Welcome to the Jungle! An intro to Champlain for First Year students

To all first year Champlain students, welcome to Champlain!

At this point, you are most likely packing, saying goodbye to friends, and promising your parents you'll call them every week. It is most definitely an anxious time in your life. You may have traveled prior to this, or you may be coming straight out of high school. You might have some university experience under your belt already. No matter what your background, you are heading towards an exciting new experience. And you are going to experience an amazing residential culture that will enrich and guide you through your university years.

Allow me to quickly introduce myself. My name's Liam. I went to Trent from 2005-2009, and was a Champlainer from my second year to my last. I came into Trent not really knowing what to expect, as a timid 17 year old. Knowing only two other guys from my high school, it was in no way a familiar place. However over the years I met amazing people, learned and laughed and grew. Champlain was a home, and I proudly wear my Champlain patch on my backpack as I walk around UBC's campus in Vancouver.

Bon Temps, February 2009

But enough about me! You are heading toward a great experience. You may be feeling pangs of anxiety, wondering about if you'll meet any friends, or if you'll be able to pass your courses. While this may be a scary time, take comfort in knowing there are hundreds of other students in your shoes! You'll be greeted by upper year students who are just waiting to get to know you and show you around for the first week of Introductory Seminar Week (ISW). Once you get settled into your room, take a few minutes to wander around the residence and meet your floor mates. You will get to know these people very well over the next month, and many of them will become great, life long friends! Moments like these often call for taking a deep, deep breath before taking the plunge into a brand new experience. As long as you carry an open mind and a friendly smile, you will soon find that good friends will surround you no matter where you are on campus.

As for the academics - there are three ground rules you should follow to make the grade:
1. do your readings
2. hand everything thing in on time
3. go to every class and seminar

If you make sure you are doing these three things, you're well on your way! Make sure you take advantage of Trent's small class sizes too. This allows you to get to know your profs and T.A.s by name and vice-versa. Take advantage of their office hours to go over papers and the weeks readings when you are stuck.

While at Champlain, you'll have ample opportunity for getting involved in the community. There are so many things to do campus and college wide, so jump in and try something new! Joining a club, organization, or student government is one of the best ways to establish yourself and meet new friends. The more things you try, the more tied to Champlain and Trent you'll be. Take my word, this is a very special place, and I hope you love it just as much as I do. The friends you make and the stories you tell will be ones to remember for years to come.

Broomball Tournament at Bontemps, February 2009

A new adventure is waiting for you, so as you get ready to travel up highway 7 or the 115, take a deep breath, and get ready! Your ISW staff are getting ready to welcome you to the great Champlain College. So welcome to the jungle, 'aint no place like it.

Champlain Beach, 2006

It's only 23 sleeps away...

I am not sure how the rest of you readers feel but it feels as though the summer has just flown right by. Many of you will be starting a new school year at Trent. Whether it's your first year, or it's your fourth, you are about to start a new year of challenges, laughs and memories at an amazing university. I am currently arriving back to my home in Ajax and for the first time in 4 years, it feels very different because I know I will not be returning to Trent and to my home Champlain College this fall.

This fall I will be starting at a new school, in a new city, with only a few friends. So many of the newcomers to the university I am sure can appreciate some of these feelings. We all embark on new beginnings but these beginnings are marked by epic endings. I had the best 4 years of my life at Trent and especially in the college that is home of the wild. What I now know is that Trent University prepared me to open the next chapter in my life, just as many of your high schools have done for you. Even though my time at Trent has come to a close, I know that it will always be a part of where I come from. As many of you are packing up your rooms at home, and are looking for memories to bring with you, don't forget about the new memories that you will create as soon as you get to Trent.

Some of my best memories at Trent University come from Introductory Seminar Week (ISW). This is the first time in 4 years that I am not gearing up for ISW, nor will I have the privilege to participate in it. ISW is the time when you meet some of your closest friends and people who could become your lifelong friends. My message to the newcomers is make sure you participate in at least one activity. Whether you go to the Great Race, High Table Dinner, you go to every cheer off, or you are the first one up and last one in bed each day, try to make it out to ISW because it could be the place that marks your first and best memories of Trent.

I hope you all will enjoy your last 23 days at home. I know that my summer before I started my Undergrad was the best summer of my life because it was the closing of an epic chapter and the marking of a magnificent beginning. As I write this towards the end of my summer of my Undergrad, I am experiencing many of the same emotions because it means I am closing another epic chapter and I am about to embark on a brand new and exciting beginning in Ottawa. Good Luck to everyone in their first few weeks of school, I hope you all will fall in love with Champlain as many of us have!

Trent's DSO department

Trent DSO department and New Students

As a student registered with the Disability Services Office (DSO) at Trent, I would like my first blog to be on the topic of the disabilities and other student support services.

In my last year of high school I was diagnosed with dyslexia and even though my disability hadn’t prevented me from continuing my studies towards a post-secondary education, it most definitely presented a hindered potential for a positive educational experience at University.

In my first week at Trent, I booked a number of appointments with the DSO, because I didn’t have a clue about how my disability could function in a university environment. This was probably one of the best decisions as a student I could have made, because the DSO staff knew exactly how to compensate for my disability and provide the greatest effect for my success at school.

My grades have improved at university from the days when I was in high school and I can only imagine that is was partially due to the help from the Trent Disability Services office.

Incoming students or continuing students who have a recognized disability or believe they might have a disability, should take the time in the first week of school to book an appointment with the DSO. The faculty members are there to support Trent Students and if you feel hindered in your education, take advantage in what services the school can provide.

I can only describe my personal experiences with the Department; it very much services the school in a a positive way. If anyone has any questions don’t feel shy to send me an email.

Trent’s disabilities website link:

http://www.trentu.ca/disabilityservices/

Welcome to YOUR next Milestone

Exactly four years ago today, I was sitting in a hot and crowed gymnasium awaiting and anticipating the excitement of receiving my High School Diploma. I thought that once I received that piece of paper, my life was over. No more friends, no more ISUs, no more memories to last me a life time. But what I hadn't realized was that it was only the beginning.

By the end of August 2006, I was feeling more excited about moving to school. I remember the feelings of excitement and uncertainty with what would come. After I had settled into my residence room and said goodbye to my parents, I went down into the Quad. Outside there were a large group of excited and energetic students greeting all the new students...just like me! They wanted to know everything about all the new students. They also encouraged me to come out to various activities hosted by the college and university over the week.

Introductory Seminar Week (ISW) was a huge part of my university career at Trent. ISW in my first year, was especially important as a new student.It allowed me to check out all the classes I was signed up for, the classes I wanted to take, and last but not least, how to have fun! It was through ISW that I met some of the people whom I have been friends to this day.

In my second year, I wanted to help new students just like the staff members helped me in my first year. It was through my involvement with ISW as a staff member, I was able to continue to branch out in supporting the college that I will always love dearly through my extra-curriculars.

As my 4 years have come to an end at Trent, and more so in Champlain, one thing I will always hold and offer as advice to any student coming to Trent is take part in ISW, and more importantly find something you love to do and don't give up on it; it will lead you to new opportunities and perhaps allow you try something out of your regular comfort zone.

"Reach for the moon and if you miss you'll land among the stars"---Les Brown