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Sun Times photo by Richard Amery
Univeristy of Lethbridge Students’ Union president Zack Moline, left, and VP Academic Andrew Williams take a break from washing cars during a car wash and barbecue for the University of Lethbridge Food Bank, Aug. 20 at University Drive Alliance Church.
Richard Amery
For the Sun Times
University and college can be a strange and sometimes frightening new world to explore for first-year students. Some are leaving home for the first time in their lives and for the first time experiencing total freedom. But with total freedom comes total responsibility. It is easy to let things such as school work fall by the wayside with no parents or teachers looking over your shoulder making sure you do your job.
Unfortunately, some students learn the the hard way by embracing the social aspect of college and university while completely neglecting their studies.
“Academics are important. If you attend classes and pay attention, that’s just about a guaranteed pass,” said University of Lethbridge Students’ Union VP Academic Andrew Williams, a fifth-year physics major.
“Of course, if you want to do better, you’ll have to do more,” he said.
It’s advice he wishes he followed when he was a first-year student.
His other tidbits include not being afraid to talk to professors outside the classroom, especially if you need the extra help.
“That’s why they have office hours. It can be frustrating for them if they have office hours and nobody shows up.”
He also advised to try to get ahead of the game by reading ahead.
“That way if a party or something comes up, you can afford to take the time to go out to it. But make sure you go out,” he emphasized.
He admits that in his first year of post-secondary study, he ignored all the above advice. He spent his time focused more on the social side of the university spectrum.
“It’s university, so you are going to be trying new things and meeting new people. Because above all, university is about more than just the academics,” he continued.
“It takes a while to figure out that balance.”
He first attended university out of interest and thought if he discovered a career, “it would be the icing on the cake.”
Leyland Bradley, University of Lethbridge Students’ Union VP Finance and Operations, had always been interested in studying people and culture, but had no idea she could earn a degree in that field until she enrolled in university and discovered sociology.
The fourth-year sociology major encourages new students to get involved with university activities, clubs and the students’ union.
“Feel comfortable to reinvent yourself,” she advised.
She adds students should keep their eyes open for opportunities that may just fall in their lap.
“In high school, people stick to their same old cliques, tastes and music. In university, it’s OK to spread your wings and try new things,” she continued.
“It takes awhile, but take baby steps.”
If you’re new to the city, U of L student Zach Moline says one of the best ways to meet new people is to get involved with Frosh Week, Sept. 8-10. Often, people you’ve met in the first year develop into lifelong friends, he said.
Frosh Week consists of a variety of activities will be taking place to introduce students to various aspects of the university for a general tour to the many clubs on campus.
“Fresh Fest is a week of welcome. It is three days of events designed to connect students and build friendships that will last them for years,” he said.
Events begin with the Fresh n’ Breezy Luau, Sept. 8 featuring a massive Slip N Slide beginning at 3 p.m.
The lemon party will be the first cabaret of the year in the Zoo on the third floor of the Students’ Union Building.
The big event is the Fresh U Jamboree on Sept. 10, which includes seven hours of live music including bands such as the Pack A.D., Jesse and the Dandelions and the Necessities.
There are a lot of services from counselling to guidance, all of which will be introduced during Fresh Fest.
Moline noted the health centre on campus offers counselling as well as seminars on important topics like time management.
More information on Fresh Fest is available online at http://www.ulsufreshfest.ca/.
There is a club on campus for pretty much every conceivable interest, so the 50-some clubs on campus will be putting up displays to recruit members and inform prospective members at this time.
Moline, a fourth-year economics and political science major, got involved with the Model UN and the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
“There are so many opportunities at university, but you have to be willing to find them. But you have to have fun, too,” he said.
To alleviate a bit of stress on the first day of class, Aaron Chubb, Lethbridge College Students’ Association events and communications co-ordinator, suggests locating all your classrooms in advance.
“And make sure you have fun in the first week, because there is quite a lot of stress afterward. There is a heavy workload at college,” continued Chubb, who is studying for his master’s in adult education at the University of Alberta while holding down his job with the Lethbridge College Students’ Association.
Lethbridge College is also getting ready for a variety of activities to introduce students to college life Sept. 6-9.
The students’ association opens the year with a free barbecue and beer gardens from 4-9:30 p.m. featuring live music from Medicine Hat-based cover duo Mahoney and Calgary rockers Copper. It will be followed by an outdoor screening of the movie “Bridesmaids.”
On Sept. 7, there will be a carnival complete with cotton candy and rides plus hypnotist Scott Ward.
Sept. 8 features Rave in the Cave with DJ Soprano.
And the big event for Frosh Week features the Steadies, a reggae-rock band featuring Earl Pereira from Mobadass and Wide Mouth Mason. It takes place on Sept. 9.
Chubb had some suggestions for budgeting as well.
“Go to thrift stores if you need silverware. There are lots of ways to save money,” he said
“And make sure you eat healthy. Spend the extra money to get vegetables. It’s cheaper than eating out in the long run.”
Lethbridge College Students’ Association president Alex Kulas, a second-year business administration student, also knows the importance of smart money management.
“For me, the most important tip for first years is to budget your money,” Kulas said.
Chubb also recommend students attend the plethora of activities the students’ association offers.
“Our drink prices are cheaper than the bars. We‘re here to help the students, we’re not there to make a profit off of them,” he said.
They will be offering open mics in the Cave on the last Thursday of the month during September, October, November, January and March and have a variety of events planned to help good causes such as fighting prostate cancer. They are also planning another band wars in February.
“Try something new and get involved with things, obviously not negative things,” Kulas advised.
“I wish I’d known that there are so many people out there who are always available to support you.” |
