On the first day of school, I didn’t eat breakfast in fear that I’d vomit in class. I hadn’t even set foot on campus and I was already off to a rickety start. Don’t fret if you’re as nervous as I was. The transition to university is challenging for everyone. Yes, you’re freed from your childhood moorings, but you still lack the grown-up wisdom to navigate the waters. That’s why your first year is so crucial – you’re plunging into the liminal space between youth and adulthood. Fraught with harsh lessons and empty bellies, I learned a lot in my first two semesters at Ryerson. Since I can’t redo my first year, I want to spare you a few sleepless nights, save you a few dollars, and score you a few more 4.0s. I hope my humble life experience will help you stay afloat.
It’s not what it’s like in the movies – Discard all the fanciful preconceptions of university that American cinema planted into your head. Prepare to be disillusioned. Remember, A Cinderella Story? Sam’s academic aspirations were predicated on the fact that Princeton contained the word “prince” (she could have gone to the University of Prince Edward Island with less trouble). If you’re a serious student, you’re gonna spend more time rummaging through bookshelves than chasing childish fantasies. That’s not to say you can’t have fun while you’re here, but remember that you don’t need to pay upwards of $7000 a year to attend frat parties.
Find where your class is located before the first day – Familiarize yourself with the campus before school starts. Once you get your timetable, make the effort to walk to every classroom/lecture hall to ensure your timely arrival on the first day. Showing up early is the best way to show keenness, tantamount to putting an apple on your prof’s desk.
There are bridges that connect buildings together – I didn’t figure this out until several weeks into the semester. Specifically, there are paths that link the POD + Kerr Hall, the LIB + Kerr Hall, and the RCC + Kerr Hall. On a similar note, you can walk to Ted Rogers from Dundas station without stepping outside. The said shortcuts are a godsend during winter months.
Buy used books – Your backpack is gonna chew up your copy of The Tempest eventually so there’s no sense in paying for a new one. Once you get your Required Texts list, sprint to BMV (or my favourite, Eliot’s Bookstore) to beat the competition – the popular texts sell out quickly. Alternatively, you can buy second-hand books from the Ryerson Used Textbooks group on Facebook. Remember to check the retail price of a desired book to make sure you’re actually scoring a deal.
Leave early for the TTC – Our city’s public transit system seems to obey Murphy’s Law to a T. Some prankster will needlessly press the emergency alarm on the morning your paper is due. The bus will drive past you in cold indifference as you’re running to the bus stop. The subway will be closed for repairs on your exam day, forcing you to shuttle-bus to the MTCC. Although a “trust no one” attitude is impractical for daily life, it should definitely be harboured when using public transit.
Handwrite your notes – Many of your profs will try (very hard) to dissuade you from typing out lecture notes. There’s a slew of scientific studies substantiating the benefits of handwriting but you’ll have to try it yourself to see the advantages. I’ve used both methods throughout my academic career and I can say with confidence that handwriting is the clear victor. Putting pen to paper heightens concentration, enhances memorization, and facilitates review.
Prepare for lower grades – Have reasonable expectations for your marks – you won’t be receiving the inflated grades you did in high school. I was totally crestfallen when I got my first essay back. However, lower marks are totally reasonable. After all, your work is evaluated by people who’ve devoted years to master their discipline. This is not to say that stellar marks are impossible in university. Just don’t half-ass your work –expend good effort and you’ll be rewarded.
Be humble and ask questions – Your profs and TAs are purveyors of the knowledge you need to earn your degree. It’s their duty to educate and mentor you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seeking assistance is a good way to clarify any concepts you don’t understand. Making the extra effort also exhibits sincerity and diligence – qualities that are the lifeblood of a successful student.
Incorporate exercise in your weekly routine – The Freshman Fifteen is no fable, especially when Ryerson is in the mecca of Toronto’s hottest eateries. Even a fifteen-minute jog on the treadmill makes a good study break. You can atone for your lunchtime indulgences and alleviate stress with regular workouts. Besides, you pay for your MAC/RAC membership anyway, so don’t let it go to waste.
Make good use of your free time – Your routine is far less robotic in university. You upgrade from the period-after-period format to a more flexible schedule. What used to be daily lessons are compressed into a weekly lecture that spans three hours at most. This means that you’re gonna have to do a lot of self-teaching, because profs aren’t gonna to tenderly spoon-feed you like your high school teachers did.
Find a job near or on-campus – The school’s A+ location makes job-hunting a breeze – even if you can’t find a position with RU, there is a wealth of part-time jobs in nearby shops and restaurants. Although retail gets a bad rap, these are low-maintenance positions that keep you occupied during your free time. For my job at Eaton’s, I set my availability for the gaps between classes so I can make a few bucks while I’m downtown.
Get a wall calendar for your room – Even if you use an agenda or use phone alerts, it is easy to dismiss your tasks and forget them entirely. Have something in your room that demands your attention and constantly reminds you of your immediate goals. University deadlines are unforgiving.
Remind yourself why you’re here – If you ever find yourself struggling during the semester, remember the reason you’re in university in the first place. You already proved yourself when you got accepted to university – Ryerson recognized your talents and saw you as an asset to our community. You have potential to flourish here, so make yourself proud.
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