University gives you an education, which provides you with the expertise you’ll need for your future career along with a credential to prove you possess the relevant skills and knowledge. However, that’s still only part of the picture: university is also an opportunity to make connections with people who will be valuable later in your life, including professors, employers, faculty members, and other students. To benefit from such connections, though, you need to actively seek them out. Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Make Friends with Students in Your Classes
People taking the same classes as you likely have similar career goals, meaning they may be some of your most valuable connections. Try to make friends with at least one person in each of your classes by striking up conversations until you find other students you have something in common with.
It’s particularly useful to ask other students if they’re aware of any study groups for the class. If there are none you can join, start one yourself. Studying with others will nurture your friendships as well as improving your chances of doing well in the class.
2. Introduce Yourself to Your Professors
Set aside time throughout the semester to ensure you get to know all your professors. You may have the chance to introduce yourself before or after a class. If you don’t, drop in during office hours. Use the opportunity to ask for advice about any aspect of the material or assignments you have doubts about or learn more about your professors’ backgrounds and discuss career paths.
3. Apply Your Knowledge to Real-World Experiences
Stay alert for opportunities on campus that will allow you to put your classroom learning into practice. There are multiple ways to do this, including internships, jobs on campus, research positions with professors, seminars, and study abroad programs. All these will help you get to know people you may otherwise never have met. Take advantage of opportunities as they come along throughout your entire time at university.
4. Take Advantage of All the Resources Available to You
The university experience is about much more than just classes — you have access to many other resources on campus that will help you make stronger connections. For instance, you may be able to find mentors and other types of support in places like the wellness centre, tutoring programs, student organizations, and the careers centre.
5. Know Yourself
One final person to connect with is yourself. Many students find university to be a time of self-discovery. In particular, you may struggle more than you ever did at high school due to the higher level of academics. It’s common to doubt yourself when you feel like this and even suffer from imposter syndrome. Reflecting on what you’ve already achieved and acknowledging your strengths will help you gain self-confidence and show you that it is possible to reach your goals.
Another way to make more connections at university is to live around more students. This doesn’t mean you need to be on campus — there are apartments near uOttawa where you can live in a community of students at THEO. Even if you don’t want to have roommates, you’ll have plenty of chances to socialize, such as in the movie lounge, on the basketball court, or during social events. Book your onsite visit now.