Reflections from Undergrad

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Reflections from Undergrad

Everyone’s university experience is unique but the challenge of transitioning from high school to university life is shared amongst all students.  We asked our team to share some of their thoughts and lessons learned while adjusting to university. 

Read below for some of the lessons learned that may help you!

What do you wish you knew going into your first year of university?

"I wish I knew how fun it was going to be. I was very nervous, stressed out and I had this picture in my head of university being scary. I soon realized that university is actually so much more than just school work if you want it to be."
-Kaitlyn
"I wish I knew the benefits of reviewing lectures early (i.e. reviewing lecture notes the same day of the lecture or within the week). It’s really helpful to consolidate new material the same day and ask any clarification questions during office hours or at the next lecture. "
-Prachi
"One thing I wish I knew was that the four years of university go by faster than you’d think and so it's important to make the most of your experience. There's always something new to learn, someone new to meet, and new passions to arise; the opportunities are endless! In my first year I was so fixated on my grades that I didn’t take advantage of the opportunities; I didn’t build many connections, join clubs or go to events. But these additional things are what really make the university experience memorable and valuable. "
-Muznah
"I wish I didn’t buy textbooks! Unless there’s an interactive component to a textbook which is being graded, I highly recommend not purchasing them. They are (for the most part) readily available online for FREE on sites such as libgen and Z-library. Even if you’re looking for books for recreational reading, they are super easy to find there. "
-Rayna
"I wish I knew that I didn’t have to have all the answers. I think I spent most of my first year stressed out because I wasn’t sure where my degree was going to take me, if it would take me anywhere at all! So much of our lives focus on milestones or getting to the next pillar just to update our resumes. As a first year student, you do not have to have all the answers! Take advantage of all the program opportunities, clubs and social events that come your way during your first year of university. You will discover lots about yourself in these events which will compliment how you view your studies."
-Allegra
"I wish I knew that the resources around you are there for a reason. It is important to reach out to them and go out of your way to search for opportunities and get the help and information you need. Therefore, explore your campus and everything provided to you by the university, including help with academics, extra-curriculars, finances, etc. "
-Sally
"I wish I knew there would be no judgement from others. At first, I thought people would be looking at my appearance and judging me negatively, but the reality turned out to be the opposite. Everyone happened to be really friendly and I continue to meet other friendly students. "
-Marisa
"One thing that I wish I knew was that in university courses, you are in it until the end. I promise that getting a bad mark on a midterm is not the end of the world as you will have plenty of time to bring your grades back up! Don’t be intimidated by low averages either, as many classes will have some sort of scaling system to ensure that you get the grade that you deserve."
-Celina

If you could give your first-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?

"I would tell myself to get involved more on campus and get out of my comfort zone."
-Ronahi
"Whether it is to a Prof/TA or a club/organization, do not be afraid to send that email! Always try to put yourself out there and make yourself known and they are going to help you the best they can."
-Sally
"Don’t be afraid to ask questions during lectures, your questions are not as dumb as you think! Even if they are, it doesn’t matter - the more questions you ask, the more you get out of the class. "


"Don’t be afraid to approach professors outside of lectures! Professors are there for students to ask questions, give them advice, and expand your mind, and are typically very happy to help!"
-Prachi & Muznah
"I would tell myself to relax and practice self care. It is so easy to obsess over grades and study hours upon hours every single day. It is so important to take care of yourself, especially in a high stress environment like university, so make time for it! I promise you that you and your grades will thank you for it. "


