10 pieces of advice I wish I could've given to my 1st-year self

University, like many things in this life, was a huge learning and growing experience for me.

Life lessons come out of experiences we've lived though, whether good or bad, and we can't deny how they contribute to our lives, our character and the people we become or grow into over time.

Obviously not every experience is going to turn out the way you want it to, but I feel like I could've dodged a number of disappointments, heartbreaks, awkward and stressful moments and a number of lows if I knew a few more things before hand around the topic of university; things that I know now.

While in some aspects, there's very little I would change in regards to some of my experiences in my undergrad, and other aspects where I wish I could SLAM the restart button (like if I was slamming down the winning dominoes on the table after a long game) these lessons, which came with their highs and lows over the past four years have contributed immensely to the person I am today.

However, if I could give my freshman year, my 1st-year, my "fresh off the boat" (or plane) self some advice, coming from where I am now, knowing what I know now, this is what I would tell 20-year-old-Maya.

If any of these scenarios fit you right now, imagine this advice is addressed to you too, or make note of anything from this list that you may not have experienced yet, but want to take my advice on tackling it sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately, you're going from barely even understanding the health insurance policies back home, just to delve into a completely brand new health insurance system in a country you've never even been to, where ultimately, you'll have to take care of yourself.

While school is obviously one of the most important things, since you're moving abroad to pursue your post-secondary studies, remember that your health is arguably the most important thing.

If you're not feeling well, your actions will be limited - this includes not being able to go to your classes or finish writing that final fifteen page paper due at the end of the semester.

As an international student, specifically a female black immigrant from the Caribbean, you need to try your best to understand the health care system.

Learn about the insurance you have as an international student. What does it cover? What does it not cover? What benefits do you have access to? Where is your health insurance accepted? These are just some questions you should find the answers to, to help avoid some insurance-related headaches in the future.

Save yourself and your family from a mountain load of stress and put some time aside to understand the ins and outs of health care in Canada, and how covered you are through your international student health insurance in the province you live in.

And remember: Unused insurance money doesn't roll over into the next academic year, so take full advantage of the health care benefits you have access to NOW which you are PAYING for.

Don't let it go to waste! Stay on top of your health by going for regular check ups.

You've grown up watching the romanticisation of university/college life on TV, specifically on North-American shows. Shows where roommates, or classmates become best friends instantly and are in each others lives forever and ever amen, becoming bridesmaids and groomsmen at each others weddings and Godparents to each others kids etc.

While some parts of the shows did ring true, your university journey is ultimately YOUR own, so don't compare the pace which it takes you to meet people and make friends, to other people. You're in a new country, you're on your own, you have a lot to learn, and you have that room to grow.

This early, initial, "first-year" period is a vital time to put yourself first. This is the time for you to live your main character moment, figure things out, determine what works for you, what doesn't, and more.

Don't be afraid to say no to plans, or leave a space if you're feeling uncomfortable, for fear of being excluded, or just having plain FOMO (Fear of missing out.) FOMO is RAMPANT in university and college, but you don't need to get sucked into it.

Not everyone is meant to be your friend. Some people come into your life to enhance the lessons you're being taught, some others come into your life to help you truly confirm what you are looking for in a friend, and some others may come into your life to confirm what you most definately are not looking for.

Be mindful that not everyone has your best interest at heart. Occasionally, your gut is a bad friend radar. PLEASE listen to it.

Also, there's no written rule, or law that says you will only make friends in first year.

Trust and believe, you'll be meeting new people and making friends in your second year, third year, up to your fourth and final year of university and even beyond graduation.

There is no timeline. You just need to put yourself out there just a smidge more, but once you're open to meeting new people, new people will find you and appreciate you just as you are.

If a man has a Trinidad and Tobago flag in his bio, chances are, there is a 95.99% chance that he is not actually from the same island as you are, rather it's his parents or a distant relative who's from the island, and that guy has little knowledge of your native country.

Yes, there are some romantic success stories of people finding the loves of their lives on Tinder, but these are very slim odds.

The app is great for some casual conversations and the occasional confidence boost, but most times, it doesn't go much further than that unfortunately.

Don't feel however, that you need to get sucked into the whole hookup culture that is pushed through the use of online dating apps, and especially in post-secondary environments. Going on a date or two is fun, but be mindful of who you let into your space, or who's space you enter, and always inform someone you know and trust before you go somewhere with a person you don't know.

