Student Life

12 Things I Wish I Knew in First Year

12 Things I Wish I Knew in First Year

1. Your Major Does Not Define You
I repeat, your major does not define you. It doesn’t characterize who you are as a person so don’t worry about the stereotypes associated with each major. Try new classes and see what works! Don’t be scared to switch if you feel like the major you’re in doesn’t fit you. University is the best time to find yourself and your passions. Learn how to write; take that History course; use your electives to learn who you want to be.
2. Learn to Take Good Notes
It’s repetitive but it’s true, taking good notes in first-year will get you in the habit to continue succeeding throughout your university career. Even if you’re not considering grad school, learning to take good notes because getting good grades will teach you important lessons that will benefit you not only in the classroom but also in the workforce. Read our blog here on How to Take Stellar Notes. 

3. Learn About the On-Campus Services
On-campus services are equipped with helping you in any way they can. While they may seem redundant or confusing, these services might not be as easily accessible once you’re out of university. Utilize them to help improve your writing skills, improve your nutrition, or help your mental health. You’re already paying for the services, what’s stopping you from using them?

4. This is The Time to Try Anything You’ve Ever Wanted
In university, the comfort zone shouldn’t exist. You have so much opportunity at your fingertips whether you realize it or not. Unlike high school, no one is nearly paying attention or cares about what you’re doing. So, don’t be afraid to find yourself and do anything that excites you! Who knows, maybe you’ll find a hidden talent you didn’t know you had or at least make a new friend.

5. Everyone is Living Life for the First Time  
When you’re in first year, you’re always seeing all the different things everyone around you is doing. Especially with social media, it looks like everyone is doing better or living more effortlessly than you. However, it’s important to remember when you make a mistake or become jealous of others that this is everyone’s first time at life. We’re all in the same boat and we’re all doing it together.

6. Don’t Be Scared of Failure
In university, you’re not worrying about bills, house care or losing millions of dollars for a company. While it may not feel like it, this is the time you have the least responsibilities. Enjoy the opportunity to try everything and anything you’ve ever wanted. And learn from every failure that comes your way. Check out our blog on How to Overcome Failure.

7. Your Grades Will Most Likely Drop from High School
AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. The content you learn and the way you learn will change drastically from High School to University. For the first time, no one is forcing you to do your work or go to class. But, at the same time, the work gets harder, classes go faster and the class load gets heavier. It’s a huge adjustment going from high school to university, and it’s a well-known fact that your university grades will drop, which is called "grade shock". That doesn’t mean you’re dumb or stupider than in high school, it’s something that happens to everyone and it’s important to realize this so it doesn’t affect your confidence as you continue your university career.

8. Learning to Take Care of Your Body is More Crucial Now Than Ever Before
When you’re in university, you still have the mentality that you’re invincible. That is why it’s more important at this stage to take care of your body. This is the time you have the freedom to choose what you eat and what you do with your time. These habits will continue to impact your life as this freedom will soon become the norm. Take advantage of the already paid for gym and get comfortable taking care of yourself.

9. Call Your Parents
University is such an exciting time and you’re doing so much that it’s easy to forget to call the two people that always supported you. No matter what age you are, you will always be their kid. Make the effort to update them on your life because they’re excited to hear about it. Being healthy means being healthy with your family too...don't forget them!

10. On-Campus Volunteering is Still Work Experience
It’s easy to think that school clubs are just school clubs. But, in university, club experience can teach you just as much as work experience. This is the time to learn as much as possible while still being able to make mistakes. These experiences will be valuable in figuring out what career path you want to take, what work you enjoy doing and learning new skills.

11. Dating is Fun but It Isn’t Everything
You meet so many people at one time that it’s hard not to get caught up in searching for “the one”. However, don’t be discouraged if you’re not dating someone or haven’t in your four years! Everyone has different priorities and you don’t have to apologize for choosing to learn about yourself instead of another person.

12. You Will Change More in 4 Years Than You Expect
The scary thing about university is that you don’t even realize how far you’ve come. Going into first year you have all these expectations about the next four years. But, at the end of it all, you may realize that you’ve done so many things you never expected from yourself or you’ve done everything you’ve ever wanted. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done at the end because it’s inevitable that you’ll change and grow as a person. And, that, is the beauty of University.


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