Dr. Noah Schwartz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at UFV.
Another academic year is slowly drawing to a close, giving us an opportunity to reflect on the year that was, and the changes we want to make in the year that will be. In that spirit, I thought I would share some of the tips I wish someone had told me when I was an undergraduate student.
Focus on skills as well as content
This may come as a shock, but attending university is not about memorizing the definition of a federal political system, the names of Shakespeare’s sonnets, or the precise method for calculating the inflation rate. The content of your courses is important, but in 10 years you will remember less than you may think. What is important are the skills that you learn along the way. These skills will stay with you for the rest of your life and will pave the way to achieving your career goals.
In the social sciences and humanities, we focus on teaching you how to think critically, interpret and evaluate evidence, and sort fact from fiction. We teach you how to express yourself in writing and in speech. We also teach you professionalism, leadership, and organization.
The earlier you can become aware of the skills you are developing, the easier it will be to take control of your education, and the smoother it will be to transition into the workforce. The UFV Centre for Experiential and Career Education can help you start thinking in terms of skills.
History is made by those who show up
When I was an undergraduate student, I thought that good grades were all I needed to be successful. I wanted to keep my head down and get on with my studies. What I didn’t realize was that while grades are important, focusing only on getting good grades led me to miss out on important experiences, and I failed to develop skills and networks that I could use after graduation.
Getting involved in clubs, societies, or charitable organizations on campus or in your community helps you build up your resume for graduate school or the working world. They provide invaluable life experience, and help you make the community around you a better place. If you don’t know where to begin, the UFV Student Union Society is a great place to start.
Treat your studies like a job
One of the biggest mistakes I see students make is to treat university like an extension of high school, carrying over bad habits like procrastination, poor time management, or falling victim to techno-distractions. Instead, you should treat your studies like you would a job.
Approaching your studies like the beginning of your career will encourage you to take control of your academic life. Before you do something here at UFV, whether that be sending a typo-ridden email to your professor, or showing up to class in a t-shirt with an inappropriate joke on it, ask yourself: would I do this at work?
Professors are just students who grew up
When I was a first- and second-year student, I was very intimidated by my professors. It took me a while to realize that they were an important resource that I was not taking advantage of. The further I progressed, the more I got to know them. I would take a moment to chat with my prof before and after class, ask for their advice on my research papers, or talk to them about my career plans. As a result, I was able to learn from their experience and knowledge. Instead of intimidating authority figures, I realized that professors were just students who grew up. I only wish I had realized this sooner.
One day you will miss this place
University can be very stressful. The structure of the academic semester creates intense pressure, and deadlines come at you fast. At the same time, I can tell you from personal experience, the majority of you will look back at this time in your life fondly. Make the most of it.
