If you’re attending design school elsewhere than Algonquin College, this advice is still very applicable.
Get to Know Your Faculty
Your full-time faculty know the program. They know the industry. They can guide you through both. You can book office hours with any of them. There are no set times. Reach out. Ask for a meeting when you need one.
Your part-time faculty come from studio or agency to teach in our classrooms. They bring current industry knowledge with them. They have stories from real client projects. Ask them about their work.
Take Charge of Your Education
Time management is a real challenge in your first year. Settling into college life takes time. Build strategies for managing your time early on. If you would like support, you can book an appointment with a learning strategist at the Centre for Accessible Learning.
A few habits will help:
- Attend class.
- Read the assignment briefs before you start work.
- Take notes.
- Keep a calendar (in print or digital) for due dates.
Show your faculty that you are engaged in your education. Engagement builds goodwill over the term. That goodwill will matter later, when you need a concession.
If you do miss a class, please don’t ask your instructor what you missed. It’s up to you to catch up on the material. All the more reason to make friends in the classroom so you can support each other.
Know When to Ask for Help
If you’re coming from high school, you should know that your past academic performance is not necessarily a predictor of your success in the program. It can go either way.
You should know that the graphic design industry runs on deadlines. This is true across Ottawa’s studios. It is true across the industry more broadly. Our classroom models this same pace, so you can prepare for it now.
An important skill is knowing when to solve a problem yourself. An equally important skill is knowing when to ask for help. It’s useful to learn to tell the difference. Start by trying to solve the problen yourself. The next step is to ask a classmate for help. If that doesn’t work, then it’s time to ask your instructor.
Get Involved in the College
College life extends past the classroom.
Athletic Centre: The Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre offers fitness equipment, drop-in recreation, varsity sports. It’s a good place to take a break from studio work.
Students’ Association: The Algonquin Students’ Association runs clubs, events, activities for every student. You’ll find clubs built around shared interests, such as an e-sports club or a dance club. You’ll find events throughout the year, such as the annual Diwali celebration or the Clubs Fest held early in the fall term. If none of the existing clubs interest you, you can start your own.
Access Services When You Need Them
Algonquin offers support services built for student success. Use them.
Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL): CAL provides academic accommodations for students with permanent or temporary disabilities. Register early. You can register at any point in your program, but early registration prevents delays in your support. They also have counsellors and learning strategists.
Peer Tutoring: The Student Learning Centre matches you with a trained student tutor for one-on-one help in a specific course. The Centre also offers free coaching in writing, math, ESL, presentation skills.
Tech Support: For technical issues in the Graphic Design program, contact Brad or Mike. You can find them in N216C or E. You can also open a support ticket.
International Education Centre (IEC): International students can meet one-on-one with an advisor here. The IEC offers support both from its office, within the wider college community.
Your first year will set the pattern for the rest of your program. Use these resources. Build these habits. Ask questions when you need to.