Off-to-school package:
Life at School, a video for parents about what to realistically expect when your child first moves away
The Big Move, a video for parents about how to separate and how to keep in touch
Read about how students can have a good campus experience while living off-campus
Money-saving tips for students
A parent's view: how not to break the bank on textbooks
TECHNOLOGY
Need help deciding which laptop to get for school? What about a smartphone? What's necessary and what's just a toy? Your back-to-school tech questions answered
One student's take on what to expect from tech in the classroom
Video: What students in university recommend
The Globe and Mail's Back To School page
"I think it was a 50/50 combination of excitement and fear," says Sam Johnson of the day last year he moved away from home in Toronto to go to McGill. " I got up in the morning, packed the car, said goodbye to a couple of my best friends, and then left for Montreal. At first it was frightening — obviously, being out on my own was something I had no major experience with — but then as we got closer and closer the excitement built as I began to realize that an another hugely important stage in my life had begun."
It's such a momentous change, making the transition from high school to university, that to combine it with a move to another city can seem like a leap off a diving board, uncertain that there's water in the pool. But armed with a few tips and the right approach, first-year students can make a largely splashless dive into the deep end of university life.
Claire Kelly and her mother, Jo-Ann Roberts, both remember the pouring rain that soaked them the day Ms. Kelly moved into residence at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B. The family lives in Victoria but they helped Ms. Kelly make the transition to school from a family cottage on P.E.I.: the move was made in a rented PT Cruiser after a "massive" shopping trip in Halifax.
"Not only was it raining, I remember it was sooo muggy, so hot, and we got all sticky lugging all the stuff up to my room. Luckily it was only on the second floor," says Ms. Kelly. " I remember the worst part of that day was we had to go get a student ID photo," she laughs. "It's not my favourite photo of myself at university."
Both Ms. Kelly and her parents agree that while the purchase of a small fridge is unnecessary, good bedding, a good telephone plan, a sturdy backpack and "a fluffy carpet for the floor" beside the bed in residence are crucial things to have at the start. The backpack "enhances their mobility," says Ms. Kelly's father, Ken Kelly, and helps them judge how much they need to pack to come home for a visit.
Ms. Kelly says while the comfy bed was "key after a long study night and so definitely a good idea," the best thing purchased on that trip was an inexpensive printer. And she regretted not taking her brother's advice to get some small, desktop speakers — "Something to give a little more oomph to your music."
"And one thing that I appreciated so much was the tub of Dinasours my mother bought. They got me through that first week. Because Frosh Week is fun but it's stressful. So having your favourite candy is a big help."
Ms. Kelly chose to go to Mount A because "As lovely as B.C. is, there aren't any small-town universities. UVic, UBC and SFU are all big." And while Claire thinks "the Maritimes are a great place to do your undergrad, even Halifax would have been tough. Too many distractions in the city, too expensive, too much going on. Sackville is great, you can always find stuff to do but you can focus on your studies."
Cape Breton native Hannah MacDonald went away to school because "Cape Breton University would have been like a repeat of high school."
She also went to Mount A but, while initially wary of the small-town aspect, "It's amazing what a good community and a good university can do together. And that is what made my university experience," she found.
Both Ms. Kelly and Ms. MacDonald agree that after you're in your residence room, you should plan to make a trip to buy things you forgot (extensions cords) or didn't know you needed (a bedside lamp). Ms. MacDonald says don't forget to bring some of your photographs from home to personalize the walls of your room; they also serve as conversation-starters with new acquaintances in residence.
Ms. Kelly and her parents agree on advice to other parents: Don't linger. Help your scholar move but then leave and give them a chance to settle in. And remember: Laundry baskets make great moving containers.
"And you're never too grown up — CARE packages from home will always make your day," says Ms. Kelly.
Mr. Johnson went from one big city to another but he considers himself lucky to have had about a half-dozen classmates from his high school (St. Michael's College School) also opt for school in Montreal: "I think the fear of basically 'restarting' your social circle is one that concerns a large number of first-year university students." He "highly recommends" residence for first-year students, even if off-campus housing is an option. (Ms. Kelly and Ms. MacDonald agree: "Residence in first year is a must." )
"I can't stress enough the importance of having the close, tight-knit interaction with your peers that is afforded in residence," says Mr. Johnson. "It's not just the partying, it's the fact that living under one roof with all these students lets you truly get to know people and form real, concrete relationships in a matter of months."
But Mr. Johnson says living off-campus is worth considering, "once your social circle is formed. [This September] I'm living with three other guys in an apartment, and I can't put in words how excited I am for the upcoming year. Residence first year, off-campus second year is definitely the way to go in terms of student housing."
Ms. Kelly advises newbies not to panic if Frosh week isn't the best time of your life. "I remember I was a little worried because everyone else seemed to be having so much more fun. There's huge hype." Ms. Kelly says she had fun but she had even better times later in her first year.
Mr. Johnson offers similar counsel: "Appreciate your time and to live the experience to its fullest. Time at university seems to be ultra-accelerated and school years are over in what seems to be a matter of moments. It's truly like nothing you have probably ever experienced."
