Today@Dal

Dalhousie is expanding to offer new students online orientation this year called Start On Track – Online (dal.ca/ontrack). Over the summer, eight free online modules will be released to new undergraduate students on eight different topic areas including: academic readiness, financial support, health and wellness, alcohol and safety, consent and sexualized violence, community and citizenship, using the libraries and academic integrity. These topic areas are informed by the university’s strategic priorities, institutional survey data, and research related to helping students prepare for a successful transition to university.

Housed on Dal’s online learning management system, Brightspace, the modules will also help students become familiar with the learning management system they’ll be using for their classes. Faculty and staff are encouraged to browse through the materials (you can request access by emailing studentlife@dal.ca with your NetID) and promote the modules as a resource to new students.

As an added incentive, there are prize draws for the completion of each module. If students complete all 8 modules their name will be entered for a chance to win one of two grand prizes: a $500 and $250 tuition bursary. They will also receive Co-Curricular Record accreditation. Modules will remain open after the prize draws.

Supporting new students

Start on Track - Online is part of Dal’s overall effort to equip students with the experiences, tools and knowledge to succeed at Dal — including pre-arrival webinars from the International Centre, sessions on time management at Start on Track (Dalhousie’s in-person summer orientation, July 15 OR 28), in-person events through DSU O-Week and more. Information on these initiatives and more can be found at dal.ca/newstudents.