So, I just finished my first year of university without spontaneously combusting, which (to me) is an accomplishment. The first year of university is a milestone for everyone. It’s the place of new friendships, possibly breaking the old, and where you try to find your place. That can be scary, which is why I compiled a list of things that helped me get through first year.

No one cares, so YOU need to CARE

This one’s a bit of a bummer but no one cares whether you attend class or do your revisions. They simply give you a zero and continue on in life. Although freedom is sweet, too many sweets can make you very sick. In this case, you’re going to be sick with stress and tuition bills. Fun. 

Obviously, you have people in your life that care about you such as your friends and family, but unless you care about yourself and how you work to achieve your goals, you’re not gonna get there. So, to all you incoming first years, actually, all years, ATTEND CLASS.

Even if you don’t feel like you’re going to pay attention, you should still go. Chances are you’ll retain some information and something is better than nothing. And let’s be real honest here, you tell yourself you’ll go over the chapter, but will you? Will you really?

You won’t. 

Don’t stress the small things

One of the many cheat codes I’ve learned in life is that no one cares. When I first came to university, the ground was my best friend. I would never look up and make eye contact with people, preferring to keep to myself. I was so self-conscious that I spent my entire first semester cooped up in the library, so no one would see me do normal human things, like eating.

 Here’s the good part:

Everyone feels like this.

Obviously not to this extreme but everyone is self-conscious of themselves and their actions. Mark Manson explains in his best-seller THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK, “The desire for more positive experience is itself a negative experience. And, paradoxically, the acceptance of one’s negative experience is itself a positive experience.”  

Accept that no one really cares if your winged eyeliner isn’t equal or if your shoes don’t match your outfit. Because they don’t. And guess what? That’s totally fine. You get in this world what you put in it. Put forth acceptance and chill vibes and that’s exactly what you’re going to get in return.

Use your school services during first year

It took my 21-year-old sister literally dragging me to my student learning Centre for me to book an appointment with transitional support. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but worth it. I was able to fit 2 months worth of procrastination in the span of one, so yay for no combustion!

These support services are here to help. I know it may be uncomfortable but your success as an individual is much more important than some discomfort. Plus, you can honestly say you’re a mess and no one’s going to judge you. 

It’s not selfish to completely remove yourself from unproductive situations

 I’m a realist. So, I understand that alongside school stressors is this thing called life that doesn’t give a crap if you have a midterm tomorrow and will gladly screw up your life. The best and right thing to do is to remove yourself from that situation. It sounds selfish but this is YOUR life. You don’t need to apologize for removing yourself from a situation that doesn’t leave you feeling good, inspired, or positive.

Life is short. You are not being self-absorbed or rude, you are doing what is right. If anyone thinks differently, do you really want to be around energy like that? 

It’s okay if you don’t have a high GPA

It’s especially difficult for first years because you’re always around the constant “Oh, first year is easy.” It isn’t.  You’re transitioning from high school where the only responsibilities you had were attending class and doing assignments that weren’t too difficult. Now it’s not just assignments, it’s being alone in lecture classes filled with hundreds of people you don’t know and choosing a career path that determines the rest of your life. 

Before, we could trust that our teachers would provide us everything in order to succeed. Now we have to depend on ourselves and it’s okay to screw up because of it. Even if you put in the hard work and don’t achieve a high GPA, it’s going to be okay.  It just means you need to change the way you work. Take a deep breath and pace yourself through your tasks. You’ll get to where you want to go. 

My point is, you’re never really going to conquer your discomfort and fear if you don’t face it head-on. Stand tall and go for it. You’ll come out stronger than ever. Life becomes a lot easier once you understand these things. You stress a little less, breathe a bit easier and feel a lot better. 

If you’re looking for more guidance on being a first year student, keep reading here.