First year is very much about transitions.
We have focussed primarily on the transition from high school to university, but first year also represents a transition to more advanced, upper-year courses. Looking at first year from both perspectives, we believe a need exists for better liaison and communications. Among the problems we have identified which affect students' experiences in first year are inadequate high school preparation, misperceptions and faulty expectations about university. Clearly, the College must develop better communications with the high schools to let them know what we expect of their students and to develop ways of working together so as to facilitate the transition to university. Useful links have already been developed between the College and several of the local high schools and with area boards of education, but these involve primarily the College's senior officials and administrative staff.