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Yours to Discover!

“So this is it!” Have you said these words in the last few  weeks since you started university or college and wondered if you signed up for the right thing… Am I in the right place? the right program, the right courses, the right living place?

I waited a long time to complete my university degree. I recall sitting in my first class as an adult and thinking – so this is it!  I am not sure if I imagined that there would be more fanfare, or that I would love every minute of each class.  In fact, I really didn’t know what university was going to be like – but somehow I thought it was going to be different.

When I entered Ontario after a recent trip to Montreal I was greeted by the Ontario road sign with the logo – “Yours to Discover”.  I should have adopted this logo when I began university! As I reflect back on my experience in completing my undergrad and master’s degrees I know it was an experience in discovery.  Some of it had to do with the academic courses I was taking but much of the discovery actually had nothing to do with the classroom learning.

I recently had an opportunity to spend time with a group of university students. I asked them the question – After being in university, what have you discovered that you would tell your first year self?

Here are their discoveries?

• Your degree, all on its own, isn’t going to get you a job. Focus on the process and not on the product. Lots of people can get good grades without learning anything. Learn something!
• Don’t forget to focus on caring for yourself – mind, body and soul.
• Find the things that you are passionate about. Invest in the things that interest you and bring you joy. Maybe it is a course you are taking or maybe it is an activity you are involved with. Keep searching for your passions!
• You are going to learn lots of new skills and many of the skills will have nothing to do with academics – managing money, getting exercise, learning to cook and care for yourself. These are important and necessary skills to learn as a young adult to be successful and become a well-rounded individual.
• Find friends who share your same values and push you to be who you really ought to be.
• Find occasions for time alone. Life has many distractions so learning to be alone, with your own thoughts, is a good skill to learn.
• Never see university/college as an obligation but only an opportunity.
• Be patient! University/college isn’t a destination – you are just passing through. It won’t be perfect but it sure will be an adventure!

What I know for sure – University is an opportunity for self-discovery, learning and adventure – it really is “Yours to Discover”!!