By Emmett Steele | 3rd year Journalism student
Starting something new can be exciting and slightly anxiety-filled as we look forward to what to expect, especially when that something is starting at a new school.
It’s normal to wonder what it will be like on your first few days while you’re getting used to a new environment. Almost every student you talk to will be able to relate to having that feeling of curiosity and uneasiness when they first started school, too.
That’s certainly the case for Eunjoo, a Mohawk College student currently enrolled in a computer sciences program. “As I think about my first day being at Mohawk, I was a bit nervous as I was new to Canada, and it was my first time learning to program,” recalls Eunjoo.
Something that can help put you at ease on your first day is to have an idea of what to expect. To do that, we’re going to follow an average day as a student in the life of Eunjoo.
“Remembering the time when I was on campus, my typical day would consist of getting to class early to get my laptop and notes ready,” says Eunjoo. “After class, I would head over to grab a coffee or tea before the next upcoming class. When the day is over, I sometimes head to the library to meet classmates to discuss the material; if not, I will head home to relax and watch a movie.”
One of the things that can often cause new students’ anxiety is what their professors will be like – are they friendly, do they grade harshly, will they teach the material well? According to Eunjoo, her professors are the best she could ask for. “My professors are amazing; you can tell that they really care about your learning,” says Eunjoo. “They are always so supportive and promote self-teaching to further improve your skills. ”
Like all students over the last two years, Eunjoo’s studies transitioned to online learning due to the pandemic – and so, too, did her average day. “While attending virtual lessons, it’s quite different from campus life,” says Eunjoo. “I get my laptop set up and prepare my coffee before class. When my class starts, I try to focus on the zoom classes as if I were on campus to get a better grasp on the material. The transition from classroom to remote learning at first felt totally different, as I’m used to talking with my classmates and my teacher in person, and I was worried that I couldn’t communicate with them properly. But as soon as I saw my classmates in the zoom meeting and talking to each other in the chat, it made me feel like I was on campus again.”
The shift to remote learning has taken a little bit of time to get used to but also has its advantages. “What I found extremely useful was being able to rewatch lectures at my own pace to understand the material better, as this increased my confidence with the material,” says Eunjoo. “I also took comfort in being able to enjoy a snack and a coffee comfortably in my home while being in class. Attending events remotely was easy, as I just need to head over to the zoom meeting instead of walking around campus. Being online also gives me more opportunities to seek tutoring assistance and mentoring through easily available resources.”
Like many students, Eunjoo is looking to return to class in September, “this is my last semester and being away for 8 months doing co-op, I feel like a new student coming back,” says Eunjoo. “But, it’s been a long time, and I am happy that I’m back.”
Eunjoo has some advice for students who are nervous about remote learning: “If you are ever stuck and have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out or ask a question in the classroom zoom lessons. Take advantage of the free tutoring services offered online from the Learning Support Centre.”
