the step: the student transition enrichment project
TRANSCRIPT
WHO WE ARE
Emily Thorlakson – Camosun College
Alex Kreutz – University of Victoria
Alex Lukey – University of British Columbia Okanagan [email protected]
Emma Levorson – University of Calgary [email protected]
Sam Bienias – Queen’s University [email protected]
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY
ALTITUDE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
A cascading mentorship program designed to provide support for students’ paths to medical school
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA OKANAGAN
UNIVERSITY IN GENERAL
Product of going to University:
A DEGREE!
An undergraduate degree will either set you up well for a job or fulfill a prerequisite for grad school (law school, med school etc..)
Applying and choosing a
school
What to expect of the things you have or
will sign up for
How to manage the
changes
How to feel like a part of your new school
Applying and choosing a school
HANDLING THE APPLICATION
Building your resume
Preparing Early
Meeting Deadlines Getting In
• Having a well-rounded application is key
• Common questions ask about volunteer experience, creativity and leadership
• High grades
• Writing down things you do as you do them
• Write generic responses in advance if you want
• Ease as much stress as you can
• Online – allow access to transcripts
• Write down the deadlines for each school because they are all different
• There are earlier deadlines to apply before in order to be eligible for entrance scholarships
• Time to choose a school
• Accept your acceptance
• Apply for residence if necessary
• If your program requires you to choose classes then do your research and prepare for your time slot
• Write down passwords
CHOOSING A SCHOOL
What do you look for in
a lifestyle.. In a program..
In a community..
“I chose mine based on a good feeling.”
Choose a school based on anything that sounds like YOU
BEING FAR AWAY
PROS
CONS
WITH BEING FAR AWAYMom and Dad aren't there to help!
Campus resources are actually so helpful if you choose to use them.
There are resources for:
• How to study and write exams
• How to manage stress
• Editing help for lab write-ups and papers
• “Academic Grievance”
• Tutors
• Technical help
• Talking to professors
Let Mom text you 24/7 for the first little while if she wants to..
This transition could be harder on your parents than it is on you.
I can promise youthis..“Distance makesthe heart grow fonder”
SPECIAL SOMEONES
In a relationship?
Single?
FINANCES
Apply for scholarships
Budgeting yourself while you’re away from home:
• Limit the luxuries
• Set weekly or monthly limits for yourself
• Take advantage of public transit when you can
• Go to events with free food…
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:
-LAPTOP
-WIFI HOOK UP
-PRINTER & PRINTER PAPER
-NOTEBOOKS/LINED PAPER -STAPLER
-BINDERS
-BACKPACK
-AGENDA/CALENDER
-A FAN FOR YOUR RES ROOM
-SHOWER FLIP FLOPS FOR RES
-MINI - FRIDGE
-ALARM CLOCK
-LAUNDRY HAMPER
-CLOTHES THAT CAN GET DIRTY FOR
FROSH WEEK
-MATTRESS TOPPER FOR BED
-EXTENSION CORDS / POWER BARS
CLASS SELECTION
• You will be given a time slot to choose classes
• Be prepared with what classes you need and what
classes you want
• Often classes will fill up quickly, be online asap
• Don’t worry however – the school will get you the
classes you need
What to expect of the things you have or will sign up for
RES LIFE
There are people everywhere.
All the time.
Learn to say no.
Learn to also say yes.
Branch out!
DormRooms
NAME THE 2 SCARIEST THINGS THAT OCCURRED AT UNIVERSITY
LET’S TALK ABOUT FROSH WEEK
DO FROSH WEEK
Why?
How to manage the changes
High-school
• One text book chapter every two-three weeks
• Labs are not really labs
• Show up to class ready to learn
• It’s forced upon you to take part in events around the school
• Continuous classes 8:30-3:00
• Guided learning
University• One text book chapter a week,
sometimes less than a week• You will be preforming labs
more independently• Show up to class having
already done pre-reading• It’s up to you to get involved in
things going on around school• Class schedule is different
every day• Grade Weighting
• Independent learning
YOU WERE 1 IN 30YOU ARE NOW 1 IN 400
Don’t let this take you down!
IN A CLASSROOM
WHAT DO YOU BRING TO CLASS??
HOW MUCH DOES YOUR GRADE AVERAGE DROP?
BLENDED LEARNING
DESCRIBE ONE DAY
PARTIESParents: THEY HAPPENStudents: Just be safe – always use the buddy system
There are resources!
Homecoming & St. Patrick’s Day
HEALTH MANAGEMENT
• Eating healthy
• Staying active
• Getting enough sleep
MEAL PLANS
EVERY SCHOOL IS DIFFERENT
First year meal plans are generally mandatory if you live in residence
Cafeterias aren’t as bad as they’re made out to be and
healthy options do exist
TRANSPORTATION
How to feel like a part of your new school
Y O U R N E W H O M EImmerse yourself in your new school to feel at home the fastest.
The Library
CLUBS VOLUNTEERING• Art/Drama/Improv
• Sports clubs
• Various leadership clubs
• Fundraising groups
• Advertising groups
• Newspaper or TV teams
• There’s a club for EVERYTHING (take quidditch club for example)
You can volunteer for a variety of groups or organizations:
• Peer mentoring • Academic Grievance • Tutoring • Student run prep sessions for
exams • Nearby organizations in the
community
Or get an on campus job! That still gets you involved.
INTRAMURAL AND VARISTY SPORTS
WATCHING VARSITY TEAMSA favorite social outing at university…
EX
AM
S
“I cried every night of exam week.”
-Anonymous
HOW WE COPED WITH EXAM WEEK Practice good habits in high school
Make a schedule to manage time
Utilize the library
Coffee
How to maximize your GPA – and time manage
Stay healthy and take breaks
Late nights might happen
TRANSFERS
Transferring can be done,
but take this decision with care.
THINGS THAT FIRST YEAR TAUGHT USYour problems aren't as
big as you make them out to be in your head. Just realize you don't have it
that bad and you're lucky to have your education.
Never, ever, EVER turn down free food.
Don't come to university expecting people to be any more mature than
high school. They won't be.
It IS possible to watch a movie every single night.
Your parents were wrong.
That look that high school students will give you when you wear your university sweater.
You will without a doubt, hate everything you came to school for at least once.
It is possible to survive an entire day on just a bagel and a carton of chocolate milk. Sometimes just the
bagel.
Your parents were right.
You know nothing, but you also know everything.
Turns out fulfilling your dreams requires a lot of paperwork and a really
high GPA
The process of going off to university doesn’t need to be the hardest or most stressful experience in the world!
And we hope that this presentation helped with that.
Have more questions? Contact us at our email addresses!
[email protected] for Sam [email protected] for Emma [email protected] for Alex Lukey
Questions?
Sam Bienias – Queen’s [email protected]
Emma Levorson – University of [email protected]
Alex Lukey – University of British Columbia Okanagan