Skip to content

Six things I learned in first year university

I think it’s pretty true when people say the first year of university is the one that will scare you. No the classes aren’t as hard as what your third and fourth year ones will be, but it’s the first year, you don’t know anything and a lot of times it’s the first time leaving home. At least it was for me.

I think it’s pretty true when people say the first year of university is the one that will scare you. No the classes aren’t as hard as what your third and fourth year ones will be, but it’s the first year, you don’t know anything and a lot of times it’s the first time leaving home. At least it was for me.

In my first year of University I have learned a few things that I think are pretty essential to any future student going to University. So I thought I would list the top six things that I learned in University

1)    Citing papers sucks. APA format and MLA format will be your best friend and worst enemy. Mostly your enemy. If I have one suggestion to anyone who plans on going to post -secondary, take the time now to learn it because I can almost guarantee you’ll need it.

2)    Time management isn’t as hard as everyone thinks. It’s amazing what not going out every single night and simply turning off the TV and Facebook can do for your studies. The whole “your first semester is a shock” should only last a month because after that you’ll realize how much work you need to do and adjust your schedule so you have time to do it. That’s right, the girl who was only in Calgary three nights a week is preaching to you about committing to your school work.

3)    I care even less what university boys think I look like than I did in high school. At first, I thought I should try to look presentable in every class. Then I realized that that extra half hour of sleep was worth way more than any guy in my classes.

4)    If you take any type of writing profession class, you will learn that the Canadian Press style of writing is the most annoying writing thing in the world. Then you’ll go do a job like say… reporting… and realize that, sure you know a lot more about grammar now- but spelling names wrong isn’t covered in any stylebook given to you.

5)    If you took French immersion, probably the most awesome thing in the world is to join in on a French conversation with complete strangers who had no idea you were listening. Its hilarious. It’s even better if there are two of you fluent in french. This can also work in the gondola at the ski hill. This has nothing to do with university but is still fun.

6)    And lastly, at some point, in some class, you are going to use that one thing in high school you always complained about. Then, a little thought bubble with Miss Turner in it will pop up saying “I told you so”. Even though she would never say it in real life.

So there you have it, six things that I learned in my first year of university.