First year of university is a time of change and new challenges. We came up with our top 3 tips for first year students and would like to share them with you! Whether you stay close to home or move out of the province, these 3 tips will help you make the most of your freshman year.
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Every person has a “comfort zone.” The first lesson I learned at university is that personal growth happens OUTSIDE of this comfort zone. Seek out social settings where you feel out of place... vulnerable even!
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I learned this valuable lesson in October of my first year. I was at a conference for undergraduate, MBA, and MIB students for the Queen’s School of Business. Having only been in school for a month, I didn’t see many “familiar faces.” I recognized one student and struck up a conversation, but when he left my side to go talk to others, I found myself alone with my cheese plate. It was uncomfortable.
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I built up the courage to strike up a conversation with the person next to me. Next thing I knew, I had befriended an Executive MBA student! He provided me with invaluable advice and support that could only come from a student with his experience. Almost 7 years later, he is now a close friend and mentor. Moral of the story? Don't be afraid to get a little uncomfortable and use these moments as opportunities for growth!
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“You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.”
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It is important to recognize that how you act and how you do not act both determine how successful you will be, regardless of your final goal. If you choose to watch Netflix leading up to a Statistics midterm, every episode acts as a barrier to your goal of acing the exam. This is an example of how your actions can become obstacles.
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‍Lack of action can also impede your final goal of good grades. Deciding to skip your TA’s office hours or choosing not to get a tutor when you need some extra help would be examples of this. You have the ability to force the odds into your favour if you are deliberate and purposeful in how you choose to spend your time.
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Professor Adam Grant of Harvard University says that there are three types of people in the world: Givers, Takers and Matchers. Every person has a combination of all three and it may vary depending on the situation, however we all have a natural tendency to either give more and receive less, receive more and give less, or match what is given and taken.
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Professor Grant’s study examined students and professionals to see whether Givers, Takers, or Matchers experience more career success. In every sample, Grant concluded that the lowest performers are Givers. This may be because Givers often sacrifice their own needs for the benefit of others, giving them a disadvantage in the workplace. Surprisingly, Givers also ranked as the top performers in the workplace as well. A Giver’s compassionate nature means they are able to align their goals with others. Selfless acts that make others feel good pay off in the long run.
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The takeaway of Grant’s study? Helping others pays off, but it is important to pick your rescues. It would be ideal if we could say “yes” to everyone in need of assistance, but it is not practical or realistic. The thing that differentiates the top performing Givers from the bottom is that the top performers recognize the importance of giving to yourself. Sometimes you need to say “no” to someone else to say “yes” to yourself. Give the same care and attention to yourself as you would when helping another instead of sacrificing yourself to help others get ahead.
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