8 Things To Know About University

Sarah-Beth is currently in her first year studying kinesiology at the University of Calgary

University is a big step after leaving high school. Choosing a faculty and major, the chance to finally study what you find most interesting, getting to meet lots of new people... the list goes on. There is so much to discuss that often a few things go unmentioned in the tours around campus. There are many things I know about university now that I wish I’d known in high school, and not just the basic facts like 8 am classes are tough to get up for and playing on a university team means you lose most of your weekends.

To help you get prepared, here are my top eight things to know about university:

Like Dad Said: It’s Hard, Really Hard
There is always studying to be done, since a test that is worth 20 to 50 per cent of your final grade is common and will cover loads of material.

Get Familiar With Your Surroundings
Just because you walked around campus a few times doesn’t mean your classrooms are easy to find. Find all of your classrooms before the first day to avoid wandering around aimlessly and being late to your first lectures.

Be Textbook Savvy
Textbooks can cost a small fortune. So before you buy, go to the first couple of lectures and find out if the textbook is really required. Then visit the used bookstore to save yourself a few dollars. Or buy your textbooks from another student who was enrolled in the course previously, and help them fend off student debt.

Get Tech Ready
Learn where there are outlets on campus to recharge your laptop/phone. Especially if you have classes in buildings that pre-date the age of cellphones.

Keep in Touch
University is a huge place! Just because you go to the same school as your friends, it doesn’t mean you’ll see them. Organize study sessions, coffee dates or movie nights to catch up.

Success is in Your Hands
You have total responsibility for your education. It’s up to you to pay tuition on time, register for your classes, actually attend lectures and labs and hand in assignments by their due date. No one is going to be running after you to hand in that paper that was due last week.

Be Prepared to be Surprised
University can be a culture shock. Diversity is a major part of campus life, with people coming from all backgrounds, religions, ideologies and ages. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn about yourself and others. You will meet some of the most interesting people in the world right in your classroom!

Make an Effort
Be outgoing and try to make friends. If you don’t make an effort, you may be the annoying person sending out mass e-mails to your classmates asking for notes for missed lectures. And who wants to be that person?