AHHH! What Do I Need For The First Day???

The night before my first day I had butterflies and the anxious feeling about what was to come the next day. Luckily I lived in Residence and many others had similar feelings, so do not worry, you are not alone!

Here is my first year checklist:

• Wake up early and make sure you print off a map so you know where your class is or Visit Yorks RED Zone, we can give you directions!
• Have a good breakfast so that you do not get sick or pass out in class! (I have seen this happen before, so eat it up!)
• Arrive 15 mins before class so that you can grab a good seat (sit near the front).
• Try and make a friend beside you so you can grab notes from someone if you are sick!
• Attend your first class, there is awesome information that you may need to know, so do not skip!
• Bring Paper, Pens, and Highlighters (I did not have a laptop so this was my way of keeping notes!)
• Water and Snacks (My first day I had 3 classes so I made sure I brought enough food for my belly!) We have many hydration stations so make sure you bring a water bottle! 
• Ask questions if you are not sure what your Professor or Teaching Assistant (TA) is talking about, I did not ask and then I was confused for a couple of weeks...or research other services to help you. (Ie- York's Learning Commons)

**See why I had to bring paper and pens to class? My computer was massive, we all named it Big Bertha!**

Just a reminder: University is a different experience than Highschool, please make sure that you ask for help if you need it, there are so many resources available for you to use! Take advantage of them because they are all FREE!!! The Yorku Search-bar was my best friend!

Let me know how your first day goes or if you have any questions about your first day! Anyone have any other ideas??

Advice...Take it or Leave it (I suggest the first option though ;)!)

I am going to be 100% honest and let you know that my enrolment appointment when I first came to York University was a pretty terrible experience. I felt like breaking down after the session I had just completed...it was all because I did not ask for assistance! Something you should really keep in mind while attending University is that asking questions is always the best idea! :)

I was recently talking to a few Professors at York University and they had wished that students actually took the time and effort to discuss some of the topics from class. They said that they learned a lot from the students when they engaged in discussion. It is a great feeling creating a mutual learning relationship, especially when that relationship is between you and your professors!! It is a super rewarding experience!!

So my main point is...just ask for help!! That was my main mistake from my enrolment appointment and my first year, so learn from my mistakes and ASK A QUESTION!

*Do not be this girl (p.s. that is me on the left), she did not ask for help in first year! :(*

*Hopefully my roommate from first year does not care that I am using her in my picture... :S*

I promised you a RED Zone Ambassador Tip in all of my blogs, here is Monika's (http://monikaredzone.blogspot.ca/)!
1. Plan to arrive early (in case you get lost).
2. Introduce yourself to your professors and teaching assistances.

Nervous? No Need to Fret, We Totally Have You Covered!!

How big are my classes??  Will I know my Professors?  Where are my classes??? Who is this person beside me on the first day??? Will there be places I can grab something to eat?? Do I bring a laptop??

Looking back on my first year experience I can confidently say that I was freaked out to the max and had many of the same questions! I was coming from a small town so my exposer to a huge University, was a scary situation! You may be having similar feelings and questions! Have no fear, our RED Zone Ambassadors and Orientation Chairs (The awesome individuals who plan Social Orientation) have some tips and tricks for your first day!

My Tips For You:

-Keep a campus map in your back pocket!

-Re-check your class schedule to make sure your classroom has not change.

-Find a friend in your class to be your study buddy!

**Photo taken from http://toriinthezone.blogspot.ca/ **

Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind from some of the other RED Zone Student Ambassadors:

Nicole's Tips For You (http://1inreallife.blogspot.ca/):

-Don't be afraid to ask questions!

-Go to class!! 

Michelle's Tips For You (http://michelleinthezone.blogspot.ca/):

-Bring snacks to class!

-Get to know the campus ahead of time!

Every blog post from now on I will post different tips from a RED Zone Ambassador or Orientation Chair. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask, I am here to help you out! :)