A letter to my first-year self

Student life is all about lessons and laughter!

Aditya Mohan

IGNITE building K, Humber Polytechnic Lakeshore campus

Etobicoke, ON M8V 4B6

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Oct. 17, 2024

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First-year Aditya Mohan

Flying from Chandigarh to Toronto

Toronto Pearson International Airport

Mississauga, ON L5P 1B2

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Dear first-year self,

Congrats on kicking off this awesome new chapter of your life! Moving to Toronto from India for higher education is a huge deal and while it might feel like you’ve just been thrown into the deep end, trust me, you’re about to dive into an epic adventure.

The year ahead will be a rollercoaster of exciting new experiences and a few bumps along the way. You’ll have moments of pure joy and others where you’re questioning your life choices (yes, we overthink everything, I know!), but remember, this is all part of the journey that’s going to shape your future in ways you can’t even imagine.

Here’s a little advice to help you survive and thrive through your first year and beyond.

Prepare for the adventure

A man standing in mountains is saying "THIS IS GONNA BE A FUN ONE." — *Via GIPHY*

This new chapter of post-secondary is like stepping into a vast, unexplored territory. You’ll experience everything from making new friends and taking cool writing classes to struggling with your first daunting assignments and getting lost in a city that seems to always be in a rush. Just dive in with courage and an open mind.

Trust your instincts, they’ve been your guide so far and they’ll take you ahead as well. Learn to balance fun with academics (spoiler alert — you’ll get good grades, so relax). Also, understand that every experience, even the tough ones, will help you grow. It doesn’t matter if you fail at something on your first try because you can always try it again and succeed!

Embracing the unexpected

A boy is looking around and saying "What's going on?" — *Via GIPHY*

Obviously, not everything will go as planned. Post-secondary life is full of surprises (and not all surprises are good, a surprise exam is definitely not good). There will be moments of doubt, disappointment and frustration. You’ll feel like giving up and binge-watching cat videos on Instagram instead, but these unexpected challenges are opportunities to grow. Keep a positive outlook and remember that every obstacle is part of your story.

I know sometimes we overwhelm ourselves with too much stress. I won’t lie and say that it doesn’t happen anymore, it does, and it will happen for a lot of years to come, but each year you’re learning to deal with it better. You will also make peace with solitude and learn to enjoy your own company and that’s a big thing for us.

Reflecting on the first-year

A man is pointing and saying "You got this." — *Via GIPHY*

When you look back, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve achieved in just one year. Remember how confusing it was at first? Grocery shopping on a tight budget felt like solving a math quiz. And don’t even get me started on the cold snowy weather. But guess what? You’ve adapted and even thrived (even if it meant depending a lot on instant noodles and pizza slices). You handled the challenges with pride and tackled them all bravely.

Living on your own is a huge milestone, especially when you’ve never done it before. From figuring out how to manage a household to juggling school, a part-time job and your new freedom, you’ve done it all. Navigating grocery aisles and learning how to do your own laundry might have felt like quests, but you’ve tackled them with a sense of adventure. Celebrate every small win because this journey of independence is a big deal and deserves recognition.

A little advice for the first-year

A woman is telling a man "You just got yourself a mentor." — *Via GIPHY*

Well, I’m not that old to start giving out advice but here are some lessons. As you approach your first year, being organized and managing your time will be crucial. Develop a schedule that balances schoolwork and your personal life rather than procrastinating about it all day long. Don’t worry, you’ll have time to watch as much Netflix as you want, but first focus on those assignments!

Also, please don’t hesitate to seek help when you need it, whether it’s academic advice, mental health support or just a chat with a friend. Building a strong support network will be invaluable as you transition from student life to the professional world. Check on everybody around you and make sure they’re doing fine. At the end of the day, being kind is all that matters.

Lessons learned along the way

A man is saying "Take care of your heart. Take care of your brain. You're good." — *Via GIPHY*

I had a great conversation with Bhoomika Vasishta, a fourth-year student in the bachelor of commerce program with a major in human resources. She started her journey at Humber Polytechnic in 2022 and will be graduating in April 2025.

Vasishta reflected on the differences between the education system in Canada and India. Looking back, she wishes her first-year self had done more research before each class to feel better prepared. Vasishta also highlighted the importance of making friends early on, as she didn’t know anyone when she arrived. Simple tasks, like getting a bus pass, felt challenging without a support system, and I can definitely relate to that struggle!

At first, her focus was just on getting good grades, but she soon realized that post-secondary is so much more than that. Her advice to her first-year self? Jump into more extracurricular activities and enjoy the experiences, because that’s what makes post-secondary life memorable! When it comes to self-care, Vasishta would tell her younger self to take weekends off and recharge instead of working all the time. Balancing academics and social life is all about planning, knowing when to say no and prioritizing what’s important.

Two men sitting together with one saying "See you on the other side, brother!" — *Via GIPHY*

As you dive into this adventure, remember that the journey is all about the amazing people you’ll meet. Embrace those friendships, support everyone around you and have fun. Celebrate every little win, whether it’s finally understanding that tough subject or just surviving a Monday!

Also, be open to change! Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. So, go join that art club or explore a new part of the city. Who knows? You might find a cozy cafe or at least a cool place for pictures.

Finally, be grateful for this ride. Embrace every twist and turn with a smile.

I can’t wait to see how you’ll grow and what you’ll accomplish. Looking forward to writing to you after graduation and talking about all the epic moments we’ll create.

Cheering you on,

Your future-self

Feature image courtesy of Debby Hudson via Unsplash.

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