25 things college students wish they’d known sooner
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Find your place & your people
“Put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid to try new things and meet new people.”
—Second-year undergraduate, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
“Find a group or club to be involved in. Getting more involved will help you find your identity.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, University of Waterloo, Ontario
“It’s okay to be completely terrified and homesick sometimes. It’s also alright to have some alone time when [other] people are going out.”
—Name and university withheld
“Avoid first-year drama from drinking and partying. Make memories that last, not ones you’ll forget.”
—Name and university withheld
“The school year goes by so fast, so when you get an opportunity to do something different, go for it!”
—Second-year undergraduate, University of Guelph, Ontario
“Don’t get stuck in the first friend group you click with. Keep meeting new people and new friend groups.”
—Second-year undergraduate, University of Victoria, British Columbia
“Pick housemates you can actually tolerate, not just people who are fun to party with.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, University of Guelph, Ontario
In class & on campus
“Use the library. It has resources that you wouldn’t realize, such as phone chargers, personal librarians, and more!”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, University of Victoria, British Columbia
“Consulting academic advisors is an easy and efficient way to get information about possible career paths, the courses you need to take to graduate, or general resources.”
—Name and university withheld
“Sometimes the major you start with is not the major you finish with...and that’s OK.”
—2015 graduate, Memorial University of Newfoundland
“Take time to discover what you find interesting. University is about teaching you how to think, and it’s good to question whether or not the path you are on is the right one for you.”
—Name and university withheld
“Be proactive and research what certain resources, such as the career centre, can do for you.”
—Second-year undergraduate, Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario
“Take advantage of study abroad programs. It’s easier to commit to a semester abroad than to accept a job abroad.”
—2015 graduate, Memorial University of Newfoundland
“Go and get accommodations if you have learning disabilities, whether you feel like you need them or not.”
—Name and university withheld
“Take advantage of the free things on campus. Free yoga classes, free food, free guest lecturers!”
—Second-year undergraduate, Trent University, Ontario
The key to thriving
“Make as much time for your personal fitness as possible. It will lower your stress levels.”
—First-year undergraduate, Concordia University of Edmonton, Alberta
“Eat breakfast every day!”
—Second-year graduate student, St. Clair College, Ontario
“Depression and anxiety are common. The counselling services on campus are wonderful and necessary.”
—Fifth-year undergraduate, University of Regina, Saskatchewan
“Don’t let your health (e.g., sleep, mental, physical) take a back seat when you get busy.”
—Name and university withheld
“Gaining weight isn’t the biggest deal. Eat healthy and love yourself.”
—Third-year undergraduate, University of Waterloo, Ontario
“Sleep is the most important thing. A proper night’s sleep allows you to concentrate better in class and remember the material more clearly.”
—Name and university withheld
Looking ahead
“Planning life after graduation may be tricky, but the writing centre and career services offer great help.”
—Fourth-year undergraduate, University of Waterloo, Ontario
“Build networks and go to as many conferences and networking events as possible.”
—Name and university withheld
“You don’t need to finish your degree in four years! Take a full-year internship. Take a smaller course load and work in a research lab. Do a semester abroad. There’s no need to jump into the work world.”
—Fifth-year undergraduate, University of New Brunswick
“Enjoy it. No matter how excited you are to graduate, you will miss it when you’re done.”
—Second-year graduate student, University of New Brunswick
