Feeling lost in university in Canada? Here’s how I found my path and you can too

By Lisha Lao, Student, Carleton University

I was 18 years old when I began studying at university in 2022. I moved from Toronto to Ottawa and it was the first time I’ve ever lived alone. I struggled with so many things. I was lonely, scared and had no idea what I was doing. I constantly asked myself why I decided to move five hours away from my family and friends and if studying journalism was really worth all the trouble.

I am in my third year now and this is the first year where I really feel this is where I belong, and this is somewhere I could make something of myself.

I have changed my degree or elements of my degree three times. Each time was difficult and upsetting but the right decision in the long run.

My biggest struggle was that I felt I needed to know exactly what I wanted to study because in doing so I would know who I wanted to become. I thought being indecisive about university courses was some sort of moral failure I needed to overcome. I thought I was alone and falling behind, when in reality, things were just beginning.

I isolated myself out of fear and embarrassment when there was no reason to at all. You do not need to suffer alone. What really helped was when I finally went to speak to my academic advisor. She listened to the concerns I had about the classes I was taking and helped me find courses which better suit my interests, and benefit my career path. She guided me on how to speak to professors and directed me to the mental health counselling services on campus. I realized that my struggles were not unique and there were support systems in place for my exact issues.

Talk to seniors in your field.

Wanting to switch your major or change your minor is not crazy. It is in fact a common occurrence. 50-70 per cent of students change their major at least once during their studies, according to the University of Toronto.

I’ve spoken to advisors, professors, teaching assistants, and upperclassmen. I’ve learnt something from them all. Everything has happened already, there is an extremely high possibility that someone has gone through the same thing and can guide or advise you through it.

In my second year, I was really insecure about never having published anything as a journalism major. I compared myself a lot to my peers who had published many things and seemed so sure of themselves. I became friends with someone two years older than me who advised me not to let insecurity consume me, and things started to pick up in third and fourth year. She was right. I have taken writing classes and workshops that have trained me further in news writing and given me something to be proud of.

Everyone wants you to succeed.

This is not to say there will never be setbacks. This is not to say that you will never fail a class, or come across a deeply grumpy teaching assistant or professor. But even failure and rejection have its benefits because it can direct you to the proper outcome or redirect you to a field you are better equipped to excel in.

It was mentally excruciating deciding whether to change my major or not. I once went to a professor’s office hours to ask what they honestly thought about me remaining in their field of study, and they told me to switch out. This devastated me. However (and I hate to say it) they were right. I switched out of that program and am better for it.

You pay for support so take advantage of that support.

Most universities in Canada will have a variety of support systems for students to take advantage of. These can come from: the university themselves, your student union, or the faculty your program is in. My university offers the following:

An academic advisor
Career services
100 pages of free printing every year
Networking events
Guest speaker events
Mental health and wellness counselling
Off-campus housing resources
Eyecare and dental insurance
Library database

I go to career services when I need help formatting a CV or preparing for a job interview. Networking events always introduce me to peers I never would have spoken to otherwise. Universities are the places to look for information. If you need to know something, look through your library’s database!

The list above is not an exhaustive end to all the resources offered at universities. Look to see which ones your school offers!

I am not immune to jealousy and still feel insecure about my place in the greater scheme of things, but now I know there are people who are willing to advise me through hardships.

In your university journey in Canada, you will make mistakes, encounter roadblocks, struggle, but you will become better for it. Keep going, you’re doing great.

I have many peers who are actually better, smarter, and more successful than me and that’s alright. With time, I’ve been able to say that I’m trying my best. I am trying and on track to accomplish my goals. For now that is all I need.

A degree is made up of what you learn academically and what you learn from seniors in your field. In your university journey in Canada, you will make mistakes, encounter roadblocks, struggle, but you will become better for it. Keep going, you’re doing great.