And three things I’m glad I did
Illustration by Sage Blackwell.
As I start the final semester of my master’s degree, and as I do every September, I’ve been reflecting on the various mishaps from the first year of undergrad that could have been avoided.
Here are five things I wish I knew in my first year, and three things that I’m glad I did.
Waiting to get your textbooks
As exciting as it might be to get your textbooks as soon as the booklist is released — something I was guilty of in both semesters of my first year — waiting until after the first week has become my go-to method over the past five years. Sometimes, professors don’t actually require a book on the list, decide to remove something last minute, or have cheaper alternatives available.
If they are all required, you can also check the library for physical and/or digital copies of your textbooks.
Buying (and selling) used textbooks
Speaking of textbooks — before you place your order from the UVic Bookstore next term, see if you can find that $100 textbook from 2015 at a discount. For used books, check SUBText, the consignment bookstore in the Student Union Building (SUB). While the UVic Bookstore often has used books, SUBText lets students buy and sell their books, so they can save (and make) money; when you consign your books at SUBText, you set the price and get 75% of the selling price.
Consignment isn’t for you? There are also a number of Facebook groups dedicated to buying and selling textbooks in Victoria, including UVic Textbook Exchange, UVic Used Textbooks, and UVic Textbook Trade/Buy/Sell.
Talking to your professors and TAs
I know, I know, everybody says it, but going to your professors’ office hours will make a big difference, especially for subjects you think you might major in.
It may seem far off in the future now, but if you’re even considering the possibility of going to grad school, getting to know your professors is essential, since that’s who will be writing your reference letters. They’re there to support you — even if it can seem terrifying!
The Teaching Assistants (TAs) for your courses are also there to help you, so if they have office hours, go!
Accessing student rates and discounts
There are a lot of local and national discounts available to UVic students, from groceries to music subscriptions. Students can get 10 per cent off at Pepper’s (the grocery store within walking-distance of campus) daily, 10 per cent off at the Root Cellar every Wednesday, 15 per cent off at Bulk Barn on Wednesdays, 10 per cent off base fares at Harbour Air, and more.
Many businesses in Victoria offer student rates, including Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park, the Royal BC Museum, and the Victoria Bug Zoo. There are also more general discounts available to students across Canada, such as student plans with Spotify or Apple Music.
You don’t have to graduate in four years
One of the biggest things I learned after my first year was that you don’t have to finish undergrad in four years. After taking five classes each term in my first year, I realized that in order to do well, I would have to take a slightly reduced course load. I ended up taking four and a half years to finish my bachelors, and I’m not the only one. According to Statistics Canada’s most recent data, the average time to graduation is 4.52 years. So, don’t worry about trying to finish your degree according to the arbitrary timeline created by society; there’s no right way to do it.
While I learned a lot through trial and error, there were a few things I’m glad I did in first year.
Finding my classes before the first day
Maybe I’m just a little over-anxious, but the idea of accidentally ending up in the wrong class terrified me so much that the day before classes started, I went around campus and found each room. Even going into my sixth year at UVic, I still do this as a grad student because it makes the first day of class much more manageable.
Taking advantage of the bus pass
A bus pass is included in your tuition at a discounted rate, and it’s a great way to see the city (even if it’s a little delayed sometimes). There are a number of buses running between UVic and downtown, and to other parts of the city, making it easy to explore Victoria and the surrounding areas.
Going to the Pet Café in the Multifaith Centre
On Wednesday afternoons, go hang out with therapy dogs while taking a study break — trust me, this is the best thing in the middle of midterms or leading up to exams, especially if you’re trying to avoid studying.
