The adjustment from living at home and attending high school to heading off to university and being independent is a big one. However, you can make transition easier by bearing in mind these lessons from uOttawa students.
1. Balance Your Studies with the Rest of Your Life
Although it’s important to prioritize your studies, there’s much more to the university experience. Organize your schedule to give yourself time for extracurriculars, self-care, and a social life.
2. There Will Always Be More Social Opportunities
Never feel like you need to say yes to every invitation. If something doesn’t sound appealing or you just don’t have the energy, give yourself permission to say no. You’ll find there are a huge number of opportunities for social events during your time at university. This means if you miss something the first time around, you’ll likely still have the chance to try it later. Furthermore, whereas it’s a good idea to step outside your comfort zone occasionally, it’s still important to have fun and not feel pressured.
3. Make True Friends
Since you’ll meet countless people at university, it doesn’t make sense to spend time with people who don’t value you. If your initial group of friends doesn’t end up bringing positivity to your life, search for new friends. Joining clubs for your interests will introduce you to people who like the same kinds of things as you and will make it easier for you to spend your free time doing activities you enjoy. Your time at uOttawa is short, so be sure to surround yourself with good company.
4. Stay in Touch with People Back Home
It’s equally important to maintain relationships with friends and family back home. These are the people who have always been there for you and want the best for you. Even if they live far from Ottawa, you can send messages back and forth, have video chats, and even spend the occasional weekend together. In fact, inviting your hometown friends to visit you at university is a great way to bridge the gap between your old life and your new life.
5. Morning and Evening Routines Are Crucial
At university, your health and wellness will be yours alone to prioritize, so you’ll want to be sure you’re taking care of yourself. Establishing morning and evening routines can ensure you focus on both your physical and mental health. For instance, you can use them to have a regular bedtime and wake-up time, practice some breathing exercises, and incorporate something you enjoy into every day, such as a favourite hot beverage.
6. Mistakes Are Normal
No matter how prepared you are, you will make some mistakes. Try not to stress — just move on. The likelihood is these mistakes won’t affect your time at uOttawa in a big way.
One more thing uOttawa students should know is where to find the best off-campus housing. There are apartments near uOttawa at THEO. We offer much more than just accommodation: there’s blistering-fast WiFi throughout the entire building, we have common areas like a movie lounge and basketball court, and social events happen regularly. Contact us to secure the floor plan you want.