How to overcome first-year university jitters!
October 17, 2024
As a fresh first-year student, I could not bear the idea of attending university. I had just graduated high school and felt unsure about my decisions, but I persisted through the summer. I have to admit, though, that I was nervous. There’s no doubt university and high school are vastly different environments. My high school experience did not prepare me for university life. So, I’m here to share how I conquered first-year university jitters!
Prepare, prepare, prepare!
I know what you’re thinking; what does she mean by prepare!? Regardless of my program, I want to familiarize myself with the course content. If you already know the professor teaching a specific course, you’re bound to find their syllabus online. If you cannot access that, finding the core sections taught in the course can give you a general idea of what to expect.
Ontario Tech offers MyStart: Academic, an opportunity for students to get a head start on what they will learn. The student learning center creates a classroom experience for upcoming students by providing various services to strengthen their learning.
However, preparing for academics should not be your only task! You should note down supplies, course materials, or resources you’ll need in advance. For example, finding out which laptop I required for my coursework was a struggle. To make things easier, I looked up my program's laptop standards.
Prioritize self-care
The summer before the first year starts is crucial. This is when you should relax and have fun before you and your friends head to university! Although preparing for university has perks, I wish I had prioritized my self-care. Forming a healthy routine earlier on is beneficial once school starts. By only emphasizing my academics during the summer, I didn’t grasp how to care for myself, which defaulted to procrastinating.
To prioritize your well-being, I recommend keeping your hobbies consistent, maintaining connections, having good sleep hygiene, eating nutritious meals, and taking breaks!
Connect with peers
When you start university, maintaining friendships is hard, especially if you don’t attend the same school. You won’t be able to talk to your friends consistently, but catching up goes a long way! Try calling or planning a small hangout. I tried my best to maintain my friendships from high school, and it worked out! Communicate with your friends and work around each other's schedules.
Attend orientation/campus events
I highly encourage you to attend orientation! This is a great opportunity to meet students in your program and familiarize yourself with the campus community. You’ll also get a chance to meet your professors and get to know the available resources. But most importantly, you’ll get to have a fun time.
Building these connections sooner rather than later is a huge benefit and reduces the hassle of figuring it out later in the school year. To make things easier for yourself, explore what the campus offers now!
It’s important to note that your individual experiences determine your comfort level at university. For me, getting involved is what made me feel more comfortable and got rid of the jittery feelings. However, even though I’m heading into my third year, I still experience the nerves. So just know this is a normal feeling to experience, and it’ll pass as time goes by!