Section 7.4 Getting and Staying Connected
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Stay in touch with family and friends:
A network of family and friends can provide security, stability, support, encouragement, and wisdom.
This network may consist of people that live nearby or far away. Technology — in the form of cell phones, email, facebook, etc. — is allowing us to stay connected no matter where we are. However, it is up to us at times to reach out and stay connected.
Do not be afraid to talk about your accomplishments and difficulties with people that are close to you and you feel safe with, to get different perspectives.
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Create a study group or join one:
Both the person being explained to and the person doing the explaining benefit from this learning exchange.
Study partners are great resources! They can provide you with notes and important information if you miss a class. They may have found a great book, website, or other resource for your studies.
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Go to your faculty or department and find out what student groups there are:
The Math Student Union (MSU) seeks and promotes student interests within the Department of Mathematics at Simon Fraser University and the Simon Fraser Student Society. In addition to open meetings, MSU holds several social events throughout the term. This is a great place to find like-minded people and to get connected within mathematics.
Student groups or unions may also provide you with connections after you complete your program and are seeking either employment or further areas of study.
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Go to your faculty or department and find out what undergraduate outreach programs there are:
There is an organized group in the Department of Mathematics led by Dr. Jonathan Jedwab that prepares for the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition held annually the first Saturday in December: http://www.math.sfu.ca/ ugrad/putnam.shtml
You can apply to become an undergraduate research assistant in the Department of Mathematics, and (subject to eligibility) apply for an NSERC USRA (Undergraduate Student Research Award): http://www.math.sfu.ca/ugrad/ awards/nsercsu.shtml
You can attend the Math: Outside the Box series which is an undergraduate seminar that presents on all sorts of topics concerning mathematics.