The Life of a First-Year Student - Humanities, Social Science, and Commerce
Student of Humanities --First University Semester Overview
September – socializing
September begins with frosh week. It is an exciting introduction to university life. This month is all about the new. You’re in a new school, are eager to make new friends and embark upon a new chapter in your educational pursuits. You may feel overwhelmed when entering your first university classes as they range tremendously in size (i.e. ~25 – 1500 students). September is also the time to start getting involved as much as possible within your college and the University of Toronto.
October – adjusting
In October, you will still be settling into your new life but will feel a comfort level in your new environment. If you are living in residence, it is most likely your first time living on your own. You will learn to perfect skills such as laundry, cooking, self reliance and developing time management skills. This is also the month where you begin writing your first midterms and submitting university caliber assignments.
November – midterms
In November, you will notice that you will not see your new friends as much as you did in the first two months. School now takes center stage. All of your assignments and midterms seem to hit you all at once. Be careful to remain on top. For most, November is a month of all-nighters. Do not take sleep for granted.
December – exams
December seems slightly less hectic. Although you will be writing all of your exams in this month, classes end at the beginning of the month. This provides you with extra time to study and some breathing room. You may feel compelled to “pull all nighters” in order to cram in all the information from your courses. As you exit your last exam, you will feel the biggest relief off your shoulders. Relax on your break and get ready to do it again in January.
Things to know before you enter University
- Go to class/ tutorials
- Do not feel discouraged if your first year marks are lower than your high school grades
- You need to have a balance between academics and a social life. You cannot study constantly without any breaks or companionship
- Go to your professors' office hours, they are always happy to help
- Take advantage of all university has to offer such as your registrars, writing centers, and help sessions
- You'll be surprised with what you will accomplish in first year
- First-year Humanities student
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The first year of university is a first that has many firsts jammed within it.
First Night in Residence
For most, moving into residence is the first time living without the strain, yet comfort of parents. As an Innis student living in the 89 Chestnut residence, I pulled up with a truck full of clothes to an ex-hotel in the heart of Toronto. With the hundreds of other students, my family and I struggled up the elevator to my room. Arriving before my mysterious roommate, we had just enough time to move the best furniture to my side of the room. The roommate arrives; the family leaves and the hours of unpacking begin. One of the most awkward experiences is trying to fall asleep with a stranger sleeping parallel to you, two feet away. After a few tears, realizing that even at night Toronto never darkens, I fell asleep with the anticipation (and fear) of the coming year.
First Frosh Week
My roommate and eventually campus companion for the past three years headed off to our first day of Innis frosh. The entire week is a blur of screaming at engineers, scavenger hunting and getting lost every day on our way back to residence. While there are very few people that I remained friends with that week, the Chestnut residence offered a second round of friends to make. I found that the people on my floor turned out to be the people I spent most of my time with. We ate meals together, studied together and explored the city together.
First Class
Leaving an extra hour before class in preparation of getting lost. Then getting lost and still being late for class.
First Financial Scare/Realizing There is a Registrar
As someone who plans out their finances at the beginning of the year, the difference in the prices of Innis Residence and Chestnut Residence came to quite a scare. With over a $5000 difference in prices, it seemed an impossible task to fund the difference. Just when I began to give up, I realized that in that Innis office where I picked up my OSAP was the opportunity to speak to a financial counselor. Here, the financial advisor, Tom went over every aspect of my finances down to the funds used to wash my clothes and figured how much I would need for the year. Factoring my various financial situations, my case was presented to a bursary board. I went into the office a blubbering mess and left with the assurance that the university was not out to get me, but actually assist me when extenuating circumstances arose.
First Toronto Winter
The simple 20 minute walk from Chestnut to campus turns into a treacherous 40 minute one in the snow burden months in Toronto. I quickly realized that University Ave turns into a wind tunnel in the winter, that cowboy boots have no grip on ice and that the warmest (and most likely ugliest) jacket is necessary for the winter. Numerous times I wiped out on ice, had soaking wet feet and didn’t leave my room out of fear of the cold, which leads to my next first …
First Dropped Class
I can’t fully remember the specific reason why I dropped my first (and second) course in my first year. I’m sure it had to do with not leaving my room in the winter months, taking courses that I have no interest in and thought of wondering what I got myself into with four more years of school. With being able to drop your courses online through ROSI and not having to face a counselor to do, I didn’t think there were any downfalls. Until you later realize, that you are extending your stay at university by dropping courses.
First Contemplating Dropping Out
After dropping a couple courses, getting marks that were nowhere nears the grades I received in high school and generally seeing a foggy future I considered my ‘alternate options’. I was one of those students that knew they wanted to go to university, but just didn’t know what for. So in my first year when I took a wide range of courses to determine my interests, I ultimately got frustrated with my lack of direction. While dropping out never really seemed like an option, the annoyance of not having a clear path or academic game plan seemed to be the hardest part of first year.
First Realizing Where you Fit in
While some experience the stress of being away from their parents, or making friends, mine was with not having a distinct academic plan. I took many courses that confirmed that I did not want to take mythology, astronomy or environmental science. While I originally planned to be in environmental policy and practice, I realized that while a stable career path, it wasn’t what I was interested in. While struggling through many courses, I realized that there was one course that I looked forward to attending, a first year English. It combined my interests, strengths and challenged me. All the stress I put myself seemed ridiculous when everything ultimately worked out on its own.
First Reflection
I feel like I learnt more in my first year of university than all of my high school days. I realized that 3 awesome friends is better than 20 alright friends; that getting good grades had a lot to do with being interested in the material rather than forcing yourself to do well. And finally, that proper winter boots can actually save your academics, along with your feet.
The firsts are the most intimidating, awkward and ultimately the greatest part of university.
- Third-year Humanities student
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