firstyearstories

[firstyearstories]

Getting Involved 101

Neesha

I can remember it clearly. I was entering into University. I was stressed about classes, and extracurriculars, and what was going to come next. There was a whole lot of new, but I knew the feeling I was experiencing was anxiousness of not knowing what was to come next. This feeling is normal; anxiety towards starting something new is a normal experience; it is part of human nature. But mixed with this anxiety is a sense of excitement to start a new step in your life. Starting a new academic career, building yourself with joining extracurriculars, whether it is community service, event planning, sports, etc., there is so much that your University experience has to offer. I am so excited to be able to share with you a bit more on the University Life Experience and how to get involved with extracurriculars on campus and in the community.

Throughout my University career, I progressively got more involved in my campus community. I started with involvement in one student group, coaching at my old high school, and I took on a part-time job. These three opportunities helped me grow as a person, learning skills that I could not learn in the classroom. As I got more used to balancing my schedule, making sure that I was personally satisfied with how I was performing in all aspects of my University career, I took on more extracurricular involvements. Throughout my University adventure, I had the opportunity to experience being involved in Student Governance (Students’ Council and General Faculties Council), Student Groups, Week of Welcome/Orientation, The Ambassador Program, Student Research, Volunteering Abroad, Competitive Swimming on a community team, and being involved in the surrounding community.

Having experienced so many different areas of extracurricular involvement, I can honestly say that there is something out there for everyone. There is no one club that everybody has to join, there are numerous out there that cater to your different interests. It is up to you to pick what you are interested in. These involvements are incredible opportunities to give back to your community, make the most incredible friends, and gain skills that you wouldn’t get anywhere else. So, now that I am done my University career, and you are entering into your first year of University, I share with you two simple pieces of advice: 1) Get involved at your own pace and rate  (There’s 4 years for you to get involved, don’t rush into too many things right off the bat. It’s important to enjoy your University experience, and do what you’re comfortable with.); and 2) Do what interests you (Don’t do what you think you have to do. Do what interests you.).

Nicole

My first year of university was nothing out of the ordinary for anyone coming to Edmonton for the first time. For the first little while, I was like a lost child in an amusement park waiting for my parents to find me. Only this time, there were no parents to save me from the horror of 8AM classes and the infamous meal plan. Fresh out of high school and entering the major leagues of university I had no clue what I was getting myself into. Applying and getting into university was the easy part but the actual university part was a different story. I was trying to get everything together from going to school, going to work, and the actual adulting I had to do when I got home. I thought I wouldn’t have time to actually the get the full university experience that took place in the movies. As I got more comfortable and actually knew where my classes were I wondered what else might be out there for me? In high school, it was easy to sign up for the clubs and sports I was interested in because it was right at my fingertips, maybe university would be the same. Little did I know I typed up “UAlberta Sports” and found the intramural programs that the school provided and found myself a team that was looking for some bench players.

Now, university is not always fun and games, and my primary focus has always been my studies. To do well in your academics you have to pay attention and stay involved in your classes. But to excel in your academics, you need to take the extra step to be involved in your faculty and campus community. All faculties have advisors, professors and student associations that you can get yourself involved in. They are all great resources to be successful in your academics and it puts you in a position that makes you feel confident about the path you’re taking towards your degree.

Getting involved on campus has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made, whether it be through sports or academics. It has made the last 3 years of university something that I didn’t expect to experience at all. Coming from Calgary to such a welcoming place made me feel as if I was at home and all the people I had met have become a part of who I am today. If there is advice I can share with you it is this: don’t be afraid to get yourself out there. This is your opportunity to come out of your comfort zone because there is no one holding you back but yourself.

Here are a few tips for you about how to approach getting involved with University. This will hopefully help you with taking your first steps to getting involved. It is not a hard experience; it’s a fun process and like we said before, there is something for everybody! So what you want to do and what you are comfortable with. Your involvements are all about what you make them to be!  

FIVE GREAT WAYS OF GETTING INVOLVED

Attend Clubs Fair

Clubs Fair is one of the best ways to get acquainted with many of the opportunities on campus. This year, Clubs Fair will be held from September 5th to 8th, and will be located in the North end of Main Quad. Not only do you get the chance to walk around and see many of the different clubs all in one convenient location, but you also get to meet current members and ask them as many questions as you want. This way you get a quick look at several amazing clubs, and meet a friendly face while doing so. I still remember the people I talked to at Clubs Fair from the clubs I joined, and to this day I am still friends with many of them.

Talk to People

 Don’t be afraid to reach out and talk to people. This might mean visiting Clubs Fair and working up the courage to talk to the person at your dream club’s booth. Perhaps you found an opportunity on a poster or social media post, and you meet with a volunteer recruiter. This all takes courage, but don’t be afraid. This is the first step towards getting involved and getting to know many people with similar interests! Plus, there is almost always a friendly and welcoming person on the other side of the conversation! Some of the people I first talked to ended up being my closest friends.

Find Opportunities That Match Your Interests

Make sure that you are finding opportunities that suit your interests. There are many ways for you to get involved, both on Campus and in the surrounding community, so you might have to choose between one or another. Just remember that your experience will be more positive as long as you find something that interests you and you can commit to. Don’t sign up for something because someone told you to; do it because you believe in what the group stands for and it's something you can give your full self to.

Read Posters/Advertisements and Keep Track of Online Forums

 Throughout the year, many opportunities will be posted throughout campus, so keep your eyes open for recruitment events throughout the year! Additionally, keep up to date on extracurricular involvement and job postings on Jobkin and on the UAlberta Careers websites. These are just a few ways of keeping your eyes open for chances to be a member or volunteer in campus events, clubs, jobs, teams, and more!

Create Your Own Destiny

 Did you find that there wasn’t a club that quite matches your interests? That is totally okay because there is still something for you! You can actually form your own Student Group with a few friends who share the same interests? When we say that there is a club for everyone, we mean it! :) To find out more information about how to do this, visit Student Group Services. I have many friends who did this, and they had a great time and learned some great leadership skills, and made many friends with the same or similar interests as a result!

We can’t wait to meet you all at Week of Welcome! Enjoy the rest of your summer, and have a FANTASTIC first year!

[firstyearstories]

Why You Should Explore Outside of Academics

Introduction

Are you an explorer, or do you follow a clearly defined set of steps towards the big ‘X’ mark of your life (and no, I’m not calling you a pirate, ha!)

Are you curious what my answers are? Well, I would have to answer yes to both of these questions. Now, let me explain myself before you start thinking that I’m not making any sense.

Let me take you back to high school...sorry. In high school, we all have to take the same core subjects like Math, English, etc. Now, you get to throw in some options here and there, but if you were like me and enjoyed hanging out with your friends then you probably elected to take all of your options with your friends even if you weren’t really that interested in them. This is just one small example of following steps towards a big ‘X’ mark while neglecting to pursue the other options available to you.

