20 Tips in 20 Days for first-year students: #18- Enjoy Mount Allison without alcohol

In this the 18th video in our 20-part tip series, fourth-year honours psychology student and Orientation Chair Aleka Maclellan discusses what students can do to enjoy Mount Allison before they turn 19.

All residence events are generally all-ages. Turning 19 really isn’t as life-changing as it’s cracked up to be and there’s certainly no shortage of things to do before then at Mount Allison.

I would suggest many of the previously noted ideas of what to do in Sackville. For Art lovers there’s visiting the Owens, START, and Struts galleries. I would also suggest going out and exploring the region, experiencing theatre, getting involved in club activities, and grabbing a coffee with friends. In first year I often went to movies at Sackville’s one-room Vogue theatre, especially the Friday night toonie movies ($2 movies, for non-Canadians). For music, there are wet-dry nights at the Pub and various house events. 



Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #17- Places to Relax at Mount Allison University

In the 17th in our 20-part video tip series, fourth-year biology students Beth Whitfield and Brittany Cain talk about their favourite places to relax and unwind around campus. 

Brittany really likes the solarium and pub in the Student Centre and Beth suggests the Waterfowl Park as a good place to de-stress. Personally, I enjoy taking a walk down Bridge Street to see the very end where there used to be a bridge. Now it is just a chasm where you can look out across the marshes and see the Radio Canada International shortwave towers. It is a really tranquil place (except when the train comes by). If you’re not up for a long walk, then I’d suggest going to the War Memorial park downtown. It’s a quiet place to relax and reflect.

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #15- Finding coffee in Sackville, NB

In the 15th of 20 in our video tip series, fourth-year psychology student Aleka Maclellan talks about the best places to grab a coffee in Sackville. Drinking coffee is a study-aid and habit-forming, so it’s no surprise that there are five good places to get coffee in this university town. Starting with the obvious, if you’re in the library trying to get some work done, you’ll want make a quick stop at the Flying Bean cafe. If you are chilling at the Student Centre, you’d want to stop by Gracie’s. If you’re downtown, there’s the ever-popular Bridge Street Café. On the way back to campus, there’s the Cackling Goose organic food store. All of the above locations offer organic fair trade coffee, but if you’re craving something more generic, there’s always Tim Hortons by the highway. I personally like the Cackling Goose because they make it in small batches, but Bridge Street is a great spot for getting together with friends.

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #13- Explore the natural beauty surrounding Mount Allison University

In the 13th video in our 20-part video tip series, third-year biology student David Summerby-Murray discusses places to see outside Sackville. He mentions the Tantramar Salt Marshes, just outside Sackville (part of why Canon Envirothon came to Mount Allison). There’s also the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. If you are adventurous, I’d recommend going to Halifax. It’s a great city and only a 2 hour drive from Sackville. About 30 minutes from Sackville is Moncton, which hosts a lot of popular live music and has an international airport. For history buffs, there’s also Fort Beauséjour, the location of the beginning of the British offensive in the French and Indian War.

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #12- Out on the Weekend

In the 12th in the 20-part video tip series, third-year religious studies student  Oudai (OD) AlTabbaa discusses the many things to do on weekends in Sackville.

There’s really always something happening in Sackville during the school year. There are events and activities organized by the 140+ clubs on campus, concerts at the Pub and George’s, theatre productions, house parties, and even Zombie Apocalypses . I would recommend going to at least one residence party first year. If you’re only going to a couple, I’d go to Cancun Campbell and Windsor’s Mardi Gras to get a feel of what they’re like. For more low-key ideas, there’s always checking out Sackville’s Waterfowl Park, Mount Allison’s Owens Art Gallery, and START/Struts Art Gallery downtown.  I'd also highly recommend going to at least one of the President's Speaker's Series. With the school's lecture funds, the school brings in renowned intellectuals like Steven Pinker and Rebecca Goldstein to campus. There are academic talks and conferences throughout the year. 

It was recently confirmed that the Argosy, (Mount Allison's Independent Newspaper) will be hosting the Atlantic Region Canadian University Press Conference (ARCUP) this October. In addition, the Atlantic International Studies Organization ( ATLIS) holds an annual International Relations conference every January. To keep up to date about those and other campus event be sure to check Mount Allison's events calendar .

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #11- Overcoming Exam Anxiety at Mount Allison University

In the 11th in our 20-part video tip series, fourth-year environmental studies student Avery Wheeler offers her advice on overcoming exam anxiety.

