Notes for the presentation that elaborate on the slides can be found below under the heading "Notes".
This PowerPoint presentation outlines the main points to consider when making the transition from high school to university. Through personal experiences we intend to provide support and comfort as you enter the transition for yourself. The main sections of this presentation include: Applying and Choosing a School, What to Expect of the Things You Have or Will Sign Up For, How to Manage the Changes, and How to Feel Like a Part of Your School. We touch on the transition from the base of building your resume all the way to writing your first-year exams. This presentation is designed to meet the interests of grade 10-12 students and their parents in the Vernon area.
The STEP: The Student Transition Enrichment Project
1.
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
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
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
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”
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
21.
22. What to expect of the things
you have or will sign up for
23.
24. RES
LIFE
There are people everywhere.
All the time.
Learn to say no.
Learn to also say yes.
Branch out!
25.
26.
27. NAME THE 2 SCARIEST THINGS THAT
OCCURRED AT UNIVERSITY
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
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
54. Y O U R N E W H O M E
Immerse yourself in your
new school to feel at
home the fastest.
55.
56.
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.
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
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
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.
Sam’s introduction.
Extra 30 credits – equivalent of 1 class more than normal. Every year
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.
Emma’s introduction
Alex’s introduction.
Alex
Sam
Goals / objectives to accomplish by the end of the presentation
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.
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.)
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
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.
SAM - EMMA
Since I left my mom has learned to text and we talk almost every day
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.
ALEX
ALEX
EMMA
SAM
SAM
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
EMMA
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
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.
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!
Take 3
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.
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.
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.
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.
Queen’s scale.
4.3 is unique to Queen’s.
80% gets you an –A in university!
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
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.
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.
EMMA
ALEX
ALEX
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!
Take 3
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.
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.
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.
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.
ALEX
Your student card is your meal card – your gym pass – and your bus pass.
ALEX
Student card is transportation card
Questions on having a vehicle can come at the end
SAM
U of c vid
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.
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..
SAM
SAM
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.
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!
EMMA
Everybody can go
ALEX
Watching volleyball, basketball, football, rugby, cheerleading, anything!
It unites your school and makes you feel like you’re a part of something!
SAM
EMMA
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.
EMMA
SAM
What an exam schedule looks like
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.
ROTATE
SAM – EMMA - ALEX
ALEX
ALL OF US
Question and Answer Period
We encourage questions afterwards either after the seminar or by email.
We wish you luck with wherever your education takes you.
