First Year Completed: My Words of Wisdom and Advice

There's a lot to learn in the first year of university, so here are some tips to get through it with ease!

This morning I submitted my last exam. So there we have it. I have officially completed my first year of university!

How did that happen? Seriously, how DID that happen? The year went by so fast! When final exams for this semester rolled around, and I was in the usual routine of minimal sleep and high amounts of caffeine, I realized that soon I would have a full year of university under my belt! It’s something to be proud of! Almost as proud as I’ll be when I walk the across the stage in three years for my graduation.

For those of you who are already feeling nervous about your first year of post-secondary in September, don't fret! Here’s a compilation of some advice I've touched on this year in my blog, along with a few new tips, that should help you feel a lot better.

1. University is not scary

It LOOKS scary, but it’s not. Trust me on that one.

2. Keep friends close

Having a couple friends to get through the daily stress makes university much easier.

3. Stay ahead of the game

Do NOT give yourself less than a week to finish a term paper - that's a BAD idea. A worse idea is if you leave it until the night before it's due!

4. Consider a smaller school

To each their own, but attending a smaller school was, for me, probably the best idea ever. Having professors who know my name and can talk to me about something completely off-topic while on the way to class is pretty awesome.

5. Coffee can work

You might find that coffee becomes your new favourite beverage, especially during exam period, but make sure you drink it in moderation. And if coffee isn't your thing, try exploring some energy-boosting tea.

6. Do the work

It's simple! How much you put into university is how much you’re going to get out of it.

7. Stay healthy

Hit the gym a couple times a week or join a yoga class - or do both! Exercise will keep you cool, calm and collected (and help avoid the freshman 15!)

8.  Be safe

You're meeting new people in new surroundings so make sure you're smart with everything you do. Don't put yourself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations.

9. You're not on your own

The university is there to help you so use its services and staff. Believe it or not, if you need help on a paper, chances are there’s a teaching assistant willing to help you out.

10. Don't cut corners

Cite everything before you hand in any papers. No one likes plagiarism.

And with that my readers, I hope the challenges of university won’t seem so daunting! Just remember to enjoy every single second of the experience! University is going to be the time of your life. You will never learn more about the world around you and yourself ever again. So make the most of it!