For students, this time of year marks the beginning of another academic year, bringing them one step closer to accomplishing their dreams. For many, however, the year signifies a new stage in their lives, a transition from high school to university. It involves encountering new people, new attitudes, new education methods and a new study atmosphere.
The orientations universities conduct to help students familiarise themselves with campus life can be an important stepping stone during this transition. The benefits of attending your university orientation are endless.
It's an opportunity to learn about all that your university has to offer in terms of extracurricular activities, student services and academic offerings. Attend an orientation and you can also deal with all the university paperwork at one go; you can register for courses and get your identification card among other formalities.
Campus tours are usually provided; they help introduce students to the campus community. One of the most important aspects of a student's social life in university is the friendships they form. Orientation sessions provide students with a channel to mingle with other newcomers. It also gives them access to the faculty and staff they will be dealing with on a daily basis.
Notes dropped in at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) orientation recently and spoke to students who expressed a variety of emotions about this important stage of their lives. For some it was excitement, for others nervousness and anxiety. However, they all expressed optimism about what lay ahead.
Tips for new students
1. Give yourself time to settle in
Don't feel like you have be able to manage everything perfectly from the get go. It can take a while before you feel absolutely comfortable with your new life. Student counsellors are always available for you to talk to.
2. Make friends
Starting to establish friendships on campus can help you feel more settled, giving you a sense of belonging. There are lots of clubs and societies that you can join to get to know students with similar interests as yours.
3. Be organised
Keeping up with weekly readings, problem sheets or computer labs will help keep your study load manageable. Having a personal timetable, which marks employment obligations, lectures, planned activities with clubs and societies and leisure time, is a good idea.
4. Keep a balance
It is essential that you keep a balance in life. This means eating well, getting enough sleep, going out and having fun, as well as making time for your assignments. Students who work demanding part-time jobs often have high stress levels and poor grades.
5. Work out a budget
Work out a budget that itemises your income, be it from your parents, through a student loan or a job. List your predicted expenditure on rent, bills, food, books, travel, stationery, photocopying, entertaining and so on.
— Source: www.guardian.co.uk, www.flinders.edu.au
Opening new doors
Al Ain Women's College (AAWC) welcomed 600 new students recently during an orientation themed "Together for Success". The welcome session aimed to ease the transition from secondary to post secondary studies for students and help them be more comfortable on their first day of college.
Many activities were held during the orientation, including a tour of the campus, interaction with alumni about their past experiences at AAWC, as well as informative sessions on all the services the college has to offer.
Samira Marzouqi, IT student, ambassador and member of the student council, helped organise the event.
"Each student reacted differently," she said. "Some were excited, while others were intimidated. Some were so eager they followed me like their mother even on my break! But they all took everything very seriously."
Marzouqi advised new students to be prepared from the very beginning.
"Expect anything," she said. "And never give up. The minute you give up, your studies will overtake you. The important thing is to have the willpower to overcome any challenges that come your way."
