Your courses are in order, you have your school supplies ready to go, and you know where you have to go and when. But there's more to college than that. If you're coming to Centennial College for the first time this semester, you know there's some life changes waiting for you, and those include some unexpected challenges that you might not have anticipated. Don't worry, though. The best thing to do is be aware that you might be facing these issues, and begin your semester aware and prepared. The college is here to help, with resources to make your journey easier, and help you figure out your problems, or connect you to others who can. Here are some factors you'll need to think about, and how you can keep them under control.
1) Make the grade with academic assistance
Having trouble in class? To begin with, you’d be surprised at what you can accomplish just by talking to your instructor. After all, they’re there to help you, be it through a face-to-face meeting during office hours, or through email. If you didn’t understand something, they can clarify it. If you did poorly on an assignment, they can give you feedback to help you do better on the next one. Any search for academic help should start with your teacher.
Beyond that, you can get a peer tutor in the form of a volunteer student of higher academic standing, ready to help you out with the material. Have a look at your options at the Centennial College Learning Centre. Meanwhile, if you don’t need help with the courses themselves, and you’re simply confused about which ones you need to be taking and in what order, our Success Advisors at Centennial Advising and Pathways Services (CAPS) can point you in the right direction.
2) Take care of yourself with personal counselling
It’s normal to feel the pinch from time to time. Whether you’re feeling stress from school, or from something more personal, it’s okay to feel troubled. The important thing is to know that you’re not alone, and Centennial College offers personal counselling services at the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services. It’s confidential, it costs you nothing, and it’s sensitive to your personal and cultural needs. If you have a problem, there’s no reason not to try it.
3) Remove barriers to your education with Accessible Learning
Education is for everyone, and the college dedicates itself to being accessible and inclusive for all students. That’s the other half of what the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services (CALCS) offers you. Simply drop in, or book an appointment to discuss your accessibility needs, whether it’s something from our list of common accommodations, or something unique to you.
4) Plan for what comes after college with Career Services
How’s the job hunt going? Even if you’re not graduating soon, it’s never too early to start getting yourself job-ready. And you can get started by connecting with our Career Services department to help you out. Whether you’re looking for help developing a resume, job listings, or setting up a co-op opportunity for you, they’ll get you started on the road to a career. Best of all, you can keep using their services after graduation.
5) Have a life outside class with the Centennial College Student Association Incorporated (CCSAI)
What are you doing when school’s out? The activities you take part in when you’re not learning are important, too, for your communication skills, confidence, and networking. You could help out at orientation or graduation, join a club, or just participate in the activities the CCSAI offers around campus. You don’t have to do everything, but look into it, and see if there’s something you’d like to take part in.
6) Stay in shape with Athletics and Wellness
A healthy body means a healthy mind, so take care of yourself, both for your own sake, and so you can succeed in school. You can't just will yourself into health, and if you're not healthy, your schoolwork will suffer. It’s easy to stay active at Centennial, thanks to all students having free access to our Athletic and Wellness Centres, even if you just run on the treadmill for a few times a week.
There’s a lot more available to you at Centennial College than what’s listed here. You’d be surprised at what you can find if you look for it. Start with the Student Life page, and see what else is available. You’re a part of a community at the college, and a community takes care of its own.
By Anthony Geremia