural customs and decision-making in Atlantic Canada. Take ACST 2311.

See the for the list of possible electives.

Thinking of changing majors or minors? Attend Programs Day for help.

Visit your Academic Advisor or Program Advisor to be sure you have the right courses and to declare your major in this year.

Take advantage of opportunities in class to hone your oral presentation skills.

Take ACST 2313 to learn about the many ways you can interpret the Atlantic Canadian experience.

Upgrade your writing with at the Writing Centre or through online resources.

Learn advanced researching techniques at the Library.

Update your Co-Curricular Record to keep track of your accomplishments and set new goals.

Consider joining student societies that help you understand Atlantic Canada better, such as the History Society, Environmental Society, or Sociology & Criminology Student Society.

Participate in intramurals. Demonstrate your team skills and character to future employers and admissions officers.

Browse the Scholarship List and modify your cover letter to match the criteria. Apply between February and May.

Need more academic support? Contact Personal Counselling or Academic & Life Skills Coaching.

Seek Career Counselling. Explore the core competencies of your major, and career possibilities related to your strengths, interests, and values.

Discover ways to give back to your community, from local to global. Come to the Volunteer Fair held every September, or speak to a Career and Employment Coach at Career Services.

Write for "The Journal", SMU’s student newspaper.

Get involved with activities outside of your major and minor. Employers like well-rounded candidates.

Attend the annual Cyril Byrne lecture to hear (and possibly meet) an author of international stature.

Attend a LinkedIn photo shoot and a LinkedIn Seminar with Career Services. Put your best (and most professional) face forward!

Keep your HireSMU Account updated with accurate contact information and most recent résumés.

Consider applying for the Co-op Program at the beginning of 2nd year (30+ credits). Gain work experience over three terms.

Visit the International Activities office for a study-abroad program or an international field study course in 3rd year.

Explore options for international internships in your area of study.

Work on completing the required number of courses from Group A (18 credit hours) for your ACST degree. Consider taking ACST 3345 or ACST 3364.

Expand your knowledge of the diverse peoples of Atlantic Canada in ACST 3321 or ACST 3325.

Enrol in some of the diverse courses required to complete the required number of Group B (24 credit hours) courses. Improve your ability to consider issues in Atlantic Canada from a variety of perspectives by taking courses in disciplines such as Religious Studies, French, Sociology, Criminology, and Anthropology.

Consider minors in disciplines such as English, History, Economics, Political Science, or Geography.

Visit your Academic Advisor to be sure you’re on the right track to meet graduation requirements.

Meet your Faculty Mentor/Department Chair for help with course selection, career advice, certifications, or selecting a thesis supervisor for the Honours Program.

Thinking about graduate school? Contact Career Services for options and admission procedures, and begin planning for applications with your Faculty Mentor/Department Chair.

Engage your fellow students, faculty, and guest speakers in debates over the current challenges facing Atlantic Canada.

Develop critical skills in engaging with visual texts such as films and television shows.

Expand your knowledge of languages relevant to Atlantic Canada.

Improve your research skills and grades by visiting the Library and using the Research-by-Appointment service for one-on-one help.

The Writing Centre offers workshops on .

Update your Co-Curricular Record.

Get to know your professors. They are excellent contacts for reference letters. Chat about your future plans for 4th year and beyond.

Attend the Research Expo. Learn from the research and critical analysis of peers and professors. Also, showcase your own research project.

Join campus societies in your field. These provide opportunities to network with the industry and professionals.

Run for a leadership position in a campus group.

Apply for over 200 returning awards.

Focus on summer or internship jobs within your Major or career field of interest to gain specific experience and build credentials.

Visit the Career Development Centre for help with tactical job searches, including using social media, information interview, fine-tuning your résumé and cover letter, and practicing interview skills.

Attend the in September and March. Discover career opportunities and employer expectations.

Let your networks know your major. Seek out potential employers for information and interviews.

Look out for VASS (Volunteer Arts Senior Student) opportunities to participate in activities around campus.

Explore new designed to help international graduates gain experience in Nova Scotia.

Complete required courses.

Take a minimum of 3 credits at the 4000 level in ACST courses.

Is it too late to do an Honours degree? Speak to the Department Chair about your idea.

Complete a CAPP Degree Evaluation in Banner.

Visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Discuss SMU graduate opportunities.

Contact your Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor/Department Chair to ensure you are on track for graduation requirements and post-graduation plan.

Apply to graduate. Fill out an application for graduation form and submit it to the Service Centre. Get your picture taken for the yearbook.

Consider graduate schools or professional programs. Start early, and use your professors and the Writing Centre to review your personal statement, cover letter, and applications.

Request transcripts, if required.

Hone your writing skills so that you can use them in a broad range of professions.

Apply analytical skills to complex regional problems using a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives: socio-scientific, ecological, and cultural-historical.

Before you graduate, do a final update of your Co-Curricular Record, and request an official copy.

Visit Career Services to prepare to clearly and persuasively articulate all you have learned at Saint Mary’s (in and out of class) to an employer.

Serve as Department Student Rep. Speak to your Department Chair.

Present a paper at an undergraduate student conference.

Attend the biennial Donald Higgins Lecture, by a scholar or public figure exploring a current affairs issue.

Enter your best research paper for the Academic Writing Awards.

Consider applying for the Donald Higgins Memorial Scholarship .

Get recognized for your involvement in the classroom and in the Saint Mary’s community. Apply for the Student Leadership Award.

Apply for other awards, including the SMUFU scholarship.

Brush up on your Financial Literacy. Receive guidance for a successful and healthy financial future, including student-loan repayment.

Your degree can open the door to many types of careers. Use the Career Counselling to discover where you want to go and how best to get there.

Plan to attend Career Services’ 4-week Job Search Seminar Series before or after graduation.

Be prepared to apply, interview, and network when school begins, to maximize your chance of receiving some job offers by May.

In addition to the , attend some career fairs specific to your program. Bring your résumé. Prepare in advance to speak with recruiters and potential employers.

Apply for the program. Meet with a Halifax professional in a field of interest.

If you are a co-op student, arrange for your final work term placement early.

Are you an international student interested in staying in Canada and receiving permanent resident status? Contact the International Centre.

Get in contact with the SMU Young Alumni Association to begin your next phase as a Santamarian.

Remember, you have access to Career Services for three years post-graduation. Use these services to help you continue to get the most out of your degree.