1. THE FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
Supporting Your Student
Through the Transition to University
2. OBJECTIVES
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
4. Student Development Theory
A f r a m e w o r k d e s ig n e d t o u n d e r s t a n d y o u r
s t u d e n t ’ s b e h a v io u r
5. CHICKERING’S THEORY OF
STUDENT 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
7. First Year Transition
C o m m o n t r a n s it io n s e n c o u n t e r e d b y
s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e ir f ir s t y e a r o f s t u d y
in h ig h e r e d u c a t io n
8. TRANSITIONS
Your student will face adjustments and transitions in the
following areas:
– Academic
– Social
– Personal
9. SEPTEMBER
New environment
Orienting themselves (academic, social, personal)
New academic expectations
Time management
Homesickness
Making new friends
10. OCTOBER
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
11. NOVEMBER
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
12. DECEMBER
Balancing academic and other responsibilities intensifies
Money
Increased independence leads to a change in family
dynamics
Burn out
13. JANUARY
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
14. FEBRUARY
Volunteer recruiting and summer job workshops
Reading week is actually for reading
Money
Students should start thinking about next year’s living
arrangements
15. MARCH
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
16. APRIL
High stake exams
Closure for residence floor
Not wanting to study in good weather
Anxiety
Living arrangements
Think about summer courses
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18. Myth Or Fact
S h e d d i n g S o m e L ig h t o n U n iv e r s it y M y t h s
19. Laptops and printers are not
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
20. In order to take classes, students
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
21. Since university is so large, I am on
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
22. In University, students are only a
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
23. Students only have 15 hours of class
per week, and therefore, only 15
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
24. 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
25. 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
27. THE 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
28. PARENTS MAKE THINGS HAPPEN
In 2008, parents gave 7% of all gifts to Carleton University
Gifts - 2008
Student Aid
13% 2%
Academics &
Research
56% Infrastructure
29%
Special Projects
29. PRIORTY 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
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