On Point & On Time: Leaving RDC – Make a successful transition

/in /by

I’ve been having anxieties about the future recently.

The fear of leaving RDC has been throwing me off but after having a good ol’ conversation with some RDC Alumni, moving on after RDC isn’t that bad after all.

I thought it would awesome to share some of the things I’ve heard that make it an easier transition from Red Deer College to moving on to the next step.

The Wisdom
• It’s never too early to prepare for upcoming events. I remember during the first winter season I was able to drive. I procrastinated for months, dithering back and forth if I should replace my tires.

Let me tell you driving with summer tires on a sketchy slippery road is not fun. You will either get into an accident or die of heart attack trying to avoid getting into an accident.

Moral of the story, don’t procrastinate. Plan ahead. If you don’t know what to do, Google is your best bet.

• As we all work our way to moving on, each of us needs to make sure we know how to cook and buy groceries. I’m still learning how to do this stuff. There’s a big chance that I’ll probably live off noodles or fast food. Last week, I was given the task to cook bacon and I burnt it. Almost set the house on fire. I wish this was a joke but unfortunately it did happen.

• I’ve also been told it’s okay to ask for help when needed. Regardless of how old we are, we still don’t know that answer to everything. Heck, even Albert Einstein didn’t know everything.

• Networking is also important, make sure that while you’re still at RDC to have a chat with your instructors, your coaches, your mentors or your peers! They can guide you along the way and may provide you with great information for anything you might need answered.

The Students’ Association provides great opportunities for those looking to take an active role in their post-secondary education. The SA represents the students of RDC and is the voice to Administration, the City, and the provincial government. If you are interested in growing your network by being part of the student governance, please do not hesitate to contact any of the current student executives!

Remember, it’s not just about the books. It’s about the experiences you had while at RDC that you’ll remember in the next 10 years!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARTIN CRUZ, SA PRESIDENT

Information on Alberta’s Completion Incentive Grant

/in /by

The Completion Incentive Grant is awarded to students who complete a credential after August 1, 2012 and received a full-time Albert Student Loan at any point during studies for that credential.

Eligible students will receive:

  • $1,000 for certificate programs requiring one year of less to complete.
  • $1,500 for certificate and diploma programs requiring more than one year to complete.
  • $2,000 for undergraduate degree programs.

If you are in your final year of studies and currently receiving funding through Student Aid Alberta, you are automatically considered for the Completion Incentive Grant. You can confirm this by logging onto your Student Aid Alberta account at www.studentaid.alberta.ca or by calling 1-855-606-2096.

You will be eligible for the grant, but not automatically considered if:

  • You are in your final year of studies and did not receive funding through Student Aid Alberta for the current term.
  • You did not indicate that you are in your final year of studies on your application to Student Aid Alberta for your current funding.

If you are not automatically considered for the grant you must submit the paper application (found at www.studentaid.alberta.ca) to Student Aid Alberta. The application must be received by Student Aid Alberta at least 30 days before your program end date.

If you have any questions about the grant please call the Student Aid Alberta Service Centre at 1-855-606-2096.

Feeling better: SA initiative focuses on mental health

/in /by

There is a new initiative at Red Deer College — the Mental Health Initiative — and it is all about helping students feel better. The Students’ Association introduced this initiative in the fall term and as the name implies, it is an effort to improve the mental health of RDC students.

There are two components to this initiative; one is online and the other focuses on on-campus activities and awareness.

The online component provides resources and guidance for RDC students who are feeling stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns. This includes the Mywellness program which can be found at www.mywellnessplan.ca (select Students’ Association of Red Deer College)

This site has a huge assortment of both on-campus and off-campus links and resources — ranging from the RDC Counselling & Career Centre to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Red Deer district — to help students become more informed about mental health issues and the services available to them.

The site also connects students to FeelingBetterNow, Canada’s only “medically approved, anonymous online mental health care program designed to assist in the prevention, early diagnosis and on-going management of common emotional and mental health issues.”
Students who are at high risk are provided with online tools to help them and their physician identify and treat emotional and mental health problems using medical best practices.

The student and their physician receive a patient-specific risk map indicating the severity of the condition; a patient-specific care map to assist them in the detection, treatment and follow up of emotional and mental health problems; and follow up maps every three weeks to track progress and recovery.

The second component of the initiative is the on-campus aspect. By facilitating events on campus it is hoped that these activities will help foster a positive environment where mental health can be explored and enhanced. In this framework, it is hoped good mental health can be supported.

