An honest, messy and earnest retrospective on life lessons learned while at USask and how to make the most of your time here.

When I first began attending the University of Saskatchewan in the fall semester of 2019, I had no idea what major I was going to pursue, whether my options were good or bad for career success, or if the things I would learn and what I would do would be useful or meaningful. It was exciting to begin a new chapter in life, but oh so scary at the same time. 

Whether you’re a student deep into their years of study or someone just starting your academic journey, you likely have experienced — or are currently experiencing — these feelings. Let me be the one, likely not the first and definitely not the last, to tell you that these worries are not only completely okay, they’re normal. 

This is something that took me many years to learn, and while a pandemic definitely didn’t help me master these worries, I’vee found my way through to the end of my degree with a better understanding of who I am, what I want going forward, and what possibilities are out there for me.

In an effort to help you, dear reader, navigate university and more importantly, this messy but precious experience we call life, I have shared some things I wish I’d learned sooner, gotten ahead on, or tried more of during my time here at USask.

1. Get your mental health checked

This one may seem like an odd thing to start off the list with, but university — and your twenties — are a time when mental health troubles can really start to rear their ugly heads. Conditions such as undiagnosed ADHD, depression, anxiety, or any host of other mental ailments can cause serious stress and trouble for not just your academics but your health and relationships.

In handling your mental health, it’s important to remember that no one is above asking for help. It may seem embarrassing at first to consider that you “might not have it all together” or, that your study habits and procrastination tendencies are causing you significant mental stress, but that’s likely just anxiety talking — trust me, I’m speaking from experience. It’s much better to realize early on that you, and your brain, may be dealing with a condition that leaves you operating in a less-than-ideal state rather than just trying to constantly tough-it-out.

Access and Equity Services, the Campus Wellness Centre, academic advisors, spiritual and faith leaders and a host of other support systems exist for a very good reason: to help you succeed within your abilities. So make use of them, figure out what makes you tick, how your brain functions, and maybe – just maybe, get checked for that condition you seem to be experiencing symptoms of, but are scared to “self-diagnose”.

2. Try things you like… and things you don’t

It sounds counterintuitive, but just trust me and keep reading. University is a time meant for experimentation. A time to figure out who you are, what you like, and to break from your old ideals, habits, social circles and form new ones. I know people say this constantly, and it’s tiring to hear the same old mantra, but it’s true. University is all about growth, and the only way you can grow is by going through the growing pains — the good and bad.

Whether it’s a class, major or hobby you find yourself mildly curious about exploring, or even something you think is asininely stupid, but still holds a reservation in your brain, GO TRY IT. Join the club, go to the event, take the class for three days before you inevitably drop it because guess what – you still hate math just as much as you did in grade three. I don’t care what it is – TRY IT.

One thing I feel a bit frustrated over in my university experience is how closely I stuck to things I was already familiar with or “naturally good at.” I kept opportunities closed to myself, never bothering to open the pathways to experiences because I thought I was not the “right fit” for something or that it “wasn’t for me.” What I’ve actually learned since going through my years of university is that trying things you might be bad at or might not enjoy brings the most experience, growth, and personal introspection. You never know the truth about something until you try it.

You may be exactly right or completely wrong that something was or wasn’t for you. Fortunately, that’s okay! Experience is experience! Growth is growth! There is nothing good nor bad about simply doing things you find interesting or thought you might be passionate about before ultimately deciding they’re not for you. Also, as an aside, your brain is incredibly competent at lying to you and making you doubt yourself, so please do your best to fight that and overcome the nagging thoughts in your head. 

3. Get involved by any means necessary and chase opportunities

Much in the same vein as the section above, getting involved is important to not only your personal development, but also your academic, social and professional development. It can be easy to get totally streamlined in university, to focus with blind intensity on your studies and do nothing else, but that —at least in my experience— makes it feel like all you do is work. 

Joining a club, music ensemble, charity organization or student government/union will not only broaden your social circles, but provide you opportunities to develop new passions, skills, and professional relationships that can take you far beyond your academics and the USask campus itself. Additionally, getting involved brings campus culture to life, which is incredibly important, especially after all these years that we’ve been stuck in social media bubbles and down internet rabbit holes.

Some of my best, most important friends and mentors have been met in clubs, ensembles and various student unions across campus. Working opportunities like The Sheaf Publishing Society (shameless plug) have helped me develop media skills and confidence that I otherwise would not have had.

No one is paying that close attention to you in university — except for yourself— so get out of your head and out of your way and get involved in those communities you adore from afar. I promise that it’s worth it.

4. Throw away the idea of “perfection” or “falling behind” and study what and how YOU want

For many of my early years of university, I stressed over doing everything perfectly. Taking the right classes at the right time to get the right grade to achieve… something. What was that something? The amorphous idea of success? Maybe. Whatever it was, all I know is that it kept me stuck in place, burning my tires and studying things I wasn’t passionate about and didn’t always see tons of importance in.

Perfection and doing things right are crappy mental holes to get stuck in — especially if you are “doing things right” in a way that feels unfulfilling for you. The truth of life is that there is no right way to live it, no perfect way to complete your studies, and no linear way to find out what you want. 

What I would say, though, is that if everything feels like it’s going badly then perhaps it’s time to step back and really think about what you’re studying and why you’re studying it. Maybe even give yourself a break from academics, whether it be just for a semester or for a year. Taking the opportunity to give yourself a break can give you a clarity you won’t find whilst in the middle of post-secondary education.

Besides, it’s much easier to do all the things you like when you aren’t stressed about “doing things right.” And you won’t “fall behind” if you keep moving forward and following what you feel is right for you. Burnout is a bitch, and it’s hard to bounce back from it, so make sure any reason you are burning out is worth it to you.

In spite of this, remember that university is good often, bad sometimes and just kind of mundane the rest of the time — even if you are in love with your studies. It is a grueling time, even for the superhuman studiers on campus.

5. Spend more time on campus and explore

I know one of the last things people want to do in university is spend all their time on campus. I certainly didn’t, but time spent on campus is very much so worth it, even if it’s just to study.

Across campus, there are art galleries, food stalls, libraries, classrooms, gyms and tucked-away lounges to explore and spend your free time. Exploring these different areas is a good way to make you feel more connected to the campus community and grounded in your studies. You become not just an isolated individual student but a member of the pack.

If anything, treat it like you are sticking it to the man, plant your butt in a chair and claim it as your own for as long as possible; after all, you — or your parents — are spending a lot of money for you to be studying. You might as well use every nickel and dime spent on the insane tuition rates to get the most out of your experience.

———

That’s all I’ve got. My time at USask has been all things lovely, heartbreaking, soul-sucking, inspiring, and boring (sometimes all at once). What I’ve gained most from my studies is not just how to write amazing academic articles or how to masterfully dissect economic and political policy — though I have gotten pretty good at both — but rather a better understanding of myself, what I like, what I don’t like, and what I will continue to explore going forward. Fortunately, I’m still young; I can take all the knowledge I’ve gained and carry it with me.

So, dear reader, make the most of these years, for they are special. Any memories made, lessons learned, or experiences had, be they good or bad, should be cherished as they will be with you for a lifetime.