There are so many things I wish I knew before going to orientation at Ryerson University. Read these tips for a great orientation and freshman year!
1. Where I was going
I did not know where any of the building were, how to get there and then when I was inside, there was no hope. I wish someone really explained the best way to get around campus, because for the first semester I took the only way I knew how to get to all of my classes, which of course ended up being the long way. It would have helped to know how to best navigate around.
2. How to choose a minor
I am in my second semester , and I am just now finding out that there are courses I can take to fulfil my minor, and that you can’t do it on RAMMS. The system won’t let you, but you can do it there.
3. How to get to/about JOR
I go to JOR a lot, and it would have been nice to know that there is a much easier way of getting there, and also a lot of the things that are offered there, such as the counselling centre. It is a very good resource and I use it, as I am there once a week. Whenever I tell my friends about it, they look at me like I’m from mars. It seems as if no one really knows about the counselling centre and the benefits it has. I personally love it, and it has helped me a lot.
4. About accommodations
I have academic accommodations, and it took me about a month into the semester to realize that the high school I went to did not send in my accommodations. I did not know until I heard from a girl I went to high school with that she went to the fourth floor in the SLC and she got help there. It would have been nice to know sooner, because then that way I could have maybe done better on some of my first midterms.
5. Cheap places to eat
As a university student, the money thing is limited. Places that are cheap for food close to campus, would be good to know. Yes I know its not academic, but this is that first year students want to know. Where they can eat without spending a lot of money, that also has good lighting for pictures. Its a packaged deal.
6. How to use the library
Not going to lie still have no idea how to use it, I looks confusing. When you walk up the stairs in the SLC and one side you can use computers and the other is to the library, its all very confusing.
7. The plugs on the fourth floor of the SLC shock you
LOL I know this sounds ridiculous, but its true. The first time I spent some time on the fourth floor, I plugged in my laptop and when I was done I went to grab the cord and it shocked me. This continues to happen, but it would have been nice to know lol.
8. Professors are not as scary as they may seem
The first time I had to speak to a professor about an issue, I was terrified, but when I did it, it was nothing, such a breeze. They come across as hardcore and cold, but they really aren’t.
9. Ryerson has Safe Walk
You can call Ryerson security and they will come and meet you somewhere and walk you to the place you need to go. I have actually used this at my late classes. But I didn’t know about this until my counsellor at Ryerson told me about it.
10. University is not as scary or as crazy as you see in the movies
Going into university, I had a picture in my mind, but its nothing like that. its better. I would have loved to know that its going to be okay, its not as hard, its okay if you fail a course. My first semester, I failed two classes and I was so worried until I talk to my advisor and she told me to calm down. University is suppose to be fun, its going to be fun, Ryerson has a lot of things to offer, and to have a good time.
Are you excited for orientation at Ryerson University? If you’ve already been, how was your experience? Share in the comments below!
Featured image source: ryerson.ca
