For me uni was so different from any earlier education. People are way less close than in school (unless you will make effort to do so), are various ages, drop out, have their own life to care about. You will be more on your own than before. But there will be some small groups of friends forming - some will be party/drinking, some will not. Some will share your ideas/lifestyle and you will naturally be drawn to them. It just kinda happens on its own!
And I highly recommended joining clubs and activities you find interesting - those are my most memorable things from uni!
Oct 4, 2024
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College (and especially first year) is one of the rare times in your life where it is so easy to meet all sorts of different types of people. Everyone is young and outgoing and you all have this shared âthingâ that you got accepted to this institution and most importantly youâre all geographically concentrated in this one place (the campus) in multiple settings and environments (class, library, dorms, activities, parties, etc). You also havenât been hardened by life (everyone gets busier, a little more risk averse, a little more guarded as they age - the game is just protecting as much of your youthful self as possible while still maturing and growing in all the best ways as you age but thatâs for another post).
Studying is important (especially if you want to at least **keep the door open** on going to some form of grad school because NO ONE PLANS ON GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL IN FIRST YEAR) but do not forget to make the most of EVERYTHING campus life has to offer - itâs like a buffet try the lobster tail and if you donât like you donât have to finish it get another plate. Life and memories happen in the most mundane moments: the stuff I remember and get misty eyed is such a random collection of experiences you couldnât design it if you tried itâs just the cumulus of doing a whole bunch of random stuff - some of it is sort of crazy stuff and some of it is as simple as getting a coffee with someone or throwing a charity car wash or polar bear dip or staying up late and ordering pizza studying for a midterm with friends.
Lastly be generous and be a honest, good person. The campus is a surprisingly small place, and reputations are quickly made or unmade (if youâre on here youâre probably a very awesome person but itâs always worth saying). Kindness goes a long way and you have no idea which of your acquaintances will go on to become lifelong friends. The people I stayed in touch with 15 years later are NOT who I expected!!
Feb 8, 2024
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my biggest regrets about uni are the things i didnât do instead of things that i did - mostly being too self conscious to put myself out there and join clubs that went against my normal vibe or social groups, not taking more volunteer opportunities etc. university is really the last place you can try a bunch of things on for a size, so go for all of it - every course or sport or club or anything on campus that piques your interest, give it a shot. even if youâve never done it before. and even if thereâs nothing gained there, you learn a little more about yourself and what youâll like moving forward as an adult!!
also, try to get real experience in your field while youâre there! i wouldnât worry about it too much in first year but keep it in mind for the coming ones. an internship, working with a professor, a position in some sort of club.. as much hands on experience as you possibly can is great for your resume since uni is all theory
Oct 3, 2024
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Youâll never have opportunities like this again. Or maybe you will and this will just be a practiceround , I donât know!
Try not to let otherpeopleâs drinking keep you from doing things (until they become obnoxious, then go home)
Be yourself, do what you like and look for people tolove
Donât assume your first roommate is your new best friend!
Honestly college people these days seem so much cooler than back in my day!
youâre gonna do great!
Oct 4, 2024
Top Recs from @urara
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And finding perfect chestnuts
Oct 3, 2024
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I learn new language and don't allow myself any mail/social media/messages before doing my Anki. I start my days feeling more refreshed and accomplished knowing I actually did something for myself first thing in the morning.
It doesn't have to be language learning, but whatever you like. Yoga session, new show episode, breakfast, journaling. Just no FOMO and mindless scrolling to start your day.
Oct 6, 2024
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It's been so long since I wrote a physical letter but I had a few pen pals (even international) when I was young and it was so fun, I remember it fondly. We should bring back the excitement of finding a letter in a mailbox instead of "ugh" while seeing another notification of an unwanted DM
Oct 11, 2024