First Year

Now since this blog is technically about my university experience and not about my high school years, I should probably tell you about my first year experience! Engineering students should be aware that in university, everyone still has to take the same courses, and will basically have the same set of options to choose from. When I was in my first year, I did not know what to expect with my university experience. All I knew was that I would go to my classes, study, and go home. I was terrified to stray from that mundane routine I created because I was always afraid to fail any of my classes! This led to me feeling really limited and somewhat disappointed with my university experience. I thought there would be people in university to hold my hand and show me all of the ins and outs, or help me discover who I really was. That was not the case at all. Want to know why? - I was limiting myself to the rigid structure of my academics. I had the choice to explore more, but felt held back by the fear of failure.

Second Year

After coming to this realization, the changes I needed to make to my life didn’t happen all at once and, to be honest, it sometimes felt like nothing was changing at all! What I mean by this is that I stuck with my dull routine during the entirety of my first year. However, I quickly found out that I wasn’t the only one feeling disappointed with their university experience. BUT, by second year, I was hungry for some change (and also for food on campus, check Shawna’s post for more on that). I sought out this change by branching out of my faculty. The first thing that jumped to mind was to volunteer for the Week of Welcome program. So, an application and a couple of interviews later and I can confidently look back at my involvement with the program as one of the best things I’ve done in my life, let alone university. I also got more involved with my faculty by attending engineering events, as well as helping with the setup and execution of events whenever I can. Now, reflecting on all of the involvement opportunities I have pursued, I can finally reflect on the university experience I had always envisioned for myself. I began to see myself as a leader, someone who enjoys interacting with different types of students that have had way different experiences than myself. I felt myself becoming part of a community, a campus community.

Third Year

Now that I had gotten a taste of what my university experience should be (make sure you check out Taste of The U during Week of Welcome to sample some of the food vendors around campus), I wanted to get involved more! Third year came around and I wanted to try something a little more challenging. I joined the University of Alberta rowing club. Now, one thing you need to know about me is that I am not a sporty person per se. I consider myself terrible at sports, mediocre on a good day. So, understandably, this decision to join the rowing club terrified me, but one of my good friends was a part of it and she eventually convinced me to join! Rowing is both physically and mentally exhausting. Now I had already come to know what mental exhaustion is like (like, hello, I am a university student after all), but the physical exhaustion was something new to me. Rowing gave me a surge of excitement which I truly appreciated because it allowed me to learn new things about myself. Rowing is a sport that is about believing in yourself; pushing your mind and your body to it’s limits and achieving a sense of satisfaction after you’re done. I fully enjoyed the experience, it was something I did not expect I would tackle when I got to university but I’m really glad I did. This sport gave me something to look forward to after my classes or after my studies. It was great!

Fourth Year

My fourth year, I knew I was yet again ready for something more...delicious? In my case, this meant applying to become a senior level volunteer with Week of Welcome (Team Facilitator)! I wanted to challenge myself more, and I was already reaping the benefits of my involvement on campus. I saw this position as a big step for myself because I felt like you need to be strong as an individual to get the position. The position demands you be someone who knows themselves and is willing to show to an entire university what their campus has to offer. Someone who I would have never become if I had stayed in my little bubble. I didn’t really have a specific list of things I needed to do to find myself in university, I just kept trying different things until I found that turning point that led me to the reality I wanted.

Conclusion

SO there you have it folks. I am following some certain steps towards that big ‘X’ (which is, in this case, my future), but I found a way to break free from the circumstances that limited me and explore my options. This helped me discover who I am as a person, and I am so glad I did it. You always have the choice to explore your campus. It is, after all, up to you to get the experience you’ve been looking for. You might not know what experience that is, but I know for a fact that you will never find it unless you try to explore. Hope this helps! <3 :)

Kyle

[firstyearstories]

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting University

http://anotherangle.eu/posts/the-stunning-architecture-of-the-university-of-alberta/

1. Studying in university is way different than studying in high school.

In high school, I used to be able to sit down at 7pm the night before a test, study for a few hours, still get my 8 hours of sleep, and go and get a pretty good grade on the test the next day. You’ll quickly find that in university, this isn’t realistic. If I tried doing that in uni, I would have flunked out by now. Try your best to keep on top of your readings (more on that later) and any little assignments or extra not-for-credit work that your professor may recommend doing. If you study even just for an hour every night, then by the time it’s midterms season you’ll feel significantly less stressed. The same applies for finals; a little goes a long way. When it comes to studying for the exams themselves, give yourself a week minimum to really make sure you know the content. If you have any questions or are confused on any topic, ask! Your profs and teacher assistants are there to help, and they want you to do well too. 

2. Keep on top of your assignments.

For myself, the biggest difference between high school and university is that in high school, I did the homework every. single. night. whether I wanted to or not. In university, it’s so easy to just decide to skip the readings or the assignments for class the next day. Nobody will be chasing you down, making sure you’re doing your readings and are prepared for exams. If you choose to not keep on top of your work, then that’s your problem. And trust me, once you decide to skip a reading once, then you will not feel like doing a single reading the rest of the semester. Once finals roll around, you’re going to be kicking yourself and asking yourself why you didn’t just suck it up and do the couple hours of reading every night. As for the major assignments like essays, don’t let them sneak up on you and all of a sudden holy cow; it’s the day before your 10 page essay is due and you don’t have a thesis yet. (Been there, done that. It’s really not fun.) Once the due date is a about month away, try to start forming an idea about what you’re going to write about, and start looking for any resources and articles you’ll want to reference. Do a little at a time, that way you won’t be stressing out the night before needing to pull an all-nighter to write a subpar paper when you could get have received a higher grade by taking it little by little, and really taking your time to read over your work and make edits. 

3. Explore your options.

Out of my group of friends that went on to post-secondary, I am the only one that finished in the program I started in four years ago. It’s okay to change your mind, and university allows for a greater degree of flexibility and independent choice than high school does. In sum, people change, and the university understands this. Nobody is going to stand between you and the experience you are trying to cultivate for yourself. As you grow and develop through your experiences at university and elsewhere, so do your interests and your dislikes. One of my friends made it to his third year of nursing before coming to the realization that his heart wasn’t truly in it. He said that he simply could not see himself working as a nurse for the rest of his life. A program that you thought was perfect for you when you first started post-secondary may not fit the person you become after you get some more life experience. Don’t be afraid to switch programs and study something that truly interests you, you’ll thank yourself in the end.

4. You can use Wikipedia as a reference.

Ok, so technically I did learn this in first year, but it’s such a good tip I can’t not share it with all of you. During my MUSIC 103 lecture one day, my prof was talking to us about our essays we had to write. My world was changed when she gave us this incredible piece of advice: she said “If you’re trying to find a good scholarly reference, go to Wikipedia, look up the article of the topic you’re writing on, and look at the reference list. There you can find plenty of acceptable, scholarly references and you’re good to go.” And there you have it. It works for pretty much everything since, you know, there’s a WIkipedia article for pretty much everything. I’ve carried it with me ever since and still use it to this day. That said, it’s not a great idea to limit yourself to Wikipedia for sources, and I’d really encourage you to learn how to use the databases available to you as a student. Campus librarians are really helpful if you’re having troubles figuring out how to navigate the databases, and may also be able to point you in the direction of some great books you could use for your assignment. If you’re still having a hard time finding an appropriate source after exhausting all of the options listed above, there might be limited information or research on the topic (something to consider if you’re interested in pursuing graduate studies), or your topic might be too narrow. In this case, I’d recommend visiting office hours with your professor or scheduling an appointment if you’re unable to make it to their office hours. 

