BY CHARLOTTE DRACOPOULOS
Sheridan launched a new program this fall geared toward first-year students that will help them as they transition to college life.
The Fall Transition Experience Program at Sheridan is an eight-week series of workshops being held at Trafalgar Campus. Run by the Library, Accessible Learning and Wellness & Counselling, each session focuses on different topics that are designed to promote students’ success in their first year. Some of those topics include time management, using the library website, and stress management.
The series began Sept. 18 and will continue twice a week until Nov. 28.
This is just one of the many resources the college offers to help students navigate and adapt to post-secondary life.
Sheridan’s website has a page dedicated to first-year students with a FAQs and Resources page meant to help answer some of the questions they may have, as well as connect them with resources that will help.
One of those resources is Accessible Learning which is meant to “facilitate equitable access” for students, according to the Sheridan website. Their philosophy stated on their web page states that they believe “all qualified student should have the opportunity to be successful” and that they support “the student’s right and responsibility to self-advocate and encourage the building of independence.”
Sheridan also provides free counselling services that “supports the academic, personal, and social growth of students from diverse backgrounds with specific, individual needs,” according to the Wellness & Counselling webpage. All appointments are confidential and can provide students with counselling for issues such as stress, anxiety, self-esteem, financial problems and time management.
These resources go beyond just helping first-years and are available to all Sheridan students.
With these tools available Sheridan aims to promote student success in their first year of studies. But whether they are used is up to the students.
Asia Thomson, a first-year Journalism student, described her first year as fun. “I took general arts and science, I did it for one year and decided it wasn’t for me. Then I switched to Media Fundamentals. Now I am in Journalism.”
When asked what resources she used during her first year at the college she said she “didn’t use any, other than the computers.” Although she admits she probably should have used the tutoring services the college offers.
Apooiva Joshi, a first-year Public Relations student described his first year so far as “really nice.” He says it’s a really “team focused work force,” he got to know his classmates really well, and admires the fact that “classes really promote discussion.” Although he says, “things are starting to get a little intense, now that we’re in week three.”
He said he wanted to “talk to career services to have them look over my resume and LinkedIn account, and maybe join some clubs.”
First-year students are encouraged to attend the FTEPS sessions, and as well as utilize all the resources the college has to offer.
