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Unit 5: WU Apps & Services

The digital survival kit for WU life.

🏁 Why it matters​

WU’s digital ecosystem is a jungle. Some students spend months fumbling through it, missing emails, deadlines, and opportunities.

Not you. This unit gives you the map, compass, and machete you need to navigate Teams, Canvas & Co. like a pro from day one.

💻 Microsoft Teams & Outlook – your WU essentials​

You get the full Microsoft package for free as a WU student. This means Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint… all ready to go.

📧 Outlook = your WU mailbox. Mandatory.

Here’s where it gets confusing: WU gives you three email addresses:

  • h+studentID@s.wu.ac.at → your main email. Use this for almost everything WU-related.
  • h+studentID@wu.ac.at → almost never needed, except for logging into Microsoft services.
  • firstname.lastname@wu.ac.at → same as above, just prettier. Also only relevant for Microsoft stuff.

🎯 TL;DR: Set up Microsoft Services with your h+studentID@wu.ac.at address. Apart from that, you’ll need the h+studentID@s.wu.ac.at one. Remember the others exist, but don’t overthink it.

🛠️ WU Controlpanel & Online Student Services​

This is your command center:

  • Update personal data
  • Set email preferences
  • Manage password resets
  • Activate your Microsoft account
  • Re-register for university (mandatory each semester!)
  • Download enrollment confirmation or your transcript of records (important when applying for internships)
  • Later: manage your potential exchange semester

✅ Log in early → explore all the menus so you’re not lost later.

🖱️ Canvas – absolute must-have​

This is your academic HQ.

Canvas is WU’s official learning management system.
It is the single most important digital platform you’ll use throughout your degree.

Here’s why:

  • Each of your courses gets its own Canvas workspace
  • Your lecture slides, reading lists, and assignments live here
  • Professors post announcements and updates here
  • You’ll submit papers, take quizzes, and track grades here

📌 Tip: Enable notifications. Canvas won’t spam you, but it will save your GPA.

🔧 Key Canvas Features to Master​

FeatureWhat It DoesWhy It Matters
DashboardOverview of all your current coursesEasy access to active subjects
CalendarCourse-specific deadlines, quizzes, classesCan sync to Google/Apple Calendar
ModulesWeekly breakdowns (Week 1, Week 2…)See structure at a glance
FilesAll uploaded materials: PDFs, slides, readingsDon’t rely on lectures — download everything
AnnouncementsProf updates, room changes, deadlinesYou’ll miss them if notifications are off
GradesRunning tally of what you’ve earned so farCheck regularly so you’re never surprised

📱 Studo – optional but nice​

Canvas is for deep study.
Studo is your on-the-go university assistant.

This mobile app, built specifically for Austrian students, helps you stay organized between classes, on the go, and during commute time.

Think of Studo as an all-in-one student app:

  • Timetable overview
  • Exam dates
  • Quicklinks to important WU websites
  • Mensa plan, student discounts, newsfeed, and more

📌 Tip: At semester start, Studo Codes often get shared in WhatsApp groups. Use one to unlock Studo Premium for free.

📊 LPIS – know your stats​

This is where you:

  • Check grades
  • Register for courses
  • Track your study progress

📌 Rule: At WU, “last minute” means “no chance” for course registrations. Log into LPIS and register the moment it opens – spots are gone within hours.

🧪 Micro-Challenge: Set up your digital workspace​

✅ Install Office 365 (Teams, Outlook, Word, etc.)
✅ Log into Canvas & explore your courses
✅ Open Controlpanel & check your email aliases
✅ Bookmark LPIS – you’ll visit it often