Student Life
At university, you can explore your interests, inside and outside of the classroom.
You will have opportunities to attend social events or join a student club. You might also like to play extracurricular sports or, if you live on campus, become involved in your residence community.
Read more about student life at Waterloo.
Orientation Week
Fall Orientation for a Waterloo Warrior is filled with opportunities to connect with future classmates, experience our unique university and faculty traditions, learn about the university and community culture and hear more about what Waterloo has to offer.
Clubs and Societies
General Clubs
Clubs are a cornerstone of student life on campus. They allow you to come together and share experiences with students who have similar interests, backgrounds and ambitions. Waterloo’s more than 200 student clubs include:
- Academic clubs
- Cultural clubs
- Games clubs
- Political and social awareness clubs
- Religious and spiritual clubs
Read more about Waterloo’s clubs and activities.
Indigenous Student Clubs
The Indigenous Student Association hosts events for the Indigenous student community to celebrate heritage and promote awareness. The association welcomes all students on the Waterloo campus to join and expand their knowledge of Indigenous culture.
Student Union
At Waterloo, you are represented by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association.
Your student union plays an important role at university. The union advocates on behalf of students on campus and in the community. Members may also organize your Orientation week and student clubs.
Athletics
Varsity Athletics
Waterloo is home to the Warriors varsity sports, which range from basketball, badminton and curling, to hockey, squash and volleyball. The Waterloo Warriors participate in both Ontario University Athletics and Canadian Interuniversity Sport.
Read more about Waterloo’s varsity athletics.
Recreation and Intramurals
Waterloo offers recreational sports and leagues that you can participate in regardless of your skill level. Recreational sports include hockey, dodgeball and Ultimate Frisbee.
Waterloo also offers ways to stay healthy at home. Healthy Warriors is a program that provides virtual workouts and personalized diet plans to support your health goals.
Student Services
AccessAbility Services
If you have a disability that requires academic accommodation and support, AccessAbility Services is available to help. They can design and facilitate your academic accommodation plan by removing barriers and help to build your capacity for personal success. It is important to reach out to them as soon as possible to ensure that the appropriate supports are in place for you at the beginning of the school year.
Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity (LGBTQ)
The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity is your place to relax, have lunch and meet people with diverse gender and sexual identities, as well as allies. The oldest student organization of this kind in Canada, Glow is run entirely by dedicated student volunteers.
You can join in discussion groups, virtual social events and awareness campaigns, or access resources and information. You can also contact the Centre during peer-support hours for confidential peer support from trained volunteers.
RAISE
RAISE is a student-based service that focuses on 3 pillars to address racism and xenophobia across campus:
- Education and Advocacy
- Peer-to-Peer Support
- Community Building
The aim is to create an environment for students that promotes equality and unity.
Multi-Faith Centre
Waterloo offers Multi-Faith Prayer Spaces on campus for people to practice their faith around campus. Students and larger groups can book these rooms.
Child Care
Three centres operating on Waterloo’s campus offer child care services for children 3 months through to school age. They provide full- and half-day programs. Contact each appropriate centre and place your child’s name on a waiting list.
Visit Waterloo’s Campus Resources for more information about day care centres available on campus.
Security
Waterloo’s Police Services provide a safe and secure environment to work, study and live. Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Numerous safety programs such as Crime Stoppers and WatSafe are in place to provide additional security for the campus community.
