On-campus services offer students secrets of University success

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/students_13.jpg” caption=”Students head off to first day of classes at McMaster.”]

First-year and returning students at McMaster attend their first classes of the
2004-05 academic year today. To help them make the transition from high school
to university—or from summer holidays to full-time school—the University
has a wealth of services that students can access on-line or in person.

The First Year Experience Office (FYEO),
located in the Commons Building Rm. B101B is the place to find survival tips
including how to maintain a balance in physical and mental health, how to set
a budget, where to find an on-campus part-time job, and what the academic and
social responsibilities of a student are.

Manager Danielle Stayzer notes that First Year Experience Office has developed
a number of new initiatives in response to the need for an increased level of
support for first-year students. “Students (coming to Mac) are about two
years younger than before,” she notes. “Our focus is to get information
to students about the wide variety of resources available, and educate them
to take advantage of these resources.”

According to Phil Wood, associate
vice-president of Student Affairs and
Dean of Students, both students and parents want more information. So, the University
is investing heavily in the FYE initiatives and in orientation. “We want
students to have a good experience during orientation so they will do well.”

Beyond orientation, learning and study skills workshops offered by the Centre
for Student Development (CSD) will help both new and returning students
to “do well” at University. The workshops include “Full
Frontal Learning,” a new session that focuses on effective study skills
and strategies; “Just
Enough Time Management” for help with allocating appropriate time
for reading and studying; and “Tactical
Motivation & Procrastination Avoidance.” The in-person sessions
last about 1.5 hours and are held in the late afternoon after classes, starting
in October. The on-line versions feature videos containing a series of modules
and include an interactive discussion board where students can query other students
and Centre staff. All workshops are free. Visit CSD in Room B-107 of the student
centre for more information.

Peter Walsh, academic skills counsellor at CSD, says all university students
face two main challenges: managing time and studying effectively. Many students
think that learning is passive, that it can be gained through osmosis if one
simply opens the books and stares at the pages long enough. The workshops, he
says, promote “attention management” skills and active learning
techniques.

“Students need to understand that learning requires planning and active
involvement.” He says the workshops offer strategies for managing time,
and learning procedures that are much better than “highlighter hypnosis.”

In October, watch for the “First Year Ignition,” an academic success
fair, in the Student Centre’s Marketplace on the 12th. Jointly sponsored
by the CSD and FYEO, the fair will include booths from all the student services
groups, as well as live workshops and panels. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m.

As McMaster’s student embark on another educational year, staff across
campus stand ready to teach them the secrets of success. Best of luck to all
students for the coming year.