When Alice travelled through the looking glass into Wonderland, she found a world full of adventure. It was a place that was almost an exact reflection of her life in the real world.
As a first-year student, you also might discover an unfamiliar world at Carleton. In a hypothetical way, you will experience what Alice did — a reflection between your past life in high school and your exciting new life in university.
Some students might find themselves lost in the university shuffle; however, there are methods to deal with the change.
BALANCING ACT
Even with the shock that may come with being thrust into a completely different environment, first years need to remember that academics should be their number one priority.
Students must tailor their work ethic to deal with the transition from high school to university.
“You have to be much more self-motivated than you were in high school,” said Ariel Hartman, a second-year journalism student. “In high school, your teachers held your hand through assignment after assignment and had parent-teacher conferences if you didn’t do well. In university, the professors don’t even care if you show up or not.”
Patty Allen, a health educator and registered nurse with Carleton’s Health and Counselling Services, said students might initially find themselves disheartened by the inconsistency between their high school and university marks.
“We usually have students coming in that had very good marks in high school that are not getting these marks now,” she said. “Some of them get discouraged because they want the marks but aren’t necessarily getting them.”
When this happens, Allen said, students are usually referred to Learning Support Services or essay writing services to help them adjust to the academic differences.
Just as essential as keeping up with your studies is the importance of developing a social life and meeting new people. Unlike high school, where classes usually have less than 30 students, many university classes will be substantially larger. To gain a balance between academics and friendship, try arranging a study group with some people in your discussion groups.
Of course you aren’t limited to class time to make new friends. Frosh week events for both residence and off-campus students are great environments to meet new people. Even if you already have friends, try to broaden your horizons; you’ll meet many more people if you step out of your comfort zone.
Another fast way to meet people is to join an extracurricular activity. Whether you’re an athlete, a humanitarian or a writer, there is a club for you. Check out the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) website for a reference list of all the clubs on campus, as well as helpful contacts to get you started (cusaonline.com).
RESIDENCE LIFE
No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what program you’re in, the first-year residence experience is sure to be a memorable one. Not only is residence life a chance for you to experiment with your newfound independence and develop a better sense of self, it also provides the perfect backdrop to meet new people.
Living on campus is another way that university differs from most high schools. Natalie Allan, the co-ordinator of residence programs and training within the department of housing, said that issues often arise when students have a hard time adjusting to the difference between life at home and in residence.
“Usually it’s the first time students have ever had a roommate, so there can be personal space issues that come up from having to share your bedroom with another person,” Allan said.
Natalie Copps, a second-year political science student, set out the room rules with her roommate at the beginning of the school year.
“When we first moved in together, we promised to tell each other whenever anything was bothering us, because we both lived there,” Copps said. “That way everything was out in the open and no hard feelings were left.”
The most important thing first-year students can do is find their own unique way to balance a social and academic life.
Now that your university experience is about to begin, it’s time for you to take those first few steps through the looking glass, and prepare yourself for a trip into a new kind of Wonderland.
Useful Contacts
Carleton Health and Counselling Services
(613) 520-4059
In-Residence Counselling Appointments
613-520-2600 ext. 177 or 2295
In-Clinic Counselling Appointments
613-520-6674
International Student Conuselor
613-520-2600 ext. 4205