The most important thing you can do is to make new friends

Friendships are crucial when you’re at university. You are very likely to become very close to your roommates and a couple of people in your class, but you will inevitably come across people with different interests and opinions to you. You will gain a lot from friendships with people who have different views and priorities. If you are feeling lonely, overwhelmed or stressed out, having a friend to talk to can make a huge difference. Having someone to confide in can help you get through some of the more difficult times. In turn, you can be there for your friends when they are going through difficult times too.

Create a study schedule and stick to it

The key to getting good grades at university is to do the assigned reading or studying and actually apply what you’ve learned through your reading or studying. It seems simple, but so many students don’t do this and consequently don’t do as well as they should. By setting a specific amount of time for each course and each type of study (i.e. actually reading your readings, doing practice questions for your exams, doing solid research for your essays), you will be able to keep everything on track. Studying regularly is the best way to stay on top of your assignments and keep your grades up!

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

This is very important and something that is often forgotten by many students. The key is to ask for the right kind of help. If you have trouble with certain concepts or assignments, don’t be afraid to ask your TAs or professors for help. They are there to help you! The same goes for if you are struggling with your mental health, or struggling with finances or housing issues. Most universities offer mental health services and some form of financial aid for students in need. Uottawa has a wide ranges of resources designed to help you, you're not alone and don't need to feel that way. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it!

Network, network, network

As we’ve said before, university is the perfect place to network. You are surrounded by people with a wide range of interests, backgrounds and experience. There is no better place to start your career than through connections made at university. At career fairs, you can speak to representatives from a wide range of companies and organizations about what they’re looking for in new hires and what their company culture is like. You can also ask them questions about what the industry is like and what your prospects are. You can also network with people in your classes and outside of your classes. This can include talking to people with similar interests as you in your classes, as well as friends of friends. This is a great way to get on the inside track and find out what places are looking for people and what would be a good fit for you.

Take care of both your mental and physical health

This is something you have to monitor throughout your university career, not just in the first year. Physical health: It’s important to make sure you are eating well and getting enough sleep! Regular exercise can help with your sleep and general well-being. You might want to check out some stress-reduction exercises to help with the pressure of classes and assignments. Mental health: You’ll want to visit your campus mental health services or a family doctor to get a referral to a psychiatrist. You can also check out some online resources if in person classes are enough for you. If you feel like you have hit a mental health crisis, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Getting help is important and vital so you can get better and get back to enjoying your university experience!

Eat well and often

This is definitely something to consider throughout your whole university career, not just in the first year. We all get hungry, but we don’t always make the best food choices. You might want to make sure you’re eating well and getting the nutrients you need to stay healthy. It’s important to stay hydrated, too. During exam season, this is esspessily true. The all you can eat dining hall may offer temptation, but it’s more important to eat well than to “get your moneys worth”  The dining hall isn't your only option though... we all get sick of the same food every now and again. If you aren't up for cooking for yourself and need another option - checkout out blog post on the best places to eat on and around the Uottawa campus.