Webinar On Freshman Life - MacInsiders - Student-run McMaster University Help Forum

**Chad**

Things They Never Told You About Freshman Life

GlobeAndMail Webinar
Want to get an insight into first-year life at university? Simon Beck, from the Globe And Mail, interviews Ian Wylie, a first-year undergraduate at the University of Toronto, about "Things They Never Told You About Freshman Life." It's free to view, and you can listen in online.

Click here to access the Webinar, just type in an email to view it.

Michael Pett's 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before First Year
On the same topic, and taking things closer to home here at McMaster, Michael Pett writes in a blog titled "Water Cooler Gossip" and recently posted an opinion piece of what he wishes he knew in his first year at McMaster (be sure to read it here).

So now lets open it up to the MacInsiders Community!
If you're an upper year (2nd year and above) student, post a reply to this with some things you didn't know as a first-year student, that looking back now you wish you knew.

ferreinm · 07-08-2009 at 09:52 AM

I wish I knew what orientation sessions were. I would tell you what I thought it was but that's embarassing. I wasn't the brightest crayon in the box back in the day. I wish I had gone so that my first time on campus wouldn't have begun with me crying. I ended up near the reactor and didn't know where to go to find the centre of campus. So embarassing.

PTGregD · 07-08-2009 at 11:01 AM

Join clubs; Get involved. You really want to try and move up to be an exec in a good club. It looks really good on a resume when you apply for jobs/post-grad.

HeatherH · 07-08-2009 at 11:08 AM

God, I wish I knew about these things when I was in first year. I don't know if they weren't offered or if I just didn't hear about them - but they are so useful.

One piece of advice first years should know (that is mentioned in one of the links): If you are lost, ASK FOR HELP. I absolutely love giving people directions for places on campus, and I've yet to meet one person who wouldn't mind taking 2 minutes out of their day to explain to you what BSB and TSH are.

I don't know if I would suggest a MacPass to everyone though. They are pretty expensive and some people don't end up using them/don't enjoy Welcome Week.
Welcome Week is a great way to meet new people and get comfortable at university, but everyone is going to make friends no matter what - even if they don't attend any first year events.

temara.brown · 07-08-2009 at 11:10 AM

welcome week is the best place to help orientate yourself to all the different services and opportunities for involvement. I do highly recomment the mac pass simply because these things couldn't really happen without it. And, at the very least, you get a lot of good mementos out of it. You only have frosh week once so go at it full force and enjoy it!

andddd my justification for the cost is that without it, I would not have met one of my science reps who sold me all of her first year textbooks and saved me nearly $200 - and with all the food and events you're able to attend, it's totally worth it.

ferreinm · 07-08-2009 at 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeatherH

One piece of advice first years should know (that is mentioned in one of the links): If you are lost, ASK FOR HELP. I absolutely love giving people directions for places on campus, and I've yet to meet one person who wouldn't mind taking 2 minutes out of their day to explain to you what BSB and TSH are.

It's true. In first year I asked an upper year where BSB was and I was literally at the staircase of BSB. They weren't rude nor did they treat me like I was an idiot. McMaster has the nicest people!

huzaifa47 · 07-08-2009 at 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferreinm

It's true. In first year I asked an upper year where BSB was and I was literally at the staircase of BSB. They weren't rude nor did they treat me like I was an idiot. McMaster has the nicest people!

lol there is defo something about this place that makes everyone turn into helpful bunnies!

I am with the FYEO for orientation and also help out with the socsci academic counseling on facebook and during actual sessions, I always get asked alot of silly and wierd questions(what is term 1/2/3 what is D/E...soo umm I'm how do we go on solar...sooo um can I take 21 units in my first term? What do you think of the chicks here? Can I go into Econ and not take math? and so on) but weirdly, I don't get as angry as I'm technically supposed to at this repetitive experience every day!

Nino · 07-08-2009 at 11:30 AM

I wish I went to CSD to get help with some issues I was having that hindered my academic performance.

HeatherH · 07-08-2009 at 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nino

I wish I went to CSD to get help with some issues I was having that hindered my academic performance.

That's a good point too. Luckily, most profs are putting something like "If you require any assistance, please contact CSD" on their outlines, which hopefully will lead students in the right direction.

feonateresa · 07-08-2009 at 11:37 AM

I wish I wasn't as ... intimidated to talk to profs. I'm not sure if that's the word, but I just didn't like talking to them so much and felt more comfortable with TAs. But I soon learned that most of them are really nice and helpful, so don't be afraid to talk to them even if they might seem menacing. :]

**lorend** · 07-08-2009 at 11:51 AM

Bring rolls of change to do laundry. i.e. a roll of loonies ($25) and a few rolls of quarters ($10 each). It saves you a lot of issues later.

Nino · 07-08-2009 at 12:13 PM

I also wish I opted out of the MSU Health Plan and the Dental Plan because I didn't end up using them.

temara.brown · 07-08-2009 at 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nino

I also wish I opted out of the MSU Health Plan and the Dental Plan because I didn't end up using them.

The plan you paid for last year is still good up until the end of August. Go get your free cleaning!! Check here to see what's covered. I recommend Dr. Elio Filice because they're just down the road from Mac and will also give you free tooth whitening when you go if you're a newcomer to their services. Also, because they're "online dentists," when you go there, you don't need to worry about filling in the insurance forms. They'll do it all for you.

As for the health plan, it really came in handy for me when I needed glasses. If you need new glasses, this might come in handy.

huzaifa47 · 07-08-2009 at 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temara.brown

As for the health plan, it really came in handy for me when I needed glasses. If you need new glasses, this might come in handy.

Hey do you have details Temara? How much of the glasses perscription fee will the health plan cover? I sort of damaged my only glasses I have from back home :S

PTGregD · 07-08-2009 at 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feonateresa

I wish I wasn't as ... intimidated to talk to profs. I'm not sure if that's the word, but I just didn't like talking to them so much and felt more comfortable with TAs. But I soon learned that most of them are really nice and helpful, so don't be afraid to talk to them even if they might seem menacing. :]

This is a really good point. You should really try approaching professors and getting to know them and not be afraid to ask questions. Don't be intimidated! They are nice and very willing to help you get a good grade in the course.