First Generation Students Writing Workshop

"First Generation Students Writing Workshop", September 2007

Are you the first person in your immediate family to attend a post-secondary institution? If that is the case, by definition you are a First Generation Student. With up to 30% of university applicants being First Generation Students, both schools and the government have realized that FGS have a more unique university experience than their peers who have a family member that embarked on education at the post-secondary level. First Generation Students vary from so-called “traditional” students in that their assumed knowledge of university, personal commitment and familial support is disadvantaged.

Due to this issue, the First Year Experience Office has developed a plan specifically for First Generation Students. The aim of the program is to bridge the gap between FGS and their “traditional” peers. The curriculum offers support from upper-year Peer Mentors, who are also FG students (and one of whom is me!). In addition, the program gives FGS comprehensive knowledge of all the services and resources available to them on campus. The FYEO is positive that the project will encourage and support all First Generation students in being successful in completing their academic goals.

The first course available for First Generation students is a writing workshop. The goal of this session is to aid students in enhancing their academic writing skills. The emphasis will be on the academic writing process, which includes thesis development, structure, argumentation, clarity, flow, style and paragraph structure.

This workshop is being facilitated by Joanne Buckley, TESL, M.Ed.,Ph.D. She is an Academic Skills Counsellor in the Centre for Student Development (CSD). Joanne is the author of “Fit to Print: The Canadian Student’s Guide to Essay Writing” and has been on the Canadian Best Seller’s list. She has also written ‘Checkmate: A Writing Reference for Canadians, which we believe all students who need to write and research papers effectively should have as a resource.

The seminar is available on October 9th from 10:00AM-11:30AM, or on October 11th from 3:00PM-4:30PM. If you would like to attend please send an email to firstgen@mcmaster.ca. The deadline for your response is September 28th, and we encourage that you only pick one session.