Welcome back to the new school year!

With a new semester means that you can turn over a fresh leaf, start new, as it is essentially a fresh start to the academic mindset. Forget whatever happened in the previous semesters; it is now time to think about the future and how to make the best of the new year, so here are some tips to get motivated and engaged.

Whether it is your first semester in the next four years of your life or you are a seasoned veteran coming back for those last 3 semesters, it is quite easy to get caught up with day-to-day life that before you know it, it is over already. Remember that you are supposed to have fun, as these years will be the best time and memories of your life.

One of the biggest things that will enhance your university life is to join a school club! These clubs are comprised of students who share the same interests and passions. For example, the Student Marketing Association is geared towards students who are interested in marketing, to name a few. Joining clubs allows you to meet a lot of people who hold the same interests, and you can definitely make a lot of friends that will be with you for the rest of your life. Big tip: Watch out for Clubs’ Days, where all the clubs host an information booth where you can learn more about their interests, as well as sign up to be a member!

Another big aspect of university is figuring out what you would like to do, and unfortunately for most, students tend to leave it until their third or fourth year to figure out what they would like to do for a career. As trying to find things out about your career or degree can be quite daunting, Career Services has several resources to help you out, such as drop-in advising or hosting workshops geared to your professional and academic development. One of the big things that is happening this September is the Big Fair, where over 3000 students, employers, and non-profit organizations engage with its students for potential opportunities! If you’re looking for a job, this is the fair to be at.

Another big thing to realize about university is that it is not always about academics. As you are still young, these next few years are going to be very impressionable and it is important that you have a positive work/life balance. Start a hobby, join a sports’ team, as it will make you that more well-rounded. Did you know that employers look at your extracurricular activities, and sometimes what you do in your spare time helps them determine if you would be a right fit for their work culture. For example, if you go bowling in your spare time, some employers have their own teams and could hire you based not only on your qualifications, but on the fact you could be an asset to their bowling team!