Brock’s Smart Start program aims to help incoming students walk onto campus with confidence this fall.

Throughout July and August, around 2,000 students will come through Brock’s longest running transition program as they begin to integrate themselves into university life.

“Our objective is that students leave Smart Start prepared and relaxed for their first day of school, and that guests feel confident in knowing that Brock is the best place for them to be,” said Courtney Keogh, Recruitment and Liaison Officer — Smart Start and Group Visits.

Incoming Brock students Melody Wade and Trent McLeod participated in a recent Smart Start session.

The full-day program offers a one-stop-shop experience as attendees hear from department representatives and attend student services presentations to have their immediate questions answered.

Students learn how to use their new ID card and finalize their course registration with the help of Brock’s academic advisors, while also becoming informed about student finance and awards, housing and things to do in Niagara.

“We are one of the only universities in Canada that does a full-day program with all of these services immediately on hand,” Keogh said. “Programming dates run later into August — something new for us this year — in order to accommodate more students who are away for internships, work or travel during the summer.”

Incoming students Trent McLeod and Melody Wade, both of Niagara Falls, were familiar with Brock’s campus before Smart Start began, but still found the summer transition program helpful.

“It eases the anxiety of transitioning from just working the last year to going back to school,” said McLeod, who took a year off after graduating from École secondaire catholique Jean-Vanier in Welland. He will be pursuing Film Studies in the Department of Communications, Popular Culture and Film in September.

In addition to learning about opportunities that will be available in the fall, Wade found it helpful to be able to get to know student leaders who run the Smart Start program.

“We’re looking forward to the university experience and the opportunities it creates for us once we graduate,” said the incoming Biomedical Sciences student.

“Students who help run the program go through extensive training about the finest details while at the same time developing their presentation and customer service skills,” Keogh said. “They become experts in all things student services, and most importantly, become more approachable and relatable for incoming students because they can speak to their personal experience.”

For more information about Smart Start or to learn more about Brock’s other summer transition programs, visit brocku.ca/start.