Start Smart

Start Smart at Cape Breton University

Start Smart is Cape Breton University’s online learning experience aimed at giving all students the opportunity to learn about supports, services and opportunities for engagement on campus. This is a free, self-paced, non-credit Moodle course for all CBU students.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the information you receive about our services, especially if you’re coming to CBU for the first time. Start Smart helps to ease that transition by providing key information in a central location so you can access it whenever you need it.

Start Smart is your go-to resource for understanding university life at CBU. From academic terms and policies to campus expectations and updates, it helps you feel informed, confident, and prepared from the start.

If you’re a student who is continuing your program at CBU, you may realize you need more or different supports than you previously did. Don’t worry – Start Smart is just the reminder you need to ensure your success.

What To Expect

• Easy access to resources through your Moodle account.
• Information and links to more than 20 CBU services, covered in five themed modules.
• Videos and activities to highlight services and information.
• Completion of the course should take 45-60 minutes. If you want to complete Start Smart in multiple sessions, Moodle will save your progress so you can pick up where you left off.
• You’ll stay registered for Start Smart as long as you’re a CBU student, so you’ll always have access to information when you need it.

Important: Completion Required

Completing Start Smart is now a requirement for all new and returning CBU students for Fall 2026. You may not be able to access Moodle for other courses until Start Smart is completed, so it’s best to complete it as early as possible.

2026 Prizes

The first 100 students to complete Start Smart for Fall 2026 will be entered into a draw to win a $500 tuition waiver, AirPods 4 or a CBU prize pack.

Contact

If you have any questions about Start Smart, please email advising@cbu.ca or stop by the Advising Centre in the Marvin Harvey Building.