University and college can be a strange, exciting and sometimes frightening new world to explore for first year students, some of them 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 like school work fall by the wayside with no parents or bosses looking over your shoulder making sure you do your job.
Because even though being a student is your job, while at university and college, it is also a time for students to spread their wings, find themselves and try new things. Unfortunately, some students learn it the hard way, 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 Student’s Union VP Academic Andrew Williams, a fifth year physics major who wishes he’d taken his own advice when he was a first year.
“Of course if you want to do better, you’ll have to do more,” he said.
“And don’t be afraid to talk to your professors after class. That’s why they have office hours. It can be frustrating for them if they have office hours and nobody shows up,” he continued.
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.
“When I was a first year, I ignored all of that advice,” he said, adding in his first year he 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 said.
“I attended university just out of interest and I thought if I found a career, it would be the icing on the cake.
University of Lethbridge Student’s Union VP Finance and Operations Leyland Bradley encouraged first years to get involved with university activities, clubs and the Student’s Union.
“Feel comfortable to reinvent yourself,” she advised adding 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 okay to spread your wings and try new things,” she continued.
“It takes awhile, but take baby steps,” said the fourth year sociology major. She had always been interested in studying people and culture, but had no idea she could earn a degree in it until she came to university and discovered sociology.
University of Lethbridge Zach Moline noted first year is a chance to meet lifelong friends. One of the best ways to do that is to get involved with Frosh Week, Sept. 8-10, during which 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, Sept. 10, which includes seven hours of live music including bands like the Pack A.D., Jesse and the Dandelions and the Necessities.
There is a club on campus for pretty much every conceivable interests, so the 50 some clubs on campus will be putting up displays to recruit members and inform prospective members what they do.
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.
There are a lot of services from counselling to guidance, all of which will be introduced during Fresh Fest.
He 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/
“Find out where all of your classes are in advance,” advised Aaron Chubb, Lethbridge College Students’ Association events and Communications co-ordinator, who is studying for his masters in adult education at the University of Alberta while holding down his job with the Lethbridge College Students’ Association.
“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,” he continued.
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 Wednesday, Sept. 7, there will be a carnival complete with cotton candy and rides plus hypnotist Scott Ward.
Thursday, Sept. 8 features Rave in the Cave featuring 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, Sept. 9.
“For me, the most important tip for first years is to budget your money,” said Lethbridge College Student’s Association president Alex Kulas, a second year business administration student.
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.”
He said if students need help to challenge grades or if they think they’ve been treated unfairly by a professor, the Students’ Association is there to advocate for them.
“We’re there to help. We won a couple of them last year,” he said.
He 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 like 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.
“You have to find a good balance between academics and fun,” she continued.
“I wish I’d known that there are so many people out there who are always available to support you,” she continued.
