First year is a fun time! You’re learning new things, meeting new people, moving away from home and entering the world of higher education.

But this change can also be scary. Professors can get on your nerves and roommates can make residence life a living hell.

Luckily, university is not as bad and scary as you might think, and your friends at The Ubyssey have some tips on how to ensure that your transition between high school and university is as seamless as possible.

TO CLASS OR NOT TO CLASS

Something special about university is that everything is really up to you! Want to eat the same meal at the same dining hall for eight months straight? You do you! Don’t want to go to class? Well, you don’t have to!

Though attendance is mandatory for some classes (read your syllabus), if a professor’s lectures are not helpful to you or if you want to get a head start on another class’s work (or want to party with the boyz), more often than not, you can skip class.

If you skip class, you might miss out on important information about exams, essays and assignments, so be sure to find a friend or two in your classes that can let you know what you missed.

CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES

In high school, you can be limited in what kinds of classes you can take to get your diploma, but in university, you have some freedom when it comes to exploring different disciplines through electives.

You have tons of choice at UBC and regardless of your major or program, you can try a bunch of fun and interesting classes that fall out of your primary area of study. Whether that’s an engineering class for non-engineers, a wine science, anthropology of the supernatural or language class, UBC has got it.

Studying something you’re interested in is not only fun, but also a good way to expand your horizons and potentially fall in love with a new subject.

THE BOTTOM LINE

School can be scary, but by going to class (most of the time), catering your schedule to your interests and taking advantage of academic resources, you’ll be set up for academic success.

University is what you make of it, so try new things, meet new people and have fun!