University is a period of life where things are constantly changing. It’s filled with transition between schedules, apartments, friends, etc. While this newness creates an exciting lifestyle, it also comes with stress. Going to university is just as much about your education outside of the classroom as it is within.
1. Balance
Bishops is a little purple bubble. Always having something going on makes it a fun place to be but can also make it feel quite consuming at times. The highs are high, and the lows are low. Find what grounds you. Things that feel catastrophic in the moment will slowly fade as you learn how to take the bad with the good. Seek out family or friends outside Bishops for a fresh view. Find your balance between school and social life and give yourself grace. The process takes time and patience.
2. Get your costume trunk ready
If there’s one thing we know how to do at this school, it’s dress to impress. To do this on a budget get into thrifting. Value village and Renaissance have great fur coats, Winterfest wear, and colorful outfits. Accessorize at Dollarama. I’m not only talking to the girls… you’ll see more boys in tutus here. Most importantly, get a burner coat that’s warm! It snows here… A LOT! Find a cheap coat you don’t care about getting dirty or losing and bundle up.
3. Plan ahead or fall behind
- The campus can be a bit of a maze. Do a campus tour and find your classrooms before classes start.
- Use a calendar to organize your life. Write in the Sessional Dates, due dates, exams, readings, events, and whatever else you want to remember and look forward to.
- Make an assignment schedule that prioritizes your assignments and exams based on when they’re due and how much they’re worth. Something worth 3% should take no more than 30 minutes and something worth 20% no less than an hour.
- Have quick and easy meals ready for midterms and finals season.
4. Appreciate the beauty of your location
The Bishop’s campus is beautiful and so are the sounding sites. Stop to take pictures of the trees in the fall. Walk the Coaticook Gorge and stop at the Laiterie for fresh ice cream. Do a sunrise hike at Mount Pinnacle in the fall and take in the beautiful view. Visit North Hatley. Go to a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, apple picking. Need a Sunday…cure? Go to Pizzaville for breakfast and Rimas for Dinner. Take advantage of all the snow and go sledding.
5. Realistic > Perfect
Done is better than perfect. Due dates help to keep you on track. Try to stick to them by avoiding getting extensions. Once you hand the test in, move on to the next thing. There’s no sense stressing once it’s out of your hands. This is a life lesson too. You’re not going to have it all figured out…no one does. You will make many mistakes and so will the people around you. Learn from them and respond with humility and grace. Lean on people, ask for help and advice. You’re going to lack knowledge and experience. That’s what you’re here to gain.
6. Take advantage of the resources
University is full of people dedicated to supporting you including:
- Academic advisors
- Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
- Safe drive
- Writing center
- Library research support
- Career Services
- Personal Counselling
- Exam care packages
- Community Cupboard
- Health services in the Plex
Many more can be found on myBU and UBishops.
7. Learn the registration cheat code
- Book an appointment with your academic advisor. Their help goes a long way.
- Look up your courses and map out your schedule ahead of registration. Add all your courses to your cart so when your timeslot opens you can just hit register to avoid not getting into your preferred classes. If you don’t get in there’s always a solution and someone to help so don’t panic.
- Make sure your student account balance is paid otherwise you will be blocked from registering.
- Register for 1 or 2 more courses than you plan on taking, go to your first week of classes and then drop the courses you don’t want to take so you don’t end up paying for them and other students can get in.
8. Act like a pro to be treated like one
University prepares you to navigate the professional world. Independence doesn’t mean never asking for help; it can actually mean quite the opposite. Advocate for yourself. Earn your voice by holding yourself accountable. Be present and punctual for class, be engaged, take pride in your work, pay attention to details. Before asking a question check Moodle, the syllabus, and assignment outlines. If you want respect, you must give it. Address your professors properly. If they have a PhD recognize that. They earned their title.
9. Celebrate the little things
Use any excuse to make things special. University can be busy and stressful so seek out those breaks and spend time with roommates and friends. Spend your days going on coffee dates at Faro, walks in the sun, picnics at optimist, and study dates at the library. Spend your nights painting, watching a movie, playing a game, going to the Lion for bingo or karaoke. Sign up for intramurals and go to socials and sports games.
10. Find YOUR way
University is not about fitting in but standing out. You’re here to find your path, not follow someone else’s. There are over 100 clubs at Bishops. Find some that interest you and join. What helps you focus? How do you study best? Do you like meal prepping or cooking each night? How much sleep do you need? How do you keep yourself on track? This is a time of trial and error so you can come out answering these questions for yourself. It’s equally exhausting and stressful as it is exciting and fun. It’s University.
