Appointments for Undergraduate Students

We offer a variety of appointment types to assist all undergraduate UTM students with academic skills enhancement. (Some programs have been cancelled or adjusted due to COVID-19 restrictions)

Book a face-to-face or online appointment using WC ONLINE, our new online booking system. 

View our booking and cancellation FAQ.

​Try to book at least one week in advance and well before your assignment deadline so you have time to apply what you learn.

Face-to-face Appointments (cancelled)

Book a face-to-face appointment. (As of March 16, 2020: face-to-face appointments have been cancelled. For online appointment instructions, see below.)

Suitable for help with:

  • a specific assignment
  • writing skills
  • reading skills
  • study habits
  • time management

If you wish to discuss a specific assignment or essay during an appointment:

  • You MUST bring your assignment instructions.
  • Please bring a printed hard copy of the assignment instructions and your work in progress or questions, as it allows the instructor to provide feedback more clearly.
  • We can't view work on mobile phones or tablets.
  • You can't use USB keys at the RGASC.

Our instructors meet with you in person at the RGASC to offer instruction in the various forms of academic writing and study skills required in your courses.

Bring your work-in-progress from any course you are taking. We’ll work with you at any stage in its development, from brain-storming and planning to revising a draft.

We won’t do your work for you - we don’t edit - but we will help you learn to:

  • interpret assignments
  • form a strong thesis or research question
  • improve your grammar and style

For reference and citation help, please visit the Reference & Research Help Desk

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Online Appointments (30 minutes)

Book an online appointment.

The RGASC is offering two types of online appointments:

The appointments with NO Video/NO Chat are ideal for students seeking feedback on their writing. The appointments that include Video and Chat are appropriate for students seeking feedback on either their writing or more general study skills (e.g., time management, critical reading, exam preparation). We also have math appointments available for those students who would like to meet with a math instructor — these are only available with Video and Chat.

How do I participate in an online appointment?

To book either kind of online appointment, log in to WCONLINE and use the pull-down menu to see the different schedules we are offering. Each schedule is for a different kind of appointment (e.g., with or without Video and Chat) and will show you the appointments that are currently available.

Instructions for Online: No Video/No Chat appointments:

Log in to WCONLINE, select your appointment, and click on the Edit Appointment button at the bottom of the page:

blick edit appointment button

This will open the appointment detail window. Once this window is open, scroll to the bottom where you will find “This schedule supports file attachments.” Use the “Browse” button to upload both the assignment instructions and your own written work.

click browse to browse files

During the scheduled appointment time, an RGASC writing instructor will review your document, add comments and upload it to the system. After the appointment, you can download the commented-on document. If your paper isn’t available for download after your appointment time ends (for example, if there is a technical problem), contact us and we can email it to you.

Instructions for Online: Video/Chat appointments:

Log in to WCONLINE, select your appointment, click the green “JOIN ONLINE SESSION” link. Once you are in the online appointment, you can upload your paper to an online whiteboard so that and your instructor can discuss it. This discussion can take place by video, audio or chat (instant messaging), but you can you can turn your camera or microphone off if you prefer (note: the camera is enabled as a default)*. Your instructor can also make comments on your paper; you can download the paper with these comments. If you need help navigating all the different communication functions and tools during the online appointment, the RGASC writing instructor will help you.

*If you are booking a synchronous online appointment through WCONLINE, you should be aware that personal information can be inadvertently disclosed or captured through background noise and images/documents/photographs/belongings in the room. Please take steps to ensure such details are not captured in any recordings.

We hope that you all stay safe during these extraordinary times. Please don't hesitate to contact us at academicskills.utm@utoronto.ca if you have any questions about online appointments or other supports the RGASC is offering while the UTM campus is closed.

For reference and citation help, please visit the Reference & Research Help Desk

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Writing & Study Skills Appointments

Converted to Online (Video/Chat) and Online (No Video/No Chat) Appointments as of March 17, 2020

Please check the online booking system.

Suitable for help with specific questions about:

  • essays
  • written assignments
  • study skills

Come to the RGASC for Writing & Study Skills appointments.

For reference and citation help, please visit the Reference & Research Help Desk

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Math Skills Appointments

Converted to Online (Video/Chat) Appointments as of March 26, 2020

Book an online math appointment. Math appointments will be available throughout the week.

