The Big Leagues: How to Prepare for University

People like to scare high school seniors with tall tales of university. “The textbooks weigh as much as you,” “The lectures might as well be delivered in Greek,” and – a personal favourite – “sleep, study, party: pick two.”

Mostly, the posturing is a rite of passage. The university’s old guard wants to frighten the incoming students a little bit, as they were frightened. 

But there are kernels of truth in their forewarnings. Post-secondary education is a great leap forward from high school in terms of workload, difficulty and personal responsibility. The concepts covered are trickier. The word counts for papers are longer. And, suddenly, you have to cook and clean for yourself on top of it all. 

Luckily, you can prepare. By taking a few proactive steps in advance, you can prove all the doomsayers wrong, setting yourself up for an easy transition into university life. Let’s take a look. 

Take “University” Courses in High School

A fantastic (perhaps obvious) way to prepare for university is by taking “university” classes in high school. These are high school courses aimed at introducing students to concepts they will encounter in university. Examples include Grade 12 College Math, Grade 12 College English and Grade 12 College Chemistry. 

The best way to take these courses is online. When you take advanced functions online – for instance – you can work through the challenging material at your own pace, fitting the course into your existing schedule. 

Read Some Sample Syllabi 

On your first day of a university course, the professor will hand you a syllabus. Essentially, a course syllabus is an outline for the class that includes a course description, reading materials, and, often, a week-by-week breakdown of lecture topics. Consider them roadmaps for your university education. 

Luckily, you can often access these syllabi online, regardless of whether you’re enrolled in the course. Even if you’re still sweating through grade 12 classes, you can read ahead to see what you can expect from your university classes. If you’re really keen, you can even purchase the reading materials listed on the syllabi – but be prepared to spend a lot (university books aren’t cheap!). 

Learn to Cook and Clean

If you rely on your parents for three square meals and a tidy living space, now might be the time to shake off that mentality. 

Thankfully, cooking for yourself can be immensely rewarding. In the months leading up to your departure for university, skim through cookbooks, read some online recipe sites and experiment in the kitchen. As for the tidying up: it’s not fun, but it’s a necessary part of keeping a focused study space. 

Chat with Current and Former Students

Don’t rely on the opinions of a select number of scaremongering students. Instead, solicit advice from family friends, relatives and acquaintances who went through what you’re about to experience. They can offer more granular advice for coping with the change, managing your workload, and succeeding in your department. 

A few online courses, some light syllabi reading, a couple of stints in the kitchen and a few conversations with well-intentioned students should prepare you for transition to university. All that’s left to do is keep an open mind, exercise your innate sense of curiosity and buy a few pairs of the campus sweatpants!