✅ Introduction
If you’re reading this with four tabs open, a half-finished group project due tomorrow, and zero idea where your student loan money just went — you’re not alone.
Even if you’re someone who’s just about to go to university, or is thinking about it, this might be something worth reading through.
I’ve been through the ringer myself — a lot of what I didn’t expect, simply because no one told me. And that’s the point of this post.
I’m not claiming to be an expert or some productivity guru who “hacked” university. This is just stuff I’ve seen, lived through, and wish someone had told me earlier.
So here are 10 things I genuinely wish I knew before starting university — and I hope they help you even a little bit.
✏️ 1. GPA Isn’t Everything — But Don’t Ignore It
All our lives we’re told:
Get good grades → Get into a good uni → Get a good job → You’ve made it.
But once you step into the real world, you realize it doesn’t quite work like that.
Today, companies care more about what you can do than just what’s on your transcript. They want to see skills. They want to see work. They want to know you’re not just another 4.0 GPA who’s never done anything outside of class.
When I first entered university, I thought getting a part-time job would be easy. I’d always been a good student. But reality hit fast — I couldn’t even write a decent resume. I had volunteer work, sure, and a couple of school projects, but no real work experience.
There’s nothing wrong with starting from scratch. But let me ask you:
Would you hire yourself based on the resume you have right now?
If the answer’s no, then you’ve got your work cut out for you.
👉 Your GPA still matters. But balance it with practical skills, projects, and experience.
A 3.4 GPA with real-world exposure will take you further than a perfect 4.0 and nothing to show for it.
🫂 2. “Network” Isn’t Just a Buzzword
Let me say this straight:
Talk to people. Everywhere. About anything.
Not just professors and classmates.
Talk to the person beside you at the coffee shop. The person at the event. The student two years ahead of you.
Networking isn’t about having 500 LinkedIn connections. It’s about making real connections that open up real opportunities.
I was once at a university career fair where a woman running a bee farm (yep — a bee farm) was hiring summer staff. The job paid well, and it sounded fun. I barely said anything. My friend, however, talked to her with genuine interest and excitement.
He got the job. I didn’t.
What changed? Not grades. Not experience. Just one thing:
Conversation.
That was the moment I learned:
Most jobs and friendships begin with one unexpected, awkward little conversation.
So say hi. Ask questions. Send follow-up emails. Talk to your prof after class.
One thing can lead to another — and it usually does.
📚 3. You’re Not Supposed to Know Everything
You walk into your first class and suddenly everyone seems like they’ve done three internships, coded a NASA rocket, and memorized the syllabus before the semester even started.
And you’re there like:
“Wait, how do I even find my timetable?”
It’s normal to feel out of place. It’s called imposter syndrome — and most of us feel it.
The biggest mistake? Pretending you know what you’re doing just so you don’t look dumb. That only slows down your growth.
Instead:
Ask questions. Stay confused. Be open. Learn visibly.
The faster you admit what you don’t know, the faster you actually learn it.
There’s no shame in being a beginner. The shame is in not trying.
🛠️ 4. Build While You Study
You will never again have this much freedom and this much time.
Use it.
Want to start a blog? A coding project? A YouTube channel? A podcast?
Start now. Don’t wait.
I know the temptation — we all want the classic “university experience.” Parties, nights out, spontaneous hangouts. And yeah, enjoy that in moderation. But also…
Ask yourself: do I want to waste time now and regret it later, or invest it now and live better later?
You don’t need to build the next billion-dollar startup. Most of us don’t have too many super important responsibilities, and that is a blessing. Just try things. See what sticks. Even failure teaches you more than success ever will.
Your future self will thank you for starting.
🧘♂️ 5. Mental Health ≠ Weakness
You do not need to “grind” through everything.
You do not need to suffer in silence to prove you’re tough.
I once tried balancing three midterms, two part-time jobs, and barely any sleep. I thought I was managing — until my body shut down. I got sick, lost momentum, and it took over a week to recover.
All because I didn’t rest when I should have.
Most universities have support systems. Use them. Take breaks.
