As a first-year university student, I learned a lot. Since entering university, a lot has changed in my life. I came into university not knowing what to expect. I knew there would be a lot of changes that I wasn’t expecting. After getting through my first year of university, here are five things I learned!
- commuting is hard
-
One thing that I’m one hundred percent certain of is that commuting is tough. Since I live at home and am only a 20-minute commute from Laurier, I must schedule my days accordingly and frequently spend up to 12 hours on campus. I also have a lot of free time on my hands and am continuously looking for things to do to keep myself occupied! Luckily, I have great commuter friends who love Lazeez runs, concourse hangouts and long walks in Waterloo Park!
- the importance of making friends in your classes
-
Making at least one friend in your lectures, labs or tutorials is beneficial. Not only will you be able to develop and form lifelong connections, but the friends you make in class will also serve as excellent study partners when it comes time to prepare for exams. They will also come in handy when stuck on a homework problem or an assignment! It will go a long way if you can find at least one individual who can assist you in your classes.
- participating in class is beneficial
-
Participating in class can be scary, especially in a lecture hall in front of hundreds of people. However, I learned how important it is to raise your hand and participate in class, even if it seems scary. Before starting university, I was never hesitant about participating and sharing my input in class, but with the increase in class sizes, I felt intimidated. I pushed through it and participating in class has helped me to feel more engaged and, in the end, learn more! Overall, it’s easier to connect to course material when participating in class by sharing your insights!
- the importance of talking to your professors during office hours
-
Before attending university, I would overhear my older family members discussing going to their professor’s office hours, and the idea of doing so terrified me. My perspective changed when I needed clarification on an assignment and gathered the courage to go to one of my professor’s office hours. I attended, obtained the answers I needed and even got to know my professor better! In the end, professors care about their students and only want them to succeed. Establishing a relationship with a professor can also really help you if you need references or even research positions in the future.
- The importance of getting involved and joining clubs
-
One thing I didn’t do in high school was get involved. I regret not joining any clubs or being a part of any group in high school. One thing I knew I wanted to do in university was to get involved, and I’m happy I made that change by doing so. I’m involved in student clubs such as Her Campus! Getting involved in Her Campus at Laurier is the best thing I decided to do. By getting involved in Her Campus, I can work alongside passionate, intelligent and astonishing women! I’m incredibly thrilled to be a part of Her Campus, which allows me to form new friendships with people who share my interests and passions!
Since so much has changed, it hasn’t been easy for me to acclimate to university. I came into university not knowing what to do about certain things, but it’s okay because I’m learning as I go. Overall, I’m going to apply what I’ve learned in my first year to the rest of my university experience. Cheers to a great first year!