Tips & Tricks for First Year Post-Secondary students

By Christine Wincentaylo

I remember my first year of university; I was scared and felt very overwhelmed.

The first year of the university involved a lot of firsts, and I wish I had some tips before heading into university, straight from high school. Here are some things to save you in your first or fourth year, whatever year you may be; I hope these tips will help you!

Unidays - Lifesaver for finding sales, codes, and deals for being a post-secondary student in Canada

Student surveys:

Great for gaining points to redeem gift cards. The surveys are directly about experiences in post-secondary education and your voice matters for the impact created by their research. 

If you believe you deserve a better grade on an assignment, all you need to do is discuss your reasoning with your professor or write an email to book an appointment ( most times, they will increase your grade for believing in your assignment)

DO NOT BUY YOUR TEXTBOOKS NEW; go to Facebook Marketplace and search your post-secondary school name + “used books.” Save money, and you can resell your books after using them; it's a win-win!

Riipen is your best friend for finding employment as a full-time student. 

99 scholarships - Easy way to get money for school, quick scholarships, and contests to apply to all across Canada 

Scholarships Canada - Thousands of scholarships offer a narrow-down bar for easier access to the best-fitting scholarships for everyone. 

Meal Prep will be a lifesaver for expenses. Check out what delicious recipes Pinterest offers, or just do a quick google search to get ideas for meal ideas.

Every night before bed, make a paper copy of a to-do checklist, so once you are home the next day, you already have a list of things you can start your evening with 

Studoc - Past exams, lectures, worksheets …. Etc. Provide a search bar for finding your school and class content 

Quizlet - Great for making flashcards for studying or finding already pre-made sets for learning, or helping solve questions for homework

1st year is a difficult time, but realize everyone has had to experience the 1st year; you are not alone in the struggles, and I promise you no one ever knows what they are doing 

Have fun exploring & share these tips and tricks with your friends!!