Student advising

Georgian College’s First Generation program includes First Gen mentors to assist students with questions, concerns or advice around postsecondary life.  We also offer events and activities for First Gen students. Think of your First Gen mentor as your “go to person” on campus. They are here to help support you and answer any of your questions or concerns regarding your college journey. Services we provide:

• individual advising with First Gen mentors
• one-on-one transition support
• connections with Student Services (disability services, counselling, peer services,  testing services, adaptive technology, Crown Ward supports and more)
• information and referral to other college resources and academic supports
• First Gen newsletters to keep you informed
• information on bursaries, financial aid and employment on campus
• social events and networking opportunities
• free workshops (online and in person)

Not sure where to go, or what’s available? We’re here to support you! Looking for services on campus? Check out this helpful list of services on campus.

At Georgian, we’re committed to helping First Generation students achieve their educational goals by breaking down the barriers — financial, personal or academic. Georgian is pleased to announce that the Government of Ontario has allocated bursary funding to assist First Generation students in financial need through the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Access and Opportunities Strategy.

Application deadline for the First Generation bursary is the last business day in January. Applications will be accepted in the Financial Aid office throughout the fall semester. For other information regarding the bursary as well as a link to download it, visit our financial bursaries section. The First Generation bursary is not guaranteed and is very competitive; we encourage students to look at other awards, scholarships and bursaries as well. Contact your student advisor for information on bursary and awards workshops, or one-on-one appointments to assist in completing your applications.

We understand that as a parent or family member of a student attending Georgian, you are a strong contributor to their success. Often  parents want to be involved in their student’s educational journey, but they don’t know where to start. We have included some information and links we feel would benefit you and help you support your student. Don’t forget to connect with Georgian through our parent Facebook Page , main Facebook page  or events and activities on campus.

Parent and supporter resources

For information on activities, events and resources for parents and supporters of our students,  contact a First-Year transition advisor. You can connect with the First Year Experience team through our parent Facebook Page , main Facebook page  for events and activities on campus.
Important links

• Office of the Registrar important dates
• campus information
• Georgian College programs
• Student Success Services
• First Year Experience

Tip #1 – Communication

• if you are looking for ways to keep in touch with your child while away at school, technology will make it easier.
• communication is about convenience. Traditional phone calls are nice, but must be planned around mutually convenient times. Email, instant messaging, Skype, Twitter, Facebook chat, Facebook messages and wall posts increase your chances of connecting to someone long distance and don’t always require an immediate response.
• have a plan about when to keep in touch. Are certain days better? Times? Discuss with your student what your expectations are around communication and seek their input.

Tip #2 – Common ground

• college can be a long period of time to be away from family and many things change for students while they are away.  “How’s school?” is often too general as a topic-starter.
• consider familiarizing yourself with your student’s course of study. Ask for details and get specific about the lessons, if you’re truly interested. This can open dialogue and keep you involved.
• talking about things other than school is important too and it goes both ways.  You might be anxious to know what’s happening with them, but they are likely interested in knowing how things are at home.  Open up dialogue by sharing first, rather than hitting them with a series of questions.

Tip #3 – Know the people and places

• keep aware of new friends and new activities.  Knowing the layout of the residence/campus might help when hearing or telling stories.  Knowing the names and relationships of the people involved will help keep you engaged.  Students might hold back if telling you something means explaining too much.
• for safety reasons, it would also be good to keep up-to-date records of cell phones for friends/roommates.  Becoming engaged in social media might help with this also.

Tip #4 – Support your student in becoming independent

• you may have heard the term ‘helicopter parent’. A helicopter hovers over the people below.  The metaphor is often used to describe parents/guardians who don’t keep a safe distance or who swoop in to do things for their child in times of stress.
• encourage your student to resolve issues, rather than stepping in for them.  College is about maturing as much as learning.  By utilizing resources to educate yourself on the supports in place, you can better advise your student if and when they need it.
• don’t overreact to the first “I’m unhappy” phone call or email.  Discuss possible difficulties around the transition and help them prepare.  You are there for support… not to make everything go away.
• consider talking about big topics in advance.  For students who will be living independently for the first time, they need to be able to responsibly discuss mature topics such as personal wellness, sex, drinking, drugs and other potentially embarrassing and sensitive topics.  Address them before they become a problem.
• a care package is also an easy way to show support and love, without needing to be there in person.

Tip #5 – Have realistic expectations

• it is very important that students have realistic expectations about college.  They need to think about the transition, the pressures, the workload, the sacrifices and the common obstacles. Often students are unaware of their progress in a course until mid term marks arrive.
• both parents and students need to understand that the grades they received in high school may not be consistent with their marks in college.  College expectations for independent work are much higher than high school and some students go through an adjustment period, learning how to study and manage their time effectively. Setting unachievable goals for marks only add to the pressure of college life. Have an open discussion with your student about what is realistic and focus on effort more than grades.  Students can utilize many resources to help them understand the realities of college life and we encourage them to take advantage of that assistance early.
• returning home can also cause conflict.  Have a plan about when the student will be coming home and when you will visit.  Leaving the details all up to chance might bring disappointment.
• make home a happy place.  Discuss expectations in advance for visits and holidays.  Students may want to balance time spent with family, friends and alone. Provide them with a quiet place to study, if they need to, and an open ear to discuss their experiences so far.

If you have any questions regarding college life and how you can support your First Gen Student, please contact us.

First Generation Transition workshops are offered for First Gen students coming into a Georgian College program in the fall or winter semesters. The workshops are designed to help students:

• discuss college life including processes, challenges and expectations
• learn about your personal strengths and how to be successful
• explore the campus and learn about resources available and how to  develop a network of support
• ask questions and connect with your First Gen mentor
• get a head-start on developing lasting friendships