THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCETHE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
Supporting Your Student
Through the Transition to University
OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES Give you an idea what your student’s first year will look
like Address concerns and misconceptions Provide you information to help your student succeed
PRESENTATION OUTLINEPRESENTATION OUTLINE Student Development Theory Student Transition Myth Or Fact Questions
Student Development TheoryStudent Development Theory
A framework designed to understand your student’s behaviour
CHICKERING’S THEORY OF CHICKERING’S THEORY OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENTSTUDENT DEVELOPMENT Provides for a better understanding of the development of
a traditional university student Serves as a guide for parents and academic partners on
how to best support an individual student Chickering & Reisser (1993) focused on seven
developmental areas
SEVEN VECTORS OF SEVEN VECTORS OF DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT Vector 1: Developing Competence Vector 2: Managing Emotions Vector 3: Moving through Autonomy to Interdependence Vector 4: Developing Mature Interpersonal Relationships Vector 5: Establishing Identity Vector 6: Developing Purpose Vector 7: Developing Integrity
First Year TransitionFirst Year Transition
Common transitions encountered by students throughout their first year of study in higher education
TRANSITIONSTRANSITIONS
Your student will face adjustments and transitions in the following areas:– Academic– Social– Personal
SEPTEMBERSEPTEMBER
New environment Orienting themselves (academic, social, personal) New academic expectations Time management Homesickness Making new friends
OCTOBEROCTOBER
Keeping up with school Balancing Roommate differences Thanksgiving Relationships
A gentle reminder that these experiences are a normal part of life can go a long way at reassuring your student at this point in the semester
NOVEMBERNOVEMBER
Changes in eating and sleeping habits Colds and flu are common Looking forward to going home Academic feedback is received Changing majors
Encourage your student to make use of the facilities and resources on campus that can assist them in developing a healthy, rewarding lifestyle
DECEMBERDECEMBER
Balancing academic and other responsibilities intensifies Money Increased independence leads to a change in family
dynamics Burn out
JANUARYJANUARY
Time of reflection, adjustment, renewed enthusiasm Comfortable with surroundings Academic expectations Lack of physical activity and time outdoors Adapting back to study mode
This is a good time to seek out academic support from various services on campus
FEBRUARYFEBRUARY
Volunteer recruiting and summer job workshops Reading week is actually for reading Money Students should start thinking about next year’s living
arrangements
MARCHMARCH
Preparing for final exams Major exams and essays Finding niche on campus Pressure to improve grades Start applying for summer jobs Start looking for jobs on campus for next year
APRILAPRIL
High stake exams Closure for residence floor Not wanting to study in good weather Anxiety Living arrangements Think about summer courses
2 Truths and a Myth
Ottawa has the longest skating rink in the world
Carletonite is a type of rock named after Carleton University.
Parents can live in residence
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Myth Or FactMyth Or Fact
Shedding Some Light on University Myths
Laptops and printers are not Laptops and printers are not mandatory at university.mandatory at university. FACT:
– 583 desktops and 100+ laptops available for student use
– Computers are available in 10 different campus buildings
– Over 80 software applications– Access to private file storage– Wireless internet across campus– Pay printing available at most labs– E-kiosks available in many buildings
If you are buying a computer, visit www.carleton.ca/ccs
In order to take classes, students In order to take classes, students need not be on campus.need not be on campus. FACT:
– Alternatives to coming to campus– CUTV broadcasts on TV, online– E-kiosks available in many buildings– Over 60 credit courses each year
For more information, visit www.cutv.carleton.ca
Since university is so large, I am on Since university is so large, I am on my own academically.my own academically. FACT:
– Office hours are held by faculty and teaching assistants– Lab instructors are available– Writing Tutorial Centre, Math Tutorial Centre, Science
Student Success Centre– PASS, Tutor Referral Service– Learning Support Services
In University, students are only a In University, students are only a number.number. FACT:
– Hundreds of ways to get involved on campus!– Clubs & Societies (160+)– Intramural sports, competitive club teams, varsity
programs– Campus Wide Lectures, Speakers & Events– Student Politics– Employment Opportunities
Students only have 15 hours of class Students only have 15 hours of class per week, and therefore, only 15 per week, and therefore, only 15 hours of schoolwork.hours of schoolwork. FACT:
– 2:1 ratio means that students should spend two hours preparing for every one hour of class
– Arts, Public Affairs and Business programs: 15 hours of class + 30 hours of prep = 45 hours
– Science, Math and Engineering programs: 15 hours of class + 30 hours of prep + 15 hours of labs = 60 hours
Carleton is an island.Carleton is an island.
FACT:– Carleton is connected to the Ottawa community by
four bus routes and the O-Train– Free shuttle bus to University of Ottawa– Carleton has everything a small town would have– Carleton is self-contained so there is no through traffic– South Keys plaza is ten minutes away by O-Train and
has a movie theatre, restaurants, a grocery store and other stores
There is nothing to do in Ottawa.There is nothing to do in Ottawa.
FACT:– Museums, art galleries and other attractions– Festivals and concerts– Live theatre– Different shopping districts– Outdoor activities – bike trails, the canal, skiing
The Parents CampaignThe Parents Campaign
THE PARENTS CAMPAIGNTHE PARENTS CAMPAIGN
It is an annual initiative Invitations to lectures hosted by Carleton Alumni in cities
across Canada E-newsletter distributed by the Student Experience Office Fundraising support
PARENTS MAKE THINGS HAPPENPARENTS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
In 2008, parents gave 7% of all gifts to Carleton University
56%29%
13% 2%
Gifts - 2008
Student Aid
Academics & ResearchInfrastructure
Special Projects
PRIORTY PROJECTPRIORTY PROJECT
Student Services is the priority project for this year’s Parents Campaign
Student Services provides additional funding for projects like:– Community Service Learning– The Leadership Development Program– The Writing/Math Tutorial Service and– Learning Support Services
Kylie Patrick
Annual Giving Officer
Department of University Advancement
(613) 520-2600, ext:1230
Carleton.ca/annualfund
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Questions?Questions?