Such events include the fall term’s Mental Health Awareness week. The week’s activities included a puppy room, yoga and meditation sessions and several hands-on activities like create your own stress ball. These fun and soothing activities helped students embody their stressors and relieve stress.

Relieve stress now

Stress, depression, anxiety are an ongoing threat to students’ mental health. According to studies, one in four post-secondary students experience stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health symptoms. The three most common factors affecting academic performance are stress, sleep difficulties and anxiety.

The Mental Health Initiative is continuing its efforts to give students the tools to deal with mental health stressors and show that there are many ways to deal with stress in a healthy manner.

With those goals in mind, an assortment of mental health-related events are being planned for this term. Keep your eyes open for the upcoming Mental Health Initiative Scavenger Hunt, where participants will search for health and wellness services on campus and for the winter installment of Mental Health Week.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the Mental Health Initiative, please email information@sardp.ca

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JANESSA MATTHEW | MHI PROJECT ASSISTANT

On Point & On Time: Tips for surviving your years at RDC

/in /by

College is stressful but it can also be fun especially if you are a student at Red Deer College. While you attend those weekly parties or binge-watch your favorite television show on Netflix, do not forget about those things you call classes that you are suppose to be attending.

After talking to a student I had this idea to write a manual on how to survive your years at RDC.

Now, this is a disclaimer: I am not a genius on how to get an A+ on every single class or how to be the light of the party. After reading a couple of articles and basing them from my experience, I came up with this list on the do’s and don’ts while at RDC. Here it is:

1. DO make friends
Your experience at RDC will be better than just going to class and going home to watch Suits (If you haven’t seen it, watch an episode. Enough said.) Your friends will make sure that you don’t lose your cool at that party when you had way too many. If you’re wondering how to make friends, that’s easy! You should introduce yourself to the person on your right during your Astronomy class in Room 1400. Talk about how much you love the class. You can stop by the Living Room or attend a Students’ Association weekly event! I heard about this cool kid that works for the SA; his name starts with M or something.

2. DON’T Hesitate
Hesitations while driving causes accidents. That’s a fact! When you hesitate at college, it can also be a dangerous. When writing a multiple-choice exam, your first instinct is usually correct. College is about trying different things; meeting new people; hanging out at the Far Side while playing a game of pool with some random student. Don’t hesitate on doing these things! Regret is the worst tormentor.

3. DO show up to class
This is self-explanatory. Look it up.

4. DON’T make rash decisions
When you are having fun, make sure you are also thinking about how you would feel the next day. Look out for your buddies because they are also doing the same!

5. DO have fun
Attend the parties; show up to the Kings and Queens Games (they’re free… If you didn’t know); join the Rec-effect at the Living Room and definitely hang out at the Far Side, especially on Fridays. These are just some of the things you can do on campus.

Of course, your Students’ Association is always here to help you out with your student life experience. We’ve got your back while you study and have fun. Like always, if you have any questions or concerns, let us know!

Remember that college isn’t just about the books.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARTIN CRUZ, SA PRESIDENT

EUS is going New York, New York!

/in /by

Time to get your fancy on! We’re going to New York!

The Education Undergraduate Society will be hosting its 4th Annual Winter Formal and on Friday, Jan. 31, the only place you will want to be is the Marquis Room at Westerner Park.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The dinner is a full buffet including AAA Alberta inside round roast beef with gravy and horseradish, baked potato with trimmings, vegetable medley, Caesar salad, fruit salad, Palm Springs salad (oriental coleslaw), fresh dinner buns, butter and pickles, tea, coffee and dessert.

There will also be a late lunch served at around midnight including sandwich and wrap trays (roast beef, ham, turkey and egg salad) cheese, sausage and cracker trays, fresh fruit trays, vegetable trays with dip, assorted dessert trays, and tea and coffee.

On top of dinner there will be lots of great entertainment, a dance, a silent auction, music, a photo booth and much more.

This is a great event for Education students to come together and celebrate what we have accomplished so far in our teaching journey.

If you are not an Education student but wish to come party with us, don’t worry — this event is open to all RDC students. Tell all of your friends.
Tickets are $30 for EUS members, $40 for non-EUS members, or two tickets for $60, EUS member or not. There are only 200 tickets available so make sure to get your tickets now.

Ticket sales run from Monday, Jan.13 through Friday, Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Main Hallway. If there are still tickets available we will be selling them at the door until we are sold out.

We are also looking for volunteers to help sell tickets. If you are interested, please contact one of the Executives, including myself, and we will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

This is the Education Undergraduate Society’s most anticipated event so don’t miss out.

