University is an exciting chapter in one's life. Even before one enters university, there are anticipations, nervousness and fears about how one would cope. Am I going to make friends? Will it be too hard? Am I ready?
But fear not, I am here to help you calm those nerves of yours and ensure that you are well prepared before taking the big step into university.
I have here some tips I wished I knew before I started my undergrad year, and hopefully it would serve you future scholars well.
1. Take a gap year.
Don't rush into making that big decisions on what course to study/ what to major in, and which university to go to. If you are not sure what you want to do as a career, choosing a course your friends are doing or what your parents tell you to do is not the way to go. Think about it, who is going to spend the next couple of years studying the course? No one else but you. So make sure you have a good think and do not let anyone else influence your decision.
If you feel that you are not ready to spend the next few years studying, then take a GAP YEAR. Take a year off. You deserve it. Go on an adventure, go backpacking overseas, do volunteer work. Take your time to find out where your interest and passion lies.
2. Make a lot of friends.
University is the time to make friends. You will meet people from all sorts of background. Some may even be your lifelong friends. To meet people with similar interests as you, join a club. Join as many clubs as you want. Also, start building your network. Trust me, your network will serve to be a great tool to establish your future career.
3. Get help.
Starting university means being in a new environment. Some people may not cope well especially in the few weeks. If you are struggling, seek help. Immediately. If you need help with any areas of your studies, ask for help. There will be specific people who would be able to help you depending on what you need help in. Take note of these key people when you attend your orientation.
Form study groups if you find yourself struggling to grasp the concepts of what you are learning, Study groups are amazing as you can share and discuss your ideas among your peers. Be wary about forming study groups with students who procrastinate and seem to enjoy socializing more than actually studying.
4. Participate in study tours.
Take the opportunity to do a study exchange programs/tours overseas for a semester if its possible. This will most definitely make you stand out from the crowd, not to mention it would look amazing on your resume.
5. Get a part time job.
Working while studying may seem counterproductive, but it is actually necessary to build up your working experience. With any part time job whether it be working at a fast food joint or as a strawberry picker, you will develop the skills and attributes of a good employee. These include skills in leadership, communication, planning or organisation.
6. Research the job opportunities in your field of study.
Even though you just started your degree, start looking at what job ads in your field of study is looking for. Take note of the position requirements and start developing the skills they want.
7. Apply for graduate programs.
During your final year, start applying for graduate programs. Do not wait until after you graduate to apply for graduate programs.
8. Avoid distraction.
It is normal to procrastinate and get distracted at time. Try not to put yourself in a situation where it will impact your studies. For example, if you have an assignment due on Monday and you still have not started on it, attending that big party over the weekend may not be the best idea.
9. Enjoy every moment of it.
Last but not least, enjoy university. It may be hard work, but it is worth it in the end.
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