• Learn from Student Affairs and other University staff and students on a variety of topics that matter most to you. You are invited to listen in and ask questions via chat.

    Missed or can’t attend a conversation you’re interested in? Don’t worry! All chats will be recorded and posted within a week of their original airing

  • Conversations for Success: Virtual Chats with Student Affairs

How it works

  1. Register for a session on the University of Manitoba events calendar with your @myumanitoba.ca email (checkout upcoming conversations). You will automatically receive an event confirmation email from the system.
  2. Closer to the chat, you will receive a custom email with a link to the virtual chat in you registered for.
  3. Use that link to enter the virtual lobby on the date and time of the chat (you can enter up to ten minutes early).
    NOTE: You will have an opportunity to choose your name and you will not be able to change it later. Other participants will be able to see your name, so please feel free to use an alias to be anonymous. If you alias is disrespectful in any way, you will be removed from the conversation.
  4. When the conversation is about to begin, a moderator will let you into the chat room.
    NOTE: Only the presenter(s) and moderator(s) will be able to share their video and audio, all participants will have their video and audio muted.
  5. If you have a question, type it in the chat. The moderator(s) will elevate it to the presenter or answer it in the chat.
  6. Participate in a short survey at the end of each conversation so we can improve the format weekly and learn what topics you are interested in.

Things to know

  1. This is not a replacement for one-on-one support. If you have specific needs for support, check the offices website for methods of contact. Some offices have phone lines and emails available; others are organizing one-on-one virtual meetings. Visit the appropriate office website to learn how to access their services, or visit the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) updates for students page.
  2. The chat is being monitored and moderated. Please be polite and kind to all users in the chat. Users who are disrespectful will be removed from the virtual chat.
  3. This is a new and ever-changing program, coordinated by Student Engagement and Success, will help connect students to the resources and wealth of knowledge within Student Affairs and beyond. Your feedback will help shape changes to the format and guide us to topics important to you.
  4. Conversations will be recorded. Participants will be prompted of recording by the moderators. Remember that only the presenter(s) and moderator(s) can share their video and audio, and therefore only they will be recorded.
  5. All chats files will be saved to aid in the development of this and other Student Affairs projects.

Upcoming conversations

More conversations coming soon

Previous conversations

Writing online and take-home exams

Take-home exams can be more demanding than in-class exams and many students have never written one.  Join Miriam Unruh (Academic Learning Centre Writing and Learning Instructor) and Loie Gervais (Academic Integrity Coordinator) who will talk about best practices for studying and writing this type of exam and answer questions you might have about writing take-home exams.

Presentation slides (PDF)

Managing stress - Doing well during stressful times

Managing stress well is something that we all need to do because everyone experiences stress and this is no more true than now given the COVID-19 pandemic and the unusual way the academic term has ended. David Ness and Danna McDonald from the Student Counselling Centre at the University of Manitoba will share information and practical strategies and answer your questions about managing stress and being as well as you can.

Presentation slides (PDF)

Final Grade Options - What you should know

Final Grade Options, What You Should Know - The university has provided students with many options for their final grades in Winter 2020 term. Join a team of advising and advocacy staff who can help you understand what these options mean and guide you to resources to help you decide what is best for you.

Presentation slides (PDF)

Volunteering and Mutual - Community Engaged Learning

Are you interested in volunteering and helping others?

Join the office of Community Engaged Learning to learn about volunteering opportunities and a new Mutual Aid Program at the U of M. CEL will share opportunities to volunteer with local groups and organizations, how students can provide care and support to each other, and how to decide what opportunity is the right fit for you

Presentation slides (PDF)

Career Check-Up: How Healthy is your Career Plan?

Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Knowing yourself and your occupational options is important to developing a strong career plan. This includes making informed choices about your education and experiential learning. In this session you will be guided to:

  • Consider your career preferences and learn about reliable assessment tools
  • Explore your occupational options and learn about useful resources
  • Design your degree to align with your career interests
  • Develop a plan to build career-related extracurricular experiences 

Join Career Consultants from Career Services as they guide you through resources and tools that will help you develop and strengthen your career plan. 

