Helen Hsu / 3rd-year / cognitive science / McGill University

You meet new people and no one tells you when to go home, and you can poison your liver to your heart's desire. It's easy to start partying and lose sight of why you're here. The other side of independence is that no one will tell you when to study or clean up for you or wake you up for that exam. You have to remember to be responsible for yourself.

Kevin Schulz / 3rd-year, political studies / University of Manitoba

My first year of university was great and I will always hold fond memories of it because I had a lot of fun. But I had too much fun. It was not until later that I realized my university education was not a right, but rather a privilege and an obligation.

Jenny Mitchell / 2nd-year / biomedical sciences / University of Waterloo

Shy people like myself have to push past their comfort zone and reach out to other people. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Otherwise you'll be very lonely during your crucial first year. Labs and tutorials are great places to meet people, because you're all going through the same new and scary experiences.

Ian Wylie / 2nd-year / peace and conflict studies / University of Toronto

First year had a steep learning curve. Each week brought new challenges and I always felt behind the ball. My course load wasn't huge but combined with extracurricular work, I had no time to relax. To ease the pressure I could have taken four courses instead of five. I ended up with few friends and a nervous tic.

Joel Tichinoff / 4th-year /classics / University of King's College

You'll never have the same opportunity to discover new interests and passions than when you're a university student. Campus is full of sports, clubs and student societies—the more you expose yourself to, the more rewarding your time at university. Don't let this moment pass you by.

Hilary Beaumont / 4th-year / University of King's College

If only I had known then what I know now: Jobs in journalism are being cut, not created. And this is also true for other industries. The job market is bleak and competitive, say my newly-graduated pals. One grad landed a summer gig babysitting. But I'll stick with [journalism] because it's what I chose to do.

Matthew Ritchie / 4th-year / English / Dalhousie University

I wish I'd known to buy a pair of earplugs. One thing you notice when you're 17 and living in residence is that it seems like everyone is there to hook up. Roommates can bring home random strangers at 2 a.m. With raging libidos and no parents around, earplugs are essential if you have a roommate. Don't leave home without them.

Vicky Tobianah / 3rd-year / political science and English literature / McGill University

I didn't even know what "medical anthropology" meant, but I wanted to take that course. University is a time for exploration but practicality must come into play as well. That medical anthropology class? I don't remember a thing. It started at 8:30 a.m. and I'm not a morning person.