- Stressing wasn’t worth it – the more time I wasted stressing out, the less time I had to do the work. Action is far more productive!
- Using an agenda is extremely helpful when trying to organize the school/work/life balance. It allows you to quickly check what is due as well as when and where you need to be, and how much free time you have on any particular day.
- I wish I knew to not buy all textbooks at once and for full price. There are lots of options – you can buy books new or used at the University of Guelph Bookstore, or the Co-op Bookstore on campus. Or, you can arrange times to meet with people who have used books they are looking to sell that are only a few months old. If you want to save money, and do not want to own the books at all, you can also head to the library and use the books that professors place on hold for students enrolled in their classes as well.
- I wish I became involved in volunteering early. Volunteering is a way to get involved on campus and throughout the community. It is a crucial way to gain experience and network yourself. Just be sure to not overload yourself with too many different activities, as it is possible to overdo it and get warn out. Find that balance, and stick to it.
- It’s totally okay to change the direction you’re going with your studies.
- Getting a part-time job while in school may seem like a lot to manage, but it actually helps you learn how to manage your time effectively, while at the same time can lessen your final student loan.
- Meet your professors in person! By taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with your professors during their office hours, you allow yourself to make a name for yourself and are avoiding being known as just a number. University campuses are busy places, with large classes. You never know what kind of advice these experts can give you, or the contacts they will be for you in the future.
- I wish I understood how important it is to understand your undergraduate course calendar. Your undergraduate course calendar shows you what required courses you need to take to graduate from your program. Once I realized this was of utmost importance, I made an appointment with a program counselor and it was so helpful. Do yourself a favour and make an appointment right away!
- Don’t eat take-out food all the time! A nice home cooked meal will work wonders.
- It’s okay to make mistakes. By experiencing new things, you are vulnerable to messing up a few times. Learn from your mistakes, and let them shape you to become a better person.
About
The Ontarion publishes independent, student-produced news, opinion, and commentary for University of Guelph students so that they can make informed decisions in their lives. To do this, The Ontarion provides learning opportunities and training in journalism, media production, leadership, board governance, and other aspects of nonprofit news.
The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent student newspaper. It began in 1951 as part of the Ontario Agricultural College and then began to represent the entire University of Guelph once it amalgamated in 1964. The Ontarion incorporated in May 1970 as The Ontarion, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation registered with the province of Ontario.