37 random lessons from University.

University is finally behind me. There are way too many mixed feelings I have moving on, but it has DEFINITELY been the most amazing time of my life thus far. True Story.

Yes, I've finally departed from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelors & Masters in Accounting. See ya later, Nerd Derek!

(I don't actually look like that in school)

Being in the workforce now is a crazy change, but I thought I'd sit down and spend a little bit of time putting together just a random list of things that come to mind when I think about my University life. Don't ask why there's 37 of them. I just like the number, I guess.

Not everything may apply to you, but hopefully it will bring back some great memories for you oldies or give you youngins some excitement for what's still to come in your remaining years! Cheers.


1. Smile. It’s the best time of your life.

2. Doing bad on a course isn’t the end of the world. (I somehow made it!!!) - Oddly enough, barely getting just above a passing grade can often feel more victorious than hitting 90’s

3. Never be afraid to be you.

4. Hardcore study schedules don’t work. There is no way a human can study for 14 hours straight, 4 days in a row. I’ve tried.

5. Exercise. The health, discipline & body you leave university with will likely be the one you have for life.

6. Be adventurous. Don’t always just stick to some strict sleep schedule. Go out and have fun. You’re not going to look back 10 years down the road and remember that night you slept on time.

7. Sleeping on the floor is not comfy. Using phonebooks as pillows helps a bit... but you’ll still probably wake up feeling pretty crappy.

8. Try to have ten minutes each week to just sit by yourself and reflect on the past week.

9. Step out of the house at least once a day. Even if it’s just one step out the door then back in. It’s quite sad how many times I actually had to force myself to do this.

10. Don’t overdo #6. You might not finish University.

11. Spend the time to make really, really-really; really good friends. These are the people your kids will call ‘auntie’ and ‘uncle’

12. Learn how to cook. 'Making' instant noodles is not cooking.

13. You need hobbies. Studying is not a hobby.

14. Treat your classmates as friends, not competition. Even if you’re in Accounting & Financial Management.

15. Feel free to act immature at times. It’s somewhat still expected at the University level, and often amusing. Doesn’t really apply after you enter the workforce.

16. Take some time to think about religion and life. Conformity into popular-culture driven society can swallow you up the older you get without any foundation.

17. If your housemate plays their music too loud, then just tell them. nicely.

18. Talk to your program friends about things other than school. You’ll probably find they’re not just studying machines, despite your impression of them.

19. Be interested in other people’s lives. Why they’re studying their program, what’s important to them, why they do what they do. You’ll have a better understanding of the world.

20. You don’t have to get drunk, do drugs or sleep around to ‘be cool’.

21. Get involved in things outside of your classes. Friends outside of your program are crucial.

22. Take pictures. If you have a memory like mine, you’re going to want to be able to look back and reminisce (aka remember anything at all).

23.Remind yourself what you’re working towards. Think about what you want in life, at least once, at the start of every term.

24. Smile, yell and give high fives when something good happens in your life/your friend’s lives.

25. A lot of the time, the courses we thought were bird courses… we end up doing worse on because we never really put in any effort.

26. Cherish all the spare time you’ll have in University. You may not think it’s much... but just wait till work.

27. Ask the stupid questions. You wouldn’t want to be friends with the people who think you’re stupid because of it, anyways

28. You’ll never know who you’ll meet and where. Do your best to bring your A-game, ladies & gents, always ;)

29. Be humble.

30. Hospitality. Embrace it. University for those who moved away from home is the first place you’re going to learn the concept of hospitality. I have profound respect for those who let me eat their food, drink their dranks, crash on their couches., etc.

31. Do a little research on the books you have to buy each term. Take that extra bit of time to check the used book store or online (new – amazon, etc; used-craigslist, etc.) You can seriously save hundreds. Use that to upgrade your mac&cheese meals to steak for a week!

32. Wear clothes you like/are comfy in. Work clothes everyday isn’t nearly as great as PJ’s in class

33. Introduce yourself to people you’ve yet to meet but start seeing on a regular basis. Otherwise, you’ll reach this awkward period of knowing each other by name, but still never really ‘meeting’ each other yet. It can drag on for a... long... time.

34. Keep no record of wrongs. People will probably give you the shaft at times. You probably will to others too. Don’t let it get to your head.

35. Try learning. Remember that University is meant to educate, not just hand out credentials. You’ll realize that a piece of paper is the craziest thing to devote 4-5 years of your life to.

36. Write down assignment dates at the start of the term. It really sucks finding you missed the deadline for a major assignment. like. really.

37. Believe in awesomeness. Not in a cocky way. But know that you are definitely capable of bringing something unique, exciting and refreshing into this world. Just be you(awesome).

(how could I not end a list with awesomeness?)

DQOTD: Any of the random madness apply to you? Let me know in the comments below!