If you’re burned out, you’re no use to your academics, your job, or your own goals.
Protect your peace. Respect your limits. Don’t glorify exhaustion.
🧑💻 6. Career Starts Before Graduation
You don’t graduate and then start your career.
You’re building it the moment you step foot on campus.
Document your journey. Keep track of what you’re doing. Share your insights.
That internship? Reflect on what you learned. That project? Write about the process.
Also… as much as I hate LinkedIn — get on it.
You’d be surprised how many people land jobs just because someone liked a post or remembered a comment.
A tip for first-years:
Talk to upper-year students. Ask them what they wish they knew earlier. What mistakes they made. What they regret.
It’ll save you a lot of time — and possibly set you on a better path.
🎯 7. Pick One Skill and Get Really Good at It
You don’t need to master 15 things. You just need to get really good at one.
It could be:
- Excel
- Public speaking
- Writing
- Editing videos
- Organizing events
- Graphic design
Whatever it is — go deep, not wide.
If you’re into public speaking, join clubs or societies where you have to speak regularly.
If you want to code, start building stuff now, not later. Try to really put yourself out of that comfort zone.
Don’t just learn theory. Put it into practice.
If you don’t actually do the thing, you won’t ever really learn it.
Bonus tip? Document your journey. Treat yourself like a case study.
You might even end up teaching it to others.
💸 8. Learn About Money — Yesterday
This one hurts.
I messed up my first credit card. I assumed I’d have enough from my job to pay it back.
But I lost a few shifts, didn’t pay in time, and my credit score tanked.
And the scary part?
Nobody really teaches you how any of this works.
Learn it yourself.
Understand:
- How credit cards work
- What interest rates mean
- What student loans actually cost
- How to budget
For example, most people take student loans, but don’t fully comprehend how they work, they just get a watered-down explanation from the bank or government.
Start with a basic spreadsheet. Track your weekly spending.
Then slowly build up your understanding of saving, investing, and managing risk.
Try to learn about money through videos, courses, or your seniors who have been through it all.
You don’t have to be a finance major to be financially responsible.
You just have to care enough to look.
🧍 9. Be Okay with Being a Bit Lost
You don’t need a 10-year plan at 19.
You don’t even need a 1-year plan.
You just need to keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep trying things.
Feeling lost doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re growing.
Because guess what? The people who look “put together” often feel the same way deep down.
Doubt isn’t weakness — it’s curiosity in disguise.
And curiosity is the fuel of every successful person you admire.
The one who tries and fails is making more progress than the one who isn’t taking any action at all.
So take a deep breath and remind yourself:
You’re not behind. You’re just becoming.
🔁 10. Everything Is Reversible (Almost)
That degree you started but don’t love? You can switch.
That career path you picked in high school? You can leave it.
That first group of friends you made at university that you don’t feel good around anymore? You can walk away.
Nothing is set in stone.
What holds most people back isn’t failure. It’s fear of failure.
Ask yourself:
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
If the answer isn’t “I die,” then maybe it’s worth trying.
You can always rebuild. Restart. Pivot. Change your mind.
Mistakes don’t ruin your life.
Staying stuck in them does.
💡 Bonus: I’m Still Figuring It Out
I’m heading into my final year of university.
I study accounting. But I’m not even sure that’s what I want to do long-term.
I recently worked a job in data analysis and loved it.
I’ve also started this blog and another project on the side.
I don’t have a perfect plan. But I’m learning.
And that’s enough.
So if you’re in year one, don’t worry if you’re unsure.
You’re not supposed to have it figured out yet.
I still don’t.
🧭 Final Thoughts
University isn’t just about books, grades, or even jobs.
It’s about learning how to navigate life — with curiosity, patience, and purpose.
So:
- Take risks
- Try things
- Ask for help
- Rest when needed
- Speak up
- Keep moving
- Let go of perfect plans
- And just be open to who you might become
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to start.
PS – If this helped you in any way, or you’re figuring stuff out too, feel free to message me. I reply to every single one 💬