Those few years of college or university fly by faster than you think. Most people wish they could have done things differently if they had the chance to go back.
Whether you’re about to start your postsecondary journey or are in the midst of it, here are 5 things I wish I did as an undergraduate student. Use this list to begin your first year of postsecondary on the right note.
Use a Planner
Don’t take those free agendas from the student union for granted. The school I went to considered five courses to be a full course load, but even four courses in a semester can be overwhelming. Write deadlines and midterm dates on the calendar as soon as you get your syllabus. If you want to go a step further, you can schedule your whole day; from when you’ll eat lunch to how much time you’ll dedicate to assignments. This will be especially helpful during midterm and exam season. (Don’t forget to schedule breaks, too!)
If writing down things and constantly checking physical planners isn’t your thing, make a digital agenda through your laptop’s calendar where you can always see it.
Visit Your Professor’s Office Hours
The first time I visited a professor’s office hours was in my third year of university. I was surprised to find that I was the first student to visit this professor. It was right before the final exam! Professors are human too. It might seem like mere protocol to let students know their availability outside class. But I’m sure they appreciate students dropping by to say hi or asking a question in person. It will make a lasting impact compared to an email that’s lost in a plethora of emails. Not only will they put a face to a name, but it can also help in the future if you decide to do a research project under them. Or pursue further education and require letters of reference.
Go to Career Counselling Sooner Than Later
Going into my first year of postsecondary, I was convinced I’d be going to medical school. But as time went by, I realized my values and priorities didn’t exactly align with the lifestyle of someone in that field.
Career trajectories can change, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s better to visit a career counsellor a few times throughout your undergraduate years than struggle to make one appointment when you’re about to graduate. From my experience, they won’t spoon feed you. But they offer the resources to explore on your own. The first time I went, my counsellor had me take a colour personality test. This provides an idea for careers that suit me. It turns out my personality is blue. You can find more information about the other personalities here: https://truecolorsintl.com/the-four-color-personalities/
Meet More People
I lived in residence in my first year and was blessed to have roommates that became my best friends. No matter how you get along with your roommates or how you find friends in school, it will get harder to hang out the further along you are in undergrad. Joining clubs and volunteering is the perfect way to meet new people with similar interests and add on to your experience when you’re applying for jobs or graduate school.
Plan Self-Care Routines
Going from high school or a job to your first year of postsecondary is a big transition. It’s okay to admit there will be challenging days. There’s only so much preparation we can do until we actually experience it. While it’s important to stay on top of assignments and midterms, it’s equally important to plan breaks and take time to just breathe. Even if that means taking twenty minutes away from your work or a full day off.
Remember, your mental health is more important than any grade. Achieving something is not worth it if it means sacrificing yourself in the process.
However you decide to experience first year of postsecondary, it doesn’t define how you live the rest of your life. Some people thrive in academia. Some perform better when they work full-time. Do whatever’s best for you!