We hope to see you there in your formal wear in Old New York.

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JOSH CORMIER | EDUCATION UNDERGRAD SOCIETY

Start thinking about it: 2014 Student Recognition Event

/in /by

The Student Ambassador Program is excited to introduce a revolutionized Student Recognition Event!

For 2014, the Student Recognition committee’s goals are to expand the significance of the event and to continue providing valuable awards to deserving students. This year the committee will be selecting nominations, and those accepted will be receiving monetary awards. Nomination format has also changed this year, and now allows for students to be nominated by faculty, peers or by themselves.

We need your help to promote the event by spreading the word and by nominating deserving students. There is no one more qualified to recognize greatness than by you, who interacts with it on a daily basis! In saying this, we are inviting all staff, faculty and fellow peers to nominate any students they feel have demonstrated qualities that go above and beyond academic expectations to help us in distinguishing these exceptional individuals. This year we are looking for the extraordinary students who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, inspiration, courage or Red Deer College Community involvement. Nominations will be subject to vetting by the Student Recognition Event Committee.

Start thinking about who you would like to nominate! Nominations will be available soon.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Kayla Ueland, Chair of the Student Recognition Event Committee, at Kayla.Ueland@rdc.ab.ca.

On Point & On Time: New semester plans with your Students’ Association

/in /by

Happy New Year!

We hope you had a relaxing break from school work but now it’s time to open those textbooks again and head on over to class!

Some of you are probably in the middle of keeping your New Year’s Resolution — giving up caffeine, exercising more, or spending more time in the library. Keep going! It’s been a week since the year began. Make sure to have an end goal!

Hopefully, if you end up keeping those resolutions for more than two weeks, you’ll see the difference by the end of the school year.
If one of your resolutions is to get involved around the college — your Students’ Association can help you with that!

Getting involved
If you’re looking for a place to volunteer, your SA is always looking for more hands to help us out during events. If you’re looking to learn more about governance, you can be a part of the Students’ Association Council. The SA Council is responsible for making decisions regarding your student life while studying at RDC. If you want to represent your peers or for more information, please contact me at the SA Office 403-342-3200.

Now if you’re looking for a job while studying, we’re hiring for an Elections Officer, for more information, please contact Rebecca Tootoosis, our Vice-President Operations or check out the posting on the Employment page of our website (sardp.ca/employment/)

The Far Side Bar & Grill is also looking for staff. If you’re interested please drop off  your resume and a cover letter stating your availability at the SA Office. You can work between your classes!

Your SA has a ton of events planned out for you for the next 13 weeks! Our Vice President Student Life Jhymylyn Miranda is finalizing every detail for the Mardi Gras Party at the Far Side Bar & Grill. It is Jan. 17, stop by to win some prizes and meet new people!

She also has an Eco Day planned for both Main Campus and DSB! Look out for posters and LCD screens for more information.

If you’re from the Donald School of Business, our Vice President College Affairs Tanis Penney is planning an event specifically for you! Again, look out for posters and the LCD screens for more information.

Campus Recreation is currently busy finalizing their semester events. A couple of events such as the ski trip in February and intramurals has been set! Visit Taz Kassam, the new Student Life Co-ordinator at Room 1102 or talk to one of the Campus Rec Programmers in the Living Room!

These are just some of the events for the next semester. There are more events coming up so stay tuned! There is no reason for you to be bored!

Mark your calendars, enjoy the free stuff, attend the parties, but don’t forget to go to your classes!

Remember, it’s not the books that you’ll remember in 10 years. What will stick with you is the cool people you met and the events you attended.

Enjoy your winter semester and stay classy!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARTIN CRUZ, SA PRESIDENT

Emergency funding may be available for those in unforeseen circumstances

/in /by

Are you experiencing financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances or uncontrollable expenses?

Student Funding and Awards might be able to help. Submit a RDC Bursary Application to the Student Funding & Awards office to be considered for financial assistance.

Applications are available in the Student Funding & Awards office, Room 1101 or online at rdc.ab.ca/emergencyfunding.

EUS at its best …

/in /by

If you’re not a part of the Education Undergrad Society, you’re missing out. We have had many great events so far such as our membership drive, Teachers Appreciation Day, our annual clothing sale and our first professional development session on E-Liability.

We are planning on having many more fantastic events just for you.

What the heck is EUS?

We are a society managed by a board of elected executive officers that is open to education students and anyone else interested in the field of education. By becoming a member of the EUS you get to experience much more than the average education student.

