Hey there!
I’m Ika Janiszewski, a gal who loves sushi, sports, and just about everything Schulich. Having just finished my second year, I am starting out in my new role as the First Year Advisor for the 2021’s, working with the Undergraduate Programs Unit this summer.
I vividly remember, just two years ago, anxiously refreshing my email at least twice a day as I waited for my enrollment appointment email to arrive. I had so many preconceived notions of what my next four years would look like; the courses I would have to take to be successful, the number of sleepless nights I would undoubtedly endure, the hard time I would have making friends or fitting in, and the seemingly impossible transition from high school to university I would somehow have to overcome.
Even though I am only half way through my undergraduate journey, I often look back on the summer before I started my time here at Schulich. There are so many things I wish I knew. Many of the ideas that I had been so set on, proved to be just that: ideas, assumptions and myths.
As that time draws near for current grade 12’s, I can’t help but think of three main myths I believed as an incoming student, and just how fictional they turned out to be. So here you have it:
Mythbusters, the Schulich Edition:
Three Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting First Year
Myth 1: There is a huge jump in course difficulty and coursework volume from high school, and I won’t be able to manage.
While the transition from high school to university varies for everyone, one thing is common: it exists. You can’t avoid it, but there are ample ways to get through it efficiently and successfully. The first step is to set personal goals academically, beyond the grades you are hoping to achieve. Maybe it’s focusing on recognizing when you need help, and getting that support sooner rather than later. Perhaps it’s forming a study group, and sticking to weekly meetings to review course content. These goals will help you develop better learning skills, and keep you focused and motivated throughout the semester, even when things get busy.
There is no denying that there will be a concept that will be particularly challenging, a time that will be unusually stressful, or a project you just weren’t able to give 100% to. When times like this come along, that’s when you reach out to your support network; whether they be upper years, professors in their office hours, Schumon tutors, or your friends. Everyone is here to help you out to the best of their abilities, to ensure you have a concrete grasp of the material, and are more than happy to spend some time going over a concept.
Myth 2: I will have a hard time fitting in and making friends, especially because everyone is so competitive with each other.
If there is one thing I can be sure of, it’s that Schulich has some of the friendliest, most helpful and absolutely fantastic people you will meet. From your peers, to upper year students, to faculty and staff, there is a very strong culture of support, kindness and genuine interest in making sure you, as a student, are successful. Making friends is the easiest thing you will do at Schulich by a landslide, whether by meeting new people in the 2021 Facebook group; connecting with peers at the Dean’s Reception, the summer barbecue, and at your enrollment appointment; or shouting out Schulich cheers during Orientation Week.
On the note of competition, I have found that Schulich is a place where friendly competition is a force that drives you to do your best and challenge yourself, rather than one that serves to tear you down and stall your success. Looking to successful peers as a good resource for help, rather than a source of intimidation, is an important mindset to have, because there is a very good chance they will be more than happy to help you out if you ask for an hour of their time.
Myth 3: I have to have my whole life planned before I set foot into Schulich, or else I will be behind the rest of my peers.
I can tell you that is 110% myth because I definitely don’t have my whole life figured out, let alone what courses I want to take next semester, and believe me, many of my friends are in the same boat. Having an idea of what courses interest you, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what you may want to get involved with beyond academics: these are good things to consider and try to figure out before starting. Knowing exactly what fourth year course you want to take, what club you want to be president of, and what internship you want to complete are all great things to know, but by no means do most students have this down pat.
Remember to stay flexible. Sometimes things don’t work out, and you have to reshuffle your goals or objectives. Some of the most rewarding, personally challenging, and all around best experiences I have had so far have been through opportunities I did not see coming, and by taking on roles I didn’t think I was ready for. Now I keep a general idea of what I want to do academically, and rather focus on what I hope to learn interpersonally over time, and what kind of an impact I hope to leave behind. This really allows me to keep an open mind and adapt to changing scenarios, rather than getting bogged down in details, and being discouraged when my plans don’t go exactly the way I had envisioned.
In conclusion…
I want to emphasize one thing. All Schulich students, including you, are capable of overcoming challenges, being resourceful, and working smart; that’s what got you into the program in the first place. Your time here will fly by. Make sure to enjoy the time you have during undergrad, find something that makes you happy every day, and treat every challenge as a chance to learn and get better. It is more than normal to be excited, nervous, and anywhere in between, so please don’t stress about being stressed.
I hope that in true Mythbusters style I was able to “reject your reality and substitute my own,” to dispel some of the misconceptions about the time you will spend here! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Undergraduate Programs Unit, where an amazing team will be more than happy to help you out!
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