Hey y’all! Chris here, welcoming you back to another edition of the Asper Scoop. This month, we’re entering our preparation era and have been taking all the advice we can get. With the fall semester slowly but surely sneaking up, we’ve got you covered with pointers, important dates, and opportunities for the start of Fall 2023!

 

Asper Advice: Tips and Tricks for the New Semester

Whether you’re a new-to-Asper student or a seasoned Drake Centre veteran, there’s always new tips and tricks to be discovered! For one, I recently found out that there’s a tunnel from the Drake Centre to the Music Building (I may or may not have discovered it while avoiding the geese outside). No matter what year you’re in, keep reading to find out the helpful hints your fellow Asper students shared on Instagram.

 

What’s one piece of advice you would give your first-year self?

“Get involved! It’s a great way to meet new friends.”

I suppose this is a little self-promo moment for the CSA but I totally agree! Whether you’re a first year, sixth year, or anywhere in between, it is a perfect time to get involved.  There are so many opportunities out there, from ad-hoc volunteer roles to longer-term General Council, STAG, or committee positions. A few to keep your eye out for this fall:

    • Volunteer with The Commerce Week (keep reading for more information!)
  • Run for First Year Representative or join the First Year Committee (open to all New-to-Asper students)
  • Help out with the 2023 Shinerama campaign (follow @Shinetoba on Instagram for updates!)
  • Apply for the 5 Days for the Homeless Committee

 

“Learn more about STAGs”

YES! STAGs (Student Action Groups) are another fantastic way to get involved during your time at Asper, with many focusing on a particular major or community within the school. STAGs are open to all Asper students and allow individuals to meet peers with similar interests and ambitions, combining both social, academic, and professional activities. Be sure to check out the booths at TCW this year to get to know some STAGs on campus or read more here!

 

“Don’t bring a lunch you need to microwave”

Gone are the days of the dreaded microwave walk to UC – there are now two shiny new microwaves in Drake! Check them out on the first floor by the elevators. 

 

What’s your Asper life hack?

“See an academic advisor right from day one”

It never hurts to see an academic advisor! Asper advisors are there to help navigate your courses, whether you’ve just entered the faculty or are close to graduation. Click this link to book a slot and select your faculty.

 

“Do your research before taking classes with professors!”

While ratemyprofessor.com can definitely be a helpful resource, I also like to check out previous semesters syllabuses to get a feel for how each professor runs their section, as well as how the grades have been broken down in the past. While they are subject to change from semester to semester, they may be useful depending on what you’re looking for!

 

“Find a mentor to help you pick your classes”

This is definitely A+ advice! As a later-year student, I know myself and many others have A TON of thoughts to share on professors, courses, and exams, so don’t be afraid to ask. If you’re interested in being either a mentor or a mentee, follow @CommerceCares_ on Instagram for upcoming details on the CSA Mentorship Program!

 

Back to Class Prep

Course Registration

The day that course registration kicks off is the day I realize fall is just around the corner. That day is today. Registration dates for returning students begin on July 20th, with dates scattered up until August 8th! May Aurora be in your favour this year.

 

What-If Audit

With course registration comes a yearly look at the Asper Program Guide. If you’ve ever gotten confused while looking through it, trust me: you’re not the only one! To ease my own confusion, I use the University of Manitoba’s “What-If Audit”: it’s an easy to understand guide that details which classes you have left to take in your degree, along with which courses fit into each degree requirement. It also provides a fun little graph to help visualize how far along you are in the program, doubling as a stark reminder that adulthood is right around the corner :’). To run your own audit, go to https://umanitoba.ca/registrar/um-achieve-students, log in with your student ID, and select “Run What-If Audit”. 

 

Asper Important Dates

As someone who relies far too much on my Google Calendar, I simply cannot remember dates unless I put them in there. Here are some of the ones I noted down:

  • July 20th – August 8th: Course registration opens for returning students
  • July 27th: Voluntary withdrawal deadline for July-August Courses
  • August 22nd: Parking passes go on sale 
  • September 5th: Orientation day (new students only)
  • September 6th: First day of classes for returning students
  • September 8th: Commerce on the Quad 🕺



Extra Credit: Volunteer with The Commerce Week

 

The Commerce Week (TCW) is back for 2023 and you can be a part of it! Hosted from September 5th-8th, TCW is a fun-filled week chalked full of student-led academic and social events. The TCW team is currently seeking volunteers for their Orientation Day, Beverage Gardens, and Commerce on the Quad events, with a variety of positions and flexible time slots available.

So why volunteer for TCW? First off, why not! Second, it’s a fantastic way to meet and work with fellow Asper students during your first week back on campus this fall. Plus, each volunteer will receive a TCW T-Shirt, free lunch, and an entry into an exclusive giveaway – it’s truly a win-win!

Sign up to volunteer here and be sure to follow @AsperTCW on Instagram for future updates! See y’all there.

 

That wraps up the July Scoop! Keep your eyes peeled for next month’s entry, as we’ll be doing a deep dive on what to expect during your first week back and beyond. Thank you again for reading – until next month!

– Chris