Article #5: University Student - Life Skills to Learn and Master
If you were to reflect about learning and life in university in the next decade, what will you remember the most?
You might probably remember the things you learned about life and survival rather than the things you gained from the ever-mundane lectures. At times, university life can be interesting and exciting, but it could be very daunting for some, if not all. For the first time ever, you are on your own, regardless of the distance from home. You are in search for new friends, new goals, and new social identity; therefore, meeting all expectations from various stakeholders while facing various challenges during the first year or two, do sound worrisome.
Hear it from someone who had been there (and done that!), where I hereby share my TOP 3 basic yet necessary life skills any university student should absolutely have to thrive at universities.
First, learn how to keep your home or learning space clean and tidy.
While cleaning is seen as a chore (or even abuse!) by some, this is a worthwhile and holistic practice that will train you to be more composed and responsible.
Studies have found that unclean and disorderly room can affect one’s mind and hinder one to be calm (India Today, 2018). It is constructive to view the ability to be able to maintain the cleanliness of the study or living environment as one who will be more productive to oneself and the society. Hence, do not forget to learn a thing or two on the basic physics of doing the chores (and even laundry) from your peers or parents.
For additional reading on laundry, you may click
here.
Next,
mind your Please’s and Thank You’s.
As the saying goes: “Treat others the way you want to be treated”, one must never underestimate the impact of politeness and rudeness. At the very least, one will not lose an arm and a leg merely by being courteous and gracious firsthand. There is no shame in saying Please or Thank You when it is due or needful because a good reputation or a lasting first impression goes a long way. Any rude or uncivilised behaviour spreads like a disease, and no wise man wants to have a challenging time in return for any thoughtless or insolent behaviour in the beginning.
Let’s go to the Thought Bubble: Imagine you are in desperate need of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and the only one nearby who could potentially save you is the same person who you were just reckless with. Need I say more?
Third,
respect DEADLINES.
Deadlines are set for valid reasons, and students must do forward planning to avoid piles of assignments as it could lead to emotional and mental breakdown. Forward planning will not be successful without regulating bedtime, setting priorities, and having systematic effort. By having orderly sleeping time, chances for students to suffer from significant daytime lethargy will be lower. Setting priorities helps you to maintain clear focus on reaching and completing the most important tasks first. It is common to hear students setting goals for themselves; however, the goals could not be attainable without systematic effort undertaken by students. Systematic effort includes the mastery of a calendar/to-do-lists so that you have sufficient time for yourself to revise and proofread your work, to partake in extra-curricular activities without sacrificing study time, and to commit in group discussions with your peers. Remember, time and tide wait for no man.
With the skills above, you should be able to build healthy relationships with your peers (as well as tutors), which will boost overall happiness whilst studying for better academic performance. Avoid procrastination whenever possible, but rather, turn reveries into realities. It is undoubtedly easy to dream of these 3Cs - cars, castles, and cash, but those dreams will remain as fantasies if you do not employ the appropriate values, goals and principles that will help you guide your actions.
May the force be with you!
Contributed by Miss L.Y.