18 ARTS & LIFE Looking Back: Advice from Fourth <strong>Year</strong> Students Halima Farah, Contributor As a first-year student, you embark on a journey that at first has no clear path. When you begin this journey, you are unaware of the people that will influence your life the most, the classes that will inspire you, and the professors that will help you cultivate boundless knowledge in your selected field. You will learn, as one does, that all of these experiences contribute to a well-rounded undergraduate education. The lessons that you will learn, the experiences that you will have, and the relationships that you will form, will all test the ways in which you view life. Often times, the life of a student is quite challenging, as there are many facets that require your time and attention. Personal relationships are put to the test, as are romantic relationships and friendships. The status of one’s occupation also changes, as some students work two or three jobs to pay for the rising cost of tuition and everyday necessities. Many times, this pressure is also coupled with trying to maintain and preserve one’s physical, emotional, and mental health. Recently, The Underground had the opportunity to speak to two recent UTSC graduates, Nikita Singh and Ché Jeffery Jr. Gibson, both of whom were health studies majors. Our intention was to try and gain some perspective on the first-year experience through the eyes of students that had just completed their full undergraduate journey. We figured that asking students who were at one time in your position, would give you better insight into the years to come at UTSC. The Underground (UG): What’s it like to have graduated? Is it what you envisioned it to be? Ché Jeffery Jr. Gibson (CJG): Graduating is honestly an amazing, fulfilling, yet nerve racking feeling. It’s great to look back on all your difficulties that you managed to get through, but you’re also on-edge because you keep thinking, “What’s next?” The bad news is that life is extremely unpredictable, and no matter how much you plan, things don’t always go the way you envisioned. The great news is that university teaches you a lot about dealing with unpredictability; as long as you stay focused and remind yourself that with hard work, determination, and persistence anything is possible, then you’ll be alright. (UG): What advice do you have for incoming first-year students as well as second and third year students? Nikita Singh (NS): I would say definitely use the campus resources: the writing center, BV, and study groups. Capitalize on the fact that we are paying for these things; so use it and it will show in your quality of work. Schedule [and] organize your time. There is always a way to balance social and school life; even if it is hanging [out] with your friends for a couple of hours, it’s something. Sticking to your schedule is also really important. Putting things off is tempting, but getting your work done is so much more rewarding. Then you can have all of the fun you want! (CJG): Something that helped me a lot was scheduling everything. As soon as school starts, mark down all of your due dates for assignments and tests, that are already available, as well as when you plan on beginning those assignments. You can mark these dates down on your phone [or] computer, but it really helps having a calendar somewhere in your home or room where you will see it all the time. Physically seeing your due dates on a calendar helps keep you aware of assignments or exams that you should be preparing for. (UG): Have you always been at UTSC? What were your initial thoughts and what will you miss the most? (NS): I have always been at UTSC, but I have been to other campuses. I really did like the small campus, as it was easy to navigate. I personally really liked the aesthetic and concrete buildings, but I also really like the new buildings as well. I think I will miss [using the tunnels underneath] the buildings to get to class. It was pretty convenient; now, leaving my house for a cup of coffee is a challenge. I will definitely miss the new changes. I think they will be great, and it sucks that, [since] I graduated, I won’t be able to use them. (UG): If you could give your first-year self any advice, what would it be and why? (CJG): Prioritize! The first year of university can be extremely overwhelming, and as time goes on you realize you don’t have nearly the same amount of time as you did in high school to get things done, especially if you began working [a job] in university as well. Time management is really the most important key; projects, exams, and responsibilities all catch up quickly. (NS): If I was to give myself any advice, I would say to not be afraid to put yourself out there. My first year, I was very timid -- the complete opposite of high school. I became too shy to participate in my classes. I was hesitant to join groups or even seek out things that interested me, and I was also very shy to meet my professors and ask questions. As the years went on, I definitely eliminated the intimidation and got involved, then I had no problem speaking up. If I had gotten over it earlier, I feel like it would have greatly benefited my university career. (UG): What are your plans for the future? Do you think your first-year self would be proud of you right now? (CJG): I plan on pursuing a career as a Client Care Coordinator; however, I am also developing a Basketball Training Program for youths as well. Since graduating, I’ve really just been trying to get myself out there and make as many connections possible that will lead me to accomplish[ing] my goals. I’ve been fortunate to land internship/volunteering position at Toronto General Hospital, so I hope to make the most of this opportunity and learn as much as possible about what goes on in the health facilities and the health community. No matter how many people you talk to and family members and friends you consult, you will never truly be prepared for the whirlwind experiences that university provides. The key to success (shout out DJ Khaled!) is knowing that whatever you experience in life has value. If you have a dream that you are putting off until you graduate, start right now! The steps to getting that internship, creating that Youtube page, blog, novel, and dreaming that “impossible” dream can begin right now in your first year. Before you know it, graduation will be just around the corner and those feelings of regret -- the could’ves, should’ves and would’ves -- will be at the back of your mind. If you are reading this and you are in the middle or nearing the end of your degree, know that it is never too late to start working towards your goals. Both Ché and Nikita’s advice are merely stepping stones and pockets of wisdom for you to take on the journey to seizing every opportunity in your next few years at UTSC. www. the-underground.ca AUGUST 22 - OCTOBER 5, 2016 VOLUME 36, ISSUE 01
ARTS & LIFE 19 ELIZABETH LIU / THE UNDERGROUND www. the-underground.ca AUGUST 22 - OCTOBER 5, 2016 VOLUME 36, ISSUE 01