5. University is not just a place where you go to get a degree

If you’ve decided to go to post-secondary, you are likely very serious about your education. First of all, to attain a high enough average to apply into your chosen program takes hard work. However, compared to the work you will have to put in to complete a university degree, high school will seem like a cakewalk. Cakewalk: a word which here means an absurdly or surprisingly easy task. University costs a lot of money and most people want to get their money’s worth. Speaking from personal experience, take your classes seriously, but don’t forget to enjoy your university experience. It’s all about having a healthy balance. If you don’t balance out hard work with some extracurricular activities, you will burn out fast. Take the time to give your body and your mind a break and your ability to keep up with the rigors of university education will improve drastically. Volunteering on or off campus, playing sports, or picking up a new hobby are great ways to give your mind and body a much needed break. And don’t hesitate to check out involvement fairs, mixers, or informational sessions. You just might find the thing you’ve been looking for all along. During Week of Welcome, there will be a massive tent set up in the middle of campus (Main QUAD), where many of the university’s 400 student groups will gather to talk to you about the various ways you can get involved on campus and with their club. Some of the clubs will change day-to-day, so feel free to visit each day if you haven’t found something yet.

6. You are not your GPA.

If there is any one thing that I truly hope you take away from this article, I hope it's this: you are not your GPA. At the end of the day, your first year really doesn't matter. Now I'm not telling you to slack off and not try, but you might find yourself enrolled in a class that no matter what you do, no matter how hard you study, you just don't understand the course material. And that's fine. It happens to everyone. For me, it was CHEM 101. When I got my final mark back, I was just happy to see that I passed. But I'm going to be an elementary teacher, and it’s highly unlikely that my future employer will care about my CHEM 101 mark from my first year. First year is hard. It's a huge transition from high school, and can honestly be a bit of a eye opener. Even if you're going to apply for a graduate program, they'll only look at your last 2-3 years, never the first. So don't be afraid to fail, experiment, or put yourself out of your comfort zone if it means you’ve learned something (even if it’s something about yourself). Try your best, but don't beat yourself up over one bad grade during your first year. We've all been there, and trust me, it only gets better.

About the Authors

Michael graduated from the U of A Faculty of Nursing this past year and is currently working as a Registered Nurse in the OR at the University Hospital. He has volunteered with the Week of Welcome/UAlberta Orientation program since 2015 as both a General Volunteer and a Team Facilitator. Michael’s all-time favorite spot on campus is the Butterdome where he and his classmates would go to play badminton between classes.

Sydney is going into her fourth year of a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree and will be doing her Advanced Field Experience (student teaching) this fall. This is her second year with the Week of Welcome program, and her first year as a Team Facilitator. Sydney’s favourite places on campus are the tenth floor education lounge and the arts lounge in the old Arts building, purely because they’re great spots to take a quick nap in between classes.

[firstyearstories]

Campus Eats

When I was entering first year, I had many questions about university and student life: Did I choose the right program? Can I handle the workload? Will I still have a social life? How will I find my way around campus? Will I find true love? What is the meaning of life? However, my biggest and most burning question was...

Where should I eat?!

Cafe Leva - 11053 86 Ave 

After four years at this fine institution, I have compiled this list of tips and tricks. Please do not take this as a comprehensive and definitive guide, but as a starting point for your campus gastronomic adventures. This map is a handy resource, but please note that some of the restaurants have closed since the last time it was updated. If you have dietary restrictions, check out this blog post for some helpful suggestions.

There are endless options open to UAlberta students when it comes to dining, which can be simultaneously exciting and overwhelming. I have separated them into categories and highlighted my favourites to hopefully facilitate your decision-making.

Coffee, Drinks, and Quick Bites

If you're looking to grab a bite between classes you can find Tim Horton's, Starbucks, and Second Cup locations peppered across campus. There are also a couple of Provisions On Demand Express kiosks, where you can purchase bottled drinks as well as ready-made meals. Additionally, many of the buildings on campus have cafeterias, including the Central Academic Building (CAB), the Housing Union Building (HUB Mall), and the Students' Union Building (SUB). The cafeteria in Education sells Starbucks coffee and the Health Sciences cafeteria includes Engrained, which also sells Starbucks coffee as well as food from the popular restaurant Filistix.  A recent favourite of mine is Chopped Leaf in the Van Vliet Complex, where I like to customize my own chicken wrap. If you’re looking for a local cup of coffee at a great price, The Daily Grind in the Students’ Union Building serves coffee from Coffee Concept, a craft roaster based in Alberta.

Editors Picks

BEST BUDGET: Tim Hortons

BEST OVERALL: The Daily Grind (Try the Rocket Fuel if you’re into dark roast)

RUNNER UP: Teapsy (Bubble Tea, Soft Serve Ice Cream, pick your poison)

Tim Hortons - CAB, Katz Centre

Central Academic Building (CAB)

One of the first things that I notice when I walk into the main floor of CAB is the pair of parallel lines leading to the two Tim Horton's locations. Choose your queue accordingly, because the location facing Main Quad is a full-service location, whereas the location closer to Cameron Library serves only beverages and pastries. Other popular restaurants in CAB include Filistix, which serves Filipino-inspired dishes, Smoke’s Poutinerie, an awesome poutine place with a ton of options and flavours, and Panda Express, which serves Chinese food.

Editors Picks

BEST BUDGET: Panda Express Single Plate

BEST OVERALL: Filistix

RUNNER UP: Smoke’s Poutinerie

Smoke’s Poutinerie - CAB   Filistix - CAB & ECHA

HUB Mall

As an engineering student, most of my classes are on the other side of campus from HUB Mall. Consequently, I don't dine here often. However, HUB Mall is filled with restaurants, shops, services, and study lounges. For a complete listing of the businesses in HUB, click here. Popular restaurants here include La Pasta Trattoria, Ho Ho Chinese Food, Beez, New York Fries, Burrito Libre, A&W Restaurant, Cookies by George, and Chosun Korean Restaurant. When you are walking through HUB Mall to obtain your sustenance, please walk on the right side of the hall because it can get very congested.

Editors Picks

BEST BUDGET: Burrito Libre (Special is $6.00 for a ton of food)

BEST OVERALL: La Pasta (Try their paninis, you won’t regret it)

RUNNER UP: Savoys: (It can be tough to find a place that does South Indian food in Edmonton, this place kills it. It’s also brand new.)

