Walking onto the University of Victoria (UVic) campus for the first time was surreal. I thought I already knew what my first semester would look like. Long story short: I didn’t. The movies never prepare you for when you actually arrive at university with thousands of kids who, like you, are trying to figure life out at the same time.
Finding your people
The first few weeks felt like a blur of awkward small talk with the same familiar questions: “What’s your name? What’s your major? Where are you from?” It felt like a performance of trying not to look as lost as you feel. Don’t worry, I’ve been there. Making friends doesn’t come instantly; it happens slowly through meeting people in lectures, running into familiar faces, and even showing up to events alone.
Adjusting to Independence
For many first-year students, independence hits faster than expected. This newfound freedom and excitement brought so many changes; managing time, going out late, and when to study were entirely up to you. You are now in charge of how to structure your days. Over time, independence became less overwhelming and more empowering, as learning to advocate for yourself helped build confidence and routine. Being more confident, such as speaking up in class, introducing myself, or eating alone at the Cove. It slowly pushed me to become more extroverted than I ever expected.
Academic Reality Check
First-semester academics were more about adjustment than mastery. Classes moved quickly, and expectations increased. Learning became more independent, eventually I learned success wasn’t about memorizing information, but understanding information and how to apply it. Overall, it felt like being thrown to the deep end and told you’ll figure it out, but through anxiously going to office hours, TikTok study guides, and late-night realizations, academics felt less like a mystery and more like something I could handle.
Turning Point
There wasn’t a big, dramatic moment; it came much more subtly. One day, I realized I wasn’t checking Google Maps to find out where class was anymore; I knew where I was going. Campus felt less confusing, and making connections was less terrifying. Between coffee runs to Biblo and recognizing the environment and people, it clicked that I wasn’t just surviving but finally settling in.
The first semester was a mix of mistakes, wins, and awkward situations. What feels overwhelming gradually becomes familiar as you phase out of survival mode into confidence. There was plenty to enjoy about the first semester, from the freedom to meeting new people in unexpected places. At the same time, the challenge of learning how to structure each day and manage newfound free time felt difficult at first. Now, starting the second semester, I feel less intimidated and more excited about where university life will take me next.