I was so nervous before going to university. It was a big leap for me going from high school to university and getting used to the big changes that come with it.  

 

One of the biggest changes I've gone through is the amount of independence I now have. In high school, you are on a tight schedule where you are always being monitored by teachers, making sure you are either being safe or not getting into trouble. Your parents will also tell you what to do, what time you need to be home, and make sure you are getting your homework done. At university it’s completely different. You can make your own schedule and no one is checking up on you for your homework to be done. Like me, a lot of university students leave home and go to universities that are far from their families. Although it’s great being away from home and being able to make my own choices, it doesn’t mean I sometimes miss being home with my parents. It can be so much fun to have a lot more independence, but it also means that I need to be more responsible without the help of my parents. Making sure that I am going to my classes, getting my homework done, and even doing my laundry are all things that I need to do on my own. I can’t tell you how much I miss my mother’s cooking or the help I would get from my dad with my homework. 

 

Classes are very different in university. In high school, my classes were very small and you had a much closer relationship with the teacher. In university it’s the opposite. The classes are very large, so large that the professor will probably not know your name. The professors don’t all teach the same way as the teachers in high school, some of them have many different styles. They also tend to speak for a long time, usually for the whole class, these are called lectures. It’s up to you to take notes and understand, while in high school the teachers might give you more time to make sure you are learning what is being taught. It's great because there are so many smart professors here, so it is one of the best places to learn about anything you are interested in. 

 

One of my favourite things about going to university is being a part of the social atmosphere. There are so many clubs, parties, and activities to do here. It doesn’t matter what you like or what you are interested in, there’s a place for everyone. It’s not surprising that a lot of people change their identities here because it’s so easy to find interesting people that will change your mind. I’ve made so many new friends who are from places that are different from my home. I really enjoy hearing about their hometowns and sharing about our experiences.  

 

Currently, I live in a dormitory in a small room that I share with another student. It can be hard going from my own room at my parent’s house to sharing a room with a complete stranger. Luckily, we both get along with each other so it hasn’t been as difficult of a change as I expected. The bathroom I use is shared with other students on the same floor as mine. It can be a lot of fun being around other people like yourself, but there are plenty of times when I wish I had my own space and did not have to share with others.   

 

University is so different from high school. There are challenges to being on my own and learning in a different way, but I love being in university. I can’t wait to explore more of what university has to offer.