Getting involved with the FKRM student council totally changed Ava Glesby's university experience
7 ways to crush your first week back at school
The sun’s setting on beach parties, road trips, and weekends at the cabin. The fall semester’s around the corner, and FKRM third-year Kinesiology major Ava Gelsby has some tips to help make this year your best one yet.
Meet people (here’s how)
One of the first things to happen in the first week back to school is the Beverage Gardens in the Quad, and the Welcome Back BBQ for Faculty of Kinesiology Recreation Management students. The BBQ is Thursday, Sept. 5 from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. behind Joyce Fromson Pool. The Welcome Back BBQ is a great way to meet people in the same year and same stream as you. You’ll also get to mingle, enjoy free food, and chat from faculty, staff, and students.
Meet the PERKS Council
The Physical Education Recreation and Kinesiology Student (PERKS) Council is a group of students—just like you—who work together to organize events like professional developments, social events, stream wars, etc. The council members are your allies. They’re the eyes, ears, and voice for FRKM students. By meeting and getting to know some, or all, council members you can ask questions, give suggestions, and be caught up with upcoming events.
They can also help you find your classes, show you the best places to study, and be there to help you out if you need.
Get your student access to the gym & sport and rec facilities
If you haven’t already done so, head down to the Active Living Centre (ALC) customer service desk and activate your student access to the gym and sport and rec facilities (pro tip: beat the line and go early). Once your membership is activated, you have access to both levels of the gym which includes classes, fitness equipment, an indoor track, and more.
Get a locker
Nothing is worse than carrying around 50lb textbooks, gym clothes, your lunch, and whatever else you need to get you through the day. FKRM students and Bison Athletes can get a locker in the Extended Education Hallway for a discounted price. To get one, go to the PERKS office (located at 194 Extended Education) and ask a council member to help you out.
Make a friend
New schedule = new faces. University is all about meeting new people and developing new relationships with people in your classes and faculty. Students in FKRM generally will have the same drive and passion as you do. Meeting people in your classes makes class that much better because you can ask each other questions, study together and help each other out along the way. The hardest part is introducing yourself— but once you do that, the rest is history.
Get involved
The thing I tell people most is that getting involved has changed my entire university experience. There are unlimited opportunities to get involved in the faculty. NEW this year: a calendar in the PERKS Lounge with monthly events. Every month there will be lounge days, KIN week, professional developments, and more. If you’re looking to do more for the faculty and community, you can inquire about getting involved with PERKS Council.
Get on top of deadlines
We all have our own ways to keep track of assignments, midterms, and due dates. The thing that has worked best for me is to buy a planner and colour code everything. Writing each date down makes it easier to see how to prioritize my time, what days I need to book off based on upcoming due dates, and to visualize what each week/month will look like.