Let's Talk: My Undergrad Experience & Things To Know Before You Start One

It’s been nearly nine months since I submitted the final paper of my undergraduate degree at York University. Since then, I’ve had the chance to reflect on my experience over the last four years and begin to compartmentalize my experience as an undergraduate student at York.

While my time at York University was generally a positive one, there were many moments of uncertainty and frustration (switching programs, the 108-day strike of 2018, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic - just to name a few). I wanted to write this piece as a reflection on my time but also to support those who are about to start university in the fall. If you’re feeling stressed, nervous, or even scared, that’s okay. I’m hoping this piece validates your feelings but also releases some of that negative energy you’re feeling.

It’s Okay Not to Feel Ready

There were two things I was certain about in the months leading up to my high school graduation: 1) I can’t wait to be done with high school and, 2) I’m not ready for university. For some reason, I had an issue with comprehending that my next step after high school was university and I just wasn’t ready. Granted, I had already applied to four universities and received my offers of admission, but the excitement for the future and the excitement for what I was about to learn was missing. I wasn’t certain on the field I wanted to study so my dad suggested that I just go into business as a safe plan. And at the time, it felt like a safe plan. I had taken business courses all throughout high school so what else was out there for me to do? I quickly realized in my first year that it wasn’t the best plan for me.

If you’re not feeling like you’re ready for this new chapter that is quite literally, hurling itself towards you, that’s okay. Have an honest conversation with yourself and then your loved ones and share your reservations. If waiting a year is an option, do it! If you’re unsure of the field you want to study, don’t be afraid to just choose something and see if you like it and then switch to something else (granted, if this is an option too)!

If you feel like university isn’t where you belong, there are other options to just university! I never had any other options. My parents spoke only of university (which is fair) but I feel as if the public high school system only pushes university which isn’t the best option for everyone. Just know that there are other options out there.

It’s Okay if You Don’t Love Your Program

I originally started out at York University studying a Bachelors in Human Resources Management (BHRM) and QUICKLY figured out that it wasn’t for me. Looking back on my first year, I had a rough time. While studying at such a highly populated university, I felt very isolated and found it difficult to make friends, and the few I did make I only saw in class. I was not connecting with the material I was being taught and dreaded commuting to school every day for another day of (what felt like) torture.

When I (very) nearly failed my Introduction to Human Resources class at the end of my first semester, I took that as a sign. I began doing research into other programs at York that I could transfer into and what grades I needed in order to do so. I ended up circling back to a program that caught my eye when I was applying to schools a year earlier (Communication Studies) and decided that that’s what I wanted to study.

*One* of the things I loved about York was the fact that I was able to transfer the credits I had completed in my first year that were originally intended for my BHRM, towards completing my new program. I understand that this isn’t the case for every program or every university so it’s important to reach out for guidance and advice from staff at your school. It’s okay not to have all the answers, that’s why they offer support.

I’ve spoken to people who have shared their strong dislike for the program that they’re in yet believe that they’re ‘too far in’ to switch into something they may actually like. One of my dear friends made the decision to switch out of a program that was making her miserable into something that she actually enjoyed. While all of her credits didn’t transfer and she’s spending a bit more time completing her degree, she’s much happier because of the decision she made.

Do not be afraid to switch programs or even switch schools! It’s possible that you may not graduate in the prescribed four years that you should, but if it means you will be happy, then I say go for it!

Don’t Take On More Than You Can Handle

Another thing that I loved about York was that they allowed you to not take a full course load if you didn’t want to or didn’t think you could handle it all. If you don’t think you can handle it all, THAT’S OKAY! It’s embedded in our minds that you have to complete your undergrad in four years but really, four years is just an option. If you can get it done in four, great! Three, fantastic! Five, that’s amazing! Any way you do it, you’re still getting a degree!

In my experience at York, four-year undergraduate programs require you to take 120 credits, 30 credits a year (30 x 4 = 120). For the most part, the course credits are broken down as follows: 3 credit course = 1 semester, 6 credit course = 2 semesters, 9 credit course (rare) = 2 semesters. However, if you want to be considered a full-time student, you only have to take a total of 9 credits in a semester to be considered full-time.

