Students orient themselves for success

default-hero-image

BY Joy Santiago

June 25, 2010



var addthis_config = {
data_track_clickback: true
}


Need to know

“Students transitioning from high school can quickly become overwhelmed,” says Joe Kim, assistant professor of psychology, neuroscience & behaviour. “To be successful, you should think like a project manager. Whether you use a laptop, PDA or pen and paper, you need to stay organized.”

Kim offers three tips for staying organized in your first year and beyond:

1. Every assignment, test, exam or project needs to be mapped out with actionable steps and timelines. This will help you avoid procrastination, stressing out and feeling overwhelmed.

2. Diligently organize your lecture and reading notes. Build in a weekly review to ensure that all items are clear.

3. Make time to rest and relax. You will especially enjoy the downtime when you have really earned it by staying organized.

For many, what follows acceptance to university – a steady stream of mail, email, notices and forms – can be somewhat overwhelming. Once again this summer, McMaster's Student Success staff will help ease the stress of transition for incoming students.

The Summer Orientation Program, running June 28 to 30 and July 5 to 7 (with a health sciences session scheduled for July 8), offers assistance with a range of issues facing students in transition to university: how to get a student card, select courses, determine program choice, fill out an OSAP application and prepare for the first year of post-secondary education.

Last year's program attracted upwards of 2000 visitors.

Students and parents are welcome to attend any orientation day, which include sessions to introduce first-year McMaster students to helpful campus resources, provide tips and advice on academic success and goal-setting, and help for parents.

Presenters include Joe Kim, assistant professor of psychology, neuroscience and behaviour, Matt Pachai, instructional assistant, Catherine Chiappetta-Swanson, educational consultant with the Centre for Leadership in Learning and Student Success staff who will present on the common challenges students face and the academic strategies that can be employed to achieve success.

Upper-year student-volunteers, faculty members and Student Success staff will all be on-hand to guide visitors through the day. Students will also be given the chance to meet and socialize with other first year students.

For more information and to register for the program, click here.

Stay connected