February 14, 2006 - Learn secret hallway shortcuts, find the best location for your locker, and meet other new students before your first day of classes - at First Year Insight, Mount Royal's new student orientation.

"First Year Insight (FYI) gives all new students the chance to get rid of any first-day jitters," says Julia Shelley, 2005 Orientation Coordinator. "Students can find out about College services, learn how to find their classrooms, and get all of their questions answered."

"I'm not too nervous about attending Mount Royal College, but it is bigger than my high school," says Patrick Cousineau, a recent high school graduate. Cousineau is coming to Mount Royal to study aviation. "Orientation sounds like a good idea, especially when your surroundings are new and you don't know anyone at college."

All new Mount Royal students are invited to attend one of four orientation days in August and again at the beginning of January. Students can attend a campus services fair, have a Mount Royal College Student Ambassador give them a tour of the College, and participate in workshops on financing your education, staying fit in college and more.

"A highlight of orientation includes guest speakers, including inspirational speakers such as Alvin Law," says Shelley. Law is a Thalidomide baby and was born without arms. He is a Mount Royal alumnus and has been a public speaker for 25 years. "Law speaks to students about how he overcame the immense challenges brought on through being born without arms, and how everyone can overcome their own challenges in life."

A maximum of 300 students can attend each day. "Students should register online at http://www.mtroyal.ca/orientation/ to ensure there is space. Registering also gives students the chance to win some great prizes," says Shelley.

Cousineau and other new students have the opportunity to attend two other programs before the start of classes - Get Ahead of the Game and Academics 101. "Get Ahead of the Game is a free event where new students come to campus in August and complete their new student checklist," says Shelley. The checklist includes things like renting a locker, buying a parking pass, getting a school ID card, paying fees and buying your textbooks. A Mount Royal Student Ambassador will guide students around the campus to complete their list.

Academics 101 is a full day event which provides students with strategies to help them deal with the transition from high school to post-secondary. Students can register for Academics 101 online.

"Students will have the opportunity to connect with other students before their first day of class and learn skills in a variety of areas such as text book reading, test preparation, time management, note taking and memory strategies," says Catharine Lindland, an organizer for Academics 101 and a Learning Consultant from Mount Royal's Learning Skills Centre.

"I am planning to go to all of the orientation activities," says Cousineau. "It will be a good opportunity to get some task work done before the major rush begins."

"I think students enjoy the opportunity to meet other new students, and decrease their nervousness for their first day of classes," says Shelley, also a Mount Royal Public Relations student who knows what the experience is like. Students will be able to mingle over the lunch break and while sitting beside each other in all of their workshops.

"I thought FYI was a good opportunity to meet other students and learn about the College," says Tara Legault, a Mount Royal College Bachelor of Education - University Transfer student who attended new student orientation in the past. "The best part of the day was a workshop on the life cycle of a student. I also really enjoyed the Loose Moose Theatre improv show."

Parents are invited to attend FYI with their sons or daughters. However, instead of attending the same workshops as their children, they will have the opportunity to take in workshops on parent-related topics. Shelley says parents should plan on attending FYI in order to better support their son or daughter after visiting the campus and learning what Mount Royal has to offer.

"Going to orientation helped me to see all that Mount Royal can do for my studies and more," says Legault. "It was a good start to my first year."

For more information on First Year Insight visit: http://www.mtroyal.ca/orientation/.

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