What is one piece of advice that you wish you received in first year at UW?

Alex Mu: Don’t throw yourself into your studies as if your grades alone define your worth, I’m sure they matter to you, especially since you chose UW. Take care of your hygiene, eat properly, and prioritize both your physical and mental health. Socializing and staying active aren’t distractions; one needs them to function properly. It’ll feel overwhelming, but you’re not meant to go through it alone. Join clubs, trauma bond over a course, and don’t be afraid to try new things. You’ll be surprised how much you grow just by showing up.

Andie Kaiser: Pay close attention to which profs you enjoy (and which ones you maybe don’t). The class subjects themselves are of course important, but I found that I had much better success when I focused on which professors I wanted to take classes with. Whether it’s because you love their teaching style, feedback, or just seem to ‘click’ with them, it can be so rewarding to build those relationships by taking multiple classes with the profs you like.

Angela Li: To first years: failing does not make you a failure, and don’t be afraid to try something new if what you’re doing isn’t working out. Your beliefs, values, and situation in life will change throughout your time here. Maybe the program you’re in ends up not being a good fit for you, or something happens in your personal life that impacts your mental or physical health. There is nothing inherently wrong with taking a break from school, changing your major, or even dropping co-op! What’s important is that you should find what works best at UW for YOU, not anyone else. As for practical info I wish I’d known: you can take three terms off max without applying for readmission. Talk to your advisors first, but know that it’s always an option if you ever need time away from school!

Arabella Hormillada: Make the most out of your first year as you can and say “yes” to the opportunities that come your way. There are so many new experiences you’ll be indulging in, and it’s a great time to try new things and discover what truly interests you. I found that by saying “yes,” I really found my place at UW, whether it was through meeting my core group of friends or getting involved in a club I’ve since devoted myself to over time. Making the most of my first year truly set the tone for the rest of my university experience. You only get to do first year once, so make sure you really make the most of the experience.

Carla Stocco: I wish I had known that as I adjusted to university, I would find the program, people, and activities that are right for me. Be patient with yourself and love yourself enough to pursue what makes you happy. Find a hobby you love and pursue it regularly and work towards continual improvement. Believe in your capacity to learn new skills and work towards your goals, especially when it gets tough. You will come to find you are both stronger and more capable than you knew!

Cece Ndiwa: One piece of advice I wish I had known going into my first year was to try as many new things as possible. Try clubs, activities, and talking to people you never did in high school because university is the best place to discover new things about yourself. I also found that trying to get ahead of my coursework during the first few weeks of class helped keep me on top of my work if I ever fell behind.

Cynthia Yang: One piece of advice I wish I received in first year is to get involved early whether it’s through clubs, events, or just exploring campus. Joining clubs that sparked my interests helped me meet new people, build friendships, and expand my network beyond just my program. It also made campus feel a lot smaller and more welcoming. 

Emma Danesh: One piece of advice I wish someone had given me in my first year at UW is to actually reach out to your profs and TAs when you’re stuck, even if you feel embarrassed or like your question isn’t ‘worth their time.’ I used to think office hours were only for people who were failing or completely lost, but they’re honestly one of the most underrated resources. Even if you just need help understanding a small concept or want to talk through an assignment idea, it makes a huge difference. Professors appreciate when you show initiative, and it can save you so much stress compared to trying to figure everything out alone. Also, making those connections early on helps when you need references or want to get involved in research or other opportunities later. It feels intimidating at first, but once you do it a couple of times, it becomes way less scary.

Iqra Majeed: The advice I wish I heard is to get involved around campus sooner. It’s through joining clubs, applying for campus jobs, and going to school events, that I felt some sense of community within the university. Follow clubs you’re interested in and look out for events to attend between classes. You’ll find your place within campus and a group of friends outside of your program to connect with. 

Paul Sherk: Say yes to things. It can feel intimidating coming into first year and stepping onto a campus with thousands of people you’ve never met before. The unknown can be scary, but it’s also where you grow the most. Trying new things and saying yes to activities you wouldn’t otherwise agree to can open up your world to so many new experiences and allow you to meet and bond with so many new and interesting people. I have a lifetime of unforgettable memories from evenings I hesitantly said yes to and my only regret is not starting to say yes sooner. First year is a time to make the world your oyster and doing so will open up so many doors and improve your university experience 1000 fold!

Create a schedule. First year can be quite overwhelming with everything that goes on in your academic life and extracurricular life and falling behind can be a slippery slope. Time management is one of the key things you learn in university and figuring that out is one thing I wish I learned early on. Mapping out the next week or month will help you manage your social and academic calendars and allow you to make the most of your time at university!

Sarah An: Stay in tune with yourself. Every term seems to go faster and faster, and I often went through the motions without truly reflecting on how I was feeling and what I wanted. It’s so easy to get busy with all the new opportunities in university. Keep running forward but don’t be afraid to slow down if you find yourself overwhelmed. For better or for worse, things will keep changing. Notice how you’re feeling alongside those changes, so that you can better understand your internal processing and make any necessary adjustments early on.

Thea East: While classes and clubs are important to dedicate time to, it is also important to let yourself indulge in something you enjoy that has nothing to do with school. Whether that be reading sci-fi books, colouring, playing video games or crocheting, giving your brain a break from university and doing something that feels familiar can help to stay grounded especially during midterms and finals.  

Tiffany Wen: Just go to class and pay attention. It saves so much time from when you inevitably cram before exams and you absorb more information than you think. You get to meet people that’ll help you study and who have the same interests as you. It helps you maintain a schedule and once you start with good habits, it’s less difficult to be consistent with it. go to class, get addicted to studying, read until you die.