Guidance Counsellor Day Preparing for the First-Year: Resources for Students and Parents Presented by Gail Forsyth Director of Learning Services

Attend Headstart Headstart is a transition program for incoming students and their parents/guardians Parent program includes: –information about the “emotional cycle” of a typical first-year student –how parents can support their student through this transition to university and their first year Student program includes: –Explains program expectations – how university differs from high school –Provides important advising and registration information –Offers strategy sessions on how to be academically successful –Explains what students can expect in first year (O-Week, student life) Sessions offered on selected days in May, June and July

Time Management (Sometimes known as procrastination management) Effective time management skills lead to academic success! Tips for students Strongly encourage students to purchase a desk planner Tell them to write down all due dates, activities and extracurricular activities Fake dates for important projects – build in extra time to polish and revise your work Attend a workshop or meet with a learning strategist Effective time management skills are life skills and they can reduce stress!

Take Responsibility Students must take responsibility and balance social life, work commitments, and school work! Explain to students: First-year marks count! Very important message! –Poor performance in the first year will have a long-term impact on a student’s GPA Tell them to approach professors if they need clarification! Advise them to see their academic advisor! –Students who meet with their advisor regularly achieve better grades and satisfaction

Take Responsibility Students must take responsibility and balance social life, work commitments, and school work! Encourage students to use the resources available to support their learning –Learning Services (advising, learning, math, writing) –Health Centre and Counselling Services (performance coaching, managing conflict, loss, anxiety, personal) –Accessible Learning (support for students with documented physical and learning disabilities) –Residence and Off-campus Dons (senior students who can guide students to resources)

Get Involved Encourage students to get involved! Reduces homesickness Expands network of friends Campus Clubs – Academic and Special Interest Intramural sports and recreation Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union positions Studies indicate students who are involved in campus activities earn higher grades!

Orientation Week Encourage students to attend Orientation Week! Opportunity to meet new friends Become familiar with the campus Getting ready socially and academically Provides advice on how to deal with the transition

Student Services Accessible Learning Centre Career Development Centre Counselling Services Faculty, Instructional Assistants Health Services Mathematics Assistance Centre Program Advisors, Central Academic Advisor Registrar’s Office and Student Awards Study Skills and Supplemental Instruction Centre Writing Centre

Apply for Funding Encourage students to apply for funding! Bursaries (financial need) November - January Scholarships/Awards (academics + other) September - October Government loans May – August Talk to a Student Awards or Financial Aid Officer Money is available BUT students MUST apply if they want the money! Each year some awards are not awarded because no one has applied for them!

Summary Laurier offers a full range of services and supports to help students make a successful transition to university life and learning Students must be proactive and access the services First year counts!