What I knew in First Year ARTS! E-L-L-I-E! I can still remember the anxious but mostly excited feeling of stepping out of the car for the first time into the Ontario Hall parking lot. The pitch of the screams as residence Sophs welcomed me to my dorm. Just a few weeks ago, Western University had its spring open house, and through volunteering I got the chance to speak with prospective students and explain just how won - derful my experience has been thus far. Reflecting on this as I finish my second year of Art History and Museum Studies and stare down being halfway through my degree, I am struck by just how much first year impacted me as both a student and a person. With this in mind, I wanted to create a kind of “guide to first year” with all the tips, tricks, and advice I would give to future students, with the hope it will make you feel just a little more comfortable as you embark on this new chapter of your life.
First, and the obvious one: join clubs, societies, councils, and/ or intramural sports! There is truly no better way to meet people who, as a bonus, share at least one interest with you. Mustangs are extremely lucky to have such a diverse range of extracur - riculars available. From the Fashion and Lifestyle Society to Basketball Intramurals, there is an option for everyone. Despite
Campus Villager 2026
The 100% locally owned and produced series of Villager community magazines are published ten times a year with thousands delivered free to residences, set out at local venues, and posted online at www.villagerpublications.com Publisher: Barb Botten P.O. Box 134, Lambeth Station Ontario N6P 1P9 Barb@villagerpublications.com 519-282-7262 CAMPUS VILLAGER Managing Editor / Content Manager – Ellie Smith All articles by Ellie Smith unless otherwise noted. Graphic Artist: Cathy Wood Copyright @ 2015 Villager Publications. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Publisher. Information presented has been compiled from sources believed to be accurate at the time of printing however the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.
possibly being an overly laboured point, many new students experiencing the stress of being a university student for the first time push other activities to the side, when those very activities were what kept me sane during the adjustment period that is first year. If all that you have is academics, every grade can feel like life or death. It is so important to make sure you have a network to fall back on, or even something to take your mind off things for a little while, to ensure you can thrive. Additionally, please do not be intimidated by your professors; they are there to help you. Take advantage of office hours, resources they may have posted, and most of all, attend class. No - body falls behind faster than someone who has to teach themselves all the course content. The unique allure of university and far decreased oversight is both refreshing while also making it all the harder to self-regulate. Your course schedule is the easiest way to ensure you are staying on top of things, so just go! Alongside this, at the beginning of each semester, gather your syllabi and plot all your assignments on an Excel or Google spreadsheet with the amount each is worth and when it is due. Having all this information in one place will save you so much time later in the semester when everything is far more hectic. Plus, a very personal tip, don’t overly stress about your major if you are feeling unsure. Western doesn’t even allow you to officially declare it until the end of first year. Most programs will have a certain number of credits required for entrance into the major, but if you are able to make a short list of a couple of top options, you should be able to explore them all while still making sure you are not falling behind going into second year. First year is so special because it truly allows you to discover and explore so many new things and, most importantly, learn more about yourself.
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CAMPUS VILLAGER • 2026
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