La Pasta - HUB Mall

Students' Union Building (SUB)

In addition to housing a plethora of student services, SUB is also where you can find one of the most bustling cafeterias on campus. One of the restaurants in this cafeteria is Marco's Famous, where you can find the legendary Tombstone: an extra large, extra cheesy donair stuffed with a poutine. In my first year, I attempted to conquer the Tombstone with two friends but still fell short. This donair is massive and I would recommend it to any adventurous meat-lover.

While there are large-chain fast food restaurants in SUB and across campus, there are also businesses owned by the Students' Union. There is L'Express, where you can find homemade meals and desserts, The Daily Grind, as mentioned above, also serves fresh pastries, breakfast bites, and iced beverages, and SUBmart where you can pick up some produce and other grocery goods on campus.

The Students' Union also owns two licensed establishments: Room At The Top (RATT) and Dewey's. RATT is located on the 7th floor of SUB, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Edmonton while having a burger and spending time with friends. During the school year, RATT hosts weekly events including karaoke and trivia nights! Dewey's is inside the North Power Plant, between CAB and the Rutherford Library. Come to Dewey's if you're looking for a hearty breakfast or a game of billiards. Dewey's also hosts special events, like open mic nights and Super Smash Bros. competitions!

Editors Picks

Best Budget: Subway

Best Overall: L’Express (Homemade meals at a reasonable price + a $3 Special on Breakfast during exams!)

Runner Up: Marco’s Famous (Because you need to try the Tombstone at least once before you graduate)

The Daily Grind - SUB Food Court

Slightly Off Campus

If you aren't in a rush, I strongly encourage you to walk 5-15 minutes from campus to the Garneau neighbourhood or take a bus ride along Whyte Avenue to discover more amazing restaurants. Edmonton is full of hidden gems and we are fortunate to be near so many of them here at the U of A!

There are two main concentrations of restaurants in Garneau: along 112 Street and along 109 Street. Some of the restaurants on 112 Street include Earls, Good Earth Coffeehouse, Burrito Libre, Sherlock Holmes Pub, and Press'd Sandwiches. Press'd was founded by UAlberta alumni who were inspired by the delicious sandwiches they had while in Phoenix for a Golden Bears road game. Their wonderful sandwiches are made with fresh ingredients and bread baked from scratch. Nearby on 111 Street we also have Cafe Leva, a bright, cheerful cafe that serves Italian coffee, amazing Neapolitan-style pizza, breakfast, and pastries.

A majority of the restaurants in Garneau are along 109 Street, from 84 to 88 Avenue. My favourites along this stretch are Highlevel Diner for brunch, Sugarbowl for the lamb burger or the chicken and waffles, Menchie's for frozen yogurt, Remedy Cafe for chai teas, It' Dog for crispy fried chicken, and Farrow for a rotating menu of unique and fresh sandwiches made from locally-sourced ingredients. There is also a Domino's Pizza along 109 Street, where students can save a whopping 50% on pizzas and breads by using the code UNI and showing their ONEcard.

Best Budget: Domino’s (50% off with the code UNI and a valid ONEcard)

Best Overall: Sugarbowl (Lamb Burger, Chicken & Waffles, Cinnamon Buns)

Runner Up: Farrow (Trendy, good music, and a sweet vibe, plus the sandwiches pack a punch!)

Sugarbowl - 10922 88th Avenue

Miscellaneous Advice

Aside from Domino's, other restaurants also offer discounts to students. If you have the Student Price Card (SPC), check their website to see where it is accepted. Keep an eye out for discount cards offered by your faculty club (e.g. GEER Card for Engineering, ISSS Card for Sciences, etc.). Eating out can get expensive, especially for students, so take any discounts you can get! If you want to try out some of these restaurants, come to Taste of the U! Taste of the U is a guided tour which stops at restaurants on and slightly off campus. Admission is free with a donation to the Campus Food Bank! All you need to do is show up at 4PM on Thursday, September 7th in the Students’ Union Building Alumni Room.

About the Author:

Shawna is a 5th year Mining Engineering student who spends her free time (and some of her not-so-free time) solving puzzles, collecting writing implements, and making lists. The way to her heart is through her stomach, but cute animals and dank memes are also acceptable. She has had a blast during her past four years of volunteering with the Week of Welcome program and hopes that you enjoy your time at UAlberta.

[firstyearstories]

University Grade/GPA Boosters

When we enter into University, we hear so much about GPA Boosters. But really, what are they? Is there a set list of grade boosters? Does everyone have the same grade boosters? These are all questions I heard in my first year of University. I’m here to give you a bit of advice on how you should be selecting grade boosters. First, however, i’ll give you a bit of personal insight into my experience with them.

When I entered University, I was the only person in my group of friends going into the Faculty of Education. This meant that I was going to have minimal classes shared with my friends in other programs, so I took classes that could be shared cross-faculty whenever I was given the opportunity to. When it came to selecting my electives, I sought out advice from friends and acquaintances and I ended up taking a class in my first semester that I had heard would be an “easy A” but man was I wrong. I ended up passing the course, but rather than getting the easy A I had wanted, I ended up putting the most work and effort into that class, and got a mark in the B-range instead (which is still a good mark, but it just wasn’t my goal for the course). This class was fun to go to because I had friends in it, but the material did not jive well with my strengths and it ended up not being the best choice for me. My friends on the other hand did very well in the subject because it really catered to their strengths and interests.

The following semester, I took another elective that catered more towards my areas of  interest. This was a course that I discovered on my own after doing careful research of the courses available to me by looking through the directories on Beartracks and class resources from the U of A. I ended up asking a few people about the course, about whether it was going to be easy or not, and I got very mixed answers. I ended up taking the course, regardless of the mixed opinions I had gotten, and I really did not regret it. That ended up being one of my favourite courses I have taken in my undergraduate degree, and I ended up getting the A that I had wanted.

The point of me sharing this with you is because it is really important to make YOUR OWN decision on the courses that you are taking. Sure, it is nice to take courses with your friends, and sure some people will tell you that some courses are easier than others, but this does not mean that there is a single choice that fits all. Just like not everyone is in the same faculty, or not everyone is interested in the same things; not everyone has the same strengths as you do. There’s a reason why there are so many class options here on campus. Choose courses that cater to you and your strengths. Take the time to really look at the courses available to you, and pick the ones that you think you will do the best in. I have talked to many people, in several different faculties, and they have the same advice. You could be like me, and enjoy taking classics and education courses as your grade boosters, or you could be like a few of my friends who prefer taking math, physics, psychology, physiology, you name it. Everyone’s choices are different. By picking what suits you, your GPA will most likely be closer to the range that you want it to be in!

Good luck in your first year everyone!

Neesha P. is am going into her fourth and final year of her education degree. She has had a fantastic experience with not only her academic program, but also her involvement with extracurriculars on campus. She hopes that you all have as good an experience on Campus as she has. 

[firstyearstories]

Learn from Omono and Kitty how to Party Smart and Sexy!

