TakingITGlobal

SAMPLE SESSIONS We welcome your requests for similar sessions this school year, and we will do our best to schedule them based on the availability of our Indigenous Student Leaders. Choosing The Right University Work with students to explore their academic interests and discuss the various universities that offer the aligned programming. We will also get students thinking about the best university for a personal fit, as it involves more than just academics. "It took me awhile to realize that education is key and that I had to take the big step to leave a comfortable job. I applied to a university that I heard many great things about in regards to studying Political Science, as well as its positive historical reputation and geographic location." Importance of Education It's never too late to return to school. This personal reflection session will cover how one person's journey back to school boosted their self-esteem, and improved their outlook for the future. "I would love to see more of our people succeed and believe in ourselves to be that change we all need in all our wonderful regions." Places Around The University Coming to university from a small town can be very daunting. We will go over with students the places in and around the university that our speaker would have liked to know about during their first year. Places such as: the library, computer lab, aboriginal student center, the gym, good places to study, places to get food and the tutoring center. "The university has 7000 more people then my town and I was terrified that I wouldn't know where to go or that I would be in the wrong place. It wasn't until my second year that I found the cafeteria!" My Experience Attending Classes & School Work During this session we will go over personal experiences around attending classes and the reality of course loads. We will also share important resources that can help students be successful. "Before starting university, I was unaware of how much work or reading or how big my classes would be. How do I interact with the professor? I had no one to let me know what to expect. I think it's important to let students know it is not as scary as it may seem and that there are a lot of people at the university who are there to help students succeed." Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, & Spiritually Preparing for University Inspired by the Medicine Wheel, this session takes a holistic approach to prepare prospective students for the realities of university. This section will also focus on being mentally prepared for the delights and rigours of university. Emotionally, we will discuss how acknowledging feelings about university is vital and that those feelings are valid. Physically, we will ask students to be aware of their body's physical sensations when thinking of or preparing for university. Spiritually, reminding students that if they are spiritual or religious, to speak with an Elder, knowledge keeper, or a different spiritual or religious mentor for prayers and guidance. Building New Relations This session will focus on what you can expect from the First Peoples' House at McGill. (Many universities have similar facilities). We will discuss how the FPH can become a community away from your home community - there is food, free printing, evening sewing class and much more. FPH is there to support Indigenous students' and their transition into university. Entering The City Have you ever wondered what it is like living in a city? Have you ever lived in one before? There are so many different people. There are so many new cultures. University brings together people from all around the world, so how can we all learn from one another? In this session we will discuss the transition our speaker went through from living in a small town to living in a city: learning how to get around the city, which apps were helpful, how to find an apartment, where to buy groceries, etc. Post-Secondary: A Balancing Act Post-secondary students have many activities that they have to balance. Join this session on how to balance school, volunteerism, work, friends, family, and selfcare. Included are tips and tricks to make sure you live your best life while at post-secondary.

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