How to Survive First Year

Frosh week is upon us and teenagers everywhere will be moving in, making friends and doing their first keg stands all over the country.  So here is a list of things that I wish someone had told me in first year.

1.       You do not have to drink to have a fun time at university

Seriously.  I know lots of people who don’t drink and have lots of fun.  It’s a myth

Also, if you choose to drink, you don’t have to drink a lot to have a fun time at university.  Some people have fun when they’re drunk, some people don’t.  Figure out which category you fit into and make sure you have a few friends who fit into the same category as you do. 

2.       It doesn’t matter what year you’re in

This applies to friends, dating, maturity, and pretty much everything else.  Age and year don’t match up in the same way that they do in High School.  You will find this out on your first day of school.  The only time age matters is when you’re in a bar. 

3.       Go to your frosh events

All of them.  Frosh isn’t about getting drunk, it’s about making friends, getting to know the city and learning important things like where your classes are, where to go if you need help, when mealtimes are and where you can smoke weed without getting seen.  Also, it’s a good place to meet people from other degree programs you wouldn’t necessarily meet during classes, which is always nice. 

4.       Don’t be a jerk

It is possible to go through university successfully without any friends, but it isn’t very fun. 

5.       Frosh week doesn’t count (unless you do something really stupid)

So you’re finally on your own, away from parents and master of your own domain.  Chances are you’re going to party a bunch, drink a lot, maybe abuse some substances and do a lot of dumb shit.  So does everybody.   I know very few people who didn’t make at least one stupid decision during frosh week.  I made at least 3 (probably more, but I don’t remember them).  For the most part, you get a mulligan on the mistakes you make this week because everybody goes crazy and doesn’t act like themselves during frosh. 

BUT, if you do something really dumb, really memorable, or illegal (and get caught) then it does count, and because you meet so many people during frosh, these really dumb actions can colour a person’s opinion of you forever (like that guy who’s computer you broke that one time) so make sure you have friends around to keep each other in check. 

6.       Professors do care (but only if you care back)

It’s every High School teacher’s favourite speech “you get babied in here, but in university they don’t care about you, you’re just one student in a thousand and they won’t make special exceptions for you.”

This is a lie. Sort of.

Despite what your High School teachers like to tell you, your professors do care about, but only if you make the effort.  If you attend classes, work hard and generally try a little, then professors (or TAs) will be happy to help you if you have a problem with the material, or need an extension.  But they will only go as far as you are willing to. 

7.       It is possible to act like a grown up and still have fun

This is pretty tied into the drinking thing, but honestly, you’re an adult now and the sooner you start acting like one the better, because idiotic behaviour is only funny for a limited amount of time. 

8.       Don’t expect straight A’s

We all know that in High School you can get straight A’s without trying at all.  University is hard and you have to work hard to well.  Also, High School didn’t prepare you for university, so expect a rocky start grades wise until you learn how to write a paper/lab report/study properly.

9.       Do things outside of School

University is hard, but if you spend all of your free time studying in the library, not only will you have no social life, you will be the most, boring, un-hireable person ever. 

10.   Get off Campus

This is good for your sanity and your boredom levels.  I don’t care where you go to university, your campus only has so much to offer, and the city/town/village it’s in, no matter how small has something to offer that your campus doesn’t.   Go find what that is and embrace it. 

11.   Study something you’re interested in, not something that you think will pay well. 

All the high paying jobs (doctors, lawyers, engineers) require an incredible amount of dedication, schooling, money, and time that isn’t worth it unless you’re in one of those professions because you’re truly passionate about it.  University is a place to learn stuff, not a place to get job training.  Also, you will probably change your major at least once so don’t sweat about your career goals too much, especially not in first year. 

So there you have it.  Stay safe, have fun, and if you happen to go to University of Kings College, then stay tuned for special a special list just for you!

~Nice Girl