Lessons not to learn

This column is going to be a little bit different today: my focus is primarily going to be on those in high school and just beginning post-secondary. I’m finally finishing up my fourth year at school, and as such, have had some time to recognize some of the non-classroom lessons I’ve obtained over the past few years. I found university to be a huge change from high school, and the adjustment could maybe have been easier if I knew what changes were going to take place. So, for those of you who are just about a month into school - or for those in high school trying to figure out how to prepare for post-secondary education, this is what I can offer.
  One of the biggest changes for me was moving into residence. Living with a bunch of other people the same age, in the midst of a time of transition can be a bit of a change. While some schools have specialized floors: girls only, healthy lifestyle, quiet floors, etc - depending on the school - the most common experience tends to be the co-ed living arrangement. While this can be fun - you meet a lot of new people that you may never have run into otherwise - it can also be a major distraction from schoolwork. Therefore, one of the biggest lessons to learn is how to prioritize. The key to maintaining balance is preparation, as well as maintaining good study habits. Learning to work hard as early makes it much easier when the subject material gets harder. Keen attention to detail, schedules, and deadlines will save a lot of headaches, and help minimize the stress levels. Doing things before the last minute and talking to teachers/professors/TA’s about anything you don’t understand, as opposed to trying to do it all alone. Attending classes, actively listening, doing the readings, doing assignments, and networking with people in your classes are all ways to stay on top of tasks. 
  Taking care of yourself physically is also one thing many students seem to have difficulties with. Students who don’t know how to cook, or don’t have enough time to cook, often end up eating fast food or less-healthy choices. Most students don’t sleep enough, exercise, and obtain a myriad of unhealthy habits that can follow through the rest of their lives. While there’s no harm in enjoying school, it’s important to keep long-term goals in mind. It can quickly become overwhelming for people who are not accustomed to balancing a heavier workload, as well as the freedom that comes with living away from home, without the structure and familiarity of home life. 
  Another issue some students struggle with is whether or not to work a part-time job in addition to school. Working, volunteering, or looking at school as a full-time job on its own are all valid choices, but the right one will depend on each person’s opportunities. Factors to consider can be the difficulty of the year or program you happen to be in with school, the flexibility of your potential workplace in terms of organizing hours around student schedules, your personal financial situation, etc. Sitting down with your parent(s) or guardians and going over budgets for food, rent, books, tuition, bills, can be beneficial in terms of gauging how much financial assistance you will need from OSAP, scholarships, bursaries, parents, work, etc. Personally, I always worked through high school and most of university, and found it to be beneficial in terms of learning to prioritize my time, work with a variety of people, and keep myself busy. Volunteer work can be extremely beneficial too, especially for students interested in fields like journalism, law, healthcare, etc, since references in addition to just education add more to one’s resume. Talking to professors, teachers, and any professionals in your potential field is an excellent way to begin deciding what field of work would be a good fit for you.
For any people who may be feeling nervous about not being 100% sure about what you want to do after high school – don’t worry. You’re in good company. Trades, colleges, universities, apprenticeships, the work world… all options are valid, and despite how it may feel, you are not doomed to go one specific way after you choose a school or program. As long as you’re willing to work hard and to learn from any experience you may have, it isn’t a waste of time, and can still offer valuable experience.
  Ultimately, the main thing that needs to be noted is that what works for another student will not necessarily work for you. Every person’s experience is different, and it’s important to ensure that no matter what you decide to do, you are willing to work hard. No matter what your skills and abilities may be, hard work will always be the most valuable asset. Best of luck!