Suitable for help with foundational mathematical skills, including:

  • pre-calculus
  • descriptive statistics
  • logic

You do need to be available during the appointment time; this is a synchronous (real-time) appointment. There is a Video/Chat component to this online appointment. *

*If you are booking a synchronous online appointment through WCONLINE, you should be aware that personal information can be inadvertently disclosed or captured through background noise and images/documents/photographs/belongings in the room. Please take steps to ensure such details are not captured in any recordings.

    1. Book your appointment using our online booking system, selecting the "Online Math Appointments Fall 2020" schedule.
    2. Before the appointment start time:
      1. Prepare your documents including your assignment AND your work in progress or questions.
      2. Please use the following naming convention: Last Name_CourseCode (e.g. Smith_MAT132). If there are illegal characters within the file name there is a chance we will not be able to upload the document.
      3. Upload the documents to the booking system. 
    3. During the scheduled appointment time, an RGASC instructor will be available via video and chat functionality to review and discuss your document, chat about your concerns, and provide feedback to support you in improving your math skills.
    4. After the appointment, you can download the document and additional materials if created during the appointment. If your document isn’t available for download after your appointment time ends, contact us and we can email it to you.

    Any changes to the drop-in schedule will be posted on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages.

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    English Language Learner (ELL) Appointments

    Converted to Online (Video/Chat) appointments as of March 17, 2020

    Please see the online booking system. Sheila Batacharya and Laura Taylor specialize in working with students with English as a second language.

    Any changes to the drop-in schedule will be posted on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages.

    If you are a UTM student who speaks English as a second (or third or fourth!) language, we can help you learn strategies to improve your skills.

    Suitable for help with:

    • academic writing skills
    • critical reading skills
    • oral communication skills
    • understanding lectures
    • note taking
    • getting the most out of class time
    • and more!

    Come to the RGASC for English Language Learner (ELL) support.

    For reference and citation help, please visit the Reference & Research Help Desk

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    Virtual Writing Retreats (drop-in)

    Fall 2020 Writing Retreats will take place online via Zoom, with sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

    Writing Retreats are spaces where writing can happen in the company of others. Drop-in, write, and get feedback on your assignment from an experienced writing instructor in the room. 

    Suitable for help with:

    • essays
    • a specific assignment
    • writing skills

    For more information, schedule, and Zoom links, visit the Writing Retreats page. 

    Any changes to the schedule will be posted on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages.

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    Virtual Graduate Applications and Personal Statement Appointments (one hour)

    Book by sending an email to academicskills.utm@utoronto.ca. Graduate appointments are an hour long and hosted through Zoom. 

    Please prepare a digital copy of your draft for your appointment.

    Suitable for help with:

    • personal statements
    • statements of intent
    • sample writing
    • graduate and professional school applications
    • scholarship applications

    When booking, please provide the following:

    • Name
    • Student Number
    • UofT Email
    • Phone Number
    • Graduate program to which you are applying

    Note: Students are able to book a maximum of three appointments. 

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    Appointment Booking and Cancellation FAQ

    How do I book an appointment?

    For Online Appointments, use our online booking system.

    For Personal Statement Appointments, send an email to academicskills.utm@utoronto.ca. 

    How do I cancel an appointment?

    Please provide at least 24 hours of notice if you need to cancel your appointment. We would ask that you login to the online booking system and cancel the appointment or email academicskills.utm@utoronto.ca.

    If you miss or cancel with less than 24 hours of notice, or do not show up for two scheduled appointments in a single term, you will lose access to the reservation system.

    How many appointments can I book at once?

    You may reserve ONE appointment per week and up to five appointments in total at a time.

    Who can book an appointment?

    Current UTM students can book appointments at the RGASC.

    What if I can’t log in to the online booking system?

    Please note:

    • Undergraduate students who are on academic suspension must book by email.
    • Graduate students must book appointments by email.

    If you think you are eligible but the online booking system doesn't recognize your UTORid, email us at academicskills.utm@utoronto.ca. 

    Can I bring my assignment and instructions on a USB key and print it at the RGASC?

    No, you can't use USB keys at the RGASC. Please print your assignment instructions AND your work in progress or questions before you come to your appointment.

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