Some people are clear with their intentions, whereas others will just keep leading you on. If you've made your intentions clear from the start, whether you're looking for a hookup, or you're looking for a genuine connection, don't let anyone talk you out of the standards and boundaries you set for yourself.

Never be afraid to say no should you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

If you're not looking to have a "Netflix and Chill" session, let them know, and remember consent can be withdrawn at any time.

I know what you're thinking, you're afraid of testing your time management skills, or afraid of pulling even a smidge of your focus away from your studies, which is why you're afraid to go looking for a job while still in school.

I'm here to tell you, you will not be getting in the way of your studies, and it will not affect anything with school.

You are more than capable of searching for some means of employment, while you have all that free time during the summer, and you can even look for a part-time job during the academic year.

All those job opportunities you thought would be interesting, don't let the anxiety, and the fears overcome your mind and get in the way of you applying.

Go for it. You have absolutely nothing to lose from simply applying to a job you think is interesting, or would contribute to what you want to do when you finish school. The worst they can do is say no.

Plus, in the summer, you can take advantage of the fact that you aren't limited to the usual twenty (20) hours per week that only international students can work during the academic year, because you can work more than twenty hours in the summer.

What you can gain in turn is some work experience, which gives you something to add on your resume, while also earning some extra dollars, all for you. This can help boost your feeling of independence and also help you feel like less of a financial burden on your parents. It's a win-win situation.

It also gives you something to do during the summer. The days can sometimes feel never ending when there isn't anything to do. Academic breaks are important yes, but rather than spending the entire summer doing nothing, use some of that free time to do a productive task or two.

Try and begin developing a proper work life balance while you're still in school so you can master it before you graduate and go onto in the world of full-time work with balanced ease.

Those small nuances you experienced while having some unruly neighbours in the dorms during your first and second year are NOTHING compared to the horror roommate experiences you'll endure while living in different apartments with actual roommates in your third and final year of university.

The place you decide to call home in this new country, in Canada, that will become your safe space, and you need to protect that space.

You need to have somewhere to go when you need a break from everything, because life can get overwhelming (and there's also this whole global pandemic thing heading your way in 2020) so you'll need to make sure your living space is one that's comfortable, because you're going to end up spending A LOT of time in there.

For most of the year of 2020, you'll ONLY be spending your time at home.

Be stingy (as we say back home, meaning incredibly judgy) with who you agree to live with. It's not a light decision you can make in two seconds, because making the wrong one back to back has led to some really drawn out dark and depressive moments that you could've avoided altogether.

Take your time to do the proper research, find out what your options are, and make a pros and cons list, not just of the things you would and wouldn't tolerate from a roommate, but also assess if there's anything about you also that you feel may not be well received by someone else you're thinking of sharing a living space with, or anything you're willing to change.

COMMUNICATE and set out ground rules for the shared living space EARLY.

As early as the week you or the roommate moves in. I CANNOT stress this enough.

Also, don't be afraid to speak your mind, and never ever let anyone make you feel small or uncomfortable in your own living space. Always remember that while the space is shared, just like anyone else who is also living in the space with you, you ALSO paid rent to live there, and to live there comfortably.

No one should get in the way of that.

No one should ever threaten you or your safe space and make you feel as though you have nowhere to go while living abroad.

Make the most of your freedom as a student.

You arguably have way more freedom of movement as a student, since a lot of decisions will fall on you. Your main commitments are your scheduled classes and assignments, but depending on your school schedule, you may find moments where you have quite a bit of free time.

Compared to working full-time where you have almost no time for yourself since your day basically belongs to your job, five days a week from the moment you wake up to the moment you get home, you have more time for yourself as a student. Please use the time wisely.

Stop saying when you have time you'll do "abc," or you'll wait till you have a specific amount of money in your bank account to do "xyz."

I'm not saying deplete your entire bank account to go on a trip, but there are quite a few inexpensive locations you can check out that you just need to do a quick google search on.

You haven't even gone to see Niagara Falls yet, and that's literally in Ontario girl.

You can plan all you want, but life is unpredictable. Stop constantly preparing for the future, and live in the now every once in a while. Have your experiences, because once you lose that freedom, it will be very difficult to get it back.

Side note: Don't solely rely on people to make plans, because unfortunately people can and will disappoint you.

Yes it's nice to go on trips with others, and make those group memories, but it wouldn't hurt going on a quick solo trip or two for some peace of mind!

