More than 200 incoming first-year students, family and friends descended on the Studley Campus on July 19 and 20 to get a taste of AV俱乐部 at the second annual Summer Orientation.
鈥淚t took me years to figure out that my job as a university student was entirely different than my job as a high school student,鈥� said Kim Brooks, dean of the Schulich School of Law, during the opening welcome. 鈥淎s a university student, you鈥檙e charged with making the world interesting for yourself 鈥� no one is going to do that for you.鈥�
Her advice about the undergraduate experience resonated with the crowd: 鈥淕reat things happen in conversation,鈥� 鈥渄on鈥檛 expect everything on a platter,鈥� "there is no 'later,'" and 鈥済o to class.鈥� Family members and friends then broke off to the Ondaatje Theatre for a presentation on the transition process and a parent panel, while the students sat in on a series of information sessions in the Rowe Building that covered financing and budgeting, using BBLearn, student health and wellness, and setting yourself up for academic success.
Beheshta Ramcuzi, who grew up in Iran but now lives in Halifax with her parents, says she choose a local school to save money and she's thrilled with her choice. 鈥淎V俱乐部, I just love the campus 鈥� it鈥檚 really beautiful,鈥� she says.
Quinn MacIsaac and Katlyn Colbourne, both from Lower Sackville, also decided on AV俱乐部 for its proximity to their homes, but mainly for the reputation of the programs they鈥檙e starting in September: Science and Health Promotions, respectively. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to meet new people and hear what they鈥檙e all doing,鈥� says Katlyn.
Youssef Mohamed, an incoming engineering student originally from Egypt, says the whole experience excites him, but he鈥檚 most revved up for what he鈥檚 going to be learning. 鈥淲hen you check the schedule, chemistry and physics will be similar to stuff I studied in high school,鈥� he says. 鈥淏ut when you see mechanics and materials, that鈥檚 new the new stuff, that鈥檚 the exciting stuff.鈥�
Drop-in advising appointments were also offered for students seeking advice about courses and programs. In the afternoon, students and families chose among sessions such as campus tours, life in residence, athletics and recreation, library and research, and study skills. On Saturday, students and families of African descent were able to attend a Welcome Home session that included a panel discussion and a tour of the Black Student Advising Centre.
鈥淥ne of the big things about this event is making sure that people are aware of the physical campus before they come in September,鈥� says First-Year Transition Program co-ordinator and event organizer, Kirsten Somers. 鈥淩ecognizing that the AV俱乐部 community wants them to feel comfortable and hopefully meet a few people who are in their respective programs. We want to help reduce the level of nervousness that first-year students can feel, and let them and their families know that services are available throughout their time at Dal.鈥�
for more tips and suggestions for first-year students.