The STEP: The Student Transition Enrichment Project
- 2. WHO WE ARE Emily Thorlakson – Camosun College Alex Kreutz – University of Victoria Alex Lukey – University of British Columbia Okanagan alukey13@gmail.com Emma Levorson – University of Calgary emma.levorson@ucalgary.ca Sam Bienias – Queen’s University 13sb97@queensu.ca
- 4. ALTITUDE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM A cascading mentorship program designed to provide support for students’ paths to medical school
- 7. UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA OKANAGAN
- 8. 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..)
- 9. 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
- 10. Applying and choosing a school
- 11. 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
- 12. 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
- 13. BEING FAR AWAY PROS CONS
- 14. WITH BEING FAR AWAY Mom 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
- 15. 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 you this.. “Distance makes the heart grow fonder”
- 16. SPECIAL SOMEONES In a relationship? Single?
- 17. 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…
- 18. WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU: -LAPTOP -WIFI HOOK UP -PRINTER & PRINTER PAPER -NOTEBOOKS/LINED PAPER -STAPLER -BINDERS -BACKPACK -AGENDA/CALENDER
- 19. -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
- 20. 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
- 22. What to expect of the things you have or will sign up for
- 24. RES LIFE There are people everywhere. All the time. Learn to say no. Learn to also say yes. Branch out!
- 27. NAME THE 2 SCARIEST THINGS THAT OCCURRED AT UNIVERSITY
- 28. LET’S TALK ABOUT FROSH WEEK
- 31. How to manage the changes
- 32. 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
- 33. YOU WERE 1 IN 30 YOU ARE NOW 1 IN 400 Don’t let this take you down! IN A CLASSROOM
- 34. WHAT DO YOU BRING TO CLASS??
- 35. HOW MUCH DOES YOUR GRADE AVERAGE DROP?
- 37. BLENDED LEARNING
- 43. DESCRIBE ONE DAY
- 48. PARTIES Parents: THEY HAPPEN Students: Just be safe – always use the buddy system There are resources! Homecoming & St. Patrick’s Day
- 49. HEALTH MANAGEMENT • Eating healthy • Staying active • Getting enough sleep
- 50. 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
- 52. How to feel like a part of your new school
- 54. Y O U R N E W H O M E Immerse yourself in your new school to feel at home the fastest.
- 57. 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.
- 59. INTRAMURAL AND VARISTY SPORTS
- 61. WATCHING VARSITY TEAMS A favorite social outing at university…
- 64. “I cried every night of exam week.” -Anonymous
- 65. 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
- 67. TRANSFERS Transferring can be done, but take this decision with care.
- 68. THINGS THAT FIRST YEAR TAUGHT US Your 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
- 69. 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.
- 70. Have more questions? Contact us at our email addresses! 13sb97@queensu.ca for Sam Bienias emma.levorson@ucalgary.ca for Emma Levorson alukey13@gmail.com for Alex Lukey Questions?
- 71. Sam Bienias – Queen’s University 13sb97@queensu.ca Emma Levorson – University of Calgary emma.levorson@ucalgary.ca Alex Lukey – University of British Columbia Okanagan alukey13@gmail.com
Editor's Notes
- #3: We are going to share our experiences – keep in mind during the presentation that each experience we had was something unique – and we are telling you about them in a way that will provide you with some advice when sculpting your first year at university. Yes there are similarities between our experiences but we all had very different first years and if you have yet to apply or accept a school , keep in mind the possible experiences you might have as well.
- #4: Sam’s introduction. Extra 30 credits – equivalent of 1 class more than normal. Every year
- #5: The inspiration for us being here! Altitude is a mentorship program. My mentor provided me with advice about how to go through my undergraduate degree in the most beneficial way - for my own personal experience and to eventually get accepted into medical school. This inspired me to think of ways that the Vernon students could benefit from hearing our first year experiences.
- #7: Emma’s introduction
- #8: Alex’s introduction.
