5 Things I Learned in First Year
The first semester flew by, but it was a period of learning and great memories.
Hi! I’m Galiya, and I’m one of the First Year Representatives on the QMA, and here’s what I learned from my first semester at Smith.
Networking is Fun (and a skill)!
In high school, we were never taught about the importance of networking, so navigating the process can be difficult. However, it is so valuable and an amazing opportunity to learn from others…honestly, it’s fun to just hear about the lives of other people and their journeys. Here are some networking tips I’ve used:
Think of some burning questions you have before your conversations.
Stray away from questions whose answers you can find on the internet (if you can find them online, why are you asking them??), think of something unique and interesting.
Don’t be shy to reach out to someone via LinkedIn or even email -- most of the time, people are willing to help! (Side note: If you’re having trouble connecting with someone, ask an upper-year to help you or connect you with someone!)
Find a way to break the ice! Especially in online networking settings, it’s hard to connect and break the ice; be yourself and show your personality by showing your personable side or sense of humour.
Participating in Clubs and Activities
Being a part of a club you’re interested in is one of the best ways to continue learning outside of the classroom. For me, being on clubs like the QMA really opened my eyes to a whole world of marketing (Shoutout to QMA❤️). I knew marketing was something that interested me in past years, and really taking that step to join a group committed to developing marketing leaders furthered my interest. At the same time, joining clubs helps to meet new people, even in upper years or different programs.
My recommendation: if you’re interested in something and don’t know where to start to learn more, consider joining a club or a group committed to that interest! If you can’t join a club, attending various events is also a great way to get involved and learn more!
Mentors are important
Going into Commerce, I didn’t have any family members that went through the program to guide me or go through the journey with me. My mentors; however, helped lead the way. Mentors can be formally designated or can be people you look up to and who help you navigate your journey. I find so much comfort speaking with mentors about ideas, struggles, or even just catching up on a personal level.
If you’re wondering how to find a mentor, you can reach out to upper years in a club, go through the CAC, or even reach out to people you look up to on LinkedIn.
Lose the FOMO…seriously
We’ve all had it. We all know it. The fear of missing out is a plague (!!!) and honestly, was the best thing I dropped. It can be hard ignoring your FOMO because there are just so many things you can do in University, especially when you just got here -- joining that club, going to that party, hanging out with friends, etc. At the end of the day, it’s important to recognize what you actually want to do, not what other people are making you think you want to do. Prioritizing my goals and needs made it easier to truly do things I love and be with people I love.
If you need it, ask for help
One of the smartest things I’ve done academically is asking for help. Office hours and tutorials aren’t made to be intimidating, they’re meant to be there for you when you need them. Office hours are super helpful, even if you just have a small question, and can help you interact with your professors more as well. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, and usually, you’re better off after reaching out to a prof than you were before.
The idea of asking for help isn’t just for academics. If you’re struggling with your mental health or are having a rough day, reaching out to family, friends, or visiting the student wellness centre are great opportunities to reach out for help or a shoulder to rely on.
Conclusion
It shocks me to realize that it’s only been 5 months since I started my journey in university. There is so much to learn, but I know the key lessons I’ve realized in my first semester will set a foundation for the future! For any first years or incoming first years reading this: get ready for an exciting time of growth, getting out of your comfort zone, and new adventures. 😊