Four years at Memorial certainly came and went quicker than I anticipated. As I reflect on my time at university, here are five things I have learned:

1. Joining a club or society will enhance the university experience

Throughout my time at Memorial, I have dabbled in many clubs and societies. It was only in my third year I became more involved in The Muse, which led to a MUCEP job as the student columnist for the Gazette. While I did not find a society that sparked my interest right away, I kept pushing myself to attend meetings until I found something that did. Getting involved in something outside the classroom allowed me to enhance my writing skills, learn outside of the classroom and build my resumé.

2. Visit your professor during his/her office hours

It can be difficult for professors to get to know their students during class time. This is why it is important for students to visit professors to build a relationship. Students do not just need assignment help to see a professor, either. Simply dropping in and making small talk allows professors and students to get to know each other on a more personal level. Additionally, building relationships with professors is important as students can ask them for references in the future. Personally, I have already asked a professor to be a reference for a summer job.

3. Attending class regularly and on time is important

Upon entering university, it is easy to not attend those classes with slides posted online and non-mandatory attendance. However, going to class is essential to get the most out of the university experience. Not only will students learn information not posted online, but going to class also encourages punctuality and following a schedule. This will make the transition from the classroom to the workplace much smoother.

4. A strong work ethic will allow for the best experience

University tuition, textbooks and the daily commute to class can be costly. For this reason, it is integral to put effort into university to allow for future success. This could mean visiting the library and writing that paper over attending Open Mic Night. Developing a strong work ethic will lead to retaining more information and receiving good grades.

5. Going out of your comfort zone goes a long way

In my third year, I attended meetings for the Debate Society and improved my public speaking skills. In my final year, my fourth-level English and communications studies courses required presentations. Through joining the Debate Society and pushing myself to speak publicly, the requirement to give presentations in my final year was much easier. In the future, I hope to carry this skill with me while also going out of my comfort zone in new ways.