I’m not going to lie, the first exams you’ll take in University will probably be stressful. You have probably never taken a 2-3 hour test that’s worth 40-60% of your final grade. Don’t be too alarmed though. If you’ve gone to class and done the readings and assignments, you will do just fine. Finals are really the major assessment of whether or not you’ve been paying attention. Avery mentions that you can study in groups to be aware you’re not the only one studying all day. If that helps, by all means go for it. You will discover the study methods that work best for you.

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #10- Stay fit on campus at Mount Allison University

Tenth on our list of 20 video tips for incoming Mount Allison University students is how to stay fit and healthy on campus. Fourth-year environmental studies student Avery Wheeler discusses Mount Allison’s athletic facilities and why you should use them to avoid the dreaded and “very real” freshman 15.

There is a focus on staying healthy at Mount Allison and the school offers among the best fitness and recreation facilities I’ve seen. From the Athletic Centre (indoor swimming pool, weight room, and gymnasium, the aforementioned intramural and club sports, and the fitness centre (which I use regularly) there is ample opportunity to burn off all the food from meal hall you will inevitably overindulge in.

There are also various dance societies (whose instructors will teach beginners) as well as aerobics, yoga, meditation, and martial arts groups. The newly refurbished pool is a great place to de-stress and burn off steam around exam-time.

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #4- Get some inside information

Fourth in this 20-part video series for the Class of 2015, Alex Dalton (fourth-year international relations) and Avery Wheeler (fourth- year environmental studies) share what they wish they knew before they came to Mount Allison.

Alex mentions the very useful reference librarians and Avery mentions that rain boots are a must have as, you know, it sometimes rains in Sackville.

The one thing I wish I knew is that with a little bit of effort and being social the first few weeks, there’s really no way you won’t meet a great group of people. Mount Allison is known for its close-knit community and building lifelong bonds. The bottom line is that while you may not become the closest of friends with everyone you meet during Orientation Week, you'll find at least a few you will be friends with long after your time at Mount Allison. I know I did.

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #3- Experience Theatre at Mount Allison University

In the third post of a 20-part video series, Sarah Underhill, who expects to graduate in May with a double major in history and anthropology, talks about experiencing theatre on campus and around Sackville. 

You’ll notice here that there are theatre productions most weeks of the year. There are many groups to join and watch, both on and off campus, such as Black Tie Productions (musicals), Garnet and Gold Musical Theatre, Windsor Theatre (drama), Tintamarre (bilingual troupe), Live Bait Theatre, and Festival by the Marsh. 

You don’t even need to be a drama major to participate in theatre.  Friends of mine who aren’t bilingual, or even drama students, performed in Tintamarre’s production of Bouffe! — improving both their French and acting skills. Be sure to come out to at least one show a year. I personally recommend seeing at least one Black Tie production a year — you won’t be disappointed!

Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University

20 Tips for first-year students: #1- Make the most of Orientation

Your first days at Mount Allison are approaching quickly. In the first of a 20-part video series, below you will find a tip featuring fourth-year student Beth Whitfield (honours biology). The tip is about making the most of your first few weeks at Mount Allison.

The most important thing to do in September (besides go to class, of course) is to really branch out and step out of your comfort zone as much as possible. My first day at Mount Allison I was unpacking my stuff in residence, thinking about all the technical things I had to do (open a bank account, figure out my classes and get some food) and someone walked by and said hello. Today he is one of my best friends and we are roommates in an apartment this year.

I really can’t stress enough how important the first few weeks are to your success here. Doing well in class and being involved in extracurriculars is important, but your first couple of weeks is really meant for you to adjust to life on your own and make lasting friendships. The upperclassmen are so welcoming and all the first-year students are just trying to find where they fit in, just like you. I met some of my closest friends during Orientation Week and I’m sure you will too.  

Before I share with you the video I have to give credit to the others without whose hard work these videos wouldn't have been made. In particular, credit goes to Tony Frost for direction, Nadine Leblanc for videography and Melissa Lombard for editing and other support, and of course to all the students who volunteered their time and experience to help. While we were unable to use all of the footage we'd like to that you all for your time and effort in helping new students to successfully adjust.

Again, I simply asked the questions and what you'll hear is honest and hopefully helpful advice relating to your time at Mount Allison. We hope you enjoy and find these videos helpful as you begin your journey to University life.


Geoff Campbell
Communications Assistant
Mount Allison University