Written By Ayesha
As my time at university draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. As someone who started school overwhelmed by the abundance of opportunities post-secondary had to afford, here are a few tips I’d give to someone who is about to start or is looking to maximise their time while here!
1. Get a head start: As generic as this advice sounds, get started on your homework or studying at least a week early. It will be quite common for you to have 2-3 assignments due or to have to write exams in the same week, or even on the same day. Leaving little time for you to write assignments and study is how you fall victim to relying on shortcuts that significantly decrease your quality of learning. Creating a to-do list, outlining your priorities for the day, is a great way to stay organised throughout the semester and stay on top of all your courses.
2. Find your spot: Finding your ideal study spot/environment will be the biggest game-changer throughout your university experience. This could be a café, the library or even a classroom, anywhere you find yourself being productive. Personally, I’ve realised that studying on campus or at a café has really allowed me to maximise my time and improve my well-being. Seeing other people typing away on their laptops makes me feel more productive, and I get to enjoy a fun drink while I’m working, so win-win! Setting boundaries about where to study and when has definitely allowed me to achieve work-life balance and prevent burnout. Maybe you work best at home without distractions, or perhaps working in a bustling environment around others keeps you focused. No matter the conditions, find what works for you!
3. Become open to feeling uncomfortable: Starting university can be a daunting experience: new building, new friends and new teachers. Falling back on things that are familiar and comfortable to you is something we all do in situations of uncertainty. However, remaining comfortable does not allow for growth and can restrict you from seeking out new opportunities that may bring on positive changes in your life. Something that I’ve pushed myself to do more often is to become comfortable with doing things on my own. Whether that be going to events solo or even trying a new cuisine, allowing yourself to experience something new is a great way to expand your horizons. It’s okay if the people around you are not interested; if you are, go for it!
4. Join extracurriculars: Something I wish I had done earlier when I started university was to become more involved on campus. Once I started exploring the different clubs and resources open to students, I realised just how much I was missing out. Joining clubs is a great way to not only meet like-minded students in the same faculty but also meet people from different programs who can offer their unique insights and perspectives. This is also a great way to improve your interpersonal skills, make new friends and gain new skills. Joining clubs and societies is one of the best ways to build your network, which can improve your resume and truly aid you in your career later on.