Mount Allison is so supportive of all students and they really want you to succeed. The Wellness Centre provides services to students with documented disabilities other than learning disabilities and The Meighen Centre is for students with learning disabilities. This support includes note takers, alternate exam settings, alternate lecture and exam formats, mentoring, the use of adaptive technology, and other services. For more information on these student support services, visit the Wellness Centre and Meighen Centre websites.
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.
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.
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.
In this video, fourth-year psychology and English student James Barth and fourth-year biochemistry student Erin Stewart give their take on adjusting to university life at Mount Allison.
I think an important point to make is that it is completely normal to feel a bit out of place and nervous at first — everyone feels that way. Mount Allison is an extremely welcoming community and there is no reason to worry that you won’t find where you fit in. Sometimes it takes a while for you to find your niche, but in the meantime just try to relax and enjoy the ride. Everybody will be in the same situation as you, so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to new people. It is completely socially acceptable to find a group of strangers, both first-year and upper year students, and introduce yourself. Oh...and once again, remember to pack rain boots. Geoff Campbell Communications Assistant Mount Allison University
In the 7th video tip in our 20-part series, third-year religious studies student Oudai (OD) AlTabbaa from Damascus, Syria gives his advice on how new international students can adjust to life in Canada and at Mount Allison University.
Speaking as a student who spent his youth growing up mostly in suburban Chicago, I didn’t experience culture shock or have trouble adjusting to Canadian life, but that’s not the same for everyone. I know that the International Centre offers all kinds of help with common issues like off-campus work permit applications, post-graduation work permits, filing taxes, health insurance, and a range of other services.
Mount Allison also offers a mentorship program to incoming international students to be paired with an upper-year student to help them adjust to Canadian culture and Mount Allison in particular. Before you arrive there is also a 45-page handbook for international students with important information for international students. and there is even a service available for someone to meet you at the airport when you arrive.
In this 6th out of 20 video tips for incoming Mount Allison University students, fourth-year environmental studies student Avery Wheeler returns to discuss the academic transition from high school to university.
As I wrote on my blog back in September of my first year, “The main difference between high school and university is that there is nobody there to hold your hand or spoon feed you. You can come to class or not, you can read the book, or not...the only person it will affect is you.”
In high school you probably had your parents and teachers reminding you to stay on top of things. In university classes, there’s no hand-holding. Professors at Mount Allison are very supportive and accessible, but you have to put in the work yourself. What you make of this great opportunity is entirely up to you.
So to take a very short detour from the video posts for a moment I'd like to share a very short video clip:
It's from, Waking Life, a philosophical film about, among other things, the concept of free will.
While working on the tips I've thought a lot about what it was like when I first came to Mount Allison. There was a second year student who was back on campus early and he came to the Karaoke BBQ (which unfortunately had technical amp-exploding issues that year but will not this year) and he said to me and a few newly found friends something along the lines of "Don't let this opportunity pass you by. There's like a month where you can randomly walk up to people and start new friendships and then people go back in their shells." It reminded me of the film, of the above section in particular and being jostled off of autopilot. Your first few weeks here are that moment extended.
It does end at some point. People find their niche and their main 'friend group', let's say, and then eventually turn on autopilot for most everyone else. This is your opportunity to take advantage of the small time you have where you're surrounded by people who are actively looking for new friends. Don't waste it sitting in your room.
You'll have plenty of time for that around exam time when you're studying for exams. See you all in three weeks.
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.
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.
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!
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.
This is a personal weblog. The opinions expressed here are my own and not necessarily those of Mount Allison University. For official University policy visit their website.