- #9: Alex
- #10: Sam Goals / objectives to accomplish by the end of the presentation
- #12: SAM – EMMA – ALEX - SAM Have a well balanced resume showing how you demonstrate the commonly asked about traits such as volunteering creativity and leadership. Preparing early – prepping for certain applications early is smart. There are always questions about volunteering, creativity and leadership. Deadlines – every school has different deadlines for applying – and there are different deadlines to apply by in order to be considered for certain entrance scholarships – Make notes of each deadline and for what school that deadline applies to. Make sure to accept acceptance to the school you choose and apply for res if needed. Class selection comes a bit later but if you are personally choosing when your classes are and your timetable isn’t built for you then make sure you do your research before sitting down at your computer to select classes – know what you need to take, know all of your options for elective. And plan out a schedule/timetable in advance to make sure everything fits. You might have to rearrange your schedule if classes fill up quickly so be ready to switch things around. The school wants you to get the classes you want so if all else fails and you need assistance from the university itself just call them and they will try to accommodate for you – don’t stress .. Most issues you want to panic about will just work themselves out.
- #13: EMMA What do you emphasize in your life and how can you match that to a school. (emphasis on academics, sports, extra –curricular involvements, a good atmosphere, close to home vs. far, weather etc.)
- #14: SAM How great it felt to come back. No friends or family in Kingston for me. That is something I had to seriously give some thought. Through self reflection I realized that starting fresh on my own completely is something that I would like. I am forced to be more independent and that’s something that is important to me. I still call mom for some things but for the most part campus resources cover things that I need help with. Allowed me to begin in a town that I knew nothing about Was difficult to be away from home at first, but after Christmas break it felt amazing to be back Be aware flights are expensive – meaning you may stay on campus for long weekends and reading weeks
- #15: SAM No friends or family in Kingston for me. That is something I had to seriously give some thought. Through self reflection I realized that starting fresh on my own completely is something that I would like. I am forced to be more independent and that’s something that is important to me. I still call mom for some things but for the most part campus resources cover things that I need help with.
- #16: SAM - EMMA Since I left my mom has learned to text and we talk almost every day
- #17: EMMA Long distance relationships are something that students do consider when going off to school. Do not – I repeat – do not choose a school based on the relationship you are in. Choose a school that’s right for you and know that long distance is possible if that’s something you would consider doing.
- #18: ALEX
- #19: ALEX
- #20: EMMA
- #21: SAM
- #22: SAM
- #25: SAM Saying no: when you have something you need to get done – tell people you can’t hang out Saying yes: Make sure you have some fun and take advantage of certain opportunities if your work can wait until tomorrow
- #26: EMMA
- #28: Each of us Sam : Walked into a third year astrophysics class during my first week of classes it was probably the second day My living situation.. Being across the country with nobody to live with for second year Emma: Forgot about an assignment worth 5% of grade because it was so far in advance Dropped my retainer on the floor of the residence bathroom – you will discover how gross that is and how horrific that moment was for me Alex: Forgot calc to med math exam Losing friends in crowd at frosh week
- #29: ALEX - If you don’t end up living in residence this is another great way to meet people and not miss out on anything initially like making friends.
- #30: SAM It’s crazy and foolish, but we recommend that you do it. Why? Because: The most I learned about my school was in the first week was talking one-on-one with the second year students leading Frosh week. They are your best resource! 2) Resource - textbooks 3) Meeting friends during froshweek! Exchange phone numbers!
- #31: Take 3
- #33: ALEX – first part ….EMMA – second part Talk about fast pace. Preread so you know a little about what you’re going to learn about in lecture Grade weighting – more pressure on exams – less opportunity to increase your grade.
- #34: EMMA INSIGNIFICANCE and ACCOUNTABILITY (You will be accountable to yourself) Learn how you learn best – front of class back of class – small classes vs large classes. Peer learning or independent learning (by yourself) If big classes don’t motivate you try to get together with a study group Don’t let yourself feel small. Know that your passion is unique and the career you’re shooting for is achievable.
- #35: ALEX The main question I had before going to university was: what in the world do you bring to class? Notebooks? Laptop? Well my teachers post PowerPoint slides which I print off at the beginning of each week – which I staple into a little booklet, put into a folder and take notes on the side of. Some people just bring their laptop and open the slides on their laptop.
