Current students and faculty members at Humber College are sharing their advice and thoughts for new and future first-year students.
Post-Graduate students Juvonte Marshall and Lisa Ta, who are in the Community Integration through Co-operative Education program (CICE), said that students should not be afraid and ask for help.
“We see students walking around the campus and not knowing where to go. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if you think you don’t need it,” Marshall said.
“Humber offers tours and we see students using that, so it’s best if you use what is offered to you,” Ta added.
Both Marshall and Ta said that they see students helping other students around the college and spoke heavily on using the tour as a guide to those walking on new territory.
Second-year Students Jessica Byers and Vivian Roffey, in the Interior Design program, also had advice for students.
“The best help I can give is to go with the flow. Just trust the process and try to find a friend group or circle that can help you settle in,” Roffey said.
Byers and Roffey happen to be best friends, and said they found it easier to be more comfortable in college when you find someone — or know someone who knows others that have the same interests as you do.
First-year student Business Administration Accounting Jay Sanichar told students what most teachers and parents say when in school.
“Always plan ahead. Just do your homework and stay on top of things down the road, and don’t leave your homework until the last minute. College work is tedious, at least for me and probably other students here, so stay focused on it as much as possible,” Sanichar said.
With the students helping each other, what do the teachers at Humber have to offer for advice with new faces from different places coming in every year?
Robyn Foley, a teacher in the Journalism program who teaches radio news, gave insightful comments.
“When you come to college as a first-year student, you should think about your career as soon as you start learning. Every day you should think about the possibilities that you can achieve while in college and what career you want to have when you leave campus,” she said.
“Take advantages of the offers over the many years that you’ll be here or in another college. Even if you are in college for two, three, or four years, always say yes to an offer that will benefit you,” Foley said.