5 Lessons Learned in 5 Years of University

The five years I have spent studying here have been the most pivotal and eventful years of my life thus far. And as I near the end of my undergraduate journey, I have been able to look back at my first-year self and see just how much my university experience has shaped me as an individual. 

I wanted to share some words of wisdom that I think every university student should hear regardless of where they are in their journey.

I came to university with only a vague idea of what I wanted to do. I even ended up switching engineering programs three times! And it was a little discouraging talking to my peers who seemed like they already knew exactly what they wanted to do in life. 

Eventually I realized that we all progress at our own pace, and there is no reason to be in competition with anyone else. The Transition Program allowed me to take a reduced engineering course load during some fall and winter semesters, and explore my other interests. It was not until the end of my first year that I realized I wanted to do Mechanical Engineering. I also enrolled in the Optional Specialization in Management Sciences. 

Arriving at university with a set plan does not make a student superior. Take your time and enjoy the journey!

I have been working ever since I was 16, and let me tell you, working feels very different from being in a classroom! I value what school has taught me, but you are really not able to put the theory you learn from your courses into practice until you hold a relevant job.

In particular, I find that soft skills are exceptionally hard to master without work experience. I have taken communications classes myself, but learning how to deliver a good presentation is so different from actually giving a presentation in a work setting. It may not be smooth sailing at first  — but that’s part of the learning process.

I understand that not everyone has the capacity to start saving money before entering university, but I encourage you all to be mindful of your financial situation and spending.

It’s no secret that university can be expensive, and there’s plenty of other costs associated with it besides tuition. If you’re going to be commuting to campus, then you also need to consider transit fares. And if you’re going to be spending a lot of time on campus, then you need to make sure you have enough money to buy food for yourself. You don't realize how much those $4 coffees add up, so I'd suggest creating a spreadsheet to keep track of what you're spending!

School is important, but it should not come at the expense of your physical or mental health. It’s important to take breaks, and to give yourself time to do the activities that you love which are not school or work related. 

Even if I am very busy, I always make sure to budget some time to exercise, because it’s something which elevates both my physical and mental well-being. I may not be able to always go to a gym, but I’ll still take a movement break or two during my long study sessions.

I get how scary entering university can be. As with starting any new chapter of your life, there can be many unknown variables. But it’s important that we embrace the uncertainties. You will change a lot during the course of your degree. And you will encounter hurdles and failures. But all this will help to mold you into a better version of yourself and shape your future. 

If I were to go back in time and tell grade 12 me that I’d be pursuing graduate studies in project management after my undergraduate degree, I probably wouldn’t believe it. But I’ve learned not to question what life throws at me. Learning and discovering more about yourself is a wonderful thing. 

- Jeremy