Dear First Year Student Emily
Dear First Year Emily,
So many stimulants — what do I focus on? Where do I start? What do I join at university? What will my classes be like?
These are just a few of the many questions I had starting out in my first year of university. Like many other students, coming out of high school or taking a year or more off and entering this environment can be exciting, nerve-wracking, intimidating, fun, and inspiring all at once (…to name a few). Never fear — I am here to give you some advice!
First Things First — Soak it All Up
There are a number of things to do at university or college, but its important not to lose sight of your goals and your interests. Here are some tips I have to get through these next four years.
1) Don’t be afraid to get involved.
You’re not the only one nervous or feeling “not enough” or not capable enough. Just remember — I am a first year after all! Join that club that grabbed your attention from day one! (Which I did) Telfer Marketing Association taught me so much and was an amazing way to integrate into the new environment, meet some of my peers and administration/professors at the school, and follow my dreams!
Is there anything else you wanted to join? Go for it! This is the time to pursue all and any opportunities that interest you and you feel will help you gain valuable skills.
2) Balance is key and so is prioritizing.
Now we said get involved, and join what you want, but it is also important to remember we still have school. It can be hard to determine how to juggle school, social, extracurricular, and family responsibilities. After all we only have 24 hours in a day, and we humans do need our sleep. Decide when it is best to do one activity over the other, and you’ll find yourself feeling even more organized than before.
3) Take breaks.
It is important to know when its time to take a break. Studying can be overwhelming to the brain, and it actually absorbs new concepts better when given a rest. So take that time and watch an episode of your favourite show on Netflix and go back to work after. You’ll find yourself more refreshed and interested in continuing to work on something for school with little rewards along the way. This encourages motivation and productivity. Just do this in moderation, don’t get too distracted.
4) Stay organized.
You can personalize this according to what suits YOU best. Whether it’s programming all of your tasks and responsibilities from school to work to plans with friends into your phone, printing out a daily or monthly calendar, or buying an agenda, choose the method that works best for your needs and set yourself up for success. The worst is when you miss out on something because you forgot about it. There could be an event you spotted online that peaked your interest, have your calendar/planner close at hand so you can write it down as a reminder.
Create lists — and I mean all kinds of lists. You can even use Microsoft applications to generate your own personal one on your computer. This is the best way to a) get it out of your head and into a computer or onto a page and b) categorize your thoughts so you can then realize which are most important and what you need to balance in any given period of time. This is especially helpful has a student, but this skill will help you throughout your work and personal life down the road as well.
5) Don’t dwell on regrets.
Regrets can be a waste of time. It is best to accept you are young and just learning, and can make the decision to grow from a time where you felt you could have chosen a different path in any given situation. It’s how you take that experience or time period in your life and turn it into something of value in the long run. Whether its joining a club you hesitated about, or applying to that job you are doubtful you can even land an interview for — go for it! And if you didn’t before, don’t dwell. Just do what is best for you today.
6) Eliminate negative influences in your life.
Staying focused and staying you means don’t surround yourself with negativity. Whether it’s certain people in your life or a habit or a work place environment. If it’s only causing you problems and not giving you any positive experiences and value, get rid of it. It’s not worth it. And it’s not worth your time and energy. Sometimes this process of elimination can be a really hard decision you have to make. But if it’s for the betterment of your personal and or professional health, aligns with your own values, and feels like a weight is lifted off…that’s only going to bring you success and happiness in the long-run.
Is there something here I mentioned that you don’t feel like you’re not already doing and want to? Go for it! Start today, because it’s never too late and life is short.
Go get ’em tiger,
Emily
