Mature Student

Making a Successful Transition to Ryerson as a Mature Student

Welcome to Ryerson University. The transition to being a university student begins well before you attend your first class and extends throughout your first year. Here are some suggestions to help you to plan for, and adapt to, the changes that university life can bring.

Between now and September

• Career Planning

If you are feeling unsure about which program to choose, you can contact the Career Centre at 416-979-5177 or visit their web site www.ryerson.ca/career to learn about their career workshops.

• Academic Planning

Clarify that you have all of the subject prerequisites for your program. If you are currently enrolled in prerequisite courses, check that they are the correct ones.

If you have been out of the academic system for some time you may want to take a Continuing Education course (www.ryerson.ca/continuing) relevant to your program as a warm up.

Learn word processing skills

Increase your non-fiction reading

Create a quiet work space in your home

• Family and Social Planning

Talk with family members and friends about the changes in your routine that will result from the new academic demands on your time.

For those of you with family responsibilities, sit down with your family and develop a schedule which will allow you adequate study time and still provide time for family. Build flexibility into the schedule. Plan for several hours study time for each hour of in-class time.

Recognize that it may take awhile for family and friends to adapt to your new way of life. Encourage feedback in terms of what each of you needs to help one another through the transition.

• Budgeting and Finance

Review your finances and, if needed, determine your eligibility for OSAP (go to www.canlearn.ca and click on "finances" for financial planning and student loan information.

The Week before School Starts

Review the material that you received from Ryerson.

Attend orientation. As part of the overall orientation activities, there are workshops, tours and events specifically for mature students. Go to the orientation web site www.ryerson.ca/firstyear. This site will also provide you with advice and FAQ's on getting started at university.

During the First Week of School

Familiarize yourself with the campus. If you have not already done so, take a tour of the library, locate the computing labs, and visit the Student Services First Year and Campus Life information centre in POD 61. To find out more information on the many supports that Student Services offers you go to www.ryerson.ca/studentservices.

Pick up a copy of the Ryerson Student Guide. The guide describes many Ryerson policies which may affect you, as well as listing the campus services available to you. www.ryersonson.ca/studentguide

Develop a term calendar, putting in your schedule and your assignments. www.ryerson.ca/learningsuccess

Begin work on your assignments as soon as you receive them.

Throughout the Term

Define priorities in terms of time, energy, and resources. This will be on ongoing process. The Learning Success Centre has seminars and tip sheets available which focus on time management www.ryerson.ca/learningsuccess

Engage in activities that you enjoy. Often these are the activities that get forgotten or neglected during a busy life. Be sure to include them in your schedule because they will rejuvenate you and give you energy for your academic work.

Be mindful of your stress level. Attend the Stress Management workshops co-facilitated by the Centre for Student Development and Counselling ( www.ryerson.ca/counselling ) and Health Promotion ( healthpromotion@ryerson.ca ). Join the Ryerson Athletic Centre (www.ryerson.ca/sportsandrec ) to de-stress through exercise.

Attend activities on campus and take advantage of opportunities to attend extra curricular seminars and workshops.

Let your family and friends know when study/exam pressure is on and ways they can support you, such as quizzing you for an exam or being a practice audience for a presentation.

Plan time with your family and friends where they will get your undivided attention.

If You Run into Difficulties

Hopefully your transition to Ryerson will go smoothly. However, even with the best of planning the unexpected can occur, and you may find yourself contending with unforeseen difficulties. Here are some Student Services and other campus resources that are available for you.

If financial problems occur, contact Student Financial Assistance to determine if you are eligible for a bursary or other form of financial assistance. www.ryerson.ca/financialaid. There is also the Community Food Room which, among other services, offers free non- perishable food. The Community Food Rooms is located in the Student Campus Centre at 55 Gould Street.

If you are having difficulties with the course material talk with your instructor to seek clarification. The Learning Success Centre has free seminars and web information which can help improve your study strategies. www.ryerson.ca/learningsuccess The Writing Centre provides student tutors to help you learn how to do essay writing. www.ryerson.ca/writing-centre

If you are feeling overwhelmed or experiencing personal difficulties contact the Centre for Student Development and Counselling for free, confidential individual or group counselling by trained professionals. www.ryerson.ca/counselling

If you need employment, visit the Career Centre www.ryerson.ca/career to learn about employment opportunities, attend career development workshops, and explore the materials in the Mentoring & Career Resource Centre located in JOR-425, Jorgenson Hall.

If you have health concerns you can make an appointment to see a physician at the Ryerson Health Centre www.ryerson.ca/healthservices

If you are questioning your program of choice contact the Centre for Student Development and Counselling for educational planning. www.ryerson.ca/counselling

If English is your second language and you would like to practice conversational English or improve your academic study English, contact English Language Support. www.ryerson.ca/els

If you have a disability and are in need of support, contact the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities www.ryerson.ca/accesscentre. Another resource is Rye ACCESS, which provides non academic peer support and advocacy for students who have special needs or alternate abilities. They can be contacted by phoning 416-979-5000 ext 4504.

If you have any personal safety concerns you can talk with Ryerson's Safety and Security www.ryerson.ca/security, the Office of Discrimination and Harassment Prevention www.ryerson.ca/equity/dhps.htm or the Centre for Student Development and Counselling (www.ryerson.ca/counselling or 416-979-519

If you feel you need advise about Ryerson's policies or procedures, or if you feel you have been treated unfairly, you can contact the Office of the Ombudsperson www.ryerson.ca/ombuds for discuss your concerns in a confidential environment.