How to stay on track
One of the biggest differences when transitioning from high school to university is the amount of control you have over your own success. This is both exhilarating and challenging. This control involves planning and organizing for your years ahead, so one of the best decisions you can make right away is to go and speak with a program counsellor; program counsellors have an abundance of knowledge and they know how to help guide you in making decisions that really matter.
Program counsellors advise students to “come and see [them] about what courses to take, making sure that [they will] meet program requirements to graduate, and what to do when things go wrong,” expressed Jerome Chang, Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BAS) Program Counsellor. Throughout the years students spend at university, there are plenty of events that can throw off plans and allow studies to take a backseat for small periods of time. Not everything in life is scheduled and happens at the most ideal time – this is why speaking to someone who really knows the ins and outs of academic planning is extremely beneficial.
It can be difficult to try to figure out what you really want to do with your life – this isn’t something that comes easily, and it is something that often takes years to figure out. “There is so much going on for new students; lots of students are unsure of what they want to do. As [students] take on more courses, [they’ll] have a better idea of what [they] like and don’t like. [They] might even come across some great opportunities that [they] didn’t even know existed before,” said Chang. Taking chances and getting out of your comfort zone is what enables personal and academic growth. Test different areas out in a reasonable fashion to see what you like and what doesn’t work for you – but never give up on a dream that seems difficult, if you really want something work hard for it and it is achievable.
If you are struggling, Chang advises that you “ask questions, and ask for help [and make sure] you are asking reliable sources. Friends and family often mean well, but if you have questions about academics or university policies, the best people to talk to are your instructors and your program counsellors. The same applies to upper year students.” Chang recommends to speak to a program counsellor to “make sure you know what you need to do to graduate when degree completion is on the horizon [including: making sure your average is what it needs to be, that you have met all the program requirements and taken all core classes, etc].”
One of the most important pieces of knowledge students can arm themselves with is to “become familiar with [their] undergraduate calendar. It is [their] road map of requirements and rules for [their] university career,” stated Chang. This is something that every student should do from day one to ensure that they stay on track throughout their years at university. Knowing your options is the key to not only being successful as a student, but also to having the ability to accomplish what you intend to accomplish in this next chapter of your life.
“You are completely responsible for your education, so stay on top of things, ask questions, go to class, participate, and […] remember to have some fun as well!” concluded Chang. It is up to you to take charge and responsibility for the decisions you make here at the University of Guelph – the decisions you make now will help you learn, grow, and become who you really want to be in the future.