Written by Diane (she/her), student
Going to university is a big transition, and as someone who has been in your shoes, let me tell you — it can be scary! But the more prepared you are, the easier it will be to adjust.
This doesn’t mean that you’ll know all the answers, or that everyone’s university experience will be the same. It just means the more open and comfortable you are with your university choice, the more likely you are to get the most out of your experience.
But what even is university?! (Spoiler alert: it’s not like the movies)
Growing up, my dad used to tell us that university is an ‘experience.’ I thought this meant he had a bunch of stories about the ridiculous things he and his friends got up to. Now I know that the university ‘experience’ is about a whole lot more than school.
Of course, university is academic. It’s about learning, researching, and exploring, except now you get more choice than ever about what the subjects will be. You aren’t guaranteed to love every class, but you’ll probably be a bit more interested in learning the topic.
University is about what you do outside the classroom, too. Personal connections are an important part of the journey, from the friends you meet in residence and the professors who share their passion for a niche subject area (think theatre of Francophone minorities in Canada), all the way to the networks you build in co-op. It’s also about things like sports teams, clubs, student societies, jobs, volunteering, travelling, and what you do in your free time. You’ll learn from all of these extra experiences just as much as you’ll learn from the formal classroom curriculum.
And while this might sound pretty movie-like, I’d be kidding you if I didn’t say that university sometimes sucks. As accounting student Simran shares, “it's important to not lose focus of your goals and take it one day at a time. Eventually you'll realize that it was all worth it — both the fun and the not so fun.” University might not always be what you expect, and that can be stressful, but when the pieces come together, the outcome will be better than you could have ever imagined.
Okay, but how do I pick a program?
Choosing a school and program can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what you want to do. Whether you know or not, what matters is that you find the right fit for you.
There are lots of factors outside academics to consider when finding your future home. You may be moving away from family. Your friends may not choose the same school as you. The opportunities for sports, clubs, and jobs will be different at every school.
The people you meet will be different, too, and they’ll shape your unique school experience.
Then, there’s the school’s reputation to consider. What is university known for? Remember that you will spend a lot of your time in places other than a classroom.
Choosing a program is just as important as finding a school. Discovering something you’re passionate about doesn’t mean that you know your future career, it just means that you’re on the path to finding some of those answers.
It’s totally normal to not be entirely sure what you want to study or what you want to do. That’s why it’s helpful that your decision doesn’t have to be final.
I know lots of people that have changed programs after getting to university and they’re so happy because of it.
As Luna, a student that switched from Engineering to Knowledge Integration says, “following your heart and pursuing what you’re truly passionate about can significantly benefit your overall experience at university.”
What if I don’t feel ready for university?
You don’t have to be. It all takes time.
Most university students can think of things they wish they knew before coming to university, and that’s okay. You’re coming to university to learn and you don’t need to have it all figured out before you get here. My class notes, agenda, and study habits don’t look the way they did in high school — or in first year — because I’ve finally found strategies that work for me.
Sometimes it can feel like you’re not cut out for university because you’re not a perfect student, but with time you’ll learn your own ways of doing things that help you succeed.
If you still don’t feel ready to choose, there are lots of supports to help you. Attending events like open houses or booking a campus tour can give you the inside scoop on what the university experience is like at a given campus.
Scrolling through university websites and doing your research can also help to narrow down your search. There are lots of staff on campus who can tell you about different programs and special opportunities to help tailor your degree to you. Everyone around you is a resource, too. You can ask siblings and friends about their university experience or talk to your teachers and guidance counsellors about subjects you’re interested in. The more advice you can collect, the easier your decision will be.
All that is to say, the one thing I wish I knew before university, is that it’s okay to figure things out as you go. Be kind to yourself and make decisions that work for you.
