As the 2024/2025 school year wraps up, I find myself completing the term in a reflective mindset. Being in my third year, I am in a strong reminiscent state, especially as I say goodbye to classmates for the summer and plan for my final year of university next fall.
While feeling this nostalgia, it is easy to pinpoint what I wish I knew as a first-year student and the most important things I will take into my last year.
You can change your mind!
Everyone says it, but it’s just so true. Nothing is set in stone forever; not the program you picked, not the job you have, and not the people around you. That is not to say that everything you know is fleeing, but more so to say that everything you know is interchangeable if you want it to be. Over the past few years, I have realized that it is a privilege to be able to change. More specifically, it is a privilege to have found I have grown out of something. I no longer view changes to my plans as stressors, I see them as markers of my growth.
A global perspective has a lot to offer
Responsibilities and future aspirations can feel heavy while you are in school. One thing that I have found helps ease my mind is considering a global perspective. This can mean different things to different people, but for me, reading about the world and different individuals’ stories provides me with a sense of peace. Further, as a student in the journalism program, speaking with sources who have unique stories and experiences helps me realize the world is ginormous, but the human experience is everywhere. I believe that it probably boils down to looking at a larger picture and understanding that we are all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Not to mention, global understanding can enhance your education, professional, and social life.
Learning to learn
Throughout much of my academic career, I have often opted for memorizing facts, taking the test, and forgetting it all. This cycle is easy to repeat, but knowledge-wise, it is not very sustainable. Teaching yourself to learn differently in university can sometimes be crucial if you are studying in a field you want to remain in long term. However, I have found that with a new set of skills, I feel confident I can properly obtain and retain information. For me, this means being as hands-on as I can. Reporting in the field, going to interviews for stories in person, and interacting with my peers and professors have helped me a ton.
University is a unique time of life with new experiences, new people, and new independence all coming into play. My biggest piece of advice for both me and for anyone reading is to take your time. Be as present as you can and work your hardest; it’s worth it.