What I wish I knew: A first-year survival guide for nervous TMU students

Back in September 2021, I entered my first year of the English program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). While I was thrilled to begin my post-secondary journey, I was also nervous to make such a drastic life change. At the time, Toronto felt so big and scary, and there were many TMU services, events and opportunities that I hadn’t discovered yet.

Now, as a fourth-year student, I often wish that I could turn back time and speak to my younger self. Knowing everything that I know now would have saved me from a lot of unnecessary stress. Even though I’ll never be able to time travel (not yet, at least) — and it’s impossible for me to rewrite the past — I can still share my personal advice with incoming students like you. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of everything that I wish I knew in my first year. Whether you’re nervous about navigating TMU’s downtown campus, meeting friends or gaining valuable work experience, I’ve got you covered!

You don’t have to know your way around campus right away.

In my first year, I was so afraid of getting lost on campus and missing class. Even though I found myself walking in circles in buildings like Kerr Hall and forgetting that the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) is connected to the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, I always made it to class eventually.

During your first week, I would recommend referring to resources like the TMU Campus Map to help you navigate to campus buildings. Visiting campus before classes officially start and finding all of your classes beforehand will ensure that you have a smooth first day. Also, don’t forget that it’s never a bad idea to ask another student on campus for directions. We’re all in this together!

Joining student clubs and groups is a great way to meet friends and discover new interests.

Between my first and second year, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by joining campus groups like Her Campus at TMU (external link, opens in new window)  and New Wave Magazine (external link, opens in new window)  to help strengthen my writing and editing skills. While both of these groups were operated through a virtual format since I began university at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a wonderful way to connect with fellow TMU students and add some professional experience to my resumé.

Looking back, I wish I had joined more groups, since TMU has so many to offer. Other exciting opportunities that are available for students to explore include joining your Course Union (external link, opens in new window) , which is a great way to heighten your leadership skills, or joining one of the student groups that are listed on the Student Group Directory (external link, opens in new window) .

Your peers are probably just as nervous as you are, so don’t be afraid to start a conversation.

In one of my very first in-person lectures, I sat next to a girl who was wearing the same shoes as me. In hopes of starting a conversation and making a new friend, I wanted to mention it to her, but my shyness got the best of me and I never said anything. Now, mostly everyone who I’ve spoken to in my year has said that they also remember feeling too nervous to start conversations with their classmates. The bottom line is, start that conversation! Who knows, maybe it could be the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

Speak to your professors! They’re not as intimidating as you may think.

Hitting the “send” button on that first email to your professor can be scary, but trust me, they’re not as intimidating as they may seem. It took me some time to build up enough courage to speak to my professors, but once I realized that they actually enjoy hearing from students, I no longer felt embarrassed about reaching out. It’s super important to remember that your instructors are here to support you, so any time you feel confused about the course syllabus, unsure about an answer to a question or need some extra clarification on an assignment, make sure to send them an email or attend their scheduled office hours.

Prioritize your mental health.

The semester can be stressful at times (especially during exam season), so it’s important to not get too caught up in coursework and take some time to prioritize your mental health. I made the mistake of devoting the majority of my time to completing my assignments in my first year, which prevented me from spending time doing the things I love. 

Besides ensuring that you have a healthy school-life balance, TMU also offers many useful on-campus support services that you can turn to during stressful times. For example, you can book a one-on-one appointment with a counselor at the Centre for Student Development and Counselling or attend a Students for Mental Awareness, Support, and Health (SMASH) (opens in new window)  event where you can learn more about mental health wellness or participate in student peer-to-peer support sessions. Your mental health should be your top priority!

You can start planning your post-grad career early by booking a one-on-one career advising appointment.

The Career, Co-op and Student Success Centre, which is located on the first floor of the Podium building, offers a diverse range of career workshops and appointments that can help you prepare for everything career-related. By booking a one-on-one career advising appointment, you can practice your skills in interviewing, receive feedback on your resumé and cover letter, revamp your LinkedIn profile and seek advice on any other concerns you may have. I only found out about these resources during my second year, so I would recommend booking an appointment early so you’ll become a professional interviewee before you even graduate.

The Career Boost program will help you gain professional on-campus work experience.

One of the best services that I wish I discovered sooner is the Career Boost Undergraduate Program, which provides eligible full-time undergraduate students at TMU with on-campus work opportunities. Once you gain approval from Student Financial Assistance, you’ll be able to apply to hundreds of part-time and full-time opportunities through the Recruit Students portal (opens in new window) .

Thanks to Career Boost, I’m currently working as a Digital Marketing Assistant for the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students (OVPS). Here, I’ve been able to write blogs for the Future Student Blog (like this one), craft engaging email content and strengthen my website editing and design skills. This role has granted me so many new skills and learning experiences that will continue to support me after graduation. If you’re looking to build your resumé or portfolio while you earn your degree, I would highly recommend checking out the Career Boost program for yourself! 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to get perfect grades.

I put way too much pressure on myself in my first year to get straight A’s, and I totally forgot that the learning process doesn’t equal perfection. Eventually, I was able to separate my academic performance from my self-worth, but it took me a lot of time.

It’s important to remember that it might take some time to adjust to the university-learning environment, so don’t be too hard on yourself if you get a lower grade than you were hoping for. I would recommend making detailed notes at the beginning of the semester, which will save you a lot of time during exam season and will get you familiar with the university workload. Life is all about trial and error, and it’s impossible to be perfect, so just try to focus on your goals and use every experience as an opportunity for self-growth.

Big changes can create big feelings — it’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed!

Lastly, it’s important to understand that feeling overwhelmed as a first-year university student is totally normal. You’re going to be dealing with a lot of change, and it can be nerve-wracking, but it can also be really exciting. I want you to remember that your feelings are valid, and soon you’ll be like me — a fourth-year student wondering why they were so worried about everything in the first place!

I hope this list has helped you feel a little less nervous about the upcoming school year. You may not believe me now, but you’ll be in your second year before you know it!

Chat soon, 

Claire