Advice for new students: Finding balance in university
University is about setting and working towards goals, while leaving room for discovery and growth.
University is often framed as an exciting new beginning because there is so much to look forward to. You are finally beginning to build a life of your own while working towards goals that you have been preparing for. This can also bring uncertainty, pressure, and the feeling that you need to make the most of these years.
One of the challenges of transitioning into university is the newfound independence, paired with heavier workloads and greater responsibility for managing your own time. For ambitious students, this can make every opportunity that crosses their path feel important because there are so many clubs to join, positions to apply for, classes to take, and people to meet. Part of adjusting to your first year is learning what to take on, what to let go, and how to balance your time.
Balance and success should be treated as one because of how connected they are. Friendships can provide different perspectives during stressful times and act as a support system, especially when you are far away from home. Hobbies also play an important role and help create space to reset and rewind. When students balance their workload, it will create room for growth, discovery, and enjoyment for the experiences they work hard to achieve.
Simply going through the motions of university can expose students to areas of interest they might not have considered before and explore passions they have carried for a long time. Writing has always been that for me. I have enjoyed it outside of school because it allows me to express myself, and university provided a place to cultivate that passion. Through writing and editing for student-run publications, I found another way to connect with people and stories across the University of Toronto.
Such opportunities can shape your university experience as much as initial goals. I think of it like drawing a scribble: there might be planned directions, but unexpected turns are what lead to a masterpiece.
Any course you enroll in can change the trajectory of your academic interest or career path, an extracurricular can reveal and develop skills you never realized you had or needed, and a conversation or event can open a door to a once distant goal. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is important, because many fruitful experiences require putting yourself out there and being willing to try something you may not feel completely qualified for. This can also mean giving yourself time and space to learn.
University is about learning how to be ambitious in a healthy way. Set goals for yourself, work toward achieving them, take chances on opportunities that you wouldn’t have signed up for, and step outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, leave some space around the plan. Because the most meaningful part of university might just be the things you opened up to explore.
