Survival guide for first-year students
Starting university can be a stressful time for any student. But the more you know going into it, the easier it will be. “Get informed and get connected,” suggests Marlene Gross from Concordia’s Counselling and Development department. “The best way to learn about university, to know what to expect, to be prepared and to get the most out of your experience is to connect with people at Concordia.”
Gross suggests that new students begin at the Student Success Centre, where they can meet Student Success Mentors – experienced students who know the ins and outs of the university. Whether it be about Concordia’s services, facilities, activities or procedures, Gross says the mentors are always happy to share great tips, strategies and other useful information with new students.
Concordia offers a variety of services to help with students’ integration to the university. The Department of Counselling and Development is dedicated to helping students learn and succeed at Concordia. One-on-one appointments and group workshops to help students with learning strategies, writing, math and language skills are offered by Student Learning Services. The team of licensed counsellors and psychologists at Counselling and Psychological Services are available to assist students with personal and emotional issues like depression, anxiety and stress. At Career and Placement Services, students can get help exploring career options, networking with potential employers, building resumes and finding jobs.
The Financial Aid and Awards Office offers undergraduate entrance awards restricted to students entering bachelor’s programs. Undergraduate entrance scholarships are awarded to academically outstanding students. No application is necessary for most of these scholarships as selection is automatic based on academic ranking (and portfolio or other material in some cases). The office also offers undergraduate entrance bursaries, which require application. It is important to note that most of these entrance scholarships and bursaries are strictly reserved for full-time students entering university studies for the first time.
Throughout their studies at Concordia, students will find the library a useful tool for conducting research. However, given the size of Concordia’s two libraries and the sheer volume of material they contain, a trip to the library may feel overwhelming. For this reason, workshops are offered to teach basic research skills that will save students time and frustration down the road. Workshops are mostly offered at the beginning of the fall and winter terms, though subject-specific and course-specific workshops are held throughout the year. More information is available on the Libraries’ website.
Given the challenge of finding doctors these days, Concordia’s Health Services department is worth looking into. The department’s clinical services include by-appointment consultations with nurses and physicians, walk-in clinics, testing for sexually transmitted infections and emergency contraception. The department also offers mental health services, health information and promotion, and prescription renewals.
Concordia students reflect on what they wish they had known during their first year at university and offer advice to new students:
Quebec and out-of-province students who are registered for more than three credits automatically receive the Concordia Student Union (CSU) Health and Dental Plan. Coverage by this plan can include medical, vision, dental and travel insurance. However, students who are already covered by another private insurance plan, such as that of a parent or spouse, may choose to opt out of the CSU plan by visiting ihaveaplan.ca between September 4 and 24.
Perhaps the best way to become acquainted with the campus is to register for a guided tour. Lead by current Concordia students, tours give participants an overview of the university’s facilities and show them where major services are located. Tours can be booked through Connect2Concordia and held Monday to Friday at 9:30 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. throughout the term.
When it comes to academics, new students may find university life to be quite a bit different from Cegep or secondary school. “There is more freedom in university – no one is looking over your shoulder,” reminds Gross. “That can be a good thing but also a dangerous thing. It means you need to be more self-directed and organized.”
So before classes start, it is important to get familiar with the MyConcordia portal. From here, students can access schedules, view grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and so much more.
From the portal, students also have access to Moodle. Moodle is a course website where professors may post course outlines, lecture notes, grades and create forums for class discussion. Though this may seem like the perfect tool for working from home, Gross stresses the importance of showing up to class. “Too often students don’t go to class regularly,” she says. “By going to class, you will get to know your professors and they will get to know you, you will meet other students who will become study partners and offer support when it’s needed, and you will feel much more connected to and interested in the course.”
On top of academics, Concordia University is a great place to get involved in extra-curricular activities. Students can join clubs, sports teams, student associations, as well as volunteer on campus or attend workshops on a whole range of topics. All of these serve to enrich the student experience at Concordia. “Have a reason to come to school other than just going to class,” says Gross. “You will be amazed at how rewarding these experiences can be.”
Concordia students weigh in: what they would like to have known in their first term
Brittany Banks, fourth-year journalism student
“Health Services is amazing – you can get prescriptions, see psychologists, for example – all for free!”
Brendan Parm, fourth-year history student
“Make sure you know you’re taking the right classes and not wasting your time.”
Caroline Asselin-Jarry, recent human relations graduate
“Keep everything in writing. If you are exempt from a class, be sure to be able to prove it!”
Shami Azam, fourth-year accounting student
“Kill your grades the first year, it’s very important!”
Mike Marak, recent mechanical engineering graduate
“Review all your exams. It can be the difference between minus grades and the plus grades you should have gotten.”
Related links:
• Counselling and Development
• Financial Aid and Awards Office
• Concordia Libraries
• Health Services
• Student health and dental insurance plan
• Connect2Concordia (to book tours)
• MyConcordia portal
• Concordia Student Union (includes information on student life and student groups)