From left, incoming Brock University students Sarah Devine, Tejal Saini, Georgia Languay-Smith, Cameron Deviney Martin, Carm Bianco, Prem Thakur and Julia Bauer are taking part in LEAP, one of three transition programs for new students at Brock.
Tejal Saini is leaping right into her experience at Brock.
The incoming Labour Studies student recently spent two days on campus, exploring her soon to be home away from home as part of LEAP — the most comprehensive of Brock’s transition programming.
Saini got an in-depth look at university life, staying overnight in residence and familiarizing herself with the campus alongside eight other students.
“My first impression of the University is that it’s smaller than others, but that’s what I liked most about it,” the Brampton resident said. “Classes are more personal and professors are approachable, which was reaffirmed for me when I attended LEAP.”
Incoming Brock student Tejal Saini found a recent LEAP session beneficial to her coming September start at the University.
LEAP is one of three summer transition programs “designed to help students feel confident and comfortable before they start classes in September,” said Megan Brown, Community Engagement Co-ordinator and programming leader.
“We provide a small, intimate experience for incoming students to have an enhanced understanding of services on campus, while at the same time making close connections with their peers.”
In addition to the overnight stay, the two-day program includes dinner and a scavenger hunt in downtown St. Catharines, a lesson on the using the local transit system and a community engagement initiative in the region.
Students also get one-on-one time with campus leaders to answer any questions or concerns they may have, which, for Saini, was imperative to her future at Brock.
“You can get a lot of information online but when you talk with someone who is more experienced, they give you more detailed insight into what you can expect,” she said.
“There are many things that I’m looking forward to now that I know about all of these opportunities at Brock, like participating in leadership workshops and joining different clubs.”
For now, Saini is counting down the days until she sets foot on campus again in the fall.
“I was very nervous about coming to a new school in a new city with so many new people, but after attending LEAP, it reaffirmed my decision about coming here in September. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Spaces are still available for the following LEAP dates: July 22 to 23 and 29 to 30, and Aug. 9 and 17 (day only). For more information, visit brocku.ca/start or email studentlife@brocku.ca.
