That big Uni Transition You've Been Waiting For

The transition from high school to university is a big deal for all teenagers because it defines the first step of the rest of your life. You must have clear that for some people is easy to adapt to this, but there is other that perhaps are not ready or are confused or scared because they are really shy or insecure, so here you have some advice and warnings to confront this issue.

1. Your grades will likely drop.

This can happen for so many reasons. The bigger classes and lecture-style teaching method can be a difficult adjustment. Or maybe you’re trying to balance school with a part-time job. Whatever the case may be, don’t beat yourself up. Most students slip a bit in first semester and it’s totally normal. Just remember to ask for help when you need it. Take advantage of professor and TA office hours so you can learn how to do better next time or partner up with a friend for a study group. Speaking of which…

2. It is harder to make friends.

Good-bye small classes with 20 of your closest friends, hello humongous lecture halls with 200+ students. Making friends in big lectures can be intimidating, but it’s easier to do it in your smaller classes like a tutorial, workshop or a lab. Outside of class, there are tons of on-campus clubs and groups where you can connect with other students with similar interests. Go to your school’s clubs fair at the beginning of the year to see how you can get involved. Which conveniently leads me to my next tip…

3. Get involved.

This can be the difference between an unforgettable campus experience and an average one. Getting involved in university allows you to explore your passions and gain useful job experience. For example, if you want to get into marketing and love drama, try applying for a position as an events or social media coordinator for your school’s drama society. That way, you get to learn beneficial job skills and have fun at the same time! It’s a win-win.

4. With great freedom comes great responsibility.

When it comes to university, you have way more freedom than you did in high school. However, that also means your decisions have more impact. If you skip class no one will chase after you, but no one will care if you fail either. You have to keep yourself accountable. Don’t forget: the number one reason you’re there is to learn so take good notes, do the readings, and don’t skip class.