There's a lot of things that people in university tell you and a lot that they don't. When I walked into my first class, I had no idea what to expect, cut to 2 months later and it feels like everything has changed. I'm still a baby when it comes down to it, but if indulging myself into university life has taught me anything, here it is:
1. Sometimes it really IS just like the movies!
The first week of classes can feel like you're in the middle of the Pitch Perfect movie at Barden University. People moving into residences, students showing their parents around campus, tours going on through every building and the nervous energy of all the first year students preparing themselves for a wild 4 years of their undergraduate. The fall vibes that radiate through campus is an automatic anti-depressant and makes you want to indulge yourself into your school even more.
2. You won't always be the smartest in the room, and that's okay.
The worst feeling ever is when you're sitting in a lecture hall, listening to your professor talk about the sociological imagination and having no idea what the hell he's getting on about. The second worst feeling you'll get in university is listening to your classmates pipe up and add to the conversation while you're still left wondering what's going on. This is going to happen way more than you want to believe but it's a totally normal thing to be feeling, because every student- at some point in their university career- also feels the exact same. The only thing you need to remember is that if you need help, ask. Your professors are there to make sure you understand everything that they're talking about, it's literally their job.
3. You'll get confused about your major/program- A LOT!
Sometimes you'll apply to a program, get one class in, and realize that it is just not for you. Tom Cruise went to school to become a priest before he realized he would be better suited to become Pete Mitchel in the movie "Top Gun". Just like Tom Cruise, it is perfectly fine for you to switch your program/major however many times you need to find out where you need to be! Channel your inner Tom Cruise.
4. It's fine if you need to drop courses.
There's no shame in dropping a course that you're failing/don't need. If it's going to bring down your GPA or it's going to hurt you in the long run, just drop it like it's hot! Seriously though, as long as your university's guidelines allow it and it won't be marked as a fail, there's no point in trying to stay in a course that's going to be detrimental to your degree/program. When my advisor told me that it was best if I dropped a certain course, I was devastated but now I understand why I had to do it. You can always take the course again in the next semester or the next few years in your program and if you don't need the course then just forget it, because it's irrelevant. Always remember to do what's going to benefit you, not what's going to make you look smarter.
5. It's okay to cry.
Just let it all out. Trust me, you are not the only one sitting in the library with a few tears trickling down your face. University is hard- really hard at some times, and it's human nature to cry. Bottling up your emotions is only going to be bad for your health and sanity, so whether you're at the library, at home in your bed or anywhere in between, let those tears roll! It's your degree and you'll cry if you want to!
6. Help is closer than you think.
if I haven't said enough, university is HARD. The weight of all your courses and everything else on your shoulders can be a lot for one person to handle, which is why you should never be ashamed to ask for help. Most universities have counselling centers on campus that students are able to avail of for free, as well as help centers for different courses. There's no shame in admitting that you need a little extra help at times, and there are people out there whose specific jobs are to help you! I've never had extreme mental health issues but going to see my academic adviser really helped me clear my mind, which was being fogged by all the work that was suddenly being thrown at me. So if you need to reach out to someone, do it!
7. Everything gets better.
The difficult courses, trying to get a routine down, missing your family and being thrown into this totally new environment is rough, and it stays rough for a long time. I would be lying to you if I didn't tell you that it's going to suck for a bit, but all of the rough days and shitty times are going to get so much better. You'll get a hang on your courses, figure out a routine that works for you, meet new people and sooner than later, you'll be exactly where you need to be- which brings me to my last point.
8. University is NOT for everyone.
This isn't something that is told to people looking to start post-secondary education enough. There is absolutely no shame in choosing a college over a university, or going to trade school or taking a few years off. Every single person is destined for something different, and although I absolutely love my university and would recommend it to anyone who asked, I can completely understand that this environment and learning style isn't for you. So if you get into university and realize that you aren't destined for it, then change what you're doing to make yourself happy because nobody can do that but you.
University is already a roller coaster and we're only one semester in, but I can already tell that it's going to be the most amazing ride ever. If you take anything away from this article, I hope that you know that it's okay to do you. Other people are going to learn different, socialize different and just generally live different than you, and you shouldn't let that affect how your next 4 or so years are going to play out. Here's to a successful undergraduate degree!
