School is more than just books

Summer always seems to fly by, and no matter how much I try to savor the patio weather, September hits hard. Now that we’re all back at school, I hope the routine of student life is settling in. The long coffee line and the stalking-parking game are back, but so are new classes and plenty of good times!

I am thrilled to be your president this year, and I look forward to new initiatives your Students’ Council is throwing your way: financial literacy programming, dealing with residence property taxes, mental health awareness, and generating awareness of our many services to help you succeed. We want you to get to know us, so please don’t be strangers.

As an experienced MRU student, I like to think I learned some tricks along the way, so I’m going to offer some insight that may help you along the way:

1. Make friends — with your profs, with your Resident Advisor, with the SAMRU receptionist, with security, with the Hub staff, and with your student executives too! Most of all, make friends with each other. These are the best times you’ll have, and that’s due in part to the friends you make while you’re at school.

2. Travel with your degree. We have national agreements with schools as well as several opportunities to study internationally. Start looking into it now — there are several funding options such as the Membership Development Fund with SAMRU.

3. Always have money on your campus card for printing, it saves time and stress. I know I am not the only procrastinator out there, and sometimes every second counts. Also, check out our cheap printing in Copywrite.

4. Learn how to cite properly. Citing is crucial! Go to learning services or to the library for help — don’t let academic misconduct sneak up on you. #sucky

5. Take care of yourself, eat healthy (the SA has free breakfast and a food bank if you ever need it), and break a sweat at the gym. We have one of the best fitness facilities in Canada for an incredibly low rate. Use it. You will be more focused and your stress levels will be under control.

The last point isn’t a tip — it’s a key to your success. Get involved! To make the most of your time at university, do something co-curricular. Every year I hear graduates say “I wish I did more… I wish I went to more events… I wish I ran for council.” That last one is a plug, but also a reality.

Engaging yourself outside of academics will make the entire student experience so much more enjoyable. University can be one of the best times of your life, so allow yourself to experience it fully. We have 60 clubs and counting, (academic and social), many volunteer opportunities, and some paid opportunities.

Being a student is the best occupation, if you do it right. So make friends, make connections and make the most of your time at MRU!

Kaylene McTavish is the current president of the Students’ Assocation of Mount Royal University and former VP of Student Life.