But what if there were a better way of doing things? What if first-year students could get started on the right foot and not fall into the same traps that their predecessors fell into? With that, here are four tips that first-year university students should be following.
1. Follow up on Research Opportunities
While it might not be as fun as partying, being in class regularly and keeping up your grades pays off in the long term. Not only do you meet new people who have interests that match yours, but you are open to new opportunities.
Research is one such opportunity. It presents opportunities within your field to make contacts, grow your knowledge and experience, and open doors that would have otherwise remained shut. It is the kind of experience that can result in major strides post-graduation.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak up
We have all been there before: the professor is moving at a rate that we can’t keep up with. Soon, we feel lost, not taking in the information that the professor is conveying. Before we know it, an entire class has been lost simply trying to play catch-up.
If you are lost, there is a good chance that someone else is too. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask questions. It might give the professor an indication that they need to slow down or to explain certain parts of the lesson plan in greater depth.
3. Don’t Be Confined to Your Program
Students choose a program when they enter university. And while it is important to fulfil the requirements of that program, it is important to not let the program become your world either.
Expand your horizons where you can. Take other courses or participate in other activities that might not relate to your program but pique your interests. You will find that it makes you a more well-rounded university student and opens your eyes to the other possibilities in life. Even if it is a temporary experience, it is something new and different.
4. Manage Your Time
Instead of taking on too much and becoming overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to take on a partial course load. Remember, you want to soak in the experiences and information that each of these courses offers. You are then able to learn effectively and come out of the course better than you were before. And that is the true purpose of university, is it not?
