First Year Road Map: Charter Your Course

I'm not the best at directions, I'm always getting lost! My GPS is constantly "recalculating" since I

always seen to fail at going in the right direction.

This was especially true when I first started here at York. I got lost, hopelessly lost in the sauce here on campus. 60,000 students means that the chance of getting lost are even greater. Have no fear though, I'm here for you! Here's my roadmap for your first year. This is the absolute minimum you'll need to know to navigate York in your first year.


North to Find Answers
1. ASK QUESTIONS!!
--If you sort of know, think you might know or have NO CLUE at all about what's going on...ASK! There's no shortage of people that are there to help you; your faculty/ department, advising offices and past students are great resources to help when you're lost at your enrolment appointments or academically once you get started in the fall. If you're lost and don't ask questions then no one can help you find your way. Don't be afraid people are a lot more friendly on
campus then you might think. Take that leap and ask your questions, I can almost guarantee that if you have a question then there will be at least 2-3 other people sitting in your enrolment appointment or lecture with the same question. So be brave and ask away!

South to Services
2. Use the free services to stay on top of your work.
--There's SOO much that York offers to ALL students to help them adjust and succeed at university! Take advantage of the FREE services like the learning skills workshops, I'm not embarrassed to say
that my note taking skills were not the greatest in my first year. After my first midterms I KNEW I had to turn it around and so I took pretty much all of the skills workshops and learned how to take notes in class, how to write a strong thesis for university and how to structure my work to get my point across!

West to Withdraw Information
3. Visit the RED Zone for any and everything you need to know about YorkU.
--Here at The RED Zone it's our job and our passion to answer any and all questions you might have regarding life here at York. So if you're ever lost or unsure feel free to ask us just about anything. We might not be able to tell you the meaning of life... but we can help you figure out how to make your life
at York meaningful for you (We also give directions so if you're literally lost come and ask us how to find your classes :D)!!

East to Establish Connections
4. Get involved
--It might seem a little overwhelming to get involved in a community the size of York's but I promise it will be worth the risk you take in putting yourself out there! Getting involved can be as simple as joining a club and attending a couple of the events they host throughout the year. If you visit the RED
Zone this summer then you'll be signed up for YU Connect, York's social media hub. There you're able to browse through all of the clubs that we have. When to visit the RED Zone you join the York is U organization, which hosts TONS on events throughout the school year that are ideal for first years to volunteer for since the commitment level is what you make of it. With York is U, you can volunteer for a few hours at a single event all the way to coordinating entire events, it's really up to you! I can't tell you how important getting involved is on campus, it really means all the difference between surviving at York and thriving at York!

I hope that you can find some way to use my roadmap in your first year. Just know that whenever you feel alone or lost you always have someone there to support you. York is all about student success, so if you need help with anything feel free to stop by and visit the RED Zone either in person in Vari Hall or online!

Also if you have any questions about what I've mentioned in this post feel free to comment below!

Until next time, remember to take it one day at a time and catch me in the zone!

Nicole

Midterm grade NOT what you expected? Wondering what to do now?

Coming out of high school you might be accustomed to getting straight A's. Despite everyone telling you that university is not the same as high school, you still thought that you'd be able to keep up those high marks. However, now that you've started getting your midterm grades back you might be finding that the marks you're getting aren't quite what you had expected.

You might be thinking..."NOW WHAT? SHOULD I DROP THE CLASS? MY PARENTS WILL BE DISAPPOINTED! MY LIFE IS FALLING APART!!

Let me be the first person to tell you to CALM down!! It's going to be ok! You don't have to the class, your parents just want the best for you and your life is not over. Take a DEEP BREATHE!! Everything will be ok!!

So you didn't get what you thought you would...don't be discouraged. It isn't the end of the world...although it may feel like it right now. Here are some tips for dealing with less than ideal Midterm marks.

1. The BEST part about Midterms (if there is anything good about them at all) is that they are only ONE part of your grade! You still have time to improve you mark!! Midterms are NOT the END of your course. You still have other assignments, tutorial or lab work or a final that you can use to boost your grade.

2. Take the time to look over your grade. Look at how much of your grade the midterm is actually worth. Take the time out to go and talk to your professor or TA to figure out how to improve your grade, (If you're worried about talking your prof see my post ). Really look at your midterm and determine where you went wrong and how you can improve.

3. Try to put your grade in perspective. Of course we all want to do well, but how does this midterm mark impact your life. If you care a lot about your marks then a not so great mark might stress you out. I'm here to remind you that grades are one component of your whole university experience, and your time at university is only one part of your entire life. Although it might seem like a MAJOR ISSUE now, remember this too shall pass. Try not to stress yourself out too much over your midterms.

