The shift from high school to university is a nerve-wracking time. Not only will you be probably staying away from your home for the first time, but you will also have to settle in a new city and make new friends. Plus, there is the academic pressure, new subjects, and difficult classes.
With that being said, university life will be one of the best, most rewarding years of your life. You have some impactful years coming up with many new friendships, new experiences, and new learnings.
So how should you get prepared for your new journey at the Univeristy of Waterloo? What should you do after starting university?
In this blog, you will find the best tips on how to prepare for the days leading up to your university life and how to spend the days after settling in. So, take a deep breath, follow these tips, and kickstart your new student life without a hitch.
Handy Tips to Get Set for Your University Life
1. Pick a Place to Stay During Your Time at the University
A lot of first-year students at the University of Waterloo go for university accommodation facilities. This is an amazing way to meet students and make new friends within the walls of the university.
You can also go for off-campus university accommodation options such as rental units. However, living independently comes with additional responsibility and hence it is recommended to stay at the university until your post-graduation.
2. Settle Your Finances for the New Chapter
If you have not opened a bank account yet, open one before heading off to your university. There are many banks in Canada that offer student-friendly bank accounts. For instance - The Royal Bank of Canada has a No Fee Banking for Students account that comes with zero monthly fees and gives access to special rewards.
Next, find out the exact tuition fees associated with your program at the University of Waterloo. Make sure to factor in extra costs such as mandatory student fees in this budget.
Once done figuring out the budget for your education, research your future living expenses. Make an estimate of your living costs including rent or residence fees, groceries, utilities, transportation, and personal expenses. Apply for scholarships and grants available at the university, provincial, and federal levels.
3. Plan What to Pack and Bring Along
Packing for your new life at the University of Waterloo will be great fun. But don’t try to get too carried away with the excitement and overload your bags.
Just pack some essentials that you will need while settling down in the university. Be smart with what you pack as you can buy many necessities on-site once you have moved.
4. Start Reading for Your Upcoming Classes
Yes, we know this will be a bit boring during your summer holidays. But trust us, this will give you an advantage academically when university life begins.
The University of Waterloo makes the reading list of most programs and courses available over the summer. So try to read and catch up as much as possible.
5. Network with Your University Using Social Media Platforms
Grow your social circle and ease pre-uni life jitters by networking online with your university before starting classes. There is the Waterloo Ready Program where you can connect with other newly admitted students.
The University of Waterloo also has many Facebook groups for new students, often specific to each faculty or residence. These groups are a great way to introduce yourself and ask any doubts or queries about courses and accommodation.
6. Pick Up Some Cooking Skills
Before heading to university, spend some time in the kitchen and brush up your cooking skills. You will save a lot of money by cooking yourselves at the University of Waterloo rather than ordering take-out every day.
Read more:
Helpful Tips to Adapt to University Life
1. Stop by the Student Success Office for Any Assistance
For any and all kinds of assistance while at the University of Waterloo, head over to the Student Success Office. Be it helping with your classes or getting involved on campus, the staff at this office can be a big help.
2. Get Your WatCard as Quickly as You Can
Your WatCard will be your identification card within the campus of the University of Waterloo. It is your photo ID that you will need for almost all kinds of services and tasks at the University. So, apply for the WatCard as early as you can.
3. Snatch a Campus Job Opportunity
The University of Waterloo has a work-study program that offers part-time, on-campus jobs to full-time students who are financially weak. The program funds 75% of the student’s salary covering a maximum of $2000 per term.
However, this program is available only for Canadian students. In case you are an international student, you must opt for the international work-study program.
4. You Might Have to Buy a Few First-Hand Books
You may have heard this advice at least 3 times by now - “Only get used textbooks. No point getting first-hand books.” Well, this advice is of course true. However, sometimes you will have to buy some brand-new textbooks while at the University of Waterloo.
In fact, there are some professors at the university who put codes within the plastic wrapping of books at the store. You will need this code to submit your assignments. They do this to make sure that you buy the latest edition of the textbook.
5. Take a Tour of the Campus Whenever You Have the Time
Don’t end up becoming a senior at the University of Waterloo who doesn’t even know where the library is. So, while in your first year, try to explore and learn more about the university campus. The university has campus maps that can easily guide you towards the major academic and serving departments on the campus.
6. Be a Part of the University Experience
Yes, you need to go to class, write papers, and take exams while at the University of Waterloo. But don’t just bury your head under books and let these golden years slip by just like that.
Participate in university life to the fullest by getting involved in extra-curricular activities. There are over 250 clubs that let students engage in tons of activities under the sun allowing students to connect and socialise with each other.
Final Words of Advice!
You have studied day and night and always managed to get good grades in high school to secure this position for yourselves at the University of Waterloo. So, make sure you enjoy all this hard work while acing up your academics at the university. Have fun while learning as much as you can while at uni and get the most out of your new life.