This workshop aims to engage students with the concepts of liberal arts and inclusion catered for university students. Students will also be able to understand their role in creating an inclusive university environment through implementing effective communication skills and respectful interactions with other people from different gender, age, race, socio economic status, nationality, religion, sexual orientation... In addition, students are introduced the various student clubs and societies on campus and on issues related to the values of the university, the importance of a liberal education as well as civic engagement.

Learning objectives:

• Appreciate the Concepts of Liberal Arts.
• Understand the importance of civic engagement.
• Identify common cognitive and cultural biases that underlie prejudice and discrimination.

Being a successful university student is not a coincidence; it rather requires implementing effective study skills. Research studies have shown that attending lectures, taking notes, reading, and listening actively, managing time, and implementing memory techniques, are highly effective in fostering students’ academic achievement. This workshop is designed to train students on evidence-based study skills that will aid them during their university life.

Learning objectives:

• Learn tips on how to become an active listener and reader.
• Understand key strategies for university life such as attending lectures, taking notes, and participating in class.
• Implement evidence-based strategies to avoid procrastination.

The continuous development in technology including AI, which puts a plethora of sources and material in the hands of students, has led to misunderstandings and misuse of these sources. Students are immersed in a variety of academic and scholarly activities that go beyond the classroom and laboratory, all of which require integrity and honesty in presenting their work. This workshop will introduce the students with the different aspects of academic integrity, ethics and AI use.

Learning objectives:

• Understand academic integrity and plagiarism.
• Recognize when and how academic integrity occurs.
• Identify how artificial intelligence may contribute to academic dishonesty.
• Learn methods to avoid academic dishonesty.

Managing time is the main recipe for a student’s success at college. Time management also plays a significant role in achieving balance in students’ lives between fulfilling academic tasks and enjoying their personal and social lives. Having enough time for university requirements as well as having time for oneself, friends, family, and loved ones ensures that students will enjoy their undergraduate years while being committed to their short-term and long term academic and professional goals. As such, this workshop is designed to familiarize students with up-to-date evidence-based time management strategies.

Learning objectives:

• Understand common student misconceptions regarding time management.
• Implement up-to-date evidence-based time management strategies, using calendar, setting smart goals, devising tangible tasks, and developing weekly to-do lists.
• Devise personalized plan to achieve work-life balance.

The transition from high school to college is highly stressful as university life is highly challenging. As such, self-care during university life is not a luxurious act, rather a necessity for maintaining good psychological wellbeing. The aim of this workshop is to introduce students to the importance of self-care practices, as well as up-to-date research-based self-care practices, such as healthy physical habits, stress management techniques, and healthy psychological behaviors.

Learning objectives:

• Discuss common challenges/stressors in university life.
• Understand the relation between productivity and self-care practices.
• Learn self-care practices; healthy physical habits, work-life balance, healthy psychological behaviors, and stress management techniques.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) plays a crucial role in navigating through the challenges of university life and beyond. It is the ability to recognize and effectively manage our emotions as well as the emotions of others. This workshop will introduce the students to the concept of emotional intelligence as well as give an overview of its four main components in an interactive and engaging learning environment. As a result, students will leave with a deeper understanding of emotional intelligence and practical strategies to apply in their daily lives, both inside and outside the university settings.

Learning objectives:

• Understanding the concept of emotional intelligence and its importance.
• Recognizing and labeling one's own emotions effectively.
• Developing self-awareness and self-regulation skills.