"I would tell her to prioritize self-care whenever possible. Going to the gym, putting the books down to take a shower or pausing your study session to call home is essential. It is often difficult to find a work-life balance that suits you, but I definitely think it is worth working on and it makes a difference in your overall health. Taking breaks can actually improve your studying! Try not to forget those healthy habits that make you feel lively. "
-Celina & Allegra
"I would tell myself to reach out to classmates more often. Having my first year of university online was a good challenge. One of the most difficult hurdles that I faced was not having any classmates to ask about assignments or even just to talk to and relate with. I felt very alienated being stuck in Alberta when so many people in my classes were having study sessions at cafes in Nova Scotia. By the end of first semester I realized that all I had to do was send a text or an email and reach out, and everyone was very happy and helpful. It actually seemed like everyone was looking for someone to talk to but too afraid to reach out, so my advice would be don’t be afraid to be the one reaching out."
-Kaitlyn
" I would advise putting myself out there more, especially during welcome week. Since I was too shy to attend these activities, I missed out on a lot of fun things. Even if I had been by myself, I would have been able to attend those events to meet students in and outside of my program. Another piece of advice I would give my past self is to ask for help when I need it. When I struggled with a particular subject or topic, I just tried to figure it out on my own instead of attending help sessions. Perhaps I would have received better grades if I attended those help sessions. "
-Marisa
"Don’t be afraid to talk to people. In first year, everyone is looking to make friends, so starting up a random conversation isn’t as daunting as it may seem (particularly for my introverts reading this). Worst case scenario: the conversation ends and you go along with your day. Best case scenario: you make a friend for life. "
-Rayna

Do you have any advice for students going into their first year of university?

"Breathe and take things step by step due to the overwhelming environment of university. Get involved on campus and remember to have fun!"
-Ronahi
"Do not be discouraged by a bad grade or experience. University is definitely a transition and the path to success is not a straight line. You can always find a way to bounce back and continue improving. "
-Sally
"Take advantage of your first year & join clubs/student organizations! Being involved in activities you’re passionate about, connecting with other students in your program through program-specific events, or participating in residence activities to connect with peers in your first year help expand your network. "
-Prachi
"University will not be nearly as bad as you’re expecting it to be, so try not to stress out too much! For me, heading into university in an entirely online environment was insanely stressful, but I soon realized that I actually adapted quickly to the atmosphere. Ultimately, I recommend entering university with a positive mindset, it will help with the transition!"
-Celina
"Take it all in. University is a very unique time in your life, embrace it and make it what you want it to be. Do those things that are a little scary for you and talk to those people you might not usually approach. Use the time to learn who you are, build on yourself, and most importantly enjoy it."
-Kaitlyn
"Take Care Of Your Mental Health. The first year of university is a time of a lot of change. There can be a lot on your plate and a lot expected of you. If the pressure of everything is building up, take a break; do what you need to do to take care of your body, relax and unwind. It’s important to recognize if you are struggling with your mental health so that you can advocate for yourself and get the support you need."
-Muznah
"Take advantage of office hours and resources on campus such as study groups, writing centres, mock-exam sessions, etc. Having attended many study groups in my first year, I was able to meet so many great individuals that have continued to inspire the way I study, prepare notes and attend classes. Your school will have lots of resources free and readily available to you, so make sure to attend and take advantage of them! "
-Allegra
"Try to put yourself out there because no one will judge you and everyone is super friendly. Basically in first-year, you’re trying to build those friendships with people you can both socialize and study with. A final piece of advice is to ask for help when needed. Even if you just need clarification on an assignment, you can ask for help. Also, take advantage of any help sessions offered by your university."
-Marisa
"Please please please seek out opportunities at your university from day one. There are more than you might expect and it looks GREAT on your resume, especially if it’s looking a little blank. It also allows you to gain new experiences and really explore the different avenues of your education. This includes: practicums, work-study experiences, internships, extracurricular clubs, networking events, and volunteering at a lab. There are also lots of Facebook pages dedicated to finding opportunities for students, such as STREAM.
Another honourable mention is using the resources available at your university.
These may include:
Writing Support Centre - to proofread your assignments and provide you with useful feedback Career Development Centre - to help you create a resume and cover letter that stands out, and help you prepare for interviews.

Health and Wellness Centre - if you have any physical or mental health concerns"
-Rayna

We hope you enjoyed reading through some of our insights! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! You can DM us on Instagram or email us. 

 

 

 

If you’d like to learn more about a specific program or university life, you can also sign up for a coffee chat with someone on our team!

Authors

Celina Macleod
Ronahi Abdurrahman
Marisa Manichan
Rayna Naik
Prachi Ray
Allegra Peterson






Muznah Hassan

Kaitlyn Busson

Sally Al-Mufty