This post is heavily inspired for my sister-in-law Brianna. She mentioned that she wanted to read about college and university things, and seeing as I have been educating myself since 2007, I think I bring a lot of knowledge to the table. So every once and a while I will write about my university/college experience. My first year of university has been the best year of my life to date, I gained SO much throughout the entire experience, good and bad. I learned to stand on my own, rely on myself, make friends from scratch (something I had not done in years since I had my friends since I was young), and try things I have never done before.
First off, I can't stress enough to not be afraid, don't be afraid if you go for one thing and think you want to switch. I started out in teacher's college, as did a ton of my friends, did we all end up as certified teachers? Nope, not even a little bit. But that's ok! You learn so much about yourself when you go to college or university, you are on your own for the first time and this is both exciting and terrifying. This is your journey and you make it what you want it to be. I really went outside my comfort zone because I moved 18 hours away, I think when I was applying I really didn't realize how far away from home it was, when we left to go to residence, I realized it would not be possible to come home on weekends! :P
Don't be afraid to say no, something I did not do as much as I should have. When you are a first year, you want to attend every party and have the best time, however I wish sometimes I had put my studies first and said no to the odd party. With partying being said, you also come to realize how creative some people are. I think I attended the craziest theme parties, and did the weirdest challenges in my first year of university (Gin challenge will always stick out to me.. and I have not been able to drink it since).
The experience in itself was amazing, I can't believe it has been almost 8 years since I made this huge life change. It is scary and exciting, but so worth it. I recommend staying in residence your first year to anyone, you meet tons of friends, are close to campus, and really get a feel for where you fit socially (whether that is clubs or sports). Looking back, I probably would have stayed on campus the whole time, it is just so much more convenient, and even though you pay a little more up front I think it is worth it in the long run.
I think going into it you just need to have an open mind, before going to university I thought I knew who I was. I figured I knew what I liked, the person I was, and what I was meant to do. Looking back I realize I had no idea at all, and that life was really just starting. Unfortunately the downside of that is the friends you leave behind are not always the friends you keep. I lost touch with some of my closest friends, friends that I thought would be around forever, and I only have a small number of friends from high school I still talk to. This does not always happen, but even if it does it is something that you come to accept as being part of life.
The girl in this picture is completely different from the girl that is sitting here writing this. I was so young and naive when that photo was taken, I thought I had it all figured out. The best thing you can do for yourself is to relax and enjoy the process, no matter what happens. Whether you change majors a few times, lose friends, make friends, spend all your money after a month of being at school (I do not recommend this, this happened to me my second year and it was horrible), don't be afraid to call home and vent or take chances. If I worried about the outcome of everything, I think I would still be in Thunder Bay.
I hoped this helped get things started Bri, or anyone that is getting ready to start a new chapter in their lives :)
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