4. Try to STAY POSITIVE! If you didn't do as well as you hoped, don't be too hard on yourself. Negativity only makes you feel worse and doesn't actually motivate you try to improve. Get proactive, take the suggestions or improvements you get from your TA's or Profs and learn from them.

**Remember: If you find yourself really stressed out about your grades you can always check out CDS.**

- When I was in my first year, I had a really hard time adjusting to University life. It was the first time I'd ever lived away from home, I was in a new country where I knew no one, and I had just gotten back a midterm that I didn't do as well on as I had hoped. I was REALLY hard on myself and I didn't think that university was for me, I was really having a hard time. My Don suggested that I go and talk to CDS. Honestly I wasn't sure that CDS was for me...but I went and found that the people there were really nice; more importantly they were helpful. I know that sometimes it can be hard to ask for help but sometimes that's exactly what you need most. I highly recommend checking out CDS since they do offer FREE personal counselling!

I promise Midterm season will end! Lets get through it together. If you have any other tips for dealing with midterm add them in the comments section below! See you after Midterms!!

Take it one day at a time and catch me in the zone,
Nicole

Best thing about living in residence? The friends you make!

Juhi and I in 1st year!

Everyone is always saying that you make your TRUE lasting friends in College / University; I can say now, from first hand experience that what they say is true. 
Four years ago I came to York, fresh outta High school as an International Student I knew 0 people. I moved into residence and almost immediately after my parents left me there…all alone…I regretted coming to such a huge school in a different country so far away from home.


After my first residence floor meeting I thought WOW I’m never gonna make it here. I was ready to go back to my room and pack my stuff and GO BACK HOME! Then I heard a knock on my door and my whole university experience CHANGED! I made my first friend!!
 This girl was at my door, asking me about the internet, of all things. I helped her set up the internet, then we went for dinner together and everyday after that. Suddenly we realized we had a lot in common and so we became fast friends. 


As you move from year to year the people you were close with in first year are usually NOT still your friends by fourth year, but she and I were practically family at the end. Four years is a long time to be friends with a person, we laughed, cried and helped each other make it through the challenge that is University.
 She was an International Student just like me, she was from Dubai and I from The Bahamas. Leave it to us to make friends with people who live on opposite sides of the world!

4 yrs later still together!

As I sit here writing this I can’t help but to think of all the things we shared over four years, our first winter with SNOW, our first time on a subway, and of course let’s not forget our first time living away from home on our own. She was really a true friend, we were there for each other whenever we needed anything no questions asked! We took care of each other when we were sick, homesick or lovesick. I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through this journey without her.
And now that she’s moved back home I wish her nothing but the best! I hope she is finds happiness, she is an amazing person and truly deserves the very best that life has to offer. I miss her like crazy! All I can say is THANK GOD for BBM and SKYPE!

There is a STRONG possibility that I might never see her again; but she’ll always be with me, because she helped shape the person I am today. I miss her so much, she was my sister, my mom and most importantly my FRIEND!


The moral of my story...living in residence can be such an amazing experience if you open yourself and take the opportunity that is there!

York's all about helping students succeed...they have some AMAZING resources you've got to check out!

Over 2000 students have visited the RED Zone so far this summer. As they come in, I've noticed that there are a few key questions that have been asked again and again by students in just about EVERY group I've talked to...

Will I be able to handle it?

1. How MAJOR is the difference between High School and University in terms of workload?
2. What kind of expectations are there for students in terms of work quality in University?
and my personal favourite...and the purpose of this blog...
3. Are there ANY services or resources in place that students can access if they need assistance?


I am here to let you know that York is ALL ABOUT helping students succeed! Here are the FREE services that York offers their students to make they feel confident, secure, and supported throughout their time at University!

York's got your back :)

There are 2 MAIN categories of support that York offers Students:
1. Academic Assistance
2. Specialized Student Support Services
**These are just the names that I've given them...they are by no means the ACTUAL tites!**

You CAN do it...but there is help!

Academic Assistance: This is offered to ALL York University students without exception. These services are designed to ensure student success and provide overall support for during the academic year. Academic Assistance Services include:

-Writing Centre: This is a essay writing and editing service that connects students with a Teaching Assistant, Masters Student or Past Professor who act as tutors for the student while completing an assignment. At the WC students bring in a draft of their assignment, hand it in to their tutor who then edit it and offer suggestions and support. The Writing Centre can help students improve their mark by one full letter grade. This is an amazing and underutilized service since most students are unaware that it exists. Well you...yes you...the person reading this now has a leg up on everyone else since now you know that this exists. The Writing Centre is located in South Ross Room 329.

