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As I look back at the 2018/2019 schoolyear, the two semesters feel like completely different times in my life. After a summer of living where I grew up—but growing up more than I had imaged, as my parents were away and I had my first office job—coming back to Toronto felt like a fresh start. I moved into a great house with my three best friends and began a new program of study. Other than hauling my furniture up to the third floor in 40-degree heat, third year seemed like it was going to be a breeze.
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Obviously, there were roadblocks—not just the construction that blocked us from entering Robarts— but first semester was a time of learning, adjustment and a lot of engaging in fun. Now mid-way through my second semester on exchange in Paris, life is truly a dream (refer to my
midway-through-study abroad- post).
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So, this is me, speaking to my third-year self in hopes of getting through to some of you.
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To stop this from this becoming a diary entry, I thought why not separate what I’ve learned into two categories of school & life, so you refrain from making the same mistakes I did— just kidding, but seriously never eat in the law library.
SCHOOL
- Just buy the textbook.
- I know online versions can be tempting, but they’re usually missing pages. My program evaluates students based heavily on textbook reasons, so I learned this lesson the hard way.
- Try taking a class from the program you’d like to be in, before you decide to enroll in it.
- Put more effort into classes for Breadth requirements, but also pick what interests you.
- I took astronomy twice and ended up dropping the classes because I realized I can’t magically make myself good at physics, bio, chem and astrophysics.
- Take a film class, it might change your undergrad.
- Go back to your college.
- I lived in Victoria college first year, although because it’s on the other side of campus I didn’t go back as much. Last semester I made an effort to participate in college life and it reminded me how much I miss it there.
- The U of T Health & Wellness Centre rocks.
- The doctors are so nice and always accommodating. Call to make an appointment.
- Work hard, but value your down time.
- If you have an idea for an event on campus, figure out who to team up with & do it. Don’t wait. I spoke about my event in a previous post, "So you want to Plan an Event?
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LIFE
- Watch out for pickpockets when you’re out in Toronto.
- Don’t leave your presto card in your phone case.
- Put all your documents in one place. Be an adult and be accountable.
- Spend money on things that matter.
- Explore Toronto in other ways.
- I brought my bike this year and while it’s currently sitting in the backyard soaked with snow, it was a great way to see more of the city in the fall months.
- Buy a real winter coat!
- After I got rid of my old one I thought I could make do with my fall coat. Bad call.
- Put everything you have into friendships, but know the extent of that relationship. Don’t expect more than you’ll get.
- You will be scared when life changes are on the horizon, but it will always work out.
- I just found a text from my mom the night before I moved to Paris; “Transitions are difficult darling, but they bring us to new things that are wonderful, equally or more so. You will be fine”
- Refer to my first post on exchange "Moving on and Getting over."
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- This leads me to my next point—Thank your family. They care about you more than you know.
- Stop to admire the changing seasons
- Even if it makes you a few minutes late for class.
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- Travel. As much as possible.
- Explore student job opportunities.
- That’s how I ended up in this fabulous position! Check the Career Learning Network for opportunities next school year! As you can see, my blog posts serve as a timeline for this year.
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Anywho it wouldn’t be a Rachel Cohen blogpost without a little rambling and a little humour, so I hope if you’ve learned anything from my writing over the past year, it’s to not take yourselves too seriously. We only have four short years at U of T (well maybe more, we’ll see), but enjoy it.
Take risks, reach out, say yes, care about what you’re studying, but know when to leave the library.
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Au revoir for the last time –Rachel
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