Personal and Academic Support Resources

A strip of metal, bent into a loop, offering resistance only until it is soldered. In this moment of most extreme resistance, it attains its most relaxed, most natural form, and in the greatest tension, its greatest serenity. And only then.

Ilse Aichinger

Fabrice Le Nazet’s sculpture, entitled ‘Measure’.

We the human, like the building, have rooms. We are carved by time, built brick by brick, and would be brittle, at best, without a system of support.

Several resources are made available to Waterloo students seeking personal or academic support and guidance. Some of these support programs are also seeking volunteers or employees if you’re interested in giving back to the Waterloo community.

Undergraduate and Graduate Resources

1. Counselling at the School of Architecture offered by Fiona Dhanapala. 519-888-4567 x32655 | Fiona is available Thursdays from 1:30pm-8:30pm in room 3001. Free and confidential individual appointments can be made to discuss study skills, coming out/sexual orientation struggles, time management skills, personal issues, enhancing creativity, transition/adjustment, depression, anxiety, family struggles, sexual abuse, eating disorders, roommate problems, relationship issues, grief, stress management and self-esteem. To make an appointment, call the Counselling Services front desk () and tell the receptionist you’d like to make an appointment to see Fiona in Architecture if the appointment is no longer needed, please call and cancel. A $35.00 fee applies for missed appointments.
2. Counselling at Main Campus. 519-888-4567 x32655 | Counselling services are also provided on main campus if there is difficulty booking an appointment at the School of Architecture. To make an appointment, call the Counselling Services front desk. Appointments are not needed if you are coming in with an emergency.
3. Success Coach. success@waterloo.ca | 519-888-4567 ext. 84410 | The Student Success Office provides one-on-one counselling appointment to help you find tailored solutions in areas such as time management, study habits, academic confidence, social goal setting, and scheduling. The office is located on the Second Floor of South Campus Hall.
4. Writing Centre. | The Writing Centre provides one-on-one counselling for writing and communication. Appointments are typically 50-minutes. For Undergraduate students: instructors are available to work with you on a piece of writing such as an essay, report, graduate application or presentation. Instructors are also available to review your English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE Review). Schedule an appointment here by selecting a date and logging into the system. For Graduate students: this is a great resource for thesis, paper, article, or presentation writing. Bring a double or triple spaced hard copy of the work you would like to discuss. Schedule an appointment online by selecting a date on their page and logging into the system. While instructors will cover structure and organization, developing your argument, integrating evidence, and grammar & punctuation, please note that this is not a proof-reading or copy-editing service. See the website for Workshops, Writing Mechanics Resources and Drop-in options.
5. International Student Experience.  ise@uwaterloo.ca | The ISE has a team of international student advisors that can provide counsel on several topics such as applying for temporary resident visas and other documents, travelling, bringing your family, health and wellness, managing your finances, living in Waterloo/Kitchener/Cambridge, connecting you to ‘international welcome programs’, finding a global representative from your home country, preparing for class, finding work and much more. Programs available include: Global Representative program, International Peer Mentors, English Conversation Circles, English Conversation Partners, English Hour, and Canadian Culture Connection. The International Student Experience team is located in the Student Success Office in South Campus Hall on the second floor.  Follow the signs to Student Success.
6. Tutor Connect. success@uwaterloo.ca | Tutor Connect is an online posting board where as a registered University of Waterloo student, you can post your tutoring services or search through tutor profiles to see all available tutors, their current academic year and their hourly rate.
7. Peer Mentorship Program. Mentorship for international students and students seeking career advice is available at Main Campus.

Emergency List of Contacts

• Cambridge Memorial Hospital : 519-621-2330
• University of Waterloo Police (24/7): 519-888-4911
• Mobile Crisis Team (24/7): 519-744-1813
• Health Services: 519-888-4096
• Crisis Clinic at Grand River Hospital: 519-742-3611
• Good2Talk: 1-866-925-5454 or 211
• Kitchener-Waterloo Distress Line: 519-745-1166
• Telecare Cambridge Distress Line: 519-658-5455
• Assaulted Women’s Helpline: 1-888-364-1210
• Kitchener-Waterloo Sexual Assault Support Centre (24/7): 519-741-8633
• Waterloo Region Sexual Assault Treatment Centre: 519-749-6994

Interested in Getting Involved?

• Become an English Conversation Partner
• Become an English Hour Volunteer
• Become a Tutor
• Become a Global Representative
• Become an International Peer Mentor