How to Survive Your First Year of University

Chose a program that you love.

When going through the view books at all of your university choices, you need to chose something that calls to you. Chose a major that you have always found interest in. Something you genuinely feel passionate about. This is the main topic and subject area that you will be learning about for the next four years, and what you want the rest of your life to be centred around after you graduate (no pressure). If you feel passionate about more than one thing, then pick both a major in one subject area, and a minor in another. If you can't chose between the two, and you're feeling ambitious, major in both! The important thing is to chose something that you really want to do, something that means something to you, and something you have put a lot of thought into.

Live on campus for your first year.

I had second thoughts about choosing residence over an apartment of my own, and I know that a lot of other people do as well. I chose to live on campus in residence, and it was one of the best decisions I've made. Living on campus, I am so close to all of my classes and I don't have to worry about waking up an extra 20 minutes early in order to catch the city bus. Not only is it closer, but there are many more opportunities for you when you live in the community. There will be events specifically for first year students, and there will be lots of advertisements for those events on your floor. Upper year students put those on for you and work really hard for you to have a wonderful experience. You will meet so many wonderful people who live in your buildings, and be able to see the friends you make a lot more often than if you lived at home. And don't forget, when you live on campus, no one can tell you not to order pizza at 1 AM with all of your new best friends!

Do the readings.

After picking up the (not cheap) textbooks from the bookstore, you will realize that many of them are big, thick, and most of the time have small print. Almost every class will have an assigned reading, and even if you really, really, want to skip it and watch Netflix instead, it will pay off in the end. If you do the readings beforehand, there will be no need for an all-nighter cram-session before the tests or exams, and trust me, after running on coffee and not getting your sleep, you might as well have not studied at all. So if you keep up with the textbook, don't fall behind, and catch up on weekends if you let one slip, you will be prepared for what your professor has to throw at you.

Follow the syllabus.

Before the first class starts, each professor will email you a copy of the class syllabus. make sure you read it front to back, and then back to front. And don't lose it, because it might be the most important package of papers in the entire course. It's more than just your class outline, it has your professor's rules inside as well. Each professor runs their class a little different. Some let you call them by their first name, and others won't settle for anything less than Dr.... so you really need to make sure you're on top of all of the little things like that. The syllabus has a detailed schedule of when you need each chapter of your textbook read by, and when all the assignments are due. Most professors will also have each assignment's weight, and how to complete each one. All of this information is important, so be sure to keep a copy handy at all times!

Keep a planner.

I know, I know, "My high school gave me a planner and I didn't open it once." Yep, me neither, but this is certainly not high school. In high school, your teachers will tell you every class for at least a week in advance that there is an assignment due at this exact time and this exact date. Your professor will not do this. You will be lucky if they even tell you the class before it's due that it's due. So after you read your syllabus, write down all of your important dates, all of the assignments, readings, everything you need to do before each and every class, and set reminders on your phone so you remember to do it. This is a tedious task, but an important one. I don't know where I would be without my planner!

Go to class.

I know this is a pretty basic one, considering you had to go to every class every day, five days a week, and if you didn't, your parents get notified. So in the first few weeks, you will go to every class, be 15 minutes early to every one, and then one day you will realize that no one knows if you miss class, especially if that one doesn't take attendance (which is most of them). So you will skip a couple, and then it will get to the point where you'll forget that you even have class on Tuesdays. DON'T. Because even if your professor gives you his lecture notes, that is absolutely nothing compared to what you will get for going to class. You might have the textbook to read from, but your professor has life experience that you will only hear about if you GO. And it might suck sometimes, and you might just want to sleep in, but you need to go to class, even if it is at 8:30 on a Monday morning, or 6:00 on a Friday night.

Take care of your health.

As much as you need to focus on your classes, your personal health is more important. If you have a meal plan, go for the healthier options, and if you don't, than pick out the best looking produce at the grocery store. Either way, ramen noodles every day is not the way to go. Let in sunlight for at least a few hours every day and make sure you open your window to get fresh air daily. Get enough sleep every night, and I can't stress this enough! Not only is your physical health important, so is your mental health. There will be resources that you can use on campus at your wellness or health centre, and there are phone numbers that you can call if you need help. Make sure that you're putting yourself first.

Have fun.

Go to your friend's house, go to the free dinner being held for first years, get that tattoo. Even though there will be a lot of work, and you are there for your education, that doesn't mean that your social life needs to end. Go to the dance, and talk to people you sat beside in that one class. Join a club, and step outside your comfort zone. No one knows you, and no one knows that you've never played volleyball before, just join the team. Have the time of your life, because there is so much freedom! Walk 20 minutes just to get dessert with your friends at 12 at night. And don't forget to take lots of pictures, because you will want to remember as much of it as you can.

Don't forget who you are.

This is the most important part. Because when you get there, you will think that the people there are going to be a judgemental as they were in high school, but they really aren't. Be yourself. Keep your favourite stuffed animal in bed, and sing out loud even if you have roommates. Put yourself out there and make as many friends as you possibly can. Talk to everyone, and go to all of the social events. Because the chances are, no matter what happens, people are going to love you and you have no reason to not be who you truly are in your heart.