Some programs have only 3 credit courses (like Human Resources Management) or in my case with Communication Studies, it had a mix of 3 credit courses and 6 credit courses. I figured out early on that I couldn’t handle a full course load if I wanted to produce my best work so I decided to take a reduced amount and then whatever I didn’t do, I would make up in the summer semester. This was a great idea until York’s 108-day strike happened in 2018 and messed up my plan, but I’ve always been a big believer that everything happens for a reason. If the strike didn’t happen, I would’ve taken all my courses and not had enough leftover to go on my study exchange semester to Oxford, England in 2019. So in the end, it all worked out perfectly. I completed my four-year degree in a little over four years, only taking an extra summer semester to get it done.

Don’t be afraid to not get your degree in four years. You’ll probably be better for it if you break it up a little!

If You Can, Study Abroad

I know with everything happening in the world right now, it’s probably very unrealistic of me to encourage you to go on an exchange. However, I want to remain optimistic that things will be better soon and if the opportunity to study away comes up, you should take it!

I never considered looking into studying abroad for many reasons but the main reason was that I didn’t think after my disappointing GPA in my first year, my grades would get me there. Little did I know switching into a different program, enjoying what I was learning, and doing pretty damn well would affect my GPA so much that I had the required GPA and then some!

I wrote about my incredible experience going on exchange in another blog post titled Let’s Talk: My Experience Going on Exchange to Oxford, England.

Of course, if you don’t feel ready to leave home, that’s okay! Going into university, I knew I wasn’t ready to move out or travel on my own but a few years later, I was. Check-in with yourself to see if you feel ready to make a big step like that and if you’re not, wait a little while and try again then.

Be Friendly & Don’t Be Afraid to Say “Yes”

I made some of my best friends during my undergrad. If you’re comfortable, be talkative and try to bond with people in your classes who are in the same boat you’re in. While this is not a guaranteed way of making friends, it will help you practice networking, which is a skill you’ll for sure need once you graduate.

When I made the switch to the Communication Studies program, I felt comfortable speaking to anyone in my class because I believed we were all on the same level and shared interests. Especially in my final two years, I felt confident just chatting to anyone in class, asking about their experience and gaining some insight into other classes they were taking, while making mental notes on if I should take that class or maybe avoid it altogether. This was also a great way of sharing notes and expanding your knowledge as some people may have retained some information that you missed out on during lectures or tutorials. And finally, this was how I met and became very close with two of my friends.

Another ‘tip’ I can share is to not be afraid to say “yes.” I had always been the type of person to turn down invitations to do something out of my comfort zone, however, one day I decided to say “yes” and I gained two of my best friends from it. The question came from someone I had just met in our first tutorial of the semester, who was standing with two other girls from our tutorial. She had asked if I wanted to join them to get a smoothie before the lecture started. I didn’t know these girls but something in me pushed me to say “yes” to their invitation when normally, I would’ve passed on the offer. Now two of these girls are my absolute best friends and we talk regularly and FaceTime every two weeks for a movie night. You really never know what will come of you just stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a small chance.

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The four years of my undergrad weren’t perfect but I think that’s the beauty of them. I started out in a program I didn’t love. I stressed about my GPA to switch into a program that I ended up loving. My second year was abruptly halted by the 108-day strike but during this time I was able to travel to Europe (unrelated to school) and save up my course credits for a time when I would really need to redeem them down the road. I met some of my best friends in courses related to my program and in courses I took out of pure passion and interest. I was able to study abroad for a semester in Oxford, England through York’s exchange program (truly a highlight). And when the pandemic hit, I worried that I wouldn’t adapt to online learning but I finished my final semester with straight A’s.

I understand that this is such a scary and uncertain time for someone who is waiting to start their undergrad, believe me, I get it! But the thing is, it’s also such an exciting time because so many doors are about to open for you! It’s safe to say that the next chapter in your life is about to get a whole lot more fulfilling than the one you’re completing now.

To everyone starting university in the fall, I wish you the best of luck and I hope that whatever you’re about to study you’ll love, that you’ll make incredible friendships, and make memories that’ll last a lifetime. And if at some point you feel you’re not, I wish you the boldness to make the change that will kickstart your career and friendships in the future.

xx Lex

My unofficial graduation portrait taken October 2020