If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that high school does not prepare you for university. You will need to relearn study habits and adapt to a new environment. Most importantly, you will be faced with freedom and a million chances to try something new. I thought university would slap me in the face with stress. I thought wrong, and I have shockingly been finding my footing. My three main takeaways from my first two months of university surround accepting and expecting change by embracing culture, adapting to changes in the classroom, and creating a work-life balance.
1. Celebrating and Embracing Diversity
After twelve years in the Ontario school system, I have finally found myself at a school that embodies what it preaches. Despite attempts to celebrate diversity, numerous elementary and high schools fail to actually protect students. As a child, I attended predominately white institutes (PWIs), meaning I hardly interacted with people like me. I had maybe three Black teachers in my twelve years of school – all of whom were supply teachers – and could count the number of Black students in my grade on one hand. Without diminishing the efforts of those trying to make a change, one-day celebrations that feel like an afterthought will never erase the harrowing experiences that students of colour have and continue to face. Why do school dances deserve more attention and funding than the safety and celebration of minorities? Ignoring differences does not show acceptance or support. It creates separation by minimizing the importance of diversity.Â
During freshman orientation, I saw a difference. Clubs organized events that celebrated different identities and helped new students feel included, promoting diversity. Orientation is where I learned about the Black Student Association (BSA), Caribbean Connections (CC), and African Student’s Association (ASA). Having CC and ASA alongside BSA allows different Black cultures to be celebrated rather than treating us as a monolith. I look forward to partaking in more events organized by these clubs (and others), and finally finding a community I can connect with.Â
2. High School vs. University
With positive revelations come unpleasant discoveries, such as adapting to university classes after a typical high school environment. It is definitely weird going from 28 students in a class to over 100. The real struggle happens once you leave the lecture hall, go home, and realize you have no idea how to keep track of the plethora of knowledge you’ve accumulated in one to two hours. Freshman year is full of trial and error because what worked for you in high school may be less effective in university. What I’ve discovered to be helpful is to try various methods and see what sticks.Â
Another change is relearning how to take notes. In lecture, you might type all your notes, and then spend hours hand-writing or editing them. If there is one thing I recommend, it is to start note-taking from the first class. Otherwise, you’ll be like me and have to cram six weeks of lecture notes for your midterm in three weeks. Adapting to a new routine may lead to shedding tears, but the best thing to do is stay optimistic, continue trying new things, and try to get advice from classmates or upper years (study groups are a great place for this!). Another piece of advice is to drop any expectations you had in high school. If you don’t have high expectations, you won’t be disappointed and will be more receptive to change. Oh, and sit in the middle or at the front of the lecture hall if you want to actually hear what’s being said!Â
3. Creating a Work-life Balance
Procrastination may slide in high school, but keep it up and you’ll quickly learn one of the hardest lessons of first year. It is crucial to understand the difference between procrastination and taking a break. Breaks are essential for growth and learning. Without them, you will burn out! For some students, including myself, the workload is lighter than it was in high school, but the preparation and take-home work will consume you. What is taught in lecture needs to be gone over at home, and midterms need dedicated study time. Do you need to study every second? No! But set aside time for studying, note-taking, and assignments because things often take longer than anticipated. Throughout the week and studying, set aside time for breaks. It can be five minutes to stretch, an hour on your phone, or really anything you consider fun. Also, I highly suggest doing a little bit of studying each day instead of pulling all-nighters to cram. Your brain and body will thank you for resting to effectively retain information. There will come times when you just cannot get everything done, so teach yourself to plan strategically. I like to prioritize my to-do list by class order (which class I have first in the week) or by assignment weight. Do you need to do that reading or start your assignment worth 20 percent? Using a planner or calendar can help tremendously to organize your week/schedule, making it less overwhelming. Paper planners for the win!
Two months in and thankfully everything has been smooth sailing. No matter how much you try to prepare, life happens and can go off track. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and let go of the expectation that everything will be perfect. I still have three years and a semester and a half ahead of me, but these first two months have shown me that change doesn’t have to be feared. Starting a new chapter such as university can be thrilling and terrifying at the same time, but your experience is ultimately what you make of it. Fingers crossed that I won’t make any startling discoveries by May.