As the final chapter of my university life wraps up with the end of the 2026 winter semester and graduation approaching in June, it’s hard not to feel sentimental about the last four years. Corny as it sounds, looking back on the days when I first stepped onto the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) campus, I’ve had a chance to see just how much I’ve grown both career-wise and as a person.
Fresh out of high school, I found myself weighed down by the pressures of my own perfectionism, striving for nothing but straight A’s, constant praise, planned-out paths, and a life free of failure. But as time went on, I learned to accept imperfection, to grow, and to savour the moments of fast-paced university life.
I find that as first-years, we set extremely high standards for ourselves, from chasing the perfect 4.0 GPA to paving a smooth four-year path to corporate success. On paper, these self-driven expectations can lead to exceptional outcomes, but in person, they can overshadow the joy of university. A 2023 study published by Universities Canada found that almost 75% of post-secondary students struggle with their mental health, with nearly 90% feeling overwhelmed by academic responsibilities, having grades as a central stressor.
If I could go back in time, there’s so much I would tell my first-year self to help them enjoy the start of the university experience a bit more and worry a little less! The following list contains seven lessons I’ve learned from my years at university that I wish I had known when I first started!
- C’s Get Degrees
-
I’m sure almost anyone in their first-year of university has heard the phrase, “Grades aren’t everything,” And while this is true, it’s a hard piece of advice to follow if you’ve come out of high school thinking anything below a 90% was a stamp of failure. I carried this ideology with me to university, so when I received a C grade on my first journalism assignment, it put a huge dent in my confidence, to the point where I questioned whether I was cut out for the program.
But I soon realized that the first year of university is a transitional period. It’s all about learning to navigate new study techniques, heavier workloads, and fast-paced work environments to manage your time effectively and grow your independence.
It’s unlikely that graduate school admission committees or future job recruiters are going to note down the C’s you received in your first year, but they will remember the degree you finished school with and the drive you had to earn it!
- Networking is Everything
-
While good grades have their perks, networking is the bread and butter of university!
Building connections with students beyond your first year can also help you avoid the common first-year mistakes of signing up for early morning classes or spending hundreds of dollars on brand-new textbooks that can be found for free online. And while first-years aren’t typically hunting down internships or full-time salary work yet, establishing professional relationships with professors and peers early on can help set the stage for mentorship, research opportunities or future job leads.
Don’t underestimate the value of building thoughtful connections with the people you meet on campus because you never know what valuable advice or work opportunities could be in store for you down the road.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Get Involved
-
In my first year, I often let the fear of not having enough experience to excel in student clubs or organizations keep me from participating. When my friends signed up as contributors to TMU’s student-run publications like CanCulture, The Eyeopener, and Her Campus Toronto MU, I refrained from applying because I didn’t think my writing was strong enough to produce publish-worthy articles.
It wasn’t until I applied for publications in my second year that I learned the benefits of immersing myself in the campus community. By joining these student groups, I learned to write various types of articles with the help of editors who shared my interest in stories related to arts, culture, entertainment, and lifestyle.
While it can be scary to put yourself out there, getting involved in student clubs, activities, and events is a great way to build your social circle, broaden your interests, and develop new skills beyond the basics you learn in the classroom.
- Always Trust Your Gut
-
Navigating a new learning environment as massive and complex as university life can be difficult without seeking guidance from others who understand the uncertainty. But it’s important to balance others’ opinions with your own intuition, as you’re the one impacted by the outcome of your choices.
In my first year, there were times when my new friends would invite me out to parties and other social events on the same nights I had assignments or exams. I would instantly feel a pit in my stomach, knowing that if I agreed to go out, I could risk losing my academic standing, but feared that rejecting the invitation would cost me my new friendships.
University is full of moments where you’re pulled in different directions, whether it’s selecting courses or which social outings to attend, it’s easy to follow the paths of others to fit in. But trusting the uneasy feeling in your gut can offer a better sense of direction, guiding you towards decisions that align with your long-term goals and help you avoid choices you may regret.
- Plan Ahead, But Be Flexible
-
Making to-do lists in my reminders app was my daily ritual in my first year. I would write down three to five tasks I needed to complete by the end of each day to stay on top of my schoolwork, avoid future stress, and reduce the risk of submitting late work. However, some assignments and projects took longer than expected, and I was unable to fully check off all the tasks, leaving me feeling defeated and doubting my time-management skills.
Mapping out course schedules, deadlines, readings and daily tasks can help create structure and keep you on track with your goals, but it’s important to leave room for unexpected opportunities and challenges. As much as you plan for an easy-going semester, university is unpredictable.
Deadlines can change, new clubs might catch your interest and life outside of school may call for your attention. Learning to be flexible with your plans can reduce the emotional burden of sticking to a rigid routine and help you navigate coursework more realistically.
- Prioritize Self-care, Not Just Schoolwork
-
While it’s important to meet your deadlines, managing your well-being should always come first on your to-do list. Despite what my first-year self used to think, sleeping, eating, and taking mental health breaks aren’t luxuries, but essentials for surviving a semester’s worth of assignments, projects and exams.
Seeing the amount of schoolwork piling up in my first semester of university consumed my mind, leaving me feeling like I was always behind on my work. After listening to hours of lectures and taking endless pages of notes, I would get home and immediately take out my laptop to work on other assignments. I found that this study habit of mine only made me less productive.
Scheduling downtime between study sessions, whether it’s watching a TV show or going to get a coffee, is not procrastinating, but necessary self-care moments to allow your brain to relax and refuel, so you can tackle assignments with ease.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For What You Want
-
Whether it’s clarification on an assignment, asking for an extension or requesting a recommendation letter, taking the initiative to advocate for your academic needs can help make your university experience a little less overwhelming.
I used to think that asking for extra help or requesting an extension at university would make me look incapable to professors and my peers. But I soon realized it shows my drive to deliver the best work possible by using the resources available to me.
Opportunities only come to you when you speak up. Sometimes your requests are fulfilled, other times you see no rewards, but you’ll never know unless you take the chance and ask.
I hope these seven pieces of advice serve as a warm reminder to any first-year student that university is not all about grades and life plans, but it’s also about networking, navigating hardships and making mistakes to grow into the adult you’re meant to become!
Even though university life may feel chaotic, uncertain and emotionally crushing right now, things always have a way of working out. But it requires you to take the first steps to put yourself out there and learn to trust your decision-making. Only then can you navigate life’s new challenges and experiences without fear of failure!