It’s been about two years since I graduated university and at times it feels like it was so long ago, yet also super recent. I remember the summer before first year, I was frantically searching and watching all the Youtube videos about university. There was a lot of general advice, but I wanted something that was more specific to Western University. Here’s hoping I can fill that gap for first year me!
Get to know lots of people, but consider who you want to keep as close friends
It’s super easy to want to be friends with the first people you meet in university, because everyone wants friends. But it’s easy to get caught up with different crowds of people as they start to form. Some people are super fun to party with, while others are great study buddies. It’s good to be on friendly terms and know people from different crowds, but I would recommend keeping an internal list of people you share similar values with and want to become closer friends with. Those are the people who will last with you through the tougher and not as glamorous times. While others may be only around to have fun and be on the highlight reel.
Don’t stress too much about your academics
I remember being a straight A student in high school, and thought that university would be the same. I can say that with confidence, it definitely won’t be the same as high school. First year courses are made to standardize all the students’ understanding of the topic. So your performance will depend on how much your high school taught you in the topic. Some courses will be easier than others if you were exposed to the material before. But while I encourage you to put in the effort to do your best, especially in those courses that have totally new material, it won’t be the end of the world if you’re not getting 90s. I would say as long as you’re passing and able to move forward in your program, you’ll be fine. No one in the working world will ever ask you what grades you had in first year.
Explore everything you’ve ever wanted to, while being safe
I think university is the perfect time to explore all the parts of yourself that you never got the chance to before. Perhaps you were sheltered and wanted to expand your experiences. Or you wanted to take more time to try some new hobbies. University allows you to have that freedom and more time to try all these things. While you have the opportunity to try new things, I’ll still encourage you to do them safely or with a friend that may be more experienced in it just to keep yourself safe!
Cherish every moment
I swear, your first year will go by so fast, you won’t even realize it until its April exam season. Enjoy every part of it, whether that is struggling through exams and assignments, or going to your first frat party. Live in the present and make the most out of every opportunity you’re given while at Western.
Things to try out at Western
- A bagel from the spoke (my favourite is japapeno cream cheese on a mushroom asiago bagel)
- The underground tunnels that go between some of the major buildings (especially during the winter!)
- Different study spaces across campus (Wheldon, Taylor, Law, or Huron library, desk spaces in the UCC, or Lawson building)
- A frat party (wear shoes you don’t care about)
- An all-nighter at the expense of lack of studying (or giving moral support to your friends who did)
- The chicken fingers and fries at the Spoke back restaurant
- Walking across campus during the fall and admiring the colours of the leaves
- The rec centre!
- King Richies pizza (can get free delivery to your res by paying with your student card)
- Staying up late with your floormates just chatting
Conclusion
There’s so many tips out there about living the best first year experience, but I hope I helped give you some that were specific to Western. I hope you all have an incredible first year and let me know if any of these tips helped by commenting below, sending me an email or DMing me on Instagram!
