Life is a puzzle, you put it together as you go. Some things fit perfectly, while others don’t, but you always wish you had some advice to guide you along your way.
Moorelands VITAL (Volunteers In Training As Leaders) program helps youth develop leadership skills and positive character qualities that will prepare them to succeed in school and the workplace. To help our participants, before they transition from High School to post-secondary education or the world of work, we’ve created a short series of advice articles: Advice I Wish I’d Had.
In this series, University and College students share what they have learned since graduating High School, from transitioning into University or College to finding a summer job. This week find out what advice they give on making career moves.Rabia | Communications and Marketing | Ryerson University
Be open to all and any opportunities that come your way. University/college has endless possibilities, and it would be a waste not to take advantage of them. Talk to new people, join more clubs, take fun courses. The next few years are crucial, and it is up to you to decide how you would like to spend them. As much as studying is important, so is your mental health. Take a break, meet new people, step out of your comfort zone, and ask for help when you need it. Now is the time to put your needs first.
Arianna | Animation | Durham College
Make sure to stay on top of your assignments, the workload is much greater than high school. It’s important not to fall behind.
Anonymous | Business Technology Management | Ryerson University
Don’t fall behind in making good notes, you won’t regret it when exams come around!
Anonymous | Life Sciences | UOIT
Make friends and don’t be afraid of change. Use the school’s studying sessions, it’s there to help. If you can’t make it to those sessions, make your own with friends and go over notes and practices together.Anonymous | Practical Nursing | Centennial College
Be prepared, it’s a pretty big step when leaving from high school and going into post secondary.
Anonymous | Graphic Design | OCAD
Making friends will help a lot
Mustafa | Neuroscience | University of Toronto
Be organized. Even when it seems like there isn’t much to do.
Savannah | Professional Communications | Ryerson University
It’s okay to not know exactly where you want to go with your degree right off the bat. Post secondary education is about learning and growing and eventually, you will figure out your path.
Anonymous | Double Major in English and Sociology with an emphasis in Education | Trent University
Don’t stress about the little things, always keep the big picture in mind. Those weekly participation quizzes don’t weigh as much as that final exam. Also, don’t worry about meeting people, if you’re open and friendly, they will come to you.Nick | Nuclear Engineering | UOIT
Stay on top of your work. University will leave you behind if you do not stay on top of your work. Managing 6 courses a semester that all have lectures, labs and tutorials will make it really hard to catch up once you fall behind. You should be attending every lecture, taking notes, and then reviewing these notes later at home before you sleep. Stay on top of your assignments, and do all practice questions. It’s a lot of work but it is required if you want to do well in university. However that being said, it is important to balance extracurricular activities (if you have any), free time and school work. Finding a good balance is most important because you do not want to burn out. So you can enjoy things and have fun just don’t fall behind school. There will always be time to set aside for yourself.
Giulia | Professional Communications | Ryerson University
Take classes in anything that interest you.