6 Important Things I Learned During My First Semester At College

Now that my first semester of university is (almost) over, I can reflect and analyze the lessons I’ve learned throughout these past four months. These months were life-changing, to say the least, and have greatly affected my personal growth. I remember entering university as someone unsure of my future. And throughout my first semester, I realized there are more options than I ever thought. So, here are six things I learned:

1. One semester can change a person more than expected.

I started university as someone who thought I should only go to class when required and put in mediocre effort. But that turned out to be wrong. As soon as the second week started, I remember planning my study schedule and ensuring that I studied for every test and quiz at least three days ahead. I started to prioritize my grades more. In fact, I never remember studying as much as before. 

2. Don’t enter university with high expectations.

Start small. Join a few clubs you’re interested in. Then, begin to network with your classmates and friends. It’s best not to spread yourself too thin because you have at least four more years to create experiences. 

3. View university as a journey of personal growth.

We definitely get caught up with the academics and the marks. But that shouldn’t be the defining factor of our university experience. University is a contributor to personal growth; it allows us to understand ourselves better, build our interests, and recognize our strengths and weaknesses. You can develop into a new person you never thought you could become. 

4. Don’t forget to make connections.

University can be an isolating experience if you have never lived on campus or attended frosh week. But in the end, there are so many ways to make new friends. For example, offer to study with some of your classmates. During group projects, get to know your groupmates. You never know when you’ll meet up with each other again.

5. Always prioritize student experience.

I made this mistake myself before. When you sign up for university, make sure to prioritize your student experience as much as possible. Sometimes, when you finish your degree, you’ll never be able to relive the student life ever again. 

6. You’re never alone in your struggles.

There are challenging times you’ll have to navigate as part of your university student experience. But it’s best to remember that you’re never alone throughout these challenges. Someone else may be facing something similar, so it’s best to keep your chin up and know that bright days are ahead. 

These six lessons I learned from my first semester will hopefully carry on to my second semester. And, perhaps, you may be able to learn something new as well. Let us know what you learned in the comments below!

Featured image via Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels