Three college-life lessons
When you think of orientation days, what comes to mind? For many people, college orientation can be a time to focus on parties and social events organized by the student union. It's not hard to find plenty of events that promise a “good time.”
The main benefit that orientation social events can provide is the opportunity to make friends. Getting to know new friends, especially in first year, and especially if you live on campus, is important. By this I don't mean to encourage excessive or illegal drinking, the use of drugs, sleeping around, or rowdy behaviour that verges on abuse. I mean to encourage the making of friends. Finding some friends you can trust will help you survive the first months of college.
A second thing that will help is to respect and get in touch with how the college works, and its people. The college is a big place. The staff, instructors and student union people are busy. But they are committed to your success as a student (most days), which, when you think about it, is cool.
In the first weeks of college, you might find it really helpful to take some extra time to check out the hallways, library, resources, and people. Finding an excuse to say hello to your instructors and getting to know them a little can only help. Most instructors like students, and they will appreciate a visit from you at their offices (during office hours) to talk about any questions you might have.
A third thing you might do is to realize that you'll probably have to work hard to do well in your courses. This isn't grade eleven. Here, the expectations are higher and you will have to work more persistently and deliberately to do well. I have a friend in my church who is a very successful teacher. Paul once said to me, “Growing up on a farm taught me that a lot of times work can be boring, repetitious, and hard.” There are a lot of ways to learn this lesson, but learn it we must. Once we do, there will be many rewards.
So, for what it's worth, these three small bits of advice. Make some good friends. Get to know and respect the college and the people in it. Be prepared to work hard. For me, these small life lessons are part of the Christian life I've learned over the years. As best as I can, I try to write from a Christian point of view, and I hope, in this way, to raise your own awareness of Christian faith and life as the year goes progresses. Have a great year!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
The main benefit that orientation social events can provide is the opportunity to make friends. Getting to know new friends, especially in first year, and especially if you live on campus, is important. By this I don't mean to encourage excessive or illegal drinking, the use of drugs, sleeping around, or rowdy behaviour that verges on abuse. I mean to encourage the making of friends. Finding some friends you can trust will help you survive the first months of college.
A second thing that will help is to respect and get in touch with how the college works, and its people. The college is a big place. The staff, instructors and student union people are busy. But they are committed to your success as a student (most days), which, when you think about it, is cool.
In the first weeks of college, you might find it really helpful to take some extra time to check out the hallways, library, resources, and people. Finding an excuse to say hello to your instructors and getting to know them a little can only help. Most instructors like students, and they will appreciate a visit from you at their offices (during office hours) to talk about any questions you might have.
A third thing you might do is to realize that you'll probably have to work hard to do well in your courses. This isn't grade eleven. Here, the expectations are higher and you will have to work more persistently and deliberately to do well. I have a friend in my church who is a very successful teacher. Paul once said to me, “Growing up on a farm taught me that a lot of times work can be boring, repetitious, and hard.” There are a lot of ways to learn this lesson, but learn it we must. Once we do, there will be many rewards.
So, for what it's worth, these three small bits of advice. Make some good friends. Get to know and respect the college and the people in it. Be prepared to work hard. For me, these small life lessons are part of the Christian life I've learned over the years. As best as I can, I try to write from a Christian point of view, and I hope, in this way, to raise your own awareness of Christian faith and life as the year goes progresses. Have a great year!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
