So you just got admission into University and you are psyched, yaay! I remember how happy I was when I got the admission letter from my school; just thinking about campus life, making new friends and all the crazy parties! Even the air felt I breathed felt different.
Sadly, barely two weeks in and University life became quite overwhelming. The transition to becoming independent and responsible was not east at all – getting clearance for classes, grappling with assignment deadlines and then there was always that new artiste we loved coming to perform the next day. Before we knew what was happening, exams were just around the corner.
If you are in this phase of your life, consider these lifelines from someone who was once in your shoes. Here’s what I learnt from my first year at the University.
Don’t Be An Island
In as much as you’re an introvert or a loner, you need to ask questions and get around this first year to make adapting easier. Network. Get to know places and people. Make that effort to get out. It’ll help in the long run for your remaining years and it will also make school feel a bit like home.
You Are What You Eat
Many College students run on a diet of caffeinated drink and fast food which gives you a sugar high for a few hours and later you’re just tired without accomplishing anything tangible for the day. Try being selective of what you consume, eat balanced meals and do swap those soft drinks for fresh, wholesome fruits.
Plan Your Day
This is one of the things that would help you make sense of things, begin the day with a realistic and sustainable timetable, write it down in a jotter that is handy to carry around or get a planner app on your phone with all your activities in it that would help alleviate the stress of keeping it all in your head.
Tread Carefully With Extra-Curriculars
Work hard, play harder, Right? Wrong. Don’t sign up for every activity just because you can, know what your limits are and stick to them.
Be Well-Rounded
A friend once said that a university is where you learn it all. There are monetary skills and social skills to know that help a lot even while you’re studying for your degree. Gain from the opportunities to make you an all-round graduate. So in the end, you’ll come out fully equipped in life alongside with the degree you studied for.
Remember even with the stress to always have fun and memories that you can look back to and laugh. Make your first year a wonderful one!