The transition from high school to first-year university is daunting for most students. To ease your mind, here are five things that helped me during my first year at the University of Toronto.
1. Don't stress too much. Your first midterm, assignment, and graded task are designed to help you understand how things work in university. Professors often deliberately lower the weight of these initial assessments because they recognize that students are still learning how to prepare and use their knowledge effectively in the university setting. While we know a certain level of stress can be motivating and healthy, it's important to not let it overwhelm you. Remember to take breaks and make time in your schedule to relax and de-stress. Balancing your academic responsibilities with self-care is crucial for your overall well-being and academic success. Check out our Better Coping Skills workshops for sessions on how to balance work and play.
2. Remember that every day is a new beginning. Didn't have a great day at school? Tell yourself that tomorrow is another opportunity to thrive and work toward achieving your goal. As I like to say, "a goal with hard work is more rewarding than a dream with no work." In short, the work you do will lead to learning and progress in your studies. But it's most important to work smart, of course. Check out the Centre for Learning Strategy Support (aka CLSS) website for tips on working smarter to reach your academic goals.
3. Prioritize your well-being: There might be several occasions where you feel burnt out due to assignments, upcoming exams, etc. Eating a healthy diet, working out, and getting enough sleep are all helpful ways to combat burnout. The combination of these three can really help you along your university journey. And remember that Toronto is a beautiful place to explore, so don't forget to watch the sunsets and have a cup of coffee by the Harbourfront! Check out our Breathe Well and Sleep Well and more wellness workshops, as well as our Mindful Moments yoga and meditation classes.
4. Enjoy yourself and make lifelong friends and connections. While orientation is a great time to meet people, engaging and initiating conversation with your classmates throughout the year is equally as important. The friends you make in a classroom don't just hang out with you, but also help you stay focused. Studying with people from the same class or preparing together for the same exam can help yield better results, and of course, it's more fun!
5. Asking for help is a good thing! Let me explain this with a hypothetical example: Imagine your cat is stuck on top of a tree. Would you let it struggle to get down or ask someone for help? The latter option, always! Someone calls the fire department who then can help the cat safely come down from the tree. Similarly, asking for help when you're stuck at university is super important. Some common scenarios include getting lost on campus, not being able to work through an assignment, or not being able to take notes properly. The one solution to all these problems is seeking help from academic advisors, senior students, your friends, professors, or teaching assistants. With numerous resources available to solve any and every problem, you'll never be stuck for long, but only if you ask for help!
That's all! You're all set to begin your journey! Keep your seat belts fastened and embrace for an exciting journey ahead! 🙂
– Yashvit