How first year university students feel about this major shift
From teachers reminding you to put your name on assignments to professors saying “quiz next week,” the transition from high school to university can be a challenge. With different classes to attend, and complete academic independence, it can feel like the structure you once had in high school has been up-ended and flipped upside down. However, not everyone’s experience is the same.
For me, when I walked into the Riddell Centre on my way to my first ever university class, I was greeted with tons of food options. The different scents filled the room in which students chatted about assignments and how their summer had gone. It felt like a place where I could find my kind of people. It was welcoming and inviting.
During my first ever university class, I noticed how relaxed and easy-going my professor was. He was nothing at all how my high school teachers described professors would be. He was funny, lighthearted, and would crack jokes to lighten up the room and make everyone feel less nervous about being in university. We had done a small icebreaker in class, which allowed me to meet new people and get my peers’ information so we could chat about the class or send notes back and forth. It made me feel less scared about being in an unfamiliar place.
Too much homework!
Although, one thing my high school teachers consistently reminded me was how much homework you would have to do outside of going to class everyday, and I fear she was right!
Other first years seem to agree with me. “University is definitely faster paced when it comes to high school,” says first year student, Kenedy McKnight. “You don’t really spend that much time in class or get as much help in university than you do in high school and are expected to do everything on your own with little instruction.”
The assignments I had been given were fairly simple but time consuming. During afternoons when I wasn’t in class, I would spend hours working on homework and studying for tests.
Hannah Selinger, another first year student, said, “In high school you could work on [assignments] in class, whereas in university, you are basically working on your own time.”
University is definitely faster paced when it comes to high school. You don’t really spend that much time in class or get as much help in university than you do in high school and are expected to do everything on your own with little instruction. -Kenedy McKnight.
Pains of commuting and not enough clubs
One disruptive change is the driving to and from campus. As a commuter student, it is not only exhausting but also expensive. I’m consistently making decisions on the road, having to take three pages of notes in a lecture, and then heading back home to do the same thing the next day.
As well, the 20 minute drive to campus puts a strain on my wallet as gas prices continue to rise in Regina and surrounding areas. I graduated from a high school that was 5 minutes away from my house, which allowed me to take frequent trips back home during the school day.
This shift has caused me to re-evaluate the amount of money I spend on food on campus (as tempting as it is) and consider if I really need to attend lectures or if doing work at home would be more productive. Also, while the city bus is an option for transportation, bad experiences from others on campus have steered me away.
Joining clubs was another part of university life that I was excited about. It would be a chance for me to meet new people, do things outside of my comfort zone and have fun on campus, but I’ve come to find out there is a lack of specific interest groups at the U of R.
The clubs that are out there are very limited, and some are only for specific majors (i.e. University of Regina Psychology Student Association (PSA)). I was hoping there would be a “run club” or something geared more towards a hobby such as reading, an escape from academics that allowed for student involvement. I have also noticed that very few clubs are advertised on bulletin boards around campus. Maybe I’ll just have to start a club of my own.
Freedom!
“The schedule is more what works best for me. I get to go there [to campus] for 1 hour and then get to go home, which is great,” said Selinger.
I agree with Selinger, as one thing I have loved shifting over from high school to university is the amount of freedom I have now. I get to decide when to do homework, prioritize what’s important, and create my own schedule. I don’t have a teacher nagging me, saying, “stay out of the hallways during class time” or “don’t leave before the bell.”
The loose structure of university allows me to create a system that works for me and arrange a schedule that benefits my academics and the way in which I learn best.
Selinger also made a comment on how she is more engaged in school because of the classes available at the U of R, as compared to the smaller selection of electives offered in high school. I agree with her!
So, it seems the general consensus is that first year university students are quickly adjusting to what post secondary education has to offer. Between a welcoming campus, a faster work environment, and a more flexible schedule, the pros outweigh the cons of university life. I believe that the best is yet to come at the University of Regina and it can only get better from here as we continue to pursue our dreams in the years ahead.
Meet our contributor!
Rachel Brice is a first-year univer- sity student majoring in journalism with hopes of becoming the next Keith Morrison on Dateline NBC. When she’s not studying, she loves spending time at the beach, discovering new books, visiting cute coffee shops, and listening to Taylor Swift. She has a soft spot for a good thriller, a strong cup of coffee, and stories that keep people guessing. Whether she’s getting lost in a book or uncovering the details behind a real-life mystery, Rachel is always curious about the stories waiting to be told. Her ideal day includes a good book, an iced coffee, and a little sunshine.