Handout Package (PDF) Presentation slides (PDF)

Living in the in-between: Creating a sense of Wellness in uncertain times

Wednesday, June 10, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of our lives in multiple ways. It has uprooted us, and left many of us feeling un-grounded, and insecure. We may feel as if we are dangling in mid-air; caught in the in between of many unknowns. Why do we feel this way? What can we do to regain a sense of wellness, and begin to feel grounded again? Join Edgar, Jodie, and Jesse in an interactive virtual session that will allow you to reflect on these questions and develop some strategies to regain a sense of wellness in uncertain times.

Ask any questions you may have live!

Presentation slides (PDF)

Student Accessibility Services: Supporting students with disabilities

Wednesday, June 24, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Student Accessibility Services supports students with diagnosed disabilities in their academic studies. During the shift to an online/virtual study environment for students, and the changing and challenging circumstances that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented students with, SAS is open and accommodation support remains available. Join Shanda and Caitlin in a virtual session that will inform you of the role of Student Accessibility Services, and provide you with information and how to register with the SAS office.

ASL Interpretation provided by Christina Morden

Presentation slides (PDF)

Learning online in a busy home: A session for student parents

Wednesday, July 7, 2020, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Join Lisa Bednar for this drop in session for student-parents at the U of M.

Topics will include parenting while you’re a student, studying with limited daycare, and strategies for success.

Presentation slides (PDF)

Peer Mentoring Programs

Wednesday, July 22, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Join Student Life Coordinators, Katie Leitch and Zach Unrau, for a conversation on peer mentoring programs and the benefits of getting involved with these programs on campus. Following the brief presentation, Zach and Katie will be joined by U of M students, Anjali, Chloé, and Prabhleen, who want to share with you their experiences of participating in peer mentoring programs. Learn more about peer mentoring programs at the U of M and ways that you can get involved with them during this session!

Presentation slides (PDF)

Successfully Learning Online: Myths, Facts and Expectations

Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

When it comes to online learning and academic integrity there are sometimes misconceptions about what is allowed and expected for assignments, tests and exams. Join Loie Gervais (Academic Integrity Coordinator) and Matthew Carvell (Student Advocate) to discuss academic integrity and the expectations during an online learning environment to help ensure success in your studies!

Presentation slides (PDF)

Work on Campus with Work-Study

Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm

This session will gives you an overview of Work-Study Program, including who is eligible, the types of positions available, how to make yourself stand out as an applicant, and what it’s like to be a Work-Study student. This will also be an opportunity to ask any questions of the coordinators. Find out more on our website: umanitoba.ca/student/workstudy

Application deadline: September 11, 2020

Facilitated by: Danielle Milln, Work-Study Coordinator + Rebecca Balakrishnan, Career Consultant

Presentation slides (PDF)

Are you Ready for Winter Term?

Friday, December 11, 2020, 9:00 - 10:00 am

Join a team of advising staff who can help you get answers to all your questions! During this info session, we’ll review ways to finish Fall term strong, prep for Winter term, and help you to understand the new grading accommodations.

Facilitated by: Ali Wood-Warren (First Year Centre Coodinator), Kathy Synkiw (Science Academic Advisor) and Lesley Wiebe (Arts Academic Advisor)

Managing Anxiety around Academic Misconduct

Thursday, February 25, 2020 | 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Being accused of academic misconduct can be a scary and stressful situation. This session will cover some myths and realities about academic misconduct, how to respond to an allegation, and strategies to cope and manage your reactions. Join the Directors of the Student Counselling Centre and Student Advocacy and Case Management for this session. Time will be set aside for questions at the end.

Facilitated by:
David Ness, Director, Student Counselling Centre
Heather Morris, Director, Student Advocacy and Case Management

Special sessions and seminars

Accessing Community Resources & Connecting to Employment Opportunities during COVID-19

Join Anny, Gail, Jodie, and Jesse from Student Affairs to learn about resources for food, mental health, rental policies, employment opportunities, and more.

Presentation slides (PDF)