On Campus

Go to class. All of them.

The McGill Alumni Association asked alumni what advice they would give to their first-year McGill student self. With new McGill students cramming for mid-terms, we thought we’d share some insights from those who have gone before them.

Story by Brenda Branswell

October 2017

New McGill students navigating their way through their first semester might find comfort – and wise counsel – in the reflections of those who have been there before them.

When the McGill Alumni Association asked graduates what advice they would give to their first-year McGill self, many weighed in with practical tips.

There were plenty of no-nonsense suggestions.

Study hard.
Study harder.
Study hard, but also GET YOUR SLEEP.
Go to class. All of them.

Alumni also encouraged their younger selves to get involved in extracurricular activities, talk to their professors, use student services, make friends, and of course, “have fun.”

“I would tell my first-year self to take all that nervous energy and focus it on building new friendships and taking risks I wouldn’t have taken before going to McGill,” wrote Prosanta Chakrabarty, BSc(Agr)’00.

“The students, staff and faculty will support you: so go sign up for new orientation events, a class you aren’t sure about, or meeting up with some new acquaintances. You will make life-long friends [those] first few weeks, and gain more knowledge than you thought possible about life, love and learning.”

Meet new people – do new things, wrote Duane Rae, MBA’88.

“If you come from Montreal don’t just hang with your high school friends,” Rae said. “Get to know your classmates especially those who come [from] a totally different geography.”

First-year students should also explore the wonderful city around them.

Spend more time on the mountain, advised Richard Levy, BA’89.

“On-campus and Rez activities are great – enjoy them,” said Gregory Shron, BSc(Arch)’94, BArch’95. “But don’t forget you live smack in the middle of one of the world’s great cities. You will be a richer person if you go out and explore, maybe even beyond the downtown bars!”

For some suggestions there were also caveats, like don’t study too hard or enjoy Montreal too much.

“Enjoy the city just a little less and enjoy your classes just a little bit more,” said Robert Rabin, BSc’74, MSc’77.

Andreas Kadletz, LLM’97, wrote that he was an excellent foreign student and “studied like crazy.” In retrospect, he said he would take it a bit easier and spend more time with other students. “But I loved it! I met my wife at McGill, nonetheless.”

As a first-student everything always seems so important, but in retrospect it’s not always as bad as it seems, noted Aïda Valevicius, BSc’12.

“The most important part is to enjoy yourself, embrace all the new learning you will do, and understand how lucky you are to be in your situation!” Valevicius said.

“Embrace the whole experience!” said Sheila Leggett, BSc’79.  “Don’t feel overwhelmed – jump in and realize that all 1st year students will likely feel a little daunted at various times this term. Seek out help if you need it. The university is committed to helping you succeed during this transition.”

Make an effort to meet people, suggested Valentine Declerck, BEng’15.

“The thing you will miss about University are your friends, Declerck wrote, “so take time to meet someone new every day. Have fun!”

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