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Events & Workshops
Get your passport, and start your journey to academic success
The Success Matters Workshop Series is Durham College’s first generation students’ program. It has been designed to support first generation students’ with their transition to college and continued academic success.
This program consists of a series of workshops in the area of:
- Academic skills;
- Budgeting and financing options;
- Career planning and job searching; and
- Stress management.
Each session addresses issues and topics that provide a foundation for a successful academic journey. There will be opportunities for students to get their questions answered via drop-in sessions with the First Generation Student Co-ordinator. This program also consists of additional social programming to help connect students to their campus.
Through the Success Matters Workshop Series, students will receive tips on how to:
- Study smarter, not longer;
- Best manage their time;
- Develop strategies to help them better prepare for tests;
- Improve their listening and note-taking skills during lectures;
- Effectively prepare for tests and exams;
- Make sense of the information inside their textbooks;
- Manage their stress;
- Apply for bursaries; and
- Tap into all the resources that are available on campus.
Workshop passports and schedules will be available through the First Generation Student Co-ordinator and/or through Student Academic Learning Services (SALS). Schedules will also be posted online, be sure to check back often for updates.
Students choose which sessions they would like to attend. Each session represents an entry into a monthly draw for a $50 Aramark (Durham’s food service provider) gift card.
Students will also receive a Certificate of Achievement, recognizing all of the sessions that they participated in. Students are encouraged to attend all sessions.
For more information or to arrange to pick up your Success Matters Workshop Series Passport, please contact the first generation student co-ordinator.
Events & workshops
- First Generation Students’ Orientation Session
- Keys to Success
- Learning Styles
- Time Management
- Listening & Note-taking
- Thinking & Reading
- Study Strategies
- Test & Exam
- Budgeting and Bursaries
- Stress Management
- Campus Involvement and Leadership Opportunities
- Career Services
- Understanding Diversity
- Lattes with Lucy
- Laughs with Lucy
- FG Students’ Club
- Flex Orientation Session
- Skating Session
Why you should attend
- To learn more about the First Generation Student Initiative
- To meet the First Generation Student Co-ordinator and other FG students
- To receive effective time management tips to help you start the year off organized
Bonus benefit of attending: In addition to a free lunch and the meeting of new friends, there will be increased success due to a greater knowledge of Durham College, higher comfort level and a better understanding of self.
* RSVP to firstgeneration@durhamcollege.ca
Why you should attend
- To learn about skills that are fundamentally important to your academic success
- To identify student skills you would like to improve
- To learn about the academic supports available at Durham College
Bonus benefit of attending: Discover what you don’t know you don’t know – seek extra help in those areas
Why you should attend
- To determine your learning style
- To learn and apply strategies specific your learning style
- To improve the efficiency of your study time
Bonus benefit of attending: Increased success when working with groups – understand yourself and others to maximize the efficiency of each team member.
Why you should attend
- To learn how to balance academic and non-academic responsibilities
- To ensure you keep track of all your test and assignments
- To get more done in the time you have available
Bonus benefit of attending: Healthy lifestyle with less stress – effective time management leads to more success overall.
Why you should attend
- To get more out of lectures by improving your focus/attention
- To improve the speed and accuracy of your written notes
- To learn efficient methods of recording and summarizing information
Bonus benefit of attending: Increased retention (memory) – your brain will give more importance, and try harder to remember, notes you create yourself.
Why you should attend
- To increase your understanding of written texts
- To increase your retention (memory) of course content
- To be better prepared for tests and exams
Bonus benefit of attending: Develop improved critical thinking skills – questioning content as you absorb it increases understanding and retention.
Why you should attend
- To learn how to study smarter instead of harder
- To develop habits of continuous learning
- To learn how to prevent the habit of procrastination
Bonus benefit of attending: Inventory your bad study/work habits – learn why they don’t work.
Why you should attend
- To prepare for upcoming tests and exams
- To learn general strategies for writing tests and exams
- To learn strategies for answering specific types of questions (multiple choice, true/false, and essay style)
Bonus benefit of attending: Develop strategies to overcome stress and anxiety – memory and reasoning areas of your brain don’t work well when you panic.
Why you should attend
- To receive information on ways to help finance your education
- To learn about applying for bursaries, including the FG Student bursary.
- To get tips to help you stretch your dollar
Bonus benefit of attending: In addition to a free lunch, you will develop an increased understanding of what the Financial Aid and Awards office can do to help you with financing your education. Lunch will be provided.
Why you should attend
- To help you recognize the signs of stress and learn how to deal with them properly before it begins
- To learn how to battle stress effectively
Bonus benefit of attending: In addition to a free lunch, you will develop an increased understanding of how to handle stress and the various resources that are available on campus to help you deal with stress effectively.
Why you should attend
- To learn about the various opportunities to get involved on campus
- To discover why it is so important to be involved
- To learn more about Durham College’s Co-curricular Recognition program and leadership awards
Bonus benefit of attending: In addition to a free lunch, you will see a demo of the Co-curricular Recognition portal and you will learn more about the First Generation Students’ Club and meet some of the members.
Throughout the year there will be a variety of career services workshops featuring different topics, topics will be posted on the calendar.
Why you should attend
- To help you learn how to begin your career search, what makes a great resume and cover letter, how to ace an interview and how to prepare for the career and job fairs that take place on campus
- To learn more about the Career Services office
Bonus benefit of attending: In addition to a free lunch, you will get a chance to experience the Hired portal and gather the confidence to make the best first impression possible.
Why you should attend
- To learn more about the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. campaign and what each of our roles is within it
- To explore the basic principles of R.E.S.P.E.C.T. and to have an opportunity to share your personal definitions of what respect means
- To discuss expectations of respect and how they influence interactions on campus and in the community
Bonus benefit of attending: In addition to a free lunch, participants will gain a stronger knowledge of what diversity and respect mean.
Why you should attend
- To enjoy a free coffee/tea and engage with other FG students and the FG Student Co-ordinator
- To ask questions, provide feedback and share your thoughts and experiences
Bonus benefit of attending: A Durham College stainless steel travel mug will be given to the first 10 students who register in advance
10 to 11 a.m.
Student Services building, Tim Horton’s
* RSVP to firstgeneration@durhamcollege.ca
Why you should attend
- To touch base with the First Generation Student Co-ordinator and meet your e-mentor in person
- To set up a success plan for the year and / or to ask any questions you may have
- To find out more about the services available on campus and how to connect with them
Bonus benefit of attending: Greater sense of comfort and a feeling of ease knowing that there is someone on campus that you can turn to.
Why you should attend
- To be involved and to meet other FG students in the newly formed First Generation Students’ Club
- To be a part of a group on campus that understands what you are going through and provides a social outlet, fun monthly events, and ways to get involved
Bonus benefit of attending: Increased connection to other students and the college and recognition through the Co-curricular Recognition program.
Why you should attend
- To receive a tour of the Durham College gym that includes a description of the fitness machines and the services that are offered through the Flex Centre
Bonus benefit of attending: An increased comfort so that you won’t have any excuses to not go!
Why you should attend
- To go for a skate with fellow students
Bonus benefit of attending: A good workout.
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