Ibrahim H - Investigation 1A

## How to get the most out of university?

You’ve been working for this moment your entire life; you’ve finally made it to university. Undoubtedly this is a pivotal moment in every student’s life. For most students’ it means the start of a new life away from home, with an unprecedented amount of freedom, and an entirely new set of challenges. While it is true that the university experience is different for everyone, I would like to share a few pointers on how to get the most out of university.

### **Getting Involved on Campus**

Recognized Campus Groups. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2017, from

https://www.ulife.utoronto.ca/organizations/list

Hart House Committees. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2017, from

http://harthouse.ca/getinvolved/clubs-and-committees/

You don’t want to graduate with the regret of not getting involved in campus life. There is so much more to student life than just cramming lecture notes, and one great way to get involved is taking part in extra-curricular activities; not only does this help in building your résumé, it is also an amazing way to pursue your interests and meet new people.

There are over 800 clubs and organizations at the University of Toronto, and you can browse through the various clubs on the ULife website, or perhaps even look at the Hart House committees to see if anything piques your interest. If you haven’t yet figured out what it is that you’re passionate about, try exploring different clubs and societies until you find your match! There is a society for just about anything, whether that be debating, photography or even anime! If you can’t find the society you are looking for, then just create one! The ULife website provides you with the resources and instructions to do so.

### **Caring for your Mental Health**

Mac Macdonald, Gayle. “For Some Students, the
Transition to University Can Be Hard on Mental Health,” August 16, 2017.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/parenting/back-to-school/the-transition-to-university-can-be-hard-on-mental-health/article36003286/.

Mental health is a genuine concern for a university student, yet is often neglected. According to this article, the transition from high school to university is one of the most traumatic experiences in a person's life and is often the time when many mental health problems begin to arise. This passage in a young person's life is often fraught with stressors that both parents and their children don't identify and can lead to a wide array of mental-health issues, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and, suicide.

This The Globe and Mail's article links us to Jack.org, a project started by Eric Windeler, to educate young people and their families on how best to advocate for their own mental health. Some advice we get for avoiding a mental-health crisis at university is to talk as much as you can and share things with people who are close to you, rather than isolating yourself from others. Also, avoid aiming for perfectionism, and rather than always putting yourself down, try motivating yourself. Lastly, educate yourself on mental health matters, and be sure to know about the various resources your university has to offer on mental health matters; don't be hesitant to use these resources if the need arises. You can learn about the University of Toronto’s mental health initiatives here: http://mentalhealth.utoronto.ca

### **Making New Friends**

<sp Goldman, Jeremy. “10 Ways to Make Friends in College.” USA TODAY College, July 3, 2012. http://college.usatoday.com/2012/07/30/10-ways-to-make-friends-in-college/.

Going to a university like the University of Toronto
provides you with the once in a lifetime opportunity of interacting with people
from all sorts of different countries and backgrounds, and it helps to make
friends with them. Having a group of friends can make the entire journey so
much easier and enjoyable, and in most cases, you will meet people that remain
your friends for the rest of your life!

So, how do you go about making friends in a new environment?
This article on the USA Today College outlines 10 effective ways you can make
friends. The first thing to remember is that everyone is in the same situation
as you; everyone is trying to make new friends, so don't be afraid to approach
people. Remember to always be yourself; no matter which college you go to,
there will be people who share your interests and personality. Try
participating in extracurricular activities to find those people with similar
interests to your own, and try connecting with them. Find common ground with
others, and invite others to join you in events.  Lastly, remember to always be nice and
respectful to others; this can go a long way in getting people to like you!