With classes coming to an end and graduation just around the corner, I’ve been reminiscing on my experience as an undergrad. The university experience is filled with ups, downs and everything in between. Looking back, the time I’ve spent at Ryerson taught me a lot about myself and about life in general.
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned from my time at university:
- Self-care goes a long way
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In the school environment, there’s a lot of talk around hustle culture and overexertion when it comes to studying and work. While working hard is important, Burnout is rough and can sometimes be hard to bounce back from. I’ve learnt that taking care of yourself physically and mentally goes a long way and can often lead to better quality of work overall. Getting proper sleep, eating properly and taking frequent breaks has helped me manage the stress of school, especially during peak times like midterms and finals.
- You don’t have to have everything figured out
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There’s a certain pressure when entering university that you have to have your entire degree and life figured out at the age of 18. The reality is, it’s okay to change your mind and it’s natural for you to grow out of your younger self. During your degree, you’re going to learn a lot about yourself, your passions and your goals. If that doesn’t align with your current situation, it’s completely okay to change it.
- It’s okay to ask for help
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University can get really stressful at times and life can sometimes throw some hurdles your way. Whether you’re struggling with classwork, mental health or personal issues, asking for help can alleviate some of the pressure of “doing it all” that we sometimes deal with. There are also various university resources available to help you, ranging from counselling services to essay writing assistance. Take advantage of these resources if you need them. There’s no shame in it and they will likely help you in the long run.
- The university experience is what you make of it
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Like many others, the first year of university was quite isolating for me being in a new environment and in a program where I didn’t know anyone. In my second year, I branched out by joining student groups in my faculty. That was one of the best decisions I made, because it gave me an opportunity to meet new people, gain extracurricular experience and work on my skills outside of a classroom setting. It can be scary to take the step outside your comfort zone, but it truly made my university experience so much better and memorable. Create the university experience you want for yourself!