Start of the Semester Expectations vs. Reality

VOICES

Start of the Semester Expectations vs. Reality

ASPEN CRICK Staff Writer

The start of a new semester always marks the beginning of an interesting time. Some students are tired and worn out, while others are beacons of hope with a quench for learning. Whether you classify yourself as a newbie or an oldie, the school’s layout can be confusing. As a third-year student at Dawson College, a real warrior, let me tell you how I still struggle to find certain rooms. If you don’t believe me, ask the students I tried to help during the welcome tour. We went around in circles, only for me to feel discouraged and have to come up with some pathetic apology smile. As the new students went their own way, I merely shook my head in disbelief at the awkward moment I had just experienced. Starting the semester with such confidence in my guiding role was a mistake.

If anyone from the Dawson staff reads my article, can we start a petition to renumber the Dawson classrooms? A room with the number 10 should not come after the number 12.

It is somewhat common knowledge that the P wing is in the Montreal Forum. Why is that so? I often think it is merely a plot to further baffle new students. They are already anxious about starting a new school year, and now they also have to figure out where the P wing is. On top of that, college students are known to be easily distracted from their studies by anything, which is why I feel perplexed by classrooms being in the same building as a movie theater. Blaming the location of classes in the P wing seems like the perfect excuse to skip class and watch the latest big screen release. I can already hear all the students bursting with joy at the prospect of missing a lecture. Additionally, the college is connected to the Alexis Nihon Mall which makes it tempting to derive from school expectations but can also be convenient at times.

Stand on the RIGHT side of the escalators as the left side is used for the people that want to walk up it, and let people in the metro get off BEFORE you get on.

My deepest apologies to the students dying in a technical program from 8 am to 6 pm, five days a week, and those who have 5-hour classes with poorly timed and sometimes forgotten breaks. It’s ridiculous how some people have to suffer through terrible schedules while others can somewhat sit back and relax.

“I picked a social science program because I know, especially for like pure and applied, or any scientific program, that their specific courses can get kinda ridiculous,” said Benjamin-Taylor Sauvé, a first-year student in North-South Studies interviewed about his feelings regarding his course schedule.

Overall, some things that are essential when it comes to being a cegep student include learning to be your individual self since teachers expect you to read the course outline, making new friends merely to steal their class notes because it’s a vital tool, and trying new things like that bar you’ve been dying to go to and, finally, get a Dawson social life (which is a synonym of scoping free food on campus because being well fed is essential).

Even if this article has been a bore for you, try to remember these few basics: Stand on the RIGHT side of the escalators as the left side is used for the people that want to walk up it, and let people in the metro get off BEFORE you get on. For the love of God, don’t laugh at us, veterans, if we can’t help you find a classroom. Look at that; we’ve reached the end. You can now relate to a few more students on campus. p

Photo VIA DAWSON COLLEGE