First Day of University – 5 Tips for Incoming Students

Walking to campus this morning, I was thinking to myself... First Day of Classes at University! It’s like clockwork, but this day gets me every year! There’s something about the fall air, the backpacks, and the excitement of new beginnings.

Believe it or not, I still remember my first day very vividly… I’m not going to tell you how long ago that was, but I remember it clearly: the subway stop I got off at; the music I was listening to (yes, we had portable music players back then); the first class I attended, and the first person I talked to on campus.

I hope that all of you also get to create some happy first memories as a student! Here’s to Coffee, Classes, and New Friends!

I’m sure you’re all getting tons of advice from friends, family and well-wishers. At the risk of adding to the information overload, I would try to summarize my advice in these 5 Tips for your undergraduate journey:

1. Do the Work & Keep Focused: Manage your time wisely. it’s a big transition from high school to university, and prioritizing and balancing things can be challenging. Keep focused on your end goal… go to classes, and do your readings on time. Oh, and read the syllabus! You’ll thank yourself later that you did.

2. Extend Yourself:

Join a club… try out new things… it would add to your positive student experience!

Network... it is one of the most important things that you will do during your time at the university.

Don’t be afraid of change… you don’t have to have everything figured out from day one. There’s no need to rush in to choose your specializations – explore a little before you decide. Also allow yourself to be intellectually uncomfortable, and give yourself the opportunity to explore topics and subjects that seem interesting.?You might enjoy something that you knew nothing about previously. Planning is important, but having everything planned out does not always leave room for growth.

3. Don’t Be Shy to Ask for Help:

We appreciate that being a student means you're under a lot of pressure, and it can be challenging and overwhelming at times, but we are here to help!

Firstly, speaking as a Professor, we can be your allies... so link up with a few professors who you like and trust. Go to office hours! Some of the best advice and opportunities that I got at university, I got during office hours. Your professors want to talk to you, and they want you to succeed!

Secondly, your academic advisors and program counsellors can be key resources in your academic journey. They care about you, and they are deeply invested in ensuring a great student experience. You might even think of them as your very own personal cheerleaders! They can give you advice for managing your courses and academic pathways, figuring out your options, or connect you with the right people who can help you. Also, since they work directly with students all the time, unlike us professors… they’re not as ancient or disconnected from today’s youth :-)

4. Tend to Yourself:

Learn to understand and deal with stress… mental health is important and there are resources available at the university to help you…?Know that you’re not alone!

Stressing out is harmful and not helpful! Sleep is important… chronic sleep deprivation makes everything worse.

It is important to carve out some time during the week to do things you enjoy doing.

5. Remember to Have Fun:

Socialize, and make new friends… studying with friends is more enjoyable, and it makes going to classes a lot easier.

Play sports – it doesn’t have to be competitive, and you don’t have to be an athlete. Even casually, it is a great way to meet new people, stay active. and have a good time.

I would end this long post by emphasizing that education is more than a degree… at university, you learn how to learn, and this is an opportunity for you to establish positive lifelong habits.

University can be overwhelming at first, but there are practical steps you can take to get ahead and enjoy the experience. You Got This!