Congratulations on accepting McMaster University! Long before the school year starts, you will have to start thinking about academics. Course selection, taking notes, setting goals, the differences between high school and university, the library and student life are all really important things you need to consider before you arrive at McMaster during Welcome Week.
The First Year Experience Office (FYEO) has developed the Easy Summer Orientation Program to help first year students with the transition into academic life at McMaster. The dates of the Easy Summer Orientation Program are July 2nd-4th, 7th-10th, and 17th 2008. When you come to the days you will get a package full of items that will be useful for you and your family in your first year, including our Student Success Guide, Parent Calendar, and some other freebies.
Our office is working in conjunction with the different faculty offices to offer many different activities that are related to being a student. Below is a quick summary of all the FYEO programs, but you can read about them in greater detail here.
Academic Success Series
Dr. Joseph Kim, the first year psychology professor and his team will be delivering this session. This program explains how expectations in the university classroom differ greatly from those of secondary school. The session teaches different learning strategies that will help you in your first year. In addition, it explains how classes in university work. Finally, the session encourages new students that they can complete their first year successfully, and acknowledges that although they may be overwhelmed that if they persevere they will complete them.
Decision-Making and Goal-Setting Session
Although many of you will have gone through a lot of goal setting as part of the Ontario High School curriculum, goal-setting in university if just as, if not more, important than in high school. The goal of the session is to teach students why they need to make good decisions in order to succeed in their studies as well as their life in general. The session addresses how new students are dealing with increased independence, and how that can impact their ability to make sound decisions. Lastly, the session covers why goal-setting is an important step in achieving success.
Creating a Life Map: Setting the Direction for First Year Session
In conjunction with the goal-setting session, the life map session introduces an online goal setting activity for students to do voluntarily at their leisure over the summer. This session will introduce the concept of how to set goals and determine the direction the students wish to take in their first year and onwards.
Inspirational Video Session
Dr. Nick Bontis is an award-winning and tenured professor of strategic management in the faculty of Commerce. He is starring in a (FUNNY) video that has been designed to deliver the following three messages: strong academic skills are essential for success, live a balanced lifestyle, and make friends. The video lists various services and important tidbits about McMaster as well, so it is a must-see!
Transitional Activity
Like it or not, you will probably be spending a fair amount of your time in university in the library. University libraries are much larger than high school libraries (spanning several floors), and take some skill to navigate. McMaster also has four libraries on campus, and not just one. Come to Mills Library (the most popular library on campus) to complete an activity to familiarize yourself with the library and its resources. And by participating you get some pretty sweet prizes!
Parent Program: Let Them GO, Let Them GROW
You may want to tell your parents that the FYEO has designed a program especially for them during the Easy Summer Orientation Program. It covers the common transitional issues that parents may face while their children are attending university.
Faculty Sessions
Each faculty is offering their own academic counseling sessions that will help you in choosing the right courses to fulfill your degree requirements. The Science students will be with the Science counselors, the Humanities students will meet with Humanities councilors etc. This is what is known as the academic component. After receiving information on what courses you will need to complete your degree, you have the option of going into a computer lab on campus and accessing SOLAR, McMaster’s online course selection program. This is considered the lab component. For more information on what faculties are offering sessions on what days, please visit the Office of the Registar’s website. Or for a compilation of all the dates, MacInsiders has put together a list here.
Although attendance for these days is not mandatory, it is highly suggested that you attend! Parking is free, as is your participation throughout the day.
Also, please be reminded that if you want a tour of a residence building on one of these days you must book your tour in advance with the Liaison Office. You can find more information on this website.
Do you still have questions about the Easy Summer Orientation Program that aren’t answered here? Please email the FYEO at welcome@mcmaster.ca .
Are you an upper year student and want to volunteer for these days? Keep checking back at MacInsiders for an article, or you can also send an email to danielleelorenz@gmail.com to get more information.
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