Ms. Kelly says she got some very good advice right out of the gate: Don't start partying Thursday night.
Mr. Johnson agrees: " I would encourage students to keep close tabs on what they are doing … university eliminates curfews or parental control — it allows you to go out three, four, five, six times a week with friends." But Mr. Johnson says it's important to remind yourself that you're at university to get an education.
"I think the great thing about my closest friends at McGill is that we are all incredibly skilled at balancing our 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedules with our 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. schedules," he says. "Party hard but get the serious tasks done in the daytime. I think that attitude is the best one to take with you into university. It is one that enables to you truly enjoy your experience at university while still maintaining an academics-first mentality."
Finally, Mr. Johnson, adds: "Take advantage of video-taped lectures, they are a blessing. And "from a lesson I learned the hard way — budget yourself, you will be eternally grateful."
Karen Waugh works in student affairs at the University of Victoria. The National Student Recruitment Coordinator says when it comes to budgeting, students should "Sit down ahead of time (like now!), consider all sources of income for the coming year, and make a list of all potential upcoming costs. If you are going to be on student loans, you will get the money in lump sums. Students need to be conscious of how far that money is going to go to meet their needs."
Most university websites post budgeting tips and information that can help students and parents with estimating upcoming costs and if it seems there might be some month left at the end of the money, most universities also offer advice on how to source some financial aid or find a part-time job, on campus or off.
Universities want students to succeed, so there are lots of resources available on campus. "The biggest thing for students to get over is the fear of asking for help, " says Ms. Waugh. " I always tell students that the only dumb question is the one that is never asked. I dropped out of my first university experience because I was so unprepared. I was terrified of making mistakes and I was afraid that people would think my questions were stupid, so I fumbled.
"Attending university offers new experiences for students and while most students transition smoothly into university life, some do struggle, for a variety of reasons." She says moving is difficult enough, but adds, "Missing home and friends, as well as a course load to manage and adjusting to a new style of learning — it can be stressful." Ms. Waugh says when she returned to university, she took full advantage of UVic's counselling resources: "They were there to help with practical support and activities."
In addition to fellow students, people living in residence usually have access to staff who organize activities that help students get to know each other, the school, their new location and perhaps discover a hidden talent or a new extracurricular interest.
Most universities have myriad clubs and sports teams: "Students can take part in anything from chess to photography, rugby to yoga, the model UN to the student-run radio station," says Ms. Waugh. "Clubs and activities are a great way to meet like-minded students, and to test your boundaries a little bit."
Students living off-campus (or going to school close to home) need to make more of an effort to become engaged on-campus, and many universities offer help here, too: at UVic, they're known as Transition Services, says Mr. Waugh, and they include "a drop-in centre, new student orientation, income tax clinics, student loan repayment information — a lot of the things parents usually assist students with."
Most universities have a website to help students look for off-campus housing, providing both listings and advice on safe places to live and interesting neighbourhoods as well as other pointers: "For instance, we recommend that students never pay for a suite they have not seen and that they not send money to a landlord they have not met," Ms. Waugh says. "Like ads in the newspaper or on a service like Craigslist, the advice is 'Renter Beware.' "
Remember to schedule enough time for learning, says Ms. Waugh, and leave enough time between classes. "If students schedule their classes with a bit more time in between, then they can leave their class, review their notes immediately, and make any additions or do any organization required.
"University lectures can range from one hour to three hours at a time, she says, and "It is essential that students are entering each class with a fresh mind so they are able to absorb each new lecture."
Ms. Waugh also suggests considering when your mind is at its best when you're scheduling classes. Are you a night owl or a lark? And don't put too much on your plate: a full five-course load, some volunteering, a job, as well as sports participation would make anyone stagger under the load.
"Sometimes taking three or four classes per term is a good idea — after all, the objective is to do well in the classes," which can be difficult to do if you are overcommitted.
It's also easy to find out about transportation options in the city or town to which you will be relocating. Many smaller places are very bicycle-friendly and the larger centres have excellent public transit. Investigate student fares.
Ms. Waugh offers some final tips:
-Print your timetable and become familiar with the classes you will be attending for the fall (especially if Mom and Dad have registered you).
-Buy used books whenever possible to save some money, and then sell them back to the bookstore when you are finished with them.
-Bring your own bedding. Sheets and blankets are provided, but your bedding from home will be more comforting.
-Ask Mom and Dad for coins to do laundry in residence.
-Look at a map of campus online and learn where your classes will be ahead of time.
- Sign up for and attend Orientation activities — these are a great way for students to engage with other students and to learn about all of the resources available on campus.
-Talk to your profs and ask them questions if you don't understand something. They love what they teach and they want to share their information with you!
-Learn how to use the library during your first term. It will save you many frustrated research hours along the way.
- Approach each day with an open mind. You're here to learn, whether it's learning how to use your dining card or a microscope, these are new experiences that will shape you and help you develop skills you will use in many contexts for the rest of your life.
Special to The Globe and Mail
