The Most Valuable Things I Learned During University

On the eve of the completion of my undergraduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, I would like to express my thoughts about the most valuable things I have learned during my university years.

= Your family is a gift to you from God. I am incredibly thankful for mine. Of course, I do have the best family in Canada. Thank you for your unconditional love, encouragement, patience, and a wonderful childhood.

= Seek out good friends with compatible beliefs and values. I have been incredibly blessed with the friends I have made while at university. I value these friendships far more than I do my degree.

= Make sure your professor learns your name. You may be intimidated by the size of the lecture hall or the status of the professor, but it is worth it to make yourself known. Talk to them after class, visit them during their office hours, or send them an email about a connection you made between the course and something in the news. Not only will this improve your mark, but you will feel more connected with the course and realize that professors are regular people.
= For your electives, don't choose what others call 'bird courses'. Take this opportunity to learn a subject that you are curious about. I've now taken beginner and intermediate Spanish! I love this language.

= If your laptop distracts you during lecture, leave it at home. Return to the old-school method of note-taking with a pen and a notepad. Doodling is not quite as distracting as Facebook.

= Try to stay in contact with old friends. Don't worry if you don't connect for a few months if you're both busy. Life happens. If your friendship is strong enough, the next time you meet it will feel like no time has passed at all. In the past two weeks, I have reconnected with five different friends. It's so great to catch up!

= Find a good church and stick with it. Take a few weeks to decide but then make a decision; church-hopping does not help you develop relationships with anyone. Go with a friend and make friends there to keep you accountable. It is super easy to sleep in one Sunday morning, and then let it become a habit. Worship, Christian fellowship, and serving are essential to the soul the heart, and the mind.

= Jesus is your constant companion. Rely on him through the hard times. But also learn to stick close to him during the good times too! May prayer be the air you breathe.

= Eat breakfast. It will help keep you awake during your morning classes!

= While I love getting A+s, I have learned that marks aren't everything! You will still pass the course, complete your year, and graduate even if you have that lovely nap or spend an evening with friends instead of studying. If a friend needs you, drop what you are doing to be with them. If your grandma calls, take the time to talk with her. If it's a glorious sunny day, go to the park!

= Find a great radio station on your radio or iTunes and listen to it each morning when you wake up and get ready. This makes me happy.

= Smile at people when they give class presentations and ask questions during their discussion time. Unfortunately, I have learned how professors feel when nobody bothers to unglue their eyes from their laptop screen to look at you or when nobody participates in the questions you have prepared. In a recent presentation, a peer gave me a great idea for my final project just by asking one question.

= Encourage others. It may be just what they need at that moment. This same peer stopped me after class to tell me how much she liked reading my blogs and that I'm a wonderful writer and person. It made my day and encouraged me greatly at the end of the semester.

= Spend quality time with family and friends. Plan parties, theme days, sleepovers, holiday dinners, movie nights, formal outings to dress up, apple-picking afternoons, beach days, and afternoons exploring the woods. These make for lifelong memories, beautiful photographs, as well as inspiration to get through the rest of the week.

= Learning is a lifelong activity. I have learned so many concepts and theories at school, but I am excited to take courses throughout my life in photography, graphic design, languages, and cake decorating.

= If possible, choose to write your papers on things you care about. Often, there is something in the course that matters to you personally, so research it and learn more about it. For example, I am currently combining my interests in Communications, education, and children to write a paper on media education for our youth. It's easier to write a paper on subjects that you value and you will learn something that will stick with you.
= Stand up for what you believe and for what's right. I've written letters and even met with the Dean. You may not always get the result you want, but it is important to express yourself respectfully and go as far as you can.

= Choose a major in which your interests and abilities intersect. I switched from English to Communication Studies. Maybe not a big difference to some, but I found it a lot more relevant to my life.

= If you get the chance to do something you've always wanted to do, take it! One month from today, I am heading to Israel for a Holy Land Tour. It is the perfect time to go: I will have just finished exams and not started a job yet. You have the rest of your life to make money at a job. Enjoy your freedom!

This list is certainly not exhaustive. But I am exhausted. Feel free to leave comments on what you have learned during your university years. I'd love to hear your thoughts.