20 things I wish I knew before university | first year tips & advice (UBC)

HII welcome back to another video!💕 I'm Yvonne and I just finished up my fourth year majoring in film studies & minoring in creative writing at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Looking back at my university journey, I realized there's a lot of things I wish I'd known earlier so here are 20 tips and advice for incoming first years ─ covering things like dorms, move in and class preparation, (hidden) resources, and advice on how to make the most of these (short) 4 years! enjoy and good luck :)
here's a breakdown of the video:
0:00 ─ INTRO: hi, I'm Yvonne (a 4th year student at UBC studying film studies & creative writing)
0:46 ─ LIVE IN RESIDENCE: benefits + upper year housing tip
1:35 ─ PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE: why it's important + my experience
2:19 ─ PARTICIPATE IN CLUBS/EVENTS: favourite ubc events, why to join them, how they'll help
3:52 ─ GET TO KNOW YOUR PROF/TA: benefits, extensions, guidance
4:58 ─ PREP MATERIALS FOR CLASS: what you'll need & what classes are like
5:49 ─ TEXTBOOKS 101: places to get cheap secondhand textbooks, why you shouldn't buy them all right away
6:48 ─ JOIN FACEBOOK GROUPS: list of best groups to join (for prospective/incoming students, buy and sell groups, housing groups)
7:13 ─ USE RATEMYPROF: what it is/why use it/how it'll help?
7:57 ─ DON'T DO MORNING CLASSES + STACK CLASSES: why? my personal experience (how midterm season would be a nightmare)
9:45 ─ PICK ELECTIVES THAT INTEREST YOU: fav electives, explaining how to get good grades (without taking the "easy"/ "GPA-booster" courses)
12:40 ─ PICK A MAJOR/MINOR THAT YOU ENJOY: why it's not a good idea to pick ones you think will "make you money" or ones that people tell you to
12:59 ─ DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAJOR/MINOR IN?: my personal experience of switching in and out of majors, inspiration quotes + new perspective
14:57 ─ TAKE ADVANTAGE OF UBC RESOURCES: worklearn positions, socials/events/networking & programs/platforms (FREE microsoft office, camtasia editing software, criterion film)
16:28 ─ GO ON EXCHANGE: faculty of arts benefits, why go on exchange
17:11 ─ HOMESICKNESS: tips on how to deal with it & words of advice
18:06 ─ GRADES DON'T DEFINE YOU: academic transition from high school, how to deal with getting bad grades & looking at it from another perspective
18:43 ─ PACK ESSENTIALS: things to bring, moving-in tips, why "less is more" is relevant
19:24 ─ EXPLORE THE CITY: things to do in vancouver, reminder to make memories and take breaks from studying
19:48 ─ ENJOY THE JOURNEY: how 4 years fly by, take advantage of the moment (and student life), be grateful and live in the moment
21:00 - OUTRO: links to my socials & youtube videos/playlists
A PLAYLIST OF MORE UBC VIDEOS (first + upper year residence tours, sit down chats, day in my life, week in my life, etc):
➡️ • University of British ...
➥ FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE - • UBC FIRST YEAR EXPERIE...
➥ SECOND YEAR EXPERIENCE - • raw second year experi...
➥ THIRD YEAR EXPERIENCE - • crazy UBC third year e...
MORE OF ME:
Instagram @yvonnooo
/ ​​
MUSIC:
By Lukrembo ─ • lukrembo - travel (roy...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
BUSINESS:
For business inquiries only - 💌 [e-mail]
SUBSCRIBER COUNT ♡ 12,240
thanks for watching!!!!
❤️, Yvonne
#UBC #TheUniversityOfBritishColumbia #Vancouver #freshman #firstyeartips

[@Itsyvn]

⬇️PLEASE COMMENT any other advice/tips you have for incoming students!! & for my first years ─ what are you most excited or scared about?? ⬇️ p.s. UBC 4th year experience video is coming soooon!⏳

[@Nebulousart]

I resonate so much that point about regrets. The pandemic ruined my first year (but also I had depression so lmao) and I regretted not doing SO MUCH. Now that I’m returning to redo my second year, I’m looking forward to January because there’s so much I want to do (some of which you’ve inspired me to do!!) but I’d like to take it slower and at my own pace, like you suggested :D

[@Itsyvn]

@@Nebulousart everyone has their own pace and it’s so important to stay focused on that - as long as you know what you’re doing, that’s all that matters! Take care and I wish you all the best when you continue in January🥰

[@Jasmin-ti6gj]

I've applied for the 2023 winter session and seeing your videos gets me so hyped for attending UBC!!!

[@Ochigbofaith1999]

Hello jasmin

[@Nandakhushi22]

Hey Same here

[@Jasmin-ti6gj]

@@Ochigbofaith1999 hi!

[@Jasmin-ti6gj]

@@Nandakhushi22 great! Hope to meet u there

[@MissesMarble]

Same!

[@Jasmin-ti6gj]

you have no idea HOW HELPFUL THIS VIDEO IS FOR ME !!

[@sydney_oj4819]

Just got my acceptance email a few days ago! I’m so excited, this video has really calmed my nerves :)

[@emilyho5075]

Thank you so much for this video!! This is really helpful for an incoming 3rd year student :-)

[@Itsyvn]

Love to hear this!!!!💛 I’m really glad it does and have a good first week!

[@jacobsablan3787]

thank you sm!! i start classes next week as a first year at UBC so this was soo helpful. see u on campus!

