Writing @ Conestoga

One factor that helped me achieve academic success in my first semester at Conestoga was connecting with peers at therapy dog sessions. For example, the friends that I made at these sessions helped reduce my stress by helping me study for quizzes and encouraging me to join other fun campus activities with them. It was a relief knowing that I had others nearby to support me, especially when my friends from back home were so far away. With less stress, I could focus more on assignments and gain more confidence in my academic abilities. Even when I get busier with classwork in future semesters, it will be important for me to maintain these friendships and continue building new ones to continue to feel supported. 

One factor that helped me achieve academic success in my first semester at Conestoga was connecting with peers at therapy dog sessions . The affective filter hypothesis argues that social factors influence one’s ability to learn (Maftoon & Sabah, 2012, p. 37) . In other words, strong social connections can lead to academic success . My learning was improved by the social experience at therapy dog sessions because the friends that I made there helped reduce my stress by helping me study for quizzes and encouraging me to join other fun campus activities with them. It was a relief knowing that I had others nearby to support me, especially when my friends from back home were so far away. With less stress, I could focus more on assignments and gain more confidence in my academic abilities. Even when I get busier with classwork in future semesters, it will be important for me to maintain these friendships and continue building new ones to continue to feel supported.