Student Orientation welcomes newcomers to Engineering
Tuesday, Sept. 6 was a day to remember for first-year students in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Memorial University. The students were welcomed with open arms with a special orientation day, complete with an address from the faculty's dean, a lunch barbeque and their first engineering challenge.
"Student orientation always creates a lot of excitement around the campus of Memorial University, and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science is no exception. I was impressed with the students' demeanor and their eagerness to learn more about the engineering disciplines offered by our faculty," said Dr. Ramachandran Venkatesan, dean pro tempore of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
The day started with the new students gathering in the Angus A. Bruneau Lecture Theatre. They were welcomed by Holly Dunn, President of the Memorial Engineering Society B.
Ms. Dunn, a fifth-year engineering student at Memorial, told the newcomers what to expect in their first year and said they were in for a challenging, but enjoying experience.
"Engineering is a lot of work and it requires you to develop solid time-management skills. But you will enjoy the challenge as well; whether it's a project or a work term, you will find yourself looking back with great memories of the experience," said Ms. Dunn.
Dr. Venkatesan addressed the first-year students and stressed they think about safety at all times while working in the lab, taking part in a work term and in their everyday activities at Memorial.
He also encouraged them to not only excel in their studies, but take time to enjoy the university experience, as well. He said it is important for the students to meet new people, join on-campus organizations and broaden their horizons during their time at Memorial.
"I like to see students getting involved with university-related groups, such as Engineers Without Borders. It is important they learn to balance their class time, studying and work terms with social activities; this will make them more successful students in the long run," said Dr. Venkatesan.
Dr. Andy Fisher, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies with Engineering and Applied Science, provided the students with an in-depth slide show focused on what is expected of them and how they can get the most out of the available student services at Memorial. He recommended the students communicate their thoughts, concerns and needs regularly with their professors.
"Our professors want to know how you are interpreting the information they are teaching. The best way for a student to share this is to speak with the professors and let them know any questions you have about a lecture, an assignment or an upcoming exam," said Dr. Fisher.
Student volunteers provided tours of engineering classrooms and labs for the first-year students throughout the afternoon. Each stop on the tour included a new speaker, informing the newcomers about the six engineering disciplines offered at Memorial.
Orientation wrapped up with an engineering challenge, during which the first-year students were broken into groups, with each group receiving a deck of cards and a roll of tape that they were to transform into an original design.
"This was a great way to end the day. It gave them a chance to meet and work alongside their classmates," said Stephanie Walsh, Vice President – Communications, Memorial Engineering Society B. "This was just the first of many exciting and hectic days ahead of them during the next five years. As a fifth-year Engineering student, I can confidently say they are going to enjoy the challenges facing them."
The first-year Engineering students began classes on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