The process of getting a driver's licence in Ontario has three (3) parts, the G1, the G2 and the G. The G1, which is the first part of the process that every single person has to do, whether you have previous driving experience or none whatsoever, is a practical, "written" test (it's done online at various DriveTest centres) that you could study for in 1-2 weeks and get done in under an hour.

Getting the G1 will save you from YEARS of headaches of people not recognising your Trinidadian ID card, since you can use the physical G1 Ontario license card you get in the mail, after passing the G1 practical test, as a proof of ID.

This is a legal government issued photo ID card that is accepted province wide.

By using your G1 license as your ID card rather than your foreign ID card, you'll save lots of time, notably avoiding those moments altogether when you have to wait in LCBO (the Ontario liquor stores) while they pull out the book of international ID cards to verify that your foreign ID card isn't a fake one.

Plus, as soon as you get your G1, you have up to five (5) years to do the G2, and the G tests. You can become a fully licensed driver in Ontario before you graduate from university, and save yourself from the headache of getting anything driving related done when you have less time. (Especially since the pandemic has caused a very high and extensive number of backlogs in the system, and halting all driving tests entirely in 2020 only to resume in 2021.)

You won't regret it, trust me, it is no where worth the headache now. You have more than enough time on your hands now to get more than enough practice to get this out the way early. Don't let your anxiety around driving get in the way, please!

The course load as a university student is heavy no matter what degree, diploma or certificate you're working towards earning, and school can get pretty overwhelming whether you only have two courses to complete in a semester, or six.

You need to establish a proper work/school and personal life balance. No need to be overly ambitious, there are academic recommendations set out for a reason, notably to prevent burn out.

Yes, you're here in Canada for academics. You're here for school. You feel the pressure of needing to do well in school, even more so as an international student because of the ridiculously high international tuition fees, while also wanting to take full advantage of the opportunity to be able to go to school abroad, as not everyone is as fortunate as you to be able to do.

You don't want to let your parents down. You don't want to feel like you're wasting anyone's time, or money - but you cannot give your all, and put your best effort in, if you're putting too much on your plate, and not giving yourself the time to mentally and physically recuperate, re-build, refresh and just take a break once in a while.

Your body and mind need to relax from time to time. You can't constantly be on 100%. Even your phone and laptop need to charge on a daily basis, and so do you.

Please, pick a course load that not only meets the recommended limits by the academic office, but also one that you think you'll best be able to balance. This way you can ensure that you can also make room in your schedule to rest, recharge and re-cooperate.

Doing something like picking 18 credits when the recommended limit per semester is 15, is just asking for increased stress that tests your time management skills, so listen to the recommendations!

The "Greek Life" in person, and in Canada isn't really like any American sorority movies or TV shows you watched growing up. I understand you're eager to join everything under the sun, but make sure to really assess what is working for you and what isn't, and what you can comfortably and reasonably dedicate your time to.

If you're looking for a way to become more active on campus however, student cubs are a great place to start! Joining clubs has been a major perk of university life that you weren't even expecting. It's made a huge positive impact on your life throughout your undergrad and even after you graduated. The club space will provide a much needed "home-away-from-home" environment, and you'll meet some amazing people!

Since there's more than one campus, take the time to venture beyond just the one you're on. Commuting within Toronto is relatively simple, and by doing this, you're also opening yourself up to new opportunities by going out and finding out more about what university really has to offer (aside from the academics.)

Also, once you find clubs you want to join (notably the Caribbean club) push yourself to be more than a member, rather join the executive team and become a part of a team of people who contribute to the collective voice of the students, while also celebrating your culture on the campuses. You will not regret it one bit.

It's hard moving to a new country all on your own, having to go through the process of meeting an entirely new population of people who know literally nothing about you, but will get to know you overtime. It's equal parts nerve-wrecking and exciting.

The nerve-wrecking part comes from the uncertainty of how things will turn out - but the exciting part comes from the opportunity of moving to a new country where no one knows you, because you can "re-invent" yourself. You know - work on your confidence, learn how to set stronger boundaries, try some new hairstyle colours etc, but don't lose those aspects that are quintessentially "Maya."

People will come and people will go, but the friends who become family overtime will love you for who you are, and wouldn't have you any other way.

You are enough.

Are you in second year, third year, fourth+ year, or already graduated?

What are some things you wish you could tell your first year self?

Share your advice in the comment section below and I'll repost the responses on the instagram page to share with other incoming/current first year students!