A Guide to Make the Most of your University Experience

You are about to start your university journey! As with everything, the first steps can feel daunting but keep in mind that you've conquered many 'firsts' in life before. The first time you rode a bike, the first time you made friends on the playground field, the first steps into elementary, middle, and high school. This is no different. To ensure you make the most of your university experience, we are handing you a guide for a joyful experience that caters to all aspects: social, personal, and academic.    

1. Take a Proactive Role:    

Whether it's academics or extracurricular activities, always be willing to enrich your experience. Join clubs, attend events, ask questions, and seek opportunities to grow. You have the chance to choose from an array of elective courses. Test the waters. Venture into different fields of interest. Do not be afraid to seek things out of your comfort zone. Go the extra mile every single time to make this experience as rich as possible. Do not settle for the bare minimum. 

2. Make Friends:    

This may seem like a point of anxiety for some. However, the easiest way to navigate through new surroundings is to open yourself up to meeting new people, whether the person seated next to you in orientation or a friendly stranger you met downtown. A simple hello can lead to a pleasant exchange which could, therefore, lead to more networking. 

It is important to trust your gut feeling when making new friends; if you do not feel comfortable, you should feel free to walk away. But if you tread carefully -with an open heart, you can potentially meet your new best friend, lover, venturing partner, or simply a friendly face in a crowded room.    

3. Allow Yourself to Change & Grow:    

Through different surroundings, encounters, friendships, education, etc., you will begin to shapeshift into the person you are truly destined to be. Allow yourself a judgement-free zone to discover the new parts of yourself. Oftentimes, change makes people uncomfortable. You are bound to face resistance from people in your life when you show growth or change. Remind yourself: you cannot be the best version of yourself if you stay where you are. You have limitless potential that you need to achieve. 

4. Allow Yourself the Opportunity to Fail:     

As you discover more about yourself, you will make mistakes. No matter how careful you are, you will face pitfalls. Accepting this fact will free you from the shackles that hold you back. Failure eventually results in success if you try to learn from your mistakes. If you are too afraid to fail or make mistakes, you will miss every opportunity for growth. When you overcome this fear, you will realize that you have underestimated yourself for too long. You are capable of much more than you realize!     

5. Learn to Breathe:    

We understand how this may sound. As university students, you probably believe that you should ALWAYS be doing more. Remember, burnout is real. Take a moment to self-reflect and breathe. Allow yourself to clear your mind without tackling any tasks. Be kind to yourself. Give yourself credit where it's due. Do not belittle your achievements—practice self-gratitude. You will achieve more when you feel empowered and well-rested. 

 6. Try to enjoy your time:    

The university experience is one that people cherish forever. It can definitely be challenging, but it's years of growth, self-realization, and progress. Do not let the tough times taint the full picture. You still have time to make memories and enjoy the journey. Incorporate fun in all its different forms. Work hard and achieve your goals but also remember to relish every step of the way!