-Learning Commons: For some students the Writing Centre is not a good fit, after all not everyone is comfortable with someone editing their work, especially a past professor. If that is the case then the Learning Commons on the second floor of the Scott Library might be more your speed. At the Learning Commons you can get help and advice on thesis formulation, research, essay structure and citation tips. The Learning Commons is run by Librarians who know what good research is and what makes a good essay.

-Advising (Faculty, College Level): There are two levels of Academic Advising that you can access at York. The first level of advising is at the Faculty level, this is the level that the majority of incoming students will be familiar with, since your enrolment appointments were held at your faculty. The second level of advising is at the College level, this advising is run through specific colleges within a particular faculty, or even across faculties. One form of advising is not better than the other, they just provide a slightly different user experience. Sometimes students prefer going to their college advisor's because they feel more connected to their college community, others prefer to go their faculty. It's more personal preference, the information will be the same regardless.

-Peer-to-Peer Tutoring: All Colleges have their own version of P2P tutoring, where an upper year student is connected with a lower year student and provides them with guidance, support and tutoring. Additionally there are other Peer-to-Peer programs offered via programs, faculties and departments at York. If you find yourself in need of a particular service I recommend heading over to your college to see types of P2P support they have available for you.

You don't have to do it alone!

Specialized Student Support Services: These services are offered to a select subset of the York University Community, students that have specific needs. These services include:

-CDS: Counselling and Disabilities Services have three offices, two at Keele, one located in the Bennett Centre the other in North Ross Room 108 and one at Glendon. These offices offer support for students in the form of personal counselling,  learning skills, learning disabilities, mental health disabilities and finally in the form of physical, sensory and medical disability aid.

-ACMAPS: The Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-Time Students offers support for York students that are mature (over the age of 21 at the start of first year) and that are enrolled in part-time study. The ACMAPS office is located at 111 Central Square and they offer support in the form of workshops and advocacy for their students throughout the year.

-CASS: Centre for Aboriginal Student Services, offers specialized support for Aboriginal identified students at York. They are located at 246 York Lanes, they have a newly renovation office space that is open to Aboriginal students. The CASS office has study space, computers, printers and tons of other great services designed to help Aboriginal identified students succeed at York.

-York International: Located in York Lanes Room 200, offers support services for international students at York. This support includes assisting with cultural adjustments to Canada, immigration, financial and other issues. Also York International assists domestic students enter exchange programs to other universities world-wide.

All of the services mentioned here are offered to students free of charge. Take a minute to check out what's available because York has got you covered!

What makes a "successful" student?? It might NOT be what you think!

These days everyone looks at letter grades or a g.p.a. as the only way to measure the "success" of a student. Of course both of these are really important, after all everyone wants to do well, but grades are only one small part of what makes a student succeed at university and at life.

I LOVE this meme!
 He looks so satisfied!

I know what you're thinking...how else can you measure the success of a student if you don't use letter grades or a g.p.a?

Grades aren't EVERYTHING!

I would challenge you to think outside the box a little bit.

Here are a few things that I think make a successful student:

1. I think that a successful student is able to find balance in their life.

Universal symbol for BALANCE!
Yin and Yang

Balance is everything! Knowing your limitations and understanding that you're not superman will help reduce your stress. Accepting that there are only 168 hours in a week will help you learn to prioritize your time. Learning how to effectively balance work, school, family and friends, will make your university experience richer.








2. A successful student should be able to look back on their university experience with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

Key to Success?
Why YES thank-you!

This can be achieved by getting involved on campus. I know you've heard me say this before...but that's because it's GOOD ADVICE! Get involved in campus life!

Becoming a member of the York community made my university experience so much richer. I was able to avoid the commuter trap (going to school and then straight home), I was able to give back to other students and I was able to make friends! Accomplishing something as a result of your involvement on campus really makes you feel like you've succeeded at university life.

3. Finally I think that a successful student is someone that is open minded and willing to try NEW things.

University is your opportunity to try new things, and have new experiences. Successful students are those that open themselves up to new people, cultures, beliefs and practices. York is FULL of diversity, there are students from over 155 countries worldwide. There are so many different people with interesting and unique experiences sitting next to you in class, it would be a shame not to get to know them. Being open to meeting new people and trying new things will help to prepare you for the real world, which, thanks to globalization is becoming increasingly interconnected, so don't miss out!

These are just a few things that I think make a successful a student. If you can think of anything else feel free to make suggestions in the comments section!