Last month we said farewell to our graduates, but for those of you coming back in August for the second year of your program (or third, or fourth!), we hope that you are having a great summer. As you’re playing or working in the sun this summer, there are a lot of things that you can be doing right now to make your return to the College a great one.
1. Fight the Summer Slump
You lose what you don’t use. If you aren’t reviewing or using the knowledge and skills that you worked hard to gain over the last year, you will forget some of them as you work and relax over the summer.
Take a few minutes each day to review last year’s course materials and practice the skills that you learned. Keeping your skills sharp can save you the difficulty of having to re-learn what you have forgotten before progressing in your program. You can also challenge yourself by previewing some of the materials you will be studying next year. Buy your books early and identify the topics that you may find the most challenging. This will help you plan your study time more efficiently.
2. Plan for Excellence
Summer is a perfect time to prepare to make the most of your next year. Think about last year—what worked well, and what didn’t—and decide what you will change to make this year better.
Choose the activities you want to be involved in and the resources you need to access to succeed both in your academic and extracurricular goals. Plan your finances, volunteer, and work schedules. If you will be graduating this year, what do you need to do to be ready for the next steps after college—looking for a job?
Here are some resources to help you get started:
- Intercultural Mentorship Program
- College Athletics, Intramurals, and Fitness Classes
- Academic Success Centre – Tutoring, Video Resources, and more!
- Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries
- Student Employment Services
- Volunteer Manitoba
3. Come to Campus (or Visit Virtually)
Remember all the long lines at the beginning of the new term? You can avoid a lot of wasted time and effort by visiting campus a few weeks early:
- Pay your tuition
- Apply for (and finalize) your Student Aid or Scholarship Applications
- Buy your textbooks – Lists are posted on the Bookstore Website 3 weeks before classes start.
- Reserve a parking pass – NDC parking online reservations are open from July 2-24, 2015 through the College Portal (HUB) .
- Rent a locker
Many of these things can also be done online through the Red River College Portal (HUB) and Web Advisor.
4. Rest, Relax, Rejuvenate
Taking a few days to clear your mind, rest, and enjoy the summer with friends or family can also help you get ready mentally and physically for another challenging school year. Take a few days to sleep and read for fun. Check out a festival, visit a provincial park, or taste some local food. There is a lot of fun to experience around Manitoba, so schedule this time well!
The halls of the College are quiet over the summer, but we are looking forward to welcoming back many familiar faces in a few weeks. Have a great summer—we’ll see you soon!