The messages below have been sent to new students registered in the Sobey School of Business Bachelor of Commerce for September 2023. To contact your Academic Advising Office, email bcomm.advising@smu.ca or schedule an appointment.
August 2, 2023
Can you believe that the September term is just around the corner? In this Sobey Starter we want to provide you with more information about resources created to help new students.
Resources for New Students
You have already started receiving emails from our Welcome Team and maybe have already chatted with your Peer Coach. Taking part in New to SMU events and activities can be a great way to get connected with other students in your program (and in other programs) and with university supports that can be helpful in the future. Check out the Events and Activities page on the New to SMU website to see upcoming events to get you ready for the new semester. You can also review the New to SMU Student Resources page and the Studio Student Support page for information and support on just about any topic at the university.
Registration
Classes start on Wednesday, September 6! If you still need to register or make changes to your schedule, don’t leave it to the last moment. If you have questions about registration, you can book an appointment or join one of our drop-in sessions by going to our BComm Advising webpage. You can join Emma during our New Student Virtual Drop-ins every Thursday from 3-4:30 p.m. ADT.
Brightspace
Brightspace is the online course portal where material from your courses will be stored. You will have access to the Brightspace for each course on the first day of class. Every course has a Brightspace, and the amount of material available on your course Brightspace will depend on if you are in an online course or an in-person course. Some of the important information that can be found on Brightspace includes the course outline/syllabus, PowerPoint slides, reading materials, notes, assignments, and tests. You can log in to Brightspace here.
If you have trouble logging in to Brightspace or using any of the functions within Brightspace you can find helpful troubleshooting videos on this webpage.
BComm Academic Success & Advising Centre Brightspace
We encourage all new students to register for the BComm Academic Success & Advising Centre Brightspace. Follow these steps to register:
Log into Brightspace.
Click the “Discover” tab on the top left part of the home screen.
Look for the BComm Academic Success & Advising Centre in the list of self-register courses and click on it.
Click “Enrol in Course” and you will have access to the Brightspace.
The BComm Advising Brightspace has lots of useful information about the program that you can browse in the “Content” section. We will also post important information, such as upcoming deadlines, events, and workshops, in the “News and Announcements” section.
JumpStart
What is JumpStart? JumpStart is a 3-day camp to set you up for university success. Get the inside scoop on what’s expected of you!
Topics covered:
Keeping your cool when it comes to aspects of academic writing like testing, writing, and presenting.
Dive into SMU’s virtual and digital learning spaces.
Sneak peek into a university lecture.
Meet SMU professors and support services.
Lunch will be provided each day of JumpStart along with academic resources. You will also have the chance to win prizes!
When: August 16-18, 2023
Where: SMU Campus (Clari Room– Atrium 340)
Price: $30 (+HST) (Covers lunch every day and academic resources)
Upcoming BComm Events
The BComm New Student Academic Welcome is happening on Tuesday, September 5. The official invitation and registration are coming soon!
New Event - How to be a Successful New BComm Student
This lecture-style session will cover important information for understanding your degree. Learn what habits lead to being a successful student and what academic information you need to make decisions throughout the year.
Thursday, September 7 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Loyola Academic Private Dining Room.
July 31, 2023 - Welcome to the BComm Program!
We are excited you will be joining us in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University this September! We are your BComm Academic Advising Team and we are here to help you navigate and excel in your studies throughout your degree. Connecting and meeting with an academic advisor is a regular part of your university experience. You will receive important emails from us throughout the year and we encourage you to book an appointment with us at least once a semester to review your progress.
To prepare you for your first semester we have created a series of “Sobey Starters” emails full of important information. Keep an eye out for these emails leading up to the start of classes!
Save the Date! – New Student Academic Welcome Event
At the start of every term the Faculties host Academic Welcomes for all new students. This event is a key part of the start of your first term at Saint Mary’s University.
The Academic Welcome will be on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. This is the day before classes start. More information about the event will be sent out soon!
Your Academic Advising Team
From left to right: Sarah Joyce (BComm Program Assistant), Emma Wicks (BComm Academic Advisor), Wendy Wang (BComm Academic Advisor), and Jill Thomas (Senior BComm Academic Advisor)
We can help you understand your degree requirements, academic expectations, where and how to get help, and how to design your undergraduate student experience at SMU. We work together with you to navigate your academic program and offer support so you can achieve academic and personal success.
Some reasons why you might meet with an academic advisor include (but are not limited to):
Review your degree requirements and check your progress;
Plan and arrange your courses;
Explore program options, such as majors, minors, and certificates;
Develop a plan to overcome academic challenges;
Identify opportunities to build skills in the university community (e.g. study abroad, Co-op)
How to Meet with an Academic Advisor
We offer both in-person and virtual advising, primarily through booked appointments. You can book an appointment with one of us using our online booking system. Please note that the booking system will only show available appointments up to two weeks in advance.
New Student Virtual Drop-ins
Every Thursday from 3-4 p.m. (Halifax/Atlantic time) we will have virtual drop-ins available on Zoom. These drop-ins are open to all new students no matter what stage of the application or registration process you are in. During the drop-ins, student will enter the virtual waiting room and be let into the meeting one at a time to speak with an Academic Advisor. This is a great opportunity to ask registration questions, have your course schedule reviewed, or get more information about preparing for the start of the term.
Stay tuned for our next Sobey Starter!