HALIFAX - The start of a new academic semester is exciting for many university students, but the overall commitment can bring many obstacles. “It is like adjusting to the whole new environment,” said 17-year-old Eli Jones who will start classes next week at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax. Jones has moved into residence and is living on his own for the first time. “If I get homesick, that might set me back,” said Jones who is also worried about maintaining the self-discipline required to stay on top of his studies. “I tend to leave (studying) to the last minute, and I have to break out of that habit. It is going to be hard to adjust.” Several bocks away, Erica de Carolis said she is ready for a new academic challenge and is braced for the stressful times that lie ahead. “I am kind of nervous and scared,” said the 20-year-old who is enrolled at Dalhousie University after taking classes for two years in the Montreal area, in Quebec’s collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP) program. The concerns felt by Jones and de Carolis are especially common in Nova Scotia; a province that has the highest proportion of out-of-province university students and graduates in the country, according to Statistics Canada. As a first-year student living far from home, one of de Carolis’ biggest priorities is to make her parents proud as she begins this new chapter on her own. “I want to show them that I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I got,” she said. Students face overwhelming financial pressures Financial pressures are also mounting. Tuition and living expenses could run more than $20,000 for both Jones and de Carolis. “I need to make sure I’m not spending money on unnecessary things,” said Jones. A recent trip to the grocery store left de Carolis shocked at the prices. She realized her first year in university would be expensive, and managing a budget in addition to her schedule is critical to her success. “Housing, jobs, school, trying to get all my assignments done on time, getting a good grade point average,” she said. “It is definitely a mix of all of that, and it is a lot of stress.” Liza Zahid president of the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association (SMUSA) hears these concerns daily from students who are facing overwhelming financial pressures for the first time. As the affordability crisis continues in Canada, some students have been forced to choose between buying food or school materials. “The cost of textbooks, and the course material has become an issue,” said Zahid. “And the cost of housing as well because rent is so high.” Dalhousie University provides hands-on support for first year students living away from home for the first time. “It could be a peer, a student leader, an upper-year student mentor, a staff person, a professor or a lecturer,” said Melissa MacKay, who is the Assistant Vice-Provost of Student Well Being. “They can help students see that they have what it takes and they will do great.” There are also financial advisors at the university, to help students organize a spending budget. “We wrap supports around them to make sure they have all that they need,” said MacKay. Classes haven’t started yet, and de Carolis has already met with an academic advisor. “I talked to him a lot about how I’m stressed,” she said. “I made up a study plan with him, to make myself organized.” In addition to the overwhelming financial and academic pressures, university students also face the uncomfortable reality that professional opportunities might not be available when they graduate. According to de Carolis, managing emotions about future job opportunities can wait several years. For now, she is focussed on her school courses and the year ahead. “It is definitely something that makes me nervous, but I feel as long as I have a straight mindset and I’m on the right path, I will (be) OK,” said de Carolis. Ed McHugh teaches part-time at three universities and advises students on how to navigate their academics while being hopeful for future employment opportunities. “When I went to school, our job market was a little more open with opportunities,” said McHugh. “I tell them to go take a program, try something and see if you’ll like it or not.” McHugh also said, when it comes to seeking advise and guidance or to share worries about their daily struggles, all students need to know that they are not alone, and university advisors and support staff are there to help. “It is not a weakness, and students should ask for help,” he said.
