Attending College for the first time? No worries.

Posted on Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

Moving away from home and starting college is exciting. Even if you have been looking forward to this day for years, you might start to feel anxious about the next stage of your life. What will college be like? What if I don’t make any friends? What if I get lost on my way to class? These are some of the most common fears first-year students have, but with a little preparation, you can start to put those fears to rest.

Will I Fit In? Yes!

Are you moving to Ottawa? The thought of going away to a new place and a different school where you don’t really know anyone can be unsettling. However, the Algonquin College campus provides numerous ways to get out, get involved, and meet people.

The Algonquin Students’ Association has numerous resources to help you find like-minded people on campus. If you are interested in working with the Students’ Association to help make Algonquin College a better place, you can run for class representative. There is also a ton of clubs. Love video games? There’s a club for that. Enjoy rock climbing? There’s a club for that. Like to knit, play ping pong, or arm wrestle? Yep, there are clubs for those, too. You can check out a full list of clubs on the club directory listing.

Another way to meet people on campus is through work; either volunteer or paid. The Students’ Association website provides a listing of on campus jobs and volunteer opportunities.

Do I need a GPS to find my classrooms? Never!

Getting lost on campus (or in the city) can be a worry for incoming students. Luckily, resources are available to help. A campus map is available online. For a more high-tech way to find where you are going on campus, you can use the room finder feature. Just type in the room that you are looking for, and the interactive map will highlight it for you.

Ottawa is not a small city, and students are likely to use public transportation. As a full-time student, you will receive a U-Pass, which lets you get around campus and Ottawa without having to worry about fares. OC Transpo provides a detailed fact sheet just for Algonquin students to help you navigate the world of public transportation. You can also plan your trip from the OC Transpo site, and the app Moovit can help you plan the fastest route to any destination.

Will I Be Safe on Campus? Yes.

Safety on college campuses is a concern for incoming students and their parents.

The key to being safe on campus is to use your head and be aware. If you are planning on walking somewhere at night, see if someone can walk with you. If you are in a situation where you feel that your security is at risk, the College offers a free service that provides an escort through the Walk Safe program. If you are walking alone, know your route before you leave and keep your head up and eyes on your surroundings.

Can I Live Away from Home? Of course.

The thought of moving out is exciting; however, it might also cause some anxiety. Suddenly, there will not be anyone else to help make sure that you are using your time wisely, eating properly, or sleeping enough.

Again, the best way to combat these fears to is have a plan in place. Think about your habits and how they will translate to life on a college campus. Do you need to work on time management? Are you worried about waking up in the morning? Start making a plan now on how you will handle the new responsibilities and freedoms of college life.

Even the most excited incoming student starts to feel a bit homesick when the pressures of college hit. Go ahead and plan your first visit home after you move.

For more information on Algonquin and all the resources we offer to make you feel right at home, visit algonquincollege.com.


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