It's September and Fall is here in Canada. Even though I’ve been out of school for 2 years now, my calendar year is still divided into semesters. This time of the year always makes me nostalgic about my first year in university and reflect on all those small and big milestones that helped me get to where I am today. It is also my favorite season not only because of the beautiful color transformations that we get to witness in nature but also because of all the festivities (Thanksgiving, Halloween, Durga Puja, Diwali) eventually leading to Christmas.
New life in a new country with or without family is exciting, especially if you are a student. There is a lot to learn and explore – both in your outside and inside worlds. In today’s post, I would like to talk about a few things that one should and should not do during their first semester. This one is for all those foreign beavers who are excited, nervous, a little lost but motivated about their new life in Canada.
Things to do:
- Give yourself emotional space to adapt to all the changes :
This is very important because chances are you are going to feel a lot of things you have never felt before. Being open to all those emotions, good or bad, will only prepare you better for the rest of the journey.
- Know your city and university campus:
You don’t have to know the map by heart but knowing the transit route from your home to campus, the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, ATM, etc. is essential. Take time to explore your campus because it will give you a sense of belonging. Try to learn the locations of your lectures and other important spots such as the bus stop, healthcare center, library, etc. Knowing your food options in and around your campus is also very helpful.
- Buy some merch from your institution:
Celebrate being in your school, it will give you a sense of joy and unity and those little things count. Don’t go overboard though – I would say cap your purchase off at $50. School bookstores usually have discounts at the end of the academic year which are worth waiting for.
- Be regular in classes and deadlines: Don’t neglect the one thing you are here for – your academics. It takes time to learn how to study so I wouldn’t recommend being too hard on yourself about grades. But it's very important for you to be regular and know what’s going on in your classes. Try not to miss lectures, labs, and tutorials. Have course outlines handy so that you don’t miss assignment deadlines. You don’t have to score 100 in assignments but a 50% is better than getting zero for not submitting. Join discussion groups on social media to study together with peers, try and seek help from your professors and TAs whenever you need it.
Things not to do:
- Go shopping for things that you don’t immediately need:
There is a lot of initial costs involved when you move countries for the first time. You’ll have to make some costly purchases ( For example, winter jackets, boots, laptops, etc) but chances are you’re buying them for the next couple of years. During this time, try to be mindful of spending money on luxury items that can probably wait till you finish the first semester.
- Buying brand new textbooks:
Related to my last point. Academic books are extremely expensive here in Canada. Most first-years make this mistake and waste a lot of money without knowing. For any book that costs you more than $50, look for a second-hand copy or a soft copy. There are plenty of websites and social media pages where you will be able to find seniors trying to sell their books. If possible, wait 3-4 weeks into the semester before buying the book and if you don’t need it every day, try and share the cost of the book with a classmate. Check your campus library, you can always borrow the book for a few hours to study. Try ALL these options before spending 100s of dollars on textbooks.
- Force yourself to socialize:
If making friends comes naturally to you, that’s great. If it doesn’t, please don’t be hard on yourself when it comes socializing. There is a little bit of effort that we all must put in for the initial weeks – usually, institutions have a lot of events where you can meet people. But please don’t put yourself in situations where you feel uncomfortable or where you have to pretend to be someone that you are not. Stay true to yourself and that will make sure you attract the right kind of people to your circle.
- Get carried away :
The freedom that you get as an international student is extremely glamorous. The autonomy and exposure to people from different cultures and backgrounds is fascinating. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that you are better than all your peers who stayed back home- stay in touch with your old friends. Don’t hesitate to speak your language when you meet someone from your country, don’t change your name so that it's easy for others to pronounce. You can only create a genuine life in a foreign country when you own your background and stay true to who you are. Embrace the good without forgetting your roots.
Wishing all my readers a Happy Fall 😊 . Hope the crispy leaves and pumpkin spice everything brings you joy & peace this season
