Hi Blog Readers! Being a first-year student at university is a memorable moment, and can be a big change in a person’s life. As we are moving closer to the fall term and welcoming some new first-year students to St. Jerome’s we at St. Jerome’s thought it would be fitting to look back over our first-year experiences here! Therefore, this week I will be sharing with you all a bit of an insight into my first-year experience at St. Jerome’s, and later in the post, some students will provide a few tips and tricks for first year.

My name is Madie Bennett, the current Outreach and Recruitment Associate at St. Jerome’s, and my first-year university experience was shaped heavily by the environment around me. I was and still am a pretty shy person and going to university and living in residence away from my family and in a city, I had never been too before was scary. A specific moment that I can remember that showcases this idea is, I believe it was the first night in residence, we had a bbq out in the courtyard and I did not know who to sit with as I did not know anybody, and being shy as I mentioned I did not feel comfortable going up to a group of people I didn’t know and sitting with them. Eventually, I noticed someone I recognized from my floor and sat with them because it was at least someone I had seen and said hi to before. In the group, we were sitting in some SAT’s joined us and started a conversation with all of us, and that helped to introduce us to each other and helped to make me feel more comfortable. St Jerome’s helped me to feel as if I was able to get my feet on the ground again after this change in my life, through moments such as this one and through my floor and don. My Don was always available to talk and answer any questions that I had. I started to engage with people on my floor and I went to an event held on campus for residents such as frost week (https://www.sju.ca/blog/frost-week).

This connection to the university has continued to grow as I have gone through my degree through taking on the position of PAL in my second and third year, (https://www.sju.ca/blog/meet-pals) and in my fourth year taking on a co-op placement at St. Jerome’s, the one I am currently working at. These positions helped me gain confidence and a comfortability on campus in that is created roots for me here. I had a connection to the space. Additionally being a leader requires the taking on of responsibility which can help ground people and help them grow.  

Now that my experience has been explored and I have shared my advice, it is time to see what some other St. Jerome’s students have to say. The students quoted here are mostly current first-year students who are working there way through the last few months of their first year. Here is there voice having come out the other side.

“Do your readings BEFORE class. Studies show you get more out of the lecture that way!”

 

“Having an upper-year mentor/friend can really help you out in first year. They’ve been in your shoes and now have that 20/20 hindsight. Just by hanging out with them you gain valuable knowledge on-campus resources, clubs to join, different pathways to get across campus, on and off-campus restaurant recommendations, etc. Don’t be afraid to approach upper years! We’re really nice, I promise!”

 

“Have 0 expectations. There is no picture-perfect university experience. But please remember to take care of yourself no matter what may come your way!”

“Don’t focus solely on academics. Take some time to make friends and enjoy everything first year has to offer!”

 

“Don't be scared to talk to new people and make friends! Everyone at SJ is really friendly and looking to meet new people.”

 

“Get involved in the St. Jerome’s community in any capacity you can, it really makes St. Jerome’s feel like home.”

 

“Don’t worry about your peers and where they’re at, everyone going at their own pace.”

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If you have any suggestions for content that you would love to read about on our blog, please send an email to outreach@sju.ca! We would love to know what our students are interested in reading and knowing more about. 

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