At SJU, we think that the people with the best understanding of the student experience are the students themselves. That’s why we’ve asked our Experience Guides, who you may meet if you come for a tour of SJU, to offer some advice on what being an SJU student is really like.

 

As current students, we’ve all been in your shoes at some point in the last few years, and we know how challenging the transition to university can be. That’s why we’re here to help, and hopefully, with our advice, you’ll be able to make that transition with ease and success.

 

This time, we asked our Experience Guides about one thing they wish they had known when starting university! Hopefully their answers will help you prepare for when you begin in the Fall! Check out what they had to say below!

 

 

Stay on top of your work! - Danielle

Introduce yourself to everyone because you aren’t the only one who is lonely - Samantha

Once you make it through the first two weeks and then it won’t seem nearly as chaotic - Shelby

University is not as intimidating as my high school teachers made it out to be - Jeffrey

The willingness of upper years and professors to help you, all you have to do is ask – Kaitlyn

You don't have to plan everything. Take it one step at a time – Rachel

How to do my laundry - TJ

 

That I didn’t need to be nervous about not making friends because there are so many people here and everyone is different so I would definitely find someone similar to me! - Taylor

It may seem like you are the only one having difficulties but chances are many other people are feeling the same way. You are not alone! Also, get involved! You will meet so many cool people - Madeleine

How easy it is to meet people and how I didn’t have to be so anxious about making friends - Natalie

That every single person is in the same boat and is just as nervous/excited as you - so don’t be scared to talk to anyone or go to an activity even if people you know aren’t going, especially in the first few weeks - Izzy

That one mark does not make or break the rest of your university career and that you are surrounded by people who are there to help you - Jenn

Find your interests and follow those!! - Noelle

I wish I knew how great this community would turn out to be, so that I could be less nervous moving in - Rachel

It is A-ok to go get help at anytime and there are other people facing the same challenges that you are. There are tons of people around to support you in any situation and you never need to feel alone - Delainey

You don’t need to know what you want to do 4 years down the line. I switched my program after week one of classes and am still not sure what I want to do! - Sam

How quickly terms fly by and to make the most of every day - Jenna

That making friends is not as scary as it may seem! - Gabrielle

How compatible all my floormates are, because when I first came to university I was anxious to find out if I would make friends - Stefan

Don't stress!! Living on your own will be easier than you think and there is tons of support to help you out. Plus, use your free time wisely as the school day works differently than in high school, so you'll have weird gaps in your schedule where it's easy to be unproductive - Matthew

The jump between high school and university isn't as bad as it's made out to be - Candice

That there are more ways to get involved outside of the classroom than you can imagine to make the most of your uni experience! - Taylor

That there is a lot of support ­- Maegan

How much self-teaching is really involved in university - Justine

 

Click here see what advice our Experience Guides have about other topics!