July 23, 2013 – Orillia, ON 

Mitchell Sarjeant, Danielle Douglas and Annaleece Teape were among the many students who attended last week’s Fast Pass pre-orientation program at the Orillia campus of Lakehead University. The half-day session is aimed at easing new students’ transition to university life.

For most new students, leaving home and heading off to university is a milestone tinged with equal parts excitement and anxiety. To help ease what can be a difficult transition, Lakehead University opened its doors this month to welcome new students – and their families – for an advance orientation.

The unique summer program, called “Fast Pass,” is a half-day orientation with multiple information sessions and tours that allows first-year students to get a sense of their new academic home.

“This is the second year we’ve run the program and it’s been very popular,” said Simon Looker, Lakehead student affairs officer, who presented a well-attended seminar, ‘Money, Money, Money.’ “We have had a lot of students recommend Fast Pass to others, which tells you how well the program helps.”

In addition to Looker’s presentation – which went over the nuts and bolts of paying tuition, upcoming financial deadlines, government assistance programs and myriad other details – there were also seminars focused on the top ten questions new students have, life in residence, the student union and the bookstore.

New students appreciated the program, which continues to gain in popularity.

“I wanted to get a head start so that I didn’t feel intimidated or overwhelmed in September,” said Danielle Douglas, a 19-year-old from Toronto who will begin her social work program in the fall.

“I wanted to be in a smaller community and Lakehead has smaller classes, which is a better learning environment,” she said.

That was a sentiment echoed by Annaleece Teape.

“Honestly, I liked the idea of a smaller campus, away from the hustle and bustle and just the natural setting here,” said Teape, 18. “I was very attracted to Lakehead.”

She said she was impressed by the new 271-bed campus residence.

“I was not aware that the residence building was so new, but upon my arrival I discovered that the rooms were very spacious and I was very happy with it. It made me very excited about my first year living in residence,” said the Stouffville native.

She was also impressed with the practical information Fast Pass provided.

“I came so I could learn how to navigate around the campus and to have some of my questions answered,” she said. “It really helped … and now I feel comfortable about coming here in the fall.”

Oro-Medonte’s Mitchell Sarjeant, 17, said he is happy he can go to university close to home and save money by living at home while pursuing his interdisciplinary studies.

“I like the idea of being at a small university where you get to know the professors and they know you by your name,” said Sarjeant. “That really appealed to me.”

The Fast Pass program also embraced students’ families and supporters. Parents and guests were encouraged to attend the information sessions with students. And during the second half of the program, when students met with academic advisors to learn more about their programs and course selections, parents were invited to a session designed for them.

At the “Supporting Your Student” session, Jim Wylie, one of Lakehead Orillia’s personal counsellors, led a discussion about how parents can be involved, and talked about on-campus services, supporting independence and various other issues. In addition, a panel of parents talked about their own students’ experience, what worked and pitfalls to avoid.

“I think, as parents, it’s a time to recognize that you did a good job of getting them here and now it’s their time to shine,” said panelist Carol Deimling, a parent of two university graduates. “My kids told me to tell you to encourage your children to get involved with athletic and other extra-curricular activities. That’s the best way to meet new people.”

Wylie stressed that the adjustment to university life is one the entire family makes.

“You go from a time when they are kids, when you are totally responsible for their every need 24 hours a day to a time when they are moving away and moving toward independence,” he said. “It’s an adjustment for all families and we are here to help you with that adjustment.”

Many parents were thankful for the support.

“I think we all feel a lot more comfortable about the coming year now,” said Laura Deschamps who, along with husband Paul, participated in the events with their son, Mitchell. “I think it’s a good idea to have the opportunity to come, to see the residence where he will live, to meet some of his professors … I’m glad we came.”

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April 1, 2013 - Orillia, ON

Two students from Lakehead University’s Orillia campus visited Kelowna, B.C. last month to represent the University at the Canadian Conference on Student Leadership, an annual event planned by students, for students. The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus hosted this year’s conference.

Lakehead Orillia students Anna Lisa Martin from Nobleton, Ontario, and Sami Pritchard of Cambridge, attended the conference along with Lakehead staff member Brenda Melick, who is responsible for student leadership programs on campus. The students were chosen to attend because of their leadership potential and their current leadership activity on campus. Martin and Pritchard are members of the University’s student ambassador team and are also involved in athletics, residence life and student union activities. 

The annual conference is an opportunity for student leaders to come together to share ideas, be inspired, and to leave determined to make a difference on their own campus and in their communities. 

During the three-day event, the students attended workshops, heard keynote speakers and met with top student leaders from all across the country. Both Martin and Pritchard were impressed by the extraordinary energy and positive environment they experienced at the conference.

“Having the opportunity to collaborate with so many different leaders from not only across Canada, but from around the world was such a unique and valuable opportunity,” said Pritchard.  “The passionate leaders I met each day both taught me and inspired me to be a better, more successful leader. It was humbling just to be in the room with such inspirational people.

For Martin, one such person was author/speaker Blake “Fly” Fleischacker, who spoke about the unique nature of university life and the lifestyle that goes with it. “He inspired me to act on my ideas and make the most of my life as a student.” Martin said another highlight was a workshop discussion focused on the many issues faced by student leaders. “I found it very surprising to hear the broad range of issues experienced at other universities and how similar they all are, and how they can be effectively resolved through our roles on campus.” Martin also had a chance to meet keynote speaker Trevor Linden, retired NHL league leader and player. “As a hockey fan, I was definitely starstruck when meeting him following his speech!”

“We want to bring all that we have learned to our campus,” said Pritchard. “I really hope that our positive energies and passions to make a difference will become contagious. My personal goal is to positively affect as many students as I can, and to one day be able to inspire others as much as I have been inspired by those I met at the conference.”

Martin added that the experience has provided her with the confidence to move forward as a leader. “Sami and I look forward to being Orientation Leaders next year and I hope that we can spread the optimism and inspiration we gained to other students, especially those new to the campus.”

“Both Anna Lisa and Sami were very fortunate to be provided with the opportunity to attend the conference and represent Lakehead University,” said Melick. “The investment in these exceptional student leaders will multiply itself many times over for Lakehead and the future communities in which these students are involved.”

Martin and Pritchard continue to network with and learn from their fellow delegates from across the country as they share ideas for planning end-of-year recognition and celebration events at the Lakehead Orillia campus.

Lakehead Orillia students (l to r): Sami Pritchard and Anna Lisa Martin, shown here with Lakehead staff member Brenda Melick, say they are looking forward to putting their conference-boosted enthusiasm, confidence and energy into making a difference as leaders on campus.