University Bucket List:

Repeat the Right Mistakes, An Ode to Our Grads

by RU Student Life storyteller Zahra Khozema

They say it’s better to regret something you’ve done rather than what you haven’t. But why have any regrets to start with? Why not learn from the mistakes that have already been made by those before us? When we asked graduating students about what they wished they had done or what they will remember about their university student life, these were some common answers. Make the ‘check’ sound with each one you’ve done.

1. Go abroad
   This could be going on exchange or just a reading week trip. University is about growing as an individual and having an open mind. Toronto is diverse, yes, but it’s almost a melting pot. In some ways, you need just a one-on-one to get to know someone or a culture better.
2. Befriend a professor or a TA
   If you thoroughly enjoy a course being taught, make sure you tell the professor. Make the effort to go visit them in office hours and pick their brain. They are scholars full of knowledge and a good question can spark a meaningful friendship. Trust me, the feeling of getting an email from them, after you’ve finished the semester, asking about your well being or something that reminded them of you, is great.
3. Join a club or association and contribute
   I’m not talking about just going to two meetings for the food (though there is nothing wrong with this, I have done this and will continue, shamelessly), I’m talking dedicating some real time to something you are passionate about. Stay with the cause for the semester or the year and maybe even end up on the executive committee. You will feel part of a tight community of people who enjoy the same things as yourself.
4. Recognize when you need to take it slower
   There is no shame in failing or dropping out of a class, no one ever said university was easy. The fact that you respect yourself enough to know that the extra class is taking a toll on your well being is enough of a reason to drop the course. There is always summer school.
5. Take summer school * or, see number 15
   There are some courses that really are easier when you just focus on them alone. Besides, there are so many amazing things happening in summer around campus/downtown.
6. Live on or close to campus
   Coming from a commuter, I cannot stress this enough, even if it’s just for a semester: move out! I suggest to use OSAP to do it if you can’t afford to, ask a family member close to Downtown who could let you stay with them. You are not only closer to access campus amenities, but are also responsible for yourself. This sense of independence is crucial to experience before finishing school so you’re not totally new to the idea of living alone when you do decide to move out or even get married. This is where it helps to have a roommate experience to transfer on to your significant other.
   Part 2: If moving out is not in the cards because you love your family so much, ask permission to stay at a friends to study for a big test or keep track of the last bus home so you can get the most time to study using campus tools.
7. Work on campus
   Working on campus not only saves commuting time through convenience but looks amazing on your resume. Any experience affiliated with an university name automatically makes a person a lot more professional.
8. Find a sanctuary study/chilling place
   Somewhere people know your name. This could be a coffee shop, your favourite shawarma place, even a quiet bar. It’s always nice to know there is a place you are always welcomed and can be yourself. Being alone in the library is cool and all but being able to balance between school work and yourself is truly important.
9. Date someone totally outside your comfort zone
   Let’s be honest, it gets boring being around people who are always mixing their yeses with yours. Sometimes, we need someone who can challenge your opinions, push you outside your comfort zone, someone you can learn from. Maybe this means pursuing someone outside of your program or even someone attending another university.
10. Take a language class
    Because our campus is so diverse, you can always find someone to practice with. Ryerson offers Spanish, French, Cantonese, and Arabic courses, so take advantage of it. Not to mention bilingualism enhances a resume immensely. Find info about Ryerson’s languages department, here.
11. Have an Ah-Ha project you are really proud of and will keep 5ever
    This will happen, hopefully, to all of us at least once; you will have that one class you fall in love with, where you do all the readings and stay after class to discuss details with the professor. Your Ah-Ha project might be an essay, a presentation or even a test you worked your butt off for but secretly enjoyed every minute of it. You’re probably going to call mama to let her know to make room on the fridge by moving your embarrassing fat baby pictures.
12. Attend one Orientation event or a game any year
    Orientation events are the ones where everyone starts fresh, not matter what year, people are just more open minded about meeting new people. This is the time you can really have fun before the hard part starts.
13. Buy equipment or books from shady people and save money
    We are all students and we are all on a budget! This means desperate times calling for desperate measures. Kijiji has proven to be a good friend in this time because I sure as heck do not have $230.95 to pay for a textbook I’ll use for 4 months.
14. Participate in a heated debate in a class you love
    Participate fully and passionately. This isn’t high school — we should put our differences aside and express our opinions professionally and respectfully. It’s hard to not take comments personally on a subject that is close to your heart but you have to be open minded and take all arguments into consideration, even if you think you are right.
15. Don’t take summer school
    There is really no need to fast track. Enjoy all four months of the summer weather freedom and devote your time to work or family instead. Why not take advantage of staying a student for as long as you can? Ain’t nobody got time for scary 9–5 corporate jobs.
16. Perfect your coffee/tea/drink buds and experiment
    This is the time in your life where hot beverages become your best friends in cold winter all nighters. Sure a simple double double sounds time saving but have that one drink on the menu (or put your own zazz on the usual) for you time. The bonus is that it also looks sophisticated when you’re on a date and you order like ‘yeah, totally know what I’m doing’. This may take some experimenting but hey, thats fun too.
17. Try to pay for yourself (maybe even a month to get a taste of it)
    There are a million other things to compensate for besides tuition. If you have a side hobby, practice it by offering your services to family and friends for some up front cash. Of course, paying for even a month of tuition is almost impossible from a part-time gig but you can at least try to compensate for your food or transportation for a month rather than solely relying on your parents or OSAP to get ahead of the game when all the expenses fall on you down the road. You will not only be smarter with spending but also learn to keep an eye out for good deals.
18. Spend the night on campus
    For all us commuters, it’s easy to miss that last train home when you get busy with work. In situations like this you can only keep on working and sleep on your bag wherever you maybe and hope the security doesn’t kick you out. And when you start off day two with the same clothes and get that peculiar all-knowing stare from classmates, you will realize you should seriously not leave things to the last minute.
19. Stand up for student rights
    Get involved in the Ryerson Student Union, even if it’s just with a tweet; have a say in where your tuition goes. You pay for your university for sometimes over 4 years and having a say and being invested in your student experience is essential.
20. Pull an all-nighter (it’s different than spending the night on campus)
    No matter what program or how organized your life maybe, you will end up doing this regardless. Maybe not this year, maybe not next, but it will definitely happen before you graduate. This will test your coffee and Red Bull tolerance to the T.
21. Make choices for yourself
    If you don’t like your program, switch; if you don’t like your friends, move on; you are actually in control of yourself for perhaps the first time, do what feels good for you (kind of similar to being selfish but in a good way; practice self-care).
22. Find your identity — and then keep changing
    You grow so much in university but you don’t have to stick to the ideas people have of you, you can try out different identities and see which one feels right and find out who you are. This is a lifelong process but the base is definitely founded now.
23. Find a cause you are passionate about, and pursue it
    Even if your career goals don’t match with that cause, do something else to make it a part of your life and your values. For example: volunteering with an NGO, getting involved in a student group, educating and advocating for an issue you believe in strongly.

We all love to complain about school but then graduate and wish we could do it all over again. Well, maybe not right away, but it will eventually happen.

Think we forgot something? What does your university bucket list look like? Let us know by tweeting @RUStudentlife or commenting using #RoadFromRyerson