Chelsea Prince
“If you are contemplating attending Summer Start, you should definitely give it a shot!”
“My experience at Summer Start was one of my more favoured memories of 2021. It gave me a very easy-going yet authentic taste of University, and I felt like I was eased into everything, which is a fantastic benefit of the programme.
“When you aren't in lectures, you can engage in mini-events held by the Summer Start Leaders. I went on art tours and I can't forget the breakfast that was always ready in the morning in the common area! Arcade games were available, as well as gym sessions, boat trips, movie nights and karaoke nights. It made the change all the more fun!
“The relationships that I made during the programme were also worth it. There were events, and you meet a lot of people, but it was also the conversations with leaders and students that stood out for me. One talk about vulnerability reminded me that I wasn't alone on this journey.”
“I felt like I was eased into everything, which is a fantastic benefit of the programme.”
“Upon attending, I was lucky enough to be placed in an impressive group. We all had different reasons for attending the programme. Still, we were new to the idea of tertiary study and we bonded over that. I also had a fantastic Summer Start Leader. All the leaders offer tutoring and mentoring sessions to ensure that your first taste of University is as comfortable and smooth as possible! The older students and mentors have a genuine interest in helping you feel welcome and like you belong here.
“Summer Start also introduced me to the support systems available to me. They familiarised me with CDES, AskAuckland and the academic support options for students. This is invaluable because your journey at University can be unpredictable. Summer Start held sessions where I was able to ask the questions that I wanted to. I have changed my degree already because I understand my options better. If you don’t yet know why you are here, then sessions with CDES can allow you to understand how a degree can fit into what you have to offer the world. From there I was able to establish at least a broad idea of what I wanted to be doing for my first year.
“If you are contemplating attending Summer Start, you should definitely give it a shot! You won't be studying your summer away. Most of my memories are from the time I spent in the sun with the friends I made and our conversations. It is definitely a fun experience if you allow it to be!”