[firstyearstories]

Getting Involved Outside Class Could Land You That Awesome Job

We’re all going to University for a similar reason: to get an education and hopefully get a great job after graduation. But what are employers looking for in new hires fresh out of post-secondary? Do they want straight A’s on your transcript? Not always. One of the best things about University is all the stuff you learn outside of class - you’re going to grow as a person acquire a whole new set of skills from your extracurriculars - and these are the things a lot of employers have their eye on. Two UAlberta students, Kitty and Kelsey, have teamed up to tell you about their experiences getting jobs and why what you learn outside of class is just as important as what you learn in the lecture theatre.

Kitty and Kelsey, two employed almost-grads with too many extracurriculars

University and Prep for Real Life by Kitty R.

University should be a learning experience for you, a practice run of the real world. You’re going to be put into situations and forced to work with people in ways that you didn’t have to in high school, but will have to in your workplace. Remember in elementary school when the teachers started giving you hard questions to “prepare you for middle school”, and then they stopped reminding you daily of your homework assignments in grade 8 to “prepare you for high school”, and then they began to just totally mess with you in high school to “prepare you for university”. Well in university, the profs don’t say that out loud, but it’s all there. For sure, group assignments cut down the amount of projects left to mark, and can be expected to be worth more because you have more hands on it, BUT really these projects are meant for you to apply a different part of yourself that you don’t always get to. Working with other people is a major criteria for almost any job these days, and although you aren’t going to write on your resume “totally crushed this bio 108 lab assignment with my group”, you are going to grow and learn from the experience. Notice first how you react in your group, are you a leader, or do you sit back and let someone else plan all of the meet ups and who is responsible for each slide? How do you feel about that person in your group that never shows up? Do you say anything about it? There’s honestly no right or wrong way of reacting in a group, unless you are like someone in one of my friends group who halfway through the semester went to prof and said they wanted to work alone and took ALL the work with them (that is very wrong, don’t do that). But by critically thinking about your interactions from the group experience, you will become a better team member as an outcome. If you are in a class that doesn’t require any group projects, you may be counting your lucky stars, but think about other ways that you can engage in a team setting! Volunteering is a great way to do this, as there is really no loss to you. It’s going to fill a little spot on your resume, but it’s also going to build those aspects to yourself that you didn’t know existed.

Why GPA Isn’t the Be All End All of University                   by Kelsey D.

It’s really easy to get swept up in your GPA. Is it high enough? Is it better than other people around you? How does it compare to your friends’? Are they in an easier degree, is that why theirs is higher? But let me tell you - if you only focus on your GPA, you will be miserable. Yes, it is important to apply yourself and do well, and yes, if you want to go to med school,  law school, or another Grad program, you must keep your GPA up to the requirements. But out in the workplace, few people care. I know because I asked my employer. I asked her if she would rather hire someone who graduated with a 3.0 and had a ton of extracurriculars or someone who had a 4.0 and did nothing but study. She picked the 3.0 student without hesitating. In fact, she never even asked me about my GPA back when she interviewed me. She told me that your skills and experience from class don’t matter in her hiring process. She’s looking for someone who gives a good first impression, who fits in with her team. Someone who can sell themselves in the interview without being too overwhelming and trying to hard or being too reserved and shy. She doesn’t want someone with a perfect academic record who remembers every single thing they learned since first year, she wants someone approachable, energetic, and flexible. You don’t learn those skills sitting in class and studying all evening. I’m not saying all jobs will be like this, because there are employers who will ask for your transcripts, but you should keep the big picture in mind for after you graduate. Your resume won’t say “BSc Animal Health and although I got an A in ANSC 378 I accidentally totally bombed Intro Microbiology”. It’ll say “BSc Animal Health” and then you should supplement it with everything else you got involved in at University. Student groups, volunteering, even cool things you d0 with your friends can help build skills you need for the workplace.

Volunteering is a great way to make connections and hone your leadership skills!

Kitty’s Personal Experience

In February 2016 I went to an interview for my dream job. The requirements were everything that I had learned in school, and I studied all of my notes to make sure that I was in perfect shape for the interview. They asked me maybe two questions about my education. By applying for the job, and having my “BSc in Environmental and Conservation Sciences” listed on my resume, it’s assumed I know everything about that area, so they didn’t waste their time asking about it. Instead they asked me for specific examples of when I had shown leadership, or how I had worked out a conflict, or how I dealt with pressure. They asked me what I would do “step-by-step” with planning events, or meetings. These are not things that you learn in class, but rather things that you learn from straight up interacting with people. How can you tell someone what you would do in a worst case scenario if you’ve never been there? Take advantage of these four years to test yourself, test other people, and test situations. That way when you go for the interview for your dream job, and get asked questions you aren’t expecting, you will walk away with an offer, like I did.

Kelsey’s Personal Experience

What kind of things should you get involved in that can help you get a job? Anything, even if it seems irrelevant! For example, I’m a member of the UAlberta Tolkien Society. We call it the Tolkien Society, but it’s really a Lord of the Rings Club. But I don’t tell potential employers “Oh yeah I’m a LotR nerd”, I tell them I have experience helping to plan events for large numbers of people, that I can keep a flexible schedule to suit everyone’s needs, that I have confidence speaking in front of crowds. I also volunteer for Orientation (maybe I’ll see you there!) and now I can tell potential employers about my leadership and organizational skills - how I am able to divulge a lot of information so that people can easily understand, and how I’m prepared for unexpected problems and can adapt if required. At the time it felt like I was just hanging out with friends or having fun at school, but the skills I learned were far more employable than my ability to explain the most deadly rabbit diseases (in case you wondered: one of them is Tularemia, but I have yet to use that knowledge outside class).

Employable skill both Kitty and Kelsey have: loving puppies!

The moral of the story is don’t sweat grades too much (with the obvious exceptions of Grad School requirements and staying off Academic Probation), and try to get involved as much as you can. Get some experience doing things outside class and it’ll help you become a well rounded individual with a unique set of skills. You won’t get an A+ from those lessons, but you could get a job.

About the Authors

Kelsey D. is a 5th year Animal Health student in ALES. She spends her spare time rereading Harry Potter, hitting up #YEG festivals, and petting every dog she sees. Kelsey has volunteered with Orientation, Week of Welcome and Open House for the past three years and loves introducing new students to the U of A.

Kitty R. is a 4th year Environmental Economics and Policy student in ALES. She loves birds, the mountains, and her program!! She spends most of her time volunteering on campus, and you can see her at Week of Welcome!

[firstyearstories]

11 Things I Wish I Knew About A Big City University Before Leaving My Small Town

1.The university campus has 4 times the population of the town I grew up in. This can feel daunting at first until you realize that everyone on campus is here for the exact same reason you are.

2. It always helps to check out the routes you take. Texting your bus stop number to 31100 to find out when busses come can be a lifesaver so you don’t end up taking the bus in the wrong direction.

3. There are tons of places to eat! No more waiting in line at the only Tim’s in town. We have 3. If you feel like something a little more fancy, there are cafes and restaurants galore in walking distance.

4. Rush hour is a thing now. If you get out of class at 5, it might be worth it to study an extra hour or two rather than cramming into a bus with 40 other people.