The EUS puts on many different events to make your college experience the best. We put on events like fundraisers, professional development sessions in a wide variety of education topics, and our main event, the annual Education Formal.

Being part of the EUS also gets you first notice of volunteer opportunities as well as inside info about all events that our partners, the Students’ Association, host.

On top of all that, your EUS membership also allows you to become an official student member of the Alberta Teachers Association. This gives you even more benefits such as free ATA magazines/newsletters, access to the ATA library/resources, and the inside scoop on the latest developments in Alberta education.

In summary, by becoming a member of the EUS you are guaranteed to have an amazing college experience as you work towards becoming a teacher. If you are interested in joining the Education Undergrad Society or have any questions, please visit our office in Room 2406 or send us an email at rdc.eus@outlook.com.

Our events so far …

Our membership drive was a great success. We are a society of over 180 members! Thank you to our members for being a member of our society. We will do the best we can.

You may have also noticed us out in the hallways with big gigantic cards. We were getting education students to sign cards for the instructors in the Education Department. We had many people sign these cards and then we delivered them to the instructors. They were in awe. Brent Galloway, chair of the Education Department, came to our meeting one day and he said, “It really made my day.”

We held our annual clothing sale at the end of October. We sold jackets, hoodies, and sweats for students in the education program. Due to popular demand we will be bringing the clothing sale back for a second round! More details to come.

We’ve had two PD Sessions so far. There was a great turnout at our first PD Session of the year. The topic was E-Liability and Cory Schoffer of the ATA came to present. There was great attendance and it was a terrific message for teachers to be aware of what they are doing online.
Stephen Pottage from Hunting Hills joined us for a PD Session on Google Drive on November 28. We were very happy that we had so many people sign up for that one and come out. Google is one of those things that will be used in the everyday life of teachers when we graduate. It is very important that we have the skills to know how to use the program. We are planning on having many more PD Sessions this year.

Our bake sale raised $325. Thank you to all of the volunteers and those who baked something for the bake sale. We are planning on having one in the New Year. Candy Grams was a great hit as well. Thanks to all of you for supporting the EUS.

The Education Undergrad Society’s office will be closed for the holidays. We will reopen when we come back in the New Year. If you have any ideas, comments, or questions, please post it on our Facebook page or contact one of the Executives.

Upcoming Events

  • Jan. 3 to 10: Bottle Drive
  • Jan. 31, 2014: Annual Education Formal, 6 p.m. – 1 a.m., Westerner Park

Happy holidays and see you in the New Year!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: JOSH CORMIER | 1ST/2ND YEAR REPRESENTATIVE

On Point & On Time: MyWellness during MyMidterms

/in /by

We’re almost done! First semester is about to wrap up and all those papers and last-minute studying has to be done.

Being a student is stressful with everything happening all at once and you feel like you’ve got no time to get everything done. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

There are a lot of services on campus that are free of charge that you can use. For example, if you are having troubles with your essay, there is a Writing Skills Centre located in the Library or if you are having difficulties with your instructors or anything that has to do with your education, your SA VP College Affairs is here to help you!

Before this semester ends, your Students’ Association is planning a week of fun activities focusing on relaxation methods and giving students an opportunity to live a stress-free life before exams!

MyWellness during MyMidterms will run from Nov. 14 to 22. There will be events in the Forum ranging from a puppy room to giving out free hugs. To find out more about MyWellness during MyMidterms: RDC’s Mental Health Awareness Week, watch for signs and updates on the Students’ Association webpage at sardp.ca There will also be health and wellness-related services joining us throughout the week.

Your Students’ Association has also introduced the MyWellness website which incorporates information on all the services and supports for students on campus and in the community.

One unique feature of the MyWellness site is the online assessment tool, Feeling Better Now. This tool is an add-on to the current Students’ Association of Red Deer College Health and Dental Plan. This is free for all RDC students regardless of whether or not you opted out of the plan back in September.

This online survey can be taken anytime you’re not feeling good.  Simply go online and answer the questions. The tool will generate a report, which at your discretion, you can take it to a physician, counselor, or any practitioner of your choice. This tool is the only mental health assessment tool that is accredited by the Canadian College of Family Physicians.

It is always important to seek help, there are people around us that are willing to listen and equipped to help.

Visit the mystudentplan.ca/reddeer/mywellness website to find out more about the services and supports your Students’ Association, Red Deer College and the larger community offers!

 

ARTICLE AUTHOR: MARTIN CRUZ, SA PRESIDENT