The 5 biggest lessons I learned from my undergraduate studies
Honestly for me and many other people undergrad is a life-changing experience. It's the transition from your teens to your twenties and so much changes. I can't really remember who I was back in my first year because I have grown and changed so much. So here is a little short 5 lessons that I learned from my undergraduate in the hopes of sharing that knowledge with someone else to help make their journey a little bit easier.
- It’s all going to work out
I am starting with this because it's everyone's biggest fear. The constant worry that things won't work out and that they will end up failing. But that's simply not true. When I first started I thought that I would end up in medical school right after undergrad and although that's still my goal I found something new I'm passionate about in the meantime. If you asked me five years ago if I would be doing a Master in Public Health I would simply not believe you because I never really knew about the field. It wasn't until the pandemic and working with Science For Everyone which is a non-profit that I realized how important the work of public health is. All I am trying to say is don't put too much pressure on yourself to figure it all out when you first start. Allow yourself grace to change your path and your trajectory. It's okay if you start with wanting to become a doctor and then you end up getting a second degree in engineering. No one made the rules — you make your own rules for yourself. Remember that and live by it.
2. you will find your people and they will change your life
I found that the biggest part of my undergraduate experience was the people I met. They helped shape me into who I am today and every single person I interacted with at McMaster has helped me become a better version of myself and has left an impact on me. It’s hard to not fall into the trap of thinking “ I need to find my best friends right now” but I want to remind you that people come in phases and seasons. You meet people at different points in your undergrad and they will come at exactly the right time. Trust the process but put yourself out there to meet like-minded people. Join clubs and services and seek out opportunities that will put you in a room with people like you.
3. marks aren’t everything and I mean that
Everyone is always so wrapped up in exactly what mark they are going to get. From the moment you step on campus that is what people define their undergraduate experience by but it’s so much more. You are worth so much more than a bad grade or one failed midterm. You are human and are allowed to have ups and downs and make mistakes. I know a lot of professionals schools don’t keep that in mind but if you want to get somewhere you can it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your mental health. Basically, what I am trying to say is treat yourself with grade and kindness as you navigate all the different things during this period of your life. A couple of years in you will realize that marks aren’t everything and that you need to breathe and enjoy where you are right now too.
4. reach out for help when you need it
Undergrad takes place at such a crucial point in your life and it’s so important to reach out for help when you need it. I mean this in all aspects whether that’s your mental health, physical health or school. I struggled a lot to balance everything in my first year of university because I didn’t really ask for help thinking I could do it all but soon I realized that’s simply not true. In my second year, I attended countless office hours with my professors and TAs and asked for help — this directly helped me do better in school and feel more confident. My dad always told me growing up that there is no bad question and he couldn’t be more right. You need to make sure you ask your questions because at the end of the day you are here to learn and grow and that’s important. On the other hand, my mental health struggled a lot in my third and fourth year and I was finally able to reach out and seek out therapy which tremendously helped me. I know that therapy can be a financial burden but if you go to school there are therapists and counsellors available for you to access so take advantage of that. Asking for help never makes you weak it actually makes you stronger!
5. always prioritize yourself and your health
your health is everything. You don’t live to go to university, you go to university so you can get an education and live a good life. If your physical or mental health suffers during this time you will not be able to see all your hard work come to fruition. In my personal experience, I was horrible at taking care of my physical health for most of my undergrad. I didn’t eat well or exercise. I always made excuses and prioritized studying or hanging out with friends over taking care of myself. However, somehow the pandemic helped me slow down a little bit. I realized that I was going at a speed that was way faster than my body could handle and I needed to slow down. Throughout the pandemic, I picked up meditation and found hobbies that helped me centre myself a little bit more. Moving forward, I made sure I prioritized my physical health in all aspects. I stopped saying yes to hangouts I didn’t want to go to. I stopped eating out consistently and cooked more at home. I always went to bed by 12 no matter what was due the next day because at the end of the day I wanted to be kinder to my body. We all have put our bodies through the ringer and it’s time to realize you are allowed to be kind to yourself. Do not fall into the toxic “grind culture” that exists in university. you can be on a healthy grind that will allow you to get good marks, have fun and enjoy your life. So let this be your reminder to take life a little bit slower because you are not behind and life is not a race.
Lastly, I learned to celebrate my accomplishments no matter how big or small. If I finished a task that I found daunting — I got myself coffee as a reward. If I worked out even when it was hard I gave myself credit for it. When I got recognized for the work I did — I celebrated myself. As humans we tend to deflect any compliments or highlight of our accomplishments but it’s time to take ownership of what you have done and celebrate yourself everyday.