Facebook helps students gear up for college, connect with classmates

Even with some summer remaining, many recent high school grads are counting down the days leading up to their first day of college this fall. New classes, new campus, new faces. It’s an exciting time but it can also be one filled with some uncertainty and unknowns.

But thanks to social media, many people are using Facebook and websites to ease the transition of first-day-of-class jitters. One such person is William Brost. He recently graduated from a Calgary high school and will be taking the business administration program at Lakeland College’s Lloydminster campus this fall.

“I joined Lakeland College Canada on Facebook and I met up with a lot of other people who will also be taking business this fall,” says Brost. “Some people I already knew but I didn’t know they were coming to Lakeland. That was good to see.”

Brost says that the college’s Facebook page and website were also helpful to him to get answers about the college, programs and activities, and other aspects of college life. “It was very easy to navigate,” he adds.

Many high school students and grads are also turning to You Tube to learn about Lakeland College and to hear about the experiences of current and previous Lakeland students firsthand. Some of the college’s more popular clips feature students in adventure tourism and outdoor recreation, emergency services, environmental sciences and agriculture programs.

But as good as social media is, there’s nothing like being there in person. When students arrive on campus, several activities planned to help students and parents become more familiar with the college. Activities include a Student Success workshop, campus tours, games, move-in barbecues and a parent reception.

More information about orientation activities and registration can be found at www.lakelandcollege.ca/fyi.  Have a great year at college!