Tips for First Year Students Arriving at CUE

By: Ayrwyn Cousins

Welcome back everyone! And a warm welcome to those just joining the CUE community this year. Speaking of newcomers, this article is all about tips to help you survive your first year at university! These are things I discovered in my first year that definitely made my post-secondary journey easier, so hopefully it will help some of you along the way too! 

Posters, Social Media Posts and Other Pamphlets created by CUE or Students/Staff/Alumni:

There are many posters all over campus that provide students with information support, events, and other things going on around the campus that may be helpful or entertaining for students! I personally have gone to many events and have been able to seek out the support I needed due to these posters. 

You can also find pamphlets everywhere that detail the same types of things.

Social media is by far the most useful thing when it comes to seeking information about events going on around campus. I follow many social media accounts created by CUE groups, and clubs that keep me updated on what’s happening around campus. I highly recommend going on Instagram, searching up all the different CUE accounts and giving them a follow. 

Student Success Center:

While this tip may seem fairly obvious, not enough students use it when seeking support! The Student Success Center can help you with virtually any question you may have, and if they can’t help you personally, they will direct you to who can. 

Office Hours (as provided by your professors):

USE THEM! If you are struggling with your assignments, or lectures, schedule an appointment with your prof and get the help you need. Many students opt out of using office hours due to fear or laziness, but they really are so helpful. 

CUE library website: 

There are so many reasons as to why students should seek out the library website. You can search up so many scholarly sources through the library database and use them for your assignments. The most helpful tools on the website (in my opinion) are the citing guides and categories for specific books that go into certain disciplines. For example, I’m a history major, and there is a category on the website made specifically to help me find books that fit into the history category and would apply to any major or minor here at CUE. 

If you are still getting the hang of citing your sources, most books are already cited in the library and in any format, whether it is MLA, Chicago, APA - you name it! 

Center for Inspired Minds, Lives and Communities:

Last but certainly not least: the Center for Inspired Minds, Lives and Communities. Last semester, I sought out counseling and was directed here. They provided me with so much support and psychological information about myself that I have been able to use to better myself, and live every day with a more positive mindset. But rather than me talking all about them and their excellence, I’ll let them speak for themself. As is stated on their website: “We offer affordable psychological services to the CUE community, and to the general public. Our services are provided by doctoral students in clinical psychology who have been trained by staff who uphold the highest standards of excellence in teaching and research.” They truly are incredible, so if you’re looking for that support or are just interested in learning something new about yourself, I highly recommend their services. 

I hope this article helps some of you get through the year just a little easier. I hope to see many of you around campus. Have a great year everyone!