5. Maybe this is more of a “finished high school” thing. But nobody here is going to care or comment on the way you dress or style your hair. Go wild! Find your style. And if your style is camouflage or a Canadian tuxedo, that’s cool too!

6. Everyone wants to help you on campus. Back home you probably confided with your close friends and family. We have counsellors, therapists, the peer support centre, and tables set up with people who are happy to help you and make sure you’re feeling ok.

7. Dating is way easier. You are coming into a university with over 5000 new students, most of whom are your age and looking for love. Be bold, be a bear, ask someone out.

8. Everything is open, all the time. 24 hour mcdonalds, 24 hour gyms to work off the mcdonalds you just ate. You get the picture.

9. There are more activities and groups on campus than you probably ever even thought possible. Try something new sport, join a club, you might find your new favourite hobby.

10. With all the new places to go and close proximity of said new places it can be easy to lose track of your finances. There are tons of service available to help you manage your money.

11. Embrace the diversity of your new home! You will find people here that, although may seem different, may be more similar to you than you would have imagined.

About the Authors

Andre B. is a 4th year Sociology student from Morinville, Alberta. Andre loves to play music and go on University Ski Trips. He has travelled abroad to India, is an executive member of the Sociology Undergraduate Student Association, and has been a part of the Week of Welcome and Orientation program for the past 3 years.

Kara F. is in her 3rd year of elementary education. In her spare time she spends a lot of time volunteering with Orientation/Week of Welcome, baking various desserts, and going on spontaneous adventures. She hopes that everyone will love the university campus as much as she does and find their own special place.

[firstyearstories]

How to build your University of Alberta Schedule

One of the best things about University is your ability to create your own schedule for the school year. You can choose the courses you want to take, how many classes you want to take in a day, and when you want to start and end school every day. It’s that tiny bit of freedom that makes university so liberating.

BUT, as wonderful as this all sounds, making your schedule can be quite a stressful process if you’re going into this blind, and you might not know it until it’s too late for you to do anything about it. Looking back at my first year, there were a lot of things I regret about my schedule and I wish I could re-do that year all over again. Now as a third year, I have still yet to master the wizardry of building my ideal schedule, but I do have a couple of tips and advice that might be worth your time if you don’t want to end up having a stressful first year like I did.

1. AVOID 8AM CLASSES

Unless you’re an early bird, 8AM classes are the reason why you have those psychological fights in the morning between your academic commitments and your bed.

Some of you might be thinking, “What’s the big deal with 8am classes? Classes start at 8:30am in high school; they’re probably not THAT bad.” Coming from someone who has taken 8AM classes before, you will soon understand how precious 30 minutes of sleep (or procrastination) is once you start staying up until 3am in the morning to finish those assignments that are due the next day. In my first year, I had two 8AM labs, and as a self-declared night owl you can only imagine the struggle it was for me to get through those early mornings. To the early birds out there: As someone who admires and respects you all, please teach me your ways. And to those of you who are anything like me, 8AM classes will become your worst enemy.

With that being said I know that there will be a couple of you who can’t avoid those 8AM classes so be prepared to drink a lot of caffeine during that 1-1.5 hour class, or take power naps in between your classes so that you can make it through the day. If you do have an 8AM class this year, I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

2. IF YOU HAVE LABS, TRY TO SCHEDULE THEM ON A THURSDAY

From my previous experience with labs, you could have assignments every week that are due within 2 business days from the day you completed the corresponding lab. If your labs are like mine were, the best day to have your lab is on a Thursday. Why? Because you have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to complete your assignment before you have to hand it in on Monday morning!

Disclaimer: this might not apply to all labs and since I’m referring to my specific experience.

3. AVOID TAKING 3 TUESDAY AND THURSDAY CLASSES IN A ROW 

A 1.5 hour class on Tuesdays and Thursdays doesn’t sound so bad now, but compared to your Monday, Wednesday, Friday one hour class, they can feel like forever. Some profs are nice enough to give your class a 5-10 minute break in between, but most of the time they don’t.

It’s almost unavoidable to not take a Tuesday and Thursday class, but you can save yourself from a lot of agony if you have breaks in between your classes. Having two consecutive courses on Tuesday and Thursday is doable too, but having three consecutive courses is a recipe for disaster. Trust me, I’ve been there (twice), and I never want to experience three classes in a row ever again. When I had three consecutive classes on Tuesday and Thursday, they day felt like an eternity: I was always hungry, I had to bolt out of my class so I could barely make it to the next one, and I was so exhausted by my last class that I couldn’t do anything productive afterwards.

As a survivor of three consecutive Tuesday and Thursday class I can only give you one piece of advice: Don’t do it.

4. HAVE BREAKS IN BETWEEN YOUR CLASSES

Following up from my last point, having breaks in between your classes is a blessing in disguise. I know some people would like to have all their classes in one go so that they don’t have to stay on campus any longer than they have to, but what people need to realize is that we’re all humans too and we need to take a mental break.

In between classes, it’s a good opportunity for you to eat, work on assignments, study, hang out with friends, or watch another episode of Friends on Netflix. Also, breaks will give you more time to get to your class which is useful if your next class is on the opposite side of campus.

5. LOOK AT THE BUILDING LOCATIONS OF EACH OF YOUR CLASSES 

We only have 10 minutes to get from one class to another, and although it’s doable during the warmer seasons, Edmonton winters makes class exchanges mission impossible if you don’t plan your schedule right. Also, it would be a good idea to make sure that you don’t have a class at North Campus only to have a class in South Campus afterwards.

How do I check where my classes are on campus? On Beartracks, you can go to the tab “My Class Schedule” which is also where you can see your schedule for the term. Once you pull up your schedule, you can scroll to the very bottom where you will find a list of your courses and their details. You will notice that underneath the section labelled “Location” there will be letters and numbers: those are the abbreviations for the different buildings on campus, the floor your class is on, and the classroom number, respectively. If you click on the location of one of your classes, a map of the UoA campus will come up and you can see how far your classes are from one another. 

6. CHOOSING YOUR PROFESSORS: RATEMYPROF VS. USRI

We tend to do some research about our professors before we take a class. The one website that most people are familiar with is Ratemyprof. I know I’m guilty for using Ratemyprof to help me determine whether or not I want to take a class with a certain prof. But, as much as I love Ratemyprof I do admit it’s definitely not the most accurate or reliable website to use to judge your professor. Most of the time people who review on Ratemyprof either loved or hated their professor which can lead to a lot of bias reviews. I know when I took a course with a teacher who had a bad review on Ratemyprof I was expecting the worst. In the end, the prof that I took that course with ended up being one of my favourite teachers.

Everyone is subject to their own personal opinions, but if you want a more accurate idea of your future prof’s quality of teaching, go to the University of Alberta’s Universal Student Ratings of Instruction (USRI). The USRI is completed by UoA students that took the class with the professor in a previous semester. Students are given a list of statements which they respond to on a spectrum that highlights their experience with the prof. Based on the answers, the prof's quality of teaching will be averaged on a 5 point scale. Overall, the USRI is a wonderful resource to use as reference when you are deciding which professor you want to take a course with.

