> First-year undergrad reflects on higher education
First-year undergrad reflects on higher education
Contact:
Layne Clark, 604.908.0239 (cell), lmc11@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, PAMR, 778.782.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Layne Clark, 604.908.0239 (cell), lmc11@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, PAMR, 778.782.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
November 13, 2008
Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a first-year undergrad, fresh out of high school? A read of Simon Fraser University undergrad Layne Clark’s weekly column, Campus Life, in 24hours, a Vancouver daily newspaper, indicates that fear and frustration plague many first year students.
Every Monday, since attending SFU’s fall Orientation Day for new students on the hill, 18-year-old Clark’s deft pen has been painting a heartfelt picture of her life as a first year undergrad.
The communication student writes that fear of failing midterms, botching her first class presentation and walking late into a lecture hall filled with 400 students has kept her stomach churning. But befriending other first-year students who face the same fears, finding refuge in the SFU library and connecting with dedicated teaching assistants (TAs) have helped calm her digestion.
Deciphering complex academic thoughts and staying on top of mounting assignments due at the same time are a constant source of frustration. “No it’s not high school,” writes Clark. “In university, it’s all about time management, getting things done ahead of time and getting them done well.”
A graduate of Vancouver’s David Thompson Secondary School, Clark urges high school students to take advantage of orientation workshops aimed at helping them tackle fears and frustrations about higher education. “They can help make the transition from high school to university easier by offering tips on learning and connecting with TAs. It’s good that the parents can come too. They can see whether the university is the right fit,” says Clark, whose parents, former Premier Glen Clark and Delta School Board librarian-teacher Dale Clark, are SFU alumni.
SFU will host the second in a series of four workshops called SFU's World: A Campus Visit on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Burnaby campus. The sessions aim to help high school students and their parents discover the benefits of SFU’s cross-disciplinary approach to higher education.
Professors, advising staff and current students from all of SFU’s faculties will demonstrate how various combinations of programs can lead to highly marketable careers. The events will feature student-led campus tours, special presentations and question-and-answer sessions. There will be two more such events on Feb. 10 and March 18, 2009. To register: http://students.sfu.ca/tour/world.html.
— 30 — (digital photo available on request)
Every Monday, since attending SFU’s fall Orientation Day for new students on the hill, 18-year-old Clark’s deft pen has been painting a heartfelt picture of her life as a first year undergrad.
The communication student writes that fear of failing midterms, botching her first class presentation and walking late into a lecture hall filled with 400 students has kept her stomach churning. But befriending other first-year students who face the same fears, finding refuge in the SFU library and connecting with dedicated teaching assistants (TAs) have helped calm her digestion.
Deciphering complex academic thoughts and staying on top of mounting assignments due at the same time are a constant source of frustration. “No it’s not high school,” writes Clark. “In university, it’s all about time management, getting things done ahead of time and getting them done well.”
A graduate of Vancouver’s David Thompson Secondary School, Clark urges high school students to take advantage of orientation workshops aimed at helping them tackle fears and frustrations about higher education. “They can help make the transition from high school to university easier by offering tips on learning and connecting with TAs. It’s good that the parents can come too. They can see whether the university is the right fit,” says Clark, whose parents, former Premier Glen Clark and Delta School Board librarian-teacher Dale Clark, are SFU alumni.
SFU will host the second in a series of four workshops called SFU's World: A Campus Visit on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Burnaby campus. The sessions aim to help high school students and their parents discover the benefits of SFU’s cross-disciplinary approach to higher education.
Professors, advising staff and current students from all of SFU’s faculties will demonstrate how various combinations of programs can lead to highly marketable careers. The events will feature student-led campus tours, special presentations and question-and-answer sessions. There will be two more such events on Feb. 10 and March 18, 2009. To register: http://students.sfu.ca/tour/world.html.
— 30 — (digital photo available on request)