Former high school students got their first taste of campus life at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo this week.
The post-secondary educational institution hosted its RockVIU student orientation event on Thursday, Aug. 28, allowing undergrads a chance to tour campus in the lead-up to the first day of class.
Carter Rideout moved to Vancouver Island from Langley and is ready for his business administration courses. He has found accommodations at student residence and doesn't mind the arrangements.
"I like having my privacy, my own room," he said. "I still get the aspect of having my own room [with] a shared bathroom, which is not that bad; it's only with one other person. Then the communal space is only shared among, I think, 15 people, so it's not too bad."
Gabe Mann travelled west from Kincardine, Ont., and will study history. He doesn't foresee too much hardship advancing from high school to university.
"It's really easy for me, at least," he said. "I've been preparing my whole life to be off to [university], but I know for other people, it's totally different."
The transition from Grade 12 to first year can be jarring and Sarah Mei, VIU Students' Union chairperson, says there are supports in place, in addition to the gatherings offered at the start of school.
"Anything that you need help with, in terms of dealing with the faculty, or issues with enrolment, registration, we've got an advocacy piece … we've got the bus pass service, so you can buy discounted bus passes in the office," she said. "[We have] a breakfast bar, so if students are running low on energy or finances, just come into our office, there's cereal, there's eggs, there's stuff like that [for] a quick energy boost."
Mei also suggests students get involved with the union, even if they aren't politically minded.
"It's great for you to just come and hang out, and it's a third space that's available for free for students…" the union official said. "You come, you hang out, make friends, talk about whatever you want to talk about – we're there for you."