7. PLACE FULL CLASSES ON YOUR WATCH LIST

There will always be that one class that you really want to take, but it’s already full for the term. The easiest way you can take that class is if you take the class in a different semester. Another option, however, is for you to place it on your watch list. Usually, during the first week of the semester people will be changing their schedules, adding or dropping classes in the process. The watch list will notify you via email when a class on your watch list has a spot open. Although you might miss a week of the class, you probably won’t miss a lot as the course starts to pick up by the end of the second week of the semester. But, you have to be quick to take that spot because class spots can be taken right under your nose, especially if the class is really popular.

8. LOOK AT THE TENTATIVE FINAL EXAM SCHEDULES ON BEARTRACKS

Another thing to consider when building your schedule is your final exam schedule. When you scroll down to the bottom of your schedule on Beartracks, you will see “View your tentative exam schedule.” When you click that, you can see the date and times of your final exams at the end of the term. Although it's not your official exam schedule, it gives you a rough idea as to how you can plan your studying schedule for finals week.

You can also try to plan your schedule so that there is enough time between each final exam for you to do some last minute cram sessions. Although I have two final exams on the same day, I would recommend that you try to avoid this for your first year because it can be a stressful time. 
 It’s also useful to refer to your final exam schedule if you are planning to go on vacation and want to finish your exams as early as possible.  

You can also predict what time your final exam will be for certain classes:

If your class is before 12PM, your final exam for that class will most likely be at 9AM

If your class is after 12PM, your final exam for that class will most likely be at 2PM

If you have a night class, your final exam will usually be on the last day of class at the same time of your regular class schedule.

EXTRA: MIDTERM SCHEDULES Unlike final exams, you do not have access to your midterm schedule on Beartracks as your midterm schedule is determined under the discretion of your professor. Midterms happen around the same time and they are during class time. If you have 4 classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, be prepared to have multiple midterms on the same day. When I was in my first year I had all three of my midterms for my three Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes on the same day. This might not happen to you, but it can happen and you usually can’t postpone your midterm with the reason that you have more than one midterm on the same day.

9. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA SCHEDULE BUILDER HELPER

As fun as it is to build your own schedule, it can take hours for you to make your schedule. This year I took 4 hours to make mine. The reason why it takes so long is because you may have conflicting times for certain courses, or you have to keep going back to make sure that you have the requirements to take a class, etc. This year I learnt about one helpful resource you can use while you build your schedule: heywinston.com. This website is a tool made specifically for UoA students who need help building their schedule.

How to Use Heywinston.com

The first thing you will see when you visit the website is a list of the different faculties at the University of Alberta. You will choose the faculty the course you want to take is offered. For example, if you are looking for an English course you will go to the Faculty of Arts tab. I will be using my schedule to show you how to use the website.

After choosing the faculty of your course, you will look for the course code (eg. ENGL= English). Once you found the course you want to take, you can click on the tab and a list of classes will appear. Here, you can pick the classes you want to take by clicking the “+” button and they will appear on the right side of the screen. Once you have picked the courses you want to take you can click the green button that’s labelled “View Schedule.

The next thing that will appear is a schedule with the courses you want to take. The best part about Heywinston is that you can click the blue “Customize” button to adjust your schedule based on your preference. There are three customizations you can make: how much you love/hate mornings, how much you love/hate consecutive classes, and how much you love/hate night classes.

Once you have completed this, Heywinston will try to build a schedule that fits your preferences. Please note that higher level classes are limited in flexibility so there may not be a lot of options that fit your criteria. However, it is quite useful for building first year schedules as there are a lot of classes offered for 100-level courses.  

If you see arrows on the right side of your screen, that means there are alternative schedules you can build for your semester. This is really handy because you won’t have a cluster of conflicting courses on your screen and you can easily compare all the alternative schedules and pick the best one. Once you have figured out what scheduler you want, you can go back to Beartracks and enroll in those classes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you thought this article was helpful make sure to check out the other articles as well. To all you first years, I hope you have a wonderful time at the University of Alberta and I wish you the best of luck for the upcoming year!

Lesley D. is a 3rd year English/Psychology student in Arts. When she’s not sleeping in a cubby on the 5th floor of Rutherford library she spends most of her time trying out different restaurants in Edmonton, going to concerts, and painting. She’s a self-acclaimed night owl, hot chocolate addict, and dog lover. One of Lesley’s goals before she graduates is to travel to the UK, Thailand, and Japan. Lesley has volunteered with Orientation and Week of Welcome for the past two years and she loves meeting new people so if you see her around university make sure to say hi to her.

[firstyearstories]

Friendship 101

Anatomy of a Friendship by Michael C.

It was the first day of class of my first year of nursing at the University of Alberta. It was a completely new environment with hundreds of people I had never met before. I attended orientation the day before so I had a general idea of how to navigate campus. I made my way to my first lecture of the day, anatomy.

The CCIS lecture theatre was so full and I didn’t recognize a single face so I slipped into an aisle seat near the back of the class to avoid being the center of attention. By the middle of the class I had finally mustered up the courage to begin answering some of the professor’s questions. At that point the floodgates opened and I just continued to answer questions. Over the course of the class I took notice of a couple of guys near the center of the class that were also answering questions. Not only were they answering the questions, but judging by the answers they were giving it seemed as if they had read the text book three times over. The vocabulary they were using went completely over my head, but I was sort of fascinated by this.

The next lecture of the day was physiology and again the same guys were answering all of the professor’s questions with some very complex answers. I decided that these fellows would make excellent friends and that next class I would introduce myself to these guys. As it turns out the two of them actually beat me to it and approached me after class. They invited me to go out for dinner and drinks with the two of them and some other guys from nursing that evening. We engaged in a fascinating conversation about the lectures we had attended that day and they invited me to sit with them in class the next day. As it turned out, one of the guys had worked in healthcare previously for several years, (hence the extremely complex answers).

Fast-forward three years and I’m best friends with the same group of guys I met on my first day of nursing. The reason we are still together, the reason I met my friends in the first place, was because I was true to myself and did not try to be something I’m not. The University of Alberta is a big place with lots of people and because of this you can always find a person with similar interests. For my group of friends it happened to be our love for academics and our pursuit of knowledge. You may not have the same luck I did meeting my future best friends on the first day of class but it is important be yourself and the rest will work itself out.

How to be Social by Neesha P.

In first year, I think the place where I made the most new friends was by joining clubs/student groups. There are so many clubs on campus that you can join, full of people with similar interests as you, so join the one that you think is the best for you! I found that by attending clubs fair and making that first interaction with the people from the various different groups during Week of Welcome, it made it a lot easier to join. I am still great friends with the person who talked to me about the student group that I joined at clubs fair. I ended up going to the information sessions, and taking up directorship positions on clubs. I made so many long-lasting friends on that group throughout my three years of being involved. The people I met during my volunteer involvements have become some of my closest friends! It all started back in first year, and not being afraid to talk to the people I volunteered with.  

