Making the most of your first-year in Rez: Student tips

TORONTO, July 29, 2013 --- Going away to university is a major milestone for many students and their parents. But, it can also be an anxious time for some as they will be leaving their family and friends for a few months. To make this transition easier, Alex McKaig, an online community manager and former residence advisor, offers these tips to help students make the most of their first year -- and help ease their parents’ worries.

Tips for Students:

1. Attend a lot of orientation events
When you arrive you may feel a little nervous and anxious, but dive into Orientation Week and do as much as you can. While some of the activities may seem hilarious, they have been intentionally organized this way to get you out of your comfort zone and to get to know your fellow residents.  You are 100 per cent guaranteed to make new friends during orientation.  It is also the perfect opportunity to ask university staff any last minute questions you will have about the upcoming year.  

2. Always keep an open mind
Always take the opportunity to try something new.  Step out of your comfort zone as much as you can.  New friends are sure to gravitate toward you if you make it a priority to have fun and enjoy the moment. You won’t regret it!  

3. Get involved

Make it your priority to check out all the student organizations your school offers, from different cultural groups to recreational sports teams. By participating actively on campus, you will not only broaden your social network, but become more familiar with your school environment. If you are in residence, most communities offer in-house programming. Get involved without ever having to leave your doorstep! It can be that easy. 

4. Communication is key
You may begin living with a complete stranger come September, which can be intimidating.  Go out of your way to causally get to know your new roommate.   Sometime within the first few weeks of living together you may want to establish a roommate agreement. Set a few boundaries and modest “house rules” that you both think would be easy to abide by. 

5. Explore your campus
 Living on campus in your first year can be especially beneficial for the start of your academic career.  Go to the library to study, attend your professor's office hours, and become familiar with the infinite academic resources at your institution.  Allocate time to explore.  You will thank yourself for this when you are in your final year and looking for the perfect private study space!

Tips for Parents:

1. Saying goodbye
Saying good-bye to your child after dropping them off at their residence will be a very emotional time. But don’t worry, you will be still connecting with them and proving them with support and guidance as they settle into their new academic home.  Chatting with parents who have gone through similar experiences with their children may be helpful as well.  

2. Giving them independence
Your child will be earning quite a lot of independence when they move out this August. This allotted freedom can sometimes be overwhelming. Encourage them to begin this journey into independence prior to move-in day.  Let them take the lead when they are packing.  Be sure they are on top of the important dates and the list of things they will require when they move in. Feel free to give them suggestions for anything they might have forgotten, but make this their big summer project!

3. Planning communication
Prior to move-in day, discuss how often and by what means you would like to communicate with your child when they move out. Try to allow these agreements to remain flexible.  All the excitement of orientation week might prevent them from being in touch with you as much as you would like in that first week. Reassure your child that if they are having difficulty adjusting that you are just a phone call away. Resist taking the lead in solving your child’s problems. Be compassionate, but do not compromise their new-found independence.

4. Rearranging your routines
You may need some time to adjust to life at home without your child. Meeting your child’s need is more than a full-time job. Try to redirect that time to focus on yourself. The transition may be difficult at first. In order to encourage yourself to stay on track, prepare a list of the tasks or activities you have been putting off because of lack of time. Organize this prior to when your child moves away. Be sure to reward yourself in this time. You deserve it!        

5. Trust their instinct
Remember that university is a time for your child to explore their own passions and future career opportunities. Their passions may be different from you own. Provide your child with the appropriate space for their goals to develop and change. You may not agree with every decision they make. Your child already faces a lot of pressure when they enter university. They are expected to make many life-shaping decisions. Try not to intensify this pressure by pushing your own beliefs on them.


EXPERT AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:

Alexander McKaig
Graduate advisor, residence activities
Online Community Manager
Cell: 647-289-1815
amckaig@ryerson.ca
ryersonstudenthousing.wordpress.ca

MEDIA CONTACT:

Johanna VanderMaas
Public Affairs
Ryerson University
Office: 416-979-5000 x.4630
johanna.vandermaas@ryerson.ca
@RyersonU