![\"Piya's](\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2023\/08\/IMG_4628-1024x1011.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nMy intention is not to stress you out but to make you aware that the techniques you used in high school may no longer work at university. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting Early > Procrastination<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After the onset of orientation, I was interested in being involved socially and going to networking events regularly to meet new people. However, lectures and labs took off at full-speed, and I was unable to keep up with last-minute studying before assessments. I did very poorly, and I vividly remember the guilt I felt when I was put on academic probation for my first semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For future semesters, I started studying and revising content early, made notes during lectures to look back at, read through assigned\/recommended textbooks, and asked questions early on. My biggest issue with not understanding information was that it would pile up and I would keep that aside to \u2018look at later\u2019. Now, I try to approach the professor after a lecture or go to office hours\/appointments at the earliest convenience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, in short, attend your lectures, make notes, keep up with readings, and face your doubts, no matter how challenging they may be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your Health Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Skipping meals, surviving solely on takeout, and sitting at your desk for 5+ hours is not productive. I realized early that I did not have an attention span of more than 10 minutes. I kept on questioning what was wrong with me. I used to forget deadlines and was unable to keep up with fast-paced content. After some back-and-forth with U of T\u2019s Health & Wellness<\/a> doctors, I realized I might have ADHD (Attention-Deficit\/Hyperactivity Disorder).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The way I improved my attention and hyperactivity issues was I tried to break down tasks into bit-size milestones for a sense of accomplishment that would help me push myself more. For example, my goal would be to read at least the first 2 pages of a research paper, and if I achieved that, I would move onto taking a 5-minute break. This would push me to keep on reading after that break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, I know it is hard to eat healthy when finances are harsh and time is limited. You can try to nourish your body by meal-prepping over the weekend, having a heavy breakfast at home, and eating balanced portions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, you might be tempted to push things 'til the very last minute and stay up all night before the deadline date, but what will not help you is your lack of sleep. You shouldn\u2019t just sleep 2 hours a day and suddenly \u2018make up\u2019 for the missed sleep on the weekends by staying in bed for more than 12+ hours. A healthy body is a healthy mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Piya's](\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2023\/08\/IMG_4626-2-2-473x1024.png\")