- #36: SAM Statistically your grade average will drop around 10-15%. Which was true for me because my average in high school was around 96 and my average in university is between 80 and 84. Don’t plan for this drop, obviously shoot for the best grades you can – but if it does drop just know that you’re not alone.
- #37: Queen’s scale. 4.3 is unique to Queen’s. 80% gets you an –A in university!
- #38: EMMA Blended learning – how a lot of the assignments and work is online. Don’t worry about it too much because you will get used to it very quickly but be aware that this is one of the changes to come. SYLLABUS – course outline – very handy to print off
- #40: SAM What an individual course page looks like – where you can access weekly content either by week or by specific units. Also the place to access grades for that course.
- #41: SAM These gaps don't necessarily mean free time. Lectures – general course notes Tutorials – small class sizes – discussion based Labs – longer and count for more marks Be aware that some things are biweekly. That is something to find out on your online student center for that specific course.
- #42: EMMA
- #43: ALEX
- #44: ALEX
- #45: EMMA Do not start a new season on netflix!! Half an hour turns into 5 hours very quickly and you will have work that needs to get done. You are accountable to yourself!
- #46: Take 3
- #47: ALEX Say how this is sort of what it’s like ha ha but balancing these 3 optimally will allow for your best success and overall experience at university.
- #48: SAM HOW IT REALLY IS. Tough to balance everything but getting a little bit of all of these things will make you happiest. The center note there is harsh however university is hard, if if was easy everyone would do it. Just know it’s okay to take those little escape breaks as long as you’re aware of when you can afford them. Everyone is in same boat, trying to balance these things so you’re not alone.
- #49: SAM WALK HOME – free service that will walk two people to where you are and then walk you to wherever you need to go. Runs until very early hours. BLUE LIGHT – campus security will arrive at the place you press the button on the “blue light post” in case you feel like you’re being followed.
- #50: EMMA It is on you to work out and go to the gym because now you aren’t in the same routine practices you may have been in at high school. Take care of your body – partying . The toll it takes on your body.
- #51: ALEX Your student card is your meal card – your gym pass – and your bus pass.
- #52: ALEX Student card is transportation card Questions on having a vehicle can come at the end
- #54: SAM U of c vid
- #55: SAM High school was your home and now this school that you know nothing about is your home. If you want to feel at home right away.. The best way is to get involved and stay busy. The more you do with your school the more you feel like you are a part of it. Sports Guest Lectures Intramurals Going to the library actually! Don’t hide away in residence.
- #56: EMMA Going to the library counts .. It gets you out involved in the campus and you can see more of what your school stands for. Also if you’re in the library you will actually study.. Because everyone else is studying and you don’t want to be the kid who doesn't’ study..
- #57: SAM
- #58: SAM
- #59: SAM Know that volunteering through first year is possible! A break from my studying once a week for about two hours. Involved in my community. Seeing people of a different age than me is actually great – seeing students all the time can get pretty boring. I was excited to go volunteer every week.
- #60: SAM - EMILY I regret not signing up first year – although I did sub for a team. If you are even considering playing a sport definitely do it. There are so many intramural sports I couldn’t possibly list them all!
- #61: EMMA Everybody can go
- #62: ALEX Watching volleyball, basketball, football, rugby, cheerleading, anything! It unites your school and makes you feel like you’re a part of something!
- #63: SAM
- #64: EMMA
- #65: EMMA A JOKE! Just to scare everyone for a minute. Exams are not something to really freak out about they’re similar to high school exams where time management will be your friend.
- #66: EMMA
- #67: SAM What an exam schedule looks like
- #68: EMMA – SAM Don’t pick a school or a program on a complete whim thinking you can transfer next year. Really give it some thought first. However, if you find yourself somewhere that just isn’t working – transferring is possible if you have a high enough GPA. Another thing to note is that some schools won’t take certain transfer credits so just be aware you might even have to repeat some courses.
- #69: ROTATE SAM – EMMA - ALEX
- #70: ALEX
- #71: ALL OF US Question and Answer Period
- #72: We encourage questions afterwards either after the seminar or by email. We wish you luck with wherever your education takes you.