[@Itsyvn]

omg you’re so welcome, thank youu for watching!! good luck next week & see you around☺️

[@letterstoairsy9731]

I've been watching your videos ever since senior year started & it feels weird now to think that i'm now a first year student at UBC starting this fall, it would be cool to randomly bump into you on campus & get to say hi! good luck wt the next semester! : )

[@Itsyvn]

No way🥺 wow I’m so proud of you & congratulations for getting in! Welcome to UBC and I hope to see you around on campus!☺️ best of luck this year and have a great first week!

[@ramanslife]

excited to watch that, i start my first year in ubc next week! i just finished doing jump start yesterday :)

[@Itsyvn]

wooo how exciting!! Hope jump start was good & see ya around campus🤗

[@patriciaduong8034]

It's currently application season for me (the personal profiles going to be the end of me) so I'm binge-watching your videos as motivation. I'm SO THANKFUL for these. Thanks :)

[@Itsyvn]

my videos as motivation?!😭 gosh thank you!! good luck and I’m wishing you nothing but the best!!☺️

[@miragill83]

so helpful!! great tips!

[@Itsyvn]

❤️❤️❤️

[@mahammedBatal]

Thank you so much for this beautiful informative video Yvonne! You're the first person who inspired me to choose UBC as my school as I am planning to apply to UBC this fall. I hope I'll get in and Thank you in person one day for your guidance and support! I love you from Somalia. see you

[@Itsyvn]

Hii Mohamed, thank you for sharing this with me and leaving such a kind comment! I wish you all the best with applying and I hope to see you around someday!☺️ I believe in you!!

[@emanazhar4995]

hii.. i’ve grown watching ur uni vids ahah love them sm and u too lol

[@Itsyvn]

oh this is so sweet, thank you so much🥺💛

[@isabellatherrien6324]

This came at the perfect time🥺🤍 I move onto campus tomorrow!!

[@Itsyvn]

aww have the best move in day tmr!!!🥰🥰

[@tanjina7571]

Omg!! Hiii I love your hair it looks so good Masha allah💖💕

[@Itsyvn]

aww thank you so much! That’s so sweet💕

[@tanjina7571]

@@Itsyvn 😇😊

[@peperiveramartinez3378]

It's nice watching this right as I finish my fourth week of university and my first one actually going to campus

[@Itsyvn]

awww it’s so exciting that campus life is back🤗

[@1eadle]

thank you so much

[@arichehrazi3108]

OMG! I wish I could get there, Can you make a video about UBC Scholarships? thank you so muchhhh!!

[@ArifKhan-zb6fg]

Hi Yvonne, such a big fan 😉. Although I’m a 4th year transfer, due to COVID, I haven’t been able to experience what university life is all about as well as what the Campus has to offer. Quick question for you, what can I expect at Imagine Day next week? Also a tip that I have is to keep in mind your goals constantly. Especially when it comes to GPA and post grad studies. If you’re planning on taking a masters/doctorate, plan accordingly based on the different school requirements as all programs get increasingly competitive each year. Consider all your possibilities and stick to a plan that you create for course selection etc. GPA plays a huge role in these programs so strategically picking your profs and courses can significantly increase your chances of getting in during your intake. I know Yvonne had a diff opinion on GPA boosters but there will def be a time where you might need an easy A.

[@Itsyvn]

Love love love this - thank you for sharing this!🙏🏼 This is all so valid & a great perspective for people (including myself haha). To answer your question about imagine day, I’m not too sure myself but definitely a lot of people and hopefully lots of clubs to check out☺️ also gonna text you because I wanna see you!!! miss you

[@clararaaum]

Hi, Greetings from Norway! First of all I love all of your videos!. Secondly, I am going to UBC this September term and really want to live on campus, but I do not know where to start to look, any tips? 🙏🏻

[@halimasadiya3795]

Thank u soooo much for posting the fb page handles for second hand books and other stuff it's gonna come handy 😋🤗✨ and i have a few questions about these exchange programs (as far as ik there's no such thing in my country 🐼) 1) r these funded by the university? 2) traveling expense+accommodation is on us right? 3) so is it like u will complete one sem Or whatever duration in another country's uni instead of ubc and then u come back

[@panic.hannah1666]

I am only a second year in highschool and i like watching videos like these so i can motivate myself to do my homework so i can hopefully get into my dream university one day. just wanted to let you know

[@Itsyvn]

thanks for sharing this with me! work hard and best of luck to you!!☺️👍🏼

[@aultic]

10:30 wait is taking electives for first year science mandatory?💀i wanted to pick the same class but i ended up with DSCI

[@kakitchiam854]

Where did you get that nice painting behind you where you can almost feel the rain?

[@yygg9786]

i like your video editing what do u use?

[@toscae]

went to ubc for my exchange in third year, im from Scotland, but I miss criterion so much, so sad I can't use it anymore haha!

[@Itsyvn]

oh that’s awesome, hope you had a good time at ubc!! and aw, I feel you though, I’m gonna miss it too when I graduate😅

[@Imyourhelia]

Can you give tips ans advice for international students?

[@budiwijayaho7476]

Amazing...

[@Itsyvn]

Thank you for watching!!

[@jadesola.o]

can i apply now to enter ubc?

[@davidparnell3241]

Hi! I've been having occasional panic attacks and i don't know why! 😭😭

[@Itsyvn]

I’m so sorry to hear that. Please take care, I’m wishing you all the best🥺

[@moonlight_staryx]

If you're reading this comment, one small positive thought can change your whole day & believe you can and you’re halfway there ✨. God bless you, and may your dreams come true, stay safe and have a wonderful day.✨

[@Itsyvn]

this is so wholesome, love that you commented this - thank you for sharing such positive energy🙏🏼

[@moonlight_staryx]

@@Itsyvn ily 🦋💗😍

[@calebsatsi]

Great tips! I wanna be your friend so we can talk more.