I think my biggest pieces of advice to incoming students is to be yourself and don't be afraid to approach new people. Chances are, other people are looking to make a new friend as well. Step out of your comfort zone and put yourself out there. Student groups and clubs are one of the best ways to do this because everyone is volunteering and working closely together towards a similar goal, so by joining and getting involved, you're bound to make at least a new friend or two. Another good way of doing this is to attend orientation. I am going into my fourth and final year of my degree, and the friends I have made at orientation have lasted throughout the entire duration of being in University. I'm not sure if your experiences with orientation and student groups will be the same as mine, but I truly do encourage you to reach out and talk to new people and these are only a few ways of doing it. Just remember, be yourself and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Quick Tips

Attend Orientation

Orientation is a great time to learn your way around campus and meet people before classes actually get started. Even though it has been three years since the year I attended orientation as a student, I am still in contact with the friends I met that day. If you are questioning whether or not to go to orientation and you are at all nervous about making friends or navigating around campus, Orientation is an easy way to get a head start and reduce your stress level at the beginning of the year.

Before Class

Before class is another great time to meet friends either outside the classroom or in the lecture hall or seminar room. It doesn't matter how big or small the class is, most people are in the same boat. It doesn't hurt to say hi sometimes. It's okay to be nervous, but make sure to be authentic and be yourself. Be sure to start making friends in class early in the semester as this can help if you like to study in groups or are assigned group projects.

Go to Clubs Fair

Take a look at the clubs around campus and see if there are any ones that interest you. This is one of the best ways to find something that interests you, while making friends who have similar interests.

About The Authors

Michael C. is a Nursing Team Facilitator for Week of Welcome. He is currently in his 4th and final year of his BScN. His hobbies include working out, cooking, and playing guitar. He is best known by his friends as “that tall, smart, funny guy who likes to hide in empty recycle bins and jump out and scare people as they walk by”. So if you are ever on campus and near a recycle bin, watch your back!

Neesha P. is going into her fourth and final year of her education degree. She’s have had a fantastic experience with not only her academic program, but also her involvement with extracurriculars on campus. She hopes that all new students have as good an experience on Campus as she has. 

[firstyearstories]

Eight School Supplies Every University Student Needs

It’s true, you don’t get a handy-dandy list that tells you exactly what you need to bring for each class. Some supplies are only for lab periods (goggles, Sharpies), others are conditional (a calculator - but only if approved by the Faculty of Engineering), and lots of the supplies you have now, you won’t need for University (what’s a protractor?). But here’s a good list of Must-Haves, regardless of your degree!

1. Pens/Pencils

This may be a bit of a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. You will need HB pencils for scantron exams and pens for written exams (written exams done in pencil can’t be submitted for re-marking). If you choose to take notes by hand, be sure to stock up on your favourite writing utensils before every semester! Personally, my faves are a good old mechanical pencil in class for quick note scribbling and rainbow Staedtler Triplus Fineliners for studying. They may be a little pricey, but those things are amazing; they last long and are easy and comfortable to write with. They also add some flair to your notes, which is a plus in my books (see #6). Of course, you can always “forget” to bring a pen just so you can ask the cute person next to you if you can borrow one of theirs

2. Paper

If you prefer to take notes on paper, you’re definitely going to need a big stack of it. The kind doesn’t matter, it’s up to your personal preference. I like simple lined paper because I take my notes in point form, but my roommate favours blank white paper for the freedom to draw diagrams and graphs. Maybe you’d rather print off the Professor’s PowerPoint and make annotations. What you store your paper in is also up to you. Are you a scribbler person or a pad-of-paper-on-a-clipboard person? If you don’t know, try a few things out, see what works best for you. The only thing I would steer clear of is large binders. Many desks, especially in lecture theatres, just aren’t big enough to put an entire binder on.

3. Laptop/Tablet

If you’re on the other end of the spectrum and like to use your lightning fast typing skills to take down everything the Prof says, you’ll need to bring your laptop/tablet and charger with you everywhere. This is especially handy when the Professor posts their PowerPoints online - you can follow along and add things where you need to. Most classrooms and lecture halls have plug-ins in case your battery is running low, but keep a notebook on hand in case of battery emergency. Laptops are also great for hunkering down in the library to work on papers between classes. You might want to have a look at some social media blockers for your browser to help you stay focussed though!

4. Agenda/Dayplanner

Whether you prefer electronic calendars, bullet journalling, or a classic agenda, WRITE IT DOWN. Trust me, you will forget it. Forget what? Everything. Assignment due dates, coffee with friends, that day you promised you’d help your mom with gardening. You’ll forget if you don’t write it down. At the beginning of the semester, you will get a syllabus for each class. The syllabus will outline what the course will cover and list every due date. Go through your syllabi and write every due date in your planner. Don’t have one? You’ll get a free one at orientation that has lots of awesome coupons in the back!

5. A mini stapler

No, trust me, you’ll want this. There’s not much worse than running across campus to hand in your Chem Lab assignment before 5:00 pm and realizing it’s not stapled and there’s no nearby library to stop at. Mini staplers are also the key to popularity in university. Just one person has to ask you if you have a stapler and if you say “Yes”, it will ripple through the whole class. “Need a stapler? I heard Sam has one.” It may not be the fascinating reputation you’re hoping for, but it’s a good ice breaker when trying to make friends in a class.

6. COLOURS

You might not be a visual learner, but if you are, colour coding your school notes is a great way to remember everything you need to for an exam. Invest in different coloured pens (where my Staedtler Triplus Fineliners at), highlighters, cue cards, those little tabby page marker things, or even notebooks with specific coloured covers. However you learn and study best, try to incorporate colour. Associating certain classes or concepts with colours will help you learn and perform better.

7. A USB stick or external hard drive

I can’t stress enough how much you shouldn’t save that 10 page paper right on your laptop. You’ll understand when that thing crashes and your 8 hours of careful research has vanished. It’s good to have a USB stick to keep your assignments on, or even an external hard drive if you need a lot of storage. USBs are also useful if you need to get something printed at SUBPrint - just bring it in and they’ll have it done in a few minutes! If you don’t have a USB stick, have a look around campus during the first week of class. Lots of clubs and different departments love to give out free swag like USBs.

8. Speaking of swag, Swag

Take some time to explore the UAlberta Bookstore and have a look at all the great apparel. Early in the year there is a massive Hoodie Sale where U of A hoodies get cheap and everyone flocks in to buy the latest swag. This usually happens just before Green and Gold Day - a day of UAlberta pride, usually in September. Represent your awesome new school and take part in the community!

About the Author

Kelsey D. is a 5th year Animal Health student in ALES. She spends her spare time rereading Harry Potter, hitting up #YEG festivals, and petting every dog she sees. Kelsey has volunteered with Orientation, Week of Welcome and Open House for the past three years and loves introducing new students to the UAlberta.